bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conditional Deletion of KOR (Oprk1) in Kisspeptin Cells Does Not Alter LH Pulses, Puberty, or Fertility in Mice
Authors: Coutinho Eulalia A , Esparza Lourdes A , Hudson Alexandra D , Rizo Nathanael , Steffen Paige , Kauffman Alexander S
Published: October 2022

Classic pharmacological studies suggested that endogenous dynorphin-KOR signaling is important for reproductive neuroendocrine regulation. With the seminal discovery of an interconnected network of hypothalamic arcuate neurons co-expressing kisspeptin, neurokinin B, and dynorphin (KNDy neurons), the KNDy hypothesis was developed to explain how gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) pulses are generated. Key to this hypothesis is dynorphin released from KNDy neurons acting in a paracrine manner on other KNDy neurons via kappa opioid receptor (KOR) signaling to terminate neural “pulse” events. While in vitro evidence supports this aspect of the KNDy hypothesis, a direct in vivo test of the necessity of KOR signaling in kisspeptin neurons for proper LH secretion has been lacking. We therefore conditionally knocked out KOR selectively from kisspeptin neurons of male and female mice and tested numerous reproductive measures, including in vivo LH pulse secretion. Surprisingly, despite validating successful knockout of KOR in kisspeptin neurons, we found no significant effect of kisspeptin cell-specific deletion of KOR on any measure of puberty, LH pulse parameters, LH surges, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, estrous cycles, or fertility. These outcomes suggest that the KNDy hypothesis, while sufficient normally, may not be the only neural mechanism for sculpting GnRH and LH pulses, supported by recent findings in humans and mice. Thus, besides normally acting via KOR in KNDy neurons, endogenous dynorphin and other opioids may, under some conditions, regulate LH and FSH secretion via KOR in non-kisspeptin cells or perhaps via non-KOR pathways. The current models for GnRH and LH pulse generation should be expanded to consider such alternate mechanisms.
Phosphosites of the yeast centrosome component Spc110 contribute to cell cycle progression and mitotic exit
Authors: Abbasi Marjan , Julner Alexander , Lim Yan Ting , Zhao Tianyun , Sobota Radoslaw Mikolaj , Menéndez-Benito Victoria
Published: October 2022

Spc110 is an essential component of the spindle pole body (SPB), the yeast equivalent of the centrosome, that recruits the γ-tubulin complex to the nuclear side of the SPB to produce the microtubules that form the mitotic spindle. Here, we identified phosphosites S11 and S36 in maternally originated Spc110 and explored their functions in vivo. Yeast expressing non-phosphorylatable Spc110S11A had a distinct spindle phenotype characterised by higher levels of α-tubulin, which was frequently asymmetrically distributed between the two SPBs. Furthermore, expression of the double mutant Spc110S11AS36A had a delayed cell cycle progression. Specifically, the final steps of mitosis were delayed in Spc110S11AS36A cells, including expression and degradation of the mitotic cyclin Clb2, disassembling the mitotic spindle and re-localizing Cdc14 to the nucleoli, resulting in late mitotic exit and entry in G1. Thus, we propose that Spc110 phosphorylation at S11 and S36 is required to regulate timely cell cycle progression in budding yeast.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Imaging and treatment with 68Gallium and 177Lutetium-DOTATATE in a rare SSTR2 and ESWR1-CREM fusion positive undifferentiated round cell tumour of the lung
Authors: Kumaran Arjunan , Koo Si Xuan , Yeong Joe , Takano Angela Maria , Farid Mohamad , Loke Siu Hoong , Nei Wen Long
Published: October 2022

The authors present a 45-year-old lady with a rare undifferentiated round cell tumour of the lung with a ESWR1-CREM fusion gene that progressed despite multiple lines of therapy. The tumour was Somatostatin Receptors Type 2 (SSTR2) positive and avid on 68Gallium-DOTATATE imaging. This allowed for novel treatment with Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) using 177Lutetium-DOTATATE after all other standard of care options were exhausted.
Μεθοδολογίες ελέγχου ιδιωτικότητας και ασφάλειας σε ηλεκτρονικά παρεχόμενες υπηρεσίες
Authors: Μακρή Ελένη-Λασκαρίνα
Published: October 2022

Η διδακτορική διατριβή με θέμα "Μεθοδολογίες Ελέγχου Ιδιωτικότητας και Ασφάλειας σε Ηλεκτρονικά Παρεχόμενες Υπηρεσίες" εστιάζει στη διερεύνηση και πειραματική εφαρμογή καινοτόμων λύσεων για την αποτελεσματική προστασία της ιδιωτικότητας των χρηστών ενός οργανισμού και συγκεκριμένα τα δεδομένα που συλλέγει, επεξεργάζεται και αποθηκεύει μέσω των προσφερόμενων υπηρεσιών του. Εφαλτήριο για τη διατριβή αυτή αποτελεί το γεγονός ότι οι χρήστες δε διστάζουν να αποκαλύπτουν μεγάλο όγκο προσωπικών δεδομένων τους ή ακόμα και δεδομένων ειδικών κατηγοριών προκειμένου να χρησιμοποιήσουν υπηρεσίες ενός οργανισμού, θέτοντας έτσι τον εαυτό τους, αλλά και άλλους σε κίνδυνο. Το βασικό ερώτημα που προκύπτει από τα παραπάνω είναι αν μπορούν οι χρήστες να προστατευθούν πραγματικά όταν "προσφέρουν" τα προσωπικά τους δεδομένα τόσο πρόθυμα προκειμένου να ικανοποιήσουν τις "ψηφιακές ανάγκες" τους. Για να απαντηθεί αυτό το ερώτημα, είναι πρώτα απαραίτητο να εκτιμηθεί ο αντίκτυπος από μια πιθανή παραβίαση της ιδιωτικότητάς τους, χρησιμοποιώντας μια μεθοδολογία Εκτίμησης Αντικτύπου Ιδιωτικότητας (Privacy Impact Assessment - PIA). Στο πλαίσιο της παρούσας διατριβής, μετά από εκτενή μελέτη, διαπιστώθηκε ότι υπάρχουν πολλές μεθοδολογίες για να διεξάγει ένας οργανισμός μελέτη εκτίμησης αντικτύπου, αλλά δεν έχει καταγραφεί καμία, μέχρι στιγμής, που να κάνει χρήση μετρικών και συνεπώς να αποφέρει μετρήσιμα αποτελέσματα. Επιπλέον, καμία μεθοδολογία από τις καταγεγραμμένες δεν λαμβάνει υπόψη τα χαρακτηριστικά του οργανισμού (μέγεθος, δραστηριότητες, αριθμός πελατών-χρηστών, τύπο προσφερόμενων υπηρεσιών, κτλ.) κάτι το οποίο επηρεάζει την ακρίβεια των αποτελεσμάτων διεξαγωγής της μελέτης. Αντικείμενο της παρούσας διατριβής, είναι ο σχεδιασμός και η ανάπτυξη μιας μεθοδολογίας, η οποία, λαμβάνοντας σαν είσοδο τις ήδη υπάρχουσες αρχές και απαιτήσεις ιδιωτικότητας καθώς και τις κατηγορίες δεδομένων που χρησιμοποιεί ένας οργανισμός και τα χαρακτηριστικά του, αποφασίζει κατά πόσο ο συγκεκριμένος οργανισμός προστατεύει αποτελεσματικά την ιδιωτικότητα των χρηστών του και συγκεκριμένα τα δεδομένα που συλλέγει, επεξεργάζεται και αποθηκεύει μέσω των προσφερόμενων υπηρεσιών του.
Analysing the Sri Lankan civil war through the lens of conflict resolution theory
Authors: Sonia Dey
Published: October 2022

This paper offers a detailed perspective of third-party intervention as a major toolkit of conflict resolution. It assesses the efficacy of third-party intervention under certain working conditions, also at the same time pointing out circumstances that can ruin peaceful resolutions. Third party intervention was used to help resolve the decades-old Sri Lankan ethnic conflict between the government and the Tamil rebel group, LTTE. India was the first to attempt mediation through its peacekeeping forces, the use of which resulted detrimental to the mediation’s interest. Norway, who practiced a non-coercive mediation and claimed to play the role of a neutral third-party mediator, too came under the radar of criticism for biased mediation policies. This research points out what two different types of mediation can achieve from a single conflict and what are the conditions required for third party mediation to achieve success under complicated situations like the Sri Lankan case. The Sri Lankan peace process explores how mediation by force can backfire but at the same time exposes the powerlessness of non-coercive third-party mediation. This study holds potential to drive future researchers closer to exploring means to minimize the impacts of such limitations on future reconciliations.
Targeted protein degradation using deGradFP in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Ishii Midori , Akiyoshi Bungo
Published: October 2022

Targeted protein degradation is an invaluable tool in studying the function of proteins. Such a tool was not available in Trypanosoma brucei, an evolutionarily divergent eukaryote that causes human African trypanosomiasis. Here, we have adapted deGradFP (degrade green fluorescent protein [GFP]), a protein degradation system based on the SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and anti-GFP nanobody, in T. brucei. As a proof of principle, we targeted a kinetoplastid kinetochore protein (KKT3) that constitutively localizes at kinetochores in the nucleus. Induction of deGradFP in a cell line that had both alleles of KKT3 tagged with yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) caused a more severe growth defect than RNAi in procyclic (insect form) cells. deGradFP also worked on a cytoplasmic protein (COPII subunit, SEC31). Given the ease in making GFP fusion cell lines in T. brucei, deGradFP can serve as a powerful tool to rapidly deplete proteins of interest, especially those with low turnover rates.
Prevalencia y asociaciones de ansiedad, depresión y estrés en estudiantes universitarios peruanos durante la pandemia de COVID-19
Authors: Mejia Christian R. , Ccasa-Valero Laura , Quispe-Sancho Alan , Charri Julio C. , Benites-Ibarra Christeam A. , Flores-Lovon Kevin , Vasquez-Ascate Jhosephi , Morocho-Alburqueque Noelia , Jorge Fernandez Dalma Nicolle , Gómez-Mamani Yonatan
Published: October 2022

Introducción: la pandemia vivida obligó a cambios sociales que pudieron influir en la salud mental. El objetivo fue determinar la prevalencia y asociaciones de ansiedad, depresión y estrés en estudiantes universitarios peruanos durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Materiales y métodos: estudio transversal analítico y multicéntrico, en 2572 estudiantes universitarios de 16 ciudades de Perú. Los diagnósticos de depresión, ansiedad y estrés se obtuvieron con la escala DASS-21 (alfa estrés: 0.85; alfa ansiedad: 0.84 y alfa depresión: 0.87). A estos se los cruzó con importantes variables socioeducativas. Resultados: la ansiedad fue la patología más frecuente (4 % de forma extrema severa, 3 % de forma severa y 10 % de forma moderada); el estrés y la depresión no tienen asociación con la carrera profesional (p > 0.330 y p > 0.440, respectivamente); en cambio, la ansiedad fue menor en los estudiantes de carreras de salud (p = 0.011). Las mujeres tuvieron más estrés (p = 0.040) y ansiedad (p = 0.017). A mayor edad, hubo menos estrés (p = 0.002), depresión (p = 0.006) y ansiedad (p = 0.044). Los de tercer año tuvieron más depresión en comparación con los de primer año (p = 0.011). Conclusiones: existen importantes prevalencias y asociaciones de las tres patologías evaluadas, lo que debe ser monitorizado según como están actualmente. Esto por las posibles futuras manifestaciones de crisis de pánico, estrés postraumático, entre otras.
Princípios orientadores da prática projetual e docente de Bornancini e Petzold
Authors: Gonçalves Curtis Maria do Carmo
Published: October 2022

A trajetória no design industrial de Bornancini e Petzold (1962/2005) exemplifica como a prática projetual precede o ensino formal do design no Rio Grande do Sul. É notório que seu trabalho contribuiu ao desenvolvimento tecnológico industrial e gerou inovação no projeto de produto em âmbito regional, nacional e internacional. Para destacar que o legado da parceria não se restringe ao fator tecnológico, o objetivo do artigo é identificar nexos teórico-metodológicos entre sua trajetória com abordagens contemporâneas do design. Apresenta-se princípios orientadores da prática projetual e docente da parceria, os quais evidenciam como a integração interpessoal, o fator interacional, é determinante no processo de desenvolvimento de projeto, conhecimento que pode ser explicitado no ensino em design.
Relações entre experiência do usuário e design emocional na interação humano computador
Authors: Danesi Morisso João Gabriel , Gomes Ferreira Marcelo Gitirana
Published: October 2022

Este artigo tem como objetivo encontrar e selecionar trabalhos acadêmicos publicados em periódicos que aproximam as áreas da experiência do usuário (UX) e do design emocional sob a perspectiva da interação humano computador. Com uma revisão bibliográfica sistemática, utilizando as bases de dados Scopus e Web of Science, foram selecionados estudos relacionados aos temas para verificar as relações feitas entre as áreas. Como resultado, foram encontrados caminhos e dificuldades na integração entre as duas áreas, concluindo com direcionamentos em um campo fértil para que novas pesquisas sejam efetuadas na interseção entre UX e design emocional.
Cartas (anti)dialógicas: politizando a práxis em Design através da pedagogia crítica de Paulo Freire.
Authors: Mazzarotto Filho Marco André , Serpa Bibiana Oliveira
Published: October 2022

A pedagogia crítica de Paulo Freire pode contribuir para politizar a reflexão e a prática do Design, promovendo uma práxis voltada a desvelar os sistemas de opressão e produzir intervenções transformadoras. Freire nos ajuda a refletir sobre o porquê e para quem projetamos e nos provoca a questionar os processos de design como anti-dialógicos, reforçando as opressões; ou dialógicos, promovendo alianças com os oprimidos na luta pela superação de situações opressoras. Para auxiliar designers a debaterem e se apropriarem criticamente dessas práticas e conceitos, propomos um material educativo composto por 16 cartas reflexivas baseadas na pedagogia crítica de Freire. Ao longo deste trabalho, apresentamos as bases teórico-práticas que aproximam Freire e Design, o conteúdo das cartas, sugestões de utilização e um caso real de aplicação.
Relação entre Moda e Design na Sociedade Contemporânea e Educação Superior Brasileira: Observação da Influência do Design na Moda através do Levantamento dos Cursos de Pós-Graduação Lato Sensu em Design de Moda e Moda no Brasil
Authors: Leôncio Prada dos Santos Bruna , Triska Ricardo
Published: October 2022

A pesquisa propõe, através de revisão bibliográfica, a caracterização da influência do design na moda, no contexto da sociedade contemporânea, e tem por objetivo evidenciar as relações que se estabelecem entre ambos os campos. Considerando a inclusão oficial da moda à área do design na educação superior brasileira a partir de 2004, a fim de observar a influência do design na educação superior em Design de Moda ou Moda no Brasil através de um panorama demonstrativo, conduziu-se um levantamento dos cursos de pós-graduação lato sensu em Design de Moda ou Moda reconhecidos pelo Ministério da Educação. Em contraste à revisão literária, que evidencia a naturalidade com que a moda e o design se relacionam, com base nos resultados da investigação foi possível suscitar uma discussão sobre o ainda existente distanciamento entre tais campos na educação superior no Brasil.
A relevância da questão federal como novo requisito de admissibilidade do recurso especial: reflexões iniciais
Authors: Antunes da Cunha Guilherme , Scalabrin Felipe
Published: October 2022

A proposta de emenda constitucional que altera dispositivos atinentes ao recurso especial e cria a relevância da questão federal foi aprovada, em segundo turno, pelo Senado Federal (PEC 209/2012 da Câmara dos Deputados; PEC 10/2017 do Senado Federal). O presente texto busca apresentar algumas reflexões iniciais sobre o tema, com foco na admissibilidade e no procedimento do recurso especial, bem como na função contemporânea do Superior Tribunal de Justiça.
Ensino da história da Enfermagem: reflexões e contribuições [Teaching of nursing history: reflections and contributions] [Enseñanza de la historia de la Enfermería: reflexiones y contribuciones]
Authors: Jesus Ludmila Anjos de , Sant’Anna Monalisa Viana , Silva Gilberto Tadeu Reis da , Porto Fernando Rocha
Published: October 2022

Objetivo: refletir acerca do ensino da história de enfermagem mediante suas contribuições para a formação profissional. Conteúdo: trata-se de ensaio teórico-reflexivo, cujos dados foram organizados de acordo com os conteúdos relacionados à problemática e discutidos apoiados nos objetos referentes à história da enfermagem, com ênfase no período pós-Florence Nightingale. Delinearam-se duas seções teóricas: ensino da história da enfermagem e contribuições para a formação profissional. Considerações Finais: constatou-se que o ensino da história da enfermagem vem enfrentando desafios crescentes. Espera-se fomentar novas reflexões com o intuito de colaborar com o ensino da história da enfermagem de maneira crítica, reflexiva e emancipatória, reverberando na consolidação e fortalecimento da profissão na sociedade.ABSTRACTObjective: to think about teaching of the history of nursing history through its contributions to professional training. Content: in this theoretical-reflexive study, data was organized by content relating to the subject and discussed on the basis of the objects relating to nursing history, with emphasis on the period post-Florence Nightingale. Two theoretical sections were outlined: teaching of nursing history and contributions to professional training. Final remarks: teaching of nursing history was found to be facing mounting challenges. It is hoped to encourage new thinking with a view to contributing towards the critical, thoughtful and emancipatory teaching of nursing history, reflected in a consolidation and strengthening of the profession in society.RESUMENObjetivo: reflexionar acerca de la enseñanza de la historia de la enfermería mediante sus contribuciones para la formación profesional. Contenido: se trata de un ensayo teórico-reflexivo, cuyos datos fueron organizados según los contenidos relacionados a la problemática y discutidos con base en los objetos referentes a la historia de la enfermaría, con énfasis al periodo post-Florence Nightingale. Se delinearon dos secciones teóricas: enseñanza de la historia de la enfermería y contribuciones para la formación profesional. Consideraciones Finales: se constató que la enseñanza de la historia de la enfermería ha enfrentado crecientes desafíos. Se espera fomentar nuevas reflexiones con el intuito de colaborar con la enseñanza de la historia de la enfermería de manera crítica, reflexiva y emancipatoria, reverberando en la consolidación y fortalecimiento de la profesión en la sociedad.
On the Ky Fan $k$-norm of the $LI$-matrix of graphs
Authors: Lin Zhen , Miao Lianying , Yu Guanglong , Sheng Han
Published: October 2022

Let $A(G)$ and $D(G)$ be the adjacency matrix and the degree diagonal matrix of a graph $G$, respectively. Then $L(G)=D(G)-A(G)$ is called Laplacian matrix of the graph $G$. Let $G$ be a graph with $n$ vertices and $m$ edges. Then the $LI$-matrix of $G$ is defined as $LI(G)=L(G)-\frac{2m}{n}I_n$, where $I_n$ is the identity matrix. In this paper, we are interested in extremal properties of the Ky Fan $k$-norm of the $LI$-matrix of graphs, which is closely related to the well known problems and results in spectral graph theory, such as the Laplacian spectral radius, the Laplacian spread, the sum of the $k$ largest Laplacian eigenvalues, the Laplacian energy, and other parameters. Some bounds on the Ky Fan $k$-norm of the $LI$-matrix of graphs are given, and the extremal graphs are partly characterized. In addition, upper and lower bounds on the Ky Fan $k$-norm of $LI$-matrix of trees, unicyclic graphs, and bicyclic graphs are determined, and the corresponding extremal graphs are characterized.
Challenging the mechanism of distal biceps tendon rupture using a video analysis study
Authors: Jukes Christopher , Dirckx Margo , Bellringer Simon , Chaundy William , Phadnis Joideep
Published: October 2022

Aims

The conventionally described mechanism of distal biceps tendon rupture (DBTR) is of a ‘considerable extension force suddenly applied to a resisting, actively flexed forearm’. This has been commonly paraphrased as an ‘eccentric contracture to a flexed elbow’. Both definitions have been frequently used in the literature with little objective analysis or citation. The aim of the present study was to use video footage of real time distal biceps ruptures to revisit and objectively define the mechanism of injury.

Methods

An online search identified 61 videos reporting a DBTR. Videos were independently reviewed by three surgeons to assess forearm rotation, elbow flexion, shoulder position, and type of muscle contraction being exerted at the time of rupture. Prospective data on mechanism of injury and arm position was also collected concurrently for 22 consecutive patients diagnosed with an acute DBTR in order to corroborate the video analysis.

Results

Four videos were excluded, leaving 57 for final analysis. Mechanisms of injury included deadlift, bicep curls, calisthenics, arm wrestling, heavy lifting, and boxing. In all, 98% of ruptures occurred with the arm in supination and 89% occurred at 0° to 10° of elbow flexion. Regarding muscle activity, 88% occurred during isometric contraction, 7% during eccentric contraction, and 5% during concentric contraction. Interobserver correlation scores were calculated as 0.66 to 0.89 using the free-marginal Fleiss Kappa tool. The prospectively collected patient data was consistent with the video analysis, with 82% of injuries occurring in supination and 95% in relative elbow extension.

Conclusion

Contrary to the classically described injury mechanism, in this study the usual arm position during DBTR was forearm supination and elbow extension, and the muscle contraction was typically isometric. This was demonstrated for both video analysis and ‘real’ patients across a range of activities leading to rupture. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(10):826–831.
System design for coherent combined massive fiber laser array based on cascaded internal phase control
Authors: Long Jinhu , Su Rongtao , Hou Tianyue , Chang Qi , Jiang Min , Chang Hongxiang , Deng Yu , Ma Yanxing , Ma Pengfei , Zhou Pu
Published: October 2022

Coherent beam combining (CBC) of a fiber laser can scale the output power while maintaining high beam quality. However, phase detection and control remain a challenge for a high-power CBC system with a massive laser array. This paper provides a novel, to the best of our knowledge, cascaded phase-control technique based on internal phase detection and control, called the cascaded internal phase-control technique. The principle of the technique was introduced in detail, and the numerical simulations were carried out based on the stochastic parallel gradient descent (SPGD) algorithm. The results indicated that the cascaded internal phase-control technique was compatible with the massive laser array. Compared with the traditional CBC based on the SPGD algorithm, the control bandwidth could be improved effectively about seven times (120 steps) than the traditional SPGD algorithm (830 steps). Furthermore, the average root mean square of residual phase error was decreased to 0.03 rad (∼λ/209) with a laser array of 259 channels (7∗37), which was 0.36 rad (∼λ/17) in the traditional SPGD algorithm. In addition, the element expanding capacity was analyzed. Since there is no large-aperture optical device in the phase-detection system, this technique has the advantage of freely designing the caliber of the laser emitting system. This paper could offer a reference for the high-power massive laser array system design and phase control.
Vari-focal liquid microlens array using an electrically responsive fluid actuated by a ring array patterned electrode
Authors: Xu Miao , Liu Yating , Li Senhao , Li Jing , Zhang Lyudi , Lu Hongbo
Published: October 2022

A transparent fluid dibutyl adipate (DBA) is suitable for fabricating the adaptive lens due to its unique deformation under a direct current (DC) electric field. In this report, a DBA liquid microlens array (LMA) with a tunable focal length is demonstrated. A hydrophobic layer deposited in the ring array patterns on the electrode induced the formation of the DBA liquid microdroplets array self-assembly. The electronegative DBA liquid tends to move to the anode at a DC voltage. The proposed DBA LMA with a diameter of 100 µm can change its focal length from 0.92 to 1.42 mm when the voltage changes from 0 to 200 V. The response time is relatively fast (

∼

790

m
s

). Due to the high optical transmittance (

∼

91

%

) and good thermal stability in the temperature range of

−

24.8

−

161.5

∘

C, our DBA LMA shows good focusing properties and has potential applications in the field of image processing, portable electronic devices, beam steering, ophthalmology, and 3D displays.
Derivation of analytical expressions for anomalous reflection in the limit of zero thickness and weakly modulated dielectric grating
Authors: Granot Er’el
Published: October 2022

It is known that dielectric gratings exhibit anomalous scattering behavior. At certain incident angles, which are not related to the grating’s formula, 100% of the incident beam is reflected and, at other angles, 100% is transmitted. In this paper, analytical expressions are derived, for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, for these angles in the regime of narrow grating and weak modulation depth. In these expressions, the parameters emerge from basic principles. Moreover, in this weak modulation regime, a simple and analytically solvable model can be used to derive an analytical expression for the scattered electromagnetic field. Furthermore, it is shown that 100% reflection is achieved even when the grating layer shrinks to zero, the change in the layer’s refractive index is zero, and even when the modulation depth is arbitrarily weak, in which case, the incident angle satisfies

sin
⁡

θ

min

≅
±
(
1
−
λ

/

Λ
)

, where

Λ

is the grating spacing and

λ

is the beam’s wavelength. This result is valid for any ratio

λ

/

Λ

. Finally, it is shown that these anomalous transmission behaviors occur even when the modulation coefficient is imaginary and that these analytical expressions are still valid and can predict the corresponding angles.
Metamaterial solar absorber based on titanium resonators for operation in the ultraviolet to near-infrared region
Authors: Ehsanikachosang Mojtaba , Karimi Kianoosh , Rezaei Mir Hamid , Pourmajd Hamidreza
Published: October 2022

In this work, we design an ultra-broadband metamaterial solar absorber
with near-unity absorption. The absorber’s structure is optimized by
using the particle swarm optimization algorithm. A unit cell of the
absorber consists of three

T
i

/

T
i
O

2

/

T
i

square disks enclosed by a Ti square
ring resonator, all superimposed on a thin stack of

T
i
O

2

/

T
i

films. The optimized structure shows
high average absorption of 96.92% over the full wavelength range of
200–3200 nm. The over 90% absorption bandwidth is
3000 nm, which covers the ultraviolet, visible, and
near-infrared regions. The solar absorption of the structure is 95.5%
in the range of 280–3200 nm. The absorber is polarization
independent and insensitive to incident angle changes. The absorption
remains higher than 80% and 75% for TM and TE polarizations,
respectively, even under oblique incidence radiation up to 55°. The
structure possesses high thermal and chemical stability owing to the
use of Ti and

T
i
O

2

materials. Due to its outstanding
features, the absorber has high potential to be used in solar energy
harvesting, thermo-photovoltaics, and thermal emitting
applications.
Visualization of transparent particles based on optical spatial differentiation
Authors: He Shanshan , Wang Ruisi , Xu Wenhao , Luo Zhaoming , Luo Hailu
Published: October 2022

Optical analog computing operates on the amplitude, phase, polarization, and frequency distributions of the electromagnetic field through the interaction of light and matter. The differentiation operation is widely used in all-optical image processing technology, such as edge detection. Here, we propose a concise way to observe transparent particles, incorporating the optical differential operation that occurs on a single particle. The particle’s scattering and cross-polarization components combine into our differentiator. We achieve high-contrast optical images of transparent liquid crystal molecules. The visualization of aleurone grains (the structures that store protein particles in plant cells) in maize seed was experimentally demonstrated with a broadband incoherent light source. Avoiding the interference of stains, our designed method provides the possibility to observe protein particles directly in complex biological tissues.
Study on the mechanically exfoliated graphene saturable absorption dependence on the number of layers and its influence on passive mode-locking erbium-doped fiber laser dynamics
Authors: de Freitas F. P. R. , Steinberg D. , Rosa H. G. , Thoroh de Souza E. A.
Published: October 2022

We experimentally investigated the saturable absorption influence of graphene layers with natural stacking order in an erbium-doped fiber laser passive mode-locking. Mechanically exfoliated graphene saturable absorber (MEGSA) samples, ranging from 1 to 6 layers, were fabricated preserving their natural ABA stacking order and precisely characterized by 2D band profile from Raman spectroscopy. By incorporating the samples as saturable absorbers (SA) in the fiber laser, mode-locking performances with pulse duration from 670–780 fs and bandwidth from 3.8–4.6 nm could be generated. Also, we identified a transition in the mode-locking activation mechanism from non-self-starting, for monolayer and bilayer graphene, to self-starting, for trilayer and few-layer graphene, which is a strong indicative of fast-to-slow saturable absorption response dependence on the number of graphene layers.
Exploring adolescent engagement in sexual and reproductive health research in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda: A scoping review
Authors: Chidwick Hanna , Baumann Andrea , Ogba Patricia , Banfield Laura , DiLiberto Deborah D.
Published: October 2022

Adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) in East Africa has prioritized research on the barriers to care, communication, and ASRH knowledge, attitudes, and practices. However, there is little research examining the extent to which meaningful adolescent engagement in research is achieved in practice and how this influences the evidence available to inform ASRH services. This review offers a critical step towards understanding current approaches to adolescent engagement in ASRH research and identifying opportunities to build a strengthened evidence base with adolescent voices at the centre. This scoping review is based on Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) framework, employing a keyword search of four databases via OVID: Medline, Global Health, Embase and PsycINFO. Two reviewers screened title, abstract and full text to select articles examining ASRH in Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda, published between 2000 and 2020. After articles were selected, data was extracted, synthesized, and thematically organized to highlight emerging themes and potential opportunities for further research. The search yielded 1201 results, 34 of which were included in the final review. Results highlight the methods used to gather adolescent perspectives of ASRH (qualitative), the content of those perspectives (knowledge, sources of information, gaps in information and adolescent friendly services), and the overall narratives that frame discussions of ASRH (risky sexual behaviour, stigma, and gender norms). Findings indicate the extent of adolescent engagement in ASRH research is limited, resulting in a lack of comprehensive evidence, consistent challenges with stigma, little information on holistic concepts and a narrow framing of ASRH. In conclusion, there is opportunity for more meaningful engagement of adolescents in ASRH research. This engagement can be achieved by involving adolescents more comprehensively throughout the research cycle and by expanding the range of ASRH topics explored, as identified by adolescents.
‘Voice needs teeth to have bite’! Expanding community-led multisectoral action-learning to address alcohol and drug abuse in rural South Africa
Authors: D’Ambruoso Lucia , Mabetha Denny , Twine Rhian , van der Merwe Maria , Hove Jennifer , Goosen Gerhard , Sigudla Jerry , Witter Sophie ,   On behalf of the Verbal Autopsy with Participatory Action Research (VAPAR)/Wits/Mpumalanga Department of Health Learning Platform
Published: October 2022

There is limited operational understanding of multisectoral action in health inclusive of communities as active change agents. The objectives were to: (a) develop community-led action-learning, advancing multisectoral responses for local public health problems; and (b) derive transferrable learning. Participants representing communities, government departments and non-governmental organisations in a rural district in South Africa co-designed the process. Participants identified and problematised local health concerns, coproduced and collectively analysed data, developed and implemented local action, and reflected on and refined the process. Project data were analysed to understand how to expand community-led action across sectors. Community actors identified alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse as a major problem locally, and generated evidence depicting a self-sustaining problem, destructive of communities and disproportionately affecting children and young people. Community and government actors then developed action plans to rebuild community control over AOD harms. Implementation underscored community commitment, but also revealed organisational challenges and highlighted the importance of coordination with government reforms. While the action plan was only partially achieved, new relationships and collective capabilities were built, and the process was recommended for integration into district health planning and review. We created spaces engaging otherwise disconnected stakeholders to build dialogue, evidence, and action. Engagement needed time, space, and a sensitive, inclusive approach. Regular engagement helped develop collaborative mindsets. Credible, actionable information supported engagement. Collectively reflecting on and adapting the process supported aligning to local systems priorities and enabled uptake. The process made gains raising community ‘voice’ and initiating dialogue with the authorities, giving the voice ‘teeth’. Achieving ‘bite’, however, requires longer-term engagement, formal and sustained connections to the system. Sustaining in highly fluid contexts and connecting to higher levels are likely to be challenging. Regular learning spaces can support development of collaborative
Improving the efficiency of scale-up and deployment of community health workers in Mali: A geospatial analysis
Authors: Oliphant Nicholas P. , Sy Zeynabou , Koné Brehima , Berthé Mohamed , Beebe Madeleine , Samake Moussa , Diabaté Mamoutou , Tounkara Salimata , Diarra Borodjan , Diarra Amadou B. , Diawara Cheickna H. , Yakimova Tsvetana , Florisse Sonia , Jackson Debra , Ray Nicolas , Doherty Tanya
Published: October 2022

Optimising the scale and deployment of community health workers (CHWs) is important for maximizing geographical accessibility of integrated primary health care (PHC) services. Yet little is known about approaches for doing so. We used geospatial analysis to model optimised scale-up and deployment of CHWs in Mali, to inform strategic and operational planning by the Ministry of Health and Social Development. Accessibility catchments were modelled based on travel time, accounting for barriers to movement. We compared geographic coverage of the estimated population, under-five deaths, and plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria cases across different hypothetical optimised CHW networks and identified surpluses and deficits of CHWs compared to the existing CHW network. A network of 15 843 CHW, if optimally deployed, would ensure that 77.3% of the population beyond 5 km of the CSCom (community health centre) and CSRef (referral health facility) network would be within a 30-minute walk of a CHW. The same network would cover an estimated 59.5% of U5 deaths and 58.5% ofPfmalaria cases. As an intermediary step, an optimised network of 4 500 CHW, primarily filling deficits of CHW in the regions of Kayes, Koulikoro, Sikasso, and Ségou would ensure geographic coverage for 31.3% of the estimated population. There were no important differences in geographic coverage percentage when prioritizing CHW scale-up and deployment based on the estimated population, U5 deaths, orPfmalaria cases. Our geospatial analysis provides useful information to policymakers and planners in Mali for optimising the scale-up and deployment of CHW and, in turn, for maximizing the value-for-money of resources of investment in CHWs in the context of the country’s health sector reform. Countries with similar interests in optimising the scale and deployment of their CHW workforce may look to Mali as an exemplar model from which to learn.
How do local-level authorities engage in epidemic and pandemic preparedness activities and coordinate with higher levels of government? Survey results from 33 cities
Authors: Boyce Matthew R. , Asprilla Melissa Cordoba , van Loenen Breanna , McClelland Amanda , Rojhani Ariella
Published: October 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic suggests that there are opportunities to improve preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks. While much attention has been given to understanding national-level preparedness, relatively little attention has been given to understanding preparedness at the local-level. We, therefore, aim to describe (1) how local governments in urban environments were engaged in epidemic preparedness efforts before the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) how they were coordinating with authorities at higher levels of governance before COVID-19. We developed a survey and distributed it to 50 cities around the world involved in the Partnership for Healthy Cities. The survey included several question formats including free-response, matrices, and multiple-choice questions. RACI matrices, a project management tool that helps explain coordination structures, were used to understand the level of government responsible, accountable, consulted, and informed regarding select preparedness activities. We used descriptive statistics to summarize local-level engagement in preparedness. Local authorities from 33 cities completed the survey. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 20 of the cities had completed infectious disease risk assessments, 10 completed all-hazards risk assessments, 11 completed simulation exercises, 10 completed after-action reviews, 19 developed preparedness and response plans, three reported involvement in their country’s Joint External Evaluation of the International Health Regulations, and eight cities reported involvement in the development of their countries’ National Action Plan for Health Security. RACI matrices revealed various models of epidemic preparedness, with responsibility often shared across levels, and national governments accountable for the most activities, compared to other governance levels. In conclusion, national governments maintain the largest role in epidemic and pandemic preparedness but the role of subnational and local governments is not negligible. Local-level actors engage in a variety of preparedness activities and future efforts should strive to better include these actors in preparedness as a means of bolstering local, national, and global health security.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and confidence in the Philippines and Malaysia: A cross-sectional study of sociodemographic factors and digital health literacy
Authors: Brackstone Ken , Marzo Roy R. , Bahari Rafidah , Head Michael G. , Patalinghug Mark E. , Su Tin T.
Published: October 2022

With the emergence of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, large-scale vaccination coverage is crucial to the national and global pandemic response, especially in populous Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines and Malaysia where new information is often received digitally. The main aims of this research were to determine levels of hesitancy and confidence in COVID-19 vaccines among general adults in the Philippines and Malaysia, and to identify individual, behavioural, or environmental predictors significantly associated with these outcomes. Data from an internet-based cross-sectional survey of 2558 participants from the Philippines (N = 1002) and Malaysia (N = 1556) were analysed. Results showed that Filipino (56.6%) participants exhibited higher COVID-19 hesitancy than Malaysians (22.9%; p < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in ratings of confidence between Filipino (45.9%) and Malaysian (49.2%) participants (p = 0.105). Predictors associated with vaccine hesitancy among Filipino participants included women (OR, 1.50, 95% CI, 1.03–1.83; p = 0.030) and rural dwellers (OR, 1.44, 95% CI, 1.07–1.94; p = 0.016). Among Malaysian participants, vaccine hesitancy was associated with women (OR, 1.50, 95% CI, 1.14–1.99; p = 0.004), social media use (OR, 11.76, 95% CI, 5.71–24.19; p < 0.001), and online information-seeking behaviours (OR, 2.48, 95% CI, 1.72–3.58; p < 0.001). Predictors associated with vaccine confidence among Filipino participants included subjective social status (OR, 1.13, 95% CI, 1.54–1.22; p < 0.001), whereas vaccine confidence among Malaysian participants was associated with higher education (OR, 1.30, 95% CI, 1.03–1.66; p < 0.028) and negatively associated with rural dwellers (OR, 0.64, 95% CI, 0.47–0.87; p = 0.005) and online information-seeking behaviours (OR, 0.42, 95% CI, 0.31–0.57; p < 0.001). Efforts should focus on creating effective interventions to decrease vaccination hesitancy, increase confidence, and bolster the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination, particularly in light of the Dengvaxia crisis in the Philippines.
Research and application of a new method for adjusting the vehicle body height
Authors: Li Zhihong , Yao Jialing , Xu Youlin
Published: October 2022

The use of active suspension for vehicle height adjustment has problems of high cost, high energy consumption, slow response, and complex structure. This paper proposes a new method for adjusting the vehicle body using the damping asymmetric characteristic of semi-active suspensions, which is based on the idea that the dampers with damping asymmetric characteristics will cause a change in the mean position of the vehicle body vibration. To verify the feasibility of this method, a single-wheel vehicle model containing asymmetric damping is established. The system’s responses under the sinusoidal and random roads excitation are obtained by the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method, the influences of key parameters on the vehicle body’s shifting height are analyzed, and the mechanism of vehicle body’s shift is explained from the perspective of energy conservation. Then a vehicle body height controller based on third-order linear active disturbance rejection control (LADRC) is designed. Simulation results show that the proposed method for controlling the vehicle height with asymmetric damping can quickly adjust the vehicle to the expected height whether under the sinusoidal road or random road. In addition, no additional hardware and energy consumption are required, providing a new idea for vehicle height control.
Originality in online dating profile texts: How does perceived originality affect impression formation and what makes a text original?
Authors: van der Zanden Tess , Schouten Alexander P. , Mos Maria B. J. , Krahmer Emiel J.
Published: October 2022

This paper investigates origins and consequences of perceived profile text originality. The first goal was to examine whether the perceived originality of authentic online dating profile texts affects online daters’ perceptions of attractiveness, and whether perceptions of (less) desired partner personality traits mediate this effect. Results showed the positive impact of perceived profile text originality on impression formation: text originality positively affects perceptions of intelligence and sense of humor, which improve impressions of attractiveness and boost dating intention. The second goal was to explore what profile text features increase perceptions of profile text originality. Results revealed profile texts which were stylistically original (e.g., include metaphors) and contained more and concrete self-disclosure statements were considered more original, explaining almost half of the variance in originality scores. Taken together, our results suggest that perceived originality in profile texts is manifested in both meaning and form, and is a balancing act between novelty and appropriateness.
Observational study of factors associated with morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 in Lebanon, 2020–2021
Authors: Nader Moni , Zmerli Omar , Platt Daniel E. , Hamdan Hamdan , Hamdash Salwa , Tayeh Rami Abi , Azar Jad , Kadi Diana , Sultan Youssef , Bazarbachi Taha , Karayakoupoglou Gilbert , Zalloua Pierre , Azar Eid
Published: October 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic claimed millions of lives worldwide without clear signs of abating despite several mitigation efforts and vaccination campaigns. There have been tremendous interests in understanding the etiology of the disease particularly in what makes it severe and fatal in certain patients. Studies have shown that COVID-19 patients with kidney injury on admission were more likely to develop severe disease, and acute kidney disease was associated with high mortality in COVID-19 hospitalized patients.

Methods

This study investigated 819 COVID-19 patients admitted between January 2020-April 2021 to the COVID-19 ward at a tertiary care center in Lebanon and evaluated their vital signs and biomarkers while probing for two main outcomes: intubation and fatality. Logistic and Cox regressions were performed to investigate the association between clinical and metabolic variables and disease outcomes, mainly intubation and mortality. Times were defined in terms of admission and discharge/fatality for COVID-19, with no other exclusions.

Results

Regression analysis revealed that the following are independent risk factors for both intubation and fatality respectively: diabetes (p = 0.021 and p = 0.04), being overweight (p = 0.021 and p = 0.072), chronic kidney disease (p = 0.045 and p = 0.001), and gender (p = 0.016 and p = 0.114). Further, shortness of breath (p<0.001), age (p<0.001) and being overweight (p = 0.014) associated with intubation, while fatality with shortness of breath (p<0.001) in our group of patients. Elevated level of serum creatinine was the highest factor associated with fatality (p = 0.002), while both white blood count (p<0.001) and serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase levels (p<0.001) emerged as independent risk factors for intubation.

Conclusions

Collectively our data show that high creatinine levels were significantly associated with fatality in our COVID-19 study patients, underscoring the importance of kidney function as a main modulator of SARS-CoV-2 morbidity and favor a careful and proactive management of patients with elevated creatinine levels on admission.