bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The “Fracking” technique: a novel approach to crack deep calcified plaque in the common femoral artery with hydraulic pressure
Authors: Haraguchi Takuya , Fujita Tsutomu , Kashima Yoshifumi , Tsujimoto Masanaga , Takeuchi Tsuyoshi , Tadano Yutaka , Hachinohe Daisuke , Kaneko Umihiko , Kobayashi Ken , Kanno Daitaro , Sato Katsuhiko
Published: September 2021

Background

The patency achieved by conventional peripheral interventions for atherosclerotic lesions in the common femoral artery (CFA), called the “no stenting zone”, is not superior to that achieved by surgical endarterectomy due to calcified plaque occupying the area. Plaque modification strategies to obtain acute gain in CFA patency provide the better clinical outcomes than standard balloon angioplasty. Atherectomy devices, which focus on the modification of superficial calcifications, contribute to the improvement of clinical outcomes. However, deep calcifications resist vessel expansion such that luminal gain is not easily achieved.

Main text

We propose a novel calcified plaque modification technique, named the “fracking technique” (FT). The term fracking refers to how a rock is fractured by the high hydraulic pressure. In this technique, deep calcifications are cracked with hydraulic pressure via a balloon indeflator through an 18-gauge needle, which punctures calcifications to achieve greater acute luminal gain. Case 1 involved an 81-year-old male with eccentric calcified plaque in the right CFA. Conventional balloon angioplasty for the lesion yielded a suboptimal minimal lumen area (MLA), which increased from 6.2 to 10.7-mm2 on intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). The FT was implemented to obtain a larger MLA. After the FT was repeated at three locations at up to 8-atm, a greater MLA of 27.1-mm2 was achieved without complications. Case 2 involved a 72-year-old male undergoing hemodialysis due to diabetes mellitus who presented with ischemic pain in his right limbs at rest due to severe stenosis with eccentric calcification in the distal CFA. The MLA on IVUS before and after balloon angioplasty was 10.0-mm2 and 13.1-mm2, respectively, and this result was still suboptimal. The FT was attempted and successfully yielded a greater MLA of 28.9-mm2 without complications. Restenosis has not been detected for 2 years follow-up period.

Conclusions

The FT is an effective option for treating calcified CFA lesions to achieve a larger lumen area. Long-term follow-up studies are necessary.
Agent based coordination protocol for system of cyber-physical systems
Authors: Umair Aisha , Clausen Anders , Demazeau Yves , Jørgensen Bo Nørregaard
Published: September 2021

Nowadays, society and business rely heavily on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems, which are progressing faster than ever. To stay on pace with them, focus is shifted towards integration of individual ICT systems into complex systems, which offers more functionality than simply the sum of individual systems. In this regard, Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs) have gained significant importance and System-of-Systems (SoS) approach has been suggested for modeling complex CPSs to achieve a higher level goal, by dynamically building a large system with existing autonomous, and heterogeneous constituent systems (CSs). An important challenge in a system of Cyber-Physical Systems (SoCPSs) is to develop seamless collaboration between autonomous constituent-CPSs (CCPSs) to coordinate their operations. In this paper, we propose an agent based coordination mechanism to coordinate resource allocation and demand in SoCPSs. The approach models each CCPS as an agent and describes how multiple autonomous CCPSs, i.e., Virtual Power Plant (VPP), Commercial Greenhouse Growers (CGGs), communicate and collaborate with each other asynchronously through negotiation and how potential conflicts between CCPSs with conflicting goals are resolved. The efficacy of the proposed mechanism is validated through simulation of different real-world acyclic SoCPSs topologies. The results show that proposed approach is able to balance the individual requirements of multiple connected CPSs while achieving SoCPSs’ mission.
The Fertility of Immigrants From Low-Fertility Settings: Adaptation in the Quantum and Tempo of Childbearing?
Authors: Mussino Eleonora , Wilson Ben , Andersson Gunnar
Published: September 2021

Immigrant women who have lived longer in a destination often have relatively low levels of fertility, which is sometimes taken as evidence of the adaptation of behavior. This evidence is almost exclusively based on studies of immigrants from high-fertility settings, while the fertility of immigrants from low-fertility settings has been largely overlooked. Research has also rarely studied the fertility of immigrants who migrated as children, despite the methodological advantages of applying such an approach. This study focuses on women who grew up in Sweden with a migration background from low-fertility origins. We expect that Sweden's welfare regime makes it easier for women to combine childbearing and working life, regardless of migration background, thereby facilitating an adaptation of fertility behavior toward that prevailing in Sweden. We find evidence of adaptation in terms of birth timing for at least half of the country-origin groups that we study, but very little evidence of adaptation in terms of completed fertility. Further, we find that, in comparison with ancestral Swedes, completed fertility differentials are larger for second-generation individuals than for immigrants who arrived during childhood. This is evidence against the notion of “straight-line” adaptation for immigrants and the children of immigrants who are born in Sweden.
The Effect of EITC Exposure in Childhood on Marriage and Early Childbearing
Authors: Michelmore Katherine , Lopoo Leonard M.
Published: September 2021

Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, this study analyzes the effect of exposure to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in childhood on marriage and childbearing in early adulthood. Results suggest that EITC exposure in childhood leads women to delay marriage and first births in early adulthood (ages 16–25), but has no effect on men. A $1,000 increase in EITC exposure in childhood leads to a 2%–3% decline in a woman's likelihood of having a first birth and a comparable decline in her likelihood of marrying by her early 20s. We find similar reductions in fertility among Black and White women, though marriage declines are concentrated among White women. Results are focused on children growing up in the bottom half of the income distribution and those who spent the majority of childhood residing with a single parent—two groups that are the primary beneficiaries of the EITC. These findings have important implications for the well-being of individuals exposed to the EITC in childhood, as well as their future children.
Protest without End
Authors: Mehta Rijuta
Published: September 2021

In the aftermath of crushed political revolution, forms of protest become curiously circular and conflicted. Drawing on literary and visual representations of the Indian Mutiny of 1857, this essay analyzes new circuits of demands that break with the project of successful revolutionary ends and demonstrate an investment in the satisfying interminability of protest that cannot be suppressed or punished. It brings into view a range of protesting figures engaged in an ongoing alteration of the colonial relation to argue that the eccentric gaps between process and purpose are useful for thinking through the satisfactions of anticolonialism.
Phosphorylation-dependent routing of RLP44 towards brassinosteroid or phytosulfokine signalling
Authors: Garnelo Gómez Borja , Holzwart Eleonore , Shi Chaonan , Lozano-Durán Rosa , Wolf Sebastian
Published: September 2021

Plants rely on cell surface receptors to integrate developmental and environmental cues into behaviour adapted to the conditions. The largest group of these receptors, leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases, form a complex interaction network that is modulated and extended by receptor-like proteins. This raises the question of how specific outputs can be generated when receptor proteins are engaged in a plethora of promiscuous interactions. RECEPTOR-LIKE PROTEIN 44 (RLP44) acts to promote both brassinosteroid and phytosulfokine signalling, which orchestrate diverse cellular responses. However, it is unclear how these activities are coordinated. Here, we show that RLP44 is phosphorylated in its highly conserved cytosolic tail and that this post-translational modification governs its subcellular localization. Whereas phosphorylation is essential for brassinosteroid-associated functions of RLP44, its role in phytosulfokine signalling is not affected by phospho-status. Detailed mutational analysis suggests that phospho-charge, rather than modification of individual amino acids determines routing of RLP44 to its target receptor complexes, providing a framework to understand how a common component of different receptor complexes can get specifically engaged in a particular signalling pathway.
A palmitoylation code controls PI4KIIIα complex formation and PI(4,5)P2 homeostasis at the plasma membrane
Authors: Batrouni Alex G. , Bag Nirmalya , Phan Henry T. , Baird Barbara A. , Baskin Jeremy M.
Published: September 2021

Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase IIIα (PI4KIIIα) is the major enzyme responsible for generating phosphatidylinositol (4)-phosphate [PI(4)P] at the plasma membrane. This lipid kinase forms two multicomponent complexes, both including a palmitoylated anchor, EFR3. Whereas both PI4KIIIα complexes support production of PI(4)P, the distinct functions of each complex and mechanisms underlying the interplay between them remain unknown. Here, we present roles for differential palmitoylation patterns within a tri-cysteine motif in EFR3B (Cys5, Cys7 and Cys8) in controlling the distribution of PI4KIIIα between these two complexes at the plasma membrane and corresponding functions in phosphoinositide homeostasis. Spacing of palmitoyl groups within three doubly palmitoylated EFR3B ‘lipoforms’ affects both interactions between EFR3B and TMEM150A, a transmembrane protein governing formation of a PI4KIIIα complex functioning in rapid phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] resynthesis following phospholipase C signaling, and EFR3B partitioning within liquid-ordered and -disordered regions of the plasma membrane. This work identifies a palmitoylation code involved in controlling protein–protein and protein–lipid interactions that affect a plasma membrane-resident lipid biosynthetic pathway.
Electrochemical Sensing Applications Using Diamond Microelectrodes
Authors: Ivandini Tribidasari A , Einaga Yasuaki
Published: September 2021

The miniaturization of boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes is an important requirement for application to the study of electrochemical processes in living beings. In this work, we describe the fabrication and characterization of BDD electrodes with micrometer dimensions, with a particular emphasis on micro needle electrodes. As a result of the combination of the microelectrode size effect and the intrinsic properties of the diamond films, these electrodes showed not only a significantly lower background current than diamond macroelectrodes, but also an ability for use in analytical sensing in low conductive media. Accordingly, a wider range of experiments including in vivo measurements could be performed.
The effect of non-pharmacologic strategies on prevention or management of intensive care unit delirium: a systematic review
Authors: Cupka Julie S , Hashemighouchani Haleh , Lipori Jessica , Ruppert Matthew M. , Bhaskar Ria , Ozrazgat-Baslanti Tezcan , Rashidi Parisa , Bihorac Azra
Published: September 2021

Background: Post-operative delirium is a common complication among adult patients in the intensive care unit. Current literature does not support the use of pharmacologic measures to manage this condition, and several studies explore the potential for the use of non-pharmacologic methods such as early mobility plans or environmental modifications. The aim of this systematic review is to examine and report on recently available literature evaluating the relationship between non-pharmacologic management strategies and the reduction of delirium in the intensive care unit.

Methods: Six major research databases were systematically searched for articles analyzing the efficacy of non-pharmacologic delirium interventions in the past five years. Search results were restricted to adult human patients aged 18 years or older in the intensive care unit setting, excluding terminally ill subjects and withdrawal-related delirium. Following title, abstract, and full text review, 27 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and are included in this report.

Results: The 27 reviewed articles consist of 12 interventions with a single-component investigational approach, and 15 with multi-component bundled protocols. Delirium incidence was the most commonly assessed outcome followed by duration. Family visitation was the most effective individual intervention while mobility interventions were the least effective. Two of the three family studies significantly reduced delirium incidence, while one in five mobility studies did the same. Multi-component bundle approaches were the most effective of all; of the reviewed studies, eight of 11 bundles significantly improved delirium incidence and seven of eight bundles decreased the duration of delirium.

Conclusions: Multi-component, bundled interventions were more effective at managing intensive care unit delirium than those utilizing an approach with a single interventional element. Although better management of this condition suggests a decrease in resource burden and improvement in patient outcomes, comparative research should be performed to identify the importance of specific bundle elements.
Transfer of maternal immunity using a polyvalent vaccine and offspring protection in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus
Authors: Amrullah Amrullah , Wahidah Wahidah , Ardiansyah Ardiansyah , Indrayani Indrayani
Published: September 2021

Background: Vaccination is an effective and alternative means of disease prevention, however, it cannot be conducted on the offspring of fish.  For this process to take place, the transfer of maternal immunity must be implemented. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of transferring immunity from the broodstock to the offspring using a polyvalent vaccine against Aeromonas hydrophila, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Pseudomonas fluorescens in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.

Methods: Nile tilapia broodstock, with an average weight of 203g (±SD 23 g) was injected with a vaccine used as a treatment. Example include A. hydrophila monovalent (MA), S. agalactiae monovalent (MS), P. fluorescens monovalent (MP), A. hydrophila and S. agalactiae bivalent (BAS), A. hydrophila and P. fluorescens bivalent (BAP), P. fluorescens and S. agalactiae bivalent (BPS), and A. hydrophila, S. agalactiae, and P. fluorescens polyvalent vaccines (PAPS). While the control was fish that were injected with a PBS solution. The broodstock’s immune response was observed on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day, while the immune response and challenge test on the offspring was conducted on the 10th, 20th, 30th, and 40th day during the post-hatching period.

Result: The application of PAPS in broodstock could significantly induce the best immune response and immunity to multiple diseases compared to other treatments. The RPS of the PAPS was also higher than the other types of vaccines. This showed that the transfer of immunity from the broodstock to the Nile tilapia offspring could protect it against bacterial diseases such as A. hydrophila, S. agalactiae, and P. fluorescens.

Conclusion: The application of PAPS A. hydrophila, S. agalactiae, P. fluorescens vaccines increased the broodstock’s immune response and it was transferred to their offsprings. They were able to produce tilapia seeds that are immune to diseases caused by A. hydrophila, S. agalactiae, and P. fluorescens.
Impact on carbon emissions of online study for a cohort of overseas students: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Heller Richard F , Sun Ya-Yen , Guo Zhe , Malik Arunima
Published: September 2021

Background: One of the benefits of online education is the potential reduction in carbon emissions through the decrease in travel to attend a university in person. We estimated the savings in CO2 emissions of an international cohort of master’s students who studied fully online from their home countries, rather than travelling to the UK and living there while attending university.

Methods: The city and country of residence of a cohort of students who first enrolled in the fully online Peoples-uni/Manchester Metropolitan University MPH programme between the second semester of 2011 and the first semester 2013 were recorded. We estimated the aviation emissions between Manchester, UK and the cities where students reside, and subtracted the per capita emissions for the country of origin from the per capita emissions for the UK over the time that the student would have spent in Manchester as a full-time student, based on the semester in which they first enrolled.

Results: 128 students enrolled from 55 cities in 31 countries. 93 students were from a range of African countries and 18 from the Indian sub-continent. Flights to and from Manchester were estimated to have accounted for 114,553kg of CO2 and living in Manchester for the duration of their course compared with staying in the home country would have been equivalent to 854,904kg of CO2. The combined net savings was 969,457kg of CO2.

Conclusions: A small cohort of overseas students, largely from Africa and India, studied online rather than attending university in the UK. The likely saving by this small cohort of nearly a million kg of CO 2 emissions offers an indication of the potential environmental benefits of offering university education online to overseas students.
Comparison of hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 2021 versus 2020 in Italy: surprises and implications
Authors: Donzelli Alberto , Alessandria Marco , Orlando Luca
Published: September 2021

Data from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) emphasized by the media indicate that COVID-19 vaccination reduces related infections, hospitalizations and deaths.

However, a comparison showed significantly more hospitalizations and intensive care unit accesses in the corresponding months and days in 2021 versus 2020 and no significant differences in deaths.

The combination of non-alternative hypotheses may help explain the discrepancy between the results in the entire population and the vaccination’s success claimed by the ISS in reducing infections, serious cases and deaths:

a bias: counting as unvaccinated also "those vaccinated with 1 dose in the two weeks following the inoculation", and as incompletely vaccinated also "those vaccinated with 2 doses within two weeks of the 2nd inoculation".

a systematic error: counting as unvaccinated also "vaccinated with 1 dose in the two weeks following the inoculation", and as incompletely vaccinated also "vaccinated with 2 doses within two weeks of the 2nd inoculation".

Many reports show an increase in COVID-19 cases in these time-windows, and related data should be separated

levels of protective effectiveness in vaccinated people, often considered stable, actually show signs of progressive reduction over time, which could contribute to reducing the overall population result

unvaccinated people show more severe disease than in 2020, supporting also in humans the theory of imperfect vaccines, which offer less resistance to the entry of germs than the resistance later encountered inside the human body. This favors the selection of more resistant and virulent mutants, that can be spread by vaccinated people. This damages first the unvaccinated people, but ultimately the whole community.

An open scientific debate is needed to discuss these hypotheses, following the available evidence (as well as to discuss the inconsistent theory of unvaccinated young people as reservoirs of viruses/mutants), to assess the long-term and community impact of different vaccination strategies.
Environmental factors influence the local establishment of Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in two small communities in central Vietnam
Authors: Hien Nguyen T. , Anh Dang D. , Le Nguyen H. , Yen Nguyen T. , Phong Tran V. , Nam Vu S. , Duong Tran N. , Nguyen Nguyen B. , Huong Duong T.T. , Hung Luu Q. , Trinh Chau N.T. , Hoang Nguyen V. , Mai Vien Q. , Nghia Le T. , Dong Nguyen T. , Tho Le H. , Kutcher Simon , Hurst Tim P. , Montgomery Jacqui L. , Woolfit Megan , Rances Edwige , Nguyen Le , Brown-Kenyon Jack , Caird Angela , McLean Breeanna J. , Iturbe-Ormaetxe Inaki , Ritchie Scott A. , O'Neill Scott L. , Ryan Peter A.
Published: September 2021

Background: The wMel strain of Wolbachia has been successfully introduced into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and subsequently shown to reduce transmission of dengue and other pathogens, under both laboratory and field conditions. Here we describe the entomological outcomes of wMel Wolbachia mosquito releases in two small communities in Nha Trang City in central Vietnam.

Methods: The wMel strain of Wolbachia was backcrossed into local Aedes aegypti genotype and mosquito releases were undertaken by community members or by staff. Field monitoring was undertaken to track Wolbachia establishment in local Ae. aegypti mosquito populations. Ecological studies were undertaken to assess relationships between environmental factors and the spatial and temporal variability in Wolbachia infection prevalence in mosquitoes.

Results: Releases of wMel Wolbachia Ae. aegypti mosquitoes in two small communities in Nha Trang City resulted in the initial establishment of Wolbachia in the local Ae. aegypti mosquito populations, followed by seasonal fluctuations in Wolbachia prevalence. There was significant small-scale spatial heterogeneity in Wolbachia infection prevalence in the Tri Nguyen Village site, resulting in the loss of wMel Wolbachia infection in mosquitoes in north and center areas, despite Wolbachia prevalence remaining high in mosquitoes in the south area. In the second site, Vinh Luong Ward, Wolbachia has persisted at a high level in mosquitoes throughout this site despite similar seasonal fluctuations in wMel Wolbachia prevalence.

Conclusion: Seasonal variation in Wolbachia infection prevalence in mosquitoes was associated with elevated temperature conditions, and was possibly due to imperfect maternal transmission of Wolbachia. Heterogeneity in Wolbachia infection prevalence was found throughout one site, and indicates additional factors may influence Wolbachia establishment.
Skilled we-intentionality: Situating joint action in the living environment
Authors: Kiverstein Julian , Rietveld Erik
Published: September 2021

There is a difference between the activities of two or more individuals that are performed jointly such as playing music in a band or dancing as a couple, and performing these same activities alone. This difference is sometimes captured by appealing to shared or joint intentions that allow individuals to coordinate what they do over space and time. In what follows we will use the terminology of we-intentionality to refer to what individuals do when they engage in group ways of thinking, feeling and acting. Our aim in this paper is to argue that we-intentionality is best understood in relation to a shared living environment in which acting individuals are situated. By the “living environment” we mean to refer to places and everyday situations in which humans act. These places and situations are simultaneously social, cultural, material and natural. We will use the term “affordance” to refer to the possibilities for action the living environment furnishes. Affordances form and are maintained over time through the activities people repeatedly engage in the living environment. We will show how we-intentionality is best understood in relation to the affordances of the living environmentand by taking into account the skills people have to engage with these affordances. For this reason we coin the term ‘skilled we-intentionality’ to characterize the intentionality characteristic of group ways of acting, feeling and thinking.
Superradiant lasing in inhomogeneously broadened ensembles with spatially varying coupling
Authors: Bychek Anna , Hotter Christoph , Plankensteiner David , Ritsch Helmut
Published: September 2021

Background: Theoretical studies of superradiant lasing on optical clock transitions predict a superb frequency accuracy and precision closely tied to the bare atomic linewidth. Such a superradiant laser is also robust against cavity fluctuations when the spectral width of the lasing mode is much larger than that of the atomic medium. Recent predictions suggest that this unique feature persists even for a hot and thus strongly broadened ensemble, provided the effective atom number is large enough.

Methods: Here we use a second-order cumulant expansion approach to study the power, linewidth and lineshifts of such a superradiant laser as a function of the inhomogeneous width of the ensemble including variations of the spatial atom-field coupling within the resonator.

Results: We present conditions on the atom numbers, the pump and coupling strengths required to reach the buildup of collective atomic coherence as well as scaling and limitations for the achievable laser linewidth.

Conclusions: We show how sufficiently large numbers of atoms subject to strong optical pumping can induce synchronization of the atomic dipoles over a large bandwidth. This generates collective stimulated emission of light into the cavity mode leading to narrow-band laser emission at the average of the atomic frequency distribution. The linewidth is orders of magnitudes smaller than that of the cavity as well as the inhomogeneous gain broadening and exhibits reduced sensitivity to cavity frequency noise.
Rainfall Prediction using Artificial Neural Network in Semi-Arid mountainous region, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Khan Roohul Abad , El Morabet Rachida , Mallick Javed , Azam Mohammed , Vambol Viola , Vambol Sergij , Sydorenko Volodymyr
Published: September 2021

Rainfall prediction using Artificial Intelligence technique is gaining attention nowadays. Semi-arid region receives rainfall below potential evapotranspiration but more than arid region. However, in mountainous semi-arid region high rainfall intensity makes it highly variable. This renders rainfall prediction difficult by applying normal techniques and calls for data pre-processing. This study presents rainfall prediction in semi-arid mountainous region of Abha, KSA. The study adopted Moving Average (Method) for data pre-processing based on 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years and 10 years. The Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was trained for a period of 1978-2016 rainfall data. The neural network was validated against the existing data of period 1997-2006. The trained neural network was used to predict for period of 2017-2025. The performance of the model was evaluated against AAE, MAE, RMSE, MASE and PP. The mean absolute error was observed least in 2 years moving average model. However, the most accurate prediction models were obtained from 2 years moving average and 5 year moving average. The study concludes that ANN coupled with MA have potential of predicting rainfall in Semi-Arid mountainous region.
Vulnerabilidad socioambiental y resiliencia en dos barrios del borde urbano de la ciudad de Mar del Plata: aportes para la gestión local.
Authors: Rótolo Miguel , Zulaica Laura
Published: September 2021

La pandemia por COVID-19 y las medidas de Aislamiento y Distanciamiento Social Preventivo y Obligatorio transformaron las actividades básicas de producción y reproducción de la población. Estos hechos impactaron en las dinámicas sociales y económicas de las ciudades, generando y profundizando desigualdades. Mar del Plata, Argentina, fue una de las ciudades más afectadas en la provincia de Buenos Aires. Los efectos han tenido alcances territoriales diferenciados, siendo más significativos en la periferia urbana. Entre los barrios de estas áreas, se destacan Las Heras y Parque Palermo, enmarcados en el Programa de Mejoramiento de Barrios (ProMeBa) financiado por Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo. El presente trabajo analiza aspectos relevantes de la vulnerabilidad socioambiental y de la resiliencia comunitaria en el contexto de pandemia a fin de aportar bases para generar propuestas de intervención urbana que den respuesta a las problemáticas emergentes en el contexto de la pandemia. El procedimiento metodológico empleado se compone de dos enfoques principales: cuantitativo, a partir del cual se construye un Índice de Vulnerabilidad Socioambiental (IVSA) y cualitativo, centrado en entrevistas semiestructuradas a referentes de la comunidad de ambos barrios para abordar aspectos de la resiliencia. Las condiciones más críticas del IVSA se presentan en un sector de Parque Palermo. La pandemia, además de visibilizar problemas estructurales, ha permitido evidenciar la capacidad de respuesta y de adaptación ante la crisis sanitaria. Sin embargo, estas adaptaciones no se reflejan a nivel urbano. En función de ello, surge el interés de referir al concepto de resiliencia urbana como un eje central de una gestión local sostenible en el escenario de la pospandemia.
Propuesta teórica para tratar los aspectos conductuales de la incontinencia urinaria
Authors: Inácio Ana L. Rodrigues , Costa de Jesus Cristine Alves , Pinho Diana L. Moura , Assis Gisela M.
Published: September 2021

Sinopsis

Este artículo de reflexión presenta un modelo teórico de evaluación e intervención conductual para mujeres con incontinencia urinaria (IU). El Modelo de Promoción de Salud de Nola Pender, enfermera estadounidense, fue usado como referencia para desarrollar la propuesta.

Se identificaron medidas conductuales para construir el modelo: control del estreñimiento, entrenamiento vesical, posición para orinar, reducción de bebidas irritantes, ingesta de agua, y entrenamiento muscular del suelo pélvico. Luego, se definieron acciones determinadas para investigar e intervenir sobre ciertos aspectos conductuales: comportamiento previo relacionado, factores personales, beneficios y obstáculos percibidos acerca de la acción propuesta, autoeficacia percibida, sentimientos relacionados con el comportamiento esperado y la acción propuesta, influencias interpersonales y situacionales, compromiso con el plan de acción, exigencias competitivas, y comportamiento de la promoción de la salud. El modelo propuesto por los autores podría ayudar a enfermeros y enfermeras a orientar la conversación entre ellos y el paciente para modificar determinados aspectos conductuales, con el fin de elaborar un plan alcanzable y, así, potenciar el logro de las metas establecidas para el tratamiento de la IU.
Bitter Shade
Authors: Dove Michael R.
Published: September 2021

This book asks an age-old question about the relationship between human consciousness and the environment: How do we think about our own thoughts and actions? How can we transcend the exigencies of daily life? How can we achieve sufficient distance from our own everyday realities to think and act more sustainably? To address these questions, the book draws on the results of decades of research in South and Southeast Asia on how local cultures have circumvented the “curse of consciousness” — the paradox that we cannot completely comprehend the ecosystem of which we are part. The book is focussed on three principles: perspectivism (seeing oneself from outside oneself), metamorphosis (becoming something that one is not), and mimesis (copying something that one is not), which help a society to transcend the hubris and myopia of everyday existence and achieve greater insight into its ecosystem.
Human osteoblasts obtained from distinct periarticular sites demonstrate differences in biological function in vitro
Authors: Ali Erden , Birch Mark , Hopper Niina , Rushton Neil , McCaskie Andrew W. , Brooks Roger A.
Published: September 2021

Aims

Accumulated evidence indicates that local cell origins may ingrain differences in the phenotypic activity of human osteoblasts. We hypothesized that these differences may also exist in osteoblasts harvested from the same bone type at periarticular sites, including those adjacent to the fixation sites for total joint implant components.

Methods

Human osteoblasts were obtained from the acetabulum and femoral neck of seven patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and from the femoral and tibial cuts of six patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Osteoblasts were extracted from the usually discarded bone via enzyme digestion, characterized by flow cytometry, and cultured to passage three before measurement of metabolic activity, collagen production, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression, and mineralization.

Results

Osteoblasts from the acetabulum showed lower proliferation (p = 0.034), cumulative collagen release (p < 0.001), and ALP expression (p = 0.009), and produced less mineral (p = 0.006) than those from the femoral neck. Osteoblasts from the tibia produced significantly less collagen (p = 0.021) and showed lower ALP expression than those from the distal femur.

Conclusion

We have demonstrated for the first time an anatomical regional variation in the biological behaviours of osteoblasts on either side of the hip and knee joint. The lower osteoblast proliferation, matrix production, and mineralization from the acetabulum compared to those from the proximal femur may be reflected in differences in bone formation and implant fixation at these sites. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(9):611–618.
Involving fathers in family social services in Israel: in the shadow of a conflicted policy
Authors: Halpern Ayana , Perez-Vaisvidovsky Nadav , Mizrahi Reli
Published: September 2021

While it is widely accepted that social work interventions are more productive when they include fathers, fathers are largely left out of child and family social service interventions in Israel and most Western countries. Current research worldwide focuses on the role that fathers, mothers and social workers play in causing this phenomenon. In this article, we shed light on the importance of a fourth element: the policy-making process. In a case study of Israeli social services, we interviewed leading bureaucrats and policy makers regarding their position on engaging fathers and identified three main conflicts hindering policy makers’ ability and motivation to promote policy favouring father engagement: a gendered profession conflict, a political conflict, and an ethical conflict. We show how these conflicts, each emerging from a different sphere, together create a conflict-ridden environment that may explain policy makers’ lack of action. Finally, we provide our conclusion and discuss the limitations of the study.
Fast diffuse correlation spectroscopy with a low-cost, fiber-less embedded diode laser
Authors: Biswas Arindam , Moka Sadhu , Muller Andreas , Parthasarathy Ashwin B.
Published: September 2021

Diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS), a popular optical technique for fast noninvasive measurement of blood flow, is commonly implemented using expensive fiber-coupled long coherence length laser systems. Here, we report the development of a portable and fiber-less approach that can be used as a low-cost alternative to illuminate tissue in DCS instruments. We validate the accuracy and noise characteristics of the fiber-less DCS laser source, by comparisons against traditional DCS light sources, with experiments on controlled tissue-simulating phantoms and in humans.
Polarimetric visualization of healthy brain fiber tracts under adverse conditions: ex vivo studies
Authors: Rodríguez-Núñez Omar , Schucht Philippe , Hewer Ekkehard , Novikova Tatiana , Pierangelo Angelo
Published: September 2021

We suggest using the wide-field imaging Mueller polarimetry to contrast optically anisotropic fiber tracts of healthy brain white matter for the detection of brain tumor borders during neurosurgery. Our prior studies demonstrate that this polarimetric imaging modality detects correctly the in-plane orientation of brain white matter fiber tracts of a flat formalin-fixed thick brain specimen in reflection geometry [IEEE Trans. Med. Imaging 39, 4376 (2020)10.1109/TMI.2020.3018439]. Here we present the results of ex vivo polarimetric studies of large cross-sections of fresh calf brain in reflection geometry with a special focus on the impact of the adverse measurement conditions (e.g. complex surface topography, presence of blood, etc.) on the quality of polarimetric images and the detection performance of white matter fiber tracts and their in-plane orientation.
General approach to precise deformable mirror control
Authors: Haber Aleksandar , Bifano Thomas
Published: September 2021

We develop a simple and effective control method for accurate control of deformable mirrors (DMs). For a desired DM surface profile and using batches of observed surface profile data, the proposed method adaptively determines both a DM model (influence matrix) and control actions that produce the desired surface profile with good accuracy. In the first iteration, the developed method estimates a DM influence matrix by solving a multivariable least-squares problem. This matrix is then used to compute the control actions by solving a constrained least-squares problem. Then, the computed actions are randomly perturbed and applied to the DM to generate a new batch of surface profile data. The new data batch is used to estimate a new influence matrix that is then used to re-compute control actions. This procedure is repeated until convergence is achieved. The method is experimentally tested on a Boston Micromachines DM with 140 micro-electronic-mechanical-system actuators. Our experimental results show that the developed control approach can achieve accurate correction despite significant DM nonlinearities. Using only a few control iterations, the developed method is able to produce a surface profile root-mean-square error that varies from 5 − 30 [nm] for most of the tested Zernike wave-front modes without using direct feedback control. These results can additionally be improved by using larger data batches and more iterations or by combining the developed approach with feedback control. Finally, as we experimentally demonstrate, the developed method can be used to estimate a DM model that can effectively be used for a single-step open-loop DM control.
Transmission and reflection bi-direction terahertz encoding metasurface with a single structure
Authors: Li Jiu-Sheng , Yang Li-Jing
Published: September 2021

Most reported metasurfaces operate in single propagation direction mode (either transmissive mode or reflective mode), which hamper practical application. Here, we proposed a bi-directional operation coding metasurface based on a phase change material of a vanadium dioxide (VO2) assisted metasurface. It can realize a dynamically invertible switch between the transmissive mode or reflective mode in the terahertz regime by changing the external ambient temperature. The proposed structure consists of a silicon column, polyimide dielectric substrate layer, and VO2 film bottom layer. When VO2 is in dielectric state, the designed metasurface possesses the functions of transmission beam splitting and deflection and generates a transmission vortex beam. When VO2 is in metallic state, the proposed metasurface exhibits many functions such as reflection beam splitting, deflection, radar scattering surface (RCS) reduction and reflection vortex beam generation. The proposed metasurface can solve transmissive and reflective bi-direction terahertz encoding regulation. This scheme provides a new method to realize multi-function terahertz devices.
Dual-encryption freedom via a monolayer-nanotextured Janus metasurface in the broadband visible
Authors: Wan Chengwei , Dai Chenjie , Wan Shuai , Li Zhe , Shi Yangyang , Li Zhongyang
Published: September 2021

As an emerging category of two-faced 2D architecture, the Janus metasurface aims to explore another universal optical property, that is, the wavevector direction (k-direction), and to enable the asymmetric transmission between the opposite directional incidences. It exhibits significant potential in creating versatile multiplexing metasurfaces and an optical isolator in optical communication applications. However, most previous asymmetric functionality shows merely one-way functionality with the other-way simply muted or demands multilayered nanostructure fabrication and alignment. Hence, it remains a great challenge to make a monolayer-nanotextured Janus metasurface with dual-encryption freedom and conquering the difficulty for multilayer alignment and practical operation bandwidth. In this work, we have proposed and experimentally demonstrated a new strategy of a dual-encryption Janus metasurface design with a simple monolayer-nanotextured metasurface coupled with a commercialized film of the half-wave plate. Utilizing the hybridization from two independent geometrical dimensions of rectangular-antennas, our approach ingeniously transforms the polarization-multiplexing into the dual-directional channels. A series of calculations and experimental results demonstrate that our asymmetric approach simultaneously constructs completely independent imaging encryptions for both forward and backward directions. Additionally, our proposed approach becomes a practical scheme with broadband visible-frequency operation and great simplicity in design and nanofabrication. We believe the universal scheme could facilitate to increase the information encoding capacity and holographic multiplexing channels by expanding the illumination wavevector to the full-space (+/-), and it paves the route toward the potential applications in on-chip integration, telecommunications, encryption, information processing, and communication.
Engineering the anisotropy of AlAs wet oxidation using silicon implantation
Authors: Calvez Stephane , Arnoult Alexandre , Almuneau Guilhem
Published: September 2021

We investigate the influence of silicon implantation on wet lateral oxidation of AlAs and show that the introduction of n-type doping silicon ions permits the adjustment of the oxidation kinetics and anisotropy. Using mesas with selectively patterned implantation regions, we demonstrate the fabrication of oxide apertures unachievable using the standard process such as oxide lateral gratings whose pitch can range down to 4 µm and crosses with 40°-angle tips. This approach thus constitutes an easy and flexible way to engineer the oxidation process and opens the path to new confinement geometries for lateral confinement patterns in photonics devices and in particular VCSELs.
Plasmon-induced thermal tuning of few-exciton strong coupling in 2D atomic crystals
Authors: Liu Lin , Tobing Landobasa Y. M. , Wu Tingting , Qiang Bo , Garcia-Vidal Francisco J. , Zhang Dao Hua , Wang Qi Jie , Luo Yu
Published: September 2021

Strong light–matter interaction in 2D materials at the few-exciton level is important for both fundamental studies and quantum optical applications. Characterized by a fast coherent energy exchange between photons and excitons, strongly coupled plasmon–exciton systems in 2D materials have been reported with large Rabi splitting. However, large Rabi splitting at the few-exciton level generally requires large optical fields in a highly confined mode volume, which are difficult to achieve for in-plane excitons in 2D materials. In this work, we present a study of a strongly coupled gold dimer antenna with a sub-10 nm gap on a monolayer tungsten disulphide (

W
S

2

), with an estimated number of excitons of

4.67
±
0.99

. We demonstrate that varying the spatial mode overlap between the plasmonic field and the 2D material can result in up to a

∼

t
e
n
f
o
l
d

increase in the number of excitons, a value that can be further actively tuned via plasmon-induced heating effects. The demonstrated results would represent a key step toward quantum optical applications operating at room temperatures.
Three-dimensional coupling structure for a high power laser diode module
Authors: Tsai Cheng-Mu , Cheng Ken-Yu , Yeh Chia-Hung , Lin Kuo-Wei , Han Pin
Published: September 2021

A novel scheme involving a three-dimensional (3D) coupling structure is used to build a laser diode (LD) module that utilizes the fiber angle space more completely. Compared with the traditional 2D configuration, the number of LD’s is increased by 4, obtaining an increased efficiency of over 90%. Another advantage is that some costly optical elements used in the traditional polarization combination method are not necessary.
Bringing it all together – Gemeinschaftlich aktiv lernen am virtuell geteilten Bildschirm in der Hochschule und digital
Authors: Kaufmann Jens , Hoseini Sayed , Quindeau Pascal , Quix Christoph , Ruschin Sylvia
Published: September 2021

Hochschulen wie Studierende stehen vor der Herausforderung, zukunftsorientierte Fähigkeiten mit teils erkennbar technischem Fokus zu vermitteln bzw. aufzubauen. Dazu gehört neben fachlichen Aspekten auch die Fähigkeit zu (digitaler) Kollaboration. Verstärkt durch die Umwälzungen im Studienbetrieb während der Corona-Pandemie sind dazu geeignete Lehr-Lern-Konzepte gefragt. Dieser Beitrag zeigt die Konstruktion und mögliche Umsetzung solcher Konzepte an Inhalten eines (Wirtschafts‑)Informatik-Studiums auf. Dazu werden zwei Forschungsgegenstände untersucht. Zum einen der Grad an gemeinschaftlicher Aktivität, den Studierende in verschiedenen solcher Lehr-Lern-Szenarien erreichen, zum anderen der Einfluss auf die Bereitschaft von Studierenden zur intensiven Auseinandersetzung mit technischen Studieninhalten. Hierzu werden didaktische Überlegungen im Allgemeinen und an konkreten Veranstaltungen in den Bereichen Datenbanksysteme und Data Science im Besonderen dargestellt. Auf dieser Basis wird gezeigt, welche Eigenschaften eine technische Plattform zur Umsetzung aufweisen muss, und wie eine solche ausgewählt und implementiert werden kann. Die im Rahmen des Anfang 2021 gestarteten Lehrforschungsprojekts IoHubHN bisher gewonnenen Erkenntnisse bilden eine Grundlage für weitergehende Evaluierungen und die Einbettung des Vorgehens in den Ansatz des Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Die vorgestellten Konzepte und Plattformen sollen dabei prinzipiell auch auf andere Studienfächer übertragbar sein und sind nicht auf rein digital durchgeführte Lehrveranstaltungen beschränkt.
Open Data Hackathon – Vergleich von in Präsenz und online durchgeführten Projektseminaren
Authors: König Florian , Wessel Daniel , Heine Moreen
Published: September 2021

Die Covid-19-Pandemie hat die Einführung und die Nutzung neuer, vollständig digitaler Lehrformate und -methoden in der Hochschullehre erforderlich gemacht. Insbesondere eher informelle, hoch-interaktive Lehrveranstaltungen wie Projektseminare müssen an diese veränderten Bedingungen angepasst werden. Aber wie können bei einer Online-Durchführung die Chancen des digitalen Formates ausgeschöpft werden und mögliche Probleme reduziert werden?

In diesem Beitrag kontrastieren wir die Durchführung eines Projektseminars in Form eines Hackathons in Präsenz mit einem Online-Format. Auf Basis des Stands der Forschung werden das Konzept, die Durchführung und die Ergebnisse dieser beiden Veranstaltungsformate verglichen. Der Fokus der Hackathons lag in beiden Fällen auf der Nutzung offener Daten im Kontext des öffentlichen Sektors (Open Data Hackathon). Auf Basis von qualitativen Teilnehmerbefragungen werden hierbei Verlauf, Projektergebnisse und Zufriedenheit der Teilnehmer verglichen. Dabei werden die unterschiedlichen Rahmenbedingungen (insbesondere bezüglich der Bedingungen für die Aufgabenbearbeitung und Zusammenarbeit) sowie Möglichkeiten zur Unterstützung der sozialen Interaktion untersucht und Vorschläge zur Durchführung von Online-Hackathons gegeben.