bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Substance use, risk behaviours and well-being after admission to a quasi-residential abstinence-based rehabilitation programme: 4-year follow-up
Authors: MacKenzie Nina , Smith Daniel J. , Lawrie Stephen M. , M. Rome Andrew , McCartney David
Published: March 2023

Background

Tackling Scotland's drug-related deaths and improving outcomes from substance misuse treatments, including residential rehabilitation, is a national priority.

Aims

To analyse and report outcomes up to 4 years after attendance at a substance misuse residential rehabilitation programme (Lothians and Edinburgh Abstinence Programme).

Method

In total, 145 participants were recruited to this longitudinal quantitative cohort study of an abstinence-based residential rehabilitation programme based on the therapeutic community model; 87 of these participants were followed up at 4 years. Outcomes are reported for seven subsections of the Addiction Severity Index-X (ASI-X), together with frequency of alcohol use, heroin use, injecting drug use and rates of abstinence from substances of misuse.

Results

Significant improvement in most outcomes at 4 years compared with admission scores were found. Completing the programme was associated with greater rates of abstinence, reduced alcohol use and improvements in alcohol status score (Mann–Whitney U = 626, P = 0.013), work satisfaction score (U = 596, P = 0.016) and psychiatric status score (U = 562, P = 0.007) on the ASI-X, in comparison with non-completion. Abstinence rates improved from 12% at baseline to 48% at 4 years, with the rate for those completing the programme increasing from 14.5% to 60.7% (χ2(2, 87) = 9.738, P = 0.002). Remaining abstinent from substances at follow-up was associated with better outcomes in the medical (U = 540, P < 0.001), psychiatric (U = 273.5, P < 0.001) and alcohol (U = 322.5, P < 0.001) subsections of the ASI-X.

Conclusions

Attending this abstinence-based rehabilitation programme was associated with positive changes in psychological and social well-being and harm reduction from substance use at 4-year follow-up, with stability of change from years 1 to 4.
Data-driven inference of complex system dynamics: A mini-review
Authors: Gao Ting-Ting , Yan Gang
Published: March 2023

Our ability to observe the network topology and nodes' behaviors of complex systems has significantly advanced in the past decade, giving rise to a new and fast-developing frontier—inferring the underlying dynamical mechanisms of complex systems from the observation data. Here we explain the rationale of data-driven dynamics inference and review the recent progress in this emerging field. Specifically, we classify the existing methods of dynamics inference into three categories, and describe their key ideas, representative applications and limitations. We also discuss the remaining challenges that are worth the future effort.
Association Between Hospital Postoperative Troponin Use and Patient Outcomes After Vascular Surgery
Authors: Azizi Paymon M. , Wijeysundera Duminda N. , Wijeysundera Harindra C. , Austin Peter C. , Jerath Angela , Kayssi Ahmed , Ko Dennis T.
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND:

Acute myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery, which is most often symptomatically silent, is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. However, it is not known if routine postoperative troponin testing will affect patient outcomes.

METHODS:

We assembled a cohort of patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy or abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in Ontario, Canada, from 2010 to 2017. Hospitals were categorized into high, medium, and low troponin testing intensity based on the proportion of patients who received postoperative troponin testing. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to assess the association between hospital-specific testing intensity and 30-day and 1-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) while adjusting for patient-, surgery-, and hospital-level factors.

RESULTS:

The cohort consisted of 18,467 patients from 17 hospitals. Mean age was 72 years, and 74.0% were men. Rates of postoperative troponin testing were 77.5%, 35.8%, and 21.6% in the high-, medium-, and low-testing intensity hospitals, respectively. At 30 days, 5.3%, 5.3%, and 6.5% of patients in high-, medium-, and low-testing intensity hospitals experienced MACE, respectively. Higher troponin testing rate was associated with lower adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for MACE at 30 days (0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89–0.98) and at 1 year (0.97; 95% CI, 0.94–0.99) for each 10% increase in hospital troponin rate. Hospitals with high-testing intensity had higher rates of postoperative cardiology referrals, cardiovascular testing, and rates of new cardiovascular prescriptions.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients undergoing vascular surgery at hospitals with higher postoperative troponin testing intensity experienced fewer adverse outcomes than patients who had surgery at hospitals with lower testing intensity.
Understanding Geographic Disparities in Mortality
Authors: Fletcher Jason M. , Engelman Michal , Johnson Norman J. , Hakes Jahn , Palloni Alberto
Published: March 2023

A rich literature shows that early-life conditions shape later-life outcomes, including health and migration events. However, analyses of geographic disparities in mortality outcomes focus almost exclusively on contemporaneously measured geographic place (e.g., state of residence at death), thereby potentially conflating the role of early-life conditions, migration patterns, and effects of destinations. We employ the newly available Mortality Disparities in American Communities data set, which links respondents in the 2008 American Community Survey to official death records, and estimate consequential differences based on the method of aggregation we use: the unweighted mean absolute deviation of the difference in life expectancy at age 50 measured by state of birth versus state of residence is 0.58 years for men and 0.40 years for women. These differences are also spatially clustered, and we show that regional inequality in life expectancy is higher based on life expectancies by state of birth, implying that interstate migration mitigates baseline geographic inequality in mortality outcomes. Finally, we assess how state-specific features of in-migration, out-migration, and nonmigration together shape measures of mortality disparities by state (of residence), further demonstrating the difficulty of clearly interpreting these widely used measures.
Biased precursor ingression underlies the center-to-pole pattern of male sex determination in mouse
Authors: Bunce Corey , Barske Lindsey , Zhang Gloria , Capel Blanche
Published: March 2023

During mammalian development, gonadal sex determination results from the commitment of bipotential supporting cells to Sertoli or granulosa cell fates. Typically, this decision is coordinated across the gonad to ensure commitment to a single organ fate. When unified commitment fails in an XY mouse, an ovotestis forms in which supporting cells in the center of the gonad typically develop as Sertoli cells, while supporting cells in the poles develop as granulosa cells. This central bias for Sertoli cell fate was thought to result from the initial expression of the drivers of Sertoli cell fate, SRY and/or SOX9, in the central domain, followed by paracrine expansion to the poles. However, we show here that the earliest cells expressing SRY and SOX9 are widely distributed across the gonad. In addition, Sertoli cell fate does not spread among supporting cells through paracrine relay. Instead, we uncover a center-biased pattern of supporting cell precursor ingression that occurs in both sexes and results in increased supporting cell density in the central domain. Our findings prompt a new model of gonad patterning in which a density-dependent organizing principle dominates Sertoli cell fate stabilization.
Cardiomyocyte ploidy is dynamic during postnatal development and varies across genetic backgrounds
Authors: Swift Samantha K. , Purdy Alexandra L. , Kolell Mary E. , Andresen Kaitlyn G. , Lahue Caitlin , Buddell Tyler , Akins Kaelin A. , Rau Christoph D. , O'Meara Caitlin C. , Patterson Michaela
Published: March 2023

Somatic polyploidization, an adaptation by which cells increase their DNA content to support growth, is observed in many cell types, including cardiomyocytes. Although polyploidization is believed to be beneficial, progression to a polyploid state is often accompanied by loss of proliferative capacity. Recent work suggests that genetics heavily influence cardiomyocyte ploidy. However, the developmental course by which cardiomyocytes reach their final ploidy state has only been investigated in select backgrounds. Here, we assessed cardiomyocyte number, cell cycle activity, and ploidy dynamics across two divergent mouse strains: C57BL/6J and A/J. Both strains are born and reach adulthood with comparable numbers of cardiomyocytes; however, the end composition of ploidy classes and developmental progression to reach the final state differ substantially. We expand on previous findings that identified Tnni3k as a mediator of cardiomyocyte ploidy and uncover a role for Runx1 in ploidy dynamics and cardiomyocyte cell division, in both developmental and injury contexts. These data provide novel insights into the developmental path to cardiomyocyte polyploidization and challenge the paradigm that hypertrophy is the sole mechanism for growth in the postnatal heart.
Biomechanics illuminates form–function relationships in bird bills
Authors: Krishnan Anand
Published: March 2023

The field of comparative biomechanics examines how form, mechanical properties and environmental interactions shape the function of biological structures. Biomechanics has advanced by leaps and bounds as rapid technological progress opens up new research horizons. In this Review, I describe how our understanding of the avian bill, a morphologically diverse multifunctional appendage, has been transformed by employing a biomechanical perspective. Across functions from feeding to excavating hollows in trees and as a vocal apparatus, the study of the bill spans both solid and fluid biomechanics, rendering it useful to understand general principles across disciplines. The different shapes of the bill across bird species result in functional and mechanical trade-offs, thus representing a microcosm of many broader form–function questions. Using examples from diverse studies, I discuss how research into bird bills has been shaped over recent decades, and its influence on our understanding of avian ecology and evolution. Next, I examine how bill material properties and geometry influence performance in dietary and non-dietary contexts, simultaneously imposing trade-offs on other functions. Following an examination of the interactions of bills with fluids and their role as part of the vocal apparatus, I end with a discussion of the sensory biomechanics of the bill, focusing specifically on the bill-tip mechanosensory organ. With these case studies, I highlight how this burgeoning and consequential field represents a roadmap for our understanding of the function and evolution of biological structures.
Enhancement of the activity of the antimicrobial peptides HNP1 and LL-37 by bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A
Authors: Ericksen Bryan
Published: March 2023

Background: HNP1, LL-37, and HBD1 are antimicrobial against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 at the standard inoculum but less active at higher inocula.  

Methods: The virtual colony count (VCC) microbiological assay was adapted for high inocula and the addition of yeast tRNA and bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase).  96-well plates were read for 12 hours in a Tecan Infinite M1000 plate reader and photographed under 10x magnification.   

Results: Adding tRNA 1:1 wt/wt to HNP1 at the standard inoculum almost completely abrogated activity.  Adding RNase 1:1 to HNP1 at the standard inoculum of 5x105 CFU/mL did not enhance activity.  Increasing the inoculum to 6.25x107 CFU/mL almost abrogated HNP1 activity.  However, adding RNase 25:1 to HNP1 enhanced activity at the highest tested concentration of HNP1.  Adding both tRNA and RNase resulted in enhanced activity, indicating that the enhancement effect of RNase overwhelms the inhibiting effect of tRNA when both are present.  HBD1 activity at the standard inoculum was almost completely abrogated by the addition of tRNA, but LL-37 activity was only slightly inhibited by tRNA.  At the high inoculum, LL-37 activity was enhanced by RNase.  HBD1 activity was not enhanced by RNase.  RNase was not antimicrobial in the absence of antimicrobial peptides.  Cell clumps were observed at the high inoculum in the presence of all three antimicrobial peptides and at the standard inoculum in the presence of HNP1+tRNA and HBD1+tRNA.   

Conclusions: Antimicrobial peptide-ribonuclease combinations have the potential to be active against high cell concentrations, conditions where the antimicrobial agent alone is relatively ineffective.
Evaluation of vitamin D supplementation intake among children; cross-sectional observational study
Authors: Sharafi Niloufar , Fatima Aiman , Gillani Syed Wasif , Kaddour Nour , Banoori Rawa , Elshafie Riham Mohamed , Rathore Hassaan Anwer
Published: March 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess  the vitamin D supplementation intake status among children from different nationalities in the UAE,  to determine vitamin D intake practices through diet and lifestyle, and the barriers that parents in the UAE  face with providing vitamin D supplementation to their children.  

Methods: A cross-sectional observational questionnaire-based survey study design was used.. The study was conducted in the U.A.E and the study participants were parents of children from ages 4-15 years. The questionnaire used in this study was both self-administered and interviewer-administered while inquiring the questions from the parents. A convenience sampling technique was used to collect the data. The response rate of participants was expected to be 63%, the margin of error was 5% and the level of confidence was 95%.  

Results: A total of 248 participants (203 mothers, 39 fathers and 6 caregivers) completed the study. Participants reported that the supplements used the most by children were vitamin D supplements (21.85%), followed by multivitamins (21.8%) and calcium supplements (5.6%) and 27.8% of participants in this study reported  to  no  supplementation at all. The rate of vitamin D supplementation among children was higher in those families with higher income levels, parents/caregivers who were more educated, those families who attained health insurance. However, there was no statistical significance between these correlations.

Conclusion: The study concluded that challenges like the educational and financial background of parents, family-income level, and health insurance status could help aid in addressing the overall burden of vitamin D deficiency among young children in the UAE. Pediatricians and health care professionals could use our study and use it as an aid to provide screening on lifestyle, sun light exposure, and dietary modifications and also educate parents why and how vitamin D is crucial for their children.
Securitisation behind persona non grata: Implications to the theory and the cases regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022
Authors: Moritani Yuki , Akiyama Hajime
Published: March 2023

Background: Diplomats or consuls can be declared persona non grata (PNG) by receiving states. In many cases, it is declared for security reasons, claiming that issues caused by sending states are matters of national security of receiving states. The extant literature focused on legal aspects of it regarding diplomatic immunities and privileges, but the declarations of PNG in international affairs require considerations from security studies.

Methods: Security is a social construct, and the process of construction is explained by securitisation theory by the Copenhagen School and the Paris School. The paper conducted an overview of PNG by a general examination of the declarations of PNG with securitisation theory. Further examinations were done focusing on series of the declarations of PNG during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Along with the overall examination of PNG during the crisis, the analysis of the declaration of PNG to a Japanese Consul in Vladivostok, Russia was conducted as a unique case.

Results: Generally, declaration of PNG is a result of securitisation within normal politics as the Paris School theorised, not exceeding normal politics as the Copenhagen School theorised. Also, two implications to the theory were found: 1) the need to focus on the existential threat; and 2) the need to consider a sphere of gradation between normal and emergency politics. The massacre in Bucha, Ukraine triggered many declarations of PNG, indicating that the cause of the securitisation of PNG was the massacre as an existential threat. The case of Vladivostok was a deviation from normal politics with a possible illegal detention of the consul, but the declaration of PNG itself is within normal politics. Rather than seeing the case simply as in the realm of emergency politics, it is better interpreted as a mixture of normal and emergency politics.
The ESCAPE Open-source Software and Service Repository
Authors: Vuillaume Thomas , Al-Turany Mohammad , Füßling Matthias , Gal Tamas , Garcia Enrique , Graf Kay , Hughes Gareth , Kettenis Mark , Kresan Dmytro , Schnabel Jutta , Tacke Christian , Verkouter Marjolein
Published: March 2023

Purpose: The purpose of the ESCAPE Open-source Software and Service Repository (OSSR) is to provide a central location for the dissemination and use of trusted open-source software in the fields of astronomy, astroparticle physics, and particle physics. The repository allows users to easily access and download tools and services developed within the community, and to contribute their own tools and services.

Methods: The ESCAPE project has set up a curated repository of software that provides tools and an environment to make it easy for users to find and download the software and services that they need. The repository is regularly updated and is maintained by a curation board, ensuring that the software and services are reliable and up-to-date. The curation and onboarding process makes the OSSR a trustworthy source of software that can be used for scientific analysis. The software included in the repository must include documentation and instructions and follow a set of modern best practices in software development. Training is provided to students and researchers to help them provide high-quality scientific software following modern software development practices.

Outcome: The OSSR currently contains a wide range of software and services, including those for data management, data analysis, and machine learning. These tools and services are used by researchers and other users around the world. The OSSR has proven to be an effective means for disseminating and providing open-source software and services developed by the ESCAPE project partners and welcomes contributions from the entire community.
An approach to building a model of communication flows in solving tasks in project management
Authors: Tihomirov Aleksey
Published: March 2023

This article discusses an approach to building a model of communication flows when solving project management tasks in the context of the need for subsequent regulation in order to increase the efficiency of project implementation in general. Definitions are given that distinguish such concepts as a communication flow and a single communication link with subsequent formalization in a formulaic form. Examples of forms and methods of communication between project participants are given, followed by the example of a hierarchical approach to the formation of a model of communication flows. The article also discusses the basis for building a model, including the organizational structure of the project, taking into account resources and the process of setting tasks, and in part of the latter, an algorithm of actions is presented, distributed over key stages, including visualization of the process diagram. Examples of control actions are given in order to demonstrate the possible regulation of the proposed model.
Website Urun Daya untuk Meningkatkan Product Knowledge pada Konsumen UMKM Sentra Oleh – Oleh Khas Daerah
Authors: Hendrawan Rully Agus , Nurkasanah Ika , Syahrial Algracevian Andrea Gibran , Rachman Andhika Prasandy , Sulaiman M. Yusuf , Halim Jessica Patricia , Devara Raffly Andico , Suryani Erma , Wibisono Arif , Tyasnurita Raras , Mahananto Faizal , Sholikah Rizka Wakhiddatus
Published: March 2023

Indonesia merupakan negara kepulauan dengan berbagai macam makanan daerah yang beraneka macam, salah satunya adalah buah tangan/oleh-oleh. Namun, berbagai macam tantangan seperti persaingan bisnis dan pandemi COVID-19 berdampak cukup besar dalam industri pariwisata dan oleh-oleh. Usaha Mikro, Kecil, dan Menengah (UMKM) yang bergerak di sektor oleh-oleh mengalami kendala dan penurunan transaksi dalam bisnisnya. Oleh karena itu, program pengabdian masyarakat ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan visibilitas UMKM di sektor oleh-oleh dengan platform website yang dikembangkan dengan metode design thinking. Metode tersebut dipilih berdasarkan kondisi saat ini, dimana masyarakat gemar mencari informasi yang lengkap sebelum melakukan pembelian produk. Metode pelaksanaan program pengabdian masyarakat ini diawali dengan tahap analisis kebutuhan mitra dan pengguna, kemudian dilanjutkan dengan tahap desain arsitektur website, pengembangan website, uji coba website, dan diakhiri dengan tahap sosialisasi dan pendampingan penggunaan website kepada mitra. Hasil program pengabdian masyarakat ini mampu membantu UMKM di sektor oleh-oleh untuk melakukan pemasaran produk mereka secara online, dan memperluas jangkauan pasar mereka. Bagi calon pelanggan, design thinking method website ini memungkinkan pencarian informasi terkait harga, rasa, komposisi, manfaat dan informasi lainnya terkait produk yang ditawarkan oleh mitra.
Pemanfaatan Mesin Dehidrator Berbasis Mikrokontroler untuk Mengurangi Kadar Air Madu di Desa Kauman, Tulungagung
Authors: Nurahmi Latifah , Harnany Dinny , Effendi M. Khoirul , Wahjudi Arif , Batan I Made Londen , Suhardjono Suhardjono , Sampurno Sampurno , Mubarok Fahmi
Published: March 2023

Desa Kauman, Tulungagung, termasuk daerah penghasil madu di Jawa Timur. Namun, para peternak madu masih banyak mengalami kendala dalam mengurangi kadar air dalam madu karena masih menggunakan metode konvensional. Tim Pengabdi ITS bersama dengan mitra UMKM Madu AG bekerja sama merancang mesin dehydrator madu. Kemudian, mesin tersebut diberikan kepada peternak lebah di Desa Kauman. Hal ini bertujuan agar para peternak dapat memanfaatkan mesin dehydrator madu untuk meningkatkan produktivitas produk madu. Syarat madu yang baik harus memilik kadar air tidak lebih dari 22%. Mesin dehydrator madu yang dirancang dalam kegiatan ini  mampu mengurangi kadar air hingga 10% dari kadar air dari sebelumnya. Hal ini diharapkan dapat membantu peternak lebah untuk menghasilkan madu dengan kualitas yang lebih baik.
Non-defocus high transmittance image slicer
Authors: Wei Ruyi , Liu Bin , Xie Zhengmao , Wang Yidong , Chen Shasha , Zhang Kai
Published: March 2023

The first non-defocus high transmittance non-fiber image slicer is presented. In order to solve the problem of image blur caused by the defocus between different sliced sub-images, an optical path compensation method based on stepped prism plate is proposed. Design results show that both the maximal defocus amount between the four sliced sub-images is reduced from 2.363 mm to nearly 0. The diameter of the dispersion spot on the focal plane is reduced from 98.47 μm to close to 0. The optical transmittance of the image slicer is up to 91.89%. This new image slicer is greatly valuable for high resolution and high transmittance spectrometer.
Design and optimization of GI-PCF supporting the orbital angular momentum modes based on negative curvature structure
Authors: Wang Yitong , Wei Wei , Dong Ziming , Ding Lei , Tang Liqin , Fan Wande , Li Yigang
Published: March 2023

Based on the negative curvature structure, we design a graded-index photonic crystal fiber (GI-PCF) supporting the orbital angular momentum (OAM) mode transmission and discuss its optimization strategy. The core of the designed GI-PCF is sandwiched by three-layer inner air-hole arrays with gradually decreasing air-hole radii and a single outer air-hole array, where the inner side of the annular core forms a graded refractive index distribution. All these structures are clad with negative-curvature tubes. By optimizing characteristic structural parameters, including the air-filling fraction of the outer array, the air-hole radii of the inner arrays, and the thickness of the tubes, the GI-PCF can support 42 OAM modes and most of them have a purity greater than 85%. Compared with conventional structures, the present design of GI-PCF has better properties on an overall level, which can stably transmit multiple OAM modes with high mode purity. These results inject new interest in the flexible design of PCF and have potential applications in various fields, including but not limited to the mode division multiplexing system and terabit data transmission.
Detecting radius of curvature (ROC) mismatch among primary mirror (PM) segments
Authors: Lu Zhirong , Ju Guohao , Bai Xiaoquan , Zhang Chunyue , Jiang Fengyi , Xu Boqian , Dong Jihong , Xu Shuyan
Published: March 2023

A segmented primary mirror (PM) is an efficient solution to the problems of a monolithic PM manufacture, testing, transportation, and launch. However, the problem of the radius of curvature (ROC) matching among PM segments will arise, which if not solved will seriously degrade the final imaging quality of the system. Accurately detecting ROC mismatch among PM segments from the wavefront map is of crucial importance for efficiently correcting this kind of manufacturing error, while currently there are few related studies. Based on the inherent relation between the PM segment’s ROC error and corresponding sub-aperture defocus aberration, this paper proposes that the ROC mismatch can be accurately estimated from the sub-aperture defocus aberration. Secondary mirror (SM) lateral misalignments will influence the accuracy of estimating ROC mismatch. A strategy is also proposed to reduce the influence of SM lateral misalignments. Detailed simulations are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for detecting ROC mismatch among PM segments. This paper paves a road for detecting ROC mismatch using image-based wavefront sensing methods.
Fast wavelength-swept polarization maintaining all-fiber mode-locked laser based on a piezo-stretched fiber Lyot filter
Authors: Sun Xiangnan , Yamashita Shinji , Set SzeYun
Published: March 2023

We demonstrate for the first time a strain-controlled all polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber Lyot filter based on a piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) fiber stretcher. This filter is implemented in an all-PM mode-locked fiber laser to serve as a novel wavelength-tuning mechanism for fast wavelength sweeping. The center wavelength of the output laser can be tuned across a range from 1540 nm to 1567 nm linearly. And the strain sensitivity achieved in the proposed all-PM fiber Lyot filter is 0.052nm/με, which is 43 times higher than that achievable by other strain-controlled filters such as a fiber Bragg grating filter (0.0012nm/με). Wavelength-swept rates up to 500 Hz and wavelength tuning speeds up to 13,000 nm/s are demonstrated, which is hundreds of times faster than what is attainable with conventional sub-picosecond mode-locked lasers based on mechanical tuning methods. This highly repeatable and swift wavelength-tunable all-PM fiber mode-locked laser is a promising source for applications requiring fast wavelength tunability, such as coherent Raman microscopy.
High-performance designs for fiber-pigtailed quantum-light sources based on quantum dots in electrically-controlled circular Bragg gratings
Authors: Rickert Lucas , Betz Fridtjof , Plock Matthias , Burger Sven , Heindel Tobias
Published: March 2023

We present a numerical investigation of directly fiber-coupled hybrid circular Bragg gratings (CBGs) featuring electrical control for operation in the application relevant wavelength regimes around 930 nm as well as the telecom O- and C-band. We use a surrogate model combined with a Bayesian optimization approach to perform numerical optimization of the device performance which takes into account robustness with respect to fabrication tolerances. The proposed high-performance designs combine hybrid CBGs with a dielectric planarization and a transparent contact material, enabling > 86% direct fiber coupling efficiency (> 93% efficiency into NA 0.8) while exhibiting Purcell factors > 20. Especially the proposed designs for the telecom range prove robust and can sustain expected fiber efficiencies of more than (82.2±4.1)−5.5+2.2% and expected average Purcell factors of up to (23.2±2.3)−3.0+3.2 assuming conservative fabrication accuracies. The wavelength of maximum Purcell enhancement proves to be the most affected performance parameter by the deviations. Finally, we show that electrical field strengths suitable for Stark-tuning of an embedded quantum dot can be reached in the identified designs. Our work provides blueprints for high-performance quantum light sources based on fiber-pigtailed and electrically-controlled quantum dot CBG devices for quantum information applications.
Ultraviolet digital holographic microscopy (DHM) of micron-scale particles from shocked Sn ejecta
Authors: Guildenbecher Daniel R. , McMaster Anthony , Corredor Andrew , Malone Bob , Mance Jason , Rudziensky Emma , Sorenson Danny , Danielson Jeremy , Duke Dana L.
Published: March 2023

A cloud of very fast, O(km/s), and very fine, O(µm), particles may be ejected when a strong shock impacts and possibly melts the free surface of a solid metal. To quantify these dynamics, this work develops an ultraviolet, long-working distance, two-pulse Digital Holographic Microscopy (DHM) configuration and is the first to replace film recording with digital sensors for this challenging application. A proposed multi-iteration DHM processing algorithm is demonstrated for automated measures of the sizes, velocities, and three-dimensional positions of non-spherical particles. Ejecta as small as 2 µm diameter are successfully tracked, while uncertainty simulations indicate that particle size distributions are accurately quantified for diameters ≥4 µm. These techniques are demonstrated on three explosively driven experiments. Measured ejecta size and velocity statistics are shown to be consistent with prior film-based recording, while also revealing spatial variations in velocities and 3D positions that have yet to be widely investigated. Having eliminated time-consuming analog film processing, the methodologies proposed here are expected to significantly accelerate future experimental investigation of ejecta physics.
Hyperlens for capturing sub-diffraction nanoscale single molecule dynamics
Authors: Barulin Aleksandr , Kim Inki
Published: March 2023

Hyperlenses offer an appealing opportunity to unlock bioimaging beyond the diffraction limit with conventional optics. Mapping hidden nanoscale spatiotemporal heterogeneities of lipid interactions in live cell membrane structures has been accessible only using optical super-resolution techniques. Here, we employ a spherical gold/silicon multilayered hyperlens that enables sub-diffraction fluorescence correlation spectroscopy at 635 nm excitation wavelength. The proposed hyperlens enables nanoscale focusing of a Gaussian diffraction-limited beam below 40 nm. Despite the pronounced propagation losses, we quantify energy localization in the hyperlens inner surface to determine fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) feasibility depending on hyperlens resolution and sub-diffraction field of view. We simulate the diffusion FCS correlation function and demonstrate the reduction of diffusion time of fluorescent molecules up to nearly 2 orders of magnitude as compared to free space excitation. We show that the hyperlens can effectively distinguish nanoscale transient trapping sites in simulated 2D lipid diffusion in cell membranes. Altogether, versatile and fabricable hyperlens platforms display pertinent applicability for the enhanced spatiotemporal resolution to reveal nanoscale biological dynamics of single molecules.
Interface debonding monitoring of solid rocket motor based on femtosecond grating array
Authors: Zhang Yunshan , Fan Li , Zhang Yulin
Published: March 2023

During the whole life cycle of solid rocket motor (SRM), shell damage and propellant interface debonding will occur, which will destroy the structural integrity of SRM. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the SRM health status, and the existing nondestructive testing technology and the designed optical fiber sensor cannot meet the monitoring requirements. In order to solve this problem, this paper uses femtosecond laser direct writing technology to write high contrast short femtosecond grating array. A new packaging method is proposed to enable the sensor array to measure 9000 με. It solves the grating chirp phenomenon caused by stress concentration in the SRM, and breaks through the key technology of fiber optic sensor implantation in the SRM. The shell pressure test and strain monitoring inside the SRM during long-term storage are realized. For the first time, the experiments of tearing and shearing specimens were simulated. Compared with the results of computed tomography, it proves the accuracy and progressiveness of implantable optical fiber sensing technology. Combined with theory and experiment, the problem of SRM life cycle health monitoring is solved.
Ka-band beam-scanning leaky-wave antenna fed by reconfigurable spoof surface plasmon polaritons
Authors: Chen Qi , Fu Xiaojian , Luo Jiang , Fu Yuan , Liu Yujie , Shi Lei , Yang Fei , Zhang Hao Chi , Ma Hui Feng , Cui Tie Jun
Published: March 2023

A leaky-wave antenna (LWA) based on reconfigurable spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPP) is proposed for beam scanning in the Ka band, which consists of a reconfigurable SSPP waveguide and a periodic array of metal rectangular split rings. Both numerical simulations and experimental measurements show that the reconfigurable SSPP-fed LWA has good performance in the frequency range from 25 to 30 GHz. Specifically, as the bias voltage changes from 0 to 15 V, we can achieve the maximum sweep range of 24° at a single frequency and 59° at multiple frequency points, respectively. Owing to the wide-angle beam-steering feature, as well as the field confinement and wavelength compression properties derived from the SSPP architecture, the proposed SSPP-fed LWA possesses great potential applications in the compact and miniaturized devices and systems of the Ka band.
Hindcasts and forecasts of suicide mortality in US: A modeling study
Authors: Kandula Sasikiran , Olfson Mark , Gould Madelyn S. , Keyes Katherine M. , Shaman Jeffrey
Published: March 2023

Deaths by suicide, as well as suicidal ideations, plans and attempts, have been increasing in the US for the past two decades. Deployment of effective interventions would require timely, geographically well-resolved estimates of suicide activity. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of a two-step process for predicting suicide mortality: a) generation of hindcasts, mortality estimates for past months for which observational data would not have been available if forecasts were generated in real-time; and b) generation of forecasts with observational data augmented with hindcasts. Calls to crisis hotline services and online queries to the Google search engine for suicide-related terms were used as proxy data sources to generate hindcasts. The primary hindcast model (auto) is an Autoregressive Integrated Moving average model (ARIMA), trained on suicide mortality rates alone. Three regression models augment hindcast estimates from auto with call rates (calls), GHT search rates (ght) and both datasets together (calls_ght). The 4 forecast models used are ARIMA models trained with corresponding hindcast estimates. All models were evaluated against a baseline random walk with drift model. Rolling monthly 6-month ahead forecasts for all 50 states between 2012 and 2020 were generated. Quantile score (QS) was used to assess the quality of the forecast distributions. Median QS for auto was better than baseline (0.114 vs. 0.21. Median QS of augmented models were lower than auto, but not significantly different from each other (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p > .05). Forecasts from augmented models were also better calibrated. Together, these results provide evidence that proxy data can address delays in release of suicide mortality data and improve forecast quality. An operational forecast system of state-level suicide risk may be feasible with sustained engagement between modelers and public health departments to appraise data sources and methods as well as to continuously evaluate forecast accuracy.
Eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Tanzania calls for efforts to address factors associated with a low confirmatory test
Authors: Morris Baraka M. , Nyamhagata Mukome , Tarimo Edith , Sunguya Bruno
Published: March 2023

Option B+ approach for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) has demonstrated the potential to eliminate pediatric HIV infections. Its success depends on early infant diagnosis (EID) of HIV among the exposed infants within the first 6 weeks, and a subsequent confirmatory HIV test within 18 months. However, most mothers enrolling in option B+ in Tanzania do not come for such confirmatory tests. We examined factors associated with the turning-up of mother-baby pairs on the PMTCT program for a confirmatory HIV testing 18 months post-delivery in Tanzania. This study utilized longitudinal data collected between 2015 and 2017, from 751 mother-baby pairs enrolled in the PMTCT-option B+ approach in 79 health facilities from the 12 regions of Tanzania-mainland. Only 44.2% of 751 mother-baby records observed received the HIV confirmatory test by the 18th month. Mothers aged 25 years or above (adults’ mothers) were 1.44 more likely to turn up for confirmatory HIV testing than young mothers; mothers with partners tested for HIV were 1.74 more likely to have confirmatory HIV testing compared with partners not tested for HIV. Newly diagnosed HIV-positive mothers were 28% less likely to bring their babies for a confirmatory HIV-testing compared to known HIV-positive mothers. Mothers with treatment supporters were 1.58 more likely to receive confirmatory HIV-testing compared to mothers without one. Mother-baby pairs who collected DBS-PCR-1 were 3.61 more likely to have confirmatory HIV-testing than those who didn’t collect DBS-PCR-1. In conclusion, the confirmatory HIV testing within 18 months among mother-baby pairs enrolled in the Option B+ approach is still low in Tanzania. This is associated with low maternal age, having a male partner not tested for HIV, lack of experience with HIV services, lack of treatment supporters, and failure to take the DBS-PCR-1 HIV test within the first two months post-delivery.
Evaluation of a diagnostic device, CL Detect rapid test for the diagnosis of new world cutaneous leishmaniasis in Peru
Authors: Grogl Max , Joya Christie A. , Saenz Maria , Quispe Ana , Rosales Luis Angel , Santos Rocio del Pilar , De los Santos Maxy B. , Donovan Ngami , Ransom Janet H. , Ramos Ana , Llanos Cuentas Elmer
Published: March 2023

Background

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected disease and a public health problem in Latin America. The diagnosis of CL in poor hyperendemic regions relies to large extent on the identification of amastigotes in Giemsa-stained smears. There is an urgent need for a rapid, sensitive and low cost diagnostic method for use in field conditions for CL as current modalities are not readily available. The primary objective of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the FDA-cleared CL Detect Rapid Test in Peru, using modified test procedures rather than the instructions-for-use, by 1) increasing the extraction time and 2) increasing the volume of the sample added to the test strip. CL Detect Rapid Test results were compared against microscopy and kDNA-PCR, for the diagnosis of CL in ulcerated lesions. In addition, we compared two collection methods the dental broach used and mentioned in the CL Detect insert and the standard less invasive and easier to conduct scrapping method.

Methodology

Participants were patients who presented for medical consultation due to a suspected CL lesion. Four samples from the index lesion were collected using a dental broach, per package insert, and lancet scraping and tested by the modified CL Detect Rapid Test, microscopy, and PCR.

Principal findings

A total of 156 subjects were eligible and evaluated. The modified CL Detect sensitivity was higher in specimens obtained by scraping (83.3%) than those from dental broach (64.2%). The specificity was lower in scrapings (77.8%) with a false positive rate of 22.2% compared with dental broach samples (91.7%) with a false positive rate of 8.3%. However, molecular analysis showed that all 8 false negative microscopy scrapings (those positive by modified CL Detect and negative by microscopy) were positive by kDNA-PCR, meaning that the modified CL Detect was more sensitive than microscopy.

Conclusions

These modifications to the package insert that resulted in a diagnostic sensitivity (83.3%) comparable to microscopy for species found in Peru may enable earlier anti-leishmanial drug treatment decisions based on a positive result from the CL Detect Rapid Test alone until further diagnostic tests like microscopy and PCR can be performed.

Trial registration

NCT03762070; Clinicaltrials.gov.
The function of ethanol in olfactory associative behaviors in Drosophila melanogaster larvae
Authors: Berger Michael , Yapıcı Barış , Scholz Henrike
Published: March 2023

Drosophila melanogaster larvae develop on fermenting fruits with increasing ethanol concentrations. To address the relevance of ethanol in the behavioral response of the larvae, we analyzed the function of ethanol in the context of olfactory associative behavior in Canton S and w1118 larvae. The motivation of larvae to move toward or out of an ethanol-containing substrate depends on the ethanol concentration and the genotype. Ethanol in the substrate reduces the attraction to odorant cues in the environment. Relatively short repetitive exposures to ethanol, which are comparable in their duration to reinforcer representation in olfactory associative learning and memory paradigms, result in positive or negative association with the paired odorant or indifference to it. The outcome depends on the order in which the reinforcer is presented during training, the genotype and the presence of the reinforcer during the test. Independent of the order of odorant presentation during training, Canton S and w1118 larvae do not form a positive or negative association with the odorant when ethanol is not present in the test context. When ethanol is present in the test, w1118 larvae show aversion to an odorant paired with a naturally occurring ethanol concentration of 5%. Our results provide insights into the parameters influencing olfactory associative behaviors using ethanol as a reinforcer in Drosophila larvae and indicate that short exposures to ethanol might not uncover the positive rewarding properties of ethanol for developing larvae.
Chatbot-based serious games: A useful tool for training medical students? A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Al Kahf Salma , Roux Baptiste , Clerc Sebastien , Bassehila Mona , Lecomte A. , Moncomble Elsa , Alabadan Elodie , de Montmolin Nina , Jablon Eve , François Emilie , Friedlander Gérard , Badoual Cécile , Meyer Guy , Roche Nicolas , Martin Clémence , Planquette Benjamin
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Chatbots, conversational agents that walk medical students (MS) though a clinical case, are serious games that seem to be appreciated by MS. Their impact on MS’s performance in exams however was not yet evaluated. Chatprogress is a chatbot-based game developed at Paris Descartes University. It contains 8 pulmonology cases with step-by-step answers delivered with pedagogical comments. The CHATPROGRESS study aimed to evaluate the impact of Chatprogress on students’ success rate in their end-term exams.

Methods

We conducted a post-test randomized controlled trial held on all fourth-year MS at Paris Descartes University. All MS were asked to follow the University’s regular lectures, and half of them were randomly given access to Chatprogress. At the end of the term, medical students were evaluated on pulmonology, cardiology and critical care medicine.

Main outcomes measures

The primary aim was to evaluate an increase in scores in the pulmonology sub-test for students who had access to Chatprogress, compared to those who didn’t. Secondary aims were to evaluate an increase in scores in the overall test (Pulmonology, Cardiology and Critical care medicine test (PCC)) and to evaluate the correlation between access to Chatprogress and overall test score. Finally, students’ satisfaction was assessed using a survey.

Results

From 10/2018 to 06/2019, 171 students had access to Chatprogress (the Gamers) and among them, 104 ended up using it (the Users). Gamers and Users were compared to 255 Controls with no access to Chatprogress. Differences in scores on the pulmonology sub-test over the academic year were significantly higher among Gamers and Users vs Controls (mean score: 12.7/20 vs 12.0/20, p = 0.0104 and mean score: 12.7/20 vs 12.0/20, p = 0.0365 respectively). This significant difference was present as well in the overall PCC test scores: (mean score: 12.5/20 vs 12.1/20, p = 0.0285 and 12.6/20 vs 12.1/20, p = 0.0355 respectively). Although no significant correlation was found between the pulmonology sub-test’s scores and MS’s assiduity parameters (number of finished games among the 8 proposed to Users and number of times a User finished a game), there was a trend to a better correlation when users were evaluated on a subject covered by Chatprogress. MS were also found to be fans of this teaching tool, asking for more pedagogical comments even when they got the questions right.

Conclusion

This randomised controlled trial is the first to demonstrate a significant improvement in students’ results (in both the pulmonology subtest and the overall PCC exam) when they had access to Chatbots, and even more so when they actually used it.