bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical application of deep learning and radiomics in hepatic disease imaging: a systematic scoping review
Authors: Wang Lingyun , Zhang Lu , Jiang Beibei , Zhao Keke , Zhang Yaping , Xie Xueqian
Published: July 2022

Objective:

Artificial intelligence (AI) has begun to play a pivotal role in hepatic imaging. This systematic scoping review summarizes the latest progress of AI in evaluating hepatic diseases based on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

Methods:

We searched PubMed and Web of Science for publications, using terms related to deep learning, radiomics, imaging methods (CT or MR), and the liver. Two reviewers independently selected articles and extracted data from each eligible article. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-AI (QUADAS-AI) tool was used to assess the risk of bias and concerns regarding applicability.

Results:

The screening identified 45 high-quality publications from 235 candidates, including 8 on diffuse liver diseases and 37 on focal liver lesions. Nine studies used deep learning and 36 studies used radiomics. All 45 studies were rated as low risk of bias in patient selection and workflow, but 36 (80%) were rated as high risk of bias in the index test because they lacked external validation. In terms of concerns regarding applicability, all 45 studies were rated as low concerns. These studies demonstrated that deep learning and radiomics can evaluate liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and a series of complications caused by cirrhosis, predict the prognosis of malignant hepatic tumors, and differentiate focal hepatic lesions.

Conclusions:

The latest studies have shown that deep learning and radiomics based on hepatic CT and MR imaging have potential application value in the diagnosis, treatment evaluation, and prognosis prediction of common liver diseases. The AI methods may become useful tools to support clinical decision-making in the future.

Advances in knowledge:

Deep learning and radiomics have shown their potential in the diagnosis, treatment evaluation, and prognosis prediction of a series of common diffuse liver diseases and focal liver lesions.
A scoping review protocol to map the evidence on the risks and benefits of population based diabetic foot screening
Authors: Pallin Jennifer A. , McIntosh Caroline , Kavanagh Paul , Dinneen Sean F. , Kearney Patricia M. , Buckley Claire M.
Published: July 2022

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers are one of the most common lower extremity complications of diabetes, with the lifetime risk of a person developing a DFU estimated to be as high as 34%. It is recommended that those with diabetes receive an annual review of their feet, by a trained healthcare professional, to identify risk factors for ulceration and allow for subsequent risk stratification, patient education and provision of appropriate care to prevent ulceration and amputation. Internationally, while many countries have a diabetic foot care pathway, it is not a structured population health screening programme unlike other areas of preventive care for people with diabetes such as retinopathy screening. A structured diabetic foot screening pathway could allow for earlier identification of the at-risk foot. However, the introduction of any population screening programme should meet the Wilson and Jungner principles of screening. This paper presents a protocol for a scoping review of existing evidence on screening for the at-risk-foot against the Wilson and Junger principles.

Methods: The scoping review will be conducted in line with the six-stage methodological framework by Arksey & O’Mally and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology. Medline (EBSCO), Scopus, ScienceDirect and EMBASE databases will be searched. Studies relating to the burden of diabetic foot ulcers, their pathophysiology and screening tests for peripheral neuropathy and peripheral artery disease, and screening programmes will be included. A data extraction tool will be used to facilitate a chronological narrative synthesis of results.

Results: These will be reported in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR).

Conclusion: This scoping review will evaluate and map the evidence surrounding diabetic foot ulcers using the Wilson and Jungner principles of screening as a framework.
Pilot Study: Increasing Medical Student Comfort in Transgender Gynecology
Authors: Wright Danielle , Campedelli Alexandra
Published: July 2022

Background: The purpose of this study was to use survey data to better understand medical students’ comfort in taking care of transgender patients and to determine whether this is an area that needs to be expanded upon in their curriculum.

Methods: Eight pre-clerkship medical students participated in a virtual two-week course about gynecologic transgender care which included a mix of self-paced learning combined with two days of interactive faculty-led sessions. Students were asked to complete a pre and post course survey evaluating their comfort in caring for transgender individuals. 

Results: We had an 100% response rate to our pre and post course survey. Students’ knowledge about the gynecologic needs of transgender individuals significantly improved after taking the course with the average student rating before and after the course being 2.38 ± 0.74 (p<0.05) and 4.25 ± 0.46 (p<0.05), respectively. In addition, 100% of students “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that this course built their confidence in taking care of transgender patients in the clinical setting.

Conclusions: This study highlights a potential gap in medical education while also emphasizing that knowledge on this special population can enhance physician confidence when caring for transgender individuals.
The Big Match with a Clock and a Bit of Memory
Authors: Hansen Kristoffer Arnsfelt , Ibsen-Jensen Rasmus , Neyman Abraham
Published: July 2022

The Big Match is a multistage two-player game. In each stage, player 1 hides one or two pebbles in his hand, and his opponent has to guess that number. Player 1 loses a point if player 2 is correct; otherwise, he wins a point. As soon as player 1 hides one pebble, the players cannot change their choices in any future stage. The undiscounted Big Match has been much-studied. Blackwell and Ferguson (1968) give an [Formula: see text]-optimal strategy for player 1 that hides, in each stage, one pebble with a probability that depends on the entire past history. Any strategy that depends on just the clock or just a finite memory is worthless (i.e., cannot guarantee strictly more than the least reward). The long-standing natural open problem has been whether every strategy that depends on just the clock and a finite memory is worthless. The present paper proves that there is such a strategy that is [Formula: see text]-optimal. In fact, we show that just two states of memory are sufficient.
Allocation with Weak Priorities and General Constraints
Authors: Lin Young-San , Nguyen Hai , Nguyen Thành , Altinkemer Kemal
Published: July 2022

Allocating scarce resources with (weak) priority and complex constraints has many applications ranging from course allocation, and healthcare rationing to refugee resettlement. Its generality, however, mostly leads to impossibility results. We offer a positive result with a mechanism based on a new concept called competitive stable equilibrium. This is a natural extension of competitive equilibrium with endowed budgets that accommodates weak priorities. Specifically, an agent only needs to pay for a resource if it belongs to the last tier among the agents currently consuming the resource. This concept applies to both frameworks of one-sided and two-sided markets in a unifying way and allows for a more flexible tie-breaking rule by giving agents different budgets. We empirically apply our mechanism to reassign season tickets to families in the presence of social distancing. Our simulation results show that our method outperforms existing ones in both efficiency and fairness measures.
Do Employees Work Less for Female Leaders? A Multi-Method Study of Entrepreneurial Firms
Authors: Kacperczyk Olenka , Younkin Peter , Rocha Vera
Published: July 2022

We propose that female-founded ventures receive a lower amount of employee labor for equal pay because employees are more likely to decline requests for additional labor by female founders. First, using longitudinal matched employer-employee data covering all founders of new ventures with personnel in Portugal between 2002 and 2012, we confirm that full-time employees contribute fewer regular hours and less overtime work to female-founded firms. Second, using a series of online experiments, we show that this variation in employee labor across female and male-founded firms is partly motivated by a difference in the employee’s expectations of work demands. Specifically, employees perceive female founders’ requests for additional labor to be unfair and more difficult than expected, and both these perceptions explain the lower amount of employee labor supplied in female-founded ventures. Overall, our findings uncover a novel mechanism that helps explain the existence of a gender gap in entrepreneurship beyond the entry stage.

Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2022.1611 .
Dance Movement-Based Intervention Reduces Stereotypical Behavior in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Ziadat Ayed H. , Alramamneh Abdellatif Khalaf , Al-Sabaylehr Obaid Abdelkarim
Published: July 2022

Autistic individuals are commonly characterized by stereotypical behaviors, which affect their daily life, particularly social aspects. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of dance movement-based intervention in reducing stereotypical behavior among autistic children. The study used an experimental-based approach, which recruited 30 autistic children purposively between 9 and 15 years old, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder- level 1 (ASD [1]) or autism spectrum disorder- level 2 (ASD [2]) from one autism center in Jordan. The intervention sessions were fifteen sessions and lasted 60 minutes. The dance movement and music were selected cautiously by professional therapists. The observation was the study tool for collecting data performed by both author and care providers. The results approved the effectiveness of the suggested intervention in reducing stereotypical behavior. The children presenting ASD (1) showed significantly less stereotypical behavior than those presenting ASD (2). The result also showed that the difference was significant and obvious from the first three sessions, but the best reduction was in the fourth session. However, the results refuted any difference in reduction of stereotypical behavior attributed to gender or age group of participants.
Preprint metadata recommendations
Authors: Rittman Martyn , Wrigley Alainna , Pepe Alberto , Mendonça Alex , Mudrak Benjamin , Kramer Bianca , Irawan Dasapta Erwin , Marchant Emily , Craciun Ioana , Beck Jeffrey , Polka Jessica , Havemann Johanna , Wagner Johannes , Markie Michael , Parkin Michael , Avissar-Whiting Michele , Pfeiffer Nicole , Sever Richard , Wynne Richard , Decker-Lucke Shirley , Alves Anthony , Patterson Wendy , Feeney Patricia , Pattinson Damian
Published: July 2022

The Crossref Preprint Advisory Group (AG) was formed in June 2021 to discuss metadata issues related to preprints. It has the following aims...
Shape Optimization of the Momentum Ring Cross Section for Satellite Attitude Control Based on Magnetohydrodynamics
Authors: Gu Youlin , Liang Qinghua , Wang Shigang , Zhou Anlei , Liu Chaozhen
Published: July 2022

Compared with the traditional actuator, the fluid momentum controller actuator based on magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) has some unique advantages and characteristics. In this paper, a method is proposed for the shape optimization of fluid momentum ring cross section. Based on the engineering situation, this article proposes a mathematical model of angular momentum that can be used for analytical calculations. Second, the two shapes obtained are unified and mathematically expressed in terms of maximum power and minimum resistance, respectively. Finally, the particle swarm algorithm is used to optimize the parameters of the proposed shape in combination with finite element method (FEM). Compared with the common rectangular section scheme, the attitude adjustment performance of fluid momentum ring can be effectively improved. Specifically, for the same area of cross section, the fluid momentum rings with the proposed shape provide the angular momentum values that exceed those of the rectangular shape by 14%-17% for the cases considered. This method avoids the huge computation of computational fluid dynamics and multidisciplinary topology optimization.
Consumers' Consciousness for Sustainable Consumption and Their Perceptions of Wooden Building Product Quality
Authors: Harju Charlotta , Lähtinen Katja
Published: July 2022

Wood products are seen globally as an important solution to substitute nonrenewable materials in the construction sector to enhance the life cycle sustainability of buildings. Globally, the most prominent opportunities for sustainability change in housing production lie in multistory residential buildings, which are built mainly of concrete, steel, and bricks. The possibilities of achieving multiple benefits from the use of wood in multistory residential buildings have gained interest among scholars, especially in the 2000s. However, the research has been dominated by views of production (especially construction processes), while scientific knowledge of consumption (especially the occupational phase of buildings) remains very limited. Information about how consumers with differing views of sustainable consumption evaluate the quality of wooden building materials particularly is scarce. This study aimed to investigate consumer perceptions of wooden building product quality and examine how the perceptions connect with consumers' consciousness for sustainable consumption (CSC). The research data were gathered in 2018 by a postal survey sent to 1,000 people living in Finland (response rate 25.6%) and analyzed with exploratory factor analysis and the Mann-Whitney U test. According to the results, respondents' views of wooden building product quality indicators can be grouped into three factors: technical advantages, environmental sustainability of materials, and social benefits at home. The strength of CSC was found to be linked with respondents' views of wooden building product quality. The results of consumers' CSC views help actors involved in the wood and construction industries better meet consumer expectations both for different aspects of sustainability and for lifestyles.
Luminance stepped decreasing ratio of the tunnel entrance enhanced lighting based on visual performance
Authors: Kang Cheng , Du Zhigang , Lin Guojun , Zhang Chi , Huang Zhiyi , Wu Ke
Published: July 2022

To achieve a safe and comfortable entrance enhanced lighting environment of tunnels, visual performance experiments under the dynamic and static luminance environments were carried out to investigate the influence of the luminance variation forms and stepped decreasing ratio

k
′

of the tunnel entrance enhanced lighting on the driver’s comprehensive visual performance. The application effect was further verified by real vehicle experiments and field luminance measurements. The results of the dynamic and static experiments show that compared with the continuous and smooth decrease of the luminance according to the International Commission on Illumination (CIE), when facing the stepped decrease of luminance, drivers tend to withstand greater visual operation stress and a more tense psychological state. After the stepped decrease of the luminance, the driver’s average and instantaneous reaction both slow down, while the amplitude of the slowdown decreases with the increase of

k
′

and increases with the increase of the luminance level. The results of the real vehicle experiments show that increasing

k
′

of Threshold Zones 1 and 2 and Transition Zones 1 and 2 to 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, and 0.5, respectively, can effectively relieve driver’s psychological tension and enhance the visual performance. For practical engineering applications, it should be combined with daylight reduction facilities, thus avoiding the increase of energy consumption of the tunnel entrance enhance lighting.
Ultraprecision machining and on-machine measurement of the radial Fresnel lens structure array of a large-scale roller mold
Authors: Meng Songtao , Yin Ziqiang , Chai Ning , Guo Yawen , Yao Jianhua , Chen Wei , Xia Senbin
Published: July 2022

Automation and on-machine manufacturing process measurement is essential in increasing product productivity. However, a significant challenge is the radial Fresnel lens structure-array machining and on-machine measurement research for a large-scale roller mold. We present a rotating

A

-axis machining method for manufacturing an array of a radial Fresnel lens structure, based on an ultraprecision four-axis drum roll lathe system developed by the team. Therefore, based on the principle of a virtual multiprobe, the traditional two-point method is improved and applied to the on-machine measurement of the radial Fresnel lens structure of the roll mold. Through the machining and on-machine measurement experiments of the radial Fresnel lens structure of the roller mold, the feasibility of the machining method and measurement method is verified.
Fiber electric double-layer platform for a phase shifter based on the Pockels effect of liquid molecules
Authors: Luo Meng , Gao Danheng , Yang Xinghua , Copner Nigel , Liu Zhihai , Wen Xingyue , Li Kang , Yuan Libo
Published: July 2022

The electric double layer (EDL) was formed at the interface of the electrode and liquid and has been widely used in a series of applications, ranging from batteries to biosensors, based on the electrical property changes. In this paper, we demonstrate a simple microfiber phase shifter based on the Pockels effect of liquid in the electric double layer. By constructing an EDL around the microfiber, the phase shifter can be achieved. Furthermore, the effects of ion concentration and molecular polarity of liquids on this phase shifter were studied. The fiber electric double-layer platform has the advantages of low voltage modulation and simple fabrication, which has the potential for use in wearable sensing devices, biopotential detection, and biomolecule detection.
Morphological variations to a ptychographic algorithm
Authors: Salinas F. , Solís-Prosser M. A.
Published: July 2022

Ptychography is a technique widely used in microscopy for achieving high-resolution imaging. This method relies on computational processing of images gathered from diffraction patterns produced by several partial illuminations of a sample. We numerically studied the effect of using different shapes for illuminating the aforementioned sample: convex shapes, such as circles and regular polygons, and unconnected shapes that resemble a QR code. Our results suggest that the use of unconnected shapes seems to outperform convex shapes in terms of convergence and, in some cases, accuracy.
High-efficient disturbance event recognition method of ϕ-OTDR utilizing region-segmentation differential phase signals
Authors: Huang Yi , Cheng Shitong , Li Ying , Chen Xiaofeng , Dai Jingyi , Hu Chengyong , Deng Chuanlu , Pang Fufei , Zhang Xiaobei , Wang Tingyun
Published: July 2022

We demonstrate a disturbance event recognition method based on region segmentation, which utilizes differential phase signals of a phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometer (

ϕ

-OTDR) to recognize disturbance events efficiently. The long-haul sensing fiber is divided into subsensing regions; whereas the phase signals at the two end points of the subsensing regions are subtracted, unwrapped, and differenced to represent the disturbance information. Feature extraction and classification are performed separately on the subsensing regions datasets. The experimental results indicate that the average recognition accuracy of the region-segmentation-based event recognition method is up to 92.9%. Compared to the method without region segmentation, this proposed method improves the average recognition accuracy by 8%; whereas the recognition time of three disturbance events on a 14.8-km sensing system is only 0.39 s. The proposed method provides significant support for the development of disturbance event recognition of the

ϕ

-OTDR sensor system.
Focusing properties of a polarization mixing quadratic space-variant phase-modulated sinh-Gaussian vortex beam
Authors: Li Jinsong , Zhang Haoran , Chen Yueyang , Chang Shuo , Su Yanfeng , Gao Xiumin
Published: July 2022

This research explores the focusing characteristics of a polarization mixing quadratic space-variant phase-modulated sinh-Gaussian vortex beam. Various intriguing evolutionary trends of the focal pattern are demonstrated by the modulation of each parameter. The results show that the adjustable parameter

C

makes the focusing spot form an optical chain structure. The length of the structure and the number of dark optical traps in the structure can be altered by adjusting

C

. Simultaneously, the variation of beam order

m

will cause focal spot deformation. Moreover, the variation of the focal pattern indicates that polarization parameter

B

has the ability to adjust the position of the spot. In addition, the influence of topological charge

l

on the component field is also discussed. With the introduction of a polarization mixing quadratic space-variant phase, the focal pattern obtains a series of unique characteristics. These results have potential value for cutting-edge optical applications such as optical shaping, optical transmission, and multiple optical capture.
Time-dependent optical force theory for optomechanics of dispersive 3D photonic materials and devices
Authors: Partanen Mikko , Tulkki Jukka
Published: July 2022

We present a position- and time-dependent optical force theory for optomechanics of dispersive 3D photonic materials and devices. The theory applies to media including material interfaces, waveguides, and general photonic crystal structures. The theory enables calculation of the dynamical state of the coupled field-material system and the interference of this state with other excitations of the material, such as surface acoustic waves or phonons. As an example, we present computer simulations of energy and momentum flows through a silicon crystal with anti-reflective structured interfaces. Using commercially available simulation tools, the theory can be applied to analyze optical forces in complex photonic materials and devices.
Beam manipulation for quantum dot light-emitting diode with an Ag grating and a phase-gradient metasurface
Authors: Huang Huamao , Zheng Siqi , Sun Wenhong
Published: July 2022

The quantum dot (QD) light-emitting diode (LED) is a robust scheme for single photon source. However, the spontaneous emission of a QD LED has arbitrary directions and polarizations, which is disadvantage for photon collection and manipulation. We propose a QD LED integrated with an Ag grating and a phase-gradient metasurface. The circular patterned Ag grating is adopted to collimate the emission beam with right phase and improve its spatial coherence, therefore a phase-gradient metasurface can work for beam manipulation. The 10°, 20°, and 30° angle deflection as well as doughnut-pattern generation are demonstrated by numerical simulation. A small metasurface with the width of 6 µm can provide a collection efficiency of 25.9% at the deflection angle of 10°. Furthermore, only one single QD can be selected from a QD assembly with a low-density.
Graphene-integrated toroidal resonance metasurfaces used for picogram-level detection of chlorothalonil in the terahertz region
Authors: Yang Maosheng , Yao Haiyun , Lu Yuying , Li Peipei , Du Binbin , Ma Qilin , Liu Dandan , Zhang Tan , Fang Jie , Wang Tongling , Yan Xin , Zhang Gang , Liang Lanju , Yang Qilin , Wang Yaru , Wang Meng , Dai Zijie , Zhang Jingjing , Ye Yunxia , Song Xiaoxian , Zhang Haiting , Ren Xundong , Yao Jianquan
Published: July 2022

Toroidal dipole resonance can significantly reduce radiation loss of materials, potentially improving sensor sensitivity. Generally, toroidal dipole response is suppressed by electric and magnetic dipoles in natural materials, making it difficult to observe experimentally. However, as 2D metamaterials, metasurfaces can weaken the electric and magnetic dipole, enhancing toroidal dipole response. Here, we propose a new graphene-integrated toroidal resonance metasurface as an ultra-sensitive chemical sensor, capable of qualitative detection of chlorothalonil in the terahertz region, down to a detection limit of 100 pg/mL. Our results demonstrate graphene-integrated toroidal resonance metasurfaces as a promising basis for ultra-sensitive, qualitative detection in chemical and biological sensing.
Integrated optical device for Structured Illumination Microscopy
Authors: Calvarese Matteo , Paiè Petra , Candeo Alessia , Calisesi Gianmaria , Ceccarelli Francesco , Valentini Gianluca , Osellame Roberto , Gong Hai , Neil Mark , Bragheri Francesca , Bassi Andrea
Published: July 2022

Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM) is a key technology for high resolution and super-resolution imaging of biological cells and molecules. The spread of portable and easy-to-align SIM systems requires the development of novel methods to generate a light pattern and to shift it across the field of view of the microscope. Here we show a miniaturized chip that incorporates optical waveguides, splitters, and phase shifters, to generate a 2D structured illumination pattern suitable for SIM microscopy. The chip creates three point-sources, coherent and controlled in phase, without the need for further alignment. Placed in the pupil of a microscope’s objective, the three sources generate a hexagonal illumination pattern on the sample, which is spatially translated thanks to thermal phase shifters. We validate and use the chip, upgrading a commercial inverted fluorescence microscope to a SIM setup and we image biological sample slides, extending the resolution of the microscope.
Ultrafast resonant exciton–plasmon coupling for enhanced emission in lead halide perovskite with metallic Ag nanostructures
Authors: Tang Yuxiang , Zhang Yanbin , Cao Fan , Sui Yizhen , Cheng Xiang’ai , Shi Lei , Jiang Tian
Published: July 2022

Integrating metal halide perovskites onto plasmonic nanostructures has recently become a trending method of enabling superior emissive performance of perovskite nanophotonic devices. In this work, we present an in-depth study on the spontaneous emission properties of hybrid systems comprising CsPbBr3 nanocrystals and silver nanostructures. Specifically, a 5.7-fold increment of the photoluminescence (PL) intensity and a 1.65-fold enhancement of the PL relaxation rate is attained when the transition energy of CsPbBr3 is spectrally resonant with the oscillational frequency of Ag nanodisks (NDs), which is attributed to the intense exciton–plasmon coupling-induced Purcell effect. Furthermore, a 540-fs ultrafast energy transfer from the CsPbBr3 excitons to Ag plasmons is revealed by femtosecond pump-probe experiments, suggesting the key mechanism responsible for the Purcell-enhanced radiative emission. Our finding offers a unique understanding of the enhanced emissive behavior in the plasmon-coupled perovskite system and paves the way for further applications.
Continuous wave Bessel beams with a strong longitudinal acceleration in free space
Authors: Ilina Elena , Hildén Panu , Kaivola Matti , Shevchenko Andriy
Published: July 2022

A variety of transversely accelerating optical beams, such as Airy, Mathieu, and Weber beams, have been proposed and intensively studied in the past few decades, while longitudinal acceleration of optical beams in free space has been considered much less and mostly for ultrashort optical pulses. In this work, we create two-component continuous wave Bessel beams that exhibit extremely high longitudinal acceleration in free space, with the group velocity changing by a factor of 10 in just a few centimeters of propagation. The beam components are co-propagating interfering optical beams that can have different frequencies and angular spectra. We also demonstrate large-magnitude negative group velocities and zero-group-velocity modes for a two-component beam. The group velocities are measured interferometrically, using a common-path optical interferometer. The measurement results agree well with the theoretical predictions. The presented methods to control and measure the group velocity of light in free space are expected to attract the attention of researchers working on optical interferometry, ultrafast optics, nonlinear optics, and optical tweezers.
Geometric phase in distributed fiber optic sensing
Authors: Shaheen Sabahat , Hicke Konstantin
Published: July 2022

The geometric phase in the beat signal from coherent interference of two frequency-offset light beams is measured using a novel distributed optical fiber sensing setup. In a fiber optic medium, with changing beam intensities, to the best of our knowledge, ours is the first measurement of the mentioned geometric phase. Experimental results of applying a 100-Hz sinusoidal stimulus to a polarization scrambler and a piezoelectric transducer inline to an optical fiber are presented. The results may enable novel distributed fiber sensing techniques.
Reducing frequency fluctuation in a Brillouin random fiber laser by a random fiber grating ring resonator
Authors: Wang Haiyang , Chen Chen , Lu Ping , Mihailov Stephen , Chen Liang , Bao Xiaoyi
Published: July 2022

Frequency fluctuation is a major problem in high-precision metrology as real-time optical frequency measurement is not available with commercial photodetectors; alternatively, frequency-stabilized lasers as a reference are also not accessible in most laboratories. In this study, we propose and demonstrate a polarization-maintaining random fiber grating ring (PM-RFGR) resonator in a PM Brillouin random fiber laser (BRFL) to achieve sub-MHz frequency drift, which is measured by the optical beat of the random laser and the pump laser. Experimental results show that longitudinal modes are suppressed in the BRFL owing to the feedback of the RFGR resonating with one longitudinal mode of the random laser. The BRFL shows mode-hopping-free operation over 14.9 s due to the self-adjustment of random modes with small frequency difference to thermal and acoustic variations and self-injection locking through RFGR. As a result, a small frequency drift of ∼340 kHz with single-longitudinal mode is achieved in the BRFL enabled by the RFGR, which offers an all optical locking mechanism for optical frequency stabilization.
Modulation of laser damage by temporal shaping of double picosecond pulses
Authors: Liu Wenfeng , Sun Mingying , Cui Zijian , Guo Yajing , Jiao Zhaoyang , Wu Rong , Zhu Jianqiang
Published: July 2022

We propose a temporally shaped double-picosecond-pulse train at a sub-nanosecond scale to control the damage dynamics of optical glass. Both damage threshold and morphology are significantly modulated by pulse-train shaping. The ramp-up-shaped train effectively increases its damage threshold and decreases the damage density and size, which clearly shows that a pump pulse with optimized fluence has a strong positive modification of damage precursors. Furthermore, the temporal evolution of damage modulation is experimentally revealed by varying the interval of pump-probe pulses, and after pump exposure with optimized fluence, enhancement of the probe threshold reaches the maximum at a delay of about 260 ps.
Analysis of the docking property of host variants of hACE2 for SARS-CoV-2 in a large cohort
Authors: Paik Hyojung , Kim Jimin , Seo Sangjae
Published: July 2022

The recent novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is threatening global health. However, an understanding of the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with human cells, including the physical docking property influenced by the host’s genetic diversity, is still lacking. Here, based on germline variants in the UK Biobank covering 502,543 individuals, we revealed the molecular interactions between human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2), which is the representative receptor for SARS-CoV-2 entry, and COVID-19 infection. We identified six nonsense and missense variants of hACE2 from 2585 subjects in the UK Biobank covering 500000 individuals. Using our molecular dynamics simulations, three hACE2 variants from 2585 individuals we selected showed higher levels of binding free energy for docking in the range of 1.44–3.69 kcal/mol. Although there are diverse contributors to SARS-CoV-2 infections, including the mobility of individuals, we analyzed the diagnosis records of individuals with these three variants of hACE2. Our molecular dynamics simulations combined with population-based genomic data provided an atomistic understanding of the interaction between hACE2 and the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2.
Estimation of the effect of future changes in precipitation in Japan on pluvial flood damage and the damage reduction effect of mitigation/adaptation measures
Authors: Yanagihara Hayata , Kazama So , Tada Tsuyoshi , Touge Yoshiya
Published: July 2022

This study estimated the effect of changes in the amount of precipitation associated with climate change on pluvial flood damage and the effectiveness of mitigation and adaptation measures throughout Japan. First, the cost of damage caused by pluvial flooding was calculated based on extreme rainfall, assuming a situation in which river levels are high, and rainwater does not drain into the rivers. Additionally, extreme rainfall in future climates was estimated from the output values of five general circulation models. Then, using these figures for extreme rainfall, the cost of pluvial flood damage in future climates was estimated. Improving the maintenance level of inland water drainage facilities and converting buildings to a piloti design were selected as adaptation measures. The results showed that in the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 scenario, the expected annual damage cost (EADC) in the late 21st-century climate (2081–2100) scenario increases to approximately 2.3 times that of the baseline climate (1981–2000). If climate change is mitigated to RCP 2.6, the EADC in the late 21st-century climate scenario is estimated to be reduced by 28% compared to the EADC in the RCP 8.5 scenario. It is also estimated that the EADC in future climates could be kept lower than in the baseline climate by taking multiple rather than single measures. However, in the RCP 8.5 scenario for the late 21st-century climate, even if multiple adaptation measures are taken, the EADC was estimated to increase by 9% compared to the EADC in the baseline climate.
Periplasmic oxidized-protein repair during copper stress in E. coli: A focus on the metallochaperone CusF
Authors: Vergnes Alexandra , Henry Camille , Grassini Gaia , Loiseau Laurent , El Hajj Sara , Denis Yann , Galinier Anne , Vertommen Didier , Aussel Laurent , Ezraty Benjamin
Published: July 2022

Methionine residues are particularly sensitive to oxidation by reactive oxygen or chlorine species (ROS/RCS), leading to the appearance of methionine sulfoxide in proteins. This post-translational oxidation can be reversed by omnipresent protein repair pathways involving methionine sulfoxide reductases (Msr). In the periplasm of Escherichia coli, the enzymatic system MsrPQ, whose expression is triggered by the RCS, controls the redox status of methionine residues. Here we report that MsrPQ synthesis is also induced by copper stress via the CusSR two-component system, and that MsrPQ plays a role in copper homeostasis by maintaining the activity of the copper efflux pump, CusCFBA. Genetic and biochemical evidence suggest the metallochaperone CusF is the substrate of MsrPQ and our study reveals that CusF methionines are redox sensitive and can be restored by MsrPQ. Thus, the evolution of a CusSR-dependent synthesis of MsrPQ allows conservation of copper homeostasis under aerobic conditions by maintenance of the reduced state of Met residues in copper-trafficking proteins.
A participatory epidemiological and One Health approach to explore the community’s capacity to detect emerging zoonoses and surveillance network opportunities in the forest region of Guinea
Authors: Guenin Marie-Jeanne , De Nys Hélène Marie , Peyre Marisa , Loire Etienne , Thongyuan Suporn , Diallo Abdoulaye , Zogbelemou Léonce , Goutard Flavie Luce
Published: July 2022

The Ebola virus disease epidemic that threatened West Africa between 2013 and 2016 was of unprecedented health magnitude. After this health crisis, studies highlighted the need to introduce community-based surveillance systems and to adopt a One Health approach. This study aimed to provide preparatory insights for the definition of a community-based surveillance system for emerging zoonoses such as viral hemorrhagic fevers in Guinea. The objective was to explore the disease detection capacity and the surveillance network opportunities at the community level in two pilot areas in the forest region of Guinea, where the epidemic emerged. Based on a participatory epidemiological and One Health approach, we conducted Focus Group Discussions with human, animal and ecosystem health actors. We used a range of participatory tools, included semi-structured interviews, ranking, scoring and flow diagram, to estimate the local knowledge and perception of diseases and clinical signs and to investigate the existing health information exchange network and its related strengths and weaknesses. The results showed that there is heterogeneity in knowledge of diseases and perception of the clinical signs among actors and that there are preferred and more effective health communication channels opportunities. This preparatory study suggests that it is necessary to adapt the case definitions and the health communication channels to the different actors who can play a role in a future community-based surveillance system and provides recommendations for future surveillance activities to be carried out in West Africa.
Estimating the genetic structure of Triatoma dimidiata (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) and the transmission dynamics of Trypanosoma cruzi in Boyacá, eastern Colombia
Authors: Velásquez-Ortiz Natalia , Hernández Carolina , Cantillo-Barraza Omar , Medina Manuel , Medina-Alfonso Mabel , Suescún-Carrero Sandra , Muñoz Marina , Vega Laura , Castañeda Sergio , Cruz-Saavedra Lissa , Ballesteros Nathalia , Ramírez Juan David
Published: July 2022

Chagas disease is considered a public health issue in Colombia, where many regions are endemic. Triatoma dimidiata is an important vector after Rhodnius prolixus, and it is gaining importance in Boyacá, eastern Colombia. Following the recent elimination of R. prolixus in the region, it is pivotal to understand the behavior of T. dimidiata and the transmission dynamics of T. cruzi. We used qPCR and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to evaluate T. cruzi infection, parasite load, feeding profiles, and T. cruzi genotyping for T. dimidiata specimens collected in nine municipalities in Boyacá and explored T. dimidiata population genetics. We found that T. dimidiata populations are composed by a single population with similar genetic characteristics that present infection rates up to 70%, high parasite loads up to 1.46 × 109 parasite-equivalents/mL, a feeding behavior that comprises at least 17 domestic, synanthropic and sylvatic species, and a wide diversity of TcI genotypes even within a single specimen. These results imply that T. dimidiata behavior is similar to other successful vectors, having a wide variety of blood sources and contributing to the circulation of different genotypes of the parasite, highlighting its importance for T. cruzi transmission and risk for humans. In the light of the elimination of R. prolixus in Boyacá and the results we found, we suggest that T. dimidiata should become a new target for vector control programs. We hope this study provides enough information to enhance surveillance programs and a future effective interruption of T. cruzi vector transmission in endemic regions.
Historical overview and geographical distribution of neglected tropical diseases amenable to preventive chemotherapy in the Republic of the Congo: A systematic review
Authors: Ngatse Joseph A. , Ndziessi Gilbert , Missamou François , Kinouani Rodrigue , Hemilembolo Marlhand , Pion Sébastien D. , Bork Kirsten A. , Abena Ange A. , Boussinesq Michel , Chesnais Cédric B.
Published: July 2022

Background

Neglected Tropical Diseases amenable to Preventive Chemotherapy (PC-NTDs) affect the poorest populations around the world, especially in Africa. Scientific information on the distribution and level of endemicity of these diseases in the Republic of the Congo (RoC) is scarce in the published literature. We sought to collect all available epidemiological data on PC-NTDs in the RoC to document the historical and current situation and identify challenges in reaching the elimination of NTDs.

Methods

We searched Medline and Horizon databases for studies published until to July 4th, 2019, on onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, soil-transmitted helminth infections, schistosomiasis, and trachoma in the RoC. Unpublished reports were also reviewed. We included all epidemiological studies containing community data and excluded case reports. Location, prevalence data, and dates of the studies were extracted.

Principal findings

We identified 933 records, of which 56 met the inclusion criteria. The articles published before 1960 mainly concerned onchocerciasis and schistosomiasis. Despite a low number over the studied period, since 2005 there has been a steady increase in the number of publications. Most of the studies were cross-sectional and conducted in the general population. Trachoma is endemic in the Sangha and Likouala departments (prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular > 5% in some villages), and further mapping is essential to properly assess the burden of this disease in the country. While the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths is still high (over 20%) in a large part of Congo, cases of lymphatic filariasis (based on Wuchereria bancrofti antigenaemia and/or microfilaraemia) and onchocerciasis are becoming rare and very focused. To achieve the elimination of PC-NTDs, further intervention is required.

Conclusions

Except for trachoma, whose epidemiological situation should be better evaluated, PC-NTDs are endemic in the RoC, and actions to control them have been taken by health authorities. To eliminate PC-NTDs, which are still present in some locations, new mapping surveys are needed, and increased investment in scientific research should be encouraged in the country.
Modelling Japanese encephalitis virus transmission dynamics and human exposure in a Cambodian rural multi-host system
Authors: Ladreyt Héléna , Chevalier Véronique , Durand Benoit
Published: July 2022

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a vector-borne zoonosis and the leading cause of human viral encephalitis in Asia. Its transmission cycle is usually described as involving wild birds as reservoirs and pigs as amplifying hosts. JE is endemic in Cambodia, where it circulates in areas with low pig densities (<70 pigs per km2), and could be maintained in a multi-host system composed of pigs, but also poultry as competent hosts, and dogs, cattle and humans as non-competent hosts. We used a mathematical model representing Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) transmission in a traditional Cambodian village that we calibrated with field data collected in 3 districts of Kandal province, Cambodia. First, R0calculations allowed us to assess the capacity of the epidemiological system to be invaded by JEV and sustain virus transmission in villages in the 3 districts, and we predicted human exposure at the epidemiological equilibrium, based on simulations. Changes in spatial density of livestock, in agricultural practices, and epizootics (e.g., African swine fever), can profoundly alter the composition of host communities, which could affect JEV transmission and its impact on human health. In a second step, we then used the model to analyse how host community composition affected R0and the predicted human exposure. Lastly, we evaluated the potential use of dog JE seroprevalence as an indicator of human exposure to JEV. In the modeled villages, the calculated R0ranged from 1.07 to 1.38. Once the equilibrium reached, predicted annual probability of human exposure ranged from 9% to 47%, and predicted average age at infection was low, between 2 and 11 years old, highlighting the risk of severe forms of JEV infection and the need to intensify child immunization. According to the model, increasing the proportion of competent hosts induced a decrease in age at infection. The simulations also showed that JEV could invade a multi-host system with no pigs, reinforcing the assumption of poultry acting as reservoirs. Finally, the annual human exposure probability appeared linearly correlated with dog seroprevalence, suggesting that in our specific study area, dog seroprevalence would be a good proxy for human exposure.
Estimating dengue transmission intensity from serological data: A comparative analysis using mixture and catalytic models
Authors: Cox Victoria , O’Driscoll Megan , Imai Natsuko , Prayitno Ari , Hadinegoro Sri Rezeki , Taurel Anne-Frieda , Coudeville Laurent , Dorigatti Ilaria
Published: July 2022

Background

Dengue virus (DENV) infection is a global health concern of increasing magnitude. To target intervention strategies, accurate estimates of the force of infection (FOI) are necessary. Catalytic models have been widely used to estimate DENV FOI and rely on a binary classification of serostatus as seropositive or seronegative, according to pre-defined antibody thresholds. Previous work has demonstrated the use of thresholds can cause serostatus misclassification and biased estimates. In contrast, mixture models do not rely on thresholds and use the full distribution of antibody titres. To date, there has been limited application of mixture models to estimate DENV FOI.

Methods

We compare the application of mixture models and time-constant and time-varying catalytic models to simulated data and to serological data collected in Vietnam from 2004 to 2009 (N ≥ 2178) and Indonesia in 2014 (N = 3194).

Results

The simulation study showed larger mean FOI estimate bias from the time-constant and time-varying catalytic models (-0.007 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): -0.069, 0.029) and -0.006 (95% CI -0.095, 0.043)) than from the mixture model (0.001 (95% CI -0.036, 0.065)). Coverage of the true FOI was > 95% for estimates from both the time-varying catalytic and mixture model, however the latter had reduced uncertainty. When applied to real data from Vietnam, the mixture model frequently produced higher FOI and seroprevalence estimates than the catalytic models.

Conclusions

Our results suggest mixture models represent valid, potentially less biased, alternatives to catalytic models, which could be particularly useful when estimating FOI from data with largely overlapping antibody titre distributions.