bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Appreciative Inquiry for Life: Working With Nature in a Time of Ecological Crisis
Authors: Kabalt Joeri
Published: May 2023

What if we choose, even more radically, to place all of life – including the more-than-human world – at the centre of everything we do? What might it look like if we made more space for non-human voices? How can work more explicitly with and in nature? In the introduction to this issue, Joeri Kabalt draws inspiration from Rachel Carson as both an environmental activist and advocate for wonder, beauty and mystery, and introduces the main themes and questions of this special issue.
Responding to Climate Crisis Requires ‘With-ness’ not ‘About-ness’ Thinking: Four Practices That Have Fostered Personal Shifts-in-Consciousness
Authors: Aamli Paula
Published: May 2023

This article considers my attempts to build capacity for holding together the bleak facts of our emerging climate crisis with hopeful-anyway responses linked to the following four personal practices: i) expanding what it means to ‘know with others’; ii) accepting the need to mourn; iii) respecting the power of artful expression; and iv) recalibrating our practices of hope.
The Climate Action Sprint: A Living Experiment
Authors: Downey Paula
Published: May 2023

After fifty years of top-down international negotiations, our climate and biodiversity crisis is worse than when these talks began. This story argues for a bottom-up movement that connects our professional skills to the challenge of deep change and tells how The Climate Action Sprint helps people get unstuck and take action, using a combination of Appreciative Inquiry, action research and prototyping to test out new professional behaviours.
What Would the Trees Tell Us?
Authors: Verleysen Bert , Grieten Styn , Bouwen Griet , Lambrechts Frank , Bouwen René
Published: May 2023

To learn more about the possibilities for an appreciative co-inquiry into challenging interrelations between human beings and the more-than-human world, Bert Verleysen and Styn Grieten interviewed Griet Bouwen, an Appreciative Inquiry practitioner, narrative story-weaver, trained ecotuner, and social work teacher. She describes the purpose of her contribution to the world as ‘re-storying life as inter-becoming’.
Medical cannabis and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Kaur Varinder , Erridge Simon , Sodergren Mikael H , Rucker James J
Published: May 2023

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that is estimated to affect 5% of children and adolescents worldwide. The core manifestations of ADHD include impulsivity, inattentiveness and hyperactivity, with there being a high proportion of individuals also experiencing other psychiatric co-morbidities. Currently available treatments for ADHD are limited by the low adherence rates related to adverse events. However, it has been suggested that cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) may be effective in the treatment of ADHD, as evidence has shown how cannabis can lead to improvements in symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity. However, there is still limited published data supporting its use and further randomised controlled trials are required to help establish the efficacy, safety and exact role of CBMPs for the treatment of ADHD. ADHD patients can be assessed for receiving potential treatment with CBMPs by specialist clinics, such as Sapphire Medical Clinics, in instances where they have failed to respond to their treatment.
Effectiveness of mental practice for limb dysfunction in patients who have experienced a stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hamer Oliver , Hill James Edward , Zafar Mariya , Morgan Natalie
Published: May 2023

Stroke is the second largest cause of death in adults and the principal cause of long-term severe adult disability worldwide. Approximately 70% of patients present with upper limb weakness following stroke. One intervention for the treatment of upper limb impairment post-stroke is mental practice. This article critically appraises a systematic review which assesses the effectiveness of mental practice for limb dysfunction in patients who have experienced stroke.
Rounded approach
Authors: Rawstrone Annette
Published: May 2023

A multi-agency strategy to integrate support for children with SEND has had life-changing results. By Annette Rawstrone
In a new key
Authors: Goldenberg Gemma
Published: May 2023

One setting in Liverpool has been taking part in research projects with universities to improve the professional development of staff as well as enhance its practice in areas such as children's communication development. By Gemma Goldenberg
An A to Z of enhancements: I is for Intrigue
Authors: Jackson Amy
Published: May 2023

Offering intrigue and surprise in continuous provision leads to valuable new opportunities for engaging play. By Amy Jackson
Effects of An Individualized Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program in Post-COVID Fibrosis: A Case Report
Authors: Harputlu Ozge Ertan , Akıncı Buket , Aslan Goksen Kuran , Oguz Merve Sınem , Okumus Gulfer
Published: May 2023

Long COVID-19 Syndrome, in addition to symptoms such as chronic cough, exertional dyspnea and fatigue, pulmonary fibrosis is presented as specific respiratory system problems. Post-COVID fibrosis is characterized by radiographic abnormalities consistent with pulmonary fibrosis. Patients with post-COVID fibrosis may benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation programs. This case report aimed to investigate the effects of an individualized pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program on selected clinical parameters in a 46-year-old male who was diagnosed with post-COVID fibrosis. Spirometry and diffusion tests were investigated. Six-minute walk and shuttle walk tests for exercise capacity, hand-held dynamometer for quadriceps muscle strength, mMrc dyspnea scale for dyspnea, Fatigue Severity Scale for fatigue and London Chest Activity of Daily Living for activities of daily living were evaluated. An individualized PR program included breathing exercises, single-leg cycle training (for the right leg, 10 to 30 min) and bilateral neuromuscular electrical stimulation for quadriceps muscles (30 min) was prescribed 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Small but promising improvements were observed in FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, DLCO, 6MWD, shuttle walk tests walking distance and time, quadriceps muscle strength, mMRC and FSS scores. PR program combined with antifibrotic therapy has the potential to improve respiratory functions, exercise capacity, muscle strength, dyspnea, fatigue, and participation in ADL in patient with post-COVID fibrosis.
Viscous Dissipation Effect on Magnetohydrodynamics Fluid Flow Over an Exponential Surface with the Influence of Thermal Radiation and Thermal Diffusion
Authors: Akinbo Bayo Johnson , Olajuwon Bakai Ishola
Published: May 2023

This present investigation studies the effect of viscous dissipation in magnetohydrodynamics fluid flow over an exponential surface subject to the influence of thermal radiation and thermal diffusion. The coupled nonlinear guiding equations responsible for the flow, heat and mass transports presented as partial differential equations are revamped to the associated ordinary differential equation by application of the associated similarity variables and solved by Galerkin Weighted residual method (GWRM). The results of various parameters encountered are analyzed with graphs while the Sherwood number, Nussetl number, and local skin friction are computed and discussed. The study demonstrates, among other things, that the fluid has a strong thermal conductivity at low Prandtl numbers and that heat diffuses from the surface more quickly at low Prandtl numbers in comparison with the higher values.
Viable Energy Recovery Strategies Through Advanced Directional Control Valve
Authors: Ganassi Gianluca , Mesturini Davide , Dolcin Cesare , Bonavolontà Antonella , Frosina Emma , Marani Pietro
Published: May 2023

The demand for more efficient machines is pushing hydraulic manufacturers to develop a new generation of systems capable of energy saving and recovering. An advanced flow sharing directional control valve with downstream compensation reduces meter-out pressure losses and recovers energy both in combined movements and with overrunning loads. Tests carried out on a prototype on a test bench confirm the proper functioning of the concept and allow tuning its lumped parameters numerical model. A control strategy based on keeping the optimal compensator position allows computing the maximum theoretical recovery. The simulation of a mini-excavator digging cycle shows the energy saving and recovery compared to a standard flow sharing system.
Cryptanalysis of Tropical Encryption Scheme Based on Double Key Exchange
Authors: Jiang Xin , Huang Huawei , Pan Geyang
Published: May 2023

A tropical encryption scheme is analyzed in this paper, which uses double key exchange protocol (KEP). The key exchange protocol is divided into two stages: The first stage of the key exchange uses matrix power function in a tropical semiring; the obtained shared key at the first phase of the key exchange serves as an input for the second phase. This paper proves that the common secret key of the first key exchange phase can be obtained by solving linear equations, and when the order of the matrix is 50, the time to solve the shared key is less than 1 second. Finally, the common secret key of the second phase can be obtained through KU attack and common secret key of the first key exchange. So the protocol isn’t secure.
A new biopotentially active isoflavone glycoside from the stem of Ficus arnottiana Miq.
Authors: Singh Shweta , Yadava R.N. , Yadav Ritu , Surywanshi Vijayshri
Published: May 2023

A new bioactive isoflavone glycoside with a molecular formula C34H42O20, melting point 261°C-263°C and [M]+ 770 was isolated from the methanol soluble fraction of 90% methanolic extract of the stem of Ficus arnottiana Miq. The compound was illustrated as a new bioactive isoflavone glycoside 5,6,5ˈ-trihydroxy-8,3ˈ-dimethoxy-isoflavone 5ˈ-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→3) O-α-L xylopyranosyl 5-O-β-D-glucopyranoside were characterized with the help of various chemical reactions, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1HNMR), Mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and chemical degradations. Isolated compounds were also used for the antimicrobial activity of micro-organisms worked successfully tested against all strains: Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus, while the least activity by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Descripción y usabilidad de HARTA, una herramienta de ayuda para la redacción de textos académicos en español
Authors: Guzzi Eleonora , Alonso Ramos Margarita
Published: May 2023

Este artículo presenta la herramienta en línea HARTA (http://www.dicesp.com:8083/), que combina diccionario y corpus, acorde con la corriente de los últimos años en lexicografía. HARTA se centra en las combinaciones léxicas académicas (CLA) en español. Las CLA abarcan fenómenos de naturaleza variada: tanto colocaciones (confirmar/refutar una hipótesis) como lo que hemos englobado bajo el término de fórmulas (sin embargo, por otra parte, como ya hemos señalado, etc.). Con el término de CLA, por tanto, nos referimos a segmentos de palabras recurrentes en el discurso académico, que pueden ser o no composicionales y que pueden cumplir una función discursiva (‘comparar’, ‘reformular’, ‘expresar certeza o posibilidad’, etc.), como es el caso de las fórmulas. Para su descripción, además de apoyarnos en la Teoría Sentido-Texto, aportamos datos cuantitativos del corpus académico del que hemos extraído la lista de CLA (frecuencia y distribución en diferentes campos científicos). Una vez presentada la metodología con la que hemos obtenido los datos, describimos la arquitectura de HARTA para mostrar diferentes entradas de CLA y los diversos modos de acceder a la información. Antes de finalizar con las líneas de investigación en curso, ofrecemos un pequeño estudio experimental sobre la usabilidad de la herramienta.
Four-color fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy with one laser and one camera
Authors: Gandhi Sonali A. , Sanders Matthew A. , Granneman James G. , Kelly Christopher V.
Published: May 2023

The diffusion and reorganization of phospholipids and membrane-associated proteins are fundamental for cellular function. Fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS) measures diffusion and molecular interactions at nanomolar concentration in biological systems. We have developed an economical method to simultaneously monitor diffusion and complexation with the use of super-continuum laser and spectral deconvolution from a single detector. Customizable excitation wavelengths were chosen from the wide-band source and spectral fitting of the emitted light revealed the interactions for up to four chromatically overlapping fluorophores simultaneously. This method was applied to perform four-color FCCS that we demonstrated with polystyrene nanoparticles, lipid vesicles, and membrane-bound molecules. Up to four individually customizable excitation channels were selected from the broad-spectrum fiber laser to excite the diffusers within a diffraction-limited spot. The fluorescence emission passed through a cleanup filter and a dispersive prism prior to being collected by a sCMOS or EMCCD camera with up to 1.8 kHz frame rates. The emission intensity versus time of each fluorophore was extracted through a linear least-square fitting of each camera frame and temporally correlated via custom software. Auto- and cross-correlation functions enabled the measurement of the diffusion rates and binding partners. We have measured the induced aggregation of nanobeads and lipid vesicles in solution upon increasing the buffer salinity. Because of the adaptability of investigating four fluorophores simultaneously with a cost-effective method, this technique will have wide application for examining macromolecular complex formation in model and living systems.
Detection approach for GEO space objects with a wide-field optical telescope array
Authors: Yang Wenbo , Li ZhenWei , Liu Ming , Liu Delong , Sun Jiannan , Kang Zhe , Yu Huanhuan
Published: May 2023

In 2020, Changchun Observatory developed a 280 mm wide-field optical telescope array to improve surveillance of space debris in the geosynchronous belt. There are many advantages including a wide field of view, the ability to observe a large area of sky and high reliability. However, the wide field of view causes a significant number of background stars to appear in the image when photographing space objects, making it difficult to detect them. This research focuses on the precise detection of GEO space objects from images taken by this telescope array in order to position them in large quantities. Our work further investigates the motion feature of an object, namely that the object can be seen as being in a uniform linear motion for a brief length of time. Based on this feature, the belt can be divided into a number of smaller areas and the telescope array scans each smaller area one at a time from east to west. To detect objects in the subarea, a combination of image differencing with trajectory association is used. The image differencing algorithm is used to remove most stars and screen out suspected objects in the image. Next, the trajectory association algorithm is employed to further filter out the real objects among the suspected ones, and the trajectories attributed to the same object are linked. The feasibility and accuracy of the approach were verified by the experiment results. The accuracy rate of trajectory association exceeds 90% and on average, more than 580 space objects can be detected per observation night. Since the J2000.0 equatorial system can accurately describe the apparent position of an object, the object can be detected by using this coordinate system as opposed to the pixel coordinate system.
Optical focusing inside scattering media with iterative time-reversed ultrasonically encoded near-infrared light
Authors: Liang Hanpeng , Li Ti-Jian , Luo Jiawei , Zhao Jiayu , Wang Jian , Wu Daixuan , Luo Zhi-Chao , Shen Yuecheng
Published: May 2023

Focusing light inside scattering media is a long-sought goal in optics. Time-reversed ultrasonically encoded (TRUE) focusing, which combines the advantages of biological transparency of the ultrasound and the high efficiency of digital optical phase conjugation (DOPC) based wavefront shaping, has been proposed to tackle this problem. By invoking repeated acousto-optic interactions, iterative TRUE (iTRUE) focusing can further break the resolution barrier imposed by the acoustic diffraction limit, showing great potential for deep-tissue biomedical applications. However, stringent requirements on system alignment prohibit the practical use of iTRUE focusing, especially for biomedical applications at the near-infrared spectral window. In this work, we fill this blank by developing an alignment protocol that is suitable for iTRUE focusing with a near-infrared light source. This protocol mainly contains three steps, including rough alignment with manual adjustment, fine-tuning with a high-precision motorized stage, and digital compensation through Zernike polynomials. Using this protocol, an optical focus with a peak-to-background ratio (PBR) of up to 70% of the theoretical value can be achieved. By using a 5-MHz ultrasonic transducer, we demonstrated the first iTRUE focusing using near-infrared light at 1053 nm, enabling the formation of an optical focus inside a scattering medium composed of stacked scattering films and a mirror. Quantitatively, the size of the focus decreased from roughly 1 mm to 160 µm within a few consecutive iterations and a PBR up to 70 was finally achieved. We anticipate that the capability of focusing near-infrared light inside scattering media, along with the reported alignment protocol, can be beneficial to a variety of applications in biomedical optics.
Sparse 2-D optical phased array with large grating-lobe-free steering range based on an aperiodic grid
Authors: Huang Qikai , Yu Hui , Zhang Zhaoyang , Zhao Jie , Zhou Zhiyan , Ning Nannan , Lv Bihu , Yin Kun , Wang Yuehai , Yang Jianyi
Published: May 2023

Two-dimensional (2-D) optical phased arrays (OPAs) usually suffer from limited scan ranges and small aperture sizes. To overcome these bottlenecks, we utilize an aperiodic 32 × 32 grid to increase the beam scanning range and furthermore distribute 128 grating antennas sparsely among 1024 grid points so as to reduce the array element number. The genetic algorithm is used to optimize the uneven grid spacings and the sparse distribution of grating antennas. With these measures, a 128-channel 2-D OPA operating at 1550 nm realizes a grating-lobe-free steering range of 53° × 16°, a field of view of 24° × 16°, a beam divergence of 0.31° × 0.49°, and a sidelobe suppression ratio of 9 dB.
Broadband generation of quasi bound-state-in-continuum modes using subwavelength truncated cone resonators
Authors: Nurrahman Mohamad Reza , Kim Dongha , Jeong Kwang-Yong , Kim Kyoung-Ho , Lee Chun-Ho , Seo Min-Kyo
Published: May 2023

To allow a high quality factor (Q-factor) to a sub-wavelength dielectric resonator, quasi-bound states in the continuum (Q-BICs) have gained much interest. However, the Q-BIC resonance condition is too sensitive to the geometry of the resonator, and its practical broadband generation on a single-wafer platform has been limited. Here we present that, employing the base angle as a structural degree of freedom, the truncated nano-cone resonator supports the Q-BIC resonance with a high Q-factor of >150 over a wide wavelength range of >100 nm. We expect our approach will boost the utilization of the Q-BIC resonance for various applications requiring broadband spectral tuning.
Enhancing THz emission from nonlinear metasurfaces by a Bragg perfect absorber
Authors: Minerbi Eviatar , Sideris Symeon , Ellenbogen Tal
Published: May 2023

Nonlinear plasmonic metasurfaces were demonstrated recently as ultracompact tetrahertz (THz) sources, emitting relatively strong single-cycle THz pulses after femtosecond laser illumination. There has been great progress in their ability to generate controlled THz wavepackets; however, their overall emission strength has not yet been optimized. Here we numerically show that by designing a Bragg assisted perfect absorber we can improve the coupling of the pumping laser to the nonlinear metasurface. This results in over an order of magnitude enhancement of the THz signal. Moreover, we show that this method can be combined with other independent optimization schemes to further enhance the radiated THz, reaching over two orders of magnitude emission enhancement compared with previously studied plasmonic metasurfaces.
Fusion of an RGB camera and LiDAR sensor through a Graph CNN for 3D object detection
Authors: Choi Jinsol , Shin Minwoo , Paik Joonki
Published: May 2023

Despite the recent development of RGB camera and LiDAR sensor fusion technology using deep learning, fusion without loss of information is a very difficult problem because the structural data characteristics of the two sensors are different. To solve this problem, we use a graph convolutional neural network (Graph CNN) to fuse RGB and LiDAR sensors. The proposed method creates a fusion feature by supplementing the geometric information of each feature in the process of fusing the features of two different sensors. Based on the experimental data, the proposed method has higher accuracy in detecting distant objects and complex situations than the existing method.
Generation of vortex N
2

+ lasing
Authors: Hu Yue , Ye Zhengjun , Li Hanxiao , Lu Chenxu , Chen Fei , Wang Jiawei , Pan Shengzhe , Zhang Min , Gao Jian , Wu Jian
Published: May 2023

Harnessing structured light is fascinating for its multidisciplinary applications, e.g., in remote driving microrobots, sensing, communications, and ultrahigh resolution imaging. Here, we experimentally demonstrated the generation of a vortex N2+ lasing pumped by a wavefront structured near-IR femtosecond pulse with orbital angular momentum. The topological charge of the N2+ lasing was measured to be twofold that of the pump beam. Compared to the case with a pump beam of a plane wavefront, the N2+ lasing generation efficiency is much higher for the vortex pump beam at high pumping energy, which has a higher clamping intensity by reducing the on-axis plasma density. Our results herald a march toward remote structured N2+ lasing.
High Q and sub-wavelength THz electric field confinement in ultrastrongly coupled THz resonators
Authors: Messelot Simon , Coeymans Solen , Tignon Jérôme , Dhillon Sukhdeep , Mangeney Juliette
Published: May 2023

The control of light–matter coupling at the single electron level is currently a subject of growing interest for the development of novel quantum devices and for studies and applications of quantum electrodynamics. In the terahertz (THz) spectral range, this raises the particular and difficult challenge of building electromagnetic resonators that can conciliate low mode volume and high quality factor. Here, we report on hybrid THz cavities based on ultrastrong coupling between a Tamm cavity and an LC circuit metamaterial and show that they can combine high quality factors of up to Q=37 with a deep-subwavelength mode volume of V=3.2×10−4λ3. Our theoretical and experimental analysis of the coupled mode properties reveals that, in general, the ultrastrong coupling between a metamaterial and a Fabry–Perot cavity is an effective tool to almost completely suppress radiative losses and, thus, ultimately limit the total losses to the losses in the metallic layer. These Tamm cavity-LC metamaterial coupled resonators open a route toward the development of single photon THz emitters and detectors and to the exploration of ultrastrong THz light–matter coupling with a high degree of coherence in the few to single electron limit.
Pilot protocol for the Parent and Infant Inter(X)action Intervention (PIXI) feasibility study
Authors: Wheeler Anne C. , Okoniewski Katherine C. , Scott Samantha , Edwards Anne , Cheves Emily , Turner-Brown Lauren
Published: May 2023

This paper provides the detailed protocol for a pilot study testing the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of a targeted two-phase, remotely delivered early intervention program for infants with neurogenetic conditions (NGC) and their caregivers. The Parent and Infant Inter(X)action Intervention (PIXI) is designed to support parents and infants with a NGC diagnosed in the first year of life. PIXI is implemented in two phases, with the first phase focusing on psychoeducation, parent support, and how to establish routines for supporting infant development. Phase II helps parents learn targeted skills to support their infant’s development as symptoms may begin to emerge. The proposed non-randomized feasibility pilot study will establish the feasibility of a year-long virtually implemented intervention program to support new parents of an infant diagnosed with an NGC.
Associations between resting state functional brain connectivity and childhood anhedonia: A reproduction and replication study
Authors: Zhou Yi , Pat Narun , Neale Michael C.
Published: May 2023

Background

Previously, a study using a sample of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD)® study from the earlier 1.0 release found differences in several resting state functional MRI (rsfMRI) brain connectivity measures associated with children reporting anhedonia. Here, we aim to reproduce, replicate, and extend the previous findings using data from the later ABCD study 4.0 release, which includes a significantly larger sample.

Methods

To reproduce and replicate the previous authors’ findings, we analyzed data from the ABCD 1.0 release (n = 2437), from an independent subsample from the newer ABCD 4.0 release (excluding individuals from the 1.0 release) (n = 6456), and from the full ABCD 4.0 release sample (n = 8866). Additionally, we assessed whether using a multiple linear regression approach could improve replicability by controlling for the effects of comorbid psychiatric conditions and sociodemographic covariates.

Results

While the previously reported associations were reproducible, effect sizes for most rsfMRI measures were drastically reduced in replication analyses (including for both t-tests and multiple linear regressions) using the ABCD 4.0 (excluding 1.0) sample. However, 2 new rsfMRI measures (the Auditory vs. Right Putamen and the Retrosplenial-Temporal vs. Right-Thalamus-Proper measures) exhibited replicable associations with anhedonia and stable, albeit small, effect sizes across the ABCD samples, even after accounting for sociodemographic covariates and comorbid psychiatric conditions using a multiple linear regression approach.

Conclusion

The most statistically significant associations between anhedonia and rsfMRI connectivity measures found in the ABCD 1.0 sample tended to be non-replicable and inflated. Contrastingly, replicable associations exhibited smaller effects with less statistical significance in the ABCD 1.0 sample. Multiple linear regressions helped assess the specificity of these findings and control the effects of confounding covariates.
A hybrid technique for measurement of intra/extracellular proteins
Authors: Edabashi Haiam , Elghadafi Radwa , Rajkanth Nischwethaa , Mody Janvi Saurabh , Ma Weiyuan , Dibart Serge , Tang Xiaoren
Published: May 2023

ELISA or Western blot is known as a basic technique to be used for measurement of intracellular proteins, but in some cases, they cannot overcome problems such as normalization between samples or extraneous costs for required commercial kits. In order to address this problem, we developed a rapid and effective method (a hybrid of Western blot and ELISA). We use this new hybrid method to detect and normalize trace protein changes in gene expression intracellularly at a lower cost.
Youth-to-senior transition in women’s and girls’ football: Towards a better understanding of relative age effects and gender-specific considerations
Authors: Brustio Paolo Riccardo , Modena Roberto , Boccia Gennaro , Vogliazzo Matteo , Kelly Adam Leigh
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to evaluate youth-to-senior transition and the relative age effect in Italian female football national teams. Birthdate data of 774 female players selected for Under 17 (N = 416), 19 (N = 265) and National Senior team (N = 93) were analysed. The youth-to-senior transition rate was determined by the number of youth players competing in the Senior National team (and vice versa), whilst birth quarter (Q) distributions with a chi-square goodness-of-fit test. Only 17.4% of youth players were able to be selected for the Senior National team, whereas 31.2% of the players reached the high-senior level without being selected for youth age groups. Data revealed a skewed birth date distribution in Under 17 and 19 teams (on average, Q1 = 35.6% vs Q4 = 18.5%) but not in the Senior National team. Youth players born in Q1 were two times more likely to be selected than in Q4. In Under 17, goalkeepers, defenders, and midfielders of Q1 players were overrepresented. However, Q4 players recorded higher conversion rates than Q1 (Q1 = 16.4% vs. Q4 = 25.0%). National youth experience may not be a prerequisite for being selected at the senior level. Moreover, this confers a higher probability of playing in the National Senior team than players not selected in youth rosters.
Six months survival and risk factors for attrition for patients detected with cryptococcal antigenemia through screening in Malawi
Authors: Chisale Master R. O. , Jordan Alex , Kamudumuli Pocha S. , Mvula Bernard , Odo Michael , Maida Alice , Kandulu James , Chilima Ben , Sinyiza Frank W. , Katundu Pauline , Lee Hsin-yi , Mtegha Rebecca , Wu Tsung-Shu Joseph , Bitirinyo Joseph , Nyirenda Rose , Kalua Thoko , Greene Greg , Chiller Tom
Published: May 2023

Main objective

A cohort of adult Malawian people living with HIV (PLHIV) testing positive for cryptococcal antigenemia was observed and followed to determine the outcomes and risk factors for attrition.

Methods concept

Eligible PLHIV were enrolled at 5 health facilities in Malawi, representing different levels of health care. ART naïve patients, ART defaulters returning to care, and patients with suspected or confirmed ART treatment failure with CD4 <200 cells/μL or clinical stage 3 or 4 were enrolled and received CrAg tests on whole blood specimens from August 2018 to August 2019. Hospitalized PLHIV were enrolled and tested for CrAg from January 2019 to August 2019, regardless of CD4 or clinical stage. Patients with cryptococcal antigenemia were managed per Malawian clinical guidelines and were followed up for six months. Survival and risk factors for attrition at six months were assessed.

Results

A total of 2146 patients were screened and 112 (5.2%) had cryptococcal antigenemia. Prevalence ranged from 3.8% (Mzuzu Central Hospital) to 25.8% (Jenda Rural Hospital). Of the 112 patients with antigenemia, 33 (29.5%) were diagnosed with concurrent CM at the time of enrollment. Six-month crude survival of all patients with antigenemia (regardless of CM status) ranged from 52.3% (assuming lost-to-follow-up (LTFU) patients died) to 64.9% (if LTFU survived). Patients who were diagnosed with concurrent CM by CSF test had poor survival (27.3–39.4%). Patients with antigenemia who were not diagnosed with concurrent CM had 71.4% (if LTFU died)– 89.8% (if LTFU survived) survival at six months. In adjusted analyses, patients with cryptococcal antigenemia detected after admission to inpatient care (aHR: 2.56, 1.07–6.15) and patients with concurrent CM at the time of positive antigenemia result (aHR: 2.48, 1.04–5.92) had significantly higher hazard of attrition at six months.

Conclusions

Overall, our findings indicate a need for routine access to CrAg screening and pre-emptive fluconazole treatment as a way to detect cryptococcal antigenemia and prevent CM in outpatient and inpatient settings. Rapid access to diagnosis and treatment for cryptococcal meningitis (CM) with gold-standard antifungals is needed to improve survival of patients with advanced HIV in Malawi.
Numerical assessment of wake-based estimation of instantaneous lift in flapping flight of large birds
Authors: Colognesi Victor , Ronsse Renaud , Chatelain Philippe
Published: May 2023

Experimental characterization of bird flight without instrumenting the animal requires measuring the flow behind the bird in a wind tunnel. Models are used to link the measured velocities to the corresponding aerodynamic forces. Widely-used models can, however, prove inconsistent when evaluating the instantaneous lift. Yet, accurately estimating variations of lift is critical in order to reverse-engineer flapping flight. In this work, we revisit mathematical models of lift based on the conservation of momentum in a control volume around a bird. Using a numerical framework to represent a flapping bird wing and compute the flow around it, we mimic the conditions of a wind tunnel and produce realistic wakes, which we compare to experimental data. Providing ground truth measurements of the flow everywhere around the simulated bird, we assess the validity of several lift estimation techniques. We observe that the circulation-based component of the instantaneous lift can be retrieved from measurements of velocity in a single plane behind a bird, with a latency that is found to depend directly on the free-stream velocity. We further show that the lift contribution of the added-mass effect cannot be retrieved from such measurements and quantify the level of approximation due to ignoring this contribution in instantaneous lift estimation.
Assessment of remote ischemic conditioning delivery with optical sensor in acute ischemic stroke: Randomised clinical trial protocol
Authors: Nair Radhika , Sarmiento Robert , Sheriff Asif , Shuaib Ashfaq , Buck Brian , Gauthier Michel , Mushahwar Vivian , Ferguson-Pell Martin , Kate Mahesh
Published: May 2023

Background

Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) is delivered by a blood pressure cuff over the limb, raising pressure 50 mmHg above the systolic blood pressure, to a maximum of 200 mmHg. The cuff is inflated for five minutes and then deflated for five minutes in a sequential ischemia-reperfusion cycle 4–5 times per session. Elevated pressure in the limb may be associated with discomfort and consequently reduced compliance. Continuous assessment of relative blood concentration and oxygenation with a tissue reflectance spectroscopy (a type of optical sensor device) placed over the forearm during the RIC sessions of the arm will allow us to observe the effect of inflation and deflation of the pressure cuff. We hypothesize, in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and small vessel disease, RIC delivered together with a tissue reflectance sensor will be feasible.

Methods

The study is a prospective, single-center, randomized control trial testing the feasibility of the device. Patients with AIS within 7 days from symptoms onset; who also have small vessel disease will be randomized 2:1 to intervention or sham control arms. All patients randomized to the intervention arm will receive 5 cycles of ischemia/reperfusion in the non-paralyzed upper limb with a tissue reflectance sensor and patients in the sham control arm will receive pressure by keeping the cuff pressure at 30 mmHg for 5 minutes. A total of 51 patients will be randomized, 17 in the sham control arm and 34 in the intervention arm. The primary outcome measure will be the feasibility of RIC delivered for 7 days or at the time of discharge. The secondary device-related outcome measures are fidelity of RIC delivery and the completion rate of intervention. The secondary clinical outcome includes a modified Rankin scale, recurrent stroke and cognitive assessment at 90 days.

Discussion

RIC delivery together with a tissue reflectance sensor will allow insight into the blood concentration and blood oxygenation changes in the skin. This will allow individualized delivery of the RIC and improve compliance.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05408130, June 7, 2022.
Construction and application of computerized risk assessment model for supply chain finance under technology empowerment
Authors: Huang Bo , Gan Wei
Published: May 2023

This study seeks to assist small and medium enterprises break free of the constraints of the conventional financing model and lessen the supply chain finance risks they face. First, the supply chain financial business model and credit risk are analyzed, followed by a discussion of the application principle of blockchain in the control of supply chain financial credit risk. The next topic up for discussion is the emancipation of individuals and the application of financial technology toward the management of financial risk in supply chains. In the final stage of the development of the computerized risk assessment model, the Fuzzy Support Vector Machine (FSVM) is optimized, and the effectiveness and efficiency of risk classification are enhanced by introducing a variable penalty factor C. To test the efficacy of the C-FSVM risk assessment model, the Chinese auto sector is used as the study’s object. According to the results of the study, the C-FSVM model has a classification accuracy of 96.35% for the entire sample, 96.45% for credible firms, and 95.34% for default enterprises. The training time of the C-FSVM model is 473.9s, which is far lower than the SVM and FSVM models’ training times of 1631.6s and 1870.2s. In summary, the C-FSVM supply chain financial risk assessment model is effective and has great application value in banking practice.
Organoids containing neural-like cells derived from chicken iPSCs respond to poly:IC through the RLR family
Authors: Katayama Masafumi , Onuma Manabu , Kato Noriko , Nakajima Nobuyoshi , Fukuda Tomokazu
Published: May 2023

There is still much room for development in pluripotent stem cell research on avian species compared to human stem cell studies. Neural cells are useful for the evaluation of risk assessment of infectious diseases since several avian species die of encephalitis derived from infectious diseases. In this study, we attempted to develop induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) technology for avian species by forming organoids containing neural-like cells. In our previous study, we established two types iPSCs from chicken somatic cells, the first is iPSCs with PB-R6F reprogramming vector and the second is iPSCs with PB-TAD-7F reprogramming vector. In this study, we first compared the nature of these two cell types using RNA-seq analysis. The total gene expression of iPSCs with PB-TAD-7F was closer to that of chicken ESCs than that of iPSCs with PB-R6F; therefore, we used iPSCs with PB-TAD-7F to form organoids containing neural-like cells. We successfully established organoids containing neural-like cells from iPSCs using PB-TAD-7F. Furthermore, our organoids responded to poly:IC through the RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) family. In this study, we developed iPSCs technology for avian species via organoid formation. In the future, organoids containing neural-like cells from avian iPSCs can develop as a new evaluation tool for infectious disease risk in avian species, including endangered avian species.
A bacterial binary toxin system that kills both insects and aquatic crustaceans: Photorhabdus insect-related toxins A and B
Authors: Wang Hao-Ching , Lin Shin-Jen , Wang Han-Ching , Kumar Ramya , Le Phuoc Thien , Leu Jiann-Horng
Published: May 2023

Photorhabdus insect-related toxins A and B (PirA and PirB) were first recognized as insecticidal toxins from Photorhabdus luminescens. However, subsequent studies showed that their homologs from Vibrio parahaemolyticus also play critical roles in the pathogenesis of acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) in shrimps. Based on the structural features of the PirA/PirB toxins, it was suggested that they might function in the same way as a Bacillus thuringiensis Cry pore-forming toxin. However, unlike Cry toxins, studies on the PirA/PirB toxins are still scarce, and their cytotoxic mechanism remains to be clarified. In this review, based on our studies of V. parahaemolyticus PirAvp/PirBvp, we summarize the current understanding of the gene locations, expression control, activation, and cytotoxic mechanism of this type of toxin. Given the important role these toxins play in aquatic disease and their potential use in pest control applications, we also suggest further topics for research. We hope the information presented here will be helpful for future PirA/PirB studies.
The Concrete Rupture: An Examination of Yugoslav Islamic Heritage in the Aftermath of the 1963 Skopje Earthquake
Authors: Babić Maja
Published: May 2023

The study of the Cold War built environment and its links with communist ideology have permeated the field of architectural history and theory since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. However, the treatment of Ottoman Islamic heritage under state socialist rule remains a little examined subject. The earthquake that demolished large swaths of the Yugoslav city of Skopje in 1963 caused heavy damage to Ottoman architecture. In the years that followed, the reconstruction of Skopje became a symbol of a singular, international collaboration between countries from both sides of the Cold War divide. The city that arose became the 1970s brutalist capital of the Balkans. This article examines the treatment of Ottoman urban heritage in Skopje and its sociocultural and political implications during the post-disaster (re)construction of a modernizing and modernist city. I argue that disregard for the historical breadth and the continuing religious, cultural, and social significance of the region’s Ottoman-era urban spaces and structures for Skopje’s Muslim community in the creation of the brutalist city was not exclusively based on anti-Muslim rhetoric. Rather, it was part of the driving quest for modernity sought by the Yugoslav communist leaders in the second half of the twentieth century.
Saintly Spheres and Islamic Landscapes: Emplacements of Spiritual Power Across Time and Place, Daphna Ephrat, Ethel Sara Wolper, and Paulo G. Pinto, Eds (2021)
Authors: Tamari Steve
Published: May 2023

Review of: Saintly Spheres and Islamic Landscapes: Emplacements of Spiritual Power Across Time and Place, Daphna Ephrat, Ethel Sara Wolper, and Paulo G. Pinto, Eds (2021)

Leiden: Brill, 537 pp., 21 b&w and 75 colour illus.,

ISBN: 9789004443655, $206 (cloth)
Cities and Islamisms: On the Politics and Production of the Built Environment, Ed. Bülent Batuman (2021)
Authors: Güvenç Muna
Published: May 2023

Review of: Cities and Islamisms: On the Politics and Production of the Built Environment, Ed. Bülent Batuman (2021)

London and New York: Routledge, 166 pp., 55 b&w illus.,

ISBN: 9780367332006, $44.95 (paperback)
Sobre la implantación del arquetipo forense imperial en Hispania. La “provincialización” como concepto y modelo de difusión
Authors: Marfil Vázquez Francisco
Published: May 2023

El cambio de gobierno que comenzó a gestarse con César acabó cristalizando en un nuevo sistema que Roma heredará de la figura de Augusto. En este sentido, las reformas aplicadas por el Princeps vinieron acompañadas por un contexto de estabilidad y bonanza con el establecimiento de la Pax y las políticas municipalizadoras del territorio hispano, un territorio donde se produjo una oleada monumentalizadora en la que las ciudades pretendían mostrar su nuevo status así como su sometimiento al control de la Urbs. De igual modo, el surgimiento del forum imperial como transmisor del nuevo sentimiento de Estado obligó a los núcleos urbanos provinciales a adoptar los recientes modelos arquitectónicos que emanaban directamente del propio ideario augusteo. Las características particulares de Hispania y de cada una de sus ciudades condicionaron en gran medida la implantación del nuevo arquetipo forense, de esta forma, a medida que éste se difundía por el territorio se sometía a una serie de cambios y modificaciones que darán como resultado un panorama provincial dispar. Este proceso de “provincialización” se desarrollará a lo largo de las primeras centurias de época imperial, modificando y adaptando los sucesivos arquetipos que emanaban desde la Urbs a medida que éstos se expandían por el territorio hispano. Finalmente, en este proceso tendrán un peso notable una multitud de factores, la condición jurídica de la ciudad, la naturaleza de sus élites, su condición administrativa en el contexto provincial, su potencia política y económica o la herencia cultural de estas poblaciones, son solo algunos de los elementos que jugaron un rol determinante en la configuración de sus fora como principal hito urbanístico en representación del poder central.
Tipasa - Carthago Nova: relaciones hispano-mauritanas a través de la pintura mural
Authors: Khellaf Rafik , Quevedo Alejandro , Bensaidani Youcef , Castillo Alcántara Gonzalo , Fernández Díaz Alicia , García Sánchez Jesús
Published: May 2023

El territorio costero de la icónica ciudad de Tipasa (Tipaza) nunca ha sido objeto de una investigación arqueológica sistemática y en la actualidad gran parte de su patrimonio se encuentra amenazado. En el marco de un nuevo proyecto hispano-argelino se ha realizado una prospección que aporta datos inéditos para conocer las conexiones de esta región con el resto del Mediterráneo y, en particular, con la península ibérica. El espacio analizado es una franja litoral que se extiende entre el propio yacimiento y el Mausoleo real mauritano, ambos declarados Patrimonio Mundial de la Humanidad por la UNESCO en 1982. Entre los primeros resultados destaca el hallazgo de nuevos yacimientos de carácter residencial en el entorno de la Colonia Aelia Augusta Tipasensium, uno de los cuales, conocido desde el siglo XIX, ha sido objeto de una intervención específica. Ubicado en la bahía de la Corne d’Or, es un complejo que albergó diversas estructuras, incluyendo ambientes para uso termal. Entre el material recuperado se cuentan varios fragmentos de pintura mural romana entre los que destaca una técnica pictórica propia del Sureste hispano y no documentada hasta la fecha en el Magreb. Se trata de la decoración incisa, hasta ahora identificada únicamente en el ager carthaginensis, obra de un taller “local” fechado en la primera mitad del siglo I d. C. y que pudo trabajar en ambos lugares. El hallazgo permite reflexionar sobre la circulación de talleres y modelos compositivos entre ambas orillas, a la vez que aporta nuevos datos sobre una región aún poco representada en los estudios de pintura mural.