bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paravertebral vs. Epidural Analgesia for Liver Surgery (PEALS): Protocol for a randomized controlled pilot study
Authors: Mizubuti Glenio B. , Ho Anthony M.-H. , DuMerton Deborah , Phelan Rachel , Hopman Wilma M. , Cheng Camilyn , Xiong Jessica , Shelley Jessica , Vowotor Elorm , Nanji Sulaiman , Jalink Diederick , Lima Lais Helena Navarro e
Published: June 2024

Background Perioperative thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is commonly used in hepatectomy patients since it is opioid-sparing and reduces cardiorespiratory complications. However, TEA has a high failure rate and is associated with potentially devastating complications (particularly spinal haematoma) and the risk is increased with hepatectomy. Thus, some centres favour systemic opioid-based modalities which, in turn, are associated with inferior analgesia and well-known risks/side-effects. Hence, alternative analgesic methods are desirable. Paravertebral block (PVB) has been used in liver resection with advantages including haemodynamic stability, low failure rates, and low risk of spinal haematoma. Our purpose is to conduct a blinded, pilot RCT with hepatectomy patients randomised to receive TEA or PVB for perioperative analgesia. We hypothesise that opioid consumption, time to first analgesic request, and pain scores will be comparable between groups, but PVB patients will require fewer perioperative vasopressors/blood products, and have fewer adverse events and a shorter hospital stay. Methods With ethics approval, this non-inferiority, pilot RCT with a convenience sample of 50 hepatectomy patients will examine whether PVB imparts analgesia comparable to TEA but with fewer adverse effects. Primary outcomes are surrogates of analgesia for 72 h postoperatively (i.e., opioid consumption, time to first analgesic request and pain scores at rest and with coughing); Secondary outcomes are blood products/fluids administered; side effects/complications until 72 h postoperatively; length of hospital stay. The results will be used to plan a large multicentre trial comparing TEA vs. PVB in hepatectomy patients. This study has a high potential to positively impact the quality/safety of patient care. ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT02909322 (09-21-2016); Available at URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT0290932
Therapy of parapneumonic empyema in children: a protocol for a scoping review of the literature
Authors: Buonsenso Danilo , Cusenza Francesca , Passadore Lucrezia , Bonanno Francesca , Calanca Carolina , Rasmi Sonia , Mariani Francesco , Esposito Susanna Maria Roberta
Published: June 2024

Background Empyema (the presence of pus in the pleural space) is a severe complication of community-acquired pneumonia and significant cause of morbidity, but, fortunately, not mortality in children. Between 0.6 and 2% of pneumonias are complicated by empyema and the three main pathogens involved are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and group A Streptococcus 1,2,3,4. Optimal management in children, especially the choice of antibiotics, method of administration and duration of therapy, pleural dranage or surgery, are still a matter of debate and currently, lack of strong specific recommendations. This paper displays the study protocol for a scoping review that aims to summarize the available literature on the microbiological epidemiology, the medical and surgical treatment options, and the outcomes of pleural empyema in pediatric population. Methods Comprehensive research combining the terms pediatric (children aged 0 to 18 years) and pleural empyema will be performed on PubMed and SCOPUS to identify all eligible studies. At first, two reviewers will screen the abstract and then their full text to determine the articles that meet the inclusion criteria. This work will be carried out independently, everyone on a different Excel spreadsheet and each researcher will be blinded to the decision of the other researcher. When the process is completed, in case of discordance, any disagreement will be identified and resolved through discussion or with help of a third author. Dissemination The findings of this review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Increased biofilm staining after deletion of sepA in enteroaggregative E. coli strains is not due to the lack of SepA
Authors: Van Nederveen Viktoria A , Johnson Yuliya Seldina , Soc Anthony , Melton-Celsa Angela R
Published: June 2024

Background Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) is associated with acute and chronic diarrhea worldwide. EAEC is thought to form thick biofilms on the intestinal mucosa. Epidemiological data suggest that SepA, a serine protease autotransporter of Enterobacteriaceae (SPATE), is important for EAEC disease. The genes for SepA, and some proteins that are important for EAEC biofilm formation and aggregative adherence, are encoded by the pAA plasmid. Methods We deleted sepA 49-4043 from six EAEC clinical isolates and inserted a chloramphenicol resistance gene (cat) in place of the sepA coding sequence. In vitro biofilm formation was assessed after growth in 96-well plates. Complementation studies were conducted with genetic and protein-based techniques. We moved the pAA plasmid from EAEC strains into a commensal E. coli. Finally, we sequenced the pAA of several strains. Results All of the wild-type EAEC strains secreted similar amounts of SepA as assessed by Western blot analysis. Four of the six mutant EAEC strains exhibited increased biofilm staining when sepA was deleted. Additionally, we found that introduction of pAAΔsepA K261 into a nalidixic acid resistant commensal E. coli strain, (HSNalR) resulted in significantly increased biofilm staining relative to HSNalR (pAAK261). Therefore, pAAΔsepA K261 alone was sufficient to confer the elevated biofilm phenotype onto HSNalR. However, introduction of sepA via a plasmid or on the pAA did not restore biofilm staining to wild-type levels in the ΔsepA mutant strains that showed elevated biofilm staining. Furthermore, the addition of exogenous SepA to the biofilm in vitro did not reduce biofilm staining. Conclusions Taken together, our results suggest that deletion of sepA causes elevated biofilm formation in some EAEC strains, but that the increased biofilm staining is not directly due to the loss of SepA.
Conspiracy Framing and Intratextual Elements: Chryons and Clips in the FOX News Coverage of the Brett Kavanaugh Hearings
Authors: Kelley-Romano Stephanie
Published: June 2024

Background Coverage of the Brett Kavanaugh hearing was continual, the commentary constant, and the conspiracy theories advanced, by both Kavanaugh and Fox News, were consequential. Methods Using conspiracy as a lens, this article examines the Fox News coverage of the Senate Judiciary Confirmation Hearing of Brett Kavanaugh on September 27, 2018. On that day, Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony detailing an alleged sexual assault was heard, as was Kavanaugh’s statement in defense of himself. Specifically, the article looks at the entire day of coverage including the commentary during breaks in the hearing as well as the Fox News programming run after the completion of the day’s testimony. Results Adopting a conspiracy frame demonstrates how Fox News coverage revolved around a conspiracy by Democrats. Democrats were constructed as an unappeasable, evil force; Blasey Ford was presented as a pawn used by Democrats; and Kavanaugh was positioned as a symbolic representative of white patriarchy -- the persecuted hero fighting for the American people and way of life. Conclusions Unpacking the consequences of this narrative framing reveals the way news elements and intratextual elements of coverage (clips and chyrons) construct an interpretive frame for viewers. In the Kavanaugh case, the conspiratorial interpretive frame allowed for the dismissal of Blasey Ford, justified Kavanaugh’s aggressively defensive tone, and associated his defense with the necessary defense of American justice.
On h-almost conformal η-Ricci-Bourguignon soliton in a perfect fluid spacetime
Authors: Pahan Sampa
Published: June 2024

The primary object of the paper is to study h-almost conformal η-Ricci-Bourguignon soliton in an almost pseudo-symmetric Lorentzian Kähler spacetime manifold when some different curvature tensors vanish identically. We have also explored the conditions under which an h-almost conformal Ricci-Bourguignon soliton is steady, shrinking or expanding in different perfect fluids such as stiff matter, dust fluid, dark fluid and radiation fluid. We have observed in a perfect fluid spacetime with h-almost conformal η-Ricci-Bourguignon soliton to be a manifold of constant Riemannian curvature under some certain conditions. We have gone on to refine the classification of the potential function with respect to gradient h-almost conformal η-Ricci-Bourguignon soliton in a perfect uid spacetime with torse-forming vector field ξ. Finally, we have developed an example of h-almost conformal η-Ricci-Bourguignon soliton.
The poroelastic layer with an axisymmetric cylindrical hole under different types of loading
Authors: Vaysfeld Natalya , Zhuravlova Zinaida
Published: June 2024

The exact solution of the poroelastic axisymmetric problem for a layer with a cylinderical hole is constructed under assumptions of Biot's model. The calculations provided by derived explicit formulas for full stress and pore pressure allow to state some important dependencies between the poroelastic stress state of the layer and type of poroelastic materials, loading types and height of the layer.
Agency Market Power and Information Disclosure in Online Advertising
Authors: Choi W. Jason , Sayedi Amin
Published: June 2024

This paper studies publishers’ tradeoffs in disclosing information to advertisers in the presence of agencies, through which advertisers may coordinate bids.
Tight Guarantees for Multiunit Prophet Inequalities and Online Stochastic Knapsack
Authors: Jiang Jiashuo , Ma Will , Zhang Jiawei
Published: June 2024

In “Tight Guarantees for Multiunit Prophet Inequalities and Online Stochastic Knapsack,” Jiang, Ma, and Zhang analyze the multiunit prophet inequalities and online knapsack problems. They formulate the problems as the online contention resolution scheme problems. Then, they develop linear programming formulations to represent the online contention resolution scheme problems. They characterize the optimal solution of the linear programming and derive the corresponding optimal policies. For the multiunit prophet inequalities, they are able to obtain the tight ratios, which improved over the previous ones. For the online stochastic knapsack problem, their ratio is also optimal and the best up to date. They finally generalize their results to the multiresource setting and expand the applicability of their approach.
Key children's services challenges to shape next ADCS presidency
Authors: Simpson Fiona
Published: June 2024

The new president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services Andy Smith identifies tackling social care reforms, workforce pressures and demand for SEND support as priorities for his year in office
Briefing: Pathways funding axe
Authors: Hayes Derren
Published: June 2024

Frontline chief warns DfE decision to end support for leadership training scheme will harm workforce
Childminder SOS
Authors: Brightley-Hodges Ka Lai
Published: June 2024

Childminders provide essential childcare for many families, but numbers continue to fall. How can services successfully recruit and support more childminders and help reverse the decline?
Increasing early permanence
Authors: Stanford Max
Published: June 2024

Coram report concludes a more co-ordinated and systematic approach is needed for fostering and adoption particularly in London, explains Max Stanford, head of Impact and Evaluation at Coram
Integration of Chatbots in Additional Language Education: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cislowska Anna Izabela , Pena-Acuna Beatriz
Published: June 2024

This comprehensive systematic review delves into the increasing prevalence of integrating chatbots into language education. The general objective is to assess the current landscape of knowledge regarding chatbot utilisation and its influence on three crucial elements: students' skills, attitudes, and emotions. Additionally, the review seeks to scrutinise the advantages linked to incorporating chatbots in foreign language teaching, exploring their potential benefits while considering limitations and potential negative impacts on specific skills or user experiences. Consequently, this research offers valuable insights into the application of chatbots in foreign language education, shedding light on their potential advantages and areas that warrant further exploration and enhancement. The integration of chatbots in language learning, despite certain limitations, generally yields positive outcomes and enhances educational results in students' skills. Its characteristics can also influence a language learner's attitude, impacting factors such as motivation, interest, autonomy in learning, and engagement or even their sense of fun. Additionally, chatbots prove to be helpful in creating emotionally positive learning environments and can contribute to boosting students' self-esteem and self-confidence.
A Survey on Korean medicine doctors' attitudes toward blood tests, status of usage, and experience and demand for related education
Authors: Kim Mikyung , Han Chang-ho
Published: June 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the attitudes towards blood tests (BT), the utilization of BT in clinical contexts, and the educational needs and experiences among Korean medicine doctors (KMDs).Methods: An anonymous online survey was conducted among KMDs over a two-week period in 2023. The survey data were subjected to basic statistical analysis and logistic regression.Results: A total of 773 respondents participated in the survey, yielding a response rate of approximately 3%. Most respondents recognized the necessity of BT in Korean medicine, with 74.77% reporting prior utilization. However, only 43.73% currently utilize BTs. Key barriers to BT utilization included insufficient legal and institutional safeguards and cost burdens. Although 77.62% reported receiving BT education, only 54.85% deemed it useful, yet 95.21% expressed intent for future education. Younger KMDs exhibited lower BT utilization and lower agreement rates on the usefulness of education but higher demand for education. The longer the training period in Korean medicine hospitals, the higher the rate of experience with BTs, related education and the agreement on the usefulness of the education. And they had relatively less need for further education.Conclusions: Efforts are needed to meet the demand for BT education among KMDs. In particular, it seems necessary to identify the higher demand among young KMDs and prepare for education at a level equivalent to a training course in Korean medicine hospitals rather than in a form that just follows past education practices.
Exploration of the Potential and Mechanisms of Diabetic Cognitive Disorder Modulation by Daehwangmokdanpi-tang through a Network Pharmacological Approach
Authors: Lim Yebin , Kweon Bitna , Kim Dong-Uk , Lee Do-Eun , Leem Jungtae , Kim Dong-Gu , Kang Hyung Won , Bae Gi-Sang
Published: June 2024

Objectives: This study utilized a network pharmacology approach to investigate the potential therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of Daehwangmokdanpi-tang (DHMDPT) in diabetic cognitive disorder (DCD).Methods: The compounds of DHMDPT and their target genes were obtained from the OASIS and PubChem databases. These putative target genes were compared with known targets of DCD to identify potential correlations. Using Cytoscape 3.10.2, a network was constructed to highlight key target genes. To further elucidate the underlying mechanisms, functional enrichment analysis was performed using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. Finally, CB-DOCK was used to assess binding affinities and confirm the interactions.Results: The results showed that a total of 27 compounds and 439 related genes were identified from DHMDPT. Among these, 373 genes interacted with the DCD gene set, indicating a close relationship between the effects of DHMDPT and DCD. Through GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathways, ‘Regulation of Apoptotic Process’, ‘Cytokine-Mediated signaling pathway’, and ‘AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications’ were identified as the functional pathways of the 18 key target genes of DHMDPT on DCD. Additionally, molecular docking was performed to assess the binding affinities of the six most highly associated key target genes of DCD with active compounds.Conclusions: Using a network pharmacology approach, which included molecular docking, DHMDPT was found to be highly relevant to DCD. This study could serve as a foundation for further research on the cognitive enhancement effects of DHMDPT in DCD.
Analysis of factors related to the use of Korean medicine treatment in adult patients with depressed mood: Based on the Korea Health Panel Annual Data 2019
Authors: Lee Tae-Hyeon , Park Il-Su , Kwon Chan-Young
Published: June 2024

Objectives: This study analyzed the factors related to outpatient service to Western medicine (WM) and Korean medicine (KM) of Korean adults with depressed mood using data from the 2019 Korea Health Panel Study.Methods: The general characteristics according to group of 827 individuals, and the factors influencing the use of integrative medicine (IM) medical service were identified using the Chi-square test and binary logistic regression results. The factors were classified based on the Andersen healthcare utilization model. The results of regression analysis were presented as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).Results: Among the individuals of the study, 658 (79.6%) were in the WM group and 169 (20.4%) were in the IM group. In the WM group and the IM group, the presence of suicidal ideation was common at 37.7% and 43.2%, respectively. As a result of regression analysis, the living in Busan/Daegu/Ulsan/Gyeongsang compared to living in Seoul/Gyeonggi/Incheon [OR = 0.522 (95% CI = 0.328 to 0.830)], and presence of musculoskeletal [OR = 1.686 (95% CI = 1.071 to 2.653)] and mood disorders [OR = 1.737 (95% CI = 1.106 to 2.726)] were the most influential factors on the use of IM medical service.Conclusions: This study is the first in Korea to analyze the patterns of medical institution use and factors used in KM treatment among adults with depressed mood. The results of this study provide preliminary evidence for the contribution of KM to national mental health in the context of depression.
Case series of 3 Pressure Ulcers Cured with Education through Telemedicine
Authors: Jin Hanbit , Lee Mijin , Kim Jungchul , Min Baekki , Bang Hoyoel , Leem Jungtae
Published: June 2024

Objectives: The case series with pressure ulcers who was cured by education through telemedicine will be presented as a model for how a Korean medicine doctor can participate in the telemedicine of pressure ulcers. We also aim to report on the perspectives of medical staff and patients regarding the improved telemedicine services in Korean medicine.Methods: The study included three cases of pressure ulcers in home care, and education on pressure ulcer management was provided to patients, caregivers, and collaborators via telemedicine. Basic training was provided to teach the sealed wet dressing therapy method. After the basic training, feedback on the treatment was provided by taking photos or videos of the patient's treatment process, and the feedback process was repeated until the dressing method was perfected.Results: A combination of telemedicine, home visits, and home care successfully treated pressure ulcers in home care patients using a multidisciplinary approach. The education through telemedicine alone improved the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) stages and the total score of the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) Tool, and all three cases were finally cured with an average treatment duration of 26.7 days. The patient's and clinician's perspectives also showed that telemedicine can effectively engage patients, caregivers, and collaborators, and motivate them to manage pressure ulcers.Conclusions: For patients having trouble visiting the hospital or desiring treatment at home, consideration can be given to telemedicine for traditional Korean medicine education in pressure ulcer management.
Trends in the Study of Korean Medicine Education : Based on domestic and international research
Authors: Kim Seoyeon , Lee Dohyeon , Jeong Hyein , Kim Kyeong Han , Lee Seung-hee
Published: June 2024

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review trends in Korean medical education research.Method: We searched Korean Medicine Education research in 4 domestic and 4 international datebases. The studies were analyzed with journal, year, keyword and detailed topic, word frequency in research context, divided into four categories: basic Korean medicine, clinical Korean medicine, medical humanities, education.Result: 128 Korean studies and 30 International studies, total 158 studies, published from 1993 to 2024 have been selected. Research on Korean medicine education has been consistently published every year since 2003, by 61 journals. The period when the most papers were published was 2020, with 16 papers. Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine published a relatively large number of studies, with 19. Among the keywords divided into 4 categories according to Institute of Korean Medicine Education & Evaluation, studies related to 'basic medicine' were the most with 45 cases. When classified into detailed topics, there were 40 papers related to 'subject', and 21 papers related to ‘awareness’.Discussion and Conclusion: The study suggests that Korean medicine education method and curriculum should be developed. As educational research and method progresses, the corresponding curriculum has to be improved and applied to the field. This study would contribute to the foundation of Korean medicine education.
Analysis of research trends on microneedle patches loaded pharmacopuncture preparation: A Literature Review
Authors: Kim Minjeong
Published: June 2024

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review the dissolving microneedle patches literature, which is loaded with pharmacopuncture preparation. By exploring types of pharmacopuncture preparation applied to microneedle patches, we aim to develop new potential preparation.Methods: This review included both animal and human studies that published between February 2015 and March 2024. After searching, no RCTs were found, the final selected in-vivo and in-vitro studies were analyzed. A total of 13 articles were retrieved from the international database, and a total of 5 articles were retrieved from the domestic database. Finally, 7 studies were selected, and evaluated by the published year, country of publication, types of animal model, disease type, retention type, evaluation index, adverse effects.Conclusions: According to 7 studies, pharmacopuncture preparation coated dissolving microneedle patch include bee venom, placenta, and ginseng in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertrophic scar, psoriasis, and neurodegeneration. In the future, follow-up studies on the safety, retention time, and optimal effective dose of the microneedle patches are expected.
Soft computing techniques for analysing the mechanical properties of egg shell powder-based concrete
Authors:   Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur, 831013, India, Sharma Sanjay , Kumar Amit ,   Department of Civil Engineering, IIMT University, Meerut, 250001, India, Bano Samreen ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Integral University, Lucknow, 226002, India, Kumar Pramod ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Mohan Babu University (SVEC), Tirupati, 517102, India
Published: June 2024

The construction industry is increasingly focused on sustainability to reduce environmental impact. Researchers are actively exploring alternative materials to replace clinker-based binders. This study specifically investigates the use of eggshell powder (ESP) as a sustainable substitute in construction. Portland slag cement (PSC) is partially replaced by ESP in concrete production for this purpose. To assess the effectiveness of ESP in enhancing binder properties, the study analyses experimental data for compressive and flexural strength. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) modelling is employed for this analysis to predict material performance. The model undergoes training and testing using input data to ensure accuracy and reliability. The success of the study is demonstrated by high R2 values, with 0,9915 for compressive strength and 0,9921 for flexural strength, indicating that the ANN model closely matches actual material performance. Additionally, error analysis confirms the model's remarkable accuracy in predicting real-world results. Furthermore, the research highlights the exceptional potential of the developed ANN model, which can effectively predict the mechanical properties of construction materials containing ESP.
Economic Sociology and the Analysis of Platforms as Markets
Authors: Mette Thorhauge Anne
Published: June 2024

In the previous chapter, I observed how the notion of platforms has changed throughout recent decades from signifying a computational system (Bogost and Montfort, 2009) or a programmable architecture (Van Dijck et al, 2018) to a more general principle of organization (Kenney and Zysman, 2020; Stark and Pais, 2020) and a business model aimed at cornering markets and reaching monopoly status (Langley and Leyshon, 2017; Srnicek, 2017; Peck and Phillips, 2020). This can be related somewhat to the general transformation of platform companies and market orders during this time span, such as the change in the game industry from a market order dominated by a few console owners to one dominated by large tech companies from outside the gaming industry. While the platform as a computational system or programmable architecture is easily identified as the key principle of power in a market order controlled by console owners, the large tech companies control the market through their storefronts or extended market places (Doyle, 2013) and through their financial power to dominate the entire market field. One significant theme that runs through this course of development is the integration of retail into platform architectures, and the increasing focus on platforms as markets. Thus, another aspect of platforms which is often foregrounded is that they constitute multi-sided markets (Rochet and Tirole, 2003; Evans and Schmalensee, 2016; Van Dijck et al, 2018) that let different groups of customers meet on attractive terms.
Steam’s Business Model
Authors: Mette Thorhauge Anne
Published: June 2024

In this chapter, I will describe and discuss the gradual development of the Steam platform’s business model from a classic retail or multi-sided market to distinct ways of monetizing user participation that set it apart from other platforms. Gaming platforms such as PlayStation Store, Xbox Market, and Epic Games Store rely primarily on retail, and major media platforms such as YouTube rest on a relatively classic advertisement-based business model, where content is offered to users and advertising space is sold to advertisers (Caraway, 2011). The primary difference between these platforms and traditional commercial media is the extensive collection of user data that enables a more granulated analysis and classification of user segments (Fourcade and Healy, 2017; Van Dijck et al, 2018) and scope of commodification (Ørmen and Gregersen 2022). Steam, on the contrary, denounces advertising as a way of monetizing games on the platform. That is, the platform does not offer a system for integrating ads with content as a way of monetizing users like the one featured by YouTube (see Ørmen and Gregersen, 2022) or the App Store, and the active participation of players on the platform is monetized in ways that differ considerably from the advertising business model. On the one hand, passive and active player contributions are used to augment and further the effectiveness of the Steam store, that is, to offer ‘value-added services’ (Jöckel et al, 2008) on the platform. On the other hand, the scope of economic transactions is extended to turn players’ economic action into a source of revenue in addition to retail.
Economic Actors on the Steam Platform
Authors: Mette Thorhauge Anne
Published: June 2024

In Chapter 4, I define markets as fields of strategic action based on Fligstein’s theoretical framework (2001). I point out that Fligstein offers a relevant approach to analysing the interplay between diverse actors in a market context. While Granovetter points out that economic actors are also social actors enmeshed in social networks (1985), Fligstein describes the ‘politics’ that are played out within and between firms on markets as fields of strategic action. These politics concern ‘intra-firm’ negotiations to settle on specific ‘conceptions of control’ that set the direction for said firms’ strategies in the market (2001: 35). They also concern the specific ‘market orders’ that emerge between companies in market contexts as a way of handling competition between them (2001: 16). Thus, Fligstein, along with Beckert, points out that competition does not represent an ideal state of affairs but rather a problem to be handled through various kinds of coordination. Indeed, the state of competition often heralded as the ideal in classic economics is a characteristic of emerging markets and is typically replaced with more stable orders where ‘incumbents’ divide the world between them to keep ‘challengers’ out as a market matures. In this chapter, I will analyse the way game titles and publishers are distributed across the different contexts of economic exchange offered on the Steam platform from this perspective.
Social and Behavioural Genomics and the Ethics of (In)Visibility
Authors: Martschenko Daphne Oluwaseun
Published: June 2024

This chapter utilizes the theoretical framework of discriminate biopower to examine the forms of sociopolitical (in)visibility that are crafted, upgraded or deleted in education by current research in social and behavioural genomics. Genetics have long captured the popular imagination to shape how we think about ourselves and others, serving as a source of promise and peril. Through the emerging field of social and behavioural genomics, molecular genetic data is once again raising critical conversations about risks and potential benefits. More recently, social and behavioural genomics have begun making strong inroads into education. As such, this chapter employs discriminate biopower to: (1) develop an understanding of the differential investment researchers, policy makers and societies give to support the health and wealth of individuals and collectives within public education; and (2) explore the sociotechnic imaginaries offered up by social and behavioural genomics that might reimagine or reaffirm our approaches to education and educational equity. These emerging sociotechnic imaginaries stand in tension with one another, an illustration of genomics’ dual-use dilemma. Yet both draw upon neoliberal logics to generate truth discourses that reaffirm or make new past, present and future (in)visibilities and inequalities.
Black, British Young Women On-Road: Intersections of Gender, Race and Youth in British Interwar Youth Penal Reform
Authors: Miller Esmorie
Published: June 2024

The chapter explores the conception of being ‘on-road’ as a gendered space, with historical antecedents. It explores the intersection of race and gender politics in early modern Britain, specifically the interwar period, which informed early youth penal reform. The analysis draws on documentary research from the Liverpool University Archives. In historicising and gendering the ‘on-road’ existence in this way, the chapter emphasises the importance of conceptual approaches expanding the explanatory scope about racialised youth’s contemporary contested positioning, beyond the customary suturing to crime and punishment. Historicising and gendering the logic of ‘the road’ enables exploration of racialised youth’s circumstances as part of a historic exclusion from the resources and opportunities associated with early modern justice reform.
Introduction: Trust Issues
Authors: Benjamin Garfield
Published: June 2024

This introductory chapter outlines some of the core issues in the relations between trust, technology and power. After discussing different political forms of trust that inform the debates within the book, the focus shifts from what trust is to what it does, how it is used by power. A performative understanding of trust is set out that frames the discussion in terms of norms and roles associated with trust and technology, and the ways these can extract legitimacy and exacerbate inequalities. The structure of the book is also outlined. The chapter provides a focus on key areas of discussion such as data, AI and regulation, and sets out the main arguments of the text: that the extractive quantification of trust denies the political potential for mistrust.
Trustification: Extracting Legitimacy
Authors: Benjamin Garfield
Published: June 2024

This chapter establishes a new framework for understanding the ways trust is used in technology discourses. This process is labelled as trustification. The discussion begins by problematizing our ability to place trust in technology, before thinking about how trust itself has been converted into a technology of control. The emergence of trustification is set out, tracing its development by building on ideas like datafication (the metricization of individuals), gamification (the metricization of populations) and consentification (the extraction of legitimacy from individuals), towards trustification as the extraction of legitimacy from populations. These processes are linked to the use of proxy variables to slide trust across sociotechnical assemblages and conceal underlying power structures that perpetuate inequalities.
Control of light-induced torque in quantum well waveguides through electron spin coherence
Authors: Pallathadka Harikumar , Alzubaidi Laith H. , Atif M. , Rodriguez-Benites Carlos , Abdumalik Rizayev , Kumar A. , Kadhum Wesam R. , Ravikumar K. S. , Abdulridui H. A. , Al-Tameemi A. R.
Published: June 2024

We explore the mechanical effects of light interacting with a quantum
well waveguide, specifically focusing on the emergence of quantized
torque. We investigate the response of the waveguide to the influence
of two intense coupling fields in conjunction with two weaker fields.
We find that the electron spin coherence plays a crucial role in
amplifying the torque applied to the waveguide emitters. This
heightened torque, in turn, triggers a distinctive circular current
flow pattern within the waveguide. Furthermore, we explore different
scenarios for modulating the torque by adjusting system parameters,
thereby establishing a means to control current flow. The emergence of
a light-induced quantized torque not only illuminates the interplay
between quantum emitters and electromagnetic fields but also opens up
exciting possibilities for innovative approaches to govern
induced-torque behavior within quantum well waveguides.
Modeling redistribution of nanozeolites in holographic recording
Authors: Mackey Dana , Lyons Jack , Naydenova Izabela
Published: June 2024

Zeolite doped photopolymers have been studied experimentally due to their potential application in the development of optical sensors. It has been shown that dopant redistribution can be achieved by holographic recording and has a direct influence on the sensitivity of the recorded grating. To achieve better theoretical understanding of these processes, this paper proposes an extended photopolymerization-diffusion mathematical model for describing the dynamics of nanozeolite redistribution during recording in an acrylamide-based photopolymer. Using numerical simulations of this model, we investigate how recording conditions, dopant transport parameters, and initial load affect the refractive index modulation of the resulting photonic structure.
Dispersion control and radiation based on glide-symmetric spoof surface plasmon polaritons
Authors: Yin Jia-Yuan , Cao Xin-Yue , Li Feng-Xia , Deng Jing-Ya
Published: June 2024

Glide symmetry transmission line (TL) is a highly symmetric TL with characteristics such as reduced frequency dispersion and merged passband. The dispersion characteristics and field distribution of single-layer and double-layer spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) unit with glide symmetry are studied in this paper. It is found that the double layer structure with stronger slow wave effect is more suitable for frequency scanning radiation with higher scanning rates. Thus, T-shaped glide symmetric double-layer unit is proposed. Such unit exhibits stronger field confinement and higher degrees of freedom in modulating dispersion characteristics. Besides the basic transmission characteristic, additional radiation characteristic based on such T-shaped glide symmetric double-layer units performs well with continuously beam scanning in a large frequency and angle range. Experimental results agree well with numerical simulations, demonstrating the superior performance of T-shaped glide symmetric double-layer SSPPs. The radiation method of such T-shaped glide symmetric double layer SSPPs can be applied to antenna design, which is conductive to the development of highly compact plasmonic integrated circuits and systems.
Water pollution classification and detection by hyperspectral imaging
Authors: Leung Joseph-Hang , Tsao Yu-Ming , Karmakar Riya , Mukundan Arvind , Lu Song-Cun , Huang Shuan-Yu , Saenprasarn Penchun , Lo Chi-Hung , Wang Hsiang-Chen
Published: June 2024

This study utilizes spectral analysis to quantify water pollutants by analyzing the images of biological oxygen demand (BOD). In this study, a total of 2545 images depicting water quality pollution were generated due to the absence of a standardized water pollution detection method. A novel snap-shot hyperspectral imaging (HSI) conversion algorithm has been developed to conduct spectral analysis on traditional RGB images. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed HSI algorithm, two distinct three-dimensional convolution neural networks (3D-CNN) are employed to train two separate datasets. One dataset is based on the HSI conversion algorithm (HSI-3DCNN), while the other dataset is the traditional RGB dataset (RGB-3DCNN). The images depicting water quality pollution were categorized into three distinct groups: Good, Normal, and Severe, based on the extent of pollution severity. A comparison was conducted between the HSI and RGB models, focusing on precision, recall, F1-score, and accuracy. The water pollution model's accuracy improved from 76% to 80% when the RGB-3DCNN was substituted with the HSI-3DCNN. The results suggest that the HSI has the capacity to enhance the effectiveness of water pollution detection compared to the RGB model.
Equilibrating the impact of fluid scattering attenuation on underwater optical imaging via adaptive parameter learning
Authors: Yang Jian , Han Pengfei , Li Xuelong
Published: June 2024

Fluid scattering attenuation is a pervasive and intricate physical phenomenon in underwater environment, which challenges optical imaging for various visual tasks. This paper presents a Learnable Physical Imaging Model (LPIM) for equilibrating the impact of the fluid scattering attenuation on underwater optical imaging. Whereas the imaging medium has the liquidity and diversity, an adaptive physical imaging framework is proposed to learn the nonlinear degradation parameter for various complex underwater environment. This adaptive imaging model is jointed by adversarial competition and directional learning strategy, which makes our model learn more excellent properties from the unpaired referring image, and guides the restoration network to directionally adjust the imaging model parameters. To describe the real scenarios better, a multi-branch network, i.e., R-Net, D-Net and BN-net, is developed to learn and capture the color, light intensity and attenuation information. Experimental results on several datasets demonstrate that our approach outperforms the state-of-the-arts in both color balance and visual effect. The LPIM provides an innovative framework designed to counteract image degradation resulting from fluid scattering and attenuation.
Two-color 3D printing for reduction in femtosecond laser printing power
Authors: Akash Anwarul Islam , Johnson Jason E. , Arentz Fredrik C. , Xu Xianfan
Published: June 2024

Two-photon polymerization (TPP) has emerged as a favored advanced manufacturing tool for creating complex 3D structures in the sub-micron regime. However, the widescale implementation of this technique is limited partly due to the cost of a high-power femtosecond laser. In this work, a method is proposed to reduce the femtosecond laser 3D printing power by as much as 50% using a combination of two-photon absorption from an 800 nm femtosecond laser and single photon absorption from a 532 nm nanosecond laser. The underlying photochemical process is explained with modeling of the photopolymerization reaction. The results show that incorporating single-photon absorption from a visible wavelength laser efficiently reduces inhibitor concentration, resulting in a decreased requirement for femtosecond laser power. The radical to macroradical conversion is dominated by the reduction in oxygen concentration, while the reduction in photoinitiator concentration limits the threshold power reduction of the femtosecond laser.
High-frame rate, large-depth-range structured light projector based on the step-designed LED chips array
Authors: Xing Hao , She Shaoting , Wang Jie , Guo Jiahao , Liu Qiangqiang , Wei Chen , Yang Lifeng , Peng Renjun , Yue Huimin , Liu Yong
Published: June 2024

Among numerous mature optical 3D measurement techniques, phase-shift profilometry (PSP) has been widely used because of its high precision and insensitivity to ambient light, and high-speed PSP has become a research hotspot in recent years. Current mainstream high-frame rate PSP projection techniques employ binary defocusing projection schemes, which limit the available measurement depth. We propose a high-frame rate, large-depth-range sinusoidal fringe projection technique based on step-designed LED chips array. In principle, on the one hand, the LED chips array still produces a binary pattern, so high-frame rate switching can be achieved, on the other hand, whether focusing or defocusing can generate sinusoidal fringes, avoiding the limit of defocusing projection on the depth range of measurement. A PSP projector is designed and manufactured, and 3D reconstruction of static human face mask and dynamic rotating fan is carried out at 1 kHz frame rate. In another experiment, the PSP projector projected the fringes at a 100kHz frame rate and detected the fringes with a single point photodetector, and the output waveform showed that the projection technique had the potential to be much higher than the 100 kHz frame rate. These results show that the PSP projection technology has the advantages of high-frame rate and large-depth-range, and is very useful for three-dimensional measurement of moving targets.
Approach for predicting and adjusting the pointing accuracy of opto-mechanical systems considering multi-source uncertainty
Authors: Fan Zhihao , Mu Xiaokai , Yang Yang , Yang Kaike , Sun Kepeng , Sun Qingchao , Ma Wenjing , Sun Wei
Published: June 2024

Pointing accuracy is a critical performance indicator of opto-mechanical systems, directly affecting the systems’ efficiency and application range. This study introduces what we believe to be a novel approach for predicting pointing accuracy and adjusting processes in opto-mechanical systems, considering multi-source uncertainty quantification. First, the relationship between error components and total error is quantified using homogeneous coordinate transformation theory. Second, by applying the Nataf transformation to uncertain variables, a hybrid interval-probabilistic uncertainty quantification model based on generalized polynomial chaos is constructed. Third, by selecting points from the probability distribution domain, a parameterized finite element simulation is conducted to create a pointing accuracy prediction model, obtaining the theoretical limit accuracy for the opto-mechanical system. Finally, considering multi-bolt elastic interactions, an assembly process adjustment model is developed to achieve performance-based assembly process adjustments, and tests are conducted to measure the pointing accuracy of the opto-mechanical system after calibration. Pointing accuracy measurements following calibration showed an improvement from 249” to 117”, an increase of 53.01%, approaching the theoretical limit of 108”. This approach requires only one adjustment to approach optimal accuracy compared to eight adjustments with traditional methods, greatly enhancing assembly efficiency. This study offers a theoretical foundation for predicting and adjusting pointing accuracy in opto-mechanical systems.
Acoustic wave-based single photon shifter for solid-state sources
Authors: Guo Jiaxing , Zhao Huijun , Xiong Kaili , Chen Pingxing , Zhang Chaofan , Zhang Yang , Chen Yan
Published: June 2024

Controlling the frequency of nonclassical light is essential for the implementation of quantum computation, communication, and the integration of various quantum systems. However, there is a practical absence of easy-to-integrate frequency-shift devices for solid-state single-photon sources. Here, we propose an integrated single-photon frequency shifter that utilizes acousto-optic modulation. The device is composed of two interdigital transducers (IDTs) for generating acoustic waves on a lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) platform, along with a silicon waveguide that is periodically positioned at the nodes of the acoustic wave to enhance the interaction length. We achieved a low half-wavelength voltage length product Vπ×L of 0.18 V cm. With a driving frequency of 129.7 MHz and a driving voltage of 10 V, a frequency shift of up to ± 405 GHz is realized with near-unity conversion efficiency. Our findings illustrate the feasibility of deterministic on-chip quantum spectral control, which is pivotal for constructing hybrid quantum networks.
Image-based non-isotropic point light source calibration using digital fringe projection
Authors: Liao Yi-Hong , Zhang Song
Published: June 2024

Accurate light source calibration is critical in numerous applications including physics-based computer vision and graphics. We propose an image-based method for calibrating non-isotropic point light sources, addressing challenges posed by their non-radially symmetric radiant intensity distribution and the non-Lambertian properties of the calibration target. We deduce an image formation model, and capture the intensity of the calibration target at multiple poses, coupled with accurate 3D geometry acquisition using the digital fringe projection technique. Finally, we design an iterative computational framework to optimize all the light source parameters simultaneously. The experiment demonstrated the high accuracy of the calibrated light source model and showcased its application by estimating the relative reflectance of diverse surfaces.