bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unimorph based sensor modelling and rheological assessment of fluidic media using frequency response of improved sensor design
Authors: Chauhan Shivanku , Ansari Mohd. Zahid
Published: July 2023

This work presents a hassle-free rheological assessment of fluidic media using the frequency response of a self-sensing and self-actuating piezoelectric cantilever sensor. Firstly, an analytical modelling approach for a unimorph-based cantilever sensor is derived and validated. Afterwards, the sensing performance of a rectangular cantilever sensor is improved by modifying its profile to a stepped shape. Frequency response parameters of the cantilever sensors are tracked in vacuum as well as in water, glycerin and varying concentration glycerin solution. These parameters are used to develop the calibration curves for the density and viscosity assessment of the water-glycerin solutions. The calculated density and viscosity utilizing the cantilever sensors are in good agreement with the respective values given by the standard instruments. This implies that the presented sensors can be successfully used for density and viscosity measurement of range 1000–1270 kg/m3 and 12.82–41.35 cP, respectively. The presented method is capable to simultaneously estimate the density and viscosity of the fluidic media without fully immersing the sensor in that media, which can tackle many operational troubles.
Elements of Communication Competence in Encountering Traumatized Adolescents in Substitute Care
Authors: Leinonen Leena , Kaittila Anniina , Alin Minna , Vornanen Riitta , Karukivi Max , Kraav Siiri-Liisi , Anis Merja
Published: July 2023

Adolescents who need both child welfare services and mental health interventions have usually experienced various traumatic events in their early lifespan. The purpose of this study is to identify the elements of communication that can either empower traumatized adolescents in their rehabilitation process or become an obstacle in their recovery. The data consist of interviews of 19 young adults with a substitute care background. Their experiences of communication with welfare professionals in child welfare and mental health services during adolescence are analysed using the method of content analysis in a framework of communication competence that is outlined with four elements: cognitive, affective, behavioural and ethical. The role of communication is crucial while helping the adolescents. The trauma-informed capabilities of welfare professionals should be strengthened. Future research is needed on the processes, enabling the voice of this vulnerable clientele to be heard, here and in previous stages of services.
Effects of Senility on Disease Burden: Panel Analysis Using 2010 to 2019 OECD Health Data
Authors: Kim Heesun , Kim Eun-Jung
Published: July 2023

Background:

In this study, the geniatric status of OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries was measured, and the effects of aging status on disease patterns in each country were quantitatively assessed. A theoretical model explaining the effects was suggested, and the implications were discussed.

Methods:

Data used in this study were the OECD Health Statistics data and WHO Global Burden of Disease data. The values for each country were paired with disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) presented by the WHO and Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). A cross-country panel analysis was conducted to analyze the effects of senility on the burden of disease in OECD countries.

Results:

Geniatric status had effects on the burden of disease ( P = .048). Total health expenditure significantly reduced the burden of disease ( P = .001). In the panel model with YLL (Year of Life Lost) as the outcome variable, geniatric status had twice greater effects on the burden of disease than that in the model with DALY ( P = .003).

Conclusions:

In medical insurance-related policies, the characteristics of the disease should be considered. In particular, chronic diseases have not received much attention compared to their risk. However, the disease that actually affects the burden of disease is a disease that becomes chronic and requires long-term treatment rather than a disease with a high fatality rate. And, as a result of this study, the higher the level of resource consumption for treatment in OECD countries, where aging is progressing, the burden of disease was rather reduced. Therefore, if there is institutional support to receive appropriate treatment, it will be possible to reduce the national burden of disease.
Developing a Framework of Sustainable Consumption in Retailing Contexts
Authors: Saha Victor , Jebarajakirthy Charles , Sreen Naman , Goyal Praveen , Mani Venkatesh , Deshpande Sameer
Published: July 2023

Over the years, the retail sector has been showing increasing interest in inculcating sustainable consumption practices and behaviors among their consumers. This study, accordingly, explores how retailers can contribute to addressing consumers’ various psychological dispositions to co-create sustainable consumption in the retail context. In that regard, the MAPED framework has been developed corresponding to White et al.’s SHIFT framework for exploring the process and mechanism of co-creating sustainable consumption in the retail sector. This comprehensive conceptual framework has been developed using a methodological approach of critical review and analysis of the extant academic literature on value co-creation and sustainable consumption. Accordingly, this study attempts to contribute to both sustainable consumption and value co-creation literature.
Development of a model for the optimization of the main factors influencing a 162kW wheeled tractor driver’s whole body vibration
Authors: Sun Liming , Shang Tansu , Chen Hongtao , Wang Zhipeng , Wang Chuqiao , Luo Fuqiang
Published: July 2023

The vibration tests were carried out using a 162kW wheeled tractor to evaluate the Whole-body vibration while the tractor working in the field, driving on concrete road and in-parking state. The tractor ride comfort was analyzed using the joint weighted acceleration of seat surface vibration from 1 to 80 Hz as the evaluation indicator, according to ISO2631 standard suggestions. During field work, the combined acceleration of the driver’s whole body vibration is 1.39, and the subjective feeling is extremely uncomfortable. Based on the multi-body dynamics analysis software, a tractor dynamics simulation model including the seat, cab mounts, chassis, tyre and road coupling system was established. By changing the model parameters, the influence of the tractor driver’s whole body vibration under the condition of the artificial test track was further analyzed. The analysis shows that the factors that have a greater impact on the driver’s whole body vibration when driving on the artificial runway are the vertical stiffness of the tyre, the vertical stiffness of the seat suspension, and the damping coefficient of the tyre.
Cognitive Comparison of design methods in the conceptual phase
Authors: Gürel Adel , Şenyapılı Ozcan Burcu
Published: July 2023

The initial phases of design, known as the conceptual design phases, are often associated with hand sketching, while parametric tools are reserved for the later, more developed stages of design. This paper examines the potentials of using parametric tools in the early design phases in comparison to widely utilized hand sketching. It is intended to find out the impacts of using parametric tools on the cognitive behaviors and the satisfaction of self-assessment levels of the designers. An experimental study was conducted with a group of graduate architecture students using Grasshopper, the findings of which are analyzed through a content-oriented coding scheme, together with protocol analyses. Significant differences are found between cognitive behaviors of the participants in using hand sketching and Grasshopper. The findings show that all of the participants consider Grasshopper as a useful conceptual design tool that may be utilized in early design phases, in contrast to its wide popularity in the late stages of design.
Developing a Healthy Lifestyle Program for Recent Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Gibson Cheryl A. , Gupta Aditi , Naik Abhijit , Sullivan Debra K. , Doshi Mona , Backes Jim , Harvey Susan , Lee Jaehoon , Mount Rebecca , Valentine Heather , Shaffer Kelly
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Many kidney transplant recipients experience weight gain in the first year after transplantation.

Research Question

The objective of this research study was to assess the desires of recent kidney transplant patients about the design features of a healthy lifestyle program to counter unnecessary weight gain.

Design

In this descriptive study, recent recipients at 2 transplant centers were invited to participate in an online survey. Survey items included sociodemographic information, current medications, health conditions, weight change posttransplant, diet behaviors, physical activity participation, and desired features of a lifestyle program.

Results

Fifty-three participants, mean age 60.5 (11.2) years, primarily males, completed surveys. Forty percent gained weight posttransplantation with many indicating struggling with their diet. Physical activity levels stayed the same (17%) or decreased (40%) posttransplantation. Eighty-seven percent of participants indicated they would participate in an online lifestyle program and 76% wanted online physical activity and nutrition sessions to meet at least once weekly. Suggestions about the type of information and activities, included eating strategies (eg, how to eat healthfully at restaurants, grocery shopping tips, and recipes), resources for at-home physical activities, access to cooking classes, and apps to track both activity and food intake.

Conclusion

Recent kidney transplant recipients would benefit from and desired to join a lifestyle program featuring tailored nutrition education and physical activity coaching. Gathered information will be used to inform and tailor a lifestyle program. Identifying features for the prevention of unnecessary weight gain with patients’ input is essential for promoting and sustaining healthy behaviors.
The Associations between Helicobacter Pylori immunoglobulin G seropositivity and body mass index in adults
Authors: Huang Jinke , Zhang Kunli , Wang Fengyun , Tang Xudong
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Inconsistent evidence currently exists regarding the associations between Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori) infection and body mass index (BMI). The goal of the current study was to examine independent associations of H. pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) seropositivity and BMI in a U.S.-based population sample.

Methods

The US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with 2,576 subjects from 1999 to 2000 were analyzed. Using multivariate logistic regression models, associations between H. pylori IgG seropositivity and BMI were calculated after potential confounders were taken into account. Subgroup analyses were conducted furtherly stratified by sex, age, and race.

Results

H. pylori IgG seropositivity was not associated with BMI in the general population (OR = 0.998; 95% CI = 0.977–1.019; P = 0.842). In the subgroup analyses stratified by race, a negative correction was found between the H. pylori IgG seropositivity and BMI among other races (OR = 0.873; 95% CI = 0.795–0.959; P = 0.004) except non-Hispanic white (OR = 1.006, 95% CI 0.966 to 1.048, P = 0.762), non-Hispanic black (OR = 1.021, 95% CI 0.979 to 1.065, P = 0.335), and Mexican American (OR = 1.010, 95% CI 0.966 to 1.055, P = 0.665).

Conclusions

In the general population, H. pylori IgG seropositivity is not associated with increased BMI, which provides a new perspective on obesity management.
“Danmu” preference, problematic online video watching, loneliness and personality: An eye-tracking study and survey study
Authors: Yan Zhihao , Yang Zeyang , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: July 2023

‘Danmu’ (i.e., comments that scroll across online videos), has become popular on several Asian online video platforms. Two studies were conducted to investigate the relationships between Danmu preference, problematic online video watching, loneliness and personality. Study 1 collected self-report data on the study variables from 316 participants. Study 2 collected eye-tracking data of Danmu fixation (duration, count, and the percentages) from 87 participants who watched videos. Results show that fixation on Danmu was significantly correlated with problematic online video watching, loneliness, and neuroticism. Self-reported Danmu preference was positively associated with extraversion, openness, problematic online video watching, and loneliness. The studies indicate the potential negative effects of Danmu preference (e.g., problematic watching and loneliness) during online video watching. The study is one of the first empirical investigations of Danmu and problematic online video watching using eye-tracking software. Online video platforms could consider adding more responsible use messaging relating to Danmu in videos. Such messages may help users to develop healthier online video watching habits.
Cost and affordability of a healthy diet for urban populations in Thailand and the Philippines before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Mwambi Mercy , Schreinemachers Pepijn , Praneetvatakul Suwanna , Harris Jody
Published: July 2023

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic severely affected global food security, but analyses of its impact on the cost and affordability of a healthy diet are limited. This study examines the immediate effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the cost and affordability of a healthy diet among urban households in Bangkok, Thailand and Manila, the Philippines.

Methods

We used official food price and household income and food expenditure data from the national statistics offices. The cost of recommended diet (CoRD) method was employed to assess the minimum cost of a healthy diet, following the healthy diet recommendations provided in the national food-based dietary guidelines of the specific countries. Regression discontinuity design was estimated to determine the COVID-19 effect on food prices and scenario analysis done to determine the effect of reduced food budgets with and without government relief programs.

Results

The results show that the average cost of the recommended diet was US$ 1.55 per person/day in Bangkok and US$ 3.76 in Manila (2019 prices in purchasing power parities) immediately before the pandemic. This diet is generally affordable for all households in Bangkok, but only for 37% of households (4.98 million people) in Manila, indicating much higher poverty in the latter. The pandemic and associated government measures decreased the cost of the recommended diet with 6.5% in Bangkok (p = 0.001) but not in Manila (p = 0.167). Assuming contractions in people’s food budgets of 15–20%, the recommended diet became unaffordable for 0.08–0.12 million people in Bangkok and 6.32–7.73 million people in Manila during the pandemic. Government relief largely compensated for this loss in Bangkok, but relief payments in Manila were not enough to compensate the effect.

Conclusion

These results show that the main effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the affordability of healthy diets was through the effect on reduced incomes of the poor rather than through prices. Government relief measures should target low-income households to give them the means to purchase healthy food items.
Diagnostic value of cervical vertebral maturation stages for midpalatal suture maturation assessment: a study in the Chinese population
Authors: Liu Henglang , Feng Linjing , Wang Lili
Published: July 2023

Purpose

To evaluate the correlation between cervical vertebral maturation stages (CVMS) and midpalatal suture maturation stages (MPSMS), and to analyze the diagnostic value of CVMS for the assessment of MPSMS.

Methods

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 233 subjects (8–20 years) were selected. The CVMS was determined using the McNamara and Franchi method, while the MPSMS was evaluated using the Angelieri method. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the results, and positive likelihood ratios were calculated to evaluate the diagnostic value of CVMS in identifying MPSMS.

Results

Spearman rank correlation results showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.867, P < 0.001) between CVMS and MPSMS. The positive likelihood ratios of CS12, CS4, and CS56 for the identification of stages AB, C, and DE were 12.17, 7.64, and 7.79, respectively. The values of the positive likelihood ratios of the other groups were less than five.

Conclusion

CS12 of the CVMS can be used as a reliable indicator for the assessment of MPSMS stage AB. From CVMS stage 4 forward, midpalatal suture maturation should be evaluated using CBCT.
On the challenges of predicting treatment response in Hodgkin’s Lymphoma using transcriptomic data
Authors: Patrício André , Costa Rafael S. , Henriques Rui
Published: July 2023

Background

Despite the advancements in multiagent chemotherapy in the past years, up to 10% of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL) cases are refractory to treatment and, after remission, patients experience an elevated risk of death from all causes. These complications are dependent on the treatment and therefore an increase in the prognostic accuracy of HL can help improve these outcomes and control treatment-related toxicity. Due to the low incidence of this cancer, there is a lack of works comprehensively assessing the predictability of treatment response, especially by resorting to machine learning (ML) advances and high-throughput technologies.

Methods

We present a methodology for predicting treatment response after two courses of Adriamycin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine and Dacarbazine (ABVD) chemotherapy, through the analysis of gene expression profiles using state-of-the-art ML algorithms. We work with expression levels of tumor samples of Classical Hodgkin’s Lymphoma patients, obtained through the NanoString’s nCounter platform. The presented approach combines dimensionality reduction procedures and hyperparameter optimization of various elected classifiers to retrieve reference predictability levels of refractory response to ABVD treatment using the regulatory profile of diagnostic tumor samples. In addition, we propose a data transformation procedure to map the original data space into a more discriminative one using biclustering, where features correspond to discriminative putative regulatory modules.

Results

Through an ensemble of feature selection procedures, we identify a set of 14 genes highly representative of the result of an fuorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) after two courses of ABVD chemotherapy. The proposed methodology further presents an increased performance against reference levels, with the proposed space transformation yielding improvements in the majority of the tested predictive models (e.g. Decision Trees show an improvement of 20pp in both precision and recall).

Conclusions

Taken together, the results reveal improvements for predicting treatment response in HL disease by resorting to sophisticated statistical and ML principles. This work further consolidates the current hypothesis on the structural difficulty of this prognostic task, showing that there is still a considerable gap to be bridged for these technologies to reach the necessary maturity for clinical practice.
The Emerging Therapeutic Potential of Kisspeptin and Neurokinin B
Authors: Patel Bijal , Koysombat Kanyada , Mills Edouard G , Tsoutsouki Jovanna , Comninos Alexander N , Abbara Ali , Dhillo Waljit S
Published: July 2023

Kisspeptin (KP) and neurokinin B (NKB) are neuropeptides that govern the reproductive endocrine axis through regulating hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal activity and pulsatile GnRH secretion. Their critical role in reproductive health was first identified after inactivating variants in genes encoding for KP or NKB signaling were shown to result in congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and a failure of pubertal development. Over the past 2 decades since their discovery, a wealth of evidence from both basic and translational research has laid the foundation for potential therapeutic applications. Beyond KP's function in the hypothalamus, it is also expressed in the placenta, liver, pancreas, adipose tissue, bone, and limbic regions, giving rise to several avenues of research for use in the diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy, metabolic, liver, bone, and behavioral disorders.

The role played by NKB in stimulating the hypothalamic thermoregulatory center to mediate menopausal hot flashes has led to the development of medications that antagonize its action as a novel nonsteroidal therapeutic agent for this indication. Furthermore, the ability of NKB antagonism to partially suppress (but not abolish) the reproductive endocrine axis has supported its potential use for the treatment of various reproductive disorders including polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis. This review will provide a comprehensive up-to-date overview of the preclinical and clinical data that have paved the way for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic applications of KP and NKB.
Contraceptive Behavior Dynamics and Unintended Pregnancy: A Latent Transition Analysis
Authors: Swiatlo Alison , Curtis Sian , Gottfredson Nisha , Halpern Carolyn , Tumlinson Katherine , Lich Kristen Hassmiller
Published: July 2023

The average U.S. woman wants to have two children; to do so, she will spend about three years pregnant, postpartum, or trying to become pregnant, and three decades trying to avoid pregnancy. However, few studies have examined individual patterns of contraceptive use over time. These trajectories are important to understand given the high rate of unintended pregnancy and how little we know about the complex relationship between contraceptive use, pregnancy intention, and patterns of reproductive behavior. We use data from the 2015–2017 National Survey of Family Growth to examine reproductive behavior and pregnancies across three years of calendar data. We identify seven behavior typologies, their prevalence, how women transition between them, and how pregnancies affect transitions. At any given time, half of women are reliably using contraception. A small proportion belong to a high pregnancy risk profile of transient contraceptive users, but some transition to using condoms or other methods consistently. An unintended pregnancy may initiate a transition into stable contraceptive use for some women, although that is primarily condom use. These findings have important implications for the ways contraception fits into women's lives and how that behavior interacts with relationships, sex, and life stage trajectories.
An evaluation of a biophysical model for predicting avian thermoregulation in the heat
Authors: Conradie Shannon R. , Kearney Michael R. , Wolf Blair O. , Cunningham Susan J. , Freeman Marc T. , Kemp Ryno , McKechnie Andrew E.
Published: July 2023

Survival and reproduction of endotherms depend on their ability to balance energy and water exchange with their environment, avoiding lethal deficits and maximising gains for growth and reproduction. At high environmental temperatures, diurnal endotherms maintain body temperature (Tb) below lethal limits via physiological and behavioural adjustments. Accurate models of these processes are crucial for predicting effects of climate variability on avifauna. We evaluated the performance of a biophysical model (NicheMapR) for predicting evaporative water loss (EWL), resting metabolic rate (RMR) and Tb at environmental temperatures approaching or exceeding normothermic Tb for three arid-zone birds: southern yellow-billed hornbill (Tockus leucomelas), southern pied babbler (Turdoides bicolor) and southern fiscal (Lanius collaris). We simulated metabolic chamber conditions and compared model outputs with thermal physiology data collected at air temperatures (Tair) between 10 and 50°C. Additionally, we determined the minimum data needed to accurately model diurnal birds' thermoregulatory responses to Tair using sensitivity analyses. Predicted EWL, metabolic rate and Tb corresponded tightly with observed values across Tair, with only minor discrepancies for EWL in two species at Tair≈35°C. Importantly, the model captured responses at Tair=30–40°C, a range spanning threshold values for sublethal fitness costs associated with sustained hot weather in arid-zone birds. Our findings confirm how taxon-specific parameters together with biologically relevant morphological data can accurately model avian thermoregulatory responses to heat. Biophysical models can be used as a non-invasive way to predict species’ sensitivity to climate, accounting for organismal (e.g. physiology) and environmental factors (e.g. microclimates).
Social experience influences thermal sensitivity: lessons from an amphibious mangrove fish
Authors: Melanson Chloé A. , Lamarre Simon G. , Currie Suzanne
Published: July 2023

Understanding the factors affecting the capacity of ectothermic fishes to cope with warming temperature is critical given predicted climate change scenarios. We know that a fish's social environment introduces plasticity in how it responds to high temperature. However, the magnitude of this plasticity and the mechanisms underlying socially modulated thermal responses are unknown. Using the amphibious hermaphroditic mangrove rivulus fish Kryptolebias marmoratus as a model, we tested three hypotheses: (1) social stimulation affects physiological and behavioural thermal responses of isogenic lineages of fish; (2) social experience and acute social stimulation result in distinct physiological and behavioural responses; and (3) a desensitization of thermal receptors is responsible for socially modulated thermal responses. To test the first two hypotheses, we measured the temperature at which fish emerged from the water (i.e. pejus temperature) upon acute warming with socially naive isolated fish and with fish that were raised alone and then given a short social experience prior to exposure to increasing temperature (i.e. socially experienced fish). Our results did not support our first hypothesis as fish socially stimulated by mirrors during warming (i.e. acute social stimulation) emerged at similar temperatures to isolated fish. However, in support of our second hypothesis, a short period of prior social experience resulted in fish emerging at a higher temperature than socially naive fish suggesting an increase in pejus temperature with social experience. To test our third hypothesis, we exposed fish that had been allowed a brief social interaction and naive fish to capsaicin, an agonist of TRPV1 thermal receptors. Socially experienced fish emerged at significantly higher capsaicin concentrations than socially naive fish suggesting a desensitization of their TRPV1 thermal receptors. Collectively, our data indicate that past and present social experiences impact the behavioural response of fish to high temperature. We also provide novel data suggesting that brief periods of social experience affect the capacity of fish to perceive warm temperature.
Facile Preparation of Near Infrared-Luminescent Protein Complexes with Conjugated Polymers Consisting of Boron Azobenzene Units
Authors: Yoo Dahye , Nakamura Masashi , Kanjo Misato , Gon Masayuki , Watanabe Hiroyuki , Kita Hiroshi , Tanaka Kazuo
Published: July 2023

We report herein facile preparation of near infrared (NIR)-luminescent protein complexes with conjugated polymers. We have discovered that solid-state luminescence in the NIR region can be obtained from the series of conjugated polymers consisting of boron azobenzene complexes. We demonstrate in this paper that protein molecules can be modified through adsorption with the boron azobenzene-containing conjugated polymers simply by mixing in an aqueous buffer and subsequently purification with filtration followed by freeze drying. The modified protein complexes can exhibit NIR emission in the buffer and high dispersibility. In particular, comparing to the complex with indocyanine green (ICG), which is a conventional NIR-luminescent dye, polymer-modified protein complexes showed higher resistance to photobleaching. Finally, by using lipase as a scaffold, we confirmed that enzymatic activity can be detected after polymer modification.
Multiple domains of the integral KREPA3 protein are critical for the structure and precise functions of RNA editing catalytic complexes inTrypanosoma brucei
Authors: Davidge Brittney , McDermott Suzanne M. , Carnes Jason , Lewis Isaac , Tracy Maxwell , Stuart Kenneth D.
Published: July 2023

The gRNA directed U-insertion and deletion editing of mitochondrial mRNAs that is essential in different life-cycle stages for the protozoan parasiteTrypanosoma bruceiis performed by three similar multiprotein catalytic complexes (CCs) that contain the requisite enzymes. These CCs also contain a common set of eight proteins that have no apparent direct catalytic function, including six that have an OB-fold domain. We show here that one of these OB-fold proteins, KREPA3 (A3), has structural homology to other editing proteins, is essential for editing, and is multifunctional. We investigated A3 function by analyzing the effects of single amino acid loss of function mutations, most of which were identified by screening bloodstream form (BF) parasites for loss of growth following random mutagenesis. Mutations in the zinc fingers (ZFs), an intrinsically disordered region (IDR), and several within or near the carboxy-terminal OB-fold domain variably impacted CC structural integrity and editing. Some mutations resulted in almost complete loss of CCs and its proteins and editing, whereas others retained CCs but had aberrant editing. All but a mutation which is near the OB-fold affected growth and editing in BF but not procyclic form (PF) parasites. These data indicate that multiple positions within A3 have essential functions that contribute to the structural integrity of CCs, the precision of editing and the developmental differences in editing between BF and PF stages.
Ring Pearcey vortex beam dynamics through atmospheric turbulence
Authors: Singh Shakti , Mishra Sanjay Kumar , Mishra Akhilesh Kumar
Published: July 2023

The subject of free space optical communication (FSO) with an optical beam carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) has attracted a great deal of research attention over the last two decades. Efforts to understand, model, and execute communication links through a turbulent atmosphere with OAM beams have gained particular importance. In this regard, different types of shape-preserving beams, which can withstand turbulences of varying strengths, have been proposed and studied. In this paper, we present a numerical investigation of the propagation characteristics of a ring Pearcey vortex beam (PVB) through turbulent atmosphere. The study details moderate as well as strong atmospheric turbulences. The modified von Kármán model has been relied on to model random phase screen. In moderate turbulence, the ring PVB preserved its singularity. In strong turbulence, the ring PVB preserved its singularity for short propagation distances but lost its singularity at longer propagation distances. We found that, upon increasing the value of a topological charge (l), the aperture averaged scintillation index (SI) increases. We calculated the aperture averaged SI for different truncation factors and noticed that the ring PVB with a truncation factor b=0.1 performed better in stronger turbulence. In moderate turbulence, the aperture averaged SI performed better for shorter propagation distances and relatively larger truncation factors. Further, we calculated the aperture averaged SI for a spatially chirped ring PVB, finding that aperture averaged SI improved largely for the negatively chirped ring PVB. Further, on comparing the aperture averaged SI of the ring PVB and ring Airy vortex beam (AVB), it has been noticed that, in strong turbulence, the ring PVB exhibited better aperture averaged SI. Additionally, we have calculated the beam wander for the ring PVB and ring AVB, finding that the ring PVB demonstrates better beam wander.
Stigma and discrimination against transgender men in Bhutan
Authors: Saxena Vinita , Xu Audrey , Kinley Kinley , Tsheten Tashi , Gyeltshen Tenzin , Tobgay Tashi , Zajkowski Tae Young , McFarland Willi , Khandu Lekey
Published: July 2023

Background

While transgender people worldwide face high rates of stigma and discrimination, there are few studies of transgender men (also “trans men”) in Asia. We measured the prevalence of, and factors associated with, stigma and discrimination faced by trans men in Bhutan to bring visibility to their experiences and inform health and social policy changes.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey was conducted in nine regions in Bhutan from November 2019 to January 2020. A total of 124 trans men were recruited using a hybrid venue-based and peer-referral approach. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression characterized associations with experiencing stigma and discrimination when accessing health services.

Findings

Participants were young (48.0% 18–24 years) and 48.4% had migrated from a rural to an urban area. The majority (95.2%) experienced stigma because people knew or thought they were trans men. Associations with frequent experiences of stigma were living with their partner as a couple (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.07, 95% CI 1.27–7.44) and being unemployed or a student (3.22, 1.44–7.19). Nearly half (47.6%) said they experienced discrimination when accessing health care because people knew or thought they were a trans man; this experience was associated with migration (2.42, 1.08–5.39) and having >15 trans men in their social network (3.73, 1.69–8.26). Most (94.4%) experienced verbal violence, 10.5% experienced physical violence, and 4.8% experienced sexual violence.

Interpretation

Our study found high rates of stigma, discrimination, and interpersonal violence due to being a trans man in Bhutan. Findings highlight the urgent need for strengthening laws and regulations to protect the rights of transgender persons, particularly when accessing health services, recognizing partnerships, and preventing violence in public spaces.
Association of chronic neutrophil activation with risk of mortality
Authors: Penn Marc S. , MacRae Calum , Goldfaden Rebecca F. , Choksi Rushab R. , Smith Steven , Wrenn David , Saghir Mouris X. , Klemes Andrea B.
Published: July 2023

Background

Levels of free myeloperoxidase (MPO), a cardiovascular risk marker, have been reported to decline with standard care. Whether such declines signify decreased risk of mortality remains unknown.

Design

Cox proportional hazard models were generated using data from a retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected measures.

Participants

Patients (3,658) who had MPO measurements and LDL-C ≥ 90 mg/dL during 2011–2015 were selected based on a stratified random sampling on MPO risk level. Baseline MPO was either low (<470 pmol/L), moderate (470–539 pmol/L), or high (≥540 pmol/L).

Main outcomes and measures

First occurrence of MACE (myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization, or all-cause death).

Results

Mean age was 66.5 years, and 64.7% were women. During a mean 6.5-year follow-up, crude incidence per 1000 patient years was driven by death. The incidence and all-cause death was highest for patients with high MPO (21.2; 95% CI, 19.0–23.7), then moderate (14.6; 95% CI, 11.5–18.5) and low (2.3; 95% CI, 1.2–4.6) MPO. After adjusting for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors, risk of cardiovascular death did not differ significantly between patients with high and low MPO (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.56–4.39), but patients with high MPO had greater risk of non-cardiovascular (HR, 6.15; 95% CI, 2.27–16.64) and all-cause (HR, 3.83; 95% CI, 1.88–7.78) death. During follow-up, a 100 pmol/L decrease in MPO correlated with a 5% reduction in mortality (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.93–0.97) over 5 years.

Conclusions

Free circulating MPO is a strong marker of risk of mortality. Monitoring changes in MPO levels over time may provide insight into changes in physiology that mark a patient for increased risk of mortality.
Intermediäre Organisationen und kooperative Regionalentwicklung
Authors: Knieling Jörg
Published: July 2023

Angesichts des Bedeutungszuwachses kooperativer Steuerung gesellschaftlicher Prozesse und der „Entdeckung der Region“ entstehen vermehrt intermediäre Organisationen mit dem Ziel, die regionale Entwicklung zu fördern. Sie bewegen sich im Aushandlungsdreieck zwischen Staat, Markt und privaten Akteuren.Das „FORUM für den ländlichen Raum e. V.“ in Nordhessen strebt eine integrierte Entwicklung der Region an. Es veranschaulicht beispielhaft die Chancen und Probleme intermediärer Organisationen: einerseits innovative Impulse als Ergänzung der formalisierten Regionalplanung und Öffnung regionaler Kooperationsvorgänge für bewohnerorientierte Interessengruppen, andererseits Konkurrenzen im bestehenden Institutionennetzwerk und eine abstrakte Regionalarbeit, die sichtbare Ergebnisse kaum zuläßt.
A tale of two tool(kit)s: from canonical antonymy to non-canonical opposition in the Qur’anic discourse
Authors: Hassanein Hamada
Published: July 2023

A number of discourse functions of canonical antonyms have been quantified and classified in English and across languages, each of which is associated with typical syntactic frames. Taking such a classification of canonical antonymy as an analytical toolkit, (Davies, Matt. 2012. A new approach to oppositions in discourse: the role of syntactic frames in the triggering of noncanonical oppositions.Journal of English Linguistics40(1). 41–73) quantified and qualified the role of these frames in triggering non-canonical oppositions in English news discourse. Synergizing the provisional typologies of canonical antonymy (Hassanein, Hamada. 2018. Discourse functions of opposition in Classical Arabic: The case in ḥadīth genre.Lingua201. 18–44; Jones, Steven. 2002.Antonymy: A corpus-based perspective. London and New York: Routledge.) and non-canonical opposition (Davies, Matt. 2012. A new approach to oppositions in discourse: the role of syntactic frames in the triggering of noncanonical oppositions.Journal of English Linguistics40(1). 41–73), this study has sought to develop a dynamic toolkit for the quantitative and qualitative analyses of non-canonical opposition across Arabic varieties and potentially other languages. The toolkit was tested quantitatively and qualitatively against a dataset of 2125 non-canonical oppositional pairs collected from the Qur’an with reference to the Qur’anic Arabic Corpus. Results showed that the syntactic frames which house a wide range of co-occurring canonical antonyms also house a wider range of non-canonical oppositions in binary and trinary representations of abstract and concrete entities. The role of syntactic frames in the triggering of non-canonical oppositions is quantitatively and qualitatively significant for locating and explicating the ideological repercussions of oppositions towards Qur’an interpretation. It is concluded that a synergy of typologies results in a replicable pathway for analysis.
TECNOLOGIA EM SAÚDE E TRANSTORNO DO ESPECTRO AUTISTA NA ATENÇÃO PRIMÁRIA EM SAÚDE
Authors: Gondim Mendonça Andréa , Porpino Maia Garcia Camila , Guimarães Nolêto Martins Isabela , Teles de Souza Maria Clara , Souto Silva Cleyton Cézar
Published: July 2023

O estudo teve como objetivo descrever as evidências do uso da Ferramenta M-CHAT-R/F, presente na Caderneta da Criança (CC), para detecção precoce do risco de Transtorno do Espectro Autista (TEA) na Atenção Primária em Saúde (APS) através de um estudo de revisão de literatura. Para isso, foram selecionados 06 artigos nas bases de dados SciELO e PubMed no mês de setembro de 2022. Utilizou-se como critérios de inclusão: artigos completos, nos idiomas português e inglês, publicados nos últimos 05 anos que versassem sobre TEA, tecnologia em saúde e APS. Além disso, utilizou-se para referencial a Lei n. 1.130, de 05 de agosto de 2015 e a Política Nacional de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Criança. Foram excluídos os artigos não relacionados ao tema TEA e APS, incompletos e publicados há mais de 05 anos, além de dissertações e teses. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram convergência quanto aos sinais de alerta no neurodesenvolvimento, que devem ser percebidos desde os primeiros meses de vida até por volta de 3 anos de idade. Além disso, evidenciou-se que o M-CHAT é o instrumento mais exato para triagem precoce e acompanhamento dos sintomas do transtorno, apresentando alta sensibilidade e confiabilidade. Dessa forma, o questionário pode ser aplicado por diversos profissionais de saúde como parte da consulta de puericultura para avaliar o risco de TEA. No entanto, há possibilidade de diagnósticos falso-positivos, além de a abordagem do TEA na CC ser limitada, bem como o uso da CC é reduzido tanto por profissionais de saúde quanto pelos pais, dificultando o cuidado.
O BINGO DA TUBERCULOSE: UMA FERRAMENTA PARA EDUCAÇÃO POPULAR EM SAÚDE NA COMUNIDADE
Authors: Souto Silva Cleyton Cézar , Serafim Pinto Danielle , Barbosa Almeida Carmen Verônica , Moreira Menezes Maria Alinete , Soares Barbosa Weruskha Abrantes
Published: July 2023

A Semana Nacional de Mobilização e Luta contra a Tuberculose foi uma estratégia criada com o objetivo de prevenir a transmissão da doença, de fazer o diagnóstico precoce e de iniciar o tratamento o mais rápido possível. Na perspectiva de se alcançar uma maior efetividade do cuidado em saúde, a Educação Popular em Saúde vem agregar informações através de uma prática político-pedagógica que perpassa as ações voltadas para a promoção da saúde, a partir do diálogo entre os diversos saberes. No presente artigo foi proposto evidenciar a importância da Educação Popular em Saúde no controle e prevenção da tuberculose na comunidade. Trata-se de um relato de caso que descreve uma ação educativa em saúde realizada para mulheres usuárias da uma Unidade de Saúde da Família no município de João Pessoa/PB. A ação envolveu duas etapas que consistiram em uma vivência denominada “O Bingo da Tuberculose”. Através da ação educativa, as usuárias puderam trazer à discussão os conhecimentos que possuíam acerca da doença e as suas principais dúvidas. A troca de experiências e visões acerca dos fatores sociais e biológicos associados à doença permitiu, por um lado, a construção de conceitos sólidos acerca da sintomatologia e transmissão da doença e, por outro, superar estigmas sociais associados à doença. Dentro desse contexto, as ações educativas, por meio da Educação Popular constituem ferramentas essenciais na promoção da saúde e na prevenção de doenças, utilizando atividades lúdicas, que agregam o conhecimento científico e popular no intuito de facilitar o conhecimento, estimulando uma participação social.
Antennas for Ultra-Wideband Applications: Design and Performance Study Using Printed and Dielectric Resonators
Authors: Gupta Amit
Published: July 2023

Ultra-wideband (UWB) communication systems may make use of a miniature dielectric resonator antenna. A 50 ohm microstrip line is included into the modified T-shaped feed network to produce strong coupling and some bandwidth augmentation; the antenna element itself is a rectangular low permittivity ceramic block with a dielectric constant of 9.4. Simulations and measurements of the antenna's performance in a range of 3100–5500 MHz reveal an impedance bandwidth of 55.8% and a Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) of 2, making it well-suited for ultra-wideband (UWB) uses.
Chemical Blast Standard (1 kg)
Authors: Kei Takazawa Samuel , Kim Keehoon , Garcés Milton
Published: July 2023

Chemical explosions create blast waves with large overpressure disturbances. It is important to develop a standard blast model based on data to accurately predict acoustic blast-wave amplitudes near detonations and invert for explosion energy from distant observations of blast-wave signals. However, open data from large, controlled chemical explosions with reliable ground truth can be challenging to find. The lack of access to such data could limit the number of contributions to related research and potentially stifle the rate of discoveries or validation of existing models. To address these data scarcity problem, we have curated and compiled a standardized set of 817 blast-wave waveforms from 19 distinct high-explosive events. The blast-wave waveforms are standardized to a 1 kg trinitrotoluene explosion using scaling laws and corrections for location effects. A brief overview of the dataset is presented along with explosion feature models as well as recommendations for extracting explosion features. The resulting dataset is distributed to an open repository in both Seismic Analysis Code and pandas DataFrame formats containing the waveforms, the scaled distances, and the sample rates.
Participation of members of legal counselling professions in access to practicing these professions
Authors: Kępa Monika
Published: July 2023

Celem niniejszego artykułu była analiza regulacji normatywnych odnoszących się do udziału adwokatów i radców prawnych w etapach kwalifikacyjnych do tych zawodów. Prowadziła
ona do sformułowania uwag de lege lata i wniosków de lege ferenda dotyczących charakteru oraz znaczenia czynności dokonywanych przez przedstawicieli zawodów polegających na
świadczeniu pomocy prawnej w dostępie do nich. Problematyka ta nie była przedmiotem szczegółowych badań w nauce prawa, która skupiała się przede wszystkim na kompetencjach przysługujących organom poszczególnych samorządów zawodów zaufania publicznego. Celom opracowania podporządkowane zostały metody badawcze.
Badania zostały przeprowadzone z wykorzystaniem metody formalno-dogmatycznej. Dokonano także analizy orzecznictwa i literatury przedmiotu. Ponadto w badaniach posłużono się metodą porównawczą wewnątrzsystemową dla ustalenia ewentualnych różnic pomiędzy uprawnieniami adwokatów oraz radców prawnych. Na podstawie przeprowadzonych badań wysunięty został wniosek, że przy dopuszczalności tożsamości treści pytań egzaminacyjnych na egzamin wstępny na aplikacje zasadne jest różnicowanie zadań na egzaminy: adwokacki i radcowski. Wśród uwag de lege lata wskazano na szerokie uprawnienia przysługujące Ministrowi Sprawiedliwości w poszczególnych etapach dostępu do zawodów polegających na świadczeniu pomocy prawej. Podstawowym sformułowanym na podstawie analizy postulatem de lege ferenda było wprowadzenie zmian w regulacjach normatywnych polegających na zwiększeniu udziału osób wykonujących dany zawód w poszczególnych etapach rozłożonego w czasie postępowania kwalifikacyjnego. Adwokaci i radcowie prawni zrzeszeni we właściwe samorządy zawodowe wykonują zawody zaufania publicznego o doniosłym znaczeniu zarówno dla poszczególnych jednostek, jak i dla ogółu obywateli oraz państwa. Świadczenie pomocy prawnej uzależnione jest od spełnienia wysokich wymagań, w tym o charakterze merytorycznym. Zasadne jest przyjęcie, że to przedstawiciele tych zawodów są najbardziej predystynowani do dokonywania oceny przydatności kandydatów do ich wykonywania.