bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel Use of Patient-Specific Covariates From Oncology Studies in the Era of Biomedical Data Science: A Review of Latest Methodologies
Authors: Xu Ronghui , Chen Guanhua , Connor Michael , Murphy James
Published: March 2022

In this article, we review different applications of how to incorporate individual patient variables into clinical research within oncology. These methodologies range from the more traditional use of baseline covariates from randomized clinical trials, as well as observational studies, to using covariates to generalize the results of randomized clinical trials to other populations. Individual patient variables also allow for the consideration of heterogeneity in treatment effects and individualized treatment rules. We primarily consider two treatment groups and mostly focus on time-to-event outcomes where such methodologies have been well established and widely applied. We also discuss more conceptually newer statistical research that has not been widely applied in clinical oncology, but is likely to make an impact in future oncology research. With the increasing amount of biomedical data available for analysis, it is inevitable that more methods are developed to make best use of information, to advance oncology research.
Lung Cancer Diagnosed Through Screening, Lung Nodule, and Neither Program: A Prospective Observational Study of the Detecting Early Lung Cancer (DELUGE) in the Mississippi Delta Cohort
Authors: Osarogiagbon Raymond U. , Liao Wei , Faris Nicholas R. , Meadows-Taylor Meghan , Fehnel Carrie , Lane Jordan , Williams Sara C. , Patel Anita A. , Akinbobola Olawale A. , Pacheco Alicia , Epperson Amanda , Luttrell Joy , McCoy Denise , McHugh Laura , Signore Raymond , Bishop Anna M. , Tonkin Keith , Optican Robert , Wright Jeffrey , Robbins Todd , Ray Meredith A. , Smeltzer Matthew P.
Published: March 2022

PURPOSE

Lung cancer screening saves lives, but implementation is challenging. We evaluated two approaches to early lung cancer detection—low-dose computed tomography screening (LDCT) and program-based management of incidentally detected lung nodules.

METHODS

A prospective observational study enrolled patients in the early detection programs. For context, we compared them with patients managed in a Multidisciplinary Care Program. We compared clinical stage distribution, surgical resection rates, 3- and 5-year survival rates, and eligibility for LDCT screening of patients diagnosed with lung cancer.

RESULTS

From 2015 to May 2021, 22,886 patients were enrolled: 5,659 in LDCT, 15,461 in Lung Nodule, and 1,766 in Multidisciplinary Care. Of 150, 698, and 1,010 patients diagnosed with lung cancer in the respective programs, 61%, 60%, and 44% were diagnosed at clinical stage I or II, whereas 19%, 20%, and 29% were stage IV ( P = .0005); 47%, 42%, and 32% had curative-intent surgery ( P < .0001); aggregate 3-year overall survival rates were 80% (95% CI, 73 to 88) versus 64% (60 to 68) versus 49% (46 to 53); 5-year overall survival rates were 76% (67 to 87) versus 60% (56 to 65) versus 44% (40 to 48), respectively. Only 46% of 1,858 patients with lung cancer would have been deemed eligible for LDCT by US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) 2013 criteria, and 54% by 2021 criteria. Even if all eligible patients by USPSTF 2021 criteria had been enrolled into LDCT, the Nodule Program would have detected 20% of the stage I-II lung cancer in the entire cohort.

CONCLUSION

LDCT and Lung Nodule Programs are complementary, expanding access to early lung cancer detection and curative treatment to different-risk populations. Implementing Lung Nodule Programs may alleviate emerging disparities in access to early lung cancer detection.
Kink scattering in a Lorentz-violating ϕ
6 model
Authors: Yan Haobo
Published: March 2022

The role played by a Lorentz-violating term on the outcomes of kink scattering in the

model is investigated by using the Fourier spectral method. Impacts of the Lorentz-violating term on the critical velocities, the location of two-bounce windows, and the maximal values of various types of energy densities are analyzed. Some novel features of kink-antikink collisions are discussed. The interactions between three and four kinks are also considered.
The evolution of asymmetrical gaits in gnathostome vertebrates
Authors: McElroy Eric J. , Granatosky Michael C.
Published: March 2022

The difficulty of quantifying asymmetrical limb movements, compared with symmetrical gaits, has resulted in a dearth of information concerning the mechanics and adaptive benefits of these locomotor patterns. Further, no study has explored the evolutionary history of asymmetrical gaits using phylogenetic comparative techniques. Most foundational work suggests that symmetrical gaits are an ancestral feature and asymmetrical gaits are a more derived feature of mammals, some crocodilians, some turtles, anurans and some fish species. In this study, we searched the literature for evidence of the use of asymmetrical gaits across extant gnathostomes, and from this sample (n=308 species) modeled the evolution of asymmetrical gaits assuming four different scenarios. Our analysis shows strongest support for an evolutionary model where asymmetrical gaits are ancestral for gnathostomes during benthic walking and could be both lost and gained during subsequent gnathostome evolution. We were unable to reconstruct the presence/absence of asymmetrical gaits at the tetrapod, amniote, turtle and crocodilian nodes with certainty. The ability to adopt asymmetrical gaits was likely ancestral for Mammalia but was probably not ancestral for Amphibia and Lepidosauria. The absence of asymmetrical gaits in certain lineages may be attributable to neuromuscular and/or anatomical constraints and/or generally slow movement not associated with these gaits. This finding adds to the growing body of work showing the early gnathostomes and tetrapods may have used a diversity of gaits, including asymmetrical patterns of limb cycling.
Legs as linkages: an alternative paradigm for the role of tendons and isometric muscles in facilitating economical gait
Authors: Usherwood James R.
Published: March 2022

Considerable attention has been given to the spring-like behaviour of stretching and recoiling tendons, and how this can reduce the work demanded from muscle for a given loss–return cycling of mechanical energy during high-speed locomotion. However, even completely isometric muscle–tendon units have the potential to act as tension struts, forming links in linkages that avoid the demand for mechanical work-cycling in the first place. Here, forelimb and hindlimb structures and geometries of quadrupeds are considered in terms of linkages that avoid mechanical work at the level of both the whole limb and the individual muscles. The scapula, isometric serratus muscles and forelimb can be viewed as a modified Roberts' straight-line mechanism that supports an approximately horizontal path of the body with vertically orientated forces, resulting in low work demand at the level of both limb and muscle. Modelled isometric triceps brachii inserting to the olecranon form part of a series of four-bar linkages (forelimb) and isometric biceps femoris cranial, rectus femoris and tensor fascia latae form part of a series of six-bar linkages (hindlimb), in both cases potentially resulting in straight-line horizontal motion, generating appropriate moments about shoulder and hip to maintain vertical ground reaction forces and again low mechanical work demand from the limb. Analysing part of the complexity of animal limb structure as linkages that avoid work at the level of both the whole limb and the supporting muscles suggests a new paradigm with which to appreciate the role of isometric muscle–tendon units and multiple muscle origins.
Physiological mechanisms of stress-induced evolution
Authors: Mojica Elizabeth A. , Kültz Dietmar
Published: March 2022

Organisms mount the cellular stress response whenever environmental parameters exceed the range that is conducive to maintaining homeostasis. This response is critical for survival in emergency situations because it protects macromolecular integrity and, therefore, cell/organismal function. From an evolutionary perspective, the cellular stress response counteracts severe stress by accelerating adaptation via a process called stress-induced evolution. In this Review, we summarize five key physiological mechanisms of stress-induced evolution. Namely, these are stress-induced changes in: (1) mutation rates, (2) histone post-translational modifications, (3) DNA methylation, (4) chromoanagenesis and (5) transposable element activity. Through each of these mechanisms, organisms rapidly generate heritable phenotypes that may be adaptive, maladaptive or neutral in specific contexts. Regardless of their consequences to individual fitness, these mechanisms produce phenotypic variation at the population level. Because variation fuels natural selection, the physiological mechanisms of stress-induced evolution increase the likelihood that populations can avoid extirpation and instead adapt under the stress of new environmental conditions.
Scaling of fibre area and fibre glycogen concentration in the hindlimb musculature of monitor lizards: implications for locomotor performance with increasing body size
Authors: Cieri Robert L. , Dick Taylor J. M. , Morris Jeremy S. , Clemente Christofer J.
Published: March 2022

A considerable biomechanical challenge faces larger terrestrial animals as the demands of body support scale with body mass (Mb), while muscle force capacity is proportional to muscle cross-sectional area, which scales with Mb2/3. How muscles adjust to this challenge might be best understood by examining varanids, which vary by five orders of magnitude in size without substantial changes in posture or body proportions. Muscle mass, fascicle length and physiological cross-sectional area all scale with positive allometry, but it remains unclear, however, how muscles become larger in this clade. Do larger varanids have more muscle fibres, or does individual fibre cross-sectional area (fCSA) increase? It is also unknown if larger animals compensate by increasing the proportion of fast-twitch (higher glycogen concentration) fibres, which can produce higher force per unit area than slow-twitch fibres. We investigated muscle fibre area and glycogen concentration in hindlimb muscles from varanids ranging from 105 g to 40,000 g. We found that fCSA increased with modest positive scaling against body mass (Mb0.197) among all our samples, and ∝Mb0.278 among a subset of our data consisting of never-frozen samples only. The proportion of low-glycogen fibres decreased significantly in some muscles but not others. We compared our results with the scaling of fCSA in different groups. Considering species means, fCSA scaled more steeply in invertebrates (∝Mb0.575), fish (∝Mb0.347) and other reptiles (∝Mb0.308) compared with varanids (∝Mb0.267), which had a slightly higher scaling exponent than birds (∝Mb0.134) and mammals (∝Mb0.122). This suggests that, while fCSA generally increases with body size, the extent of this scaling is taxon specific, and may relate to broad differences in locomotor function, metabolism and habitat between different clades.
A quantitative genetics perspective on the body-mass scaling of metabolic rate
Authors: Careau Vincent , Glazier Douglas S.
Published: March 2022

Widely observed allometric scaling (log–log slope<1) of metabolic rate (MR) with body mass (BM) in animals has been frequently explained using functional mechanisms, but rarely studied from the perspective of multivariate quantitative genetics. This is unfortunate, given that the additive genetic slope (bA) of the MR–BM relationship represents the orientation of the ‘line of least genetic resistance’ along which MR and BM may most likely evolve. Here, we calculated bA in eight species. Although most bA values were within the range of metabolic scaling exponents reported in the literature, uncertainty of each bA estimate was large (only one bA was significantly lower than 3/4 and none were significantly different from 2/3). Overall, the weighted average for bA (0.667±0.098 95% CI) is consistent with the frequent observation that metabolic scaling exponents are negatively allometric in animals (b<1). Although bA was significantly positively correlated with the phenotypic scaling exponent (bP) across the sampled species, bP was usually lower than bA, as reflected in a (non-significantly) lower weighted average for bP (0.596±0.100). This apparent discrepancy between bA and bP resulted from relatively shallow MR–BM scaling of the residuals [weighted average residual scaling exponent (be)=0.503±0.128], suggesting regression dilution (owing to measurement error and within-individual variance) causing a downward bias in bP. Our study shows how the quantification of the genetic scaling exponent informs us about potential constraints on the correlated evolution of MR and BM, and by doing so has the potential to bridge the gap between micro- and macro-evolutionary studies of scaling allometry.
Προστασία του περιβάλλοντος, περιορισμοί της ιδιοκτησίας και δικαίωμα αποζημίωσης
Authors: Σταματίου Κωνσταντίνα
Published: March 2022

Αντικείμενο της διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι η ανάλυση των περιορισμών που επιβάλλονται στην ιδιοκτησία χάριν της προστασίας του περιβάλλοντος, με αιχμή τους αναγκαίους εξισορροπητικούς μηχανισμούς για την αποκατάσταση της δίκαιης ισορροπίας μεταξύ γενικού συμφέροντος και ατομικών δικαιωμάτων. Η ιδιοκτησία παρουσιάζεται και αναλύεται ως θεσμός και ως δικαίωμα που υπόκειται σε ποικίλους περιορισμούς και δεσμεύσεις για την εξυπηρέτηση του δημόσιου οικολογικού συμφέροντος. Παράλληλα, εξετάζονται οι εγγυητικοί μηχανισμοί και τα αντισταθμιστικά μέτρα που οφείλουν να συνοδεύουν τα παρεμβατικά επί της ιδιοκτησίας μέτρα ώστε να διασφαλίζεται η αποτελεσματική εφαρμογή τόσο του συνταγματικού στόχου για προστασία του περιβάλλοντος όσο και του συνταγματικώς κατοχυρωμένου δικαιώματος της ιδιοκτησίας. Η ανάλυση πραγματοποιείται υπό το πρίσμα του ουσιαστικού περιεχομένου της ιδιοκτησίας, με σκοπό τη διατύπωση βέλτιστων κριτηρίων για τη διάκριση μεταξύ των περιορισμών που πρέπει να γίνονται ανεκτοί από τον πολίτη χωρίς αποζημίωση και των περιορισμών που έχουν ως αποτέλεσμα την ουσιώδη στέρηση της χρήσης της ιδιοκτησίας και ως εκ τούτου πρέπει να αποζημιώνονται. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό παρουσιάζεται ο θεωρητικός προβληματισμός για τον προορισμό και το περιεχόμενο της ιδιοκτησίας, ιδίως ως προς τα δικαιώματα χρήσης και δόμησης, και αναλύεται το νόημα και ο σκοπός της αποζημίωσης. Επίσης αναλύεται και αξιολογείται το θεσμικό πλαίσιο που επιτρέπει και δικαιολογεί την επιβολή περιορισμών στην ιδιοκτησία χάριν της προστασίας του περιβάλλοντος σε εθνικό και υπερεθνικό επίπεδο και εξετάζονται τα προβλεπόμενα αποζημιωτικά μέτρα και οι διοικητικές διαδικασίες για τη διεκδίκηση αποζημίωσης. Τέλος, παρουσιάζονται και συναξιολογούνται τα πλούσια πορίσματα της νομολογίας εθνικών και αλλοδαπών δικαστηρίων, καθώς και του Ευρωπαϊκού Δικαστηρίου των Δικαιωμάτων του Ανθρώπου.
Η εξέλιξη των οικισμών της Λέσβου το 2ο μισό του 20ου αιώνα
Authors: Τάταρης Γεώργιος
Published: March 2022

Σκοπός της διδακτορικής αυτής εργασίας είναι να μελετήσει την εξέλιξη των οικισμών, με πληθυσμό μικρότερο από 2000 κατοίκους, στο νησί της Λέσβου, που αποτελεί τη περιοχή μελέτης, το 2ο μισό του 20ου αιώνα. Η σύγκριση αυτή πραγματοποιείται με βάση τρεις χρονικές στιγμές (1960, 1988, 1998) των ορίων των οικισμών με πληθυσμό μικρότερο από 2000 κατοίκους, λαμβάνοντας υπόψιν της αεροφωτογραφίες της ΓΥΣ του 1960, τα όρια που θεσπίστηκαν στους οικισμούς αυτούς με το Π.Δ. 24-4/3-5-1984 Δ΄ και τους ορθοφωτοχάρτες του Ο.Κ.Χ.Ε. του 1998. Οι περισσότεροι από τους οικισμούς αυτούς προϋπήρχαν του 1923 και ο καθορισμός των ορίων τους αποτελεί σημαντικό στοιχείο για την ανάπτυξη και την εξέλιξή τους. Για την επίτευξη του στόχου αυτού χρησιμοποιήθηκαν εργαλεία και τεχνικές ΣΓΠ και Γεωπληροφορικής και αναλύεται λεπτομερώς ο τρόπος με τον οποίο χρησιμοποιήθηκαν, για να αναπτυχθεί η μεθοδολογία με την οποία προσεγγίστηκαν τα ερωτήματα που ετέθησαν. Για την απάντηση των ερωτημάτων δημιουργήθηκαν διανυσματικά αρχεία των ορίων σε κάθε χρονική στιγμή, βάσεις γεωγραφικών δεδομένων, συγκριτικοί πίνακες, αλλά και χάρτες για την οπτικοποίηση των αποτελεσμάτων. Η διδακτορική μελέτη αυτή, που εισάγει καινοτόμα στοιχεία στην καταγραφή, την ανάλυση και την σύγκριση της εξέλιξης οικισμών, μπορεί να αποτελέσει βάση για τον μελλοντική σχεδιασμό της εξέλιξής τους.
Influenza Altmetric Attention Score and its association with the influenza season in the USA
Authors: AlRyalat Saif Aldeen , Al Oweidat Khaled , Al-Essa Mohammad , Ashouri Khaled , El Khatib Osama , Al-Rawashdeh Athar , Yaseen Abeer , Toumar Ahmad , Alrwashdeh Anas
Published: March 2022

Background: Altmetrics measure the impact of journal articles by tracking social media, Wikipedia, public policy documents, blogs, and mainstream news activity, after which an overall Altmetric attention score (AAS) is calculated for every journal article. In this study, we aim to assess the AAS for influenza related articles and its relation to the influenza season in the USA.

Methods: This study used the openly available Altmetric data from Altmetric.com. First, we retrieved all influenza-related articles using an advanced PubMed search query, then we inputted the resulted query into Altmetric explorer. We then calculated the average AAS for each month during the years 2012-2018.

Results: A total of 24,964 PubMed documents were extracted, among them, 12,395 documents had at least one attention. We found a significant difference in mean AAS between February and each of January and March (p< 0.001, mean difference of 117.4 and 460.7, respectively). We found a significant difference between June and each of May and July (p< 0.001, mean difference of 1221.4 and 162.7, respectively). We also found a significant difference between October and each of September and November (p< 0.001, mean difference of 88.8 and 154.8, respectively).

Conclusion: We observed a seasonal trend in the attention toward influenza-related research, with three annual peaks that correlated with the beginning, peak, and end of influenza seasons in the USA, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data.
The need to reassess single-cell RNA sequencing datasets: the importance of biological sample processing
Authors: Ascensión Alex M. , Araúzo-Bravo Marcos J. , Izeta Ander
Published: March 2022

Background: The advent of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) and additional single-cell omics technologies have provided scientists with unprecedented tools to explore biology at cellular resolution. However, reaching an appropriate number of good quality reads per cell and reasonable numbers of cells within each of the populations of interest are key to infer relevant conclusions about the underlying biology of the dataset. For these reasons, scRNAseq studies are constantly increasing the number of cells analysed and the granularity of the resultant transcriptomics analyses.

Methods: We aimed to identify previously described fibroblast subpopulations in healthy adult human skin by using the largest dataset published to date (528,253 sequenced cells) and an unsupervised population-matching algorithm.

Results: Our reanalysis of this landmark resource demonstrates that a substantial proportion of cell transcriptomic signatures may be biased by cellular stress and response to hypoxic conditions.

Conclusions: We postulate that careful design of experimental conditions is needed to avoid long processing times of biological samples. Additionally, computation of large datasets might undermine the extent of the analysis, possibly due to long processing times.
Mobile phone applications to support psychotropic tapering: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Boland Miriam , Higgins Agnes , Doherty Gavin , Sheaf Greg , Framer Adele , Cadogan Cathal
Published: March 2022

Background: In the context of a recovery-oriented approach to mental healthcare, the role of psychotropic medication over extended or indefinite periods is increasingly being called into question. To minimise the risks of withdrawal symptoms and relapse, it is crucial that service users who want to discontinue psychotropic medication are supported throughout the tapering process. However, in the absence of effective interventions and supports, service users are increasingly relying on online resources for guidance and support. To date, the evidence base for mobile phone applications (‘apps’) and app-based interventions supporting discontinuation of psychotropic use has not been examined. This scoping review aims to examine the content, underpinning evidence base and impact of available mobile phone apps and app-based interventions to support psychotropic tapering.

Methods: A scoping review will be conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute guidance and results will be reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guideline. Several electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, ACM and IEEE Xplore) will be searched from 2008 onwards. Searches of the major app stores will also be conducted, specifically Apple's App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). Following screening, key information will be extracted from the included studies and apps. Identified apps will be coded using the Behaviour Change Technique (BCT) Taxonomy. The findings will be described using narrative synthesis.

Conclusions: This scoping review will provide a broad overview of available apps to support psychotropic tapering, including a summary of their content using the BCT Taxonomy. The review findings will guide future research relating to the development, implementation and evaluation of app-based interventions to support the tapering of psychotropic medication.
Nonlinear field-control of terahertz waves in random media for spatiotemporal focusing
Authors: Cecconi Vittorio , Kumar Vivek , Pasquazi Alessia , Totero Gongora Juan Sebastian , Peccianti Marco
Published: March 2022

Controlling the transmission of broadband optical pulses in scattering media is a critical open challenge in photonics. To date, wavefront shaping techniques at optical frequencies have been successfully applied to control the spatial properties of multiple-scattered light. However, a fundamental restriction in achieving an equivalent degree of control over the temporal properties of a broadband pulse is the limited availability of experimental techniques to detect the coherent properties (i.e., the spectral amplitude and absolute phase) of the transmitted field. Terahertz experimental frameworks, on the contrary, enable measuring the field dynamics of broadband pulses at ultrafast (sub-cycle) time scales directly. In this work, we provide a theoretical/numerical demonstration that, within this context, complex scattering can be used to achieve spatio-temporal control of instantaneous fields and manipulate the temporal properties of single-cycle pulses by solely acting on spatial degrees of freedom of the illuminating field. As direct application scenarios, we demonstrate spatio-temporal focusing, chirp compensation, and control of the carrier-envelope-offset of a transform-limited THz pulse.
Platform Tokenization: Financing, Governance, and Moral Hazard
Authors: Chod Jiri , Trichakis Nikolaos , Yang S. Alex
Published: March 2022

This paper highlights two channels through which blockchain-enabled tokenization can alleviate moral hazard frictions between founders, investors, and users of a platform: token financing and decentralized governance. We consider an entrepreneur who uses outside financing and exerts private effort to build a platform and users who decide whether to join in response to the platform’s dynamic transaction fee policy. We first show that raising capital by issuing tokens rather than equity mitigates effort under-provision because the payoff to equity investors depends on profit, whereas the payoff to token investors depends on transaction volume, which is less sensitive to effort. Second, we show that decentralized governance associated with tokenization eliminates a potential holdup of platform users, which in turn alleviates the need to provide users with incentives to join, reducing the entrepreneur’s financing burden. The downside of tokenization is that it puts a cap on how much capital the entrepreneur can raise. Namely, if tokens are highly liquid, that is, they change hands many times per unit of time, their market capitalization is small relative to the net present value (NPV) of the platform profits, limiting how much money one can raise by issuing tokens rather than equity. If building the platform is expensive, this can distort the capacity investment. The resulting tradeoff between the benefits and costs of tokenization leads to several predictions regarding adoption.

This paper was accepted by Vishal Gaur, operations management.
The Effects of COVID-19 on the Adoption of “On-the-Shelf Technologies”: Virtual Dressing Room Software and the Expected Rise of Third-Party Reverse-Logistics
Authors: Heiman Amir , Reardon Thomas , Zilberman David
Published: March 2022

The fashion industry is adapting to the new situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic by changing the structure of its supply chain, much like other industries that experience exogenous shocks. The pandemic affected conditions of apparel retailers: downstream among consumers and upstream among suppliers. It induced retailers to accelerate the adoption of technologies to make their supply chains more flexible and resilient. Before COVID-19, the apparel industry had gradually adopted virtual dressing room (VDR) technologies and crowd wisdom software, both of which reduce the risk associated with online purchases. Apparel retailers also altered the structure of their supply chains by outsourcing product turns via third-party logistics providers. This article analyzes how changes in market demand and supply conditions following the outbreak of COVID-19 accelerated the adoption of VDR technologies. The analysis is based on a conceptual microeconomic model of adopting technologies and changes in the supply chain. We support our theoretical findings with business cases. Understanding the nonlinear relationships among changes in demand, supply chains, and retail technology adoption triggered by exogenous shocks is essential for managers and affects the quality of service.
Uma Prova Topológica do Teorema de Ramsey
Authors: Telles Márcio , Wallace Jefferson
Published: March 2022

Este texto apresenta uma demonstração do Teorema de Ramsey usual, usando a estrutura de um espaço topológico ultramétrico compacto, e pode ser usado como uma introdução à Teoria de Ramsey. Também fornece o contexto histórico para algumas das sutilezas de Lógica e Fundamentos envolvidas nos argumentos.
As mini-histórias enquanto possibilidade de experimentar um encontro com a arte
Authors: Heck Viviane Zimermann
Published: March 2022

O presente artigo tem como objetivo, a partir das mini-histórias, oportunizar um encontro com a Arte. Utilizarei como referencial o Prof. Dr. Paulo Fochi (2017), bem como minha experiência enquanto professora participante do OBECI (Observatório da Cultura Infantil) entre os anos de 2015 a 2018 e as ideias de Jorge Larrosa (2015) sobre a Experiência. As mini-histórias são narrativas que fazem uso da palavra e da imagem e tornam especial algo que poderia passar despercebido no cotidiano da escola da infância. Portanto, caracterizar essa documentação, bem como o seu processo de produção, permite compreender e legitimar a ação de escrever como uma maneira do professor expressar-se, de fazer do seu pensar uma forma de dizer sobre o que lhe toca, o que lhe move e como percebe sua prática junto das crianças.
Maestro Aurélio Melo: formação, mediação cultural e viagens pelo Nordeste do Brasil
Authors: Monti Ednardo Monteiro Gonzaga , Carvalho Gislene Danielle
Published: March 2022

Neste artigo, propõe-se uma discussão sobre a formação e trajetória do maestro Aurélio Melo e seus desdobramentos em ações de mediação cultural na região Nordeste do Brasil. São mobilizadas reflexões sobre mediação cultural de Gomes e Hansen (2016) e concepções de Bourdieu (1989, 2004, 2006) acerca dos capitais social, cultural e simbólico. As fontes documentais foram buscadas no acervo do Coral da Universidade Federal do Piauí e articuladas com a narrativa (auto)biográfica do sujeito protagonizado na pesquisa. Inicialmente, abordam-se o desenvolvimento musical e a trajetória do artista. Em seguida, são apresentados dois projetos liderados pelo maestro que ocorreram entre os anos 1993 e 2012, nos quais foi possível perceber algumas características da sua mediação, como a formação de plateia por meio da utilização de repertório erudito e popular.
A emergência da Escola Normal: formação de professoras e relações étnico-raciais
Authors: Santos Santos Amorim , Chaves Taylon Silva , Nascimento Sérgio Bandeira
Published: March 2022

A pesquisa analisa a emergência da Escola Normal no período de 1938 a 1960 e sua proposição para a formação de professores e as relações étnico-raciais no município de Bragança, Pará. Pauta-se na abordagem qualitativa e caracteriza-se por uma pesquisa histórica-educacional com base na Nova História. Os dados apontam a educação e a religião como pilares do processo formativo, marcado pelo processo de feminização do magistério que preparasse professoras, mas também mulheres para o cuidado do lar e dos filhos, tementes a Deus e submissas aos seus maridos. Conclui-se que a Escola Normal contribuiu para o desenvolvimento local, configurando-se como centro de formação escolar e espiritual, porém, desvencilhada da questão étnico-racial que permanecia ausente no debate político e educacional e nas propostas curriculares e formativas para a formação de professoras da Escola Normal.
Coordinating success
Authors: Foster Martin
Published: March 2022

Martin Foster discusses some risk management considerations for treatment coordinators
Delivering high quality care
Authors: Flood Lucie
Published: March 2022

Lucie Flood shares her thoughts on the importance of communication – both inside and outside the dental practice
Tooth wear: Supporting your patients
Authors: Brown Steve
Published: March 2022

Steve Brown discusses ways dental professionals can help
Standards of healthcare cleanliness under the microscope
Authors: Nixon Jenny
Published: March 2022

Jenny Nixon takes a look at the new National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2021
Comparison of conventional and through glass portable chest computed radiography: A Phantom study
Authors:   Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok Province, Thailand, Aphiwatthanasumet Kingkarn
Published: March 2022

Background: Since the outbreak of COVID-19, modified hospital unit or area for chest radiography of positive cases have become necessary. To date, relatively few studies have been investigated on the effects of portable chest radiography through glass barrier. Objectives: Our goal was to evaluate exposure technique and radiation dose between conventional and through glass portable chest computed radiography. Materials and methods: Experiments using an anthropomorphic phantom were performed for acquired portable chest PA radiography at SID 180 cm with glass door being open and closed. The EI and DI values were optimized to provide the appropriate exposure technique for glass barrier. Entrance surface air kerma and scatter survey were made to assess the radiation dose both inside and outside the room. Finally, HVL measurement of primary X-ray beam and after transmission through glass were determined. Results: Based on the fixed kVp and mAs technique, the EI value with glass barrier was less than the EI without the glass. Imaging through glass barrier showed the average EI reduction of 10.4% for Carestream and 37% for Konica. The average entrance surface air kerma reduction was 56.6% over a range of 90-120 kVp. The appropriate exposure technique for conventional portable chest PA using computed radiography was 100 kVp 2.5 mAs. With the same kVp setting, doubling the mAs is required for imaging through glass barrier to produce good diagnostic image quality (100 kVp and 4.0 mAs). The acceptable EI and DI ranges for CR used were EI=1742, DI=-0.02 (without glass) and EI=1795, DI=0.11 (with glass) for Carestream and EI=352, DI=-0.03 (without glass) and EI=373, DI=0.22 (with glass) for Konica respectively. The primary beam after transmission through the glass thickness 5 mm was 36%. The measured scatter of inside room compared to outside was very low at 1-2 meters. Increasing od HVL from 3.9 to 6.1 mm Al indicates the effect of beam hardening by glass. Conclusion: These experiments confirmed that through glass portable chest computed radiography are feasible and safe. The findings of this study have several practical implications which minimizes risk to radiographers during their work.
Pandemic, politics and people: a psychosocial analysis of the first month of COVID-19 in Denmark
Authors: Lading Åse H. , Salling Olesen Henning
Published: March 2022

Even though COVID-19 is transmitted internationally, there are very different ways of combating its threats nationally. This article is a psychoanalytically informed psychosocial analysis of how the risk of COVID-19 contagion was dealt with politically and received by the population in Denmark in the first month after it arrived in the country. The question is how the social democratic Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, at the initial press conference addressing the nation in March and April 2020, succeeded in making the population accept comprehensive restrictions in their daily lives. The article argues that an unheard of agreement between the population, government and opposition was furthered by the Prime Minister’s double communication of a horror scenario and a construction of an exclusive and containing group of ‘Danes’ and served as a means of instilling anxiety and relief from anxiety at one and the same time. Psychologically, the group as a good object offers a defence against regressive, anxiety-ridden phantasies of infection and potential death. Politically, it forms a comforting cohesion between government and ‘Danes’, emphasised by Mette Frederiksen’s invocation of a caring welfare state that is closely associated with social democratic leadership. It thus stresses the interplay of the psychological as well as political aspects of an anxiety-provoking situation. On the one hand, the situation gave rise to a citizenship-based community, acting as a political and psychological subject, but on the other hand, this political mobilisation of community spirit neglected conflicts of interests, which surfaced later.
Highly uniform parallel scribing inside transparent materials with ultrafast lasers: from 2D to 3D
Authors: Cheng Jian , Liu Songtao , Liao Jianfei , Wang Yutao , Zhai Zhongsheng , Liu Dun
Published: March 2022

Micromachining uniform features inside transparent materials is of great importance. The generation of highly uniform parallel laser beams based on spatial light modulators is a valid way to realize it. A movable magnifying optical feedback approach is proposed. By using a flip mirror and adjusting a movable stage, magnified 3D information such as energy and the position of the split individual parallel laser beams could be obtained and fed back for optimization. Thanks to this setup, active adjustment of holographic algorithm parameters for the energy uniformity and accurate temporal distribution of the parallel laser beams becomes possible. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method are then demonstrated by laser scribing inside silica glass. We pave a way for uniform 3D laser manipulation and subtle microfabrication.
QCW surface-pumped cryogenically cooled single-slab laser with 1  kW level at 946  nm
Authors: Song Ze-Xin , Wang Bao-Shan , Shen Yu , Bo Yong , Chang Jin-Quan , Chen Zhong-Zheng , Guo Ya-Ding , Yuan Lei , Lin Yan-Yong , Kou Yang , Bian Qi , Cui Da-Fu , Peng Qin-Jun
Published: March 2022

We present a kilowatt-level quasi-continuous-wave (QCW) cryogenically cooled 946-nm slab laser oscillator for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The laser system is based on a double-face-pumped large-size single-slab Nd:YAG design, delivering a record-high average power of 1.06 kW without additional amplification. This laser oscillator operates at repetition rate of 400 Hz with a pulse duration of 175 µs, resulting in a single pulse energy of 2.65 J. To the best of our knowledge, these results represent the highest output power and pulse energy for any all-solid-state 946-nm laser ever reported to date. Our scheme paves a new path for the development of the compact high-power solid-state 946-nm laser.
Transient absorption spectroscopy and imaging of redox in muscle mitochondria
Authors: Wang Erkang , Whitcomb Luke A. , Chicco Adam J. , Wilson Jesse W.
Published: March 2022

Mitochondrial redox is an important indicator of cell metabolism and
health, with implications in cancer, diabetes, aging,
neurodegenerative diseases, and mitochondrial disease. The most common
method to observe redox of individual cells and mitochondria is
through fluorescence of NADH and FAD+, endogenous cofactors
serve as electron transport inputs to the mitochondrial respiratory
chain. Yet this leaves out redox within the respiratory chain itself.
To a degree, the missing information can be filled in by exogenous
fluorophores, but at the risk of disturbed mitochondrial permeability
and respiration. Here we show that variations in respiratory chain
redox can be detected up by visible-wavelength transient absorption
microscopy (TAM). In TAM, the selection of pump and probe wavelengths
can provide multiphoton imaging contrast between non-fluorescent
molecules. Here, we applied TAM with a pump at 520nm and probe at
450nm, 490nm, and 620nm to elicit redox contrast from mitochondrial
respiratory chain hemeproteins. Experiments were performed with
reduced and oxidized preparations of isolated mitochondria and whole
muscle fibers, using mitochondrial fuels (malate, pyruvate, and
succinate) to set up physiologically relevant oxidation levels. TAM
images of muscle fibers were analyzed with multivariate curve
resolution (MCR), revealing that the response at 620nm probe provides
the best redox contrast and the most consistent response between whole
cells and isolated mitochondria.
Analyzing color imaging failure on consumer-grade cameras
Authors: Tedla SaiKiran , Wang Yunyuan , Patel Maitri , Brown Michael S.
Published: March 2022

There are many efforts to employ consumer-grade cameras for home-based health and wellness monitoring. Such applications rely on users to capture images for analysis using their personal cameras in a home environment. When color is a primary feature for diagnostic algorithms, the camera requires calibration to ensure accurate color measurements. Given the importance of these diagnostic tests for the users’ health and well-being, it is important to understand the conditions in which color calibration may fail. To this end, we analyzed a wide range of camera sensors and environmental lighting to determine (1) how often color calibration failure is likely to occur and (2) the underlying reasons for failure. Our analysis shows that it is rare to encounter a camera sensor and lighting condition combination that results in color imaging failure. Moreover, when color imaging does fail, the cause is almost always attributed to spectral poor environmental lighting and not the camera sensor. We believe this finding is useful for scientists and engineers developing color-based applications for use with consumer-grade cameras.
Design of a polarization insensitive achromatic metalens with a high NA and uniform focusing efficiency based on a double layer structure of silicon and germanium
Authors: Kim Jae Won , Kim Young-Joo
Published: March 2022

A polarization insensitive achromatic metalens (PIAML) was designed to realize a high NA of 0.5 and uniform focusing efficiency in the visible range based on a double layer structure of silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge). Due to their high refractive indices as well as the opposite characteristics of group delay in the visible wavelength, the combination of Si and Ge can contribute to the high NA and achromatic performances. In addition, an isotropic cylindrical unit cell structure was applied to confirm polarization sensitivity. From the finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulation results, it was confirmed that the designed PIAML shows good optical performance of both polarization insensitivity and achromatic performance with uniform focusing efficiency of 27% and high NA of 0.5 in the visible wavelength.
Enhancing near-field optical tweezers by spin-to-orbital angular momentum conversion
Authors: Alonso Guzmán Edgar , Arzola Alejandro V.
Published: March 2022

Near-field patterns of light provide a way to optically trap, deliver, and sort single nanoscopic particles in a wide variety of applications in nanophotonics, microbiology, and nanotechnology. Using rigorous electromagnetic theory, we investigate the forces and trapping performance of near-field optical tweezers carrying spin and orbital angular momenta. The trapping field is assumed to be generated by a total internal reflection microscope objective at a glass–water interface in conditions where most of the transmitted light is evanescent. We discover aspects of these tweezers, including the possibility to rotate and stably trap nanoscopic beads. More importantly, we show that, under near-field conditions, the contributions of spin and orbital angular momenta to the rotation of small particles are almost equivalent, opening the possibility to cancel each other when they have an opposite sign. We show that these conditions result in optimal optical trapping, giving rise to extremely effective optical tweezers for nanomanipulation, with both circular symmetry and relatively weak rotation.
Near perfect focusing through multimode fibres
Authors: Gomes André D. , Turtaev Sergey , Du Yang , Čižmár Tomáš
Published: March 2022

Holographic, multimode fibre (MMF) based endoscopes envision high-quality in-vivo imaging inside previously inaccessible structures of living organisms, amongst other perspective applications. Within these instruments, a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) is deployed in order to holographically synthesise light fields which, after traversing the multimode fibre, form foci at desired positions behind the distal fibre facet. When applied in various imaging modalities, the purity and sharpness of the achieved foci are determinant for the imaging performance. Here we present diffraction-limited foci, which contain in excess of 96% of optical power delivered by the fibre which, to the best of our knowledge, represents the highest value reported to date. Further, we quantitatively study the impact of various conditions of the experimental procedure including input polarisation settings, influence of ghost diffraction orders, light modulation regimes, bias of the calibration camera and the influence of noise.
Simultaneous contrast improvement and temporal compression using divided-pulse nonlinear compression
Authors: Jenkins G. W. , Feng C. , Bromage J.
Published: March 2022

We experimentally demonstrate how divided-pulse nonlinear compression can be used to improve the temporal contrast of a laser pulse train while simultaneously temporally compressing the pulses. We measure a contrast improvement of almost four orders of magnitude on a nanosecond time scale and temporally compress the pulses from 1.2 ps to 187 fs. The efficiency of our method is also competitive with other contrast improvement methods, with 72% efficiency measured for the main pulse. We expect the method will be useful in the continuing development of high-power, Yb regenerative amplifiers, which suffer from both significant prepulses and relatively long pulse durations.
Energy deposition and incubation effects of nonlinear absorption of ultrashort laser pulses in dielectrics
Authors: Guo Ziyue , Hu Kailin , Cao Tao , Liu Shaozhen , Yan Jikun , Li Zhou , Xu Qi , Corkum Paul B. , Peng Jiahui
Published: March 2022

Although ultrashort laser has been widely employed in micromachining thanks to its excellent processing precision, one of the main challenges it faces when applied to 3D modification inside dielectrics is its processing efficiency. Many applications require multiple pulses to achieve significant modification to create structure such as microlenses. We report incubation experiments on energy deposition and the control of material modification in fused silica. This allows us to develop a practical incubation model by taking account different ionization mechanisms, in which coefficients relating to multiphoton and avalanche ionization change with laser shots due to accumulating defects. We then extend our study to the scheme where a pre-pulse is used to limit the absorption volume through pre-seeding. Both experiments and simulations show that the efficiency of laser processing can be significantly improved without sacrificing the spatial resolution with this method, especially for longer pulses.
Nonlinear optical properties and passively Q-switched laser application of a layered molybdenum carbide at 639 nm
Authors: Liu Shande , Cui Na , Liu Sicong , Wang Peifu , Dong Lulu , Chen Bo , Zhang Ning , Zhang Ke , Wang Yonggang
Published: March 2022

Molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) exhibits enormous potential applications in various optoelectronic and photonic fields due to its remarkably electrical and optical characteristics. Here, we fabricate a high-quality Mo2C film by the radio frequency magnetron sputtering deposition method. The nonlinear optical response and ultrafast dynamics are thoroughly studied based on open-aperture Z-scan and nondegenerate pump-probe experimental measurements. The open-aperture Z-scan experimental result exhibits a modulation depth of 8.5% and a saturation fluence of 0.28 mJ/cm2. Simultaneously, the relaxation time constant is fitted by a biexponential decay function, showing an ultrafast intraband carrier recovery time of 0.58 ps at 530 nm. Consequently, by employing the Mo2C film as a saturable absorber (SA), stable Q-switched Pr:YLF laser pulses with the shortest pulse width of 160 ns are generated at 639 nm. Our experimental results demonstrate excellent nonlinear optical properties of the layered Mo2C in the visible region and will further advance their potential applications in visible nonlinear optics.