bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biodegradable materials for bone defect repair
Authors: Wei Shuai , Ma Jian-Xiong , Xu Lai , Gu Xiao-Song , Ma Xin-Long
Published: November 2020

Compared with non-degradable materials, biodegradable biomaterials play an increasingly important role in the repairing of severe bone defects, and have attracted extensive attention from researchers. In the treatment of bone defects, scaffolds made of biodegradable materials can provide a crawling bridge for new bone tissue in the gap and a platform for cells and growth factors to play a physiological role, which will eventually be degraded and absorbed in the body and be replaced by the new bone tissue. Traditional biodegradable materials include polymers, ceramics and metals, which have been used in bone defect repairing for many years. Although these materials have more or fewer shortcomings, they are still the cornerstone of our development of a new generation of degradable materials. With the rapid development of modern science and technology, in the twenty-first century, more and more kinds of new biodegradable materials emerge in endlessly, such as new intelligent micro-nano materials and cell-based products. At the same time, there are many new fabrication technologies of improving biodegradable materials, such as modular fabrication, 3D and 4D printing, interface reinforcement and nanotechnology. This review will introduce various kinds of biodegradable materials commonly used in bone defect repairing, especially the newly emerging materials and their fabrication technology in recent years, and look forward to the future research direction, hoping to provide researchers in the field with some inspiration and reference.
A theory-based multicomponent intervention to reduce occupational sedentary behaviour in professional male workers: protocol for a cluster randomised crossover pilot feasibility study
Authors: Nicolson Gail Helena , Hayes Catherine , Darker Catherine
Published: November 2020

Background

Prolonged sitting, a significant risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality, is accumulated mostly in the workplace. There is limited research targeting specific at-risk populations to reduce occupational sedentary behaviour. A recent study found that professional males have the longest workplace sitting times. Current evidence supports the use of multi-level interventions developed using participative approaches. This study’s primary aims are to test the viability of a future definitive intervention trial using a randomised pilot study, with secondary aims to explore the acceptability and feasibility of a multicomponent intervention to reduce workplace sitting.

Methods

Two professional companies in Dublin, Ireland, will take part in a cluster randomised crossover pilot study. Office-based males will be recruited and randomised to the control or the intervention arms. The components of the intervention target multiple levels of influence including individual determinants (via mHealth technology to support behaviour change techniques), the physical work environment (via provision of an under-desk pedal machine), and the organisational structures and culture (via management consultation and recruitment to the study). The outcomes measured are recruitment and retention, minutes spent sedentary, and physical activity behaviours, work engagement, and acceptability and feasibility of the workplace intervention.

Discussion

This study will establish the acceptability and feasibility of a workplace intervention which aims to reduce workplace SB and increase PA. It will identify key methodological and implementation issues that need to be addressed prior to assessing the effectiveness of this intervention in a definitive cluster randomised controlled trial.
Changing the paradigm of bicarbonate (HCO3−) hemodialysis prescription in Portugal: a 24-month prospective study
Authors: Valério Alves Rita , Gonçalves Hernâni , Lopes Karina , Sofia Flora , Vila Lobos Ana
Published: November 2020

Background

Metabolic acidosis is common in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The KDOQI guidelines therapeutic goal is pre-dialysis HCO3−≥ 22 mmol/L. The aim of the study was to evaluate an individualized HCO3−hemodialysis prescription as a preventing factor of metabolic changes.

Methods

Twenty-four-month prospective study of patients on online high-flux hemodiafiltration. Every 3 months, HCO3−blood levels were analyzed and hemodialysis HCO3−was changed using the following rules:

HCO3−> 30 mmol/L: reduce 4 mmol/L HCO3−

HCO3−≥ 25 mmol/L: reduce 2 mmol/L HCO3−

20 mmol/L < HCO3−< 25 mmol/L: no change

HCO3−≤ 20 mmol/L: increase 2 mmol/L HCO3−

HCO3−< 18 mmol/L: increase 4 mmol/L HCO3−

Data collected comprised demographic information, renal disease etiology, comorbidities, HD treatment information, and lab results. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.

Results

Thirty-one patients were enrolled and completed the follow-up period. At baseline, average serum pH was 7.38 ± 0.06, serum HCO3−25.92 ± 1.82 mmol/L, and every patient had a 32 mmol/L dialytic HCO3−prescription. At time point 9, average serum HCO3−was 23.87 ± 1.93 mmol/L and 58% of the patients had a dialytic HCO3−prescription of 28 mmol/L. Serum HCO3−differed with statistical significance during time and approached the reference serum HCO3−(23 mmol/L) that we have defined as ideal. Through time, the HCO3−prescription deviated more from the 32 mmol/L initial prescription that was defined as standard.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the standard HCO3−prescription of 32 mmol/L should be rethought, as an individualized HCO3−prescription could be beneficial for the patient.
The needs of key-stakeholders for evaluating client’s experienced quality of home care: a qualitative approach
Authors: Haex Roy , Thoma-Lürken Theresa , Zwakhalen Sandra , Beurskens Anna
Published: November 2020

Background

To optimize home care, it is essential to determine how care recipients experience quality of care. Traditionally, quality of care is measured with normative quality indicators such as safety, efficiency, or prevalence rates such as falls. The growing interest for qualitative patient-reported experience measures in home care requires insight into the needs of care receivers, providers, and organizations as key-stakeholders. Each stakeholder has their own needs that are important to communicate and use to conduct thorough comparisons before implementing new experience measures. This study aims to understand the needs of clients, formal/informal caregivers, and managers/policy officers in measuring client’s experienced quality of care in home care.

Methods

Four focus group interviews and 25 semi-structured interviews with key-stakeholders were conducted and analyzed by means of content analysis. The value-proposition canvas was used as a thematic framework to explore the purpose of experience quality of care measures and related pains and gains.

Results

There were two main purposes for measuring experienced quality of care: first improving the primary care process of individual clients and second for learning and improving in home care team. Using experienced quality of care measures for external accountability and transparency on an organizational or national level were considered less relevant. Among others, participants described not having time and no clear procedure for conducting an evaluation as a pain of the current methods used to evaluate perceived quality of home care. As gains they put forward the ability to informally evaluate experiences during care delivery and to openly discuss complaints with a familiar caregiver.

Conclusions

This study advocates that home care organizations should be aware of the goal of quality of care measures. They should consider selecting experienced quality of care measures mainly for improving primary care processes of individual clients. The results also underline the relevance of adopting next to quantitative evaluations, more narrative evaluation methods which support communicating openly on care experiences, leading to concrete point-of-improvement. The findings of this study can serve as a guide for both the development or selection of adequate methods, from the perspectives of key-stakeholders, in assessing experienced quality in home care.
Longitudinal profiling of the gut microbiome in patients with psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis: a multicentre, prospective, observational study
Authors: Miguens Blanco Jesus , Borghese Federica , McHugh Neil , Kelleher Peter , Sengupta Raj , Marchesi Julian R. , Abraham Sonya
Published: November 2020

Background

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin affecting 2–3% of UK population. 30% of people affected by psoriasis will develop a distinct form of arthritis within 10 years of the skin condition onset. Although the pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis is still unknown, there is a genetic predisposition triggered by environmental factors. Limited but convincing evidence link the gut microbiome to psoriatic arthritis. The Microbiome in Psoriatic ARThritis (Mi-PART) study propose is to characterise the microbiome-metabolic interface in patients affected by psoriatic arthritis to deepen our understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease.

Methods

This is a multicentre, prospective, observational study. Psoriatic arthritis (n = 65) and ankylosing spondylitis (n = 30) patients will be recruited in addition to a control group of healthy volunteers (n = 30). Patients eligibility will be evaluated against the Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Activity Index (BASDAI) and the healthy volunteers who fulfil study inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Information regarding their medical and medication history, demographics, diet and lifestyle will be collected. All the participants in the study will be asked to complete a 7-day food diary, to provide stool samples and to complete quality of life questionnaires. Routine clinical laboratory tests will be performed on blood and urine samples. Patients and healthy volunteers with gastrointestinal symptoms, previous history of cancer, gastrointestinal surgery in the previous 6 months or alcohol abuse will be excluded from the study.

Discussion

The aim of this trial is to characterise the microbiome of psoriatic arthritis patients and to compare it with microbiome of healthy volunteers and of patient with ankylosing spondylitis in order to define if different rheumatologic conditions are associated with characteristic microbiome profiles. Investigating the role of the microbiome in the development of psoriatic arthritis could deepen our understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease and potentially open the way to new therapies.
Rust effector PNPi interacting with wheat TaPR1a attenuates plant defense response
Authors: Bi Weishuai , Zhao Shuqing , Zhao Jiaojie , Su Jun , Yu Xiumei , Liu Daqun , Kang Zhensheng , Wang Xiaojie , Wang Xiaodong
Published: November 2020

NPR1 is a key regulator of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in plant species. In our previous study, we identified a conserved fungal effector PNPi from Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) that can suppress acquired resistance in local leaf by directly targeting the wheat NPR1 protein. In this investigation, we identified and validated a novel protein interaction between PNPi and wheat pathogenesis-related TaPR1a in the apoplastic space. TaPR1a-overexpressing wheat lines exhibited enhanced resistance to both Pst and Puccinia triticina (Pt). We further determined that exogenous expression of PNPi RNA in transgenic wheat lines reduced the degree of acquired resistance to Magnaporthe oryzae isolate P131 in the region adjacent to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 infection area. Additionally, when PNPi was overexpressed, the expression levels of two plant defense responsive genes were suppressed upon P. syringae DC3000 infection in the local infiltration region. These findings established the mechanism of a single rust effector that can suppress multiple defense responses in wheat plants by targeting different components.
Symbolic meaning and use of broad beans in traditional foods of the Mediterranean Basin and the Middle East
Authors: Pasqualone Antonella , Abdallah Ali , Summo Carmine
Published: November 2020

Broad beans (Vicia fabaL.) are rarely consumed in Northern Europe and in the USA, whereas they are constantly present in the culinary habits of the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. This grain legume is characterized by interesting nutritional properties because of high levels of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and dietary fiber, coupled with a low content of saturated lipids and the presence of several bioactive compounds. However, broad beans are much more than a cheap source of nutrients. Among the oldest domesticated legumes, they have also a cultural value linked to an ancient symbolic meaning. Generally associated with funerary rituals, broad beans have also a positive significance being “dead” seeds with a regenerative capacity. This review focuses on the social symbolism of broad bean consumption and its associated rituals. Furthermore, the culinary habits related to this legume are analyzed along different Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries, from Egypt to Iran. Soups, thick gruels, and purees were found to be by far the most common culinary preparations. Using the Egyptianful medamesas a model, the study highlights a link between broad bean–based dishes in different countries, which arises from similar environmental conditions and from cultural interactions along trade routes. Enhancing the knowledge of these ethnic legume-based foods could improve the diet of Western countries by increasing the consumption of legumes.
Diagnostic performance of 3-tesla multiparametric MRI for assessment of the bladder cancer T stage and histologic grade
Authors: Badawy Mohamed , Farg Hashim , Gadelhak Basma , ElGhar Mohamed Abou , Sadeq Ahmed Galal , Borg Mohamed
Published: November 2020

Background

Preoperative staging of urinary bladder carcinomas using TNM system is crucial in the management of bladder cancer which is determined mainly by stage and grade of tumor at diagnosis. We aim to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of multiparametric MRI (mp-MRI) for assessment of the bladder cancer T stage and histologic grade.

Results

The overall T2-WI diagnostic accuracy for the T stage was 72.3%, increased to be 87.1% for contrast-enhanced images, and 92.6% for DWI, reaching the maximum accuracy 94.5% using the combined multi-parametric MRI technique. Diagnostic accuracies of mp-MRI in differentiating superficial from muscle-invasive (91%) and organ-confined from non-organ confined tumors (92%) were superior to DW-MRI (89% and 87%), DCE-MRI (84% and 83%), and T2W-MRI (74% and 71%), respectively. The agreement between MRI findings and histopathological staging was greater in mp-MRI (k = 0.91; excellent agreement) than in DW-MRI (k = 0.77; moderate agreement), DCE-MRI (k = 0.76; substantial agreement), and T2W-MRI (k = 0.53; fair agreement).

Conclusion

Mp-MRI provides useful information for evaluating the local T stages of bladder cancer and can predict the histological grades of urinary bladder cancers with high diagnostic accuracy.
A case report of Amyand hernia—radiological diagnosis and literature review
Authors: Kathar hussain Mohamed rafi , N Kulasekeran
Published: November 2020

Background

The hernia is defined as the protrusion of any organ or a part of it through the wall or fascia or any connective tissue which normally encloses that organ. Among the hernias, an inguinal hernia is the most common type. In the inguinal hernia, Amyand hernia is one of the rare types, in which the appendix will herniate through the inguinal canal. The incidence of Amyand hernia is less than 1% (Namdev et al., Int Surg J 7:2072, 2020).

Case presentation

We are reporting a case of Amyand hernia, which was diagnosed incidentally in the patient who had been referred to computerized tomography (CT) for a malignant melanoma metastasis screening. Our case is unique in that pre-operative diagnosis of the Amyand hernia is rarely reported in the literature. We can diagnose the type 1 Amyand hernia with utmost confidence.

Conclusion

Pre-operative diagnosis of type 1 Amyand hernia can be made with utmost certainty by CT.
Effect of eradication of HCV infection by direct-acting antivirals in diabetic HCV-infected patients as regards glycemic control
Authors: El Badry Mohamed Mohei , Ali Doaa Abdelhady , Eltaweel Noha Hamdy , Abdel-Wahed Marwa A.
Published: November 2020

Background

A burden of data suggests that insulin signaling could be impaired with hepatitis C virus infection, and this boost the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus beyond and in addition to the histological effect on the associated liver disease. We aimed to evaluate the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels before and after therapy with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in HCV-diabetic patients who achieved sustained virological response (SVR) at Aswan Fever Hospital. This prospective study was conducted at the Viral Hepatitis Treatment Center, Aswan Fever Hospital, Aswan, Egypt, between November 2017 and May 2018. A total of 85 randomly selected diabetic patients (type 2 diabetes mellitus) with chronic HCV infection were received sofosbuvir and daclatasvir as a dual therapy for 3 months, then followed up for week 12 after the end of DAA therapy, Changes in the levels of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were measured at baseline then 12 weeks after the end of treatment with DAAs.

Results

Thirty-two patients (37.6%) showed a significant glycemic improvement after receiving DAAs therapy; in the form of > 1% reduction in HbA1c level (p value < 0.001). Their baseline mean HbA1c level was 7.98 ± 0.62% which was significantly improved 12 weeks after the end of therapy (SVR) to reach a level of 6.88 ± 0.81%. Meanwhile, 53 patients (62.4%) had a baseline mean HbA1c of 8.24 ± 0.64% and a post-treatment mean HbA1c level of 8.34 ± 0.61% (p value = 0.083).

Conclusion

DAAs-based eradication of HCV is associated with improved glycemic control in 37.6% of patients with diabetes as evidenced by a significant reduction of mean HbA1c.
Diffusion lung capacity for carbon monoxide correlates with HRCT findings in patients with diffuse parenchymal lung disease
Authors: Hieba Ezzelregal G. , Shaimaa Eldiasty E. , Dina Sheha S. , Noha Ahmed O.
Published: November 2020

Diffusion lung capacity for carbon monoxide correlates with HRCT findings in patients with diffuse parenchymal lung disease.

Background

Diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLDs) affect the alveolar epithelium, pulmonary capillary endothelium, basement membrane, and perivascular and perilymphatic tissues. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest is the gold standard modality for diagnosing DPLD. Pulmonary function tests usually show a restrictive defect in spirometry. Single breath diffusion lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO-SB) technique is used to assess the diffuse parenchymal lung diseases, as there is thickening of the alveolar membrane and diminished total lung capacity due to interstitial processes with severe decline in the transfer factor. The aim of this work was to correlate between Warrick’s HRCT fibrosis score and DLCO-SB in DPLD and to assess the possibility of using DLCO as an only tool to follow up DPLD to avoid repeated radiation exposure of the patients in HRCT chest (decrease need for radiological follow-up) or vice versa.

Results

This work recruited 89 patients over a period of 10 months duration, 74.2% of them were females. The Warrick’s score, ground-glass opacity, irregular pleural margin, subpleural cyst, honeycombing, and septal and subpleural lines were represented as 96.6%, 70.8%, 55.1%, 49.4%, and 48.3% respectively in HRCT of DPLD. Warrick’s score and its subscores (severity score, extent score, alveolitis score, and fibrosis score) were associated with a highly significant decrease in different pulmonary function indices (FVC, FEV1, TLC, and DLCO) with P value 0.001. A highly significant correlation between DLCO grades and total score grades was found with P value 0.001, and 86.8% of the patients with severe DLCO affection showed severe degree of total fibrosis score.

Conclusions

Both DLCO-SB and HRCT fibrosis scores were significantly correlated. Lifelong follow-up of function and structure of the lung in DPLD is needed by HRCT and DLCO. In an attempt to minimize repeated radiation exposure and reduce cost, we suggest DLCO to be used alone for longer follow-up periods rather than HRCT chest.
Integrin-Src-YAP1 signaling mediates the melanoma acquired resistance to MAPK and PI3K/mTOR dual targeted therapy
Authors: Yu Chune , Zhang Min , Song Jinen , Zheng Xiaobo , Xu Guangchao , Bao Yu , Lan Jiang , Luo Dan , Hu Jianping , Li Jingyi Jessica , Shi Hubing
Published: November 2020

Activation of PI3K/AKT pathway is one of the most recurrent resistant mechanisms for BRAF-targeted therapy, and the combination of MAPK and PI3K/AKT inhibitors becomes one of the most promising regimens for BRAF-targeted relapsed melanoma patients. Although the potent drug efficacy was observed in preclinical experiments and early clinical trials, the dual-drug resistance is inevitable observed. In this study, we systematically explored the mechanisms of dual-drug resistance to MAPKi and PI3K/mTORi in melanoma. With transcriptomic dissection of dual-drug resistant models, we identified that the drug tolerance was mediated by ECM-integrins α3β1 and α11β1 signaling. Upon binding ECM, the integrins activated downstream kinase Src rather than FAK, WNT, or TGFβ. Knockdown of integrins α3, α11, and β1 significantly inhibited the proliferation of dual-drug resistant sublines while with trivial effects on parental cells. Although Src inhibition suppressed the phosphorylation of AKT, c-JUN, and p38, none of inhibitors targeting these kinases reversed the dual-drug resistance in model cells. Notably, Src inhibitor promoted the phosphorylations of LATS1 and YAP1, subsequently, re-localized YAP1 from nucleus to cytosol facilitating further degradation. Both small molecule inhibitors and shRNAs targeting YAP1 or Src overcame the MAPKi and PI3K/mTORi dual-drug resistance. In conclusion, our data not only illuminated an integrin-Src-YAP1 pathway mediated MAPKi and PI3K/mTORi dual-drug resistant mechanism but also provided a potential combinatorial regimen for the drug-relapsed melanoma patients.
The influence of autistic symptoms on social and non-social cognition and on real-life functioning in people with schizophrenia: Evidence from the Italian Network for Research on Psychoses multicenter study
Authors: Vita Antonio , Barlati Stefano , Deste Giacomo , Rocca Paola , Rossi Alessandro , Bertolino Alessandro , Aguglia Eugenio , Amore Mario , Bellomo Antonello , Biondi Massimo , Carpiniello Bernardo , Collantoni Enrico , Cuomo Alessandro , D’Ambrosio Enrico , dell’ Osso Liliana , di Giannantonio Massimo , Giordano Giulia Maria , Marchesi Carlo , Monteleone Palmiero , Montemagni Cristiana , Oldani Lucio , Pompili Maurizio , Roncone Rita , Rossi Rodolfo , Siracusano Alberto , Zeppegno Patrizia , Nibbio Gabriele , Galderisi Silvana , Maj Mario ,   Italian Network for Research on Psychoses
Published: November 2020

Background

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs), although conceptualized as separate entities, may share some clinical and neurobiological features. ASD symptoms may have a relevant role in determining a more severe clinical presentation of schizophrenic disorder but their relationships with cognitive aspects and functional outcomes of the disease remain to be addressed in large samples of individuals.

Aims

To investigate the clinical, cognitive, and functional correlates of ASD symptoms in a large sample of people diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Methods

The severity of ASD symptoms was measured with the PANSS Autism Severity Scale (PAUSS) in 921 individuals recruited for the Italian Network for Research on Psychoses multicenter study. Based on the PAUSS scores, three groups of subjects were compared on a wide array of cognitive and functional measures.

Results

Subjects with more severe ASD symptoms showed a poorer performance in the processing speed (p = 0.010), attention (p = 0.011), verbal memory (p = 0.035), and social cognition (p = 0.001) domains, and an overall lower global cognitive composite score (p = 0.010). Subjects with more severe ASD symptoms also showed poorer functional capacity (p = 0.004), real-world interpersonal relationships (p < 0.001), and participation in community-living activities (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

These findings strengthen the notion that ASD symptoms may have a relevant impact on different aspects of the disease, crucial to the life of people with schizophrenia. Prominent ASD symptoms may characterize a specific subpopulation of individuals with SSD.
Dopamine D1 receptor stimulates cathepsin K-dependent degradation and resorption of collagen I in lung fibroblasts
Authors: Diaz Espinosa Ana M. , Link Patrick A. , Sicard Delphine , Jorba Ignasi , Tschumperlin Daniel J. , Haak Andrew J.
Published: November 2020

Matrix resorption is essential to the clearance of the extracellular matrix (ECM) after normal wound healing. A disruption in these processes constitutes a main component of fibrotic diseases, characterized by excess deposition and diminished clearance of fibrillar ECM proteins, such as collagen type I. The mechanisms and stimuli regulating ECM resorption in the lung remain poorly understood. Recently, agonism of dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1), which is predominantly expressed on fibroblasts in the lung, has been shown to accelerate tissue repair and clearance of ECM following bleomycin injury in mice. Therefore, we investigated whether DRD1 receptor signaling promotes the degradation of collagen type I by lung fibroblasts. For cultured fibroblasts, we found that DRD1 agonism enhances extracellular cleavage, internalization and lysosomal degradation of collagen I mediated by cathepsin K, which results in reduced stiffness of cell-derived matrices, as measured by atomic force microscopy. In vivo agonism of DRD1 similarly enhanced fibrillar collagen degradation by fibroblasts, as assessed by tissue labeling with a collagen-hybridizing peptide. Together, these results implicate DRD1 agonism in fibroblast-mediated collagen clearance, suggesting an important role for this mechanism in fibrosis resolution.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Avoiding Unnecessary Major Rectal Cancer Surgery by Implementing Structural Restaging and a Watch-and-Wait Strategy After Neoadjuvant Radiochemotherapy
Authors: Huisman J. F. , Schoenaker I. J. H. , Brohet R. M. , Reerink O. , van der Sluis H. , Moll F. C. P. , de Boer E. , de Graaf J. C. , de Vos tot Nederveen Cappel W. H. , Beets G. L. , van Westreenen H. L.
Published: November 2020

Background

Pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) is found in 15–20% of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. A watch-and-wait (W&W) strategy has been introduced as an alternative strategy to avoid surgery for selected patients with a clinical complete response at multidisciplinary response evaluation. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the multidisciplinary response evaluation by comparing the proportion of patients with pCR since the introduction of the structural response evaluation with the period before response evaluation.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study enrolled patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who underwent nCRT between January 2009 and May 2018, categorizing them into cohort A (period 2009–2015) and cohort B (period 2015–2018). The patients in cohort B underwent structural multidisciplinary response evaluation with the option of the W&W strategy. Proportion of pCR (ypT0N0), time-to-event (pCR) analysis, and stoma-free survival were evaluated in both cohorts.

Results

Of the 259 patients in the study, 21 (18.4%) in cohort A and in 8 (8.7%) in cohort B had pCR (p = 0.043). Time-to-event analysis demonstrated a significant pCR decline in cohort B (p < 0.001). The stoma-free patient rate was 24% higher in cohort B (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Multidisciplinary clinical response evaluation after nCRT for locally advanced rectal cancer led to a significant decrease in unnecessary surgery for the patients with a complete response.
Molecular Scale Assessments of Electrochemical Interfaces: In Situ and Ex Situ Approaches
Authors: Yokota Yasuyuki , Kim Yousoo
Published: November 2020

Microscopic studies on electrolyte solution/electrode interfaces provide the most fundamental information not only for understanding the electric double layer formed at the interfaces but also for designing sophisticated electrochemical devices. Various types of in situ techniques, performed without taking the electrode out of electrolyte solutions, have become indispensable tools. Among them, electrochemical tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (EC-TERS) is considered as an ultimate tool because of simultaneous measurements of electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (EC-STM) and Raman spectroscopy just underneath the EC-STM tip. On the other hand, ex situ techniques, where the electrode is emersed from the solution to perform precise measurements, have been still useful because the detailed information not easy to obtain by in situ techniques is available just by combining conventional instruments, such as photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) for the analysis of electronic states. In this highlight review, we present our recent progresses with in situ (EC-TERS) and ex situ (PES combined with electrochemistry) experiments for elucidating the microscopic properties of electric double layers. Current issues and future perspective of both techniques are also discussed in detail.
Effectiveness of Planning Prompts on Organizations’ Likelihood to File Their Overdue Taxes: A Multi‐Wave Field Experiment
Authors: Robitaille Nicole , House Julian , Mazar Nina
Published: November 2020

This paper investigates the effectiveness of planning prompts on organizations’ tax compliance behavior. We conducted a large-scale, multi‐wave field experiment examining the tax-paying behavior of all organizations that failed to file timely annual returns for a payroll tax in the province of Ontario. Organizations were randomly assigned to receive one of two letters: Ontario’s standard late notice (control) and a revised experimental late notice, which included step-by-step instructions of when, where, and how to file a return. Our data indicate that planning prompts are effective at increasing organizations’ timely tax payment. In addition to replicating these findings across two waves, we demonstrate that, although our intervention did not appear to have effects that persisted across tax years, organizations also did not habituate to our manipulation and its effects were consistent across repeated exposures. Our study is among the first to demonstrate that a simple behavioral intervention that has typically been applied to individuals to help them to act upon their existing motivations can be effective in the realm of tax compliance and organizational behavior.

This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, behavioral economics.
Ultrahigh-figure-of-merit refractive index sensor based on the Rayleigh anomaly resonance
Authors: Rahimi L. , Askari A. A.
Published: November 2020

We investigate an all-metal and simple-fabrication grating with an ultranarrow band absorption spectrum in the telecom window range. The influences of structure parameters on the absorption characteristics are investigated. For the best design, the absorption efficiency reaches 94% under normal incidence, with the full width at half-maximum of only 0.17 nm. We demonstrate that this ultranarrow band absorption is the result of the dominant excitation of the Rayleigh anomaly mode. The corresponding figure of merit is calculated to be

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. The applied procedure has the potential to also be used in designing high-performance reflection-based sensors in other wavelength ranges.
Tunable terahertz absorption in Si/SiO2-graphene multilayers: disorder and magneto-optical effects
Authors: Rashidi Arezou , Nayak Chittaranjan , Bezerra Claudionor G. , Costa Carlos H. , Pinheiro Felipe A.
Published: November 2020

In this work we theoretically investigate the influence of disorder and external perpendicular magnetic field on terahertz (THz) absorption in graphene/SiC cap layers on top of one-dimensional photonic structures. We show that left-handed circularly polarized light absorption can be achieved up to 0.9 and even nearly perfect absorption at magnetic fields over 4 T. It is also demonstrated that multichannel absorption can be obtained, in a broad frequency range, by increasing the disorder strength in the layer thicknesses, outperforming the corresponding periodic structures. Altogether, our results reveal the potentialities of introducing disorder to not only enhance but also to tune absorption in photonic superlattices with graphene under the influence of an external magnetic field, allowing for applications such as THz circular polarization selective sensors and photodetectors.
W-shaped common-path interferometer
Authors: Wei Ruyi , Di Lamei , Qiao Nianzu , Chen Shasha
Published: November 2020

We present a novel static W-shaped common-path interferometer. In particular, the W-shaped common-path corner-cube retroreflector interferometer (W-CPRI) is introduced via detailed analysis of its working principles and performance. It comprises two corner-cube retroreflectors (CCRs), a reflecting mirror (RM), and a beam splitter. For each interference output of an ideal W-CPRI, the two beams recombine and have the same output direction, including a tilted CCR. In a deformed W-CPRI structure, an optical path difference can be produced by inserting an optical element that changes the optical path in the interferometer arm of the W-CPRI. The posture deviations of the RM and the CCRs in the W-CPRI are analyzed. In addition, a proof-of-concept experiment is conducted, with the stability analyzed using the fringe similarity method. The average cosine similarity is 0.9953, revealing that this W-CPRI has high stability and strong coherence while avoiding the tilt and displacement of the interferometer arm.
Bi2O2Se for broadband terahertz wave switching
Authors: Li Zhe Wen , Li Jiu-Sheng
Published: November 2020

Many modern terahertz systems require dynamic manipulation of a terahertz wave. We proposed a terahertz wave switch based on a

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/

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structure. The transmittance and conductivity characteristics of the

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in a terahertz region have been measured by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and analyzed using the Drude model. An ON–OFF switching speed as fast as 2 MHz and an extinction ratio as high as 17.7 dB was achieved at an external laser irradiance of

1.3

W

/

c
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. The switching characteristics of the device can be explained by the accumulation of carriers at the interface that induces terahertz wave intense absorption. Our approach can effectively be used to realize a wide range of dynamically tunable terahertz functional devices. This makes its use viable for a range of communication, imaging, and sensing applications.
Modeling nonstationary lens blur using eigen blur kernels for restoration
Authors: Gwak Moonsung , Yang Seungjoon
Published: November 2020

Images acquired through a lens show nonstationary blur due to defocus and optical aberrations. This paper presents a method for accurately modeling nonstationary lens blur using eigen blur kernels obtained from samples of blur kernels through principal component analysis. Pixelwise variant nonstationary lens blur is expressed as a linear combination of stationary blur by eigen blur kernels. Operations that represent nonstationary blur can be implemented efficiently using the discrete Fourier transform. The proposed method provides a more accurate and efficient approach to modeling nonstationary blur compared with a widely used method called the efficient filter flow, which assumes stationarity within image regions. The proposed eigen blur kernel-based modeling is applied to total variation restoration of nonstationary lens blur. Accurate and efficient modeling of blur leads to improved restoration performance. The proposed method can be applied to model various nonstationary degradations of image acquisition processes, where degradation information is available only at some sparse pixel locations.
Nonlinear photoacoustic response of suspensions of laser-synthesized plasmonic titanium nitride nanoparticles
Authors: Maldonado Melissa E. , Das Avishek , Gomes Anderson S. L. , Popov Anton A. , Klimentov Sergey M. , Kabashin Andrei V.
Published: November 2020

A nonlinear photoacoustic (PA) response from solutions of 40 nm
plasmonic titanium nitride nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized by laser
ablation in a liquid environment (acetone) is reported. Using a
photoacoustic Z-scan with 5 ns pumping pulses, values of effective
nonlinear absorption (NLA) coefficients

β

PA,eff

were measured and found to be
3.27±0.17 × 10-8, 6.41±0.32 × 10-8, and
3.22±0.16 × 10-8 for 600, 700, and 800 nm pumping
wavelengths, respectively. To take into account the influence of
nonlinear scattering, absorption-dependent PA measurements were
carried out together with the optical Z-scan, and the obtained data
were compared. The origin of the effective absorptive nonlinearity is
discussed based on combined NLA in NPs, nonlinear scattering, and
bubble generation triggered by NP-mediated light absorption. Potential
applications include biomedical diagnostics and therapy.
Optimization of N2+ lasing by waveform-controlled polarization-skewed pulses
Authors: Li Hanxiao , Pan Shengzhe , Chen Fei , Sun Fenghao , Li Zhaohui , Xu Huailiang , Wu Jian
Published: November 2020

Optical ionization of

N
2

and subsequent population redistribution among the ground and excited states of

N

2

+

in an intense laser field are commonly accepted to be fundamentally responsible for the generation of

N

2

+

lasing. By finely controlling this two-step process, the optimization of

N

2

+

lasing is possibly achieved. Here, we design a waveform-controlled polarization-skewed (PS) pumping pulse, in which the leading and falling edges are orthogonally polarized, and their relative field strength and phase can be well controlled. We demonstrate that precise manipulation of the

N

2

+

lasing at 391 nm and 428 nm emissions can be achieved by modulating both the relative phase and amplitudes of the two orthogonally polarized components of the pumping PS pulse. We find that the optimization of

N

2

+

lasing depends not only on the competitive balance between the ionization and post-ionization coupling that varies in different pumping energies but also on the phase with the maximum intensity appearing at the phase of

n

π

. Orders of magnitude enhancement in the

N

2

+

lasing intensity is observed as the phase changes from

(
n
+

1

/

2

)
π

to

n
π

. The PS pulse with a controllable spatiotemporal waveform provides us a robust and straightforward tool to efficiently enhance the

N

2

+

lasing emission.
Coherent silicon photonic interferometric biosensor with an inexpensive laser source for sensitive label-free immunoassays
Authors: Leuermann Jonas , Stamenkovic Vladimir , Ramirez-Priego Patricia , Sánchez-Postigo Alejandro , Fernández-Gavela Adrián , Chapman Cole A. , Bailey Ryan C. , Lechuga Laura M. , Perez-Inestrosa Ezequiel , Collado Daniel , Halir Robert , Molina-Fernández Íñigo
Published: November 2020

Over the past two decades, integrated photonic sensors have been of major interest to the optical biosensor community due to their capability to detect low concentrations of molecules with label-free operation. Among these, interferometric sensors can be read-out with simple, fixed-wavelength laser sources and offer excellent detection limits but can suffer from sensitivity fading when not tuned to their quadrature point. Recently, coherently detected sensors were demonstrated as an attractive alternative to overcome this limitation. Here we show, for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that this coherent scheme provides sub-nanogram per milliliter limits of detection in C-reactive protein immunoassays and that quasi-balanced optical arm lengths enable operation with inexpensive Fabry–Perot-type lasers sources at telecom wavelengths.
Fast, sub-pixel accurate, displacement measurement method: optical and terahertz systems
Authors: Wan Min , Healy John J. , Sheridan John T.
Published: November 2020

A novel (to the best of our knowledge), fast method to measure in-plane object motion in 1D with sub-pixel accuracy which complements the correlation technique is proposed. The method is verified experimentally using both visible and terahertz images. The absolute sum of grey level accumulated change is used to quantify object motion. The method requires calibration for each target, but only addition and subtraction operations. This results in a decrease of two orders of magnitude in the computation time.
Astrocyte-mediated spike-timing-dependent long-term depression modulates synaptic properties in the developing cortex
Authors: Manninen Tiina , Saudargiene Ausra , Linne Marja-Leena
Published: November 2020

Astrocytes have been shown to modulate synaptic transmission and plasticity in specific cortical synapses, but our understanding of the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms remains limited. Here we present a new biophysicochemical model of a somatosensory cortical layer 4 to layer 2/3 synapse to study the role of astrocytes in spike-timing-dependent long-term depression (t-LTD) in vivo. By applying the synapse model and electrophysiological data recorded from rodent somatosensory cortex, we show that a signal from a postsynaptic neuron, orchestrated by endocannabinoids, astrocytic calcium signaling, and presynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors coupled with calcineurin signaling, induces t-LTD which is sensitive to the temporal difference between post- and presynaptic firing. We predict for the first time the dynamics of astrocyte-mediated molecular mechanisms underlying t-LTD and link complex biochemical networks at presynaptic, postsynaptic, and astrocytic sites to the time window of t-LTD induction. During t-LTD a single astrocyte acts as a delay factor for fast neuronal activity and integrates fast neuronal sensory processing with slow non-neuronal processing to modulate synaptic properties in the brain. Our results suggest that astrocytes play a critical role in synaptic computation during postnatal development and are of paramount importance in guiding the development of brain circuit functions, learning and memory.
Southeast Asian health system challenges and responses to the ‘Andaman Sea refugee crisis’: A qualitative study of health-sector perspectives from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand
Authors: Legido-Quigley Helena , Leh Hoon Chuah Fiona , Howard Natasha
Published: November 2020

Background

Southeast Asian countries host signficant numbers of forcibly displaced people. This study was conducted to examine how health systems in Southeast Asia have responded to the health system challenges of forced migration and refugee-related health including the health needs of populations affected by forced displacement; the health systems–level barriers and facilitators in addressing these needs; and the implications of existing health policies relating to forcibly displaced and refugee populations. This study aims to fill in the gap in knowledge by analysing how health systems are organised in Southeast Asia to address the health needs of forcibly displaced people.

Methods and findings

We conducted 30 semistructured interviews with health policy-makers, health service providers, and other experts working in the United Nations (n = 6), ministries and public health (n = 5), international (n = 9) and national civil society (n = 7), and academia (n = 3) based in Indonesia (n = 6), Malaysia (n = 10), Myanmar (n = 6), and Thailand (n = 8). Data were analysed thematically using deductive and inductive coding. Interviewees described the cumulative nature of health risks at each migratory phase. Perceived barriers to addressing migrants’ cumulative health needs were primarily financial, juridico-political, and sociocultural, whereas key facilitators were many health workers’ humanitarian stance and positive national commitment to pursuing universal health coverage (UHC). Across all countries, financial constraints were identified as the main challenges in addressing the comprehensive health needs of refugees and asylum seekers. Participants recommended regional and multisectoral approaches led by national governments, recognising refugee and asylum-seeker contributions, and promoting inclusion and livelihoods. Main study limitations included that we were not able to include migrant voices or those professionals not already interested in migrants.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is one of the first qualitative studies to investigate the health concerns and barriers to access among migrants experiencing forced displacement, particularly refugees and asylum seekers, in Southeast Asia. Findings provide practical new insights with implications for informing policy and practice. Overall, sociopolitical inclusion of forcibly displaced populations remains difficult in these four countries despite their significant contributions to host-country economies.
Comparing machine learning with case-control models to identify confirmed dengue cases
Authors: Ho Tzong-Shiann , Weng Ting-Chia , Wang Jung-Der , Han Hsieh-Cheng , Cheng Hao-Chien , Yang Chun-Chieh , Yu Chih-Hen , Liu Yen-Jung , Hu Chien Hsiang , Huang Chun-Yu , Chen Ming-Hong , King Chwan-Chuen , Oyang Yen-Jen , Liu Ching-Chuan
Published: November 2020

In recent decades, the global incidence of dengue has increased. Affected countries have responded with more effective surveillance strategies to detect outbreaks early, monitor the trends, and implement prevention and control measures. We have applied newly developed machine learning approaches to identify laboratory-confirmed dengue cases from 4,894 emergency department patients with dengue-like illness (DLI) who received laboratory tests. Among them, 60.11% (2942 cases) were confirmed to have dengue. Using just four input variables [age, body temperature, white blood cells counts (WBCs) and platelets], not only the state-of-the-art deep neural network (DNN) prediction models but also the conventional decision tree (DT) and logistic regression (LR) models delivered performances with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves areas under curves (AUCs) of the ranging from 83.75% to 85.87% [for DT, DNN and LR: 84.60% ± 0.03%, 85.87% ± 0.54%, 83.75% ± 0.17%, respectively]. Subgroup analyses found all the models were very sensitive particularly in the pre-epidemic period. Pre-peak sensitivities (<35 weeks) were 92.6%, 92.9%, and 93.1% in DT, DNN, and LR respectively. Adjusted odds ratios examined with LR for low WBCs [≤ 3.2 (x103/μL)], fever (≥38°C), low platelet counts [< 100 (x103/μL)], and elderly (≥ 65 years) were 5.17 [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.96–6.76], 3.17 [95%CI: 2.74–3.66], 3.10 [95%CI: 2.44–3.94], and 1.77 [95%CI: 1.50–2.10], respectively. Our prediction models can readily be used in resource-poor countries where viral/serologic tests are inconvenient and can also be applied for real-time syndromic surveillance to monitor trends of dengue cases and even be integrated with mosquito/environment surveillance for early warning and immediate prevention/control measures. In other words, a local community hospital/clinic with an instrument of complete blood counts (including platelets) can provide a sentinel screening during outbreaks. In conclusion, the machine learning approach can facilitate medical and public health efforts to minimize the health threat of dengue epidemics. However, laboratory confirmation remains the primary goal of surveillance and outbreak investigation.