bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A large Middle Devonian eubrachythoracid ‘placoderm’ (Arthrodira) jaw from northern Gondwana
Authors: Jobbins Melina , Rücklin Martin , Argyriou Thodoris , Klug Christian
Published: January 2021

For the understanding of the evolution of jawed vertebrates and jaws and teeth, ‘placoderms’ are crucial as they exhibit an impressive morphological disparity associated with the early stages of this process. The Devonian of Morocco is famous for its rich occurrences of arthrodire ‘placoderms’. While Late Devonian strata are rich in arthrodire remains, they are less common in older strata. Here, we describe a large tooth-bearing jaw element of Leptodontichthys ziregensis gen. et sp. nov., an eubrachythoracid arthrodire from the Middle Devonian of Morocco. This species is based on a large posterior superognathal with a strong dentition. The jawbone displays features considered synapomorphies of Late Devonian eubrachythoracid arthrodires, with one posterior and one lateral row of conical teeth oriented postero-lingually. μCT-images reveal internal structures including pulp cavities and dentinous tissues. The posterior orientation of the teeth and the traces of a putative occlusal contact on the lingual side of the bone imply that these teeth were hardly used for feeding. Similar to Compagopiscis and Plourdosteus, functional teeth were possibly present during an earlier developmental stage and have been worn entirely. The morphological features of the jaw element suggest a close relationship with plourdosteids. Its size implies that the animal was rather large.

ZooBank LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B707FB56-74A8-42C2-8BA0-D5BE1F32AB4A.
A classification method for social information of sellers on social network
Authors: Cui Haoliang , Shao Shuai , Niu Shaozhang , Shi Chengjie , Zhou Lingyu
Published: January 2021

Social e-commerce has been a hot topic in recent years, with the number of users increasing year by year and the transaction money exploding. Unlike traditional e-commerce, the main activities of social e-commerce are on social network apps. To classify sellers by the merchandise, this article designs and implements a social network seller classification scheme. We develop an app, which runs on the mobile phones of the sellers and provides the operating environment and automated assistance capabilities of social network applications. The app can collect social information published by the sellers during the assistance process, uploads to the server to perform model training on the data. We collect 38,970 sellers’ information, extract the text information in the picture with the help of OCR, and establish a deep learning model based on BERT to classify the merchandise of sellers. In the final experiment, we achieve an accuracy of more than 90%, which shows that the model can accurately classify sellers on a social network.
On a more accurate Hilbert-type inequality in the whole plane with the general homogeneous kernel
Authors: Huang Xingshou , Yang Bicheng
Published: January 2021

By the use of the weight coefficients, the idea of introduced parameters and the technique of real analysis, a more accurate Hilbert-type inequality in the whole plane with the general homogeneous kernel is given, which is an extension of the more accurate Hardy–Hilbert’s inequality. An equivalent form is obtained. The equivalent statements of the best possible constant factor related to several parameters, the operator expressions and a few particular cases are considered.
Engaging primary care providers in managing pediatric eating disorders: a mixed methods study
Authors: Lebow Jocelyn , Narr Cassandra , Mattke Angela , Gewirtz O’Brien Janna R. , Billings Marcie , Hathaway Julie , Vickers Kristin , Jacobson Robert , Sim Leslie
Published: January 2021

Background

The primary care setting offers an attractive opportunity for, not only the identification of pediatric eating disorders, but also the delivery of evidence-based treatment. However, constraints of this setting pose barriers for implementing treatment. For interventions to be successful, they need to take into consideration the perspectives of stakeholders. As such, the purpose of this study was to examine in-depth primary care providers’ perspective of challenges to identifying and managing eating disorders in the primary care setting.

Methods

This mixed methods study surveyed 60 Pediatric and Family Medicine providers across 6 primary care practices. Sixteen of these providers were further interviewed using a qualitative, semi-structured interview.

Results

Providers (n= 60, response rate of 45%) acknowledged the potential of primary care as a point of contact for early identification and treatment of pediatric eating disorders. They also expressed that this was an area of need in their practices. They identified numerous barriers to successful implementation of evidence-based treatment in this setting including scarcity of time, knowledge, and resources.

Conclusions

Investigations seeking to build capacities in primary care settings to address eating disorders must address these barriers.
A comparative study of methods for determining Intravoxel incoherent motion parameters in cervix cancer
Authors: Wang Xue , Song Jiao , Zhou Shengfa , Lu Yi , Lin Wenxiao , Koh Tong San , Hou Zujun , Yan Zhihan
Published: January 2021

Background

To compare different fitting methods for determining IVIM (Intravoxel Incoherent Motion) parameters and to determine whether the use of different IVIM fitting methods would affect differentiation of cervix cancer from normal cervix tissue.

Methods

Diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging of 30 subjects was performed on a 3.0 T scanner with b-values of 0, 30, 100, 200, 400, 1000 s/mm2. IVIM parameters were estimated using the segmented (two-step) fitting method and by simultaneous fitting of a bi-exponential function. Segmented fitting was performed using two different cut-off b-values (100 and 200 s/mm2) to study possible variations due to the choice of cut-off. Friedman’s test and Student’s t-test were respectively used to compare IVIM parameters derived from different methods, and between cancer and normal tissues.

Results

No significant difference was found between IVIM parameters derived from the segmented method with b-value cutoff of 200 s/mm2 and the simultaneous fitting method (P>0.05). Tissue diffusivity (D) and perfusion fraction (f) were significantly lower in cervix cancer than normal tissue (P< 0.05).

Conclusions

IVIM parameters derived using fitting methods with small cutoff b-values could be different, however, the segmented method with b-value cutoff of 200 s/mm2 are consistent with the simultaneous fitting method and both can be used to differentiate between cervix cancer and normal tissue.
Successful treatment of G-CSF-related aortitis with prednisolone during preoperative chemotherapy for breast cancer: a case report
Authors: Koyama Yoichi , Adachi Kayo , Yagi Mio , Go Yoko , Orimoto Kyoko , Kawai Saori , Uenaka Natsuki , Okazaki Miki , Asaoka Mariko , Teraoka Saeko , Ueda Ai , Miyahara Kana , Kawate Takahiko , Kaise Hiroshi , Yamada Kimito , Ishikawa Takashi
Published: January 2021

Background

With the introduction of dose-dense therapy, the use of primary pegfilgrastim (PEG-G) has been increasing in breast cancer treatment. A rare side effect of PEG-G is aortitis. We describe a case of PEG-G-induced aortitis.

Case presentation

The patient was a 43-year-old woman with stage IIA breast cancer. Due to the subtype of triple-negative breast cancer, preoperative dose-dense epirubicin–cyclophosphamide chemotherapy was started. PEG-G was administered on day 3 after the first cycle of epirubicin–cyclophosphamide chemotherapy. On day 11, she had a fever (39.4 °C) and an elevated C-reactive protein level (27.1 mg/dL). Emergency computed tomography revealed diffused wall thickening of the aortic arch without any other signs of infection. Despite administering antibiotics, her general condition and laboratory findings deteriorated until day 18. Based on these observations, she was diagnosed with PEG-G-induced aortitis. Antibiotics were discontinued, and she was treated with prednisolone thereafter. Subsequently, her clinical symptoms and laboratory findings improved around day 39. A second computed tomography scan revealed a decrease in the aortic arch wall thickening, and she was discharged on day 43.

Conclusions

We successfully treated PEG-G-induced aortitis using prednisolone. Although this side effect is rare, cancer patients receiving PEG-G for chemotherapy should be monitored for aortic inflammation.
Influence of trees and associated variables on soil organic carbon: a review
Authors: Devi Angom Sarjubala
Published: January 2021

The level of soil organic carbon (SOC) fluctuates in different types of forest stands: this variation can be attributed to differences in tree species, and the variables associated with soil, climate, and topographical features. The present review evaluates the level of SOC in different types of forest stands to determine the factors responsible for the observed variation. Mixed stands have the highest amount of SOC, while coniferous (both deciduous-coniferous and evergreen-coniferous) stands have greater SOC concentrations than deciduous (broadleaved) and evergreen (broadleaved) tree stands. There was a significant negative correlation between SOC and mean annual temperature (MAT) and sand composition, in all types of forest stands. In contrast, the silt fraction has a positive correlation with SOC, in all types of tree stands. Variation in SOC under different types of forest stands in different landscapes can be due to differences in MAT, and the sand and silt fraction of soil apart from the type of forests.
The relationship of the serum endocan level with the CHA2DS2-VASc score in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Ceyhun Gökhan
Published: January 2021

Background

In this study considering the relationship between serum endocan and CHA2DS2-VASc score, we assumed that endocan level could be a new biomarker for stroke risk in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). It was examined that endocan could be an alternative to determine the risk of stroke and anticoagulation strategy in patients with PAF. The CHA2DS2-VASc scores were calculated for 192 patients with PAF, and their serum endocan levels were measured. The patients were divided into two groups as those with low to moderate (0-1) and those with high (≥ 2) CHA2DS2-VASc scores, and the endocan levels were compared between these two groups.

Results

The serum endocan level was significantly higher in the high CHA2DS2-VASc score group (p< 0.001). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, endocan, C-reactive protein, and low-density lipoprotein were found to be independent determinants of the CHA2DS2-VASc score. The predictive value of endocan was analyzed using the ROC curve analysis, which revealed that endocan predicted a high stroke risk (CHA2DS2-VASc ≥ 2) at 82.5% sensitivity and 71.2% specificity at the cutoff value of 1.342.

Conclusion

This study indicates that endocan is significantly associated with CHA2DS2-VASc score. We demonstrated that endocan could be a new biomarker for the prediction of a high stroke risk among patients diagnosed with PAF.
Qualitative assessment of chronic pain management in patients undergoing computed tomography-guided procedures
Authors: Jeffrey Ralph , Santosham Roy , Nagenthran Gayathri , Dev Bhawna , Mandava Rupesh , Vasanthraj Praveenkumar , Saravanan Siddharth
Published: January 2021

Background

To study the qualitative efficacy and safety of percutaneous pain management under CT guidance. The success rate of medical management for chronic pain in long term is very less. This study aids in evaluating the clinical success rate in each CT-guided pain management procedure we have done.

Results

Among the 60 patients, 39 (65%) were male patients and 21 (35%) were female patients. We did 40 celiac plexus neurolysis (66.7%), 13 radiofrequency ablations (21.6%), 4 stellate ganglion neurolysis (6.7%), and 3 trigeminal nerve neurolysis (5%). The average pre-procedural pain score in all the procedures was 7 which was significantly reduced to 1 in 24 h and 1 and 3 months.

Conclusion

Percutaneous pain management under CT guidance by virtue of its precise needle placement offers effective pain relief. It has a lower rate of complications, reduces the need for repeat procedures, and ultimately increases the quality of life.
A novel LC-MS method development and validation for the determination of phenyl vinyl sulfone in eletriptan hydrobromide
Authors: Mabbu Indhu Priya , Sumathi G. , Devanna N.
Published: January 2021

Background

The aim of the present method is to develop and validate a specific, sensitive, precise, and accurate liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method for the estimation of the phenyl vinyl sulfone in the eletriptan hydrobromide. The effective separation of the phenyl vinyl sulfone was achieved by the Symmetry C18 (50 × 4.6 mm, 3.5 μm) column and a mobile phase composition of 0.1%v/v ammonia buffer to methanol (5:95 v/v), using 0.45 ml/min flow rate and 20 μl of injection volume, with methanol used as diluent. The phenyl vinyl sulfone was monitored on atomic pressure chemical ionization mode mass spectrometer with positive polarity mode.

Results

The retention time of phenyl vinyl sulfone was found at 2.13 min. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were observed at 1.43 ppm and 4.77 ppm concentration respectively; the linear range was found in the concentration ranges from 4.77 to 27.00 ppm with regression coefficient of 0.9990 and accuracy in the range of 97.50–102.10%. The percentage relative standard deviation (% RSD) for six replicates said to be injections were less than 10%.

Conclusion

The proposed method was validated successfully as per ICH guidelines. Hence, this is employed for the determination of phenyl vinyl sulfone in the eletriptan hydrobromide.
Process for Delivering Timely Antibiotics to Febrile Bone Marrow Transplant Patients in the Emergency Department
Authors: Finefrock Douglas , Varughese Tony , Ding James , Sanders Angeline , Hewitt Kevin
Published: January 2021

PURPOSE:

Patients with a history of a bone marrow transplant (BMT) have a higher risk of infectious complications because of an immunocompromised state. It has been shown that giving timely antibiotics in 1 hour or less from presentation to the emergency department (ED) decreases morbidity and mortality in this patient population. We hypothesize that a quality improvement (QI) process, termed BMT Fever, will improve timely administration of antibiotics for this population presenting to the ED.

METHODS:

This is a QI process designed to improve the administration of antibiotics to BMT patients with a subjective or objective fever presenting to the ED. The percent of patients receiving antibiotics within 1 hour or less was compared pre- and post-intervention.

RESULTS:

Upon implementation of the BMT Fever QI process, the percentage of patients with febrile BMT receiving antibiotics within 1 hour or less per fiscal quarter significantly improved from six out of 28 patients (21%) to 147 out of 173 patients (85%), P value < .05.

CONCLUSION:

By implementing a QI process that addresses five structural obstacles, we were able to improve our timely administration of antibiotics to patients with febrile BMT presenting to the ED.
Case Report of Remifentanil Labor Analgesia for a Pregnant Patient With Congenital Methemoglobinemia Type 1
Authors: Yin Wu , Jung Francesca , Adams Douglas , Konig Gerhardt , Romeo Ryan C. , Lim Grace
Published: January 2021

Congenital methemoglobinemia is a rare disease characterized by cyanosis and a left shifting of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve. The disease necessitates avoidance of certain medications commonly used in obstetrics, making labor analgesia and anesthesia challenging. We present a case report of peripartum anesthetic management of a pregnant patient with congenital methemoglobinemia type 1 who received remifentanil labor analgesia and continuous methemoglobin monitoring. Continuous real-time monitoring of methemoglobin concentrations may prove to be a useful monitor in future care settings. A review of literature encompassing various perioperative and obstetric anesthesia and analgesia management considerations is presented.
Telemedicine-Based Perioperative Management of Pheochromocytoma in a Patient With Von Hippel Lindau Disease: A Case Report
Authors: Saksa Dane , Shuch Brian , Donahue Timothy , Cusumano Lucas , Yu Run , Alapag Catharina , Kamdar Nirav
Published: January 2021

We present the case of a young woman with Von Hippel Lindau (VHL) disease who underwent a combined pheochromocytoma resection along with pancreaticoduodenectomy. Her preoperative management, including effective alpha-blockade, was conducted remotely via telemedicine video visits, patient-entered vital sign data, and secure messaging between provider and patient. Similar remote management was undertaken before a subsequent pheochromocytoma resection while the patient was pregnant, and both surgeries had positive outcomes. This represents the first time that telemedicine and mobile health monitoring have been successfully used for preoperative alpha-blockade in a high-acuity patient before a complex multivisceral surgery.
Intraoperative Diagnosis of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor–Associated Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis: A Case Report
Authors: Seger Christian D. , Xing Hanning , Wang Libing , Shin John S.
Published: January 2021

The use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors is increasingly common in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) management. Patients taking an SGLT2 inhibitor are at risk for euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EDKA). We report an intraoperative diagnosis of EDKA. The patient was found to have an arterial pH of 7.21 and serum beta-hydroxybutyrate of 88.8 mg/dL (normal: <3.0 mg/dL) with serum glucose <250 mg/dL. Acidosis resolved with insulin and glucose infusions. Perioperative specialists must recognize the potential for EDKA in patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors. Expert opinion suggests preoperative cessation for 2–3 days and intraoperative serum ketone concentration measurement for at-risk patients.
Transnational Feminist Practices against War
Authors: Bacchetta Paola , Campt Tina , Grewal Inderpal , Kaplan Caren , Moallem Minoo , Terry Jennifer
Published: January 2021

This piece was written collaboratively as a response to the bombing of sites in Afghanistan in September 2001 as the United States began to retaliate for Al-Queda attacks on U.S. targets. Anticipating the invasion and occupation of Iraq and a broader, globalized “War on Terror,” the authors wanted to offer an antiracist, antinationalist feminist analysis that insisted recognizing the importance of histories of colonialism and empire in the structuring of state and interstate violence.
“A Real Feminine Journey”
Authors: Mithlo Nancy Marie
Published: January 2021

Despite the prevailing acceptance of homogenized global sensibilities in media productions, many American Indian and other indigenous artists continue to articulate a sovereign, bounded, and discrete identity based on land, family, and memory. Both material (embodied knowledge) and ideological (the interconnectedness of people, the earth, and culture) constructs enable communal paradigms rather than individualistic or gendered identities to rise to the fore. Given these parameters, how can the testimonies of native women’s lives as artists inform debates of indigenous feminisms? Drawing from Native women artists’ narratives, transnational feminist scholarship, and ethnographic and historical texts, the author demonstrates how indigenous communities become gendered communities as a result of colonialism.
“The Daughter of Fu Manchu”
Authors: Rajgopal Shoba Sharad
Published: January 2021

Courses regarding race, gender, and representation are not easy to teach under any circumstances, but even more so in predominantly White classrooms in the post 9/11 United States, where the masses have been fed a diet of xenophobic, anti-Asian propaganda inculcating an “us” versus “them” mentality. This article analyzes the discourse of empire, a metaphor that has been used time after time to construct a mythical and menacing Other. In contrast, the portrait of Asian women in cinema and television news as traditional, veiled, and inhabiting a separate sphere adds to this representation of Asian cultures as premodern and irrevocably opposed to the West, much as portrayed in Samuel Huntington’s “clash of civilizations” theory. The author illustrates this transnational feminist critique with a documentary used in Women’s Studies classes, Deborah Gee’s landmark film Slaying the Dragon (1988).
Challenging Convictions
Authors: Palacios Lena
Published: January 2021

This essay, with accompanying lesson plan, explores how race-radical Black and Indigenous feminists theorize and resist the carceral state violence of White settler nations of Canada and the United States. It focuses on the theoretical interventions driven by Indigenous and Black race-radical feminists and how this has placed these activists at the forefront of anti-violence movement-building. Such an intervention specifically upholds the tensions within and refuses to collapse political approaches of Indigenous movements for sovereignty and Black race-radical traditions. Its transnational, comparative focus helps us to not only identify but to create multiple strategies that dismantle the carceral state and the racialized gendered violence that it mobilizes and sustains. Proceeding from the argument that both prison abolitionist praxis and race-radical feminist praxis are inherently and primarily pedagogical, the lesson plan explores the ways we learn, teach, and organize in a manner that teaches against the grain of carceral common sense.
Incidental cardiac uptake in bone scintigraphy: increased importance and association with cardiac amyloidosis
Authors: Delaney Francis T , Dempsey Philip , Welaratne Ivan , Buckley Bryan , O'Sullivan Donagh , O'Connell Martin
Published: January 2021

Extraosseous radiotracer uptake during bone scintigraphy must be carefully assessed and it offers the potential to detect previously undiagnosed disease processes. A range of neoplastic, metabolic, traumatic, ischaemic and inflammatory disorders can cause soft tissue accumulation of bone avid radiopharmaceuticals. Accordingly, cardiac uptake in bone scintigraphy has a broad differential diagnosis and is commonly attributed to ischaemia/infarction related to coronary artery disease. However, there has been renewed focus on incidental cardiac uptake in recent years in light of significant developments in the diagnosis and management of cardiac amyloidosis.
Analysis and Interpretation of Hand Injuries Based on Data from the National Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance System
Authors: Ryu Deok Hyeon , Park Kyeong Soo , Lee Yeon Ji , Shim Hyung-Sup
Published: January 2021

PurposeLike other countries, Korea has a high incidence of hand injuries due to industrial accidents. In this study, the social demographic characteristics of hand injuries treated with industrial insurance in Korea and some related occupational factors were analyzed. The evaluation of the dynamics and trends of hand injuries including the association with related factors were conducted.MethodsBased on the 2018 Industrial Accident Insurance Panel Survey data provided by the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service, a retrospective review was conducted on all hand injuries cases treated with industrial insurance between January 2018 and December 2018.ResultsThis review identified a total of 983 cases of hand trauma. The most common age group is 51 to 60 years (36.1%). 61.1% of those surveyed had a length of employment of less than 1 year, and fractures were the most common types of injuries. Amputations were the more frequent injury in the longer working group.ConclusionIn this study, the number of patients treated using industrial accident insurance was the highest among those with less than six months of work experience In addition, in patients with long working periods, more severe injuries such as severe amputation were observed. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce a precise education program to prevent severe injuries suitable for skilled workers. The findings in this study are significant in providing insight into the current state of Korea's industrial accidents and enabling appropriate preventive measures to be taken.
Impactos da COVID-19 na aptidão cardiorrespiratória: exercícios funcionais e atividade física
Authors: Souza Milene Oliveira de , Silva Anna Carolina Santos e , Almeida Jordane dos Reis , Santos Josefa Francielly Matos , Santana Lorena Fontes , Nascimento Matheus Brainer Carvalho , Souza Elenilton Correia de
Published: January 2021

Este ensaio busca abordar as alterações causadas pela COVID-19 nas funções cardiorrespiratórias diárias das pessoas que contraíram a patologia e evidenciar a importância dos exercícios físicos antes e depois da contaminação pelo vírus. A infecção causada pelo novo coronavírus mostrou efeitos deletérios em funções cardiovasculares e pulmonares principalmente em pessoas que necessitaram de tratamento intensivo, podendo provocar déficits tanto na frequência cardíaca, quanto complicações no suprimento de oxigênio de outras estruturas, ao ser relacionada aos componentes moleculares do sistema cardiovascular. Ao afetar as funções de cunho cardiorrespiratório, percebe-se que a doença provoca alterações na funcionalidade das atividades diárias das pessoas acometidas com a COVID-19. A melhora da qualidade de vida através dos exercícios físicos já vem sendo evidenciada muito antes da pandemia, porém, neste momento notou-se uma necessidade de adaptação da maioria dos exercícios diante do isolamento social, para assim facilitar a manutenção do condicionamento físico.
A Theory of ICOs: Diversification, Agency, and Information Asymmetry
Authors: Chod Jiri , Lyandres Evgeny
Published: January 2021

This paper develops a theory of financing of entrepreneurial ventures via crypto tokens, which is not limited to platform-based ventures. We compare token financing with traditional equity financing, focusing on agency problems and information asymmetry frictions associated with the two financing methods, as well as on risk sharing between entrepreneurs and investors. Token financing introduces an agency problem not present under equity financing (underproduction), while mitigating an agency problem often associated with equity financing (entrepreneurial effort underprovision). Our theory abstracts from all institutional and potentially transient differences between tokens and equity and is based on a single intrinsic characteristic of tokens: they represent claims to a venture’s output. We show that tokens are likely to dominate equity for ventures developing goods or services that involve low marginal production costs, those for which entrepreneurial effort is crucial, and/or those with relatively low payoff volatility. In addition, tokens can have an advantage over equity in signaling venture quality to outside investors.

This paper was accepted by Kay Giesecke, finance.
Pole-based analysis of coupled modes in metal–insulator–metal plasmonic structures
Authors: Gibson Ricky , Avrutsky Ivan , Vangala Shivashankar , Walker Dennis E. , Hendrickson Joshua R.
Published: January 2021

A second-order transfer function analysis is performed on plasmonic
modes with disparate quality factors. This generalized analysis
technique is applied to the coupling of modes in metal–insulator–metal
structures in the mid-wave infrared, which are systematically studied,
both experimentally and with computational modeling. Coupling between
these disparate modes is observed from the asymmetric Fano-like
lineshape at the resonant crossings in both finite element method
simulations and angle dependent spectra. The pole analysis method
applied to both experimental and numerical data allows for extraction
of the coupling coefficient for this system and is applicable to other
plasmonic and photonic coupled resonances.
Analysis of light coupling in AlxGa1-xAs waveguide arrays
Authors: Guo Jiahao , Tan Jiubin , Hu Pengcheng , T.Cundiff Steven
Published: January 2021

Light propagation in arrays of AlxGa1-xAs waveguides is studied. The power coupling constant between two adjacent waveguides is precisely measured as waveguide material and structure is varied. Aluminum concentration contrast between waveguide core/cladding layers and waveguide width/height produce an asymmetric effective refractive index between linearly polarized modes, which in turn causes a polarization dependence of the coupling constants. Experimental measurement results agree well with an analytical model. The sensitivity of coupling constant to the waveguide parameters is analyzed. Through a careful geometric design, comparable coupling constants can be achieved in three waveguide arrays with different structure. Similar formation processes of discrete spatial optical solitons are observed respectively, confirming that the parameterization in the discrete nonlinear Schrödinger equation characterizes waveguide arrays.
Imaging of nanoscale birefringence using polarization-resolved chromatic confocal microscopy
Authors: Chan Ming-Che , Liao Tzu Hsin , Hsieh Chi-Sheng , Jeng Shie-Chang , Zhuo Guan-Yu
Published: January 2021

We demonstrate a homebuilt confocal microscope with ∼60 nm axial resolution to visualize the optical path length (OPL) of liquid crystals (LCs) inside a 2-domain alignment LC cell. Since the microscope is sensitive to light polarization, it is capable of determining LC orientation by accounting for the OPL variation, ΔOPL. The resolution of birefringence depends on the measured ΔOPL from two cross-polarized channel detections, of which the concept is different from other polarization-resolved optical imaging techniques, but is relatively simple in optical layout and analysis. The different orientations of LCs and the voltage-dependent LC rotation properties in the 2-domain LC cell are monitored and analyzed. Additionally, the complicated LC orientation distribution at the junction of the two domains with different alignments can be clearly observed. It shows great possibilities of examining tissue birefringence related to disease progression and tiny birefringence variation of electro-optical materials under an external field, which are hardly resolved by conventional optical imaging techniques.
Motion measurement system of compliant mechanisms using computer micro-vision
Authors: Yao Sheng , Li Hai , Pang Shuiquan , Yu Longhuan , Fatikow Sergej , Zhang Xianmin
Published: January 2021

Position sensing is essential to testify the validity of the mechanical design and verify the performance in micromanipulation. A practical system for non-contact micro-motion measurement of compliant nanopositioning stages and micromanipulators is proposed using computer micro-vision. The micro-motion measurement method integrates optical microscopy and an optical flow-based technique, in which the motions of complaint mechanisms are precisely detected and measured. Simulations are carried out to validate the robustness of the proposed method, while the micro-vision system and a laser interferometer measurement system are also built up for a series of experiments. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed measurement system possesses high stability, extensibility, and precision with 0.06 µm absolute accuracy and 0.05 µm standard deviation.
Single-shot higher-order transport-of-intensity quantitative phase imaging based on computer-generated holography
Authors: Yoneda Naru , Onishi Aoi , Saita Yusuke , Komuro Koshi , Nomura Takanori
Published: January 2021

The imaging quality of quantitative phase imaging (QPI) based on the transport of intensity equation (TIE) can be improved using a higher-order approximation for defocused intensity distributions. However, this requires mechanically scanning an image sensor or object along the optical axis, which in turn requires a precisely aligned optical setup. To overcome this problem, a computer-generated hologram (CGH) technique is introduced to TIE-based QPI. A CGH generating defocused point spread function is inserted in the Fourier plane of an object. The CGH acts as a lens and grating with various focal lengths and orientations, allowing multiple defocused intensity distributions to be simultaneously detected on an image sensor plane. The results of a numerical simulation and optical experiment demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed method.
Ultrabroadband, compact, polarization independent and efficient metasurface-based power splitter on lithium niobate waveguides
Authors: Alquliah Amged , Elkabbash Mohamed , Zhang Jihua , Cheng JinLuo , Guo Chunlei
Published: January 2021

We propose a metasurface-based Lithium Niobate waveguide power splitter with an ultrabroadband and polarization independent performance. The design consists of an array of amorphous silicon nanoantennas that partially converts the input mode to multiple output modes creating multimode interference such that the input power is equally split and directed to two branching waveguides. FDTD simulation results show that the power splitter operates with low insertion loss (< 1dB) over a bandwidth of approximately 800 nm in the near-infrared range, far exceeding the O, E, S, C, L and U optical communication bands. The metasurface is ultracompact with a total length of 2.7 µm. The power splitter demonstrates a power imbalance of less than 0.16 dB for both fundamental TE and TM modes. Our simulations show that the device efficiency exhibits high tolerance to possible fabrication imperfections.
Förster resonance energy transfer in surface plasmon coupled color conversion processes of colloidal quantum dots
Authors: Ni Chia-Chun , Kuo Sheng-Yang , Li Zong-Han , Wu Shung-Hsiang , Wu Ruei-Nan , Chen Chien-Yu , Yang C. C.
Published: January 2021

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from a green-emitting quantum dot (GQD) into a red-emitting quantum dot (RQD) is an important mechanism in a multiple-color conversion process, particularly under the surface plasmon (SP) coupling condition for enhancing color conversion efficiency. Here, the dependencies of FRET efficiency on the relative concentrations of GQD and RQD in their mixtures and their surface molecule coatings for controlling surface charges are studied. Also, the SP coupling effects induced by two kinds of Ag nanoparticles on the emission behaviors of GQD and RQD are demonstrated, particularly when FRET is involved in the coupling process. FRET efficiency is reduced under the SP coupling condition. SP coupling can enhance the color conversion efficiency of either GQD or RQD. The combination of SP coupling and FRET can be used for controlling the relative converted light intensities in a multiple-color conversion process.
Transient behaviours of yellow and blue luminescence bands in unintentionally doped GaN
Authors: Wang Baibin , Liang Feng , Zhao Degang , Ben Yuhao , Yang Jing , Chen Ping , Liu Zongshun
Published: January 2021

Yellow Luminescence (YL) band and blue luminescence (BL) band in a studied unintentionally doped GaN sample show a transient behaviour where the observed luminescence intensities change with the exposure time of the sample under 325 nm laser beam excitation at 10–300 K. Such an intensity variation is accompanied with a red-shift for YL peak at 10–140 K and one for BL peak at 140 K. We propose that such behaviours are related to the chemical transformations of YL-related CN and CNON defects, and BL-related CN-Hi and CNON-Hi defects during the exposure.
Probabilistic transmission models incorporating sequencing data for healthcare-associated Clostridioides difficile outperform heuristic rules and identify strain-specific differences in transmission
Authors: Eyre David W. , Laager Mirjam , Walker A. Sarah , Cooper Ben S. , Wilson Daniel J. ,   on behalf of the CDC Modeling Infectious Diseases in Healthcare Program (MInD-Healthcare)
Published: January 2021

Fitting stochastic transmission models to electronic patient data can offer detailed insights into the transmission of healthcare-associated infections and improve infection control. Pathogen whole-genome sequencing may improve the precision of model inferences, but computational constraints have limited modelling applications predominantly to small datasets and specific outbreaks, whereas large-scale sequencing studies have mostly relied on simple rules for identifying/excluding plausible transmission. We present a novel approach for integrating detailed epidemiological data on patient contact networks in hospitals with large-scale pathogen sequencing data. We apply our approach to study Clostridioides difficile transmission using a dataset of 1223 infections in Oxfordshire, UK, 2007–2011. 262 (21% [95% credibility interval 20–22%]) infections were estimated to have been acquired from another known case. There was heterogeneity by sequence type (ST) in the proportion of cases acquired from another case with the highest rates in ST1 (ribotype-027), ST42 (ribotype-106) and ST3 (ribotype-001). These same STs also had higher rates of transmission mediated via environmental contamination/spores persisting after patient discharge/recovery; for ST1 these persisted longer than for most other STs except ST3 and ST42. We also identified variation in transmission between hospitals, medical specialties and over time; by 2011 nearly all transmission from known cases had ceased in our hospitals. Our findings support previous work suggesting only a minority of C. difficile infections are acquired from known cases but highlight a greater role for environmental contamination than previously thought. Our approach is applicable to other healthcare-associated infections. Our findings have important implications for effective control of C. difficile.
Effects of decreased Rac activity and malignant state on oral squamous cell carcinoma in vitro
Authors: Matsuoka Yudai , Al-Shareef Hani , Kogo Mikihiko , Nakahara Hirokazu
Published: January 2021

Rac proteins, members of the Rho family of small GTP-binding proteins, have been implicated in transducing a number of signals for various biological mechanisms, including cell cytoskeleton organization, transcription, proliferation, migration, and cancer cell motility. Among human cancers, Rac proteins are highly activated by either overexpression of the genes, up-regulation of the protein, or by mutations that allow the protein to elude normal regulatory signaling pathways. Rac proteins are involved in controlling cell survival and apoptosis. The effects of Rac inhibition by the Rac-specific small molecule inhibitor NSC23766 or by transfection of dominant negative Rac (Rac-DN) were examined on three human-derived oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines that exhibit different malignancy grades, OSC-20 (grade 3), OSC-19 (grade 4C), and HOC313 (grade 4D). Upon suppression of Rac, OSC-19 and HOC313 cells showed significant decreases in Rac activity and resulted in condensation of the nuclei and up-regulation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), leading to caspase-dependent apoptosis. In contrast, OSC-20 cells showed only a slight decrease in Rac activity, which resulted in slight activation of JNK and no change in the nuclei. Fibroblasts treated with NSC23766 also showed only a slight decrease in Rac activity with no change in the nuclei or JNK activity. Our results indicated that apoptosis elicited by the inhibition of Rac depended on the extent of decreased Rac activity and the malignant state of the squamous cell carcinoma. In addition, activation of JNK strongly correlated with apoptosis. Rac inhibition may represent a novel therapeutic approach for cancer treatment.
Environmental protection in selected one belt one road economies through institutional quality: Prospering transportation and industrialization
Authors: Wu Qiong , Madni Ghulam Rasool
Published: January 2021

The effects of economic development on natural environment is explored by momentous literature, this study focuses on exploring the role of institutional quality for environmental protection in the selected One Belt One Road (OBOR) economies. The main goal of the paper is to find the threshold level of institutional quality that may minimize CO2 emissions in the atmosphere due to widespread industrialization and transportation. The data is selected for the panel of 33 OBOR economies over the time period of 1986–2018. The panel threshold regression technique is applied to determine the threshold level of institutional quality. The estimated results of the study reveal that 2.315 is the threshold level of institutional quality in selected partner OBOR countries. If quality of institutions is above the threshold level then CO2 emission do not contribute significantly for environmental deterioration in spite of growing industrialization and transportation and vice versa. The study emphasized to improve the institutional quality up to threshold level to get potential gains from industrialization and transportation.
Diminished cytokine-induced Jak/STAT signaling is associated with rheumatoid arthritis and disease activity
Authors: Ptacek Jason , Hawtin Rachael E. , Sun Dongmei , Louie Brent , Evensen Erik , Mittleman Barbara B. , Cesano Alessandra , Cavet Guy , Bingham Clifton O. , Cofield Stacey S. , Curtis Jeffrey R. , Danila Maria I. , Raman Chander , Furie Richard A. , Genovese Mark C. , Robinson William H. , Levesque Marc C. , Moreland Larry W. , Nigrovic Peter A. , Shadick Nancy A. , O’Dell James R. , Thiele Geoffrey M. , Clair E. William St , Striebich Christopher C. , Hale Matthew B. , Khalili Houman , Batliwalla Franak , Aranow Cynthia , Mackay Meggan , Diamond Betty , Nolan Garry P. , Gregersen Peter K. , Bridges S. Louis
Published: January 2021

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic and incurable autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation in synovial lining of joints. To identify the signaling pathways involved in RA, its disease activity, and treatment response, we adapted a systems immunology approach to simultaneously quantify 42 signaling nodes in 21 immune cell subsets (e.g., IFNα→p-STAT5 in B cells) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 194 patients with longstanding RA (including 98 patients before and after treatment), and 41 healthy controls (HC). We found multiple differences between patients with RA compared to HC, predominantly in cytokine-induced Jak/STAT signaling in many immune cell subsets, suggesting pathways that may be associated with susceptibility to RA. We also found that high RA disease activity, compared to low disease activity, was associated with decreased (e.g., IFNα→p-STAT5, IL-10→p-STAT1) or increased (e.g., IL-6→STAT3) response to stimuli in multiple cell subsets. Finally, we compared signaling in patients with established, refractory RA before and six months after initiation of methotrexate (MTX) or TNF inhibitors (TNFi). We noted significant changes from pre-treatment to post-treatment in IFNα→p-STAT5 signaling and IL-10→p-STAT1 signaling in multiple cell subsets; these changes brought the aberrant RA signaling profiles toward those of HC. This large, comprehensive functional signaling pathway study provides novel insights into the pathogenesis of RA and shows the potential of quantification of cytokine-induced signaling as a biomarker of disease activity or treatment response.
Xyloglucan endotransglycosylase/hydrolase increases tightly-bound xyloglucan and chain number but decreases chain length contributing to the defense response that Glycine max has to Heterodera glycines
Authors: Niraula Prakash M. , Zhang Xuefeng , Jeremic Dragica , Lawrence Katherine S. , Klink Vincent P.
Published: January 2021

TheGlycine maxxyloglucan endotransglycosylase/hydrolase (EC 2.4.1.207), GmXTH43, has been identified through RNA sequencing of RNA isolated through laser microdissection ofHeterodera glycines-parasitized root cells (syncytia) undergoing the process of defense. Experiments reveal that genetically increasing XTH43 transcript abundance in theH.glycines-susceptible genotypeG.max[Williams 82/PI 518671]decreases parasitism. Experiments presented here show decreasing XTH43 transcript abundance through RNA interference (RNAi) in theH.glycines-resistantG.max[Peking/PI 548402]increases susceptibility, but it is unclear what role XTH43 performs. The experiments presented here show XTH43 overexpression decreases the relative length of xyloglucan (XyG) chains, however, there is an increase in the amount of those shorter chains. In contrast, XTH43 RNAi increases XyG chain length. The experiments show that XTH43 has the capability to function, when increased in its expression, to limit XyG chain extension. This outcome would likely impair the ability of the cell wall to expand. Consequently, XTH43 could provide an enzymatically-driven capability to the cell that would allow it to limit the ability of parasitic nematodes likeH.glycinesto develop a feeding structure that, otherwise, would facilitate parasitism. The experiments presented here provide experimentally-based proof that XTHs can function in ways that could be viewed as being able to limit the expansion of the cell wall.
The peptide symporter SLC15a4 is essential for the development of systemic lupus erythematosus in murine models
Authors: Katewa Arna , Suto Eric , Hui Jessica , Heredia Jose , Liang Jie , Hackney Jason , Anderson Keith , Alcantar Tuija M. , Bacarro Natasha , Dunlap Debra , Eastham Jeffrey , Paler-Martinez Andres , Rairdan Xin Y. , Modrusan Zora , Lee Wyne P. , Austin Cary D. , Lafkas Daniel , Ghilardi Nico
Published: January 2021

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease representing a serious unmet medical need. The disease is associated with the loss of self-tolerance and exaggerated B cell activation, resulting in autoantibody production and the formation of immune complexes that accumulate in the kidney, causing glomerulonephritis. TLR7, an important mediator of the innate immune response, drives the expression of type-1 interferon (IFN), which leads to expression of type-1 IFN induced genes and aggravates lupus pathology. Because the lysosomal peptide symporter slc15a4 is critically required for type-1 interferon production by pDC, and for certain B cell functions in response to TLR7 and TLR9 signals, we considered it as a potential target for pharmacological intervention in SLE. We deleted the slc15a4 gene in C57BL/6, NZB, and NZW mice and found that pristane-challenged slc15a4-/- mice in the C57BL/6 background and lupus prone slc15a4-/- NZB/W F1 mice were both completely protected from lupus like disease. In the NZB/W F1 model, protection persisted even when disease development was accelerated with an adenovirus encoding IFNα, emphasizing a broad role of slc15a4 in disease initiation. Our results establish a non-redundant function of slc15a4 in regulating both innate and adaptive components of the immune response in SLE pathobiology and suggest that it may be an attractive drug target.