bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Historiozoficzna interpretacja rewolucji październikowej w myśli społeczno-politycznej Slavoja Žižka
Authors: Drelich Sławomir
Published: February 2023

Artykuł prezentuje interpretację rewolucji październikowej w pismach społeczno-politycznych Slavoja Žižka. Myśliciel ten analizuje wydarzenia rewolucji 1917 r. w kontekście historiozoficznym. W rozważaniach posługuje się on pojęciami z zakresu filozofii dziejów Hegla oraz Marksa. Interpretacja Žižka przedstawiona została w pięciu krokach, w których zobrazowano najważniejsze elementy koncepcji.
“La prodigiosa máquina que aún no aciertan á comprender”: técnica, industria temprana y experiencias del tiempo. Colombia, 1880-1904
Authors: Hernández Quiñones Óscar Daniel
Published: February 2023

Al finalizar el siglo XIX, Colombia asistió a un tímido proceso de modernización material tra-ducido en el estímulo a algunos tramos ferroviarios, líneas de comunicación y ferrerías. Como bien lo ha remarcado la historiografía de corte economicista, el común denominador de aquellas tentativas técnicas fue su carácter tambaleante. Otra particularidad menos conocida de esta ambivalente agenda modernizante, fue su capacidad de convocar voces muy diversas, entre otros a clérigos, notabilidades políticas, publicistas, quienes reflexionaron, con fascinante intensidad, sobre la personalidad histórica de su época y sobre los posibles horizontes de fraternidad que jalonaría el mundo industrial. Este libro rescata varias de esas reflexiones temporales inspiradas por las agridulces mejoras materiales acometidas en el ocaso del siglo. A través de ellas, el autor presenta las ansiedades y expectativas que los contemporáneos depositaron en el futuro, la for-ma aguda con que juzgaron el corto pasado republicano, y las virtudes que definieron como las más adecuadas de acuerdo al “espíritu de los tiempos”. Así, el texto expone algunas actitudes, afectos y sentidos mediante los cuales los actores estudiados buscaron orientarse en un fin de siglo complejo, tomando como pretexto el paisaje emergente de máquinas y artefactos novedosos que comenzaban a atestiguar.
Digital health and technologies
Authors: While Alison
Published: February 2023

Digital health was given impetus by the COVID-19 pandemic and demonstrated its potential for the delivery of safe care in the community. Remote monitoring and virtual wards are becoming mainstreamed across the UK. Artificial intelligence (AI) software has the potential to transform healthcare delivery but its trustworthiness is a key challenge. Positive staff attitudes towards digital health and new ways of working require staff education and engagement. Continued attention is required to meet the needs of those without access to digital technology and its use.
Flight Test Museum Takes Shape in California
Authors: Sampson Ben
Published: February 2023

A museum being built to celebrate the flight testing feats of engineers and pilots in the Mojave Desert has taken a giant leap forwards
Special FX
Authors: Atkinson David
Published: February 2023

What do UK manufacturers need to know about foreign exchange?
Challenging Times -but Room for Optimism
Authors: Griffiths Alan
Published: February 2023

How are the leading tech vendors in design, construction and manufacturing reacting to market pressures such as sustainability, economic volatility and skilled worker shortages?
Diverse Challenges
Authors: Walkington Jon
Published: February 2023

After a turbulent few years, 2023 promises to be a year of consolidation for supply chain professionals
Quiet Places
Authors: Willis Paul
Published: February 2023

Designed to stop the reflection of sound or electromagnetic waves, anechoic chambers are essential to today's consumer electronics testing. CET&D surveys some of the most silent spaces on Earth.
Efficacy and Safety of Tranexamic Acid Administration in Patients with Acute Traumatic Brain Injury: A Review of Current Literature
Authors: Kao Kenzie , Alsabri Mohammed
Published: February 2023

Hypothesis: Early administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces mortality in patients suffering from acute traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: A structured search of PubMed and CENTRAL from inception until July 1st, 2022 was carried out seeking RCTs comparing the effects of TXA administration to placebo in patients suffering from TBI. The primary outcome tested was 28-day all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included intracranial hemorrhage growth and thromboembolic events. Results: Eight RCTs involving a total of 14,714 patients met the inclusion criteria; 7573 patients received TXA while 7141 patients received a placebo. There were 1415 patient deaths (18.7%) in the TXA group and 1410 patient deaths (19.7%) in the placebo group. None of the included studies reported a significant reduction in 28-day all-cause mortality, however, they all shared positive trends toward superior outcomes in the intervention arms. Two of the included studies reported significant reductions in intracranial hemorrhage expansion in those patients treated with TXA, with four more studies reporting trends toward superior outcomes in the TXA groups. There was no evidence of increased incidence of thromboembolic events in the TXA groups in four of the five studies that reported relevant data, with one study representing 1.2% of total patients reporting an increased incidence of pulmonary emboli in the intervention group. Conclusions: In patients suffering from acute TBI, early administration of TXA reduces intracranial hemorrhage growth and may have positive effects on mortality with no corresponding increase in thromboembolic events. Given these results, early administration of TXA in patients experiencing TBI is recommended in initial care. Keywords: Tranexamic acid, Traumatic brain injury, Intracranial hemorrhage, Mortality, Disability
International collaboration in social work research
Authors: Shaw Ian F.
Published: February 2023

This article is premised on the belief that the social work community needs to recognise that collaborative research – nationally or internationally – will take diverse forms. Setting up a standard model for such collaboration is likely to constrain too narrowly opportunities for good research. I begin by considering how ‘collaboration’ has been – and might be – understood within social work and research. I spend the main part teasing out the various senses in which I have sought, and encouraged others, to collaborate. These include developing homes for rigorous social work research, collaborative research and writing, crossing disciplinary boundaries, challenging national myopia, questioning conventional goods and ills, and doing the history of research.
Flexible and scalable ML-based diagnosis module for optical networks: a security use case [Invited]
Authors: Natalino Carlos , Gifre Lluis , Moreno-Muro Francisco-Javier , Gonzalez-Diaz Sergio , Vilalta Ricard , Muñoz Raul , Monti Paolo , Furdek Marija
Published: February 2023

To support the pervasive digital evolution, optical network infrastructures must be able to quickly and effectively adapt to changes arising from traffic dynamicity or external factors such as faults and attacks. Network automation is crucial for enabling dynamic, scalable, resource-efficient, and trustworthy network operations. Novel telemetry solutions enable optical network management systems to obtain fine-grained monitoring data from devices and channels as the first step toward the near-real-time diagnosis of anomalies such as security threats and soft failures. However, the collection of large amounts of data creates a scalability challenge related to processing the data within the desired monitoring cycle regardless of the number of optical services being analyzed. This paper proposes a module that leverages the cloud native software deployment approach to achieve near-real-time machine learning (ML)-assisted diagnosis of optical channels. The results obtained over an emulated physical-layer security scenario demonstrate that the architecture successfully scales the necessary components according to the computational load and consistently achieves the desired monitoring cycle duration over a varying number of monitored optical channels.
10  dB emission suppression in a structured low index medium
Authors: Saha Soumyadeep , Mustafa Meraj E , Eich Manfred , Petrov Alexander Yu.
Published: February 2023

Significant suppression of radiation in 3D structured media with small refractive indices of 1.4–1.6, such as glass or polymers, is a desirable feature yet to be obtained. We present here quasiperiodic 3D structures with a homogeneous distribution of Bragg peaks on a sphere in reciprocal space obtained by an overlap of multiple gratings. Simulations on 3D structures revealed a limitation of emission suppression contrasting from theoretical predictions. The effect of number of gratings and refractive index contrast on the obtained suppression is investigated. We demonstrate an almost refractive index independent −10dB suppression of emission for a refractive index as low as 1.30.
Simulating the generation of spin squeezing in a Rydberg atomic array for quantum metrology via a dissipative discrete truncated Wigner approximation
Authors: Wang Jingya , Xu Zhongxiao , Li Donghao
Published: February 2023

An atomic ensemble with many-body entanglement is desirable for precision measurement. As a type of such quantum state, the spin squeezed state has been pursued in both cold and warm atoms for applications of a quantum-enhanced atomic clock, interferometer, and magnetometer. Here, we report the numerical simulation of many-body dynamics in a Rydberg atomic array with dipole–dipole interaction, and evaluate the generation of spin squeezing. The method builds on the dissipative discrete truncated Wigner approximation, which combines the mean-field dynamics of a spin ensemble with Monte Carlo sampling. By taking into account experimental imperfections such as spin decoherence, we apply this approach to the dynamics in both strontium and rubidium Rydberg atomic arrays with the current available scale. This offers the possibility to accurately simulate the many-body dynamics of interacting quantum systems in achievable platforms for application of quantum simulation and quantum metrology.
Off-axis aberrations improve the resolution limits of incoherent imaging
Authors: Liang Kevin
Published: February 2023

The presence of off-axis tilt and Petzval curvature, two of the lowest-order off-axis Seidel aberrations, are shown to improve the Fisher information of two-point separation estimation in an incoherent imaging system compared to an aberration-free system. Our results show that the practical localization advantages of modal imaging techniques within the field of quantum-inspired superresolution can be achieved with direct imaging measurement schemes alone.
Elimination of varying chromatic aberrations based on diffractive optics
Authors: Hu Haiquan , Jiang Tingting , Chen Yueting , Xu Zhihai , Li Qi , Feng Huajun
Published: February 2023

In telescopic systems consisting of Alvarez lenses, chromatic aberrations vary with the magnifications and the fields of view. Computational imaging has developed rapidly in recent years, therefore we propose a method of optimizing the DOE and the post-processing neural network in 2 stages for achromatic aberrations. We apply the iterative algorithm and the gradient descent method to optimize the DOE, respectively, and then adopt U-Net to further optimize the results. The results show that the optimized DOEs improve the results, the gradient descent optimized DOE with U-Net performs the best and has a very robust and good performance in the case of simulated chromatic aberrations. The results also verify the validity of our algorithm.
Experimental demonstration of 201.6-Gbit/s coherent probabilistic shaping QAM transmission with quantum noise stream cipher over a 1200-km standard single mode fiber
Authors: Sun Jihui , Jiang Lin , Yi Anlin , Feng Jiacheng , Deng Xiong , Pan Wei , luo Bin , Yan Lianshan
Published: February 2023

A probabilistic shaping (PS) quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) based on Y-00 quantum noise stream cipher (QNSC) has been proposed. We experimentally demonstrated this scheme with data rate of 201.6Gbit/s over a 1200-km standard single mode fiber (SSMF) under a 20% SD-FEC threshold. Accounting for the 20% FEC and 6.25% pilot overhead, the achieved net data rate is ∼160Gbit/s. In the proposed scheme, a mathematical cipher (Y-00 protocol) is utilized to convert the original low-order modulation PS-16 (22 × 22) QAM into ultra-dense high-order modulation PS-65536 (28 × 28) QAM. Then, the physical randomness of quantum (shot) noise at photodetection and amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise from optical amplifiers are employed to mask the encrypted ultra-dense high-order signal for further improving the security. We further analyze the security performance by two metrics known in the reported QNSC systems, namely the number of masked signals (NMS) of noise and the detection failure probability (DFP). Experimental results show it is difficult or even impossible to extract transmission signals from quantum or ASE noise for an eavesdropper (Eve). We believe that the proposed PS-QAM/QNSC secure transmission scheme has the potential to be compatible with existing high-speed long-distance optical fiber communication systems.
Strong coupling of second harmonic generation scattering spectrum in a diexcitionic nanosystem
Authors: Li Junqiang , Deng Xuyan , Jin Lei , Wang Yilin , Wang Tiejun , Liang Kun , Yu Li
Published: February 2023

Diexcitonic strong coupling between quantum emitters and localized surface plasmon has attracted more attention recently because it can provide multiple qubit states for future quantum information technology at room temperature. In a strong coupling regime, nonlinear optical effects can offer new routes for developing quantum devices, but it is rarely reported. In this paper, we established the hybrid system consisting of J-aggregates–WS2–cuboid Au@Ag nanorods, which can realize diexcitonic strong coupling and second harmonic generation (SHG). We find that multimode strong coupling has been achieved not only in the fundamental frequency scattering spectrum but also in the SHG scattering spectrum. SHG scattering spectrum shows three plexciton branches, similar to the splitting in the fundamental frequency scattering spectrum. Furthermore, the SHG scattering spectrum can be modulated by tuning the armchair direction of the crystal lattice, pump polarization direction, and plasmon resonance frequency, which makes our system very promising in the quantum device at room temperature. Moreover, we develop coupled nonlinear harmonic oscillator model theory to explain the nonlinear diexcitonic strong coupling mechanism. The calculated results by the finite element method accord well with our theory. The nonlinear optical properties of the diexcitonic strong coupling can provide potential applications such as quantum manipulation, entanglement, and integrated logic devices.
Dynamic freeform diffractive lens
Authors: Mendoza-Yero Omel
Published: February 2023

In the framework of the scalar theory of diffraction a surface-pixeled convergent lens for arbitrary amplitude and phase modulation along the depth of focus is introduced. This complex diffractive lens is computer-generated from an exact solution of the inverse focal shaping problem obtained by using the Fresnel diffraction integral. The spatial multiplexing technique of double-phase method is employed to encode the complex diffractive lens into a phase optical element that can be dynamically implemented with a commercial liquid-crystal spatial light modulator. The optical surface of this lens, capable of generating not only a single axial focus but also multiple parallel foci, has neither linear nor rotational symmetry but phase jumps from one pixel to another. In addition to intensity shaping, the introduced lens provides simultaneous control over the phase of light along the depth of focus, which can be very attractive for improving and/or developing photonic applications related to the interaction of coherent laser beams with matter.
Interoperable Selbstsouveräne Identitäten: Ein Digital Markets Act für Endnutzer?
Authors: Yildiz Hakan , Philipp Artur , Schulte Aljoscha , Küpper Axel , Göndor Sebastian , Rodriguez Garzon Sandro
Published: February 2023

Der Digital Markets Act zielt darauf ab, den unilateralen Markteinfluss der Betreiber (sogenannte Gatekeeper) zentraler Plattformdienste, wie z. B. App-Stores, zu regulieren. In vielen Fällen zwingen Gatekeeper ihren Geschäftskunden (den Dienstanbietern) die Integration eigener Plattform-Identitätsdienste in ihren Diensten und Anwendungen auf. So benötigen die Endnutzer der Dienstanbieter digitale Identitäten, die durch Plattform-Identitätsdienste bereitgestellt und verwaltet werden müssen, um auf die angebotenen Anwendungen der Dienstanbieter zugreifen zu können. Der Digital Market Act sieht vor, dass Plattformanbieter ihre Geschäftskunden nicht dazu zwingen dürfen, plattformspezifische Identitätsdienste in die Anwendungen und Dienste der Geschäftskunden zu integrieren. Zwar können nach dem Digital Markets Act Dienstanbieter die Identitätsdienste frei wählen, aber die Endnutzer sind weiterhin dazu gezwungen, die von den Dienstanbietern angebotenen Identitätsdienste zu verwenden. Das neue Paradigma der selbstsouveränen Identitäten (Self-sovereign identity, SSI) verspricht Endnutzern unabhängig von Identitätsdiensten Kontrolle und Hoheit über ihre digitalen Identitäten. Die Zahl der Dienste und Anwendungen, welche das SSI-Paradigma umsetzen, nimmt rapide zu. Zugrundeliegende Standards und Protokolle unterscheiden sich jedoch teils signifikant. Aufgrund dieser Divergenz ist das Sicherstellen der Interoperabilität unterschiedlicher Dienste und Anwendungen, die das SSI-Paradigma umsetzen, einer der größten Herausforderungen, um eine breite Nutzerakzeptanz zu erreichen. In diesem Artikel diskutieren wir die Herausforderungen der Interoperabilität im Detail, bieten einen systematischen Ansatz zu ihrer Beseitigung und zeigen ein praktisches Beispiel auf nationaler Ebene in Deutschland.
Shapify: Paths to SARS-CoV-2 frameshifting pseudoknot
Authors: Trinity Luke , Wark Ian , Lansing Lance , Jabbari Hosna , Stege Ulrike
Published: February 2023

Multiple coronaviruses including MERS-CoV causing Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, SARS-CoV causing SARS, and SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19, use a mechanism known as −1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting (−1 PRF) to replicate. SARS-CoV-2 possesses a unique RNA pseudoknotted structure that stimulates −1 PRF. Targeting −1 PRF in SARS-CoV-2 to impair viral replication can improve patients’ prognoses. Crucial to developing these therapies is understanding the structure of the SARS-CoV-2 −1 PRF pseudoknot. Our goal is to expand knowledge of −1 PRF structural conformations. Following a structural alignment approach, we identify similarities in −1 PRF pseudoknots of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV. We provide in-depth analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV −1 PRF pseudoknots, including reference and noteworthy mutated sequences. To better understand the impact of mutations, we provide insight on −1 PRF pseudoknot sequence mutations and their effect on resulting structures. We introduce Shapify, a novel algorithm that given an RNA sequence incorporates structural reactivity (SHAPE) data and partial structure information to output an RNA secondary structure prediction within a biologically sound hierarchical folding approach. Shapify enhances our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 −1 PRF pseudoknot conformations by providing energetically favourable predictions that are relevant to structure-function and may correlate with −1 PRF efficiency. Applied to the SARS-CoV-2 −1 PRF pseudoknot, Shapify unveils previously unknown paths from initial stems to pseudoknotted structures. By contextualizing our work with available experimental data, our structure predictions motivate future RNA structure-function research and can aid 3-D modeling of pseudoknots.
Multicenter automatic detection of invasive carcinoma on breast whole slide images
Authors: Peyret Rémy , Pozin Nicolas , Sockeel Stéphane , Kammerer-Jacquet Solène-Florence , Adam Julien , Bocciarelli Claire , Ditchi Yoan , Bontoux Christophe , Depoilly Thomas , Guichard Loris , Lanteri Elisabeth , Sockeel Marie , Prévot Sophie
Published: February 2023

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide and pathologists are closely involved in establishing a diagnosis. Tools to assist in making a diagnosis are required to manage the increasing workload. In this context, artificial intelligence (AI) and deep-learning based tools may be used in daily pathology practice. However, it is challenging to develop fast and reliable algorithms that can be trusted by practitioners, whatever the medical center. We describe a patch-based algorithm that incorporates a convolutional neural network to detect and locate invasive carcinoma on breast whole-slide images. The network was trained on a dataset extracted from a reference acquisition center. We then performed a calibration step based on transfer learning to maintain the performance when translating on a new target acquisition center by using a limited amount of additional training data. Performance was evaluated using classical binary measures (accuracy, recall, precision) for both centers (referred to as “test reference dataset” and “test target dataset”) and at two levels: patch and slide level. At patch level, accuracy, recall, and precision of the model on the reference and target test sets were 92.1% and 96.3%, 95% and 87.8%, and 73.9% and 70.6%, respectively. At slide level, accuracy, recall, and precision were 97.6% and 92.0%, 90.9% and 100%, and 100% and 70.8% for test sets 1 and 2, respectively. The high performance of the algorithm at both centers shows that the calibration process is efficient. This is performed using limited training data from the new target acquisition center and requires that the model is trained beforehand on a large database from a reference center. This methodology allows the implementation of AI diagnostic tools to help in routine pathology practice.
Social support and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic among a cohort of people living with HIV (PLWH) in Western Kenya
Authors: Mburia-Mwalili Adel , Wagner Karla D. , Kwobah Edith Kamaru , Atwoli Lukoye , Aluda Maurice , Simmons Brianna , Lewis-Kulzer Jayne , Goodrich Suzanne , Wools-Kaloustian Kara , Syvertsen Jennifer L.
Published: February 2023

As coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic in 2020, countries around the world implemented various prevention strategies, such as banning of public and social gatherings, restriction in movement, etc. These efforts may have had a deleterious effect on already vulnerable populations, including people living with HIV (PLWH). PLWH were concerned about contracting COVID-19, the impact of COVID-19 on their social networks that provide social support, and the continued availability of antiretroviral medications during the pandemic. In addition, their mental health may have been exacerbated by the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to explore pandemic-related concerns among a cohort of PLWH in Kenya and investigate social support factors associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. This study is part of a larger cohort study that recruited from two clinics in Western Kenya. Data are drawn from 130 PLWH who participated in two phone surveys about experiences during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Participants reported a variety of concerns over the course of the pandemic and we documented statistically significant increases in symptoms of depression and anxiety over time, which affected some participants’ ability to adhere to their antiretroviral medication. However, a small but statistically significant group of participants reached out to expand their networks and mobilize support in the context of experiencing mental health and adherence challenges, speaking to the importance of social support as a coping strategy during times of stress. Our findings call for holistic approaches to HIV care that consider the broader political, economic, and social contexts that shape its effectiveness.
Bothrops (Fer-de-lance) snakebites in the French departments of the Americas (Martinique and Guyana): Clinical and experimental studies and treatment by immunotherapy
Authors: Resiere Dabor , Kallel Hatem , Florentin Jonathan , Houcke Stephanie , Mehdaoui Hossein , Gutiérrez José María , Neviere Remi
Published: February 2023

Snakebite envenomation is a relevant medical hazard in French Guiana and Martinique, two French territories in the Americas. All snakebite envenomations in Martinique are inflicted by the endemic viperid speciesBothrops lanceolatus, whereasBothrops atroxis responsible for the majority of snakebites in French Guiana, although other venomous snake species also occur in this South American territory. This review summarizes some of the key aspects of the natural history of these species, as well as of their venom composition, the main clinical manifestations of envenomations, and their treatment by antivenoms.B.atroxvenom induces the typical set of clinical manifestations characteristic ofBothropssp. venoms, i.e., local tissue damage and systemic alterations associated with coagulopathies, hemorrhage, hemodynamic alterations, and acute kidney injury. In the case ofB.lanceolatusvenom, in addition to some typical features of bothropic envenomation, a unique and severe thrombotic effect occurs in some patients. The pathogenesis of this effect remains unknown but may be related to the action of venom components and inflammatory mediators on endothelial cells in the vasculature. A monospecific antivenom has been successfully used in Martinique to treat envenomations byB.lanceolatus. In the case of French Guiana, a polyvalent antivenom has been used for some years, but it is necessary to assess the preclinical and clinical efficacy against viperid venoms in this country of other antivenoms manufactured in the Americas.
A scoping review of digital workplace wellness interventions in low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Thai Yi Chiann , Sim Deanna , McCaffrey Tracy A. , Ramadas Amutha , Malini Hema , Watterson Jessica L.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Digital technology-based interventions have gained popularity over the last two decades, due to the ease with which they are scalable and low in implementation cost. Multicomponent health promotion programmes, with significant digital components, are increasingly being deployed in the workplace to assess and promote employees’ health behaviours and reduce risk of chronic diseases. However, little is known about workplace digital health interventions in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs).

Methods

Various combinations of keywords related to “digital health”, “intervention”, “workplace” and “developing country” were applied in Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO, Scopus and Cochrane Library for peer-reviewed articles in English language. Manual searches were performed to supplement the database search. The screening process was conducted in two phases and a narrative synthesis to summarise the data. The review protocol was written prior to undertaking the review (OSF Registry:10.17605/OSF.IO/QPR9J).

Results

The search strategy identified 10,298 publications, of which 24 were included. Included studies employed the following study designs: randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) (n = 12), quasi-experimental (n = 4), pilot studies (n = 4), pre-post studies (n = 2) and cohort studies (n = 2). Most of the studies reported positive feedback of the use of digital wellness interventions in workplace settings.

Conclusions

This review is the first to map and describe the impact of digital wellness interventions in the workplace in LMICs. Only a small number of studies met the inclusion criteria. Modest evidence was found that digital workplace wellness interventions were feasible, cost-effective, and acceptable. However, long-term, and consistent effects were not found, and further studies are needed to provide more evidence. This scoping review identified multiple digital health interventions in LMIC workplace settings and highlighted a few important research gaps.
The modifier effect of physical activity, body mass index, and age on the association of metformin and chronic back pain: A cross-sectional analysis of 21,899 participants from the UK Biobank
Authors: Carvalho-e-Silva Ana Paula , Ferreira Paulo H. , Harmer Alison R. , Hartvigsen Jan , Ferreira Manuela L.
Published: February 2023

Background

There is growing evidence of the anti-inflammatory effect of the anti-diabetic drug metformin and its use to reduce pain. However, we currently lack studies investigating whether metformin is associated with a reduction in chronic back pain prevalence when considering physical activity levels, body mass index (BMI), and age.

Objective

To investigate whether use of metformin is associated with lower levels of reporting of chronic back pain in a large cohort with type 2 diabetes when stratified for physical activity, BMI, and age.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study of 21,889 participants with type 2 diabetes who were drawn from the UK Biobank database. We investigated whether people using metformin reported a higher prevalence of chronic low back pain than those who did not. Type 2 diabetes, chronic back pain, and metformin were self-reported. Participants were stratified according to their physical activity level (low, moderate and high), BMI (normal, overweight, and obese), and age (40 to <50; 50 to < 60; and ≥60 years). Logistic regression models were built for each physical activity level, BMI and age category to investigate the prevalence of chronic back pain amongst those using and not using metformin.

Results

Participants who were using metformin and who had low levels of physical activity [OR 0.87, 95%CI 0.78 to 0.96] or who were obese [OR 0.90, 95%CI 0.86 to 0.98] or older [OR 0.85, 95%CI 0.78 to 0.93] had lower odds of reporting chronic back pain than their counterparts.

Conclusion

The anti-diabetic drug metformin might reduce prevalence of chronic low back pain in people who are older, overweight, or less active. These findings should be confirmed in studies using a longitudinal design.
Risk stratification for hepatocellular cancer among patients with cirrhosis using a hepatic fat polygenic risk score
Authors: Thrift Aaron P. , Kanwal Fasiha , Liu Yanhong , Khaderi Saira , Singal Amit G. , Marrero Jorge A. , Loo Nicole , Asrani Sumeet K. , Luster Michelle , Al-Sarraj Abeer , Ning Jing , Tsavachidis Spiridon , Gu Xiangjun , Amos Christopher I. , El-Serag Hashem B.
Published: February 2023

Background

Polygenic risk scores (PRS) hold the promise to refine prognostication in hepatocellular cancer (HCC). The few available HCC PRS include germline risk variants identified among individuals of mostly European ancestry, but data are lacking on the transportability of these PRS in multiethnic U.S patients with cirrhosis from multiple etiologies.

Methods

We used data from 1644 patients with cirrhosis enrolled in two prospective cohort studies in the U.S. Patients were followed until HCC diagnosis, death, liver transplantation, or last study visit through June 30, 2021. The high-risk variants in PNPLA3-MBOAT7-TM6SF2-GCKR were combined in a PRS and we evaluated its association with HCC. Discriminatory accuracy was assessed using the C-statistic.

Results

During 4,759 person-years of follow-up, 93 patients developed HCC. Mean age was 59.8 years, 68.6% were male, 27.2% Hispanic, 25.1% non-Hispanic Black, 25.7% had NAFLD, 42.1% had heavy alcohol use, and 19.5% had active HCV. HCC risk increased by 134% per unit increase in PRS (HR = 2.30; 95% CI, 1.35–3.92). Compared to cirrhosis patients in the lowest tertile of the PRS, those in the highest tertile had 2-fold higher risk of HCC (HR = 2.05; 95% CI, 1.22–3.44). The PRS alone had modest discriminatory ability (C-statistic = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.52–0.63); however, adding PRS to a predictive model with traditional HCC risk factors had a C-statistic of 0.70 (95% CI, 0.64–0.76), increasing from 0.68 without the PRS (p = 0.0012).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that PRS may enhance risk prediction for HCC in contemporary U.S. cirrhosis patients.
Phylogeography of Aphyocypris normalis Nichols and Pope, 1927 at Hainan Island and adjacent areas based on mitochondrial DNA data
Authors: Chen I-Shiung , Jang-Liaw Nian-Hong
Published: February 2023

We investigated the genetic structure of the freshwater fish Aphyocypris normalis, in 33 populations around Hainan Island and southern mainland China. Sequencing of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome b from 127 specimens yielded 47 haplotypes, from which we inferred a Bayesian tree. This revealed three major divergences: a principal clade of specimens with widespread geographic distribution, plus two clades with limited distribution. We estimated that these diverged between 1.05–0.16 Ma. Additionally, based on molecular data and comparing with the climate patterns of Hainan Island, eight phylogeographic ranges (populations) of A. normalis were constructed: the eastern plain (E), northeastern hills and plain (NE), northwestern hills and lowlands (NW), central mountains (C), southeastern hills and plain (SE), southern mountains and hills (S), southwestern mountains and lowlands (SW), and western lowlands (W). The patterns of geographical divergence in this species do not reflect the isolation caused by the Qiongzhou (Hainan) Strait, which would generally be experienced by terrestrial animals on isolated islands. The present results indicate that the major clades within A. normalis have diverged before the temporary land bridge existed across the strait during the Last Glacial Maximum.
Analysing eco-art installations for their value in affecting change
Authors: Cucuzzella Carmela
Published: February 2023

A distinctive form of environmentally driven art and design practice has emerged in urban contexts over the last few decades. This practice has developed a unique discourse aiming to inform and rally the public to action. The global eco-didactic direction of this artwork not only demonstrates an alignment with pressing ecological issues but is driven by an urgent need to explain unsustainable anthropocentric practices. Adopting the public realm as an audience is key for these works, since this enables human encounters with the issues collectively, contributing to the potential of ‘public space as a political forum’. This article poses the question ‘are these works a means of revealing the Anthropocene?’ A series of art and design installations are examined along with a discussion of the what these works aim to accomplish and how this can be achieved.
The Medium Is the Environment: Digital materialism, climate crisis and digital art as pedagogy
Authors: Day Kevin T.
Published: February 2023

This article examines the environmental implications of ubiquitous information and communication technologies (ICT) manufacturing, operations and usage, using the theories of new materialism and digital materialism, and offers an interactive video installation as a case study for contemporary digital art’s pedagogical potential in response to such environmental issues. Contrary to the imageries of the cloud and the notion of immateriality as promoted by the tech industry, digital media systems are grounded in the material world and operate at the expense of the material substrate. Such a sociopolitical landscape warrants an exploration of potential counter tactics in the fields of digital art and art education. Being informed by digital materialism and hinged on the notion that encounters with contemporary art can cultivate critical and different ways of knowing, this article proposes that a focus on the material can function as an antithesis to the abstracting act of information/data and its purported immateriality.
Dynamism and deliberativeness in the interpretation of law on the example of cases concerning LGBTQ rights
Authors: Wojciechowski Bartosz
Published: February 2023

The article illustrates the numerous contexts and multifaceted nature of the right to citizenship, to have a correct civil status record, or to benefit from tax reductions or exemptions on the same basis as other citizens, e.g. those in heterosexual unions. It shows how complicated it has become to adjudicate on matters that, in view of the subject matter, should be relatively clear and predictable. Reflexive interpretation of law makes it possible to take into account its non-eliminable changeability, as well as the fluidity of the meaning of terms and phrases used in legal texts – factors which oblige the interpreter to refer to extra-linguistic contexts of interpretation, i.e. to functional and systemic arguments. The author considers that it is not possible to reach an adequate understanding of the current legal context without analysing the social and cultural context, especially when considering pluralism of values as the modus vivendi of a democratic society.
The first study on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in owned and sheltered cats in Yangon, Myanmar
Authors: Soe Babi Kyi , Su Hlaing Khin , Naing Toe Win , Thaw Zin Hnin , Myint Win
Published: February 2023

Background and Aim: People who used to rear companion animals are healthier than others who do not. Gastrointestinal (GI) helminths are common in cats and serve as reservoirs for zoonotic diseases. However, the prevalence of GI parasites in cats in Myanmar has never been reported. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of GI parasites in cats in Myanmar and identify the potential risk factors associated with GI parasites.

Materials and Methods: A total of 230 fecal samples were collected from seven veterinary clinics and two shelters within the Yangon region from January to May 2022. Sampled cats were classified according to age, gender, and deworming and rearing practices. Fecal samples were analyzed by fecal wet mount, ethyl acetate centrifugal sedimentation, and zinc sulfate centrifugal flotation techniques. Descriptive data were described, and Pearson's χ2 test was used to identify associated risk factors, such as age, gender, and deworming and rearing practices.

Results: The overall prevalence of GI parasites was 79.56%, and 57.82% of cats were infected with a diagnostic stage of more than one parasite species. Seven GI parasites were detected, including Ancylostoma spp. (55.65%), Toxocara spp. (46.08%), Trichuris spp. (20.86%), Platynosomum spp. (11.73%), Dipylidium caninum (7.39%), Taenia spp. (4.34%), and Cystoisospora spp. (32.17%). Based on statistical analysis, deworming and rearing practices were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with GI parasitic infections.

Conclusion: This study is the first to reveal the prevalence of GI parasites that could assist the need for effective control measures for zoonotic hookworm and roundworm infections in cats. Even with simple microscopic examination, the remarkably high prevalence of GI parasitic infections warrants regular deworming practice. Further molecular studies should also be performed to understand their genetic diversity.
Penerapan Model Pembelajaran Picture and Picture Untuk Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar IPA Materi Sumber Energi Di Kelas IV B MI Negeri 1 Yogyakarta
Authors: Sulardi Sulardi
Published: February 2023

ABSTRAK

Tujuan – Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan keaktifan dan hasil belajar dengan penerapan model pembelajaran Picture and Picture pada peserta didik MI Negeri 1 Yogyakarta.

Metode– Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian tindakan kelas yang dilaksanakan dalam 2 siklus. Untuk memperoleh data keaktifan dan hasil belajar IPA penelitian ini menggunakan lembar angket keaktifan dan hasil belajar peserta didik dan tes evaluasi yang diberikan disetiap siklusnya. Analisis data menggunakan statistik deskriptif.

Hasil – Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa nilai rata- rata 75 dengan persentase ketuntasan 67% pada siklus I menjadi rata-rata 88 dengan persentase ketuntasan 90% pada siklus II. Berdasarkan data tersebut dapat disimpulkan bahwa pembelajaran menggunakan model pembelajaran Picture and picture dapat meningkatan keaktifan dan hasil belajar peserta didik.
Peran Kepala Madrasah Dalam Meningkatkan Kompetensi Guru Menyusun RPP Melalui Supervisi Akademik di MIN 1 Gunungkidul Kemenag Kab. Gunungkidul Semester I Tahun Pelajaran 2021/2022
Authors: Hakim Fuatul
Published: February 2023

ABSTRAK

Tujuan – Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui peran kepala madrasah dalam meningkatkan kompetensi guru menyusun RPP melalui supervisi akademik di MIN 1 Gunungkidul Kemenag Kab. Gunungkidul Semester I Tahun Pelajaran 2021/2022.

Metode – Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian tindakan sekolah yang terdiri dari 2 siklus meliputi tahap perencanaan, pelaksanaan, pengamatan dan refleksi. Subyek penelitian ini adalah 6 guru kelas MIN 1 Gunungkidul semester I Tahun Pelajaran 20212/2022.

Hasil – Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa supervisi kepala madrasah mampu meningkatkan kompetensi guru dalam menyusun RPP. Hal ini dibuktikan dengan hasil analisis penelitian awal yang menunjukkan bahwa skor penyusunan RPP yang dibuat guru baru mencapai 70,1. Setelah dilakukan penelitian diperoleh peningkatan 79,7 atau terdapat kenaikan 9,7 pada siklus 1. Penelitian dilanjutkan pada siklus 2 dengan beberapa perbaikan, diantaranya supervisi individu lebih intensif dan rutin, satu minggu yang biasanya hanya satu kali ditingkatkan menjadi 2 kali. Berdasarkan hasil supervisi akademik pada siklus 2 ada peningkatan skor kompetensi guru dalam menyusun RPP yaitu 88, 2 atau 8,5 dari hasil penelitian pada siklus 1 yang baru mencapai 79,7.
Penerapan Metode Langsung Untuk Meningkatkan Maharah Al-Kalam Siswa Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 2 Sleman
Authors: Hariyanto Hariyanto
Published: February 2023

ABSTRAK

Tujuan – Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh penerapan metode langsung terhadap peningkatan maharah al-kalam siswa MAN 2 Sleman, Yogyakarta.

Metode – Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian tindakan sekolah yang terdiri dari 2 siklus meliputi tahap perencanaan, pelaksanaan, pengamatan dan refleksi. Subyek penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas XI MIA 2. Setiap siklus dilaksanakan dalam 4 tahapan, yaitu perencanaan, pelaksanaan tindakan, observasi, dan refleksi. Metode yang digunakan untuk menganalisis data adalah metode analisis diskriptif. Data-data kuantitatif yang diperoleh dari hasil pretest dan posttest siswa dianalisis menggunakan rumus statistik sederhana untuk mengetahui rata-ratanya.

Hasil – Berdasarkan hasil penelitian yang telah dilakukan, terjadi peningkatan keterampilan berbicara siswa dengan penerapan metode langsung atau direct method (thariqah mubasyirah). Hal ini dapat diketahui berdasarkan nilai rata-rata dari siklus I dan siklus II, yaitu: pertemuan pertama siklus I 56,3, pertemuan kedua siklus I 65,5. Dan pertemuan pertama siklus II 77,5 dan pertemuan kedua siklus II 84,1. Dari hasil tersebut diperoleh prosentase kenaikan dari pertemuan I ke pertemuan II sebesar 16,3%, pertemuan II ke pertemuan III 18,3%, dan dari pertemuan III ke pertemuan IV sebesar 8,5%.
Peningkatan Kemampuan Pengungkapan Pendapat Siswa Dalam Layanan Bimbingan Kelompok Dengan Tehnik Diskusi Kelompok di MTs Negeri 5 Sleman
Authors: Yuliani Rini
Published: February 2023

ABSTRAK

Tujuan – Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk meningkatkan kemampuan mengungkapkan pendapat siswa dalam layanan bimbingan kelompok dengan teknik diskusi kelompok di MTsN 5 Sleman.

Metode – Penelitian ini menggunakan penelitian tindakan (action research) 2 siklus yang masing–masing siklus terdiri dari 2 pertemuan. Tahapannya- yaitu: Perencanaan, pelaksanaan, pengamatan dan refleksi. Penelitian ini menggunakan tehnik layanan bimbingan kelompok yang mudah dan sederhana, agar siswa dapat aktif mengikuti layanan bimbingan kelompok yang diselenggarakan. Peneliti menggunakan tehnik diskusi kelompok, agar siswa yang mengikuti layanan bimbingan kelompok dapat berperan aktif dalam diskusi kelompok maupun presentasi. Subjek dalam penelitian ini adalah siswa MTsN 5 Sleman dengan jumlah 32 siswa. Teknik pengumpulan data dalam penelitian tindakan kelas ini adalah dengan teknik tes, observasi, dan dokumentasi. Analisis data menggunakan statistik deskriptif.

Hasil – Berdasarkan hasil penelitian diperoleh capaian peningkatan kemampuan dalam mengungkapkan pendapat pada siswa  dari siklus I  pertemuan 1 ke siklus II pertemuan 2 sebesar 47,1% (31% menjadi 78,1%), terjadi peningkatan  signifikan pada kemampuan siswa mengungkapkan pendapat melalui tehnik diskusi kelompok dalam layanan bimbingan kelompok. Simpulannya adalah tehnik diskusi kelompok dalam layanan bimbingan kelompok berpengaruh positif dalam peningkatan kemampuan pengungkapan  pendapat siswa.
Pemodelan Sebagai Solusi Keterampilan Menulis Teks Laporan Percobaan di MTs Negeri 6 Bantul
Authors: Harwati Rina
Published: February 2023

ABSTRAK

Tujuan – Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektivitas penerapan teknik pemodelan teks dalam menulis teks laporan percobaan, dan menganalisis tingkat keberhasilan penerapan pemodelan teks dalam menulis teks laporan percobaan pada siswa kelas X MTsN 6 Bantul.

Metode – Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode studi lapangan. Penelitian lapangan merupakan salah satu metodepengumpulandata dalam penelitian kualitatif yang tidak memerlukan pengetahuan mendalam akan literatur yang digunakan dan kemampuan tertentu dari pihak peneliti. Penelitian lapangan biasa dilakukan untuk memutuskan ke arah mana penelitiannya berdasarkan konteks.Tempat penelitian ini di MTsN 6 Bantul dengan sampel penelitian yaitu kelas 9 MTsN 6 Bantul yang berjumlah 32 siswa. Teknik pengumpulan data dalam penelitian ini dengan menggunakan teknik observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi. Keabsahan data penelitian dilakukan dengan triangulasi sumber yang kemudian dianalisis dengan menggunakan 4 tahapan, yaitu pengumpulan data, penyajian data, reduksi data, dan penarikan kesimpulan.

Hasil – Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: (1) tingkat keaktifan siswa meningkat; (2) hasil belajar meningkat. Teknik pemodelan teks merupakan salah satu alternatif model pembelajaran yang sangat tepat digunakan pada materi menulis Teks Laporan Percobaan.
Analisis Butir Soal dalam Buku Bahasa Indonesia Kelas X SMA Berbeasis HOTS
Authors: Herni Purwaningsih
Published: February 2023

Tujuan – Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dan mendeskripsikan soal HOTS dalam buku Bahasa Indonesia Kelas X SMA Terbitan Erlangga.

Metode – Studi analisis ini menggunakan pendekatan deskriptif kualitatif. Sumber data adalah buku Bahasa Indonesia kelas X SMA terbitan Erlangga. Data penelitian berupa soal pilihan ganda  sejumlah 20 nomor yang ada pada setiap bab. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan  pemilihan kategori dan data, penyajian data, serta pembuatan kesimpulan. Teknik uji validitas data dengan  triangulasi teori.

Hasil – Berdasarkan hasil penelitian, penggunaan soal HOTS dalam buku ini memperlihatkan sebaran ranah kognitif yang bervariasi. Dari 340 soal dengan asumsi 17 x 20 nomor setiap babnya 182 soal dalam buku ini sudah termasuk kriteria soal HOTS. Namun demikian sebaran soal ranah kognitif (C5) dan (C6) masih sedikit. Ranah kognitif (C4) masih dominan dalam sebaran soal HOTS