bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Van der Waals materials as dielectric layers for tailoring the near-field photonic response of surfaces
Authors: Grasseschi D. , Bahamon D. A. , Maia F. C. B. , Barcelos I. D. , Freitas R. O. , de Matos C. J. S. 
Published: December 2021

Epsilon near-zero photonics and surface polariton nanophotonics have become major fields within optics, leading to unusual and enhanced light-matter interaction. Specific dielectric responses are required in both cases, which can be achieved, e.g., via operation near a material’s electronic or phononic resonance. However, this condition restricts operation to a specific, narrow frequency range. It has been shown that using a thin dielectric layer can adjust the dielectric response of a surface and, therefore, the operating frequency for achieving specific photonic excitations. Here, we show that a surface’s optical properties can be tuned via the deposition/transference of ultra-thin layered van der Waals (vdW) crystals, the thicknesses of which can easily be adjusted to provide the desired response. In particular, we experimentally and theoretically show that the surface phonon resonance of a silica surface can be tuned by ∼50 cm−1 through the simple deposition of nanometer-thick exfoliated flakes of black phosphorus. The surface properties were probed by infrared nanospectroscopy, and results show a close agreement with the theory. The black phosphorus-silica layered structure effectively acts as a surface with a tunable effective dielectric constant that presents an infrared response dependent on the black phosphorus thickness. In contrast, with a lower dielectric constant, hexagonal boron nitride does not significantly tune the silica surface phonon polariton. Our approach also applies to epsilon near-zero surfaces, as theoretically shown, and to polaritonic surfaces operating at other optical ranges.
Large dynamic range and wideband mid-infrared upconversion detection with BaGa4Se7 crystal
Authors: Liu Pengxiang , Guo Liyuan , Qi Feng , Li Weifan , Li Wei , Fu Qiaoqiao , Yao Jiyong , Xia Mingjun , Liu Zhaoyang , Wang Yelong 
Published: December 2021

Direct detection of
mid-infrared (MIR) at room temperature commonly suffers from the high
background noise and the lack of ideal sensor material. An indirect
upconversion method based on nonlinear optics bridges the desired MIR
region to the well-developed near-infrared devices. In this paper, we
report an experimental study of 3–8 µm MIR upconversion detection with
a 1 µm laser-pumped

B
a
G

a

4

S

e

7

crystal. This detection scheme is
integrated with an optical parametric oscillator and an optical
receiver to form a coherent source and detection system that offers
high temporal (nanosecond time scale) and spectral resolution (

≤

3

c

m

−
1

). The wide response band (

>

1.4

octave) and large dynamic range (11.5
orders) of this detection scheme benefits from the superior optical
properties of this non-oxide crystal, and a minimum detectable energy
of 1.02 fJ/pulse is observed with an InGaAs p-i-n photodiode. The
upconversion technique outperforms commercial HgCdTe detectors in
terms of both sensitivity (2–4.5 orders better) and wavelength
response flatness. The aforementioned characteristics of this
integrated MIR source and detection system make it of significant
interest for applications in high-resolution gas analysis and spectral
imaging.
Nerve recovery from treatment with a vascularized nerve graft compared to an autologous non-vascularized nerve graft in animal models: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Broeren Berend O. , Duraku Liron S. , Hundepool Caroline A. , Walbeehm Erik T. , Zuidam J. Michiel , Hooijmans Carlijn R. , De Jong Tim 
Published: December 2021

Background
Treatment of nerve injuries proves to be a worldwide clinical challenge. Vascularized nerve grafts are suggested to be a promising alternative for bridging a nerve gap to the current gold standard, an autologous non-vascularized nerve graft. However, there is no adequate clinical evidence for the beneficial effect of vascularized nerve grafts and they are still disputed in clinical practice.

Objective
To systematically review whether vascularized nerve grafts give a superior nerve recovery compared to non-vascularized nerve autografts regarding histological and electrophysiological outcomes in animal models.

Material and methods
PubMed and Embase were systematically searched. The inclusion criteria were as follows: 1) the study was an original full paper which presented unique data; 2) a clear comparison between a vascularized and a non-vascularized autologous nerve transfer was made; 3) the population study were animals of all genders and ages. A standardized mean difference and 95% confidence intervals for each comparison was calculated to estimate the overall effect. Subgroup analyses were conducted on graft length, species and time frames.

Results
Fourteen articles were included in this review and all were included in the meta-analyses. A vascularized nerve graft resulted in a significantly larger diameter, higher nerve conduction velocity and axonal count compared to an autologous non-vascularized nerve graft. However, during sensitivity analysis the effect on axonal count disappeared. No significant difference was observed in muscle weight.

Conclusion
Treating a nerve gap with a vascularized graft results in superior nerve recovery compared to non-vascularized nerve autografts in terms of axon count, diameter and nerve conduction velocity. No difference in muscle weight was seen. However, this conclusion needs to be taken with some caution due to the inherent limitations of this meta-analysis. We recommend future studies to be performed under conditions more closely resembling human circumstances and to use long nerve defects.
Investigating the risk factors for seroprevalence and the correlation between CD4+ T-cell count and humoral antibody responses to Toxoplasma gondii infection amongst HIV patients in the Bamenda Health District, Cameroon
Authors: Fang Eugene Enah , Nyasa Raymond Babila , Ndi Emmanuel Menang , Zofou Denis , Kwenti Tebit Emmanuel , Lepezeu Edith Pafoule , Titanji Vincent P. K. , N. Ndip Roland 
Published: December 2021

Background
Toxoplasmosis is caused by an obligate intracellular tissue protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii that infect humans and other warm-blooded animals. Transmission to humans is by eating raw or inadequately cooked infected meat or through ingestion of oocysts that cats have passed in faeces. Studies have shown life-threatening and substantial neurologic damage in immunocompromised patients; however, 80% of humans remain asymptomatic. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in HIV positive patients and the risk factors associated with the infection, and to investigate the correlation between CD4+ T-cell count and toxoplasma specific antibodies as possible predictors of each other amongst HIV patients in the Bamenda Health District of the North West Region of Cameroon.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted, in which 325 HIV patients were recruited for administration of questionnaire, serological diagnosis of T. gondii and measurement of CD4+ T-cell count. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with T. gondii infection while the linear regression was used to investigate the relationship between CD4+ T-cell count and antibody levels against T. gondii.

Results
The findings showed that, majority (45.8%) of HIV patients suffered from chronic (IgG antibody) infection, and 6.5% from acute (IgM and IgM/IgG antibody) toxoplasma infection. The overall sero-prevalence of T. gondii infection amongst HIV patients was 50.5%. On the whole, 43 men (45.7%) and 127 women (55%) presented with anti- T. gondii antibodies; however, there was no significant difference amongst males and females who were positive to T. gondii infection (p = 0.131). Marital status (p = 0.0003), contact with garden soil (p = 0.0062), and garden ownership (p = 0.009), were factors that showed significant association with T. gondii infection. There was no significant difference (p = 0.909) between the mean CD4+ T-cell count of HIV patients negative for toxoplasma infection (502.7 cells/mL), chronically infected with T. gondii (517.7 cells/mL) and acutely infected with T. gondii (513.1 cells/mL). CD4+ T-cell count was neither a predictor of IgM antibody titer (r = 0.193, p = 0.401), nor IgG antibody titer (r = 0.149, p = 0.519) amongst HIV patients acutely infected with T. gondii.

Conclusion
The findings from this study underscore the need to implement preventive and control measures to fight against T. gondii infection amongst HIV patients in the Bamenda Health District.
Epidemiology of clubfoot in Sweden from 2016 to 2019: A national register study
Authors: Esbjörnsson Anna-Clara , Johansson Arne , Andriesse Hanneke , Wallander Henrik 
Published: December 2021

Background
This study aimed to estimate the birth prevalence of children born with isolated or non-isolated clubfoot in Sweden using a national clubfoot register. Secondarily we aimed to describe the clubfoot population with respect to sex, laterality, severity of deformity, comorbidity and geographic location.

Methods
A national register, the Swedish Pediatric Orthopedic Quality register, was used to extract data on newborn children with clubfoot. To calculate the birth prevalence of children with isolated or non-isolated clubfoot between 1st of January 2016 and 31st of December 2019, we used official reports of the total number of Swedish live births from the Swedish Board of Statistics. The Pirani score and predefined signs of atypical clubfoot were used to classify clubfoot severity at birth.

Results
In total 612 children with clubfoot were identified. Of these, 564 were children with isolated clubfoot, generating a birth prevalence of 1.24/1000 live births (95% confidence interval 1.15–1.35). About 8% were children with non-isolated clubfoot, increasing the birth prevalence to 1.35/1000 live births (95% confidence interval 1.25–1.46). Of the children with isolated clubfoot, 74% were boys and 47% had bilateral involvement. The children with non-isolated clubfoot had more severe foot deformities at birth and a greater proportion of clubfeet with atypical signs compared with children with isolated clubfoot.

Conclusion
We have established the birth prevalence of children born with isolated or non-isolated clubfoot in Sweden based on data from a national register. Moreover, we have estimated the number of children born with atypical clubfeet in instances of both isolated and non-isolated clubfoot. These numbers may serve as a baseline for expected birth prevalence when planning clubfoot treatment and when evaluating time trends of children born with clubfoot.
Influence of polyvascular disease on clinical outcome in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation via transfemoral access
Authors: Yamawaki Masahiro , Honda Yosuke , Makino Kenji , Nakano Takahide , Iida Yasunori , Yashima Fumiaki , Ueno Hiroshi , Mizutani Kazuki , Tabata Minoru , Tada Norio , Takagi Kensuke , Yamanaka Futoshi , Naganuma Toru , Watanabe Yusuke , Yamamoto Masanori , Shirai Shinichi , Hayashida Kentaro ,   on behalf of OCEAN-TAVI registry
Published: December 2021

Background
The influence of polyvascular disease (PVD) on the short- and long-term clinical outcomes of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation via trans-femoral access (TF-TAVI) has not been fully elucidated.

Methods
A total of 2167 patients from the Optimized CathEter vAlvular iNtervention-TAVI (OCEAN-TAVI) registry who underwent TF-TAVI was studied. PVD was defined as the presence of at least two of the following vascular bed (VB) diseases: concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebrovascular disease (CVD), and peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Results
Patients with PVD (288 patients, 13.3%) had a higher incidence of in-hospital complications, such as AKI (16.3% vs. 7.0%, p<0.01) and disabling stroke (3.5% vs. 1.2%, p<0.01) than patients without PVD. These complications caused higher rates of procedural mortality (4.5% vs. 2.0%, p<0.01). PVD increased the risk of the 2-year rate of cardiovascular death (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–2.50; p<0.05); however, non-cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke was not associated with PVD. Worsening heart failure (4.6% vs. 1.1%, p<0.01) was the main cause of cardiovascular death among patients with PVD. In a sub-analysis, compared with patients with AS alone, those with 2 VB diseases (CAD+PAD; adjusted HR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.06–3.53; p<0.05) and 3 VB diseases (CAD+CVD+PAD; adjusted HR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.21–5.62; p<0.05) had a higher risk of 2-year cardiovascular death.

Conclusions
The increased prevalence of concomitant atherosclerotic VB diseases before TF-TAVI may increase the rates of in-hospital complications and 2-year cardiovascular death. Given the higher rate of mortality in patients with PVD undergoing TF-TAVI, future studies focusing on medical therapy are needed to reduce long-term cardiovascular events in this high-risk subset.
Effect of HIV status and retinol on immunogenicity to oral cholera vaccine in adult population living in an endemic area of Lukanga Swamps, Zambia
Authors: Luchen Charlie Chaluma , Mwaba John , Ng’ombe Harriet , Alabi Peter Ibukun Oluwa , Simuyandi Michelo , Chilyabanyama Obvious N. , Hatyoka Luiza Miyanda , Mubanga Cynthia , Bosomprah Samuel , Chilengi Roma , Chisenga Cleopatra Caroline 
Published: December 2021

Background
We set out to assess the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and micronutrient deficiency as indicated by serum retinol levels on the immune responses to Oral Cholera Vaccine (Shanchol™) in a cohort of participants in Lukanga Swamps, Zambia. Cholera remains endemic in Zambia with vaccines being the only effective preventive measures. However, the effect of these vaccines on populations living with HIV has not been widely documented.

Methods
HIV testing and confirmation was done using the Alere Determine™ HIV-1/2 and Uni-Gold™ kits while vibriocidal antibody assay was applied for vaccine immunogenicity. Serum retinol analysis was assessed by Shimadzu Prominence HCT-2010 High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The primary outcome was log transformed geometric mean titre.

Results
From 47 participants screened for HIV, 51% (24) tested positive. There was a statistically significant reduction in Ogawa geometric mean ratio (GMR) by 67% (GMR = 0.33; 95% CI: -0.15, 0.76; p-value = 0.009) attributable to HIV positivity with a non-significant reduction in Inaba GMR by about 50% due to HIV positivity. When doubling of retinol levels modelled, GMR reduction against Ogawa were non-significant but that against Inaba resulted in a significant reduction in geometric mean titer (GMT) (GMT-0.33, C.I 0.16–0.66, p-value 0.002). At 1000copies/ml viral load cut off and 350 cells/μl CD4 counts, Ogawa GMT was two times higher 11.16 (95%CI: 8.20–15.19) versus 6.06 (95%CI: 4.04–9.10) in low viremia participants, and three times higher in above threshold CD4 count participants; 24.81 (95%CI: 18.94–32.50) versus 7.07 (95%CI: 5.22–9.58).

Conclusion
Our results show that while Shanchol™ is immunogenic in both HIV+/- individuals, HIV + participants responded poorly. Viral load and CD4 count affected vaccine immunogenicity. More research is required for detailed understanding of this in order to appropriately inform policy and practice.
Magnitude and associated factors of antenatal depression among mothers attending antenatal care in Arba Minch town, Ethiopia, 2018
Authors: Beketie Eskedar Demissie , Kahsay HaileMariam Berhe , Nigussie Fiseha Girma , Tafese Wubishet Tesfaye 
Published: December 2021

Background
Depression is a common mental disorder. The burden of antenatal depression is higher in developing countries which is 20% as compared to developed ones 10% to 15%. In Ethiopia around one-fifth of pregnant mothers are depressed. Despite the severity of the problem, only a few studies have been done in Ethiopia, and there is no study done in Arba Minch on the problem.

Objective
To assess the magnitude and associated factors of antenatal depressive symptoms among pregnant women attending Public Health facilities in Arba Minch town Southern Nations and Nationalities Peoples Region, Ethiopia 2018.

Methods
Health Institution based, cross-sectional study design was used to assess the magnitude and associated factors of antenatal depression among 323 pregnant mothers who came for antenatal care follow-up in all public health facilities in Arba Minch town. The systematic random sampling technique was applied. Interviewer administered, pretested structured Questionnaire containing Edinburgh postpartum depression scale was utilized. EPI INFO was used to enter data and then the data were analyzed by logistic regression using SPSS. Variables with P-value less than 0.2 in the bivariate logistic regression were inserted in for multivariable analysis to see their independent effect and those with P-value less than 0.05 were used to determine the significant association between dependent and independent variables.

Result
The magnitude of antenatal depression was 35.4%. Variables that were significantly associated with antenatal depression on multivariate analysis were anxiety (AOR = 5.49, 95%CI: 2.56, 11.77), un-planned pregnancy (AOR = 2.71, 95%CI: 1.21, 6.07), and Primigravida (AOR = 2.96, 95%CI: 1.28, 6.8). Similarly, uneducated mothers and those who attend only elementary school had AOR 4.92, 95% CI 1.36,17.73 and AOR 4.04955CI 1.23, 13.39 respectively.

Conclusion
The magnitude of antenatal depression, intimate partner violence, and threatening life event in Arba Minch town was high. Anxiety, unplanned pregnancy, educational status, and Primigravida were significantly associated factors with depression. There should be a mechanism for routine screening and management of antenatal depression and intimate partner violence during antenatal care follow-up.
Malaria infection and anemia status in under-five children from Southern Tanzania where seasonal malaria chemoprevention is being implemented
Authors: Mwaiswelo Richard O. , Mmbando Bruno P. , Chacky Frank , Molteni Fabrizio , Mohamed Ally , Lazaro Samwel , Mkalla Sylvia F. , Samuel Bushukatale , Ngasala Billy 
Published: December 2021

Background
Malaria and anemia remain major public health challenges in Tanzania. Household socioeconomic factors are known to influence these conditions. However, it is not clear how these factors influence malaria transmission and anemia in Masasi and Nanyumbu Districts. This study presents findings on malaria and anemia situation in under-five children and its influencing socioeconomic factors in Masasi and Nanyumbu Districts, surveyed as part of an ongoing seasonal malaria chemoprevention operational study.

Methods
A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between August and September 2020. Finger-prick blood samples collected from children aged 3–59 months were used to test for malaria infection using malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT), thick smears for determination of asexual and sexual parasitemia, and thin smear for parasite speciation. Hemoglobin concentration was measured using a HemoCue spectrophotometer. A structured questionnaire was used to collect household socioeconomic information from parents/caregivers of screened children. The prevalence of malaria was the primary outcome. Chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regression models were used appropriately.

Results
Overall mRDT-based malaria prevalence was 15.9% (373/2340), and was significantly higher in Nanyumbu (23.7% (167/705) than Masasi District (12.6% (206/1635), p<0.001. Location (Nanyumbu), no formal education, household number of people, household number of under-fives, not having a bed net, thatched roof, open/partially open eave, sand/soil floor, and low socioeconomic status were major risks for malaria infection. Some 53.9% (1196/2218) children had anemia, and the majority were in Nanyumbu (63.5% (458/705), p<0.001. Location (Nanyumbu), mRDT positive, not owning a bed net, not sleeping under bed net, open/partially open eave, thatched window, sex of the child, and age of the child were major risk factors for anemia.

Conclusion
Prevalence of malaria and anemia was high and was strongly associated with household socioeconomic factors. Improving household socioeconomic status is expected to reduce the prevalence of the conditions in the area.
The association between socioeconomic disadvantage and children’s working memory abilities: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mooney Kate E. , Prady Stephanie L. , Barker Mary M. , Pickett Kate E. , Waterman Amanda H. 
Published: December 2021

Background and objectiveWorking memory is an essential cognitive skill for storing and processing limited amounts of information over short time periods. Researchers disagree about the extent to which socioeconomic position affects children’s working memory, yet no study has systematically synthesised the literature regarding this topic. The current review therefore aimed to investigate the relationship between socioeconomic position and working memory in children, regarding both the magnitude and the variability of the association.MethodsThe review protocol was registered on PROSPERO and the PRISMA checklist was followed. Embase, Psycinfo and MEDLINE were comprehensively searched via Ovid from database inception until 3rdJune 2021. Studies were screened by two reviewers at all stages. Studies were eligible if they included typically developing children aged 0–18 years old, with a quantitative association reported between any indicator of socioeconomic position and children’s working memory task performance. Studies were synthesised using two data-synthesis methods: random effects meta-analyses and a Harvest plot.Key findingsThe systematic review included 64 eligible studies with 37,737 individual children (aged 2 months to 18 years). Meta-analyses of 36 of these studies indicated that socioeconomic disadvantage was associated with significantly lower scores working memory measures; a finding that held across different working memory tasks, including those that predominantly tap into storage (d= 0.45; 95% CI 0.27 to 0.62) as well as those that require processing of information (d= 0.52; 0.31 to 0.72). A Harvest plot of 28 studies ineligible for meta-analyses further confirmed these findings. Finally, meta-regression analyses revealed that the association between socioeconomic position and working memory was not moderated by task modality, risk of bias, socioeconomic indicator, mean age in years, or the type of effect size.ConclusionThis is the first systematic review to investigate the association between socioeconomic position and working memory in children. Socioeconomic disadvantage was associated with lower working memory ability in children, and that this association was similar across different working memory tasks. Given the strong association between working memory, learning, and academic attainment, there is a clear need to share these findings with practitioners working with children, and investigate ways to support children with difficulties in working memory.