bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Widely flexible and finely adjustable nonlocal dispersion cancellation with wavelength tuning
Authors: Xiang Xiao , Quan Runai , Liu Yuting , Shi Bingke , Hong Huibo , Jin Yaqing , Liu Tao , Dong Ruifang , Zhang Shougang
Published: November 2022

In fiber-based quantum information processing with energy-time entangled photon pairs, optimized dispersion compensation is vital to preserve the strong temporal correlation of the photon pairs. We propose and experimentally verify that, by simply tuning the wavelength of the entangled photon pairs, nonlocal dispersion cancellation (NDC) can provide a widely flexible and finely adjustable solution for optimizing the dispersion compensation, which cannot be reached with the traditional local dispersion cancellation (LDC) instead. By way of example, when a 50 km-long single-mode fiber (SMF) is dispersion compensated by a 6.2-km-long commercial dispersion compensating fiber (DCF) based on the LDC configuration, it will lead to an almost invariant over-compensation in the wavelength range of 1500-1600 nm which restricts the observed temporal coincidence width of the self-developed energy-time entangled photon-pairs source to a minimum of ∼110 ps. While in the NDC configuration, the dispersion compensation can be readily optimized by tuning the signal wavelength to 1565.7 nm and a minimum coincidence width of 86.1 ± 0.7 ps is observed, which is mainly limited by the jitter of the single-photon detection system. Furthermore, such optimized dispersion compensation can also be achieved as the fiber length varies from 48 km to 60 km demonstrating the wide flexibility of NDC. Thanks to these capabilities, elaborate dispersion compensation modules are no longer required, which makes NDC a more versatile tool in fiber-based quantum information and metrology applications.
Controlled generation of soliton spectral tunneling by double pulses injection
Authors: Yang Yunxia , Yang Hua , Luo Entao , Yin Xiangdong , Rong Jifang
Published: November 2022

Numerical simulations of a simple and direct method to generate soliton spectral tunneling (SST) based on two input pulses are reported in the paper. An intense pump pulse and a weak probe pulse with a time delay are transmitted in a photonic crystal fiber with three zero-dispersion wavelengths. Our results demonstrate that the distance and the state of soliton tunneling are obviously influenced by the probe-pump delay. Therefore, the velocity and efficiency of SST can be effectively regulated by varying the relative time delay, thus affecting the SST formation. This scenario appears promising for designing a “soliton ejector”, in which real-time control of the soliton ejection process can be achieved through phase modulation between pulses.
Extended angular-spectrum modeling (EASM) of light energy transport in scattering media
Authors: Yan Meng , Gong Mali , Ma Jianshe
Published: November 2022

The exact modeling of light transport in scattering media is critical in biological imaging, free-space communication, and phosphor-converted lighting. Angular spectrum is proved to be a fast and effective approach to reconstructing the wavefront dynamics during the propagation in scattering media, however, finding it difficult in acquiring the wavefront and energy change simultaneously. Besides, conventional methods for energy tracing, such as the Monte Carlo method, are inefficient in speed and hard to simulate the wavefront change. Here, we propose an extended angular-spectrum modeling (EASM) approach using tenuous scattering approximate solutions to obtain a time-efficient and accurate method for reconstruction of energy and wavefront dynamics in various scattering media. The generality of our method is numerically simulated and experimentally verified with a set of scattering media with different properties. EASM has a time advantage under the guarantee of calculation accuracy, especially when calculating several thickness changes after the calculation model is established. Furthermore, multi-layered media can also be simulated by EASM with a good precision. The results suggest that EASM performs certain computations more efficiently than the conventional method and thus provides an effective and flexible calculation tool for scattering media.
Light triggers a network switch between circadian morning and evening oscillators controlling behaviour during daily temperature cycles
Authors: Lorber Clara , Leleux Solene , Stanewsky Ralf , Lamaze Angelique
Published: November 2022

Proper timing of rhythmic locomotor behavior is the consequence of integrating environmental conditions and internal time dictated by the circadian clock. Rhythmic environmental input like daily light and temperature changes (called Zeitgeber) reset the molecular clock and entrain it to the environmental time zone the organism lives in. Furthermore, depending on the absolute temperature or light intensity, flies exhibit their main locomotor activity at different times of day, i.e., environmental input not only entrains the circadian clock but also determines the phase of a certain behavior. To understand how the brain clock can distinguish between (or integrate) an entraining Zeitgeber and environmental effects on activity phase, we attempted to entrain the clock with a Zeitgeber different from the environmental input used for phasing the behavior. 150 clock neurons in the Drosophila melanogaster brain control different aspects of the daily activity rhythms and are organized in various clusters. During regular 12 h light: 12 h dark cycles at constant mild temperature (LD 25°C, LD being the Zeitgeber), so called morning oscillator (MO) neurons control the increase of locomotor activity just before lights-on, while evening oscillator (EO) neurons regulate the activity increase at the end of the day, a few hours before lights-off. Here, using 12 h: 12 h 25°C:16°C temperature cycles as Zeitgeber, we attempted to look at the impact of light on phasing locomotor behavior. While in constant light and 25°C:16°C temperature cycles (LLTC), flies show an unimodal locomotor activity peak in the evening, during the same temperature cycle, but in the absence of light (DDTC), the phase of the activity peak is shifted to the morning. Here, we show that the EO is necessary for synchronized behavior in LLTC but not for entraining the molecular clock of the other clock neuronal groups, while the MO controls synchronized morning activity in DDTC. Interestingly, our data suggest that the influence of the EO on the synchronization increases depending on the length of the photoperiod (constant light vs 12 h of light). Hence, our results show that effects of different environmental cues on clock entrainment and activity phase can be separated, allowing to decipher their integration by the circadian clock.
Factors associated with HIV testing among youth in Tanzania based on the 2016–2017 Tanzania HIV Impact Survey (THIS)
Authors: Wang Yan , Kinsler Janni J. , Kiwuwa-Muyingo Sylvia
Published: November 2022

HIV testing continues to be a challenge among the young population in Tanzania. As of 2017, only 30% of 15–19-year-olds reported getting tested and receiving their results. This study will examine the demographic and socio-behavioral characteristics associated with HIV testing among adolescents and young adults in Tanzania. Interview data from the 2016–2017 Tanzania HIV Impact Survey (THIS) were analyzed on 10,128 adolescents and young adults 15–24 years of age, representing 10.5 million youth in Tanzania. Weighted logistic regression was used to model the relationship of HIV testing with demographic and socio-behavioral characteristics. Half (50%) of respondents reported ever having been tested for HIV. HIV testing was significantly lower among males compared with females (AOR = 0.5;95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.5–0.6; p<0.001), 15–19 year olds compared with 20–24 year olds (AOR = 0.4;95% CI = 0.4–0.5; p<0.001), no education compared with secondary or post-secondary education (AOR = 0.4;95% CI = 0.3–0.6; p<0.001), rural residents compared with urban residents (AOR = 0.7;95% CI = 0.6–0.9; p<0.001) and those who don’t use condoms during sexual intercourse compared with those who do (AOR = 0.6;95% CI = 0.5–0.8; p<0.001). Among HIV-infected youth, younger age group, rural residents, education less than primary, single, high income, and sex workers were significantly associated with never testing for HIV. This study highlights the majority of characteristics affecting HIV testing among young people in Tanzania have not changed over the years, thus it is necessary to re-examine the current approaches to HIV testing. The COVID-19 pandemic will add to this challenge as it collides with the ongoing HIV epidemic and competes for needed medical supplies and health care provider resources. In light of this current situation, intensified and targeted HIV testing programs for at risk young populations in Tanzania should be prioritized.
Guiding crowds when facing limited compliance: Simulating strategies
Authors: Mayr Christina Maria , Köster Gerta
Published: November 2022

At traffic hubs, it is important to avoid congestion of pedestrian streams to ensure safety and a good level of service. This presents a challenge, since distributing crowds on different routes is much more difficult than opening valves to, for example, regulate fluid flow. Humans may or may not comply with re-directions suggested to them typically with the help of signage, loudspeakers, apps, or by staff. This remains true, even if they perceive and understand the suggestions. Yet, simulation studies so far have neglected the influence of compliance. In view of this, we complement a state-of-the-art model of crowd motion and crowd behavior, so that we can vary the compliance rate. We consider an abstracted scenario that is inspired by a metro station in the city of Munich, where traffic regulators wish to make some passengers abandon the obviously shortest route so that the flow evens out. We investigate the effect of compliance for two very simple guiding strategies. In the first strategy, we alternate routes. In the second strategy, we recommend the path with the lowest crowd density. We observe that, in both cases, it suffices to reroute a small fraction of the crowd to reduce travel times. But we also find that taking densities into account is much more efficient when facing low compliance rates.
Vulnerability in maternal, new-born, and child health in low- and middle-income countries: Findings from a scoping review
Authors: Makinde Olusesan Ayodeji , Uthman Olalekan A. , Mgbachi Ifeanyi C. , Ichegbo Nchelem Kokomma , Sule Fatima Abdulaziz , Olamijuwon Emmanuel O. , Okusanya Babasola O.
Published: November 2022

Objectives

To identify and synthesise prevailing definitions and indices of vulnerability in maternal, new-born and child health (MNCH) research and health programs in low- and middle-income countries.

Design and setting

Scoping review using Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and a Delphi survey for consensus building.

Participants

Mothers, new-borns, and children living in low- and middle-income countries were selected as participants.

Outcomes

Vulnerability as defined by the authors was deduced from the studies.

Results

A total of 61 studies were included in this scoping review. Of this, 22 were publications on vulnerability in the context of maternal health and 40 were on new-born and child health. Definitions used in included studies can be broadly categorised into three domains: biological, socioeconomic, and environmental. Eleven studies defined vulnerability in the context of maternal health, five reported on the scales used to measure vulnerability in maternal health and only one study used a validated scale. Of the 40 included studies on vulnerability in child health, 19 defined vulnerability in the context of new-born and/or child health, 15 reported on the scales used to measure vulnerability in child health and nine reported on childhood vulnerability indices. As it was difficult to synthesise the definitions, their keywords were extracted to generate new candidate definitions for vulnerability in MNCH.

Conclusion

Included studies paid greater attention to new-born/ child vulnerability than maternal vulnerability, with authors defining the terms differently. A definition which helps in improving the description of vulnerability in MNCH across various programs and researchers was arrived at. This will further help in streamlining research and interventions which can influence the design of high impact MNCH programs.

Scoping review registration

The protocol for this review was registered in the open science framework at the registered address (https://osf.io/jt6nr).
Defining and researching the concept of resilience in LGBT+ later life: Findings from a mixed study systematic review
Authors: Jurček Anže , Keogh Brian , Sheaf Greg , Hafford-Letchfield Trish , Higgins Agnes
Published: November 2022

Within the literature, resilience is described as either a trait, an outcome or a process and no universal definition exists. A growing body of research shows that older LGBT+ adults show signs of resilience despite facing multiple inequalities that negatively impact their health and social wellbeing. The aim of this review was to examine how resilience is defined in LGBT+ ageing research and how it is studied. A mixed-study systematic search of peer-reviewed research papers published before June 2022 was conducted using the electronic databases CINAHL, Embase, Medline, PsycInfo, Social Science Database and Web of Science. This resulted in the screening of 7101 papers 27 of which matched the inclusion criteria. A quality appraisal was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Findings show that papers often lack a clear definition of resilience and application of resilience theory within the studies, although many of the papers conceptualised resilience as either a trait, process or an outcome. However, resilience was rarely the primary focus of the studies and was researched using a variety of measurement instruments and conceptual frameworks. Given the socioeconomic disparities, diverse social relations, histories of discrimination and stigma, and acts of resistance that have shaped the lives of older LGBT+ populations, resilience is a topic of growing interest for researchers and practitioners. Clear definitions of resilience and application of resilience theory could help improve methods used to study the concept and lead to more robust findings and the development of effective interventions. Greater clarity on the concept of resilience could also broaden the focus of research that informs policies and practice, and support practitioner training in resilience and the particular experiences of older LGBT+ adults.
Tuberculosis control at a South African correctional centre: Diagnosis, treatment and strain characterisation
Authors: Baird Kathleen , Said Halima , Koornhof Hendrik J. , Duse Adriano Gianmaria
Published: November 2022

Background

Correctional centres provide ideal conditions for tuberculosis (TB) transmission and disease progression. Despite the high TB incidence and incarceration rate in South Africa, data from South African correctional centres are scarce. Thus, the study evaluated TB diagnosis, treatment initiation and completion, and identified prevalent Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains among detainees entering a South African correctional centre.

Methods

This study was a prospective observational study that enrolled participants between February and September 2017 from a correctional centre located in the Western Cape, South Africa. All adult male detainees who tested positive for TB during admission screening were eligible to participate in the study. Sputum samples from enrolled participants underwent smear microscopy and culture. Strain typing was performed on culture-positive samples. The time between specimen collection and diagnosis, the time between diagnosis and treatment initiation, and the proportion of detainees completing TB treatment at the correctional centre were calculated.

Results

During the study period, 130 TB cases were detected through routine admission screening (126 male, 2 female, 2 juvenile). Out of the 126 eligible male detainees, 102 were enrolled in the study (81%, 102/126). All TB cases were detected within 30 hrs of admission screening. The majority (78%, 80/102) of participants started treatment within 48 hrs of TB diagnosis. However, only 8% (9/102) of participants completed treatment at the correction centre. Sputa from 90 of the 102 participants were available for smear and culture. There was a high smear positivity, with 49% (44/90) of isolates being smear positive. The Beijing family was the most frequent lineage (55.2%) in the study.

Conclusion

The strengths of the current TB control efforts at the correctional centre include rapid detection of cases through admission screening and prompt treatment initiation. However, a high number of detainees exiting before treatment completion highlights the need to strengthen links between correctional TB services and community TB services to ensure detainees complete TB treatment after release and prevent TB transmission.
Women’s traditional birth attendant utilization at birth and its associated factors in Angolella Tara, Ethiopia
Authors: Taye Birhan Tsegaw , Zerihun Mulualem Silesh , Kitaw Tebabere Moltot , Demisse Tesfanesh Lemma , Worku Solomon Adanew , Fitie Girma Wogie , Ambaw Yeshinat Lakew , Amare Nakachew Sewnet , Behulu Geremew Kindie , Ferede Addisu Andualem , Kebede Azmeraw Ambachew
Published: November 2022

Background

In developing countries, home delivery without a skilled birth attendant is a common practice. It has been evidenced that unattended birth is linked with serious life-threatening complications for both the women and the newborn. Institutional delivery with a skilled birth assistance could reduce 20–30% of neonatal mortality. This study aimed to assess traditional birth attendants’ (TBAs) utilization and associated factors for women who gave birth in the last two years in Angolella Tara District, Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was employed among 416 women who gave birth in the last two years at rural Angolella Tara District. Study participants were recruited by using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured, pretested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire. Epi Data 4.6 and SPSS version 25 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with women’s utilization of traditional birth attendants. The level of significance in the last model was determined at a p-value of <0.05.

Result

Overall, 131 (31.5%) participants were used traditional birth attendants in their recent birth. Unmarried marital status (AOR 2.63; 95% CI: 1.16, 5.97), age at first marriage (AOR 2.31; 95%CI: 1.30, 4.09), time to reach health facility (AOR = 3.46; 95% CI: 1.94, 6.17), know danger sign of pregnancy and childbirth (AOR = 5.59, 95% CI; 2.89, 10.81), positive attitude towards traditional birth attendants (AOR = 2.56 95% CI; 1.21,5.52), had antenatal care follow-up (AOR: 0.11 95% CI 0.058, 0.21), and listening radio (AOR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.18, 0.99) were significantly associated factors with the use of traditional birth attendants.

Conclusion

Nearly one-third of women used traditional birth attendant services for their recent birth. TBAs availability and accessibility in the community, and respect for culture and tradition, problems regarding infrastructure, delay or unavailability of ambulance upon call, and some participants knowing only TBAs for birth assistance were reasons for preference of TBAs. Therefore, effort should be made by care providers and policymakers to ensure that modern health care services are accessible for women in a friendly and culturally sensitive manner. In addition, advocacy through mass media about the importance of maternal health service utilization, particularly antenatal care would be important.
World electronic signature legislation
Authors: Mason Stephen
Published: November 2022

Table of electronic signature legislation. Prepared, maintained and copyright Stephen Mason. The list of statutes below is probably not comprehensive and, although the author has tried to check the accuracy of citations and gather as much relevant information about the legislation as possible from lawyers in the jurisdictions included in this list. For obvious reasons, it is not possible to rely on the accuracy of this list, which is provided as a first point of research.
PhD Research in process
Authors: Mason Stephen
Published: November 2022

Register of current PhD research regarding an element of electronic evidence and electronic signatures.
Completed PhD Research
Authors: Mason Stephen
Published: November 2022

Register of completed PhD research regarding an element of electronic evidence and electronic signatures.
Adaptación y validación transcultural al español del University Student Engagement Inventory
Authors:   Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina, Freiberg-Hoffmann Agustín ,   Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Romero-Medina Agustín ,   Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, España, Curione Karina ,   Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay, Marôco João ,   William James Center for Research, Instituto Superior de Psicología Aplicada (ISPA), Portugal
Published: November 2022

Introducción: el compromiso académico hace referencia a la predisposición que los estudiantes tienen a participar de manera activa en la vida universitaria, asistiendo a las clases, entregando los trabajos a tiempo y siguiendo las instrucciones de los docentes. Existe evidencia que demuestra que el compromiso académico predice positivamente el éxito de los estudiantes. Por esta razón, es que su evaluación cobra gran relevancia para el ámbito educativo universitario a la hora de diseñar prácticas pedagógicas que estimulen el compromiso de los alumnos. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue adaptar y validar la versión del University Student Engagement Inventory (USEI) al español, contemplando diferencias lingüísticas y culturales de tres países hispanohablantes. Método: participaron 921 estudiantes universitarios de España, Argentina y Uruguay. Se aplicó el USEI que consta de 15 afirmaciones agrupadas en tres dimensiones de compromiso: conductual, cognitivo, emocional. Resultados: después de que tres traductores realizaran la adaptación lingüística del instrumento, nueve jueces expertos analizaron el contenido de los ítems y conservaron como resultado la totalidad de los reactivos. Más adelante, se analizó y verificó la estructura interna del instrumento —análisis factorial confirmatorio, validación cruzada, invarianza factorial, consistencia interna—, y también se obtuvo adecuada evidencia de validez externa concurrente entre las dimensiones del USEI y los enfoques de aprendizaje. Conclusión: se obtuvo una versión en español del USEI con adecuadas propiedades psicométricas que puede ser empleado en el ámbito de aplicación con el propósito de identificar el compromiso académico de los estudiantes y proponer acciones orientadas a mejorar sus aprendizajes.
Intra-individual comparison of liver stiffness measurements by magnetic resonance elastography and two-dimensional shear-wave elastography in 888 patients
Authors: Ichikawa Hideo , Yasuda Eisuke , Kumada Takashi , Takeshima Kenji , Ogawa Sadanobu , Tsunekawa Akikazu , Goto Tatsuya , Nakaya Koji , Akita Tomoyuki , Tanaka Junko
Published: November 2022

Purpose: Quantitative elastography methods, such as ultrasound two-dimensional shear-wave elastography (2D-SWE) and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), are used to diagnose liver fibrosis. The present study compared liver stiffness determined by 2D-SWE and MRE within individuals and analyzed the degree of agreement between the two techniques.Methods: In total, 888 patients who underwent 2D-SWE and MRE were analyzed. Bland-Altman analysis was performed after both types of measurements were log-transformed to a normal distribution and converted to a common set of units using linear regression analysis for differing scales. The expected limit of agreement (LoA) was defined as the square root of the sum of the squares of 2D-SWE and MRE precision. The percentage difference was expressed as (2D-SWEMRE)/ mean of the two methods×100.Results: A Bland-Altman plot showed that the bias and upper and lower LoAs (ULoA and LLoA) were 0.0002 (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.0057 to 0.0061), 0.1747 (95% CI, 0.1646 to 0.1847), and -0.1743 (95% CI, -0.1843 to -0.1642), respectively. In terms of percentage difference, the mean, ULoA, and LLoA were -0.5944%, 19.8950%, and -21.0838%, respectively. The calculated expected LoA was 17.1178% (95% CI, 16.6353% to 17.6002%), and 789 of 888 patients (88.9%) had a percentage difference within the expected LoA. The intraclass correlation coefficient of the two methods indicated an almost perfect correlation (0.8231; 95% CI, 0.8006 to 0.8432; P<0.001).Conclusion: Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated that 2D-SWE and MRE were interchangeable within a clinically acceptable range.
Análisis de los discursos negacionistas del genocidio en Guatemala
Authors: Alvarado Valenzuela Ana Cristina
Published: November 2022

Entre 1960 a 1996 Guatemala vivió un periodo de represión y conflicto armado. El informe de la Comisión para el Esclarecimiento Histórico (CEH) concluyó que “agentes del Estado, en el marco de las operaciones contrainsurgentes realizadas en los años 1981 y 1982, ejecutaron actos de genocidio en contra del pueblo maya que residía en las regiones ixil, Zacualpa, norte de Huehuetenango y Rabinal” (1999, p. 422). A pesar de las múltiples investigaciones, testimonios y pruebas que dan cuenta del genocidio en Guatemala, el negacionismo tiene bastante fuerza en el país. Esto pudo verse en 2013 cuando se llevó a cabo el juicio por genocidio y delitos contra los deberes de la humanidad contra Efraín Ríos Montt y José Mauricio Rodríguez Sánchez. Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar qué estrategias utilizaron sectores conformados por militares y grupos de poder económico en Guatemala para negar el genocidio.
Bedeutende Städte jenseits der Metropolen? Regiopolen und ihre Rolle im deutschen Städtesystem
Authors: Growe Anna , Terfrüchte Thomas
Published: November 2022

Regiopolises and regiopolitan regions are receiving unprecedented attention in German spatial planning policy. In addition to the promotion of the German RegioPole network by the federal government, regiopolises and regiopolitan regions are already designated in several spatial development plans. In the academic discourse, however, regiopolises are hardly taken up. This is particularly evident in the fact that dimensions such as city size (more than 100,000 inhabitants) and spatial location (outside metropolitan regions) are used to empirically identify regiopolises as such. A specific functionality or a specific significance in the German urban system, however, is only hinted at, following the established spatial planning concepts of metropolitan regions and central places. Against this background, this paper examines the question of what constitutes a regional centre or region in terms of its specific functionality and what significance it has in the urban system. The international discourses on second-tires-cities, borrowed size and agglomeration shadow are also taken up.
Aristida diego-santiagoii, una nueva especie de Aristida (Poaceae) para Perú
Authors: Gutiérrez Harol , Castañeda Roxana , Gonzales Teresa , Millán Betty
Published: November 2022

Aristida diego-santiagoii (Poaceae), a new species from southern Peru, is described and illustrated. A. diego-santiagoii is related to A. minutiflora due to the perennial life cycle, anthers longer than 2 mm, and laterally compressed lemma; it is distinguished by the longer, acute glumes, smaller ligule, and non-distichous growth. A complete description, a line illustration, and photographs of the new species are included, together with a key to related species with laterally compressed lemma.
Development of alkaline phosphatase-scFv and its use for one-step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for His-tagged protein detection
Authors: He Shuzhen , Xu Ruixian , Yi Huashan , Chen Zhixin , Chen Congjie , Li Qiang , Han Qinqin , Xia Xueshan , Song Yuzhu , Xu Junwei , Zhang Jinyang
Published: November 2022

A histidine (His)-tag is composed of six His residues and typically exerts little influence on the structure and solubility of expressed recombinant fusion proteins. Purification methods for recombinant proteins containing His-tags are relatively well-established, thus His-tags are widely used in protein recombination technology. We established a one-step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for His-tagged recombinant proteins. We analyzed variable heavy and light chains of the anti-His-tag monoclonal antibody 4C9 and used BLAST analyses to determine variable zones in light (VL) and heavy chains (VH). VH, VL, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) regions were connected via a linker sequence and ligated into the pGEX-4T-1 expression vector. Different recombinant proteins with His tags were used to evaluate and detect ALP-scFv activity. Antigen and anti-His-scFv-ALP concentrations for direct ELISA were optimized using the checkerboard method. ZIKV-NS1, CHIKV-E2, SCRV-N, and other His-tag fusion proteins demonstrated specific reactions with anti-His-scFv-ALP, which were accurate and reproducible when the antigen concentration was 50 µg mL−1 and the antibody concentration was 6.25 µg mL−1. For competitive ELISA, we observed a good linear relationship when coating concentrations of recombinant human anti-Müllerian hormone (hAMH) were between 0.78 and 12.5 µg mL−1. Our direct ELISA method is simple, rapid, and accurate. The scFv antibody can be purified using a prokaryotic expression system, which provides uniform product quality and reduces variations between batches.
Diagnostic value of procalcitonin, hypersensitive C-reactive protein and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio for bloodstream infections in pediatric tumor patients
Authors: Li Dongmei , Li Jie , Zhao Chuanxi , Liao Xianglu , Liu Lisheng , Xie Li , Shang Wenjing
Published: November 2022

Objectives

Bloodstream infection (BSI) is one of the major causes of death in pediatric tumor patients. Blood samples are relatively easy to obtain and thus provide a ready source of infection-related biological markers for the prompt evaluation of infection risk.

Methods

A total of 259 pediatric tumor patients were included from May 2019 to March 2022. Patients were divided into BSI group (n=70) and control group (n=189). Clinical and biological data were collected using electronic medical records. Differences in biological markers between BSI group and control group and differences before and during infection in BSI group were analyzed.

Results

The infected group showed higher levels of procalcitonin (PCT) and hypersensitive C-reactive-protein (hsCRP), and lower prealbumin (PA) than the uninfected group. Area under the receiver-operating curve (ROC) curves (AUC) of PCT, hsCRP and NLR (absolute neutrophil count to the absolute lymphocyte count) were 0.756, 0.617 and 0.612. The AUC of other biomarkers was ≤0.6. In addition, PCT, hsCRP, NLR and fibrinogen (Fg) were significantly increased during infection, while PA and lymphocyte (LYM) were significantly decreased. Antibiotic resistant of Gram-positive bacteria to CHL, SXT, OXA and PEN was lower than that of Coagulase-negativeStaphylococcus. Resistant of Gram-positive bacteria to CHL was lower, while to SXT was higher than that of Gram-negative bacteria.

Conclusions

This study explored the utility of biomarkers to assist in diagnosis and found that the PCT had the greatest predictive value for infection in pediatric tumor patients with BSI. Additionally, the PCT, hsCRP, NLR, PA, LYM and Fg were changed by BSI.
“Thank you for the terrific party!” – An analysis of Hungarian negative emotive words
Authors: Szabó Martina Katalin , Vincze Veronika , Bibok Károly
Published: November 2022

The term negative emotive word refers to those words that, on their own, i.e. without context, have a semantic content that may be associated with negative emotion, but sometimes they lose it partly or wholly. In the literature negative emotive words are mainly discussed within the group of intensifiers, e.g. awfully good. In the present paper, we call this phenomenon polarity loss. At the same time, there is another use of negative emotive words that is rarely discussed in the literature, namely the case where the examined word, despite its negative semantic content, expresses a positive evaluation of the speaker, e.g. brutális alaplap (lit. ‘brutal motherboard’ – ‘high quality motherboard’). We call this phenomenon polarity shift. The aim here is to thoroughly examine the two different phenomena on the basis of the data of a Hungarian speech corpus HuTongue. After an in-depth analysis of the qualitative and quantitative features of negative emotive words, we propose corresponding ways of their meaning representations, using a lexical pragmatic approach and the concept of enantiosemy.
Convergence of a Finite Difference Scheme for a Flame/Smoldering-Front Evolution Equation and Its Application to Wavenumber Selection
Authors: Kobayashi Shunsuke , Yazaki Shigetoshi
Published: November 2022

In this paper, we propose a finite difference scheme combined with the Crank–Nicolson-type discretization of the Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation defined on an expanding circle, and show the existence, uniqueness, and second-order error estimate of the scheme.
The equation is obtained as a perturbed graph equation from the circle solution to an interfacial curvature-dependent equation.
The graph representation can provide guidelines for understanding the wavenumber selection of solutions to the interfacial equation.
Indeed, the linearized stability analysis shows a relation between the parameters and the wavenumbers.
Our proposed scheme can realize the relation with second-order accuracy.
Entropy bounds, compactness and finiteness theorems for embedded self-shrinkers with rotational symmetry
Authors: Ma John Man Shun , Muhammad Ali , Møller Niels Martin
Published: November 2022

In this work,
we study the space of complete embedded rotationally symmetric self-shrinking hypersurfaces in

ℝ

n
+
1

{\mathbb{R}^{n+1}}

. First, using comparison geometry in the context of metric geometry, we derive explicit upper bounds for the entropy of all such self-shrinkers. Second, as an application we prove a smooth compactness theorem on the space of all such shrinkers. We also prove that there are only finitely many such self-shrinkers with an extra reflection symmetry.
The statue of Bruce Lee in the Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Authors: Wong May L.-Y.
Published: November 2022

This article presents an analysis of the most recent statue of Bruce Lee displayed in the entrance to the Bruce Lee exhibition at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. The analysis primarily utilizes O’Toole’s social semiotic framework as outlined inThe language of displayed art(1994, 2011) in the tradition of systemic functional linguistics for analyzing the multimodality of sculpture, and provides insights into how the statue represents the kung fu legend Bruce Lee, who created the martial arts discipline of Jeet June Do. The article begins by first analyzing its sculptural features and then interprets these features against the sociocultural context of the city. The paper argues that the cultural background for the representation of Lee in the statue with its unique representational, modal, and compositional features testifies that meanings attributed to visual information in sculpture are to a large degree socially structured and culturally bound. It shows that the location of the statue and its features such as its gaze and torso can be better understood with reference to the political and cultural significance of Lee’s legacies, thereby enhancing our understanding of the social semiotic nature of statues as a means of commemoration- and a significant part of our cultural heritage.
Umwelt, enchantment, and McDonaldization
Authors: Creighton Andrew Mark
Published: November 2022

The enchantment and re-enchantment of formal rationalized systems has been an important study in sociology and the social sciences since its first discussion by Max Weber. However, it has received relatively little attention in animal studies, ecology, or environmental studies. This article attempts to fill this gap in the research by focusing on a multiscale perspective that considers the relationship between nonhuman animal umwelt and human perception within the confines of enchantment, re-enchantment, and McDonaldized systems. This is done through a theoretical synthesis of George Ritzer’s work on rationalization, spectacles, extravaganzas, and simulations with Jakob von Uexküll’s concept of umwelt, and zoosemiotic and ecosemiotic perspectives on multispecies environments. It is concluded that enchantment and re-enchantment make use of nonhuman animals and environments to enchant formal rationalized systems, which consequently presents and uses nonhuman animals in situations injurious to their umwelt, while also making use of affect, intersubjectivity, and simulations to influence human perspectives.
Products of Toeplitz operators with angular symbols
Authors: Alshormani Farouq S. , Guediri Hocine
Published: November 2022

We study products of Toeplitz operators with angular symbols on the Bergman space over the upper half-plane. We establish necessary and sufficient conditions for the product of two such Toeplitz operators to give rise to a Toeplitz operator, especially in case one of the symbols is absolutely continuous or with bounded variation. Our conditions make appeal to Volterra and Fredholm integral equations, and to Duhamel–Mikusiński convolution products as well as to functional equations involving Stieltjes integrals. We illustrate our results by concrete examples showing that there are many angular symbols satisfying our natural conditions and ensuring Toeplitzness of such Toeplitz products.
Effect of stacking sequence on mechanical, water absorption, and biodegradable properties of novel hybrid composites for structural applications
Authors: Manickam Tamilselvan , Iyyadurai Jenish , Jaganathan Maniraj , Babuchellam Ashokkumar , Mayakrishnan Muthukrishnan , Arockiasamy Felix Sahayaraj
Published: November 2022

This study used a hand layup process to create tri-layer hybrid composites composed of snake grass fiber (SGF) and jute fiber (JF). Two types of hybrid composites were investigated: jute/snake grass/jute (J/S/J) and snake grass/jute/snake grass (S/J/S). The fabricated composites were subjected to mechanical characterization and water absorption studies to verify their compatibility for various applications. The outcome revealed that the J/S/J hybrid sample shows the highest tensile and flexural strength at 68.46 and 78.62 MPa, respectively. This is due to stacking the maximum-strength JF as an exterior layer in the hybrid J/S/J sample. Meanwhile, the S/J/S composite shows a very high impact strength value of 4.45 kJ/mm2 due to the placement of SGF at the outermost layer. It leads to absorbing more impact energy at sudden load applications. Water absorption studies revealed that the S/J/S composite absorbed more moisture than the J/S/J composite. Furthermore, the S/J/S composite exhibited greater biodegradability than the J/S/J composite based on soil burial experiments. From this study, it can be concluded that the J/S/J composite is suitable for structural applications because it has higher tensile and flexural qualities. In contrast, the S/J/S composite can be employed under damping conditions because it has better impact strength.
On the continuity properties of the Lp
balls
Authors: Huseyin Nesir , Huseyin Anar
Published: November 2022

In this paper the right upper semicontinuity at

p
=
1

{p=1}

and continuity at

p
=
∞

{p=\infty}

of the set-valued map

p
→

B

Ω
,
𝒳
,
p

⁢

(
r
)

{p\rightarrow B_{\Omega,\mathcal{X},p}(r)}

,

p
∈

[
1
,
∞
]

{p\in[1,\infty]}

, are studied where

B

Ω
,
𝒳
,
p

⁢

(
r
)

{B_{\Omega,\mathcal{X},p}(r)}

is the closed ball of the space

L
p

⁢

(
Ω
,
Σ
,
μ
;
𝒳
)

{L_{p}(\Omega,\Sigma,\mu;\mathcal{X})}

centered at the origin with radius r,

(
Ω
,
Σ
,
μ
)

{(\Omega,\Sigma,\mu)}

is a finite and positive measure space,

𝒳

{\mathcal{X}}

is a separable Banach space. It is proved that the considered set-valued map is right upper semicontinuous at

p
=
1

{p=1}

and continuous at

p
=
∞

{p=\infty}

. An application of the obtained results to the set of integrable outputs of the input-output system described by the Urysohn-type integral operator is discussed.
Marital status and its correlation with age, race, and gender in prognosis of tonsil squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Li Yujiao , Hu Chaosu
Published: November 2022

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of marital status on tonsil squamous cell carcinomas (TSCCs) prognosis and to analyze whether the impact is correlated with gender, age, and race. We examined the clinicopathological variables using Chi-squared tests and evaluated the association between survival and different variables using the methods of Kaplan–Meier. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the effects of each variable on survival. A total of 10,720 patients were analyzed. The rate of being married was higher among Asian or Caucasian, and this rate decreased with higher tumor stage. While both married male and female survivors benefit from their marital status, we found a differential in cancer-specific survival based on gender, with males benefitting more than females (p < 0.05). The same results were found in overall survival. Subgroup analysis shows that the protective effect of marriage was consistent in all patients except for N3 groups (all, p < 0.05). While there are survival benefits for married patients with TSCCs, married/partnered males may benefit more than females. Age, race, and gender could affect the correlation between marital status and survival.
Biogenic synthesis of palladium nanoparticles: New production methods and applications
Authors: Law Cindy Ka Y. , Bonin Luiza , De Gusseme Bart , Boon Nico , Kundu Kankana
Published: November 2022

The palladium (Pd)-catalysed reaction has attracted much attention, making Pd the most valuable of the four major precious metals. Several different forms of Pd can be used as a catalyst; nanoparticles (NPs) have the advantage of a high surface area:volume ratio. Since the chemical production of Pd NPs is not environmentally friendly, biological synthesis interest has grown. However, the production mechanism remained unknown in several cases and was recently described for the electroactive bacteriumShewanella oneidensisMR-1. The application of these green synthesised NPs was established in different fields. This review discusses the production pathway and the novel biological-inspired methods to produce tailored biogenic palladium nanoparticles (bio-Pd NPs), with their broad application fields as biogenic nanocatalysts. Two significant applications – reductive bioremediation of persistent organic contaminants and energy-producing microbial fuel cells – are discussed in detail. The current challenges in optimising bio-Pd NPs production and the potential research directions for the complete utilisation of its novel catalytic properties are highlighted.
Reason, Its Real Use, and the Status of Its Ideas and Principles: Response to Caimi, Gava, and Lewin
Authors: Willaschek Marcus
Published: November 2022

In this contribution, I respond to articles published in a Topical Issue of Open Philosophy on Kant’s Transcendental Dialectic by Mario Caimi, Gabriele Gava, and Michael Lewin, who criticize some of the views I put forward in my book Kant on the Sources of Metaphysics: The Dialectic of Pure Reason (Cambridge University Press, 2018). In particular, I discuss the “real use” of reason (in response to Caimi), the “regulative use” of principles and ideas of reason (in response to Gava), and Kant’s conception of reason (in response to Lewin).
L’intimocide: de la violence de masse à celle des camarades
Authors: Bonéva Ralitza
Published: November 2022

Le terme d’intimocide nous permet d’interroger une autre dimension, à côté de celles de génocide et d’ethnocide, de la violence infligée à des êtres humains. Atteinte violente à l’intimité, l’intimocide est une étape de l’extension du domaine de la mise à mort, il vise le dernier rempart du sens d’une existence, la détruire dans son for intérieur. Phénomène politique, lié au gouvernement d’une société et aux aspirations que ce gouvernement manifeste vis-à-vis de l’individu, l’intimocide est une stratégie de domination totale. Notre étude, au croisement des approches sémiotique et anthropologique, a pour but de différencier le terme d’intimocide des termes limitrophes, tout en cernant ses aspects, repérés dans des ouvrages de référence ainsi que dans notre propre observation participante du régime totalitaire communiste et du régime post-communiste.
Typologie des implicites ethnosocioculturels en discours
Authors: Kiki Abdulrahman
Published: November 2022

Cet article présente la notion d’implicite ethnosocioculturel et dresse, avec de nombreux exemples, une typologie des implicites ethnosocioculturels en discours à partir d’un corpus constitué des médiacultures. Onze formes d’implicites ethnosocioculturels ont été détectées dans différents types de discours. Ces formes permettent de distinguer les implicites pragmatiques, logiques et interpersonnels des implicites ethnosocioculturels qui, ces derniers, relèvent désormais d’une sémiotique patrimoniale. Le résultat de cette étude peut aider à combler certains déficits constatés dans la formation des traducteurs-interprètes en matière de bagage cognitif du sujet-interprétant.
“Invitation to Learning” Discusses A History of Western Philosophy
Authors: Edman Irwin , Kallen Horace M. , Taylor Harold A. , Spencer Lukas
Published: November 2022

Transcribed here is a 78 rpm vinyl (or possibly shellac) recording of the CBS broadcast of Invitation to Learning on 15 September 1946. In it Irwin Edman, the chair, and guests Horace M. Kallen and Harold A. Taylor discuss Bertrand Russell’s recently published book, A History of Western Philosophy. The roughly thirty-minute broadcast, which aired on a Sunday from 12:00 to 12:30 pm, was segmented onto eight “vinyl” sides on four twelve-inch discs. They came with the fourth accrual of the Bertrand Russell Archives to McMaster University Library.
What Is Wrong with America
Authors: Russell Bertrand
Published: November 2022

“Editor’s Note [by International News Service]—Bertrand Russell, distinguished English philosopher and scholar, recently returned to England from a visit to the United States. In articles written for the press of the English intelligentsia he intimated that he did not think all was well with the United States, and he was invited to write for the International News Service his views on ‘What Is Wrong With America’. He has written here a frank statement of his views.”
50-Year Index (1971-2020)
Authors: Blackwell Kenneth , Duncan Arlene , Turcon Sheila
Published: November 2022

Russell’s first 50 years saw the publication of 106 issues.