bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgical Technique of Direct Anterior Approach for Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty Using a Leg Positioning Traction System
Authors: Bajwa Supreet
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Through the use of a natural intramuscular and internervous interval, the direct anterior approach (DAA) for total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been suggested to have several advantages over other popular arthroplasty approaches. The usage of DAA for THA has considerably grown in the West in recent years due to the emphasis on tissue preservation and minimally invasive joint replacements. However, due to the long learning curve, literature on this approach originating from India has been inadequate, suggesting a limited adoption of this surgical technique by the Indian diaspora of practicing surgeons. Technical Description: The DAA for THA is reliable and suitable for all conventional primary and revision THA cases. In the surgical procedure, the patient is positioned supine on the standard operating room (OR) table with the legs positioned in the Leg Positioning Traction System. The OR table may rotate, which enables the surgeon to perform the surgery more conveniently as it covers the majority of the patient’s center of gravity. The incision is made over the tensor fascia lata. After femoral neck osteotomy, the head is removed, and traction is applied to the operative leg followed by acetabular cup insertion. The femoral stem is inserted after releasing soft tissues around the proximal femur using the leg positioning traction system. Using traction, flexion, and internal rotation, the femoral head is pushed into the acetabulum at the same time, and reduction is achieved. Conclusion: DAA for THA technique offers patients the advantage of minimally invasive surgery compared to other approaches. Many authors have published their experiences and technical keys to successfully completing this procedure, and several variations of the procedure have been described. The approach described is implemented utilizing specifically developed instruments, including a specialized table and intraoperative fluoroscopy while employing the standard surgical incision. This article attempts to outline the authors’ technique for performing the DAA in the supine position for a primary THA using a Leg Positioning Traction System, with a focus on technical details in assisting an early DAA convert in making a safe transition. Keywords: Direct anterior approach, surgical technique, total hip arthroplasty, traction table.
Efficacious Enactment of Ilizarov for Mangled Forearm: A Case Report on Our Resolution for the Revitalization of a “Nearly Lost Limb”
Authors: Prasad Manish , Kaul Rajiv , Thakur Kamparsh , Gupta Tirthankar Das , Shakya Amir Ratna
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Mangled is the evocative term for a grievance caused by crushing, resulting in a limb confiscation. Motor vehicle crashes and industrial/farm accidents are the leading causes of such occurrences. The verdict to reconstruct or to amputate still commonly lies with the surgical skills and experience of the treating surgeon. Case Report: We present a case of 33-year-old male military personnel involved in a road traffic accident who presented to our center with a mangled forearm with segmental fracture radius and fracture shaft of ulna with vascular injury. He was immediately taken up for early debridement, intramedullary fixation, vascular repair, and temporizing skin graft. After definitive soft-tissue flap coverage and a period of convalescence, the patient underwent Ilizarov external fixator application with successful rehabilitation. The patient achieved pain-free limb with functional range of motions of both elbow and wrist with functional capabilities of basic needs and activities of daily living. Conclusion: The combination of osseous, vascular, soft-tissue, and nerve injury after severe trauma to an extremity is a great challenge in the mangled extremity. However, in young patients without significant systemic involvement and borderline injury scores, limb salvage should be attempted. Keywords: Mangled forearm, Ilizarov, mangled extremity, vascular injury, crush injury forearm, circular fixator, multidisciplinary approach.
Polyethylene Luxation in an Oxinium Fixed-bearing Unicompartmental Knee Replacement Leading to Metallosis: A Case Reports for an Early and a Late Presentation
Authors: Negrin Roberto , Duboy Jaime , Hormazabal Maximiliano , Marin Felipe , Iñiguez Magaly , Barahona Maximiliano
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Polyethylene (PE) subluxation is a rare complication after fixed-bearing unicompartmental knee replacement. We present two cases of PE luxation with a rapid onset of metallosis in a unicompartmental knee replacement made of Oxinium, one early presentation 3 months after surgery and the other case 6 years after. Case Report: Case 1: A 84-year-old male underwent a fixed-bearing medial unicompartmental knee replacement in his left knee. Standard surgery was carried out with robotic assistance. Three months after surgery, he felt acute pain in the anterior portion of his knee. Radiographs showed that the PE was luxated anteriorly and a radiopaque “cloud” that blurs the vision of the implants suggesting metallosis. In the revision surgery, abundant blackish liquid and metallic-like debris were deposited in the synovial tissue and capsule around the knee. The tibial and femoral components presented extensive wear areas, suggesting extensive metal-to-metal contact. Both components were removed, and a posterior stabilized total knee prosthesis was placed. Case 2: A 50-year-old male patient underwent a fixed-bearing medial unicompartmental knee replacement. After 6 years, he complained of insidious pain in the posteromedial side of his knee. During the physical examination, significant joint effusion, a loss of extension, and a limited flexion were observed, with flexion reaching only up to 80°. The patient did not report systemic symptoms associated with metallosis, and no signs of systemic involvement were found. Radiographs show similar findings than in case 1, but the radiopaque “cloud” was limited to the knee. In the revision surgery, both components were removed. The tibial and femur components had extensive wear, especially in the posterior-central portion. A posterior stabilized total knee prosthesis was used. Conclusion: Emphasis on careful engagement between the PE and the tibial component is a must, checking that no tissue or cement gets in the way of the anchoring system. Furthermore, prosthesis designs must look for models with a more friendly, engaging system to prevent early presentation. The radiographs assessing the height of the PE – especially in the posterior area – must be carried out. In the case of metallosis and PE luxation, we suggest performing a revision surgery with total knee arthroplasty; however, there is little evidence for a strong recommendation. Keywords: Metallosis, oxinium, polyethylene luxation, fixed bearing unicompartimental.
Redesigning Transnational Korean Adoptees' Togetherness in Deann Borshay Liem's Geographies of Kinship
Authors: Lee Seul
Published: September 2023

abstract: The Korean adoptee film director Deann Borshay Liem makes visible four adult transnational Korean adoptees' voices in Geographies of Kinship (2019). Those voices grapple with a search for identity and a historical reckoning of child migration that are forged in loss. This essay offers a needed analysis of transnational Korean adoptees' performative labor that negotiates their discrete subjectivity in both their birth and adoptive countries: a care work to form relationships and create coexistence that I call convivial labor . The principal goal of this essay is to delineate in narrative terms what the care labor I designate as conviviality entails. The dialogue between conviviality and adoption calls attention to the transnational adoptee who is tasked with producing comfort and creating connection in intimate relations. In doing so, this essay claims that Geographies of Kinship becomes a source of critical analysis of transnational adoptee coexistence or conviviality as a political category.
The syntax of English presentatives
Authors: Wood Jim , Zanuttini Raffaella
Published: September 2023

Abstract: In this article, we analyze the syntax of sentences such as Here is my daughter , which we refer to as presentatives. Presentatives turn out to have a wide range of properties that distinguish them sharply from ordinary declaratives, interrogatives, imperatives, and exclamatives. Drawing on recent work on the left periphery, we develop a novel account of their syntactic structure that uses only independently proposed syntactic primitives. We argue that English presentatives involve an ordinary DP combined with two left-peripheral heads, encoding the time and location of the speaker, along with an anaphoric T head and a light verb. The resulting structure is a triple consisting of the speech time, speech location, and an entity denoted by a DP. The overall picture that emerges suggests that presentatives may constitute their own minor clause type, one that we might expect to be widely available crosslinguistically, since it is built from a particular combination of these widely available primitives. A brief survey of presentatives in languages other than English suggests that they are indeed widely available, and our analysis provides an explicit framework for detailed investigations of presentatives in other languages, which may use an overlapping, but not necessarily fully identical, set of primitives.
Checkerboard corner detection method based on neighborhood linear fitting
Authors: Du Xin , Jiang Benchi , Wu Lulu , Xiao Meng
Published: September 2023

To improve the calibration accuracy of a vision measurement system, a checkerboard corner detection method based on linear fitting of the checkerboard local contour is proposed. First, by binarization and morphological dilation of the checkerboard image, the coordinates of two adjacent vertices of adjacent dark squares are obtained; the midpoint of the two vertices is taken as the reference point; the reference dotted array is obtained; and the Zernike moment subpixel method is used to obtain the checkerboard contour data points in the neighborhood of each reference point. Finally, the contour points are classified according to the orientation based on the reference points; two intersecting lines are fitted; and the intersection of the two lines is exactly the corner point that we want to find. A camera calibration experiment was conducted on the same group of checkerboard images. The results show that the calibration results of the corner points obtained based on this method are highly consistent with the OpenCV library function method and the MATLAB Toolbox calibration method, and the reprojection error is smaller. At the same time, it is robust to changes in the light source brightness.
Large-scale plasmonic nanodisk array as a biosensing platform fabricated by transfer nanoprinting
Authors: Zheng Yang , Li Lixia , Zong Xueyang , Geng Zhenduo , Li Wanlu , Liu Yufang
Published: September 2023

Surface plasmon resonance based on nanostructures has been a powerful analytical tool in rapid detection and analysis of biomolecules. However, the fabrication of nanostructure sensors, such as electron beam lithography and focused ion beam milling, has inherent defects as manufacturing cost, complex process flow, and small fabrication area. In this paper, using the transfer nanoprinting approach based on an ultrathin anodic aluminum oxide membrane, a centimeter-scale ordered periodic Ag-ZnS bilayer nanodisk on Au film with a low cost and simple process is fabricated. A surface plasmon polariton Bloch mode from nanodisk arrays is experimentally demonstrated at normal incident of light. The plasmonic platform exhibits an ideal refractive index bulk sensitivity of up to 438 nm/RIU. Furthermore, by using a polyelectrolyte bilayer with well-defined thickness, the surface sensitivity of the biosensing platform is also investigated. The large-scale plasmonic bilayer nanoparticle biosensing platform has broad application prospects in development of low-cost and high-performance biosensing chips.
Delay-shift and asymmetric broadening of pre-pulses by post-pulses in a petawatt laser facility
Authors: Chen Xun , Wang Xinliang , Chen Haidong , Yang Xihang , Hu Jiabing , Bai Peile , Zhao Yang , Pan Shuren , Wu Fenxiang , Zhang Zongxin , Xu Yi , Leng Yuxin
Published: September 2023

The temporal contrast of high-peak-power lasers is usually limited by pre-pulses, which are generally produced by post-pulses due to the nonlinearity of the active medium. The reason for the conversion between pre-pulse and post-pulse is now well known, but the mechanisms for the delay-shift and asymmetric broadening of the newly generated pre-pulse are not yet clear. In this work, a novel, to the best of our knowledge, numerical model combining the nonlinear Schrödinger equation and the Frantz–Nodvik equation is proposed to investigate the underlying mechanisms for the “distortion” of the pre-pulse. Numerical results show that the gain characteristics of Ti:sapphire amplifiers can only make a minor change on the temporal profile of the pre-pulse, but the high-order dispersion is the main cause for the delay-shift and asymmetric broadening of the pre-pulse, and the effects are more significant for the initial post-pulse with a relatively larger delay.
Location deviation correction method based on cross-correlation spectrum in OFDR
Authors: Zhang Hongwei , Xia Yihua , Zhang Zijing , Zhang Yixin , Zhang Xuping , Wang Feng
Published: September 2023

A location deviation compensation algorithm based on cross-correlation spectrum is proposed for optical frequency domain reflection (OFDR) measurement. The strain and the imperfect repeatability of the laser source may cause a location deviation of the OFDR measurement system, resulting in a demodulation error. This paper proposes to use the peak-to-average ratio (PAR) to measure the quality of the correlation results and achieve compensation, which achieves efficient compensation for location deviation. Compared to other compensation methods, this algorithm can deal with the complex location deviation with better demodulation accuracy and stability. Through a strain measurement experiment, we demonstrate that the demodulation error caused by location deviation is largely eliminated. As a result, the spatial resolution of the system is improved from 8 cm to 2 cm, and the maximum measurement range is expanded to 5000µε.
Flexible dynamic quantitative phase imaging based on division of focal plane polarization imaging technique
Authors: Fan Chen , Li Junxiang , Du Yijun , Hu Zirui , Chen Huan , Yang Zewen , Zhang Gaopeng , Zhang Lu , Zhao Zixin , Zhao Hong
Published: September 2023

This paper proposes a flexible and accurate dynamic quantitative phase imaging (QPI) method using single-shot transport of intensity equation (TIE) phase retrieval achieved by division of focal plane (DoFP) polarization imaging technique. By exploiting the polarization property of the liquid crystal spatial light modulator (LC-SLM), two intensity images of different defocus distances contained in orthogonal polarization directions can be generated simultaneously. Then, with the help of the DoFP polarization imaging, these images can be captured with single exposure, enabling accurate dynamic QPI by solving the TIE. In addition, our approach gains great flexibility in defocus distance adjustment by adjusting the pattern loaded on the LC-SLM. Experiments on microlens array, phase plate, and living human gastric cancer cells demonstrate the accuracy, flexibility, and dynamic measurement performance for various objects. The proposed method provides a simple, flexible, and accurate approach for real-time QPI without sacrificing the field of view.
Generalizing amplitude swing modulation for versatile ultrashort pulse measurement
Authors: López-Ripa Miguel , Sola Íñigo J. , Alonso Benjamín
Published: September 2023

In this work we broaden the amplitude modulation concept applied to the temporal characterization of ultrashort laser pulses with the amplitude swing technique. We theoretically study the effect of diverse types of relative amplitude and phase modulations. This variation of the replicas can be implemented by means of rotating zero-order waveplates to manipulate the delayed pulse replicas produced in a following multi-order waveplate, which can be more practical under certain conditions. We numerically simulate and study different scenarios under different modulations and for different noise levels and pulses. The proposed schemes are validated and compared through the experimental application to compressed and chirped pulses, confirming the applicability of the work. The simplicity, robustness and versatility of this ultrashort pulse measurement benefits the applications of ultrafast optics.
SERF-like magnetometry in room-temperature environment
Authors: Bao Guzhi , Chen Jun , Wang Ruiqi , Chen L. Q. , Zhang Weiping
Published: September 2023

We demonstrate an atomic magnetometry using amplitude-modulated pumping and hyperfine repumping techniques in a paraffin-coated cell. By exploiting the constructive interference between spins polarized by the pump beam and an additional repump beam, we observe a three-fold increase in the amplitude of magnetic resonance, along with a reduction in linewidth by approximately two times. The implementation of the repump beam effectively narrows the linewidth, demonstrating successful suppression of spin-exchange relaxation. This reduction in relaxation rate, combined with the enhanced signal, significantly improves the sensitivity of the magnetometer. Consequently, our technique offers a promising approach for achieving SERF-like magnetometry with sub-fT-level sensitivity in Earth-field range and room-temperature environment.
Reproduction of mode-locked pulses by spectrotemporal domain-informed deep learning
Authors: Sun Jingxuan , Liu Zhen , Shu Yiqing , Li Jianqing , Chen Weicheng
Published: September 2023

The accurate reproduction of unique pulse states in a mode-locked fiber laser is an important scientific issue and has wide applications in the laser industry. We present what we believe to be a novel method for automatically and precisely reproducing targeted soliton states in a mode-locked fiber laser by spectrotemporal domain-informed deep learning. Targeted solitons are experimentally reproduced via a superior matching process with a spectrotemporal mean square error (MSE) of 3.99 × 10−5. The outstanding feature of our reproduction algorithm is that the pulse information in both the spectral and temporal domains is jointly adopted for reconstructing targeted soliton states from white noise, rather than establishing arbitrary mode-locked pulse states, as described in previous studies. Additionally, a single-layer perceptron model is proposed to retrieve the phase distribution of a mode-locked pulse, validating the physical completeness of our reproduction approach. Our approach advances ultrafast laser technology, enabling the precise control of pulse dynamics in applications such as optical communication and nonlinear optics.
Enhancement of Er luminescence from bridge-type photonic crystal nanocavities with Er, O-co-doped GaAs
Authors: Fang Zhidong , Tatebayashi Jun , Homi Ryohei , Ogawa Masayuki , Kajii Hirotake , Kondow Masahiko , Kitamura Kyoko , Mitchell Brandon , Ichikawa Shuhei , Fujiwara Yasufumi
Published: September 2023

A bridge-type photonic crystal (PhC) nanocavity based on Er,O-codoped GaAs is employed to realize enhancement of Er luminescence. By adjusting the structural design and measurement temperature, the cavity mode's wavelength can be coupled to Er luminescence. The peak emission intensity from an Er-2O defect center was enhanced 7.3 times at 40 nW pump power and 77 K. The experimental Q-factor is estimated to be over 1.2 × 104, and the luminescence intensity shows superlinearity with excitation power, suggesting Er luminescence amplification. This result would pave the way towards the realization of highly efficient single-photon emitters based on rare-earth elements.
Solid-state optical scanning device using a beam combiner and switch array
Authors: Inoue Daisuke , Ichikawa Tadashi , Shimogaki Tetsuya , Matsubara Hiroyuki , Kawasaki Akari , Yamashita Tatsuya
Published: September 2023

Imaging optics cannot focus light beams emitted from different points onto one point with a lens. Therefore, fabricating a 3D image sensor with a focal plane array is challenging. We developed an imaging optics device with an intentionally shifted focal plane switch array comprising pixels with two optical antennas, a switch, and a receiver on a chip. We successfully illuminated a single point, received the reflected light with the same pixel, and scanned an illuminating target. The proposed system can serve as a 3D image sensor, with a detection range of 204 m for Lambertian reflectors with 94% reflectivity, and as a beam combiner for high-power lasers.
Simulation and Design of LiNbO3 Modulators with Switched Segmented Electrode Structure for High Bandwidth and Low Half-Wave Voltage
Authors: Wu Fugen , Chen Hao , Wang HuangFan , XIE Feiwan , Yang Shaohua , Dong Huafeng , Liao Wenyuan
Published: September 2023

A lithium niobate thin-film(LNTF) electro-optic modulator(EOM) with segmented electrode structure is investigated, and the influence of the modulator's structural configuration on its performance is achieved. In contrast to conventional couplers, the design incorporates a 2×2 S-shaped directional coupler. Our modulator achieves a bandwidth of nearly 110 GHz and a half-wave voltage of 1.45 V. A comparative analysis between two configurations: one with SiO$_2$ cladding covering the entire surface and the other with coverage limited to the electrode gaps, which reveals the latter potential for enhancing device performance. The accuracy of the simulation results is substantiated through both software analysis and theoretical calculations. The simulation results provide valuable insights for the design of LNTF EOM, highlighting the efficacy of the proposed segmented electrode structure.
Understanding the links between human health, ecosystem health, and food systems in Small Island Developing States using stakeholder-informed causal loop diagrams
Authors: Guariguata Leonor , Hickey Gordon M. , Murphy Madhuvanti M. , Guell Cornelia , Iese Viliamu , Morrissey Karyn , Duvivier Predner , Herberg Stina , Kiran Sashi , Unwin Nigel
Published: September 2023

Globalized food systems are a major driver of climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, and the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in society. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are particularly sensitive to the negative effects of rapid environmental change, with many also exhibiting a heavy reliance on food imports and high burdens of nutrition-related disease, resulting in calls to (re)localize their food systems. Such a transition represents a complex challenge, with adaptation interventions in one part of the food system contingent on the success of interventions in other parts. To help address this challenge, we used group model-building techniques from the science of system dynamics to engage food system stakeholders in Caribbean and Pacific SIDS. Our aim was to understand the drivers of unhealthy and unsustainable food systems in SIDS, and the potential role that increased local food production could play in transformative adaptation. We present two causal loop diagrams (CLDs) considered helpful in designing resilience-enhancing interventions in local food systems. These CLDs represent ‘dynamic hypotheses’ and provide starting points that can be adapted to local contexts for identifying food system factors, understanding the interactions between them, and co-creating and implementing adaptation interventions, particularly in SIDS. The results can help guide understanding of complexity, assist in the co-creation of interventions, and reduce the risk of maladaptive consequences.
Saudi women’s leadership experiences in the healthcare sector: A qualitative study
Authors: Al Mutair Abbas , Al-Ghuraibi Muna , Alabbasi Yasmine , Alguthaib Fatimah , Woodman Alexander , Elgamri Alya
Published: September 2023

Background

Gender equality in the workforce and the promotion of woman leadership is critical to economic growth and the sustainable development of society and the global community. However, gender diversity in leadership positions is a concern as women continue to be underrepresented. Ensuring equal opportunities in leadership positions in the health sector can help advance the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Purpose

The aim of this study was to explore Saudi women’s perspectives and leadership experiences at senior-level positions in the healthcare sector.

Methods

A descriptive qualitative approach was adopted to address the study aim. This included nine semi-structured interviews with Saudi women who have held leadership positions in the health sector over the past ten years. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted by adopting the six phases.

Results

The results showed that internal factors, such as qualifications, experience, and the innate qualities of a winner, are the most important factors that contribute to women’s leadership. Women’s role expectations, gender norms, and the patriarchal nature of the community have a negative impact on women’s leadership. One of the new findings of this study was negative attitudes and lack of support from female colleagues.

Conclusion

Women leaders in health care in Saudi Arabia share similarities and differences with women leaders around the world. However, the Saudi community has its own social norms and gender roles that cannot be denied. While Vision 2030 brought a number of positive changes in women’s empowerment that participants spoke of, more research is needed to explore men’s perceptions, which can complete the picture and lead to organizational improvement and changes.
Identification of M2-like macrophage-related signature for predicting the prognosis, ecosystem and immunotherapy response in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Feng Qian , Lu Hongcheng , Wu Linquan
Published: September 2023

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, representing a big health-care challenge globally. M2-like macrophages are significantly correlated with tumor progression, metastasis and treatment resistance.

Methods

Integrative 10 machine learning algorithms were performed to developed a M2-like macrophage related prognostic signature (MRPS). Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis was performed to dissect the ecosystem of HCC. Several approaches, including TIDE score, immunophenoscore, TMB score and tumor escape score were used to evaluate the predictive role of MRPS in immunology response.

Results

The optimal MRPS constructed by the combination of stepCox + superPC algorithm served as an independent risk factor and showed stable and powerful performances in predicting the overall survival rate of HCC patients with 2-, 3-, and 4-year AUCs of 0. 763, 0.751, and 0.699 in TCGA cohort. HCC patients with low risk score possessed a more interaction of immunoactivated cells, including NK, CD8+ cytotoxic T, and activated B, and a less interaction of immunosuppressive cells, including Treg, CD4+ exhauster T, and M2-like macrophage. Low risk score indicated a higher PD1&CTLA4 immunophenoscore, higher TMB score, lower TIDE score and lower tumor escape score in HCC, suggesting a better immunotherapy response. The IC50 value of docetaxel, gemcitabine, crizotinib and Osimertinib in HCC with high risk score were lower versus that with low risk score. HCC patients with high risk score had a higher score of cancer-related hallmarks, including angiogenesis, DNA repair, EMT, glycolysis, and NOTCH signaling.

Conclusion

Our study proposed a novel MRPS for predicting the prognosis, ecosystem and immunotherapy response in HCC.
Image generation technology for functional occlusal pits and fissures based on a conditional generative adversarial network
Authors: Gu Zhaodan , Wu Zhilei , Dai Ning
Published: September 2023

The occlusal surfaces of natural teeth have complex features of functional pits and fissures. These morphological features directly affect the occlusal state of the upper and lower teeth. An image generation technology for functional occlusal pits and fissures is proposed to address the lack of local detailed crown surface features in existing dental restoration methods. First, tooth depth image datasets were constructed using an orthogonal projection method. Second, the optimization and improvement of the model parameters were guided by introducing the jaw position spatial constraint, the L1 loss and the perceptual loss functions. Finally, two image quality evaluation metrics were applied to evaluate the quality of the generated images, and deform the dental crown by using the generated occlusal pits and fissures as constraints to compare with expert data. The results showed that the images generated using the network constructed in this study had high quality, and the detailed pit and fissure features on the crown were effectively restored, with a standard deviation of 0.1802mm compared to the expert-designed tooth crown models.
Hypotension and cognitive impairment among the elderly: Evidence from the CLHLS
Authors: Zhu Xidi , Luo Zhicheng , Tian Gang , Hu Zhao , Li Shaojie , Wang Qing Mei , Luo Xun , Chen Lizhang
Published: September 2023

Background

While high blood pressure has been linked to cognitive impairment, the relationship between low blood pressure, especially hypotension, and cognitive impairment has not been well studied. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of hypotension and cognitive impairment in the seniors of China, and the association between hypotension and cognitive function impairment.

Methods

The data was derived from the 2018 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Systolic blood pressures (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) were measured by objective examination. The Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (CMMSE) was used to evaluate the cognitive impairment of the elderly. Generalized linear models were conducted to evaluate the association of hypotension with cognitive impairment.

Results

The prevalence of hypotension and cognitive impairment in the Chinese elderly were 0.76% and 22.06%, respectively. Participants with hypotension, lower SBP, and lower DBP, had odds ratios of 1.62, 1.38, and 1.48 for cognitive impairment, respectively. Besides, the CMMSE scores decreased by 2.08, 0.86, and 1.08 in the elderly with hypotension, lower SBP, and DBP, compared with those with non-hypotension, higher SBP, and DBP, respectively. Subgroup analyses showed that the association of cognitive impairment with hypotension was stronger in Chinese elderly who had decreased activity of daily living. Moreover, there was statistical evidence of a nonlinear dose-response relationship of SBP and DBP with cognitive impairment (Pnonlinear < 0.05).

Conclusion

Hypotension was a potential risk factor for cognitive impairment of the Chinese elderly, especially for those having decreased activity of daily living. Blood pressure management should be conducted to prevent them from cognitive impairment.
Environmental monitoring of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in North Carolina water and wastewater using the WHO Tricycle protocol in combination with membrane filtration and compartment bag test methods for detecting and quantifying ESBL E. coli
Authors: Appling K. Clark , Sobsey Mark D. , Durso Lisa M. , Fisher Michael B.
Published: September 2023

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens human and animal health; effective response requires monitoring AMR presence in humans, animals, and the environment. The World Health Organization Tricycle Protocol (WHO TP) standardizes and streamlines global AMR monitoring around a single indicator organism, extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-Ec). The WHO TP culture-based method detects and quantifies ESBL-Ec by spread-plating or membrane filtration on either MacConkey or TBX agar (supplemented with cefotaxime). These methods require laboratories and trained personnel, limiting feasibility in low-resource and field settings. We adapted the WHO TP using a simplified method, the compartment bag test (CBT), to quantify most probable numbers (MPN) of ESBL-Ec in samples. CBT methods can be used correctly in the field by typical adults after a few hours’ training. We collected and analyzed municipal wastewater, surface water, and chicken waste samples from sites in Raleigh and Chapel Hill, NC over an 8-month period. Presumptive ESBL-Ec were quantified using MF on TBX agar supplemented with cefotaxime (MF+TBX), as well as using the CBT with chromogenic E. coli medium containing cefotaxime. Presumptive ESBL-Ec bacteria were isolated from completed tests for confirmation and characterization by Kirby Bauer disk diffusion tests (antibiotic sensitivity) and EnteroPluri biochemical tests (speciation). Both methods were easy to use, but MF+TBX required additional time and effort. The proportion of E. coli that were presumptively ESBL in surface water samples was significantly greater downstream vs upstream of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) outfalls, suggesting that treated wastewater is a source of ESBL-Ec in some surface waters. The CBT and MF+TBX tests provided similar (but not identical) quantitative results, making the former method suitable as an alternative to the more complex MF+TBX procedure in some applications. Further AMR surveillance using MF+TBX and/or CBT methods may be useful to characterize and refine their performance for AMR monitoring in NC and elsewhere.
A Middle Eastern style of mediatization of politics and conflicts: Were regional-domestic intersections considered?
Authors: AlAhmad Hussein
Published: September 2023

This article examines the extent to which mediatization, as a western-centric metatheory central to an understanding of how the media logic comes to influence the political logic, applies to the study of non-western case studies. Considering the case of the 2006 Palestinian internal conflict (the split), the article examines the role of pan-Arab transnational satellite TV (PTSTV) journalism in covering the conflict’s trajectories. Building on primary qualitative data, gathered via semi-structured interviews with prominent stakeholders/insiders in the two parties and relevant sectors of news media and politics, the article explores the interplay between regional and Palestinian politics, evident in PTSTV’s coverage, and shows how available western-centred theoretical paradigms that draw on mediatization – in examining mediatized conflicts – fell short in examining such interplay for contextual, structural and sociocultural challenges in PTSTV’s operating milieu. Alternatively, the study inductively explored this interplay, overcoming the aforesaid contextual challenges, and provided evidence on how, with the lack of democratic principles in PTSTV’s operational milieu, structural/internal characteristics in these channels interacted with peripheral/external dimensions in their milieu and adversely affected their cultural dimension (coverage). PTSTV produced escalatory journalism that disseminated inflammatory content within a politically fractured culture, exacerbating the conflict and expanding the gap between the two rivals. This inductive approach in tracing the interplay – and its concurrent bargaining process – revealed five pivotal characteristics in PTSTV performance that are unique to those postulated in mediatization. They stand in this article as an authentic theoretical contribution that facilitated the handling of analytical challenges in the case study.
Energy Efficient Compressor Cell for Low Power Computing
Authors: Upadhyay Rahul Mani , Chauhan R. K. , Kumar Manish
Published: September 2023

As the use of multimedia devices is rising, power management is becoming a major challenge. Various types of compressors have been designed in this study. Compressor circuits are designed using several circuits of XOR-XNOR gates and multiplexers. XOR-XNOR gate combinations and multiplexer circuits have been used to construct the suggested compressor design. The performance of the proposed compressor circuits using these low-power XOR-XNOR gates and multiplexer blocks has been found to be economical in terms of space and power. This study proposes low-power and high-speed 3-2, 4-2, and 5-2 compressors for digital signal processing applications. A new compressor has also been proposed that is faster and uses less energy than the traditional compressor. The full adder circuit, constructed using various combinations of XOR-XNOR gates, has been used to develop the proposed compressor. The proposed 3-2 compressor shows average power dissipation 571.7 nW and average delay 2.41 nS, 4-2 compressor shows average power dissipation 1235 nW and average delay 2.7 nS while 5-2 compressor shows average power dissipation 2973.50 nW and average delay 3.75 nS.
A blokklánc technológia a pénzmosással szemben
Authors: Kenéz Dávid
Published: September 2023

A 21. század egyik legfontosabb találmányaként tartjuk számon a blokkláncrendszereket és a kriptovalutákat. Ezeknek a rendszereknek számtalan felhasználási lehetősége van, képesek a tulajdonosi lánc és az eredetiség igazolására, forradalmasíthatják a kereskedelmet az ún. okos szerződések segítségével, sőt egyes vélemény szerint akár teljesen megváltoztathatják a jelenleg ismert bankrendszer szükségességét. Ugyanakkor fontos tudnunk, hogy a blokkláncok legalább annyi veszélyt hordoznak, mint amennyi problémára megoldást kínálnak. Ezen kockázatok közé tartozik a terrorizmus finanszírozásának és a pénzmosásnak a veszélye is.
Effect of cross-sections data on calculated static neutronic parameters of PWR MOX/UO2 core transient benchmark case using NODAL3 code
Authors: Luthfi Wahid , Pinem Surian
Published: September 2023

This paper describes the effect of cross-section data generated by several codes on calculated neutronic parameters. The Pressurized Water Reactor Mixed Oxide and Uranium Oxide (PWR MOX/UO2) Core Transient Benchmark case was chosen because it has been used widely to validate neutronic codes. The cross-section data in this study will be generated by SRAC, Serpent, and HELIOS codes. The NODAL3 code will be used to calculate neutronic parameters from each cross-section. The neutronic parameters calculated by NODAL3 are the effective multiplication factor (keff), control rod worth, critical boron concentration, and power distribution under Hot Zero Power (HZP) conditions. The Power-Weighted Error (PWE) and Error-Weighted Error (EWE), as a measure of the relative error in fuel assembly power, are less than 5 %, indicating that the calculation is consistent with DeCART as a reference. The difference in calculated radial power peaking factor for all three cross-sections to reference data reaches 6.284 % (G-3), 8.438 % (G-3), and 10.998 % (C-7), respectively, for SRAC, Serpent, and HELIOS. The axial power distribution calculated by NODAL3 at the top and bottom of the reactor core has a relative error that peaked at 16.60 %, 13.86 %, and 10.20 %, respectively, for cross-sections provided by SRAC, Serpent, and HELIOS. Further improvements are needed for NODAL3 by applying various discontinuity factors to improve its performance.
Aportes, alcances y limitaciones de los enfoques de resolución de problemas de George Pólya, Alan H. Schoenfeld y Frederick Reif en el aprendizaje de las matemáticas
Authors: Martínez Hernández Lorenzo Julio , Ruiz Ortega Francisco Javier
Published: September 2023

Este artículo tiene como objeto analizar los aportes, alcances y limitaciones en el aprendizaje de las matemáticas de los enfoques de resolución de problemas de George Pólya, Alan H. Schoenfeld y Frederick Reif. Primeramente, se sintetizan las principales ideas de estos autores en sus obras atinentes a la resolución de problemas matemáticos, y también se abordan algunos procesos de orden metacognitivo en los estudiantes, principalmente la regulación metacognitiva. Lo anterior está orientado a que tanto docentes como estudiantes, desarrollen procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje de las matemáticas de manera más consciente e intencionada. Entre los resultados obtenidos, se tiene que George Pólya planteó cuatro etapas para la resolución de un problema; de forma similar Alan H. Schoenfeld discriminó cuatro dimensiones; mientras que Frederick Reif aborda la resolución de problemas desde el contexto de la física a través de dos reglas generales, fusionadas en una estrategia de cinco fases.
Percepción del teleestudio por parte de estudiantes universitarios de la ciudad de Medellín Colombia
Authors: Restrepo Betancur Luis Fernando
Published: September 2023

El teleestudio se ha convertido en la mejor alternativa educativa en tiempos de Covid-19, ya que permite establecer una interacción a distancia entre docentes y alumnos por medio de la utilización de sistemas informáticos. El objetivo de esta investigación fue describir y comparar la percepción de los estudiantes universitarios de la ciudad de Medellín (Colombia) en relación con la educación virtual en tiempos de Covid-19. Se empleó muestreo no aleatorio, en el que el tamaño de la muestra fue de 2400 estudiantes universitarios, teniendo en cuenta igual grado de ponderación entre sexos y tipos de universidad. Las preguntas se efectuaron con base en una encuesta estructurada en la escala de Likert, la cual fue validada mediante análisis de ítems, midiendo la fiabilidad por la técnica Alpha de Cronbach. Las técnicas estadísticas usadas en el proceso investigativo fueron: análisis del factor y análisis multivariado de la varianza. Como resultados destacados se detectó diferencias altamente significativas (p<0,0001) entre sexos y entre tipos de universidades, referente a la opinión de la actual situación educativa, al evaluar de manera conjunta todas las variables por medio de la técnica MANOVA. Se concluye que el telestudio permitió autodefinir al estudiante como un ser crítico, con mayor grado de autonomía y responsabilidad en las diferentes actividades que se plantean por parte de los docentes; de igual forma, se ha mejorado el rendimiento académico de acuerdo con la opinión de los encuestados. Entre las dificultades se han presentado problemas de conexión a internet, de manera principal en las personas inscritas en universidades estatales.
Formación de docentes de provincia en tiempos de pandemia
Authors: Burgos Calderón Deivys Brian , Cifuentes Garzón José Eduardo
Published: September 2023

Este artículo reporta un estudio sobre las acciones formativas en docentes ocurridas en tiempos de emergencia sanitaria en una institución educativa de provincia. El objetivo consiste en describir cómo la utilización y manejo adecuado de dispositivos tecnológicos en profesores permiten reconfigurar procesos de autoformación en el marco de este suceso atípico. Se trata de un estudio cualitativo, bajo la metodología de la investigación acción educativa, recolectándose los datos a partir de encuestas, bitácoras y entrevistas. Los resultados muestran que las unidades didácticas desarrolladas con aplicaciones de mensajería instantánea permiten aprendizajes móviles en la formación de docentes de los distintos niveles de educación.
Natural Dye of Beetroot
Authors: Tahir Tara F. , Aziz Kurdistan F. , Kokhasmail Dashne M.
Published: September 2023

In this study, a simple and indirect spectrophotometric method for the quantification of atenolol in pharmaceutical formulations, utilizing a natural food dye extracted from red beet root, is presented. The process involves the oxidation of atenolol in a 1 mol/LHCl acidic medium, using an excess of potassium persulfate. Subsequently, the resulting tablet solution is employed to fade the red beetroot dye, and the solution is measured spectrophotometrically. The optimized reaction conditions consist of a 16 µg/mL atenolol solution, 2.1 mL (100 µg/mL) of potassium persulfate, and 5 mL (100 µg/mL) of red beetroot dye. Spectrophotometric measurements were performed at 535 nm, and the linear range for quantification was found to be 4–22 µg/mL (R2 = 0.9987). The method exhibited a limit of detection of 0.01 µg/mL. Notably, the proposed method was successfully applied to analyze various commercial brands of pharmaceutical formulations; yielding results consistent with those obtained using the pharmacopeia method. This research offers a valuable and accessible technique for atenolol quantification, demonstrating potential significance in pharmaceutical analysis and quality control processes.
Ability in Intellectual Disability: The Culture of Inequality in Nigeria and Other Jurisdictions
Authors: Ukoh Francis Nnamdi , Ukoh Eberechi Catherine , Nwanzi Joseph
Published: September 2023

This paper examines the disputable issue of the culture of inequality in providing legal protection for children living with intellectual disabilities. It argues the disparity in the provision of educational and health services for persons living with intellectual disabilities by the Nigerian Government and identifies the gaps in the provisions of Sections 20 and 21 of the Nigerian Discrimination Act. These deficiencies obscure the ability of children living with disabilities (Down syndrome and Autism), which culminates in a domino effect from delayed intervention. It draws a comparative analysis from the United Kingdom and the United States of America as a standard for innovative legal frameworks in Nigeria. It concludes that non-governmental organisations must collaborate with the government to ameliorate Nigeria's poor education and health care, with a differential detour that rights to free education and health care for those with intellectual disabilities be justiciable for the Act's practicability.
Investigative didactic sequence for the teaching of electrochemistry addressing the disposal of batteries
Authors: Cordeiro Cavalcante de Oliveira Marcela , Rufino de Freitas Filho João , Rodrigues de Souza Sandra , Mendes da Silva Ivoneide , Luís Silva de Araújo Arthur , Silva de Freitas Katia Cristina
Published: September 2023

Electrochemistry is an essential context for understanding current energetic technological processes, especially those that use batteries. On the other hand, it is one of the most neglected subjects in the classroom for reasons of associated complexity. Because of this, we have sought new methodological strategies to overcome the difficulties encountered in teaching practice. Thus, this research aims to investigate the possible contributions of a didactic sequence on the disposal of batteries from the teaching by research for the learning of electrochemistry. A qualitative methodology, a case study, applied in a high school class was adopted. The sequence consisted of six methodological steps: implementation of the problem situation; developed hypotheses; a class on electrochemistry; investigative experiment on the decomposition of batteries in aqueous solutions; systematization and communication of results. The results showed that before the application of the didactic sequence, most of the students did not know the dangers that improper disposal of batteries causes to the environment and did not understand how galvanic cells generate electrical energy from a redox reaction. After the sequence was developed, most students were able to identify and conceptualize the main electrochemical terms studied from a critical thought about this problem.