bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Symptoms of sexuality-related disorders in the group of overweight and obese women
Authors: Fuksiewicz Anna , Kostecka Barbara , Kot Emilia , Jodko-Modlińska Aleksandra , Kucharska Katarzyna
Published: August 2023

Cel pracy

Celem badania była ocena obecności objawów zaburzeń związanych z seksualnością (ZzS) w grupie kobiet z nadwagą i otyłością oraz związku tych objawów z nieadaptacyjnymi postawami i przekonaniami na temat jedzenia, nasileniem objawów lękowych i depresyjnych, spożywaniem alkoholu, trudnościami w regulacji emocjonalnej oraz jakością życia.

Metoda

Grupę badaną (GB) stanowiły 44 kobiety z nadwagą/otyłością, grupę kontrolną (GK) – 51 kobiet z prawidłową masą ciała w wieku 18-40 lat. Zastosowano: Kwestionariusz Seksuologiczny, Test Postaw Wobec Jedzenia, Kwestionariusz Przekonań Dotyczących Jedzenia, Test Rozpoznawania Problemów Alkoholowych, Szpitalną Skalę Lęku i Depresji oraz Kwestionariusz Oceny Jakości Życia.

Wyniki

W GB zaobserwowano większą ilość objawów ZzS, w tym objawów dysfunkcji seksualnych i objawów zaburzeń preferencji seksualnych w porównaniu do GK. Pomimo licznych podobieństw, w GB zaobserwowano więcej istotnych statystycznie korelacji między ZzS a badanymi zmiennymi, szczególnie w obszarze trudności w regulacji emocjonalnej. W GB istotna dla ZzS okazała się obecność negatywnych i permisywnych przekonań żywieniowych, a w GK – przekonań pozytywnych. Ilość objawów ZzS okazała się ponadto istotnym predyktorem jakości życia.

Wnioski

Otrzymane wyniki wskazują na związek nadmiernej masy ciała z większą ilością objawów ZzS oraz związek objawów ZzS z poziomem zmiennych klinicznych i jakością życia. Niezbędne są dalsze badania eksplorujące mechanizmy zaobserwowanych zależności.
Baclofen - a great chance or danger - discussion of poisoning based on research
Authors: Świątek Gabriela , Tkaczyk Rafał , Radoniewicz–Tchórz Anna , Sosnowska Weronika , Brzozowska Aleksandra , Tomkiewicz Maria , Tomczyk Jakub , Tomkiewicz Maciej , Trusz Kornelia , Wanat Iwona
Published: August 2023

Introduction and purpose: Baclofen is a derivative of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It is a spasmolytic drug that reduces skeletal muscle tension and is used in spasticity. Despite its many positive functions, its use is associated with a risk of side effects. The aim of this work is to gain a better understanding of baclofen and to highlight the toxicity and dangers of its misuse.

Material and methods: The study was retrospective in nature. It used an analysis of the records of 11648 intoxications in patients hospitalised from 01.04.2013 to 01.04.2023 in the Clinical Toxicology and Cardiology Department of the Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński Provincial Hospital in Lublin, from which a group of baclofen intoxicated patients (T55), consisting of 19 cases, was distinguished.

Results: The study population consisted of 10 women (52.63%) and 9 men (47.37%), aged between 16 and 83 years. The largest group consisted of patients aged up to 30 years - 9 patients (47.37%). The majority of patients - 11 patients (59.89%) were in a severe condition. An overwhelming number reported intentional poisoning - 16 cases (84.21%), including five suicide attempts (31.25%). Patients took other drugs and medicines in addition to baclofen. The most common was ethanol - 8 people (42.11%), followed by NSAIDs - 5 people (26.32%).

Conclusions: In order to prevent complications following the use of baclofen, it is very important to educate patients, their family members and the general public about the mechanism of action of the drug itself, its function on the body and the risks of taking it. Prophylactic measures and education on how to deal with poisoning situations are necessary, as they are entirely preventable with immediate diagnosis and treatment.
Medicinal plants in burns treatment – a systematic review
Authors: Łopuszyńska Inga , Adamowicz Dominik , Rudziński Patrtyk , Wosińska Alicja , Meliksetian Astrik , Pazik Dorota , Kosecka Katarzyna , Cieślik Aleksandra , Jargieło Anna , Kosieradzka Karolina
Published: August 2023

Introduction and aim. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that around 11 million people experience burn injuries each year.1,2 Burn injuries occur when tissue damage is caused by various factors such as UV radiation, heat, chemicals, or electric current.3,4 While burns primarily affect the skin, they can also extend to deeper tissues like bones or muscles. When the skin is burned, its vital functions, including protection against the external environment, pathogens, and evaporation, are compromised.1 The appropriate treatment method must be chosen based on the burn stage, the patient's condition, and the cause. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review based on literature, concerning superficial burns and sunburns treatment, with a focus on nature-derived topical treatment methods.

Material and methods. PubMed database was searched for the following terms: “burns”, “burn treatment”, “aloe vera”, “sunburn”, “centella asiatica”, “climate change”, “wound healing” for the articles published between 2005-2023 and written in the English language.

Conclusion. Herbal-derived compounds, with their diverse mechanisms of action, antibacterial activity, and safety profiles present a competitive alternative to conventional treatment of burns and sunburns, however, there are still not enough clinical trials to assess the effectiveness and safety profiles of nature-derived compounds.
Bilateral anterolateral thigh free flap in a flow-through chimeric pattern for a extensively large defect reconstruction: a case of an elderly patient under spinal-epidural anesthesia
Authors: Cha Han Gyu , Kim Dong Gyu , Nam Seung Min , Choi Chang Yong
Published: August 2023

An 83-year-old male patient presented with a Marjolin’s ulcer on his lower leg, which developed 60 years after a bomb blast injury. The lesion was a 24×12-cm2 chronic ulcer located circumferentially around the mid-third lower leg. Considering the patient’s age, vessel status, and the extent of the defect after wide excision, which included a section of the tibia, reconstruction utilizing bilateral anterolateral thigh free flaps in a flow-through pattern under spinal-epidural anesthesia was planned. The operative time was 9 hours, and the patient fully recovered without any complications. The patient was able to walk without any orthosis, and no evidence of recurrence was found during a 3-year postoperative follow-up period.
Critical race theory. Czego boi się Ameryka?
Authors: Machnik Iga
Published: August 2023

In recent years, we could observe an increased discussion about the modernrace relations in the United States of America. The character of a narrationwithin the scope of implications of racism shows perfectly that theAmerican society has not yet developed an effective way for transformingthe traumas of past generations. The present article constitutes an analysisof the American public discourse conducted around the Critical RaceTheory, along with a series of legislative projects leading to the formal prohibitionof teaching at primary schools the issues connected with racialproblems. Rhetoric promoted by pro-republican media and conservativeactivists is juxtaposed with the original assumptions of this current createdin the second half of the 20th century within the American critical studieson law. Furthermore, the article discusses especially a role of media in theprocess of shaping the public opinion and their influence on the internalpolicy of the state.
Robust Dynamic Assortment Optimization in the Presence of Outlier Customers
Authors: Chen Xi , Krishnamurthy Akshay , Wang Yining
Published: August 2023

Robust Dynamic Assortment Optimization

Assortment optimization with choice model estimation and learning has been studied extensively in the data-driven revenue management literature. Existing methods and analysis, however, do not take into consideration the fact that some customers arriving at certain time periods might exhibit outlier purchasing behaviors. The work of Chen et al. studies dynamic assortment optimization in the presence of outlier customers modeled by an [Formula: see text]-contamnination model. The impact of outlier customers on the revenue performance of an algorithm is analyzed and discussed.
Perioperative neurocognitive disorders
Authors: Connal Stuart
Published: August 2023

Perioperative neurocognitive disorders are a group of conditions characterised by changes in cognitive function, which affect older people after surgery and anaesthesia. Multicomponent interventions may reduce the impact of perioperative neurocognitive disorders on patients and healthcare systems.
Strategic distinctiveness: awakening the ‘sleeping giants’ of England and Wales’s NHS charities
Authors: Möller Christian , Abnett Helen
Published: August 2023

Building on remarkable and sudden fundraising success during the Covid-19 pandemic, many National Health Service (NHS) charities in England and Wales have undergone a period of rapid organisational transformation and growth. This article explores these developments by considering how claims to distinction contribute to new organisational identities and allow access to valuable resources and funding opportunities. After situating recent developments within the policy background and key changes in governance and regulation since the 1990s, we report on interviews with directors and trustees of NHS Charities Together (NHSCT), the national membership organisation of NHS charities. These offer new insight into strategic shifts and the desire to form a distinct and unified identity for NHS charities. Highlighting ongoing tensions and debates within the sector, findings raise important questions over the role of NHS charities and their position in relation to the NHS and the state.
Progressive photon mapping algorithm for digital imaging of a space target
Authors: Li Yaru , Zhou Liang , Liu Zhaohui , She Wenji
Published: August 2023

Space target imaging simulation holds great significance for the development of space-based imaging systems and the prediction of imaging tasks. Currently, commonly used rendering algorithms in space target imaging simulation suffer from issues such as radiance calculation results lacking actual physical significance and rendered images containing high-frequency noise. To address these issues, this study proposes a rendering algorithm based on progressive photon mapping in the context of space imaging scenarios, aiming to enhance the accuracy of energy calculations and image rendering for space targets. This algorithm generates multiple photon maps on the target surface through multiple iterations, retrieves photon information near the observation point based on these photon maps, and thus obtains the radiance of the observation direction vector. This study evaluates the quality of rendered images using no-reference image quality assessment algorithms. The results demonstrate that this algorithm can enhance image rendering quality in specific imaging scenarios, consequently improving the accuracy of space target recognition. By comparing the calculated values of this algorithm with the theoretical radiance values for diffuse material, the accuracy of the radiance calculation results of this algorithm is verified, which can provide significant reference values for the selection of backend detectors.
Multifocal multilevel diffractive lens by wavelength multiplexing
Authors: Jia Wei , Lin Dajun , Menon Rajesh , Sensale-Rodriguez Berardi
Published: August 2023

Flat lenses with focal length tunability can enable the development of
highly integrated imaging systems. This work explores machine learning
to inverse design a multifocal multilevel diffractive lens (MMDL) by
wavelength multiplexing. The MMDL output is multiplexed in three color
channels, red (650 nm), green (550 nm), and blue
(450 nm), to achieve varied focal lengths of 4 mm,
20 mm, and 40 mm at these three color channels,
respectively. The focal lengths of the MMDL scale significantly with
the wavelength in contrast to conventional diffractive lenses. The
MMDL consists of concentric rings with equal widths and varied
heights. The machine learning method is utilized to optimize the
height of each concentric ring to obtain the desired phase
distribution so as to achieve varied focal lengths multiplexed by
wavelengths. The designed MMDL is fabricated through a direct-write
laser lithography system with gray-scale exposure. The demonstrated
singlet lens is miniature and polarization insensitive, and thus can
potentially be applied in integrated optical imaging systems to
achieve zooming functions.
Possible depth-resolved reconstruction of shear moduli in the cornea following collagen crosslinking (CXL) with optical coherence tomography and elastography
Authors: Regnault Gabriel , Kirby Mitchell A. , Wang Ruikang K. , Shen Tueng T. , O’Donnell Matthew , Pelivanov Ivan
Published: August 2023

Corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) is commonly used to prevent or treat keratoconus. Although changes in corneal stiffness induced by CXL surgery can be monitored with non-contact dynamic optical coherence elastography (OCE) by tracking mechanical wave propagation, depth dependent changes are still unclear if the cornea is not crosslinked through the whole depth. Here, phase-decorrelation measurements on optical coherence tomography (OCT) structural images are combined with acoustic micro-tapping (AµT) OCE to explore possible reconstruction of depth-dependent stiffness within crosslinked corneas in an ex vivo human cornea sample. Experimental OCT images are analyzed to define the penetration depth of CXL into the cornea. In a representative ex vivo human cornea sample, crosslinking depth varied from ∼100 µm in the periphery to ∼150 µm in the cornea center and exhibited a sharp in-depth transition between crosslinked and untreated areas. This information was used in an analytical two-layer guided wave propagation model to quantify the stiffness of the treated layer. We also discuss how the elastic moduli of partially CXL-treated cornea layers reflect the effective engineering stiffness of the entire cornea to properly quantify corneal deformation.
Assessing depth sensitivity in laser interferometry speckle visibility spectroscopy (iSVS) through source-to-detector distance variation and cerebral blood flow monitoring in humans and rabbits
Authors: Mahler Simon , Huang Yu Xi , Liang Mingshu , Avalos Alan , Tyszka Julian M. , Mertz Jerome , Yang Changhuei
Published: August 2023

Recently, speckle visibility spectroscopy (SVS) was non-invasively applied on the head to monitor cerebral blood flow. The technique, using a multi-pixel detecting device (e.g., camera), allows the detection of a larger number of speckles, increasing the proportion of light that is detected. Due to this increase, it is possible to collect light that has propagated deeper through the brain. As a direct consequence, cerebral blood flow can be monitored. However, isolating the cerebral blood flow from the other layers, such as the scalp or skull components, remains challenging. In this paper, we report our investigations on the depth-sensitivity of laser interferometry speckle visibility spectroscopy (iSVS). Specifically, we varied the depth of penetration of the laser light into the head by tuning the source-to-detector distance, and identified the transition point at which cerebral blood flow in humans and rabbits starts to be detected.
Phase retrieval for the generation of arbitrary intensity distributions using an optofluidic phase shifter
Authors: Sieben Merit , Sauter Daniel , Zappe Hans
Published: August 2023

An optofluidic phase shifter can be used to generate virtually arbitrary intensity patterns, but only if the phase shift generated by the controllably deformed fluidic surface can be appropriately defined. To enable this functionality, we present two phase retrieval algorithms based on neural networks and least-squares optimization which are used to determine the necessary phase profile to generate a desired target intensity pattern with high accuracy. We demonstrate the utility of the algorithms by showing experimentally the ability of an optofluidic phase shifter to generate arbitrary complex intensity distributions.
Simplified analysis and suppression of polarization aberration in planar symmetric optical systems
Authors: Wang Kaikai , Fu Qiang , Wang Boshi , Shi Haodong , Liu Jianan , Wang Qi , Wang Chao
Published: August 2023

Polarized remote sensing imaging has attracted more attention in recent years due to its wider detection information dimension compared to traditional imaging methods. However, the inherent instrument errors in optical systems can lead to errors in the polarization state of the incident and outgoing light, which is the polarization aberration of the optical system, resulting in a decrease in polarization detection accuracy. We propose a polarization aberration simplification calculation method for planar symmetric optical systems, by what only three ray samples are needed to obtain the distribution of polarization aberrations within the pupil. This method has a calculation accuracy close to traditional methods, and the sampling rate is 0.003 times that of traditional methods. Based on this, we designed a merit function that optimizes both wavefront and polarization aberrations simultaneously. It is found that diattenuation and retardance of the optical system are 62% and 58% of the original, and the polarization crosstalk term is reduced by 37% when the polarization weight factor takes an appropriate value. And at the same time, the wavefront aberration has also been well optimized.
Programmable focused laser differential interferometer with a spatial light modulator as a dynamic diffractive optical element
Authors: Holladay Seth , Zhang Zhili
Published: August 2023

A spatial light modulator (SLM) is incorporated into a focused laser differential interferometer (FLDI) to generate a nonlinear array of beams, and this setup is used to measure the power spectral density of a Mach-1.5, underexpanded jet of air. The results are compared with measurements from a 1-point FLDI to assess the feasibility of using SLMs in FLDI to serve as dynamic diffractive elements for generating beam arrays of any shape. The spectra comparison illustrates that spatial light modulated-FLDI (SLM-FLDI) detects similar spectral profiles to that of 1-point FLDI, especially dominant frequencies in the jet. SLM-FLDI could provide a useful expansion of FLDI capabilities.
Single-shot, high-repetition rate carrier-envelope-phase detection of ultrashort laser pulses
Authors: Guo Chen , Miranda Miguel , Raab Ann-Kathrin , Viotti Anne-Lise , Tiago Guerreiro Paulo , Romero Rosa , Crespo Helder , L’Huillier Anne , Arnold Cord L.
Published: August 2023

We propose a single-shot, high-repetition rate measurement scheme of the carrier-envelope phase offset of ultrashort laser pulses. The spectral fringes resulting from f-2f nonlinear interferometry, encoding the carrier-envelope-phase, are evaluated completely optically via an optical Fourier transform. For demonstration, the carrier-envelope-phase of a 200 kHz, few-cycle optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) laser system was measured employing an interferometer as a periodic optical filter. The proposed method shows excellent agreement with simultaneous measurement of the spectral fringes by a fast line-scan camera.
Background-reduced spectral peak generation using a nonlinear loop mirror with a gas cell
Authors: Nishizawa Norihiko , Jung Kwangyun , Kitajima Shotaro
Published: August 2023

Spectral peaking in an optical fiber is a useful phenomenon for comb mode filtering and wavelength standards. However, for highly sensitive spectroscopic applications, it is important to suppress the pedestal components. Here we propose and demonstrate pedestal-suppressed spectral peak generation using a nonlinear fiber loop mirror with a molecular gas cell. The physical mechanism and fundamental properties were investigated numerically, and the output characteristics were examined experimentally. Almost background-free spectral peaks were generated successfully in the 1.65-µm wavelength range using a CH4 gas cell. The maximum signal-to-background ratio was more than 30 dB. Stable operation without any feedback control was achieved. It is expected that the proposed method is useful for highly sensitive spectroscopic applications.
Experimental study of the effect of pump pulse duration on liquid crystal laser performance
Authors: Brown Calum M. , Pakamoryte Ieva , Hands Philip J. W.
Published: August 2023

Much work has been done to understand the factors that impact photonic band-edge liquid crystal (LC) laser threshold and slope efficiency, two parameters often stated to quantify performance. Conventionally, LC lasers are optically pumped using Q-switched lasers with a fixed pulse duration, and thus the effect of pump pulse duration on LC laser performance has received little attention. While some studies have been published at different pump pulse durations, these use different laser sources and experimental conditions, making the data incomparable. By exploiting a recent breakthrough in laser diode pumping, our experimental results prove and quantify the detrimental effect of an increase in pump pulse duration on LC laser performance. We also show that the dependency of threshold on pump pulse duration depends on how threshold is defined, owing to an ambiguity in the definition of pulse energy in systems where peak power and pulse duration can be independently controlled. For improved comparison within the literature on LC laser device performance, we thus propose an alternative convention, whereby threshold is stated in units of peak power density.
Slide-type waveflex biosensor based on signal enhancement technology for alpha-fetoprotein detection
Authors: Li Guoru , Li Xiangshan , Singh Ragini , Zhang Guiwei , Zhang Bingyuan , Kumar Santosh
Published: August 2023

The development of signal enhancement technology in optical fiber biosensors is beneficial for the accurate measurement of low-concentration samples. Here, a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-based fiber biosensor combining a slide-type fiber structure (thus named WaveFlex Biosensor) and low-dimensional materials is proposed for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) detection. A symmetric transverse offset splicing technology was used to fabricate the multi-mode fiber (MMF–multi-core fiber (MCF)–MMF structure. Furthermore, the MMF on one side was prepared into an S-taper, forming a slide-type fiber structure to generate more energy leakage. The LSPR signal generated by gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was enhanced by the CeO2 NPs and C3N quantum dots functionalized on the fiber probe. The excellent performance of NPs was conducive to improving the sensitivity of the WaveFlex biosensor and enabling the rapid detection of samples. An AFP antibody was used to identify AFP micro-biomolecules in a specific manner. Based on the combination of the above two methods, the developed fiber probe was applied to detect AFP, and the sensitivity and limit of detection were 32 pm/(ng/mL) and 6.65 ng/mL, respectively. The experimental results demonstrate that the signal-enhanced AFP WaveFlex biosensor has great potential for the rapid and accurate detection of AFP.
Do different kinds of photon-pair sources have the same indistinguishability in quantum silicon photonics?
Authors: Lee Jong-Moo , Baldazzi Alessio , Sanna Matteo , Azzini Stefano , Ahn Joon Tae , Lee Myung-Lae , Sohn Youngik , Pavesi Lorenzo
Published: August 2023

In the same silicon photonic integrated circuit, we compare two types of integrated degenerate photon-pair sources (microring resonators and waveguides) using Hong–Ou–Mandel (HOM) interference experiments. Two nominally identical microring resonators are coupled to two nominally identical waveguides, which form the arms of a Mach–Zehnder interferometer. This is pumped by two lasers at two different wavelengths to generate, by spontaneous four-wave mixing, degenerate photon pairs. In particular, the microring resonators can be thermally tuned in or out of resonance with the pump wavelengths, thus choosing either the microring resonators or the waveguides as photon-pair sources, respectively. In this way, an on-chip HOM visibility of 94% with microring resonators and 99% with straight waveguides is measured upon filtering. We compare our experimental results with theoretical simulations of the joint spectral intensity and the purity of the degenerate photon pairs. We verify that the visibility is connected to the sources’ indistinguishability, which can be quantified by the overlap between the joint spectral amplitudes (JSA) of the photon pairs generated by the two sources. We estimate a JSA overlap of 98% with waveguides and 89% with microring resonators.
Highly robust spatiotemporal wavefront prediction with a mixed graph neural network in adaptive optics
Authors: Tang Ju , Wu Ji , Zhang Jiawei , Zhang Mengmeng , Ren Zhenbo , Di Jianglei , Hu Liusen , Liu Guodong , Zhao Jianlin
Published: August 2023

The time-delay problem, which is introduced by the response time of hardware for correction, is a critical and non-ignorable problem of adaptive optics (AO) systems. It will result in significant wavefront correction errors while turbulence changes severely or system responses slowly. Predictive AO is proposed to alleviate the time-delay problem for more accurate and stable corrections in the real time-varying atmosphere. However, the existing prediction approaches either lack the ability to extract non-linear temporal features, or overlook the authenticity of spatial features during prediction, leading to poor robustness in generalization. Here, we propose a mixed graph neural network (MGNN) for spatiotemporal wavefront prediction. The MGNN introduces the Zernike polynomial and takes its inherent covariance matrix as physical constraints. It takes advantage of conventional convolutional layers and graph convolutional layers for temporal feature catch and spatial feature analysis, respectively. In particular, the graph constraints from the covariance matrix and the weight learning of the transformation matrix promote the establishment of a realistic internal spatial pattern from limited data. Furthermore, its prediction accuracy and robustness to varying unknown turbulences, including the generalization from simulation to experiment, are all discussed and verified. In experimental verification, the MGNN trained with simulated data can achieve an approximate effect of that trained with real turbulence. By comparing it with two conventional methods, the demonstrated performance of the proposed method is superior to the conventional AO in terms of root mean square error (RMS). With the prediction of the MGNN, the mean and standard deviation of RMS in the conventional AO are reduced by 54.2% and 58.6% at most, respectively. The stable prediction performance makes it suitable for wavefront predictive correction in astronomical observation, laser communication, and microscopic imaging.
2D-to-3D buckling transformability enabled reconfigurable metamaterials for tunable chirality and focusing effect
Authors: Han Donghai , Li Wenkang , Sun Tao , Liu Min , Chen Xiaoming , Shi Hongyu , Fan Zhengjie , Meng Fanqi , Zhang Liuyang , Chen Xuefeng
Published: August 2023

Recently, multifarious deformation approaches in nature have promoted dynamic manipulation for electromagnetic (EM) waves in metamaterials, and those representative strategies are mainly focused on the modulation of spectral parameters. Several works have also achieved tunable phase-gradient meta-devices. Here, to broaden the modulation freedom of mechanical deformation, we initially propose two reconfigurable metamaterials consisting of mirrored S-shaped meta-atoms selectively bonded on biaxially pre-stretched substrates. Planar meta-atoms with spin-insensitive transmittance are buckled into 3D morphologies to break residual symmetries by releasing the stress and to facilitate spin-dependent transmittance under circularly polarized incidence. Owing to the geometric anisotropy of S-shaped meta-atoms along the x and y axes, 3D chiral meta-atoms exhibit discriminate circularly cross-polarized transmittance under opposite spins. The underlying physical mechanism reveals that EM resonance originates from the excitation of electric dipoles and magnetic dipoles, and their cross coupling finally triggers the chiral effects of 3D meta-atoms. By introducing the gradient-phase design that keeps unchanged under various strains, two types of meta-atoms with specified orientations are interleaved to design a double-foci metalens, and its 2D-to-3D morphology transformation shortens the focusing length and facilitates the intensity change of two foci. Our approach in designing reconfigurable EM metamaterials with 2D-to-3D buckling transformability can be further extended toward terahertz even optical wavebands, and it may assist with deriving more applicable multi-functionalities in the aspects of imaging, sensing, and holograms.
Implementation and prospective real-time evaluation of a generalized system for in-clinic deployment and validation of machine learning models in radiology
Authors: Hawkins James R. , Olson Marram P. , Harouni Ahmed , Qin Ming Melvin , Hess Christopher P. , Majumdar Sharmila , Crane Jason C.
Published: August 2023

The medical imaging community has embraced Machine Learning (ML) as evidenced by the rapid increase in the number of ML models being developed, but validating and deploying these models in the clinic remains a challenge. The engineering involved in integrating and assessing the efficacy of ML models within the clinical workflow is complex. This paper presents a general-purpose, end-to-end, clinically integrated ML model deployment and validation system implemented at UCSF. Engineering and usability challenges and results from 3 use cases are presented. A generalized validation system based on free, open-source software (OSS) was implemented, connecting clinical imaging modalities, the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), and an ML inference server. ML pipelines were implemented in NVIDIA’s Clara Deploy framework with results and clinician feedback stored in a customized XNAT instance, separate from the clinical record but linked from within PACS. Prospective clinical validation studies of 3 ML models were conducted, with data routed from multiple clinical imaging modalities and PACS. Completed validation studies provided expert clinical feedback on model performance and usability, plus system reliability and performance metrics. Clinical validation of ML models entails assessing model performance, impact on clinical infrastructure, robustness, and usability. Study results must be easily accessible to participating clinicians but remain outside the clinical record. Building a system that generalizes and scales across multiple ML models takes the concerted effort of software engineers, clinicians, data scientists, and system administrators, and benefits from the use of modular OSS. The present work provides a template for institutions looking to translate and clinically validate ML models in the clinic, together with required resources and expected challenges.
Point-of-care prognostication in moderate Covid-19: Analytical validation and prognostic accuracy of a soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) rapid test
Authors: Chandna Arjun , Mahajan Raman , Gautam Priyanka , Mwandigha Lazaro , Dittrich Sabine , Kumar Vikash , Osborn Jennifer , Kumar Pragya , Koshiaris Constantinos , Varghese George M. , Lubell Yoel , Burza Sakib
Published: August 2023

The soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) has been proposed as a biomarker for risk stratification of patients presenting with acute infections. However, most studies evaluating suPAR have used platform-based assays, the accuracy of which may differ from point-of-care tests capable of informing timely triage in settings without established laboratory capacity. Using samples and data collected during a prospective cohort study of 425 patients presenting with moderate Covid-19 to two hospitals in India, we evaluated the analytical performance and prognostic accuracy of a commercially-available rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for suPAR, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as the reference standard. Our hypothesis was that the suPAR RDT might be useful for triage of patients presenting with moderate Covid-19 irrespective of its analytical performance when compared with the reference test. Although agreement between the two tests was limited (bias = -2.46 ng/mL [95% CI = -2.65 to -2.27 ng/mL]), prognostic accuracy to predict supplemental oxygen requirement was comparable, whether suPAR was used alone (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] of RDT = 0.73 [95% CI = 0.68 to 0.79] vs. AUC of ELISA = 0.70 [95% CI = 0.63 to 0.76]; p = 0.12) or as part of a published multivariable prediction model (AUC of RDT-based model = 0.74 [95% CI = 0.66 to 0.83] vs. AUC of ELISA-based model = 0.72 [95% CI = 0.64 to 0.81]; p = 0.78). Lack of agreement between the RDT and ELISA in our cohort warrants further investigation and highlights the importance of assessing candidate point-of-care tests to ensure management algorithms reflect the assay that will ultimately be used to inform patient care. Availability of a quantitative point-of-care test for suPAR opens the door to suPAR-guided risk stratification of patients with Covid-19 and other acute infections in settings with limited laboratory capacity.
NKG2D promotes CD8 T cell-mediated cytotoxicity and is associated with treatment failure in human cutaneous leishmaniasis
Authors: Sacramento Laís A. , Farias Amorim Camila , Campos Taís M. , Saldanha Maíra , Arruda Sérgio , Carvalho Lucas P. , Beiting Daniel P. , Carvalho Edgar M. , Novais Fernanda O. , Scott Phillip
Published: August 2023

Cutaneous leishmaniasis exhibits a spectrum of clinical presentations dependent upon the parasites’ persistence and host immunopathologic responses. Although cytolytic CD8 T cells cannot control the parasites, they significantly contribute to pathologic responses. In a murine model of cutaneous leishmaniasis, we previously found that NKG2D plays a role in the ability of cytolytic CD8 T cells to promote disease in leishmanial lesions. Here, we investigated whether NKG2D plays a role in human disease. We found that NKG2D and its ligands were expressed within lesions from L. braziliensis-infected patients and that IL-15 and IL-1β were factors driving NKG2D and NKG2D ligand expression, respectively. Blocking NKG2D reduced degranulation by CD8 T cells in a subset of patients. Additionally, our transcriptional analysis of patients’ lesions found that patients who failed the first round of treatment exhibited higher expression of KLRK1, the gene coding for NKG2D, than those who responded to treatment. These findings suggest that NKG2D may be a promising therapeutic target for ameliorating disease severity in cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. braziliensis infection.
Exposure: Native Art and Political Ecology
Authors: Weldon-Yochim Zoe
Published: August 2023

Review of: Exposure: Native Art and Political Ecology

Curated by Kóan Jeff Baysa, Nivi Christensen (Inuit), Satomi Igarashi, Erin Vink (Ngiyampaa), Tania Willard (Secwepemc Nation) and Manuela Well-Off-Man, Institute of American Indian Arts, Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, Santa Fe, 20 August 2021-10 July 2022
New Habitat Data of the Green-Winged Orchid (Anacamptis Morio L.) Located in the Surroundings of Eger, Hungary
Authors: Misik Tamás , Misik-Bartók Dóra
Published: August 2023

In 2022, we identified two new habitats of the protected green-winged orchid (Anacamptis morio L.) in the Bükk Mountains, in the surroundings of the city of Eger. One of the habitats is in the southwestern steppe meadow of the protected Nagy Eged Hill, while the other one is on a private plot near the village of Szarvaskő. A total of 18 blooming individuals were counted in the two sites. In the lower part of the steppe, at the foot of the protected Nagy-Eged Hill (47°97'56"N and 20°34'51"E), we found one well-developed green-winged orchid already in its flowering stage. It stood out with its smaller size and different flower colour from the lady orchids (Orchis purpurea HUDS.) widespread on the slopes of the mountain. Unfortunately, no other roots were found during our survey. The blooming flowers that make up the inflorescence were of the most common dark purple-red color. At the other site, further 17 individuals of the green-winged orchid were identified in a private garden (3,500 m2) in the outskirts of the village of Szarvaskő (47°92'02"N and 20°40'58"E). Most of the garden is covered by regularly mowed lawn. All of the detected orchids were in bloom and appeared scattered throughout the plot. Five larger plants grew at a great distance from one another, while 12 small ones (height: ≤10 cm) developed in a bunch. We had been aware of the presence of the protected orchid species on the plot since 2017, but before 2022 only a maximum of 3 flowering individuals appeared in one specific area of the plot each year. Floristic papers have not reported the occurrence of this species either in Nagy-Eged or in Szarvaskő so far.
Multicenter Longitudinal Observational Study Pharmaceuticals Alflutop in Russia (message 2)
Authors: Lila A. M. , Taskina E. A. , Alekseeva L. I. , Kashevarova N. G.
Published: August 2023

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most important medical and social problems due to the steady increase in morbidity and disability. Prevention, management of risk factors, and early treatment of OA are critical.

Objective of the ISKRA study was to evaluate the efficacy of Alflutop in patients with OA of different locations and/or low back pain (LBP) with or without concomitant diseases.

Material and methods. We selected 11,136 patients with OA of specific localizations aged 50 to 72 years. The duration of the study ranged from 20 to 31 days, and the number of visits was 2 (B1 and B2). Alflutop was prescribed 1 ml intramuscularly (IM) daily No. 20 or 2 ml IM every other day No. 10.

The efficacy of therapy was determined by the time of onset of clinical effect (pain reduction, as assessed by the patient), the dynamics of pain intensity in the studied joint during movement and/or LBP according to the visual analogue scale (VAS), the assessment of quality of life according to the EQ-5D questionnaire and the patient's general health status (PGH) according to VAS. We assessed treatment adherence, need for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), satisfaction with treatment (based on VAS). The presence of comorbidities was also considered.

Results and discussion. In hand OA (n=2776), a positive effect of therapy was observed in 98.6% of cases, according to patients' assessment. During the course of therapy, there was a significant decrease in pain on movement in the hands (according to VAS), improvement in PGH and quality of life (according to EQ-5D). Rapid development of the analgesic effect was seen on average at day 9.

In hip OA (n=6666), a decrease in pain was noted in 83.3% of cases (<40 mm), improvement in PGH and quality of life in most patients, and a decrease in the need for NSAIDs in 64.9%.

In the generalized form of OA (n=1694), significant clinical improvement was achieved in 97.1% of patients. A pain reduction ≥50% from baseline was noted in nearly 65% of cases.

Elderly age, more severe radiographic manifestations of OA, low quality of life and compliance, and concomitant diseases were associated with a lower effect of therapy in hand and hip OA. In hand OA, high pain scores and worse PGH VAS scores also played a role. In hip OA, lower success was observed more often in women, and in hand OA — in men.

In the generalized form of OA, lower satisfaction with pain management was associated with age, female sex, high body mass index, long history of OA, advanced radiographic stages, poorer quality of life and compliance, and comorbidity.

Conclusion. The results of the use of Alflutop in hand and hip OA and generalized form of OA suggest the usefulness of its wide application in real clinical practice. Consideration and correction of the factors associated with less pronounced analgesic effect of the drug will improve the effectiveness of OA therapy.
Musculoskeletal symptoms in juvenile onset systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Kaleda M. I. , Arefieva A. N. , Nikishina I. P.
Published: August 2023

In juvenile onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), musculoskeletal involvement is one of the most common manifestations. Musculoskeletal symptoms may be due to disease activity itself, organ damage due to SLE activity, drug exposure, or comorbidities. Although they are not life-threatening, they still have a significant impact on disability severity and social exclusion. This article discusses the clinical features of various causes of musculoskeletal manifestations in SLE with onset in childhood and adolescence, the adequate interpretation of which is important for diagnosing and evaluating SLE activity and for correcting the treatment of the disease, thereby improving the long-term prognosis and quality of life of patients.
Participatory Video: One Contemporary Way for Cree and Inuit Adolescents to Relate to the Land in Nunavik
Authors: Herrmann Thora M. , Chanteloup Laine , Joliet Fabienne
Published: August 2023

Indigenous peoples in Canada’s North, especially youth, are increasingly using creative visual arts, such as film, video, and new media technologies to portray their own realities and their personal view of the surrounding environment, thereby contesting colonial, stereotyped media representations of First Peoples. To analyze the youth geography—a sub-discipline of human geography—of nuna (“land” in Inuktitut) and istchee (“land” in Cree) and to understand the distinctive and contemporary meanings that Inuit and Cree young people give to the land, we carried out participatory video (PV) workshops in three Inuit and one Cree communities in Nunavik in 2016, 2017, and 2019. In this paper, we give an account of the nuna/istchee PV project as a method for engaging with young Indigenous people, as a means to develop an Indigenous youth cultural geography in the Arctic. We discuss the effects of PV on the different actors involved in the research process: young Inuit and Cree participants and their communities, the participating schools, and researchers.
Produksi dan Ekstraksi Pigmen Anka Monascus purpureus pada Beras IR42
Authors: Kusdiyantini Endang
Published: August 2023

Monascus merupakan kapang filamentous penghasil pigmen yang telah lama digunakan sebagai pewarna alami pangan, terutama M. purpureus dan M. ruber. Anka merupakan kultur padat dari M. purpureus dengan media beras. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk analisis pigmen merah, oranye dan kuning dari Anka M. purpureus. Beras IR42 digunakan untuk pembuatan Anka yang diinkubasi selama 30 menit. Ekstraksi pigmen menggunakan solven metanol dan diukur dengan spektrofotometer pada panjang gelombang 500 nm untuk pigmen merah, 470 nm untuk oranye dan 390 nm untuk pigmen kuning. Anka yang dihasilkan berwana merah yang menunjukkan adanya pertumbuhan M purpureus. Konsentrasi pigmen tertinggi diperoleh dari pigmen kuning sebesar 1.121 CVU/g, sedangkan pigmen merah sebesar 1.049 CVU/g dan yang paling rendah adalah pigmen oranye sebesar 837 CVU/g.
Palynostratigraphy Subang, Kaliwangu, And Citalang Formation, From Cikandung River Passage, Sumedang Regency, West Java
Authors: Rachman Rizki Satria , Winantris Winantris
Published: August 2023

The Subang, Kaliwangu, and Citalang Formation which are important parts of the Bogor Basin have not been studied, especially from the palynostratigraphic aspect. Therefore, this study aims to conduct palynostratigraphic study of these three formations that are well exposed in the Cikandung River area, Sumedang Regency, West Java. Method used in this research is divided into several stages including sampling by spot sampling; preparation of palynomorphs and palynodebris by hydrogen peroxide and acid methods; identification of samples using CX-22 microscope; analysis and interpretation of data using basic research statistics. Result, the research area was divided into three groups. The first group (sample W.9 – W.10) correlates with the Subang Formation which has predominantly claystone lithology with Middle Miocene age and shallow marine environment. This group is in proximal basin position with dysoxic conditions. The second group (sample W.5 – W.8) correlates with the Kaliwangu Formation which has alternating lithology between sandstone and claystone with younger age than the Middle Miocene and transitional environment. This group is in proximal basin position with dysoxic-anoxic conditions. The third group (sample W.1 – W.4) correlates with the Citalang Formation which has sandstone and conglomerate lithology with younger age than the Middle Miocene (Kaliwangu Formation) and terrestrial environment. This group is in proximal basin position and anoxic conditions. In general, when viewed from palynodebris, the presence of plant material (palynomorph, cuticle, and wood) is negatively correlated with AOM and other rock fragments. On the other hand, in terms of palynomorphs, the presence of foraminifera lining test has negative correlation with other terrestrial palynomorphs, especially those of the Florschuetzia species.
Karst dan Dinamika Tektonik Formasi Wapulaka Kota Baubau
Authors: La Ode Malim Anna Irada , Amala RM Wa Ode
Published: August 2023

Kota Baubau terletak di bagian barat daya Pulau Buton. Perkembangan dan pembangunan fisik serta ekonomi wilayahnya saat ini lebih terpusat pada bentangalam karst yang termasuk dalam Formasi Wapulaka karena lokasinya yang strategis. Namun, pembangunan di wilayah ini belum ditunjang dengan pemahaman yang memadai mengenai karakteristik karst itu sendiri. Pembentukan bentangalam karst dengan berbagai model morfologinya sangat dipengaruhi oleh aktifitas tektonik dan pelarutan. Pelarutan dapat membentuk rongga, meningkatkan porositas dan melemahkan batuan serta menyebabkan penurunan daya dukung lingkungan. Penelitian mengenai karakteristik karst diperlukan dalam pertimbangan penentuan arah pembangunan wilayah kota. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan metode observasi lapangan dalam pengumpulan data morfologi permukaan dan bawah permukaan untuk menentukan tipe kelas karst, selanjutnya dikorelasikan dengan kelurusan topografi yang diidentifikasi dari peta SRTM, data sekunder berupa geologi regional dan hasil penelitian terdahulu, untuk membantu memahami peran tektonik dalam pembentukan morfologi karst tersebut. Perkembangan fitur karst permukaan dan bawah permukaan menunjukkan bahwa karst di wilayah ini termasuk kelas karst kompleks. Analisis kelurusan topografi  menunjukkan dua periode deformasi yang berpengaruh pada orientasi morfologi karst. Korelasi data morfologi, kelurusan topografi, arah bukaan gua dan penelitian terdahulu mengindikasikan bahwa aktifitas tektonik sangat berpengaruh dalam pembentukan dan orientasi morfologi karst termasuk arah bukaan gua di bawah permukaan.