bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficiency enhancement and application of laser ultrasonic longitudinal wave based on glass constraint
Authors: Guo Xing , Chen Youxing , Guo Xin , Wang Jian , Xun Yanqin , Li Ya
Published: November 2023

Due to the weak longitudinal signals generated by laser ultrasound in the thermoelastic mechanism, the characteristic echoes are weak when evaluating the interior of solids, thus limiting its application to internal defect detection. A glass confinement layer is introduced to enhance the longitudinal excitation effectiveness. Specially, a thermoelastic model of laser ultrasound with a glass confinement is established to explain the mechanism of the enhancement of the longitudinal wave effectiveness, and the effect of the glass width on the longitudinal wave generated by the base ultrasound is investigated. The effect of the glass confinement layer on the enhancement of the effectiveness of the internal defects detection is studied. The simulation and experimental results show that the longitudinal waves with high signal-to-noise ratio induced from thermoelastic effect are excited similar to the ablation mechanism, which greatly improves the excitation efficiency of the longitudinal waves. The deep detection defects and the accurate localization of depth information are realized with an error of no more than 1.2%.
Tunable extraordinary optical transmission spectrum properties of long-wavelength infrared metamaterials
Authors: Sun Peng , Cai Hongxing , Ren Yu , Zhou Jianwei , Li Dongliang , Wang Tingting , Li Teng , Qu Guannan
Published: November 2023

Metamaterial filters represent an essential method for researching the miniaturization of infrared spectral detectors. To realize an 8–2 µm long-wave infrared tunable transmission spectral structure, an extraordinary optical transmission metamaterial model was designed based on the grating diffraction effect and surface plasmon polariton resonance theory. The model consisted of an Al grating array in the upper layer and a Ge substrate in the lower layer. We numerically simulated the effects of different structural parameters on the transmission spectra, such as grating height (h), grating width (w), grating distance (d), grating constant (p), and grating length (S1), by utilizing the finite-difference time-domain method. Finally, we obtained the maximum transmittance of 81.52% in the 8–12 µm band range, with the corresponding structural parameters set to h=50nm, w=300nm, d=300nm, and S1=48µm, respectively. After Lorentz fitting, a full width at half maximum of 0.94±0.01µm was achieved. In addition, the Ge substrate influence was taken into account for analyzing the model’s extraordinary optical transmission performance. In particular, we first realized the continuous tuning performance at the transmission center wavelength (8–12 µm) of long-wave infrared within the substrate tuning thickness (D) range of 1.9–2.9 µm. The structure designed in this paper features tunability, broad spectral bandwidth, and miniaturization, which will provide a reference for the development of miniaturized long-wave infrared spectral filter devices.
Multichannel laser diode to polymer waveguide array coupling with a double-aspheric lens
Authors: Kunze K. , Gossler C. , Reinhardt M. , Arnold M. , Schwenzer F. , Helke C. , Reuter D. , Keppeler D. , Moser T. , Schwarz U. T.
Published: November 2023

An optical system for multichannel coupling of laser arrays to polymer waveguide array probes with a single biconvex lens is developed. The developed cylindrical module with 13 mm and 20 mm in diameter and length, respectively, enables coupling of eight individual optical channels using an aspheric lens. Specific coupling with crosstalk below −13dB for each channel and quasi-uniform coupling over all channels is achieved for a waveguide array with 100 µm lateral facet pitch at the incoupling site. The polymer waveguide technology allows for tapering of the lateral waveguide pitch to 25 µm toward the tip of the flexible waveguide array. SU-8 and PMMA are used as the waveguide core and cladding, respectively. The optical coupling module is designed as a prototype for preclinical evaluation of optical neural stimulators.
Physical-layer key distribution based on commonly-driven laser synchronization with random modulation of drive light
Authors: Mo Laihong , Wang Anbang , Sun Yuehui , Xu Junpei , Zhang Yuhe , Zhang Xinhui , Qin Yuwen , Wang Yuncai
Published: November 2023

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a physical-layer key distribution scheme using commonly-driven laser synchronization with random modulation of drive light. Two parameter-matched semiconductor lasers injected by a common complex drive light are used as entropy sources for legitimate users. Legitimate users generate their own random signal by randomly time-division multiplexing of two random sequences with a certain duration according to individual control codes, and then independently modulate the drive light. Laser synchronization is achieved during time slots when the modulation sequences of two users are identical, and thus provide highly correlated randomness for extracting random numbers as shared keys. Experimental results show that the random modulation of the drive light reduces the correlation between the drive light and laser outputs. In addition, laser synchronization is sensitive to the modulation delay and then the latter can be used as an additional hardware parameter. These mean that security is enhanced. In addition, the proposed method has a short laser synchronization recovery time of lower than 1.1 ns, meaning a high rate of key distribution. The upper limit of final key rate of 2.55 Gb/s with a criterion of bit error rate of 1.68 × 10−3 is achieved in experiments. Our results provide a promising candidate for protecting the security of optical fiber communication.
Investigation of a polarizer-free liquid crystal phase modulation via nanometer size encapsulation of nematic liquid crystals
Authors: Lee Seok-Lyul , Mao Chang-Nien , Lin Yi-Hsin
Published: November 2023

We have proposed an encapsulated liquid-crystal-polymer (LC-polymer) composite structure that is manufactured via the method of LC-in-polymer encapsulation. Through this approach, the optical phase of the nanometer size encapsulation LCs is effectively increased because the layer thickness of the capsuled LCs is easily increased by various coating methods with high filling ratio (> 55%) of LCs in the polymeric matrix with embedded LCs. In such a polymer composite film of nanometer size encapsulation LC, the phase modulation can be effectively enhanced by increasing the layer thickness without negatively affecting the operating voltage or response time. In experiments, the samples reliably switch from the isotropic phase to the anisotropic phase under an external electrical field, exhibiting high optical efficiency, low operational voltage (< 25Vrms), and fast response time (< 10msec). Additionally, the LC phase modulation is not only polarization-independent but also allows for flexible devices. The enhanced electro-optic performance of the proposed nanometer size encapsulated LC devices holds potential for various applications in flexible and tunable electro-optical systems.
Antenatal care coverage in a low-resource setting: Estimations from the Birhan Cohort
Authors: Pons-Duran Clara , Bekele Delayehu , Haneuse Sebastien , Hunegnaw Bezawit Mesfin , Alemu Kassahun , Kassa Munir , Berhan Yifru , Goddard Frederick G. B. , Taddesse Lisanu , Chan Grace J.
Published: November 2023

Antenatal care (ANC) coverage estimates commonly rely on self-reported data, which may carry biases. Leveraging prospectively collected longitudinal data from the Birhan field site and its pregnancy and birth cohort, the Birhan Cohort, this study aimed to estimate the coverage of ANC, minimizing assumptions and biases due to self-reported information and describing retention patterns in ANC in rural Amhara, Ethiopia. The study population were women enrolled and followed during pregnancy between December 2018 and April 2020. ANC visits were measured by prospective facility chart abstraction and self-report at enrollment. The primary study outcomes were the total number of ANC visits attended during pregnancy and the coverage of at least one, four, or eight ANC visits. Additionally, we estimated ANC retention patterns. We included 2069 women, of which 150 (7.2%) women enrolled <13 weeks of gestation with complete prospective facility reporting. Among these 150 women, ANC coverage of at least one visit was 97.3%, whereas coverage of four visits or more was 34.0%. Among all women, coverage of one ANC visit was 92.3%, while coverage of four or more visits was 28.8%. No women were found to have attended eight or more ANC visits. On retention in care, 70.3% of participants who had an ANC visit between weeks 28 and <36 of gestation did not return for a subsequent visit. Despite the high proportion of pregnant women who accessed ANC at least once in our study area, the coverage of four visits remains low. Further efforts are needed to enhance access to more ANC visits, retain women in care, and adhere to the most recent Ethiopian National ANC guideline of at least eight ANC visits. It is essential to identify the factors that lead a large proportion of women to discontinue ANC follow-up.
Academic performance of children in relation to gender, parenting styles, and socioeconomic status: What attributes are important
Authors: Ali Nayab , Ullah Asad , Khan Abdul Majid , Khan Yunas , Ali Sajid , Khan Aisha , Bakhtawar  , Khan Asad , Din Maaz Ud , Ullah Rahat , Khan Umar Niaz , Aziz Tariq , Ahmad Mushtaq
Published: November 2023

What are the effects of parenting styles on academic performance and how unequal are these effects on secondary school students from different gender and socioeconomic status families constitute the theme of this paper. A cross-sectional and purposive sampling technique was adopted to gather information from a sample of 448 students on a Likert scale. Chi-square, Kendall’s Tau-c tests and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to determine the extent of the relationship among the variables. Chi-square and Kendall’s Tau-c (Tc) test results established that the socioeconomic status of the respondent’s family explained variation in children’s academic performance due to parenting style; however, no significant difference was observed in the academic performance of students based on gender. Furthermore, hierarchal multiple regression analysis established that the family’s socioeconomic status, authoritative parenting, permissive parenting, the interaction of socioeconomic status and authoritative parenting, and the interaction of socioeconomic status and permissive parenting were significant predictors (P<0.05) of students’ academic performance. These predictor variables explained 59.3 percent variation in the academic performance of children (R2 = 0.593). Results of hierarchal multiple regression analysis in this study ranked ordered the most significant predictors of the academic performance of children in the following order. Family socioeconomic status alone was the strongest predictor (β = 18.25), interaction of socioeconomic status and authoritative parenting was the second important predictor (β = 14.18), authoritative parenting alone was third in importance (β = 13.38), the interaction of socioeconomic status and permissive parenting stood at fourth place in importance (β = 11.46), and permissive parenting was fifth (β = 9.2) in influencing academic performance of children in the study area. Children who experienced authoritative parenting and were from higher socioeconomic status families perform better as compared to children who experienced authoritarian and permissive parenting and were from low socioeconomic status families.
The effectiveness of interventions to reduce cardio-metabolic risk factors among regular street food consumers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: The pre-post findings from a cluster randomized trial (Registered by Pan African clinical trial registry with trial # PACTR202208642850935)
Authors: Kagaruki Gibson B. , Mahande Michael J. , Mayige Mary T. , Kreppel Katharina S. , Ngadaya Esther S. , Haydon Daniel , Kimaro Godfather D. , Mfinanga Sayoki G. , Bonfoh Bassirou
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The healthy plate model (HPM) is a practical guide to modulate the portion of staple food in main meals, subsequently affecting the risks associated with Non-communicable Diseases include type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Objective

This study investigated the effectiveness of health information and the healthy plate model on cardio-metabolic risk factors, knowledge and attitude towards T2DM prevention measures.

Methods

A pre-post analysis, as part of a cluster randomized trial with street food vendors and their customers, was implemented in three randomly selected districts in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Two vendor-customer clusters each with 15 and more vendors from each district were randomly assigned to receive either T2DM health information only (Intervention package1 [IP1]) or IP1 plus a subsidized meal with vegetables and fruits, following the principles of the HPM (Intervention package2 [IP2]). Within the clusters the participants were informed on the importance of the intervention they received. An intervention period lasted for three months from 1st April to 31st June 2019. We applied Generalized Linear Mixed Models and Bayesian Modelling (for sensitivity analysis) to assess the effectiveness of the interventions.

Results

Overall, 336 (IP2 = 175 and IP1 = 161) out of 560 (280/arm) previous study participants participated in evaluation. Diastolic BP was lower among IP2 participants in the evaluation than baseline AβC = -4.1mmHg (95%CI:-5.42 to -2.76). After adjusting for the interaction between IP2 and age of the consumers, the BMI was significantly lower among IP2 in the evaluation than baseline AβC = -0.7kg/m2 (95%CI: -1.17 to -0.23). With interaction between IP2 and income, BMI was higher in the IP2 in the evaluation than baseline AβC = 0.73kg/m2 (95%CI: 0.08 to 1.38). Systolic and diastolic BP were significantly lower among IP1 in the evaluation than baseline AβC = -3.5mmHg (95%CI:-5.78 to -1.24) and AβC = -5.9mmHg (95%CI:-7.34 to -4.44) respectively. Both the knowledge scores and positive attitudes towards T2DM prevention measures were higher in the evaluation than baseline in both interventions arms.

Conclusion

The positive effects on cardio-metabolic risk factors, knowledge and attitude were observed in both intervention arms. Due to interactions between IP2, age and income; designing interventions relating to food and cardio-metabolic risk factors, should consider combining socio-economic factors.
The legitimacy of pain according to sufferers
Authors: García-Rodríguez M. Isabel , Biedma-Velázquez Lourdes , Serrano-Del-Rosal Rafael
Published: November 2023

Pain is an unpleasant experience that we will all experience in some form over the course of our lives, with chronic pain affecting a significant proportion of the global population. Given these circumstances, this study investigates whether pain is a legitimated phenomenon and considers the processes involved in the creation of such a status. This is an exploratory investigation based on semi-structured interviews with people suffering from chronic pain as a consequence of physical, psychological, emotional, or social circumstances. Our principal objective is to explore the fundamental elements of legitimacy and the processes that bring it into being—i.e., to understand how it is socially constructed. The main finding, however, is that many sufferers of chronic physical, psychiatric/psychological, emotional and social pain perceive that their pain is not considered legitimate when no clear cause can be identified, when the pain prevents them from developing the norms imposed by social roles or when it inhibits them to make a productive contribution to the society in which they live. This is generally due to the disruptive aspect of pain and its impact on the social structure, specifically on productivity, which nowadays constitutes a key element in the legitimation of any social phenomenon.
Patient-level explainable machine learning to predict major adverse cardiovascular events from SPECT MPI and CCTA imaging
Authors: Alahdab Fares , El Shawi Radwa , Ahmed Ahmed Ibrahim , Han Yushui , Al-Mallah Mouaz
Published: November 2023

Background

Machine learning (ML) has shown promise in improving the risk prediction in non-invasive cardiovascular imaging, including SPECT MPI and coronary CT angiography. However, most algorithms used remain black boxes to clinicians in how they compute their predictions. Furthermore, objective consideration of the multitude of available clinical data, along with the visual and quantitative assessments from CCTA and SPECT, are critical for optimal patient risk stratification. We aim to provide an explainable ML approach to predict MACE using clinical, CCTA, and SPECT data.

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent clinically indicated CCTA and SPECT myocardial imaging for suspected CAD were included and followed up for MACEs. A MACE was defined as a composite outcome that included all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, or late revascularization. We employed an Automated Machine Learning (AutoML) approach to predict MACE using clinical, CCTA, and SPECT data. Various mainstream models with different sets of hyperparameters have been explored, and critical predictors of risk are obtained using explainable techniques on the global and patient levels. Ten-fold cross-validation was used in training and evaluating the AutoML model.

Results

A total of 956 patients were included (mean age 61.1 ±14.2 years, 54% men, 89% hypertension, 81% diabetes, 84% dyslipidemia). Obstructive CAD on CCTA and ischemia on SPECT were observed in 14% of patients, and 11% experienced MACE. ML prediction’s sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in predicting a MACE were 69.61%, 99.77%, and 96.54%, respectively. The top 10 global predictive features included 8 CCTA attributes (segment involvement score, number of vessels with severe plaque ≥70, ≥50% stenosis in the left marginal coronary artery, calcified plaque, ≥50% stenosis in the left circumflex coronary artery, plaque type in the left marginal coronary artery, stenosis degree in the second obtuse marginal of the left circumflex artery, and stenosis category in the marginals of the left circumflex artery) and 2 clinical features (past medical history of MI or left bundle branch block, being an ever smoker).

Conclusion

ML can accurately predict risk of developing a MACE in patients suspected of CAD undergoing SPECT MPI and CCTA. ML feature-ranking can also show, at a sample- as well as at a patient-level, which features are key in making such a prediction.
Identifying the patterns and sizes of the first lumpy skin disease outbreak clusters in Northern Thailand with a high degree of dairy farm aggregation using spatio-temporal models
Authors: Modethed Wittawat , Singhla Tawatchai , Boonsri Kittikorn , Pringproa Kidsadagon , Sthitmatee Nattawooti , Vinitchaikul Paramintra , Sansamur Chalutwan , Kreausukon Khwanchai , Punyapornwithaya Veerasak
Published: November 2023

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is one of the most important notifiable transboundary diseases affecting cattle in many parts of the world. In Thailand, LSD outbreaks in cattle farming areas have been reported in 69 out of 77 provinces, indicating a serious nationwide situation. Understanding the dynamics of spatial and temporal LSD epidemic patterns can provide important information on disease transmission and control. This study aims to identify spatial and temporal clusters in the first LSD outbreaks in dairy farming areas with a high degree of aggregation in Northern Thailand using spatio-temporal models. The data were obtained from an official LSD outbreak investigation conducted between June and August 2021 on dairy farms (n = 202). The outbreak of LSD was confirmed by employing clinical observations and laboratory analysis. The spatio-temporal models including space-time permutation (STP), Poisson, and Bernoulli were applied to the outbreak data with the settings of 10%, 25%, and 50%, respectively, for the maximum reported cluster size (MRCS). Overall, the number of most likely and secondary clusters varied depending on the model and MRCS settings. All MRCS settings in the STP model detected the most likely clusters in the same area and the Poisson models in different areas, with the largest being defined by a 50% MRCS. Although the sizes of the most likely clusters identified by the Bernoulli models were different, they all had the same cluster period. Based on the sizes of the detected clusters, strict LSD insect-vector control should be undertaken within one kilometer of the outbreak farm in areas where no LSD vaccination has been administered. This study determines the sizes and patterns of LSD outbreak clusters in the dairy farming area with a high degree of farm aggregation. The spatio-temporal study models used in this study, along with multiple adjusted MRCS, provide critical epidemiological information. These models also expand the options for assisting livestock authorities in facilitating effective LSD prevention and control programs. By prioritizing areas for resource allocation, these models can help improve the efficiency of such programs.
Attitudes towards genetic testing: The role of genetic literacy, motivated cognition, and socio-demographic characteristics
Authors: Likhanov Maxim , Zakharov Ilya , Awofala Adeyemi , Ogundele Olusegun , Selita Fatos , Kovas Yulia , Chapman Robert
Published: November 2023

Understanding reasons for why people choose to have or not to have a genetic test is essential given the ever-increasing use of genetic technologies in everyday life. The present study explored the multiple drivers of people’s attitudes towards genetic testing. Using the International Genetic Literacy and Attitudes Survey (iGLAS), we collected data on: (1) willingness to undergo testing; (2) genetic literacy; (3) motivated cognition; and (4) demographic and cultural characteristics. The 37 variables were explored in the largest to-date sample of 4311 participants from diverse demographic and cultural backgrounds. The results showed that 82% of participants were willing to undergo genetic testing for improved treatment; and over 73%—for research. The 35 predictor variables together explained only a small proportion of variance: 7%—in the willingness to test for Treatment; and 6%—for Research. The strongest predictors of willingness to undergo genetic testing were genetic knowledge and deterministic beliefs. Concerns about data misuse and about finding out unwanted health-related information were weakly negatively associated with willingness to undergo genetic testing. We also found some differences in factors linked to attitudes towards genetic testing across the countries included in this study. Our study demonstrates that decision-making regarding genetic testing is influenced by a large number of potentially interacting factors. Further research into these factors may help consumers to make decisions regarding genetic testing that are right for their specific circumstances.
Protocolo Unificado para o Tratamento Transdiagnóstico das Perturbações Emocionais: Manual de Exercícios
Authors: Barlow David H. , Farchione Tood J. , Sauer-Zavala Shannon , Latin Heather Murray , Ellard Kristen K. , Bullis Jacqueline R. , Bentley Kate H. , Boettcher Hannah T. , Cassiello-Robbins Clair
Published: November 2023

O Protocolo Unificado (PU) para o Tratamento Transdiagnóstico de Perturbações Emocionais: Manual do Doente, foi desenvolvido para ajudar pessoas que estão a lidar com emoções intensas como ansiedade, tristeza, raiva ou culpa. Uma pessoa pode ter uma perturbação emocional quando as suas emoções são tao intensas que condicionam a forma como a pessoa vive a sua vida. Embora as emoções afetem a vida de modos diferentes, há aspetos que são comuns às perturbações emocionais: intensidade e frequência, as reações negativas às emoções, e evitamento das emoções. O objetivo deste manual é ajudar as pessoas a mudar a forma como respondem às suas emoções, quando estas ocorrem. Este programa é aplicável às perturbações de ansiedade, à perturbação depressiva unipolar e potencialmente a outras perturbações cuja característica central é uma forte componente emocional. As estratégias que integram este protocolo terapêutico ancoram-se em tratamentos psicológicos empiricamente validados já existentes.
Protocolo Unificado para o Tratamento Transdiagnóstico das Perturbações Emocionais: Manual do Terapeuta
Authors: Barlow David H. , Farchione Tood J. , Sauer-Zavala Shannon , Latin Heather Murray , Ellard Kristen K. , Bullis Jacqueline R. , Bentley Kate H. , Boettcher Hannah T. , Cassiello-Robbins Clair
Published: November 2023

O Protocolo Unificado (PU) para o Tratamento Transdiagnóstico de Perturbações Emocionais: Manual do Doente, foi desenvolvido para ajudar pessoas que estão a lidar com emoções intensas como ansiedade, tristeza, raiva ou culpa. Uma pessoa pode ter uma perturbação emocional quando as suas emoções são tao intensas que condicionam a forma como a pessoa vive a sua vida. Embora as emoções afetem a vida de modos diferentes, há aspetos que são comuns às perturbações emocionais: intensidade e frequência, as reações negativas às emoções, e evitamento das emoções. O objetivo deste manual é ajudar as pessoas a mudar a forma como respondem às suas emoções, quando estas ocorrem. Este programa é aplicável às perturbações de ansiedade, à perturbação depressiva unipolar e potencialmente a outras perturbações cuja característica central é uma forte componente emocional. As estratégias que integram este protocolo terapêutico ancoram-se em tratamentos psicológicos empiricamente validados já existentes.
Using Fractional Super-Resolution to Improve Lossy Compression of Point Cloud Geometry
Authors:   University of Brasilia, Borges Tomás , Ferreira Renan ,   University of Brasilia, Garcia Diogo ,   University of Brasilia, de Queiroz Ricardo ,   University of Brasilia
Published: November 2023

We present a method for post-processing point clouds’ geometric information by applying a previously proposed fractional super-resolution technique to clouds compressed and decoded with MPEG’s G-PCC codec. In some sense, this is a continuation of that previous work, which requires only a downscaled point cloud and a scaling factor, both of which are provided by the G-PCC codec. For non-solid point clouds, an a priori down-scaling is required for improved efficiency. The method is compared to the GPCC itself, as well as machine-learning-based techniques. Results show a great improvement in quality over GPCC and comparable performance to the latter techniques, with the advantage of not needing any kind of previous training.
Modeling Noise as a Bernoulli-Gaussian Process
Authors:   Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica, Finamore Weiler , Pinho Marcelo ,   Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica, Sharma Manish ,   Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica, Ribeiro Moises ,   Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora
Published: November 2023

Transmission medium is always perturbed by noise with a random nature which can be characterized by taking a sequence of noise samples and, after analyzing the sequence, attributing a probabilistic model to represent the randomness of the noise. If thermal noise (receiver generated) is the only noise impairing the transmission (our only focus is digital transmission) the memoryless stationary discrete-time Gaussian process is the best model to probabilistically represent the noise. The mathematical representation of the transmission medium in such a situation yields the well known Gaussian Channel. As Information Theory points out, for a fixed noise power, the Gaussian channel is the worst channel to send information through. If thermal noise is not the only noise impairing the transmission (as in sonar communication and power line communication) finding the probabilistic model other than the single-parameter Gaussian process, which best match the noise can much improve the communication system design. The Bernoulli-Gaussian process, a three parameters model, is a common considered option. Finding the three parameters of the Bernoulli-Gaussian model (from known noise samples) is a formidable task that can be made simpler by considering the (original) results presented in the current paper. The Bernoulli-Gaussian model can be characterized, analytically, by using the noise power and two additional quantities: the expectation of the absolute value of the noise process plus the expected value of the third power of the absolute value. In practice the parameters would be calculated using estimates of the mentioned expected values. The communication system design can be much improved if a well fit Bernoulli-Gaussian stochastic process is selected to model the noise. This is an alternative to model the communication using power lines which is often modeled as Middleton Class-A. The rate harvested when modeling the medium as a Bernoulli-Gaussian channel, it is shown, is increased when compared to modeling the medium with the easily obtained Gaussian channel.
Increasing access to forest data for enhancing forest benefits to all
Authors:   Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), Societal Change, Latokartanonkaari 11, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland, Lähteenmäki-Uutela Anu , Rantala Salla , Swallow Brent , Lehtiniemi Heidi , Pohjola Tuomas , Paloniemi Riikka
Published: November 2023

In this discussion paper, we discuss what benefits Finnish citizens and companies can derive from forest data, and how the benefits of that data depend on rights to forests. Environmental protection, everyone’s forest use, bioeconomy, and tourism may benefit from increased access to forest data. Access to forest data is a democratic right by itself. Forest data allow actors to derive more value from their existing forest rights and may spark demands for clarification or reformulation of forest rights. Transparency of forest data also allows voluntary trade in forest ecosystem services. Increased access to forest data may also contribute to forest-related conflicts, given that various, at times contradictory interests are directed at forests. At best, increased access to forest data and information may support the renewal of forest governance to become more democratic, legitimate, and effective.
Complete Esophageal Obstruction: A Rare Complication of Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Authors: Bentley Blake , Chanaa Fadi , Clayton Steven
Published: November 2023

Complete esophageal obstruction (CEO) is a rare phenomenon usually observed after receiving head and neck radiation. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) is typically associated with minimal esophageal morbidity because of advancements in antisecretory medications. There are currently no documented reports of CEO in patients with ZES. Although surgeries are available for the treatment of CEO, there is no established method for endoscopic lumen restoration, given its rarity. This case documents potential sequala of modern-day patients with ZES.
Idiopathic Spontaneous Pneumoperitoneum and Call for a Multi-Institutional Database
Authors: Awe Adam M. , Burke Lauren M.B. , Long Millie , Natarajan Brahma , Overby David W. , Campbell Shannelle
Published: November 2023

Idiopathic spontaneous pneumoperitoneum (ISP) refers to intraperitoneal air of unknown origin when other more common etiologies such as traumatic, intrathoracic, and gynecologic etiologies have been excluded. We present a case of a 42-year-old woman with insignificant history presenting with ISP who underwent exploratory laparoscopy and thorough diagnostic workup that was ultimately unrevealing. This case report adds to the existing literature of ISP, and the authors recommend initiating a multi-institutional database to improve our understanding of ISP and contribute to developing consensus guidelines for presumed ISP.
Respuesta inflamatoria sistémica de la Escisión Mesorrectal Total Transanal (TaTME) por cáncer de recto
Authors: Labalde Martínez María , Nevado García Cristina , García Villar Óscar , Rubio González Eduardo , Peláez Torres Pablo Miguel , Vivas López Alfredo , Ramos Martínez Rafael , García Borda Francisco Javier , Ferrero Herrero Eduardo
Published: November 2023

Introducción: La escisión mesorrectal total transanal (TaTME) del cáncer de recto es un procedimiento mínimamente invasivo que puede modificar la respuesta inflamatoria sistémica a la cirugía. El objetivo de este estudio es comparar los niveles de proteína C reactiva (PCR) y procalcitonina al 2º y 4º día postoperatorio en pacientes con cáncer de recto sometidos a TaTME y a resección anterior baja laparoscópica (RAB LPC). Material y métodos: 50 pacientes (14 mujeres 36 varones) con una mediana de edad de 67 (55,75-75,25) años con cáncer de recto fueron sometidos a cirugía: 20 mediante TaTME y 30 mediante RAB LPC. Se compararon los dos grupos (TaTME vs RAB LPC) según las características clínicas de los pacientes y del tumor, tiempo quirúrgico e indicadores de calidad de cirugía del cáncer de recto. Se compararon los niveles de PCR y procalcitonina al 2º y 4º DPO entre los dos grupos. Resultados: Las características clínicas de los pacientes y los indicadores de calidad del cáncer de recto fueron similares en los dos grupos. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los niveles de PCR y procalcitonina al 2º y 4º DPO entre los dos grupos. La morbilidad postoperatoria está asociada a un aumento de los niveles de PCR al 4 DPO [OR=1,099 (IC95% 1,022-1,181), p=0,011]. Conclusión: La respuesta inflamatoria sistémica postoperatoria tras TaTME fue similar a la de la RAB LPC por cáncer de recto y la morbilidad postoperatoria está asociada a un aumento de los niveles de PCR al 4 DPO.
The Effect of Various Sterilization Methods and Volume Containers on Phytochemical Content of Methanol Extract of Phyllanthus urinaria
Authors: Yuliana Tri Novia , Putri Adhina Choiri , Cahyono Bambang , Aminin Agustina L. N.
Published: November 2023

Phyllanthus urinaria is an annual perennial herbal species found in tropical Asia, America, China, and the Indian Ocean islands. Phyllanthus urinaria is used in folk medicine as a cure to treat jaundice, diabetes, malaria, and liver diseases. Sterilizing the substrate is a crucial step in the fermentation process. This process ensures that the inoculated microorganism is entirely single. Autoclave sterilization is widely favored within the scientific community. In autoclaving, pressurized steam is employed to deliver heat, effectively reducing the bioactive compounds present in the substrate. Comparative studies on various sterilization methods have been reported. This study aims to investigate the effects of substrate containers in sterilization methods of the herbal plant on phenol and flavonoid compounds by LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) analysis. Three sterilization methods (pasteurization, steam, and autoclave sterilization) were each applied to the meniran herbal plant (Phyllanthus urinaria) for 15 minutes. Using the aluminum chloride colorimetric assay, the sterilization results were measured for total phenol content, the Folin-Ciocalteu test, and total flavonoid content. The LC-MS analysis showed that the methanol extract of Phyllanthus urinaria (APU) sterilized by autoclaving resulted in the most significant reduction in active phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Pasteurization, steaming, and autoclaving in a big container resulted in total flavonoid content of 1.80±0.034, 1.70±0.021, and 1.71±0.029 mg QE/g extract. The total phenolic content was 26.49±0.591, 22.77±0.230, and 22.097±0.155 mg GAE extract/g, respectively. Meanwhile, using a small container, each method produced a total flavonoid content of 1.73±0.024, 1.71±0.051, and 1.62±0.015 mg QE/g extract, respectively. The total phenolic content was 20.56±0.093, 19.79±0.295, and 20.09±0.124 mg GAE/g extract. Furthermore, the LC-MS profile revealed that APU experienced a reduction in ρ-hydroxybenzaldehyde and naringenin compounds, leading to a decrease in rutin, methyl brevifolincarboxylate, and ethyl gallate compounds. From the results of LC-MS analysis, this research determined that pasteurization using a big container is the most effective sterilization method for preserving the highest levels of total flavonoid and phenolic content in Phyllanthus urinaria while minimizing adverse effects on phytochemical compounds.
Energy Consumption Analysis, Efficiency Measures and Renewable Energy Investments Towards a Nearly Net-Zero Campus: The Case Study of Cyprus International University
Authors: Mohsen Akhgar , Emre Soyer , Serkan Abbasoglu
Published: November 2023

According to the International Energy Agency, energy and process emissions from buildings are responsible for nearly 33 % of global CO2 emissions in 2021; with two other leading sectors; transportation and industry with emissions of 22 % and 30 %, respectively. As a result, parallel with global signs of progress, the topic of energy efficiency and energy management in buildings has come to be a rule of energy policy in Cyprus International University (CIU) buildings. In Cyprus, similar to the reference of IEA, nearly 30% of the energy consumption is from the buildings, which is the most open to energy-saving measures. Since 2017, Sustainable Energy Research Centre in CIU has been working on the energy measures of CIU on both supply and demand sides. To increase the university’s sustainability further in the Energy and Climate section of both UI GreenMetrics and contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals, conscious energy steps are taken both in energy saving and alternative renewable energy sources in the whole campus which resulted in making CIU a leading example of a sustainable university campus in the Middle-East as it holds the 3rd place for the most sustainable university campus in the region according to UI GreenMetrics World Sustainable University Ranking in 2022. In this paper, an energy audit study will be presented which evaluates the total energy load and energy-saving potential on campus and propose measures that should be taken. In order to conduct this study, Education and Humanities (EH) Building is taken as the pilot study which considers a detailed audit and actions to minimize energy consumption. Then the findings obtained from this energy efficiency study are generalized to all existing buildings on the campus and the expected effect of energy efficiency attempts is projected. These results are joined with the future alternative energy projects planned on the campus and the roadmap to nearly net-zero campus is discussed at the end of the study.
The Role of Higher Education for Sustainable Development Goals: Experiences from Mahidol University, Thailand
Authors: Mahaisavariya Banchong , Charmondusit Kitikorn
Published: November 2023

Higher education is one of the significant stakeholder to play an important role in fostering sustainable development goals. Mahidol University is a comprehensive university in Thailand, which strives to be a leader on sustainability in responding to the United Nation 2030 agenda for sustainable development goals. Therefore, Mahidol University sustainability strategy, which consists of 4 key areas as a framework including 1) research and innovation for sustainability 2) education for sustainability 3) community and social engagement for sustainability 4) operations for sustainability was established. The implementation of Mahidol University sustainability strategy demonstrates many successful activity programs, which can be a robust model to other university.
Pathways to Sustainable Mobility at Universities - a Case Study at the Environmental Campus Birkenfeld
Authors: Helling Klaus , Bölsche Dorit Schumann
Published: November 2023

More and more universities are recognizing their role model and creative function in society and are acting accordingly - also in terms of mobility. In this way, universities can make an important contribution to climate protection, as mobility is responsible for more than 20 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The GreenMetric ranking also takes the area of mobility into account via the Transportation category, which is weighted at 18%. This paper uses the example of the Environmental Campus Birkenfeld at Trier University of Applied Sciences, Germany, to show what opportunities universities in rural areas have to reduce transportation-related emissions of students and employees. The possibilities of avoiding transportation as well as different solutions for the reduction of transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions are discussed. Furthermore, conflicts of objectives inherent to the university system in the area of mobility are considered, especially in the area of internationalization.
The Energy Efficiency Plan of the University of a Coruña: a Commitment to Photovoltaic Solar Energy in The Face of The Challenge of Renewable Energies
Authors: Amparo Casares-Gallego , Antonio Raya De Blas , Jesús Giz Novo , Bernardo Lage Arias , Domingo Calvo Dopico
Published: November 2023

Since 2020, the University of a Coruña (UDC) has been developing an Energy Efficiency Plan that is already yielding its first beneficial results. An ambitious plan to renovate the building envelopes to make them thermally efficient, together with a determined policy of centralization in district heating and a commitment to photovoltaic solar energy on the roofs, constitute the essence of this Energy Efficiency Plan. The renewal of aerothermal heat pump systems, at the limit of their useful life, and the replacement of diesel boilers with aerothermal or gas boilers, which are more efficient and require less maintenance, is another major challenge. The climatic peculiarity of our area, a temperate oceanic climate with cool summers, allows the use of free cooling throughout the year with high performance. The widespread changeover of lighting to LED technology has been a determining factor in energy savings. We raise two fundamental questions to be determined for the proposed model plan: what indicators can we establish as efficient performance and what capacity does the model plan have to maintain its efficiency in another location.
Ain Shams University- Paving the way towards a paperless University
Authors: Elagroudy Sherien , Elbardisy Wesam M , Hassan Ghada F , Saoud Abdelfattah , El-Meteini Mahmoud A.S.
Published: November 2023

The conventional use of paper-based operations in daily working practices introduces numerous risks and financial burdens. Nowadays, Universities are aligning with the growing movement of "green" campuses. Going paperless is a green initiative contributing to sustainable development goals 11 and 12. Ain Shams University (ASU) attempted to establish a paperless campus through digital transformation as this movement promises high-quality academic and administrative services. This paper aims to highlight ASUs developed 3 R’s approach for paper waste reduction include switching to electronic exams, customizing paper amounts annually, implementing electronic payment and service options, and using barcodes for cafeterias by creating E-Systems to deliver services online. Starting with the ASU community’s cultural level, awareness campaigns are being conducted on proper waste management. Parallelly, segregation bins are placed throughout the campus to effectively separate waste streams for recycling options, either internally by the artistic activities or externally by our specialized partners. To ensure the efficiency of this digital transformation, this study investigates the different waste streams, generation rates and quantities. Statistical methods will be used to analyze relationships between variables and identify potential paper waste reduction and recycling plans. The outcome of this study is an evaluation of the current progress in implementing the strategy. Additionally, it could be used as a case study for developing strategies in moving toward establishing a successful paperless university model
Best Practices in Energy and Climate Change in the Universi-ty of Alcalá
Authors: Sarabia María , Ocaña Manuel
Published: November 2023

Since 2013, University of Alcalá has been taking part in the ranking of UI GreenMetric, as part of its sustainability policy. This ranking shows the effort of this University in promoting the sustainability in its three campuses and the surroundings, including the involving of all stakeholders from Rector to students. University of Alcalá has been always into the first places of Spain ranking due to the strong compromise that has been reflected in the policy of Rector’s managing and the strategic plan that covers actions to the 2037 represented as objectives, actions, and indicators of these actions.
Innovative Sustainability Initiatives: A Case Study of the Polytechnic School of Chimborazo in Ecuador
Authors: Salazar Miguel Tasambay , Córdova Rafael , García Jenny
Published: November 2023

Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH), a higher education institution located in the central region of Ecuador, is one of the largest universities in the area, serving a student population of 19,349 and employing 1,091 teachers and 588 staff members. In 2022, the university was recognized for its sustainability efforts and ranked 386th in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings. To further improve the university's sustainability indicators, the institution has prioritized initiatives related to energy and climate change, water management, and transportation. In order to reduce the university's carbon footprint, the first initiative involves implementing hybrid systems in campus buildings that utilize both photovoltaic energy and energy from the national electricity grid. Additionally, measures to increase energy efficiency and savings are being taken. For water management, the university is implementing a system to monitor water distribution for possible leaks, as well as devices to ensure efficient water use. A campaign promoting good environmental practices will also be launched. Lastly, to improve transportation, the university plans to implement an efficient transport management system within the campus, optimize the use of institutional vehicles, and encourage the use of environmentally friendly transportation options. ESPOCH is dedicated to placing sustainable initiatives at the forefront of its priorities while also decreasing its environmental impact. The institution utilizes both factfiles and experiences gained from participating in the UI World University Rankings as essential tools in guiding its efforts to improve the areas where it is weakest in terms of sustainability.