bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reducing the energy cost of running using a lightweight, low-profile elastic exosuit
Authors: Yang Jaeha , Park Junil , Kim Jihun , Park Sungjin , Lee Giuk
Published: August 2021

Background

Human beings can enhance their distance running performance with the help of assistive devices. Although several such devices are available, they are heavy and bulky, which limits their use in everyday activities. In this study, we developed a lightweight running assistive device with a low-profile design. The device applies a flexion moment to the hip according to the hip extension within a specific range of motion to assist running.

Methods

A passive exosuit was fabricated using textile materials and elastic bands. The deformation of the suit was measured and compensated for in the design. The fabricated suit was tested on eight participants (age: 24.4 ± 3.8 y; height: 1.72 ± 0.05 m; weight: 74.5 ± 6.1 kg) who were instructed to run on a treadmill at a speed of 2.5 m/s. Through indirect calorimetry, the metabolic rate was measured for the no-suit condition and three band conditions. Variations in the spatiotemporal parameters were measured using a motion capture system and force-sensing resistors (FSRs).

Results

When using the fabricated device, seven out of the eight participants exhibited a reduced metabolic rate in at least one of the three band conditions. An average reduction of − 4.7 ± 1.4% (mean ± standard error of the mean (s.e.m.), two-sided paired t-test, p = 0.017) was achieved when using the best-fitting bands compared to the average of the two no-suit conditions. No statistically significant changes were observed in the spatiotemporal parameters, except for the stance duration in the medium assistance force condition.

Conclusions

The proposed passive exosuit, which has a low weight of 609 g and small extrusion of 2.5 cm from the body in standing posture, can reduce the metabolic rate during running. The proposed device can potentially be used every day owing to its low-profile design and low weight, thereby overcoming the limitations of existing portable devices targeting the hip joints.
Congenital hepatic fibrosis and its mimics: a clinicopathologic study of 19 cases at a single institution
Authors: Chen Irene Y. , Whitney-Miller Christa L. , Liao Xiaoyan
Published: August 2021

Background

Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is a rare inherited form of ductal plate malformation associated with polycystic kidney disease. The diagnosis requires histopathologic confirmation, but can be challenging to distinguish from other undefined fibrocystic liver diseases. We aimed to describe the clinicopathologic features of congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF), with comparisons to other entities that may clinically and/or histologically mimic CHF.

Methods

Nineteen cases that carried a clinical and/or histologic impression of CHF were identified at our institution, of which the histology was reassessed and reappraised into two categories: CHF (n=13) and mimics (n=6). The clinicopathologic features between the two groups were analyzed and compared.

Results

The CHF group was further sub-classified into those with clinical suspicion (CHF-c, n=8) and those as incidental histology findings (CHF-i, n=5). Patients of CHF-i were much older than CHF-c or mimics (P<0.05). Male and female were equally affected. Six of 8 CHF-c (66.7%) had concurrent kidney diseases, including 5 polycystic kidney diseases. Five of 6 mimics (83.3%) had various kidney diseases, including nephronophthisis, Alport syndrome, renal agenesis, and nephrolithiasis. None of the CHF-i patients had kidney disease, but 3 were associated with hepatic carcinomas. Histology analysis demonstrated characteristic triads (bile duct abnormalities, portal vein hypoplasia, and fibrosis) in all CHF cases. One mimic had paucity of intrahepatic bile ducts, while the other 5 mimics showed abnormal portal veins and nodular regenerative hyperplasia consistent with hepatoportal sclerosis (HPS).

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates classic histology triad of CHF despite a wide spectrum of clinical presentations. HPS is unexpectedly a clinical mimicker of CHF, which can be distinguished histologically.
Evaluation of elderly specific pre-hospital trauma triage criteria: a systematic review
Authors: Boulton Adam J. , Peel Donna , Rahman Usama , Cole Elaine
Published: August 2021

Background

Pre-hospital identification of major trauma in elderly patients is key for delivery of optimal care, however triage of this group is challenging. Elderly-specific triage criteria may be valuable. This systematic review aimed to summarise the published pre-hospital elderly-specific trauma triage tools and evaluate their sensitivity and specificity and associated clinical outcomes.

Methods

MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched using predetermined criteria (PROSPERO: CRD42019140879). Two authors independently assessed search results, performed data extraction, risk of bias and quality assessments following the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system.

Results

801 articles were screened and 11 studies met eligibility criteria, including 1,332,300 patients from exclusively USA populations. There were eight unique elderly-specific triage criteria reported. Most studies retrospectively applied criteria to trauma databases, with few reporting real-world application. The Ohio Geriatric Triage Criteria was reported in three studies. Age cut-off ranged from 55 to 70 years with ≥ 65 most frequently reported. All reported existing adult criteria with modified physiological parameters using higher thresholds for systolic blood pressure and Glasgow coma scale, although the values used varied. Three criteria added co-morbidity or anti-coagulant/anti-platelet use considerations. Modifications to anatomical or mechanism of injury factors were used by only one triage criteria. Criteria sensitivity ranged from 44 to 93%, with a median of 86.3%, whilst specificity was generally poor (median 54%). Scant real-world data showed an increase in patients meeting triage criteria, but minimal changes to patient transport destination and mortality. All studies were at risk of bias and assessed of “very low” or “low” quality.

Conclusions

There are several published elderly-specific pre-hospital trauma triage tools in clinical practice, all developed and employed in the USA. Consensus exists for higher thresholds for physiological parameters, however there was variability in age-cut offs, triage criteria content, and tool sensitivity and specificity. Although sensitivity was improved over corresponding ‘adult’ criteria, specificity remained poor. There is a paucity of published real-world data examining the effect on patient care and clinical outcomes of elderly-specific triage criteria. There is uncertainty over the optimal elderly triage tool and further study is required to better inform practice and improve patient outcomes.
Study protocol for the Exercising Together© trial: a randomized, controlled trial of partnered exercise for couples coping with cancer
Authors: Winters-Stone Kerri M. , Lyons Karen S. , Dieckmann Nathan F. , Lee Christopher S. , Mitri Zahi , Beer Tomasz M.
Published: August 2021

Background

Most cancer survivors are married, and cancer strains the physical and mental health of each partner and their intimate relationship. We created a partnered strength training program, Exercising Together©, where the survivor and his/her partner exercise as a team in order to improve physical and mental health of both members of the couple as well as the quality of their relationship. We have not yet determined if Exercising Together© is similarly effective in couples coping with different types of cancer nor if training as a team has unique and added benefits over those derived from supervised group training and/or shared behavior change. The purpose of this study is to determine the unique benefits of Exercising Together© on physical, mental, and relational health in couples coping with breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer.

Methods

Survivors of prostate, breast and colorectal cancer (N = 294, 98 per cancer site) and their intimate, co-residing partners are recruited to participate in a single-blind, parallel group, randomized trial comparing three exercise groups that train twice per week for 6 months. Couples are randomized to one of three groups: (1) Exercising Together© where partners train as a team in a supervised group setting; (2) separate supervised group exercise classes for survivors or partners, respectively; (3) unsupervised home exercise program provided to each partner. The primary outcome is relationship quality (dyadic coping by the Dyadic Coping scale, emotional intimacy by the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, physical intimacy by the Physical Intimacy Behavior Scale, and symptom incongruence). Secondary outcomes are physical health (% body fat by DXA, serum fasting lipids (triglycerides, HDL, and LDL cholesterol), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), resting blood pressure, C-reactive protein, TNF alpha, and physical functioning by the short Physical Performance Battery and SF-36) and mental health (depressive symptoms, anxiety, fear of recurrence) of each partner. Outcomes are collected at baseline, mid (3 months), post-intervention (6 months), and follow-up (12 months).

Discussion

Exercising Together© could shift the paradigm of survivorship care toward novel couple-based approaches that could optimize outcomes for each partner because their health is interdependent on each other and their relationship.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT03630354. Registered August 14, 2018
Pronunciation augmentation for Mandarin-English code-switching speech recognition
Authors: Long Yanhua , Wei Shuang , Lian Jie , Li Yijie
Published: August 2021

Code-switching (CS) refers to the phenomenon of using more than one language in an utterance, and it presents great challenge to automatic speech recognition (ASR) due to the code-switching property in one utterance, the pronunciation variation phenomenon of the embedding language words and the heavy training data sparse problem. This paper focuses on the Mandarin-English CS ASR task. We aim at dealing with the pronunciation variation and alleviating the sparse problem of code-switches by using pronunciation augmentation methods. An English-to-Mandarin mix-language phone mapping approach is first proposed to obtain a language-universal CS lexicon. Based on this lexicon, an acoustic data-driven lexicon learning framework is further proposed to learn new pronunciations to cover the accents, mis-pronunciations, or pronunciation variations of those embedding English words. Experiments are performed on real CS ASR tasks. Effectiveness of the proposed methods are examined on all of the conventional, hybrid, and the recent end-to-end speech recognition systems. Experimental results show that both the learned phone mapping and augmented pronunciations can significantly improve the performance of code-switching speech recognition.
Pilot study of a brief provider and EMR-based intervention for overweight teens with asthma
Authors: Joseph Christine L. M. , Alexander Gwen L. , Lu Mei , Leatherwood Stacy L. , Kado Rachel , Olden Heather , Melkonian Christina , Miree Cheryl A. , Johnson Christine Cole
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Asthma-related morbidity is increased in overweight patients, yet providers are given little guidance on how to discuss weight and asthma management with overweight teens.

Objective

We piloted an electronic medical record (EMR)-based tailored discussion guide (TDG) and a brief provider training, to address weight management in overweight teens with asthma. The primary outcome was intervention impact on patient-reported asthma outcomes (e.g., asthma control and morbidity). Secondary outcomes included change in BMI, patient-centeredness, and change in healthy behaviors.

Methods

Teens aged 13–18 years with persistent asthma and a body mass index ≥ 85th percentile for their age and sex were eligible. Parents of eligible teens were contacted before an upcoming appointment to allow teen enrollment during the clinic visit. Providers reviewed Motivational Interviewing (MI) concepts and were trained in the TDG for support of conversations around weight and asthma management. Measures included asthma outcomes retrieved from the EMR at 6- and 12-month post-baseline, teen impressions of patient-provider communication at 6-week post-enrollment, and teen report of healthy behaviors at 6- and 12-month post-baseline.

Results

Of 44 teens enrolled (77% African-American, 63% female), mean BMI for intervention (n=25) and control groups (n=19) at baseline were similar. Thirty participants (68%) completed a 6-week questionnaire. Compared to controls, at 6 months, intervention teens reported fewer days of limited activity and “uncontrolled asthma,” but at 12 months, only restricted activity remained lower, and BMI was not reduced. Intervention teens reported clinic visits that were more patient-centered than controls, including discussion of asthma treatment options with provider, feeling ready to follow an asthma treatment routine, and receiving helpful tips about reaching a healthy weight. The healthy behavior “dinner with family” showed improvement for intervention teens at 6 and 12 months. The feasibility study also revealed a need to improve recruitment strategies and to streamline intervention delivery.

Conclusion

Modest improvements in patient-reported asthma outcomes and health behaviors were observed. There was strong evidence that the TDG supports provider discussion of weight and asthma to create a more patient-centered conversation from the perspective of participating teens. Challenges to recruitment and clinic adaptation must be addressed before advancing to a full-scale trial.

Trial registration

NCT02575326 Teen Asthma Control Encouraging a Healthier Lifestyle, www.cllinicaltrials.gov
Mobile diagnostics and consultation for the prevention of the metabolic syndrome and its secondary diseases in Brandenburg—study protocol of a regional prospective cohort study: the Mobile Brandenburg Cohort
Authors: Schraplau Anne , Block Andrea , Häusler Andreas , Wippert Pia-Maria , Rapp Michael A. , Völler Heinz , Bonaventura Klaus , Mayer Frank
Published: August 2021

Background

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a risk cluster for a number of secondary diseases. The implementation of prevention programs requires early detection of individuals at risk. However, access to health care providers is limited in structurally weak regions. Brandenburg, a rural federal state in Germany, has an especially high MetS prevalence and disease burden. This study aims to validate and test the feasibility of a setup for mobile diagnostics of MetS and its secondary diseases, to evaluate the MetS prevalence and its association with moderating factors in Brandenburg and to identify new ways of early prevention, while establishing a “Mobile Brandenburg Cohort” to reveal new causes and risk factors for MetS.

Methods

In a pilot study, setups for mobile diagnostics of MetS and secondary diseases will be developed and validated. A van will be equipped as an examination room using point-of-care blood analyzers and by mobilizing standard methods. In study part A, these mobile diagnostic units will be placed at different locations in Brandenburg to locally recruit 5000 participants aged 40-70 years. They will be examined for MetS and advice on nutrition and physical activity will be provided. Questionnaires will be used to evaluate sociodemographics, stress perception, and physical activity. In study part B, participants with MetS, but without known secondary diseases, will receive a detailed mobile medical examination, including MetS diagnostics, medical history, clinical examinations, and instrumental diagnostics for internal, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and cognitive disorders. Participants will receive advice on nutrition and an exercise program will be demonstrated on site. People unable to participate in these mobile examinations will be interviewed by telephone. If necessary, participants will be referred to general practitioners for further diagnosis.

Discussion

The mobile diagnostics approach enables early detection of individuals at risk, and their targeted referral to local health care providers. Evaluation of the MetS prevalence, its relation to risk-increasing factors, and the “Mobile Brandenburg Cohort” create a unique database for further longitudinal studies on the implementation of home-based prevention programs to reduce mortality, especially in rural regions.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00022764; registered 07 October 2020—retrospectively registered.
Neuroradiological emergency consultations during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Pfaff Johannes A. R. , Harlan Marcial E. , Pfaff Günter , Hubert Alexander , Bendszus Martin
Published: August 2021

Background

Measures taking aim at minimizing the risk of coronavirus transmission and fear of infection may affect decisions to seek care for other medical emergency conditions. The purpose of this analysis was to analyze intermediate-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on neuroradiological emergency consultations (NECs).

Methods

We conducted an ambispective study on NEC requests to a university hospital from a teleradiological network covering 13 hospitals in Germany. Weekly NEC rates for prepandemic calendar weeks (CW) 01/2019–09/2020 were compared with rates during first COVID-19 wave (CW 10–20/2020), first loosening of restrictions (CW 21–29/2020), intensified COVID-19 testing (CW 30–39/2020) and second COVID-19 wave (CW 40–53/2020), and contrasted with COVID-19 incidence in Germany.

Results

A total of n = 10 810 NECs were analyzed. Prepandemic NEC rates were stable over time (median: 103, IQR: 97–115). Upon the first COVID-19 wave in Germany, NEC rates declined sharply (median: 86, IQR: 69–92; p < 0.001) but recovered within weeks. Changes in NEC rates after first loosening of restrictions (median: 109, IQR: 98–127; p = 0. 188), a phase of intensified testing (median: 111, IQR: 101–114; p = 0.434) and as of a second COVID-19 wave (median: 102, IQR: 94–112; p = 0. 462) were not significant. Likewise, patient age and gender distribution remained constant.

Conclusion

Upon the first pandemic COVID-19 wave in Germany, NEC rates declined but recovered within weeks. It is unknown whether this recovery reflects improved medical care and test capabilities or an adjustment of the patients’ behaviour.
Role of novel cancer gene SLITRK3 to activate NTRK3 in squamous cell lung cancer
Authors: Bollig-Fischer Aliccia , Bao Bin , Manning Morenci , Dyson Greg , Michelhaugh Sharon K. , Mittal Sandeep , Bepler Gerold , Mamdani Hirva
Published: August 2021

The development of targeted therapies that inhibit cancer-driving oncogenes has improved outcomes of patients diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). In contrast, patients diagnosed with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) suffer worse survival outcomes and lack effective targeted treatment options. Identification of molecular drivers of LUSC to support development of targeted treatments is urgently needed. Addressing this need, the current report introduces the novel cancer gene SLIT- and NTRK-like family member 3 (SLITRK3) and its role in activating the neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase 3 (NTRK3) in LUSC cells. Multiple genome-wide data sets from patient samples were produced by us or downloaded from public databases to analyze tumor gene copy number aberrations, mRNA expression and associated survival outcomes. An accompanying mechanistic study employed LUSC cell lines and multiple methods, including in situ immunofluorescence, sphere-formation assay, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis of the CD133-positive cell fraction. Altogether, the results indicate that gene amplification and consequent high expression of SLITRK3 in LUSC is associated with worse outcomes and induces SLITRK3-dependent activation of NTRK3 to promote a cancer stem cell phenotype that is inhibited by existing NTRK-targeted inhibitors. Based on a recent literature search, this is the first report of a mechanistic role for SLITRK3 in cancer.
Mortgage Prepayment and Path-Dependent Effects of Monetary Policy
Authors: Berger David , Milbradt Konstantin , Tourre Fabrice , Vavra Joseph
Published: August 2021

How much ability does the Fed have to stimulate the economy by cutting interest rates? We argue that the presence of substantial debt in fixed-rate, prepayable mortgages means that the ability to stimulate the economy by cutting interest rates depends not just on their current level but also on their previous path. Using a household model of mortgage prepayment matched to detailed loan-level evidence on the relationship between prepayment and rate incentives, we argue that recent interest rate paths will generate substantial headwinds for future monetary stimuli. (JEL E32, E43, E52, E58, G21, G51)
From Weber to Kafka: Political Instability and the Overproduction of Laws
Authors: Gratton Gabriele , Guiso Luigi , Michelacci Claudio , Morelli Massimo
Published: August 2021

With inefficient bureaucratic institutions, the effects of laws are hard to assess and incompetent politicians may pass laws to build a reputation as skillful reformers. Since too many laws curtail bureaucratic efficiency, this mechanism can generate a steady state with Kafkaesque bureaucracy. Temporary surges in political instability heighten the incentives to overproduce laws and can shift the economy towards the Kafkaesque state. Consistent with the theory, after a surge in political instability in the early 1990s, Italy experienced a significant increase in the amount of poor-quality legislation and a decrease in bureaucratic efficiency. (JEL D72, D73)
Justified Communication Equilibrium
Authors: Clark Daniel , Fudenberg Drew
Published: August 2021

Justified communication equilibrium (JCE) is an equilibrium refinement for signaling games with cheap-talk communication. A strategy profile must be a JCE to be a stable outcome of nonequilibrium learning when receivers are initially trusting and senders play many more times than receivers. In the learning model, the counterfactual “speeches” that have been informally used to motivate past refinements are messages that are actually sent. Stable profiles need not be perfect Bayesian equilibria, so JCE sometimes preserves equilibria that existing refinements eliminate. Despite this, it resembles the earlier refinements D1 and NWBR, and it coincides with them in co-monotonic signaling games. (JEL C70, D82, D83, J23, M51)
El alojamiento de las familias argelinas y las relaciones intergeneracionales
Authors: Santelli Emmanuelle
Published: August 2021

Los espacios residenciales de las poblaciones inmigrantes no pueden comprenderse únicamente en referencia a los temas de la segregación. A partir de tres aspectos como son la localización residencial, el ascenso a la propiedad de la vivienda y los intercambios -financieros y morales- entre generaciones, la autora muestra cómo el estudio de las prácticas de movilidad residencial de las familias inmigrantes de origen argelino instaladas en la región lionesa nos permite aprehender sus trayectorias sociales en el seno de la sociedad francesa. No puede ignorarse el carácter plural de tales experiencias y, por tanto, la necesidad de escarpar a las representaciones fuertemente homogéneas de las que, comúnmente, se derivan un conjunto de imágenes negativas. Se subraya también cómo los itinerarios residenciales inciden sobre las prácticas y estructuras familia- 89 res y en las relaciones intergeneracionales.
Estructuras resistentes: su sabiduría para la ciudad.
Authors: Martínez Calzón Juan
Published: August 2021

El autor desarrolla un argumento que relaciona los sistemas estructurales resistentes requeridos por los edificios y las infraestructuras urbanas con el pensamiento que en las distintas etapas de la modernidad ha regido los procesos urbanos.
A Consensus Algorithm for Linear Support Vector Machines
Authors: Dutta Haimonti
Published: August 2021

In the era of big data, an important weapon in a machine learning researcher’s arsenal is a scalable support vector machine (SVM) algorithm. Traditional algorithms for learning SVMs scale superlinearly with the training set size, which becomes infeasible quickly for large data sets. In recent years, scalable algorithms have been designed which study the primal or dual formulations of the problem. These often suggest a way to decompose the problem and facilitate development of distributed algorithms. In this paper, we present a distributed algorithm for learning linear SVMs in the primal form for binary classification called the gossip-based subgradient (GADGET) SVM. The algorithm is designed such that it can be executed locally on sites of a distributed system. Each site processes its local homogeneously partitioned data and learns a primal SVM model; it then gossips with random neighbors about the classifier learnt and uses this information to update the model. To learn the model, the SVM optimization problem is solved using several techniques, including a gradient estimation procedure, stochastic gradient descent method, and several variants including minibatches of varying sizes. Our theoretical results indicate that the rate at which the GADGET SVM algorithm converges to the global optimum at each site is dominated by an [Formula: see text] term, where λ measures the degree of convexity of the function at the site. Empirical results suggest that this anytime algorithm—where the quality of results improve gradually as computation time increases—has performance comparable to its centralized, pseudodistributed, and other state-of-the-art gossip-based SVM solvers. It is at least 1.5 times (often several orders of magnitude) faster than other gossip-based SVM solvers known in literature and has a message complexity of O(d) per iteration, where d represents the number of features of the data set. Finally, a large-scale case study is presented wherein the consensus-based SVM algorithm is used to predict failures of advanced mechanical components in a chocolate manufacturing process using more than one million data points.

This paper was accepted by J. George Shanthikumar, big data analytics.
Think tanks estadunidenses e a China: a crítica homogênea na administração Trump (2017-2020) | U.S. think tanks and China: the homogeneous critics in the Trump administration (2017-2020)
Authors: Marcussi Pontes Rúbia
Published: August 2021

O artigo analisa a produção de think tanks (TTs) dos Estados Unidos (EUA), a dizer, o Council on Foreign Relations, The Asia Society e The Heritage Foundation, sobre a China e identifica interfaces com a política dos EUA para tal Estado sob o governo de Donald Trump (2017-2020). A pesquisa é feita a partir da análise de conteúdo de relatórios, com base em indicadores selecionados, e aponta para a homogeneidade de suas críticas e recomendações. Conclui-se que predomina o alinhamento entre os TTs e a administração Trump, em um contexto de consenso bipartidário sobre a adoção de medidas mais duras em relação à China.Palavras-chave: Estados Unidos; China; Think Tanks.ABSTRACTThe article analyses U.S.-based think tanks’ (TTs) production (Council on Foreign Relations, The Asia Society and The Heritage Foundation) about China and identifies similarities in it with U.S. China policy in Donald Trump’s administration (2017-2020). The research was conducted through content analysis of the TTs’ reports and articles, with guiding indexes, and highlights their homogeneous critics and recommendations. The article also points to the alignment between the selected TTs and the Trump administration in a broader scenario of bipartisan support regarding the adoption of tougher measures in U.S. China policy.Keywords: United States; China; Think Tanks. Recebido em: 27 mar. 2021 | Aceito em: 07 jul. 2021.
The Poisson Nadarajah-Haghighi Distribution: Different Methods of Estimation
Authors: Ali Sajid , Dey Sanku , Tahir M. H. , Mansoor Muhammad
Published: August 2021

Estimation of parameters of Poisson Nadarajah-Haghighi (PNH) distribution from the frequentist and Bayesian point of view is discussed in this article. To this end, we briefly described ten different frequentist approaches, namely, the maximum likelihood estimators, percentile based estimators, least squares estimators, weighted least squares estimators, maximum product of spacings estimators, minimum spacing absolute distance estimators, minimum spacing absolute-log distance estimators, Cramér-von Mises estimators, Anderson-Darling estimators and right-tail Anderson-Darling estimators. To assess the performance of different estimators, Monte Carlo simulations are done for small and large samples. The performance of the estimators is compared in terms of their bias, root mean squares error, average absolute difference between the true and estimated distribution functions, and the maximum absolute difference between the true and estimated distribution functions of the estimates using simulated data. For the Bayesian inference of the unknown parameters, we use Metropolis–Hastings (MH) algorithm to calculate the Bayes estimates and the corresponding credible intervals. Results from the simulation study suggests that among the considered classical methods of estimation, weighted least squares and the maximum product spacing estimators uniformly produces the least biases of the estimates with least root mean square errors. However, Bayes estimates perform better than all other estimates. Finally, we discuss a practical data set to show the application of the distribution.
Naive Regression Growth Models for Prediction of Peppermint Yield Production
Authors: Yadav S. K. , Sharma Dinesh K. , Alade Ayodele Julius , Shukla Alok Kumar
Published: August 2021

In this study, three novel regression models are introduced for estimating and forecasting peppermint yield production. Several indices of the goodness of fit are used to assess the quality of the suggested models. The proposed models for yield production are compared to current regression models that are well-known. Primary data from the Banki block of the Barabanki District of Uttar Pradesh State in India was used to validate the efficiency conditions for the suggested models to outperform the competition models. The empirical results suggest that the proposed models for estimating and predicting peppermint yield production are more efficient than competing estimators.
Modeling photoelectron spin polarization of xenon atoms in intense circularly polarized pulses
Authors: Chen Jen-Hao , Liu Jinn-Liang , Jheng Shih-Da , Cheng Szu-Cheng , Jiang Tsin-Fu
Published: August 2021

We propose a model for studying the ionization, photoelectron spectra, and spin polarization of xenon atoms under intense circularly polarized (CP) pulses by solving the time-dependent Schrödinger equation (TDSE) with an effective potential for Xe. The ionization mechanism is mainly due to multiphoton absorption in these strong CP fields. The effective potential of a single active electron for Xe consists of asymptotic Coulomb and parametric screening parts and yields low-lying levels that are comparable to those by other models for the total angular momentum

J
=
3

/

2

of

X
e

+

and new for

J
=
1

/

2

. We show in detail the absorption pathways, above-threshold ionization (ATI) spectra, and spin polarization mechanisms of photoelectrons originated from the initial state

5

p

m
l

of Xe with the magnetic quantum number

m
l

being

−

1

, 0, or 1. There exists a substructure with sub-peaks in each of multiple ATI peaks from

5

p

−
1

due to pulse effects on the valence electron passing through the absorption pathways. ATI and spin polarization results agree qualitatively with experimental data at the focal volume average to include the spatial effect of CP pulses. We also present the spin polarization results of the widely used strong-field approximation model (SFA), which are inconsistent with those of TDSE and experiments. This shows that TDSE is more accurate with more details than SFA for studying spin polarization in strong CP fields.
Polarization measurements of deep- to extreme-ultraviolet high harmonics generated in liquid flat sheets
Authors: Svoboda Vít , Yin Zhong , Luu Tran Trung , Wörner Hans Jakob
Published: August 2021

Laboratory-based coherent light sources enable a wide range of applications to investigate dynamical processes in matter. High-harmonic generation (HHG) from liquid samples is a recently discovered coherent source of extreme-ultraviolet (XUV) radiation potentially capable of achieving few-femtosecond to attosecond pulse durations. However, the polarization state of this light source has so far remained unknown. In this work, we characterize the degree of polarization of both low- and high-order harmonics generated from liquid samples using linearly polarized 400 nm and 800 nm drivers. We find a remarkably high degree of linear polarization of harmonics ranging all the way from the deep-ultraviolet (160 nm) across the vacuum-ultraviolet into the XUV domain (73 nm). These results establish high-harmonic generation in liquids as a promising alternative to conventional sources of XUV radiation, combining the benefits of high target densities comparable to solids with a continuous sample renewal that avoids the limitations imposed by laser-induced damage.
Experimental demonstration of underwater decoy-state quantum key distribution with all-optical transmission
Authors: Yu Yonghe , Li Wendong , Wei Yu , Yang Yang , Dong Shanchuan , Qian Tian , Wang Shuo , Zhu Qiming , Zheng Shangshuai , Zhang Xinjian , Gu Yongjian
Published: August 2021

We demonstrate the underwater quantum key distribution (UWQKD) over a 10.4-meter Jerlov type III seawater channel by building a complete UWQKD system with all-optical transmission of quantum signals, a synchronization signal and a classical communication signal. The wavelength division multiplexing and the space-time-wavelength filtering technology are applied to ensure that the optical signals do not interfere with each other. The system is controlled by FPGA and can be easily integrated into watertight cabins to perform the field experiment. By using the decoy-state BB84 protocol with polarization encoding, we obtain a bit rate of secure keys of 1.82 Kbps and an error rate of 1.55% at the attenuation of 13.26 dB. We prove that the system can tolerate the channel loss up to 23.7 dB and therefore may be used in the 300-meter-long Jerlov type I clean seawater channel.
Single-polarization single-mode hollow-core photonic-bandgap fiber with thin slab waveguide
Authors: Zhu Yunhao , Song Ningfang , Gao Fuyu , Xu Xiaobin
Published: August 2021

A novel single-polarization single-mode hollow-core photonic bandgap fiber with thin slab waveguide (TSW) was designed and simulated. Single-polarization guidance is achieved by the high loss of a polarized fundamental mode (FM) induced by mode coupling with a higher-order TE/TM mode of TSW and low loss of another polarized FM. We achieve a polarization loss ratio ∼ 46.9 dB, birefringence Δn ∼ 2.4 × 10−4, loss ∼ 35.9 dB/km and minimum higher-order mode extinction ratio > 15 dB. Moreover, the performance could be maintained when the guidance wavelength λ = 1.44 ∼ 1.56 µm and bending radius rc > 9 mm. The proposed model will be suitable for application as resonator sensing paths of miniaturized resonator fiber optic gyroscopes, high-performance interferometers, fiber lasers, frequency metrology, quantum communications, and laser-based gas sensing, etc.
The Search for a Better COVID Test
Authors: Wills Stewart
Published: August 2021

Researchers are drawing on optics and photonics to improve the
current “gold-standard” approach to coronavirus
diagnostics—and to develop promising alternatives.
Cancer associated mutations in Sec61γ alter the permeability of the ER translocase
Authors: Witham Christopher M. , Paxman Aleshanee L. , Baklous Lamprini , Steuart Robert F. L. , Schulz Benjamin L. , Mousley Carl J.
Published: August 2021

Translocation of secretory and integral membrane proteins across or into the ER membrane occurs via the Sec61 complex, a heterotrimeric protein complex possessing two essential sub-units, Sec61p/Sec61α and Sss1p/Sec61γ and the non-essential Sbh1p/Sec61β subunit. In addition to forming a protein conducting channel, the Sec61 complex maintains the ER permeability barrier, preventing flow of molecules and ions. Loss of Sec61 integrity is detrimental and implicated in the progression of disease. The Sss1p/Sec61γ C-terminus is juxtaposed to the key gating module of Sec61p/Sec61α and is important for gating the translocon. Inspection of the cancer genome database identifies six mutations in highly conserved amino acids of Sec61γ/Sss1p. We identify that five out of the six mutations identified affect gating of the ER translocon, albeit with varying strength. Together, we find that mutations in Sec61γ that arise in malignant cells result in altered translocon gating dynamics, this offers the potential for the translocon to represent a target in co-therapy for cancer treatment.
Evidence of chikungunya virus infections among febrile patients at three secondary health facilities in the Ashanti and the Bono Regions of Ghana
Authors: Adusei Jonathan Akwasi , Narkwa Patrick Williams , Owusu Michael , Domfeh Seth Agyei , Alhassan Mahmood , Appau Emmanuel , Salam Alimatu , Mutocheluh Mohamed
Published: August 2021

Background

Chikungunya is now of public health concern globally due to its re-emergence in endemic areas and introduction into new areas of the world. Worldwide, the vectors for transmission of the chikungunya virus are Aedes mosquitoes and these are prevalent in Ghana. Despite its global significance, the true burden of chikungunya virus infection in Ghana is largely unknown and the threat of outbreak remains high owing to international travel. This study sought to determine chikungunya virus infection among febrile patients suspected of having malaria infections at some selected health facilities in the Ashanti, Bono East, and Bono Regions of Ghana.

Methodology

This cross-sectional study recruited six hundred (600) febrile patients suspected of having malaria who submitted their clinical samples to the laboratories of the selected health facilities for the diagnosis of their infections. Five to ten millilitres (5-10ml) of venous blood were collected from each study participant. Sera were separated and tested for anti-chikungunya (IgM and IgG) antibodies using InBios ELISA kit following the manufacturer’s instruction. Samples positive for chikungunya IgM and IgG were selected and tested for chikungunya virus RNA using Reverse Transcription-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction. Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test kits were used to screen the participants for malaria. Structured questionnaires were administered to obtain demographic and clinical information of the study participants.

Result

Of the 600 samples tested, the overall seroprevalence of chikungunya was 6%. The seroprevalence of chikungunya IgM and IgG antibodies were 1.8% and 4.2% respectively. None of the chikungunya IgM and IgG positive samples tested positive for chikungunya RNA by RT-qPCR. Of the 600 samples, tested 32.3% (194/600) were positive for malaria parasites. Malaria and chikungunya co-infection was detected in 1.8% (11/600) of the participants.

Conclusion

Findings from the current study indicate low-level exposure to the chikungunya virus suggesting the virus is circulating and potentially causing morbidity in Ghana.
The monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio: Sex-specific differences in the tuberculosis disease spectrum, diagnostic indices and defining normal ranges
Authors: Buttle Thomas S. , Hummerstone Claire Y. , Billahalli Thippeswamy , Ward Richard J. B. , Barnes Korina E. , Marshall Natalie J. , Spong Viktoria C. , Bothamley Graham H.
Published: August 2021

Background

The monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) has been advocated as a biomarker in tuberculosis. Our objective was to evaluate its clinical value and associations.

Methods

Blood counts, inflammatory markers and clinical parameters were measured in patients with and those screened for tuberculosis. Complete blood counts (CBCs) from a multi-ethnic population aged 16 to 65 years were evaluated; a sub-group with normal hematological indices was used to define the range of MLRs.

Results

Multivariate analysis in proven tuberculosis (n = 264) indicated MLR associated with low serum albumin, high white cell counts and a positive culture; values were higher in sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (S+PTB). Analysis in S+PTB (n = 296) showed higher MLRs in males and those with high neutrophil counts, low serum albumin and high C-reactive protein. The diagnostic value of MLRs was assessed by comparing notified patients with TB (n = 264) with denotified cases (n = 50), active case-finding in non-contacts (TB n = 111 and LTBI n = 373) and contacts of S+PTB (n = 149) with S+PTB found at screening (n = 75). Sensitivities and specificities ranged from 58.0–62.5% and 50.0–70.0% respectively for optimal cut-off values, defined by ROC curves. In CBCs obtained over one month, ratios correlated with neutrophil counts (ρ = 0.48, P<0.00001, n = 14,573; MLR = 0.45 at 8–8.9 x 109/L) and were higher in males than females (P<0.0001). The MLR range (mean ± 2SD) in those with normal hematological indices (n = 3921: females 0.122–0.474; males 0.136–0.505) paralleled LTBI MLRs. Ratios did not predict death (n = 29) nor response to treatment (n = 178 S+PTB with follow-up CBCs). Ratios were higher in males than female in the 16–45 years age group, where immune differences due to sex hormones are likely greatest.

Conclusions

Severe tuberculosis and male sex associated with high MLRs; the same variables likely affect the performance of other biomarkers. The ratio performed poorly as a clinical aid.
External cephalic version at 38 weeks’ gestation at a specialized German single center
Authors: Zielbauer Ann-Sophie , Louwen Frank , Jennewein Lukas
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Cesarean section (CS) rates are increasing worldwide. One constant indication is the breech presentation at term. By offering external cephalic version (ECV) and vaginal breech delivery CS rates can be further reduced.

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the ECV at 38 weeks of gestation with the associate uptake rate, predicting factors, success rate, and complications at a tertiary healthcare provider in Germany specializing in vaginal breech delivery.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study with retrospective data acquisition. All women with a singleton fetus in breech presentation presenting after 34 weeks of gestation for counseling between 2013 and 2017 were included. ECV impact factors were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results

A total of 1,598 women presented for breech birth planning. ECV was performed on 353 patients. The overall success rate was 22.4%. A later week of gestation (odds ratio [OR] 1.69), an abundant amniotic fluid index (AFI score) (OR 5.74), fundal (OR 3.78) and anterior (OR 0.39) placental location, and an oblique lie (OR 9.08) were significantly associated with successful ECV in our population. No major complications were observed. The overall vaginal delivery rates could be increased to approximately 14% with ECV.

Conclusion

The demand for alternative birth modes other than CS for breech birth is high in the area of Frankfurt, Germany. Our study offers evidence of the safety of ECV at 38 weeks. Centers with expertise in vaginal breech delivery and ECV can reduce CS-rates. To further establish vaginal breech delivery and ECV as alternate options, the required knowledge and skill should be implemented in the revised curricula.
Binding and entering: COVID finds a new home
Authors: Vu Michelle N. , Menachery Vineet D.
Published: August 2021

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged as a virus with a pathogenicity closer to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and a transmissibility similar to common cold coronaviruses (CoVs). In this review, we briefly discuss the features of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and protease cleavage of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that enable SARS-CoV-2 to be a pandemic virus.
Photographocene: The past, present and future in the photography of the environment
Authors: Peraica Ana
Published: August 2021

Photography has an important place in picturing and documenting environmental changes, especially when they occur in distant areas, or are inaccessible from ground level and/or imperceptible to the naked eye due to their scale. As the invention of photographic technology was officially registered only 55 years after the invention of the steam engine (which is commonly taken as the starting point of the Anthropocene era), most subsequent transformations of the environment have been well documented. One needs to distinguish the time of human changes to the environment, the Anthropocene, from images of the era this term names, which are the way humans learn of their own environmental deeds. Such images may be dependent, yet they are also distinct insofar as they influence the perception as well as the production of the Anthropocene itself, framed by limits of the static, fractioned, subjectivized and perspectival medium of photography. In this vein, the article risks proposing yet another in a long series of neologisms that aim to define the unstable or extreme times we live in: the Photographocene. The Photographocene marks various phases of the human relationship to the environment in which photographs have documented, directly communicated and announced impending environmental processes directly caused by human actions. Yet, this is also an era marked by photographic images of the environment that report but also pollute our relationship to the environment by forming an alternate reality. Thus, this concept enables one to articulate the role that images have in our understanding of the past–present–future human impact on the environment.
Konservasi Biodiversitas dan Pemanfaatan Berkelanjutan Hoya Indonesia
Authors:   Research center for Plant Conservation and Botanic Gardens, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Rahayu Sri
Published: August 2021

Tumbuhan Hoya adalah salah satu kekayaan hayati flora Indonesia yang memiliki nilai penting berupa nilai ilmiah, nilai ekologis, nilai ekonomis dan nilai budaya. Sebagai epifit, keberadaannya di alam mengalami ancaman perubahan iklim dan kerusakan habitat serta pemanenan dan perdagangan ilegal. Kekayaan diversitas Hoya Indonesia adalah yang tertinggi di dunia, hendaknya dikelola sebagai aset hidup yang dapat memberikan manfaat yang maksimal namun tetap terjaga kelestariannya dan bahkan bisa berkembang. Tantangan yang dihadapi tidak sedikit dan kompleks, seperti ketidaktahuan masyarakat akan arti penting dicersitas Hoya, isu-isu konservasi, aturan pemanenan, pengelolaan dan perdagangan biodiversitas, lemahnya daya saing dan inovasi bangsa serta lemahnya koordinasi antar pemangku kepentingan. Oleh karena itu, perlu diuraikan tentang besarnya kekayaan diversitas Hoya Indonesia beserta nilai pentingnya, dan seberapa besar riset riset yang telah dilakukan turut menyumbang dalam langkah konservasi dan pemanfaatan berkelanjutan Hoya Indonesia sekaligus dalam merumuskan strategi konservasi dan pemanfaatan berkelanjutan agar dapat digunakan oleh berbagai pihak.