bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methyl Ferulate Induced Conformational Changes of DeOxyHbS: Implication on Sickle Erythrocyte Polymerization
Authors: Ijoma Ikechukwu Kingsley , Ajiwe Vincent Egbulefu
Published: May 2023

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a molecular disease caused by substituting glutamic acid with valine at the β-6 position of the hemoglobin, leading to the polymerization of erythrocytes that contain the hemoglobin afterward leads to severe clinical consequences. Polymerization of sickle hemoglobin occurs only in the deoxygenated form i.e only sickle deoxyhemoglobin (DeOxyHbS) polymerizes. SCD is predominant in children living in Africa, especially in West Africa. Therefore, molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation studies were carried out on methyl ferulate isolated from Ficus thonningii leaves, a known antisickling plant used in Eastern Nigeria to manage SCD. The Harborne procedure was used for extraction, whereas the combination of column chromatography and flash chromatography was used for the isolation and purification of active principles of the leaves extract. The structure of methyl ferulate was determined based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. A binding affinity of -5.8 kcal/mol indicated that methyl ferulate binds to DeOxyHbS and could interfere with the processes that trigger sickle hemoglobin polymerization in vitro. The observed variations in perturbation of both DeOxyHbS and FTH3-DeOxyHbS complex root mean square deviation (RMSD), the radius of gyration (Rgyr), solvent accessible surface area (SASA), potential energy (PE), and Van der Waal’s (VDW) interactions were obtained from the molecular dynamic simulation studies of the binding site amino acid residue performed at         500 ps and suggest that in silico methyl ferulate binds with amino acid residues reported being involved in sickle hemoglobin polymerization and thus may possess antisickling potentials in vitro.
Cascaded terahertz hollow-core Bragg waveguide: numerical design and experimental demonstration
Authors: Bai Tong-Tong , Dong Zhe-Yan , Chen Ming-Yang
Published: May 2023

A THz hollow-core Bragg waveguide with discontinuous support bridges in both radial and axial directions is proposed. The influence of the support bridges on the transmission loss of the waveguide is demonstrated numerically. The proposed waveguide shows confinement loss two orders of magnitude lower than that of the Bragg waveguide with conventional support bridges. A waveguide sample is fabricated by 3D printing technology, and the experimental results show that the transmission loss is in agreement with that of the simulation results. It is also demonstrated that the transmission loss of the fabricated waveguide is mainly determined by the large absorption loss of the waveguide material used in the experiment.
Fast and practical method for underwater stereo vision calibration based on ray-tracing
Authors: Liu Wenqi , Zhang Zhen , Gu Yonggang , Zhai Chao
Published: May 2023

The perspective camera model has difficulty handling refracted light in the underwater environment. To achieve accurate and convenient calibration in large underwater scenes, we propose a method based on the underwater refractive camera model in this paper. First, the initial values of the refraction parameters are solved using refraction coplanarity constraints. Then the initial values are optimized nonlinearly using co-point constraints, which simplifies the optimization process of existing methods. In the field of view of 200mm×200mm, the experiment results show that the reconstruction accuracy of the proposed method can reach below 0.02 mm, and it is equally effective in the case of sparse calibration.
High-responsivity dual-band ultraviolet photodetector based on Ga2O3/GaN heterostructure
Authors: Zhu Jinjie , Cai Qing , You Haifan , Guo Hui , Wang Jin , Xue Junjun , Ye Jiandong , Chen Dunjun
Published: May 2023

Ultraviolet photodetectors have aroused wide concern based on wide-band-gap semiconductors, such as GaN and Ga2O3. Exploiting multi-spectral detection provides unparalleled driving force and direction for high-precision ultraviolet detection. Here we demonstrate an optimized design strategy of Ga2O3/GaN heterostructure bi-color ultraviolet photodetector, which presents extremely high responsivity and UV-to-visible rejection ratio. The electric field distribution of optical absorption region was profitably modified by optimizing heterostructure doping concentration and thickness ratio, thus further facilitating the separation and transport of photogenerated carriers. Meanwhile, the modulation of Ga2O3/GaN heterostructure band offset leads to the fluent transport of electrons and the blocking of holes, thereby enhancing the photoconductive gain of the device. Eventually, the Ga2O3/GaN heterostructure photodetector successfully realizes dual-band ultraviolet detection and achieves high responsivity of 892/950 A/W at the wavelength of 254/365 nm, respectively. Moreover, UV-to-visible rejection ratio of the optimized device also keeps at a high level (∼103) while exhibiting dual-band characteristic. The proposed optimization scheme is anticipated to provide significant guidance for the reasonable device fabrication and design on multi-spectral detection.
Silica micro-rod resonator-based Kerr frequency comb for high-speed short-reach optical interconnects
Authors: Murnieks Rihards , Salgals Toms , Alnis Janis , Ostrovskis Armands , Ozolins Oskars , Brice Inga , Sedulis Arvids , Draguns Kristians , Lyashuk Ilya , Berkis Roberts , Udalcovs Aleksejs , Bi Toby , Pang Xiaodan , Porins Jurgis , Spolitis Sandis , Del’Haye Pascal , Bobrovs Vjaceslavs
Published: May 2023

Conventional data center interconnects rely on power-hungry arrays of discrete wavelength laser sources. However, growing bandwidth demand severely challenges ensuring the power and spectral efficiency toward which data center interconnects tend to strive. Kerr frequency combs based on silica microresonators can replace multiple laser arrays, easing the pressure on data center interconnect infrastructure. Therefore, we experimentally demonstrate a bit rate of up to 100 Gbps/λ employing 4-level pulse amplitude modulated signal transmission over a 2 km long short-reach optical interconnect that can be considered a record using any Kerr frequency comb light source, specifically based on a silica micro-rod. In addition, data transmission using the non-return to zero on-off keying modulation format is demonstrated to achieve 60 Gbps/λ. The silica micro-rod resonator-based Kerr frequency comb light source generates an optical frequency comb in the optical C-band with 90 GHz spacing between optical carriers. Data transmission is supported by frequency domain pre-equalization techniques to compensate amplitude–frequency distortions and limited bandwidths of electrical system components. Additionally, achievable results are enhanced with offline digital signal processing, implementing post-equalization using feed-forward and feedback taps.
Multi-parameter estimation resistant to the random polarization effect for coherent optical receivers
Authors: Qiao Meng , Chen Yingyu , Wang Dawei , Li Zhaohui
Published: May 2023

Optical parameter estimation based on the data obtained by coherent optical receivers is critical for optical performance monitoring (OPM) and the stable operation of the receiver digital signal processing (DSP). A robust multi-parameter estimation is intricate due to the interference of various system effects. By resorting to the cyclostationary theory, we are able to formulate a chromatic dispersion (CD), frequency offset (FO), and optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) joint estimation strategy that is resistant to the random polarization effect, including polarization mode dispersion (PMD) and polarization rotation. The method uses data directly after the DSP resampling and matched filtering. Both numerical simulation and field optical cable experiment validate our method.
Design and fabrication of multifunctional holographic optical elements in laser Doppler velocimeter
Authors: Xu Yuan , Lv Zhenlv , Wang Changyu , Liu Juan
Published: May 2023

Replacing the bulky traditional optical elements in the optical system with a holographic optical element (HOE) is conducive to the functional integration and volume miniaturization. However, when the HOE is used in the infrared system, the mismatch between the recording wavelength and the working wavelength will lead to the reduction of diffraction efficiency and the introduction of aberration, which will seriously affect the performance of the optical system. This paper proposes a design and fabrication method of multifunctional infrared HOEs that can be used in laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV), which can reduce the effect of wavelength mismatch on HOE performance while integrating the functions of the optical system. The restriction relationship and selection method of parameters in typical LDV are summarized; the decrease of diffraction efficiency due to the mismatch between recording and working wavelengths is compensated by designing the angle of signal and reference wave of the HOE; and the aberration caused by wavelength mismatch is compensated by cylindrical lens. The optical experiment shows that the HOE can produce two groups of fringes with opposite gradient, which proves the feasibility of the proposed method. Moreover, this method has a certain degree of universality, and it is expected to design and fabricate HOEs for any working wavelength in the near-infrared band.
Polarization splitters with designable separation angles based on polarization holography of tensor theory
Authors: Qi Peiliang , Wang Jinyu , Yuan Xinyi , Ye Tian , Yang Rupeng , Huang Zhiyun , Yang Yi , Tan Xiaodi
Published: May 2023

We propose a simple and inexpensive method for the fabrication of polarization splitters with designable separation angles and a controllable active area, based on polarization holography of tensor theory. First, we design two polarization holograms that reconstruct waves with only p- or s-polarization components, respectively. Then, after we recorded these two holograms on the same position of the recording material using the interference approach, as a result, a polarization splitter could readily be prepared. The separation angles of fabricated polarization splitters can be easily adjusted by changing the interference angle, and the active area can also be easily modified by changing the sizes of the interference beams and recording material during the recording process. The experimental results verify the reliability and accuracy of this method. We believe that this work may broaden the application field of polarization holography.
Archetypal analysis of longitudinal visual fields for idiopathic intracranial hypertension patients presenting in a clinic setting
Authors: Branco Joseph , Elze Tobias , Wang Jui-Kai , Pasquale Louis R. , Garvin Mona K. , Kardon Randy , Kupersmith Mark J.
Published: May 2023

We previously applied archetypal analysis (AA) using visual fields (VF) from the Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Treatment Trial (IIHTT) to derive a model, which quantified patterns (or archetypes [ATs] of VF loss), anticipated recovery, and identified residual VF deficits. We hypothesized that AA could produce similar results using IIH VFs collected in clinical practice. We applied AA to 803 VFs from 235 eyes with IIH from an outpatient neuro-ophthalmology clinic and created a clinic-derived model of ATs, with the relative weight (RW) and average total deviation (TD) for each AT. We also created a combined-derived model from an input dataset containing the clinic VFs and 2862 VFs from the IIHTT. We used both models to decompose clinic VF into ATs of varying percent weight (PW), correlated presentation AT PW with mean deviation (MD), and evaluated final visit VFs considered “normal” by MD ≥ -2.00 dB for residual abnormal ATs. The 14-AT clinic-derived and combined-derived models revealed similar patterns of VF loss previously identified in the IIHTT model. AT1 (a normal pattern) was most prevalent in both models (RW = 51.8% for clinic-derived; 35.4% for combined-derived). Presentation AT1 PW correlated with final visit MD (r = 0.82, p < 0.001 for the clinic-derived model; r = 0.59, p < 0.001 for the combined-derived model). Both models showed ATs with similar patterns of regional VF loss. The most common patterns of VF loss in “normal” final visit VFs using each model were clinic-derived AT2 (mild global depression with enlarged blind spot; 44/125 VFs; 34%) and combined-derived AT2 (near-normal; 93/149 VFs; 62%). AA provides quantitative values for IIH-related patterns of VF loss that can be used to monitor VF changes in a clinic setting. Presentation AT1 PW is associated with the degree of VF recovery. AA identifies residual VF deficits not otherwise indicated by MD.
Experiences of public-private contracting for caesarean delivery in rural district public hospitals: A qualitative interview study
Authors: Doherty Tanya , Fawcus Sue , Daviaud Emmanuelle , Bartmann Yvandi , Solanki Geetesh
Published: May 2023

Governments in sub-Saharan Africa are exploring public-private-engagements for the delivery of health services. While there is existing empirical literature on public-private-engagements in high-income countries, we know much less about their operation in low and middle-income countries. Obstetric services are a priority area where the private sector can make an important contribution in terms of skilled providers. The objective of this study was to describe the experiences of managers and generalist medical officers, of private general practitioner (GP) contracting for caesarean deliveries in five rural district hospitals in the Western Cape, South Africa. A regional hospital was also included to explore perceptions of public-private contracting needs amongst obstetric specialists. Between April 2021 and March 2022, we conducted 26 semi-structured interviews with district managers (n = 4), public sector medical officers (n = 8), an obstetrician in a regional hospital (1), a regional hospital manager (1) and private GPs (n = 12) with public service contracts. Thematic content analysis using an inductive, iterative approach was applied. Interviews with medical officers and managers revealed justifications for entering into these partnerships, including retention of medical practitioners with anaesthetic and surgical skills and economic considerations in staffing small rural hospitals. The arrangements held benefits for the public sector in terms of bringing in required skills and having after hours cover; and for the contracted private GPs who could supplement their income, maintain their surgical and anaesthetic skills and keep up to date with clinical protocols from visiting specialists. The arrangements held benefits for both the public sector and the contracted private GPs and were deemed to be an example of how national health insurance could be operationalised for rural contexts. Perspectives of a specialist and manager from a regional hospital provided insight into the need for different public-private solutions for this level of care in which contracting out of elective obstetric services should be considered. The sustainability of any GP contracting arrangement, such as described in this paper, will require ensuring that medical education programmes include basic surgical and anaesthetic skills training so that GPs opening practice in rural areas have the required skills to provide these services for district hospitals where needed.
Behavior-change interventions to improve antimicrobial stewardship in human health, animal health, and livestock agriculture: A systematic review
Authors: Craig Jessica , Sriram Aditi , Sadoff Rachel , Bennett Sarah , Bahati Felix , Beauvais Wendy
Published: May 2023

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an economic, food security, and global health threat accelerated by a multitude of factors including the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials in the human health, animal health, and agriculture sectors. Given the rapid emergence and spread of AMR and the relative lack of development of new antimicrobials or alternative therapies, there is a need to develop and implement non-pharmaceutical AMR mitigation policies and interventions that improve antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) practices across all sectors where antimicrobials are used. We conducted a systematic literature review per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to identify peer-reviewed studies that described behavior-change interventions that aimed to improve AMS and/or reduce inappropriate antimicrobial use (AMU) among human health, animal health, and livestock agriculture stakeholders. We identified 301 total publications– 11 in the animal health sector and 290 in the human health sector–and assessed described interventions using metrics across five thematic areas- (1) AMU, (2) adherence to clinical guidelines, (3) AMS, (4) AMR, and (5) clinical outcomes. The lack of studies describing the animal health sector precluded a meta-analysis. Variation across intervention type, study type, and outcome precluded a meta-analysis for studies describing the human health sector; however, a summary descriptive analysis was conducted. Among studies in the human health sector, 35.7% reported significant (p<0.05) pre- to post-intervention decreases in AMU, 73.7% reported significant improvements in adherence of antimicrobial therapies to clinical guidelines, 45% demonstrated significant improvements in AMS practices, 45.5% reported significant decreases in the proportion of isolates that were resistant to antibiotics or the proportion of patients with drug-resistant infections across 17 antimicrobial-organism combinations. Few studies reported significant changes in clinical outcomes. We did not identify any overarching intervention type nor characteristics associated with successful improvement in AMS, AMR, AMU, adherence, nor clinical outcomes.
A protocol for a multi-site cohort study to evaluate child and adolescent mental health service transformation in England using the i-THRIVE model
Authors: A. Moore , K. Lindley Baron-Cohen , E. Simes , S. Chen , P. Fonagy
Published: May 2023

The National i-THRIVE Programme seeks to evaluate the impact of the NHS England-funded whole system transformation on child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). This article reports on the design for a model of implementation that has been applied in CAMHS across over 70 areas in England using the ‘THRIVE’ needs-based principles of care. The implementation protocol in which this model, ‘i-THRIVE’ (implementing-THRIVE), will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the THRIVE intervention is reported, together with the evaluation protocol for the process of implementation. To evaluate the effectiveness of i-THRIVE to improve care for children and young people’s mental health, a cohort study design will be conducted. N = 10 CAMHS sites that adopt the i-THRIVE model from the start of the NHS England-funded CAMHS transformation will be compared to N = 10 ‘comparator sites’ that choose to use different transformation approaches within the same timeframe. Sites will be matched on population size, urbanicity, funding, level of deprivation and expected prevalence of mental health care needs. To evaluate the process of implementation, a mixed-methods approach will be conducted to explore the moderating effects of context, fidelity, dose, pathway structure and reach on clinical and service level outcomes. This study addresses a unique opportunity to inform the ongoing national transformation of CAMHS with evidence about a popular new model for delivering children and young people’s mental health care, as well as a new implementation approach to support whole system transformation. If the outcomes reflect benefit from i-THRIVE, this study has the potential to guide significant improvements in CAMHS by providing a more integrated, needs-led service model that increases access and involvement of patients with services and in the care they receive.
Impact of atorvastatin reload on the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients on chronic statin therapy: A prospective randomized trial
Authors: Hammami Rania , Masmoudi Omar , Jdidi Jihen , Turki Mouna , Charfi Rim , Ben Mrad Imtinene , Bahloul Amine , Ellouze Tarek , Gargouri Rania , Kammoun Samir , Charfeddine Selma , Ayedi Fatma , Abid Leila
Published: May 2023

Background

This trial aimed to assess the efficacy of Atorvastatin reloading on the prevention of Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients pre-treated with this statin and undergoing coronary catheterization.

Methods

This was a prospective randomized controlled study including patients on chronic atorvastatin therapy. We randomly assigned the population to the Atorvastatin Reloading group (AR group), by reloading patients with 80 mg of atorvastatin one day before and three days after the coronary procedure, and the Non-Reloading group (NR group), including patients who received their usual dose without a reloading dose. The primary endpoints were the incidence of cystatin (Cys)-based CIN and Creatinine (Scr)-based CIN. The secondary endpoints consisted of the changes in renal biomarkers (Δ biomarkers) defined as the difference between the follow-up level and the baseline level.

Results

Our population was assigned to the AR group (n = 56 patients) and NR group (n = 54 patients). The baseline characteristics of the 2 groups were similar. Serum creatinine (SCr)-based CIN occurred in 11.1% in the NR group, and in 8.9% in the AR group without any significant difference. Cys-based CIN occurred in 37% in the NR group and 26.8% in the AR group without any significant difference. The subgroup analysis showed that high dose reloading had significantly reduced the CYC-based CIN risk in patients with type 2 diabetes (43.5% vs 18.8%, RR = 0.43. CI 95% [0.18–0.99])). The comparison of “Δ Cystatin” and Δ eGFR between the AR and NR groups didn’t show any significant difference. However, cystatin C had significantly increased between baseline and at 24 hours in the NR group (0.96 vs 1.05, p = 0.001), but not in the AR group (0.94 vs 1.03, p = 0.206).

Conclusions

Our study did not find a benefit of systematic atorvastatin reloading in patients on chronic atorvastatin therapy in preventing CIN. However, it suggested that this strategy could reduce the risk of CyC-based CIN in diabetic type 2 patients.
Technological knowledge progress: Were famous laws almost correct in developing and emerging economies?
Authors: Amavilah Voxi Heinrich , Rodriguez Andres Antonio
Published: May 2023

Do the famous laws of the motion of technological progress like the Moore’s Law, Wright’s Law, Goddard’s Law, and their derivatives explain the technological knowledge progress of developing and emerging economies? The aim of this paper is to investigate that question. For that purpose, we rationalize an existing framework (Nagy et al. 2013) and employ it on a panel data set of 66 developing and emerging market economies over the 1995–2017 period. Empirical evidence is mixed. Some of the results confirm a positive relationship between technological knowledge progress and the progress of time. Other instances indicate that the slow rate of learning delays the doubling time by 18 years. Yet other results predict that this group of countries will double its rate of progress in 4–5 years. The explanatory power varies across the laws, with most laws suggesting acceptance of the hypotheses that the included variables affect the technological knowledge progress while others recommending that we “do not accept” the hypothesis that in-situ scale and hence cumulative GDP per capita explain the technological knowledge progress of these countries. Practical policy implications, which this group of countries can use to assess and address constraints to the technological knowledge progress, are also discussed.
Validation of an omega-3 substrate challenge absorption test as an indicator of global fat lipolysis
Authors: Freedman Steven D. , Zaworski Kamil , Pierzynowska Kateryna , Pierzynowski Stefan , Gallotto Robert , Sathe Meghana , Borowitz Drucy S.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The coefficient of fat absorption (CFA) quantifies fat that remains in stool after digestion and is not a direct measure of lipolysis. CFA has been used to assess treatment of pancreatic insufficiency but does not correlate with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy dose. We explored use of an omega-3 substrate absorption challenge test as a sensitive test of lipolysis and absorption.

Methods

We studied a novel microbially-derived lipase (SNSP003) employing an established surgical model commonly used to study the uptake of macronutrients, the exocrine pancreatic insufficient pig. Pigs were fed a high-fat diet and given a standardized omega-3 substrate challenge to test the effect of lipolysis on its absorption. Blood was drawn at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hours following the substrate challenge and was analyzed for omega-3 and total fat levels (c14:c24). SNSP003 was also compard to porcine pancrelipase.

Results

The absorption of omega-3 fats was significantly increased following administration of 40, 80 and 120 mg SNSP003 lipase by 51% (p = 0.02), 89%, (p = 0.001) and 64% (p = 0.01), respectively, compared to that observed when no lipase was administered to the pigs, with Tmax at 4 hours. The two highest SNSP003 doses were compared to porcine pancrelipase and no significant differences were observed. Both doses increased plasma total fatty acids (141% for the 80 mg dose (p = 0.001) and 133% for the 120 mg dose (p = 0.006), compared to no lipase) and no significant differences were observed between the SNSP003 lipase doses and porcine pancrelipase.

Conclusion

The omega-3 substrate absorption challenge test differentiates among different doses of a novel microbially-derived lipase and correlates with global fat lipolysis and absorption in exocrine pancreatic insufficient pigs. No significant differences were observed between the two highest novel lipase doses and porcine pancrelipase. Studies in humans should be designed to support the evidence presented here that suggests the omega-3 substrate absorption challenge test has advantages over the coefficient of fat absorption test to study lipase activity.
Shoe configuration effects on third phalanx and capsule motion of unaffected and laminitic equine hooves in-situ
Authors: Aoun Rita , Charles Iyana , DeRouen Abigail , Takawira Catherine , Lopez Mandi J.
Published: May 2023

Equine shoes provide hoof protection and support weakened or damaged hoof tissues. Two hypotheses were tested in this study: 1) motion of the third phalanx (P3) and hoof wall deformation are greater in laminitic versus unaffected hooves regardless of shoe type; 2) P3 displacement and hoof wall deformation are greatest while unshod (US), less with open-heel (OH), then egg-bar (EB) shoes, and least with heart-bar (HB) shoes for both hoof conditions. Distal forelimbs (8/condition) were subjected to compressive forces (1.0x102–5.5x103N) while a real-time motion detection system recorded markers on P3 and the hoof wall coronary band, vertical midpoint, and solar margin. Magnitude and direction of P3 displacement and changes in proximal and distal hemi-circumference, quarter and heel height and proximal and distal heel width were quantified. Hoof condition and shoe effects were assessed with 2-way ANOVA (p<0.05). P3 displacement was greater in laminitic hooves when US or with OH, and EB and HB reduced P3 displacement in laminitic hooves. P3 displacement was similar among shoes in unaffected hooves and greatest in laminitic hooves with OH, then US, EB and HB. EB and HB increased P3 displacement from the dorsal wall in unaffected hooves and decreased it in laminitic hooves. OH and EB increased P3 motion from the coronary band in laminitic hooves, and HB decreased P3 motion toward the solar margin in unaffected and laminitic hooves. In laminitic hooves, HB reduced distal hemi-circumference and quarter deformation and increased heel deformation and expansion. Proximal hemi-circumference constriction was inversely related to proximal heel expansion with and without shoes. Overall, shoe configuration alters hoof deformation distinctly between unaffected and laminitic hooves, and HB provided the greatest P3 stability in laminitic hooves. These unique results about P3 motion and hoof deformation in laminitic and unaffected hooves inform shoe selection and design.
Hate narratives, conditioned language and networked harassment: A new breed of anti-shipper and anti-fan – antis
Authors: Aburime Samantha
Published: May 2023

In recent years hostility amongst fans based on what a person ships or tolerates in shipping has become a growing point of contention in western fandom. This has resulted in an ‘anti-shipper’ (or ‘anti’) vs. ‘pro-shipper’ (or ‘pro-ship’), ‘Good versus Evil’ dichotomy that has slowly consumed fandom communities from the inside out. At the core of ‘anti’ debates is a foundation of beliefs rooted in conservatism that what a person consumes in fiction determines their real-life behaviours. Thus, an anti-shipper who is against those viewed to be pro-shippers is already deemed more morally pure. This has culminated in the escalation of toxic vigilantism that has driven harassment, violence-based threats and the criminalization of fellow fans. This piece deconstructs this anti phenomenon and the dominant behaviours that accompany it by evaluating the traditionally conservative environments in which these ideas originated, and by exploring how antis employ hate narratives, conditioned language and morally motivated networked harassment to justify dehumanizing and abusing other fans. This examination ultimately concludes that no kind of communal fandom restoration can begin to occur until those targeted by such anti-shippers are viewed as human beings (not sub-human) and a universal understanding of fiction, reality, psychology and human behaviour based in science is established.
‘He doesn’t deserve it!’: Digital anti-fandom as public criticism of traffic stars and popular culture in China
Authors: Chen Lihua
Published: May 2023

In light of the growing body anti-fan studies, this article tries to fill the gap of empirical studies on Chinese anti-fandom by investigating the textual dislike of traffic stars – those who usually are good-looking and possess a huge fan base yet are perceived to lack good texts. This form of stardom has proliferated in China since its emergence in 2015, usually involving high traffic of fans, metadata orientation and mega publicity in the media. By drawing on one of Gray’s anti-fandom categories ‘bad object’, this article examines anti-fans’ discourses about the ‘badness’ of traffic stars. Using anti-fandom of Cai Xukun as a typical case, I present how anti-fans frame the ‘badness’ as due to attributes of both Cai himself (misalignment of achievements and talent, plagiarism, being unpatriotic, femininity, sexually suggestive performance and being a bad role model) and his stardom (capital operation by the culture industry). As such, we shall see how this anti-fandom takes on a critical perspective towards traffic stars. These attributes together constitute the site for ‘coalitional dislike’ towards Cai, and by extension traffic stardom in China.
‘Organism’ Versus ‘Biological Individual’: The Missing Demarcation
Authors: Prieto Guido Ignacio
Published: May 2023

The demarcation of organisms from other biological individuals has received relatively little attention. In this paper, I extricate and systematize the different ways in which the organism–biological individual relationship has been construed: (1) coalescence of the two concepts, (2) biological individual eliminativism, (3) organism eliminativism, (4) organism as a ‘paradigmatic’ biological individual, (5) organism as a limit state towards which biological individuals tend in evolution and development, (6) organism as instantiating the whole in a part-whole hierarchy of biological individuals, (7) organism as equivalent to physiological individual, and (8) organism as a special kind of physiological individual. I show that, in most of these stances, the organism concept is too imprecise to be demarcated from other biological individuals, which fosters some form of eliminativism. I also argue that the comparisons between organisms and biological individuals are performed in two different modes: ‘horizontally’ (i.e., between individuals not related hierarchically) or ‘vertically’ (i.e., between individuals belonging to different levels within the same hierarchy). Finally, I explain the challenges that each of these comparison modes face and suggest that the ‘vertical’ mode adumbrates a potential way forward.
Quantitative risk assessment for human Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis exposure through consumption of pork in Mpwapwa District of Dodoma Region, Tanzania
Authors: Mulilo Misheck A. , Mwape Kabemba E. , M’kandawire Ethel , Mkupasi Ernatus M.
Published: May 2023

Background and Aim: Pig farming is a livelihood activity undertaken by many rural communities in Tanzania. However, pigs in rural communities become infected with Taenia solium, a zoonotic parasite leading to porcine cysticercosis (PCC). Thus, routine meat inspection is fundamental in ensuring that the meat consumed is PCC-free. However, routine meat inspection is constrained by low sensitivity as a diagnostic test. Regardless of its low sensitivity, at the local level, no substitute tool would potentially lead to meat being risk-free for human infection. This study aimed at quantifying the risk of humans getting exposed to T. solium taeniasis through the consumption of pork approved safe for human consumption by employing a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) model. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study employing a quantitative risk assessment technique was conducted to quantify the risk of human infection in Mpwapwa District through exposure to T. solium infection through consumption of officially inspected pork. The input parameters in this study were simulated in @risk software to obtain the risk of exposure and the risk factors for exposure to T. solium taeniasis. Results: The risk of one getting exposed to T. solium taeniasis/cysticercosis (TSTC) through consumption of pork approved for human consumption was found to be 0.018 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.00–0.0250). Likewise, the probability that a cyst is localized in a pork portion was found to be the most influencing input risk factor of getting exposed to TSTC. Furthermore, the probability of developing T. solium taeniasis was estimated to be 0.73605 (95% CI = 0–0.950) when infected undercooked pork portion is consumed and 0.99652 (95% CI = 0.98161–0.99908) from consuming raw pork portion. Likewise, about 47 (95% CI = 42–52) people who consumed undercooked pork and 26 (95% CI = 22–30) who consumed raw pork would get infected in Mpwapwa District per year. Conclusion: The results from this study are anticipated to create public awareness of the problem and promote the use of one-health approach in the control and prevention of the consumption of infected pork. Keywords: cysticercosis, Mpwapwa, pork meal, quantitative risk assessment, Taenia solium, taeniasis.
EXPULSÃO E POLÊMICA! A GESTÃO DE CRISE DE UMA PARTICIPANTE DE REALITY
Authors: Limongi Ricardo , Spindola Ludimila Silvânia , Porto Rafael Barreiros , Silva André Luiz Barbosa da
Published: May 2023

Dilema: O dilema se concentra nas estratégias adotadas para o gerenciamento da crise de uma influenciadora digital participante de um reality show.
Objetivo educacional: O caso foi elaborado para discutir a importância de como ações rápidas e efetivas, na comunicação e análise de dados das redes sociais, têm impacto para contornar o problema de imagem e estimular o faturamento e engajamento após o reality.
Contextualização: Este caso de ensino se concentra na história de uma participante de reality show, transmitido pela televisão brasileira que passou por uma grave crise de imagem no último dia do programa.
Tema principal: Gerenciamento de crise nas redes sociais.
Público: A utilização do caso é indicada para cursos de graduação em Administração e Marketing, Publicidade e Propaganda e Relações Públicas, e ainda, cursos de especialização nas diferentes temáticas de gestão de marketing e gestão de crise.
Originalidade/valor: Ao final da discussão, se espera alcançar os seguintes objetivos de aprendizagem: (1) a relevância do uso das redes sociais para criar narrativas reativas em caso de crises; (2) como a rápida reação durante a crise impactou no engajamento; (3) como as ações tomadas durante o decorrer do programa impactaram no faturamento após o reality.
O SONHO QUE VIROU REALIDADE E A NECESSIDADE DE MELHORIA CONTÍNUA DOS PROCESSOS DE PRODUÇÃO
Authors: Hülbner Daniele Lins , Pedrini Roberta , Marinho Sidnei Vieira
Published: May 2023

Dilema: Este caso para ensino retrata o dilema de uma empresa especializada em produzir chapas de compensado multilaminadas que, após 15 anos de mercado, tem buscado estratégias para melhoria contínua visando à redução de desperdícios no processo produtivo.
Objetivo educacional: Os objetivos educacionais são (a) identificar e diferenciar tipos de demanda e seus impactos na cadeia de valor; (b) avaliar processos sob a ótica da filosofia do Lean Manufacturing e (c) ilustrar como as boas práticas de melhoria contínua podem auxiliar na redução de desperdícios.
Contextualização: Após a consolidação do tão sonhado negócio entre amigos, os seus administradores se veem desafiados a mapear e minimizar os desperdícios de matéria-prima.
Tema principal: O tema central do caso é a filosofia do Lean Manufacturing e suas ferramentas de melhoria contínua, especialmente o Mapeamento do Fluxo de Valor (MFV).
Público: Este caso foi escrito para ser utilizado em cursos de graduação em Administração, Logística e Engenharia de Produção.
Limitações: Apesar da relevância do tema dentro de um contexto organizacional, a história do caso ocorreu em 2015.
Originalidade / valor: A redação do caso apresenta uma lógica para que os alunos possam desenhar o MFV, exercitando sua capacidade de análise de processos e estimulando a criatividade para resolução de problemas sob os pilares da filosofia abordada.
Proximity tourism: An observational analysis of the use of instagram to promote the northeast of Brazil
Authors: Paes-Cesário Marília Ferreira
Published: May 2023

With the changes in consumer profile, especially in tourism activity, facing the issues brought by globalization, greater access to and use of Technologies, and more recently, the restrictions imposed by the protocols to prevent contamination by the Covid-19 virus and its consequences, it has been necessary to change the way of experiencing tourism, leading the market to adapt to the new reality. Thus, the incentive to implement so-called Proximity Tourism has gathered strength, prompting the following research question: how has this type of tourism been addressed and how have the cities of the Brazilian Northeast have been working with this theme to promote their potential on the social network platform Instagram? The main objective of this study was to perform an observational analysis of what is being posted on this social network concerning proximity tourism, by investigating the use of the hashtag #turismodeproximity, and whether the cities of the Northeast of Brazil are using this Instagram tool. As the result of this research, it was found that of the total posts indexed with this hashtag, only a small number are directly related to this region, indicating a lack of dissemination, and consequently, failure to generate greater visibility for this tourism modality.
Análise da Morfodinâmica de Praias de Enseada a Partir de Imagens Aéreas Verticais. Caso de Estudo: Praias do Estado de Santa Catarina e do Litoral Norte do Estado de São Paulo.
Authors: Silveira Lucas Ferreira da , Klein Antonio Henrique da Fontoura , Tessler Moysés Gonsález
Published: May 2023

Este trabalho apresenta resultados da classificação morfodinâmica de praias de enseada do Estado de Santa Catarina (158 praias, do Cabo de Santa Marta à Ilha de São Francisco do Sul) e do Litoral Norte do Estado de São Paulo (133 praias, da Baía de Santos à Ubatuba), realizada indiretamente através de interpretação de imagens aéreas. Para isso foram construídos mosaicos georeferenciados com imagens do satélite QuickBird2 (para o Estado de Santa Catarina) e com fotografias aéreas verticais (para o Litoral Norte do Estado de São Paulo). Nas imagens foram analisadas a extensão das zonas de surfe e de espraiamento, presença de bancos, correntes de retorno e cúspides. Praias dissipativas apresentaram zonas de surfe e espraiamento extensas (> 100 m) e presença de sistemas de bancos múltiplos. Nas praias intermediárias foi observada uma extensão moderada das zonas de surfe (até 100 m) e espraiamento (até 10 m), além da presença de bancos rítmicos, correntes de retorno e cúspides. Já nas praias refletivas foi observada a ausência de zona de surfe (com a quebra de ondas ocorrendo na face da praia), zona de espraiamento estreita (< 10 m) e presença de cúspides. No Estado de Santa Catarina foi observado o domínio de praias refletivas. Essas praias dominam as regiões abrigadas, mas também ocorrem em locais expostos e com sedimento grosso. Seu domínio ocorre associado às baías Norte e Sul de Florianópolis, além da região da Costa Brava (da praia de Mata Camboriú à de Taquaras/Taquarinhas), que é exposta a ondas de maior energia. Praias intermediárias e dissipativas ocorrem predominantemente em regiões expostas. No Litoral Norte do Estado de São Paulo houve um equilíbrio entre praias refletivas e dissipativas. As praias refletivas tendem a dominar as regiões abrigadas (e.g. Canal de São Sebastião), mas o tamanho do sedimento disponível parece ser mais importante na determinação do estado morfodinâmico das praias protegidas, uma vez que também ocorrem praias dissipativas nesses locais. As praias intermediárias apresentam-se sempre em locais expostos. Observou-se a coincidência de mais de 70% da interpretação das imagens das praias do Estado de Santa Catarina e do Litoral Norte do Estado de São Paulo com dados de campo disponíveis na literatura. Conclui-se assim que a interpretação de imagens aéreas é um excelente método para determinar indiretamente o estado morfodinâmico de praias de enseada, desde que se tenha boas imagens e um interprete treinado e com experiência.
Um novo método para avaliar a vulnerabilidade de aquíferos
Authors: Prates Maia Paulo Henrique , Cruz Manoel Jeronimo Moreira
Published: May 2023

O mapeamento dos índices de vulnerabilidade é útil para o planejamento e uso da terra e da água, particularmente na preservação da qualidade dos recursos hídricos subterrâneos. O principal escopo desta pesquisa é desenvolver um método no qual a vulnerabilidade seja determinada priorizando aspectos quantitativos sobre os qualitativos, procurando definir as variáveis com a menor subjetividade possível de maneira a permitir a comparação das vulnerabilidades dos diversos tipos de aquíferos de diferentes regiões. O objetivo é descrever a vulnerabilidade intrínseca dos aquíferos com um sistema constituído por um conjunto de entidades inter-relacionadas que cooperam para um objetivo comum, a proteção ou a vulnerabilidade dos mesmos. Para aplicação no modelo foram selecionadas somente as variáveis passíveis de serem medidas. A análise das relações entre as variáveis e a vulnerabilidade foi determinante para a dedução do modelo algébrico proposto. O resultado é um novo método capaz de descrever a vulnerabilidade dos aquíferos, utilizando um conjunto de componentes relacionados para determinar um índice de vulnerabilidade. Este método é representado por uma equação algébrica simples, constituída por um conjunto de relações matemáticas e lógicas entre as variáveis e a vulnerabilidade com termos definidos de forma clara, onde as relações matemáticas entre as variáveis e a vulnerabilidade são precisamente descritas.
Caracterização sedimentológica de dez planícies intermareais localizadas nas baías norte e sul da Grande Florianópolis – SC, Brasil
Authors: Rosso Ana Paula , Pezzuto Paulo Ricardo , De Menezes João Thadeu
Published: May 2023

The particle size of clastic sediments can provide important information about mechanisms of transport, selection and deposition which are related to the dominant hydrodynamic processes. This study describes the superficial sediments of ten intertidal plains located along the North (one site) and South (nine sites) Bays in Florianópolis, SC, where the clam Anomalocardia brasiliana is artisanally exploited.  Systematic sedimentological sampling was carried out in all areas during the fall of 2008, summing up 464 samples. In the laboratory, samples were subjected to particle size analysis techniques. Sand was the predominant constituent in all banks analyzed, ranging from 70.59% in Maruim to 97.56% in Maciambú. Mean particle diameter varied from 1φ to 3φ in the study area, corresponding to medium to fine sands. Clay and silt attained higher percentages in Praia da Daniela bank, in North Bay, specially as compared to the banks located in the eastern and southern sectors of the South Bay. Such sediment distribution seems to be related to the more energetic characteristic of the South Bay as compared to the North Bay, where tidal and wind-induced currents are more gentle favouring the deposition of finer sediments.
Resposta de associações bênticas ao lançamento de resíduos de drenagem urbana
Authors: Felix Gabriela , Cândido Thábata Fernandes , Silveira Carolina Bardini , Netto Sérgio A.
Published: May 2023

As regiões costeiras têm exibido um rápido crescimento urbano sem, no entanto, estar associado a um adequado planejamento. Dentro das diversas fontes de alteração destas regiões estão as provenientes dos efluentes domésticos que são lançados através dos dutos de drenagem urbana. O sistema de drenagem urbana pode ser caracterizado como o conjunto de resíduos que percorrem as canaletas das vias públicas desembocando nos dutos também conhecidos como bocas de lobo. Além destas substâncias, a contaminação de áreas estuarinas pode ser ainda agravada pelas ligações residenciais clandestinas de esgoto junto a esta rede de drenagem. Este estudo objetivou investigar a resposta de associações bênticas, representadas pelo microfitobentos, macrofauna e meiofauna, frente ao coquetel de substâncias lançadas através da desembocadura de dutos de drenagem urbana. Para isso foram tomadas amostras imediatamente junto aos dutos de drenagem urbana e a aproximadamente 10 metros lateralmente em áreas com influência do lançamento de drenagem. Áreas controles igualmente estabelecidas e localizadas a aproximadamente 1000 metros distantes dos dutos. Parâmetros como salinidade, temperatura, pH, teor de matéria orgânica, granulometria, coliformes fecais e totais foram analisados juntamente com as associações bênticas. Os resultados deste estudo mostram que a estrutura das associações bênticas foram afetadas com a drenagem urbana. Locais com despejo direto de drenagem, apresentaram menor biomassa microfitobêntica. Do mesmo modo, a macrofauna foi menos diversa nesses locais. A meiofauna apresentou-se como um interessante indicador de perturbações ambientais, visto que sua diversidade e riqueza foram menores nos locais afetados pela drenagem urbana. O presente estudo alerta para as intensas descargas recebidas pelos ambientes aquáticos. Por tratar-se de uma poluição crônica, muitas vezes é considerada coadjuvante. Uma vez que os impactos causados referem-se não só as associações bênticas, como ao estuário inteiro é imprescindível que sejam realizados mais estudos envolvendo a resposta do estuário frente a essas perturbações.
Ficha Catalográfica
Authors: Seção Editores de
Published: May 2023

Revista Científica do Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia Ambiental da Universidade do Vale do Itajaí - UNIVALIQualis B2volume 20 - n. 01 - 2016