bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fire intensity effects on serotinous seed survival
Authors: Tada Chika K. , Plumanns-Pouton Ella S. , Penman Trent D. , Filkov Alexander I.
Published: August 2024

Background

In fire-prone environments, some species store their seeds in canopy cones (serotiny), which provides seeds protection from the passage of fire before stimulating seed release. However, the capacity of serotinous cones to protect seeds under high intensity fire is uncertain. Beyond simply “high” versus “low” fire intensity or severity, we must understand the influence of the specific characteristics of fire intensity—heat flux, exposure duration, and their dynamics—on serotinous seed survival. In this study, we tested serotinous seed survival under transient levels of radiant heat to understand the distinct and combined impacts of radiative heat flux and duration of exposure on the survival of seeds from two serotinous obligate seeder species: yellow hakea (Hakea nodosa R.Br.) and heath-leaved banksia (Banksia ericifolia subsp. ericifolia).

Results

We found differing impacts of fire intensity treatments on seed survival. Static levels of radiative heat (17 kW/m2) at long durations (600 s) reduced seed survival by 75.7% for yellow hakea and 1.5% for heath-leaved banksia compared to the control. However, dynamic heat (a short 120-s period of 40 kW/m2 followed by a slow decline) with an identical total duration (600 s) did not have comparable reductions in seed survival. This is despite both treatments having comparable radiant exposure (10,200 kJ/m2 for the former and 10,236 kJ/m2 for the latter). Both species demonstrated remarkable capacity to withstand heat treatments, particularly dynamic fire intensity—both high (40 kW/m2) and low (19 kW/m2). While almost all fire exposure treatments reduced survival from the control, most seeds remained viable and germinated upon release.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the importance of examining dynamic rather than static fire effects on vegetation, to accurately replicate the conditions of a fire front. Serotinous seeds demonstrate good capacity to tolerate intense fire. Nonetheless, the combined effects of high heat flux at prolonged durations reduces seed survival. We suggest overly prolonged passing fire fronts may cause seed death and are a risk to obligate seeder species that rely solely on seeds for persistence post-fire.
Transcatheter stenting of superior vena cava to treat postoperative SVC syndrome in a child: a case report
Authors: Laha Somrita , Gangopadhyay Debasree , Roy Mahua , Mazumdar Jayitri , Das Mrinalendu , Das Patralekha
Published: August 2024

Background

Superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction leading to SVC syndrome is an uncommon but potential complication of cardiac surgeries that involve dissection and anastomosis around the great vein. We present a case of iatrogenic SVC obstruction that was initially treated with transcatheter balloon angioplasty, which provided temporary relief, and ultimately resolved by stenting the affected segment.

Case presentation

The index case underwent total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) repair and presented 3 months after surgery with features of SVC obstruction. Initially, transcatheter balloon angioplasty was performed, providing relief from the obstruction; however, the condition recurred within one month. Finally, the patient was treated with percutaneous stenting of superior vena cava, through femoral venous route, using 8 mm × 30 mm balloon-expandable bare metal stent (Formula 418, Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN). Remarkable relief of obstruction was established with decrease in mean gradient across SVC–right atrium junction to 2 mm Hg (from 12 mm Hg before balloon angioplasty and 18 mm Hg before stenting).

Conclusion

Percutaneous treatment for iatrogenic SVC obstruction developing after cardiac surgery appears to be effective. Close monitoring is required in the postoperative period for early diagnosis and timely intervention.
Sustained Clinical Benefit and Intracranial Activity of Tarlatamab in Previously Treated Small Cell Lung Cancer: DeLLphi-300 Trial Update
Authors: Dowlati Afshin , Hummel Horst-Dieter , Champiat Stephane , Olmedo Maria Eugenia , Boyer Michael , He Kai , Steeghs Neeltje , Izumi Hiroki , Johnson Melissa L. , Yoshida Tatsuya , Bouchaab Hasna , Borghaei Hossein , Felip Enriqueta , Jost Philipp J. , Gadgeel Shirish , Chen Xi , Yu Youfei , Martinez Pablo , Parkes Amanda , Paz-Ares Luis
Published: August 2024

Clinical trials frequently include multiple end points that mature at different times. The initial report, typically based on the primary end point, may be published when key planned co-primary or secondary analyses are not yet available. Clinical Trial Updates provide an opportunity to disseminate additional results from studies, published in
JCO
or elsewhere, for which the primary end point has already been reported
.

Tarlatamab, a bispecific T-cell engager immunotherapy targeting delta-like ligand 3, has shown durable anticancer activity and manageable safety in previously treated small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in DeLLphi-300 phase I and DeLLphi-301 phase II trials. Here, we report extended follow-up of DeLLphi-300 (median follow-up, 12.1 months [range, 0.2-34.3]) in fully enrolled cohorts treated with tarlatamab ≥10 mg dose administered once every two weeks, once every three weeks, or once on day 1 and once on day 8 of a 21-day cycle (N = 152). Overall, the objective response rate (ORR) was 25.0%; the median duration of response (mDOR) was 11.2 months (95% CI, 6.6 to 22.3), and the median overall survival (mOS) was 17.5 months (95% CI, 11.4 to not estimable [NE]). Among 17 patients receiving 10 mg tarlatamab once every two weeks, the ORR was 35.3%, the mDOR was 14.9 months (95% CI, 3.0 to NE), the mOS was 20.3 months (95% CI, 5.1 to NE), and 29.4% had sustained disease control with time on treatment ≥52 weeks. No new safety signals were identified. In modified Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Brain Metastases analyses, CNS tumor shrinkage of ≥30% was observed in 62.5% of patients (10 of 16) who had a baseline CNS lesion of ≥10 mm, including in a subset of patients with tumor shrinkage long after previous brain radiotherapy. In DeLLphi-300 extended follow-up, tarlatamab demonstrated unprecedented survival and potential findings of intracranial activity in previously treated SCLC.
Role of SAA1 in Endometrial Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Implication for Pregnancy Loss
Authors: Zhu Qinling , Wang Yuan , Xu Lizhen , Shi Mengjia , Meng Yiwen , Shao Chongwen , Lu Yao , He Yaqiong , Huang Jiaan , Li Xinyu , Li Boyu , Long Yijing , Ding Ying , Qi Jia , Wang Wangsheng , Du Yanzhi , Sun Yun
Published: August 2024

Context

Abnormal endometrial extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling compromises endometrial receptivity and diminishes the probability of a successful live birth. Serum amyloid A1 (SAA1), a modulator of inflammation, is elevated in the circulation of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and involved in ECM remodeling during tissue repair. However, the specific role of SAA1 in endometrial ECM remodeling and subsequent risk of pregnancy loss in PCOS patients remains unclear.

Objective

To examine the role and underlying mechanism of SAA1 in ECM remodeling in the endometrium of PCOS patients.

Design

Serum samples from PCOS and control patients were utilized to investigate the relationship between the abundance of SAA1 and pregnancy loss. Human endometrial tissues and primary human endometrial stromal cells were used to examine the role and underlying mechanism of SAA1 in ECM remodeling.

Results

Serum SAA1 concentration was elevated and could serve as an independent risk of pregnancy loss in PCOS patients. Increased SAA1 abundance was also observed in endometrium obtained from these patients. Further mechanistic studies showed that SAA1 stimulated collagen I chains synthesis (COL1A1 and COL1A2) in endometrial stromal cells, suggesting excessive SAA1 may contribute to endometrial ECM remodeling, resulting in a nonsupportive environment for ongoing pregnancy. This effect was abolished by either a toll-like receptor 2/4 antagonist or a nuclear factor κB inhibitor.

Conclusion

The locally elevated levels of SAA1 in endometrium contribute to ECM overdeposition by inducing collagen I synthesis in PCOS patients, which may hamper embryo implantation and increase the risk of pregnancy loss. These observations highlight the crucial role of heightened SAA1 in orchestrating endometrial dysfunction and shed light on potential therapeutic avenues for improving reproductive outcomes in PCOS patients.
Insulin Sensitivity and Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Respiration in Black and White Women With Obesity
Authors: Mucinski Justine M , Distefano Giovanna , Dubé John , Toledo Frederico G S , Coen Paul M , Goodpaster Bret H , DeLany James P
Published: August 2024

Objectives

Non-Hispanic Black women (BW) have a greater risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and insulin resistance (IR) compared to non-Hispanic White women (WW). The mechanisms leading to these differences are not understood, and it is unclear whether synergistic effects of race and obesity impact disease risk. To understand the interaction of race and weight, hepatic and peripheral IR were compared in WW and BW with and without obesity.

Methods

Hepatic and peripheral IR were measured by a labeled, hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp in BW (n = 32) and WW (n = 32) with and without obesity. Measurements of body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, and skeletal muscle (SM) respiration were completed. Data were analyzed by mixed model ANOVA.

Results

Subjects with obesity had greater hepatic and peripheral IR and lower SM respiration (P < .001). Despite 14% greater insulin (P = .066), BW tended to have lower peripheral glucose disposal (Rd; P = .062), which was driven by women without obesity (P = .002). BW had significantly lower glucose production (P = .005), hepatic IR (P = .024), and maximal coupled and uncoupled respiration (P < .001) than WW. Maximal coupled and uncoupled SM mitochondrial respiration was strongly correlated with peripheral and hepatic IR (P < .01).

Conclusion

While BW without obesity had lower Rd than WW, race and obesity did not synergistically impact peripheral IR. Paradoxically, WW with obesity had greater hepatic IR compared to BW. Relationships between SM respiration and IR persisted across a range of body weights. These data provide support for therapies in BW, like exercise, that improve SM mitochondrial respiration to reduce IR and T2D risk.
Marked Point Process Secretory Events Statistically Characterize Leptin Pulsatile Dynamics
Authors: Xiang Qing , Reddy Revanth , Faghih Rose T
Published: August 2024

Recent studies have highlighted leptin, a key hormone that regulates energy intake and induces satiety, due to the worldwide prevalence of obesity. In this study, we analyzed plasma leptin measurements from 18 women with premenopausal obesity before and after bromocriptine treatment. By using underlying pulses recovered through deconvolution, we modeled the leptin secretory pulses as marked point processes and applied statistical distributions to evaluate the dynamics of leptin, including the interpulse intervals and amplitudes of the secretion. We fit the generalized inverse Gaussian and lognormal distributions to the intervals and the Gaussian, lognormal, and gamma distributions to the amplitudes of pulses. We evaluated the models’ goodness of fit using statistical metrics including Akaike's information criterion, Kolmogorov-Smirnov plots, and quantile-quantile plots. Our evaluation results revealed the effectiveness of these statistical distributions in modeling leptin secretion. Although the lognormal and gamma distributions performed the best based on the metrics, we found all distributions capable of accurately modeling the timing of secretory events, leading us to a better understanding of the physiology of leptin secretion and providing a basis for leptin monitoring. In terms of pulse amplitude, the evaluation metrics indicated the gamma distribution as the most accurate statistical representation. We found no statistically significant effect of bromocriptine intake on the model parameters except for one distribution model.
Occurrence of Low Cardiac Index During Normotensive Periods in Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study Using Continuous Noninvasive Cardiac Output Monitoring
Authors: Goeddel Lee A. , Koffman Lily , Hernandez Marina , Whitman Glenn , Parikh Chirag R. , Lima Joao A.C. , Bandeen-Roche Karen , Zhou Xinkai , Muschelli John , Crainiceanu Ciprian , Faraday Nauder , Brown Charles
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND:

Continuous cardiac output monitoring is not standard practice during cardiac surgery, even though patients are at substantial risk for systemic hypoperfusion. Thus, the frequency of low cardiac output during cardiac surgery is unknown.

METHODS:

We conducted a prospective cohort study at a tertiary medical center from July 2021 to November 2023. Eligible patients were ≥18 undergoing isolated coronary bypass (CAB) surgery with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Cardiac output indexed to body surface area (CI) was continuously recorded at 5-second intervals throughout surgery using a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved noninvasive monitor from the arterial blood pressure waveform. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and central venous pressure (CVP) were also analyzed. Low CI was defined as <2 L/min/m2 and low MAP as <65 mm Hg. We calculated time with low CI for each patient for the entire surgery, pre-CPB and post-CPB periods, and the proportion of time with low CI and normal MAP. We used Pearson correlation to evaluate the relationship between CI and MAP and paired Wilcoxon rank sum tests to assess the difference in correlations of CI with MAP before and after CPB.

RESULTS:

In total, 101 patients were analyzed (age [standard deviation, SD] 64.8 [9.8] years, 25% female). Total intraoperative time (mean [SD]) with low CI was 86.4 (62) minutes, with 61.2 (42) minutes of low CI pre-CPB and 25.2 (31) minutes post-CPB. Total intraoperative time with low CI and normal MAP was 66.5 (56) minutes, representing mean (SD) 69% (23%) of the total time with low CI; 45.8 (38) minutes occurred pre-CPB and 20.6 (27) minutes occurred post-CPB. Overall, the correlation (mean [SD]) between CI and MAP was 0.33 (0.31), and the correlation was significantly higher pre-CPB (0.53 [0.32]) than post-CPB (0.29 [0.28], 95% confidence interval [CI] for difference [0.18–0.34], P < .001); however, there was substantial heterogeneity among participants in correlations of CI with MAP before and after CPB. Secondary analyses that accounted for CVP did not alter the correlation between CI and MAP. Exploratory analyses suggested duration of low CI (C <2 L/min/m2) was associated with increased risk of postoperative acute kidney injury (odds ratios [ORs] = 1.09; 95% CI; 1.01–1.13; P = .018).

CONCLUSIONS:

In a prospective cohort of patients undergoing CAB surgery, low CI was common even when blood pressure was normal. CI and MAP were correlated modestly. Correlation was higher before than after CPB with substantial heterogeneity among individuals. Future studies are needed to examine the independent relation of low CI to postoperative kidney injury and other adverse outcomes related to hypoperfusion.
Fat body lipogenic capacity in honey bee workers is affected by age, social role, and dietary protein
Authors: Scofield Sebastian , Amdam Gro. V.
Published: August 2024

All organisms need to balance processes that consume energy against those that produce energy. With an increase in biological complexity over evolutionary time, regulation of this balance has become much more complex, resulting in specialization of metabolic tasks between organelles, cells, organs, and in the case of eusocial organisms, between the individuals who comprise the ‘superorganism.’ Exemplifying this, nurse honey bees maintain high abdominal lipids, while foragers have very low lipid stores, likely contributing to efficient performance of their social role, and thus to colony fitness. The proximate mechanisms responsible for these metabolic differences remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of age, worker class, and dietary macronutrients on the abdominal activity of fatty acid synthase (FAS), the enzyme responsible for de novo synthesis of fatty acids as well as age on lipase activity, enzymes responsible for breakdown of stored lipids. We found that FAS but not lipase activity declines as bees age past peak nursing age. Feeding both nurses and foragers carbohydrates increased FAS activity compared with starved bee, but, whether fed or starved, nurses had much higher FAS activity than similarly treated foragers, implicating reduced lipid synthesis as one component of foragers’ low lipid stores. Finally, we used artificial diets with different amounts of protein and fat to precociously induce low, forager-like FAS activity levels in nurse-age bees deprived of protein. We speculate that reduced protein appetite and consumption during the nurse-forager transition is responsible for suppressed lipid synthesis in foragers.
Getting slimmer without dieting or exercising: zebra finches can rapidly lose mass while maintaining food intake and decreasing activity
Authors: Hodinka Brett L. , Halsey Lewis G. , Williams Tony D.
Published: August 2024

It is widely accepted that birds can adaptively regulate body mass in different ecological contexts, but little is known about how birds monitor and interpret their body mass or the mechanisms that allow for rapid changes in mass. Using captive zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), we experimentally increased perceived mass via attachment of weighted backpacks and provided birds with either an ad libitum mixed-seed diet or supplementary high-fat diet to investigate: (1) how birds assess their own body mass and (2) the physiological and/or behavioral mechanisms birds may employ to rapidly adjust body mass. In both experiments, and independent of diet treatment, birds with weighted backpacks rapidly lost mass within 2 days of backpack attachment while reducing overall activity and maintaining food intake. Additionally, our data suggest that birds interpret body mass via a physical mechanosensory pathway rather than a physiological pathway: rapid loss of mass between days 0 and 2 was not linked to changes in plasma metabolites (glycerol or triglyceride concentrations). We found no evidence that mass loss was a consequence of stress associated with attachment of weighted backpacks (based on plasma corticosterone measures). Our results suggest that the processes of energy balance and mass regulation involve a greater array of mechanisms than simply matching ‘energy in’, through the amount of food consumed, to ‘energy out’, dictated by activity. Zebra finches were able to decrease body mass through other, unidentified, mechanisms even while maintaining dietary intake and reducing overall activity.
The Significance of Body Surface Area to Mass Ratio for Thermal Responses to a Standardized Exercise-Heat Stress Test
Authors: AKAVIAN INBAL , EPSTEIN YORAM , RABOTIN ALEXANDRA , PERETZ SHIRAZ , CHARKOUDIAN NISHA , KETKO ITAY
Published: August 2024

Purpose

To evaluate the significance of body surface area-to-mass ratio (BSA/mass) on the heat-tolerance test (HTT) results. We hypothesized that individuals defined as heat tolerant (HT) would have on average higher BSA/mass compared with heat intolerant (HI) individuals.

Methods

A retrospective reanalysis of the HTT results of 517 soldiers (age, 18–38 yr; M/F, 96%:4%), who were tested by the Israel Defense Forces HTT protocol. The criterion for heat tolerance in the current analysis was a rectal temperature (Tre) plateau during the second hour of the test. A logistic regression analysis to evaluate the predictive power of BSA/mass for heat intolerance was performed; the spline model was applied to show the odds for heat intolerance across BSA/mass.

Results

In men BSA/mass of HI individuals was lower than HT individuals (248 ± 19 vs 262 ± 18 cm2·kg−1, P < 0.01, d = 0.76). In women a similar trend was noted but with no statistical significance between HT and HI groups. The odd ratio for heat intolerance for every unit increase in BSA/mass was 0.97 (95% confidence interval, 0.95–0.99). The spline model plateaued above BSA/mass of 270 cm2·kg−1.

Conclusions

The results imply that body-core temperature responses to a standard exercise-heat stress (fixed external work rate and climatic conditions) are influenced by BSA/mass. More specifically, lack of a steady state in Tre (indicating heat intolerance) was more likely to occur with every unit decrease in BSA/mass. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the role of body anthropometry in the response to a standard exercise-heat task that might have an implication on clinical decision making about return to duty/play of soldiers, athletes, and others who deemed to be identified as HI.
Spending and Job-Finding Impacts of Expanded Unemployment Benefits: Evidence from Administrative Micro Data
Authors: Ganong Peter , Greig Fiona , Noel Pascal , Sullivan Daniel M. , Vavra Joseph
Published: August 2024

We show that the largest increase in unemployment benefits in US history had large spending impacts and small job-finding impacts. This finding has three implications. First, increased benefits were important for explaining aggregate spending dynamics—but not employment dynamics—during the pandemic. Second, benefit expansions allow us to study the MPC of normally low-liquidity households in a high-liquidity state. These households still have high MPCs. This suggests a role for permanent behavioral characteristics, rather than just current liquidity, in driving spending behavior. Third, the mechanisms driving our results imply that temporary benefit supplements are a promising countercyclical tool. (JEL E21, E24, E32, E62, E71, G51, J65)
Hematoma secundário a rompimento de artéria bucal durante bichectomia
Authors: Silva Muniz Ravanna , Jorge Garcia Juliana , Benjamin da Silva Oliveira Victor , dos Santos de Freitas Tiago , Cintra Magalhães Samário , Pinto de Campos Sobrinho Antônio Lucindo
Published: August 2024

A bichectomia visa remover parcialmente o corpo adiposo da bochecha e pode resultar em complicações temporárias ou até definitivas. Paciente do sexo masculino, compareceu a emergência do Hospital Geral no estado da Bahia logo após realização de bichectomia cursando com hematoma em espaço bucal a esquerda de rápida formação e expansivo. Como forma de tratamento, foi realizada drenagem cirúrgica com ligadura da artéria bucal, curativo compressivo por 72 horas e alta hospitalar com a regressão do volume. O hematoma expansivo, como neste caso, deve ser drenado imediatamente para que não haja evolução para abcesso e/ou fibrose e assim foi realizado.
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios in bacterial infections: contributions to diagnostic strategies in a tertiary care hospital in Tunisia
Authors: Anoun Jihed , Ajmi Mariem , Riahi Salma , Dhaha Yosra , Mbarki Donia , ben Hassine Imen , Romdhane Wiem , Baya Wafa , Adaily Najah , Mzabi Anis , Ben Fredj Fatma , Bouattay Amina
Published: August 2024

Background Bacterial infections continue to pose a global health challenge, driven by antibiotic resistance and septicemia. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic utility of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in bacterial infections versus non-infectious causes of inflammation. Methods A prospective study included 164 adult patients who were divided into two groups: a group of patients with confirmed bacterial infections and a second group of patients with other diagnoses (inflammatory pathologies, neoplasms, venous thromboembolic diseases, etc.). NLR and PLR values were compared between the bacterial infection group and the non-infectious causes group and the diagnostic performances of NLR and PLR for detecting bacterial infections were evaluated in comparison with other infection markers. Results NLR and PLR were significantly higher in bacterial infections (p < 10^-6), and NLR was correlated positively with inflammation markers. NLR and PLR demonstrated significant potential in diagnosing bacterial infections, with an AUC of 0.72 and 0.60, respectively, using the following cutoff values: 4.3 for NLR and 183 for PLR. Conclusion These findings underscore the importance of NLR and PLR as adjunctive tools for bacterial infection diagnosis.
A scoping review of health models for the community mental health needs of the United Arab Emirates: Nurturing the social determinants of mental health through social prescribing in the Middle East
Authors: Mottershead Richard , AL-Fayyadh Sadeq , Al-Yateem Nabeel , Subu Muhammad Arsyad , Bani-Issa Wegdan , Taha Mohamed Hassan , Ahmed Fatma Refaat , Dias Jacqueline Maria , Adams Shukri , Wali Adil Farooq , Shahrour Ghada , Al Mutair Abbas , Murendo Conrad , Alonaizi Nafi , Alhaiti Ali , Alruwaili Majed Mowanes , Alruwaili Abeer Nuwayfi , McManus Jim
Published: August 2024

Despite the growing interest in social prescribing the diversification of health and social care strategies to support the well-being of patients has remained entrenched with a focus on the hospital setting within the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates has commenced progressing community mental health care to lead changes in how care and treatment are delivered within the United Arab Emirates. The authors adopted the use of the framework of Arksey and O’Malley (2005) to provide a systematic approach to searching the literature and creating a comprehensive foundation to guide the review. This scoping review provides a better understanding of the compatibility, content and outcomes of a selection of health models. The scoping review findings will inform the proposed use of social prescribing as an actionable approach to create a focus on the need to include and empower the social determinants of mental health. This article proposes an evidence-based health strategy that supports and enhances recent additions to national legislation on the inclusion of the Mental Health Law within the United Arab Emirates to meditate and prevent inequities in addressing the mental health needs of citizens and residents within the nation’s diverse communities.
Automated information extraction for behavioural interventions: evaluation and reflections on interdisciplinary AI development
Authors: Finnerty Mutlu Ailbhe N , Howes Ella , Veall Clement , Thomas James , O'Mara-Eves Alison , West Robert , Johnston Marie , Michie Susan
Published: August 2024

Background The HBCP knowledge system identifies and extracts entities from randomised controlled trials of behaviour change interventions organised by a behaviour change intervention ontology (BCIO) to populate: 1) an outcome prediction tool; and 2) a research browser tool. This knowledge system requires automated information extraction algorithms to query and interpret evidence from behaviour change intervention (BCI) reports. This paper reports the results of an evaluation of the automated information extraction and reflects on the results in relation to the challenges of interdisciplinary working and collaboration. Methods The evaluation used a dataset of 117 previously unseen BCI reports to assess its performance. The automatically extracted information was compared to the full text PDF by trained annotators on essential BCIO entities required for the outcome prediction tool and research browser tool and whether the extracted information was assigned to the correct arm of the randomised trial. Essential entities were the outcome value, a selection of the most common Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs), the mode of intervention delivery, and key population characteristics. Results The evaluation found an outcome value present in 53.85% (n=63) of the output from the information extraction system but it never extracted both the correct outcome values (interventions and control arms) and assigned them to the correct study arms (intervention and control). Although 84.62% (n=99) of the papers contained information relevant to Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs), the information extraction algorithm correctly extracted only 58.59% (n=58) of BCTs. Conclusions The evaluation found that the information extraction algorithm did not extract the outcome values and key BCIO entities correctly against the correct arms in any of the papers in our sample, making it unsuitable for deployment in the outcome prediction and research browser tools. Several challenges with working in interdisciplinary teams were identified and discussed along with lessons learned for future work.
Heatmap Design for Probabilistic Driver Repositioning in Crowdsourced Delivery
Authors: Alnaggar Aliaa , Gzara Fatma , Bookbinder James
Published: August 2024

This paper proposes the use of heatmaps as a control lever to manage the probabilistic repositioning of independent drivers in crowdsourced delivery platforms. The platform aims to maximize order fulfillment by dynamically matching drivers and orders and selecting heatmaps that trigger the probabilistic flow of unmatched drivers to balance driver supply and delivery requests across the service region. We develop a Markov decision process (MDP) model to sequentially select matching and heatmap decisions in which the repositioning behavior of drivers is captured by a multinomial logit discrete choice model. Because of the curse of dimensionality and the endogenous uncertainty of driver repositioning, the MDP model is solved using a rolling-horizon stochastic lookahead policy. This policy decomposes matching and heatmap decisions into two optimization problems: a two-stage stochastic programming upper bounding problem for matching decisions and a mixed-integer programming problem for heatmap decisions. We also propose a simple policy for efficiently solving large-scale problems. An extensive computational study on instances derived from the Chicago ride-hailing data set is conducted. Computational experiments demonstrate the value of heatmaps in improving order fulfillment beyond the level achieved by matching alone (up to 25%) and identify conditions that affect the benefit of using heatmaps to guide driver repositioning.

Funding: The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada through Discovery Grants [Grants RGPIN-2024-04881, RGPIN-2020-04498, and RGPIN-2019-06207] awarded to the first, second, and third authors, respectively.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2022.0418 .
Anthelmintic resistance in the canine hookworm,Ancylostoma caninum
Authors: Jiminez Pablo David
Published: August 2024

Hookworms are one of the most common soil-transmitted helminths and can infect a wide variety of mammals. There are three major anthelmintic drug classes currently available for treatment of hookworms in canines: the benzimidazoles, the tetrahydropyrimidines and the macrocylic lactones. In registration studies for the food and drug administration in the USA, febantel, moxidectin and milbemycin oxime all demonstrated efficacy of >99%. Fenbendazole demonstrated efficacy of >98% and pyrantel demonstrated a somewhat variable efficacy, with a mean across studies of approximately 94%, where more than half of those studies yielded >99%. The only mechanism of resistance currently known for anthelmintics is for the benzimidazole drugs. Detection of drug-resistant Ancylostoma caninum in dogs is a complex issue that deserves greater recognition before more multiple anthelmintic drug-resistant A. caninum infections are reported in an even wider geographic area and dog population distribution. Beyond the concerns for canine health, multiple anthelmintic drug-resistance in canine hookworms could present serious public health concerns because A. caninum is zoonotic.
Feline oral inflammation: diagnosis and options for treatment
Authors: Stone Amy ES
Published: August 2024

Oral disease in feline patients can be challenging to diagnose and, at times, difficult to treat in general practice. Many causes lead to similar presentations involving inflammation of the gingiva and mucosa (swelling, redness and ulceration). It is important that a diagnosis be reached to establish appropriate treatment. Cats often hide oral pain and discomfort until a disease is quite advanced, so early signs that may help in determining the cause may not persist until the time of presentation. Location, life stage of the patient, severity, duration and lesion type are crucial in identifying the underlying origin of the inflammatory response. Biopsies may be needed to further classify the cause, and these can be performed in a general practice setting to determine if specialist referral is necessary. This article provides some tools to help practitioners reach an accurate diagnosis to manage treatment, prognosis and guide owner expectations.
Dual-mode OCT/fluorescence system for monitoring the morphology and metabolism of laser-printed 3D full-thickness skin equivalents
Authors: Khalid Arooj , Dremin Viktor , El-Tamer Ayman , Surnina Maria , Lancelot Celine , Rafailov Edik , Sokolovski Sergei
Published: August 2024

The 3D structure of native human skin is fundamental for studying skin health, diseases, wound healing, and for testing the safety of skin care products, as well as personalized treatments for skin conditions. Tissue regeneration, driven by tissue engineering, often involves creating full-thickness skin equivalents (FSE), which are widely used for developing both healthy and diseased skin models. In this study, we utilized human skin cell lines to create FSE. We designed high-resolution 3D scaffolds to support the growth and maturation of these skin models. Additionally, we developed and validated a cost-effective, custom-built system combining fluorescence spectroscopy (FS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) for non-destructive analysis of the metabolism and morphology of 3D FSEs. This system proved highly sensitive in detecting fluorescence from key metabolic co-enzymes (NADH and FAD) in solutions and cell suspensions, while OCT provided adequate resolution to observe the morphology of FSEs. As a result, both the 3D FSE model and the dual-mode optical system hold significant potential for use in 3D bioprinting of biological tissues, as well as in the development of cosmetics, drugs, and in monitoring their maturation over time.
Design of a metalens for beam collimation and angular amplification in optical phased array devices
Authors: Roy Talem Rebeda , Sunder Meetei Toijam , Yu Nan Ei
Published: August 2024

We present an analytical design for increasing the beam sharpness (collimation) and field of view (FOV) of an optical phased array (OPA) device. In this work, a cylindrical metalens is used for collimation, while a set of metalens, with both concave and convex phase profiles, are incorporated to increase the FOV. Following the generalized vector law of reflection or refraction, the trajectories of the reflected or transmitted rays corresponding to the phase profile of phase gradient metasurfaces/metalens are obtained. Through the ray tracing method, the elliptical beam from the OPA device with a vertical beam (fast axis) width of 21 mm was collimated to a sharp spherical beam of width 1.5 mm by a metalens with a cylindrical phase profile. In addition, the incorporation of angular amplifier metalens with a 64-channel OPA device has shown an increased in FOV by almost threefold i.e., from 15
o
to 41.96
o
. Our results suggest that the use of metasurfaces/metalens can enhance the quality of output beam and provide significant advantages for compact on-chip integration with OPA devices in solid-state LiDAR applications.
Investigating wavelength dependence of near-threshold harmonics with different atoms and laser intensities: from analysis of an expanded quantum trajectory Monte Carlo model
Authors: Wang Bincheng , Fu Yong , Wang Kan , Guan Zhong , Jin Cheng
Published: August 2024

We present an investigation of the wavelength dependence of near-threshold harmonics (NTH) in different atoms and laser intensities. Similar to the previous research [Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 233001 (2014)10.1103/PhysRevLett.112.233001], using the three-dimensional time-dependent Schrödinger equation, two distinct types of NTH can be identified: one exhibiting a noticeable energy shift correlating with the laser center wavelength(frequency) (NTH 1), and another with a fixed photon energy (NTH 2). To gain deeper insights, we develop an expanded quantum trajectory Monte Carlo model, including the Rydberg state contributions, and identify three quantum trajectories: TRA 1, 2, and 3. TRA 1 and TRA 3 generate NTH 1 and NTH 2, respectively, while TRA 2 serves as a transitional trajectory capable of generating both types simultaneously. In varying the atomic species and laser intensities, TRA 1 behaves similarly to continuous states, while TRA 3 resembles Rydberg states, revealing the connections between the quantum trajectories and excited states. This research significantly enhances our understanding of NTH generation and offers valuable insights for investigating the structure and ultrafast dynamics of Rydberg states using NTH in future experiments.
1 kHz, 10 mJ, sub-200 fs regenerative amplifier utilizing a dual-crystal configuration of Yb:CaGdAlO4 featuring exceptional beam quality
Authors: Zhu Junze , Song Jiajun , Peng Yujie , Shen Liya , Gao Guanguang , Liu Yinfei , Leng Yuxin
Published: August 2024

In order to boost the energy of the femtosecond regenerative amplifier (RA), we adopt the chirped pulse amplification technique to stretch the seed pulses through the Martinez stretcher and inject them into our specially designed dual-crystal regenerative cavity based on the Yb:CaGdAlO4 (Yb:CGA) crystals. To avoid damaging the component coating, we meticulously regulate the size of the cavity mode on the surface of each component within the cavity to ensure that the energy density remains below the damage threshold. The final output of 11.3 mJ pulse energy was obtained at a 1 kHz repetition rate with a power stability of 0.35% over 1 hour, which is the highest energy we know of for the regenerative output of Yb:CGA crystals. Additionally, leveraging the wide gain spectrum of the Yb:CGA crystal, we achieve a spectrum full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 9 nm along with a compressed pulse duration of 198 fs. The combination of the dual-crystal setup, superior thermal properties of the Yb:CGA crystals, quasi-continuous wave pumping approach, and the thermal-insensitive design of the regenerative cavity effectively minimize the thermal impact on the crystals. The output beam exhibits near-diffraction-limited performance, with an M2 value of only 1.05 × 1.06.
Optical spatial coherence-induced changes of Shannon entropy of a light beam in turbulence
Authors: Chen Yanmin , Wu Jidong , Lin Shuqin , Yu Jiayi , Cai Yangjian , Zhu Xinlei
Published: August 2024

Shannon entropy serves as a standardized metric for quantifying disorder. This study investigates the impact of optical spatial coherence on the Shannon entropy of light beams propagating through a turbulent atmosphere. Our findings indicate that light beams with low coherence initially exhibit high disorder, and turbulence further increases their disorder. Interestingly, these beams demonstrate an ability to reduce disorder as they propagate, thereby enhancing beam quality. Furthermore, decreasing the initial coherence of a light beam effectively improves its ability to mitigate disorder in turbulence. This highlights optical coherence engineering as an effective strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of turbulence.
Flattop axial Bessel beam propagation with analytical form of the phase retardation function
Authors: Elsharkawi Adel S. A. , Lo Yu-Lung
Published: August 2024

This work focuses on a novel, to the best of our knowledge, analytical form of the phase retardation function for achieving a uniform axial intensity of Bessel beams. Traditional methods of generating Bessel beams often result in significant oscillations in the intensity along the beam’s axial path, which limits their practical applications. However, the proposed phase retardation function in this study overcomes these limitations by ensuring consistent beam creation regardless of factors such as the beam waist size, wavelength, or axicon angle. By implementing the proposed spatial phase function, a fundamental Gaussian laser beam, thereby generating a Bessel beam with an elongated and constant axial intensity profile, supports our theoretical predictions. The functionality of this new phase retardation function was further scrutinized using different wavelengths and beam waist sizes to confirm that the axial intensity remained uniform profile. Additionally, when contrasting our phase function with those from earlier researches, it was observed that our findings are consistent with both theoretical models and experimental outcomes.
Full-duplex dynamic TDMA scheme and clock synchronization and compensation method for the multi-user UWOC system
Authors: Xia Yu , Li Xiao , Gui Liangqi , Li Han , Lang Liang
Published: August 2024

In this Letter, we propose a full-duplex dynamic time division multiple access (FDD-TDMA) scheme for multi-user underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC). It supports full-duplex communication through wavelength division duplex (WDD) and enhances the system throughput using dynamic time resource allocation. Additionally, a clock synchronization and compensation method is proposed for precise clock synchronization without time-keeping. With the proposed FDD-TDMA scheme and the clock synchronization and compensation method, we establish a two-user UWOC system based on on–off keying (OOK) modulation. Experiments are conducted in a 10 m water pool environment. The experimental results show that the designed system can achieve a data rate of 25 Mbps without error codes and 40 Mbps with a bit error rate (BER) below the forward error correction (FEC) limit. The FDD-TDMA scheme notably improves the system throughput when communication demands among users are variable compared to the conventional time division multiple access (TDMA). Moreover, a reduction in phase deviations from microseconds to ten nanoseconds is achieved by the clock synchronization and compensation method.
Pushing the tuning limits of femtosecond Yb-based solid-state lasers to 1 µm: a Yb:YVO4 laser tunable down to 1004 nm
Authors: Kilinc Muharrem , Demirbas Umit , Thesinga Jelto , Kellert Martin , Yakovlev Alexey , Kärtner Franz X. , Pergament Mikhail
Published: August 2024

We have obtained what we believe to be the shortest fs tuning wavelength (1004 nm) from a Yb-based solid-state laser system. As the working horse, we have chosen Yb:YVO4 due to its blueshifted gain spectrum. While using a single 10 W 952 nm diode for pumping and a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM) for mode-locking, we have achieved 266 fs long pulses with up to 1.24 W of output power around 1021 nm. Using an intracavity birefringent filter, the central wavelength of the fs pulses could be tuned smoothly between 1004–1038 nm and 1009–1061 nm while employing the E//a and E//c axis of the material, respectively. By using an additional hard aperture to increase the modulation depth, we have also attained 100 fs level pulses in the 1012.5–1019 nm range, which shows the suitability of the system in seeding cryogenic Yb:YLF-based amplifiers.
Quasi-bound states in the continuum enhanced tunable second-harmonic generation of dimer dielectric metasurfaces
Authors: Du Yankun , Kang Bowen , Shi Yuhua , Dou Yue , Chen Huan , Fu Zhengkun , Zheng Hairong
Published: August 2024

Bound states in the continuum (BIC) offer a promising prospect for achieving high-quality resonances within dielectric metasurfaces, which can significantly enhance optical nonlinear processes. In this study, we investigate the enhancement of second-harmonic generation (SHG) using quasi-BIC with tunable resonance wavelengths and conversion efficiency, and the BIC resonance properties were studied by introducing symmetrical radius or gap perturbations into the dimer metasurfaces. It is found that the SHG efficiency in Al0.18Ga0.82As could be enhanced by two orders in magnitude compared to previous studies by utilizing the quasi-BIC in dimer arrays. The proposed system also demonstrated the ability to tune resonance wavelengths by altering the size parameters of the dimer unit cell. The exceptional tunability of the designed system’s resonance wavelengths and Q-factors opens up new possibilities for enhancing light-matter interaction and developing efficient SHG devices.
Sub-60-nm isotropic 3D super-resolution microscopy through self-interference field excitation
Authors: Liu Chang , Pan Binxiong , Wang Baoju , Zhao Qi , Ni Yue , Wu Hui , Luo Zewei , Chen Tongsheng , Zhan Qiuqiang
Published: August 2024

Due to its unique optical sectioning capability, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) can provide highly sensitive, highly specific imaging of specimens in three dimensions and has been recognized as an indispensable tool for biological and medical studies. Nonetheless, the spatial resolution of CLSM is constrained by the diffraction nature, with λ/2 resolution laterally (xy) and 1.5λ resolution axially (z). To improve the imaging resolution beyond the diffraction limit as well as to achieve its isotropy, we present a strategy of mirror-assisted self-interference field excitation (SIEx) highly nonlinear microscopy. The imaging principle has been theoretically modeled and investigated in accordance with the Wolf vector diffraction theory. The experimental demonstration of isotropic three-dimensional SIEx nanoscopy, assisted with the ultrahigh-order optical nonlinearity of photon avalanching nanoparticles, was achieved utilizing a common laser-scanning microscope configuration, resulting in a lateral resolution of 54 nm (λ/15) and an axial resolution of 57 nm (λ/15) with one single beam from a low-power, continuous-wave, near-infrared laser (19kW⋅cm−2). We further extended the applicability of the SIEx scheme to biological imaging and demonstrated super-resolution imaging for immunolabeled actin filaments of BSC-1 cells with an isotropic full width at half maximum of ∼67nm (λ/13). Our facile SIEx methodology can, in principle, be seamlessly integrated with the existing and widely available laser-scanning fluorescence microscopes without adding any complexity, thereby enabling their capability of 3D isotropic super-resolution imaging.