bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spinal Navigation for Lateral Instrumentation of the Thoracolumbar Spine
Authors: Schwendner Maximilian , Liang Raimunde , Butenschöen Vicki M. , Krieg Sandro M. , Ille Sebastian , Meyer Bernhard
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Three-dimensional imaging-based navigation in spine surgery is mostly applied for pedicle screw placement. However, its potential reaches beyond. In this study, we analyzed the incorporation of spinal navigation for lateral instrumentation of the thoracolumbar spine in clinical routine at a high-volume spine center.

METHODS:

Patients scheduled for lateral instrumentation were prospectively enrolled. A reference array was attached to the pelvis, and a computed tomography scan was acquired intraoperatively. A control computed tomography scan was routinely performed after final cage placement, replacing conventional 2-dimensional X-ray imaging.

RESULTS:

145 cases were enrolled from April to October 2021 with a median of 1 (1-4) level being instrumented. Indications for surgery were trauma (35.9%), spinal infection (31.7%), primary and secondary tumors of the spine (17.2%), and degenerative spine disease (15.2%). The duration of surgery after the first scan was 98 ± 41 (20-342) minutes. In total, 190 cages were implanted (94 expandable cages for vertebral body replacement (49.5%) and 96 cages for interbody fusion [50.5%]). Navigation was successfully performed in 139 cases (95.9%). The intraoperative mental load was rated on a scale from 0 to 150 (maximal effort) by the surgeons, showing a moderate effort (median 30 [10-120]).

CONCLUSION:

Three-dimensional imaging-based spinal navigation can easily be incorporated in clinical routine and serves as a reliable tool to achieve precise implant placement in lateral instrumentation of the spine. It helps to minimize radiation exposure to the surgical staff.
Performance in a Simulated Virtual Reality Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Task: Disc Residual, Rate of Removal, and Efficiency Analyses
Authors: Bakhaidar Mohamad , Alsayegh Ahmad , Yilmaz Recai , Fazlollahi Ali M. , Ledwos Nicole , Mirchi Nykan , Winkler-Schwartz Alexander , Luo Lucy , Del Maestro Rolando F.
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is among the most common spine procedures. The Sim-Ortho virtual reality simulator platform contains a validated ACDF simulated task for performance assessment. This study aims to develop a methodology to extract three-dimensional data and reconstruct and quantitate specific simulated disc tissues to generate novel metrics to analyze performance metrics of skilled and less skilled participants.

METHODS:

We used open-source platforms to develop a methodology to extract three-dimensional information from ACDF simulation data. Metrics generated included, efficiency index, disc volumes removed from defined regions, and rate of tissue removal from superficial, central, and deep disc regions. A pilot study was performed to assess the utility of this methodology to assess expertise during the ACDF simulated procedure.

RESULTS:

The system outlined, extracts data allowing the development of a methodology which accurately reconstructs and quantitates 3-dimensional disc volumes. In the pilot study, data sets from 27 participants, divided into postresident, resident, and medical student groups, allowed assessment of multiple novel metrics, including efficiency index (surgical time spent in actively removing disc), where the postresident group spent 61.8% of their time compared with 53% and 30.2% for the resident and medical student groups, respectively (P = .01). During the annulotomy component, the postresident group removed 47.4% more disc than the resident groups and 102% more than the medical student groups (P = .03).

CONCLUSION:

The methodology developed in this study generates novel surgical procedural metrics from 3-dimensional data generated by virtual reality simulators and can be used to assess surgical performance.
A TGF-β-responsive enhancer regulates SRC expression and epithelial–mesenchymal transition-associated cell migration
Authors: Noshita Soshi , Kubo Yuki , Kajiwara Kentaro , Okuzaki Daisuke , Nada Shigeyuki , Okada Masato
Published: July 2023

The non-receptor tyrosine kinase SRC is overexpressed and/or hyperactivated in various human cancers, and facilitates cancer progression by promoting invasion and metastasis. However, the mechanisms underlying SRC upregulation are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) induces SRC expression at the transcriptional level by activating an intragenic the SRC enhancer. In the human breast epithelial cell line MCF10A, TGF-β1 stimulation upregulated one of the SRC promotors, the 1A promoter, resulting in increased SRC mRNA and protein levels. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-sequencing analysis revealed that the SMAD complex is recruited to three enhancer regions ∼15 kb upstream and downstream of the SRC promoter, and one of them is capable of activating the SRC promoter in response to TGF-β. JUN, a member of the activator protein (AP)-1 family, localises to the enhancer and regulates TGF-β-induced SRC expression. Furthermore, TGF-β-induced SRC upregulation plays a crucial role in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated cell migration by activating the SRC–focal adhesion kinase (FAK) circuit. Overall, these results suggest that TGF-β-induced SRC upregulation promotes cancer cell invasion and metastasis in a subset of human malignancies.
Selective breeding for high voluntary exercise in mice increases maximal (V̇O2,max) but not basal metabolic rate
Authors: Schwartz Nicole E. , McNamara Monica P. , Orozco Jocelyn M. , Rashid Jaanam O. , Thai Angie P. , Garland Theodore
Published: July 2023

In general, sustained high rates of physical activity require a high maximal aerobic capacity (V̇O2,max), which may also necessitate a high basal aerobic metabolism (BMR), given that the two metabolic states are linked via shared organ systems, cellular properties and metabolic pathways. We tested the hypotheses that (a) selective breeding for high voluntary exercise in mice would elevate both V̇O2,max and BMR, and (b) these increases are accompanied by increases in the size of some internal organs (ventricle, triceps surae muscle, liver, kidney, spleen, lung, brain). We measured 72 females from generations 88 and 96 of an ongoing artificial selection experiment comprising four replicate High Runner (HR) lines bred for voluntary daily wheel-running distance and four non-selected control lines. With body mass as a covariate, HR lines as a group had significantly higher V̇O2,max (+13.6%, P<0.0001), consistent with previous studies, but BMR did not significantly differ between HR and control lines (+6.5%, P=0.181). Additionally, HR mice did not statistically differ from control mice for whole-body lean or fat mass, or for the mass of any organ collected (with body mass as a covariate). Finally, mass-independent V̇O2,max and BMR were uncorrelated (r=0.073, P=0.552) and the only statistically significant correlation with an organ mass was for V̇O2,max and ventricle mass (r=0.285, P=0.015). Overall, our results indicate that selection for a behavioral trait can yield large changes in behavior without proportional modifications to underlying morphological or physiological traits.
Impact of Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging on Lymphadenectomy Quality During Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer (Greeneye): An Adaptative, Phase 2, Clinical Trial
Authors: Sposito Carlo , Maspero Marianna , Conalbi Valeria , Magarotto Andrea , Altomare Michele , Battiston Carlo , Cantù Paolo , Mazzaferro Vincenzo
Published: July 2023

Background

Indocyanine green (ICG)-guided lymphadenectomy using near-infrared visualization (NIR) may increase nodal yield during gastrectomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical benefit of NIR visualization on the quality of D2 lymphadenectomy during laparoscopic distal gastrectomy.

Methods

This single-arm, open-label, Simon’s two-stage, adaptive, phase 2 trial included patients who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma. Endoscopic peritumoral injection of ICG was performed 24 ± 6 h before surgery. Intraoperatively, after standard D2 lymphadenectomy and specimen extraction, NIR was used for eventual completion lymphadenectomy. The primary endpoint was clinical benefit of NIR (i.e., at least one additional harvested station containing lymph nodes, with negative points for every harvested station with no lymph nodes at final pathology).

Results

We enrolled 18 patients (61% female, median age 69 years). With NIR, an extra 23 stations were harvested: 9 contained no lymph nodes, 12 contained nonmetastatic lymph nodes, and 2 contained metastatic lymph nodes. The most commonly visualized station with NIR were station 6 (8 patients) and 1 (4 patients). The total number of harvested nodes per patient was 32 (interquartile range [IQR] 26–41), with a median of 1 (IQR 0–1) additional lymph node after NIR. Overall, seven (39%) patients had a clinical benefit from NIR, of which two (11%) had one metastatic lymph node harvested with NIR.

Conclusions

NIR visualization improves the quality of D2 lymphadenectomy in distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Considering the limited improve in the number of harvested lymph nodes, its real oncological benefit is still questionable.
Enhancement of Near-Infrared Emission Based on Hypervalent Germanium(IV)-Fused Azobenzene Compounds with Electron-Donating Groups
Authors: Gon Masayuki , Yaegashi Misao , Tanaka Kazuo
Published: July 2023

NIR-light emitting materials are significant as a source for NIR-light technology. Previously, we have found that hypervalent germanium-fused azobenzene (GAz) compounds showed NIR emissions despite the small π-conjugated systems owing to trigonal bipyramidal geometry with three-center four-electron (3c-4e) bonds. Herein, we succeed in enhancing their luminescence properties by introduction of electron-donating groups. It is revealed that the frontier molecular orbitals of the π-conjugated systems with the hypervalent bonds can be varied depending on the type of substituents. As a result, a GAz compound with diphenylamine groups shows efficient NIR emission at room temperature (λPL = 761 nm and ΦPL = 0.07) and at 77 K (λPL = 749 nm and ΦPL = 0.20). Furthermore, data from theoretical calculations support the experimental results and provide additional information on the producibility of the hypervalent compounds. Our findings afford strategies to expand the library of the fine-tunable NIR-luminescent materials involving heteroatoms.
Isolation, morphological characterization, and screening a virulence of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium robertsii as bioagents
Authors: Geremew Dereje , Shiberu Tadale , Leta Ararsa
Published: July 2023

Background: Entomopathogenic fungi exists naturally in plants as an asymptote and has the potential to reduce the population of insect pests through indirect interactions. This study was conducted to detect and characterize the endophytic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium robertsii from the rhizosphere soil of tomato plants and their virulence effect on Galleria melonella.

Methods: From the rhizosphere soil of 40 tomato fields, three Beauveria bassiana and seven Metarhizium robertsii isolates were identified using the galleria bait method. All fungi isolates were morphologically characterized by their colony color, shape, and surface texture. Isolates with the highest percentages of germination, conidial yield, and radial growth were selected, and their pathogenicity was evaluated on second instar larvae of Galleria melonella under laboratory conditions.

Results: In this study, Beauveria bassiana showed white colony color and aseptate hyphae, whereas Metarhizium robertsii showed dark green to light green colony color and septate hyphal structures. Maximum spore production and conidial length were obtained by Beauveria bassiana isolate APPRC-27 with 2.67x107 spores ml-1 and 3.24 µm, respectively. Colony radial growth rates ranged from 1.73 to 3.24 mm day-1. The results revealed that the highest mortality rate of Galleria melonella (100%) was obtained by Metarhizium robertsii isolates K-61 and K-102 at a concentration of 1x108 conidial ml-1 at 7 days post-inoculation. The lowest mortality rate was registered by Metarhizium robertsii isolate RST-11.

Conclusions: In the present study, isolates that produced the most spores and had the highest germination rates were the most virulent to Galleria mellonella second instar larvae. Therefore, virulent entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium robertsii, are promising bioagents for the control of pests.
The Noetic Signature Inventory: 12-Factor Confirmatory Analysis
Authors: Wahbeh Helané , Kriegsman Michael
Published: July 2023

Background The Noetic Signature Inventory (NSI) is a 44-item self-report questionnaire that evaluates people’s experiences of intuition or inner knowing. Previous research developing and validating the measure demonstrated its validity and reliability, and a 12-factor model describing the variability of noetic experiences was found. This current study aims to confirm this factor model in a new population. 

Methods In a cross-sectional study, 1,752 participants completed demographic information and the NSI. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was conducted on the collected data. 

Results Participants were 49.3  ± 14.8 years old with 16.6 ± 3.4 years of education. They hailed from 62 countries although most were from the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. The CFA results for the 12-factor model were as follows: the chi square statistic equaled 2866.65 with 836 degrees of freedom and p < .001. The model diagnostics demonstrated a very good model fit to the data. All 44 items had factor loadings above the 0.5 cutoff, ranging from 0.58 to 0.77, with an average factor loading of 0.71. 

Conclusions The 12-factor structure of the NSI was confirmed, supporting its potential as a valid and reliable tool for assessing noetic characteristics. However, there are limitations to consider, and further research is needed to confirm and extend the findings in diverse populations and settings. The findings contribute to our understanding of the multidimensionality of these phenomena. Future research could build upon these findings by replicating the factor structure of the NSI in other populations, incorporating objective measures, conducting longitudinal studies, exploring underlying mechanisms, and using qualitative research methods to gain a deeper understanding of inner knowing experiences.
Mapping capacity building programs in health diplomacy: Relevance and application in an uncertain world
Authors: Pattanshetty Sanjay , Inamdar Aniruddha , Bhatt Kiran , Dsouza Viola Savy , Prem Anirudh , Brand Helmut
Published: July 2023

Background: Health diplomacy is one of the emerging avenues for academics where foreign policy dynamics and global health meet. Its relevance has augmented especially after the COVID-19 pandemic that brought the world to a halt. International organization and national entities that are responsible for health governance as well as its socio-economic determinants have been increasingly involved in the negotiations for a collective action towards a better health infrastructure and preparedness. However, the approach to health diplomacy seems to vary with whether health is looked through diplomacy lens or vice versa. Thus, inculcating adequate and appropriate competencies of both fields to conduct negotiations for health while keeping national interests and international commitments intact is imperative.

Methods: This study investigates 50 programmes/courses that have been currently offered around the globe to understand the competencies that have been identified as essential for a health diplomat. We examined four aspects: i) geographical distribution of programme/course (ii) the type of global health diplomacy programme being offered and their duration (iii) mode of teaching and (iv) cross-cutting themes that the programme offers.

Results: We found that the courses/programmes have been mostly provided by the countries of the Global North who play a key part in international negotiations. Although there were diverse types of certifications identified, they can be classified into two groups - core health diplomacy and inclusive health diplomacy programmes. The health diplomacy training is preferred to be provided in-person due to the nature of the work.

Conclusions: While competencies for health governance and international relation have been dominant among the current programmes, other cross-cutting themes such as economics, politics, law, public policy, crisis management, environment and public health have been considered essential. The article concludes with a proposal of a framework to streamline the sectors and the competencies that is required in health diplomats.
Incidence and risk factors of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized patients: a systematic review
Authors: Bakhsh Tahani , Madani Al-ali Mahmoud , Nabilsi Mohammed , Jumbi Roaa , Bakhsh Hassan , Rednah Mervet , Albukhari Radhia , Aldossary Najla , Kshmiri Ahmad , Alhamid Alhassan Zahir , Dammas Ali Hassan , Kishmiri Jumanah , Alhabib Samia
Published: July 2023

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major healthcare problem that has resulted in a significant increase in mortality, morbidity, and healthcare cost. Our knowledge of the incidence and risk factors of VTE differs among various ethnic backgrounds and nationalities, therefore, there is a need to explore the incidence of VTE and to understand the role of risk factors that require a pooled analysis. The aim of this review is to assess the incidence and risk factors of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized patients.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Web of Sciences databases from 2015 to 2022, to identify studies reporting the incidence and risk factor of VTE among hospitalized patients. Descriptive statistics were described to present the results. 

Results: We identified 17 studies comprising 17703 participants, and only 1132 (6.4%) of them developed VTE. 12 studies were retrospectives, while 5 studies were prospective. The majority of participants 9573 (54%) were female, while 8130 (4645.9%) were male. 13 (76%) studies reported a low incidence of VTE, while 2 (12%%) studies concluded high incidence and 2 (12%) studies reported moderate incidence of VTE. 12 (70%) studies revealed low risk factors associated with VTE, while 3 (18%) studies found high risk factors associated with VTE and 2 (12%) studies described moderate risk factors related to VTE.

Conclusions: Despite universal thromboprophylaxis, medical and surgical ill patients continue to be at risk for VTE. Incidence of VTE among hospitalized patients was low and associated with several risk factors. All patients need to undertake dynamic and constant risk assessment for VTE with laboratory monitoring, associated medications, invasive procedures, and previous medical history considered, particularly for severe and critically ill patients. We strongly urge clinicians to be conscious of VTE risk factors and highlight on optimizing patients' comorbidities before admission to the hospital.
A pilot clinical skills coaching program to reimagine remediation: a cohort study
Authors: Klig Jean E. , Kettyle William M. , Kosowsky Joshua M. , Phillips, Jr. William R. , Farrell Susan E. , Hundert Edward M. , Dalrymple John L. , Goldhamer Mary Ellen J.
Published: July 2023

Background

New approaches are needed to improve and destigmatize remediation in undergraduate medical education (UME).  The COVID-19 pandemic magnified the need to support struggling learners to ensure competency and readiness for graduate medical education (GME).  Clinical skills (CS) coaching is an underutilized approach that may mitigate the stigma of remedial learning.

Methods

A six-month CS coaching pilot was conducted at Harvard Medical School (HMS) as a destigmatized remedial learning environment for clerkship and post-clerkship students identified as ‘at risk’ based on objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE).  The pilot entailed individual and group coaching with five faculty, direct bedside observation of CS, and standardized patient encounters with video review. Strengths-based coaching principles and appreciative inquiry were emphasized. 

Results

Twenty-three students participated in the pilot: 14 clerkship students (cohort 1) and 9 post-clerkship students (cohort 2).  All clerkship students (cohort 1) demonstrated sustained improvement in CS across three OSCEs compared to baseline: at pilot close, at 6-months post pilot, and at 21-24 months post-pilot all currently graduating students (10/10, 100%) passed the summative OSCE, an HMS graduation requirement. All post-clerkship students (cohort 2) passed the HMS graduation OSCE (9/9,100%). Feedback survey results included clerkship students (9/14; 64%) and post-clerkship students (7/9; 78%); all respondents unanimously agreed that individual coaching was “impactful to my clinical learning and practice”. Faculty and leadership fully supported the pilot as a destigmatized and effective approach to remediation. 

Conclusion

Remediation has an essential and growing role in medical schools.  CS coaching for remedial learning can reduce stigma, foster a growth mindset, and support sustained progress for ‘at risk’ early clerkship through final year students. An “implementation template” with suggested tools and timelines can be locally adapted to guide CS coaching for UME remediation. The CS coaching pilot model is feasible and can be generalized to many UME programs.
An ontological approach to the ethical issues of human cerebral organoids
Authors: Zilio Federico
Published: July 2023

Human cerebral organoids (HCOs) are models that grow up in the laboratory and mimic the cellular composition, structure and function of parts of the adult human brain. Recently, an interesting debate has appeared on the ethics of HCO research and application, particularly on the current and future moral status of these entities. A precautionary approach has been proposed, implying a level of protection and moral consideration based on the potential conscious activity that might be detected in future complex forms of HCO. In this article, I aim to broaden the analysis of the question of the moral status of HCOs through an ontological analysis. The hybrid nature of HCOs (between object and subject, natural and artificial) entails an ontological complexity that is difficult to fix in an absolute sense, and this has consequences on the ethical level as well. After identifying the relevant moral concepts at stake, I argue that HCOs can be placed between being moral objects and moral patients based on their ontological status. Therefore, HCOs deserve indirect moral consideration (as moral objects), even if they have not yet or will never develop consciousness; moreover, if they were to reach such a level of complexity that they might have interests in their own self-preservation, they could also receive direct moral consideration (as moral patients). This ontological analysis displays the evolving complexity of these entities, potentially helping define all the factors to be taken into account when formulating the precautionary principle on a case-by-case basis to identify the proper proportionality and regulation of HCOs.
Can Customer Arrival Rates Be Modelled by Sine Waves?
Authors: Chen Ningyuan , Gürlek Ragıp , Lee Donald K. K. , Shen Haipeng
Published: July 2023

Customer arrival patterns observed in the real world typically exhibit strong seasonal effects. It is therefore natural to ask, can a nonhomogeneous Poisson process (NHPP) with a rate function that is the simple sum of sinusoids provide an adequate description of reality? If so, how can the sinusoidal NHPP be used to improve the performance of service systems? We empirically validate that the sinusoidal NHPP is consistent with arrival data from two settings of great interest in service operations: patient arrivals to an emergency department and customer calls to a bank call centre. This finding provides rigorous justification for the use of the sinusoidal NHPP assumption in many existing queuing models. We also clarify why a sinusoidal NHPP model is more suitable than the standard NHPP when the underlying arrival pattern is aperiodic (e.g., does not follow a weekly cycle). This is illustrated using data from a car dealership and also via a naturalistic staffing simulation based on the call centre. On the other hand, if the arrival pattern is periodic, we explain why both models should perform comparably. Even then, the sinusoidal NHPP is still necessary for managers to use to verify that the arrival pattern is indeed periodic, a step that is seldom performed in applications. Code for fitting the sinusoidal NHPP to data is provided on GitHub.

History: This paper has been accepted for the Service Science/Stochastic Systems Joint Special Issue.

Funding: N. Chen was supported by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery [Grant RGPIN-2020-04038]. H. Shen was supported by China Ministry and Science and Technology [Grant 2022SQGH10861], Hong Kong Special Administrative Region University Grants Council Collaborative Research Fund [Grant C7162-20G], University of Hong Kong Budget and Resources Committee Grant, University of Hong Kong Business School, Shenzhen Research Institutes [Grant SZRI2023-TBRF-03].
Scoping Review of Positive Mental Health Research for Students in Vocational Education and Training
Authors: Solberg Stine , Laundal Øyvind , Garrels Veerle
Published: July 2023

Context: In this scoping review, we examine the knowledge base concerning positive mental health studies for students in vocational education and training (VET). The VET student population embraces approximately 30-52% of secondary school students in the Nordic countries, and 40% of the global student population. The risk of early school leaving (ESL) is substantially higher in VET than in general education and mental health may be a relevant factor in this matter. Yet, an overview of mental health studies in VET is lacking and therefore, this article aims to map empirical research studies that have explored positive mental health in VET students. The positive mental health framework, with its origin in Antonovsky's (2002) salutogenesis and positive psychology, focuses on factors that promote mental health and wellbeing rather than taking on a pathological perspective. 
Methods: For our scoping review, we searched four databases, and 19 articles were found eligible for inclusion. These articles were systematically screened by means of a coding scheme to identify the following information: Country of origin of the study, its aim, research design, measures, conceptualization of mental health, and main findings. 
Results: The evidence suggests that positive mental health is understood as a multifaceted concept, and wellbeing is the dimension that is explored most often, followed by resilience and quality of life. The majority of the included studies used a validated questionnaire to assess various aspects of positive mental health, and most of them sought to explore correlations between different dimensions of positive mental health. Main findings of the studies suggest that a supportive school environment, physical activity, and a strong vocational identity may contribute to positive mental health for students in VET. Furthermore, correlations have also been identified between environmental factors and positive mental health. Finally, findings from the review illustrate how even small-scale interventions may have far-reaching effects, due to the interrelatedness of the different dimensions within the positive mental health construct. 
Conclusion: Findings from this review illustrate that numerous factors may affect the wellbeing of students in VET. In particular, a strong vocational identity, a supportive school environment, and physical activity may contribute to positive mental health. These findings suggest that VET teachers may promote the wellbeing of their students by providing a supportive psychosocial learning environment at school.
A priori free spectral unmixing with periodic absorbance changes: application for auto-calibrated intraoperative functional brain mapping
Authors: Caredda Charly , Cohen Jérémy E. , Mahieu-Williame Laurent , Sablong Raphaël , Sdika Michaël , Schneider Fabien C. , Picart Thiébaud , Guyotat Jacques , Montcel Bruno
Published: July 2023

Spectral unmixing designates techniques that allow to decompose
measured spectra into linear or non-linear combination of spectra of
all targets (endmembers). This technique was initially developed for
satellite applications, but it is now also widely used in biomedical
applications. However, several drawbacks limit the use of these
techniques with standard optical devices like RGB cameras. The devices
need to be calibrated and a a priori on
the observed scene is often necessary. We propose a new method for
estimating endmembers and their proportion automatically and without
calibration of the acquisition device based on near separable
non-negative matrix factorization. This method estimates the
endmembers on spectra of absorbance changes presenting periodic
events. This is very common in in vivo
biomedical and medical optical imaging where hemodynamics dominate the
absorbance fluctuations. We applied the method for identifying
functional brain areas during neurosurgery using four different RGB
cameras (an industrial camera, a smartphone and two surgical
microscopes). Results obtained with the auto-calibration method were
consistent with the intraoperative gold standards. Endmembers
estimated with the auto-calibration method were similar to the
calibrated endmembers used in the modified Beer-Lambert law. The
similarity was particularly strong when both cardiac and respiratory
periodic events were considered. This work can allow a widespread use
of spectral imaging in the industrial or medical field.
Design and validation of a convolutional neural network for fast, model-free blood flow imaging with multiple exposure speckle imaging
Authors: Yu Chao-Yueh , Chammas Marc , Gurden Hirac , Lin Hsin-Hon , Pain Frédéric
Published: July 2023

Multiple exposure speckle imaging has demonstrated its improved accuracy compared to single exposure speckle imaging for relative quantitation of blood flow in vivo. However, the calculation of blood flow maps relies on a pixelwise non-linear fit of a multi-parametric model to the speckle contrasts. This approach has two major drawbacks. First, it is computer-intensive and prevents real time imaging and, second, the mathematical model is not universal and should in principle be adapted to the type of blood vessels. We evaluated a model-free machine learning approach based on a convolutional neural network as an alternative to the non-linear fit approach. A network was designed and trained with annotated speckle contrast data from microfluidic experiments. The neural network performances are then compared to the non-linear fit approach applied to in vitro and in vivo data. The study demonstrates the potential of convolutional networks to provide relative blood flow maps from multiple exposure speckle data in real time.
Dual core photonic crystal fiber based plasmonic refractive index sensor with ultra-wide detection range
Authors: Hussain Nazmul , Masuk Mushfiqur Rahman , Hossain Md. Faruque , Kouzani Abbas Z.
Published: July 2023

In this study, an ultra-wide range plasmonic refractive index sensor based on dual core photonic crystal fiber is suggested and analyzed numerically. The proposed design achieves fabrication feasibility by employing external sensing mechanism in which silver is deposited onto the flat outer surface of the fiber as plasmonic material. A thin layer of titanium oxide (TiO2) is considered on top of the silver layer for preventing its oxidation problem. The sensor attains identification of a vast array of analytes consisting a wide range of refractive indices of 1.10 – 1.45. It achieves a maximum spectral sensitivity of 24300 nm/RIU along with its corresponding resolution of 4.12 × 10−6 RIU. The maximum figure of merit of the sensor is 120 RIU−1. The sensor also supports amplitude interrogation approach and exhibits a maximum amplitude sensitivity of 172 RIU−1. The impact of the design parameters such as radius of air holes, polishing distance, thickness of silver and titanium oxide layers are investigated thoroughly. An ultra-wide detection range with high sensitivity, fabrication feasibility, and easy application make the sensor a potential candidate for detection of a wide array of bio-originated materials, chemicals, and other analytes.
Twisted sinc-correlation Schell-model array beams
Authors: Zhou Yujie , Tang Miaomiao , Li Hehe , Li Xinzhong
Published: July 2023

We introduce a class of twisted sinc-correlation partially coherent array sources, by applying the construction theory of correlation function. Spectral density of such novel focused beam propagating in free space is analyzed. It is shown that the intensity distribution presents a good twisted effect and splitting phenomenon upon propagation. The array dimension, the intensity distribution and spatial distribution of the lobes can be flexibly regulated by altering the source parameters. We also explore the spatial evolution of multiple correlation singularities of this light field, where the phase distribution appears as a rotational spiral windmill profile during propagation. Furthermore, the coherence orbital angular momentum of the twisted source beam is investigated. These findings could be useful in the particle manipulation and free-space optical communication.
Size-dependent viscosity of silica optical fiber under high temperature
Authors: Cui Zhiru , Shao Guisong , Zhang Meixin , Tian Ye , Chai Quan , Chu Yushi , Zhang Jianzhong
Published: July 2023

Viscosity of optical fiber plays an important role in high temperature applications in harsh environments. A size-dependent viscosity phenomenon of silica optical fiber under high temperature is observed by the stretching method with in-fiber regenerated fiber Bragg gratings (RFBGs). Higher viscosity is derived from optical fiber with larger diameters. The mechanisms of this size-dependent relationship of high temperature viscosity of silica optical fiber are discussed, and the difference in fictive temperature of silica optical fibers is considered as the mainly contribution. An equivalent fictive temperature of optical fiber at a metastable structure state is used to explain the difference in equilibrium viscosity. Then the relationship between equilibrium viscosity and fictive temperature for silica optical fiber at 1000 °C is derived.
Parallels and contrasts between the cnidarian and bilaterian maternal-to-zygotic transition are revealed in Hydractinia embryos
Authors: Ayers Taylor N. , Nicotra Matthew L. , Lee Miler T.
Published: July 2023

Embryogenesis requires coordinated gene regulatory activities early on that establish the trajectory of subsequent development, during a period called the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT). The MZT comprises transcriptional activation of the embryonic genome and post-transcriptional regulation of egg-inherited maternal mRNA. Investigation into the MZT in animals has focused almost exclusively on bilaterians, which include all classical models such as flies, worms, sea urchin, and vertebrates, thus limiting our capacity to understand the gene regulatory paradigms uniting the MZT across all animals. Here, we elucidate the MZT of a non-bilaterian, the cnidarianHydractinia symbiolongicarpus. Using parallel poly(A)-selected and non poly(A)-dependent RNA-seq approaches, we find that the Hydractinia MZT is composed of regulatory activities similar to many bilaterians, including cytoplasmic readenylation of maternally contributed mRNA, delayed genome activation, and separate phases of maternal mRNA deadenylation and degradation that likely depend on both maternally and zygotically encoded clearance factors, including microRNAs. But we also observe massive upregulation of histone genes and an expanded repertoire of predicted H4K20 methyltransferases, aspects thus far particular to the Hydractinia MZT and potentially underlying a novel mode of early embryonic chromatin regulation. Thus, similar regulatory strategies with taxon-specific elaboration underlie the MZT in both bilaterian and non-bilaterian embryos, providing insight into how an essential developmental transition may have arisen in ancestral animals.
Are religious patients less afraid of surgery? A cross-sectional study on the relationship between dimensions of religiousness and surgical fear
Authors: Karačić Andrija , Brkić Jure , Theunissen Maurice , Sović Slavica , Karimollahi Mansoureh , Bakula Branko , Karačić Jelena , Rosmarin David H.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Surgical fear is common and has a negative impact on surgery and its outcome. Recent research has identified individual religiousness as an important factor among patients with associations to mental health, particularly anxiety.

Objective

This study aimed to examine associations between religiousness and surgical fear in a representative sample of adult surgical patients in Croatia.

Design

Cross-sectional study among elective surgery patients at different departments of a single hospital.

Setting

University Hospital Sveti Duh, a tertiary health care facility in Croatia.

Measurements

Religiousness and surgical fear were the variables of interest and assessed through self-report instruments. The Croatian version of the Duke Religiosity Index questionnaire (DUREL) assessed organizational religious activity (ORA), non-organizational religious activity (NORA), and intrinsic religiousness (IR). The Croatian version of the Surgical Fear Questionnaire (SFQ) measured surgical fear and its subscales the fear of the short-term and long-term consequences of surgery. Additionally, sociodemographic characteristics and medical history were assessed. Analyses were carried out using descriptive and linear regression analyses.

Results

178 subjects were included for data analysis. Univariate linear regression found two dimensions of religiousness (non-organizational religious activity, intrinsic religiousness) to be weak, but significant predictors of greater surgical fear (adj. R2= 0.02 and 0.03 respectively). In the multiple linear regression model together with age, gender, education and type of surgery, all three dimensions of religiousness were found to be significant independent predictors of greater surgical fear.

Limitations

The study was single-center and cross-sectional and did not assess patients’ specific religious identity.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated significant positive associations between dimensions of religiousness and surgical fear, potentially suggesting that surgical patients experience increased religiousness to cope with heightened anxiety. Assessment and intervention to address patient religiousness is warranted in the context of surgical fear among religious patients, and the importance of religiousness in the context of surgical fear needs to be further addressed in research.
Dynamic parameter identification and adaptive control with trajectory scaling for robot-environment interaction
Authors: Song Ke , Hu Heyu
Published: July 2023

To improve the force/position control performance of robots in contact with the environment, this paper proposes a control scheme comprising dynamic parameter identification, trajectory scaling, and computed-torque control based on adaptive parameter estimation. Based on the Newton–Euler method, the dynamic equation and its regression matrix is obtained, which is helpful to reduce the order of the model. Subsequently, the least-square method is implemented to calculate the values of the basic parameters of the dynamics. The identified dynamic parameters are used as initial values in the adaptive parameter estimation to obtain the torque, and trajectory scaling is applied to control the contact force between the robot and the environment. Finally, the dynamic parameter identification method and control algorithm are verified by conducting a simulation. The results show that the comprehensive application can help improve the control performance of robots.
Building a community-based open harmonised reference data repository for global crop mapping
Authors: Boogaard Hendrik , Pratihast Arun Kumar , Laso Bayas Juan Carlos , Karanam Santosh , Fritz Steffen , Van Tricht Kristof , Degerickx Jeroen , Gilliams Sven
Published: July 2023

Reference data is key to produce reliable crop type and cropland maps. Although research projects, national and international programs as well as local initiatives constantly gather crop related reference data, finding, collecting, and harmonizing data from different sources is a challenging task. Furthermore, ethical, legal, and consent-related restrictions associated with data sharing represent a common dilemma faced by international research projects. We address these dilemmas by building a community-based, open, harmonised reference data repository at global extent, ready for model training or product validation. Our repository contains data from different sources such as the Group on Earth Observations Global Agricultural Monitoring Initiative (GEOGLAM) Joint Experiment for Crop Assessment and Monitoring (JECAM) sites, the Radiant MLHub, the Future Harvest (CGIAR) centers, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Food Security and Agriculture Program (NASA Harvest), the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) citizen science platforms (LACO-Wiki and Geo-Wiki), as well as from individual project contributions. Data of 2016 onwards were collected, harmonised, and annotated. The data sets spatial, temporal, and thematic quality were assessed applying rules developed in this research. Currently, the repository holds around 75 million harmonised observations with standardized metadata of which a large share is available to the public. The repository, funded by ESA through the WorldCereal project, can be used for either the calibration of image classification deep learning algorithms or the validation of Earth Observation generated products, such as global cropland extent and maize and wheat maps. We recommend continuing and institutionalizing this reference data initiative e.g. through GEOGLAM, and encouraging the community to publish land cover and crop type data following the open science and open data principles.
An enigma of Malaysia’s low-income young adults: Mediation of financial behaviour on financial well-being and locus of control cohesion
Authors: Sabri Mohamad Fazli , Wahab Rozita , Mahdzan Nurul Shahnaz , Magli Amirah Shazana , Rahim Husniyah Abd , Suhaimi Siti Shazwani Ahmad , Nazuri Nur Shuhamin
Published: July 2023

Young adults face many significant challenges to their financial well-being. The rising cost of living and unstable economies have impacted how they consume, manage, and save monthly income to maintain their standard of living. Hence, exploring the financial well-being of young adults in Malaysia is an intriguing and relevant research topic that deserves examination from multiple perspectives. This study aims to investigate how these three factors, namely financial knowledge and locus of control with financial behaviour as a mediator, are correlated with the financial well-being of low-income young adults in Malaysia. A total of 520 young adults from North, Central, South, East zones in Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia were randomly chosen using a multi-stage sampling technique as the sample of this study. Data in this study were obtained using a set of questionnaire-based survey through cross-sectional study and then scrutinized using IBM SPSS (Statistical Package of Social Science). This study discovered that financial knowledge, internal and external locus of control, and financial behaviour were significantly correlated with the financial well-being of low-income young adults. The findings also demonstrate that financial behaviour mediates the correlation between financial knowledge, both internal and external locus of control, and financial well-being. This study is one of the very few important studies that explore the link between financial literacy, locus of control, financial behaviour, and financial well-being among low-income young adults. This study also found an interesting and noteworthy fact regarding the impact of the minimum monthly wage policy on highly educated young adults in Malaysia, which is worth discussing and needs to be alerted to the policymakers and leaders of the country. Therefore, the findings of this study can be utilized as a starting point by policymakers, government organizations, and non-governmental organizations to create new initiatives aimed at raising financial well-being among the younger generation.
Mental health in autistic adults: A rapid review of prevalence of psychiatric disorders and umbrella review of the effectiveness of interventions within a neurodiversity informed perspective
Authors: Curnow Eleanor , Rutherford Marion , Maciver Donald , Johnston Lorna , Prior Susan , Boilson Marie , Shah Premal , Jenkins Natalie , Meff Tamsin
Published: July 2023

Background

Autistic adults have high risk of mental ill-health and some available interventions have been associated with increased psychiatric diagnoses. Understanding prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses is important to inform the development of individualised treatment and support for autistic adults which have been identified as a research priority by the autistic community. Interventions require to be evaluated both in terms of effectiveness and regarding their acceptability to the autistic community.

Objective

This rapid review identified the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in autistic adults, then systematic reviews of interventions aimed at supporting autistic adults were examined. A rapid review of prevalence studies was completed concurrently with an umbrella review of interventions. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed, including protocol registration (PROSPERO#CRD42021283570).

Data sources

MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Study eligibility criteria

English language; published 2011–2022; primary studies describing prevalence of psychiatric conditions in autistic adults; or systematic reviews evaluating interventions for autistic adults.

Appraisal and synthesis

Bias was assessed using the Prevalence Critical Appraisal Instrument and AMSTAR2. Prevalence was grouped according to psychiatric diagnosis. Interventions were grouped into pharmacological, employment, psychological or mixed therapies. Strength of evidence for interventions was assessed using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation). Autistic researchers within the team supported interpretation.

Results

Twenty prevalence studies were identified. Many included small sample sizes or failed to compare their sample group with the general population reducing validity. Prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses was variable with prevalence of any psychiatric diagnosis ranging from 15.4% to 79%. Heterogeneity was associated with age, diagnosis method, sampling methods, and country. Thirty-two systematic reviews of interventions were identified. Four reviews were high quality, four were moderate, five were low and nineteen critically low, indicating bias. Following synthesis, no intervention was rated as ‘evidence based.’ Acceptability of interventions to autistic adults and priorities of autistic adults were often not considered.

Conclusions

There is some understanding of the scope of mental ill-health in autism, but interventions are not tailored to the needs of autistic adults, not evidence based, and may focus on promoting neurotypical behaviours rather than the priorities of autistic people.