bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Copeptin Levels Before and After Transsphenoidal Surgery for Cushing Disease: A Potential Early Marker of Remission
Authors: Flippo Chelsi , Tatsi Christina , Sinaii Ninet , Sierra Maria De La Luz , Belyavskaya Elena , Lyssikatos Charalampos , Keil Meg , Spanakis Elias , Stratakis Constantine A
Published: April 2022

Context

Arginine-vasopressin and CRH act synergistically to stimulate secretion of ACTH. There is evidence that glucocorticoids act via negative feedback to suppress arginine-vasopressin secretion.

Objective

Our hypothesis was that a postoperative increase in plasma copeptin may serve as a marker of remission of Cushing disease (CD).

Design

Plasma copeptin was obtained in patients with CD before and daily on postoperative days 1 through 8 after transsphenoidal surgery. Peak postoperative copeptin levels and Δcopeptin values were compared among those in remission vs no remission.

Results

Forty-four patients (64% female, aged 7-55 years) were included, and 19 developed neither diabetes insipidus (DI) or syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuresis (SIADH). Thirty-three had follow-up at least 3 months postoperatively. There was no difference in peak postoperative copeptin in remission (6.1 pmol/L [4.3-12.1]) vs no remission (7.3 pmol/L [5.4-8.4], P = 0.88). Excluding those who developed DI or SIADH, there was no difference in peak postoperative copeptin in remission (10.2 pmol/L [6.9-21.0]) vs no remission (5.4 pmol/L [4.6-7.3], P = 0.20). However, a higher peak postoperative copeptin level was found in those in remission (14.6 pmol/L [±10.9] vs 5.8 (±1.4), P = 0.03]) with parametric testing. There was no difference in the Δcopeptin by remission status.

Conclusions

A difference in peak postoperative plasma copeptin as an early marker to predict remission of CD was not consistently present, although the data point to the need for a larger sample size to further evaluate this. However, the utility of this test may be limited to those who develop neither DI nor SIADH postoperatively.
Correlation of PET-MRI, Pathology, LOH, and Surgical Success in a Case of CHI With Atypical Large Pancreatic Focus
Authors: Vossschulte Hendrik , Mohnike Konrad , Mohnike Klaus , Warncke Katharina , Akcay Ayse , Zenker Martin , Wieland Ilse , Schanze Ina , Hoefele Julia , Förster Christine , Barthlen Winfried , Stahlberg Kim , Empting Susann
Published: April 2022

Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is a rare cause of severe hypoglycemia in newborns. In focal CHI, usually one activity peak in fluorine-18-L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (18F-DOPA) positron emission tomography–magnetic resonance imaging (PET-MRI) indicates one focal lesion and its resection results in cure of the child. We present the case of a 5-month-old girl with CHI. Mutational screening of genes involved in CHI revealed a heterozygous pathogenic variant in the ABCC8 gene, which was not detectable in the parents. 18F-DOPA PET-MRI revealed 2 distinct activity peaks nearby in the pancreatic body and neck. Surgical resection of the tissue areas representing both activity peaks resulted in long-lasting normoglycemia that was proven by a fasting test. Molecular analysis of tissue samples from various sites provided evidence that a single second genetic hit in a pancreatic precursor cell was responsible for the atypical extended pancreatic lesion. There was a close correlation in the resected areas of PET-MRI activity with focal histopathology and frequency of the mutant allele (loss of heterozygosity) in the tissue. Focal lesions can be very heterogenous. The resection of the most affected areas as indicated by imaging, histopathology, and genetics could result in complete cure.
Low dose protocol for high resolution CT thorax: influence of matrix size and tube voltage on image quality and radiation dose
Authors: Kumar Navish , Pradhan Abhimanyu , Kadavigere Rajagopal , Sugumar Suresh
Published: April 2022

Background: High-resolution CT (HRCT) thorax has increase demand due to its advantage in diagnosing chronic respiratory diseases. The feasibility of matrix size with different tube voltage in the HRCT protocol of thorax is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effect of matrix sizes and tube voltage on image quality and radiation dose on adult HRCT thorax.  

Methods: A Phantom experiment was performed, followed by a patient scan. For phantom and patient scan, a total of six protocols with two tube voltage settings, 120 kVp and 100 kVp, with a combination of three matrix sizes, 512, 768, and 1024 were used. In this study, 180 adult patients who had HRCT thorax scan were considered. Dose data was collected, and quantitative image analysis was performed by drawing region of interests on the acquired phantom and patient images. Qualitative image analysis was performed independently by two blinded radiologists.  

Results: The dose report of the phantom experiment revealed that the 100kVp with selected matrix size delivered 15.64% and 15.62% less radiation dose in terms of volumetric computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP), respectively, compared to 120kVp settings with selected matrix sizes. Similarly, for the patient population, the CTDIvol and DLP difference noted for 120kVp and 100kVp with different matrix sizes was statistically significant (p<0.001). For quantitative image quality, the difference noted was also statistically significant among two kVp settings. The mean score for subjective image assessment was greater than 4.5 for diagnostic acceptability and streak artefacts.  

Conclusion: The result suggests that the 100 kVp with 512 X 512 matrix size is preferable in the HRCT Lung to achieve the optimal diagnostic image quality with a reduction of almost 40% of the dose to the patients compared to 120 kVp techniques.
Case Report: Therapeutic and immunomodulatory effects of plasmapheresis in long-haul COVID
Authors: Kiprov Dobri D. , Herskowitz Ahvie , Kim Daehwan , Lieb Michael , Liu Chao , Watanabe Etsuko , Hoffman Jan C. , Rohe Regina , Conboy Michael J. , Conboy Irina M.
Published: April 2022

Many patients with COVID-19 experience a range of debilitating symptoms months after being infected, a syndrome termed long-haul COVID. A 68-year-old male presented with lung opacity, fatigue, physical and cognitive weaknesses, loss of smell and lymphocytopenia. After rounds of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), the patient returned to normal activities and work. Mechanistically in the patient’s peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), markers of inflammatory macrophages diminished and markers of lymphocytes, including natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic CD8 T-cells, increased. Circulating inflammatory proteins diminished, while positive regulators of tissue repair increased. This case study suggests that TPE has the capacity to treat long-haul COVID.
Complex motivations of Japanese medical students to an online medical English course during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Azuma Miu , Nomura Osamu , Sakuma Takaya , Soma Yuki
Published: April 2022

Background: In response to globalism, many East-Asian countries now include a Medical English course in their undergraduate medical education syllabus. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between the related attribute factors of students' motivation to learn medical English through an online modality.

Methods: Of 134 eligible fourth-year medical students who participated in an Online Medical English course at a Japanese medical school, 105 were enrolled in this single cohort study. The participants completed pre- and post-course surveys regarding their motivation during the course, including perceived academic control and task value, and their assignment scores. A structural equation model was used to examine the hypothesized relationship of constructs, based on control-value theory.

Results: The model showed a good fit for the data (χ2[df=7] = 1.821, p=0.969, CFI = 1.000, RMSEA < 0.001, SRMR < 0.05, GFI = 0.993, AGFI = 0.980). The latent variables of the perceived course achievement related to the observed variables of academic control and task value scale scores, and negatively predicted willingness for self-study after course completion. In addition, the preference of English as the course language negatively predicted willingness for self-study of medical English.

Conclusion: Choice of English as the language of instruction and perceived high course achievement negatively predicted students’ motivation for further English self-study after the class. The importance of incorporating the perspective of lifelong learning into the teaching of medical English was recognized.
Sino-Poland intercollegiate cooperation in tertiary education: The case study of “Nicolaus Copernicus University 3 + 1 + 2 intercollegiate cooperation” project
Authors: Bu Xiaochen , Zhang Yi
Published: April 2022

Purpose: This paper aims to identify the strengths and challenges of Sino-Poland intercollegiate cooperation in tertiary education projects and give recommendations for such cross-culture cooperation projects.Methodology/approach: This paper utilized qualitative study analysis that conducted and interpreted semi-structured in-depth individual interviews with Chinese students participating in "Nicolaus Copernicus University 3 + 1 + 2 intercollegiate cooperation" project. Data is coded and analyzed using sentiment analysis.Findings: The study shows that Sino-Poland intercollegiate cooperation is gradually developing, which has apparent strengths, including increased the number of Chinese students, promotion of Sino-Poland university cooperation, and creation of distinctive cooperation models. However, some of the challenges that have emerged include project overly seeking profit-oriented, the declining admission standards, and cultural differences in Sino-Poland tertiary education cooperation and competition from universities in other European countries.Implications: The results of the study give practical suggestions for Sino-Poland intercollegiate cooperation. As Sino-Poland intercollegiate cooperation is still in its infancy, Chinese and Poland universities should innovate their cooperation models in a cross-cultural context, enhance their communication, and publicize their projects extensively to promote mutual benefits. Simultaneously, the cooperation projects should not be profit-driven and lower the admissions standards because the cooperation projects' reputation is also crucial.Originality/value: The study contributes to the theory development on cross-cultural cooperation between Sino-Poland tertiary education, in particular, it offers insights into the challenges that arise in Sino-Poland intercollegiate cooperation projects and how to develop better cooperation models in the future so that Sino-Poland tertiary education cooperation can develop its own unique symbiotic culture and management model.Keywords: Sino-Poland, cross-culture cooperation, tertiary education, intercollegiate cooperationPaper type: Case study
Empowerment at work: An empirical study on Empowering Leadership and Psychological Empowerment
Authors: Serrenho Rita , Dos Santos Nuno Rebelo , Dionísio Andreia , Da Silva Paulo Resende
Published: April 2022

Research Purpose: The aim of the present study is threefold. First, it intends to describe workers’ psychological empowerment in a sample of Portuguese workers. Secondly, to describe empowering leadership perceived by employees about their hierarchical superiors. Finally, to examine the relationships between psychological empowerment dimensions and empowering leadership dimensions.Method: A cross-sectional survey design was adopted with a convenience sample of Portuguese workers (N = 125). Cronbach’s alpha was utilized to examine the reliability of the dimensions. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and simple linear regressions were used to analyze the association between empowering leadership and psychological empowerment dimensions.Measuring Instruments: Spreitzer’s Psychological Instrument and the Empowering Leadership Scale were administered.Main findings: The results revealed significant and positive correlations between empowering leadership and psychological empowerment dimensions, especially employee self-determination.Implications/limitations: This research demonstrates that leaders can have an active role in increasing employee psychological empowerment, which can be an antecedent of positive employee attitudes and work outcomes. It is suggested in future studies to use more extensive and more representative samples. Furthermore, longitudinal and experimental research designs will verify if there is a significant causal relationship between empowering leadership and psychological empowerment.Value of the paper: This study empirically confirms that empowering leadership is associated with employees’ psychological empowerment among Portuguese workers.Keywords: empowering leadership, psychological empowerment, Portuguese workers, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, linear regressionType of paper: Research paper
COLOR REVOLUTIONS AS A THREAT TO SECURITY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION. THE ANALYSIS OF RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Minkina Mirosław , Kaszuba Malina
Published: April 2022

The article attempts to analyze and assess Russian perspectives of color revolutions as a threat to national security. Then the article focuses on the discussion of Russian concepts for countering color revolutions. The authors formulated the main research problem as the following question: What are the social movements, known as color revolutions, for the Russian Federation?; and formulates the following hypothesis: Color revolutions are recognized by the Russian authorities as social engineering inspired by the West, the aim of which is to overthrow the constitutional order of Russia and the states of the post-Soviet space to draw them into the sphere of influence of Euro-Atlantic structures. Color revolutions are considered a serious threat to national security by the Russian ruling elites. The first reason is the fear that the Russians, following the successful revolutions within the post-Soviet area, will themselves want to change the political system. The second is the loss of Russian influence in the countries of the former USSR. Color revolutions in the post-Soviet area have usually resulted in the emergence of pro-Western governments reluctant to Moscow. This, in turn, prevents the Russian ruling elites from rebuilding the empire.
When Collaboration Becomes Ubiquitously Digital
Authors: Zygmuntowski Jan
Published: April 2022

In recent years, the majority of studies on new technology-related phenomena have focused either on proving the benefits of innovative solutions or on criticizing social costs. The path chosen in the reviewed book Collaborative Society by Dariusz Jemielniak and Aleksandra Przegalinska is to capture a wider cultural shift that is taking place because ICT (Information and Communication Technology) tools allow people to take advantage of their willingness to cooperate. The key thesis is that the collaborative society goes far beyond the sharing economy – or economy in general. New means of digital communication, remix culture and citizen science prove that this shift is transforming social relations and our mutual relations. The authors search for the manifestations of a collaborative society in joint online production and consumption, cooperation of social activists and hacktivism, social production of knowledge, gadgets encouraging cooperation and subversive connection in digital spaces. The future of cooperation is a story about the tension between the new, communal mode of production and its distortion by capitalism. The book is a good summary of the research area and an introduction for anyone looking to explore this topic or participate in a collaborative society.
Buffon (1707–1788) et la Pologne. Actes du colloque franco-polonais à l’occasion du 300e anniversaire de sa naissance tenu à Paris le 8 juin 2007, Varsovie–Paris : Académie polonaise des sciences, 2007, pp. 162
Authors: Schmitt Stéphane
Published: April 2022

Ce volume, paru il y a maintenant treize ans, faisait suite à un colloque tenu au Centre de l’Académie Polonaise des Sciences à Paris à l’occasion du tricentenaire de la naissance du naturaliste français Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon (1707–1788). Consacré aux relations entretenues par le grand naturaliste français des Lumières avec la Pologne, il constitue une rare contribution à l’étude des circulations de savoirs scientifiques entre la France et l’Europe Centrale et Orientale au xviiie siècle. Le parcourir, treize ans après sa publication, nous invite à évoquer l’historiographie relative à Buffon et à ses rapports avec la culture de son temps.
The Causal Impact of Distance on Bank Lending
Authors: Herpfer Christoph , Mjøs Aksel , Schmidt Cornelius
Published: April 2022

We investigate the role of physical distance in corporate lending by exploiting infrastructure improvements as shocks to travel time. Lower travel time increases the likelihood of initiating a new banking relationship, consistent with an economic surplus from lower transaction costs. In existing lending relationships, banks capture part of this surplus by increasing interest rates, in particular, if banks have higher bargaining power. Reductions in travel time to competing banks have the opposite effects. Banks benefit from improved infrastructure through an increase in clients, and lenders that rely more on technology do not exhibit sensitivity to changes in distance.

This paper was accepted by Victoria Ivashina, finance.

Funding: Financial support from Finans|Bergen is gratefully acknowledged.

Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4346 .
Acute effects of varying densities of foam roller on hamstring flexibility and eccentric strength
Authors: Rhodes David , Crowie Sean , Alexander Jill
Published: April 2022

Background/Aims

Foam rolling is a popular form of self-administered soft tissue therapy, commonly used in sporting environments. There are several variations in foam roller types including differences in density. No studies have examined the effects of different density type rollers on performance. This study compares the effects of varying foam roller density on hamstring flexibility and eccentric hamstring strength in active men.

Methods

A total of 28 healthy male participants (height 176.7 ± 5.9 cm; body mass 75.8 ± 9.6 kg; age 21.6 ± 4.0 years) were randomly allocated to receive a low density, medium density or high density foam roller or allocated to a control group. Outcome measures included hamstring flexibility through active knee extension (°) and eccentric hamstring strength pre and immediately-post foam roller application.

Results

Significant foam roller x time interactions were found for hamstring flexibility (P<0.05). Significant increases in active knee extension were reported post-foam roller application for all foam roller densities (P<0.05). No significant changes in strength parameters (break angle, peak and average force and torque) were found (P>0.05). No significant interactions between strength parameters, limb, type of roller or time were found (P>0.05).

Conclusions

Foam roller use elicits immediate positive increases in hamstring flexibility through active knee extension assessment, with the lower density foam roller displaying the largest increases in hamstring flexibility. No change in strength parameters were noted with the increases in flexibility; however, this does not denote that injury risk is reduced because of this. Findings provide practitioners with insight to inform decision making for the use of different densities of foam roller in practical settings.
Developmental relationships between socio-economic disadvantage and mental health across the first 30 years of life
Authors: O’Connor Meredith , Guo Shuaijun , Letcher Primrose , Sanson Ann , Goldfeld Sharon , Olsson Craig A.
Published: April 2022

Understanding of how socio-economic disadvantage experienced over the life course relates to mental health outcomes in young adulthood has been limited by a lack of long-term, prospective studies. Here we address this limitation by drawing on data from a large Australian population cohort study that has followed the development of more than 2,000 Australians (and their families) from infancy to young adulthood since 1983. Associations were examined between prospective assessments of socio-economic position (SEP) from 4–8 months to 27–28 years and mental health problems (depression, anxiety, stress) and competence (civic engagement, emotional maturity, secure intimate relationship) at 27–28 years. The odds of being socio-economically disadvantaged in young adulthood were elevated eight- to tenfold in those who had experienced disadvantage in the family of origin, compared with those who had not (OR 8.1, 95% CI 4.5–14.5 to 10.1, 95% CI 5.2–19.5). Only concurrent SEP was associated with young adult mental health problems, and this effect was limited to anxiety symptoms (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.9). In contrast, SEP had more pervasive impacts on young adult competence, particularly in the civic domain where effects were evident even from early infancy (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.26–0.81). Findings suggest that one potentially important mechanism through which disadvantage compromises mental health is through limiting the development and consolidation of key psychosocial competencies needed for health and well-being in adulthood.
PredictionNet: a long short-term memory-based attention network for atmospheric turbulence prediction in adaptive optics
Authors: Wu Ji , Tang Ju , Zhang Mengmeng , Di Jianglei , Hu Liusen , Wu Xiaoyan , Liu Guodong , Zhao Jianlin
Published: April 2022

Adaptive optics (AO) has great applications in many fields and has attracted wide attention from researchers. However, both traditional and deep learning-based AO methods have inherent time delay caused by wavefront sensors and controllers, leading to the inability to truly achieve real-time atmospheric turbulence correction. Hence, future turbulent wavefront prediction plays a particularly important role in AO. Facing the challenge of accurately predicting stochastic turbulence, we combine the convolutional neural network with a turbulence correction time series model and propose a long short-term memory attention-based network, named PredictionNet, to achieve real-time AO correction. Especially, PredictionNet takes the spatiotemporal coupling characteristics of turbulence wavefront into consideration and can improve the accuracy of prediction effectively. The combination of the numerical simulation by a professional software package and the real turbulence experiment by digital holography demonstrates in detail that PredictionNet is more accurate and more stable than traditional methods. Furthermore, the result compared with AO without prediction confirms that predictive AO with PredictionNet is useful.
Rapid slide-free and non-destructive histological imaging using wide-field optical-sectioning microscopy
Authors: Zhang Yan , Kang Lei , Lo Claudia T. K. , Tsang Victor T. C. , Wong Terence T. W.
Published: April 2022

Histopathology based on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues has long been the gold standard for surgical margin assessment (SMA). However, routine pathological practice is lengthy and laborious, failing to guide surgeons intraoperatively. In this report, we propose a practical and low-cost histological imaging method with wide-field optical-sectioning microscopy (i.e., High-and-Low-frequency (HiLo) microscopy). HiLo can achieve rapid and non-destructive imaging of freshly-excised tissues at an extremely high acquisition speed of 5 cm2/min with a spatial resolution of 1.3 µm (lateral) and 5.8 µm (axial), showing great potential as an SMA tool that can provide immediate feedback to surgeons and pathologists for intraoperative decision-making. We demonstrate that HiLo enables rapid extraction of diagnostic features for different subtypes of human lung adenocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, producing surface images of rough specimens with large field-of-views and cellular features that are comparable to the clinical standard. Our results show promising clinical translations of HiLo microscopy to improve the current standard of care.
Effect of light source distances and illuminances on the gloss perception of papers
Authors: Zhu Xiaoyi , Inoue Shinichi , Sato Hiromi , Mizokami Yoko
Published: April 2022

This study examines the human gloss perception of printing papers at various illuminances and distances from a light source to the object’s surface. Gloss is evaluated based on not only the intensity of reflected light but also the sharpness of specular highlights. The apparent spread of the reflected light source image, which is also used for gloss evaluations, depends on the distance between the light source and the object’s surface. Unlike physical variation of specular image properties, the perception of gloss may exhibit constancy similar to color perception. Our results reveal that illuminance has a strong effect on gloss perception. We found cases where low-gloss samples looked glossier than high-gloss ones—the gloss reversal phenomenon. These results suggest that there is a case in which gloss constancy may not work in every condition.
Noise investigation of CW and mode-locked harmonic cavity nanolasers
Authors: Sun Yifan , Bouchereau Yann , Karuseichyk Sopfy , Ansquer Matthieu , Combrié Sylvain , Treps Nicolas , De Rossi Alfredo , Bretenaker Fabien
Published: April 2022

We theoretically investigate the noise properties of harmonic cavity nanolasers by introducing a model of coupled equations of evolution of the modes, taking spontaneous emission into account. This model is used to predict the noise among the nanolaser Hermite-Gaussian modes, both in continuous wave and mode-locked regimes. In the first case, the laser noise is described in terms of noise modes, thus illustrating the role of the laser dynamics. In the latter case, this leads to the calculation of the fluctuations of the pulse train parameters. The influence of the different laser parameters, including the amount of saturated absorption and the Henry factors, on the noise of the mode-locked regime is discussed in details.
High-speed super-resolution imaging with compressive imaging-based structured illumination microscopy
Authors: He Yilin , Yao Yunhua , Qi Dalong , Wang Zhiyong , Jia Tianqing , Liang Jinyang , Sun Zhenrong , Zhang Shian
Published: April 2022

Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) has been widely applied to investigating fine structures of biological samples by breaking the optical diffraction limitation. So far, video-rate imaging has been obtained in SIM, but the imaging speed was still limited due to the reconstruction of a super-solution image through multi-sampling, which hindered the applications in high-speed biomedical imaging. To overcome this limitation, here we develop compressive imaging-based structured illumination microscopy (CISIM) by synergizing SIM and compressive sensing (CS). Compared with conventional SIM, CISIM can greatly improve the super-resolution imaging speed by extracting multiple super-resolution images from one compressed image. Based on CISIM, we successfully reconstruct the super-resolution images in biological dynamics, and analyze the effect factors of image reconstruction quality, which verify the feasibility of CISIM. CISIM paves a way for high-speed super-resolution imaging, which may bring technological breakthroughs and significant applications in biomedical imaging.
Enhanced frequency-modulated continuous-wave generation by injection-locking period-one oscillation in a semiconductor laser with an intensity modulated comb
Authors: Yang Jiang , Xie Weilin , Wang Tao , Feng Yuxiang , Meng Yinxia , Yang Qiang , Wei Wei , Dong Yi
Published: April 2022

We report on an enhanced photonic generation of frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) signals by injection-locking a semiconductor laser operating in period-one (P1) nonlinear dynamic with an intensity modulated electro-optic frequency comb. When the cavity mode is injection-locked with respect to any of the comb modes, through linearly sweeping the frequency of the injected comb mode while synchronously modulating the injected intensity, the center wavelength of the cavity mode can be tuned following the injected comb mode. This way, it allows maintaining the phase-locking between the cavity mode and comb mode even if beyond the original locking bandwidth of the cavity mode, since it is tuned accordingly. It thus leads to the generation of FMCW signal with efficient phase noise suppression and improved achievable sweep range compared with the limited original injection-locking bandwidth. Such injection enhanced phase-locking is investigated and a demonstration with the injection of −4th order comb mode has realized photonic FMCW generation with enhanced sweep range and suppressed phase noise. Thanks to the flexibility in sweep parameters, this method can also be readily applied for the generation of arbitrary waveforms.
Three-dimensional particle size and position measurement by linear complex amplitude Wiener filtering
Authors: Gómez-Climente Marina , Lobera Salazar Julia , Arroyo de Grandes Maria Pilar , Palero Díaz Virginia
Published: April 2022

Digital in-line holography (DIH) combined with a Wiener filter has been applied to measure particle size and position in the flow inside a capillary model, seeded with magnetic particles (3µm) and with solid opaque particles that simulated red and white cells. The proposed filtering process takes advantage of the linearity implicit in the numerical reconstruction of the object complex amplitude. A modified DIH set-up, with a tilted illumination beam, was used as it presents two main advantages: it solves the twin image issue associated to in-line holography and increases the out-of-plane resolution. Experiments show that the proposed method discriminates particles within a range from 3 to 30µm with a sensitivity of 0.5µm.
Miniature Fourier transform spectrometer based on a fiber-tip interferometer
Authors: Han Chunyang , Ding Hui , Li Baojin , Shi Lei , Xu Haodong
Published: April 2022

The miniaturization of spectrometers have attracted much attention owning to the demand for portable or in situ spectral analysis in a wide variety of fields, but it is a great challenge to push them into practical applications due to high cost, complicated configuration, and sensitivity to external disturbance. We report on a miniature Fourier transform (FT) spectrometer based on fiber-tip Fizeau interferometer. Hand pulling or any other types of force can be used to drive optical path difference (OPD) scan. Interferences are monitored as a function of time by two photodetectors, one is used to detect the whole interferogram while the other to measure single-wavelength interferogram. In this design, the instantaneous interference intensity as well as OPD can be obtained in an accurate way so that the exact spatial interferogram of the incident spectrum can be worked out. Consequently, the incident spectrum can be retrieved by FT method. A resolution of 7.69 cm−1 in the wavelength range of 1400 nm ∼ 1700 nm is achieved. Experimental results show that the performance of our device is comparable to the commercial benchtop spectrometer. Our device is independent of the complicated fabrication procedures, easy of usage, and cost effective. We envision that the proposed design will inspire a new concept for constructing simple and cheap spectrometers that is well suited for practical applications.
Ultrahigh-resolution optical vector analyzer for multiple parallel measurements based on frequency-domain analysis
Authors: Wang Bin , Fan Xinyu , Zhao Shuangxiang , Zhang Weifeng
Published: April 2022

An ultrahigh-resolution optical vector analyzer (OVA) is reported for multiple parallel measurements based on frequency-domain analysis (FDA). In the proposed system, an optical linearly frequency modulated waveform generated via electro-optic modulation and optical injection locking is launched into an unbalanced Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI), in which multiple devices under test (DUTs) are cascaded with different time delays in one arm and a delay reference line in the other arm. The optical signals from the two arms of the MZI are sent to a balanced photo-detector, where a series of electrical signals with different frequencies is generated. With the use of the FDA, the optical spectral response of the DUTs can be separately extracted from the generated electrical signals. An experimental demonstration is performed, in which the frequency responses of a hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas cell, a phase-shifted fiber Bragg grating, and an optical reflector are characterized simultaneously. The measurement results show that the proposed OVA has a simultaneous characterization capacity of multiple devices at a frequency resolution as high as 200 kHz, a measurement time as short as 490 µs, and a frequency measurement range as wide as 18.5 GHz.
Quasi-absolute interferometric testing of cylinders
Authors: Chen Shanyong , Dai Yifan , Zhai Dede , Xiong Yupeng
Published: April 2022

A three-step quasi-absolute testing method for optical cylinders is proposed in this Letter. Three measurements are taken at the so-called cat's eye position and confocal null testing positions with a computer-generated hologram (CGH) rotated around the axis parallel to that of the cylinder. The quasi-absolute surface error of the cylinder is obtained by simple operations including addition/subtraction and flip of the datasets. The uncertainty is traceable to an optical flat. Two different CGHs are used for a convex cylinder and give consistent quasi-absolute testing results of the surface error, which experimentally validates the method.
Early onset adult deafness in the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog is associated with an in-frame deletion in the EPS8L2 gene
Authors: Kawakami Takeshi , Raghavan Vandana , Ruhe Alison L. , Jensen Meghan K. , Milano Ausra , Nelson Thomas C. , Boyko Adam R.
Published: April 2022

Domestic dogs exhibit diverse types of both congenital and non-congenital hearing losses. Rhodesian Ridgebacks can suffer from a progressive hearing loss in the early stage of their life, a condition known as early onset adult deafness (EOAD), where they lose their hearing ability within 1–2 years after birth. In order to investigate the genetic basis of this hereditary hearing disorder, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) by using a sample of 23 affected and 162 control Rhodesian Ridgebacks. We identified a genomic region on canine chromosome 18 (CFA18) that is strongly associated with EOAD, and our subsequent targeted Sanger sequencing analysis identified a 12-bp inframe deletion inEPS8L2(CFA18:25,868,739–25,868,751 in the UMICH_Zoey_3.1/canFam5 reference genome build). Additional genotyping confirmed a strong association between the 12-bp deletion and EOAD, where all affected dogs were homozygous for the deletion, while none of the control dogs was a deletion homozygote. A segregation pattern of this deletion in a 2-generation nuclear family indicated an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. SinceEPS8L2plays a critical role in the maintenance and integrity of the inner ear hair cells in humans and other mammals, the inframe deletion found in this study represents a strong candidate causal mutation for EOAD in Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Genetic and clinical similarities between childhood deafness in humans and EOAD in Rhodesian Ridgebacks emphasizes the potential value of this dog breed in translational research in hereditary hearing disorders.
Knowledge, attitude, and practices related to COVID-19 among poor and marginalized communities in central India: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Murali Krithika , Balagopalan Nitya , Benawri Jyoti , Bairagi Anand Kumar , Heggannanavar Nagappa Veerappa , Srivastava Ashish , Mahajan Swati
Published: April 2022

COVID-19 has led to unprecedented challenges and requires local and global efforts for its mitigation. Poor and marginalized populations are more vulnerable to the health, social and economic effects of the pandemic. The objective of this study was to know about the knowledge, attitude and practices towards COVID-19 among poor and marginalized communities in central India and the factors associated with them so that effective risk communication messages can be designed and community engagement needs and strategies can be identified. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an Interactive Voice Response System as part of the NISHTHA-Swasthya Vani intervention, which is a platform for dissemination of key messages related to COVID-19, social welfare schemes, national health programs and other important information. A total of 1673 respondents participated in the survey. The mean knowledge, attitude and practice scores of the respondents was 4.06 (SD = 1.67) out of 8, 2.46 (SD = 1.18) out of 4 and 3.65 (SD = 0.73) out of 4 respectively. More than 50% respondents exhibited stigma towards recovered COVID-19 patients(n = 347) and towards health workers(n = 384) catering to COVID-19 patients. The factors associated with higher KAP scores were education, occupation, age and primary source of information on COVID-19. There was a positive correlation between knowledge and attitude (co-efficient: 0.32) and a negative correlation between knowledge and stigma (co-efficient: -0.28). The knowledge, and attitude scores related to COVID-19 were low among the poor and marginalized communities, while the prevalence of stigma was high. Therefore, there is a need for effective risk communication for these communities through alternate channels.
Forest ecosystem service functions and their associations with landscape patterns in Renqiu City
Authors: Zhang Yunlu , Su Tingting , Ma Yue , Wang Yanyinuo , Wang Weiqi , Zha Niyi , Shao Ming
Published: April 2022

Forest ecosystems are crucial to the survival and development of human societies. Urbanization is expected to impact forest landscape patterns and consequently the supply of forest ecosystem services. However, the specific ways by which such impacts manifest are unclear. Therefore, to discuss the relationship between them is of great significance for realizing regional sustainable development. Here, we quantitatively assess the intensity of forest ecosystem service functions and forest landscape patterns in Renqiu City of China’s Hebei Province in 2019 using ArcGIS and FRAGSTATS. We characterize the relationships between forest ecosystem service capacity and landscape patterns, and identify strategies for the spatial optimization of forests. We find that the ecosystem service intensity of forests are significantly correlated with their spatial distribution, forest area ratio, and landscape patterns. Specifically, the percentage of landscape (PLAND) index, landscape shape index (LSI), and contagion (CONTAG) index indices display second-order polynomial relationships with various forest ecosystem service functions, with critical values of 80, 5, and 70, respectively. We propose that forest ecosystem functions can be optimized by optimizing forest landscape patterns. Specifically, to maximize the function of forest ecosystem services, managers should consider the integrity of forest ecosystems, optimize their ability to self-succession, repair service functions of key nodes within forests, enhance forests’ structural stability, optimize forest quality and community structure, and strengthen the efficiency of functional transformation per unit area. Finally, we propose a strategy for the spatial optimization of forests in Renqiu to optimize their associated ecosystem services. This involves protecting important areas for forest ecosystems, rationally organizing different ecological patches such as forests and water bodies to maximize their functions, strengthening the connectivity of scattered forests, and supplementing woodland areas.
Stigmatization is common in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and correlates with quality of life
Authors: Carol Marta , Pérez-Guasch Martina , Solà Elsa , Cervera Marta , Martínez Sara , Juanola Adrià , Ma Ann T. , Avitabile Emma , Napoleone Laura , Pose Elisa , Graupera Isabel , Honrubia Maria , Korenjak Marko , Torres Ferran , Ginès Pere , Fabrellas Núria ,   for the LiverHope Consortium Investigators
Published: April 2022

Background and aims

Stigmatization is a well-documented problem of some diseases. Perceived stigma is common in alcohol-related liver disease and hepatitis C, but little information exists on stigma in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Aim of the study was to investigate frequency and characteristics of perceived stigma among patients with NAFLD.

Methods

One-hundred and ninety-seven patients seen at the liver clinic were included: a study group of 144 patients with NAFLD, 50 with cirrhosis (34 compensated, 16 decompensated), and a control group of 53 patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected. Quality-of-life was assessed by chronic liver disease questionnaire (CLDQ). Perceived stigma was assessed using a specific questionnaire for patients with liver diseases categorized in 4 domains: stereotypes, discrimination, shame, and social isolation.

Results

Perceived stigma was common in patients with NAFLD (99 patients, 69%) and affected all 4 domains assessed. The frequency was slightly higher, yet not significant, in patients with NAFLD cirrhosis vs those without (72% vs 67%, respectively; p = 0.576). In patients without cirrhosis perceived stigma was unrelated to stage of disease, since frequency was similar in patients with no or mild fibrosis compared to those with moderate/severe fibrosis (66% vs 68%, respectively). There were no differences in perceived stigma between patients with compensated cirrhosis and these with decompensated cirrhosis. Among patients with cirrhosis, stigmatization was more common in alcohol-related vs NAFLD-cirrhosis, yet differences were only significant in two domains. In patients with NAFLD, perceived stigma correlated with poor quality-of-life, but not with demographic or clinical variables.

Conclusions

Perceived stigmatization is common among patients with NAFLD independently of disease stage, is associated with impaired quality-of-life, and may be responsible for stereotypes, discrimination, shame, and social isolation, which may affect human and social rights of affected patients.
A cross-country efficiency and productivity evaluation of commercial banks in South Asia: A meta-frontier and Malmquist productivity index approach
Authors: Shah Wasi Ul Hassan , Hao Gang , Zhu Nan , Yasmeen Rizwana , Padda Ihtsham Ul Haq , Abdul Kamal Muhammad
Published: April 2022

South Asia primarily consists of developing economies with diverse financial systems. The commercial banking industry plays a crucial role in each country’s financial development in the region. This research aims to evaluate commercial banking industries’ efficiency and productivity growth in the South Asian (SA) region over 6 years (2013–2018). In addition, the technology gap among the banking industries of all countries is also explored. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) Meta-frontier is employed to measure the technical efficiency (TE) and technology gap ratio (TGR) among the countries. Further Malmquist productivity index (MPI) is used for productivity change estimation. Results indicate that, on average, 147 commercial banks (CBs) have a technical efficiency score of 0.6208, while CBs in Nepal are the most efficient in the region with an average score of 0.7153. The Meta frontier analysis also confirms the presence of different production technologies in CBs. Nepal’s CBs group frontier is closer to meta-frontier (technology gap ratio, TGR = 0.9361) While, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka rank second, third, fourth, and fifth, respectively. The results of productivity contend that the total factor productivity change of all 147 CBs decreases by 0.8 percent on average over the study period. CBs have enhanced their productivity growth in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Pakistan, but declining trends have been witnessed in Indian and Bangladesh’s commercial banking industries.
Blood pressure response to commonly administered antihypertensives for severe inpatient hypertension
Authors: Ghazi Lama , Li Fan , Chen Xinyuan , Simonov Michael , Yamamoto Yu , Biswas Aditya , Hanna Jonathan , Shah Tayyab , Peixoto Aldo J. , Wilson F. Perry
Published: April 2022

Background

Blood pressure (BP) elevations are commonly treated in hospitalized patients; however, treatment is not guideline directed. Our objective was to assess BP response to commonly prescribed antihypertensives after the development of severe inpatient hypertension (HTN).

Methods

This is a cohort study of adults, excluding intensive care unit patients, within a single healthcare system admitted for reasons other than HTN who developed severe HTN (systolic BP>180 or diastolic BP >110 mmHg at least 1 hour after admission). We identified the most commonly administered antihypertensives given within 6 hours of severe HTN (given to >10% of treated patients). We studied the association of treatment with each antihypertensive vs. no treatment on BP change in the 6 hours following severe HTN development using mixed-effects model after adjusting for demographics and clinical characteristics.

Results

Among 23,147 patients who developed severe HTN, 9,166 received antihypertensive treatment. The most common antihypertensives given were oral metoprolol (n = 1991), oral amlodipine (n = 1812), oral carvedilol (n = 1116), IV hydralazine (n = 1069) and oral hydralazine (n = 953). In the fully adjusted model, treatment with IV hydralazine led to 13 [-15.9, -10.1], 18 [-22.2, -14] and 11 [-14.1, -8.3] mmHg lower MAP, SBP, and DBP in the 6 hours following severe HTN development compared to no treatment. Treatment with oral hydralazine and oral carvedilol also resulted in significantly lower BPs in the 6 hours following severe HTN development (6 [-9.1, -2.1 and -7 [-9.1, -4.2] lower MAP, respectively) compared to no treatment. Receiving metoprolol and amlodipine did not result in a drop in BP compared to no treatment.

Conclusion

Among commonly used antihypertensives, IV hydralazine resulted in the most significant drop in BP following severe HTN, while metoprolol and amlodipine did not lower BP. Further research to assess the effect of treatment on clinical outcomes and if needed which antihypertensives to administer are necessary.