bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of microfluidic rectangular microelectrode geometry on bioparticles manipulation in dielectrophoretic application
Authors: Shee Zuriel Da En , Mhd Noor Ervina Efzan Binti , Ahmad Kayani Aminuddin Bin , Abd Rahman Noor Ziela Binti
Published: February 2022

Background: Microfluidic cell manipulation techniques have been continually developed and integrated into miniature chips as a so-called lab-on-a-chip (LOC) platform for high-throughput bioassays. Among the various mechanisms of bioparticles manipulation by electrically induced forces, dielectrophoresis (DEP) has been regarded as the most promising technique utilized in microfluidic systems. Into the micro- to nano-scale level of DEP configuration, the common challenges of undesirable side effects such as electrohydrodynamic effects, joule heating, and electrolysis that may occur in the microfluidic system has always been a hurdle which would severely limit the DEP performance.

Methods: A numerical simulation study was performed on a versatile capability of a rectangular type of dielectrophoresis microelectrode with different parametric design configuration variables (channel height: 20-50 µm; electrode width 20-100 µm; electrode spacing 5-50 µm).

Results: Numerical study results have shown that the ideal dimension range of design configuration for optimum DEP performance have been identified to be 40µm in channel height, 20-40 µm in electrode width and 5-15µm in electrode spacing, further increasing of the dimensions have shown a decrease in DEP performance consequently abridged the bioparticle manipulation.

Conclusion: This investigation of the parametric design of the rectangular geometry microelectrode has provided necessary insight to the microelectrode design information and parametric considerations for optimum DEP device fabrication and enhancement.
Japanese sound-symbolic words in global contexts: from translation to hybridization
Authors: Hiraishi Noriko
Published: February 2022

This paper explores the global reception and development of the artistic expression of onomatopoeia and mimetic words in modern and contemporary Japanese literary texts adopting the method of comparative literature. By analyzing sound-symbolic words and their translations in modern Japanese poetry and contemporary comics, the intercultural dialogues of these texts are examined and the emergence of hybrid onomatopoeia in global comic works is illuminated. The Japanese language is often noted for its richness of sound-symbolic words. In the literary world, modern poetry adopted and elaborated the use of these words from the late 19th century in its quest for a new style of poetry. In the early 20th century, poets developed the artistic expression of sound-symbolic words and succeeded in giving musicality to the “new-style poem”. However, the translation of Japanese sound-symbolic words has always been problematic. Experimental uses of these words in modern poems were often untranslatable, making the translations incomprehensible or dull. Nevertheless, graphic narratives and their worldwide distribution changed that situation. Japanese comics (manga) has particularly developed the artistic expression of sound-symbolic words. Usually placed outside speech balloons, these words are elaborately depicted and are important elements of the panel/page layout. Notably, the global popularity of the genre developed a new phase of intercultural dialogue. As not every word has an equivalent or is translatable in the target language, translators have left sound-symbolic words untouched in the translated versions, putting translation aside. Thus, the combination of Japanese and the target language seems to influence the visual comprehension of sound effects among the readers. Through the examinations of some cases, this paper brings to light the emergence of some hybrid onomatopoeia and reveals that the “Third Space” formed by the translation and hybridization of manga is a dynamic field that creates a new culture.
Awareness and intention to register halal certification of micro and small-scale food enterprises
Authors: Oemar Hirawati , Prasetyaningsih Endang , Bakar Siti Zakiah Abu , Djamaludin Djamaludin , Septiani Anis
Published: February 2022

Background: This paper discusses halal awareness of food micro and small-scale enterprises (food MSEs) in West Java Province, Indonesia. Halal awareness is the first step toward obtaining halal certificates, which confirm that the product is lawful according to Islamic Sharia. Unfortunately, most of the food sold on the market do not have halal certificates due to a lack of halal awareness and intention on the part of the entrepreneurs.

Methods: This study aims at measuring the level of halal awareness and the intention of food MSE entrepreneurs to register halal certification. Halal awareness is assumed to be influenced by knowledge of halal and MSEs' entrepreneurial perceptions of the benefits of halal certificates. Furthermore, halal awareness, attitudes, and perceptions of ease of procedures will encourage the intention to register halal certification. An electronic Google Form with a cover letter and a set of questionnaires was distributed to collect data. Structural Equation Modelling – Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS) was chosen to evaluate the adopted theoretical models in the exploratory research.

Results: The results show that halal awareness is influenced by knowledge of halal and perceptions of benefits. Moreover, halal awareness influences positively the intention to obtain a halal certificate, but the intention is not significantly affected by attitudes and perceptions of procedures for obtaining halal certification. This shows that halal awareness will increase the intention to register halal certification. However, it does not impact attitudes/actions to register for halal certification due to the misconceptions about the procedures for obtaining halal certificates.

Conclusions: Micro and small entrepreneurs in West Java Province, Indonesia have a good level of awareness about halal food. However, their products are not halal-certified due to the perceptions of the procedures for obtaining halal certificates, which are relatively complicated and costly for micro and small-scale businesses.
Anticancer activity of Caesalpinia sappan by downregulating mitochondrial genes in A549 lung cancer cell line
Authors: Widodo Nashi , Puspitarini Sapti , Widyananda Muhammad Hermawan , Alamsyah Adzral , Wicaksono Septian Tri , Masruri Masruri , Jatmiko Yoga Dwi
Published: February 2022

Background: The standardization and mechanism of action of Caesalpinia sappan as an anticancer agent are still lacking. This study aimed to understand the mechanism of action of  C,sappan extract as an anticancer agent.

Methods: This study was conducted using the A549 lung cancer cell line to understand the mechanism of action of C. sappan extract as an anticancer agent. The cytotoxicity activity, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, protein-related apoptosis (i.e., BCL-2and BAX protein) assays, and RNA sequencing were performed level were measured. Moreover, the antioxidant activity, total flavonoids, and phenolics of C.sappan were also assessed.

Results: C.sappan has strong antioxidant activity (22.14 ± 0.93 ppm) total flavonoid content of (529.3 ± 4.56 mgQE/g), and phenolics content of (923.37 ± 5 mgGAE/g). The C.sappan ethanol extract inhibited cancer cell growth and arrested at G0/G1 phase of cell cycle, inducing apoptosis by increasing BAX/BCL-2 protein ratio in A549 lung cancer cell line. Furthermore, results from RNA sequencing analysis showed that C.sappan ethanol extract caused downregulation of genes acting on mitochondrial function including adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and respiration.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that C.sappan has the ability to inhibit cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in A549 cells.
Case Report: The effect of intravenous and oral antibiotics on the gut microbiome and breath volatile organic compounds over one year
Authors: Shahi Farah , Forrester Sarah , Redeker Kelly , Chong James P.J. , Barlow Gavin
Published: February 2022

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global concern and better understanding of the gut microbiome, a known ‘amplifier’ of AMR, may allow future clinicians to tailor therapy to minimise this risk and offer a personalised medicine approach. To examine the gut microbiome, patients are required to provide faecal samples; more convenient and cheaper solutions need to be found.

Methods: As part of a pilot study looking at how routes of administration affect the gut microbiome in NHS patients undergoing routine clinical management for infections, we hypothesised that effects on the gut microbiome varied with the route and metabolism of antibiotic used, and these changes may be reflected in breath metabolites. We present a case report of a patient with an unusual clinical history, alongside breath metabolite and gut microbiome data taken before, during and after antibiotic therapy over a period of one year.

Results: We noted a shift in the dominantBacteroidesstrain in the patient’s gut microbiome between pre- and post-therapy samples, along with an alteration in the composition of breath metabolites.

Conclusions: This study provides a framework for similar future work and highlights the need for further research on the relationships between changes in microbial gut communities and antimicrobial exposure, patient clinical status, and the metabolites of human breath.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine surveillance for adults with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the UK
Authors: Campbell Cori , Wang Tingyan , Smith David A. , Freeman Oliver , Noble Theresa , Várnai Kinga A , Harris Steve , Salih Hizni , Roadknight Gail , Little Stephanie , Glampson Ben , Mercuri Luca , Papadimitriou Dimitri , Jones Christopher R , Taylor Vince , Chaudhry Afzal , Phan Hang , Borca Florina , Olza Josune , Warricker Frazer , Romão Luis , Ramlakhan David , English Louise , Klenerman Paul , Andersson Monique I. , Collier Jane , Nastouli Eleni , Khakoo Salim I. , Gelson William , Cooke Graham S. , Woods Kerrie , Davies Jim , Barnes Eleanor , Matthews Philippa C.
Published: February 2022

Background: To determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the population with chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection under hospital follow-up in the UK, we quantified the coverage and frequency of measurements of biomarkers used for routine surveillance (alanine transferase [ALT] and HBV viral load).

Methods: We used anonymized electronic health record data from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Informatics Collaborative (HIC) pipeline representing five UK National Health Service (NHS) Trusts.

Results: We report significant reductions in surveillance of both biomarkers during the pandemic compared to pre-COVID-19 years, both in terms of the proportion of patients who had ≥1 measurement annually, and the mean number of measurements per patient.

Conclusions: These results demonstrate the real-time utility of HIC data in monitoring health-care provision, and support interventions to provide catch-up services to minimise the impact of the pandemic. Further investigation is required to determine whether these disruptions will be associated with increased rates of adverse chronic HBV outcomes.
Problems Arising in the Course of Teaching Younger Schoolchildren with Different Levels of Academic Achievement, and Ways to Solve Them
Authors: Vinogradova Natalya
Published: February 2022

The article presents the results of a study carried out in the laboratory of primary general education of the Institute of Education Development Strategy of the Russian Academy of Education, to determine the reasons for the difficulties that appear in younger schoolchildren in the process of mastering the content of elementary school subjects. Typical general didactic problems arising in the professional activity of a teacher and provoking mistakes and difficulties of the student are discussed. The groups of primary school students with different levels of success in educational activities are characterized, recommendations are given to the teacher on the organization of individually differentiated work, taking into account the level of success of each student.
The Value of Parental Competence in the Development of Linguistic Abilities of Preschool Children
Authors: Schipitsyna Alena
Published: February 2022

The article discusses the role of the family in the upbringing and education of children with linguistic abilities, examines one of the main factors influencing the realization of the child's capabilities - the attitude of parents to the abilities of preschool children. The definition of the term "parental competence" is given. In the course of a study conducted by the Department of Preschool Pedagogy and Psychology of the Perm State Humanitarian and Pedagogical University, based on the results of a survey of parents of preschoolers, their positions are analyzed regarding the level of development of their child's personality, the choice of the optimal time for him to start learning a foreign language, taking into account individual natural inclinations and linguistic abilities child.
Distributionally Robust Linear and Discrete Optimization with Marginals
Authors: Chen Louis , Ma Will , Natarajan Karthik , Simchi-Levi David , Yan Zhenzhen
Published: February 2022

In optimization problems, decisions are often made in the face of uncertainty that might arise in the form of random costs or benefits. In “Distributionally Robust Linear and Discrete Optimization with Marginals,” Louis Chen, Will Ma, Karthik Natarajan, David Simchi-Levi, and Zhenzhen Yan study a robust bound of linear and discrete optimization problems in which the objective coefficients are random and the set of admissible joint distributions is assumed to be specified only up to the marginals. They provide a primal-dual formulation for this problem, and in the process, unify existing results with new results. They establish NP-hardness of computing the bound for general polytopes and identify two sufficient conditions—one based on a dual formulation and one based on sublattices that provide a class of polytopes where the robust bounds are efficiently computable.
Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma with Only Lambda Light Chain Monoclonal Paraprotein Expression
Authors: Cautha Sandhya , Gupta Sorab , Ahnif Ahmad , Morangthem Valentina , Jain Kevin
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) is a rare low-grade B-cell neoplasm that accounts for approximately 2% of all haematological malignancies. Most patients have the clinical syndrome of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM), which is defined as LPL with an associated immunoglobulin M (IgM) serum monoclonal protein. Roughly 5% of LPL patients secrete non-IgM paraproteins (e.g., IgG, IgA, kappa, lambda) or are non-secretory. Case description: We report the case of a 41-year-old woman who was diagnosed with non-IgM LPL with lambda light chain monoclonal paraprotein production and normal serum immunoglobulin levels. The MYD88 L265P mutation was detected on fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of the bone marrow. The patient underwent treatment with a combination of ibrutinib and rituximab. There was an initial response but she died 8 months after diagnosis.    Discussion: Non-IgM LPL poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to clinicians as it is an exceptionally rare malignancy with a heterogeneous clinicopathological presentation and scarce literature. Among non-IgM LPL cases, those with lambda light chain production are even more rare. To the best of our knowledge, none have been reported to date. The addition of MYD88 L265P testing to the diagnostic armamentarium of non-IgM LPL cases is advisable for potential therapeutic reasons.
Safeguarding implications of the incel phenomenon
Authors: Rose Elizabeth
Published: February 2022

We must not assume that the incel phenomenon only has implications for secondary safeguarding practice – primary schools must be alert too. Elizabeth Rose considers how we can respond to this new and rapidly emerging threat, offering practical advice and reassurance
Developing an Early Help offer in response to Covid
Authors: McPhee Laura
Published: February 2022

Given the impact of the pandemic on families and children's lives, work is on-going in Lambeth to revisit and revamp intervention and support via the Early Help offer. Headteacher Laura McPhee explains
Hybrid working model best for mental health
Authors:   stem4
Published: February 2022

Employees who are able to split their working time between home and a formal workplace are 40% less likely to experience mental health difficulties, new research has shown
How complex are general practice consultations?
Authors: Hancock Dave
Published: February 2022

A recent study measured the complexity of GP face-to-face consultations with implications for funding and staffing. Dave Hancock considers the findings
Use of mini-fragment plates in fracture fixation
Authors: Kumar Santhosh
Published: February 2022

Background: Over the last two decades improved research in basic sciences has resulted in a better understanding of pathomechanics of skeletal injury. Today we have modern implants and instrumentation which can allow fracture fixation while minimizing soft tissue trauma. The use of mini fragment low profile locking plates is one such technique that is now increasingly being used to implement fragment specific fracture fixation in skeletal injuries.
Methods: At our level III military trauma centre we introduced the use of mini fragment plates in all types of fracture types in 2019 and over the next twelve months we prospectively recorded data of 44 fracture cases of various long and small bones. We have used these plates with different objectives in various intraarticular, metaphyseal or diaphyseal fractures in a manner to augment, supplement or substitute the use of larger implants. We have described the exact method of use in each case.
Results: Out of 44 cases in 42 we achieved fracture union with no loss of reduction and in one case there was a failure of fixation and in one case infected nonunion.
Conclusion: Mini-fragment plates are a very efficient tool available to carry out reduction and fixation of many fracture types and should be kept as a part of instrumentation and implant set for all cases of fracture fixation.
Guiding the optical vortex along predesigned parabolic trajectories from circular symmetric Airy-like beams
Authors: Wu You , Xu Chuangjie , Qiu Huixin , Xu Danlin , Deng Dongmei
Published: February 2022

In this paper, by phase-modulating an optical wavefront on circular symmetric Airy vortex beams, we present the circular symmetric Airy-like vortex beams propagating along predesigned parabolic trajectories. Our result shows that we can realize the propagation of an optical vortex with a closed ring lobe along an accelerating parabolic trajectory within a certain propagation distance by using this kind of phase-modulated circular symmetric Airy beam. The vortex that is superimposed on the beams is able to reproduce after being blocked. Additionally, a single twisted dark channel or multiple tornado dark channels with orbital angular momentum rotating along the predesigned parabolic trajectories can also be formed when we impose the off-axis optical vortex on this kind of beam, which has potential in applications of light capturing.
Polarization imaging-based radiomics approach for the staging of liver fibrosis
Authors: Yao Yue , Zhang Fengdi , Wang Bin , Wan Jiachen , Si Lu , Dong Yang , Zhu Yuanhuan , Liu Xiaolong , Chen Lihong , Ma Hui
Published: February 2022

Mueller matrix imaging contains abundant biological microstructure information and has shown promising potential in clinical applications. Compared with the ordinary unpolarized light microscopy that relies on the spatial resolution to reveal detailed histological features, Mueller matrix imaging encodes rich information on the microstructures even at low-resolution and wide-field conditions. Accurate staging of liver fibrosis is essential for the therapeutic diagnosis and prognosis of chronic liver diseases. In the clinic, pathologists commonly use semiquantitative numerical scoring systems to determine the stages of liver fibrosis based on the visualization of stained characteristic morphological changes, which require skilled staining technicians and well-trained pathologists. A polarization imaging based quantitative diagnostic method can help to reduce the time-consuming multiple staining processes and provide quantitative information to facilitate the accurate staging of liver fibrosis. In this study, we report a polarization imaging based radiomics approach to provide quantitative diagnostic features for the staging of liver fibrosis. Comparisons between polarization image features under a 4× objective lens with H&E image features under 4×, 10×, 20×, and 40× objective lenses were performed to highlight the superiority of the high dimensional polarization image features in the characterization of the histological microstructures of liver fibrosis tissues at low-resolution and wide-field conditions.
Extreme laser pulse-energy measurements by means of photon momentum
Authors: Williams Paul A. , Rogers Kyle A. , Divoky Martin , Porrovecchio Geiland , tesař Jiří , Smid Marek , Lehman John H.
Published: February 2022

Extreme lasers capable of short, high-energy pulses are probing the frontiers of science and advancing practical technology. The utility of such lasers increases with their average power delivery, which enables faster data acquisition, higher flux of laser-driven particle and radiation sources and more efficient material processing. However, the same extreme energies and electric field strengths of these lasers are currently preventing their direct and high accuracy measurement for these experimental applications. To overcome this limitation, we use the momentum of the laser pulses as a measurement proxy for their energy. When light reflects from an ideal mirror, its momentum is transferred to the mirror, but its energy is reflected. We demonstrate here a force-sensing mirror configuration to measure laser pulse energies up to 100 J/pulse (10 ns duration, 10 Hz repetition rate) from a kilowatt-level average power multi-slab laser operated at the HiLASE facility of the Czech Academy of Sciences. We combine a radiation-pressure power meter with a charge integrator photodiode to form what we refer to as a Radiation Pressure Energy Meter. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a high-accuracy, non-absorbing, SI traceable primary standard measurement of both single and average pulse energies of a 1-kW-average-power pulsed laser source. With this, we demonstrate a practical method for in-situ calibration of the traditional thermal instruments (pyroelectric detectors) currently used for indirect measurements of energy and power of such extreme lasers.
Ultrahigh-Q on-chip silicon–germanium microresonators
Authors: Schilling Ryan , Xiong Chi , Kamlapurkar Swetha , Falk Abram , Marchack Nathan , Bedell Stephen , Haight Richard , Scerbo Christopher , Paik Hanhee , Orcutt Jason S.
Published: February 2022

To date, integrated waveguides with the lowest losses have all relied at least in part on amorphous materials. In this work, we demonstrate fully crystalline, single-mode integrated microresonators comprising epitaxially grown

S

i

0.86

G

e

0.14

waveguide cores with silicon claddings. This platform supports ultrahigh-quality-factor resonances, with

Q

reaching

1.71
±
0.06
×

10
8

, corresponding to a loss rate of

0.39
±
0.02

d
B

/

m

. This

Q

is nearly an order-of-magnitude improvement over that seen in prior integrated Si waveguides. Together with silicon’s strong Kerr nonlinearity, our results could unlock important new avenues for microwave photonics, optomechanics, and quantum transduction.
Sampling electronic structure quadratic unconstrained binary optimization problems (QUBOs) with Ocean and Mukai solvers
Authors: Teplukhin Alexander , Kendrick Brian K. , Mniszewski Susan M. , Tretiak Sergei , Dub Pavel A.
Published: February 2022

The most advanced D-Wave Advantage quantum annealer has 5000+ qubits, however, every qubit is connected to a small number of neighbors. As such, implementation of a fully-connected graph results in an order of magnitude reduction in qubit count. To compensate for the reduced number of qubits, one has to rely on special heuristic software such as qbsolv, the purpose of which is to decompose a large quadratic unconstrained binary optimization (QUBO) problem into smaller pieces that fit onto a quantum annealer. In this work, we compare the performance of the open-source qbsolv which is a part of the D-Wave Ocean tools and a new Mukai QUBO solver from Quantum Computing Inc. (QCI). The comparison is done for solving the electronic structure problem and is implemented in a classical mode (Tabu search techniques). The Quantum Annealer Eigensolver is used to map the electronic structure eigenvalue-eigenvector equation to a QUBO problem, solvable on a D-Wave annealer. We find that the Mukai QUBO solver outperforms the Ocean qbsolv with one to two orders of magnitude more accurate energies for all calculations done in the present work, both the ground and excited state calculations. This work stimulates the further development of software to assist in the utilization of modern quantum annealers.
Análisis de “marcas externas epigráficas” en terra sigillata hispánica en la antigua provincia de la Lusitania
Authors: Bustamante-Álvarez Macarena
Published: February 2022

Desde el año 2019 se ha activado un proyecto de investigación cuyo objetivo es conocer el complejo prisma de las marcas de alfareros sobre cerámica, concretamente sobre terra sigillata hispánica. Para ello, como laboratorio de pruebas, se ha optado por recopilar todos los sellos localizados en la provincia más occidental de Hispania, la Lusitania. En la actualidad se han recopilado más de 1500 marcas diseminadas por esta provincia que nos permite plantear algunas respuestas de corte tipológico, antroponímico y económico sobre este fenómeno. Una vez concluida la primera fase de análisis pudimos comprobar el impacto que sobre esta producción tuvieron las marcas epigráficas externas pre cocturam. Mayoritariamente, este fenómeno afectó a la producción decorada y a un selecto grupo de alfareros procedentes en su amplia mayoría de los talleres de La Rioja así como del taller lusitano de Caesarobriga. Por ello, se decidió aislar estas piezas con el fin de hacer un estudio más preciso sobre las mismas que sirviera de referencia para el análisis en otros puntos peninsulares. Además de un estudio epigráfico y morfológico de estos sigilla, se aborda una autopsia estilística que permita, por un lado, dar una respuesta a este singular fenómeno y, por otro, plantear una posible asociación formal entre motivos y alfareros. Aprovechamos también la ocasión para plantear un rápido recorrido historiográfico que nos ha ayudado a unificar las marcas conocidas hasta el momento en suelo peninsular. Con todo ello, se presenta un estudio de síntesis hasta el presente no desarrollado que esperamos sirva de base metodológica para futuras investigaciones.
Conquista e integración de la Gallaecia en el reino visigodo
Authors: Poveda Arias Pablo
Published: February 2022

En los últimos años la historiografía ha prestado una enorme atención a la Gallaecia tardoantigua, lo que ha contribuido a un mejor conocimiento del desarrollo histórico de esta región. Sin embargo, restan aún muchísimos interrogantes en torno a numerosas problemáticas, en lo que sin duda influye el carácter lacónico de las fuentes. Este es el principal problema al que nos enfrentamos cuando intentamos aproximarnos al proceso de integración del antiguo reino suevo dentro del reino visigodo, producido entre finales del reinado de Leovigildo (569-586) y durante todo el reinado de Recaredo (586-601). Siendo conscientes de tales dificultades, es nuestro propósito a lo largo de las siguientes páginas abordar todo este proceso, ahondando en las circunstancias y motivaciones que llevaron a la conquista de la Gallaecia por los visigodos, así como en las estrategias empleadas por estos para lograr una integración efectiva y definitiva del territorio y su sociedad. Aquí pondremos el acento en la negociación entablada por el poder visigodo con las élites locales y regionales, cuya colaboración se tornaba imprescindible para un gobierno efectivo del desaparecido reino suevo. Para ello, nuestro análisis propone distinguir aquellas estrategias desplegadas sobre las élites seculares de aquellas otras empleadas sobre las jerarquías eclesiásticas galaicas, en particular sus obispos. En lo referido a las primeras, el carácter lacónico de las fuentes documentales nos forzará a recurrir a otro tipo de testimonios, como los ofrecidos por la numismática. No resulta mucho más halagüeño el panorama documental referido a la esfera eclesiástica. En general, nuestro conocimiento relativo a las relaciones entre el episcopado galaico y el poder central visigodo dependerá de la escasa información que nos aportan las suscripciones episcopales en el III Concilio de Toledo, entre otras pocas referencias indirectas.
El complejo militar romano republicano del Pedrosillo (Casas de Reina, Badajoz). ¿Un escenario de las guerras lusitanas?
Authors: Morillo Cerdán Ángel , Durán Cabello Rosalía María , Martín Hernández Esperanza , Rodríguez Martín Germán
Published: February 2022

Las intervenciones arqueológicas desarrolladas en el yacimiento del Pedrosillo (Casas de Reina, Badajoz) entre los años 2004 y 2010 pusieron de manifiesto la existencia de un complejo militar romano de época republicana, formado por dos recintos campamentales poligonales, además de numerosos recintos circulares y cuadrangulares y defensas complementarias como muros de piedra aislados (tituli). Las evidencias se extendían a lo largo de unas 50 ha, ocupando ambas riberas del arroyo Pedrosillo y las dos laderas que bajan con cierta pendiente hacia el mismo, justo donde se encuentran tanto un manantial como un vado natural. Presentamos en estas líneas los resultados del análisis edilicio y arquitectónico de las estructuras de dicho conjunto. A pesar de sus diferencias en cuanto a dimensiones y planta, las estructuras comparten la misma técnica y sistema edilicio: un doble paramento realizado con bloques de piedra regularizados en sus caras exteriores y un núcleo de piedras de mediano y pequeño tamaño compactado con tierra. Más que ante murallas estamos ante parapetos de 1,30-1,40 m de altura y unos 1,80 m de anchura. Para su construcción se amortizan intencionadamente las ruinas de varias estructuras de época calcolítica. Se presentan asimismo las evidencias materiales tanto numismáticas como de militaria (glandes, pila catapultaria), además de utillaje militar (piquetas de tienda) y objetos de adorno personal (pasador en “T”, amuleto de forma fálica) localizados a través de la prospección con detector de metales. Los hallazgos romano-republicanos se concentran en el interior de los dos campamentos, lo que confirma su identificación como objetos perdidos durante la ocupación romana. Se han localizado incluso varias clavijas in situ que permiten reconstruir la posición y el módulo de las tiendas de campaña. El yacimiento parece constituir un dispositivo táctico para controlar y proteger un vado del arroyo mediante fortines circulares y fortificaciones lineales, por lo que se plantea la hipótesis de que el espacio fue adecuado como un campo de batalla. La documentación arqueológica permite proponer una datación para este conjunto centrada en la segunda mitad del siglo II a. C., tal vez en relación con las Guerras Lusitanas.
Eritía, la isla menor: el suburbium occidental de Gades
Authors: Lara Medina Macarena , Bernal-Casasola Darío
Published: February 2022

Hasta fechas muy recientes, el actual casco histórico de Cádiz ha sido interpretado de manera unidireccional por la investigación arqueológica como espacio intramuros de la ciudad romana. Esta interpretación posiblemente ha estado determinada por varios motivos: por un lado, debido al parcelario sumamente atomizado que añade complejidad a la lectura histórica; y que además dificulta la visión de conjunto de los restos arqueológicos, también derivada de la alteración de la secuencia estratigráfica motivada principalmente por la intensa reocupación del espacio de manera continuada, principalmente desde época romana hasta la actualidad, escenario común que comparten las ciudades históricas. Por otro lado, por desconocimiento de los límites del pomerium y de la estructura de la ciudad romana. Todos estos factores han contribuido al conocimiento parcial de la ciudad antigua, a lo que debemos unir el carácter inédito de numerosos informes, así como de su estructura, de las áreas funcionales y de la dinámica ocupacional. La revisión, el análisis y la actualización de los datos arqueológicos existentes y su interpretación en conjunto junto a nuestro mejor conocimiento paleotopográfico del archipiélago gaditano han permitido realizar una primera propuesta de la ubicación y estructura de la ciudad romana, así como de la articulación de las áreas extra moenia. De este modo, con este trabajo se da a conocer, por un lado, la existencia de dos áreas suburbanas de Gades y, por otro, se presenta la configuración y los resultados del análisis de los testimonios arqueológicos de la zona que a partir de ahora proponemos denominar el suburbium occidental de Gades, sito en la llamada isla menor o Eritía (la Erytheia de las fuentes).
An Online Misbehavior Detection Model for Intelligent Transportation Systems
Authors: Almalki Sultan , Sheldon Frederick
Published: February 2022

Cooperative Intelligent Transportation Systems (cITSs) is one of the Internet of Things (IoT) applications whose purpose is to improve road safety and traffic efficiency. Within this system, vehicles can communicate with one another by establishing a Vehicular Ad-Hoc Network (VANET) along the road section. Although such connectivity facilitates the exchange of information related to road safety and traffic efficiency, it puts the vehicles at risk in that an attacker could compromise one or more vehicles and use them to share false information causing congestions and/or life-threatening accidents. Although several studies tried to address this issue, they assume that the network topology and/or attack behavior is stationary, which is not realistic as the cITS is dynamic in nature and the attackers may have the ability and resources to change their behavior continuously. Therefore, these assumptions are not suitable and lead to low detection accuracy and high false alarms. To this end, this paper proposes a misbehavior detection model that can cope with the dynamicity of both cITS topology and attack behavior. The model starts by addressing the issue of missing data that happens at the early stages of the model formation after a topology change. Then, the deep learning approach is used to select the discriminative features used to train. We expect that the proposed model will help to overcome the limitations of related solutions by detecting attacks that change their behavior continuously.
Avaliação da deformação permanente e resiliente de uma laterita alternativa utilizada em base de pavimento rodoviário
Authors: Duarte Bona Ana Carolina , Rodrigues Guimarães Antonio Carlos
Published: February 2022

No presente trabalho são apresentados resultados dos ensaios de caracterização geotécnica, de módulo resiliente e de deformação permanente de um solo laterítico oriundo do pavimento de um trecho existente da rodovia BR-163/PA, revestido com tratamento superficial duplo, e em fase de execução de restauração do pavimento. Mostra-se que a laterita apresentou valores de CBR (California Bearing Ratio) inferiores ao mínimo aceitável para constituir material de base de pavimentos de acordo com a Norma DNIT ES 098/2007, porém quando se analisou os resultados dos ensaios fundamentais da mecânica dos pavimentos - módulo resiliente e deformação permanente - verificou-se que o material apresentou excelente comportamento. São apresentados enquadramentos do módulo resiliente do material em diversos modelos disponíveis na literatura e comparados os resultados com valores de referências internacionais. A análise da deformação permanente indicou contribuição praticamente nula do material para o afundamento de trilha de roda total, e a pesquisa de ocorrência do shakedown mostrou tendência ao acomodamento em todos os ensaios realizados. Conclui-se que a laterita estudada, apesar de apresentar valor de CBR inferior ao mínimo exigido por norma, pode compor a camada de base do pavimento sem risco de desempenho insatisfatório.
Reflections, Resilience, and Recovery: A qualitative study of the COVID-19 impact on an international general population’s mental health and priorities for support
Authors: Wong Keri Ka-Yee , Loke Kimberly , Melville Kyleigh Marie Kai-Li
Published: February 2022

The impact of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on different countries and populations is well documented in quantitative studies, with some studies showing stable mental health symptoms and others showing fluctuating symptoms. However, the reasons behind why some symptoms are stable and others change are under-explored, which in turn makes identifying the types of support needed by participants themselves challenging. To address these gaps, this study thematically analysed 925 qualitative responses from five open-ended responses collected in the UCL-Penn Global COVID Study between 17 April to 31 July 2021 (wave 3). Three key themes comprised of 13 codes were reported by participants across countries and ages regarding the impact of COVID-19 on their health, both mental and physical, and livelihoods. These include: 1)
Outlook on self/life, 2)
Self-improvement, and 3)
Loved ones (friends and family). In terms of support, while 2.91% did not require additional support, 91% wanted support beyond financial. Other unexpected new themes were also discussed regarding vulnerable populations suffering disproportionately. The pandemic has brought into sharp focus various changes in people’s mental health, physical health, and relationships. Greater policy considerations should be given to supporting citizens’ continued access to mental health when considering pandemic recovery.
Factores del contexto que afectan la competitividad de empresas lecheras del centro de Santa Fe
Authors: Acetta P. M. , Castignani M. I. , Rossler N.
Published: February 2022

El objetivo de este trabajo es realizar un análisis de los factores del contexto, macroentorno y entorno especíﬁco, que pueden inﬂuir en la competitividad de las empresas lecheras del centro de la provincia de Santa Fe. Para analizar el entorno general, se implementó el marco PESTEL y para analizar el entorno especíﬁco, se recurrió al modelo de las Cinco fuerzas de Porter. A partir de las oportunidades y amenazas detectadas, se proponen acciones que aportan a la deﬁnición de las distintas estrategias competitivas que podrían desarrollar las empresas a partir de sus recursos y capacidades. Un buen equilibrio entre los factores que generan riqueza, provocan empresas más atractivas y sustentables. El desafío que se presenta a las empresas lecheras es ser innovadoras y lograr resiliencia organizacional. Entre las oportunidades se destaca el inﬂujo de las nuevas tecnologías de productos, procesos y servicios y las posibilidades de agregado de valor al producto y subproductos de los diferentes procesos. Entre las amenazas se destaca la fuerte competencia por recurso suelo, la ﬁgura del productor primario como tomador de precios de insumos y de la producción primaria, destacando la importancia de la escala y el agregado de valor a la producción.
Optimización de medios de cultivos con fuentesagroindustriales para el crecimiento del ñame espino(Dioscorea rotundata Poir)
Authors: Luna Castellanos L. L. , Sánchez López D. B.
Published: February 2022

Los inoculantes microbianos constituyen una alternativa para contrarrestar los impactos ambientales adversos que ejercen los agroquímicos sintéticos, facilitan el crecimiento vegetal y el rendimiento de los cultivos de manera ecológica. Por tanto, es indispensable producir inoculantes de buena calidad y de bajo costo, con fuentes nutricionales amigables con el medio ambiente y favorables para el crecimiento microbiano y vegetal. En este sentido, se realizó la evaluación a nivel in vitro de nueve medios de cultivo a partir de fuentes nutricionales agroindustriales para la multiplicación de las rizobacterias DSC1 (Bacillus licheniformis), DSC21 (Brevibacillus laterosporus) y DCR11 (Azotobacter vinelandii) y su capacidad para producir citoquininas. Los resultados permitieron seleccionar tres medios de cultivo (medio B, C y D) óptimos para la multiplicación de las rizobacterias y producción de la ﬁtohormona. Los medios de cultivo seleccionados para cada una de las rizobacterias fueron inoculados bajo diferentes dosis (0 mL, 2 mL, 4 mL, y 6 mL) en esquejes apicales de ñame espino bajo condiciones de casa de malla. La aplicación DSC1 B. licheniformis con 2 mL-1 estimuló en 31.67% la acumulación de biomasa fresca en las raíces y un 22.22% del peso seco aéreo. La producción de biomasa fresca aérea fue incrementada en un 33.22% por DCR11
A. vinelandii en dosis de 6 mL-1, bajo esta misma dosis esta rizobacteria incremento en 7.36% la producción de pigmentos fotosintéticos. La inoculación de plantas de ñame espino con medios de cultivo de fuentes agroindustriales generan efectos beneﬁciosos en el crecimiento de la planta.
Knockdown of G1P3 inhibits cell proliferation and enhances the cytotoxicity of dexamethasone in acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Zou Liping , Liu Zhirui , Li Xueer , Liu Liping , Zhu Ying
Published: February 2022

Drug resistance contributes to treatment failure and relapse in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). G1P3 (also known as IFI6, interferon, alpha-inducible protein 6) has been regarded as an antiapoptotic protein in myeloma cells and contributes to chemoresistance in breast cancer. However, the role of G1P3 in the proliferation and chemosensitivity of ALL is largely unknown. Data from colony formation and bromo-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assays showed that siRNA-mediated downregulation of G1P3 repressed cell proliferation of glucocorticoids-resistant human leukemic cells (CEM-C1), while overexpression of G1P3 promoted the cell proliferation. Cell apoptosis of CEM-C1 was suppressed by G1P3 overexpression accompanied by a decrease in cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9. Knockdown of G1P3 increased protein expression of cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9 to promote the cell apoptosis of CEM-C1. Moreover, silencing of G1P3 reduced cell viability and promoted cell apoptosis of CEM-C1 exposed to dexamethasone. The proapoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma 2 interacting mediator of cell death (Bim) was enhanced by the interference of G1P3 in CEM-C1. Silencing of Bim attenuated G1P3 interference-induced decrease in cell viability and increase in cell apoptosis in CEM-C1 exposed to dexamethasone. Conclusively, knockdown of G1P3 inhibited cell proliferation of ALL and sensitized glucocorticoid-resistant ALL cells to dexamethasone through upregulation of Bim-mediated cell apoptosis.
Channel estimation via GAMP for millimeter wave hybrid massive MIMO systems
Authors: Huang Qiufang , Hu Anzhong
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we study the channel estimation problem for the millimeter wave (mm-wave) hybrid massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system. Based on the sparsity exhibited by the mm-wave channel in the angular domain, we select a portion of the beams that contribute to the communication process from the beamspace. Then, only the channel coefficients in the selected beamspace need to be estimated. The channel estimation problem is converted into a sparse signal reconstruction problem and solved by employing the generalized approximate message passing (GAMP) algorithm with Laplace distribution. The scale parameter of distribution is designed by analyzing the variance of the partial channel coefficients. Because only the partial channel coefficients need to be estimated, the computational complexity of the proposed GAMP approach is much lower than other methods. Simulation results show that the proposed channel estimation scheme exhibits significant advantages both in terms of estimation accuracy and spectral efficiency.
The impact of sulphonation and hot-pressing on low-energy high-temperature chemi-thermomechanical pulp
Authors: Joelsson Tove , Persson Erik , Pettersson Gunilla , Norgren Sven , Svedberg Anna , Engstrand Per
Published: February 2022

Hot-pressing high-yield pulp-based paper, at a temperature well above the softening temperature of lignin, increases paper density and strength. Here, it is investigated whether improved paper strength can be achieved and whether lower pressing temperatures can be used in combination with the increased sulphonation of high-temperature chemi-thermomechanical pulp (HTCTMP). Moist paper sheets from low-energy Norway spruce HTCTMP were hot pressed at temperatures up to 270 °C. Sulphite charges of 25–120 kg/bdt were used during impregnation, preheating, and refining at 180 °C with an electric energy demand of 370–500 kW h/bdt to a shive content of 1%. The pulps were mixed with 20% bleached unrefined kraft pulp to ensure that the sheet formation would not be hampered by the pulp coarseness. A tensile index of 70 kN m/kg was reached with the highest sulphite dosage at a pressing temperature of only 150 °C, versus 60 kN m/kg for the corresponding market CTMP. To obtain high wet strength, the highest temperature was required, while the sulphite charge was found to be of minor importance. This study has shown that it is possible to obtain strong and wet-stable paper products from HTCTMP, with a yield of 94–96% and a low energy demand at reduced pressing temperature.
Aluminum–Lithium alloy development for thixoforming
Authors: Sauermann R. , Friedrich B. , Püttgen W. , Bleck W. , Balitchev E. , Hallstedt B. , Schneider J.M. , Bramann H. , Bührig-Polaczek A. , Uggowitzer P.J.
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a scientific contribution to the development of lightweight/high-performance Al –Li alloys suitable for semi-solid processing. Thermodynamic calculations identified the most promising compositions with focus on the solidus – liquidus interval, fraction of solid-versus-temperature and phase reactions. The synthesis of Al –Li precursor billets was performed by overpressure induction melting in controlled atmosphere. DTA and microstructure investigations on Al –Li specimens were carried out as well as thixocasting trials of demonstrator components. New rheocasting of Al –Li alloys was investigated to identify the potential of this alternative precursor material route. It is shown that specifically developed Al –Li alloys offer great potential for semi-solid manufacturing.
Design and optimization of an integrated gamma ray scanning system for the uranium sample
Authors: Hou Suxia , Luo Jijun
Published: February 2022

An integrated gamma ray scanning system has been designed and built to extend that localizes and quantifies highly enriched uranium sample. The detection mechanisms of the two modes (segmented gamma scanner and tomographic gamma scanning) are analyzed respectively. Moreover, the parameters influence of speed and the deviation of the measurement accuracy are analyzed for the uranium sample. In view of these problems, the system has improved by the optimization processing, which include the optimization of the collimator opening for detector, the crosstalk and the time step. Finally, the experiment were investigated and discussed in detail. The single measurement time of the system can reduce to about 30 min with an error of less than ±5%, so the measurement accuracy and the speed are enhanced effectively. The system has broad application prospects in the fields of nuclear safety, radioactive recyclables and non-destructive measurement of nuclear waste.