bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
W-band RoF polarization multiplexing system supports 1048576 QAM with delta-sigma modulation
Authors: Liu Jiaxuan , Yu Jianjun , Xie Tangyao , Yang Xiongwei , Zhang Long , Wei Yi , Zheng Tianqi , Zhang Jiao , Zhou Wen , Zhu Min , Yu Jianguo , Zhao Feng
Published: April 2023

We propose and experimentally verify a photonics-aided W-band millimeter wave (MMW) radio-over-fiber (RoF) polarization-multiplexed envelope detection system for high-order quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signals. To solve the problem of low spectral efficiency of common public radio interface (CPRI) and severe distortion of high-order QAM of envelope detection, quantization noise suppressed delta-sigma modulation (DSM) is introduced into the system. The experimental results show that the system can transmit 131072 QAM signals when meeting the error vector magnitude (EVM) requirements of 5G new radio (NR), and transmit 1048576 QAM signals when meeting the soft decision threshold (SD@20%).
Theoretical model of an electrically tunable liquid-crystal-based contact lens
Authors: Sova O. , Sluckin T. J. , Kaur S. , Gleeson H. F. , Reshetnyak V.
Published: April 2023

Milton, et al. [Opt. Express 22, 8035 (2014)10.1364/OE.22.008035] have constructed a model electronic liquid crystal contact lens for the correction of presbyopia. This paper constructs a theoretical model for this lens. Good agreement between theory and experimental data is achieved, although the indications are that the precise parameters of the lens differ slightly from those prescribed by the designers of the lens. We discuss the temperature dependence of the optical power, the sensitivity of the device to manufacturing process and the properties of such lenses containing a number of different known liquid crystals. The model can be used for engineering optimization of the existing prototype.
Effect of scattering loss on optimization of waveguide enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Zhen , Ettabib Mohamed , Wilkinson James , Zervas Michalis
Published: April 2023

Waveguide enhanced Raman spectroscopy (WERS) is a promising sensing technology requiring accurate waveguide optimization to increase the pump/signal surface intensity. Traditionally, WERS has been focused on single-mode operation, which results in stringent waveguide parameter control and increased propagation losses. In this work, we have studied theoretically and experimentally the impact of planar waveguide thickness on surface scattering losses and the waveguide propagation losses. In our study, we consider radiation from a Raman-emitting dipole on a waveguide can be captured back into the waveguide in polarization and spatial modes different from the pump mode, provided the waveguide can support them. In the case of randomly-distributed dipoles, we consider the Raman gain coefficients corresponding to all possible combinations of pump and signal polarization and spatial modes. We have introduced a new generalized FOM to optimize planar waveguide-based WERS sensors under multimode excitation/collection operation and waveguide-thickness- and mode-dependent propagation losses. The FOM is shown to increase with the mode order as a result of the combination of substantial reduction in propagation loss, increased number of collecting modes, longer optimum sensing lengths, and this occurs despite the concomitant surface intensity reduction. This implies that in the case of randomly distributed dipoles, the single-mode pump excitation is not strictly required, and multimode pump excitation will give superior conversion efficiencies.
Interferometer response characterization algorithm for multi-aperture Fabry-Perot imaging spectrometers
Authors: Picone Daniele , Gousset Silvère , Mura Mauro Dalla , Ferrec Yann , le Coarer Etienne
Published: April 2023

In recent years, the demand for hyperspectral imaging devices has grown significantly, driven by their ability of capturing high-resolution spectral information. Among the several possible optical designs for acquiring hyperspectral images, there is a growing interest in interferometric spectral imaging systems based on division of aperture. These systems have the advantage of capturing snapshot acquisitions while maintaining a compact design. However, they require a careful calibration to operate properly. In this work, we present the interferometer response characterization algorithm (IRCA), a robust three-step procedure designed to characterize the transmittance response of multi-aperture imaging spectrometers based on the interferometry of Fabry-Perot. Additionally, we propose a formulation of the image formation model for such devices suitable to estimate the parameters of interest by considering the model under various regimes of finesse. The proposed algorithm processes the image output obtained from a set of monochromatic light sources and refines the results using nonlinear regression after an ad-hoc initialization. Through experimental analysis conducted on four different prototypes
from the Image SPectrometer On Chip (ImSPOC) family, we validate the performance of our approach for characterization. The associated source code for this paper is available at https://github.com/danaroth83/irca.
Promoting spintronic terahertz radiation via Tamm plasmon coupling
Authors: Jiang Yunqing , Li Hongqing , Zhang Xiaoqiang , Zhang Fan , Xu Yong , Xiao Yongguang , Liu Fengguang , Wang Anting , Zhan Qiwen , Zhao Weisheng
Published: April 2023

Spectral fingerprint and terahertz (THz) field-induced carrier dynamics demands the exploration of broadband and intense THz signal sources. Spintronic THz emitters (STEs), with high stability, a low cost, and an ultrabroad bandwidth, have been a hot topic in the field of THz sources. One of the main barriers to their practical application is lack of an STE with strong radiation intensity. Here, through the combination of optical physics and ultrafast photonics, the Tamm plasmon coupling (TPC) facilitating THz radiation is realized between spin THz thin films and photonic crystal structures. Simulation results show that the spectral absorptance can be increased from 36.8% to 94.3% for spin THz thin films with TPC. This coupling with narrowband resonance not only improves the optical-to-spin conversion efficiency, but also guarantees THz transmission with a negligible loss (∼4%) for the photonic crystal structure. According to the simulation, we prepared this structure successfully and experimentally realized a 264% THz radiation enhancement. Furthermore, the spin THz thin films with TPC exhibited invariant absorptivity under different polarization modes of the pump beam and weakening confinement on an obliquely incident pump laser. This approach is easy to implement and offers possibilities to overcome compatibility issues between the optical structure design and low energy consumption for ultrafast THz opto-spintronics and other similar devices.
Network analysis of toxin production in Clostridioides difficile identifies key metabolic dependencies
Authors: Powers Deborah A. , Jenior Matthew L. , Kolling Glynis L. , Papin Jason A.
Published: April 2023

Clostridioides difficile pathogenesis is mediated through its two toxin proteins, TcdA and TcdB, which induce intestinal epithelial cell death and inflammation. It is possible to alter C. difficile toxin production by changing various metabolite concentrations within the extracellular environment. However, it is unknown which intracellular metabolic pathways are involved and how they regulate toxin production. To investigate the response of intracellular metabolic pathways to diverse nutritional environments and toxin production states, we use previously published genome-scale metabolic models of C. difficile strains CD630 and CDR20291 (iCdG709 and iCdR703). We integrated publicly available transcriptomic data with the models using the RIPTiDe algorithm to create 16 unique contextualized C. difficile models representing a range of nutritional environments and toxin states. We used Random Forest with flux sampling and shadow pricing analyses to identify metabolic patterns correlated with toxin states and environment. Specifically, we found that arginine and ornithine uptake is particularly active in low toxin states. Additionally, uptake of arginine and ornithine is highly dependent on intracellular fatty acid and large polymer metabolite pools. We also applied the metabolic transformation algorithm (MTA) to identify model perturbations that shift metabolism from a high toxin state to a low toxin state. This analysis expands our understanding of toxin production in C. difficile and identifies metabolic dependencies that could be leveraged to mitigate disease severity.
Dynamics and stage-specificity of between-population gene expression divergence in the Drosophila melanogaster larval fat body
Authors: Glaser-Schmitt Amanda , Parsch John
Published: April 2023

Gene expression variation is pervasive across all levels of organismal organization, including development. Few studies, however, have examined variation in developmental transcriptional dynamics among populations, or how it contributes to phenotypic divergence. Indeed, the evolution of gene expression dynamics when both the evolutionary and temporal timescale are comparatively short remains relatively uncharacterized. Here, we examined coding and non-coding gene expression in the fat body of an ancestral African and a derived EuropeanDrosophila melanogasterpopulation across three developmental stages spanning ten hours of larval development. Between populations, expression divergence was largely stage-specific. We detected higher expression variation during the late wandering stage, which may be a general feature of this stage. During this stage, we also detected higher and more extensive lncRNA expression in Europe, suggesting that lncRNA expression may be more important in derived populations. Interestingly, the temporal breadth of protein-coding and lncRNA expression became more restricted in the derived population. Taken together with the signatures of potential local adaptation that we detected at the sequence level in 9–25% of candidate genes (those showing evidence of expression divergence between populations), this finding suggests that gene expression becomes more developmental stage-specific during adaptation to new environments. We further used RNAi to identify several candidate genes that likely contribute to known phenotypic divergence between these populations. Our results shed light on the evolution and dynamics of expression variation over short developmental and evolutionary timescales, and how this variation contributes to population and phenotypic divergence.
Joint modelling of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and its associated factors among women in Ghana: Multivariate response multilevel modelling methods
Authors: Aheto Justice Moses K. , Gates Tracy , Babah Rahmatu , Takramah Wisdom
Published: April 2023

Elevated blood pressure is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases related mortality and a major contributor to non-communicable diseases globally, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where about 74.7 million people live with hypertension. In Ghana, hypertension is epidemic with prevalence of over 30% and experiencing continuing burden with its associated morbidity and mortality. Using the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, we analyzed data on 4744 women aged 15–49 years residing in 3722 households. We employed univariate and multivariate response multilevel linear regression models to analyze predictors of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Geospatial maps were produced to show the regional distribution of hypertension prevalence in Ghana. Stata version 17 and R version 4.2.1 were used to analyze the data. Of the 4744 woman, 337 (7.1%) and 484 (10.2%) were found to be hypertensive on SBP and DBP, respectively. A combined prevalence of 12.3% was found. Older ages 25–34 (OR 2.45, 95%CI: 1.27, 3.63), 35–44 (OR 8.72, 95%CI: 7.43, 10.01), 45–49 (OR 15.85, 95%CI: 14.07, 17.64), being obese (OR 5.10, 95%CI: 3.62, 6.58), and having no education (OR -2.05, 95%CI: -3.40, -0.71) were associated with SBP. For DBP, we found the associated factors to be older ages 25–34 (OR 3.29, 95%CI: 2.50, 4.08), 35–44 (OR 6.78, 95%CI: 5.91, 7.64), 45–49 (OR 10.05, 95%CI: 8.85, 11.25), being obese (OR 4.20, 95%CI: 3.21, 5.19), and having no education (OR -1.23, 95%CI: -2.14, -0.33). Substantial residual household level differences in SBP (15%) and DBP (14%) were observed. We found strong residual correlation of SBP and DBP on individual women (r = 0.73) and household-level (r = 0.81). The geospatial maps showed substantial regional differences in the observed and reported hypertension prevalence. Interventions should be targeted at the identified high-risk groups like older age groups and those who are obese, and the high-risk regions.
Science, interrupted: Funding delays reduce research activity but having more grants helps
Authors: Tham Wei Yang
Published: April 2023

I study how scientists respond to interruptions in the flow of their research funding, focusing on research grants at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which awards multi-year, renewable grants. However, there can be delays during the renewal process. Over a period beginning three months before and ending one year after these delays, I find that interrupted labs reduce overall spending by 50% but over 90% in the month with the largest decrease. This change in spending is mostly driven by a decrease in payments to employees that is partially mitigated when scientists have other grants to draw on.
A zero-cost attention-based approach to promote cleaner streets: A Signal Detection Theory approach in Parisian streets
Authors: Abdel Sater Rita , Mus Mathilde , Wyart Valentin , Chevallier Coralie
Published: April 2023

In an effort to inform interventions targeting littering behaviour, we estimate how much a change in trash-bag colour increases trash can visibility in Paris. To that end, we applied standard Signal Detection techniques to test how much changing trash-bag colour affects subjects’ trash can detection rates. In three pre-registered studies, we found that changing trash bag colour from grey to either red, green or blue considerably increases the perception of bins in British (tourist) and Parisian (resident) samples. We found that changing the bag colour from grey to blue increased visibility the most.
Reconsidering the lives of the earliest Puerto Ricans: Mortuary Archaeology and bioarchaeology of the Ortiz site
Authors: Pestle William J. , Perez Elizabeth M. , Koski-Karell Daniel
Published: April 2023

We possess rather little detailed information on the lives of the first inhabitants of Puerto Rico—the so-called “Archaic” or “Pre-Arawak” people—despite more than a century of archeological research. This is particularly true bioarchaeologically, as fewer than twenty burials of the several millennia of the Archaic Age have been recovered, let alone analyzed in any detail. Here, we present the results of archeological, osteological, radiometric, and isotopic analysis of five individuals from the Ortiz site in Cabo Rojo, southwestern Puerto Rico. Study of these previously unpublished remains, which represent a 20–25% increase in the sample size of remains attributed to the period, provides many critical insights into earliest Puerto Rican lifeways, including aspects of mortuary practice, paleodiet, and possibly even social organization. A review of their burial treatment finds a mostly standardized set of mortuary practices, a noteworthy finding given the site’s potential millennium-long use as a mortuary space and the possibly distinct place(s) of origin of the individuals interred there. Although osteological analysis was limited by poor preservation, we were able to reconstruct aspects of the demography that indicate the presence of both male and female adults. Stable isotope analysis revealed dietary differences from later Ceramic Age individuals, while dental pathology indicated heavy masticatory wear attributable to diet and/or non-masticatory function. Perhaps most crucially, direct AMS dating of the remains confirms these as the oldest burials yet recovered from the island, providing us both with a glimpse into the lives of some of the island’s first inhabitants, and with tantalizing clues to the existence of a different degree of cultural “complexity” than is often ascribed to these earliest peoples. The existence of what radiocarbon dates suggest may be a persistent formal cemetery space at the Ortiz site has potentially significant implications concerning the territoriality, mobility, and social organization of the earliest peoples of southwestern Puerto Rico.
Discrete-event simulation modeling for housing of homeless populations
Authors: Singham Dashi I. , Lucky Jennifer , Reinauer Stephanie
Published: April 2023

The San Francisco Bay Area has experienced a rapid rise in homelessness over the past decade. There is a critical need for quantitative analysis to help determine how to increase the amount of housing to meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness. Noting that the shortage of housing available through the homelessness response system can be modeled as a queue, we propose a discrete-event simulation to model the long-term flow of people through the homelessness response system. The model takes as input the rate of additional housing and shelter available each year and delivers as output the predicted number of people housed, sheltered, or unsheltered in the system. We worked with a team of stakeholders to analyze the data and processes for Alameda County in California and use this information to build and calibrate two simulation models. One model looks at aggregate need for housing, while the other differentiates the housing needs of the population into eight different types. The model suggests that a large investment in permanent housing and an initial ramp up of shelter is needed to solve unsheltered homelessness and accommodate future inflow to the system.
Global trends in antidepressant, atypical antipsychotic, and benzodiazepine use: A cross-sectional analysis of 64 countries
Authors: Alabaku Orges , Yang Alyssa , Tharmarajah Shenthuraan , Suda Katie , Vigod Simone , Tadrous Mina
Published: April 2023

Objective

To describe the trends in use of antidepressants (ADs), atypical antipsychotics (AAPs), and benzodiazepines (BZDs) among high-, middle-, and low-income countries.

Methods

A cross-sectional time-series analysis by country from July 2014 to December 2019 utilizing IQVIA’s Multinational Integrated Data Analysis database was conducted. Population-controlled rates of use were calculated in number of standard units of medications per drug class per population size. The United Nations’ 2020 World Economic Situation and Prospects was used to group countries into high-, middle-, and low-income. Percent change in rates of use per drug class was calculated from July 2014 to July 2019. Linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the predictability of percent change in use utilizing a country’s baseline rate of use per drug class and economic status as predictor variables.

Results

A total of 64 countries were included: 33 high-, 6 middle-, and 25 low-income. Average baseline rates of use for ADs in high-, middle-, and low-income countries were 2.15, 0.35, and 0.38 standard units per population size, respectively. For AAPs, rates were 0.69, 0.15, and 0.13, respectively. For BZDs, rates were 1.66, 1.46, and 0.33, respectively. Average percent changes in use for ADs by economic status were 20%, 69%, and 42%, respectively. For AAPs, they were 27%, 78%, and 69%, respectively. For BZDs, they were -13%, 4%, and -5%, respectively. Some associations were found demonstrating that as a country’s economic status increases, percent change of AD (p = 0.916), AAP (p = 0.23), and BZD (p = 0.027) use decreases. Similarly, as baseline rate of use for ADs and AAPs increases, percent change in use decreases with p-values of 0.026 and 0.054, respectively. For BZDs, as baseline rate of use increases, percent change in use increases (p = 0.038).

Conclusions

High-income countries have a higher rate of treatment utilization compared to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with treatment utilization increasing in all countries of interest.
Diagnostic performance of the GenoType MTBDRplus VER 2.0 line probe assay for the detection of isoniazid resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Ethiopia
Authors: Moga Shewki , Bobosha Kidist , Fikadu Dinka , Zerihun Betselot , Diriba Getu , Amare Misikir , Kempker Russell R. , Blumberg Henry M. , Abebe Tamrat
Published: April 2023

Background

Isoniazid (INH) resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Hr-TB) is the most common type of drug resistant TB, and is defined as M tuberculosis complex (MTBC) strains resistant to INH but susceptible to rifampicin (RIF). Resistance to INH precedes RIF resistance in almost all multidrug resistant TB (MDR-TB) cases, across all MTBC lineages and in all settings. Therefore, early detection of Hr-TB is critical to ensure rapid initiation of appropriate treatment, and to prevent progression to MDR-TB. We assessed the performance of the GenoType MTBDRplus VER 2.0 line probe assay (LPA) in detecting isoniazid resistance among MTBC clinical isolates.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted among M. tuberculosis complex (MTBC) clinical isolates obtained from the third-round Ethiopian national drug resistance survey (DRS) conducted between August 2017 and December 2019. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the GenoType MTBDRplus VER 2.0 LPA in detecting INH resistance were assessed and compared to phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) using the Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) system. Fisher’s exact test was performed to compare the performance of LPA between Hr-TB and MDR-TB isolates.

Results

A total of 137 MTBC isolates were included, of those 62 were Hr-TB, 35 were MDR-TB and 40 were INH susceptible. The sensitivity of the GenoType MTBDRplus VER 2.0 for detecting INH resistance was 77.4% (95% CI: 65.5–86.2) among Hr-TB isolates and 94.3% (95% CI: 80.4–99.4) among MDR-TB isolates (P = 0.04). The specificity of the GenoType MTBDRplus VER 2.0 for detecting INH resistance was 100% (95% CI: 89.6–100). The katG 315 mutation was observed in 71% (n = 44) of Hr-TB phenotypes and 94.3% (n = 33) of MDR-TB phenotypes. Mutation at position-15 of the inhA promoter region alone was detected in four (6.5%) Hr-TB isolates, and concomitantly with katG 315 mutation in one (2.9%) MDR-TB isolate.

Conclusions

GenoType MTBDRplus VER 2.0 LPA demonstrated improved performance in detecting INH resistance among MDR-TB cases compared to Hr-TB cases. The katG315 mutation is the most common INH resistance conferring gene among Hr-TB and MDR-TB isolates. Additional INH resistance conferring mutations should be evaluated to improve the sensitivity of the GenoType MTBDRplus VER 2.0 for the detection of INH resistance among Hr-TB cases.
Depression and suicidal ideation among undergraduates in state tertiary institutions in Lagos Nigeria
Authors: Ladi-Akinyemi Temitope ’Wunmi , Okpue Adaeze Precious , Onigbinde Oluseyi Adetola , Okafor Ifeoma Peace , Akodu Babatunde , Odeyemi Kofoworola
Published: April 2023

Background

Depression is a common mental illness affecting majority of the world’s population. However, evidence has shown that undergraduates are at an even higher risk compared to the general population, of developing depression due to the various challenges they face during that period. Suicide has been discovered to be the second leading cause of death among young people. Suicide ideation has been proven to be a predictor for not only suicide attempts but also completed suicides. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess depression and suicidal ideation among undergraduates in the state tertiary institutions in Lagos, Nigeria.

Method

This study was a descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out among undergraduates in two state tertiary institutions in Lagos, Nigeria using self-administered questionnaire. A total of 750 respondents were recruited using the multistage sampling technique. Data was analysed using SPSS version 27 and the level of significance was set at p -value < 0.05

Results

The survey was conducted among undergraduates in the two state tertiary institutions in Lagos State: Lagos State University (48.3%) and Lagos State Polytechnic (51.7%). The mean age of the respondents was 21.5 (2.7) years. Majority of the respondents were females (54%), single (98.1%), Christians (70.3%), and the source of income of majority of the students was parents (72.8%). From the case vignette used in the questionnaire, 47.6% of the respondents were able to correctly identify depression. The prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation in this study was 22.5% and 21.6% respectively. Depression was statistically significantly associated with suicidal ideation (p < .001). Risk factors that were statistically significantly associated with depression and suicidal ideation were low self-esteem (p < .001), intake of recreational drugs (p < .001), alcohol dependence (p < .001), and positive history of bullying (p < .001).

Conclusion and recommendations

The proportion of respondents with good knowledge of depression was not satisfactory. A strong relationship was found between depression and suicidal ideation indicating that people with depression are at a high risk of having suicidal ideation. Risk factors that were associated with depression and suicidal ideation were bullying, low self-esteem, intake of recreational drugs, alcohol dependence, poor academic performance, sexual assault and being hit by a partner. More works need to be done by the government and non-governmental organisations, school administration and parents to increase the awareness on the symptoms and manifestations of depression and reduce the burden created by some of the risk factors identified in this study to combat depression and suicidal ideation.
Association of ABO and RhD blood groups with the risk of HIV infection
Authors: Jacobs Genevieve , Van den Berg Karin , Vermeulen Marion , Swanevelder Ronel , Custer Brian , Murphy Edward L.
Published: April 2023

Naturally occurring antibodies against ABO antigens present in human sera have been shown to neutralize ABO-expressing HIV in vitro. We investigated associations between ABO and RhD blood groups and HIV infection among blood donors from all blood collection centers in eight of South Africa’s nine provinces. Whole blood donations collected from first time donors between January 2012 and September 2016 were tested for HIV RNA by nucleic acid testing and HIV antibody using third generation serology assays. ABO and RhD blood types were determined using automated technology. Odds ratios for the association between HIV positivity and ABO and RhD phenotypes were calculated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. We analyzed 515,945 first time blood donors and the overall HIV prevalence was 1.12% (n = 5790). After multivariable adjustment, HIV infection was weakly associated with RhD positive phenotype (OR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.00–1.33) but not with ABO blood group. The observed association with RhD positive phenotype was marginal and likely due to residual confounding by racial group but could serve to generate hypotheses for further studies.
A neutral comparative analysis of additive, multiplicative, and mixed quantitative randomized response models
Authors: Azeem Muhammad , Ali Sidra
Published: April 2023

In survey sampling, the randomized response technique is a useful tool to collect reliable data in many fields including sociology, education, economics, and psychology etc. Over the past few decades, many variants of quantitative randomized response models have been developed by researchers. The existing literature on randomized response models lacks a neutral comparative study of different models to help the practitioners choose the appropriate model for a given practical problem. In most of the existing studies, the authors tend to show only the favorable results by hiding the cases where their suggested models are inferior to the existing models. This approach often leads to biased comparisons which may badly misguide the practitioners when choosing a randomized response model for a practical problem at hand. This paper attempts a neutral comparison of six existing quantitative randomized response models using separate as well as joint measures of respondent-privacy and model-efficiency. The findings suggest that one model may perform better than the other model in terms of efficiency but may perform worse when other metrics of model quality are taken into account. The current study guides practitioners in choosing the right model for a given problem under a particular situation.
LOCUS (LOng Covid–Understanding Symptoms, events and use of services in Portugal): A three-component study protocol
Authors: Dinis Teixeira J. P. , Santos Mário J. D. S. , Soares Patrícia , Azevedo Luísa de , Barbosa Patrícia , Boas Andreia Vilas , Cordeiro João V. , Dias Sónia , Fonseca Marta , Goes Ana Rita , Lobão Maria João , Moniz Marta , Nóbrega Sofia , Peralta-Santos André , Ramos Víctor , Rocha João Victor , da Silva António Carlos , Brazão Maria da Luz , Leite Andreia , Nunes Carla
Published: April 2023

Approximately 10% of patients experience symptoms of Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC) after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Akin acute COVID-19, PCC may impact a multitude of organs and systems, such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and neurological systems. The frequency and associated risk factors of PCC are still unclear among both community and hospital settings in individuals with a history of COVID-19. The LOCUS study was designed to clarify the PCC’s burden and associated risk factors. LOCUS is a multi-component study that encompasses three complementary building blocks. The “Cardiovascular and respiratory events following COVID-19” component is set to estimate the incidence of cardiovascular and respiratory events after COVID-19 in eight Portuguese hospitals via electronic health records consultation. The “Physical and mental symptoms following COVID-19” component aims to address the community prevalence of self-reported PCC symptoms through a questionnaire-based approach. Finally, the "Treating and living with Post COVID-19 Condition" component will employ semi-structured interviews and focus groups to characterise reported experiences of using or working in healthcare and community services for the treatment of PCC symptoms. This multi-component study represents an innovative approach to exploring the health consequences of PCC. Its results are expected to provide a key contribution to the optimisation of healthcare services design.
An aquatic virus exploits the IL6-STAT3-HSP90 signaling axis to promote viral entry
Authors: Hou Guoli , Lv Zhao , Liu Wenzhi , Xiong Shuting , Zhang Qiushi , Li Chun , Wang Xiaodong , Hu Liang , Ding Chunhua , Song Rui , Wang Hongquan , Zhang Yong-An , Xiao Tiaoyi , Li Junhua
Published: April 2023

Viral seasonality in the aquaculture industry is an important scientific issue for decades. While the molecular mechanisms underpinning the temperature-dependent pathogenesis of aquatic viral diseases remain largely unknown. Here we report that temperature-dependent activation of IL6-STAT3 signaling was exploited by grass carp reovirus (GCRV) to promote viral entry via increasing the expression of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). Deploying GCRV infection as a model system, we discovered that GCRV induces the IL6-STAT3-HSP90 signaling activation to achieve temperature-dependent viral entry. Further biochemical and microscopic analyses revealed that the major capsid protein VP7 of GCRV interacted with HSP90 and relevant membrane-associated proteins to boost viral entry. Accordingly, exogenous expression of either IL6, HSP90, or VP7 in cells increased GCRV entry in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, other viruses (e.g., koi herpesvirus, Rhabdovirus carpio, Chinese giant salamander iridovirus) infecting ectothermic vertebrates have evolved a similar mechanism to promote their infection. This work delineates a molecular mechanism by which an aquatic viral pathogen exploits the host temperature-related immune response to promote its entry and replication, instructing us on new ways to develop targeted preventives and therapeutics for aquaculture viral diseases.
Long-term effects of land-use change on water resources in urbanizing watersheds
Authors: Talib Ammara , Randhir Timothy O.
Published: April 2023

The changes in energy balance resulting from land-use change may significantly affect the amount and timing of water loss to the atmosphere as evapotranspiration (ET). Also, these will impact water fluxes in the watershed system, influencing runoff rate, flow volume, intensity, and frequency of floods. During the past century, land-use change in the SuAsCo (Sudbury-Assabet and Concord) watershed has altered basin hydrology, sediment, and nutrient load that is detrimental to water resources in SuAsCo. This study uses an integrated physically-based model Hydrological Simulation Program-FORTRAN (HSPF), along with Land Transformation Model (LTM), to assess predicted temporal and spatial changes in water, nutrient, and sediment yields for future land-use scenarios of 2035, 2065, and 2100. Results showed that a 75% increase in effective impervious area and a 50% decrease in forest area in 2100 (from 2005 baseline levels) are projected to cause a 3% increase in annual streamflow and a 69% increase in total yearly mean surface runoff. The average annual total suspended solid (TSS) yield at the watershed outlet is estimated to increase by 54% in 2100. An increase of 12% and 13% concentrations of average annual total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) are predicted by 2100 due to urban expansion and increased runoff volume. This integrated modeling approach will inform watershed managers and landowners about critical areas of the SuAsCo watershed to apply best management practices (BMPs) to mitigate the effects of land-use land cover (LULC) change.
Designing pedagogical change: Fostering creativity in communication design education by removing grades
Authors: Wragg Nicole , Barnes Carolyn , Haig Andrew , Wright Emily , Finley Glenn , Magee Morganna
Published: April 2023

This article examines the deliberations and actions of a group of communication design educators in replacing discretionary grading in eight core units of a design course with a combination of pass/fail grading, rich formative feedback and a reinvigorated studio environment. The changes sought to better focus students on their creative process and improve their awareness of their acquisition of attributes, skills and knowledge along the path to becoming work-ready graduates. The traditional studio model of graphic design education approaches student learning through immersion in practice, imagining novice designers absorbing abilities and dispositions through experimentation and proximity to discipline experts and peers. If this model ever truly operated in Australia’s design schools, it has been eviscerated by the massification, marketization and rationalization of tertiary education since the early 1990s. Australian design education now operates with significantly reduced contact hours, tightly scheduled classes and standardized administrative, classroom and assessment practices that do not effectively model professional practice and limit students’ development of creative confidence. Another barrier to fostering students’ design acumen is their frequent fixation on grades as markers of success. We looked to removing grades to revitalize students’ flagging creative ambitions within the constraints of a tertiary education system we could not change. In stressing that a move to pass/fail grading is not an action to be taken lightly, we discuss our research into its advantages and disadvantages, the integral reconceptualization of learning and teaching approaches required to make the change and the challenges in implementation. This included understanding how students and staff interacted in the studio, their emotional and philosophical attachment to graded assessment, the effort required to communicate the changes to staff and students and developing resources to combat the fragmentation of the educational experience, which risks stripping change of its meaning and purpose.
Access of micro, small and medium-sized firms to bank credit: A logistic regression on a sample of Moroccan companies
Authors: Adaskou Mohamed , El Bettioui Rachid
Published: April 2023

The present study aims to analyze the determinants of the supply and demand of micro, small and medium-sized firms MSMEs credit by making reference to the theories of financial structure. From a sample of 356 Moroccan MSMEs surveyed in 2013 (WBSE, 2013), we used a binary logit model to discuss both demand and supply. According to our results, size, industry, gender of ownership, financial inclusion, level of education and experience of the Manager and the financing needs of the company, are the main factors that influence demand, while the warranty has no impact. On the supply side, with the exception of experience, the manager's characteristics have no effect, while the size, type of ownership and the duration of the loan have a major impact.
Embrace green marketing or lose competitive advantage
Authors: Tshuma Sinothando
Published: April 2023

The rise of the green revolution has shaken many firms to decide on their dominance or face the wrath of natural extinction by failure to adapt to changes in the macro environment. Green marketing has recently gained acceptance in the commercial world to the level that firms that still embrace the old conventional marketing paradigm are rethinking their marketing strategies. Green marketing seeks to ensure that businesses do not harm the environment they operate in or harm the planet earth's living species. There has been a dynamic shift in the marketing mix elements as organisations thrive to satisfy the needs of a chameleon consumer. The research was informed by Ottman’s paradigm shift from conventional marketing to green marketing. The study sought to determine the impact of green marketing strategies on firm performance and the challenges faced by small to medium enterprises in their quest to adopt green marketing strategies. A quantitative research design was adopted with a sample size of 20 steel and aluminum foundry firms. The primary research findings were that firms are aware of green marketing strategies and their impact on firm performance, although they face challenges in implementing them. The paper's results will help various small to medium enterprises in the foundry industry to rethink, redesign and re-engage to achieve innovation and industrialisation in a green economy.
Do Intellectual Capital and Financial Performance Connect With Stock Price Volatility?
Authors: Haidar Baqir Hidayat  , Prasojo Prasojo
Published: April 2023

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the effect of intellectual capital (IC) and financial performance on stock price volatility
Methodology: The methodology used is a quantitative approach with panel data regression analysis. The sample selection method used a purposive sampling method with criteria set by the researchers resulting in 37 mining companies from 2014 - 2021.
Findings: The results of this study indicate that human capital, structural capital, and capital employed do not affect stock price volatility. Relational capital has a significant positive effect on stock price volatility. Furthermore, earnings volatility and return on assets show a significant positive effect on stock price volatility. The results of this study reject the assumptions of the resource-based view theory. This study has implications for practices in the capital market, where most investors have yet to consider IC in their investment decisions.
Novelty: Not much research has been done on the renewal of stock price volatility; The intellectual capital factor uses the Value-Added Intellectual Capital (VAIC) method in the form of human capital, structural capital, employed capital and rational capital; The financial performance factors used are earning volatility, dividend payout ratio and return on assets; Renewal of research objects using mining sector companies; Research data from 2016-2021.
Fundamentos estéticos de la antropología girardiana
Authors: Rico Sandoval Ronald Zuleyman
Published: April 2023

En este texto proponemos que el fundamento de la teoría mimética de René Girard, que le permitió construir una “antropología fundamental”, se puede encontrar en el realismo estético. Expondremos algunas notas características de la relación mimética, para luego poder postular que Girard se opone no solo a la mentira romántica que evita aceptar la mímesis como elemento estructurador del deseo, sino también al fal-seamiento impresionista que oculta la violencia fundadora de las sociedades. Para esto, analizaremos su teoría de la violencia mimética en dos de sus más importantes libros: Mentira romántica y verdad novelesca y La violencia y lo sagrado, y la expondremos de cara a los conceptos del Romanticismo, el Realismo y el Impresionismo, tomados de la historia del arte y la literatura. Por último, haremos una breve mención a la ausencia de evidencia empírica, como crítica a la antropología fundamental girardiana, para concluir que tal proceder no impide hablar de un realismo en esta teoría.
Los inicios y la organización de la Flota de Tierra Firme, 1550-1647
Authors: Pajuelo Moreno Vicente
Published: April 2023

La Flota de Tierra Firme fue uno de los principales sistemas navales de la Carrera de Indias. Tras varios ensayos previos, se estableció definitivamente en 1550 y su estructura se mantuvo inalterable hasta 1647A partir del estudio de prácticamente sus primeros cien años de vida (1550-1647), en este artículo se examina la organización de la Flota de Tierra Firme, sus medios de financiación, los navíos que la integraban, la tripulación que llevaba cada barco, la artillería que montaban sus bajeles, la ruta que empleaba para cruzar el Atlántico y los cargamentos que se guardaban en las bodegas de la nave.
Mechanical and tribological behaviour of novel Al–12Si-based hybrid composites
Authors: Şap Serhat
Published: April 2023

Aluminium matrix composites with high abrasion resistance, which can adapt to high temperatures and difficult operating conditions, are needed in the automotive and aerospace industries. For this purpose, Al–12Si–TiB2–Al2O3 composites were developed with the addition of TiB2–Al2O3 ceramic reinforcements at different rates and Gr at a constant rate. High densities were achieved by using the hot pressing method with powder metallurgy. Microstructural analyzes (SEM, EDS, X-RD) of the produced samples were made. In addition, mechanical properties (hardness and three-point bending) were investigated. The best tribological features were determined with the help of Taguchi, ANOVA and the prediction model. As a result, with the addition of TiB2 and Al2O3 reinforcements to the Al–12Si matrix, significant increases in hardness occur. In the bending analysis, it was determined that the reinforcements made the hybrid composite strong up to a certain point. From a tribological point of view, the A3 hybrid composite showed the best wear performance. Test conditions were analyzed with the help of Taguchi L18 orthogonal array and analysis of variance (ANOVA). With the help of ANOVA, it was determined that the most effective factors on the response parameters were the applied load and MMC type.
Rayleigh–Taylor stability of quantum magnetohydrodynamic plasma with electron inertia and resistivity
Authors: Pathan Tanveer A. , Sutar Devilal , Pensia Ram K. , Dashora Himani
Published: April 2023

The analytical observation of the simultaneous impacts of electrical resistivity, finite Larmor radius (FLR) correction, and electron inertia on the magnetohydrodynamic Rayleigh–Taylor unstable mode of incompressible rotating quantum plasma is carried out. The perturbation formulations of the problem are derived by applying the QMHD model to obtain the dispersion equation for the stratified quantum hydrodynamic fluid plasma. The dispersion equation is analyzed graphically and numerically for the various cases. It is obtained that the simultaneous impacts of rotation, resistivity, FLR correction, electron inertia, and quantum correction modify the Rayleigh–Taylor (RT) unstable mode of the stratified magnetized fluid plasma. The graphical studies show that the rotational effect destabilizes or stabilizes the Rayleigh–Taylor (RT) instability of the magnetized quantum plasma, with or without the impacts of electrical resistivity and electron inertia. This result may be useful for studying the magnetic reconnection process and its applications, viz., supernova explosions, neutron stars, white dwarfs, etc.
A Narrative Review of Performance and Health Research in US Army Rangers
Authors: Roberts Brandon M. , Mantua Janna , Naylor Jacob A. , Ritland Bradley M.
Published: April 2023

Roberts, BM, Mantua, J, Naylor, JA, and Ritland, BM. A narrative review of performance and health research in US army rangers. J Strength Cond Res 37(5): 1157–1161, 2023—The 75th Ranger Regiment (75RR) is an elite airborne infantry unit that is prepared to deploy on short notice and is resourced to maintain exceptional proficiency and readiness through prolonged deployments. To become a member of the 75RR, Soldiers must successfully complete the physically and mentally demanding Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP). They must also become airborne qualified, if not already, and successfully complete Ranger School in order to continue to serve in the 75RR. Rangers must maintain a level of physical performance comparable to high-level athletes while also handling operational stressors that include a negative-energy balance, high-energy expenditure, sleep restriction, and completing missions in extreme environments, all of which increase their chance of illness or injury. This narrative review aims to focus on the literature surrounding performance and health-related research in US Army Rangers in order to understand how Rangers are impacted during training/operations, to inform future training recommendations, and to identify areas of future research that are warranted and could potentially optimize the health and performance of Rangers during future training/operation events.
Los neoliberarchivos de Teresa Margolles
Authors: Olivas Adriana Miramontes
Published: April 2023

In Lote Bravo (2005), What Else Could We Talk About? Cleaning (2009), and Irrigation (2010), contemporary Mexican artist Teresa Margolles exposes and denounces the política de negación, or politics of denial, that conceals or disregards the violence and the precarious conditions that define life along the US border in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico. Here, neoliberal rationality has empowered a corrupt political and economic class to sanction behavior that favors profit over life and creates a culture of fear and death. To investigate Margolles’s confrontational approach and her recurring engagement with this border city, or “cyclical border encounters,” I adopt the concept of neoliberarchivos, defined as contemporary artworks that act as anti-neoliberalist counterarchives, rendering visible the exercise of violence upon bodies as seen in the feminicidios, masculinicidios, and juvenicidios that have occurred for the last three decades on the border. In the form of installation, sculpture, video art, site-specific artworks, and performance, the neoliberarchivos document and display marginalized knowledge and contest official rhetoric. The neoliberarchivos of Teresa Margolles exemplify a significant trend in global contemporary art that seeks to destabilize hegemonic economic and power structures dominant at the border through a counterarchival impulse.