bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Offering mental health first aid to a person experiencing psychosis: a Delphi study to redevelop the guidelines published in 2008
Authors: Cottrill Fairlie A. , Bond Kathy S. , Blee Fiona L. , Kelly Claire M. , Kitchener Betty A. , Jorm Anthony F. , Reavley Nicola J.
Published: February 2021

Background

Psychotic illnesses can have a major impact on those who experience them. Timely treatment for psychosis is important and friends, family members and the public can be a facilitating factor in social support and professional help-seeking. Expert consensus guidelines on how to provide mental health first aid to a person experiencing psychosis were developed in 2008. This Delphi study aimed to redevelop the guidelines to reflect current evidence.

Methods

The Delphi consensus method was used to determine which helping strategies should be included in the redeveloped guidelines. A systematic search of grey and academic literature was undertaken to identify strategies on how a member of the public can assist someone experiencing psychosis. These strategies were organised into questionnaire statements. Two expert panels—one comprising people with lived experience (Carers and Consumers) and one of professionals—completed three consecutive rounds of online survey questionnaires to rate the importance of each helping statement for inclusion in the guidelines. Statements were included in the guidelines if they were endorsed by at least 80% of each panel.

Results

The expert panels rated 515 statements across three rounds of surveys, with 325 statements meeting the criteria for inclusion in the redeveloped guidelines. 59 panel participants completed all three surveys.

Conclusions

The redeveloped guidelines outline a general set of strategies for providing initial assistance to a person who is experiencing psychosis. Compared to the original guidelines, these redeveloped guidelines provide more detailed instruction for members of the public on how to provide mental health first aid to assist a person experiencing psychosis. The guidelines are available to the public and will be used to update the Mental Health First Aid courses.
Development of the Sci-math Sensemaking Framework: categorizing sensemaking of mathematical equations in science
Authors: Zhao FangFang , Schuchardt Anita
Published: February 2021

Scientific ideas are often expressed as mathematical equations. Understanding the ideas contained within these equations requires making sense of both the embedded mathematics knowledge and scientific knowledge. Students who can engage in this type of blended sensemaking are more successful at solving novel or more complex problems with these equations. However, students often tend to rely on algorithmic/procedural approaches and struggle to make sense of the underlying science. This deficit may partly be the fault of instruction that focuses on superficial connections with the science and mathematics knowledge such as defining variables in the equation and demonstrating step-by-step procedures for solving problems. Research into the types of sensemaking of mathematical equations in science contexts is hindered by the absence of a shared framework. Therefore, a review of the literature was completed to identify themes addressing sensemaking of mathematical equations in science. These themes were compiled into nine categories, four in the science sensemaking dimension and five in the mathematics sensemaking dimension. This framework will allow for comparison across studies on the teaching and learning of mathematical equations in science and thus help to advance our understanding of how students engage in sensemaking when solving quantitative problems as well as how instruction influences this sensemaking.
Application of Soil Water Index to landslide prediction in snowy regions: sensitivity analysis in Japan and preliminary results from Tomsk, Russia
Authors: Matsuyama Hiroshi , Saito Hitoshi , Zemtsov Valerii
Published: February 2021

Soil Water Index (SWI) represents the conceptual water stored in the soil and is calculated using a three-layer tank model with hourly precipitation. In Japan, landslide disasters are likely to occur when SWI in an event exceeds the maximum value of the past 10 years; however, snowmelt-driven landslide disasters have not been considered yet. Using the tank model that simultaneously calculates SWI and runoff, we implemented the snowfall-accumulation-snowmelt processes into the original SWI and applied the modified SWI to meteorological data in Tomsk, Russia, in spring 2010 when severe flood and landslide disasters had occurred. We conducted a sensitivity analysis of hourly precipitation in snowy region in Japan considering that meteorological data in Russia are available every 3 h. When we input the average of the three-hourly accumulated precipitation to calculate SWI, the result was almost identical to that of the observed hourly precipitation being given. We then estimated the hourly temperature by linearly interpolating the data every 3 h, and set the threshold of liquid/solid precipitation. The degree-hour method was employed to calculate the snowmelt. The modified SWI predicted the occurrence of snowmelt-driven landslide disasters in Japan when the calculated SWI exceeded the maximum value in the snowmelt season (March–May) for the past 10 years. When applied to meteorological data in Tomsk, the modified SWI and calculated runoff captured the timing of snowmelt-driven flood and landslide disasters in spring 2010. We demonstrated that by focusing on the maximum value of SWI in the snowmelt season for the past 10 years, we can predict snowmelt-driven landslide disasters.
Automated seizure diagnosis system based on feature extraction and channel selection using EEG signals
Authors: Ein Shoka Athar A. , Alkinani Monagi H. , El-Sherbeny A. S. , El-Sayed Ayman , Dessouky Mohamed M.
Published: February 2021

Seizure is an abnormal electrical activity of the brain. Neurologists can diagnose the seizure using several methods such as neurological examination, blood tests, computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalogram (EEG). Medical data, such as the EEG signal, usually includes a number of features and attributes that do not contains important information. This paper proposes an automatic seizure classification system based on extracting the most significant EEG features for seizure diagnosis. The proposed algorithm consists of five steps. The first step is the channel selection to minimize dimensionality by selecting the most affected channels using the variance parameter. The second step is the feature extraction to extract the most relevant features, 11 features, from the selected channels. The third step is to average the 11 features extracted from each channel. Next, the fourth step is the classification of the average features using the classification step. Finally, cross-validation and testing the proposed algorithm by dividing the dataset into training and testing sets. This paper presents a comparative study of seven classifiers. These classifiers were tested using two different methods: random case testing and continuous case testing. In the random case process, the KNN classifier had greater precision, specificity, positive predictability than the other classifiers. Still, the ensemble classifier had a higher sensitivity and a lower miss-rate (2.3%) than the other classifiers. For the continuous case test method, the ensemble classifier had higher metric parameters than the other classifiers. In addition, the ensemble classifier was able to detect all seizure cases without any mistake.
Pieces of evidences of reliability of the Brazilian version of the Child Executive Functions Battery (CEF-B)
Authors: Guerra Amanda , Hazin Izabel , Roulin Jean-Luc , Le Gall Didier , Roy Arnaud
Published: February 2021

Executive dysfunctions are central symptoms in different neurological, developmental, and context-related conditions. The assessment of these functions is then essential in neuropsychological pediatric clinical practice. Given the need for reliable and valid evaluation batteries for clinical practice in Brazil, this study aimed to present the pieces of evidences of reliability of the Child Executive Functions Battery (CEF-B). A total of 230 Brazilian children with typical development aged between 7 and 12 years participated in the study. Internal consistency was determined by the split-half method, Cronbach’s α, and Ω. In addition, measurements of test-retest reliability and intraclass coefficient were also performed. Retest indicators were mostly weak and moderate (between .43 and .75). Overvall, coefficients show a satisfactory internal consistency reliability for planning and inhibition measures (between .72 and .92). Considering the measures of WM, results were also satisfactory for both α and Ω indexes. This study revealed that the CEF-B has satisfactory internal consistency reliability coefficients. However, several tests have shown low reliability assessed through the test-retest method. In general, findings reveal interesting pieces of initial evidence of reliability of the Brazilian version. The methodological approach could be improved in future studies by including children with executive disorders.
Familial Short Stature—A Novel Phenotype of Growth Plate Collagenopathies
Authors: Plachy Lukas , Dusatkova Petra , Maratova Klara , Petruzelkova Lenka , Elblova Lenka , Kolouskova Stanislava , Snajderova Marta , Obermannova Barbora , Zemkova Dana , Sumnik Zdenek , Lebl Jan , Pruhova Stepanka
Published: February 2021

Context

Collagens are the most abundant proteins in the human body. In a growth plate, collagen types II, IX, X, and XI are present. Defects in collagen genes cause heterogeneous syndromic disorders frequently associated with short stature. Less is known about oligosymptomatic collagenopathies.

Objective

This work aims to evaluate the frequency of collagenopathies in familial short stature (FSS) children and to describe their phenotype, including growth hormone (GH) treatment response.

Methods

Eighty-seven FSS children (pretreatment height ≤ –2 SD both in the patient and his or her shorter parent) treated with GH were included in the study. Next-generation sequencing was performed to search for variants in the COL2A1, COL9A1, COL9A2, COL9A3, COL10A1, COL11A1, and COL11A2 genes. The results were evaluated using American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines. The GH treatment response of affected children was retrospectively evaluated.

Results

A likely pathogenic variant in the collagen gene was found in 10 of 87 (11.5%) children. Detailed examination described mild asymmetry with shorter limbs and mild bone dysplasia signs in 2 of 10 and 4 of 10 affected children, respectively. Their growth velocity improved from a median of 5.3 cm/year to 8.7 cm/year after 1 year of treatment. Their height improved from a median of –3.1 SD to –2.6 SD and to –2.2 SD after 1 and 3 years of therapy, respectively. The final height reached by 4 of 10 children differed by –0.67 to +1.0 SD and –0.45 to +0.5 SD compared to their pretreatment height and their affected untreated parent’s height, respectively.

Conclusion

Oligosymptomatic collagenopathies are a frequent cause of FSS. The short-term response to GH treatment is promising.
Fighting Fire With Fire: Oncolytic Virotherapy for Thoracic Malignancies
Authors: Ekeke Chigozirim N. , Russell Kira L. , Joubert Kyla , Bartlett David L. , Luketich James D. , Soloff Adam C. , Guo Zong Sheng , Lotze Michael T. , Dhupar Rajeev
Published: February 2021

Thoracic malignancies are associated with high mortality rates. Conventional therapy for many of the patients with thoracic malignancies is obviated by a high incidence of locoregional recurrence and distant metastasis. Fortunately, developments in immunotherapy provide effective strategies for both local and systemic treatments that have rapidly advanced during the last decade. One promising approach to cancer immunotherapy is to use oncolytic viruses, which have the advantages of relatively high tumor specificity, selective replication-mediated oncolysis, enhanced antigen presentation, and potential for delivery of immunogenic payloads such as cytokines, with subsequent elicitation of effective antitumor immunity. Several oncolytic viruses including adenovirus, coxsackievirus B3, herpes virus, measles virus, reovirus, and vaccinia virus have been developed and applied to thoracic cancers in preclinical murine studies and clinical trials. This review discusses the current state of oncolytic virotherapy in lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and metastatic malignant pleural effusions and considers its potential as an emergent therapeutic for these patients.
¿CÓMO SOBREVIVIR A LA EXCELENCIA DEL DEPORTE DURANTE EL CONFINAMIENTO POR LA COVID-19?.
Authors: Moscoso David , Jaenes Sáchez José Carlos , Alarcón Rubio David
Published: February 2021

This article analyzes the results of a survey carried out during the 2020 lockdown of high-level Spanish athletes (members of sporting federations and Olympians). Through the Emotional and Adaptive Reactions in Lockdown Questionnaire COVID-19 (REACOVID-19), distributed by federations and sports clubs to a non-probabilistic snowball sample, 2,831 athletes were interviewed. They were consulted about their habitats, family and leisure conditions during lockdown, training habits and behaviors, attitudes related to the motivation and organization of their training sessions, as well as the availability of materials, the monitoring of coaches and the information received by federations and sports clubs. Finally, they were also consulted about their position and how the suspension of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games has affected them. In addition, to paint a picture of these athletes’ training situation in this context, the article exposes the difficulties and limitations of conducting a survey of this nature in a state of emergency.
Nuevos desafíos entre el discurso oficial y local del patrimonio cultural inmueble
Authors: Jaramillo Uribe Germán
Published: February 2021

El presente artículo plantea el debate entre el discurso oficial autorizado y el discurso local en los procesos de valoración y gestión del patrimonio como construcción social, contrastado con la experiencia del proyecto de gestión patrimonial del Ferrocarril de Antioquia, en la categoría de itinerario cultural, como respuesta a las siguientes preguntas: ¿Cuáles son las contradicciones en los procesos de gestión del patrimonio urbano-arquitectónico? Y ¿Cuáles son los desafíos en la construcción, resignificación y activación del patrimonio cultural desde los discursos e iden­tidades locales? Pone de relieve la disyuntiva desde lo teórico y lo práctico, e invita a encontrar nuevas estrategias de gestión participativa que permitan generar procesos de legitimación social del patrimonio, entendidos en el marco de la cultura como un agente de cambio en doble vía, que atienda tanto a la puesta en valor de los patrimonios locales, como al fomento de nuevas identidades individuales y colectivas.
Quantile Judgments of Lognormal Losses: An Experimental Investigation
Authors: Wang Sulian , Wang Chen
Published: February 2021

The present study aims to investigate the quality of quantile judgments on a quantity of interest that follows the lognormal distribution, which is skewed and bounded from below with a long right tail. We conduct controlled experiments in which subjects predict the losses from a future typhoon based on losses from past typhoons. Our experiments find underconfidence of the 50% prediction intervals, which is primarily driven by overestimation of the 75th percentiles. We further perform exploratory analyses to disentangle sampling errors and judgmental biases in the overall miscalibration. Finally, we show that the correlations of log-transformed judgments between subjects are smaller than is justified by the information overlapping structure. It leads to overconfident aggregate predictions using the Bayes rule if we treat the low correlations as an indicator for independent information.
Ranking and Selection with Covariates for Personalized Decision Making
Authors: Shen Haihui , Hong L. Jeff , Zhang Xiaowei
Published: February 2021

We consider a problem of ranking and selection via simulation in the context of personalized decision making, in which the best alternative is not universal, but varies as a function of some observable covariates. The goal of ranking and selection with covariates (R&S-C) is to use simulation samples to obtain a selection policy that specifies the best alternative with a certain statistical guarantee for subsequent individuals upon observing their covariates. A linear model is proposed to capture the relationship between the mean performance of an alternative and the covariates. Under the indifference-zone formulation, we develop two-stage procedures for both homoscedastic and heteroscedastic simulation errors, respectively, and prove their statistical validity in terms of average probability of correct selection. We also generalize the well-known slippage configuration and prove that the generalized slippage configuration is the least favorable configuration for our procedures. Extensive numerical experiments are conducted to investigate the performance of the proposed procedures, the experimental design issue, and the robustness to the linearity assumption. Finally, we demonstrate the usefulness of R&S-C via a case study of selecting the best treatment regimen in the prevention of esophageal cancer. We find that by leveraging disease-related personal information, R&S-C can substantially improve patients’ expected quality-adjusted life years by providing a patient-specific treatment regimen.
Creating a balance
Authors: Hewson Claire
Published: February 2021

The approaches of Montessori and Reggio Emilia are still regarded as important to best practice – but how do their key tenets relate to implementing the revised EYFS framework?
Rates relief must stay
Authors: Tanuku Purnima
Published: February 2021

Will the business rate holiday for nurseries be extended beyond March when it is due to end? The Chancellor's decision will be either the final straw or a glimmer of hope, says Purnima Tanuku.
Taking the biscuit
Authors: Hart Karen
Published: February 2021

Cooking is one of the most enjoyable ways to apply mathematical thinking and will help children to transfer their new found counting skills to many other activities and everyday tasks. Observe how they begin to correct their own mistakes.
Octenidine dihydrochloride treatment of a meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilm-infected mouse wound
Authors: Huang Jianhua , Fan Qing , Guo Mingquan , Wu Minfeng , Wu Shutian , Shen Shuzhan , Wang Xiuli , Wang Hongwei
Published: February 2021

Objective:

This study sought to estimate the effect of a liquid octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT)-impregnated gauze dressing in the treatment of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilm-infected wounds.

Method:

In this animal study, a six-millimetre punch full-thickness wound on each mouse back was inoculated with MRSA suspension, and then covered with a Tegaderm (3M Health Care, US) dressing for an established biofilm model. Animals were divided into three groups for topical application: control group (treated with phosphate-buffered saline, PBS); mupirocin group (treated with 2% mupirocin); and OCT group (treated with OCT). All applications were administrated once 24 hours post-wounding. The bioburden was determined by counting colony-forming units (cfus) and the biofilm architecture was viewed using fluorescent staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on day two. The tissue repair was evaluated histologically and the related genes were detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) on day 15.

Results:

The results suggested OCT accelerated healing and reduced by >3.6 log cfu/g bacterial counts on the wounds relative to the PBS-treated control (p<0.05). Histological analysis showed OCT-treated tissue exhibited lower burden of the inflammatory cells, more mature collagen fibres and well-defined epithelialisation. LIVE/DEAD fluorescent staining and SEM confirmed OCT induced a substantial destruction to biofilm structure. RT-qPCR further demonstrated that OCT therapy could inhibit the expression of MRSA and its biofilm genes by nearly 100% (p<0.05).

Conclusion:

This investigation provides a rare in vivo experimental basis for OCT improvement on MRSA-infected wound healing and the superior efficacy implies OCT topical application may represent an ideal choice to address established bacterial biofilm in hard-to-heal wounds.
Prevention of diabetic foot ulcers using a smartphone and mobile thermography: a case study
Authors: Oe Makoto , Tsuruoka Kahori , Ohashi Yumiko , Takehara Kimie , Noguchi Hiroshi , Mori Taketoshi , Yamauchi Toshimasa , Sanada Hiromi
Published: February 2021

Objective:

Early identification of pre-ulcerative pathology is important to preventing diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), but signs of inflammation are difficult to detect on the feet of patients with diabetic neuropathy due to decreased sensation. However, infrared thermography can objectively identify inflammation. Therefore, a device that allows patients to visualise thermograms of their feet might be an effective way to prevent DFU. We aimed to determine the effects of a novel self-monitoring device to prevent DFU using a thermograph attached to a smartphone.

Method:

A self-monitoring device comprising a mobile thermograph attached to a smartphone on a selfie stick was created, and its effects in two patients with diabetic neuropathy and foot calluses assessed.

Results:

For one patient, he understood that walking too much increased the temperature in the skin of his feet (a sign of inflammation). The other patient could not detect high-risk findings, because the temperature of his skin did not increase during the study period.

Conclusion:

This device might provide self-care incentives to prevent DFU, although some issues, such as the automatic detection of high-risk thermographic changes, need to be improved.
Time to closure of orthopaedic surgical incisions: a novel skin closure device versus conventional sutures
Authors: Gilat Ron , Haunschild Eric D , Tauro Tracy , Parvaresh Kevin C , Cole Brian J
Published: February 2021

Objective:

New technologies are being developed to optimise healing of surgical incisions. BandGrip (US) is a micro-anchor skin closure device that replaces the need for subcuticular suturing and further dressing. The purpose of this study is to perform a matched cohort analysis comparing time to closure of surgical incisions between sutures and the novel skin closure device.

Method:

Patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery in 2019 underwent skin closure with either conventional sutures or the novel skin closure device. Patients were divided into three groups according to their procedural incisions: anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR); simple arthroscopy; and general incisions. Patients who underwent closure of their surgical incision with the novel skin closure device were matched with patients undergoing superficial closure with sutures. Statistical analysis was performed to compare time to closure per centimetre of skin incision between the groups.

Results:

A total of 86 patients were included in the study. Overall mean time to closure using the novel skin closure device was less than with sutures (8.6 seconds/cm versus 42.8 seconds/cm, respectively, p<0.001). Mean time to closure for ACLR incisions was 3.7 seconds/cm using the novel skin closure device and 35.5 seconds/cm using sutures (p<0.001). Mean time to closure for simple arthroscopy portals was 19 seconds/cm using the novel skin closure device and 47.6 seconds/cm using sutures (p<0.001).

Conclusion:

BandGrip is a novel skin closure device that allows for efficient surgical incision closure. Time to surgical skin incision closure is significantly less with the use of the novel skin closure device when compared with conventional sutures.
Disinfection capabilities of a 222 nm wavelength ultraviolet lighting device: a pilot study
Authors: Goh Jun Chance , Fisher Dale , Hing Eileen Chor Hoong , Hanjing Lee , Lin Yap Yan , Lim Jane , Chen Ong Wei , Chye Lim Thiam
Published: February 2021

Objective:

To demonstrate the efficacy of the SafeZone UVC (Ushio Inc., Japan) 222 nm ultraviolet C (UVC) light to reduce bacterial burden in pressure ulcers (PUs) in human patients. This research is the first human clinical trial using 222 nm UVC in eradicating bacteria in human wounds.

Method:

Patients with Stage 2 or 3 (as defined by the revised National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel Pressure Injury Staging System) sacral or gluteal pressure ulcers (PUs) were subjected to four sessions of 222 nm UVC light therapy over two weeks. Pre- and post-UVC therapy, wound cultures were taken and quantitative analysis of bacterial colony forming units (CFU) were performed.

Results:

A total of 68 UV light sessions across 16 different patients were conducted. Of these sessions, 59 (87.0%) sessions showed a reduction in CFU counts, with 20 (29.4%) showing complete eradication of bacteria. Bacteria identified included meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella Pneumoniae. The overall median reduction in CFU of the 68 sessions was 78.9%. No adverse events were reported in any of the UV sessions.

Conclusion:

In this study, 222 nm UVC light was safe and effective in reducing bacterial CFU counts in sacral and gluteal PUs across numerous different species of bacteria.
Day-case total hip arthroplasty: a literature review and development of a hospital pathway
Authors: Thompson Joshua W. , Wignadasan Warran , Ibrahim Mazin , Beasley Lucy , Konan Sujith , Plastow Ricci , Magan Ahmed , Haddad Fares S.
Published: February 2021

Aims

We present the development of a day-case total hip arthroplasty (THA) pathway in a UK National Health Service institution in conjunction with an extensive evidence-based summary of the interventions used to achieve successful day-case THA to which the protocol is founded upon.

Methods

We performed a prospective audit of day-case THA in our institution as we reinitiate our full capacity elective services. In parallel, we performed a review of the literature reporting complication or readmission rates at ≥ 30-day postoperative following day-case THA. Electronic searches were performed using four databases from the date of inception to November 2020. Relevant studies were identified, data extracted, and qualitative synthesis performed.

Results

Our evaluation and critique of the evidence-based literature identifies day-case THA to be safe, effective, and economical, benefiting both patients and healthcare systems alike. We further validate this with our institutional elective day surgery arthroplasty pathway (EDSAP) and report a small cohort of successful day-case THA cases as an example in the early stages of this practice in our unit.

Conclusion

Careful patient selection and education, adequate perioperative considerations, including multimodal analgesia, surgical technique and blood loss management protocols and appropriate postoperative pathways comprising reliable discharge criteria are essential for successful day-case THA. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(2):93–102.
Review: Genetic diversity of local and exotic cattle and their crossbreeding impact on the quality of Indonesian cattle
Authors: SUTARNO SUTARNO , SETYAWAN AHMAD DWI
Published: February 2021

Sutarno, Setyawan AD. 2015. Genetic diversity of local and exotic cattle and their crossbreeding impact on the quality of Indonesian cattle. Biodiversita16: 327-354.Several species of cattle had been domesticated around the world, but only two species werefarmed extensively, zebu cattle (Bos indicus) of the tropics and taurine cattle (Bos taurus) of the subtropical areas. Both of them hadhundreds variety of offspring in the worlds. The third species of cattle that most widely farmed was Bali cattle (Bos javanicus), anindigenous cattle from Indonesia that was domesticated from wild banteng (Bos javanicus javanicus). Besides Bali cattle, Indonesia hadalso some local cattle as direct descendants of or as Crossbreeds of those three cattle. These cattle had been adapted to climaticconditions, feeds and diseases in Indonesia. Local zebu cattle that relatively pure were Peranakan Ongole (PO) or Ongole breeds andSumba Ongole (SO). The main Crossbreed between zebu and Bali cattle was Madura cattle. The other well-known cattle of this wereAceh cattle, Pesisir cattle, Rancah cattle, Jabres cattle, Galekan cattle and Rambon cattle. Crossbreeds of taurine and zebu cattlegenerally produced calf that declining reproductive ability in generations. One fairly successful was Grati cattle or Holstein FreisianIndonesia (FHI) which was a crossbreed of Holstein Friesian and PO cattle. In recent decades, there were many crossbreed activitiesthrough artificial insemination between local cattle and taurine cattle to produce excellent beef cattle, mainly Simmental and Limousin.This activity was carried out widely and evenly distributed throughout Indonesia. It was conducted on all local cattle breeds and wasstrongly supported by local farmers. This crossbreeding activity was feared to change the genetic diversity of local Indonesia cattle,where the descendants could not adapt to the climatic conditions, feeds and localized diseases; and the ability of reproduction continuesto decline in generations, there fore the availability of parental cattle should be maintained continuously. This crossbreed had producedsome new breeds, among others Simpo (Simmental x PO), Limpo (Limousin x PO), Simbal (Simmental x Bali cattle), Limbal(Limousin x Bali cattle), and Madrasin or Limad (Limousin x Madura cattle). Male offsprings were sterile, while female offsprings hadlower reproductive capacity than of the parentâ€™s. This lead to uncertainty over the guarantee of meeting the needs of protein (meat andmilk) of Indonesian in the future, thus there was a need of regulation. On the other hand, in the grasslands of North Australia, thebreeder had produced an eminent cattle breeds, namely Australian Commercial Cattle (ACC), from uncontrolled crossbreeds betweendifferent breedsof taurine and zebu cattle in the pasture, therefore this concerns ignored.
Inbreeding depression level of post-larvae freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) from several hatcheries in Java, Indonesia
Authors: BINUR ROBI , PANCORO ADI
Published: February 2021

Binur R, Pancoro A. 2017. Inbreeding depression level of post-larvae freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) from several hatcheries in Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 18: 609-618. Inbreeding accumulation will tend to reduce genetic variation or depressed of the prawn fry produced. This problem has caused a decrease in production and quality of prawns culture in Indonesia. The purpose of this study is to measure the level of inbreeding depression prawn fry generated from several hatcheries in Java by microsatellite markers. There is four microsatellite locus to be used i.e Prk9A/T1, Prk4G/T1, TGFP16, and Mr8-88. The amplification of fourth locus using PCR with 6-carboxy-fluorescine (6-FAM) label. The number of alleles (Na) from fourth locus is Mr8-88 (11 alleles), TGFP16 (10 alleles), Prk4G/T1 (9 alleles), dan Prk9A/T1 (5 alleles), respectively. The level of polymorphism locus from highest to lowest is locus Prk4G/T1 (0.703), Prk9A/T1 (0.507), TGFP16 (0.410), and Mr8-88 (0.370), respectively. Inbreeding depression level of postlarvae (PL) M. rosenbergii tend to moderate with BBI Ciamis (He 0.444), BBUG Samas (He 0.514), LRPTBPAT Sukamandi (He 0.519), and UPBL Probolinggo (He 0.530), respectively. AMOVA analysis showed about 8.0% genetic variation among populations. From these results, it can be concluded that the PL produced indicated have been depressed. Post-larvae prawns produced from fourth hatcheries is not recommended to be a broodstock but can be used for cultivation for farmers.
GC-MS analysis of rhizome ethanol extracts from Curcuma aeruginosa accessions and their efficiency activities as anticancer agent
Authors: Nurcholis Waras , KHUMAIDA NURUL , BINTANG MARIA , SYUKUR MUHAMAD
Published: February 2021

Abstract. Nurcholis W, Khumaida N, Bintang M, Syukur M. 2021. GC-MS analysis of rhizome ethanol extracts from Curcuma aeruginosa accessions and their efficiency activities as anticancer agent. Biodiversitas 22: 1179-1186. This work aimed to evaluate the bioactive compounds and anticancer activity in rhizome extract of ten Curcuma aeruginosa accessions to explore their pharmacological values. The GC-MS analysis was used to identify bioactive compounds. The cytotoxic activity was performed against MCF-7 (Human breastadeno carcinoma) and Vero cell lines using MTT assay. The GC-MS analysis revealed 71 of the compounds as sesquiterpenes (36), monoterpenes (20), phenolics (5), diterpenes (4), phenanthrene (1), tetrapeptides (1), oxazole (1), triazine (1), piperidine (1), and oxygenated hydrocarbons (1). The isocurcumenol was the most dominant metabolite in ethanol extract of C. aeruginosa rhizome, with the highest produced by KP accession (22.01%) followed MD accession (21.12%). However, camphor and β-elemene were the metabolites produced by all accessions studied. In the Vero cell line as a normal cell, the cytotoxic activity varied from 13.28% (MD) to 45.17% (PW). Furthermore, the cytotoxic activity ranged from 1.16% (LC) to 49.70% (MD) against the MCF-7 cell line. The highest anticancer activity was produced in MD accessions; thus, it can be used as a source of quality raw materials for the pharmaceutical and food industry. Besides that, it can also be further developed to obtain superior varieties through plant breeding programs.
Asymmetric high energy dual optical parametric amplifier for parametric processes and waveform synthesis
Authors: Davis Brandin , Saule Tobias , Trallero-Herrero Carlos A.
Published: February 2021

We report on an asymmetric high energy dual optical parametric amplifier (OPA) which is capable of having either the idlers, signals, or depleted pumps, relatively phase locked at commensurate or incommensurate wavelengths. Idlers and signals can be locked on the order of 200 mrad rms or better, corresponding to a 212 as jitter at λ=2 µm. The high energy arm of the OPA outputs a combined 3.5 mJ of signal and idler, while the low energy arm outputs 1.5 mJ, with the entire system being pumped with a 1 kHz, 18 mJ Ti:Sapphire laser. Both arms are independently tunable from 1080 nm-2600 nm. The combination of relative phase locking, high output power and peak intensity, and large tunability makes our OPA an ideal tool for use in difference frequency generation (DFG) in the strong pump regime, and for high peak field waveform synthesis in the near-infrared. To demonstrate this ability we generate terahertz radiation through two color waveform synthesis in air plasma and show the influence of the relative phase on the generated terahertz intensity. The ability to phase lock multiple incommensurate wavelengths at high energies opens the door to a multitude of possibilities of strong pump DFG and waveform synthesis.
Resolving the quantum dynamics of near cut-off high-order harmonic generation in atoms by Bohmian trajectories
Authors: Li Peng-Cheng , Liu He-Chuan , Jooya Hossein Z. , Belmiro Chu Chon-Teng , Chu Shih-I
Published: February 2021

We present an ab initio study of the quantum dynamics of high-order harmonic generation (HHG) near the cutoff in intense laser fields. To uncover the subtle dynamical origin of the HHG near the cutoff, we extend the Bohmian mechanics (BM) approach for the treatment of attosecond electronic dynamics of H and Ar atoms in strong laser fields. The time-dependent Schrödinger equation and the self-interaction-free time-dependent density functional theory are numerically solved accurately and efficiently by means of the time-dependent generalized pseudospectral method for nonuniform spatial discretization of the Hamiltonian. We find that the most devoting trajectories calculated by the BM to the plateau harmonics are shorter traveling trajectories, but the contributions of the short trajectories near the cutoff are suppressed in HHG. As a result, the yields of those harmonics in the region near the cutoff are relatively weak. However, for the last few harmonics just above the cutoff, the HHG intensity becomes a little higher. This is because the HHG just above the cutoff arises from those electrons ionized near the peak of the laser pulse, where the ionization rate is the highest. In addition, the longer Bohmian trajectories return to the core with lower energies, these trajectories contribute to the below-threshold harmonics. Our results provide a deeper understanding of the generation of supercontinuum harmonic spectra and attosecond pulses via near cutoff HHG.
Direct generation of sub-picosecond pulse via multi-section gain switching
Authors: Nakamura Takahiro , Ito Takashi , Nakamae Hidekazu , Kim Changsu , Hazama Yuji , Kobayashi Yohei , Kuroda Ryunosuke , Akiyama Hidefumi
Published: February 2021

We have directly generated optical pulses having a duration of 0.56 ps
with a peak power of 25 W by gain switching of multi-section
semiconductor lasers in which the optimized lengths of the absorption
and gain regions were 50 and 200 µm, respectively. Even though the
experiment was conducted via impulsive optical pumping at a low
temperature, we observed that the multi-section gain switching
suppresses the low-energy tail and chirping inherent to conventional
gain switching in single-section lasers and is useful in direct
short-pulse generation.
Information transfer from the optical phase to a plasmonic digital encoder composed of a gold nanorod pair
Authors: Li Donghai , Wang Shufeng , Chu Saisai , He Yingbo , Lu Guowei , Jiang Hongbing , Gong Qihuang
Published: February 2021

Small all-optical devices are central to the optical computing. Plasmonic digital encoders (PDEs) with a featured dimension of

∼

1

µ

m

hold the key for transferring information from far field to photonic processing systems. Here we propose a PDE design composed of two gold nanorods (AuNRs), whose pattern represents 2-bit digital information. We implanted information into the spectral phase of a femtosecond pulse by pulse shaping and controlled the two-photon photoluminescence pattern of an AuNR pair. The high contrast ratios were achieved with 13.01 and 6.02 dB for binary codes “1-0” and “0-1”, respectively.
Acousto-optic modulation of a wavelength-scale waveguide
Authors: Sarabalis Christopher J. , Van Laer Raphaël , Patel Rishi N. , Dahmani Yanni D. , Jiang Wentao , Mayor Felix M. , Safavi-Naeini Amir H.
Published: February 2021

Since the advent of the laser, acousto-optic modulators have been an
important tool for controlling light. Recent advances in on-chip
lithium niobate waveguide technology present new opportunities for
these devices. We demonstrate a collinear acousto-optic modulator in a
suspended film of lithium niobate employing a high-confinement,
wavelength-scale waveguide. By strongly confining the optical and
mechanical waves, this modulator improves a figure-of-merit that
accounts for both acousto-optic and electro-mechanical efficiency by
orders of magnitude. Our device demonstration marks a significant
technological advance in acousto-optics that promises a novel class of
compact and low-power frequency shifters, tunable filters,
non-magnetic isolators, and beam deflectors.
Ultra-fast remote photoacoustic imaging with a non-scanning speckle-based setup
Authors: Benyamin Matan , Genish Hadar , Califa Ran , Ozana Nisan , Lengenfelder Benjamin , Klämpfl Florian , Zalevsky Zeev
Published: February 2021

A method for fast non-scanning remote photoacoustic imaging is presented and experimentally demonstrated. The approach is based on speckle contrast measurement, proceeding the previously developed method for speckle contrast based photoacoustic detection. This previously developed method is now presented without the need for raster scanning of the sample, an advantage rarely found in optical photoacoustic detection, and offers 50 times faster as well as a simpler remote photoacoustic scheme in respect to interferometric available solutions.
Dry-etched ultrahigh-Q silica microdisk resonators on a silicon chip
Authors: Gu Jiaxin , Liu Jie , Bai Ziqi , Wang Han , Cheng Xinyu , Li Guanyu , Zhang Menghua , Li Xinxin , Shi Qi , Xiao Min , Jiang Xiaoshun
Published: February 2021

We demonstrate the fabrication of ultrahigh quality (Q) factor silica microdisk resonators on a silicon chip by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching. We achieve a dry-etched optical microresonator with an intrinsic Q factor as high as

1.94
×

10

8

from a 1-mm-diameter silica microdisk with a thickness of 4 μm. Our work provides a chip-based microresonator platform operating in the ultrahigh-Q region that will be useful in nonlinear photonics such as Brillouin lasers and Kerr microcombs.
Potential impacts of climate change on geographical distribution of three primary vectors of African Trypanosomiasis in Tanzania’s Maasai Steppe: G. m. morsitans, G. pallidipes and G. swynnertoni
Authors: Nnko Happiness Jackson , Gwakisa Paul Simon , Ngonyoka Anibariki , Sindato Calvin , Estes Anna Bond
Published: February 2021

In the Maasai Steppe, public health and economy are threatened by African Trypanosomiasis, a debilitating and fatal disease to livestock (African Animal Trypanosomiasis -AAT) and humans (Human African Trypanosomiasis—HAT), if not treated. The tsetse fly is the primary vector for both HAT and AAT and climate is an important predictor of their occurrence and the parasites they carry. While understanding tsetse fly distribution is essential for informing vector and disease control strategies, existing distribution maps are old and were based on coarse spatial resolution data, consequently, inaccurately representing vector and disease dynamics necessary to design and implement fit-for-purpose mitigation strategies. Also, the assertion that climate change is altering tsetse fly distribution in Tanzania lacks empirical evidence. Despite tsetse flies posing public health risks and economic hardship, no study has modelled their distributions at a scale needed for local planning. This study used MaxEnt species distribution modelling (SDM) and ecological niche modeling tools to predict potential distribution of three tsetse fly species in Tanzania’s Maasai Steppe from current climate information, and project their distributions to midcentury climatic conditions under representative concentration pathways (RCP) 4.5 scenarios. Current climate results predicted thatG.m.morsitans,G.pallidipesandG swynnertonicover 19,225 km2, 7,113 km2and 32,335 km2and future prediction indicated that by the year 2050, the habitable area may decrease by up to 23.13%, 12.9% and 22.8% of current habitable area, respectively. This information can serve as a useful predictor of potential HAT and AAT hotspots and inform surveillance strategies. Distribution maps generated by this study can be useful in guiding tsetse fly control managers, and health, livestock and wildlife officers when setting surveys and surveillance programs. The maps can also inform protected area managers of potential encroachment into the protected areas (PAs) due to shrinkage of tsetse fly habitats outside PAs.
Could a rabies incursion spread in the northern Australian dingo population? Development of a spatial stochastic simulation model
Authors: Gabriele-Rivet Vanessa , Ward Michael P. , Arsenault Julie , London David , Brookes Victoria J.
Published: February 2021

Australia, home to the iconic dingo, is currently free from canine rabies. However northern Australia, including Indigenous communities with large free-roaming domestic dog populations, is at increased risk of rabies incursion from nearby Indonesia. We developed a novel agent-based stochastic spatial rabies spread model to evaluate the potential spread of rabies within the dingo population of the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) region of northern Australia. The model incorporated spatio-temporal features specific to this host-environment system, including landscape heterogeneity, demographic fluctuations, dispersal movements and dingo ecological parameters—such as home range size and density—derived from NPA field studies. Rabies spread between dingo packs in nearly 60% of simulations. In such situations rabies would affect a median of 22 dingoes (approximately 14% of the population; 2.5–97.5 percentiles: 2–101 dingoes) within the study area which covered 1,131 km2, and spread 0.52 km/week for 191 days. Larger outbreaks occurred in scenarios in which an incursion was introduced during the dry season (vs. wet season), and close to communities (vs. areas with high risk of interaction between dingoes and hunting community dogs). Sensitivity analyses revealed that home range size and duration of infectious clinical period contributed most to the variance of outputs. Although conditions in the NPA would most likely not support a sustained propagation of the disease in the dingo population, due to the predicted number of infected dingoes following a rabies incursion and the proximity of Indigenous communities to dingo habitat, we conclude that the risk for human transmission could be substantial.
Delayed diagnosis of spinal cord schistosomiasis in a non-endemic country: A tertiary referral centre experience
Authors: de Wilton Angus , Aggarwal Dinesh , Jäger Hans Rolf , Manji Hadi , Chiodini Peter L.
Published: February 2021

Background

Neuroschistosomiasis is a severe complication of schistosomiasis, triggered by the local immune reaction to egg deposition, with spinal cord involvement the most well recognised form. Early treatment with praziquantel and high dose steroids leads to a reduction of neurological sequelae. The rarity of this condition in returning travellers to high income countries can result in delayed diagnosis and treatment. We aimed to evaluate the diagnosis and management of neuroschistosomiasis in a UK national referral centre.

Materials/Methods

A retrospective review of confirmed clinical cases of spinal schistosomiasis referred to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, UK, between January 2016 and January 2020 was undertaken. Electronic referral records were interrogated and patient demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological data collected.

Results

Four cases of neuroschistosomiasis were identified. The median age at diagnosis was 28 (range 21 to 50) with three male patients. All patients had epidemiological risk factors for schistosomiasis based on travel history and freshwater exposure; two in Uganda (River Nile), one in Malawi and one in Nigeria. All patients presented with features of transverse myelitis including back pain, leg weakness, paraesthesia and urinary dysfunction. The mean time from presentation to health services to definitive treatment was 42.5 days (range 16–74 days). Diagnosis was confirmed with CSF serology for schistosomiasis in all cases. Radiological features on MRI spine included enhancement focused predominantly in the lower thoracic spinal cord in three cases and the conus in one patient. All patients received a minimum of three days of oral praziquantel and high dose steroids. At three-month follow-up, one patient had complete resolution of symptoms and three had residual deficit; one patient was left with urinary and faecal incontinence, another had urinary retention, and the final patient has persistent leg pains and constipation.

Conclusion

We observed a marked delay in diagnosis of neuroschistosomiasis in a non-endemic country. We advocate undertaking a thorough travel history, early use of imaging and CSF schistosomal serology to ensure early diagnosis of neuroschistosomiasis in patients presenting with consistent symptoms. If schistosomal diagnostics are not immediately available, presumptive treatment under the guidance of a tropical medicine specialist should be considered to minimize the risk of residual disability. We advocate for consensus guidelines to be produced and reporting to be performed in a uniform way for patients with spinal schistosomiasis.