bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid identification of the variety of maize seeds based on near-infrared spectroscopy coupled with locally linear embedding
Authors: Liu Shu , Chen Zhengguang , Jiao Feng
Published: January 2022

Maize is the main cereal crop in China. In the process of maize planting, the selection of suitable maize varieties is an important link to achieving a high yield. Because the appearance of maize seeds is very similar, it is difficult to accurately identify their species with the naked eye. In order to realize the rapid identification of different varieties of maize seeds, this paper proposes a rapid identification method of maize varieties based on near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy coupled with locally linear embedding (LLE) and a support vector machine (SVM). The NIR data, preprocessed by multiple scattering correction (MSC), were dimensionally reduced by LLE, a principal component analysis (PCA), and isometric mapping (Isomap), and combined with SVM to establish a maize variety identification model. The results show that the LLE-SVM model has the best performance, whose classification accuracy and kappa coefficient of the test set can reach 100% and 1.00. The classification accuracy and kappa coefficient of the LLE-SVM model are better than the PCA-SVM model and Isomap-SVM model. Therefore, LLE can reduce the complexity of the model and improve the accuracy of the model. It can be used for the rapid identification of maize varieties and provide a new idea for the classification and identification of other agricultural products.
Fiber optic jerk sensor
Authors: Li Huicong , Zhang Wentao , Zhang Jianxiang , Huang Wenzhu
Published: January 2022

Jerk is directly related to a physical mutation process of structural damage and human comfort. A fiber optic jerk sensor (FOJS) based on a fiber optic differentiating Mach–Zehnder interferometer is proposed. It can directly measure jerk by demodulating the phase of interference light, which avoids the high-frequency noise interference caused by differentiating the acceleration. The sensing theory and sensor design are given in detail. The experimental and theoretical results agree, demonstrating that the FOJS has a high sensitivity, an ultralow phase noise floor, a wide measuring range, and good linearity. The impact test shows that the FOJS can directly measure jerk and has good consistency with a standard piezoelectric accelerometer. The FOJS has potential applications in earthquake engineering, comfort evaluations, and railway design. This is the first time that directly measuring jerk with an optical sensor is reported.
Ultra-low loss visible light waveguides for integrated atomic, molecular, and quantum photonics
Authors: Chauhan Nitesh , Wang Jiawei , Bose Debapam , Liu Kaikai , Compton R. L. , Fertig C. , Hoyt C. W. , Blumenthal Daniel J.
Published: January 2022

Atomic, molecular and optical (AMO) visible light systems are the heart of precision applications including quantum, atomic clocks and precision metrology. As these systems scale in terms of number of lasers, wavelengths, and optical components, their reliability, space occupied, and power consumption will push the limits of using traditional laboratory-scale lasers and optics. Visible light photonic integration is critical to advancing AMO based sciences and applications, yet key performance aspects remain to be addressed, most notably waveguide losses and laser phase noise and stability. Additionally, a visible light integrated solution needs to be wafer-scale CMOS compatible and capable of supporting a wide array of photonic components. While the regime of ultra-low loss has been achieved at telecommunication wavelengths, progress at visible wavelengths has been limited. Here, we report the lowest waveguide losses and highest resonator Qs to date in the visible range, to the best of our knowledge. We report waveguide losses at wavelengths associated with strontium transitions in the 461 nm to 802 nm wavelength range, of 0.01 dB/cm to 0.09 dB/cm and associated intrinsic resonator Q of 60 Million to 9.5 Million, a decrease in loss by factors of 6x to 2x and increase in Q by factors of 10x to 1.5x over this visible wavelength range. Additionally, we measure an absorption limited loss and Q of 0.17 dB/m and 340 million at 674 nm. This level of performance is achieved in a wafer-scale foundry compatible Si3N4 platform with a 20 nm thick core and TEOS-PECVD deposited upper cladding oxide, and enables waveguides for different wavelengths to be fabricated on the same wafer with mask-only changes per wavelength. These results represent a significant step forward in waveguide platforms that operate in the visible, opening up a wide range of integrated applications that utilize atoms, ions and molecules including sensing, navigation, metrology and clocks.
Shipborne variable-FOV, dual-wavelength, polarized ocean lidar: design and measurements in the Western Pacific
Authors: Liu Qi , Wu Songhua , Liu Bingyi , Liu Jintao , Zhang Kailin , Dai Guangyao , Tang Junwu , Chen Ge
Published: January 2022

For the requirement of high-precision vertical profile of the polarization and optical properties of natural seawater, a ship-borne variable-FOV, dual-wavelength, polarized ocean lidar system is designed to obtain the volume linear depolarization ratio (VDR), color ratio and optical parameter profiles of seawater. With the high signal-to-noise ratio, which benefits from the high power (355 nm with 120 mJ, 532 nm with 200 mJ) solid-state laser and a photon counting recorder with a sampling rate of 1 GHz, the attenuated backscattered signal of seawater in the western Pacific campaign reaches to the depth of 50 m, where a plankton layer presents. The receiver of lidar is capable of switching to wide and narrow field of view (FOV), respectively, to obtain the lidar attenuation coefficient Klidar, which is in good agreement with the beam attenuation coefficient of seawater c with a narrow FOV and diffuse attenuation coefficient Kd with a wide FOV. Besides, the Klidar, and the VDR, at two wavelengths of 355 nm and 532 nm are compared to explore the possibility of multi-wavelength of laser application in the ocean lidar. The VDR and the color ratio profiles have a desirable correlation with the in-situ measurement of chlorophyll a (Chla) and chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) profiles, respectively. With the combination of the Klidar, the VDR and the color ratio profiles, measured in different regions and time periods during the campaign, the multi-wavelength and polarization lidar shows its potential to explore various ocean compositions, such as the ocean particles size shape, the species and vertical migration characteristics of planktons, and the profile distribution of the ocean compositions.
Tunable angle-independent mid-infrared optical filters using GST-based micro resonator arrays
Authors: Morden Dylan , Smith Evan M. , Avrutsky Ivan , Hendrickson Joshua R. , Agha Imad , Vangala Shivashankar
Published: January 2022

Material characteristics and crystallinity of germanium antimony telluride (GST), along with a design and experimental verification of a transmission filter in the mid-infrared are presented. Gradually increasing the temperature of an annealed phase change material, such as GST, controls the amount of crystallinity which allows the index of refraction to increase continuously over a significant range. GST is incorporated into a metal-dielectric sub-wavelength grating, in which the dielectric segments of the grating are spaced out sufficiently to decouple the angular-dependent grating resonance from the Fabry-Perot resonance for each individual cavity. Filling in each cavity between the metal strips with GST allows for active tuning of the transmission wavelength. Angular independence of the transmission resonance is shown up to 60 degrees for devices of an amorphous and crystalline state of GST, demonstrating that the angular independence is maintained through wavelength tuning.
Enabling consumer-grade 3D-printed optical instruments – a case study on design and fabrication of a spectrometer system using low-cost 3D printing technologies
Authors: Berglund Gregory D. , Tkaczyk Tomasz S.
Published: January 2022

3D printing of optical components can broaden access to optical fabrication. However, consumer options for 3D printing have been limited due to the form and roughness requirements for optics. Previous efforts have established a protocol for the fabrication of singlet lenses using a stereolithographic printer and simple post-processing techniques. Here we further elevate this research by building a consumer-grade 3D printed spectrometer utilizing achromatic doublet printed lenses. These lenses are fabricated using stereolithographic printers with a filled cavity and reduce chromatic focal shift by a factor of 6 over singlet lenses. The proof-of-concept spectrometer system incorporates a pinhole, two doublet lenses, and a dispersing prism. Opto-mechanics for the system were fabricated using an FDM 3D printer. Results from the fabricated system closely matched results obtained with a commercially available spectrometer device.
Rural prioritization may increase the impact of COVID-19 vaccines in a representative COVAX AMC country setting due to ongoing internal migration: A modeling study
Authors: Selvaraj Prashanth , Wagner Bradley G. , Chao Dennis L. , Jackson Maïna L’Azou , Breugelmans J. Gabrielle , Jackson Nicholas , Chang Stewart T.
Published: January 2022

How COVID-19 vaccine is distributed within low- and middle-income countries has received little attention outside of equity or logistical concerns but may ultimately affect campaign impact in terms of infections, severe cases, or deaths averted. In this study we examined whether subnational (urban-rural) prioritization may affect the cumulative two-year impact on disease transmission and burden of a vaccination campaign using an agent-based model of COVID-19 in a representative COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Advanced Market Commitment (AMC) setting. We simulated a range of vaccination strategies that differed by urban-rural prioritization, age group prioritization, timing of introduction, and final coverage level. Urban prioritization averted more infections in only a narrow set of scenarios, when internal migration rates were low and vaccination was started by day 30 of an outbreak. Rural prioritization was the optimal strategy for all other scenarios, e.g., with higher internal migration rates or later start dates, due to the presence of a large immunological naive rural population. Among other factors, timing of the vaccination campaign was important to determining maximum impact, and delays as short as 30 days prevented larger campaigns from having the same impact as smaller campaigns that began earlier. The optimal age group for prioritization depended on choice of metric, as prioritizing older adults consistently averted more deaths across all of the scenarios. While guidelines exist for these latter factors, urban-rural allocation is an orthogonal factor that we predict to affect impact and warrants consideration as countries plan the scale-up of their vaccination campaigns.
Translational gene expression control in Chlamydia trachomatis
Authors: Grieshaber Nicole A. , Chiarelli Travis J. , Appa Cody R. , Neiswanger Grace , Peretti Kristina , Grieshaber Scott S.
Published: January 2022

The human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis proceeds through a multi phenotypic developmental cycle with each cell form specialized for different roles in pathogenesis. Understanding the mechanisms regulating this complex cycle has historically been hampered by limited genetic tools. In an effort to address this issue, we developed a translational control system to regulate gene expression in Chlamydia using a synthetic riboswitch. Here we demonstrate that translational control via a riboswitch can be used in combination with a wide range of promoters in C. trachomatis. The synthetic riboswitch E, inducible with theophylline, was used to replace the ribosome binding site of the synthetic promoter T5-lac, the native chlamydial promoter of the pgp4 plasmid gene and an anhydrotetracycline responsive promoter. In all cases the riboswitch inhibited translation, and high levels of protein expression was induced with theophylline. Combining the Tet transcriptional inducible promoter with the translational control of the riboswitch resulted in strong repression and allowed for the cloning and expression of the potent chlamydial regulatory protein, HctB. The ability to control the timing and strength of gene expression independently from promoter specificity is a new and important tool for studying chlamydial regulatory and virulence genes.
The edible seaweed Laminaria japonica contains cholesterol analogues that inhibit lipid peroxidation and cyclooxygenase enzymes
Authors: Lu Xingyu , Dissanayake Amila A. , Xiao Chuqiao , Gao Jie , Zhao Mouming , Nair Muraleedharan G.
Published: January 2022

In this study, 5 sterols were isolated and purified fromLaminaria japonica, commonly known as edible brown seaweed, and their structures were identified based on detailed chemical methods and spectroscopic analyses. Spectroscopic analyses characterized 5 sterols as 29-Hydroperoxy-stigmasta-5,24(28)-dien-3β-ol, saringosterol (24-vinyl-cholest-5-ene-3β,24-diol), 24-methylenecholesterol, fucosterol (stigmasta-5,24-diene-3β-ol), and 24-Hydroperoxy-24-vinyl-cholesterol. The bioactivities of these sterols were tested using lipid peroxidation (LPO) and cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and -2) enzyme inhibitory assays. Fucosterol exhibited the highest COX-1 and -2 enzyme inhibitory activities at 59 and 47%, respectively. Saringosterol, 24-methylenecholesterol and fucosterol showed higher LPO inhibitory activity at >50% than the other compounds. In addition, the results of molecular docking revealed that the 5 sterols were located in different pocket of COX-1 and -2 and fucosterol with tetracyclic skeletons and olefin methine achieved the highest binding energy (-7.85 and -9.02 kcal/mol) through hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bond. Our results confirm the presence of 5 sterols inL.japonicaand its significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.
Association of aflatoxin B1 levels with mean CD4 cell count and uptake of ART among HIV infected patients: A prospective study
Authors: Jolly Pauline E. , Akinyemiju Tomi F. , Sakhuja Swati , Sheth Roshni
Published: January 2022

Background

Aflatoxin suppresses cellular immunity and accentuates HIV-associated changes in T- cell phenotypes and B- cells.

Objective

This prospective study was conducted to examine the association of aflatoxin levels with CD4 T-cell count and antiretroviral therapy uptake over time.

Methods

Sociodemographic and food data were collected from antiretroviral therapy naïve HIV-infected patients. CD4+ counts were collected from participants’ medical records. Plasma samples were tested for aflatoxin B1 albumin adducts, hepatitis B surface antigen, and HIV viral load. Participants were separated into high and low aflatoxin groups based on the median aflatoxin B1 albumin adduct level of 10.4 pg/ml for data analysis.

Results

Participants with high aflatoxin B1 albumin adduct levels had lower mean CD4 at baseline and at each follow-up period. Adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that higher baseline aflatoxin B1 adduct levels were associated with statistically significant lower CD4 counts (est = -66.5, p = 0.043). Not starting ART and low/middle socioeconomic status were associated with higher CD4 counts (est = 152.2, p<0.001) and (est = 86.3, p = 0.027), respectively.

Conclusion

Consistent correlations of higher aflatoxin B1 adduct levels with lower CD4 over time indicate that there is an independent early and prolonged effect of aflatoxin on CD4 even with the initiation of antiretroviral therapy. The prospective study design, evaluation of baseline and follow-up measures, extensive control for potential confounders, and utilization of objective measures of aflatoxin exposure and CD4 count provide compelling evidence for a strong epidemiologic association that deserves careful attention in HIV care and treatment programs.
Serum progranulin is not associated with rs5848 polymorphism in Korean patients with neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Jung Na-Yeon , Kim Hyang-Sook , Kim Eun Soo , Jeon Sumin , Lee Myung Jun , Pak Kyoungjune , Lee Jae-Hyeok , Lee Young Min , Lee Kangyoon , Shin Jin-Hong , Ko Jun Kyeung , Lee Jae Meen , Yoon Jin A. , Hwang Chungsu , Choi Kyung-Un , Huh Gi Yeong , Kim Young-Eun , Kim Eun-Joo
Published: January 2022

Low serum progranulin (PGRN) is known to be associated with granulin (GRN) gene mutation and T alleles ofGRNrs5848 polymorphism. However, there have been only a few Asian studies exploring these. We investigated the serum PGRN levels, rs5848 genotypes, and their relations with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers in the Korean population. Serum PGRN levels,GRNrs5848 polymorphism, andGRNmutations were evaluated in 239 participants (22 cognitively unimpaired participants and 217 patients with neurodegenerative diseases). CSF AD biomarkers were also evaluated in 214 participants. There was no significant difference in the serum PGRN levels among the diagnostic groups. We could not find anyGRNmutation carrier in our sample. The differences in the frequencies of the rs5848 genotypes among the clinical groups or the effects of the rs5848 genotypes on serum PGRN were not observed. There was no correlation between the serum PGRN level or rs5848 genotype and CSF AD biomarkers. Neither the T allele nor the TT genotype had an effect on the development of AD. Our results showed that serum PGRN levels were not associated with rs5848 genotypes, indicating that multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms might affect PGRN concentrations in an ethnicity-specific manner.
Family-based whole-exome sequencing identifies rare variants potentially related to cutaneous melanoma predisposition in Brazilian melanoma-prone families
Authors: Fidalgo Felipe , Torrezan Giovana Tardin , Sá Bianca Costa Soares de , Barros Bruna Durães de Figueiredo , Moredo Luciana Facure , Valieris Renan , de Souza Sandro J. , Duprat João Pereira , Krepischi Ana Cristina Victorino , Carraro Dirce Maria
Published: January 2022

Genetic predisposition accounts for nearly 10% of all melanoma cases and has been associated with a dozen moderate- to high-penetrance genes, including CDKN2A, CDK4, POT1 and BAP1. However, in most melanoma-prone families, the genetic etiology of cancer predisposition remains undetermined. The goal of this study was to identify rare genomic variants associated with cutaneous melanoma susceptibility in melanoma-prone families. Whole-exome sequencing was performed in 2 affected individuals of 5 melanoma-prone families negative for mutations in CDKN2A and CDK4, the major cutaneous melanoma risk genes. A total of 288 rare coding variants shared by the affected relatives of each family were identified, including 7 loss-of-function variants. By performing in silico analyses of gene function, biological pathways, and variant pathogenicity prediction, we underscored the putative role of several genes for melanoma risk, including previously described genes such as MYO7A and WRN, as well as new putative candidates, such as SERPINB4, HRNR, and NOP10. In conclusion, our data revealed rare germline variants in melanoma-prone families contributing with a novel set of potential candidate genes to be further investigated in future studies.
Socially-Aware Adaptive Delay Tolerant Network (DTN) routing protocol
Authors: Ullah Saif , Qayyum Amir
Published: January 2022

Network partitioning and node disconnectivity results in high latency and frequent link disruption in DTNs. Therefore, routing a message toward a destined node is a challenge in such environment. Several DTN routing schemes have been introduced in this regard. Some, recently proposed DTN routing protocols either use a single or combination of multiple social metrics to identify the suitable forwarder node(s). However, these DTN routing protocols produced results at the expense of community formation cost and over utilization of network resources. To address these issues, we propose Socially-Aware Adaptive DTN (SAAD) routing scheme which exploits a social attribute known as Degree Centrality (DC). In this scheme, each node calculates and shares its DC with other nodes at regular intervals. A forwarder node disseminates message to the most influential node possessing highest DC. The proposed routing scheme works great in situations where someone want to improve the energy efficiency and want to involve only relevant nodes. The simulation results show that SAAD has improved to select the best node and has reduced the hop-count, overhead on the expense of delay as compared to Epidemic, PRoPHET and PRoPHETv2.
The combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers influence the weed growth, productivity and soil fertility of monsoon rice
Authors: Ghosh Dibakar , Brahmachari Koushik , Skalický Milan , Roy Dibakar , Das Anupam , Sarkar Sukamal , Moulick Debojyoti , Brestič Marián , Hejnak Vaclav , Vachova Pavla , Hassan Mohamed M. , Hossain Akbar
Published: January 2022

Synthetic fertilizer and herbicides encompass the largest share in nutrient and weed management on food grain crops that create serious environmental issues. Integrated nutrient and non-chemical weed management approaches may help to reduce the chemical load in the environment, maintaining higher weed control efficiency and yield. A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive monsoon seasons during 2015 and 2016 in farm fields to develop a profitable and sustainable rice production system through integrated nutrient and weed management practices. A varied combination of nutrients either alone or integrated with chemical and non-chemical weed management were tested on transplanted rice in a factorial randomized block design with three replications. The results showed that the integration of concentrated organic manures with chemical fertilizer effectively inhibited weed growth and nutrient removal. Integration of nutrient and weed management practices significantly enhanced 9% biomass growth, 10% yield of the rice crop along with 3–7% higher nutrient uptake. Brassicaceous seed meal (BSM) and neem cake also had some influence on weed suppression and economic return. Thus, the integrated nutrient and weed management practices in rice cultivation might be an effective way to achieve economic sustainability and efficient rice cultivation in eastern India. Shortages of farmyard manure and vermicompost could be supplemented by BSM and neem cake in the integrated module.
The impact of NPK fertilizer on growth and nutrient accumulation in juniper (Juniperus procera) trees grown on fire-damaged and intact soils
Authors: Khalofah Ahlam , Ghramh Hamed A. , Al-Qthanin Rahmah N. , L’taief Boullbaba
Published: January 2022

Wildfires significantly alter soil properties and result in vegetation shifts; therefore, rapid reforestation activities are needed in the forests affected by wildfires. The decreased nutrient in the soil is the obvious effect of wildfires; however, little is known about the reforestation of Juniper (Juniperus procera) forests with application of NPK fertilizers. Juniper forests are common in Asir and Taif regions of Saudi Arabia and vulnerable to wildfires; thus, reforestation is needed after the onset of fires. This study assessed the impact of different doses of organic NPK fertilizer (0, 5 and 10 g/L) on growth and nutrient accumulation of Juniper trees grown on fire-damaged and intact soils. Data relating to tree height, number of leaves per plant, fresh and dry biomass accumulation in shoot and root, chlorophyll contents and uptake of N, P, K, and Na were recorded. Individual and interactive effects of soil types and fertilizer doses significantly altered all measured traits with minor exceptions. Overall, higher values of the measured traits were recorded for intact soil and 10 g/L fertilize dose. The increasing fertilizer doses improved the growth and nutrient acquisition and application of 10 g/L fertilizer on intact soil recorded the highest values of growth traits. Juniper trees grown on fire-damaged soil accumulated higher amount of nitrogen than intact soil. Similarly, the trees grown on intact soil accumulated lower amount of Na and maintained comparable K/Na ratio to intact soil. It is concluded that supplying 10 g/L fertilizer could improve the establishment of Juniper trees on fire-damaged soil. Therefore, organic fertilizer can be used to improve the reforestation of wildfire-affected Juniper forests in the Asir province.
Hidden chaos factors inducing random walks which reduce hospital operative efficiency
Authors: Rodríguez-Hernández Antonio Javier , Sevcik Carlos
Published: January 2022

Operative parameters of La Fuenfría Hospital such as: hospitalized patients; daily admissions and discharges were studies for the hospital as a whole, and for each hospital’s service unit (henceforth called ‘services’). Conventional statistical analyzes and fractal dimension analyzes were performed on daily In-Patient series. The sequence of daily admissions and patients staying on each service were found to be a kind of random series known asrandom walks(Rw), sequences where what happens next, depends on what happens now plus a random variable.Rwanalyzed with parametric or nonparametric statistics may simulate cycles and drifts which resemble seasonal variations or fake trends which reduce the Hospital’s efficiency. Globally, inpatientsRws in LFH, were found to be determined by the time elapsed between daily discharges and admissions. The factors determining LFH R were found to be the difference between daily admissions and discharges. The discharges are replaced by admissions with some random delay and the random difference determines LFHRws. These findings show that if the daily difference between admissions and discharges is minimized, the number of inpatients would fluctuate less and the number of unoccupied beds would be reduced, thus optimizing the Hospital service.
Biomechanical differences between able-bodied and spinal cord injured individuals walking in an overground robotic exoskeleton
Authors: Hayes Stephen Clive , White Matthew , Wilcox Christopher Richard James , White Hollie Samantha Forbes , Vanicek Natalie
Published: January 2022

Background

Robotic assisted gait training (RAGT) uses a powered exoskeleton to support an individual’s body and move their limbs, with the aim of activating latent, pre-existing movement patterns stored in the lower spinal cord called central pattern generators (CPGs) to facilitate stepping. The parameters that directly stimulate the stepping CPGs (hip extension and ipsilateral foot unloading) should be targeted to maximise the rehabilitation benefits of these devices.

Aim

To compare the biomechanical profiles of individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) and able-bodied individuals inside the ReWalkTMpowered exoskeleton and to contrast the users’ profiles with the exoskeleton.

Methods

Eight able-bodied and four SCI individuals donned a ReWalkTMand walked along a 12-meter walkway, using elbow crutches. Whole-body kinematics of the users and the ReWalkTMwere captured, along with GRF and temporal-spatial characteristics. Discreet kinematic values were analysed using a Kruskall-Wallis H and Dunn’s post-hoc analysis. Upper-body differences, GRF and temporal-spatial characteristics were analysed using a Mann-Whitney U test (P<0.05).

Results

Walking speed ranged from 0.32–0.39m/s. Hip abduction, peak knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion for both the SCI and able-bodied groups presented with significant differences to the ReWalkTM. The able-bodied group presented significant differences to the ReWalkTMfor all kinematic variables except frontal plane hip ROM (P= 0.093,δ = -0.56). Sagittal plane pelvic and trunk ROM were significantly greater in the SCI vs. able-bodied (P= 0.004,δ = -1;P= 0.008,δ = -0.94, respectively). Posterior braking force was significantly greater in the SCI group (P= 0.004, δ = -1).

Discussion

The different trunk movements used by the SCI group and the capacity for the users’ joint angles to exceed those of the device suggest that biomechanical profiles varied according to the user group. However, upright stepping with the ReWalkTMdevice delivered the appropriate afferent stimulus to activate CPGs as there were no differences in key biomechanical parameters between the two user groups.
Evaluation of soccer team defense based on prediction models of ball recovery and being attacked: A pilot study
Authors: Toda Kosuke , Teranishi Masakiyo , Kushiro Keisuke , Fujii Keisuke
Published: January 2022

With the development of measurement technology, data on the movements of actual games in various sports can be obtained and used for planning and evaluating the tactics and strategy. Defense in team sports is generally difficult to be evaluated because of the lack of statistical data. Conventional evaluation methods based on predictions of scores are considered unreliable because they predict rare events throughout the game. Besides, it is difficult to evaluate various plays leading up to a score. In this study, we propose a method to evaluate team defense from a comprehensive perspective related to team performance by predicting ball recovery and being attacked, which occur more frequently than goals, using player actions and positional data of all players and the ball. Using data from 45 soccer matches, we examined the relationship between the proposed index and team performance in actual matches and throughout a season. Results show that the proposed classifiers predicted the true events (mean F1 score > 0.483) better than the existing classifiers which were based on rare events or goals (mean F1 score < 0.201). Also, the proposed index had a moderate correlation with the long-term outcomes of the season (r= 0.397). These results suggest that the proposed index might be a more reliable indicator rather than winning or losing with the inclusion of accidental factors.
Clinical and radiographic characteristics of presumptive tuberculosis patients previously treated for tuberculosis in Zambia
Authors: Mateyo Kondwelani , Kerkhoff Andrew D. , Dunn Ian , Nteeni Mutinta S. , Muyoyeta Monde
Published: January 2022

Background

Persistent respiratory symptoms and radiographic abnormalities are common among individuals previously treated for tuberculosis (TB) and may contribute to misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment when they seek care. We sought to determine if clinical and radiographic characteristics differed among previously treated, presumptive TB patients according to their current TB disease status.

Methods

Adults (>18 years of age) seeking care at a public health facility in Lusaka, Zambia were systematically evaluated for active TB using symptom screening and chest X-ray. All patients with presumptive TB submitted a sputum sample for microbiological TB testing. Patients who reported a prior history of TB treatment were included in the present analysis. ‘Confirmed TB’ was defined by the detection of TB using Xpert Ultra and/or liquid culture, while ‘possible TB’ was defined by the receipt of TB treatment without a positive Xpert Ultra or culture result. We evaluated the positive predictive value (PPV) of clinical symptoms and radiographic features for active TB alone and in combination.

Results

Of 740 presumptive TB patients, 144 (19%) had been previously treated for active TB. Of these, 19 (13%) patients had confirmed TB, 14 (10%) had possible TB, and 111 (77%) had no pulmonary TB. Overall, 119 (83%) patients had ≥1 current respiratory symptom—this did not differ according to current TB disease classification (95%, 93%, 79%; p = 0.23). Sixty-one patients (56%) had radiographic abnormalities suggestive of active TB and such findings were more common among patients with confirmed or possible TB compared to those without TB (93%, 71%, vs. 47%; p = 0.002). Most patients (n = 91, 83%) had at least one radiographic abnormality—no difference by current TB classification was observed (93%, 100%, 79%; p = 0.08). The PPV of any current respiratory symptom, active TB radiographic finding, or any radiographic abnormality for TB was 13% (95%CI: 7–21%), 21% (95%CI: 12–34) and 14% (95%CI: 9–23), respectively; combining clinical and radiographic characteristics did not significantly improve the PPV for active TB.

Conclusions

Among presumptive TB patients previously treated for TB, respiratory symptoms and radiographic abnormalities were common and poorly differentiated those with current active TB from those without current active TB. Reliance on clinical and radiographic characteristics alone in this patient population may result in substantial overtreatment and therefore, microbiological investigations should be used to inform TB treatment decisions whenever possible.
Adult schistosomes have an epithelial bacterial population distinct from the surrounding mammalian host blood
Authors: Gobert Geoffrey N. , McManus Donald P. , McMullan Geoff , Creevey Christopher J. , Carson Jack , Jones Malcolm K. , Nawaratna Sujeevi S. K. , Weerakoon Kosala G. , You Hong
Published: January 2022

Background

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical parasitic and chronic disease affecting hundreds of millions of people. Adult schistosomes reside in the blood stream of the definitive mammalian host. These helminth parasites possess two epithelial surfaces, the tegument and the gastrodermis, both of which interact with the host during immune evasion and in nutrient uptake.

Methods

Female ARC Swiss mice (4–6 weeks old) were infected percutaneously withSchistosoma japonicumcercariae freshly shed fromOncomelania hupensis quadrasisnails (Philippines strain). Fluorescentin situhybridisation (FISH) was performed by using fresh adultS.japonicumperfused from those infected mice. AdultS.japonicumworms were processed to isolate the tegument from the carcass containing the gastrodermis; blood and bile were collected individually from infected and uninfected mice. Total DNA extracted from all those samples were used for microbiome profiling.

Results

FISH and microbiome profiling showed the presence of bacterial populations on two epithelial surfaces of adult worms, suggesting they were distinct not only from the host blood but also from each other. Whereas microbial diversity was reduced overall in the parasite epithelial tissues when compared with that of host blood, specific bacterial taxa, includingAnoxybacillusandEscherichia, were elevated on the tegument. Minimal differences were evident in the microbiome of host blood during an active infection, compared with that of control uninfected blood. However, sampling of bile from infected animals identified some differences compared with controls, including elevated levels ofLimnohabitans,ClostridiumandCurvibacter.

Conclusions

Using FISH and microbial profiling, we were able to demonstrate, for the first time, that bacteria are presented on the epithelial surfaces of adult schistosomes. These schistosome surface-associated bacteria, which are distinct from the host blood microenvironment, should be considered as a new and important component of the host-schistosome interaction. The importance of individual bacterial species in relation to schistosome parasitism needs further elucidation.
Policing, Mental Illness and Media: The Framing of Mental Health Crisis Encounters and Police Use of Force, Katrina Clifford (2021)
Authors: Cullen Trevor
Published: January 2022

Review of: Policing, Mental Illness and Media: The Framing of Mental Health Crisis Encounters and Police Use of Force, Katrina Clifford (2021)

Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, 347 pp.,

ISBN 978-3-03061-489-8, h/bk, €89.99

ISBN 978-3-03061-490-4, e-book, €76.99
Fin de l’histoire et nouveaux temps : le PCF et l’intégration européenne du traité de Maastricht au rejet du traité constitutionnel européen (1992-2005)
Authors: Robin Emilia
Published: January 2022

En 1992, comme en 2005, le Parti Communiste Français (PCF) appelle à voter contre les traités européens soumis à référendum (Maastrich et Constitution européenne) dans la continuité de son rejet traditionnel de l’intégration européenne. Cependant, la nature de ce rejet évolue considérablement au cours de la période. D’une posture quasi souverainiste et qualifiée d’« eurosceptique » dans les années 1990, il passe à une analyse articulée autour de l’anti-libéralisme. Cette évolution est à la fois la cause et la conséquence de la mutation interne du PCF après la guerre froide, des recompositions idéologiques de la gauche, et de l’européanisation de la vie politique nationale.
The Portuguese Radical Left and Europe: The Case of the PCP
Authors: Cunha Carlos
Published: January 2022

This paper takes a qualitative, rhetorical and historical approach with a view to analyzing the Portuguese Communist Party’s (PCP) long-term, oppositional stance and tactics towards European integration (EI) by briefly covering early opposition, while focusing on 1990s onward stages. The economic crises (Euro Crisis 2008/2009 and Pandemic) Portugal faces, and the rigid, neo-liberal solutions imposed by the European Union, have led the PCP to feel its constant criticisms of increased federalism have been justified. At its XXI Congress in 2020, the PCP used the same rhetorical arguments as it had in the past, including that the only solution is to break with the right’s pro-EU policies.
Un nuevo objeto histórico. La democracia y los historiadores
Authors: Domper Lasús Carlos
Published: January 2022

A lo largo de la última década han aparecido una enorme cantidad de publicaciones dirigidas a explicar las razones por las que la democracia liberal está en crisis. Consciente o inconscientemente, muchos de esos trabajos se articulan alrededor de un concepto de democracia liberal monolítico y ahistórico que ha sido desarrollado por las ciencias sociales desde mediados de los años cincuenta. Este artículo da cuenta de los trabajos sobre la democracia que los historiadores han desarrollado desde comienzos del nuevo milenio. De este modo, muestra una visión mucho más conflictiva y problemática de este objeto de estudio anclada, en su inserción en los procesos de cambio social y político.
Ser professor da educação especial: experiência narrada e vivida (no hospital e) na classe hospitalar
Authors: Pinel Hiram , Bragio Jaqueline , Sobroza Marcio Colodete
Published: January 2022

O presente estudo teve como objetivo descrever compreensivamente o sentido de ser professor da classe hospitalar desvelando as experiências e relações existenciais da escolarização de crianças hospitalizadas. Método: foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa de fundamentação fenomenológica. O período da coleta dos dados foi entre os meses de setembro a novembro do ano de 2018. O cenário da pesquisa foi a Classe Hospitalar de um Hospital Público Infantil do Estado do Espírito Santo. Participou da pesquisa uma professora que atua por um período de 10 anos nessa Classe Hospitalar. Para produção dos dados recorremos ao depoimento livre, no seu ambiente de trabalho.  O desvelar dos fenômenos e tratamento dos dados resultou em três Guias de Sentidos: 1) Ser Professora da Educação Especial em uma Classe Hospitalar; 2) (Com)Vivendo com a morte e a dor na Classe Hospitalar; 3) Hospital e Escola: como se entrelaçam? Conclusões: o estudo mostrou a importância de conhecermos as histórias de vidas dos docentes, enquanto pertencentes a esse espaço escolar dentro de um hospital, pois a compreensão das ações, estratégias e experiências vividas nesse ofício, colaboram na continuidade e melhoria dos processos de ensino-aprendizagem aos alunos hospitalizados.
A construção da identidade profissional docente: alicerçada em experiências no contexto escolar
Authors: Lopes Eduarda da Silva , Cordeiro Thamires Luana , Santos Eliane Gonçalves dos , Bervian Paula Vanessa
Published: January 2022

O processo de construção da identidade profissional, perpassa pelas dimensões motivacional, representacional e socioprofissional. Essas dimensões interagem entre si numa dinâmica complexa. Este texto busca identificar como a partir da tríade de interação ensino, aprendizagem e reflexão o Programa Institucional de Bolsas de Iniciação à Docência (PIBID), contribui para o desenvolvimento da identidade docente de futuros professores e professoras. Para tanto, foram analisadas as escritas dos Diários de Bordo de duas bolsistas do programa, a partir da Análise Textual Discursiva (ATD). Nas escritas reflexivas das futuras professoras foram identificadas as três dimensões, citadas acima, constitutivas da identidade profissional, bem como a importância da relação Universidade e Escola a partir do PIBID para qualificar o ensino e a formação inicial e continuada de professores. Apresentamos os resultados produzidos, discutidos e fundamentados com base na literatura da área, que propiciam a pensar sobre os processos educativos, fazendo desse texto um importante instrumento de reflexão para professores e professoras de diferentes níveis de ensino a refletir e criar espaços de diálogo sobre a importância de programas formativos voltados para formação inicial e continuada de professores e professoras. Especificamente, evidenciamos a influência de programas voltados à docência, a exemplo do PIBID, na construção da identidade docente de futuros professores ao possibilitar a reflexão de conceitos referentes à inserção profissional alicerçada nas experiências possibilitadas pelo convívio no contexto escolar.
Políticas Avaliativas sobre Internacionalização na Educação Superior
Authors: Linda Moog Pinto Marialva , Isabel da Cunha Maria
Published: January 2022

O artigo examina a transferência de políticas avaliativas sobre internacionalização da educação superior.  Ainda que as políticas avaliativas sempre tenham sido moldadas pela influência internacional o estudo parte do pressuposto de que a internacionalização das políticas avaliativas se intensificaram a partir da Conferência Mundial para a Educação Superior (ES) para o Século XXI: Visão e Ação (UNESCO, 1998) processo que aproxima diversos discursos em um único discurso educacional global. Neste sentido, esta pesquisa de cunho interpretativo, tem como objetivo, analisar políticas externas resultantes do acordo realizado na Conferência Mundial para a Educação Superior para o Século XXI: Visão e Ação no que se refere a ‘internacionalização da ES, bem como os aconselhamentos transferidos como políticas educativas e posteriormente traduzidos para os países em desenvolvimento em geral e para a Educação Superior (ES) brasileira em particular.  A pesquisa de abordagem interpretativa utilizou-se da Análise Documental para analisar os seguintes textos, em especial sobre o tema da Internacionalização da ES. São eles: a Conferência em questão (UNESCO, 1998); o Plano Nacional de Educação (2014); e o Instrumento de Avaliação Institucional Externa (IAIE) – (INEP, 2017). Como resultado confirma-se que os aconselhamentos desta Conferência em particular, influenciaram as políticas avaliativas elaboradas pelo INEP para a ES, no entanto também alertam para a emergência de adaptação das práticas acadêmicas a partir do ensino remoto, provocado pela pandemia do Coronavirus, que podem ter um impacto significativo no conceito de internacionalização da educação superior, uma vez que as tecnologias de comunicação provocaram incríveis mudanças em tempo recorde.
Indicadores de metodologias ativas com suporte das tecnologias digitais
Authors: Patrícia Barbosa Ventura Paula , Aires de Castro Filho José
Published: January 2022

Este artigo objetiva propor indicadores que caracterizem metodologias ativas com suporte das tecnologias digitais. De natureza qualitativa, do tipo estudo de caso, a pesquisa foi realizada numa instituição federal, nos semestres 2016.2 e 2017.1. Os participantes foram quatro professores pertencentes ao quadro efetivo. Como instrumentos, recorreu-se a um questionário de sondagem, à observação e à entrevista. Para a análise de dados, iniciou-se com as questões de menor amplitude, bem como se definiram códigos iniciais ou subsequentes. Fases como ordenação, classificação e análise propriamente dita do material também subsidiaram a análise. Posteriormente, foram triangulados os dados, sendo estes ancorados pelo paradigma interpretativo. Com base na literatura e na pesquisa empírica, foram propostos seis indicadores - Valorização da Autonomia, Valorização das Produções Intelectuais, Engajamento Ativo no Processo de Aprendizagem, Estímulo à Participação do Discente, Pesquisa como Princípio Educativo e Equilíbrio entre Atividades Individuais e Coletivas. Os resultados revelaram presença marcante dos indicadores nas práticas dos professores investigados. Se o docente desenvolve práticas fundamentadas nesses indicadores, maiores serão as possibilidades de tornar o discente corresponsável por sua aprendizagem. Destaca-se, ainda, que o protagonismo do professor não descaracteriza o protagonismo do aluno e que aquele tem influência considerável e direta para que este se faça ativo.
Promoção da alimentação saudável no contexto do livro didático e do fazer docente
Authors: Teresinha de Oliveira Boff Eva , Bernard Aline , Simões de Carvalho Graça
Published: January 2022

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar os conteúdos sobre Educação Alimentar e Nutricional (EAN) presentes em livros didáticos do 6º ao 9º anos do Ensino Fundamental brasileiro e compreender as concepções docentes relacionadas às possíveis articulações entre os conceitos específicos disciplinares e EAN. O Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) orienta que as ações de EAN se articulem com os diferentes saberes que consideram a cultura, a história e a geografia (BRASIL, 2020). A EAN pode ser um recurso pedagógico de contextualização das diferentes áreas do conhecimento. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, cujos resultados foram obtidos por meio da análise textual discursiva de 20 livros didáticos, de entrevistas semiestruturadas e discussões entre nutricionista, professores e alunos participantes do estudo. A análise mostra que os livros didáticos apresentam poucos conteúdos de EAN, normalmente centrados em aspectos biomédicos. As professoras reconhecem a importância da EAN como constitutiva do currículo escolar, mas têm dificuldades em articular a temática com os conceitos disciplinares. O estudo mostra a importância da realização de trabalho coletivo entre profissionais da saúde, no caso EAN, e da educação, pois a idade escolar é a mais propícia para a formação de estilo de vida e hábitos alimentares saudáveis.
Aplicação do plano de desenvolvimento individual para uma aluna com deficiência visual
Authors: Magalhães Priscila Giselli Silva , Souza Ruth Daisy Capistrano de , Kawakami Layana Mayumi Murakami , Silva Rafaela Moreira de Souza e
Published: January 2022

A inclusão escolar de alunos com deficiência visual enfrenta desafios quanto à avaliação pedagógica de forma individualizada, e em relação ao plano eficiente de acompanhamento pedagógico. Uma proposta que tem se destacado no âmbito escolar é o Plano de Desenvolvimento Individual (PDI) que se constitui em uma forma de avaliação pedagógica para alunos com deficiência, que frequentam a Sala de Recurso Multifuncional. O presente artigo teve por objetivo analisar o PDI na avaliação pedagógica de uma aluna com deficiência visual, e se originou a partir de uma pesquisa com metodologia do tipo estudo de caso de abordagem qualitativa, nos espaços do Núcleo de Atendimento às Pessoas com Necessidades Educacionais Específicas (NAPNE) do Instituto Federal do Pará-IFPA/Campus Belém. O procedimento ocorreu em três etapas: seleção da aluna, elaboração e aplicação do roteiro de avaliação. O PDI foi aplicado para identificação dos dados e informações sobre o contexto educacional da aluna. A análise de dados se deu por meio da organização e categorização dos relatos da aluna, com base na Análise de Conteúdo. Os resultados demonstraram dificuldades em relação à acessibilidade ao material didático e às adaptações curriculares, à infraestrutura no Campus e ausência de profissional especializado. Concluiu-se que a aplicação do PDI pode contribuir para a avaliação pedagógica de alunos com deficiência visual, além de permitir um suporte educacional para adaptação de procedimentos de avaliação e metodologias de ensino.