bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of respiratory rate on venous-to-arterial CO2 tension difference in septic shock patients undergoing volume mechanical ventilation
Authors: Guo Zhixiang , Wang Yapeng , Xie Chao , Hua Guofang , Ge Shenglin , Li Yuedong
Published: March 2020

Background

To explore the effects of the respiratory rate (RR) on the venous-to-arterial CO2 tension difference (gapCO2) in septic shock patients undergoing volume mechanical ventilation.

Methods

Adult patients with septic shock underwent volume mechanical ventilation between October 2015 and October 2016. RR was started at 10 breaths/min, and 2 breaths/min were added every 60 min until 16 breaths/min was reached. At every point, central venous and arterial blood gas measurements were obtained simultaneously.

Results

In this study, gapCO2 induced by hyperventilation significantly increased, while the central venous carbon dioxide pressure (PvCO2) and the partial pressure of CO2 (PaCO2) in arteries decreased. The decreasing trend of the PaCO2 was more obvious than that of the PvCO2. HCO3− and ctCO2 were markedly decreased, when the RR was increased (P < 0.05). Central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) had a decreasing trend between 14 (77.1 ± 8.3%) and 16 (75.2 ± 8.7%) breaths/min; however, the difference was not significant.

Conclusions

In septic patients undergoing ventilation, respiratory alkalosis induced by hyperventilation caused an increase in the gapCO2. Clinicians should cautiously interpret the gapCO2 in hemodynamically stable ventilated septic shock patients and its relationship with low cardiac output and inadequate perfusion.
Clinical study on the status of transient thyrotoxicosis after surgery for secondary hyperparathyroidism patients with end-stage renal disease and normal thyroid function
Authors: Zou Bao-shan , Liu Jia-shuo , Li Hong , Xu Zhou , Li Hao , Li Hong-yuan , Wu Kai-nan , Kong Ling-quan
Published: March 2020

Objective

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a common complication of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and part of SHPT patients need receive parathyroidectomy (PTX). However, as an important postoperative complication of SHPT, thyrotoxicosis has received little attention. Therefore, in this article, we aimed to study the status of transient thyrotoxicosis after PTX for SHPT patients with ESRD and normal thyroid function.

Methods

A total of 24 SHPT patients with preoperative normal thyroid function, normal thyroglobulin (Tg) and normal thyroid antibodies receiving PTX were enrolled from the Department of Endocrine and Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, from January 2017 to January 2019. Tg, high sensitivity thyrotropin stimulating hormone (sTSH), triiodothyronine (T3), free triiodothyronine (fT3), thyroxine (T4) and free thyroxine (fT4) were evaluated the day before PTX and on day 1, 3 and 5 after PTX. Besides, all enrolled patients were evaluated whether there are symptoms associated with thyrotoxicosis.

Results

Among the 24 SHPT patients, 1 case (4.2%), 8 cases (33.3%) and 13 cases (54.2%) had suffered thyrotoxicosis at the first, third and fifth day after surgery, respectively. Serum FT4 level increased significantly from pre-operation (0.68 ± 0.15 ng/dl, normal range 0.59–1.25 ng/dl) to the third day after operation (1.91 ± 0.97 ng/dl, p<0.001) and then gradually decline. The frequencies of serum sTSH lower than the normal level gradually increased from the first day (8.3%) to fifth day (66.7%) after surgery.

Conclusion

Transient thyrotoxicosis is a common postoperative complication of parathyroidectomy for SHPT patients with ESRD and normal thyroid function, and it is necessary for clinicians to evaluate the perioperative thyroid function to make early diagnosis and appropriate prevention and treatment of thyrotoxicosis.
Best implant choice for coracoid graft fixation during the Latarjet procedure depends on patients’ morphometric considerations
Authors: Boutsiadis Achilleas , Bampis Ioannis , Swan John , Barth Johannes
Published: March 2020

Purpose

To assess the anthropometric dimensions of the coracoid process and the glenoid articular surface and to determine possible implications with the different commercially available Latarjet fixation techniques.

Methods

In a total of 101 skeletal scapulae the glenoid length (GL), the glenoid width (GW), the coracoid length (CL), the coracoid width (CW) and the coracoid thickness (CTh) were measured. In order to assess the ability of the transferred coracoid to restore the glenoid anatomy we created a hypothetical model of 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% glenoid bone loss. We analyzed four common surgical fixation techniques for the Latarjet procedure (4.5 mm screws, 3.75 mm screws, 3.5 mm screws, and 2.8 mm button). The distances from the superior-inferior and medio-lateral limits of the coracoid using the four different fixation methods were calculated. We hypothesized that the “safe distance” between the implant and the coracoid osteotomy should be at least equal to the diameter of the implant.

Results

The intra and inter-observer reliability tests were almost perfect for all measurements. The mean GH was 36.8 ± 2.5 mm, the GW 26.4 ± 2.2 mm, the CL 23.9 ± 3 mm, the CW 13.6 ± 2.mm, and the mean CTh was 8.7 ± 1.3 mm. The CL was < 25 mm in 46% of the cases. In cases with 25% and 30% bone loss, the coracoid graft restored the glenoid anatomy in 96% and 79.2% of the cases. With the use of the 4.5 mm screws the “safe distance” was present in 56% of the cases, with the 3.75 mm screws in 85%, with the 3.5 mm screws in 87%, and with the 2.8 mm button in 98% of the cases. The distance from the medio-lateral limit of the coracoid could be significantly increased (up to 9 mm) when smaller-button implants are used.

Conclusions

The coracoid graft could not always restore glenoid defects of 30%. Larger implants could be positioned too close to the osteotomy and the “medio-lateral offset” of the coracoid could be increased with smaller implants.
Whole genome phylogeny of Gallus: introgression and data-type effects
Authors: Tiley George P. , Pandey Akanksha , Kimball Rebecca T. , Braun Edward L. , Burleigh J. Gordon
Published: March 2020

Background

Previous phylogenetic studies that include the four recognized species ofGallushave resulted in a number of distinct topologies, with little agreement. Several factors could lead to the failure to converge on a consistent topology, including introgression, incomplete lineage sorting, different data types, or insufficient data.

Methods

We generated three novel whole genome assemblies forGallusspecies, which we combined with data from the published genomes ofGallus gallusandBambusicola thoracicus(a member of the sister genus toGallus). To determine why previous studies have failed to converge on a single topology, we extracted large numbers of orthologous exons, introns, ultra-conserved elements, and conserved non-exonic elements from the genome assemblies. This provided more than 32 million base pairs of data that we used for concatenated maximum likelihood and multispecies coalescent analyses ofGallus.

Results

All of our analyses, regardless of data type, yielded a single, well-supported topology. We found some evidence for ancient introgression involving specificGalluslineages as well as modest data type effects that had an impact on support and branch length estimates in specific analyses. However, the estimated gene tree spectra for all data types had a relatively good fit to their expectation given the multispecies coalescent.

Conclusions

Overall, our data suggest that conflicts among previous studies probably reflect the use of smaller datasets (both in terms of number of sites and of loci) in those analyses. Our results demonstrate the importance of sampling large numbers of loci, each of which has a sufficient number of sites to provide robust estimates of gene trees. Low-coverage whole genome sequencing, as we did here, represents a cost-effective means to generate the very large data sets that include multiple data types that enabled us to obtain a robust estimate ofGallusphylogeny.
Why most patients do not exhibit obstructive sleep apnea after mandibular setback surgery?
Authors: Kim Jin-Wook , Kwon Tae-Geon
Published: March 2020

Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) is effective for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In previous studies, the airway was increased in the anteroposterior and transverse dimensions after MMA. However, the effect of the opposite of mandibular movement (mandibular setback) on the airway is still controversial. Mandibular setback surgery has been suggested to be one of the risk factors in the development of sleep apnea. Previous studies have found that mandibular setback surgery could reduce the total airway volume and posterior airway space significantly in both the one-jaw and two-jaw surgery groups. However, a direct cause-and-effect relationship between the mandibular setback and development of sleep apnea has not been clearly established. Moreover, there are only a few reported cases of postoperative OSA development after mandibular setback surgery.

These findings may be attributed to a fundamental difference in demographic variables such as age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) between patients with mandibular prognathism and patients with OSA. Another possibility is that the site of obstruction or pattern of obstruction may be different between the awake and sleep status in patients with OSA and mandibular prognathism. In a case-controlled study, information including the BMI and other presurgical conditions potentially related to OSA should be considered when evaluating the airway. In conclusion, the preoperative evaluation and management of co-morbid conditions would be essential for the prevention of OSA after mandibular setback surgery despite its low incidence.
LMS-enabled blended learning utilization in distance tertiary education: establishing the relationships among facilitating conditions, voluntariness of use and use behaviour
Authors: Bervell Brandford , Arkorful Valentina
Published: March 2020

Distance education has evolved partly through technologies that defined them in the various generations of distance education delivery. However, in the twenty-first century, the use of Learning Management System (LMS) has changed the face of distance education delivery. Even the traditional face-to-face based distance education mode is now adopting the LMS as a mediating technology between instructors and students. However, in the usage of LMS-enabled blended learning, several factors have been cited in the literature as enablers towards actual usage of LMS technology. Factors such as facilitating conditions, voluntariness of use and actual use behaviour have been important in contemporary literature. Despite their importance, the chasm in the literature is the nuances existing in terms of relationships between these three factors. This study fills the gap by defining a model based on the three factors to provide an in depth empirical study on their relationships and how they influence LMS-enabled blended learning uptake of distance education by tutors. The study thus employs a cross country survey to collect data from 267 tutors and offer analysis by way of a Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) approach. The study revealed important relationships among facilitating conditions, voluntariness of use and use behaviour of LMS-enabled blended learning such that facilitating conditions predicted voluntariness of use and actual use behaviour; voluntariness of use determined actual LMS use behaviour for blended learning in distance education. The study finally provided recommendations based on the findings for policy and practice of LMS-enabled blended learning in distance education.
Connectivity knowledge and the degree of structural formalization: a contribution to a contingency theory of organizational capability
Authors: Victer Rogerio S.
Published: March 2020

The objective of this study is to develop a contingency theory of organizational capability based on the identification of decision variables relevant to the design of firms. The paper supports a model in which superior performance is the result of the proper fit between applied knowledge and organizational structure. More specifically, the study shows that the degree of structural formalization adopted by an organization reflects how knowledge controls the flow of action. The study identifies a functionally distinctive type of knowledge used to regulate the temporal order of tasks calledconnectivity knowledge. The influence of connectivity knowledge on the degree of organizational formalization is empirically tested on data collected in the healthcare sector. Applying a longitudinal logistic regression model on a dataset of 105 hospitals located in New York and New Jersey, this paper measures and compares the odds of key therapeutic tasks being provided by formalized hospital arrangements in which physicians work as employees instead of as autonomous professionals. Empirical results provide preliminary support to the core hypothesis correlating the volume of connectivity knowledge applied in therapeutic services to the degree of structural formalization adopted by a hospital.
Virulence of four Steinernema species as a biological control agent in controlling the termite, Coptotermes heimi (Wasmann) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
Authors: Khanum Tabassum Ara , Javed Salma
Published: March 2020

Subterranean termites are an ancient group of social insects, broadly spread, known primarily as economically important pests for the destruction of wooden structures and also as agricultural pests. Many of the banned chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides used to be recommended for the control of termites. Hence, it has become necessary to find alternative measures for termite control in the natural diverse habitats as well as in the cultivated soil to diminish use of these chemicals. Therefore, in the present study, 4 strains of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) belong to the genusSteinernemawere assessed againstCoptotermes heimi(Wasmann). These EPN includedSteinernema pakistanenseNNRC-AS.04,S. siamkayaiNNRC-As.12,S. bifurcatumNNRC-As.65, andS. maqbooliNNRC-As.88. Virulence of all strains was determined at 3 different EPN inocula in plastic containers layered with sand. A significant nematode inoculum effect was detected for all the tested EPN species. NNRC-AS.04 and NNRC-As.65 showed the highest virulence effects of 95 and 100%, respectively at 150 IJs/ml.
Assessment of the entomopathogenic nematode bacteria against the termite, Microtermes mycophagus D. (Isoptera: Termitidae)
Authors: Iqbal Erum Yawar , Memon Umair Ali , Abidi Syeda Faryal Zehra , Raza Saboohi , Fayyaz Shahina
Published: March 2020

The capability of symbiotic bacteria of entomopathogenic nematodes against the termite, Microtermes mycophagus D. (Isoptera: Termitidae), was assessed. Different fractions of Pakistani isolates of entomopathogenic bacteria viz., Xenorhabdus indica strain (Pak.S.B.50), X. indica strain (Pak.S.B.56), X. stockiae strain (Pak.S.B. 65), and X. steinernematis strain (C.B.10) were assessed against M. mycophagus by direct contact method (spraying method) and sand assay in laboratory conditions. Mortality response of cell-free filtrates after 24 h at 20 °C for X. indica (Pak.S.B.50), T2 = X. indica (Pak.S.B.56), T3 = X. stockiae (Pak.S.B. 65), and T4 = X. steinernematis (C.B.10) ranged (88.3–100%) as 33 ± 9.34, 98.33 ± 6.22, 88.33 ± 7.22, and 100.00% ± 0.00, respectively. In the case of sand assay, the most effective treatment was T4, where (100%) mortality rate was recorded 24 h post application of B.S. (bacterial suspension) (4 × 104 CFU/ml) and CFF (cell-free filtrate) (100 μl/10 ml) at 20 and 25 °C.
Fungal and parasitic contamination of indoor public swimming pools in Arak, Iran
Authors: Sarmadian Hossein , Hazbavi Yasamin , Didehdar Mojtaba , Ghannadzadeh Mohammad Javad , Hajihossein Reza , Khosravi Mahmood , Ghasemikhah Reza
Published: March 2020

Background

Swimming is a popular exercise for different types of people at different ages. Public swimming pools are places where fungal infections can be easily transferred. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of mycological, parasitological, and physicochemical parameters of swimming pools of Arak city.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was done for 12 months from April 2013 to March 2014 in six indoor active swimming pools of Arak city (A, B, C, D, E, and F). Samples were collected in four seasons, two times/season; each time, two samples were obtained from six specified locations (shallow level pool, deep level pool, dressing rooms, showers, margin of pool walls, and foot-washing sink) from each pool with a total of 576 samples. Physicochemical parameters including water temperature, pH, turbidity, and the residual chlorine were measured on-site. In order to isolate and detect the fungal agents, special filters and culture Sabouraud’s dextrose agar, chloramphenicol, and mycosel agar media were applied. Furthermore, non-nutrient agar medium enriched with Escherichia coli was used to detect and to separate the eggs of the worms, cysts, and parasitic protozoa from centrifuges of samples. In order to investigate their sediment, optical microscope and culture media were used.

Results

We found that 456 (79.1%) samples were positive regarding the fungal elements, and 516 fungal species were isolated. The most common isolates were saprophytic species (8.74%), yeast species (25%), and dermatophyte species (2.5%). The most contaminated surfaces were foot-washing sinks and showers. In this study, Acanthamoeba parasites were isolated from one pool only.

All the investigated physicochemical parameters of pool water except for the temperature were found to be in the standard range.

Conclusions

Existence of saprophytic fungi and yeast in pools’ water is plausible to be considered as an indicator of water resistance to the detergent agents. This high degree of contamination is due to the huge number of visitors, the complexity of construction, the choice of materials, and the long opening hours. Isolation of dermatophytes and Acanthamoeba parasite from the pools’ area and foot-washing sink reveals the important role of the public swimming pools in disease transmission.
What do we know about long-term treatment outcomes for severe depressive disorders?
Authors: Strawbridge Rebecca , Jaeckle Tanja , Cleare Anthony J.
Published: March 2020

In a recent issue of BJPsych Open, McPherson & Hengartner (see https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2019.65) reviewed 11 trials examining psychological and pharmacological treatment outcomes for chronic or treatment-resistant depression. They concluded that when assessed in the long term, antidepressants become less effective whereas psychological therapies become more effective. We argue that the evidence does not support this; indeed, most of the studies reviewed do not directly compare antidepressant with psychological therapy treatments and there is little consistency between them in terms of populations and interventions examined. The issue of long-term outcomes is key for optimising clinical guidelines and deserves more intensive research and scrutiny to improve patient response in routine practice.
Precursors to rare events in stochastic resonance
Authors: Giorgini L. T. , Lim S. H. , Moon W. , Wettlaufer J. S.
Published: March 2020

In stochastic resonance, a periodically forced Brownian particle in a double-well potential jumps between minima at rare increments, the prediction of which poses a major theoretical challenge. Here, we use a path-integral method to find a precursor to these transitions by determining the most probable (or “optimal”) space-time path of a particle. We characterize the optimal path using a direct comparison principle between the Langevin and Hamiltonian dynamical descriptions, allowing us to express the jump condition in terms of the accumulation of noise around the stable periodic path. In consequence, as a system approaches a rare event these fluctuations approach one of the deterministic minimizers, thereby providing a precursor for predicting a stochastic transition. We demonstrate the method numerically, which allows us to determine whether a state is following a stable periodic path or will experience an incipient jump with a high probability. The vast range of systems that exhibit stochastic resonance behavior insures broad relevance of our framework, which allows one to extract precursor fluctuations from data.
A topological analysis of difference topology experiments of condensin with Topoisomerase II
Authors: Kim Soojeong , Darcy Isabel K.
Published: March 2020

An experimental technique called difference topology combined with the mathematics of tangle analysis has been used to unveil the structure of DNA bound by the Mu transpososome. However, difference topology experiments can be difficult and time-consuming. We discuss a modification that greatly simplifies this experimental technique. This simple experiment involves using a topoisomerase to trap DNA crossings bound by a protein complex and then running a gel to determine the crossing number of the knotted product(s). We develop the mathematics needed to analyze the results and apply these results to model the topology of DNA bound by 13S condensin and by the condensin MukB.
Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission regulates calcium and F-actin dynamics during wound healing
Authors: Ponte Susana , Carvalho Lara , Gagliardi Maria , Campos Isabel , Oliveira Paulo J. , Jacinto António
Published: March 2020

Mitochondria adapt to cellular needs by changes in morphology through fusion and fission events, referred to as mitochondrial dynamics. Mitochondrial function and morphology are intimately connected and the dysregulation of mitochondrial dynamics is linked to several human diseases. In this work, we investigated the role of mitochondrial dynamics in wound healing in the Drosophila embryonic epidermis. Mutants for mitochondrial fusion and fission proteins fail to close their wounds, indicating that the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics is required for wound healing. By live-imaging, we found that loss of function of the mitochondrial fission protein Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) compromises the increase of cytosolic and mitochondrial calcium upon wounding and leads to reduced ROS production and F-actin defects at the wound edge, culminating in wound healing impairment. Our results highlight a new role for mitochondrial dynamics in the regulation of calcium, ROS and F-actin during epithelial repair.
Histone H1 eviction by the histone chaperone SET reduces cell survival following DNA damage
Authors: Mandemaker Imke K. , Zhou Di , Bruens Serena T. , Dekkers Dick H. , Verschure Pernette J. , Edupuganti Raghu R. , Meshorer Eran , Demmers Jeroen A. A. , Marteijn Jurgen A.
Published: March 2020

Many chromatin remodeling and modifying proteins are involved in the DNA damage response, where they stimulate repair or induce DNA damage signaling. Interestingly, we identified that downregulation of the histone H1 (H1)-interacting protein SET results in increased resistance to a wide variety of DNA damaging agents. We found that this increased resistance does not result from alleviation of an inhibitory effect of SET on DNA repair but, rather, is the consequence of a suppressed apoptotic response to DNA damage. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the histone chaperone SET is responsible for the eviction of H1 from chromatin. Knockdown of H1 in SET-depleted cells resulted in re-sensitization of cells to DNA damage, suggesting that the increased DNA damage resistance in SET-depleted cells is the result of enhanced retention of H1 on chromatin. Finally, clonogenic survival assays showed that SET and p53 act epistatically in the attenuation of DNA damage-induced cell death. Taken together, our data indicate a role for SET in the DNA damage response as a regulator of cell survival following genotoxic stress.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Ensemble machine learning modeling for the prediction of artemisinin resistance in malaria
Authors: Ford Colby T. , Janies Daniel
Published: March 2020

Resistance in malaria is a growing concern affecting many areas of Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Since the emergence of artemisinin resistance in the late 2000s in Cambodia, research into the underlying mechanisms has been underway.

The 2019 Malaria Challenge posited the task of developing computational models that address important problems in advancing the fight against malaria. The first goal was to accurately predict artemisinin drug resistance levels of Plasmodium falciparum isolates, as quantified by the IC50. The second goal was to predict the parasite clearance rate of malaria parasite isolates based on in vitro transcriptional profiles.

In this work, we develop machine learning models using novel methods for transforming isolate data and handling the tens of thousands of variables that result from these data transformation exercises. This is demonstrated by using massively parallel processing of the data vectorization for use in scalable machine learning. In addition, we show the utility of ensemble machine learning modeling for highly effective predictions of both goals of this challenge. This is demonstrated by the use of multiple machine learning algorithms combined with various scaling and normalization preprocessing steps. Then, using a voting ensemble, multiple models are combined to generate a final model prediction.
Electric apparatus and circuits of rolling stock
Authors: Maznev Aleksandr , Shatnev Oleg
Published: March 2020

Provides information about technical data and design of electrical apparatus of control, monitoring and protection of traction motors of electric rolling stock (EPS), the principles of speed control of locomotives and trains with contactor-resistor and semiconductor converters based on modern element base, a circuit diagram of various types of EPS with manifold and induction motors in modes of traction and braking.
For students of institutions of secondary professional education. It may be useful to students of higher educational institutions, courses of improvement of qualification, the railway workers related to the maintenance and repair of rolling stock.
Study on physical activity in patients with heart failure points to possible methods to increase activity and improve symptoms
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane
Published: March 2020

In this monthly feature, Sarah Jane Palmer delves into topical news, the latest research and what the experts are saying on subjects related to cardiology and cardiac nursing practice.
Clinical findings from 218 downer cow cases in dairy cows from Gippsland, Australia
Authors: Poulton P J
Published: March 2020

218 downer dairy cow cases under commercial farming operations in South Gippsland, Australia were investigated. The likely cause of the initial recumbency, evidence of secondary damage and the conditions under which they were cared for were recorded to analyse the relationships between primary cause, secondary damage, nursing care and outcome. 69 (32%) cows eventually recovered and of the 149 (68%) cows that did not recover it was judged by the researcher that 108 (72%) cows did not recover solely from the secondary damage that they sustained after becoming recumbent. ‘Clinically important’ secondary damage was recorded in 173 (79%) cows, which increased the risk of non-recovery by approximately three times (RR=3.33; 95% CI 2.36–4.68). 151 (69%) cows had been nursed ‘satisfactorily’ and 67 (31%) cows were nursed ‘unsatisfactorily’. The relative risk of developing clinically important secondary damage for cows nursed ‘unsatisfactorily’ was 1.23 (95% CI 1.09-1.38) and for non-recovery was approximately sevenfold greater (RR=7.21; 95% CI 2.74–18.98) when compared with those cows nursed ‘satisfactorily’. When veterinarians attend downer cows it is important that they carefully look for secondary damage and actively engage in the cow's nursing care rather than just focusing on the primary cause of the recumbency.
Cattle Review
Authors: Barrett David C
Published: March 2020

Introduction:

In this Cattle Review we consider three open access papers on the association between antimicrobial class selection for treatment and retreatment of bovine respiratory disease and the development of antimicrobial resistance, between- and within-species transmission of bovine tuberculosis, and digital dermatitis in grazing dairy herds.
Case report: failure of passive transfer and neonatal infections in a cohort of lambs
Authors: Hamer Kim , Busin Valentina , Sargison Neil
Published: March 2020

This case report details an outbreak of neonatal lamb deaths, in which 84 of the 1203 potential lambs (from scanning) died and 70 developed septic polyarthritis. Investigation of the Scottish lowland flock of 650 breeding ewes revealed good lambing-time hygiene; poor ewe nutrition was suspected to have led to poor colostrum quality or quantity, resulting in failure of passive transfer of immunity in lambs. Ewe body condition at lambing was poor, with low blood urea nitrogen and albumin levels in pre-lambing ewe metabolic blood profiles.
Phase information extraction for moiré fringes based on multiresolution analysis
Authors: Chen Yun-yun , Xu Meng , Cheng Wei-hao , Gu Fang
Published: March 2020

In this paper, the multiresolution analysis (MRA) method is used to preprocess moiré fringes, which can reduce the number of data points and increase computation speeds. To discuss the applicability of the method, a candle combustion flow field is chosen as an example for experiment by moiré deflectometry. First, moiré fringes are preprocessed by the MRA method. Then, phase information extraction and refractive index reconstruction are performed on the three-level low-frequency approximation components. Finally, the involved results prove that the calculation time required for phase information extraction and refractive index reconstruction is greatly reduced based on the moiré fringes preprocessed by MRA method. The relative error could be accepted if the suitable approximation level is applied.
Configuration design for the variable pupil shaping unit of a photolithography machine
Authors: Zhang Youbao , Ma Xiaozhe , Zhang Fang , Huang Huijie
Published: March 2020

This work provides an integrated design and simulation method for a pupil shaping unit, which combines optical design and simulation software using the Python programming language. The novel approach presented here allows for systematic optimization and solves the inverse problem to obtain the configuration of a pupil shaping unit with given partial coherence factors (sigmas). The relationships among sigma, focal length, zoom lens separation, axicon separation, and ring width are investigated for conventional and annular illumination modes. Results of the pupil shaping unit for a NA 0.75 193 nm photolithography machine are presented, and a new interpolation table design method that simplifies the original method is proposed. The maximum residual experimental error for sigma is 0.01106.
Design of a reconfigurable broadband greyscale multiplexed metasurface hologram
Authors: Chen Tianhang , Li Jun , Cai Tong , Liao Dashuang , Guo Lijun , Ruan Yi , Zheng Bin
Published: March 2020

Holograms are a promising state-of-the-art technique that are able to reproduce fully three-dimensional images. However, most elementary holograms only recover a nonadjustable image restricted by a certain amplitude and phase. Recently, the concept of the reconfigurable metasurface has come into sight. The reconfigurable metasurfaces can be tuned dynamically through a physics control signal from outside. Here we design and realize a series of novel, to the best of our knowledge, reconfigurable metasurfaces. Using these devices, an advanced metasurface hologram effect could be easier to achieve. Moreover, the reconfigurable property of such tunable metasurface enables independent control of advanced multiplexed channel functionalities to exist in comparison with the conventional static metasurface holograms. Our method creates unprecedented display and virtual effects, and it opens a novel way to a more flexible methodology of dynamic control of electromagnetic waves.
Design and development of volume phase holographic grating based digital holographic interferometer for label-free quantitative cell imaging
Authors: Rastogi Vivek , Agarwal Shilpi , Dubey Satish Kumar , Khan Gufran Sayeed , Shakher Chandra
Published: March 2020

In this paper, a volume phase holographic optical element based digital
holographic interferometer is designed and used for quantitative phase
imaging of biological cells [white blood cells, red blood cells,
platelets, and Staphylococcus aureus
(S. aureus) bacteria cells]. The
experimental results reveal that sharp images of the S. aureus bacteria cells of the order of

∼

1

µ

m

can be clearly seen. The volume phase
holographic grating will remove the stray light from the system
reaching toward the grating and will minimize the coherent noise
(speckle noise). This will improve the sharpness in the image
reconstructed from the recorded digital hologram.
Broadband and low crosstalk silicon on-chip mode converter and demultiplexer for mode division multiplexing
Authors: Chack Devendra , Hassan Shamsul , Qasim Mohd
Published: March 2020

In this paper, a compact and broadband mode converter and demultiplexer based on multimode interference (MMI) is designed and experimentally demonstrated on silicon-on-insulator. We have designed a mode converter using cascaded MMI to convert the fundamental mode into a higher-order (first-order mode) and vice versa. Subsequently, we have demonstrated an on-chip two-mode demultiplexer with a compact footprint and low loss. The proposed mode demultiplexer shows low insertion loss (0.22 dB for

T
E

0

and 0.36 dB for

T
E

1

mode) and crosstalk (

−

25.2

d
B

for

T
E

0

and

−

24.4

d
B

for

T
E

1

mode) at wavelength 1550 nm using the eigenmode expansion method. Moreover, the device supports a broad bandwidth having crosstalk

<

−

20

d
B

over a wavelength range of 1520–1580 nm. The proposed device can be used in mode division multiplexing for photonic network-on-chip.
Trimming of silicon-on-insulator ring-resonators via localized laser annealing
Authors: Biryukova Vera , Sharp Graham J. , Klitis Charalambos , Sorel Marc
Published: March 2020

We propose a post-fabrication trimming method for the silicon-on-insulator photonic platform based on localised laser annealing of hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) cladding. The technique is fast, does not degrade the device performance, does not require additional fabrication steps, and can therefore be implemented at minimal cost. Here we experimentally demonstrated how the spectrum of a ring resonator can be shifted by over 1 nm by annealing a section of the device as short as 30 µm, corresponding to a change in the effective refractive index of ∼10−2. Modifications of both the HSQ refractive index and its chemical structure as a function of the annealing temperature are also discussed. Trimming of multi-ring resonators indicate that this technique can be effectively used for post-fabrication reconfiguration of complex photonic circuits or to compensate for the fabrication tolerances of a typical CMOS process.
Fast-response liquid crystal lens with doping of organic N-benzyl-2-methyl-4-nitroaniline
Authors: Huang Chi Yen , Kumar Mohanraj , Selvaraj Pravinraj , Subramani Karthick , Srinivasan Brahadeeswaran , Hsu Che Ju
Published: March 2020

In this study, a large-aperture hole-patterned liquid crystal (LHLC) lens was prepared from a mixture of nematic liquid crystal (NLC, E7) and organic material (N-benzyl-2-methyl-4-nitroaniline, BNA). The electro-optic properties of doped and undoped samples were measured, compared, and analyzed. The doped sample exhibited a response time that was ∼6 times faster than that of the undoped sample because BNA doping decreased the rotational viscosity of the NLC. BNA dopant effectively suppressed the RMS error of LHLC lens addressed at the high voltage. Furthermore, the BNA dopant revealed a considerable absorbance for short wavelengths (< 450 nm), automatically providing the LHLC lens with a blue light filtering function for ophthalmic applications.
Convenient method for improving the light output of scintillators by using buffer layers coated with photonic crystals
Authors: Zhu Zhichao , Liu Bo , Cheng Chuanwei , Chen Hong , Gu Mu , Chen Liang , Liu Jinliang , Ouyang Xiaoping , Xu Jun , Zhang Chi
Published: March 2020

The low light-extraction efficiency of scintillators is due to total internal reflection and has led to the extensive use of photonic crystals to improve the light output. However, in some applications, photonic crystals cannot be fabricated directly on scintillators. Here, we demonstrate a promising method to improve the light output of scintillators by using a buffer layer coated with photonic crystals and then fixed to the scintillator. Through both numerical simulations and experiments, we investigate how the refractive indexes of the buffer layer and photonic crystal affect the light output from scintillators. The experimental results indicate that the light output of (Lu,Y)2SiO5:Ce scintillators is enhanced 1.9 times by using a sapphire buffer layer coated with an array of polystyrene nanospheres. This method can be used to improve the detection efficiency of radiation-detection systems when photonic crystals cannot be fabricated directly on the scintillator.
Broadband single-shot transient absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Wilson Kelly S. , Mapile Ashley N. , Wong Cathy Y.
Published: March 2020

The duration of transient absorption spectroscopy measurements typically limits the types of systems for which the excited state dynamics can be measured. We present a single-shot transient absorption (SSTA) instrument with a spatially encoded 60 ps time delay range and a 100 nm spectral range that is capable of acquiring a transient spectrum in 20 s. We describe methods to spatially overlap the flat-top pump and probe beams at the sample plane, calibrate the spatially encoded time delay, and correct for non-uniform excitation density. SSTA measurements of organic materials in solution and film demonstrate this technique.
Robust simultaneous multiwavelength bulk laser based on Yb:LaMgB5O10 crystal: from continuous wave to ultrashort pulses
Authors: Lou Fei , Jia Chunyan , Sun Shijia , Huang Yisheng , Wang Xia , Zhang Shuaiyi , Sheng Xinyue , Lu Mengmeng , Zhang Baitao , Yang Kejian , Tam Wing Yim , Teng Bing , Lin Zhoubin , He Jingliang
Published: March 2020

We present a robust simultaneous multiwavelength bulk laser based on Yb:LaMgB5O10 (Yb:LMB) crystal, including its continuous-wave (CW) and ultrafast pulsed regimes. CW dual wavelengths at 1077 nm and 1091 nm with an average output power of 2.67 W were achieved with a 1% output coupling (OC). A maximum output power of 4.42 W with triple wavelengths of 1056, 1077, and 1091 nm was generated with 3% OC. In the case of 25% OC, the Yb:LMB laser can operate with four wavelengths (1025.1, 1031.4, 1033.2, and 1053.3 nm), producing an average output power of up to 4.44 W. Furthermore, 568 fs pulses with an average power of 470 mW were obtained at 1057.4, 1079.2, and 1092.4 nm from a synchronous tri-wavelength mode-locked Yb:LMB laser. These pulses are the shortest ever reported from a synchronous tri-wavelength mode-locked bulk laser. The detected frequency beating pulses had a primary interval of 0.11 ps and a full width at half maximum of 77 fs. Results indicated that equal spectral separation between each wavelength is not an essential factor for establishing a synchronous tri-wavelength mode-locking operation.
Optical switching and beam steering with a graphene-based hyperprism
Authors: Liang Yue , Liu Zeyu , Liu Xiaofei , Zhang Xueru , Wang Yuxiao , Song Yinglin
Published: March 2020

It is well established that the topological transition of the iso-frequency surface (IFS) of hyperbolic metamaterials from the ellipsoid to hyperboloid provides unique capabilities for controlling the propagation of the wave. Here, we present a graphene-based hyperprism (GHP) structure that uses an electronically controlled modulation strategy to achieve optical switching and wide-angle beam steering functions. Numerical simulation results show that, by regulating the chemical potential of GHP, the optical switching system can achieve high transmission (97%) and zero transmission, as well as the beam steering system can reach a maximum adjustable angle of 52.94°. Furthermore, the effects of Fermi energy and relaxation time on transmittance are also investigated. These works may provide new opportunities for applications such as optical data storage, modulators, and integrated photonic circuits.
Sozio-ethische Betrachtungen in Technikentwicklungsprojekten – Zeitverschwendung oder Erfolgsfaktor für Nutzerakzeptanz?
Authors: Schmitt-Rüth Stephanie , Simon Martina
Published: March 2020

Akzeptieren Menschen neue technologiebasierte Produkte oder Dienstleistungen nicht, so können diese aus technischer Perspektive noch so perfekt und nützlich sein – sie würden nicht in Anwendung und Nutzung kommen. Um mögliche Akzeptanzrisiken und Konfliktpotenziale in einem frühen Entwicklungsstadium zu identifizieren, ist es von entscheidender Bedeutung, sich einer sozio-ethischen Bewertung der Technik oder IT zu stellen. Auf diese Weise können Bedürfnisse, Interessen und Meinungen, insbesondere der von der Technik betroffenen Interessensgruppen, frühzeitig in den Entwicklungsprozess einbezogen werden. Im Rahmen dieses Beitrags wird ein generisches akzeptanzbasiertes Vorgehensmodell (HEART – Human-centered Evaluation of Acceptance and Risk Criteria for Technology) abgeleitet, um Fragestellungen der Mensch-Technik-Interaktion ergänzend zu Scrum oder Design Thinking-Methoden systematisch und effektiv erheben und bewerten zu können. Für die praktische Umsetzung von HEART wurde ein zweistufiges Verfahren gewählt, bestehend aus sogenannten Akzeptanz-Risiko-Workshops mit nachgelagertem Bewertungsfragebogen. Der Einbezug aller relevanten Stakeholder in Technikentwicklungsprojekte steht dabei im Mittelpunkt. Zwei Fallstudien in zwei Technikentwicklungsprojekten mit insgesamt 41 teilnehmenden Personen dokumentieren eine erste Anwendung von HEART in der Praxis und zeigen, dass sich das Konzept als geeignet erweist, um gemeinsam mit unterschiedlichen Zielgruppen deren Sichtweisen auf Technologie und ihre sozio-ethischen Risikofaktoren zu erheben und so integrative Forschung in Technikentwicklungsprojekten umzusetzen.
Examining effectiveness of modern band professional development for practising teachers
Authors: Dorfman Jay
Published: March 2020

Modern band is a type of musical ensemble that typically uses rock band instruments (guitars, basses, drums, keyboards and vocals) and can also incorporate digital technologies to create music of recent, popular styles. Several models of professional development in modern band have surfaced in the United States over the last few years. Literature on professional development contains varied lists and descriptions of characteristics that make professional development more or less effective both for the participants and, in turn, for the students they teach. In this article, I summarize those characteristics, and draw on one particular model to assess the effectiveness of one model of modern band professional development. This model is a week-long class which has been taught over three summers at two universities. Analyses of open-ended survey responses from participants in the classes reveal characteristics of the class that were effective both for the participating teachers and for their students and improvements that can be made to increase effectiveness.
Popular music education and American democracy: Why I coined the term ‘modern band’ and the road ahead
Authors: Wish Dave
Published: March 2020

In this article, the author, the founder and CEO of Little Kids Rock, describes how his early work as an elementary school teacher providing an extracurricular guitar club, evolved into him founding a music education non-profit organization. By inventing the term ‘modern band’ and joining nationwide leading efforts for systemic change in US American music education, the author tries to place popular music conceptually and pedagogically at the core of school music programmes. The author briefly describes the causes of the exclusion of popular music from school music programmes before arguing that modern band can help to democratize school music education by making it culturally relevant, student-centred and inclusive. The article concludes with the author’s hopes for the future of music education in the United States.
Impact of Himalayan Singing Bowls Meditation Session on Mood and Heart Rate Variability – An Observational Study
Authors: Panchal Saharsh , Irani Fariburz , Trivedi Gunjan Y
Published: March 2020

Introduction
Scientific evidence has demonstrated the psychological and physiological benefits of meditation. Sound vibrations also improve emotional wellbeing while enhancing the physiological parameters. There is an opportunity to explore the psychological and physiological benefits of Himalayan Singing Bowls (HSB) sound bath meditation, i.e. meditation assisted with sound vibrations.

Aim of the Study
The study explored changes in mood and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) parameters after a HSB Sound Bath Meditation on healthy individuals. The primary objectives of the study were to understand if a 40 minute long seated HSB Sound Bath Meditation results in significant improvement (a) in positive affect and negative affect, as measured by Positive And Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) and (b) in physiological parameters, as measured by Heart Rate Variability. The secondary objective of the study was to understand the impact on various moods as measured by Profile Of Mood States (POMS) Survey.

Methods
The psychological parameters included changes in Positive and Negative Affect (measured on 77 individuals using PANAS) and changes in specific, positive and negative moods (measured on 17 individuals using POMS) before and after the meditation session. The physiological parameters included HRV parameters such as Heart Rate (HR), Stress Index (SI) and Root Mean Square of Standard Deviation (RMSSD) measuring during the entire session on 15 individuals using the EmWave Pro device. HRV data analysis was conducted with Kubios HRV Premium and all the data was analyzed using paired T-Test.

Results
All the subjects after meditation showed statistically significant improvement in Positive Affect (mood) and a reduction in Negative Affect (mood). The HRV parameters showed a trend demonstrating overall relaxation with a statistically significant reduction in HR, Stress Index and an increase in RMSSD in the last 5 minutes as compared to the first 5 minutes. Consistent with changes in positive, negative mood and HRV, all the participants showed statistically significant reduction in tension, anger, fatigue, depression and confusion. In terms of positive mood, there was a statistically significant improvement in esteem related affect and an increase (but not statistically significant) in vigor.

Conclusion
The findings demonstrate that seated HSB Sound Bath Meditation session has a positive impact on the mood related measures. The physiological changes measured during the meditation using HRV parameters indicated a consistent reduction in Heart Rate throughout the meditation and a reduction in overall sympathetic tone and an increase in parasympathetic tone. Thus, HSB can be used to improve both psychological and physiological parameters even after one 40 min session. Future work in this area could explore comparison with a control group and a longer study duration consisting of multiple sessions.