bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ocimum basilicum (kemangi) intervention on powder and microencapsulated Spirulina platensis and its bioactive molecules
Authors: Yuliani Y , Riyadi Putut Har , Dewi Eko Nurcahya , Jaswir Irwandi , Agustini Tri Winarni
Published: March 2022

Background: Spirulina platensis contains several bioactive molecules such as phenol, flavonoid and phycocyanin pigments. This study unveils total phenol, flavonoid, antioxidant activity, phycocyanin content and evaluated encapsulation efficiency from Ocimum basilicum intervention on S. platensis. O. basilicum intervention aims to reduce unpleasant odors from S. platensis that will increase consumption and increase bioactive compounds.  

Methods: The intervention was carried out by soaking a S. platensis control sample (SP) in O. basilicum with a ratio of 1:4 (w/v) and it was then dried (DSB) and microencapsulated by freeze drying methods (MSB) using a combination of maltodextrin and gelatin. Total flavonoid and phenolic analysis with curve fitting analysis used a linear regression approach. Antioxidant activity of samples was analysed with the 2,2’-azino-bis-3-3thylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) method. Data were analysed using ANOVA at significance level (p < 0.05) followed by Tukey test models using SPSS v.22. 

Results: The result of this study indicated that O. basilicum intervention treatment (DSB) has the potential to increase bioactive compounds such as total phenol, antioxidant activity and phycocyanin, and flavonoid content. Intervention of O. basilicum on S. platensis (DSB) significantly increases total phenol by 49.5% and phycocyanin by 40.7%. This is due to the phenol and azulene compounds in O. basilicum which have a synergistic effect on phenol and phycocyanin in S. platensis. Microencapsulation using a maltodexrin and gelatin coating is effective in phycocyanin protection and antioxidant activity with an encapsulation efficiency value of 71.58% and 80.5%.  

Conclusion: The intervention of O. basilicum on S. platensis improved the total phenol and phycocyanin content and there is potential for a pharmaceutical product for a functional food and pharmaceutical product.
Synchronous Display and Whiteboard-Like Freehand Writing App as Teaching Tool for Virtual Classroom amidst the Pandemic
Authors: Lai Daniel , Sook Ling Lew , Yin Ooi Shih
Published: March 2022

Purpose: The research evaluates if teachers can achieve better teaching outcomes by using a proposed mobile interactive system (MIS) developed for this study as an additional approach to enhancing teachers’ proficiency in Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) in the virtual classroom.  

Background: According to previous studies, teachers’ self-assessment on TPACK might be affected by their ego because they have autonomy over the students in the classroom. Some studies suggest that utilisation of an interactive whiteboard (IWB) promotes creativity in teaching and learning but that it is unsuitable for a virtual environment due to its large size and the high maintenance costs associated with owning one in a teacher’s residence. Besides, some studies also reveal that allowing the students to assess their teachers through TPACK  is able to reduce potential errors which might result from the TPACK self-assessment done by teachers.  

Methods: Pre- and post- experiments were conducted with the developed MIS integrated into teaching process. Synchronous display (SD) and whiteboard-like freehand writing (WFW) were features of the MIS integrated into the experimental group. Questionnaires were distributed to the students, and a reflective measurement model was formed using SmartPLS and IBM SPSS Statistics.  

Findings: Based on our findings, teachers’ Technological Content Knowledge had a significant positive effect on TPACK with the inclusion of MIS in online teaching. Predictive relevance was also evaluated through a Q2 value to predict the endogenous construct of the constructed model. The Q2 value was greater than zero, indicating that the model possesses a predictive relevance.  

Conclusion: The integration of the developed MIS in the virtual classroom has a significant positive impact on the students’ academic performance relating to concept learning and knowledge acquisition of subject matter.
Cicada minimum age tree: Cryptic speciation and exponentially increasing base substitution rates in recent geologic time
Authors: Osozawa Soichi , Wakabayashi John
Published: March 2022

We developed a new time-calibrated tree incorporating primarily endemic along with some cryptic Ryukyu islands cicada data, following the recent publication of global cicada data by Marshall et al. (2018), Łukasik et al. (2018), Simon et al. (2019), Price et al. (2019), and Hill et al. (2021).  A total of 352 specimens were analyzed using BEAST v1. X software with a relaxed clock model. Fossil calibrations as old as Triassic were adopted largely following Johnson et al. (2018) and Moulds (2018), and a Quaternary geological event calibration was adopted following Osozawa et al. (2012, 2021b) and input into BEAST v1. X. Our timetree suggests that Tettigarctidae had a cicada basal lineage as old as 200.63 Ma, with Derotettiginae the next oldest lineage at 99.2 Ma. Tibicininae is a sister of the remaining subfamilies of Tettigomyiinae, Cicadettinae, and Cicadidae, and their species level differentiation and radiation began at 40.57 Ma. The Cicadinae clade consists of specific tribes with parapheletic relationship, and the vicariance and adaptive radiation generated many cryptic species in each tribe. We estimated base substitution rate as a function of age, and the result strongly indicates an exponential increase of base substitution rate in recent geologic time. The consequent increase in cicada biodiversity, including generation of cryptic species in the Ryukyu Islands and surroundings, may have been driven by the generation and spreading of C4 grasses and coeval Quaternary climate change.
Use of a cow-side oestrus detection test for fertility management in Kenyan smallholder dairy herds.
Authors: Peters Andrew R. , Wong Johanna T. , Williams Erin J. , Muasa Bridgit S. , Makoni Nathaniel F. , Ngige Chris M. , Allan Fiona K. , Christian Michael , Ball Peter J.H.
Published: March 2022

Background: The use of artificial insemination (AI) has great potential to improve smallholder dairy herds in Africa, however high costs and often poor success rates have been discouraging.  Effective AI requires accurate oestrus detection and the measurement of progesterone (P4) can be used to indicate oestrus as well as non-pregnancy.  A cow-side progesterone lateral flow test, P4 Rapid, was evaluated as an aid to detect oestrus and non-pregnancy in Kenyan dairy cows, and assessed for association with AI efficiency. 

Methods: A total of 527 cows were enrolled in the study, from two counties in central and southern Kenya.  Cattle in the test group (n = 308) were presented when suspected to be in oestrus and tested with the P4 Rapid (low P4 = oestrus, medium P4 = inconclusive, high P4 = not in oestrus/pregnant).  Cattle with low P4 were inseminated.  Cattle in the control group (n = 219) were inseminated when oestrus behaviour was detected i.e. standard practice.

Results: Of the total P4 Rapid tests performed (n = 745), 1.5% were inconclusive, with the true accuracy of the test between 87-97%.  Conception rates were not significantly higher in the test group (83.9%) compared to the control group (77.9%). Abortion rates were not significantly different between the control (9.5%) and test groups (8.2%).  In the test group, 6.2% (19/308) cows showed a medium or high P4 level on day 0 and 9 of these were subsequently found to have been already pregnant.

Conclusions: The data indicated that the P4 Rapid test can be a useful tool to assist farmer decision-making in the confirmation of correct timing for AI, and importantly may avoid unnecessary inseminations in pregnant animals, thus reducing the risk of AI-induced abortion.
Complexity in shared decision making: a qualitative analysis of clinical encounters and patient/physician interviews
Authors: Witkop Catherine T. , Maggio Lauren A. , Harvey Emily J. , Torre Dario M.
Published: March 2022

Background:  Shared decision making is a complex clinical activity, for which the most effective educational interventions are unclear. Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) can be utilized as a framework to help medical educators understand and teach shared decision making. The objective of this qualitative study was to utilize CHAT to explore, through analysis of clinical encounters and interviews, patient and provider perspectives of a medical decision-making process that included use of a decision aid mobile application (app).

Methods: Female patients from age 17 to 45, who sought care at a contraceptive clinic between April and June 2019, and physicians providing care in the clinic, were recruited for this study. Patients utilized the decision aid app prior to the visit. The clinical encounter and semi-structured interviews with each patient and physician were recorded. Template analysis was used to analyze the transcripts with themes including elements of activity systems within CHAT, tensions within and between activity systems, and agency.

Results: In total, 21 patients and eight providers participated in the study. Evidence of CHAT elements were identified for each patient-physician dyad. In analyzing occurrences of codes across transcripts, recurring contradictions and themes emerged, such as how the app is utilized as a mediating tool and the importance of patient and physician communities.    

Conclusions: Through analysis of clinical encounters and focused interviews, patient and provider perspectives provided a unique understanding of the complex process of decision-making. These findings can assist educators in developing more effective teaching strategies that may lead to enhanced patient agency, effective relational agency, and successful shared decision making.
TRUE-1: Trial of Repurposed Unithiol for snakebite Envenoming phase 1 (safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in healthy Kenyan adults)
Authors: Abouyannis Michael , FitzGerald Richard , Ngama Mwanajuma , Mwangudzah Hope , Nyambura Yvonne K. , Ngome Samson , Riako Debra , Babu Lawrence , Lewa Frida , Else Laura , Dily Penchala Sujan , Orindi Benedict , Mumba Noni , Kalama Betty , Ndungu Francis M. , Adetifa Ifedayo , Khoo Saye , Lalloo David G. , Casewell Nicholas R. , Hamaluba Mainga
Published: March 2022

Background: Snakebites affect over 5 million people each year, and over 100,000 per year die as a result. The only available treatment is antivenom, which has many shortcomings including high cost, intravenous administration, and high risk of adverse events. One of the most abundant and harmful components of viper venoms are the zinc-dependent snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs). Unithiol is a chelating agent which is routinely used to treat heavy metal poisoning. In vivo experiments in small animal models have demonstrated that unithiol can prevent local tissue damage and death caused by a certain viper species. This phase I clinical trial will assess the safety of ascending doses of unithiol with a view for repurposing for snakebite indication.

Methods: This open label, single agent, phase I clinical trial of a repurposed drug has a primary objective to evaluate the safety of escalating doses of unithiol, and a secondary objective to describe its pharmacokinetics. In total, 64 healthy Kenyan volunteers from Kilifi County will be dosed in consecutive groups of eight, with dose escalation decisions dependent on review of safety data by an independent data safety monitoring board. Four groups will receive ascending single oral doses, two will receive multiple oral doses, and two will receive single intravenous doses. Follow-up will be for 6-months and includes full adverse event reporting. Pharmacokinetic analysis will define the Cmax, Tmax, half-life and renal elimination.

Conclusions: This clinical trial will assess the safety and tolerability of a promising oral therapeutic in a relevant setting where snakebites are prevalent. Unithiol is likely to be safer than antivenom, is easier to manufacture, has activity against diverse snake species, and can be administered orally, and thus shows promise for repurposing for tropical snakebite.

Pan African Clinical Trials Registry: PACTR202103718625048 (3/3/2021)
The genome sequence of the ferruginous bee-grabber, Sicus ferrugineus (Linnaeus, 1761)
Authors:   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective, Nash Will ,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: March 2022

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Sicus ferrugineus (the ferruginous bee-grabber; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Conopidae). The genome sequence is 312 megabases in span. The majority of the assembly (99.67%) is scaffolded into 5 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the X and Y sex chromosomes assembled. The complete mitochondrial genome was also assembled and is 16.9 kilobases in length.
Perception of the probability of Korean unification amongst South Korea’s elderly population
Authors: Szabo Sylvia , Danaa Samuel , Park Geonwoo , Choi Sangmi
Published: March 2022

While Korean unification remains one of the most significant issues in inter-Korean and international affairs, little is known about the perception of the likelihood of the Korean unification, especially amongst the elderly population. Yes, the proportion of the population in South Korea has been rapidly rising, becoming an increasingly important civic group. In this study, we analyzed the data from the 2018 nationally representative Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging survey using ordered logistic regression modelling. The results show that age, life satisfaction, health status, participation in social activities, and geographical location are the most important factors affecting the perception of Korean unification. We also find some gender differences in relation to the impact of education and wealth. Further qualitative studies might be useful to gain an in-depth understanding of people’s perceptions as well as possible socioeconomic and cultural barriers to a potential pre-unifying process.
Peculiarities of modulating effects of “Myroslava” and “Khrystyna” mineral waters on neuroendocrine-immune complex and metabolism in patients of Truskavets’ spa
Authors: Popovych Igor , Gozhenko Anatoliy , Hrytsak Myroslava , Popovych Dariya , Badiuk Nataliya , Zukow Walery
Published: March 2022

Background. Earlier we found effects on the neuroendocrine-immune complex and metabolism, which are common to the mineral waters "Myroslava" and "Khrystyna", instead different from the effects of Naftussya water. The purpose of this article is to find the specific effects of these waters. Materials and Methods. The object of clinical-physiological observation were 22 men aged 23-70 years, who underwent rehabilitation treatment of chronic cholecystitis and pyelonephritis in remission in the Truskavets’ spa. The examination was performed twice, before and after a 7-10-day course of balneotherapy. Half of the patients received bioactive water Naftussya and sulfate-chloride sodium-magnesium mineral water "Myroslava" (M 5 g/L), and the other half - Naftussya and "Khrystyna" (M 10 g/L). The subject of the study were the parameters of the neuroendocrine-immune complex, microbiota, cholekinetics and metabolism. Results. Screening revealed specific changes in 37 parameters grouped into 5 patterns. The first pattern combines 11 parameters that decrease under the influence of "Myroslava" water (Myr), while increase under the influence of "Khrystyna" water (Khr). For the other 7 parameters of the second pattern, Myr acts similarly, while Khr is ineffective. Both mineral waters have a stimulating effect on 8 parameters, while Myr is inferior to Khr. Myr has a upregulating effect on 9 parameters of the fourth pattern, while Khr has a downregulating effect. Finally, sodium excretion and leukocyturia are reduced under the influence of both waters, but to a greater extent under the influence of Khr. Conclusion. The newly created sulfate-chloride sodium-magnesium drinking mineral waters of Truskavets’ spa have both common and specific favorable modulating neuroendocrine, metabolic and immune effects on patients with chronic cholecystitis and pyelonephritis.
An examination of the preconditions of learning to facilitate innovation in digitalization projects: a project team members’ perspective
Authors: Ngereja Bertha Joseph , Hussein Bassam
Published: March 2022

In the modern business environment spearheaded by digitalization, organizations are faced with the challenge of maintaining a competitive edge despite constant dynamic changes. Organizations therefore, have to adopt new, improved and modern ways of doing things. This can be achieved through proper knowledge management within the organization, which is an antecedent of innovation. Innovation is one of the crucial means for tackling the digitalization challenge as it enables organizations to maintain their competitive edge. Although extant studies have extensively studied learning in projects, there is a lack of concrete examples of the correlation between learning and improving innovation in the digitalization context. This article is based on a qualitative study aimed at examining the organizations’ preconditions of learning in achieving innovation in digitalization projects focusing on the perspective of the project team members. Data was collected through open-ended questionnaires with a total of 97 respondents and analyzed using NVivo qualitative software. The findings revealed two viewpoints regarding the perception of learning for innovation. The preconditions for learning for innovation in digitalization were also identified. Moreover, the immediate outcomes of learning were identified that can be utilized in assessing whether employees are actually learning given the necessary preconditions are established.
In whom do we trust? Critical success factors impacting intercultural communication in multicultural project teams
Authors: Yu Wenyuan , Cormican Kathryn , Wu Qiong , Sampaio Suzana
Published: March 2022

Trust is a significant enabler for intercultural communication in project teams. Researchers and practitioners, therefore, need to know which factors might enhance trust in intercultural communication. Contributing to the yet limited number of studies in the field of intercultural communication for multicultural project teams, this research theoretically analyzes and empirically investigates the enablers of trust for intercultural communication focusing on emotional intelligence, empathy, interaction, and transparency. Using a field sample of 117 experienced project managers working in multicultural project teams, we find that interaction and transparency significantly and positively influence trust in intercultural communication; empathy marginally and positively influences trust. Emotional intelligence does not exert an effect on it. These results provide novel theoretical and empirical insights which have practical implications for project managers. The findings direct suggestions for additional theoretical work.
Measures related to social and human factors that influence productivity in software development teams
Authors: Machuca-Villegas Liliana , Gasca-Hurtado Gloria Piedad , Muñoz Mirna
Published: March 2022

Software companies need to measure their productivity. Measures are useful indicators to evaluate processes, projects, products, and people who are part of software development teams. The results of these measurements are used to make decisions, manage projects, and improve software development and project management processes. This research is based on selecting a set of measures related to social and human factors (SHF) that influence productivity in software development teams and therefore in project management. This research was performed in three steps. In the first step, there was performed a tertiary literature review aimed to identify measures related to productivity. Then, the identified measures were submitted for its evaluation to project management experts and finally, the measures selected by the experts were mapped to the SHF. A set of 13 measures was identified and defined as a key input for designing improvement strategies. The measures have been compared to SHF to evaluate the development team's performance from a more human context and to establish indicators in productivity improvement strategies of software projects. Although the number of productivity measures related to SHF is limited, it was possible to identify the measures used in both traditional and agile contexts.
Clinical Tips to Improve the Restorative Management of Hypodontia: Part 1
Authors: Patel Kajal B , Woolley Julian , Kelleher Martin
Published: March 2022

Hypodontia is defined as the developmental absence of one or several teeth. Management of these cases can appear to be complex, but many aspects of the treatment could be managed in primary care. This article aims to enhance understanding and improve confidence in managing hypodontia cases in an appropriate way. This article is the first part of a two-part series providing clinical tips to improve the restorative management of hypodontia.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: Many aspects of hypodontia can be managed effectively by interested and experienced GDPs who wish to treat suitable cases, while more complex cases can be referred for management by multidisciplinary teams in secondary care.
How to Maximize the Usefulness of Behaviour Change Conversations with Patients during Routine Dental Consultations
Authors: Goldthorpe Joanna , Pretty Iain , Hart Jo , Cotterill Sarah , Peters Sarah
Published: March 2022

Clinicians can use behaviour change techniques effectively in routine consultations in healthcare settings, including dentistry. Professional guidelines support their use for preventing and managing a range of dental diseases. Theory and evidence from behavioural science can inform effective behaviour change interventions. This article examines the relevance of these techniques to the whole dental team and how they can be implemented within routine dental consultations.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: Guidance and recommendations on how to support patients to change behaviours to promote oral (and general) health.
Nasopalatine Canal Supernumerary: A Case Report
Authors: Joshi Nikhil , Zaheer Khaleda , Breen Maeve , Shah Rupal
Published: March 2022

This case report discusses the incidental finding of a very unusually positioned supernumerary tooth in a 9-year-old male patient which presented to our oral and maxillofacial department. Along with two other unerupted conical supernumeraries in the anterior maxilla, this supernumerary was uniquely located within the nasopalatine canal extending into the base of the right nasal fossa. The abnormal morphology of this supernumerary was consistent with the presentation of a compound odontoma.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: This report highlights the value of three-dimensional imaging in managing such cases, surgical approaches to remove the impacted teeth and evaluates the need for removal of these supernumerary teeth.
Efficiency of dry bone inspection compared with two-dimensional os coxal images for age estimation in a Thai population
Authors:   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, Intasuwan Pittayarat , Palee Patison ,   Department of Information Technology Affairs, College of Arts, Media and Technology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, Sinthubua Apichat ,   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, Mahakkanukrauh Pasuk ,   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand,   Department of Information Technology Affairs, College of Arts, Media and Technology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand,   Forensic Osteology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. Excellence Center in Osteology Research and Training Center (ORTC), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Published: March 2022

The auricular surface and pubic symphysis are commonly used in age estimation. This study aimed to compare the results of age estimation between dry bones and 2D images of the os coxae and to develop a tool specifically for Thai individuals. The total samples were 250 left os coxal dry bones divided into 200 samples (100 males, 100 females) for the training set and 50 samples for the test set. The age range was 26 – 94 years. We used the Suchey-Brooks method and Berg method for observing the pubic symphysis and the Buckberry-Chamberlain method for observing the auricular surface. Afterward we compared the dry bones and photo parts. Our results showed sex did not play a significant role in estimating the age-at-death. In both parts, the auricular surface yielded the highest accuracy (80 – 84%) with SEE = 13.99 – 14.24 years. The pubic symphysis showed an accuracy of 74 – 76% and SEE = 14.37 – 14.44 years. The results of the dry bone and photo parts did not differ significantly. In both dry bone and photo parts, the intra-observer agreement performed moderate to almost perfect agreement. On the other hand, the inter-observer agreement was slight to fair. In conclusion, our study can be potentially applied for distant consultation for age estimation using 2D pelvic images with a forensic anthropologist for estimating biological profiles.
Vacinas: da criação revolucionária ao polêmico movimento de rejeição
Authors: Da Silva Andressa Lima , Machado Liss Andria de Oliveira , Kuhn Fábio Teixeira
Published: March 2022

Os imunobiológicos vêm sendo alvo de notícias falsas nos últimos anos que, combinadas a fatores culturais e sociais, estão ocasionando a diminuição da taxa de vacinação no Brasil. Analisa-se, no presente estudo, a história das vacinas desde sua criação até o momento atual e, também, as consequências do movimento de recusa vacinal. O presente estudo foi baseado em pesquisas bibliográficas de artigos publicados entre os anos de 1998 e 2021. Foram encontrados vinte e três artigos onde são abordados os conceitos, breve histórico, bem como os caminhos e os desafios que foram enfrentados pelo país com os imunobiológicos, até os dias atuais. É incontestável a revolução que as vacinas causaram com a prevenção de infecções de inúmeras doenças e até a erradicação de muitas. Porém, os episódios de informações falsas, estiveram e estão presentes ao longo de todo o período e, atualmente, com o uso de mídias sociais pela internet, a difusão dessas inverdades é muito mais rápida e pode levar a danos irreparáveis.
Vulnerabilidades sociais relacionadas à infecção e mortalidade por covid-19: uma revisão sistemática
Authors: Barreto Nilo Manoel Pereira Vieira , Rios Juliana Darbra Cruz , Ribeiro Elisama Batista , Torreão Patricia Lima , Oliveira Sandra Aurora Lobo , Teixeira Jules Ramon Brito , Santos Nilse Querino
Published: March 2022

Objetivo: Analisar as situações de vulnerabilidades sociais relacionadas à infecção e/ou mortalidade por COVID-19. Métodos: Trata-se de revisão sistemática da literatura, realizada conforme o protocolo Prisma, mediante buscas na PubMed, BVS e SciELO, utilizando-se termos e seus sinônimos identificados no Decs e MeSH, relacionados a: infecções por coronavírus, populações vulneráveis, mudança social e grupos de risco. Foram elegíveis somente estudos originais publicados nos idiomas inglês, espanhol e português. Resultados: Do total de 6.420 publicações identificadas, 19 foram selecionadas. Evidenciou-se como fatores de vulnerabilidade social relacionados à morbimortalidade por COVID-19: população negra, precárias condições socioeconômicas e sanitárias, situação de desemprego, aglomeração em moradias e em transporte público, população indígena, falta de domínio do idioma predominante e populações rurais. Não houve não houve grandes disparidades comparando-se artigos de países de alta e baixa renda. Quanto aos fatores biológicos associados à maior gravidade da doença, nenhum estudo em países de baixa renda foi identificado. Conclusão: As vulnerabilidades sociais identificadas acentuam as iniquidades em saúde e aumentam o risco para infecção e/ou mortalidade para COVID-19. É preciso priorizar essas populações no planejamento das políticas públicas de saúde, bem como favorecer o acesso às medidas de prevenção e controle da COVID-19 adequadas às suas necessidades.
Perfil epidemiológico de pacientes com HIV/AIDS no município de Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Severiano Goulart Millena , Da Silva Polidoro Thalia , Miranda Valentim Júnior Vitor , Palermo Thaís Aparecida de Castro , Teixeira Marques Figueiredo Silva Aline , Ferreira Totti Maria Eugênia , Magalhães dos Santos Carolina
Published: March 2022

O objetivo deste estudo é analisar o perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes com HIV/Aids no município de Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro. Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, descritivo, com uma abordagem retrospectiva, em que os dados foram extraídos de fonte secundária. Foram analisadas 1.831 fichas de notificação/investigação pelo Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação. Houve um predomínio de casos entre os adultos de meia idade (x̅ = 37,7 anos; σ = 11,8 anos), sendo a maioria do sexo masculino (61,3%), brancos (14,7%), com baixa escolaridade (12%), desempregados crônicos (2,3%) e residentes da zona urbana (58,1%). A principal forma de transmissão foi a via sexual com predomínio entre os heterossexuais. Grande parte dos investigados realizou os exames laboratoriais e, apesar deste avanço, o percentual de casos que evoluíram para o óbito por Aids ainda se mostrou significativo. O estudo identificou o comportamento da doença ao nível local, contribuindo para o planejamento e a implementação de políticas públicas de saúde.
‘How can you capture what is hidden?’ Police body-worn cameras and coercive control
Authors: Barlow Charlotte
Published: March 2022

In December 2015, the criminal offence of coercive control was introduced in England and Wales. Occurring at a similar time was the increased widespread usage of police body-worn cameras (BWCs) in domestic abuse cases, with many UK based police forces and international jurisdictions, such as Australia and the US, encouraging their mandatory usage. Using empirical data gathered in one police force area in the south of England, this article examines the extent to which coercive control is able to be captured by BWCs, exploring police officer and victim/survivor perceptions and experiences. The findings highlight concerns with the extent to which BWCs are able to capture the hidden nature of coercive control and the ways in which the footage could have unintended consequences for victim/survivors, particularly minoritised women.
Implementation of a real-time star centroid extraction algorithm with high speed and superior denoising ability
Authors: Ding Jianqun , Dai Dongkai , Tan Wenfeng , Wang Xingshu , Qin Shiqiao
Published: March 2022

Star tracker is the most precise attitude measuring device, and its advantages include a high resolution and high update rate. Star centroid extraction, which is a very time-consuming process, has great influence on the attitude update rate. This paper proposes a real-time star centroid extraction algorithm based on a field programmable gate array. First, a 1D top-hat filter is used for star segmentation, which is suitable for both uniform and nonuniform background conditions. Second, multichannel image data is reorganized together into a complete frame through image stitching, which prevents the star spots on the channel boundary from being divided into different parts. Finally, star coordinates are extracted by the center-of-mass algorithm. For an image sensor with a resolution of

2048
×
2048

pixels, simulation results conducted by a ModelSim simulator show that the star centroid processing time of a single frame is roughly 5.2 ms. Real night experiments demonstrate that the standard deviation of a star centroid error is within

10

−
2

pixel and the standard deviation of attitude is (2.6 2.2 12.0) arcseconds, which proves that the proposed star centroid extraction algorithm can work continuously and stably.
Stable and tunable single-mode lasers based on cholesteric liquid crystal microdroplets
Authors: Shi Jianzhou , Ma Chao , Ren Mingyan , Xu Miao , Zhu Jun , Qiu Longzhen , Ding Yunsheng , Zhang Junxi , Lu Hongbo
Published: March 2022

Although many studies on cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) microdroplet single-mode lasers are available, it has been shown that the stability and tunability of such microdroplets are difficult to achieve simultaneously. In this paper, a new, to the best of our knowledge, method is proposed for the mass and rapid preparation of stable and tunable monodisperse CLC microdroplet single-mode lasers. This is based on the formation of polymer networks on the surface of the microdroplet via interfacial polymerization and a disruption of the orderliness of the polymer networks by increasing the temperature during polymerization, which results in a single pitch inside the microdroplets. This approach enables CLC microdroplet single-mode lasers to achieve improved environmental robustness, while maintaining the same temperature tunability as the unpolymerized sample. Our method has promising future applications in integrated optics, flexible devices, and sensors.
Cherenkov light emission in molecular radiation therapy of the thyroid and its application to dosimetry
Authors: Dubal Jigar , Arce Pedro , South Christopher , Florescu Lucia
Published: March 2022

Numerical experiments based on Monte Carlo simulations and clinical CT data are performed to investigate the spatial and spectral characteristics of Cherenkov light emission and the relationship between Cherenkov light intensity and deposited dose in molecular radiotherapy of hyperthyroidism and papillary thyroid carcinoma. It is found that Cherenkov light is emitted mostly in the treatment volume, the spatial distribution of Cherenkov light at the surface of the patient presents high-value regions at locations that depend on the symmetry and location of the treatment volume, and the surface light in the near-infrared spectral region originates from the treatment site. The effect of inter-patient variability in the tissue optical parameters and radioisotope uptake on the linear relationship between the dose absorbed by the treatment volume and Cherenkov light intensity at the surface of the patient is investigated, and measurements of surface light intensity for which this effect is minimal are identified. The use of Cherenkov light measurements at the patient surface for molecular radiation therapy dosimetry is also addressed.
Discriminating healthy from tumor tissue in breast lumpectomy specimens using deep learning-based hyperspectral imaging
Authors: Jong Lynn-Jade S. , de Kruif Naomi , Geldof Freija , Veluponnar Dinusha , Sanders Joyce , Vrancken Peeters Marie-Jeanne T. F. D. , van Duijnhoven Frederieke , Sterenborg Henricus J. C. M. , Dashtbozorg Behdad , Ruers Theo J. M.
Published: March 2022

Achieving an adequate resection margin during breast-conserving surgery remains challenging due to the lack of intraoperative feedback. Here, we evaluated the use of hyperspectral imaging to discriminate healthy tissue from tumor tissue in lumpectomy specimens. We first used a dataset obtained on tissue slices to develop and evaluate three convolutional neural networks. Second, we fine-tuned the networks with lumpectomy data to predict the tissue percentages of the lumpectomy resection surface. A MCC of 0.92 was achieved on the tissue slices and an RMSE of 9% on the lumpectomy resection surface. This shows the potential of hyperspectral imaging to classify the resection margins of lumpectomy specimens.
Optimizing two-dimensional polarization-diversity metagrating couplers for silicon photonics
Authors: Tu Xin , Wu Yiheng , Huang Tianye , Zhang Jing , Ping Perry Shum
Published: March 2022

Polarization-diversity couplers are promising industrially scalable optical devices that can couple optical signals with unknown polarization states into silicon photonic chips. Here we propose a novel, to the best of our knowledge, two-dimensional (2D) metagrating coupler (MGC) for the polarization-diversity system, which improves its coupling efficiency for both polarizations. Compared with the previously reported 2D grating couplers (GCs) with identical grating cells, the proposed apodized design gradually changes the aspect ratio and orientation angles of the elliptical patterns simultaneously. This 2D array of the varied grating cells modulates the diffracted mode field patterns and phases locally, and achieves a better overlap with the Gaussian fiber modes for both polarizations. The peak coupling loss (PCL) for the S-polarized and P-polarized light are

−

1.6

d
B

and

−

2.7

d
B

, respectively. The calculated polarization dependent loss is lower than 0.2 dB from 1522 nm to 1540 nm. The device is robust to the fabrication tolerance and fiber misalignment. The simulated fabrication tolerance analysis show that the etch depth error of ±20 nm results in less than 0.3 dB and 0.1 dB PCL drop, while the grating cell feature size error of

±
40

n
m

results in less than 0.6 dB and 0.2 dB PCL drop for both types of polarization light, respectively. The fiber misalignment should be within the range from

−

2

µ

m

to

+

2

µ

m

in two perpendicular directions, and the coupling angle deviation should be within the range from

−

3

∘

to

+

3

∘

, in order to assure 0.5 dB penalty loss for both polarizations. The performance of the design is insensitive to the mask misalignments. To assure 0.5 dB penalty loss for both polarizations,

Δ
θ

is suggested to be within the range from

−

3

∘

to

+

3

∘

.
In vivo two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microendoscopy based on fiber-bundle
Authors: Lin Fangrui , Zhang Chenshuang , Zhao Yihua , Shen Binglin , Hu Rui , Liu Liwei , Qu Junle
Published: March 2022

Fluorescence lifetime imaging microendoscopy (FLIME) has been reported to investigate the physicochemical microenvironment in biological tissue. In this work, we designed a two-photon (TP) FLIME system based on a fiber-bundle glued with an achromatic mini-objective with 1.4-mm diameter, which was coupled to a standard TP microscope containing a dispersion precompensation module in the laser source. With 840 nm excitation, the field of view and lateral resolution of our system are 390 µm and 1.55 µm, respectively. To examine the capability of imaging in vivo, we obtained Z-stack (0–130 µm) TP-FLIME images from the intestine’s surface of a mouse injected with squaraine dye. Further, we utilized the TP-FLIME system to image the kidney, liver, and xenografted tumor at 100-µm depth in vivo with cellular resolution, which features the distribution of cells and tissue structures with better contrast than intensity images. These results demonstrated that the proposed system is capable of measuring fluorescence lifetime in situ and provides a powerful tool to research the deep tissue microenvironment naturally.
Switchable distributed Bragg reflector using GST phase change material
Authors: Lawandi Roseanna , Heenkenda Remona , Sarangan Andrew
Published: March 2022

We demonstrate the design, fabrication, and measurement of a switchable distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) that can be thermally switched from a close-to-zero reflective OFF state to a more than 70% reflection in its ON state. This is accomplished using a multilayer thin film stack using germanium (Ge) and the phase change material (PCM) Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST). The refractive indexes of Ge and GST in the amorphous state are closely matched, resulting in a nearly zero interface reflection. With appropriate antireflection coatings at the cavity ends, the overall reflection can be designed to be close to zero. When the GST is switched to the crystalline state, the refractive index contrast between the Ge and GST layers will increase dramatically contributing to the DBR reflection. Using this unique feature, we were able to design and experimentally demonstrate more than 70% reflection in the ON state and close to zero reflection in the OFF state at a wavelength of 2 µm.
Integrated optics spiral photoconductive antennas coupled with 1D and 2D micron-size terahertz-wavelength plasmonic metal arrays
Authors: Bardolaza H. R. , Cabello N. I. F. , Ferrolino J. P. R. , Verona I. C. M. , Bacaoco M. Y. , Somintac A. S. , Salvador A. A. , De Los Reyes A. E. , Estacio E. S.
Published: March 2022

Terahertz (THz) photoconductive antenna (PCA) emitters having one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) micron-size metal line arrays (MLA's) at the transmission side of the semi-insulating GaAs substrate were fabricated via UV photolithography and electron beam deposition. At a fluence of ∼1.2 mJ/cm2 and 20 VPP bias, the enhancement in the THz signal peak-to-peak amplitudes are ∼6 times for 1D MLA and ∼11 times for 2D MLA, compared to the reference PCA, respectively. An all-optical effect via THz extraordinary transmission is conjectured for the enhancement mechanism. This metamaterial PCA design presents a feasible, yet more cost-effective alternative to photo-conducting gap nanostructure fabrication using e-beam lithography.
A network-based approach to integrate nutrient microenvironment in the prediction of synthetic lethality in cancer metabolism
Authors: Apaolaza Iñigo , San José-Enériz Edurne , Valcarcel Luis V. , Agirre Xabier , Prosper Felipe , Planes Francisco J.
Published: March 2022

Synthetic Lethality (SL) is currently defined as a type of genetic interaction in which the loss of function of either of two genes individually has limited effect in cell viability but inactivation of both genes simultaneously leads to cell death. Given the profound genomic aberrations acquired by tumor cells, which can be systematically identified with -omics data, SL is a promising concept in cancer research. In particular, SL has received much attention in the area of cancer metabolism, due to the fact that relevant functional alterations concentrate on key metabolic pathways that promote cellular proliferation. With the extensive prior knowledge about human metabolic networks, a number of computational methods have been developed to predict SL in cancer metabolism, including the genetic Minimal Cut Sets (gMCSs) approach. A major challenge in the application of SL approaches to cancer metabolism is to systematically integrate tumor microenvironment, given that genetic interactions and nutritional availability are interconnected to support proliferation. Here, we propose a more general definition of SL for cancer metabolism that combines genetic and environmental interactions, namely loss of gene functions and absence of nutrients in the environment. We extend our gMCSs approach to determine this new family of metabolic synthetic lethal interactions. A computational and experimental proof-of-concept is presented for predicting the lethality of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibition in different environments. Finally, our approach is applied to identify extracellular nutrient dependences of tumor cells, elucidating cholesterol and myo-inositol depletion as potential vulnerabilities in different malignancies.
The role of cell geometry and cell-cell communication in gradient sensing
Authors: Fiorentino Jonathan , Scialdone Antonio
Published: March 2022

Cells can measure shallow gradients of external signals to initiate and accomplish a migration or a morphogenetic process. Recently, starting from mathematical models like the local-excitation global-inhibition (LEGI) model and with the support of empirical evidence, it has been proposed that cellular communication improves the measurement of an external gradient. However, the mathematical models that have been used have over-simplified geometries (e.g., they are uni-dimensional) or assumptions about cellular communication, which limit the possibility to analyze the gradient sensing ability of more complex cellular systems. Here, we generalize the existing models to study the effects on gradient sensing of cell number, geometry and of long- versus short-range cellular communication in 2D systems representing epithelial tissues. We find that increasing the cell number can be detrimental for gradient sensing when the communication is weak and limited to nearest neighbour cells, while it is beneficial when there is long-range communication. We also find that, with long-range communication, the gradient sensing ability improves for tissues with more disordered geometries; on the other hand, an ordered structure with mostly hexagonal cells is advantageous with nearest neighbour communication. Our results considerably extend the current models of gradient sensing by epithelial tissues, making a step further toward predicting the mechanism of communication and its putative mediator in many biological processes.
Deep learning tools and modeling to estimate the temporal expression of cell cycle proteins from 2D still images
Authors: Pécot Thierry , Cuitiño Maria C. , Johnson Roger H. , Timmers Cynthia , Leone Gustavo
Published: March 2022

Automatic characterization of fluorescent labeling in intact mammalian tissues remains a challenge due to the lack of quantifying techniques capable of segregating densely packed nuclei and intricate tissue patterns. Here, we describe a powerful deep learning-based approach that couples remarkably precise nuclear segmentation with quantitation of fluorescent labeling intensity within segmented nuclei, and then apply it to the analysis of cell cycle dependent protein concentration in mouse tissues using 2D fluorescent still images. First, several existing deep learning-based methods were evaluated to accurately segment nuclei using different imaging modalities with a small training dataset. Next, we developed a deep learning-based approach to identify and measure fluorescent labels within segmented nuclei, and created an ImageJ plugin to allow for efficient manual correction of nuclear segmentation and label identification. Lastly, using fluorescence intensity as a readout for protein concentration, a three-step global estimation method was applied to the characterization of the cell cycle dependent expression of E2F proteins in the developing mouse intestine.
HAM-ART: An optimised culture-free Hi-C metagenomics pipeline for tracking antimicrobial resistance genes in complex microbial communities
Authors: Kalmar Lajos , Gupta Srishti , Kean Iain R. L. , Ba Xiaoliang , Hadjirin Nazreen , Lay Elizabeth M. , de Vries Stefan P. W. , Bateman Michael , Bartlet Harriet , Hernandez-Garcia Juan , Tucker Alexander W. , Restif Olivier , Stevens Mark P. , Wood James L. N. , Maskell Duncan J. , Grant Andrew J. , Holmes Mark A.
Published: March 2022

Shotgun metagenomics is a powerful tool to identify antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in microbiomes but has the limitation that extrachromosomal DNA, such as plasmids, cannot be linked with the host bacterial chromosome. Here we present a comprehensive laboratory and bioinformatics pipeline HAM-ART (Hi-C Assisted Metagenomics for Antimicrobial Resistance Tracking) optimised for the generation of metagenome-assembled genomes including both chromosomal and extrachromosomal AMR genes. We demonstrate the performance of the pipeline in a study comparing 100 pig faecal microbiomes from low- and high-antimicrobial use pig farms (organic and conventional farms). We found significant differences in the distribution of AMR genes between low- and high-antimicrobial use farms including a plasmid-borne lincosamide resistance gene exclusive to high-antimicrobial use farms in three species of Lactobacilli. The bioinformatics pipeline code is available at https://github.com/lkalmar/HAM-ART.