bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ImageM: a user-friendly interface for the processing of multi-dimensional images with Matlab
Authors: Legland David , Devaux Marie-Françoise
Published: April 2021

Modern imaging devices provide a wealth of data often organized as images with many dimensions, such as 2D/3D, time and channel. Matlab is an efficient software solution for image processing, but it lacks many features facilitating the interactive interpretation of image data, such as a user-friendly image visualization, or the management of image meta-data (e.g. spatial calibration), thus limiting its application to bio-image analysis.

The ImageM application proposes an integrated user interface that facilitates the processing and the analysis of multi-dimensional images within the Matlab environment. It provides a user-friendly visualization of multi-dimensional images, a collection of image processing algorithms and methods for analysis of images, the management of spatial calibration, and facilities for the analysis of multi-variate images. ImageM can also be run on the open source alternative software to Matlab, Octave.

ImageM is freely distributed on GitHub: https://github.com/mattools/ImageM.
Aportes de la recreación a la interpretación ambiental en las áreas naturales protegidas
Authors: Rodríguez Cortés Astrid Bibiana , Mora González Liliana Maribel
Published: April 2021

La interpretación ambiental sostiene una propuesta de educación basada en la experiencia, el interés, la construcción de significados y el reconocimiento de las potencialidades del entorno para el desarrollo de actividades con una finalidad educativa en espacios abiertos. Este artículo presenta una reflexión sobre ciertas actividades de interpretación ambiental propuestas por estudiantes de Licenciatura en Recreación y Turismo de la Universidad Pedagógica Nacional, implementadas en algunas áreas protegidas de Colombia. En las actividades propuestas se evi­dencia cómo la recreación aporta al ejercicio de interpretación ambiental, constituyéndose en un campo de acción desde el cual los licenciados pueden aportar a la conservación de la diversidad biofísica y sociocultural colombiana, así como reconocer las áreas protegidas como escenarios pedagógicos que promueven el cuidado, preservación y valor social de los entornos naturales. Estos elementos sugieren que la articulación entre la interpretación ambiental y la recreación desde el saber pedagógico configuran un escenario de acción que favorece la relación de las áreas protegidas con distintos actores del territorio.
Un territorio que le habla a la escuela. La experiencia de la Expedición Educativa en Neiva
Authors: Macías Tamayo Aldemar , Peña Poveda Yamile Johanna , Bernal Romero David Felipe
Published: April 2021

Este artículo presenta la experiencia denominada Expedición Educativa desarrollada en el mu­nicipio de Neiva entre el 2016 y el 2019. Se parte de los postulados de las pedagogías críticas, el pensamiento crítico latinoamericano y los proyectos pedagógicos de aula, con el fin de trabajar en currículos que sean construidos por los actores de la educación en interacción territorial y, así, aportar al fortalecimiento del tejido social de niños, niñas, jóvenes, profesores, familias, organizaciones sociales y populares. Del mismo modo, propender por la movilización social, el cuidado y protección de todas las formas de vida y el pensamiento crítico alrededor de una apuesta educativa, en la que está en juego un proyecto de sociedad. Finalmente, contribuir a los lineamientos de la política pública de educación de Neiva (Acuerdo 022 de 2018), a partir de los proyectos educativos comunitarios como estrategia de articulación de la escuela con los territorios.
Uncertainty and the Shadow Banking Crisis: Estimates from a Dynamic Model
Authors: Tian Xu
Published: April 2021

Shadow banks play an important role in the modern financial system and are arguably the source of key vulnerabilities that led to the 2007–2009 financial crisis. I develop a quantitative framework with uncertainty fluctuations and endogenous bank default to study the dynamics of shadow banking. I argue that the increase in asset return uncertainty during the crisis results in a spread spike, making it more costly for shadow banks to roll over their debt in the short-term debt market. As a result, these financial institutions are forced to deleverage, leading to a decrease in credit intermediation. The model is estimated using a bank-level data set of shadow banks in the United States. The parameter estimates imply that uncertainty shocks can explain 72% of asset contraction and 70% of deleveraging in the shadow banking sector. Maturity mismatch and asset fire-sales amplify the impact of the uncertainty shocks. First-moment shocks to bank asset return, financial shocks, or fire-sale cost shocks alone cannot reproduce the large interbank spread spike, dramatic deleveraging, or contraction in the U.S. shadow banking sector during the crisis. The model also allows for policy experiments. I analyze how unconventional monetary policies can help to counter the rise in the interbank spread, thus stabilizing the credit supply. Taking bank moral hazard into consideration, I find that government bailout might be counterproductive as it might result in more aggressive risk-taking among shadow banks, especially when bailout decisions are based on bank characteristics.

This paper was accepted by Gustavo Manso, finance.
First record of margay (Leopardus wiedii) in cloud forest of Guatemala
Authors: Moreira-Ramírez José Fernando , García-Anleu Rony , Ponce-Santizo Gabriela , Mérida Melvin
Published: April 2021

El margay (Leopardus wiedii) es un felino Neotropical de tamaño pequeño a mediano clasificado como en peligro de extinción en Guatemala.  Para detectar especies sigilosas o de hábitos nocturnos en ambientes tropicales se ha recomendado utilizar métodos no invasivos.  En este trabajo, presentamos el primer registro fotográfico de margay en el Biotopo Universitario Mario Dary Rivera para la Conservación del Quetzal, departamento de Baja Verapaz, utilizando trampas cámara.  Este registro representa la observación a mayor altitud para esta especie en bosques nubosos de Guatemala.  Utilizamos 7 trampas cámara, 4 LeafRiver™ modelo C-1BU con cámara Canon© Sure Shot Owl y 3 DeerCam (860 Park Lane, Park Falls WI 54551).  Las trampas cámara fueron instaladas durante 16 días consecutivos (21 de febrero al 8 de marzo de 2008) y fueron programadas para obtener fotografías con la hora y fecha impresa.  Con un esfuerzo total de 110 trampas/noche, obtuvimos un registro de margay en una trampa cámara en bosque nuboso, confirmando la presencia de este felino a 1,770 m.  Este registro fotográfico es la primera evidencia confirmada de la presencia de margay en el bosque nuboso del Biotopo Universitario Mario Dary Rivera para la Conservación del Quetzal, a 3.3 km al sureste del poblado municipal de Purulhá.  Recomendamos la implementación de programas de monitoreo a largo plazo utilizando trampas cámara dentro del área, con el objetivo de investigar especies esquivas con hábitos crepusculares, nocturnos, para promover estrategias de conservación.
Minimal indices and minimal bases via filtrations
Authors: Mackey D. Steven
Published: April 2021

A new way to formulate the notions of minimal basis and minimal indices is developed in this paper, based on the concept of a filtration of a vector space. The goal is to provide useful new tools for working with these important concepts, as well as to gain deeper insight into their fundamental nature. This approach also readily reveals a strong minimality property of minimal indices, from which follows a characterization of the vector polynomial bases in rational vector spaces. The effectiveness of this new formulation is further illustrated by proving several fundamental properties: the invariance of the minimal indices of a matrix polynomial under field extension, the direct sum property of minimal indices, the polynomial linear combination property, and the predictable degree property.
Los contornos melódicos de las declarativas del portugués de Brasil hablado en Minas Gerais
Authors: Leite Araújo Monique
Published: April 2021

Aquest treball té com a objectiu descriure els contorns melòdics de les declaratives del protuguès de Brasil parlat a Minas Gerais, establerts a través de l’anàlisi melòdica dels trets distintius que composen l’entonació d’aquesta llengua i que va formar part del corpus analitzat a la tesi de mestrat de Araújo (2014) titulada: Entonação das interrogativas e das declarativas do português brasileiro falado em Minas Gerais: Modelos para o Ensino de Línguas.
Presentación
Authors: Font-Rotchés Dolors
Published: April 2021

Presentació del vol. 16 (2020)
Prosodia emocional y conversación espontánea: bases para el establecimiento de un protocolo de identificación perceptiva
Authors: Padilla Xose A.
Published: April 2021

En aquest article, proposem un protocol metodològic que permet superar els problemes que presenta la identificació perceptiva de les emocions en la parla espontània. El treball que exposarem es divideix en dues parts. La primera inclou reflexions sobre els fenòmens emocionals, la font i la selecció d’exemples, la metodologia d’identificació d’emocions, i instruccions sobre les unitats conversacionals i prosòdiques que li serviran de base. La segona part avalua la guia d’observació que proposem examinant els resultats obtinguts per dos observadors en la seva anàlisi d’una conversa concreta. L’aplicació de l’estadístic kappa de Cohen a les estimacions realitzades pels dos observadors permeten considerar favorablement el seu ús com a eina d’identificació perceptiva de la prosòdia emocional.
Entonación enfática del español hablado por rusohablantes
Authors: Garmátina Zoya
Published: April 2021

En aquest article s'aporten els primers resultats de l'anàlisi de l'entonació emfàtica del castellà parlat per russos. Per fer l'estudi, vam gravar 15 hores de converses espontànies amb deu parlants natius de rus que tenien un nivell d'espanyol mitjà o avançat. De totes les gravacions, vam seleccionar 70 enunciats emfàtics amb una forta càrrega d'afectivitat. Per a l'anàlisi, vam utilitzar el mètode Anàlisi Melòdica de la Parla (AMP) i els contorns obtinguts d'aquesta interllengua es van comparar amb els patrons emfàtics de l'espanyol peninsular. Els resultats obtinguts ens ofereixen la caracterització de l'entonació emfàtica dels russos quan parlen castellà.
El espacio expositivo. Tema y montaje de las Muestras Bienales de Arquitectura chilena
Authors: Bustamante Prieto Cristián Felipe , Trachana Angelique
Published: April 2021

El objetivo de esta investigación es, desde una perspectiva histórica, establecer una posible relación entre los temas de las Bienales de Arquitectura chilena y el Montaje de las Muestras, durante los 43 años desde su fundación.De este proyecto de comunicación, llevado a cabo por el Colegio de Arquitectos, se ha deducido una categorización de los espacios expositivos en relación con el tema de la Bienal a través de modelos conceptuales definidos como metáfora, literalidad o materialidad.
Emissions in short-gated ns/ps/fs-LIBS for fuel-to-air ratio measurements in methane-air flames
Authors: Gragston Mark , Hsu Paul , Jiang Naibo , Roy Sukesh , Zhang Zhili
Published: April 2021

A study of short-gated 10 nanosecond (ns), 100 picosecond (ps), and 100 femtosecond (fs) laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was conducted for fuel-to-air ratio (FAR) measurements in an atmospheric Hencken flame. The intent of the work is to understand which emission lines are available near the optical range in each pulse width regime and which emission ratios may be favorable for generating equivalence ratio calibration curves. The emission spectra in the range of 550–800 nm for ns-LIBS and ps-LIBS are mostly similar with slightly elevated atomic oxygen lines by ps-LIBS. Spectra from fs-LIBS show the lowest continuum background and prominent individual atomic lines, though have significantly weaker ionic emission from nitrogen. A qualitative explanation based on assumed local thermodynamic equilibrium and electron temperatures calculated by the

N

I
I

(

565

n
m

)

and

N

I
I

(

594

n
m

)

emissions is presented. In studying line emission ratios for FAR calculation, it is found that

H

α

(

656

n
m

)

/

N

I
I

(

568

n
m

)

is best for FAR measurements with ns-LIBS and remains viable for ps-LIBS, while

H

α

(

656

n
m

)

/

O

I

(

777

n
m

)

is optimal for the ps-LIBS and fs-LIBS cases. Due to low continuum background and short time delay for spectra collection, fs-LIBS is very promising for high-speed FAR measurements using short-gated LIBS.
Photonic approach for simultaneous measurement of microwave DFS and AOA
Authors: Zhao Jianing , Tang Zhenzhou , Pan Shilong
Published: April 2021

A photonic scheme that can simultaneously estimate the microwave Doppler-frequency shift (DFS) and angle-of-arrive (AOA) is demonstrated. In the proposed system, the transmitted signal is independently mixed with two echo signals by a dual-channel microwave photonic mixer. By measuring the frequency of the intermediate frequency (IF) signal output from the two channels and the phase difference between them, the DFS (with direction identification) and AOA parameters can be obtained. In a proof-of-concept experiment, the errors are less than

±

0.08

H
z

for the DFS measurement within a range of

±
100

k
H
z

and less than

±
1

.

3

deg

for the AOA measurement ranging from 0° to 90°, respectively.
Optical design for laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy setups for increased sensitivity and flexible spatial detection
Authors: Dahlberg Tobias , Andersson Magnus
Published: April 2021

We demonstrate a method to double the collection efficiency in laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy (LTRS) by collecting both the forward-scattered and backscattered light in a single-shot multitrack measurement. Our method can collect signals at different sample volumes, granting both the pinpoint spatial selectivity of confocal Raman spectroscopy and the bulk sensitivity of non-confocal Raman spectroscopy simultaneously. Further, we display that our approach allows for reduced detector integration time and laser power. To show this, we measure the Raman spectra of both polystyrene beads and bacterial spores. For spores, we can trap them at 2.5 mW laser power and acquire a high signal-to-noise ratio power spectrum of the calcium-dipicolinic acid peaks using an integration time of 

2

×

30

s

. Thus, our method will enable the monitoring of biological samples sensitive to high intensities for longer times. Additionally, we demonstrate that by a simple modification, we can add polarization sensitivity and retrieve extra biochemical information.
Study of waveguide background at visible wavelengths for on-chip nanoscopy
Authors: Coucheron David A. , Helle Øystein I. , Wilkinson James S. , Murugan Ganapathy Senthil , Domínguez Carlos , Angelskår Hallvard , Ahluwalia Balpreet S.
Published: April 2021

On-chip super-resolution optical microscopy is an emerging field relying on waveguide excitation with visible light. Here, we investigate two commonly used high-refractive index waveguide platforms, tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) and silicon nitride (Si3N4), with respect to their background with excitation in the range 488–640 nm. The background strength from these waveguides were estimated by imaging fluorescent beads. The spectral dependence of the background from these waveguide platforms was also measured. For 640 nm wavelength excitation both the materials had a weak background, but the background increases progressively for shorter wavelengths for Si3N4. We further explored the effect of the waveguide background on localization precision of single molecule localization for direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM). An increase in background for Si3N4 at 488 nm is shown to reduce the localization precision and thus the resolution of the reconstructed images. The localization precision at 640nm was very similar for both the materials. Thus, for shorter wavelength applications Ta2O5 is preferable. Reducing the background from Si3N4 at shorter wavelengths via improved fabrication will be worth pursuing.
Modelling of the optical signature of oil slicks at sea for the analysis of multi- and hyperspectral VNIR-SWIR images
Authors: Caillault Karine , Roupioz Laure , Viallefont-Robinet Francoise
Published: April 2021

This work focuses on the contribution of modelling for the interpretation of multi- or hyperspectral optical images for the detection, characterisation and quantification of oil spills. Many parameters contribute to the spectral signature of an oil layer on the sea surface: the optical properties of the water column and of the oil, the film thickness, the surface roughness, the atmospheric radiance reaching the surface (direct and diffuse components), the geometry of observation and illumination. The number of these contributors and their combinations make the analysis of the spectral variability of oil signatures at the sea surface complex. Modelling approaches allow us to consider all those parameters and can then provide useful information to improve the interpretation of optical images. The model presented in this paper simulates the radiance of an oil layer from visible to short wave infrared spectral domains, taking into account all the above-mentioned parameters. The damping influence of the oil layer on sea surface waves is also considered. Comparisons of the simulations with in situ measurements shows a good overall agreement despite the lack of knowledge of some input parameters of the model. In combination with laboratory and in-the-field measurements, the model is then used to assess the expected contrast between water and oil and to estimate oil slick volume.
Effects of defects and surface roughness on high-Q modes in ZnO microspheres
Authors: Chien Ching-Hang , Khanum Rizwana , Liu Chia-Liang , Moirangthem Rakesh S. , Chang Yia-Chung
Published: April 2021

Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of high-Q ZnO microspheres of various degrees of inhomogeneity are studied. Multiple sharp resonance features with distinct patterns associated with whispering gallery modes (WGM) of these microspheres are observed. Relative WGM peak strengths in these PL spectra are found to be closely related to defects and the surface roughness of the microspheres. A theoretical model based on Mie theory and Green’s function method is used to simulate the optical emission spectra of these microspheres. The effects of defects and surface roughness can be characterized by a frequency-dependent external quality factor (Q
ex
) with a prefactor. By adjusting the prefactor in Q
ex
and a parameter describing the contribution of stimulated emission in the PL spectra, we can fit the observed PL spectra well. Through this study, we gain a better understanding of the relation between the diffusive scattering and the lineshapes of spectral features in PL.
MENP: an open-source MATLAB implementation of multipole expansion for nanophotonics
Authors: Hinamoto Tatsuki , Fujii Minoru
Published: April 2021

In modern nanophotonics, multipolar interference plays an indispensable role to realize novel optical devices represented by metasurfaces with unprecedented functionalities. Not only to engineer sub-wavelength structures that constitute such devices but also to realize and interpret unnatural phenomena in nanophotonics, a program that efficiently carries out multipole expansion is highly demanded. MENP is a MATLAB program for computation of multipole contributions to light scattering from current density distributions induced in nanophotonic resonators. The main purpose of MENP is to carry out post-processing of a rigid multipole expansion for full-field simulations that in principle provide the information of all near- and far-field interactions (e.g., as a total scattering cross section). MENP decomposes total scattering cross sections into partial ones due to electric and magnetic dipolar and quadrupolar terms based on recently developed exact multipole expansion formulas. We validate the program by comparing results for ideal and realistic nanospheres with those obtained with the Mie theory. We also demonstrate the potential of MENP for analysis of anapole states by calculating the multipole expansion under the long-wavelength approximation, which enables us to introduce toroidal dipole moments.
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus human-to-human transmission
Authors: Fang Xinyu , Hu Jianli , Peng Zhihang , Dai Qigang , Liu Wendong , Liang Shuyi , Li Zhifeng , Zhang Nan , Bao Changjun
Published: April 2021

Background

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) was listed as one of the most severe infectious disease by world health organization in 2017. It can mostly be transmitted by tick bite, while human-to-human transmission has occurred on multiple occasions. This study aimed to explore the epidemiological and clinical characteristics and make risk analysis of SFTS human-to-human transmission.

Methods

Descriptive and spatial methods were employed to illustrate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of SFTS human-to-human transmission. The risk of SFTS human-to-human transmission was accessed through secondary attack rate (SAR) and basic reproductive number (R0). Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the associated risk factors.

Results

A total of 27 clusters of SFTS human-to-human transmission were reported in China and South Korea during 1996–2019. It mainly occurred among elder people in May, June and October in central and eastern China. The secondary cases developed milder clinical manifestation and better outcome than the index cases. The incubation period was 10.0 days (IQR:8.0–12.0), SAR was 1.72%-55.00%, and the average R0 to be 0.13 (95%CI:0.11–0.16). Being blood relatives of the index case, direct blood/bloody secretion contact and bloody droplet contact had more risk of infection (OR = 6.35(95%CI:3.26–12.37), 38.01 (95%CI,19.73–73.23), 2.27 (95%CI,1.01–5.19)).

Conclusions

SFTS human-to-human transmission in China and South Korea during 1996–2019 had obvious spatio-temporal distinction. Ongoing assessment of this transmission risk is crucial for public health authorities though it continues to be low now.
Compositional variability of Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca, and Na/Ca in the deep-sea bivalve Acesta excavata (Fabricius, 1779)
Authors: Schleinkofer Nicolai , Raddatz Jacek , Evans David , Gerdes Axel , Flögel Sascha , Voigt Silke , Büscher Janina Vanessa , Wisshak Max
Published: April 2021

Acesta excavata (Fabricius, 1779) is a slow growing bivalve from the Limidae family and is often found associated with cold-water coral reefs along the European continental margin. Here we present the compositional variability of frequently used proxy elemental ratios (Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca, Na/Ca) measured by laser-ablation mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and compare it to in-situ recorded instrumental seawater parameters such as temperature and salinity. Shell Mg/Ca measured in the fibrous calcitic shell section was overall not correlated with seawater temperature or salinity; however, some samples show significant correlations with temperature with a sensitivity that was found to be unusually high in comparison to other marine organisms. Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca measured in the fibrous calcitic shell section display significant negative correlations with the linear extension rate of the shell, which indicates strong vital effects in these bivalves. Multiple linear regression analysis indicates that up to 79% of elemental variability is explicable with temperature and salinity as independent predictor values. Yet, the overall results clearly show that the application of Element/Ca (E/Ca) ratios in these bivalves to reconstruct past changes in temperature and salinity is likely to be complicated due to strong vital effects and the effects of organic material embedded in the shell. Therefore, we suggest to apply additional techniques, such as clumped isotopes, in order to exactly determine and quantify the underlying vital effects and possibly account for these. We found differences in the chemical composition between the two calcitic shell layers that are possibly explainable through differences of the crystal morphology. Sr/Ca ratios also appear to be partly controlled by the amount of magnesium, because the small magnesium ions bend the crystal lattice which increases the space for strontium incorporation. Oxidative cleaning with H2O2 did not significantly change the Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca composition of the shell. Na/Ca ratios decreased after the oxidative cleaning, which is most likely a leaching effect and not caused by the removal of organic matter.
Using control charts to understand community variation in COVID-19
Authors: Inkelas Moira , Blair Cheríe , Furukawa Daisuke , Manuel Vladimir G. , Malenfant Jason H. , Martin Emily , Emeruwa Iheanacho , Kuo Tony , Arangua Lisa , Robles Brenda , Provost Lloyd P.
Published: April 2021

Decision-makers need signals for action as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic progresses. Our aim was to demonstrate a novel use of statistical process control to provide timely and interpretable displays of COVID-19 data that inform local mitigation and containment strategies. Healthcare and other industries use statistical process control to study variation and disaggregate data for purposes of understanding behavior of processes and systems and intervening on them. We developed control charts at the county and city/neighborhood level within one state (California) to illustrate their potential value for decision-makers. We found that COVID-19 rates vary by region and subregion, with periods of exponential and non-exponential growth and decline. Such disaggregation provides granularity that decision-makers can use to respond to the pandemic. The annotated time series presentation connects events and policies with observed data that may help mobilize and direct the actions of residents and other stakeholders. Policy-makers and communities require access to relevant, accurate data to respond to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Control charts could prove valuable given their potential ease of use and interpretability in real-time decision-making and for communication about the pandemic at a meaningful level for communities.
Analysis of conflict of interest policies among organizations producing clinical practice guidelines
Authors: Brems J. Henry , Davis Andrea E. , Clayton Ellen Wright
Published: April 2021

Background

Conflicts of interest (COI) jeopardize the validity of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs). When the Institute of Medicine promulgated COI policies in 2011, few organizations met these requirements, but it is unknown if organizations have improved their policies since that time. We sought to evaluate current adherence to IOM standards of COI policies.

Methods and findings

We conducted a retrospective document review of COI policies and CPGs from organizations that published five or more CPGs between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019. Organizations were identified via CPG databases. COI policies were obtained from an internet search. We collected data on i) the number of organizations that have COI policies specific to CPG development, ii) the number of policies meeting each IOM standard and iii) the number of IOM standards met by each policy. COI disclosures from five CPGs of each organization were assessed for adherence to IOM standards. Among the 46 organizations that published 5 or more CPGs, 36 (78%) had a COI policy. Standard 2.2b (requiring divestment of financial COI) was met least frequently, by 2 of 36 (6%) organizations. Standard 2.1 (requiring disclosure of COI) was met most frequently, by 33 of 36 (92%) organizations. A total of 31 of 36 (86%) organizations met 4 or fewer of the 7 IOM standards. Among the 16 organizations limiting COI to a minority of the CPG panel (standard 2.4c) and the 15 organizations prohibiting COI among chairs or co-chairs (standard 2.4d), 12 (75%) and 10 (67%) organizations violated the respective standard in at least one CPG. The main limitations of our study are the exclusion of organizations producing fewer CPGs and ability to assess only publicly available policies.

Conclusion

Among organizations producing CPGs, COI policies frequently do not meet IOM standards, and organizations often violate their own policies. These shortcomings may undermine the public trust in and thus the utility of CPGs. CPG-producing organizations should improve their COI policies and their strategies to manage COI to increase the trustworthiness of CPGs.
Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase A1298C polymorphisms influence the adult sequelae of chemotherapy in childhood-leukemia survivors
Authors: Elens Iris , Deprez Sabine , Billiet Thibo , Sleurs Charlotte , Labarque Veerle , Uyttebroeck Anne , Van Gool Stefaan , Lemiere Jurgen , D’Hooge Rudi
Published: April 2021

This retrospective correlation study investigated the putative link between methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) A1298C mutations and chemotherapy-related brain function changes in adult childhood-leukemia survivors. To this end, we determined the relationship between the particular MTHFR1298 genotype (AA, AC or CC) of 31 adult childhood-leukemia survivors, and (1) their CSF Tau and phosphorylated Tau (pTau) levels at the time of treatment, (2) their adult performance intelligence quotient (PIQ), and (3) their regional brain connectivity using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) and resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI). We confirmed that neuropathology markers Tau and pTau significantly increased in CSF of children after intrathecal methotrexate administration. Highest concentrations of these toxicity markers were found during the induction phase of the therapy. Moreover, CSF concentrations of Tau and pTau during treatment were influenced by the children’s particular MTHFR1298 genotype. CSF Tau (but not pTau) levels significantly dropped after folinic acid supplementation. At adult age (on average 13.1 years since the end of their treatment), their particular MTHFR1298 genotype (AA, AC or CC) influenced the changes in PIQ and cortical connectivity that we found to be related to their childhood exposure to chemotherapeutics. In summary, we suggest that homozygous MTHFR1298CC individuals are more vulnerable to the adult sequelae of antifolate chemotherapy.
Differences between 3D isovoxel fat suppression VIBE MRI and CT models of proximal femur osseous anatomy: A preliminary study for bone tumor resection planning
Authors: Chee Choong Guen , Chung Hye Won , Kim Wanlim , Yoon Min A. , Shin So Myoung , Kim Guk Bae
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the osseous anatomy of the proximal femur extracted from a 3D-MRI volumetric interpolated breath-hold (VIBE) sequence using either a Dixon or water excitation (WE) fat suppression method, and to measure the overall difference using CT as a reference standard.

Material and methods

This retrospective study reviewed imaging of adult patients with hip pain who underwent 3D hip MRI and CT. A semi-automatically segmented CT model served as the reference standard, and MRI segmentation was performed manually for each unilateral hip joint. The differences between Dixon-VIBE-3D-MRI vs. CT, and WE-VIBE-3D-MRI vs. CT, were measured. Equivalence tests between Dixon-VIBE and WE-VIBE models were performed with a threshold of 0.1 mm. Bland–Altman plots and Lin’s concordance-correlation coefficient were used to analyze the agreement between WE and Dixon sequences. Subgroup analyses were performed for the femoral head/neck, intertrochanteric, and femoral shaft areas.

Results

The mean and maximum differences between Dixon-VIBE-3D-MRI vs. CT were 0.2917 and 3.4908 mm, respectively, whereas for WE-VIBE-3D-MRI vs. CT they were 0.3162 and 3.1599 mm. The mean differences of the WE and Dixon methods were equivalent (P = 0.0292). However, the maximum difference was not equivalent between the two methods and it was higher in WE method. Lin’s concordance-correlation coefficient showed poor agreement between Dixon and WE methods. The mean differences between the CT and 3D-MRI models were significantly higher in the femoral shaft area (P = 0.0004 for WE and P = 0.0015 for Dixon) than in the other areas. The maximum difference was greatest in the intertrochanteric area for both techniques.

Conclusion

The difference between 3D-MR and CT models were acceptable with a maximal difference below 3.5mm. WE and Dixon fat suppression methods were equivalent. The mean difference was highest at the femoral shaft area, which was off-center from the magnetization field.
An integrated augmented reality surgical navigation platform using multi-modality imaging for guidance
Authors: Chan Harley H. L. , Haerle Stephan K. , Daly Michael J. , Zheng Jinzi , Philp Lauren , Ferrari Marco , Douglas Catriona M. , Irish Jonathan C.
Published: April 2021

An integrated augmented reality (AR) surgical navigation system that potentially improves intra-operative visualization of concealed anatomical structures. Integration of real-time tracking technology with a laser pico-projector allows the surgical surface to be augmented by projecting virtual images of lesions and critical structures created by multimodality imaging. We aim to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the performance of a prototype interactive AR surgical navigation system through a series of pre-clinical studies. Four pre-clinical animal studies using xenograft mouse models were conducted to investigate system performance. A combination of CT, PET, SPECT, and MRI images were used to augment the mouse body during image-guided procedures to assess feasibility. A phantom with machined features was employed to quantitatively estimate the system accuracy. All the image-guided procedures were successfully performed. The tracked pico-projector correctly and reliably depicted virtual images on the animal body, highlighting the location of tumour and anatomical structures. The phantom study demonstrates the system was accurate to 0.55 ± 0.33mm. This paper presents a prototype real-time tracking AR surgical navigation system that improves visualization of underlying critical structures by overlaying virtual images onto the surgical site. This proof-of-concept pre-clinical study demonstrated both the clinical applicability and high precision of the system which was noted to be accurate to <1mm.
Facile production of chlorophyllides using recombinant CrCLH1 and their cytotoxicity towards multidrug resistant breast cancer cell lines
Authors: Hsiang Yi-Ping , Wang Yi-Ting , Huang Keng-Shiang , Huang Ting-Yu , Tai Mi-Hsueh , Lin Yu-Mei , Yang Chih-Hui , Shaw Jei-Fu
Published: April 2021

The purity of chlorophylls plays one of the key role for the production of chlorophyllides. We have designed a facile method for chlorophyll purification by twice solvent extraction. Twice extraction causes the loss of chlorophylls, but the purity of total chlorophylls can be enhanced 182%. Then, the purified chlorophylls can be converted to relatively pure chlorophyllides facilely. The results show that higher purity of chlorophyllides could be obtained when purified chlorophylls (ethanol-hexane extract) was used as starting materials than that of crude chlorophylls (ethanol-only extract). In biocompatibility test, the results showed that the prepared chlorophyllides can be applied as biomaterials. When the prepared chlorophyllides were applied to anticancer tests, they were active both in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 (multidrug resistant breast cancer cells) cell lines. In addition, the results suggested that the prepared chlorophyllides could be a potential candidate of combination therapy with doxorubicin to breast cancers.
Nutritional status, dementia, and mobility among nursing home’s residents: First exhaustive cross-sectional study in Limousin territory (France)
Authors: Fayemendy Philippe , Mabiama Gustave , Vernier Thibault , Massoulard-Gainant Aude , Villemonteix Carole , Desport Jean-Claude , Jésus Pierre
Published: April 2021

Background

Aging is accompanied by a drop in the level of health and autonomy, within Western countries more and more people being cared for in nursing homes (NH). The nutritional data in NH in France remain poor, not exhaustive and not representative. The objective of the study was to assess the nutritional status, dementia and mobility patterns among residents of NH in the Limousin territory of France.

Methods

The study was cross-sectional, descriptive and exhaustive, conducted with the residents of 13 voluntary NH. Undernutrition was identified using French High Authority for Health criteria, and obesity if Body Mass Index >30, in the absence undernutrition criterion. The Mini Mental State examination scores was used for dementia assessment at the threshold of 24. The Mini Nutritional AssessmentTM was used for mobilitity assessment. The statistics were significant at the 5% threshold.

Results

866 residents (70.6% women) included with an average age of 85.3 ± 9.3 years. Undernutrition was 27.5%, obesity 22.9%, dementia 45.7% and very low mobility 68.9%. Women were older than men, more often undernourished, more often demented and more often had very low mobility (p<0.01). Undernutrition (p<0.0001) and low mobility (p<0.0001) were significantly higher among those with dementia versus those without dementia. Very low mobility was higher among undernourished (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Undernutrition and obesity are important problems in NH in France. Being a woman, having dementia and having a very low mobility may induce undernutrition.
Application of machine learning and genetic optimization algorithms for modeling and optimizing soybean yield using its component traits
Authors: Yoosefzadeh-Najafabadi Mohsen , Tulpan Dan , Eskandari Milad
Published: April 2021

Improving genetic yield potential in major food grade crops such as soybean(Glycine maxL.) is the most sustainable way to address the growing global food demand and its security concerns. Yield is a complex trait and reliant on various related variables called yield components. In this study, the five most important yield component traits in soybean were measured using a panel of 250 genotypes grown in four environments. These traits were the number of nodes per plant (NP), number of non-reproductive nodes per plant (NRNP), number of reproductive nodes per plant (RNP), number of pods per plant (PP), and the ratio of number of pods to number of nodes per plant (P/N). These data were used for predicting the total soybean seed yield using the Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), Radial Basis Function (RBF), and Random Forest (RF), machine learning (ML) algorithms, individually and collectively through an ensemble method based on bagging strategy (E-B). The RBF algorithm with highest Coefficient of Determination (R2) value of 0.81 and the lowest Mean Absolute Errors (MAE) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values of 148.61 kg.ha-1, and 185.31 kg.ha-1, respectively, was the most accurate algorithm and, therefore, selected as the metaClassifier for the E-B algorithm. Using the E-B algorithm, we were able to increase the prediction accuracy by improving the values of R2, MAE, and RMSE by 0.1, 0.24 kg.ha-1, and 0.96 kg.ha-1, respectively. Furthermore, for the first time in this study, we allied the E-B with the genetic algorithm (GA) to model the optimum values of yield components in an ideotype genotype in which the yield is maximized. The results revealed a better understanding of the relationships between soybean yield and its components, which can be used for selecting parental lines and designing promising crosses for developing cultivars with improved genetic yield potential.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide and self-harm among patients presenting to the emergency department of a teaching hospital in Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Roshana , Siwakoti Shisir , Singh Saumya , Shrestha Anmol Purna
Published: April 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global challenge that is not just limited to the physical consequences but also a significant degree of a mental health crisis. Self-harm and suicide are its extreme effects. We aim to explore the impact of this pandemic on suicide and self-harm in our Emergency Department. A cross-sectional study was conducted including all fatal and nonfatal self-harm patients presenting to the emergency department during the lockdown period (March 24-June 23, 2020; Period1), matching periods in the previous year (March 24-June 23,2019; Period 2) and 3 months period prior (December 24 2019-March 23, 2020; Period 3) were included through the electronic medical record system. The prevalence and the clinical profile were compared between these three periods. A total of 125 (periods 1 = 55, 2 = 38, and 3 = 32) suicide and self-harm cases were analyzed. Suicide and self-harm had increased by 44% and 71.9% during the lockdown in comparison to periods 2 and 3. Organophosphate poisoning was the most common mode. Females were predominant in all three periods with a mean age of 32 (95%CI: 29.3–34.7). There was a significant delay in arrival of the patients in period 1 (p = 0.045) with increased hospital admission (p = 0.003) and in-hospital mortality (18.2% vs 2.6% and 3.1%) (p<0.001). Our study showed an increase in suicide and self-harm cases in the emergency department during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic which may reflect the increased mental health crisis in the community in low resource settings like Nepal. This study highlights the importance of priming all mental health care stakeholders to initiate mental health screening and intervention for the vulnerable population during this period of crisis.
Structure and predictors of in-hospital nursing care leading to reduction in early readmission among patients with schizophrenia in Japan: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Maki Shigeyoshi , Nagai Kuniyoshi , Ando Shoko , Tamakoshi Koji
Published: April 2021

Schizophrenia is a disorder characterized by psychotic relapses. Globally, about 15%–30% of patients with schizophrenia discharged from inpatient psychiatric admissions are readmitted within 90 days due to exacerbation of symptoms that leads to self-harm, harm to others, or self-neglect. The purpose of this study was to investigate the structure and predictors of in-hospital nursing care leading to reduction in early readmission among patients with schizophrenia. A new questionnaire was developed to assess the extent to which respondents delivered in-hospital nursing care leading to reduction in early readmission among patients with schizophrenia. This study adopted a cross-sectional research design. The survey was conducted with the new questionnaires. The participants were registered nurses working in psychiatric wards. Item analyses and exploratory factor analyses were performed using the new questionnaires to investigate the structure of in-hospital nursing care leading to reduction in early readmission. Stepwise regression analyses were conducted to examine the factors predicting in-hospital nursing care leading to reduction in early readmission. Data were collected from 724 registered nurses in Japan. In-hospital nursing care leading to reduction in early readmission was found to consist of five factors: promoting cognitive functioning and self-care, identifying reasons for readmission, establishing cooperative systems within the community, sharing goals about community life, and creating restful spaces. In-hospital nursing care leading to reduction in early readmission was predicted by the following variables: the score on the nursing excellence scale in clinical practice, the score on therapeutic hold, and the participation of community care providers in pre-discharge conferences. Japanese psychiatric nurses provide nursing care based on these five factors leading to reduction in early readmission. Such nursing care would be facilitated by not only nurses’ excellence but also nurses’ environmental factors, especially the therapeutic climate of the ward and the participation of community care providers in pre-discharge conferences.
Dynamic arm movements attenuate the perceptual distortion of visual vertical induced during prolonged whole-body tilt
Authors: Tani Keisuke , Yamamoto Shinji , Kodaka Yasushi , Kushiro Keisuke
Published: April 2021

Concurrent body movements have been shown to enhance the accuracy of spatial judgment, but it remains unclear whether they also contribute to perceptual estimates of gravitational space not involving body movements. To address this, we evaluated the effects of static or dynamic arm movements during prolonged whole-body tilt on the subsequent perceptual estimates of visual or postural vertical. In Experiment 1, participants were asked to continuously perform static or dynamic arm movements during prolonged tilt, and we assessed their effects on the prolonged tilt-induced shifts of subjective visual vertical (SVV) at a tilted position (during-tiltsession) or near upright (post-tiltsession). In Experiment 2, we evaluated how static or dynamic arm movements during prolonged tilt subsequently affected the subjective postural vertical (SPV). In Experiment 1, we observed that the SVV was significantly shifted toward the direction of prolonged tilt in both sessions. The SVV shifts decreased when performing dynamic arm movements in theduring-tiltsession, but not in thepost-tiltsession. In Experiment 2, as well as SVV, the SPV was shifted toward the direction of prolonged tilt, but it was not significantly attenuated by the performance of static or dynamic arm movements. The results of theduring-tiltsession suggest that the central nervous system utilizes additional information generated by dynamic body movements for perceptual estimates of visual vertical.
Investigation of how accurately individuals with hemiparetic stroke can mirror their forearm positions
Authors: Gurari Netta , Drogos Justin M. , Dewald Julius P. A.
Published: April 2021

Current literature suggests that greater than 50% of survivors of a stroke cannot accurately perceive where their upper extremity is positioned. Our recent work demonstrates that the extent to which this perception is affected can depend on how the task is performed. For example, individuals with stroke who have a deficit in mirroring the position of their passively-placed paretic forearm during a between-arms task may accurately reproduce the position of their actively-controlled paretic forearm during a single-arm task. Moreover, the ability of individuals with various types of unilateral lesions to locate their thumb can depend on whether they reach for their paretic thumb or non-paretic thumb. Consequently, we investigated to what extent the accuracy of individuals post-hemiparetic stroke in mirroring forearm positions on a between-arms task is influenced by various conditions. Eighteen participants with hemiparetic stroke rotated their reference forearm to a target position, and then rotated their opposite forearm to concurrently mirror the position of their reference forearm. This task was performed when participants referenced each forearm (paretic, non-paretic) at two target positions (extension, flexion) for two modes of limb control (passive, active). We quantified for every testing scenario of each participant their position-mirroring error. The number of times for which participants were classified as having a deficit was least when mirroring forearm positions at the flexed position when referencing their non-paretic forearm. Additionally, the difference in the magnitude of errors when participants referenced each arm was greater during active than passive movements. Findings from this study provide further evidence that the accuracy with which individuals post stroke perceive the position of their limbs can depend on how a task is performed. Factors to consider include whether movements are active versus passive, which limb is referenced, and where the limb is positioned.