bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High-performance phoxonic cavity designs for enhanced acousto-optical interaction
Authors: Aly Arafa H. , Shaban Samar M. , Mehaney Ahmed 
Published: March 2021

Effective confinement of light and sound is achieved through a one-dimensional phoxonic crystal (PxC) cavity. In particular, co-localization of gigahertz phonons and infrared photons in a cavity created by introducing a defect inside a multilayer PxC has been performed. The incident elastic waves can control the refractive index variation of the dual phononic–photonic cavity layer. We also studied the acousto-optic (AO) effect in four AO materials, each located in the cavity layer between two identical Bragg mirrors. The cavities are designed to have high-quality factors for both photon and phonon resonances, which are proportional to their lifetime and allow for a much stronger photon–phonon interaction. The AO effect causes a shift in the optical mode of the photonic band gap. The values of the refractive index of the AO cavities layer are estimated as a function of time based on the elastic strain perturbation using the relevant photo-elastic relations. The phoxonic band gaps and transmission spectra for both unperturbed and elastically perturbed PxC structures are derived depending on the transfer matrix method. In our results, the selected AO cavity of

P
b
M
o

O

4

provided the strongest AO coupling, in which the maximum wavelength shift of the resonant photonic modes reached 113.3 nm. In addition, 11.9 nm is the maximum displacement amplitude of the confinement elastic wave of the same nanocavity. The

T
e

O

2

cavity provided the highest Q values for both photonic and phononic modes of 7093 and 175, respectively. We think this research could open the way to study the properties of linear elastic materials to design extremely miniaturized AO devices.
Early warning of hand, foot, and mouth disease transmission: A modeling study in mainland, China
Authors: Rui Jia , Luo Kaiwei , Chen Qiuping , Zhang Dexing , Zhao Qinglong , Zhang Yanhong , Zhai Xiongjie , Zhao Zeyu , Zhang Siyu , Liao Yuxue , Hu Shixiong , Gao Lidong , Lei Zhao , Wang Mingzhai , Wang Yao , Liu Xingchun , Yu Shanshan , Xie Fang , Li Jia , Liu Ruoyun , Chiang Yi-Chen , Zhao Benhua , Su Yanhua , Zhang Xu-Sheng , Chen Tianmu 
Published: March 2021

BackgroundHand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a global infectious disease; particularly, it has a high disease burden in China. This study was aimed to explore the temporal and spatial distribution of the disease by analyzing its epidemiological characteristics, and to calculate the early warning signals of HFMD by using a logistic differential equation (LDE) model.MethodsThis study included datasets of HFMD cases reported in seven regions in Mainland China. The early warning time (week) was calculated using the LDE model with the key parameters estimated by fitting with the data. Two key time points, “epidemic acceleration week (EAW)” and “recommended warning week (RWW)”, were calculated to show the early warning time.ResultsThe mean annual incidence of HFMD cases per 100,000 per year was 218, 360, 223, 124, and 359 in Hunan Province, Shenzhen City, Xiamen City, Chuxiong Prefecture, Yunxiao County across the southern regions, respectively and 60 and 34 in Jilin Province and Longde County across the northern regions, respectively. The LDE model fitted well with the reported data (R2> 0.65,P< 0.001). Distinct temporal patterns were found across geographical regions: two early warning signals emerged in spring and autumn every year across southern regions while one early warning signals in summer every year across northern regions.ConclusionsThe disease burden of HFMD in China is still high, with more cases occurring in the southern regions. The early warning of HFMD across the seven regions is heterogeneous. In the northern regions, it has a high incidence during summer and peaks in June every year; in the southern regions, it has two waves every year with the first wave during spring spreading faster than the second wave during autumn. Our findings can help predict and prepare for active periods of HFMD.
Continued proportional age shift of confirmed positive COVID-19 incidence over time to children and young adults: Washington State March—August 2020
Authors: Malmgren Judith , Guo Boya , Kaplan Henry G. 
Published: March 2021

Background
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic passed initial infection peak in Washington State, phased re-opening lifted stay-at-home orders and restrictions leading to increased non-essential work, social activities and gathering, especially among younger persons.

Methods
A longitudinal cohort analysis of Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 confirmed case age distribution 1) March-April 2020 (N = 13,934) and 2) March-August 2020 (N = 76,032) for proportional change over time using chi square tests for significance.

Results
From March 1st to April 19, 2020 COVID-19 age distribution shifted with a 10% decline in cases age 60 years and older and a 20% increase in age 0-19/20-39 years (chi-square = 223.10, p < .001). Number of cases over the initial analysis period were 0–19 years n = 515, 20–39 years n = 4078, 40–59 years n = 4788, 60–79 years n = 3221, 80+ years n = 1332. After the peak (March 22, 2020), incidence declined in older age groups and increased among age 0–19 and 20–39 age groups from 20% to 40% of total cases by April 19 and 50% by May 3. During this time testing expanded with more testing among older age groups and less testing among younger age groups while case positivity shifted young. Percent positive cases age 0-19/20-39 years through August 2020 increased to a consistent average of 60% [age 0–19 increased to 19% (N = 10257), age 20–39 increased to 42% (N = 30215)].

Conclusions
An increased sustained proportion of COVID-19 incidence is present among children (age 0–19) and young adults (age 20–39) indicating an elevated role in disease spread during the epidemic creating a possible reservoir of disease with spillover risk to more vulnerable older persons and those with comorbid conditions. Media savvy age-appropriate messaging to enhance mitigation compliance among less vulnerable, more mobile and lower priority vaccination age groups will be a continued necessity and priority to reduce overall population incidence.
Seasonality, climate change, and food security during pregnancy among Indigenous and non-Indigenous women in rural Uganda: Implications for maternal-infant health
Authors: Bryson Julia M. , Patterson Kaitlin , Berrang-Ford Lea , Lwasa Shuaib , Namanya Didacus B. , Twesigomwe Sabastian , Kesande Charity , Ford James D. ,   Indigenous Health Adaptation to Climate Change Research Team, Harper Sherilee L. 
Published: March 2021

Background
Climate change is expected to decrease food security globally. Many Indigenous communities have heightened sensitivity to climate change and food insecurity for multifactorial reasons including close relationships with the local environment and socioeconomic inequities which increase exposures and challenge adaptation to climate change. Pregnant women have additional sensitivity to food insecurity, as antenatal undernutrition is linked with poor maternal-infant health. This study examined pathways through which climate change influenced food security during pregnancy among Indigenous and non-Indigenous women in rural Uganda. Specific objectives were to characterize: 1) sensitivities to climate-associated declines in food security for pregnant Indigenous women; 2) women’s perceptions of climate impacts on food security during pregnancy; and 3) changes in food security and maternal-infant health over time, as observed by women.

Methods
Using a community-based research approach, we conducted eight focus group discussions—four in Indigenous Batwa communities and four in non-Indigenous communities—in Kanungu District, Uganda, on the subject of climate and food security during pregnancy. Thirty-six women with ≥1 pregnancy participated. Data were analysed using a constant comparative method and thematic analysis.

Results
Women indicated that food insecurity was common during pregnancy and had a bidirectional relationship with antenatal health issues. Food security was thought to be decreasing due to weather changes including extended droughts and unpredictable seasons harming agriculture. Women linked food insecurity with declines in maternal-infant health over time, despite improved antenatal healthcare. While all communities described food security struggles, the challenges Indigenous women identified and described were more severe.

Conclusions
Programs promoting women’s adaptive capacity to climate change are required to improve food security for pregnant women and maternal-infant health. These interventions are particularly needed in Indigenous communities, which often face underlying health inequities. However, resiliency among mothers was strong and, with supports, they can reduce food security challenges in a changing climate.
Patient feedback surveys among pregnant women in Eswatini to improve antenatal care retention
Authors: Teasdale Chloe A. , Geller Amanda , Shongwe Siphesihle , Mafukidze Arnold , Choy Michelle , Magaula Bhekinkhosi , Yuengling Katharine , King Katherine , De Gusmao Eduarda Pimentel , Ryan Caroline , Ao Trong , Callahan Tegan , Modi Surbhi , Abrams Elaine J. 
Published: March 2021

Background
Uptake and retention in antenatal care (ANC) is critical for preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes for both mothers and infants.

Methods
We implemented a rapid quality improvement project to improve ANC retention at seven health facilities in Eswatini (October-December 2017). All pregnant women attending ANC visits were eligible to participate in anonymous tablet-based audio assisted computer self-interview (ACASI) surveys. The 24-question survey asked about women’s interactions with health facility staff (HFS) (nurses, mentor mothers, receptionists and lab workers) with a three-level symbolic response options (agree/happy, neutral, disagree/sad). Women were asked to self-report HIV status. Survey results were shared with HFS at monthly quality improvement sessions. Chi-square tests were used to assess differences in responses between months one and three, and between HIV-positive and negative women. Routine medical record data were used to compare retention among pregnant women newly enrolled in ANC two periods, January-February 2017 (‘pre-period’) and January-February 2018 (‘post-period’) at two of the participating health facilities. Proportions of women retained at 3 and 6 months were compared using Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel and Wilcoxon tests.

Results
A total of 1,483 surveys were completed by pregnant women attending ANC, of whom 508 (34.3%) self-reported to be HIV-positive. The only significant change in responses from month one to three was whether nurses listened with agreement increasing from 88.3% to 94.8% (p<0.01). Overall, WLHIV had significantly higher proportions of reported satisfaction with HFS interactions compared to HIV-negative women. A total of 680 pregnant women were included in the retention analysis; 454 (66.8%) HIV-negative and 226 (33.2%) WLHIV. In the pre- and post-periods, 59.4% and 64.6%, respectively, attended at least four ANC visits (p = 0.16). The proportion of women retained at six months increased from 60.9% in the pre-period to 72.7% in the post-period (p = 0.03). For HIV-negative women, pre- and post-period six-month retention significantly increased from 56.6% to 71.6% (p = 0.02); however, the increase in WLHIV retained at six months from 70.7% (pre-period) to 75.0% (post-period) was not statistically significant (p = 0.64).

Conclusion
The type of rapid quality improvement intervention we implemented may be useful in improving patient-provider relationships although whether it can improve retention remains unclear.
Carbon nanotubes-based sensor for ammonia gas detection – an overview
Authors: Norizan M.N. , Siti Zulaikha N.D. , Norhana A.B. , Syakir M.I. , Norli A. 
Published: March 2021

A sensitive, selective and reliable sensing techniques for ammonia (NH3) gas detection have been highly demanded since NH3 is both a commonly utilized gas in various industrial sectors, and considered as a toxic and caustic agent that can threat human health and environment at a certain level of concentrations. In this article, a brief on the fundamental working principles of sensor specifications of the analytes detection techniques relying has been reviewed. Furthermore, the mechanism of NH3 detection and recent progress in the development of advanced carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-based NH3 gas sensors, and their performance towards the hybridization with the conductive polymers wascomprehensively reviewed and summarized. Finally, the future outlook for the development of highperformanceNH3 sensors was presented in the conclusions part.
Wprowadzenie
Authors: Churski Paweł 
Published: March 2021

Przedstawiamy Państwu numer 52 czasopisma „Rozwój Regionalny i Polityka Regionalna” przygotowywanego przez Wydział Geografii Społeczno-Ekonomicznej i Gospodarki Przestrzennej Uniwersytetu im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu. Stanowi on czwarty zeszyt serii poświęconej wyzwaniom rozwojowym naszego regionu. Dostrzegając niedostatek aktualnych opracowań dotyczących problemów społecznych i ekonomicznych Wielkopolski, Redakcja, przy aprobacie wówczas Rady Instytutu Geografii Społeczno-Ekonomicznej i Gospodarki Przestrzennej Uniwersytetu im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu, postanowiła, że począwszy od 2016 r. każdy czwarty w danym roku zeszyt naszego czasopisma będzie miał charakter tomu zbierającego wyniki badań regionalnych odnoszących się do naszego województwa. Zakładamy, że podjęta inicjatywa przyczyni się do powstania cennego poznawczo zbioru wyników analiz, których zakres przestrzenny będzie dotyczył województwa wielkopolskiego. W numerze tym zebraliśmy aż 15 artykułów, których problematyka obejmuje zróżnicowanie przestrzenne rozwoju społeczno-gospodarczego Wielkopolski, zagadnienia osadnicze i demograficzne regionu, czynniki lokalizacji działalności przemysłowej, zróżnicowanie działalności rolniczej, wyzwania środowiskowe oraz możliwości wykorzystania turystycznego zasobów środowiskowych i kulturowych województwa.
miR-299-3p suppresses cell progression and induces apoptosis by downregulating PAX3 in gastric cancer
Authors: Wang Zhenfen , Liu Qing , Huang Ping , Cai Guohao 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is ranked the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death, with an over 75% mortality rate worldwide. In recent years, miR-299-3p has been identified as a biomarker in multiple cancers, such as acute promyelocytic leukemia, thyroid cancer, and lung cancer. However, the regulatory mechanism of miR-299-3p in GC cell progression is still largely unclear. Cell viability and apoptosis tests were performed by CCK8 and flow cytometry assay, respectively. Transwell assay was recruited to examine cell invasion ability. The interaction between miR-299-3p and PAX3 was determined by the luciferase reporter system. PAX3 protein level was evaluated by western blot assay. The expression of miR-299-3p was downregulated in GC tissues and cell lines (MKN-45, AGS, and MGC-803) compared with the normal tissues and cells. Besides, overexpression of miR-299-3p significantly suppressed proliferation and invasion and promoted apoptosis in GC. Next, we clarified that PAX3 expression was regulated by miR-299-3p using a luciferase reporter system, qRT-PCR, and western blot assay. Additionally, downregulation of PAX3 repressed GC cell progression. The rescue experiments indicated that restoration of PAX3 inversed miR-299-3p-mediated inhibition on cell proliferation and invasion. miR-299-3p suppresses cell proliferation and invasion as well as induces apoptosis by regulating PAX3 expression in GC, representing desirable biomarkers for GC diagnosis and therapy.
Investigation of bioactivities of Taxus chinensis, Taxus cuspidata, and Taxus × media by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Shuqiang , Lu Xueyan , Zheng Tianyao , Guo Xiaorui , Chen Qi , Tang Zhonghua 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Taxus species have attracted much attention for their potency in cancer treatment. However, investigating the bioactivities of Taxus species is a complex task, due to their diversity, slow growth, and endangered state. The most important Taxus species in China are Taxus chinensis (T. chinensis), Taxus cuspidata (T. cuspidata), and Taxus × media (T. media), which mainly grow in the northeastern region. This article probes deep into the differences among the leaves of T. chinensis, T. cuspidata, and T. media, with the aid of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Through GC-MS, 162 compounds were detected in the samples and found to contain 35 bioactive metabolites. On this basis, 20 metabolites with significant bioactivities (antibiotic, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiaging effects) were identified via unsupervised learning of principal component analysis and supervised learning of partial least squares-discriminant analysis. The results show that T. media has the most prominent antibiotic, antioxidant, and anticancer effects, while T. cuspidata has the most diverse and abundant metabolites that slow down aging.
Biological variation of serum neurofilament light chain
Authors: Hviid Claus Vinter Bødker , Madsen Anne Tranberg , Winther-Larsen Anne 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Objectives
The neurofilament light chain (NfL) has emerged as a versatile biomarker for CNS-diseases and is approaching clinical use. The observed changes in NfL levels are frequently of limited magnitude and in order to make clinical decisions based on NfL measurements, it is essential that biological variation is not confused with clinically relevant changes. The present study was designed to evaluate the biological variation of serum NfL.

Methods
Apparently healthy individuals (n=33) were submitted to blood draws for three days in a row. On the second day, blood draws were performed every third hour for 12 h. NfL was quantified in serum using the Simoa™ HD-1 platform. The within-subject variation (CVI) and between-subject variation (CVG) were calculated using linear mixed-effects models.

Results
The overall median value of NfL was 6.3 pg/mL (range 2.1–19.1). The CVI was 3.1% and the CVG was 35.6%. An increase in two serial measurements had to exceed 24.3% to be classified as significant at the 95% confidence level. Serum NfL levels remained stable during the day (p=0.40), whereas a minute variation (6.0–6.6 pg/mL) was observed from day-to-day (p=0.02).

Conclusions
Serum NfL is subject to tight homeostatic regulation with none or neglectable semidiurnal and day-to-day variation, but considerable between-subject variation exists. This emphasizes serum NfL as a well-suited biomarker for disease monitoring, but warrants caution when interpreting NfL levels in relation to reference intervals in a diagnosis setting. Furthermore, NfL’s tight regulation requires that the analytical variation is kept at a minimum.
A novel method for determining the feasible integral self-stress states for tensegrity structures
Authors: Fraddosio Aguinaldo , Pavone Gaetano , Piccioni Mario Daniele 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The form-finding analysis is a crucial step for determining the stable self-equilibrated states for tensegrity structures, in the absence of external loads. This form-finding problem leads to the evaluation of both the self-stress in the elements and the shape of the tensegrity structure. This paper presents a novel method for determining feasible integral self-stress states for tensegrity structures, that is self-equilibrated states consistent with the unilateral behaviour of the elements, struts in compression and cables in tension, and with the symmetry properties of the structure. In particular, once defined the connectivity between the elements and the nodal coordinates, the feasible self-stress states are determined by suitably investigating the Distributed Static Indeterminacy (DSI). The proposed method allows for obtaining feasible integral self-stress solutions by a unique Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) of the equilibrium matrix, whereas other approaches in the literature require two SVD. Moreover, the proposed approach allows for effectively determining the Force Denstiy matrix, whose properties are strictly related to the super-stability of the tensegrity structures. Three tensegrity structures were studied in order to assess and discuss the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed innovative method.
Floating-bending tensile-integrity structures
Authors: Palmieri Micol , Giannetti Ilaria , Micheletti Andrea 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This is a conceptual work about the form-finding of a hybrid tensegrity structure. The structure was obtained from the combination of arch-supported membrane systems and diamond-type tensegrity systems. By combining these two types of structures, the resulting system features the “tensile-integrity” property of cables and membrane together with what we call “floating-bending” of the arches, a term which is intended to recall the words “floating-compression” introduced by Kenneth Snelson, the father of tensegrities. Two approaches in the form-finding calculations were followed, the Matlab implementation of a simple model comprising standard constant-stress membrane/cable elements together with the so-called stick-and-spring elements for the arches, and the analysis with the commercial software WinTess, used in conjunction with Rhino and Grasshopper. The case study of a T3 floating-bending tensile-integrity structure was explored, a structure that features a much larger enclosed volume in comparison to conventional tensegrity prisms. The structural design of an outdoor pavilion of 6 m in height was carried out considering ultimate and service limit states. This study shows that floating-bending structures are feasible, opening the way to the introduction of suitable analysis and optimization procedures for this type of structures.
Micro-buckling of carbon fibers in shape memory polymer composites under bending in the glass transition temperature region
Authors: Tiwari Nilesh , Shaikh AbdulHafiz A. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The influence of a wide temperature range in the glass transition region of a shape memory polymer (SMP) matrix on micro-buckling of the fiber reinforcements in shape memory polymer composites (SMPC) under large bending deformation is described. Analytical expressions to estimate the strain energy, neutral strain surface, critical buckling surface and half wavelength of the buckled fibers in the SMPC are presented based on the minimum energy method. This study considers the reinforced fibers as three-dimensional elastic bodies and the matrix as a temperature stimulated flat plate. A comprehensive study was performed to understand the dynamic temperature behavior of the micro-buckled fibers and corresponding results were validated by previous works in the literature. The effects of fiber volume fraction and thickness of the SMPC plates on the half wavelength are also discussed along with the simultaneous influence of temperature on the parameters computed in the minimum energy analysis.
Optimization of thermal energy harvesting by PZT using shape memory alloy
Authors: Mekhalfia Mohammed Lamine 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Thermal Energy harvesting intends to supply portable or wireline electrical appliances connected to a generator with the necessary power on the purpose of making them energy-independent. The implemented power values in this case are small; they range from Microwatt to Watt. This self-feeding process is an attempt to cope with the widespread energy-efficient electronic technologies of nowadays. Additionally, this study aims at recovering renewable micro-energy by means of the piezoelectric material and optimizing its efficiency by using Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs). This study sheds light upon the progress made on storage devices that are necessary to compensate for the intermittencies and the inadequacies that occur in the production and consumption of the generated electrical energy.