bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Transmission Range of Videoinformation of Various Quality when Monitoring Emergency Situations from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Authors: Alempiev M. Y. , Koptev D. S. , Dovbnya V. G. , Skripkina E. V.
Published: August 2023

The purpose of research The aim of the study is to estimate the maximum transmission range of video information of various quality from an unmanned aerial vehicle to predict its capabilities when monitoring an emergency situation.

   Methods. Research methods are based on the concepts of the theory of radio electronics, the theory of diagnostics and prognostics of the technical condition of unmanned aerial vehicles. The methods of multicriteria analysis, parametric and structural synthesis were used. The principles of transmitting video information from unmanned aerial vehicles used to monitor emergency situations are analyzed. A critical assessment of the maximum transmission range of video information from unmanned aerial vehicles during emergency monitoring has been made.

   Results. Graphs of the dependence of the energy reserve in the radio communication line between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the ground control system have been obtained, allowing to estimate the maximum values of the transmission range of video information of various quality in the 2.4 and 5.8 GHz bands when monitoring emergencies. The maximum line-of-sight range between the UAV and the UAV slightly depends on the lifting height of the antenna of the mobile UAV and at the lifting height of the UAV from 100 to 500 m is from 40 to 85 km. The maximum range of HD quality video transmission with the FM-4 UAV using Turbo 7/8 turbocoding in the 2.4 and 5.8 GHz bands is 3 and 7 km, respectively, and when transmitting FHD quality video information with the CAM-16 UAV using Turbo 7/8 turbocoding in the 2.4 and 5.8 GHz bands is 1.4 and 3.3 km.

   Conclusion. The development of a method for determining the maximum transmission distance of video and command-telemetry information allows for a more accurate assessment of the energy reserve in the radio communication line with an unmanned aerial vehicle. Unmanned aerial vehicles for direction finding and detection of rescue beacons of victims during search and rescue operations should be considered as promising areas of research in the field of the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in emergency situations.
Newborn Screening for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency
Authors: Deal Christin , Coffey Kara , Chong Hey
Published: August 2023

Newborn screening (NBS) for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) has been successfully implemented in all 50 United States and Puerto Rico from 2008-2018. This life-saving screening tool has drastically improved overall survival of babies diagnosed with SCID from 74% to 96%. TREC is a stable, circular DNA molecule that is produced during the process of T-cell receptor (TCR) rearrangement and is the target of the quantitative PCR screen on Guthrie cards. Low TRECs are a marker of low naive T cell numbers. This new screening process has facilitated discovery of new genes that cause SCID, new data on patients with SCID, as well as other causes of infant lymphopenia. This new information has prompted the Primary Immune Disease Treatment Consortium to re-classify the diagnosis of SCID in 2022. Providers who are first recipients of a positive screen must understand laboratory methods of the screen, treatment recommendations and options for those with SCID as well as other relevant causes of a positive screen such as 22q11 syndrome, Ataxia Telangiectasia, prematurity. These topics are crucial to cover when reporting results to a family who is receiving unexpected news on their otherwise well appearing newborn. Prompt medical evaluation and prophylaxis have been shown to improve survival and outcomes, and providers play an essential role in relaying this information and care to families. While TREC screen has proven to be a valuable screening tool for conditions with lymphopenia, over 500 immune deficiency diseases exist, and expansion to include these diseases on the NBS could be possible with Next Generation Sequencing in the future.
Vascular Risks, Aging, and Late-Onset Dementia: Overlapping Etiologies Point to 'Scavenger Receptor'-Mediated Therapeutics
Authors: D'Arrigo Joseph
Published: August 2023

Early changes in systemic vascular stiffness and endothelial function can contribute to altered cerebrovascular hemodynamics and impaired cognitive function; additionally, these vascular changes point to potential targets for prevention and treatment strategies in people with mild cognitive impairment. Although the pathogenic mechanisms underlying these vascular changes are heterogeneous and complex, one common feature is the development of cerebral blood flow (CBF) dysregulation, resulting in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) and subsequently an insufficient blood supply to the brain. However, the incorporation of drugs, or other bioactive molecules, into specifically a "high density lipoprotein-like" ("HDL-like") lipid nanocarrier can result in the production of a multitasking "combination therapeutic" – capable of targeting cell-surface scavenger receptors (mainly SR-BI). Such targeting behavior of this proposed (biomimetic-nanocarrier) therapeutic vehicle can facilitate the nanocarrier's enhanced endocytosis into various target cells which, in turn, increases the likelihood that this multitasking "combination therapeutic" provides some enhanced efficacy at different stages of dementia.
Guía del manejo del semen bovino durante su colecta y envío para procesos de criopreservación de pajillas seminales
Authors: Gómez López David Leonardo , Cortés Escobar Maria de los Angeles , Martínez Rocha Juan Felipe
Published: August 2023

La producción de pajillas de semen bovino congelado inicia con la colección de la muestra seminal del toro donador e incluye una serie de pasos coordinados hasta lograr su conservación en termos criogénicos. Esta cartilla ha sido diseñada con el objetivo de brindar orientación a productores ganaderos, profesionales y técnicos agropecuarios, sobre el adecuado manejo de las muestras seminales bovinas recolectadas en campo y su transporte hasta la central de procesamiento. Se incluyen instrucciones detalladas y gráficos ilustrativos que explican el proceso de envío de las muestras, así como su posterior evaluación y procesamiento en el laboratorio de reproducción animal de agrosavia, donde se llevará a cabo la criopreservación. La finalidad es ofrecer conceptos y recomendaciones prácticas al asistente técnico para obtener un material seminal bovino criopreservado que cumpla con los requisitos mínimos para ser utilizado en futuros programas de inseminación artificial y producción de embriones bovinos in vitro.
Efficacy of a Text-Based Mental Health Coaching App in Improving the Symptoms of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lim Yee Siew , Quek Jia Hui , Ching Xiu Wei , Lim Dominic Tao Ran , Lim Kean Ghee , Thuraisingham Chandramani , George Parikial Philip
Published: August 2023

Background

Stress, anxiety, and depression are major mental health concerns worldwide. A wide variety of digital mental health interventions have demonstrated efficacy in improving one’s mental health status, and digital interventions that involve some form of human involvement have been shown to demonstrate greater efficacy than self-guided digital interventions. Studies demonstrating the efficacy of digital mental health interventions within the Asian region are scarce.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the potential efficacy of the digital mental health intervention, ThoughtFullChat, which consists of one-on-one, asynchronous, text-based coaching with certified mental health professionals and self-guided tools, in improving self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. The study also aims to examine the potential differences in efficacy among occupational subgroups and between sexes.

Methods

A randomized controlled study was conducted among housemen (trainee physicians), students, faculty members, and corporate staff at International Medical University, Malaysia. A total of 392 participants were enrolled and randomized to the intervention (n=197, 50.3%) and control (n=195, 49.7%) groups. Depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms were measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale–21 items at baseline and after the 3-month intervention period. The Satisfaction with Life Scale and Brief Resilience Scale were also included, along with a questionnaire about demographics.

Results

Significant decrease was observed in depression (P=.02) and anxiety (P=.002) scores in the intervention group. A subgroup (corporate staff) also demonstrated significant decrease in stress (P=.005) alongside depression (P=.006) and anxiety (P=.002). Females showed significant improvements in depression (P=.02) and anxiety (P<.001) when compared with males.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence that the ThoughtFullChat app is effective in improving the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in individuals, particularly among corporate staff from the educational field. It also supports the notion that mobile mental health apps that connect users to mental health professionals in a discreet and cost-efficient manner can make important contributions to the improvement of mental health outcomes. The differential improvements among occupational subgroups and between sexes in this study indicate the need for future digital mental health app designs to consider an element of personalization focused on systemic components relating to occupation.

Trial Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04944277; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04944277
Patient Engagement With and Perspectives on a Mobile Health Home Spirometry Intervention: Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)
Authors: Liu Andrew W , Brown, III William , Madu Ndubuisi E , Maiorano Ali R , Bigazzi Olivia , Medina Eli , Sorric Christopher , Hays Steven R , Odisho Anobel Y
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Patient engagement attrition in mobile health (mHealth) remote patient monitoring (RPM) programs decreases program benefits. Systemic disparities lead to inequities in RPM adoption and use. There is an urgent need to understand patients’ experiences with RPM in the real world, especially for patients who have stopped using the programs, as addressing issues faced by patients can increase the value of mHealth for patients and subsequently decrease attrition.

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to understand patient engagement and experiences in an RPM mHealth intervention in lung transplant recipients.

METHODS

Between May 4, 2020, and November 1, 2022, a total of 601 lung transplant recipients were enrolled in an mHealth RPM intervention to monitor lung function. The predictors of patient engagement were evaluated using multivariable logistic and linear regression. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 6 of 39 patients who had engaged in the first month but stopped using the program, and common themes were identified.

RESULTS

Patients who underwent transplant more than 1 year before enrollment in the program had 84% lower odds of engaging (odds ratio [OR] 0.16, 95% CI 0.07-0.35), 82% lower odds of submitting pulmonary function measurements (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.09-0.33), and 78% lower odds of completing symptom checklists (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.10-0.43). Patients whose primary language was not English had 78% lower odds of engaging compared to English speakers (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.07-0.67). Interviews revealed 4 prominent themes: challenges with devices, communication breakdowns, a desire for more personal interactions and specific feedback with the care team about their results, understanding the purpose of the chat, and understanding how their data are used.

CONCLUSIONS

Care delivery and patient experiences with RPM in lung transplant mHealth can be improved and made more equitable by tailoring outreach and enhancements toward non-English speakers and patients with a longer time between transplant and enrollment. Attention to designing programs to provide personalization through supplementary provider contact, education, and information transparency may decrease attrition rates.
Automated Messaging Program to Facilitate Systematic Home Blood Pressure Monitoring: Qualitative Analysis of Provider Interviews (Preprint)
Authors: Einhorn Julian , Murphy Andrew R , Rogal Shari S , Suffoletto Brian , Irizarry Taya , Rollman Bruce L , Forman Daniel E , Muldoon Matthew F
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular and kidney disease in the United States, yet blood pressure (BP) control at a population level is poor and worsening. Systematic home BP monitoring (HBPM) programs can lower BP, but programs supporting HBPM are not routinely used. The MyBP program deploys automated bidirectional text messaging for HBPM and disease self-management support.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to produce a qualitative analysis of input from providers and staff regarding implementation of an innovative HBPM program in primary care practices.

METHODS

Semistructured interviews (average length 31 minutes) were conducted with physicians (n=11), nurses, and medical assistants (n=6) from primary care settings. The interview assessed multiple constructs in the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research domains of intervention characteristics, outer setting, inner setting, and characteristics of individuals. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using inductive coding to organize meaningful excerpts and identify salient themes, followed by mapping to the updated Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research constructs.

RESULTS

Health care providers reported that MyBP has good ease of use and was likely to engage patients in managing their high BP. They also felt that it would directly support systematic BP monitoring and habit formation in the convenience of the patient’s home. This could increase health literacy and generate concrete feedback to raise the day-to-day salience of BP control. Providers expressed concern that the cost of BP devices remains an encumbrance. Some patients were felt to have overriding social or emotional barriers, or lack the needed technical skills to interact with the program, use good measurement technique, and input readings accurately. With respect to effects on their medical practice, providers felt MyBP would improve the accuracy and frequency of HBPM data, and thereby improve diagnosis and treatment management. The program may positively affect the patient-provider relationship by increasing rapport and bidirectional accountability. Providers appreciated receiving aggregated HBPM data to increase their own efficiency but also expressed concern about timely routing of incoming HBPM reports, lack of true integration with the electronic health record, and the need for a dedicated and trained staff member.

CONCLUSIONS

In this qualitative analysis, health care providers perceived strong relative advantages of using MyBP to support patients. The identified barriers suggest the need for corrective implementation strategies to support providers in adopting the program into routine primary care practice, such as integration into the workflow and provider education.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03650166; https://tinyurl.com/bduwn6r4
Global Health Governance: The Case of the Biopolitics of Covid-19 Vaccine Nationalism
Authors: Pratama Aditya
Published: August 2023

In April 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO), Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), GAVI, and the Vaccine Alliances officially launched COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) as a policy to facilitate equal access to COVID-19 vaccines for low-to-middle-income countries. The initiative has 184 member countries and supplies vaccines to 140 countries. By August 2021, COVAX will have provided 200 million vaccine doses instead of the 600 million doses initially proposed. The shortfall of vaccine doses through the mechanism of COVAX is not only because of production shortage but also partly due to vaccine nationalism by more high-income countries (HIC), where they secure vaccine stocks for their population. Such a phenomenon has made the Global South countries vulnerable as they have no facilities for vaccine production except India. Vaccine nationalism can be better seen from two spheres, biopolitics, and geopolitics. Previous researches on geopolitics and infectious disease are still rare. Thus, this research hopes to fill this gap. The two terms imply that vaccine nationalism involves the creation of borders and separating things and people. In other words, a particular spatial dynamic of exclusion divides the world, as manifested by an inadequate distribution of the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines between the North and the South. This research intends to analyze vaccine nationalism that causes the discrepancy in vaccine distribution between the North and the South countries from the theoretical perspectives of biopolitics and geopolitics. This research employs a case study of vaccine nationalism from 2020 to 2021. It is argued that vaccine nationalism is further divided between the North and South and the division between homeland security and world security.
School Library
Authors: Souza Ataisa Vieria de , Balduino Angelo Ricardo
Published: August 2023

This work addresses the development of the school library within the school environment, the relevance of this research approach lies in its ability to provide a solid foundation for the development of scientific and academic studies. bibliographical research plays a fundamental role in the theoretical foundation of a study. This study aimed to understand the role of the school library in the teaching and learning process as a support for education professionals and students, to identify the role of the school library; know the importance of the school library as a support to the educational process, address educational actions that can be developed with education professionals and students. This is a study of the bibliographic review type, this article aims to emphasize the importance of the library in the child's school life, thus with the help of the authors allowing to praise the idea that the library has a fundamental role in their educational formation. It is concluded that the school library plays a fundamental role in supporting education professionals, offering resources and services that enrich the teaching-learning process within the school environment.
Frequency-predicted shifts independent of word-specific phonetic details
Authors: Sanker Chelsea
Published: August 2023

Some sound changes seem to proceed at different rates depending on lexical frequency; these are often interpreted as reflecting phonetically detailed exemplar memories, with changes spreading via lexical diffusion (Pierrehumbert 2002; Bybee 2012). However, such patterns do not necessarily require word-specific phonetic details. Variation associated with lexical frequency also exists when there is no evidence for a change in progress, which might be explained by the process of lexical access: Higher lexical frequency facilitates activation, causing faster and more reduced productions (Gahl et al. 2012, Kahn & Arnold 2012, Jurafsky et al. 2002). This work examines how repeated exposure to particular words influences listeners’ category boundary between aspirated and unaspirated stops in those words. Listeners’ VOT category boundary is lowered after exposure to shortened VOT stimuli and also after exposure to lengthened VOT stimuli. These results suggest that frequency-related sound change can largely be explained by frequency directly influencing reduction in phonetic implementation and perceptual access. The size of the effect differed based on the acoustic characteristics of the exposure stimuli; this may suggest a role of word-specific phonetic details, but could also reflect different levels of activation due to the prototypicality of the stimuli.
Consonant clusters and verb stems: making sense of distributional gaps
Authors: Cser András
Published: August 2023

This paper investigates an apparent gap in the distribution of nasal + stop clusters, as well as certain aspects of the diachronic emergence of this gap, in Latin and Hungarian. The phenomenon investigated is the absence of a frequent consonant cluster ([nt] in Latin, [ŋk] in Hungarian) from a position at the end of verb stems. An important property of the missing consonant cluster in both languages is that it also functions as a person marker in the verbal inflection. It is argued that in Latin this gap is functionally motivated: it represents a case of syntagmatic pressure to avoid repeating the same sequence at too close an interval. In Hungarian, by contrast, the absence of [ŋk] from verb stem-final position is arguably unrelated to the identical phonological form of the 1Plural affix and is simply the result of accidents of diachronic development.
Advancements in Speaker Recognition: Exploring Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC) for Enhanced Performance in Speaker Recognition
Authors: Varma V. Sai Nitin , K.K Abdul Majeed.
Published: August 2023

Abstract: Speaker recognition, a fundamental capability of software or hardware systems, involves receiving speech signals, identifying the speaker present in the speech signal, and subsequently recognizing the speaker for future interactions. This process emulates the cognitive task performed by the human brain. At its core, speaker recognition begins with speech as the input to the system. Various techniques have been developed for speech recognition, including Mel frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC), Linear Prediction Coefficients (LPC), Linear Prediction Cepstral coefficients (LPCC), Line Spectral Frequencies (LSF), Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT), and Perceptual Linear Prediction (PLP). Although LPC and several other techniques have been explored, they are often deemed impractical for real-time applications. In contrast, MFCC stands out as one of the most prominent and widely used techniques for speaker recognition. The utilization of cepstrum allows for the computation of resemblance between two cepstral feature vectors, making it an effective tool in this domain. In comparison to LPC-derived cepstrum features, the use of MFCC features has demonstrated superior performance in metrics such as False Acceptance Rate (FAR) and False Rejection Rate (FRR) for speaker recognition systems. MFCCs leverage the human ear's critical bandwidth fluctuations with respect to frequency. To capture phonetically important characteristics of speech signals, filters are linearly separated at low frequencies and logarithmically separated at high frequencies. This design choice is central to the effectiveness of the MFCC technique. The primary objective of the proposed work is to devise efficient techniques that extract pertinent information related to the speaker, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the speaker recognition system. By optimizing feature extraction methods, this research aims to contribute to the advancement of speaker recognition technology.
Analysis of Brain Tumor Detection Techniques
Authors: Das Aparna , Jangde Mrs. Keshika , Bhattacharya Mrs. Debshree
Published: August 2023

Abstract: The bio-medical image processing is the application of image processing to process medical data. The techniques of feature extraction and machine learning are efficient techniques brain tumor detection. Various network architectures are utilized, ordinarily with hundreds or thousands of adjustable parameters. The resulting condition forms are sufficiently general to unravel a large class of nonlinear classification and estimation problems and sufficiently complex to hide a multitude of sins. In this paper, various brain tumor detection techniques are reviewed analyzed in terms of certain parameters. It is analyzed that textual feature extraction and classification techniques give maximum accuracy for the brain tumor detection
Comparison of Acquisition of Tense Markers in Oral and Written Language in Bilingual Children
Authors: V Ms. Nisha U , Shetty Dr. Rohila
Published: August 2023

Abstract: Tense acquisition plays a crucial role in the language development of children. Tense refers to the grammatical expression of time in a sentence, which can be in the past, present, or future. Children begin to learn about tenses from a very young age and gradually acquire the ability to use them accurately as they develop their language skills. The present study aims to describe the comparison of the acquisition of tense markers in the oral and written language of 8 to 12-year-old MalayalamEnglish bilingual children. The study involves 20 typically developing children, studying in regular schools with English as the medium of instruction. Two tasks were selected, which included oral and written picture descriptions and narration. The results revealed that, in 8 to 10-year-old children, the acquisition of the simple present tense for both oral and written tasks in Malayalam and English was non significant and the acquisition of the simple past tense for both tasks in Malayalam and English was significant. However, the acquisition of the simple future tense in oral tasks for both languages was significant, while the written performance for future tense acquisition in both languages was non significant. For children aged 11 to 13 years, the acquisition of the simple present tense for oral and written tasks in Malayalam and English was inconclusive and the acquisition of the simple past tense for oral and written tasks in both Malayalam and English was non significant. The acquisition of the future tense for oral tasks was significant whereas for written tasks, it was inconclusive in both languages.
Management of E-waste and its Future Prospective Importance
Authors: Bhagat Dr. S R
Published: August 2023

Abstract: Electronic waste, often known as E waste, refers to abandoned or unwanted electrical or electronic equipment or parts. Rapid obsolescence and penetration rates will cause crises in developing countries such as India. The majority of E-waste generated in India is generated in big cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, and so on. Within Maharashtra, Mumbai, often known as the Oxford of the East and home to a variety of companies, particularly in the IT sector, ranks high on the list of cities in India that generate a lot of E garbage. The majority of E waste in Mumbai is disposed of in landfills or incinerated, whereas the formal industry is facing problems due to a lack of E waste-waste model rate is extremely increasing daily, particularly for a few key products as a result of changes in technology, fashion, and people's per capita earnings. In general, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation and various firms have committed to processing only a small fraction of the total E garbage generated. E garbage management is a critical task since e-waste poses a risk to people. Authorities pass an E waste control law, but without political will, it is not properly implemented. A few examples of e-waste are discarded computers, audio equipment, cell phones, electric lamps, fax machines, copiers, stereos, VCRs, televisions, batteries, and so on. This garbage contains non-biodegradable polymers that pose a serious threat to the environment.
Intelligent Traffic Control System using Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Devi K. Akhilandeswari , Chinnanagaraju K. , Santosh V. Anil , Suribabu D D D
Published: August 2023

Abstract: Road Traffic signals are placed in particular positions to make sure the protection of vacationers. In this paper, we proposed a device for site visitors signal detection and recognition, in addition to a technique for extracting an avenue signal from an herbal complicated photo for processing and alerting the driving force via voice command. The reliability of the device is increased through different aspects such as noise, partial or absolute underexposure, partial or whole overexposure, considerable versions in shadeation saturation, extensive sort of viewing angles, view depth, and shape/shadeation deformations of site visitors symptoms etc. The proposed structure is sectioned into three phases. The first of that is photo pre-processing, where the dataset`s enter files are quantified, which decides the enter length for getting to know purposes, and resizes the records for the getting to know step. A Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is used to train within the segment side which further more offers the text-to-speech translation, with the detected signal from the second one segment being supplied in audio format, which demonstrates better accuracy.
Paulo Freire
Authors: Castañeda Lozano Yebrail
Published: August 2023

Este artículo investigativo pretende celebrar el centenario del nacimiento de Paulo Freire y valorar la vigencia de su legado educativo y político a través de la presentación de algunos problemas sociales de la pandemia de la COVID-19. El diseño metodológico se desarrollará a partir de los siguientes fenómenos sociales, profundizados por el coronavirus: el negacionismo de la pandemia, el individualismo político y la colonización foránea. La tendencia negacionista requiere de una nueva alfabetización que, según Freire (1989), debe ir más allá de lo escolar para comprender e interpretar el mundo actual. La contradicción del individualismo político se esclarecerá con las taxonomías pedagógicas freirianas que buscan superar la división entre opresores y oprimidos en aras de un mundo mejor. Además, la colonización de las grandes potencias, como es el caso de la coyuntura generada por la distribución de las vacunas a los latinoamericanos, requiere de una nueva identidad democrática en la que se incorpore la participación y libertad de decisión.
Laser Photovoltaic Effect on InGaN / GaN MQWs Structure Photocells
Authors: Shan Hengsheng , Liu Shengwei , Lin Zhiyu , Li Xiaoya
Published: August 2023

In this paper, the laser photovoltaic effect of InGaN photocells under
405 nm, 450 nm, and 488 nm laser irradiation was studied. It found that
the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of InGaN photocells gradually
decreases with the increase of laser wavelength. Moreover, compared with
traditional photocells, the conversion efficiency of the InGaN/GaN MQWs
(Multiple Quantum Wells, MQWs) structure photocells with AlGaN insertion
layer structure under 405nm laser irradiation increased from 10.15% to
15.32%, an increase of 50.94%. It indicates that with the increase of
incident wavelength, AlGaN structured materials have lower transmittance
through transmission curve testing; XRD characterization and PL analysis
also supports the results that the material with inserted AlGaN
structure has a steeper interface quality and higher active region
crystal quality. Finally, the EQE (External Quantum Efficiency, EQE)
characterization of the device also confirms that AlGaN structured
devices have strong light absorption ability and high EQE, which leads
to an improvement in device conversion efficiency. This study can
provide an experimental basis for the application of InGaN laser
batteries in the field of wireless energy transmission.
Adopting human factors in early phase and experimental medicine research: A nested pilot study observing controlled human infection with SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Higham Helen , Morgan Lauren , Cooper Cushla , Marshall Julia , Mawer Andrew , Jackson Susan , Lopez-Ramon Raquel , Hughes Eileen , Richards Duncan , McShane Helen , Fullerton James
Published: August 2023

Aim: The influence of human factors on safety in healthcare settings is
well established, with targeted interventions reducing risk and
enhancing team performance. In experimental and early phase clinical
research participant safety is paramount and safeguarded by guidelines,
protocolised care and staff training, however the real-world interaction
and implementation of these risk-mitigating measures has never been
subjected to formal system-based assessment. Methods: Independent
structured observations, systematic review of study documents, and
interviews and focus groups were used to collate data on three key tasks
undertaken in a Clinical Research Facilty (CRF) during a SARS CoV-2
controlled human infection model (CHIM) study. The Systems Engineering
Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) was employed to analyse and
categorise findings, and develop recommendations for safety
interventions. Results: High levels of team functioning and a clear
focus on participant safety were evident throughout the study. Despite
this, latent risks in both study-specific and CRF work systems were
identified in all four SEIPS domains (people, environment, tasks and
tools). 14 actionable recommendations were generated collaboratively.
These included inter-organisation and inter-study standardisation,
optimised checklists for safety critical tasks, and use of simulation
for team training and exploration of work systems. Conclusion: This
pioneering application of human factors techniques to analyse work
systems during the conduct of research in a CRF revealed risks
unidentified by routine review and appraisal, and despite international
guideline adherence. SEIPS may aid categorisation of system problems and
the formulation of recommendations that reduce risk and mitigate
potential harm applicable across a trials portfolio
MEDICATION DISCREPANCIES IDENTIFIED DURING MEDICATION RECONCILIATION IN PATIENTS IN A MEDIUM-SIZED HOSPITAL
Authors: RAMALHO PAULA , Paula Waleria , Guimarães Andrea , Nascimento Renata Cristina do
Published: August 2023

Objective: To analyze the medication discrepancies (MD) in prescriptions
of patients during a medication reconciliation (MR) service at admission
to the Medical Unit. Methods: Cross-sectional study, carried out from
March 2021 to February 2022, in a medium-sized hospital. Patients aged
18 years or older and in continuous use of at least one medication at
the time of hospitalization were included. The first interview at the MR
service was preferably carried out within 24 hours to collect
sociodemographic data, health indicators, detailed information on home
pharmacotherapy. Data were analyzed using Stata 13.0 software. Pearson’s
chi-square test was performed for statistical analysis. The study was
approved by CEP/UFOP under number 4,845,642. Results: Of the 215
patients included, 115 were female, with a mean age of 68 ± 18 years.
The mean number of medications in use at the time of admission was 6±3.
Polypharmacy was identified in 128 patients. The variables age group
(p=0.005), polypharmacy (p<0.001), having Hypertension and/or
Diabetes Mellitus (p=0.001), hospitalization for infectious and
parasitic diseases (p<0.001) and diseases of the circulatory
system (p=0.040) are significantly related to the occurrence of at least
one DM. Medications used in Diabetes Mellitus (p<0.001),
Agents that act on the Renin-Angiotensin System (p=0.028), Lipid
Modifying Agents (p=0.026), Medications for Obstructive Airway Diseases
(p=0.001), general nutrients (p=0.005) and thyroid hormone medications
(p=0.002) were associated with unintentional DM Conclusion: It was
possible to identify a significant percentage of MD in the prescription
evaluated. Polypharmacy and age group were related to the occurrence of
MD
Investigating the evolutionary dynamics of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus A(H5N1) outbreaks in Italy, October 2021 - July 2023
Authors: Branda Francesco , Pierini Massimo , Mazzoli Sandra
Published: August 2023

In recent years, the epidemiological situation of avian influenza has
been undergoing rapid changes, leading to severe consequences for the
poultry industry, farmers’ livelihoods, international trade, and the
health of wild birds. However, planning effective control measures
should this outbreak grow further requires real-time and open data,
which are scarce to date. We extracted the epidemiological data of
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) outbreaks reported
between 2021 and 2023 from the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale
delle Venezie and performed a comprehensive analysis. From October 2021
to July 20, 2023, 620 HPAI outbreaks detections were reported, of which
358 in domestic poultry and 257 in wild birds. Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna,
and Veneto have experienced the highest impact and are among the most
affected regions. Moreover, we applied economic indices (such as
Homogeneity, Location and Specialization Index) to wild birds dataset to
show their possible usage in epidemiology. Black-headed gull is the most
homogeneous species (HI: 0.44); Emilia-Romagna and Veneto are the less
homogenous regions (HI: 0.03, 0.10); less specialized regions are
Veneto, Lombardia and Emilia-Romagna (SI: 15.72, 24.53, 28.62). The
spread of the virus to five continents speaks to the need for global
cooperation and alertness to protect animals, people and economies.
Comparative transcriptomics reveals the evidence of genetic adaptations in the macrotis group (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae)
Authors: Zhang Lin , Sun Keping , Dai Wentao , Tong Liu , Li Aoqiang , Feng Jiang
Published: August 2023

Understanding the adaptive evolution of species has long interested
evolutionary biologists. Adaptive phenotypes can result from changes in
protein-coding sequences that affect protein structure and function. The
Rhinolophus macrotis group as a specific group has low echolocation
frequency relative to body size compared with other rhinolophids,
suggesting a special evolutionary process of this group. Transcription
bridges genetic information and phenotypes. Here, we sequenced
transcriptomes of the brain, liver, and cochlea for five species of the
macrotis group and its closely related species, R. pusillus, to explore
the molecular basis of the adaptation in the macrotis group at the
sequence level. Strong and significant positive selection signals for
species within the macrotis group was detected in seven genes (CRYM,
FOXM1, MAP6, PYCARD, SLC35A2, WRB and SPRY2) linked to hearing.
Unexpectedly, we also detected five PSGs (ARRDC3, LZTFL1, RAB8A, IGFBPL1
and TRNT1) linked to vision in species with relatively low frequencies.
These results suggested that natural selection has led to the positive
selection of some sensory-related genes. Furthermore, PSGs identified in
the macrotis group significantly enriched in GO categories related to
metabolism (e.g. catalytic activity and oxidoreductase activity), which
provided evidence to parse the genetic adaptations of the species with
low frequencies within the macrotis group. This is the first attempt to
detect genome-wide sequence evolution across the macrotis group and our
study provided valuable resources for studying the genetic mechanisms of
rhinolophids adaptation.
A New Nonlinear Controller based on Digital Twins Framework for Multilevel DC/DC Boost Converter
Authors: Hajihosseini Mojtaba , Mohseni Saeid , Abrazeh saber , Boudjadar Jalil , ghamari Seyyed morteza , Andalibi Milad
Published: August 2023

Due to high voltage gain and easy-to-install structure, multilevel DC/DC
boost converter, have become very popular in distributed generation
systems incorporating renewable energy sources. Constant Power Loads
(CPLs), on the other hand, lead to converter instability due to their
highly nonlinear nature. In this regard, the use of advanced control
techniques to stabilize the output voltage of the DC/DC multilevel boost
converters by increasing their robustness to undesirable effects of CPLs
is crucial. This research aims to overcome this problem by using a novel
combination of Nonlinear Terminal Sliding Mode Control (NTSMC) technique
and model-free control based on Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) for a
DC/DC multilevel boost converter in the presence of a non-ideal CPL.
Moreover, a Digital Twin (DT) of the controller is created to improve
the accuracy of the model implemented on a Digital Signal Processor
(DSP). In the proposed control approach, the NTSMC parameters are the
dynamic controller coefficients that are adaptively created by the Deep
Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) agent through the online learning
of Actor-Critic Neural Networks (NNs). To validate the effectiveness of
the proposed methodology, software-in-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-loop
(HIL) testing procedures have been brought up. The results obtained
showed that the proposed methodology can provide satisfying outcomes
since DDPG algorithm is tuning the feedback control coefficients.
Cardiovascular and renal safety outcomes of Hypoxia-inducible factor Prolyl-Hydroxylase Inhibitor Roxadustat for Anemia patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tian Lei , Wang Mengdi , Liu Mengchao , Pang Yanyu , Zhao Jingwen , Zheng Bingjie , Wang Yutong , Zhao Wenjing
Published: August 2023

This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the
cardiac and kidney-related adverse effects of Roxadustat for the
treatment of anemia in CKD patients. 17 trials with a total of 6673
participants were identified for analysis. Meta-analysis revealed no
significant difference in the risk of occurrence of cardiac disorders
when comparing CKD patients receiving Roxadustat with the placebo group
(RR=1.049; CI [0.918 to 1.200]) or ESA (RR = 1.099; CI [0.907 to
1.331]) group, in both dialysis-dependent (DD) (RR = 1.181; CI
[0.925 to 1.507]) or non-dialysis-dependent (NDD) (RR = 1.036; CI
[0.916 to 1.171]) CKD patients. No significant difference was
observed in the risk of kidney-related adverse events when comparing
groups receiving Roxadustat with the placebo group (RR=1.088; CI
[0.980 to 1.209]) or ESA group (RR = 0.968; CI [0.831 to
1.152]), in DD (RR = 2.649; CI [0.201 to 34.981]) or NDD (RR =
1.053; CI [0.965 to 1.149]) CKD patients. No significant risk of
hyperkalemia was observed in the Roxadustat group whether in DD (RR =
1.145; CI [0.756 to 1.734]) or NDD (RR = 1.116; CI [0.930 to
1.339]) patients. Incidence of hypertension was higher in the
Roxadustat group, compared to the placebo group (RR = 1.374; CI [1.153
to 1.638]). In summary, the risk of cardiac or kidney-related events
observed in the Roxadustat was not significantly increase whether in DD
or NDD patients. However, attention must be paid to the occurrence of
hypertension in patients using Roxadustat.
Uncovering the Invisible: Role of High Density Catheters in recognizing fractionated signals in Pulmonary vein isolation.
Authors: Lakshman Harini , Ahmed Ammar , Coutteau Steven , Shah Dipak
Published: August 2023

The HD-grid multipolar mapping catheter has emerged as an invaluable
tool for greater effectiveness of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). In the
cases described below, fractionated signals seen with the HD-grid
catheter at the LAA and LSPV junction were ablated. These signals likely
would not be visualized with conventional catheters and may cause
recurrences due to incomplete PVI. The directional sensitivity
limitations of bipolar electrogram recordings and the unique anatomy of
the LAA-LSPV ridge further contribute to the challenge of evaluating
pulmonary vein isolation. The HD-grid catheter’s ability to record
bipoles parallel and perpendicular to the catheter splines and its
high-density mapping capabilities provide a superior means of
identifying gaps in ablation and detecting the low-voltage isthmus.
Furthermore, factors such as ablation quality, catheter stability, and
the thickness of the LAA-LSPV ridge influence the presence of
fractionated signals and the success of PVI. Incorporating pre-procedure
imaging modalities such as CT or MRI and real-time intracardiac
echocardiography could enhance the tailored approach to address these
challenges. Future developments in HD-grid technology, including contact
force measurement during mapping, may offer additional insights into the
nature of these signals. This case series highlights the significance of
utilizing the HD-grid catheter for detailed interrogation of the
LAA-LSPV ridge, ultimately leading to more effective PVI and improved
outcomes in patients with afib
Bufalin Ameliorates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury through Attenuation of Macrophage Pyroptosis -Induced Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis
Authors: Wei Xiang , Li Chang , Wang Ying , Wu Jian , Li Xuan , Sun Xiaolei , Ding Zhiwen , Yang Cheng , Zou Yun
Published: August 2023

Macrophages are recruited to the heart and release inflammatory
cytokines that interact with cardiomyocytes during myocardial ischemia
reperfusion (I/R) injury. Bufalin, which was isolated from toad venom,
exerts positive effects on hearts under pathological circumstances.
However, the nature of the effects of bufalin on macrophages during
myocardial I/R injury are still unknown. In cardiomyocytes that were
cocultured with H/R-treated macrophages, ROS levels increased, and
apoptosis of cardiomyocytes was triggered. H/R-treated macrophages were
treated with bufalin, which inhibited the process of pyroptosis. Bufalin
treatment also inhibited the release of IL-1β from H/R-treated
macrophages. The apoptosis was attenuated in cardiomyocytes that were
cocultured with H/R-exposed and bufalin-treated macrophages.
Concomitantly, downregulation of LC3-II and accumulation of P62 were
observed in H/R-treated macrophages. Bufalin was found to reverse the
changes in the LC3-II and P62 levels in H/R-treated macrophages, but
overexpression of p62 inhibited the anti-pyroptotic effects of bufalin.
In vivo, Bufalin was shown to reverse the changes in the levels of the
autophagic proteins LC3-II and p62 and the pyroptotic proteins in
macrophages isolated from mice subjected to I/R. Mice that were
subjected to I/R and treated with bufalin had significantly better heart
function and a decreased infarct size; these effects occurred via the
attenuation of the changes in the level of apoptosis of cardiomyocytes.
Structure, origin, and deformation of the lithosphere in the northern Canadian Cordillera from high-resolution, passive-source seismic velocity models
Authors: Estève Clément , Estève C , Audet P , Schutt D L , Aster R C , Schaeffer A J , Cubley J F
Published: August 2023

The recent deployment of temporary broadband seismic networks, notably
the EarthScope USArray-Transportable Array (TA), has drastically
improved the station coverage across northwestern Canada over the last
ten years, enabling application of high-resolution passive-source
seismic methods (i.e., seismic tomography, receiver functions and core
phase shear wave splitting). This review highlights the main discoveries
pertaining to the seismic velocity structure, origin and deformation of
the lithosphere in the northern Canadian Cordillera (NCC).
High-resolution seismic tomography models reveal that the lower crust in
the NCC is marked by low velocity anomalies extending from the Gulf of
Alaska to the Cordilleran deformation front, which are interpreted to
reflect elevated temperatures that buoyantly support regional high
elevations and potentially represent the seismic signature of strain
transfer from the Yakutat collision zone to the Mackenzie Mountains. The
Moho is relatively flat and shallow across the NCC, and is underlain by
a thin layer of mantle lithosphere. Seismic velocity models further
unveiled large-scale mantle structures associated with the unexposed
Mackenzie craton in the north, and the Liard Transfer Zone in the south,
which appear to buttress the NCC and further focus deformation in the
eastern NCC. Seismic anisotropy and tomography provide evidence that the
Tintina and Denali faults penetrate into the lithospheric mantle and
played a first order role in shaping the present-day NCC. We propose
that future studies should aim to: 1) resolve the shape of the
Cordillera-craton boundary at upper mantle depths; 2) accurately
estimate the lithosphere thickness in the NCC; and 3) improve coverage
in the Beaufort Sea to understand the controls on convergent tectonics
in the northern NCC.
A new combinatorial identity for Bernoulli numbers and its application in Ramanujan’s expansion of harmonic numbers
Authors: Xu Conglei , Li Dechao
Published: August 2023

We establish a new combinatorial identity related to the well-known Bernoulli
numbers, which generalizes the result due to Feng and Wang. By means of
the identity, we find a recursive formula for successively determining
the coefficients of Ramanujan?s asymptotic expansion for the generalized
harmonic numbers