Broadband 2 × 2 multimode-interference coupler on the silicon-nitride platform.

In this paper, we present the design, optimization, and implementation of a sub-wavelength grating (SWG) multi-mode interference coupler (MMI) on the silicon nitride photonic integrated circuit (PIC) platform with a significantly enhanced bandwidth compared to the conventional MMI. We extend the SWG MMI theory, previously presented for the silicon-on-insulator platform, to the SiN/SiO platform. Our approach involves an initial parameter optimization for a non-paired design, followed by a shift to a paired design that offers a smaller footprint and a broader bandwidth.

Instructors' Perceptions and Experiences of Teaching Online Exercise Classes to Older Adults: A Qualitative Study.

Online exercise programming has become increasingly popular in recent years, including for older adults. Instructors hold unique perspectives on such programming that could yield important insights for effective program design and delivery. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine instructors' perceptions and experiences teaching exercise classes online to older adults.

Fabry-Perot Bragg grating nanoresonator with ultrahigh intrinsic Q based on low-loss silicon nitride.

Photonic integrated circuits based on ultralow loss silicon nitride waveguides have shown significant promise for realizing high-performance optical systems in a compact and scalable form factor. For the first time, we have developed a Fabry-Perot Bragg grating nanoresonator based on silicon nitride on silicon dioxide platform with an ultra-high intrinsic quality factor of 19.3 million.

Homogeneity in immune features between colorectal liver metastases better identifies patients with good prognosis compared to pathological response to preoperative chemotherapy.

In colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM), the density of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, the expression of class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I), and the pathological response to preoperative chemotherapy have been associated with oncological outcomes after complete resection. However, the prognostic significance of the heterogeneity of these features in patients with multiple CRLMs remains under investigation. We used a tissue microarray of 220 mismatch repair-gene proficient CRLMs resected in 97 patients followed prospectively to quantify CD3 T cells and MHC-I by immunohistochemistry.

Wireless physical activity monitor use among adults living with HIV in a community-based exercise intervention study: a quantitative, longitudinal, observational study.

Objectives: Our aim was to examine wireless physical activity monitor (WPAM) use and its associations with contextual factors (age, highest education level, social support and mental health) among adults living with HIV engaged in a community-based exercise (CBE) intervention.

Design: Quantitative, longitudinal, observational study.

Setting: Toronto YMCA, Ontario, Canada.

Navigating a New Normal: Perceptions and Experiences of an Online Exercise Program for Older Adults During COVID-19.

Online exercise programming has surged in popularity; however, little is known about older adults' perceptions and experiences of online exercise. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine older adults' (aged 59-82 years) experiences and perceptions of an online exercise program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nineteen individuals (individuals who used the online exercise program and those who did not) completed a semistructured interview.

Design and implementation of a SiN three-stigmatic-point arrayed waveguide grating with a resolving power over 17,000.

To provide a solution to the issue of the non-flat focal surface in traditional Rowland AWGs, we have designed and implemented a SiN three-stigmatic-point arrayed waveguide grating (TSP AWG) with three inputs, and a spectral resolving power over 17,000 has been achieved experimentally. The flat focal surface of this AWG can accommodate a butt-coupled detector array positioned at the output facet without any reduction of the resolving power of the edge channels. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous to some astronomical applications which require an AWG as a light-dispersing component to obtain a complete 2D spectrum.

Online Exercise Programming Among Older Adults: A Scoping Review.

Online exercise programming may promote physical activity while at home, but little is known about its use among older adults. Using the Arksey and O'Malley framework, we describe the nature and extent of the research pertaining to the use of online exercise programming among adults 65 years of age and older. We ran two separate searches (January 2005-September 2020 and October 2020-October 2021), yielding 17 articles that met our inclusion criteria.

Anomaly detection in microservice environments using distributed tracing data analysis and NLP.

In recent years DevOps and agile approaches like microservice architectures and Continuous Integration have become extremely popular given the increasing need for flexible and scalable solutions. However, several factors such as their distribution in the network, the use of different technologies, their short life, etc. make microservices prone to the occurrence of anomalous system behaviours.

Sugar Coating: Utilisation of Host Serum Sialoglycoproteins by as a Potential Immune Evasion Mechanism.

Parasitic helminths resort to various mechanisms to evade and modulate their host's immune response, several of which have been described for . We recently reported the presence of sialic acid residues on the surface of adult extracellular vesicles (EVs). We now report that these sialylated molecules are mammalian serum proteins.

Patient-reported outcome measures of musculoskeletal symptoms and psychosocial factors in musicians: a systematic review of psychometric properties.

Purpose: To systematically review patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of musicians' musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) and psychosocial factors and their psychometric properties.

Methods: Six databases were searched. Studies evaluating at least one psychometric property of a PROM developed for or adapted to adult musicians and measuring MSS or occupational psychosocial factors were included.

Clinical Reasoning Behind Antibiotic Use in PICUs: A Qualitative Study.

Objectives: To describe the reasoning processes used by pediatric intensivists to make antibiotic-related decisions.

Design: Grounded theory qualitative study.

Setting: Three Canadian university-affiliated tertiary medical, surgical, and cardiac PICUs.

Prognostic implications of adaptive immune features in MMR-proficient colorectal liver metastases classified by histopathological growth patterns.

Background: After resection, colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) surrounded by a desmoplastic rim carry a better prognosis than the metastases replacing the adjacent liver. However, these histopathological growth patterns (HGPs) are insufficient to guide clinical decision-making. We explored whether the adaptive immune features of HGPs could refine prognostication.

Analysis of Extracellular Vesicles Surface Glycans Reveals Potential Immune Evasion Mechanism and New Insights on Their Origins of Biogenesis.

Parasitic helminths are master manipulators of host immunity. Their strategy is complex and involves the release of excreted/secreted products, including extracellular vesicles (EVs). The protein and miRNA contents of EVs have been characterised for many parasitic helminths but, despite reports suggesting the importance of EV surface carbohydrate structures (glycans) in the interactions with target cells and thus subsequent effector functions, little is known about parasite EV glycomics.

Distributed Architecture for an Integrated Development Environment, Large Trace Analysis, and Visualization.

Integrated development environments (IDEs) provide many useful tools such as a code editor, a compiler, and a debugger for creating software. These tools are highly sophisticated, and their development requires a significant effort. Traditionally, an IDE supports different programming languages via plugins that are not usually reusable in other IDEs.

A Framework for Detecting System Performance Anomalies Using Tracing Data Analysis.

Advances in technology and computing power have led to the emergence of complex and large-scale software architectures in recent years. However, they are prone to performance anomalies due to various reasons, including software bugs, hardware failures, and resource contentions. Performance metrics represent the average load on the system and do not help discover the cause of the problem if abnormal behavior occurs during software execution.

Outcomes of Older Patients with Resectable Colorectal Liver Metastases Cancer (CRLM): Single Center Experience.

Surgery is the only potential curative option of CRLM if resectable. The curative approach in patients over 70 years old is challenging mainly because of comorbidities and other geriatric syndromes. Herein, we report outcomes of older patients with resectable CRLM in our center.

Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Words? Using Photo-Elicitation to Study Body Image in Middle-to-Older Age Women With and Without Multiple Sclerosis.

In this study, we explored how women with varying relationships to disability and aging used photographs to represent their body image experiences. Seven middle-aged and older adult women with and without multiple sclerosis were asked to provide up to 10 photographs that represented their body image and complete a one-on-one interview. We used reflexive thematic analysis to develop themes and interpret the findings.

Silicon nitride polarization beam splitter based on polarization-independent MMIs and apodized Bragg gratings.

We present the design and experimental results of a novel polarization beam splitter (PBS) with a high polarization extinction ratio (PER) made on a SiN platform. The PBS is composed of two identical polarization-independent multi-mode interferometers and two identical apodized Bragg gratings. The operating principle of this device is based on the fact that the TE and TM stopbands of the grating are centered at different wavelengths.

Distance-limited walk tests post-stroke: A systematic review of measurement properties.

Background: Improving walking capacity is a key objective of post-stroke rehabilitation. Evidence describing the quality and protocols of standardized tools for assessing walking capacity can facilitate their implementation.

Objective: To synthesize existing literature describing test protocols and measurement properties of distance-limited walk tests in people post-stroke.