bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrostatic plasma membrane targeting contributes to Dlg function in cell polarity and tumorigenesis
Authors: Lu Juan , Dong Wei , Tao Yan , Hong Yang
Published: March 2021

Discs large (Dlg) is an essential polarity protein and a tumor suppressor originally characterized in Drosophila but also well conserved in vertebrates. Like the majority of polarity proteins, plasma membrane (PM)/cortical localization of Dlg is required for its function in polarity and tumorigenesis, but the exact mechanisms targeting Dlg to the PM remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we show that, similar to recently discovered polybasic polarity proteins such as Lgl and aPKC, Dlg also contains a positively charged polybasic domain that electrostatically binds the PM phosphoinositides PI4P and PI(4,5)P2. Electrostatic targeting by the polybasic domain contributes significantly to the PM localization of Dlg in follicular and early embryonic epithelial cells, and is crucial for Dlg to regulate both polarity and tumorigenesis. The electrostatic PM targeting of Dlg is controlled by a potential phosphorylation-dependent allosteric regulation of its polybasic domain, and is specifically enhanced by the interactions between Dlg and another basolateral polarity protein and tumor suppressor, Scrib. Our studies highlight an increasingly significant role of electrostatic PM targeting of polarity proteins in regulating cell polarity.
Spatial, but not temporal, aspects of orientation are controlled by the fine-scale distribution of chemical cues in turbulent odor plumes
Authors: Moore Paul A. , Edwards David , Jurcak-Detter Ana , Lahman Sara
Published: March 2021

Orientation within turbulent odor plumes occurs across a vast range of spatial and temporal scales. From salmon homing across featureless oceans to microbes forming reproductive spores, the extraction of spatial and temporal information from chemical cues is a common sensory phenomenon. Yet, given the difficulty of quantifying chemical cues at the spatial and temporal scales used by organisms, discovering what aspects of chemical cues control orientation behavior has remained elusive. In this study, we placed electrochemical sensors on the carapace of orienting crayfish and measured, with fast temporal rates and small spatial scales, the concentration fluctuations arriving at the olfactory appendages during orientation. Our results show that the spatial aspects of orientation (turning and heading angles) are controlled by the temporal aspects of odor cues.
Mitochondrial physiology and responses to elevated hydrogen sulphide in two isogenic lineages of an amphibious mangrove fish
Authors: Martin Keri E. , Currie Suzanne , Pichaud Nicolas
Published: March 2021

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is toxic and can act as a selective pressure on aquatic organisms, facilitating a wide range of adaptations for life in sulphidic environments. Mangrove rivulus (Kryptolebias marmoratus) inhabit mangrove swamps and have developed high tolerance to environmental H2S. They are hermaphroditic and can self-fertilize, producing distinct isogenic lineages with different sensitivity to H2S. Here, we tested the hypothesis that observed differences in responses to H2S are the result of differences in mitochondrial functions. For this purpose, we performed two experimental series, testing (1) the overall mitochondrial oxidizing capacities and (2) the kinetics of apparent H2S mitochondrial oxidation and inhibition in two distinct lineages of mangrove rivulus, originally collected from Belize and Honduras. We used permeabilized livers from both lineages, measured mitochondrial oxidation, and monitored changes during gradual increases of sulphide. Ultimately, we determined that each lineage has a distinct strategy for coping with elevated H2S, indicating divergences in mitochondrial function and metabolism. The Honduras lineage has higher anaerobic capacity substantiated by higher lactate dehydrogenase activity and higher apparent H2S oxidation rates, likely enabling them to tolerate H2S by escaping aquatic H2S in a terrestrial environment. However, Belize fish have increased cytochrome c oxidase and citrate synthase activities as well as increased succinate contribution to mitochondrial respiration, allowing them to tolerate higher levels of aquatic H2S without inhibition of mitochondrial oxygen consumption. Our study reveals distinct physiological strategies in genetic lineages of a single species, indicating possible genetic and/or functional adaptations to sulphidic environments at the mitochondrial level.
3d tissue models as tools for radiotherapy screening for pancreatic cancer
Authors: Wishart Gabrielle , Gupta Priyanka , Schettino Giuseppe , Nisbet Andrew , Velliou Eirini
Published: March 2021

The efficiency of radiotherapy treatment regimes varies from tumour to tumour and from patient to patient but it is generally highly influenced by the tumour microenvironment (TME). The TME can be described as a heterogeneous composition of biological, biophysical, biomechanical and biochemical milieus that influence the tumour survival and its’ response to treatment. Preclinical research faces challenges in the replication of these in vivo milieus for predictable treatment response studies. 2D cell culture is a traditional, simplistic and cost-effective approach to culture cells in vitro, however, the nature of the system fails to recapitulate important features of the TME such as structure, cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. At the same time, the traditional use of animals (Xenografts) in cancer research allows realistic in vivo architecture, however foreign physiology, limited heterogeneity and reduced tumour mutation rates impairs relevance to humans. Furthermore, animal research is very time consuming and costly. Tissue engineering is advancing as a promising biomimetic approach, producing 3D models that capture structural, biophysical, biochemical and biomechanical features, therefore, facilitating more realistic treatment response studies for further clinical application. However, currently, the application of 3D models for radiation response studies is an understudied area of research, especially for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a cancer with a notoriously complex microenvironment. At the same time, specific novel and/or more enhanced radiotherapy tumour-targeting techniques such as MRI-guided radiotherapy and proton therapy are emerging to more effectively target pancreatic cancer cells. However, these emerging technologies may have different biological effectiveness as compared to established photon-based radiotherapy. For example, for MRI-guided radiotherapy, the novel use of static magnetic fields (SMF) during radiation delivery is understudied and not fully understood. Thus, reliable biomimetic platforms to test new radiation delivery strategies are required to more accurately predict in vivo responses. Here, we aim to collate current 3D models for radiation response studies of PDAC, identifying the state of the art and outlines knowledge gaps. Overall, this review paper highlights the need for further research on the use of 3D models for pre-clinical radiotherapy screening including (i) 3D (re)-modeling of the PDAC hypoxic TME to allow for late effects of ionising radiation (ii) the screening of novel radiotherapy approaches and their combinations as well as (iii) a universally accepted 3D-model image quantification method for evaluating TME components in situ that would facilitate accurate post-treatment(s) quantitative comparisons.
Effect of Architectural Composition of MLP ANN in Neural Network Learning for Signal Power Loss Prediction
Authors:   Department of Electronic Engineering, Howard College, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban - 4041, South Africa, Ebhota Virginia C. , Srivastava Viranjay M.
Published: March 2021

This work analyzes the architectural complexity of a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model suitable for modeling and predicting signal power loss in micro-cellular environments. The MLP neural network model with one, two, and three hidden layers respectively were trained using measurement datasets used as the target values collected from a micro-cell environment that is suitable to describe different propagation paths and conditions. The neural network training has been performed by applying different training techniques to ensure a well-trained network for good generalization and avoid over-fitting during network training. Bayesian regularization algorithm (that updates weights and biases during network training) following the Levenberg-Marquardt optimization training algorithm was used as the training algorithm. A comparative analysis of training results from one, two, and three hidden layers MLP neural networks show the best prediction result of the signal power loss using a neural network with one hidden layer. A complex architectural composition of the MLP neural network involved very high training time and higher prediction errors.
Limited-Search Chase Decoding Algorithm for LDPC Coded Underwater Acoustic Multiuser Channels
Authors:   Weihai Cloud Computing Center, China, Li Xingming , Qin Zhiliang , Sun Yuanhao , Lu Qidong , Liu Xiaowei
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we propose a low-complexity soft-input/soft-output (SISO) Chase multiuser detector that has a polynomial computational complexity in terms of the number of the least reliable bit positions for low-density parity-check (LDPC) coded code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems, which is a potentially competitive technology for underwater acoustic networks (UWAN). Simulation results over highly correlated channels show that the proposed detector can afford searching over a larger number of the least reliable bit positions and achieve better bit-error-rate (BER) performance as compared with the Chase-II detector at much lower complexity.
Graph-Based Detection and LDPC Decoding over 2D Intersymbol Interference Channels
Authors:   Weihai Beiyang Electric Group Co. Ltd., Weihai, Shandong, China, Li Yingying , Qin Zhiliang , Zou Lianghui , Qin Yu , Lu Qidong
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we propose a fully graph-based iterative detection and decoding scheme for Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) coded generalized two-dimensional (2D) intersymbol interference (ISI) channels. The 2D detector consists of a downtrack detector based on the symbol-level sum-product algorithm (SPA) and a bit-level SPA-based crosstrack detector. A LDPC decoder based on simplified check node operations is also proposed to provide soft information for the 2D channel detector. Numerical results show that the proposed receiver achieves better performance as compared with the trellis-based BCJR detector over 2×2 2D channels while at a significantly lower computational complexity.
Technical Note—Ranking Distributions When Only Means and Variances Are Known
Authors: Müller Alfred , Scarsini Marco , Tsetlin Ilia , Winkler Robert L.
Published: March 2021

In “Technical Note—Ranking Distributions When Only Means and Variances Are Known,” Müller, Scarsini, Tsetlin, and Winkler address the question of ranking distributions when only the first two moments—that is, means and variances—are known. This is important in decision making under uncertainty, with potential applications in economics, finance, statistics, and other areas. Previous results require some assumptions about the shape of the distributions, while this paper’s approach is to impose bounds on how much marginal utility can change, thus constraining risk preferences. Such a ranking is consistent with almost stochastic dominance and provides a new connection between the Sharpe and Omega ratios from finance.
Ruminant behaviour in subclinical parasitic gastroenteritis
Authors: Forbes Andrew
Published: March 2021

Behavioural changes in cattle and sheep are used in clinical diagnosis to detect abnormalities and to help determine the aetiology. In many parasitic diseases, infections can be subclinical, but their impact on performance can still be of importance in a farming setting. A common feature of helminth infections is a reduction in feed intake, which can account for lower growth rates and milk yields, yet inappetence is difficult to detect in free-ranging, grazing livestock. Remote-sensing technology can facilitate data collection and is useful not only in research, but is a feasible option now on commercial farms. If inappetence in grazing sheep and cattle as a result of parasitic gastroenteritis can be easily monitored and assessed, then early interventions may be possible and these can ensure that animal performance is kept on target. Application of such approaches is consistent with the principles of responsible use of anthelmintics and targeted selective treatments, which can be further integrated into complementary elements of parasite control, including grazing management.
Model learning analysis of 3D optoacoustic mesoscopy images for the classification of atopic dermatitis
Authors: Park Sojeong , Saw Shier Nee , Li Xiuting , Paknezhad Mahsa , Coppola Davide , Dinish U. S. , Ebrahim Attia Amalina Binite , Yew Yik Weng , Guan Thng Steven Tien , Lee Hwee Kuan , Olivo Malini
Published: March 2021

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a skin inflammatory disease affecting 10% of the population worldwide. Raster-scanning optoacoustic mesoscopy (RSOM) has recently shown promise in dermatological imaging. We conducted a comprehensive analysis using three machine-learning models, random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and convolutional neural network (CNN) for classifying healthy versus AD conditions, and sub-classifying different AD severities using RSOM images and clinical information. CNN model successfully differentiates healthy from AD patients with 97% accuracy. With limited data, RF achieved 65% accuracy in sub-classifying AD patients into mild versus moderate-severe cases. Identification of disease severities is vital in managing AD treatment.
Surface contribution to the electric dipole moment near an interface, and its effect on power emission
Authors: Arnoldus Henk F.
Published: March 2021

When a small particle is located near an interface, its electric dipole moment can be induced by laser irradiation. Since the laser light reflects at the interface, this leads to an interference pattern, and the dipole moment is determined by this total field. In addition, the dipole radiation emitted by the particle reflects at the interface, and this field adds to the external field. In this fashion, the dipole moment is altered by the field it emits, and as such the emitted radiation modifies its own source. We have derived a simple expression to take this back action into account. We introduce two resolvent functions,

Υ

‖

(
h
)

and

Υ
⊥

(
h
)

, which depend on the dimensionless distance

h

between the particle and the interface. These functions exhibit resonance features due to the underlying back-action mechanism. It is shown that two, one, or no resonance peaks appear in the induced dipole moment. Whether these peaks are present depends on the parameters under consideration. The power emitted by the particle depends on

h

due to interference between the source radiation and the reflected radiation. With the surface induced contribution to the dipole moment included, an additional

h

dependence appears. This dependence shows the resonance peaks, which may be amenable to experimental observation.
Compact energy–time entanglement source using cascaded nonlinear interactions
Authors: Lefebvre P. , Valivarthi R. , Zhou Q. , Oesterling L. , Oblak D. , Tittel W.
Published: March 2021

Entangled photon pair sources are essential for applications such as quantum communication and metrology. Here we present a compact energy–time entangled photon pair source at telecom wavelengths realized through cascaded second harmonic generation and spontaneous parametric down conversion in a single periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide. We introduce and characterize methods to diminish the effects of Raman scattering, the principal being quasi-CW pumping. The quality of energy–time entanglement produced by the compact source is analyzed using two-photon interference and Franson interference, and visibilities as high as

93.9
%
±
0.4
%

and

90.5
%
±
0.6
%

are achieved, respectively.
Enhanced fifth-order nonlinearity with competing linear and nonlinear susceptibility via Fano interference
Authors: Li Chen , Wang Jing , Lin Lidan , Zeng Qingtian , Cai Yangjian , Yang Aihong , Peng Yandong
Published: March 2021

Enhanced fifth-order nonlinearity with Fano interference is theoretically studied in asymmetric double quantum wells. The resonant tunneling induces constructive interference for third- and fifth-order nonlinearities. Their competition causes a transparency window at some frequency detuning, where the fifth-order refractive index can be simultaneously enhanced by Fano interference. Simulation results show that fifth-order nonlinearity can be enhanced by about 10 times compared to that without the Fano effect. Also, the influence of different strengths of resonant tunneling coupling and Fano interference on enhanced high-order nonlinearity is discussed.
Black phosphorus photoconductive terahertz antenna: 3D modeling and experimental reference comparison
Authors: Batista Jose Santos , Churchill Hugh O. H. , El-Shenawee Magda
Published: March 2021

This paper presents a 3D model of a terahertz photoconductive antenna
(PCA) using black phosphorus, an emerging 2D anisotropic material, as
the semiconductor layer. This work aims at understanding the potential
of black phosphorus (BP) to advance the signal generation and
bandwidth of conventional terahertz (THz) PCAs. The COMSOL
Multiphysics package, based on the finite element method, is utilized
to model the 3D BP PCA emitter using four modules: the frequency
domain RF module to solve Maxwell’s equations, the semiconductor
module to calculate the photocurrent, the heat transfer in solids
module to calculate the temperature variations, and the transient RF
module to calculate the THz radiated electric field pulse. The
proposed 3D model is computationally intensive where the PCA device
includes thin layers of thicknesses ranging from nano- to microscale.
The symmetry of the configuration was exploited by applying the
perfect electric and magnetic boundary conditions to reduce the
computational domain to only one quarter of the device in the RF
module. The results showed that the temperature variation due to the
conduction of current induced by the bias voltage increased by only
0.162 K. In addition, the electromagnetic power dissipation in the
semiconductor due to the femtosecond laser source showed an increase
in temperature by 0.441 K. The results show that the temperature
variations caused the peak of the photocurrent to increase by

∼

3.4

%

and

∼

10

%

, respectively, under a maximum bias
voltage of 1 V and average laser power of 1 mW. While simulating the
active area of the antenna provided accurate results for the optical
and semiconductor responses, simulating the thermal effect on the
photocurrent requires a larger computational domain to avoid false
rise in temperature. Finally, the simulated THz signal generation
electric field pulse exhibits a trend in increasing the bandwidth of
the proposed BP PCA compared with the measured pulse of a reference
commercial LT-GaAs PCA. Enhancing signal generation and bandwidth will
improve THz imaging and spectroscopy for biomedical and material
characterization applications.
10 µJ noise-like pulse generated from all fiberized Tm-doped fiber oscillator and amplifier
Authors: Wang Meng , Zhao Junqing , Chen Yewang , Liu Minqiu , Ouyang Deqin , Pei Jihong , Ruan Shuangchen
Published: March 2021

Herein, we presented a high energy noise-like (NL) pulse Tm-doped fiber laser (TDFL) system. Relying on the nonlinear amplifying loop mirror (NALM), stable noise-like pulses with coherence spike width of ∼317 fs and envelope width of ∼4.2 ns were obtained from an all polarization-maintaining fiberized oscillator at central wavelength of ∼1946.4 nm with 3 dB bandwidth of ∼24.9 nm. After the amplification in an all-fiberized TDF amplifier system, the maximum average output power of ∼32.8 W and pulse energy of ∼10.1 µJ were obtained, which represents the highest pulse energy of NL pulse at ∼2 µm, to the best of our knowledge. We believe that the high energy NL pulse source has the potential application in mid-infrared supercontinuum generation.
Bespoke mirror fabrication for quantum simulation with light in open-access microcavities
Authors: Walker Benjamin T. , Ash Benjamin J. , Trichet Aurélien A. P. , Smith Jason M. , Nyman Robert A.
Published: March 2021

In this work, we use focused ion beam (FIB) milling to generate custom mirror shapes for quantum simulation in optical microcavities. In the paraxial limit, light in multimode optical microcavities follows an equation of motion which is equivalent to Schrödinger’s equation, with the surface topography of the mirrors playing the role of the potential energy landscape. FIB milling allows us to engineer a wide variety of trapping potentials for microcavity light, through exquisite control over the mirror topography, including 2D box, 1D waveguide, and Mexican hat potentials. The 2D box potentials are sufficiently flat over tens of microns, that the optical modes of the cavity, found by solving Schrödinger’s equation on the measured cavity topography, are standing-wave modes of the box, rather than localised to deviations. The predicted scattering loss due to surface roughness measured using atomic force microscopy is found to be 177 parts per million, which corresponds to a cavity finesse of 2.2 × 104 once other losses have been taken into account. Spectra from dye-filled microcavities formed using these features show thermalised light in flat 2D potentials close to dye resonance, and spectrally-resolved cavity modes at the predicted frequencies for elliptical potentials. These results also represent a first step towards realising superfluid light and quantum simulation in arbitrary-shaped optical microcavities using FIB milling.
Assessing the feasibility and effectiveness of household-pooled universal testing to control COVID-19 epidemics
Authors: Libin Pieter J. K. , Willem Lander , Verstraeten Timothy , Torneri Andrea , Vanderlocht Joris , Hens Niel
Published: March 2021

Outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 are threatening the health care systems of several countries around the world. The initial control of SARS-CoV-2 epidemics relied on non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as social distancing, teleworking, mouth masks and contact tracing. However, as pre-symptomatic transmission remains an important driver of the epidemic, contact tracing efforts struggle to fully control SARS-CoV-2 epidemics. Therefore, in this work, we investigate to what extent the use of universal testing, i.e., an approach in which we screen the entire population, can be utilized to mitigate this epidemic. To this end, we rely on PCR test pooling of individuals that belong to the same households, to allow for a universal testing procedure that is feasible with the limited testing capacity. We evaluate two isolation strategies: on the one handpool isolation, where we isolate all individuals that belong to a positive PCR test pool, and on the other handindividual isolation, where we determine which of the individuals that belong to the positive PCR pool are positive, through an additional testing step. We evaluate this universal testing approach in theSTRIDEindividual-based epidemiological model in the context of the Belgian COVID-19 epidemic. As the organisation of universal testing will be challenging, we discuss the different aspects related to sample extraction and PCR testing, to demonstrate the feasibility of universal testing when a decentralized testing approach is used. We show through simulation, that weekly universal testing is able to control the epidemic, even when many of the contact reductions are relieved. Finally, our model shows that the use of universal testing in combination with stringent contact reductions could be considered as a strategy to eradicate the virus.
Indole-3-acetic acid is a physiological inhibitor of TORC1 in yeast
Authors: Nicastro Raffaele , Raucci Serena , Michel Agnès H. , Stumpe Michael , Garcia Osuna Guillermo Miguel , Jaquenoud Malika , Kornmann Benoît , De Virgilio Claudio
Published: March 2021

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is the most common, naturally occurring phytohormone that regulates cell division, differentiation, and senescence in plants. The capacity to synthesize IAA is also widespread among plant-associated bacterial and fungal species, which may use IAA as an effector molecule to define their relationships with plants or to coordinate their physiological behavior through cell-cell communication. Fungi, including many species that do not entertain a plant-associated life style, are also able to synthesize IAA, but the physiological role of IAA in these fungi has largely remained enigmatic. Interestingly, in this context, growth of the budding yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiaeis sensitive to extracellular IAA. Here, we use a combination of various genetic approaches including chemical-genetic profiling, SAturated Transposon Analysis in Yeast (SATAY), and genetic epistasis analyses to identify the mode-of-action by which IAA inhibits growth in yeast. Surprisingly, these analyses pinpointed the target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1), a central regulator of eukaryotic cell growth, as the major growth-limiting target of IAA. Our biochemical analyses further demonstrate that IAA inhibits TORC1 bothin vivoandin vitro. Intriguingly, we also show that yeast cells are able to synthesize IAA and specifically accumulate IAA upon entry into stationary phase. Our data therefore suggest that IAA contributes to proper entry of yeast cells into a quiescent state by acting as a metabolic inhibitor of TORC1.
Increased oxidative stress in elderly leprosy patients is related to age but not to bacillary load
Authors: da Silva Pedro Henrique Lopes , de Castro Katherine Kelda Gomes , Mendes Mayara Abud , Calvo Thyago Leal , Leal Júlia Monteiro Pereira , Hacker Mariana de Andréa Vilas-Boas , Nery José Augusto da Costa , Sarno Euzenir Nunes , Lourenço Roberto Alves , Moraes Milton Ozório , Lara Flávio Alves , Esquenazi Danuza
Published: March 2021

Background

Leprosy continues to be a public health problem in Brazil. Furthermore, detection rates in elderly people have increased, particularly those of multibacillary (L-Lep) patients, who are responsible for transmitting M. leprae. Part of the decline in physiological function during aging is due to increased oxidative damage and change in T cell subpopulations, which are critical in defense against the disease. It is not still clear how age-related changes like those related to oxidation affect elderly people with leprosy. The aim of this work was to verify whether the elderly leprosy patients have higher ROS production and how it can impact the evolution of leprosy.

Methodology/Principal findings

87 leprosy patients, grouped according to age range and clinical form of leprosy, and 25 healthy volunteers were analyzed. Gene expression analysis of antioxidant and oxidative burst enzymes were performed in whole blood using Biomark’s microfluidic-based qPCR. The same genes were evaluated in skin lesion samples by RT-qPCR. The presence of oxidative damage markers (carbonylated proteins and 4-hydroxynonenal) was analyzed by a DNPH colorimetric assay and immunofluorescence. Carbonylated protein content was significantly higher in elderly compared to young patients. One year after multidrug therapy (MDT) discharge and M. leprae clearance, oxidative damage increased in young L-Lep patients but not in elderly ones. Both elderly T and L-Lep patients present higher 4-HNE in cutaneous lesions than the young, mainly surrounding memory CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, young L-Lep demonstrated greater ability to neutralize ROS compared to elderly L-Lep patients, who presented lower gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, mainly glutathione peroxidase.

Conclusions/Significance

We conclude that elderly patients present exacerbated oxidative damage both in blood and in skin lesions and that age-related changes can be an important factor in leprosy immunopathogenesis. Ultimately, elderly patients could benefit from co-supplementation of antioxidants concomitant to MDT, to avoid worsening of the disease.
Steady state evoked potential (SSEP) responses in the primary and secondary somatosensory cortices of anesthetized cats: Nonlinearity characterized by harmonic and intermodulation frequencies
Authors: Kawashima Yota , Li Rannee , Chen Spencer Chin-Yu , Vickery Richard Martin , Morley John W. , Tsuchiya Naotsugu
Published: March 2021

When presented with an oscillatory sensory input at a particular frequency,F[Hz], neural systems respond with the corresponding frequency,f[Hz], and its multiples. When the input includes two frequencies (F1andF2) and they are nonlinearly integrated in the system, responses at intermodulation frequencies (i.e.,n1*f1+n2*f2[Hz], wheren1andn2are non-zero integers) emerge. Utilizing these properties, the steady state evoked potential (SSEP) paradigm allows us to characterize linear and nonlinear neural computation performed in cortical neurocircuitry. Here, we analyzed the steady state evoked local field potentials (LFPs) recorded from the primary (S1) and secondary (S2) somatosensory cortex of anesthetized cats (maintained with alfaxalone) while we presented slow (F1= 23Hz) and fast (F2= 200Hz) somatosensory vibration to the contralateral paw pads and digits. Over 9 experimental sessions, we recorded LFPs fromN= 1620 andN= 1008 bipolar-referenced sites in S1 and S2 using electrode arrays. Power spectral analyses revealed strong responses at 1) the fundamental (f1,f2), 2) its harmonic, 3) the intermodulation frequencies, and 4) broadband frequencies (50-150Hz). To compare the computational architecture in S1 and S2, we employed simple computational modeling. Our modeling results necessitate nonlinear computation to explain SSEP in S2 more than S1. Combined with our current analysis of LFPs, our paradigm offers a rare opportunity to constrain the computational architecture of hierarchical organization of S1 and S2 and to reveal how a large-scale SSEP can emerge from local neural population activities.
Analysis of mobility homophily in Stockholm based on social network data
Authors: Heine Cate , Marquez Cristina , Santi Paolo , Sundberg Marcus , Nordfors Miriam , Ratti Carlo
Published: March 2021

We present a novel metric for measuring relative connection between parts of a city using geotagged Twitter data as a proxy for co-occurrence of city residents. We find that socioeconomic similarity is a significant predictor of this connectivity metric, which we call “linkage strength”: neighborhoods that are similar to one another in terms of residents’ median income, education level, and (to a lesser extent) immigration history are more strongly connected in terms of the of people who spend time there, indicating some level of homophily in the way that individuals choose to move throughout a city’s districts.
Citizenship, Migration and Mobility in a Pandemic (CMMP): A global dataset of COVID-19 restrictions on human movement
Authors: Piccoli Lorenzo , Dzankic Jelena , Ruedin Didier
Published: March 2021

This research note introduces a new global dataset, the Citizenship, Migration and Mobility in a Pandemic (CMMP). The dataset features systematic information on border closures and domestic lockdowns in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in 211 countries and territories worldwide from 1 March to 1 June 2020. It documents the evolution of the types and scope of international travel bans and exceptions to them, as well as internal measures including limitations of non-essential movement and curfews in 27 countries. CMMP can be used to study causes and effects of policy restrictions to migration and mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic. The dataset is available through Cadmus and will be regularly updated until the last pandemic-related restriction has been lifted or become long-term.
Technical results from a trial of the FREO2 Low-Pressure Oxygen Storage system, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda
Authors: Peake David , Black James , Kumbakumba Elias , Bagayana Sheillah , Barigye Celestine , Moschovis Peter , Muhumuza Ivan , Kiwanuka Frank , Semata Patrick , Rassool Kevin , Sobott Bryn , Rassool Roger
Published: March 2021

Increased access to reliable medical oxygen would reduce the global burden of pneumonia. Oxygen concentrators have been shown to be an effective solution, however they have significant drawbacks when used in low-resource environments where pneumonia burden is the heaviest. Low quality grid power can damage oxygen concentrators and blackouts can prevent at-risk patients from receiving continual oxygen therapy. Gaps in prescribed oxygen flow can result in acquired brain injuries, extended hypoxemia and death. The FREO2 Low-Pressure Oxygen Storage (LPOS) system consists of a suite of improvements to a standard oxygen concentrator which address these limitations. This study reports the technical results of a field trial of the system in Mbarara, Uganda. During this trial, oxygen supplied from the LPOS system was distributed to four beds in the paediatric ward of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. Over a three-month period, medical-grade oxygen was made available to patients 100% of the time. This period was sufficient to quantify the ability of the LPOS system to deal with blackouts, maintenance, and an unscheduled repair to the LPOS store.
The cost-effectiveness of scaling-up rapid point-of-care testing for early infant diagnosis of HIV in southern Zambia
Authors: De Broucker Gatien , Salvatore Phillip P. , Mutembo Simon , Moyo Nkumbula , Mutanga Jane N. , Thuma Philip E. , Moss William J. , Sutcliffe Catherine G.
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Early infant diagnosis (EID) and treatment can prevent much of the HIV-related morbidity and mortality experienced by children but is challenging to implement in sub-Saharan Africa. Point-of-care (PoC) testing would decentralize testing and increase access to rapid diagnosis. The objective of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of PoC testing in Southern Province, Zambia.

Methods

A decision tree model was developed to compare health outcomes and costs between the standard of care (SoC) and PoC testing using GeneXpert and m-PIMA platforms. The primary health outcome was antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiation within 60 days of sample collection. Additional outcomes included ART initiation by 12 months of age and death prior to ART initiation. Costs included both capital and recurrent costs. Health outcomes and costs were combined to create incremental cost effectiveness ratios (ICERs).

Results

The proportion of children initiating ART within 60 days increased from 27.8% with SoC to 79.8–82.8% with PoC testing depending on the algorithm and platform. The proportion of children initiating ART by 12 months of age increased from 50.9% with SoC to 84.0–86.5% with PoC testing. The proportion of HIV-infected children dying prior to ART initiation decreased from 18.1% with SoC to 3.8–4.6% with PoC testing. Total program costs were similar for the SoC and GeneXpert but higher for m-PIMA. ICERs for PoC testing were favorable, ranging from $23–1,609 for ART initiation within 60 days, $37–2,491 for ART initiation by 12 months of age, and $90–6,188 for deaths prior to ART initiation. Factors impacting the costs of PoC testing, including the lifespan of the testing instruments and integrated utilization of PoC platforms, had the biggest impact on the ICERs. Integrating utilization across programs decreased costs for the EID program, such that PoC testing was cost-saving in some situations.

Conclusion

PoC testing has the potential to improve linkage to care and ART initiation for HIV-infected infants and should be considered for implementation within EID programs to achieve equity in access to HIV services and reduce HIV-related pediatric morbidity and mortality.
Health professionals practice and associated factors towards precautionary measures for COVID-19 pandemic in public health facilities of Gamo zone, southern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Mersha Abera , Shibiru Shitaye , Girma Meseret , Ayele Gistane , Bante Agegnehu , Kassa Mekidim , Abebe Sintayehu , Shewangizaw Misgun
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease, which caused by a novel coronavirus. The disease disrupts health systems and resulting in social, political, and economic crises. Health professionals are in front of this pandemic and always work in a high-risk environment. The best prevention for COVID-19 is avoiding exposure to the virus. Some studies reported health professional’s practice of precautionary measures for COVID-19. Nevertheless, a few have identified factors affecting. As such, this study aimed to fill those research gaps in the study setting.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 428 health professionals involved from the public health facilities of the Gamo zone, southern Ethiopia. A simple random sampling method employed, and the data collected by the interviewer-administered Open Data Kit survey tool and observational checklist. The data analyzed in Stata version 15, and a binary logistic regression model used to identify factors. In this study, a statistically significant association declared at P< 0.05.

Results

In this study, 35.3% (95%CI: 30.7%, 39.8%) of health professionals’ had a good practice on precautionary measures for the COVID-19 pandemic. Use hand sanitizer or wash hands continuously with soap and water (68.9%), cover nose and mouth with a tissue during sneezing or coughing (67.3%), and use facemask in crowds (56.8%) were the most common practice reported by study participants. Marital status, being married (AOR = 1.84, 95%CI: 1.06, 3.18), good knowledge on the COVID-19 pandemic (AOR = 2.02, 95%CI: 1.02, 3.18), and positive attitude towards precautionary measures for the COVID-19 were factors showed significant association with the practice.

Conclusions

The magnitude of good practice of precautionary measures for the COVID-19 pandemic among health professionals was low. As such, different interventions to improve the knowledge and attitude of health professionals in the health care system are highly needed to boost the practice and to advance service delivery.
Prevalence and molecular characterization of canine parvovirus
Authors: Singh Parikshit , Kaur Gurpreet , Chandra Mudit , Dwivedi P. N.
Published: March 2021

Background and Aim: Canine parvovirus (CPV) belonging to family Parvoviridae causes hemorrhagic gastroenteritis in dogs and heavy mortality in young dogs. The virus has three structural (VP1, VP2 and VP3) and two non-structural proteins (NS1 and NS2), VP2 being highly immunogenic. This study aims to study molecular epidemiology of CPV by sequence analysis of VP2 gene to determine the prevailing antigenic type(s) in the northern regions of India.

Materials and Methods: A total of 118 rectal swabs collected from dogs exhibiting clinical signs of CPV infection were processed for the isolation of DNA and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR (NPCR). A total of 13 NPCR products selected randomly were subjected to sequence analysis of VP2 gene.

Results: The percent positivity of CPV was found 28% and 70% by PCR and NPCR, respectively. Dogs with vaccination history against CPV too were found positive with a percent positivity of 24.10%. Gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of VP2 gene from these isolates revealed that most samples formed a clade with CPV-2a isolates.

Conclusion: Sequence analysis and phylogenetic analysis of VP2 gene in the studied regions of northern India revealed that CPV-2a was the most prevalent antigenic type.
A kozmetikai piac és a fogyasztói döntéshozatal bemutatása ökonómiai megközelítésben = Introduction of the cosmetics market and consumer decision making from an economic view
Authors: Amberg Nóra , Magda Róbert
Published: March 2021

Tanulmányunkban bemutattuk a kozmetikai piacra jellemző fogyasztói döntéshozatalt mikro- és makroökonómiai szempontból, illetve a kozmetikai piacok főbb jellemzőit, a globális, nemzetközi kozmetikai piacokat, illetve a hazai kozmetikai termékeladást, a kozmetikumok vásárlására ható tényezők, trendek hatását a kozmetikumok vásárlására. A fogyasztói döntéshozatal közgazdasági értelemben a haszonmaximalizálásra, illetőleg a kockázatminimalizálásra törekszik. A fogyasztó objektíven dönt, teljes körűen informált a kozmetikai piaccal, a kapható kozmetikai termékekkel, illetve igénybe vehető kozmetikai szolgáltatásokkal kapcsolatban, választásakor racionális és szuverén módon cselekszik, vagyis következetes döntéshozatallal választja ki a kozmetikai piacokon megtalálható jószágokat, jószágcsoportokat kombinálva fogyasztói kosarában törekedve hasznosságának maximalizálására. In this study, the micro- and macroeconomic aspects of consumer decision making in the cosmetic market, the main characteristics of cosmetic markets, the global and international cosmetic markets, the sales records of products in the domestic market, as well as the effects of the factors and trends affecting the purchase of cosmetic products were introduced. Consumer decision making in economic terms seeks profit maximization and risk minimization. Consumers make unprejudiced decisions and they are fully informed about the cosmetics market and available cosmetic products and services. Decision making is rational and is conducted independently, which meanas that consumers choose and select goods consistently, combining groups of goods in order to maximize their usefulness.
Az "utolsó csoki" már túl késő: Szülők és gyermekek eltérő véleménye a gyermekek táplálkozási szokásait illetően
Authors: Pető Dalma , Buzás Norbert
Published: March 2021

A gyerekek étkezésére számos tényező van hatással, melyek közül a szülők szerepe kiemelkedő. A szerzők kutatásuk során a gyerekek evési magatartását vizsgálták egy sajátos megközelítésből. Kutatásuk fő kérdése az volt, hogy a szülők mennyiben másként ítélik meg gyermekük evési magatartását, mint maga gyerek? Mindezt a gyerekek BMI-kategóriái szerint szegmentált módon kutatták. Vizsgálódásuk során a DEBQ (Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire) gyerekekre adaptált változatát használták fel. A mintát 433 általános iskolás korú gyerek (3-6. osztály) és szüleik alkották. A cél egyrészt az volt, hogy a gyerekekre adaptált skála használhatóságát megerősítsék, másfelől pedig az, hogy rávilágítsanak arra, hogy a szülők másként ítélik meg a gyermekük táplálkozási sajátosságait, mint maga a gyermek. Eredményeik azt mutatják, hogy a szülők felülértékelik gyermekeik önmegtartóztató képességét a táplálkozás terén, így feltételezhető, hogy kevésbé veszélyesnek érzékelik az elhízás kockázatát gyermekük vonatkozásában, csak akkor látják be gyermekeik önkontrollproblémáit, ha a gyerekek már elhíztak. Másrészt azon szülők, akik tisztában vannak gyermekük gyenge önkontrolljával, megelőzhetik a gyerekek elhízását.
The geographic, environmental and phylogenetic evolution of the Alveolinoidea from the Cretaceous to the present day
Authors: BouDagher-Fadel Marcelle K. , Price Geoffrey David
Published: March 2021

The superfamily Alveolinoidea is a member of the Order Miliolida, and comprises three main families, the Alveolinidae, the Fabulariidae and the Rhapydioninidae. They are examples of Larger benthic foraminifera (LBF), which are single-celled organisms with specific characteristic endoskeletons. Alveolinoids are found globally from the Cretaceous to the present day, and are important biostratigraphic index fossils in shallow-marine carbonates. They are often associated with hydrocarbon reservoirs, and exhibit provincialism with characteristic genera often confined to one of the American, Tethyan or Indo-Pacific provinces. Previously, the systematic study of the global interrelationship between the various alveolinoid lineages has not been possible because of the absence of biostratigraphic correlation between the geographically scattered assemblages, and the scarcity of described material from the Indo-Pacific province. Here we use the literature and new material from the Americas, the French Alps, Iran, Tibet, India and South East Asia, coupled with the use of the planktonic foraminiferal zonal (PZ) correlation scheme to propose a comprehensive, global, systematic analysis of the biostratigraphic, phylogenetic and paleogeographic evolution of the alveolinoids. The alveolinoids originated in the Cretaceous in the Tethyan province. During a global sea-level low stand, a westward migration of some alveolinoids species to the Americas occurred, a behaviour previously reported in contemporaneous orbitolinid LBF. After the Cretaceous/Palaeogene (K–P) event, which saw the extinction of all Cretaceous alveolinoids, rare new forms of alveolinoids evolved again, first in the Americas and later independently in Tethys. As was found in previous studies of rotalid LBF, sea-level low stands in the Paleocene also allowed some alveolinoid forms to migrate, but this time in an eastward direction from the Americas to Tethys, and from Tethys on to the Indo-Pacific province. Alveolinoids still exist today (BorelisandAlveolinella), the former of which is cosmopolitan, while the latter is restricted to the Indo-Pacific province. Throughout their phylogenetic history, alveolinoids characteristically exhibit convergent evolution, with the repeated re-occurrence of certain morphological features. Understanding this propensity to homoplasy is essential in understanding and constructing the phylogenetic relationships within the alveolinoid superfamily.
Self Awareness Siswa Madrasah Aliyah Ddalam Pembelajaran Matematika
Authors: Nu'man Mulin
Published: March 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui self awareness siswa Madrasah Aliyah ditinjau dari jenis kelamin dan kemampuan matematika (tinggi, sedang, dan rendah), baik secara keseluruhan maupun tiap indikator (emotional awareness, accurate self assessment, dan self confidence). Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah penelitian kuantitatif. Populasi penelitian ini adalah siswa Madrasah Aliyah di Yogyakarta dengan sampel siswa di 2 Madrasah Aliyah. Instrumen pengumpulan yang digunakan adalah kuesioner self awareness dan dokumen nilai matematika. Analisis data yang digunakan adalah uji-t dan ANOVA. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tidak ada perbedaan Self Awareness antara siswa laki-laki dan siswa perempuan, baik self awareness secara keseluruhan maupun tiap indikator self awareness yaitu emotional awareness, self awareness, dan accurate self assessment dan tidak ada perbedaan self awareness antara siswa dengan kemampuan tinggi, siswa dengan kemampuan sedang, dan siswa dengan kemampuan rendah, baik self awareness secara keseluruhan maupun tiap indikator self awareness yaitu emotional awareness, self awareness, dan accurate self assessment. Hasil ini menunjukkan bahwa pembelajaran matematika belum mampu memberi dampak maksimal terhadap self awareness siswa.