bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-Hermitian photonic lattices: tutorial
Authors: Wang Qiang , Chong Y. D.
Published: April 2023

Non-Hermitian photonic lattices combine the peculiar consequences of energy non-conservation with the physics of bandstructures, giving rise to a variety of exotic properties not found in conventional materials or photonic metamaterials. In this tutorial, we introduce the key concepts in the design and implementation of non-Hermitian photonic lattices, including the general features of non-Hermitian lattice Hamiltonians and their bandstructures, the role of non-Hermitian lattice symmetries, and the topological chracterization of non-Hermitian bandstructures. We survey several important non-Hermitian lattice designs, as well as the photonics platforms on which they can be realized. Finally, we discuss the possibilities for future developments in the field.
Indirect spectrum measurement via random phase modulation and detection in temporal domain
Authors: Xu Yao-Kun , Zhang Er-Feng , Sun Shi-Hai , Sun Shuai , Liu Wei-Tao
Published: April 2023

Spectroscopy continues to provide possibilities for a deeper understanding of fundamental physical phenomena. Traditional spectral measurement method, dispersive Fourier transformation, is always limited by its realization condition (detection in the temporal far-field). Inspired by Fourier ghost imaging, we put forward an indirect spectrum measurement to overcome the limitation. The spectrum information is reconstructed via random phase modulation and near-field detection in the time domain. Since all operations are realized in the near-field region, the required length of dispersion fiber and optical loss are greatly reduced. Considering the application in spectroscopy, the length of required dispersion fiber, the spectrum resolution, the range of spectrum measurement and the requirement on bandwidth of photodetector are investigated.
Reliable experimental manipulation of quantum steering direction
Authors: Wang Shuo , Xiao Ya , Gu Yong-Jian
Published: April 2023

Noise-adding methods have been widely used to manipulate the direction of quantum steering, but all related experimental schemes only worked under the assumption that Gaussian measurements were performed and ideal target states were accurately prepared. Here, we prove, and then experimentally observe, that a class of two-qubit states can be flexibly changed among two-way steerable, one-way steerable and no-way steerable, by adding either phase damping noise or depolarization noise. The steering direction is determined by measuring steering radius and critical radius, each of which represents a necessary and sufficient steering criterion valid for general projective measurements and actually prepared states. Our work provides a more efficient and rigorous way to manipulate the direction of quantum steering, and can also be employed to manipulate other types of quantum correlations.
BB84 quantum key distribution transmitter utilising broadband sources and a narrow spectral filter
Authors: Noblet Yoann , Donaldson Ross
Published: April 2023

The secure nature of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) protocols makes it necessary to ensure that the single photon sources are indistinguishable. Any spectral, temporal or spatial discrepancy between the sources would lead to a breach in the security proofs of the QKD protocols. Traditional, weak-coherent pulse implementations of polarization-based QKD protocols have relied on identical photon sources obtained through tight temperature control and spectral filtering. However, it can be challenging to keep the temperature of the sources stable over time, particularly in a real-world setting, meaning photon sources can become distinguishable. In this work, we present an experimental demonstration of a QKD system capable of achieving spectral indistinguishability, over a 10°C range, using a combination of broadband sources, super-luminescent light emitting diodes (SLEDs), along with a narrow band-pass filter. The temperature stability could be useful in a satellite implementation, where there may be temperature gradients over the payload, particularly on a CubeSat.
Single-shot 3D measurement of highly reflective objects with deep learning
Authors: Wan MingZhu , Kong Lingbao
Published: April 2023

Three-dimensional (3D) measurement methods based on fringe projection profilometry (FPP) have been widely applied in industrial manufacturing. Most FPP methods adopt phase-shifting techniques and require multiple fringe images, thus having limited application in dynamic scenes. Moreover, industrial parts often have highly reflective areas leading to overexposure. In this work, a single-shot high dynamic range 3D measurement method combining FPP with deep learning is proposed. The proposed deep learning model includes two convolutional neural networks: exposure selection network (ExSNet) and fringe analysis network (FrANet). The ExSNet utilizes self-attention mechanism for enhancement of highly reflective areas leading to overexposure problem to achieve high dynamic range in single-shot 3D measurement. The FrANet consists of three modules to predict wrapped phase maps and absolute phase maps. A training strategy directly opting for best measurement accuracy is proposed. Experiments on a FPP system showed that the proposed method predicted accurate optimal exposure time under single-shot condition. A pair of moving standard spheres with overexposure was measured for quantitative evaluation. The proposed method reconstructed standard spheres over a large range of exposure level, where prediction errors for diameter were 73 µm (left) and 64 µm (right) and prediction error for center distance was 49 µm. Ablation study and comparison with other high dynamic range methods were also conducted.
Enhanced stimulated Brillouin scattering in the unsuspended silicon waveguide assisted with genetic algorithms
Authors: Li Peng , Wang Shumeng , Mashanovich Goran Z. , Ou Jun-Yu , Yan Jize
Published: April 2023

Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS), originating from the coupling between optical and acoustic waves, has been widely applied in many fields. Silicon is the most used and important material in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and integrated photonic circuits. However, strong acoustic-optic interaction in silicon requires mechanical release of the silicon core waveguide to avoid acoustic energy leakage into the substrate. This will not only reduce the mechanical stability and thermal conduction, but also increase the difficulties for fabrication and large-area device integration. In this paper, we propose a silicon-aluminium nitride(AlN)-sapphire platform for realizing large SBS gain without suspending the waveguide. AlN is used as a buffer layer to reduce the phonon leakage. This platform can be fabricated via the wafer bonding between silicon and commercial AlN-sapphire wafer. We adopt a full-vectorial model to simulate the SBS gain. Both the material loss and the anchor loss of the silicon are considered. We also apply the genetic algorithm to optimize the waveguide structure. By limiting the maximum etching step number to two, we obtain a simple structure to achieve the SBS gain of 2462 W−1m−1 for forward SBS, which is 8 times larger than the recently reported result in unsuspended silicon waveguide. Our platform can enable Brillouin-related phenomena in centimetre-scale waveguides. Our findings could pave the way toward large-area unreleased opto-mechanics on silicon.
Generation of vector elliptical perfect optical vortices with mixed modes in free space
Authors: Kang Xiangyu , Shan Xinzhi , Chen Keyu , Sun Xiaojie , Wang Guanxue , Gao Xiumin , Liu Yi , Zhuang Songlin
Published: April 2023

Vector vortex beams are widely used because of their anisotropic vortex polarization state and spiral phase. Constructing mixed mode vector vortex beams in free space still requires complex designs and calculations. We propose a method for generating mixed mode vector Elliptical perfect optical vortex (EPOV) arrays in free space by mode extraction and optical pen. It is demonstrated that the long axis and short axis of EPOVs are not limited by the topological charge (TC). Flexible modulation of parameters in the array is achieved, including number, position, ellipticity, ring size, TC, and polarization mode. This approach is simple and effective, it will provide a powerful optical tool for optical tweezers, particle manipulation, and optical communication.
Assessment of the scintillation properties of MgGa2O4 and ZnGa2O4 single crystals
Authors: Bachiri Abdellah , Makowski Michał , Witkowski Marcin E. , Drozdowski Winicjusz , Galazka Zbigniew
Published: April 2023

We present the basic scintillation properties of MgGa2O4 and ZnGa2O4 crystals grown at Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung by the Czochralski and the Vertical Gradient Freeze methods, respectively. We prove that these two Ga-based spinels do scintillate under gamma irradiation, currently displaying scintillation yields up to about 2500 ph/MeV. We also show the scintillation time profiles and their anticorrelation with the scintillation yields (the lower the yield, the faster the scintillation decay). Finally, we indicate that radioluminescence of both MgGa2O4 and ZnGa2O4 is much more efficient at low temperatures, which suggests the presence of a strong thermal quenching decreasing their yield towards room temperature.
Sulfonylpiperazine compounds prevent Plasmodium falciparum invasion of red blood cells through interference with actin-1/profilin dynamics
Authors: Dans Madeline G. , Piirainen Henni , Nguyen William , Khurana Sachin , Mehra Somya , Razook Zahra , Geoghegan Niall D. , Dawson Aurelie T. , Das Sujaan , Parkyn Schneider Molly , Jonsdottir Thorey K. , Gabriela Mikha , Gancheva Maria R. , Tonkin Christopher J. , Mollard Vanessa , Goodman Christopher Dean , McFadden Geoffrey I. , Wilson Danny W. , Rogers Kelly L. , Barry Alyssa E. , Crabb Brendan S. , de Koning-Ward Tania F. , Sleebs Brad E. , Kursula Inari , Gilson Paul R.
Published: April 2023

With emerging resistance to frontline treatments, it is vital that new antimalarial drugs are identified to target Plasmodium falciparum. We have recently described a compound, MMV020291, as a specific inhibitor of red blood cell (RBC) invasion, and have generated analogues with improved potency. Here, we generated resistance to MMV020291 and performed whole genome sequencing of 3 MMV020291-resistant populations. This revealed 3 nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in 2 genes; 2 in profilin (N154Y, K124N) and a third one in actin-1 (M356L). Using CRISPR-Cas9, we engineered these mutations into wild-type parasites, which rendered them resistant to MMV020291. We demonstrate that MMV020291 reduces actin polymerisation that is required by the merozoite stage parasites to invade RBCs. Additionally, the series inhibits the actin-1-dependent process of apicoplast segregation, leading to a delayed death phenotype. In vitro cosedimentation experiments using recombinant P. falciparum proteins indicate that potent MMV020291 analogues disrupt the formation of filamentous actin in the presence of profilin. Altogether, this study identifies the first compound series interfering with the actin-1/profilin interaction in P. falciparum and paves the way for future antimalarial development against the highly dynamic process of actin polymerisation.
Plasticity of Drosophila germ granules during germ cell development
Authors: Hakes Anna C. , Gavis Elizabeth R.
Published: April 2023

Compartmentalization of RNAs and proteins into membraneless structures called granules is a ubiquitous mechanism for organizing and regulating cohorts of RNAs. Germ granules are ribonucleoprotein (RNP) assemblies required for germline development across the animal kingdom, but their regulatory roles in germ cells are not fully understood. We show that after germ cell specification, Drosophila germ granules enlarge through fusion and this growth is accompanied by a shift in function. Whereas germ granules initially protect their constituent mRNAs from degradation, they subsequently target a subset of these mRNAs for degradation while maintaining protection of others. This functional shift occurs through the recruitment of decapping and degradation factors to the germ granules, which is promoted by decapping activators and renders these structures P body-like. Disrupting either the mRNA protection or degradation function results in germ cell migration defects. Our findings reveal plasticity in germ granule function that allows them to be repurposed at different stages of development to ensure population of the gonad by germ cells. Additionally, these results reveal an unexpected level of functional complexity whereby constituent RNAs within the same granule type can be differentially regulated.
Toward an optimal contraception dosing strategy
Authors: Gavina Brenda Lyn A. , de los Reyes V Aurelio A. , Olufsen Mette S. , Lenhart Suzanne , Ottesen Johnny T.
Published: April 2023

Anovulation refers to a menstrual cycle characterized by the absence of ovulation. Exogenous hormones such as synthetic progesterone and estrogen have been used to attain this state to achieve contraception. However, large doses are associated with adverse effects such as increased risk for thrombosis and myocardial infarction. This study utilizes optimal control theory on a modified menstrual cycle model to determine the minimum total exogenous estrogen/progesterone dose, and timing of administration to induce anovulation. The mathematical model correctly predicts the mean daily levels of pituitary hormones LH and FSH, and ovarian hormones E2, P4, and Inh throughout a normal menstrual cycle and reflects the reduction in these hormone levels caused by exogenous estrogen and/or progesterone. Results show that it is possible to reduce the total dose by 92% in estrogen monotherapy, 43% in progesterone monotherapy, and that it is most effective to deliver the estrogen contraceptive in the mid follicular phase. Finally, we show that by combining estrogen and progesterone the dose can be lowered even more. These results may give clinicians insights into optimal formulations and schedule of therapy that can suppress ovulation.
Improving the workflow to crack Small, Unbalanced, Noisy, but Genuine (SUNG) datasets in bioacoustics: The case of bonobo calls
Authors: Arnaud Vincent , Pellegrino François , Keenan Sumir , St-Gelais Xavier , Mathevon Nicolas , Levréro Florence , Coupé Christophe
Published: April 2023

Despite the accumulation of data and studies, deciphering animal vocal communication remains challenging. In most cases, researchers must deal with the sparse recordings composing Small, Unbalanced, Noisy, but Genuine (SUNG) datasets. SUNG datasets are characterized by a limited number of recordings, most often noisy, and unbalanced in number between the individuals or categories of vocalizations. SUNG datasets therefore offer a valuable but inevitably distorted vision of communication systems. Adopting the best practices in their analysis is essential to effectively extract the available information and draw reliable conclusions. Here we show that the most recent advances in machine learning applied to a SUNG dataset succeed in unraveling the complex vocal repertoire of the bonobo, and we propose a workflow that can be effective with other animal species. We implement acoustic parameterization in three feature spaces and run a Supervised Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (S-UMAP) to evaluate how call types and individual signatures cluster in the bonobo acoustic space. We then implement three classification algorithms (Support Vector Machine, xgboost, neural networks) and their combination to explore the structure and variability of bonobo calls, as well as the robustness of the individual signature they encode. We underscore how classification performance is affected by the feature set and identify the most informative features. In addition, we highlight the need to address data leakage in the evaluation of classification performance to avoid misleading interpretations. Our results lead to identifying several practical approaches that are generalizable to any other animal communication system. To improve the reliability and replicability of vocal communication studies with SUNG datasets, we thus recommend: i) comparing several acoustic parameterizations; ii) visualizing the dataset with supervised UMAP to examine the species acoustic space; iii) adopting Support Vector Machines as the baseline classification approach; iv) explicitly evaluating data leakage and possibly implementing a mitigation strategy.
High rifampicin peak plasma concentrations accelerate the slow phase of bacterial decline in tuberculosis patients: Evidence for heteroresistance
Authors: Martinecz Antal , Boeree Martin J. , Diacon Andreas H. , Dawson Rodney , Hemez Colin , Aarnoutse Rob E. , Abel zur Wiesch Pia
Published: April 2023

Background

Antibiotic treatments are often associated with a late slowdown in bacterial killing. This separates the killing of bacteria into at least two distinct phases: a quick phase followed by a slower phase, the latter of which is linked to treatment success. Current mechanistic explanations for the in vitro slowdown are either antibiotic persistence or heteroresistance. Persistence is defined as the switching back and forth between susceptible and non-susceptible states, while heteroresistance is defined as the coexistence of bacteria with heterogeneous susceptibilities. Both are also thought to cause a slowdown in the decline of bacterial populations in patients and therefore complicate and prolong antibiotic treatments. Reduced bacterial death rates over time are also observed within tuberculosis patients, yet the mechanistic reasons for this are unknown and therefore the strategies to mitigate them are also unknown.

Methods and findings

We analyse a dose ranging trial for rifampicin in tuberculosis patients and show that there is a slowdown in the decline of bacteria. We show that the late phase of bacterial killing depends more on the peak drug concentrations than the total drug exposure. We compare these to pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic models of rifampicin heteroresistance and persistence. We find that the observation on the slow phase’s dependence on pharmacokinetic measures, specifically peak concentrations are only compatible with models of heteroresistance and incompatible with models of persistence. The quantitative agreement between heteroresistance models and observations is very good (Radj2=0.97).

To corroborate the importance of the slowdown, we validate our results by estimating the time to sputum culture conversion and compare the results to a different dose ranging trial.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that higher doses, specifically higher peak concentrations may be used to optimize rifampicin treatments by accelerating bacterial killing in the slow phase. It adds to the growing body of literature supporting higher rifampicin doses for shortening tuberculosis treatments.
Influenza-associated hospitalisation and mortality rates among global Indigenous populations; a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Betts Juliana M. , Weinman Aaron L. , Oliver Jane , Braddick Maxwell , Huang Siyu , Nguyen Matthew , Miller Adrian , Tong Steven Y. C. , Gibney Katherine B.
Published: April 2023

Background

More than 50 million influenza infections and over 100,000 deaths from influenza occur annually. While Indigenous populations experience an inequitable influenza burden, the magnitude of this inequity has not previously been estimated on a global scale. This study compared rates of influenza-associated hospitalisation and mortality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations globally.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted including literature published prior to 13 July 2021. Eligible articles either reported a rate ratio (RR) comparing laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalisation and/or mortality between an Indigenous population and a corresponding benchmark population, or reported sufficient information for this to be calculated using publicly available data. Findings were reported by country/region and pooled by country and period (pandemic/seasonal) when multiple studies were available using a random-effects model. The I2 statistic assessed variability between studies.

Results

Thirty-six studies (moderate/high quality) were included; all from high or high-middle income countries. The pooled influenza-associated hospitalisation RR (HRR) for indigenous compared to benchmark populations was 5·7 (95% CI: 2·7–12·0) for Canada, 5·2 (2.9–9.3) for New Zealand, and 5.2 (4.2–6.4) for Australia. Of the Australian studies, the pooled HRR for seasonal influenza was 3.1 (2·7–3·5) and for pandemic influenza was 6·2 (5·1–7·5). Heterogeneity was slightly higher among studies of pandemic influenza than seasonal influenza. The pooled mortality RR was 4.1 (3·0–5.7) in Australia and 3·3 (2.7–4.1) in the United States.

Conclusions

Ethnic inequities in severe influenza persist and must be addressed by reducing disparities in the underlying determinants of health. Influenza surveillance systems worldwide should include Indigenous status to determine the extent of the disease burden among Indigenous populations. Ethnic inequities in pandemic influenza illustrate the need to prioritise Indigenous populations in pandemic response plans.
Transplacental transfer of Lassa IgG antibodies in pregnant women in Southern Nigeria: A prospective hospital-based cohort study
Authors: Kayem Nzelle Delphine , Okogbenin Sylvanus , Okoeguale Joseph , Eigbefoh Joseph , Ikheloa Joseph , Eifediyi Reuben , Enodiana Xavier , Olorogbogo Olugbenga Emmanuel , Aikpokpo Isoken , Ighodalo Yemisi , Olokor Thomas , Odigie George , Castle Lyndsey , Duraffour Sophie , Oestereich Lisa , Dahal Prabin , Ariana Proochista , Gunther Stephan , Horby Peter
Published: April 2023

Background

Evidence from previous studies suggest that Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic fever endemic to West Africa has high case fatalities, particularly in pregnancy. While there have been remarkable innovations in vaccine development, with some Lassa vaccines undergoing early clinical trials. An understanding of Lassa antibody kinetics and immune responses will support vaccine design and development. However, there is currently no evidence on the antibody kinetics of Lassa (LASV) in pregnancy. Our study sought to estimate the efficiency of transplacental transfer of LASV IgG antibodies from the mother to the child.

Methodology/Principal findings

The study made use of data from a prospective hospital-based cohort of pregnant women enrolled at the antenatal clinic and followed up at delivery between February and December 2019. Blood samples from mother-child pairs were evaluated for antibodies against Lassa virus. The study demonstrates a transplacental transfer of LASV IgG of 75.3% [60.0–94.0%], with a significant positive correlation between maternal and cord concentrations and a good level of agreement. The study also suggests that transfer may be more variable in women with ‘de novo’ antibodies compared to those with pre-existing antibodies.

Conclusions/Significance

The study shows that maternal antibody levels play an important role in determining transfer efficiency of Lassa antibodies to the new-born; and while the evidence is preliminary, the study also suggests that transfer efficiency may be less stable in acute or recent infection, as such timing of vaccination before pregnancy, that is in women of childbearing age may be more appropriate for protection of both pregnant women and their neonates.
Differential ability of three bee species to move genes via pollen
Authors: Fragoso Fabiana P. , Brunet Johanne
Published: April 2023

Since the release of genetically engineered (GE) crops, there has been increased concern about the introduction of GE genes into non-GE fields of a crop and their spread to feral or wild cross-compatible relatives. More recently, attention has been given to the differential impact of distinct pollinators on gene flow, with the goal of developing isolation distances associated with specific managed pollinators. To examine the differential impact of bee species on gene movement, we quantified the relationship between the probability of getting a GE seed in a pod, and the order in which a flower was visited, or the cumulative distance traveled by a bee in a foraging bout. We refer to these relationships as ‘seed curves’ and compare these seeds curves among three bee species. The experiments used Medicago sativa L. plants carrying three copies of the glyphosate resistance (GR) allele as pollen donors (M. sativa is a tetraploid), such that each pollen grain carried the GR allele, and conventional plants as pollen recipients. Different foraging metrics, including the number of GR seeds produced over a foraging bout, were also quantified and contrasted among bee species. The lowest number of GR seeds set per foraging bout, and the GR seeds set at the shortest distances, were produced following leafcutting bee visits. In contrast, GR seeds were found at the longest distances following bumble bee visits. Values for honey bees were intermediate. The ranking of bee species based on seed curves correlated well with field-based gene flow estimates. Thus, differential seed curves of bee species, which describe patterns of seed production within foraging bouts, translated into distinct abilities of bee species to move genes at a landscape level. Bee behavior at a local scale (foraging bout) helps predict gene flow and the spread of GE genes at the landscape scale.
Boost the resilience of protected areas to shocks by reducing their dependency on tourism
Authors: Andrianambinina F. Ollier D. , Schuurman Derek , Rakotoarijaona Mamy A. , Razanajovy Chantal N. , Ramparany Honorath M. , Rafanoharana Serge C. , Rasamuel H. Andry , Faragher Kevin D. , Waeber Patrick O. , Wilmé Lucienne
Published: April 2023

Ecotourism is widely considered a strong mechanism for the sustainable funding of protected areas (PAs). Implemented during the 1990s in Madagascar, nature-based tourism experienced positive growth over the last 30 years with increasing numbers of visits to the parks and reserves. Revenue earned from entrance fees to the network of PAs managed by Madagascar National Parks has never been sufficient to finance their management. Political crises and the COVID-19 pandemic in particular, have highlighted for park managers, the risk of relying on such earnings when they covered just 1% of the required funding in 2021. Alternative mechanisms of funding are analysed for all of Madagascar’s PAs with a view to facilitating sustainable conservation of the localities and protection of the island’s biodiversity.
Tailoring baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae for functional testing of channelrhodopsin
Authors: Höler Sebastian , Degreif Daniel , Stix Florentine , Yang Shang , Gao Shiqiang , Nagel Georg , Moroni Anna , Thiel Gerhard , Bertl Adam , Rauh Oliver
Published: April 2023

Channelrhodopsin 2 (ChR2) and its variants are the most frequent tools for remote manipulation of electrical properties in cells via light. Ongoing attempts try to enlarge their functional spectrum with respect to ion selectivity, light sensitivity and protein trafficking by mutations, protein engineering and environmental mining of ChR2 variants. A shortcoming in the required functional testing of large numbers of ChR2 variants is the lack of an easy screening system. Baker’s yeast, which was successfully employed for testing ion channels from eukaryotes has not yet been used for screening of ChR2s, because they neither produce the retinal chromophore nor its precursor carotenoids. We found that addition of retinal to the external medium was not sufficient for detecting robust ChR activity in yeast in simple growth assays. This obstacle was overcome by metabolic engineering of a yeast strain, which constitutively produces retinal. In proof of concept experiments we functionally express different ChR variants in these cells and monitor their blue light induced activity in simple growth assays. We find that light activation of ChR augments an influx of Na+ with a consequent inhibition of cell growth. In a K+ uptake deficient yeast strain, growth can be rescued in selective medium by the blue light induced K+ conductance of ChR. This yeast strain can now be used as chassis for screening of new functional ChR variants and mutant libraries in simple yeast growth assays under defined selective conditions.
Does venture capital Quan Zi affect stock mispricing: Evidence from Chinese listed companies
Authors: Chen Ping , Deng Li
Published: April 2023

Chinese traditional culture is characterized by "Quan Zi" culture with a "differential order pattern". As a special informal institutional arrangement, "Quan Zi" plays an important role in the capital market. This paper investigates how Venture Capital Quan Zi affects the stock mispricing of invested companies. Using the syndicate investment data of China’s venture capital institutions from 2009 to 2019, this study documents that Venture Capital Quan Zi significantly increases the positive deviations of stock prices of Quan Zi-backed firms but has no obvious influence on the negative deviations, showing an asymmetric effect on stock mispricing. In addition, this effect is dynamic. Stock mispricing significantly increased in the lock-up period and the following year, but then gradually weakened. Mechanism tests suggest that, on the one hand, Venture Capital Quan Zi increases a company’s earnings manipulation, thus raising investors’ expectations to push up stock prices. On the other hand, Venture Capital Quan Zi boosts the stock price through market reaction channels, increasing institutional investors’ shareholdings, positive media coverage and stock liquidity. This paper has high theoretical and applied value to guide the orderly competition of capital and the supervision of institutional investors.
Effects of transboundary PM2.5 transported from China on the regional PM2.5 concentrations in South Korea: A spatial panel-data analysis
Authors: Jun Myung-Jin , Gu Yu
Published: April 2023

This study identifies causal links between a high-PM2.5 episode in Korea and air pollutants originating from China during a high-PM2.5 episode that occurred in Korea between February 23 and March 12, 2019. Datasets on ground-based PM2.5 levels in Korea and China, airflows from the back-trajectory models, and satellite images were investigated, and long-range transboundary transport (LRTT) effects were statistically analyzed using spatial panel-data models. The findings are: 1) visual presentations of the observed PM2.5 concentration in China and Korea, back-trajectory air flows, and satellite images from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Aerosol Optical Depth and the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service clearly show that transboundary air pollutants from China affect PM2.5 concentration in Korea; 2) the effect of LRTT from China is likely to intensify under certain meteorological conditions, such as westerly winds from China to Korea, the formation of high pressure in China and low pressure in Korea, relatively high temperature, and stagnant air flow in Korea; 3) the results from the spatial panel-data models provide statistical evidence of the positive effect of LRTT from China on increasing local PM2.5 concentration in Korea. The nationwide average LRTT contributions to PM2.5 concentration in Korea are 38.4%, while regional contributions are 41.3% for the Seoul Metropolitan Area, 38.6% for the northwest region, and 27.5% for the southeast regions in Korea, indicating the greatest impact on the Seoul Metropolitan Area.
Distension evoked mucosal secretion in human and porcine colon in vitro
Authors: Elfers Kristin , Schäuffele Stefanie , Hoppe Susanne , Michel Klaus , Zeller Florian , Demir Ihsan Ekin , Schemann Michael , Mazzuoli-Weber Gemma
Published: April 2023

It was suggested that intestinal mucosal secretion is enhanced during muscle relaxation and contraction. Mechanisms of mechanically induced secretion have been studied in rodent species. We used voltage clamp Ussing technique to investigate, in human and porcine colonic tissue, secretion evoked by serosal (Pser) or mucosal (Pmuc) pressure application (2–60 mmHg) to induce distension into the mucosal or serosal compartment, respectively. In both species, Pseror Pmuccaused secretion due to Cl-and, in human colon, also HCO3-fluxes. In the human colon, responses were larger in proximal than distal regions. In porcine colon, Pmucevoked larger responses than Pserwhereas the opposite was the case in human colon. In both species, piroxicam revealed a strong prostaglandin (PG) dependent component. Pserand Pmucinduced secretion was tetrodotoxin (TTX) sensitive in porcine colon. In human colon, a TTX sensitive component was only revealed after piroxicam. However, synaptic blockade by ω-conotoxin GVIA reduced the response to mechanical stimuli. Secretion was induced by tensile rather than compressive forces as preventing distension by a filter inhibited the secretion. In conclusion, in both species, distension induced secretion was predominantly mediated by PGs and a rather small nerve dependent response involving mechanosensitive somata and synapses.
Foci-forming regions of pyruvate kinase and enolase at the molecular surface incorporate proteins into yeast cytoplasmic metabolic enzymes transiently assembling (META) bodies
Authors: Utsumi Ryotaro , Murata Yuki , Ito-Harashima Sayoko , Akai Misaki , Miura Natsuko , Kuroda Kouichi , Ueda Mitsuyoshi , Kataoka Michihiko
Published: April 2023

Spatial reorganization of metabolic enzymes to form the “metabolic enzymes transiently assembling (META) body” is increasingly recognized as a mechanism contributing to regulation of cellular metabolism in response to environmental changes. A number of META body-forming enzymes, including enolase (Eno2p) and phosphofructokinase, have been shown to contain condensate-forming regions. However, whether all META body-forming enzymes have condensate-forming regions or whether enzymes have multiple condensate-forming regions remains unknown. The condensate-forming regions of META body-forming enzymes have potential utility in the creation of artificial intracellular enzyme assemblies. In the present study, the whole sequence of yeast pyruvate kinase (Cdc19p) was searched for condensate-forming regions. Four peptide fragments comprising 27–42 amino acids were found to form condensates. Together with the fragment previously identified from Eno2p, these peptide regions were collectively termed “META body-forming sequences (METAfos).” METAfos-tagged yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh1p) was found to co-localize with META bodies formed by endogenous Cdc19p under hypoxic conditions. The effect of Adh1p co-localization with META bodies on cell metabolism was further evaluated. Expression of Adh1p fused with a METAfos-tag increased production of ethanol compared to acetic acid, indicating that spatial reorganization of metabolic enzymes affects cell metabolism. These results contribute to understanding of the mechanisms and biological roles of META body formation.
Three-year hospital-wide pain management system implementation at a tertiary medical center: Pain prevalence analysis
Authors: Chen Ming-Chuan , Yeh Te-Feng , Wu Chih-Cheng , Wang Yan-Ru , Wu Chieh-Liang , Chen Ruei-ling , Shen Ching-Hui
Published: April 2023

We developed a pain management system over a 3-year period. In this project, “Towards a pain-free hospital”, we combined evidence-based medicine and medical expertise to develop a series of policies. The intervention mainly included the development of standard procedures for inpatient pain management, the implementation of hospital-wide pain medicine education and training, the establishment of a dashboard system to track pain status, and regular audits and feedback. This study aimed to gain an understanding of the changes in the prevalence of pain in inpatients under the care of the pain management system. The subjects of the survey are inpatients over 20 years old, and who had been hospitalized in the general ward for at least 3 days. The patients would be excluded if they were unable to respond to the questions. We randomly selected eligible patients in the general ward. Our trained interviewers visited inpatients to complete the questionnaires designed by our pain care specialists. A total of 3,094 inpatients completed the survey from 2018 to 2020. During the three-year period, the prevalence of pain was 69.5% (2018) (reference), 63.3% (2019) (OR:0.768, p<0.01), and 60.1% (2020) (OR:0.662, p <0.001). The prevalence rates of pain in patients undergoing surgery during the 3-year period were 81.4% (2018), 74.3% (2019), and 68.8% (2020), respectively. As for care-related causes of pain, injection, change in position/chest percussion, and rehabilitation showed a decreasing trend over the 3-year period of study. Our pain management system provided immediate professional pain management, and achieved a good result in the management of acute moderate to severe pain, especially perioperative pain. Studies on pain prevalence and Pain-Free Hospitals are scarce in Asia. With the aid of the policies based on evidence-based medicine and the dashboard information system, from 2018 to 2020, the prevalence of pain has decreased year by year.
SimpleMind: An open-source software environment that adds thinking to deep neural networks
Authors: Choi Youngwon , Wahi-Anwar M. Wasil , Brown Matthew S.
Published: April 2023

Deep neural networks (DNNs) detect patterns in data and have shown versatility and strong performance in many computer vision applications. However, DNNs alone are susceptible to obvious mistakes that violate simple, common sense concepts and are limited in their ability to use explicit knowledge to guide their search and decision making. While overall DNN performance metrics may be good, these obvious errors, coupled with a lack of explainability, have prevented widespread adoption for crucial tasks such as medical image analysis. The purpose of this paper is to introduceSimpleMind, an open-source software environment for Cognitive AI focused on medical image understanding. It allows creation of a knowledge base that describes expected characteristics and relationships between image objects in an intuitive human-readable form. The knowledge base can then be applied to an input image to recognize and understand its content. SimpleMind brings thinking to DNNs by: (1) providing methods for reasoning with the knowledge base about image content, such as spatial inferencing and conditional reasoning to check DNN outputs; (2) applying process knowledge, in the form of general-purpose software agents, that are dynamically chained together to accomplish image preprocessing, DNN prediction, and result post-processing, and (3) performing automatic co-optimization of all knowledge base parameters to adapt agents to specific problems. SimpleMind enables reasoning on multiple detected objects to ensure consistency, providing cross-checking between DNN outputs. This machine reasoning improves the reliability and trustworthiness of DNNs through an interpretable model and explainable decisions. Proof-of-principle example applications are provided that demonstrate how SimpleMind supports and improves deep neural networks by embedding them within a Cognitive AI environment.
Epidemiology and risk factors for mortality among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremic patients in Southern Brazil
Authors: Riche Cezar Vinícius Würdig , Cassol Renato , Falci Diego Rodrigues , Ramirez Mario , Dias Cícero Armídio Gomes
Published: April 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiology and 30-day mortality of adult patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia. We retrospectively reviewed the demographic and clinical data of adult patients with S. aureus bloodstream infections (BSI), admitted to a tertiary public teaching medical center in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, from January 2014 to December 2019. A total of 928 patients with S. aureus BSI were identified in the study period (68.5 per 100,000 patient-years), and the proportion of MRSA isolates was 22% (19–27%). Thus, 199 patients were included in the analyses. The median age was 62 (IQR: 51–74) years, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) median was 5 (IQR: 3–6), the Pitt bacteremia score (PBS) median was 1 (IQR: 1–4), and the most common site of infection was skin and soft tissue (26%). Most infections were hospital-acquired (54%), empirical anti-MRSA treatment was initiated in 34% of the cases, and in 44% vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration was 1.5mg/L or above. Sixty-two (31.2%) patients died up to 30 days after the bacteremia episode. Patients with more comorbid conditions (higher CCI; aOR 1.222, p = 0.006) and a more severe presentation (higher PBS; aOR 1.726, p<0.001) were independently associated with mortality. Empiric antimicrobial therapy with an anti-MRSA regimen was associated with reduced mortality (aOR 0.319, p = 0.016). Our study identified significant risk factors for 30-day mortality in patients with MRSA BSI in a population with a high incidence of S. aureus bacteremia. Empiric treatment with an anti-MRSA drug was a protective factor. No significant variation in the incidence of S. aureus BSI was recorded throughout the period.
Does advanced maternal age explain the longer hospitalisation of mothers after childbirth?
Authors: Šťastná Anna , Šídlo Luděk , Kocourková Jiřina , Fait Tomáš
Published: April 2023

Background

Fertility postponement, which has comprised the most significant reproductive trend in developed countries over the last few decades, involves a number of social, personal and health consequences. The length of stay (LOS) in hospital following childbirth varies considerably between countries. Czechia, where the fertility postponement process has been particularly dynamic, has one of the longest mean LOS of the OECD member countries.

Objective

We analyse the influence of the age of mothers on the LOS in hospital associated with childbirth.

Data and methods

We employed anonymised individual data provided by the General Health Insurance Company of the Czech Republic on women who gave birth in 2014. Kaplan-Meier survival plots and binary logistic regression were employed to identify factors associated with long stays (> = 7 days for vaginal births, > = 9 days for CS births).

Results

The impact of the maternal age on the LOS is U-shaped. A higher risk of a longer hospitalisation period for young mothers was identified for both types of birth (OR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.33–1.87, p˂0.001 for age less than 20, OR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.20–1.44, p˂0.001 for age 20–24 compared to 30–34). The risk of a longer stay in hospital increases with the increasing age of the mother (OR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.13–1.35, p˂0.001 for age 35–39, OR = 2.05, 95% CI 1.73–2.44, p˂0.001 for age 40+ compared to 30–34), especially with concern to vaginal births.

Conclusion

The probability of a long LOS increases significantly after the age of 35, especially in the case of vaginal births. Thus, the fertility postponement process with the significant change in the age structure of mothers contributes to the increase in health care costs associated with post-birth hospitalisation.
How many submissions are needed to discover friendly suggested reviewers?
Authors: Pessoa Pedro , Pressé Steve
Published: April 2023

It is common in scientific publishing to request from authors reviewer suggestions for their own manuscripts. The question then arises: How many submissions are needed to discover friendly suggested reviewers? To answer this question, as the data we would need is anonymized, we present an agent-based simulation of (single-blinded) peer review to generate synthetic data. We then use a Bayesian framework to classify suggested reviewers. To set a lower bound on the number of submissions possible, we create an optimistically simple model that should allow us to more readily deduce the degree of friendliness of the reviewer. Despite this model’s optimistic conditions, we find that one would need hundreds of submissions to classify even a small reviewer subset. Thus, it is virtually unfeasible under realistic conditions. This ensures that the peer review system is sufficiently robust to allow authors to suggest their own reviewers.
Validation of the Unesp-Botucatu pig composite acute pain scale (UPAPS) in piglets undergoing castration
Authors: Robles I , Luna S. P. L. , Trindade P. H. E. , Lopez-Soriano M , Merenda V. R. , Viscardi A. V. , Tamminga E , Lou M. E. , Pairis- Garcia M. D.
Published: April 2023

To accurately assess pain and support broadly-based analgesic protocols to mitigate swine pain, it is imperative to develop and validate a species-specific pain scale. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical validity and reliability of an acute pain scale (UPAPS) adapted for newborn piglets undergoing castration. Thirty-nine male piglets (five days of age, 1.62 ± 0.23 kg BW) served as their own control, were enrolled in the study and underwent castration in conjunction with an injectable analgesic administered one-hour post-castration (flunixin meglumine 2.2 mg/kg IM). An additional 10, non-painful female piglets were included to account for the effect of natural behavioral variation by day on pain scale results. Behavior of each piglet was video recorded continuously at four recording periods (24 h pre-castration, 15 min post-castration, 3 and 24 h post-castration). Pre- and post-operative pain was assessed by using a 4-point scale (score 0–3) including the following six behavioral items: posture, interaction and interest in surroundings, activity, attention to the affected area, nursing, and miscellaneous behavior. Behavior was assessed by two trained blinded observers and statistical analysis was performed using R software. Inter-observer agreement was very good (ICC = 0.81). The scale was unidimensional based on the principal component analysis, all items except for nursing were representative (rs≥ 0.74) and had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha ≥ 0.85). The sum of scores were higher in castrated piglets post-procedure compared to pre-procedure, and higher than in non-painful female piglets confirming responsiveness and construct validity, respectively. Scale sensitivity was good when piglets were awake (92.9%) and specificity was moderate (78.6%). The scale had excellent discriminatory ability (area under the curve > 0.92) and the optimal cut-off sum for analgesia was 4 out of 15. The UPAPS scale is a valid and reliable clinical tool to assess acute pain in castrated pre-weaned piglets.