bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multicenter, Randomized, Phase III Trial of Short-Term Radiotherapy Plus Chemotherapy Versus Long-Term Chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer (STELLAR)
Authors: Jin Jing , Tang Yuan , Hu Chen , Jiang Li-Ming , Jiang Jun , Li Ning , Liu Wen-Yang , Chen Si-Lin , Li Shuai , Lu Ning-Ning , Cai Yong , Li Yong-Heng , Zhu Yuan , Cheng Guang-Hui , Zhang Hong-Yan , Wang Xin , Zhu Su-Yu , Wang Jun , Li Gao-Feng , Yang Jia-Lin , Zhang Kuan , Chi Yihebali , Yang Lin , Zhou Hai-Tao , Zhou Ai-Ping , Zou Shuang-Mei , Fang Hui , Wang Shu-Lian , Zhang Hai-Zeng , Wang Xi-Shan , Wei Li-Chun , Wang Wen-Ling , Liu Shi-Xin , Gao Yuan-Hong , Li Ye-Xiong
Published: March 2022

PURPOSE

To ascertain if preoperative short-term radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy is not inferior to a standard schedule of long-term chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with distal or middle-third, clinical primary tumor stage 3-4 and/or regional lymph node–positive rectal cancer were randomly assigned (1:1) to short-term radiotherapy (25 Gy in five fractions over 1 week) followed by four cycles of chemotherapy (total neoadjuvant therapy [TNT]) or chemoradiotherapy (50 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks, concurrently with capecitabine [chemoradiotherapy; CRT]). Total mesorectal excision was undertaken 6-8 weeks after preoperative treatment, with two additional cycles of CAPOX (intravenous oxaliplatin [130 mg/m2, once a day] on day 1 and capecitabine [1,000 mg/m2, twice a day] from days 1 to 14) in the TNT group and six cycles of CAPOX in the CRT group. The primary end point was 3-year disease-free survival (DFS).

RESULTS

Between August 2015 and August 2018, a total of 599 patients were randomly assigned to receive TNT (n = 302) or CRT (n = 297). At a median follow-up of 35.0 months, 3-year DFS was 64.5% and 62.3% in TNT and CRT groups, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.883; one-sided 95% CI, not applicable to 1.11; P < .001 for noninferiority). There was no significant difference in metastasis-free survival or locoregional recurrence, but the TNT group had better 3-year overall survival than the CRT group (86.5% v 75.1%; P = .033). Treatment effects on DFS and overall survival were similar regardless of prognostic factors. The prevalence of acute grade III-V toxicities during preoperative treatment was 26.5% in the TNT group versus 12.6% in the CRT group ( P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Short-term radiotherapy with preoperative chemotherapy followed by surgery was efficacious with acceptable toxicity and could be used as an alternative to CRT for locally advanced rectal cancer.
TRACEBACK: Testing of Historical Tubo-Ovarian Cancer Patients for Hereditary Risk Genes as a Cancer Prevention Strategy in Family Members
Authors: Delahunty Rachel , Nguyen Linh , Craig Stuart , Creighton Belinda , Ariyaratne Dinuka , Garsed Dale W. , Christie Elizabeth , Fereday Sian , Andrews Lesley , Lewis Alexandra , Limb Sharne , Pandey Ahwan , Hendley Joy , Traficante Nadia , Carvajal Natalia , Spurdle Amanda B. , Thompson Bryony , Parsons Michael T. , Beshay Victoria , Volcheck Mila , Semple Timothy , Lupat Richard , Doig Kenneth , Yu Jiaan , Chen Xiao Qing , Marsh Anna , Love Christopher , Bilic Sanela , Beilin Maria , Nichols Cassandra B. , Greer Christina , Lee Yeh Chen , Gerty Susan , Gill Lynette , Newton Emma , Howard Julie , Williams Rachel , Norris Christie , Stephens Andrew N. , Tutty Erin , Smyth Courtney , O'Connell Shona , Jobling Thomas , Stewart Colin J.R. , Tan Adeline , Fox Stephen B. , Pachter Nicholas , Li Jason , Ellul Jason , Mir Arnau Gisela , Young Mary-Anne , Gordon Louisa , Forrest Laura , Harris Marion , Livingstone Karen , Hill Jane , Chenevix-Trench Georgia , Cohen Paul A. , Webb Penelope M. , Friedlander Michael , James Paul , Bowtell David , Alsop Kathryn ,   on behalf of The Australian Ovarian Cancer Study, Ovarian Cancer Prognosis and Lifestyle Study and the TRACEBACK Study
Published: March 2022

PURPOSE

Tubo-ovarian cancer (TOC) is a sentinel cancer for BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variants (PVs). Identification of a PV in the first member of a family at increased genetic risk (the proband) provides opportunities for cancer prevention in other at-risk family members. Although Australian testing rates are now high, PVs in patients with TOC whose diagnosis predated revised testing guidelines might have been missed. We assessed the feasibility of detecting PVs in this population to enable genetic risk reduction in relatives.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this pilot study, deceased probands were ascertained from research cohort studies, identification by a relative, and gynecologic oncology clinics. DNA was extracted from archival tissue or stored blood for panel sequencing of 10 risk-associated genes. Testing of deceased probands ascertained through clinic records was performed with a consent waiver.

RESULTS

We identified 85 PVs in 84 of 787 (11%) probands. Familial contacts of 39 of 60 (65%) deceased probands with an identified recipient (60 of 84; 71%) have received a written notification of results, with follow-up verbal contact made in 85% (33 of 39). A minority of families (n = 4) were already aware of the PV. For many (29 of 33; 88%), the genetic result provided new information and referral to a genetic service was accepted in most cases (66%; 19 of 29). Those who declined referral (4 of 29) were all male next of kin whose family member had died more than 10 years before.

CONCLUSION

We overcame ethical and logistic challenges to demonstrate that retrospective genetic testing to identify PVs in previously untested deceased probands with TOC is feasible. Understanding reasons for a family member's decision to accept or decline a referral will be important for guiding future TRACEBACK projects.
Trends in Grade 5 Toxicity and Response in Phase I Trials in Hematologic Malignancy: 20-Year Experience From the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program at the National Cancer Institute
Authors: Chihara Dai , Huang Erich P. , Finnigan Shanda R. , Cordes Lisa M. , Skorupan Nebojsa , Fukuda Yoko , Rubinstein Larry V. , Ivy S. Percy , Doroshow James H. , Nastoupil Loretta J. , Flowers Christopher R. , Takebe Naoko
Published: March 2022

PURPOSE

Cancer drug development has largely shifted from cytotoxic chemotherapy to targeted treatment in the past two decades. Although previous studies have highlighted improvement in response rates in recent phase I trials, disease-focused reporting is limited.

METHODS

We integrated patient-level data for patients with hematologic malignancies who participated in phase I trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program between January 2000 and May 2019 and estimated the trend of grade 5 toxicity and response by disease subtype over time.

RESULTS

We analyzed 161 trials involving 3,308 patients, all of whom were assessed for toxicity and 2,404 of whom were evaluable for response to therapy. The overall rate of grade 5 toxicities was 1.81% (95% CI, 1.36 to 2.27), with no significant change in the rate over time. Baseline characteristics associated with higher risk of grade 5 toxicity were age and performance status ≥ 2 at enrollment. Overall response rate (ORR) and complete response (CR) rate for all trials during the study period were 25.1% and 14.7%, respectively. A significant increase in both ORR and CR rate was observed over time (ORR, 18.5% in 2000-2005, 25.9% in 2006-2012, and 50.6% in 2013-2019, P < .001). ORR in phase I trials varied across disease subtypes: 20.2% in acute myeloid leukemia, 9.1% in myelodysplastic syndrome, 43.2% in lymphoma, 42.9% in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, 15.1% in acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and 16.5% in myeloma.

CONCLUSION

Over time, the ORR and CR rates in phase I trials for hematologic malignancy have improved meaningfully, whereas the rate of toxicity-related death remains stable. This study provides broad experience that physicians can use when discussing the potential outcomes for patients with hematologic malignancy considering participation in phase I trials.
Impact of Circulating Tumor DNA–Based Detection of Molecular Residual Disease on the Conduct and Design of Clinical Trials for Solid Tumors
Authors: Kasi Pashtoon M. , Fehringer Gordon , Taniguchi Hiroya , Starling Naureen , Nakamura Yoshiaki , Kotani Daisuke , Powles Thomas , Li Bob T. , Pusztai Lajos , Aushev Vasily N. , Kalashnikova Ekaterina , Sharma Shruti , Malhotra Meenakshi , Demko Zachary P. , Aleshin Alexey , Rodriguez Angel , Billings Paul R. , Grothey Axel , Taieb Julien , Cunningham David , Yoshino Takayuki , Kopetz Scott
Published: March 2022

PURPOSE

Earlier detection of cancer recurrence using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to detect molecular residual disease (MRD) has the potential to dramatically affect cancer management. We review evidence supporting the use of ctDNA as a biomarker for detection of MRD and highlight the potential impact that ctDNA testing could have on the conduct of clinical trials.

METHODS

We searched the literature using MEDLINE (via PubMed) for articles from January 1, 2000, focusing on studies that assessed ctDNA as a predictor of cancer recurrence. Broadly focused searches on ctDNA and cancer were also performed to provide additional background information. www.clinialtrials.gov was searched to identify trials that incorporate ctDNA testing.

RESULTS

Numerous studies across different cancer types indicate that ctDNA-based MRD detection predicts recurrence with high sensitivity and specificity, and with lead times that precede standard imaging by up to 12 months. Recently, ctDNA testing has started being used to enroll MRD-positive patients at high risk of recurrence into trials, promising gains in statistical power that allow clinical utility to be demonstrated with smaller cohorts. Trials where ctDNA testing based-MRD detection is used to stratify patients into low or high-risk categories for treatment assignment are also ongoing. In addition, there is increasing evidence supporting the use of ctDNA dynamics or clearance as a surrogate end point, which could significantly reduce trial duration.

CONCLUSION

ctDNA-based trial enrichment across many cancers seems likely to become increasingly common for cost- and time-reduction benefits. Trial efficiency could also benefit from using ctDNA as a surrogate end point, leading to accelerated approval of new therapeutics. A clear demonstration of efficacy from trials that use ctDNA-based MRD detection to assign treatment could transform clinical practice.
Anti-angiogenic effect of the combination low-dose sorafenib and EGCG in HCC-induced Wistar rats
Authors: Irawan Andry , Prabowo Erik , Riwanto Ignatius , Atmodjo Wahyuni Lukita
Published: March 2022

Background: 

Sorafenib is an expensive standard drug used for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Its combination with epigallo-3-catechin gallate leads to a reduced cost but equally effective anti-angiogenic effect. Therefore, this study aims to assess the anti-angiogenic effect of standard-dose Sorafenib compared to the combination of low-dose Sorafenib and epigallo-3-catechin gallate.

Methods: 

A total of 25 male Wistar rats (7-weeks-old) were randomly divided into 4 groups, namely Sham (K), Control (O), combination of low-dose Sorafenib and epigallo-3-catechin gallate group (X1), and standard-dose Sorafenib group (X2). All groups were injected with N-Nitrosodiethylamine 70 mg/kg bodyweight (BW) intraperitoneally for 10 weeks, except the Sham group. After the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, X1 and X2 were treated for 2 weeks. Subsequently, the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and expression of microvascular density was examined using liver tissues.

Results:

There was a significant difference (p=0.007) in the level of VEGF between the group X1 (106,682 ± 41,024) and X2 (214,5162 ± 67,71652). However, the differences in VEGF level of group X1 and X2 compared to group O (318,101 ± 55,078) were significantly lower, with values p=0.000136 and p=0.019, respectively. The expression of microvascular density between groups X1 (36 ± 4,416) and X2 (26,2 ± 4,55) was not significantly different. Meanwhile, a significant difference (p<0.05) was discovered when both groups were compared with group O (176 ± 19).

Conclusion:

The combination of low-dose Sorafenib with epigallo-3-catechin gallate is superior in reducing the level of VEGF compared to standard-dose Sorafenib and is better than the control. Standard-dose Sorafenib as well as the combination of low-dose Sorafenib and epigallo-3-catechin gallate have similar effectivity to reduce the expression of microvascular density.
Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 bacteriophage potential in human gut microbiota
Authors: Petrillo Mauro , Querci Maddalena , Brogna Carlo , Ponti Jessica , Cristoni Simone , Markov Peter V , Valsesia Andrea , Leoni Gabriele , Benedetti Alessandro , Wiss Thierry , Van den Eede Guy
Published: March 2022

Background: In previous studies we have shown that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replicates in vitro in bacterial growth medium, that the viral replication follows bacterial growth, and it is influenced by the administration of specific antibiotics. These observations are compatible with a ‘bacteriophage-like’ behaviour of SARS-CoV-2. 

Methods: We have further elaborated on these unusual findings and here we present the results of three different supplementary experiments: (1) an electron-microscope analysis of samples of  bacteria obtained from a faecal sample of a subject positive to SARS-CoV-2; (2) mass spectrometric analysis of these cultures to assess the eventual de novo synthesis of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein; (3) sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 collected from plaques obtained from two different gut microbial bacteria inoculated with supernatant from faecal microbiota of an individual positive to SARS-CoV-2.

Results: Immuno-labelling with Anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein antibody confirmed presence of SARS-CoV-2 both outside and inside bacteria. De novo synthesis of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was observed, as evidence that SARS-CoV-2 RNA is translated in the bacterial cultures. In addition, phage-like plaques were spotted on faecal bacteria cultures after inoculation with supernatant from faecal microbiota of an individual positive to SARS-CoV-2. Bioinformatic analyses on the reads obtained by sequencing RNA extracted from the plaques revealed nucleic acid polymorphisms, suggesting different replication environment in the two bacterial cultures.

Conclusions: Based on these results we conclude that, in addition to its well-documented interactions with eukaryotic cells, SARS-CoV-2 may act as a bacteriophage when interacting with at least two bacterial species known to be present in the human microbiota. If the hypothesis proposed, i.e., that under certain conditions SARS-CoV-2 may multiply at the expense of human gut bacteria, is further substantiated, it would drastically change the model of acting and infecting of SARS-CoV-2, and most likely that of other human pathogenic viruses.
Fewest switches surface hopping with Baeck-An couplings
Authors: T. do Casal Mariana , Toldo Josene M. , Pinheiro Jr Max , Barbatti Mario
Published: March 2022

In the Baeck-An (BA) approximation, first-order nonadiabatic coupling vectors are given in terms of adiabatic energy gaps and the second derivative of the gaps with respect to the coupling coordinate. In this paper, a time-dependent (TD) BA approximation is derived, where the couplings are computed from the energy gaps and their second time-derivatives. TD-BA couplings can be directly used in fewest switches surface hopping, enabling nonadiabatic dynamics with any electronic structure methods able to provide excitation energies and energy gradients. Test results of surface hopping with TD-BA couplings for ethylene and fulvene show that the TD-BA approximation delivers a qualitatively correct picture of the dynamics and a semiquantitative agreement with reference data computed with exact couplings. Nevertheless, TD-BA does not perform well in situations conjugating strong couplings and small velocities. Considered the uncertainties in the method, TD-BA couplings could be a competitive approach for inexpensive, exploratory dynamics with a small trajectories ensemble. We also assessed the potential use of TD-BA couplings for surface hopping dynamics with time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT), but the results are not encouraging due to singlet instabilities near the crossing seam with the ground state.
Optimal Price/Advertising Menus for Two-Sided Media Platforms
Authors: DeValve Levi , Pekeč Saša
Published: March 2022

Ad-supported media platforms often engage price-sensitive consumers by offering content for free while reaping revenue from advertisers. Many consumers are also sensitive to advertising, however, so platforms need to carefully balance their advertising quantities with the prices they offer to consumers. Several platforms use menu pricing to achieve this goal: they offer consumers a choice between a free-use/ad-supported option or a paid-use/no-ad option. In “Optimal Price/Advertising Menus for Two-Sided Media Platforms,” DeValve and Pekeč use Lagrangian duality to establish the optimality of such menus in a model of consumers with heterogeneous advertising sensitivity, offering both theoretical justification for their use in practice as well as guidance on when and how to set positive prices. Moreover, the optimal menu characterization implies that platforms may have more of an incentive to offer menu pricing under competition (further explaining their prevalence in the competitive digital media market) and platforms primarily cater to consumers with low advertising sensitivity (suggestive of the proliferation of online advertising observed in practice).
A Bounded Formulation for The School Bus Scheduling Problem
Authors: Zeng Liwei , Chopra Sunil , Smilowitz Karen
Published: March 2022

This paper proposes a new formulation for the school bus scheduling problem (SBSP), which optimizes school start times and bus operation times to minimize transportation cost. The goal is to minimize the number of buses to serve all bus routes such that each route arrives in a time window before school starts. We show that introducing context-specific features, common in many school districts, can lead to a new time-indexed integer linear programming (ILP) formulation. Based on a strengthened version of the linear relaxation of the ILP, we develop a dependent randomized rounding algorithm that yields near-optimal solutions for large-scale problem instances. The efficient formulation and solution approach enable quick generation of multiple solutions to facilitate strategic planning, which we demonstrate with data from two public school districts in the United States. We also generalize our methodologies to solve a robust version of the SBSP.
Detection of internal humidity in a transformer via optical interferometry
Authors: Jiang Chenlai , Peng Yue , Xue Liang , Jiang Chao , Yang Chuankai , Jiang Youhua , Chu Fenghong
Published: March 2022

To detect the internal humidity of the transformer accurately and sensitively and eliminate the interference caused by electromagnetic fields, an interferometric measurement is proposed in this paper for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The phase value distribution of the interferogram affected by humidity can be extracted quantitatively. The peak-to-peak value (P-P) of the phase image can reflect the humidity, according to theoretical analysis, and the main factors affecting the P-P are current and humidity. It has been tested by currents of 800 A, 1000 A, and 1200 A and different humidities. The paper reveals the relationship between humidity and P-P, proving that it is a reasonable application of real-time measurement of internal humidity in the transformer.
Intraocular scatter compensation with spatial light amplitude modulation for improved vision in simulated cataractous eyes
Authors: Panezai Spozmai , Jiménez-Villar Alfonso , Paniagua Diaz Alba M. , Arias Augusto , Gondek Grzegorz , Manzanera Silvestre , Artal Pablo , Grulkowski Ireneusz
Published: March 2022

Cataract is one of the common causes of visual impairment due to opacification of the crystalline lens. Increased intraocular scattering affects the vision of cataract patients by reducing the quality of the retinal image. In this study, an amplitude modulation-based scatter compensation (AM-SC) method is developed to minimize the impact of straylight on the retinal image. The performance of the AM-SC method was quantified by numerical simulations of point spread function and retinal images in the presence of different amounts of straylight. The approach was also experimentally realized in a single-pass system with a digital micro-mirror device used as a spatial amplitude modulator. We showed that the AM-SC method allows to enhance contrast sensitivity in the human eyes in vivo with induced scattering.
Energy yield modelling of textured perovskite/silicon tandem photovoltaics with thick perovskite top cells
Authors: Gota Fabrizio , Schmager Raphael , Farag Ahmed , Paetzold Ulrich W.
Published: March 2022

Recent advances in solution processing of micrometer-thick perovskite solar cells over textured silicon bottom solar cells allowed a new promising approach for the fabrication of 2T perovskite/silicon tandem photovoltaics, combining optimal light management in the textured bottom cell with the ease of solution processing. Detailed simulations are needed to assess the performances of this morphology configuration (thick perovskite configuration). In this work, in-depth optical and energy yield (EY) simulations are performed to compare the thick perovskite configuration with other relevant morphology configurations for 2T perovskite/silicon tandem photovoltaics. Under standard test conditions, the total photogenerated current of the thick perovskite configuration is 1.3 mA cm−2 lower (−3.4% relative) than the one of the conformal perovskite on textured silicon configuration for non-encapsulated cells and only 0.8 mA cm−2 (−2.1% relative) for encapsulated cells. Under realistic outdoor conditions, EY modelling for a wide range of locations shows that, while conformal perovskite on textured silicon configuration remains the optimal configuration, thick perovskite configuration exhibits a mere ∼2.5% lower annual EY. Finally, intermediate scenarios are investigated with the angle of the perovskite front-side texture differing from the silicon texture and critical angles for efficient light management in these configurations are identified.
Influence of the input signal’s phase modulation on the performance of optical delay-based reservoir computing using semiconductor lasers
Authors: Bauwens Ian , Harkhoe Krishan , Bienstman Peter , Verschaffelt Guy , Van der Sande Guy
Published: March 2022

In photonic reservoir computing, semiconductor lasers with delayed feedback have shown to be suited to efficiently solve difficult and time-consuming problems. The input data in this system is often optically injected into the reservoir. Based on numerical simulations, we show that the performance depends heavily on the way that information is encoded in this optical injection signal. In our simulations we compare different input configurations consisting of Mach-Zehnder modulators and phase modulators for injecting the signal. We observe far better performance on a one-step ahead time-series prediction task when modulating the phase of the injected signal rather than only modulating its amplitude.
Field-of-view enhanced integral imaging with dual prism arrays based on perspective-dependent pixel mapping
Authors: Choi Hee-Min , Hwang Yong-Seok , Kim Eun-Soo
Published: March 2022

A field-of-view (FOV)-enhanced integral imaging system is proposed by the combined use of micro-lens array (MLA) and dual-prism array (DPA). The MLA coupled with a DPA virtually function as a new type of the MLA whose FOV is much more increased than that of the original MLA, which enables the capturing of perspective-expanded elemental image arrays (EIAs) of input 3-D scenes and the FOV-enhanced reconstruction of them. For its practical operation, a two-step digital process called perspective-dependent pixel-mapping (PDPM) is also presented. With this PDPM method, picked-up EIAs with a couple of MLAs and DPAs are remapped into the new forms of EIAs to be properly reconstructed in the conventional integral imaging system. Operational performances of the proposed system are ray-optically analyzed. In addition, the feasibility of the proposed system is also confirmed from the computational and optical experiments with test 3-D objects on the implemented prototype. Experimental results finally show a two-times increase of the FOV range of the proposed system when it is compared with that of the conventional system.
Improved multi-channel interferometric fiber-optic sensor demodulation based on the Goertzel algorithm
Authors: Zhang Jianxiang , Huang Wenzhu , Zhang Wentao , Li Fang
Published: March 2022

In a multi-channel interferometric fiber-optic sensor system using space-division multiplexing (SDM) and phase-generated-carrier (PGC) demodulation, the phase delay and phase modulation depth fluctuation of each channel will affect the amplitude consistency and harmonic distortion of the demodulation results. In this paper, an improved demodulation scheme based on the Goertzel algorithm is proposed to calculate the multi-channel phase delay and phase modulation depth and to compensate for their fluctuations simultaneously. First, the carrier's 1st to 6th harmonic amplitudes in the interference fringe are extracted using the Goertzel algorithm. Then, the phase delay is calculated using the real and imaginary components of the 1st harmonic amplitude. The phase modulation depth is calculated with a combinatorial operation of the 1st to 6th harmonic amplitudes. In addition, a reference channel is introduced to implement phase delay and modulation depth feedback control. The experimental results demonstrate that the improved scheme can effectively suppress the harmonic distortion and improve the amplitude consistency of multi-channel interferometric fiber-optic sensors with low resource consumption.
Metamaterial perfect absorber using elliptical nanoparticles in a multilayer metasurface structure with polarization independence
Authors: Rakhshani Mohammad Reza , Rashki Mahdi
Published: March 2022

A metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA) using elliptical silver nanoparticles is proposed and investigated to provide 100% absorption for both transverse electric and transverse magnetic polarizations with a wide range of incident angles and polarization independence. Metamaterial absorbers with narrow absorption performance over a wide frequency range are significantly desired in sensing applications. Incident angle insensitivity and polarization angle independence are key features of MPAs. The output characteristics are examined using the three-dimensional finite difference time domain method. The effective medium theory and transmission line theory are applied to investigate the simulation results. Here, the 100% absorption occurs at resonance wavelength of λres = 2290 nm, and maximum sensitivity and figure of merit become 200 nm/RIU and 720 RIU-1, respectively. The results show that an absorption spectrum is insensitive to the incident angle of 0°–60°. The proposed device can be used as a high-performance biosensor and photodetector.
Red-diode-clad-pumped CW and mode-locked Er:ZBLAN fiber laser at 3.5 µm
Authors: Qin Zhipeng , Zhou Yicheng , Xie Guoqiang , Yuan Peng , Ma Jingui , Qian Liejia
Published: March 2022

We report on a red-diode-clad-pumped continuous-wave (CW) and mode-locked Er:ZBLAN fiber laser at 3.5 µm for the first time. Numerical simulation shows that a heavily-doped Er:ZBLAN fiber is favorable for effective generation of 3.5 µm laser through 658 nm laser diode pumping. Using a 7.0 mol.% Er:ZBLAN fiber, CW output power of 203 mW was experimentally obtained at 3462 nm. By incorporating a home-made semiconductor saturable absorber mirror into the cavity, diode-pumped CW mode-locked 3.5 µm Er:ZBLAN fiber laser was first demonstrated with an average power of 19 mW, a pulse duration of 18.1 ps, and a repetition rate of 46 MHz. The research results show that red-diode-clad-pumping provides a simple and potential scheme for 3.5 µm CW and mode-locked Er:ZBLAN fiber laser.
Predicting the eigenstructures of metamaterials with QR-code meta-atoms by deep learning
Authors: Han Cheng , Zhang Baifu , Wang Hao , Xu Ji , Ding Jianping
Published: March 2022

Deep neural networks (DNNs) facilitate the reverse design of metamaterial perfect absorbers (MPAs), usually by predicting the MPA structure from the input absorptivity. However, this suffers from the difficulty that the spectrum that actually exists is unknown before the structure is known. We propose an MPA structure with quick response (QR)-code meta-atoms and construct a novel DNN to predict and reverse design the eigenstructures by inputting designated eigenfrequencies. In addition, the meta-atom has a tremendous number of degrees of freedom, providing rich properties such as multiple absorption peaks. This work paves the way for the study of eigenproblems of complicated metamaterials and metasurfaces.
Analysis of multiple bacterial species and antibiotic classes reveals large variation in the association between seasonal antibiotic use and resistance
Authors: Sun Daphne S. , Kissler Stephen M. , Kanjilal Sanjat , Olesen Scott W. , Lipsitch Marc , Grad Yonatan H.
Published: March 2022

Understanding how antibiotic use drives resistance is crucial for guiding effective strategies to limit the spread of resistance, but the use–resistance relationship across pathogens and antibiotics remains unclear. We applied sinusoidal models to evaluate the seasonal use–resistance relationship across 3 species (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and 5 antibiotic classes (penicillins, macrolides, quinolones, tetracyclines, and nitrofurans) in Boston, Massachusetts. Outpatient use of all 5 classes and resistance in inpatient and outpatient isolates in 9 of 15 species–antibiotic combinations showed statistically significant amplitudes of seasonality (false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05). While seasonal peaks in use varied by class, resistance in all 9 species–antibiotic combinations peaked in the winter and spring. The correlations between seasonal use and resistance thus varied widely, with resistance to all antibiotic classes being most positively correlated with use of the winter peaking classes (penicillins and macrolides). These findings challenge the simple model of antibiotic use independently selecting for resistance and suggest that stewardship strategies will not be equally effective across all species and antibiotics. Rather, seasonal selection for resistance across multiple antibiotic classes may be dominated by use of the most highly prescribed antibiotic classes, penicillins and macrolides.
A century of warming on Caribbean reefs
Authors: Bove Colleen B. , Mudge Laura , Bruno John F.
Published: March 2022

The world’s oceans are warming at an unprecedented rate, causing dramatic changes to coastal marine systems, especially coral reefs. We used three complementary ocean temperature databases (HadISST, Pathfinder, and OISST) to quantify change in thermal characteristics of Caribbean coral reefs over the last 150 years (1871–2020). These sea surface temperature (SST) databases included in situ and satellite-derived measurements at multiple spatial resolutions. We also compiled a Caribbean coral reef database identifying 5,326 unique reefs across the region. We found that Caribbean reefs have been warming for at least a century. Regionally reef warming began in 1915, and for four of the eight Caribbean ecoregions we assessed, significant warming was detected for the latter half of the nineteenth century. Following the global mid-twentieth century stasis, warming resumed on Caribbean reefs in the early 1980s in some ecoregions and in the 1990s for others. On average, Caribbean reefs warmed by 0.18°C per decade during this period, ranging from 0.17°C per decade on Bahamian reefs (since 1988) to 0.26°C per decade on reefs within the Southern and Eastern Caribbean ecoregions (since 1981 and 1984, respectively). If this linear rate of warming continues, these already threatened ecosystems would warm by an additional ~1.5°C on average by 2100. We also found that marine heatwave (MHW) events are increasing in both frequency and duration across the Caribbean. Caribbean coral reefs now experience on average 5 MHW events annually, compared to 1 per year in the early 1980s, with recent events lasting on average 14 days. These changes in the thermal environment, in addition to other stressors including fishing and pollution, have caused a dramatic shift in the composition and functioning of Caribbean coral reef ecosystems.
Nonfatal opioid overdoses before and after Covid-19: Regional variation in rates of change
Authors: Burgess-Hull Albert J. , Smith Kirsten E. , Panlilio Leigh V. , Schriefer Destiny , Preston Kenzie L. , Alter Aliese , Yeager Christopher , Chizmar Timothy , Delbridge Ted , Zamore Kenan , Beeson Jeff , Epstein David H.
Published: March 2022

Background

The Covid-19 pandemic and its accompanying public-health orders (PHOs) have led to (potentially countervailing) changes in various risk factors for overdose. To assess whether the net effects of these factors varied geographically, we examined regional variation in the impact of the PHOs on counts of nonfatal overdoses, which have received less attention than fatal overdoses, despite their public health significance.

Methods

Data were collected from the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP), which recorded suspected overdoses between July 1, 2018 and October 25, 2020. We used segmented regression models to assess the impact of PHOs on nonfatal-overdose trends in Washington DC and the five geographical regions of Maryland, using a historical control time series to adjust for normative changes in overdoses that occurred around mid-March (when the PHOs were issued).

Results

The mean level change in nonfatal opioid overdoses immediately after mid-March was not reliably different in the Covid-19 year versus the preceding control time series for any region. However, the rate of increase in nonfatal overdose was steeper after mid-March in the Covid-19 year versus the preceding year for Maryland as a whole (B = 2.36; 95% CI, 0.65 to 4.06; p = .007) and for certain subregions. No differences were observed for Washington DC.

Conclusions

The pandemic and its accompanying PHOs were associated with steeper increases in nonfatal opioid overdoses in most but not all of the regions we assessed, with a net effect that was deleterious for the Maryland region as a whole.
The relationship between benevolent leadership and affective commitment from an employee perspective
Authors: Grego-Planer Dorota
Published: March 2022

Benevolent leadership has emerged as a contemporary leadership style that has been studied only scantly. To fill this gap, this work has two goals. The first is the identification and assessment of the relationship between benevolent leadership and employees’ affective commitment in the context of Polish organizations. Secondly, it will be investigated whether all constructs of benevolent leadership contribute to affective commitment. Data were obtained from 415 company employees. The relationships were investigated using structural equation models (SEMs). Analyses of the results showed that benevolent leadership has a positive relationship with affective commitment. The more benevolent leadership qualities a supervisor has, the more commitment employees show. All dimensions of benevolent leadership are positively correlated with affective commitment. However, the greatest was found in the “community dimension.” All analyzed dimensions correlate positively with each other, so there is a high probability that if a leader displays one BL dimension, he will also display another.
Feasibility of using ecological momentary assessment and continuous heart rate monitoring to measure stress reactivity in natural settings
Authors: Yang Jessica , Kershaw Kiarri N.
Published: March 2022

The way people respond to stressful situations (i.e., stress reactivity) varies widely. Researchers typically measure stress reactivity in controlled studies, but this is limited because laboratory stressors cannot capture the variety, severity, or duration of stressors that individuals face in their daily lives. The present study examined the feasibility of using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and a wireless electrocardiography (ECG) patch to develop an understanding of stress reactivity in natural settings. Thirty-five adult women completed EMA surveys about stressors they were exposed to while wearing a wireless ECG monitor for 7 consecutive days. Daily stressors were measured using seven questions adapted from the Daily Inventory of Stressful Events and a stressor interval was defined as the presence of at least one stressor during the EMA survey prompt. Participants wore the Cardea SOLO wireless ECG monitor (Cardiac Insight Inc., Bellevue, WA) to continuously track their heart rate. Participant-specific differences in 5-minute heart rate variability (HRV) between intervals when participants did and did not report stressors were calculated and displayed in a heat map. Survey response rate was satisfactory (72.0%, n = 588) and nearly all participants (33 out of 35) reported both stressor and non-stressor intervals. Each participant reported at least one stressor on approximately 35% of completed surveys while wearing the ECG patch. Mean wear time (6.6 days) and the duration of analyzable data with an ECG monitor were close to the 7-day study period. While many participants had lower HRV during stressor versus non-stressor intervals, the magnitude and direction of these differences varied widely. In summary, we found that a 7-day sampling scheme combining ecological momentary assessment (EMA) with HRV measured using continuous ECG monitoring was feasible and effective in capturing a variety of daily stressors and measuring autonomic stress reactivity.
Compliance with the smoke-free public places legislation in Nepal: A cross-sectional study from Biratnagar Metropolitan City
Authors: Basnet Lila Bahadur , Budhathoki Shyam Sundar , Adhikari Biplov , Thapa Jeevan , Neupane Bandana , Moses Talibita , Dhimal Meghnath , Pokharel Paras K. , Ghimire Anup , Belbase Deepak , Khatri Sudip , Yadav Narendra Kumar , Pinder Richard J.
Published: March 2022

Background

Smoke-free legislation banning tobacco smoking in public places was implemented across Nepal in 2014 with the ambition to reduce the impact of second-hand smoking. As part of a comprehensive policy package on tobacco control, the implementation of the legislation has seen a marked reduction in tobacco consumption. Yet there remains uncertainty about the level of compliance with smoke-free public places.

Objectives

This study assesses the compliance with smoke-free laws in public places and the factors associated with active smoking in public places in Biratnagar Metropolitan City, Nepal.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Biratnagar metropolitan city in Province 1 of Nepal from July to December 2019. A total of 725 public places within the metropolitan city were surveyed using a structured survey tool. Active smoking was the primary outcome of the study which was defined as smoking by any person during the data collection time at the designated public place.

Results

The overall compliance with smoke-free legislation was 56.4%. The highest compliance (75.0%) was observed in Government office buildings. The lowest compliance was observed in eateries, entertainment, and shopping venues (26.3%). There was a statistically significant association between active smoking and the presence of ‘no smoking’ notices appended at the entrance and the odds of active smoking in eateries, entertainment, hospitality, shopping venues, transportations and transits was higher compared to education and health care institutions. None of the ‘no smoking’ notices displayed fully adhered to the contents as prescribed by the law.

Conclusion

As more than half of the public places complied with the requirements of the legislation, there was satisfactory overall compliance with the smoke-free public places law in this study. The public venues (eateries, shopping venues and transportations) that are more frequently visited and have a high turnover of the public have lower compliance with the legislation. The content of the message in the ‘no smoking’ notices needs close attention to adhere to the legal requirements.
Prediction of prognosis in immunoglobulin a nephropathy patients with focal crescent by machine learning
Authors: Lin Xuefei , Liu Yongfang , Chen Yizhen , Huang Xiaodan , Li Jundu , Hou Yuansheng , Shen Miaoying , Lin Zaoqiang , Zhang Ronglin , Yang Haifeng , Hong Songlin , Liu Xusheng , Zou Chuan
Published: March 2022

Background and objectives

Immunoglobulin a nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerular disease in the world, with different clinical manifestations, varying severity of pathological changes, common complications of crescent formation in different proportions, and great individual heterogeneous in clinical outcomes. Therefore, we aim to develop a machine learning (ML) based predictive model for predicting the prognosis of IgAN with focal crescent formation and without obvious chronic renal lesions (glomerulosclerosis <25%).

Materials

We retrospectively reviewed biopsy-proven IgAN patients in our hospital and cooperative hospital from 2005 to 2017. The method of feature importance of random forest (RF) was applied to conduct feature exploration of feature variables to establish the characteristic variables that are closely related to the prognosis of focal crescent IgAN. Multiple ML algorithms were attempted to establish the prediction models. The area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC) and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) were applied to evaluate the predictive performance via three-fold cross validation (namely 2 training sets and 1 validation set).

Results

RF was used to screen the important features, the top three of which were baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum creatine and triglyceride. Ten important features were selected as important predictors for modeling on the basis of data-driven and medical selection, predictors include: age, baseline eGFR, serum creatine, serum triglycerides, complement 3(C3), proteinuria, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and Hematuria, crescents proportion of glomeruli, Global crescent proportion of glomeruli. In a variety of ML algorithms, the support vector machine (SVM) algorithm displayed better predictive performance, with Precision of 0.77, Recall of 0.77, F1-score of 0.73, accuracy of 0.77, AUROC of 79.57%, and AUPRC of 76.5%.

Conclusions

The SVM model is potentially useful for predicting the prognosis of IgAN patients with focal crescent shape and without obvious chronic renal lesions.
Relationship between no-visitation policy and the development of delirium in patients admitted to the intensive care unit
Authors: Shinohara Fumihide , Unoki Takeshi , Horikawa Megumi
Published: March 2022

Background

Due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) pandemic, many hospitals imposed a no-visitation policy for visiting patients in hospitals to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among visitors and patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between the no-visitation policy and delirium in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Methods

This was a single-center, before-after comparative study. Patients were admitted to a mixed medical-surgical ICU from September 6, 2019 to October 18, 2020. Because no-visitation policy was implemented on February 26, 2020, we compared patients admitted after this date (after phase) with the patients admitted before the no-visitation policy (before phase) was implemented. The primary outcome was the incidence of delirium during the ICU stay. Cox regression was used for the primary analysis and was calculated using hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Covariates were age, sex, APACHE II, dementia, emergency surgery, benzodiazepine, and mechanical ventilation use.

Results

Of the total 200 patients consecutively recruited, 100 were exposed to a no-visitation policy. The number of patients who developed delirium during ICU stay during the before phase and the after phase were 59 (59%) and 64 (64%), respectively (P = 0.127). The adjusted HR of no-visitation policy for the number of days until the first development of delirium during the ICU stay was 0.895 (0.613–1.306).

Conclusion

The no-visitation policy was not associated with the development of delirium in ICU patients.
Por que escrever gramáticas de línguas de sinais emergentes
Authors: Araújo Paulo Jeferson Pilar , Oliveira Analú Fernandes de , Rodrigues Eduardo Othon Pires
Published: March 2022

Discutimos neste artigo as concepções de gramatização de línguas de sinais emergentes no Brasil em relação com a de línguas de sinais institucionalizadas, a Libras. Tomamos o caso de algumas línguas de sinais emergentes e o debate sobre variação e convencionalização em línguas ditas jovens e em línguas de sinais mais consolidadas. Aplicamos para este estudo uma reflexão sobre os procedimentos de descrição, documentação e manutenção linguística sugeridos na produção de gramáticas de referência de línguas sinalizadas. Apresentamos argumentos para o refinamento teórico do conceito de convencionalização a partir do Modelo E-C de Schmid (2020). Como resultados, demonstramos que a gramatização de línguas de sinais emergentes em relação com a gramatização de línguas de sinais institucionalizadas diferencia-se muito mais pelos seus aspectos glotopolíticos e ideológicos do que propriamente linguísticos.
tratamento das figuras de linguagem em gramáticas setecentista e oitocentista de língua portuguesa
Authors: Nunes Darcijane dos Santos
Published: March 2022

Esta pesquisa busca analisar qual o tratamento dado às figuras de linguagem (doravante F.L), na gramaticografia de língua portuguesa produzida nos séculos XVIII e XIX, mais especificamente em três fontes canônicas, a saber: A arte da grammatica de língua Portuguesa, de Antonio Reis Lobato, datada de 1770, a Grammatica  Philosofica de Língua Portugueza, de Jerônimo Soares Barbosa, publicada em 1822 e a Grammatica Portugueza elementar fundada sob o methodo histórico-comparativo, de Teófilo Braga, publicada em 1876. Para tanto utilizamos como referencial teórico a noção de rede conceitual em Polachini (2018), relações lógicas entre termos, em Swiggers (2004; 2010); Paradigma Tradicional de Gramatização, em Vieira (2018). A presente pesquisa revelou as inconsistências e convergências dos autores das gramáticas analisadas no tocante ao tratamento dado às figuras de linguagem. A categoria rede conceitual possibilitou a percepção de continuidades e descontinuidades a partir das relações de equivalência, intersecção e contrariedade entre os metatermos analisados.
Políticas públicas de educação inclusiva: uma perspectiva entre os profissionais de apoio escolar e estudante mediado
Authors: Nascimento Priscila de Souza , Rocha Ricael Spirandeli
Published: March 2022

Considerando o universo de possibilidades e perspectivas de inclusão, o objetivo deste estudo foi investigar sobre a formação necessária do profissional de apoio para a atuação na educação inclusiva, bem como refletir sobre as relações éticas que se forjam entre professor-aluno mediado no contexto escolar. Como base metodológica, foi realizada pesquisa documental e bibliográfica de natureza qualitativa, com intuito de averiguar atuação dos profissionais de apoio escolar a partir de documentos oficiais à legislação nacional e revisão de literaturas. Dessa forma, concluímos que uma vez estabelecidas questões técnicas que acercam a função, os profissionais de apoio terão mais segurança e respaldo acerca do seu papel, permitindo tempo e espaço para exercerem seu trabalho.