bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human-centred design of a new microneedle-based hormonal contraceptive delivery system
Authors: Gualeni Benedetta , Hughes Louise , Stauber Isabelle , Ackers Louise , Gorman Angela , Gashuga Dorothy , Dzabala Nettie , Coulman Sion A. , Birchall James C.
Published: June 2021

Background: It is estimated that 225 million women worldwide have an unmet need for family planning, and more than half live in low- and middle-income countries. Increasing the choice of contraceptive methods available can reduce this unmet need. Microneedle drug delivery systems represent a new technology for minimally invasive self-administration of contraceptives. We explored stakeholders’ views on different aspects of a proposed microneedle-based hormonal contraceptive delivery system. The feedback was used to iteratively develop this delivery system.

Methods: Focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews were conducted with potential stakeholders (women and trans males of childbearing age, their partners, and health professionals and organisations that provide family planning advice and contraception services) in Uganda, The Gambia, Malawi, and the UK, exploring concept acceptability and gathering feedback on different aspects of design and usability of the proposed delivery system.

Results: Participants viewed the concept of a new, microneedle-based contraceptive favourably. In Uganda, participants were presented with 7 different prototype applicators and identified desirable features of a preferred delivery device; their input reducing the number of prototypes that were subsequently evaluated by stakeholders in The Gambia and the UK. Participants in these countries helped to identify and/or confirm the most desirable characteristics of the applicator, resulting in design consolidation into a refined concept applicator. The final, optimised applicator prototype was validated during user research in Malawi. This human-centred design approach was also used to iteratively develop an information leaflet for the device. During these user studies, other preferred aspects of a contraceptive delivery system were also evaluated, such as anatomical site of application, duration of action, and return to fertility.

Conclusions: A new microneedle-based contraceptive delivery system was iteratively developed using a human-centred design approach and was favourably received by potential stakeholders. The product is now being refined for testing in pre-clinical studies.
RNA-Seq analysis of early transcriptional responses to activation in the leukaemic Jurkat E6.1 T cell line
Authors: Felce Suet Ling , Farnie Gillian , Dustin Michael L. , Felce James H.
Published: June 2021

Background: The leukaemia-derived Jurkat E6.1 cell line has been used as a model T cell in the study of many aspects of T cell biology, most notably activation in response to T cell receptor (TCR) engagement.

Methods: We present whole-transcriptome RNA-Sequencing data for Jurkat E6.1 cells in the resting state and two hours post-activation via TCR and CD28. We compare early transcriptional responses in the presence and absence of the chemokines CXCL12 and CCL19, and perform a basic comparison between observed transcriptional responses in Jurkat E6.1 cells and those in primary human T cells using publicly deposited data.

Results: Jurkat E6.1 cells have many of the hallmarks of standard T cell transcriptional responses to activation, but lack most of the depth of responses in primary cells.

Conclusions: These data indicate that Jurkat E6.1 cells hence represent only a highly simplified model of early T cell transcriptional responses.
The feasibility of establishing parent support groups for children with congenital Zika syndrome and their families: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Smythe Tracey , Reichenberger Veronika , Pinzón Elisa María , Hurtado Isabel Cristina , Rubiano Luisa , Kuper Hannah
Published: June 2021

Background: The Zika epidemic highlighted gaps in health and social care services for parents of children with developmental disabilities. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a 10-week support group, ‘Juntos’, as a community-based intervention for parents of children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) in Colombia.

Methods: Two facilitators delivered ‘Juntos’ to four groups of 8-10 caregivers. One researcher observed each group. Data were collected from: observation notes from 40 sessions, focus group discussions held after each session, pre- post intervention questionnaires with 34 caregivers, and semi-structured interviews conducted with four facilitators, 12 caregivers and three stakeholders. We used the Bowen framework in data analysis.

Results: Acceptability and demand for the intervention were high. ‘Juntos’ was largely delivered with fidelity. Practicality was facilitated by providing transport costs and selecting convenient locations. Adaption requirements included additional organisational and social media support. Community health worker training may support integration and the established groups could facilitate programme expansion; however, participants perceived lack of prioritisation as a limitation. Participants’ knowledge and confidence to care for their child improved after programme enrolment.

Conclusion: Acceptability, demand and practicality of ‘Juntos’ is high. Yet implementation is challenged by existing health systems gaps in support of children with CZS.
Adaptação Brasileira do Questionário de Estratégias Específicas à Fissura (USSQ)
Authors: Sa Lucas Guimaraes Cardoso de , Sousa Júlia Milhomens de , Martins Vanessa Maria da Silva , Haidar Flávia Costa
Published: June 2021

Habilidades de enfrentamento são uma das variáveis mais importantes para a prevenção de recaída de álcool e outras drogas. O Urge Specific Strategies Questionnaire (USSQ) é um instrumento desenvolvido nos EUA para a avaliação do repertório de enfrentamento de um indivíduo diante da fissura. Como não foram encontradas informações sobre suas qualidades psicométricas no Brasil, o objetivo deste estudo foi adaptar o instrumento para o país. Participaram 378 pessoas em tratamento por Transtorno por Uso de Substância em Centros de Atenção Psicossocial – Álcool e outras Drogas (CAPS-AD), sendo a maioria homens, de baixa escolaridade e usuários de crack. Os instrumentos utilizados foram um questionário de caracterização geral, o USSQ e o Inventário de Depressão Maior. Foram realizados procedimentos de adaptação transcultural, com investigações de evidências de validade e precisão. Os resultados da validade de conteúdo indicaram que os 20 itens representavam adequadamente a definição teórica de enfrentamento, eram adequados para a população brasileira e relevantes para a avaliação do enfrentamento imediato. Considerando aspectos teóricos e psicométricos, uma estrutura interna unifatorial, de 12 itens, foi considerada a melhor opção para a versão brasileira do USSQ, com índices de ajuste satisfatórios, invariância de medida para usuários de álcool e crack e para pessoas em desintoxicação e abstinentes, bem como relação significativa com as variáveis externas tempo de abstinência e nível de depressão. Conclui-se que a adaptação do USSQ possui qualidades psicométricas suficientes para mensurar o repertório de habilidades de enfrentamento de dependentes de substâncias no Brasil.
Itinerarios teóricos sobre burocracia y política: de la tensión weberiana a las soluciones de compromiso
Authors: Inda Graciela
Published: June 2021

Con la ambición de aportar a la construcción de una cartografía que localice las cam­biantes hegemonías discursivas en el campo académico, este trabajo tiene por objetivo identificar las formas más relevantes que adopta el vínculo entre burocracia estatal y política en el espacio abierto por la clásica intervención de Weber. En concreto, tras analizar la fórmula weberiana que alude a una tensión complementaria entre cua­dro administrativo y práctica política, reconocemos, sin pretensión de exhaustividad, cinco estrategias o direcciones teóricas diferenciadas: la que concibe la burocracia como un espacio atravesado por tensiones políticas internas que condiciona su rol respecto de la política; la que define la burocracia como una fuerza que interviene siguiendo intereses propios; la que ve en la tecnocracia una nueva clase o élite políticamente dominante; la que sostiene que políticos y burócratas son actores interdependientes; la que delimita a los burócratas como gestores estratégicos con capacidades políticas.
When Should Statins Be Stopped?
Authors: Bibi Mário , Ferro Ana , Guimarães Filipa , Coelho Paulo , Chora Inês
Published: June 2021

Mycobacterium chelonae is a non-tuberculous mycobacterium that can cause skin infections in immunocompetent individuals. We report a case of skin infection by this agent in a woman with dyslipidaemia, that culminated in statin-induced rhabdomyolysis due to the combination of clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin and simvastatin.
Espaços do isolamento, espaços do movimento: Covid-19 e o espaço narrativo nos contos de Carol Bensimon, Javier Arancibia Contreras e Sérgio Tavares
Authors: Aguiar Cristhiano MOTTA
Published: June 2021

Este artigo tem como objetivo principal analisar três contos de escritores brasileiros contemporâneos – Carol Bensimon, Javier Arancibia Contreras e Sérgio Tavares – que tematizaram a pandemia da Cobvid-19. A leitura das três narrativas enfatizará de que maneira o tema da pandemia influencia a representação dos espaços narrativos em cada uma delas. Para tanto, trabalharemos com três categorias de análise, formuladas a partir da leitura do corpus: espaços do isolamento, espaços do movimento e espaços híbridos. Nossa reflexão é um dos primeiros resultados de um projeto de pesquisa, iniciado em julho de 2020, que busca mapear as respostas da literatura brasileira contemporânea, em especial no campo da prosa, à crise política e sanitária decorrente da pandemia de Covid-19. Nossa análise se baseará nas contribuições de Antonio Candido, Osman Lins, Luis Alberto Brandão, Claudia Barbieri, Dina Czeresnia, Elvira Maciel, Rafael Oviedo.
Apocalipse hematófago: agências do corpo vampiresco nas pandemias de Noturno e Apocalipse V
Authors: Sardenberg Thiago
Published: June 2021

Em meio a grande diversidade de universos literários construídos a partir da figura mítica do vampiro, sempre figurou de maneira expressiva a questão da contaminação. Um devir vampiro é comumente subordinado ao contato direto com a entidade ou, minimamente, com seus fluidos corporais; outrossim, não obstante a natureza atribuída ao vampiro – seja a de um ser sobrenatural ou mesmo a de um corpo infectado por agente inteiramente natural – o tema do contágio, ou o próprio medo dele, se reafirma através dos séculos como recorrente nessas narrativas. Neste ensaio, consideraremos duas narrativas vampirescas do século XXI, Noturno (2009) de Guillermo del Toro e Chuck Hogan, e a série televisiva Apocalipse V (2019) da Netflix, nas quais o corpo do vampiro não apenas figura como, ou carrega, um vetor epidemiológico, tornando-se responsável pelo que se desenvolveria como uma pandemia devastadora, como também reflete e responde aos anseios de seus contextos de produção – como a figura do terrorista estrangeiro, o bioterrorismo, e a própria ansiedade causada por nossa fragilidade diante do advento de uma pandemia em larga escala.
Capitalismo y pandemia. Reflexiones marxistas
Authors: Londoño Sergio Quintero
Published: June 2021

Este texto analiza algunos elementos de la crisis sanitaria del Covid-19, que ha venido a profundizar las ya precarias condiciones sociales, políticas y económicas de la mayoría de la población mundial. Sin embargo, advierte que sus impactos no deben ser confundidos con las verdaderas causas, que se encuentran en la dinámica inmanente del capital. La reflexión se divide en tres apartados en los que se trabaja sobre 1) la dinámica del capital, develando que el modo de producción y reproducción social sólo se puede desarrollar en medio de contradicciones y crisis, hoy profundizadas por la pandemia; 2) “neoliberalismo” y pandemia, donde se destacan las principales medidas adoptadas por el capital en las últimas cuatro décadas, vulnerando derechos sociales, y particularmente la salud; y 3) impactos del Covid-19, donde se esbozan algunas características de la crisis sanitaria, sin perder de vista que ésta es consecuencia y no causa de la crisis capitalista. Palabras clave: marxismo; crisis del capital; Covid-19; “neoliberalismo”.
Análise sobre os direitos da pessoa idosa no Brasil: história, debates e desafios da conjuntura atual
Authors: De Frias Sandra Rabello , De Carvalho Andreia De Souza
Published: June 2021

O artigo em questão apresenta um panorama histórico das legislações que formalizaram as políticas públicas voltadas à população idosa no Brasil e às lutas em torno de sua efetivação, a partir da Constituição de 1988 até os dias atuais, com destaque para criação dos canais de participação da sociedade civil no monitoramento e deliberação de tais direitos. A metodologia foi a revisão de bibliografia sobre o tema e análise qualitativa dos documentos oficiais que formalizam os direitos da pessoa idosa. Os resultados versam sobre a relação entre o controle social e a garantia dos direitos da pessoa idosa, através da consolidação de uma esfera pública não estatal, como conselhos, fóruns e conferências. A conclusão destaca a importância dos Conselhos de Direitos, numa conjuntura governamental de retração das políticas de participação da sociedade civil no acompanhamento dos processos democráticos que envolvem o controle social de tais políticas no cenário atual. Palavras-Chave: sociedade civil; pessoa idosa; políticas públicas.
Formação em tempos de pandemia: análise das atividades formativas desenvolvidas pelos cursos presenciais de Serviço Social no ano de 2020
Authors: Pereira Larissa Dahmer , Telles Andreza , Lopes Gabriella De Souza
Published: June 2021

O artigo apresenta resultados parciais do projeto de pesquisa intitulado Ensino superior e cursos de Serviço Social no Brasil: monitoramento e análise do processo de expansão, perfil profissional e propostas curriculares, que se voltou para o acompanhamento da formação, no período da pandemia do coronavírus, em cursos presenciais de Serviço Social, públicos e privados. Justifica-se tendo em vista a tendência de crescente movimento de ampliação de matrículas em cursos de EaD e, por sua vez, uma clara retração nas matrículas em cursos presenciais privados de Serviço Social, o que se aprofundou com a pandemia. Quanto aos procedimentos metodológicos, foram enviados formulários às coordenações de cursos de graduação presenciais de Serviço Social, públicos e privados, em todo o país. Buscou-se apreender quais atividades formativas foram (ou não) desenvolvidas nos dois períodos letivos de 2020 e quais as estratégias desenvolvidas para a consecução das mesmas. Salienta-se que os resultados apresentados no presente artigo são parciais, dado que a pesquisa permanece em curso e acompanhando o que vem ocorrendo na formação em tempos de pandemia. Desse modo, trata-se aqui da apresentação de um primeiro momento da pesquisa, mas que nos traz achados interessantes para pensar a formação, seus desafios e limites no delicado momento que vivenciamos. Palavras-Chave: ensino superior brasileiro; formação em Serviço Social; pandemia Covid-19.
Archaeological investigations of subsistence and household life of Ukrainian population of Luhansk region in XVII–XVIII centuries
Authors:   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, Naboka Oleksandr , Alekseeva Mariia ,   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, Lebedev Denys ,   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, Ovcharenko Andrii ,   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University
Published: June 2021

This article examines in a complex way the peculiarities of organization of everyday and household life of the Ukrainian population of the Luhansk region in the XVII–XVIII centuries. The basis for the study of those or other aspects of this topic were materials of archaeological expeditions that were carried out in Luhansk region in the second half of the twentieth – early twenty-first century. It is noted that this topic is poorly covered in the works of Ukrainian academics. Among the few studies in this area, the works of N. N. Kaplun, O. V. Stadnik and A. I. Stadnik were the most valuable for the research. Also in the preparation of the article the author relied on the expert estimates of scientific collaborators of the Institute of Archaeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine S. A. Telizhenko, L. Chmiel, L. Mironenko. The aim of the article is to outline the way of life and economic life of the Ukrainian population during the active development of the Luhansk region – that is in the XVII–XVIII centuries. As a result of the conducted research, the authors reached the following conclusions. The presence of diverse archaeological artifacts: ceramic works, artisanal metallurgical furnaces, stone tombstones, the lower boundary of the dating of which falls on the XVII–XVIII centuries, In our view, indicates the existence of sufficiently developed material culture associated with the way of life and household utilities of Ukrainian settlers of the Cossack era in the Luhansk region. Today's assumption that the dynamic development of this region began only at the beginning of active development of the territory at the beginning of the XVIII century – the beginning of the XIX century. Russian Empire, it can be argued that even before its beginning, a significant part of the „Wild Field” did not yield in its development to other regions, both Ukraine and Russia, distant from the restless relations with the Nogai horde.
American magazine „Svoboda” about the world support of Miroslav Sochi by the Ukrainian population from 1908 to 1916
Authors:   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, Alekseeva Maria
Published: June 2021

The article examines the events associated with the murder of the governor of Galicia Andrzej Potoсky by lviv student Miroslav Sochinsky, and the process of his support by the Ukrainian population around the world. The source for researching the events connected with the history of Miroslav is the American magazine „Svoboda”, in which the events of the case were published in detail and actively. The magazine took an active part in supporting and defending M. Sochi in various ways. Numerous articles in „Svoboda” from 1908 to 1916 covered the thoughts of the American and European press, which was sympathetic to the student's act, and noted the deep internal political reasons that pushed the young man to risk his life for the sake of change. The magazine describes in detail the 46 chambers that were advertised on the front pages of Svoboda, about the distribution of petitions for pardon, which changed Miroslav's sentence from death to twenty years in prison, the activities of foundations that raised money for Miroslav, and so on. The conclusions indicate the scientific value of the American magazine „Svoboda” in studying the history of the aftermath of the assassination of Count A. Potocki and the process of unification of all concerned Ukrainians around the world, and the further formation of political views in the early twentieth century.
Research of archaeological monuments of the late nomads of Southern Ukraine in the XIX–XX centuries: a new view on historiography
Authors:   Bogdan Khmelnitsky Melitopol State Pedagogical University, Zamuruitsev Oleksii , Krylova Alla ,   Bogdan Khmelnitsky Melitopol State Pedagogical University
Published: June 2021

The article considers the issue of research in domestic science of archeological monuments, the so-called, late nomads in the XIX–XX centuries. Based on existing sources, the authors identified its main stages and most characteristic features. In particular, it is determined that the first such attempts were made in the pre-revolutionary period and they marked the beginning of the study of nomadic peoples of the tenth-fourteenth centuries and the accumulation of scientific knowledge about them. Later, these studies received a new lease of life. Thus, thanks to the success of domestic archeology in the 1960s – 1970s, the first generalizing works were published, among which the monograph of G. A. Fedorov-Davydov, who first divided the monuments of the late nomads into certain dated chronological blocks. These studies have been continued in the works of other scientists. Among them, it should be noted the famous researcher S.A. Pletnev. which for the first time defined the main features of the funeral rite and material culture of various ethnic groups of nomads of this time, which became to some extent textbook in domestic archeology. At the same time, the authors determine that despite the significant successes of domestic science in the XIX–XX centuries in this direction, many issues on the outlined issues still remain quite controversial and need further study.
Tübingen hip flexion splint for the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip in children younger than six months age: A meta-analysis
Authors: Zhi Xinwang , Xiao Xietian , Wan Yuwei , Wei Ping , Canavese Federico , Xu Hongwen
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To investigate the success rate of the Tübingen hip flexion splint (THFS) for the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), of different severity as per the Graf classification, among infants younger than six months of age. The type and incidence rate of complications associated with THFS treatment were also evaluated.

Methods

The following databases were searched using keywords and limited for age less than six months: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and SinoMed, between inception and July 2020. Articles were screened and extracted by two researchers, and the quality of the included literature was evaluated (methodological index for non-randomized studies criteria). R studio 1.3 was used for statistical analysis. The review process was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Results

After screening, eight articles were included in the analysis, contributing 1211 hips (875 patients). The overall success rate of THFS treatment is 91% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.82 to 0.95). The success rate by Graf type is as follows: type-II, 98% (95% CI 0.94 to 1.00); type-III, 96% (95% CI 0.88 to 1.00); and type-IV, 32% (95% CI 0.18 to 0.47). Complications (24/1211, 2%) included transient femoral nerve palsy (n = 1); avascular necrosis of the femoral head (n = 9) and residual acetabular dysplasia (n = 14).

Conclusion

THFS treatment is successful for Graf type-II and –III, but low for type-IV, with a low rate of complication. THFS may be an effective treatment option for DDH among infants less than six months of age. However, those with Graf type-IV require close monitoring.

Level of Evidence

III
Role of Concentrated Flow Pathways on the Movement of Pesticides through Agricultural Fields and Riparian Buffer Zones
Authors: Chandler Joseph W. , Preisendanz Heather E. , Veith Tamie L. , Elkin Kyle R. , Elliott Herschel A. , Watson John E. , Kleinman Peter J. A.
Published: June 2021

Highlights

Land management and hydrologic connectivity cause concentrated flow pathways (CFPs) to serve various functions.

Pesticide concentrations diminished along flow pathways from row-cropped fields through functional riparian zones.

CFPs facilitated pesticide transport into pasture/hay fields from upgradient corn fields.

Subsurface transport was likely a more important transport pathway relative to surface runoff for imidacloprid.

Abstract. Riparian buffers, which are an important component of watershed management strategies, can effectively mitigate nutrients and pesticides in agricultural runoff. However, concentrated flow pathways (CFPs) can undermine the performance of buffers by allowing contaminant-laden runoff to bypass the mitigation potential offered by the buffer soils and vegetation. To determine the extent to which CFPs increase pesticide transport from agricultural fields to nearby streams, soil samples (0-2 cm depth) were collected along both CFPs and overland flow (OLF) pathways from the field to the stream for nine fields in a Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) site in the ridge and valley physiographic region of Pennsylvania. Soil samples were analyzed for atrazine, metolachlor, and imidacloprid, with two dominant patterns emerging. In corn fields, pesticide concentrations were higher in OLF than CFP samples, suggesting that pesticides were mitigated during transport through each corn field. In contrast, hay and pasture fields, which had not been treated with any of the three pesticides of interest, had lower pesticide concentrations in the OLF samples than the CFP samples. Because the CFPs from these fields originated in upgradient unsampled corn fields, these results suggest that the CFPs were a conduit for pesticides applied in the corn fields and were simply flowing through the hay and pasture fields. Similarly, CFPs in riparian buffers and grass pathways located between the row-cropped fields and the stream tended to have lower concentrations than the upland field (OLF-F) but higher concentrations than the buffer OLF, suggesting a potential for increasing overland flow effectiveness in riparian zones by interrupting CFPs leading to the stream. This study highlights the importance of the land management factors and hydrologic connectivity that cause CFPs to serve different functions (mitigation or enhancement) as runoff is conveyed from agricultural fields to a riparian buffer, and ultimately to an adjacent stream. Further, the results highlight the need for design and maintenance solutions addressing the erosion and sediment control issues that commonly undermine agricultural buffer effectiveness. Keywords: Buffers, Concentrated flow, Contaminant fate and transport, Hydrology, Land management, Pesticides, Overland flow, Water quality.
Construction and validation of UV-C decontamination cabinets for filtering facepiece respirators: comment
Authors: Agrawal Anant , Bor Joyce , Syphers Dale
Published: June 2021

In their September 2020 paper [Appl. Opt.
59, 7585 (2020)APOPAI0003-693510.1364/AO.401602],
Purschke et al. report UV-C
transmittance measurements of N95 filtering facepiece respirators
(FFRs), including the 3M 1860, which is one of the most widely used
FFRs. We have also measured the transmittance of this FFR in our two
separate laboratories with multiple FFR samples, and we have obtained
transmittance values similar to one another, but very different from
what Purschke et al. reported for two of
the four FFR layers.
General demosaicking for multispectral polarization filter arrays using total generalized variation and weighted tensor nuclear norm minimization
Authors: Shinoda Kazuma , Yokoyama Kota , Hasegawa Madoka
Published: June 2021

We focus on a demosaicking method for recovering multispectral polarization images (MSPIs) from a single image captured by a multispectral polarization filter array (MSPFA). Since the image captured by the MSPFA can be represented by a linear model, an algorithm to solve the inverse problem can be designed to enable general-purpose demosaicking regardless of the transmission characteristics and patterns of the MSPFA. Thus, we propose a method for demosaicking MSPIs by solving an inverse problem that introduces the decorrelated vectorial total generalized variation (D-VTGV) and weighted tensor nuclear norm (WTNN) regularization functions. D-VTGV evaluates the edge-preserving property in the spatial direction while preserving the correlation between bands and polarization angles, while WTNN exploits the correlation and low-rank property in nonlocal regions of the image to perform proper texture restoration and denoising. The experimental results show that the proposed method can restore images well for both the ideal MSPFA and an MSPFA manufactured from photonic crystals.
Digital long-term laser frequency stabilization with an optical frequency comb
Authors: Zhou Pengpeng , Sun Wei , Liang Shiyong , Chen Shaolong , Zhou Zhiqiang , Huang Yao , Guan Hua , Gao Kelin
Published: June 2021

Laser frequency stabilization plays an important role in high-precision spectroscopic measurements. Since high-accuracy commercial wavemeters became available, wavemeter-based frequency stabilization has found a broad application due to its convenience, flexibility, and wide applicability. However, such stabilization schemes frequently suffer from long-term drift, since the accuracy of the wavelength measurement of a wavemeter is affected by ambient temperature fluctuation. In this work, we demonstrate that such long-term drift can be suppressed by regularly calibrating the frequency of a wavemeter-locked laser utilizing an optical frequency comb, which has much better long-term stability. Under this dual-referenced locking scheme, the Allan deviation is reduced to 3.5 E-12 at 4000 s for a fiber laser operated at 548 nm, which when used in the optical Ramsey spectroscopic measurement of

7

L
i

+

, reduces the standard deviation by as much as 40%, compared to the case when only wavemeter locking is applied.
Internal morphology-dependent resonances of a coated spherical particle
Authors: Guo Lufang , Yu Haitao , Shen Jianqi
Published: June 2021

Morphology-dependent resonances (MDRs) for a coated spherical particle are important because of their extensive applications. However, MDRs for coated spherical particles are more complicated than those for homogeneous particles. In this paper, a general expression is proposed for calculating the scattering efficiency of a specific layer of coated particle. Reformulations of internal scattering efficiency are made, which provides a new, to the best of our knowledge, method to investigate the resonance in the core and in the shell independently. MDRs in the core can be shown in four cases on the outmost scattering efficiency curve. To investigate the reason of the resonance, the relationships between MDRs in the core, outmost scattering efficiency, and partial wave are analyzed. It is numerically shown that the expressions are reliable and efficient, which provides a theoretical fundamental for studying of resonances of multilayered particles and for measurement.
High-contrast ratio and high-efficiency anamorphic DLP illumination system design with a freeform surface lens
Authors: Ding Wei-Chen , Pan Jui-wen
Published: June 2021

In this paper, an anamorphic digital light processing illumination system design with a freeform surface lens is described. A lens with a freeform surface lens is combined with the achromatic total internal reflection prism set for application in a relay lens system. In order to achieve a high contrast ratio without sacrificing illumination system efficiency, the novel, to the best of our knowledge, design uses an

x

-

y

polynomial surface for the freeform surface lens to reduce the overlap angle of the anamorphic angular distribution in angular space. Moreover, there is no need to use a baffle at the aperture stop in this novel design. We can reach a half-cone angle of 17.49° in the

y

direction of the angular distribution in angular space. The overlap angle is only 0.98°. Finally, with this novel design, we can achieve a high contrast ratio of 9128:1 and an illumination system efficiency is 66.4%. The four-corner average spot size at the active area of the digital micromirror device chip is controlled at about 240 µm, and the optical distortion is less than 1%. The corresponding lateral color aberration is 3.61 µm.
Highly efficient optical fiber sensor for instantaneous measurement of elevated temperature in dental hard tissues irradiated with an Nd:YaG laser
Authors: Naeem Zahraa J. , Salman Ansam M. , Faris Rawaa A. , Al-Janabi Abdulhadi
Published: June 2021

In this in vitro experiment, the effect of 1.064 µm pulsed laser on both enamel- and dentin-dental tissues has been investigated. A total of fifty-five dental hard tissue samples were exposed to Nd:YAG laser that possesses a pulse width of 9 ns and 850 mJ of total energy. An optical fiber sensor was put behind the samples to measure the temperature instantaneously. A novel, to the best of our knowledge, fiber sensor has been proposed and used to measure the heat generated in dental hard tissues instantaneously after the application of laser irradiation on the tissue surface. This optical sensor exhibits a fast response time of about 1 ms and high sensitivity with about 1.975 nm/°C. The findings of this study in decreasing the probability of pulpal necrosis structure while handling the tooth, whether for ablation, welding, or tooth resurfacing purposes, may establish standards for dentists and laser manufacturers (healthcare professionals) that should be followed.
Iterative optical technique for detecting anti-leishmania nanoparticles in mouse lesions
Authors: Yariv Inbar , Kannan Sriram , Harel Yifat , Levy Esthy , Duadi Hamootal , Lellouche Jean-Paul , Michaeli Shulamit , Fixler Dror
Published: June 2021

Nanoparticles (NPs) based drugs for topical administration are gaining
interest in the biomedical world. However, a study tool of their
penetration depth to the different tissue layers without additional
markers or contrast agents is required in order to relieve safety
concerns. While common diagnostic tools, e.g. X-ray, computed
tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, can provide in
vivo detection of the metallic NPs, their resolution cannot
determine the exact penetration depth to the thin skin layers. In this
work, we propose the noninvasive nanophotonics iterative multi-plane
optical property extraction (IMOPE) technique for the novel iron-based
NPs detection in leishmaniasis lesions. The optical properties of the
different tissue layers: epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous fat and
muscle, were examined before and after topical drug administration.
The potential topical drug was detected in the epidermis
(∼13µm) and dermis (∼160µm) layers in mice
lesions at different stages of the disease (two or four weeks post
infection). The lesion size influence on the detection was also
observed, where in larger lesions the IMOPE senses a greater presence
of the topical drug.
Identification and quantification of fibrotic areas in the human retina using polarization-sensitive OCT
Authors: Motschi Alice R. , Roberts Philipp K. , Desissaire Sylvia , Schranz Markus , Schwarzhans Florian , Bogunović Hrvoje , Pircher Michael , Hitzenberger Christoph K.
Published: June 2021

Subretinal fibrosis is one of the most prevalent causes of blindness in the elderly population, but a true gold standard to objectively diagnose fibrosis is still lacking. Since fibrotic tissue is birefringent, it can be detected by polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT). We present a new algorithm to automatically detect, segment, and quantify fibrotic lesions within 3D data sets recorded by PS-OCT. The algorithm first compensates for the birefringence of anterior ocular tissues and then uses the uniformity of the birefringent optic axis as an indicator to identify fibrotic tissue, which is then segmented and quantified. The algorithm was applied to 3D volumes recorded in 57 eyes of 57 patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration using a spectral domain PS-OCT system. The results of fibrosis detection were compared to the clinical diagnosis based on color fundus photography (CFP), and the precision of fibrotic area measurement was assessed by three repeated measurements in a sub-set of 15 eyes. The average standard deviation of the fibrotic area obtained in eyes with a lesion area > 0.7 mm2 was 15%. Fibrosis detection by CFP and PS-OCT agreed in 48 cases, discrepancies were only observed in cases of lesion area < 0.7 mm2. These remaining discrepancies are discussed, and a new method to treat ambiguous cases is presented.
Predictive data clustering of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for brain tumor analysis
Authors: Teng Geer , Wang Qianqian , Cui Xutai , Chen Guoyan , Wei Kai , Xu Xiangjun , Idrees Bushra Sana , Nouman Khan M.
Published: June 2021

Limited by the lack of training spectral data in different kinds of tissues, the diagnostic accuracy of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is hard to reach the desired level with normal supervised learning identification methods. In this paper, we proposed to apply the predictive data clustering methods with supervised learning methods together to identify tissue information accurately. The meanshift clustering method is introduced to compare with three other clustering methods which have been used in LIBS field. We proposed the cluster precision (CP) score as a new criterion to work with Calinski-Harabasz (CH) score together for the evaluation of the clustering effect. The influences of principal component analysis (PCA) on all four kinds of clustering methods are also analyzed. PCA-meanshift shows the best clustering effect based on the comprehensive evaluation combined CH and CP scores. Based on the spatial location and feature similarity information provided by the predictive clustering, the PCA-Meanshift can improve diagnosis accuracy from less than 95% to 100% for all classifiers including support vector machine (SVM), k nearest neighbor (k-NN), soft independent modeling of class analogy (Simca) and random forests (RF) models.
Underwater image restoration via depth map and illumination estimation based on a single image
Authors: Zhou Jingchun , Yang Tongyu , Ren Wenqi , Zhang Dan , Zhang Weishi
Published: June 2021

For the enhancement process of underwater images taken in various water types, previous methods employ the simple image formation model, thus obtaining poor restoration results. Recently, a revised underwater image formation model (i.e., the Akkaynak-Treibitz model) has shown better robustness in underwater image restoration, but has drawn little attention due to its complexity. Herein, we develop a dehazing method utilizing the revised model, which depends on the scene depth map and a color correction method to eliminate color distortion. Specifically, we first design an underwater image depth estimation method to create the depth map. Subsequently, according to the depth value of each pixel, the backscatter is estimated and removed by the channel based on the revised model. Furthermore, we propose a color correction approach to adjust the global color distribution of the image automatically. Our method only uses a single underwater image as input to eliminate lightwave absorption and scattering influence. Compared with state-of-the-art methods, both subjective and objective experimental results show that our approach can be applied to various real-world underwater scenes and has better contrast and color.
Strategic testing approaches for targeted disease monitoring can be used to inform pandemic decision-making
Authors: Nichols James D. , Bogich Tiffany L. , Howerton Emily , Bjørnstad Ottar N. , Borchering Rebecca K. , Ferrari Matthew , Haran Murali , Jewell Christopher , Pepin Kim M. , Probert William J. M. , Pulliam Juliet R. C. , Runge Michael C. , Tildesley Michael , Viboud Cécile , Shea Katriona
Published: June 2021

More than 1.6 million Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) tests were administered daily in the United States at the peak of the epidemic, with a significant focus on individual treatment. Here, we show that objective-driven, strategic sampling designs and analyses can maximize information gain at the population level, which is necessary to increase situational awareness and predict, prepare for, and respond to a pandemic, while also continuing to inform individual treatment. By focusing on specific objectives such as individual treatment or disease prediction and control (e.g., via the collection of population-level statistics to inform lockdown measures or vaccine rollout) and drawing from the literature on capture–recapture methods to deal with nonrandom sampling and testing errors, we illustrate how public health objectives can be achieved even with limited test availability when testing programs are designed a priori to meet those objectives.
Reflecting on 20 years of breast cancer modeling in CISNET: Recommendations for future cancer systems modeling efforts
Authors: Trentham-Dietz Amy , Alagoz Oguzhan , Chapman Christina , Huang Xuelin , Jayasekera Jinani , van Ravesteyn Nicolien T. , Lee Sandra J. , Schechter Clyde B. , Yeh Jennifer M. , Plevritis Sylvia K. , Mandelblatt Jeanne S. ,   for the Breast Working Group of the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET)
Published: June 2021

Since 2000, the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET) modeling teams have developed and applied microsimulation and statistical models of breast cancer. Here, we illustrate the use of collaborative breast cancer multilevel systems modeling in CISNET to demonstrate the flexibility of systems modeling to address important clinical and policy-relevant questions. Challenges and opportunities of future systems modeling are also summarized. The 6 CISNET breast cancer models embody the key features of systems modeling by incorporating numerous data sources and reflecting tumor, person, and health system factors that change over time and interact to affect the burden of breast cancer. Multidisciplinary modeling teams have explored alternative representations of breast cancer to reveal insights into breast cancer natural history, including the role of overdiagnosis and race differences in tumor characteristics. The models have been used to compare strategies for improving the balance of benefits and harms of breast cancer screening based on personal risk factors, including age, breast density, polygenic risk, and history of Down syndrome or a history of childhood cancer. The models have also provided evidence to support the delivery of care by simulating outcomes following clinical decisions about breast cancer treatment and estimating the relative impact of screening and treatment on the United States population. The insights provided by the CISNET breast cancer multilevel modeling efforts have informed policy and clinical guidelines. The 20 years of CISNET modeling experience has highlighted opportunities and challenges to expanding the impact of systems modeling. Moving forward, CISNET research will continue to use systems modeling to address cancer control issues, including modeling structural inequities affecting racial disparities in the burden of breast cancer. Future work will also leverage the lessons from team science, expand resource sharing, and foster the careers of early stage modeling scientists to ensure the sustainability of these efforts.
The utilization of advance telemetry to investigate critical physiological parameters including electroencephalography in cynomolgus macaques following aerosol challenge with eastern equine encephalitis virus
Authors: Trefry John C. , Rossi Franco D. , Accardi Michael V. , Dorsey Brandi L. , Sprague Thomas R. , Wollen-Roberts Suzanne E. , Shamblin Joshua D. , Kimmel Adrienne E. , Glass Pamela J. , Miller Lynn J. , Burke Crystal W. , Cardile Anthony P. , Smith Darci R. , Bavari Sina , Authier Simon , Pratt William D. , Pitt Margaret L. , Nasar Farooq
Published: June 2021

Most alphaviruses are mosquito-borne and can cause severe disease in humans and domesticated animals. In North America, eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is an important human pathogen with case fatality rates of 30–90%. Currently, there are no therapeutics or vaccines to treat and/or prevent human infection. One critical impediment in countermeasure development is the lack of insight into clinically relevant parameters in a susceptible animal model. This study examined the disease course of EEEV in a cynomolgus macaque model utilizing advanced telemetry technology to continuously and simultaneously measure temperature, respiration, activity, heart rate, blood pressure, electrocardiogram (ECG), and electroencephalography (EEG) following an aerosol challenge at 7.0 log10PFU. Following challenge, all parameters were rapidly and substantially altered with peak alterations from baseline ranged as follows: temperature (+3.0–4.2°C), respiration rate (+56–128%), activity (-15-76% daytime and +5–22% nighttime), heart rate (+67–190%), systolic (+44–67%) and diastolic blood pressure (+45–80%). Cardiac abnormalities comprised of alterations in QRS and PR duration, QTc Bazett, T wave morphology, amplitude of the QRS complex, and sinoatrial arrest. An unexpected finding of the study was the first documented evidence of a critical cardiac event as an immediate cause of euthanasia in one NHP. All brain waves were rapidly (~12–24 hpi) and profoundly altered with increases of up to 6,800% and severe diffuse slowing of all waves with decreases of ~99%. Lastly, all NHPs exhibited disruption of the circadian rhythm, sleep, and food/fluid intake. Accordingly, all NHPs met the euthanasia criteria by ~106–140 hpi. This is the first of its kind study utilizing state of the art telemetry to investigate multiple clinical parameters relevant to human EEEV infection in a susceptible cynomolgus macaque model. The study provides critical insights into EEEV pathogenesis and the parameters identified will improve animal model development to facilitate rapid evaluation of vaccines and therapeutics.
Enhanced virulence of Plasmodium falciparum in blood of diabetic patients
Authors: Ch’ng Jun-Hong , Moll Kirsten , Wyss Katja , Hammar Ulf , Rydén Mikael , Kämpe Olle , Färnert Anna , Wahlgren Mats
Published: June 2021

Rising prevalence of diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa, coupled with continued malaria transmission, has resulted more patients dealing with both communicable and non-communicable diseases. We previously reported that travelers with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) infected with Plasmodium falciparum were three times more likely to develop severe malaria than non-diabetics. Here we explore the biological basis for this by testing blood from uninfected subjects with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, ex vivo, for their effects on parasite growth and rosetting (binding of infected erythrocytes to uninfected erythrocytes). Rosetting was associated with type 2 diabetes, blood glucose and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), while parasite growth was positively associated with blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), fibrinogen and triglycerides. This study establishes a link between diabetes and malaria virulence assays, potentially explaining the protective effect of good glycemic control against severe malaria in subjects with diabetes.