bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Formation of the Germinal Layers in Chelonia
Authors: Mitsukuri K. , lshikawa C.
Published: July 2023

IN the spring of 1884 we made the acquaintance of Mr. Hattori, the proprietor of a large fish-hatching establishment in Honjō, a suburb of Tokyō. His father before him, and he, had succeeded in making the snapping turtle—Trionyx Japonicus, Schlegel—breed freely and naturally in captivity, and thus in furnishing the market with a constant and large supply of its delicate flesh. In his farm hundreds of these turtles are annually hatched, and if the eggs are marked as they are laid the exact age of any given deposit can be determined with great precision, even to minutes in many cases. Such an opportunity for the investigation of Reptilian development seemed to us too good to be thrown away, especially as nobody had, so far as we were aware at the time, worked on the embryology of Chelonia since the days of Agassiz and Clark, and therefore with modern methods of investigation. Mr. Hattori kindly consenting, we went to his farm daily during the breeding season of 1884 and of 1885, and succeeded in collecting a fairly complete series of the Tryonix embryos, beginning with the time when the eggs are deposited, and ending with their hatching out. The present paper gives the results of our study on the formation of the germinal layers. Papers on other points and later stages of development will follow from time to time since the investigation is being continued, as the pressure of other duties permit us,
Όνειρα και οράματα στα αγιολογικά κείμενα της μέσης βυζαντινής περιόδου από τον Η' έως τον Ι' αιώνα
Authors: Γοργολίτσα Κωνσταντίνα
Published: July 2023

Αντικείμενο της παρούσας διατριβής είναι τα όνειρα, τα οράματα και οι συναφείς ψυχικές εμπειρίες στα αγιολογικά κείμενα της μέσης βυζαντινής περιόδου. Οι Βίοι των αγίων περιλαμβάνουν πλήθος αναφορών σε τέτοια ψυχικά φαινόμενα, διότι στην πνευματική πορεία ενός αγίου έχει μεγάλη σπουδαιότητα η εμπειρία της επαφής με το υπερβατικό, η οποία εκδηλώνεται κατεξοχήν μέσω ψυχικών θεάσεων και ακροαμάτων, είτε στη διάρκεια του ύπνου είτε σε συνθήκες εγρήγορσης. Στην παρούσα διατριβή οι ψυχικές εμπειρίες εξετάζονται ως αφηγηματικά στοιχεία και λογοτεχνικά μοτίβα, ενώ έμφαση δίνεται στη λειτουργία τους ως συστατικών ευρύτερης πλοκής και μυθοπλασίας. Αναδεικνύεται έτσι ο ρόλος των ονείρων και των οραμάτων στη διάρθρωση και την εξέλιξη της αφήγησης, η σύνδεσή τους με τα πρόσωπα και τις περιπέτειές τους και η ένταξή τους στη διηγηματική αλυσίδα. Το χρονικό πλαίσιο έρευνας εκτείνεται από τον 8ο έως και τον 10ο αιώνα. Η περίοδος αυτή παρουσιάζει ιδιαίτερο γραμματολογικό ενδιαφέρον για τη σπουδή των αγιολογικών κειμένων, λόγω της μερικής χρονικής σύμπτωσής της με τη μεγάλη κρίση της Εικονομαχίας, ενώ μετά τον 10ο αιώνα καθιερώνονται πλέον νέα πρότυπα στη βυζαντινή αγιολογική γραμματεία. Εξετάζονται εν συνόλω πάνω από εξήντα Βίοι αγίων γραμμένοι κατά την ανωτέρω περίοδο, από τους οποίους σταχυολογούνται και αναλύονται πολλές δεκάδες επεισοδίων με όνειρα και οράματα. Συγκροτείται περιεκτική και συστηματική τυπολογία των υπό εξέταση επεισοδίων, βασισμένη σε ένα πλέγμα αμοιβαίως σχετιζόμενων και συμπληρωματικών κριτηρίων που διαθέτουν ερμηνευτική αξία. Συγκεκριμένα, τα όνειρα και τα οράματα κατατάσσονται σύμφωνα με τις ακόλουθες έξι κατηγορίες: (α) Προέλευση του ψυχικού φαινομένου, από δυνάμεις θεϊκές ή δαιμονικές. (β) Το υποκείμενο που βιώνει την ψυχική εμπειρία: ο βιογραφούμενος άγιος, δευτερεύοντα πρόσωπα ή ο συγγραφέας του Βίου. (γ) Τα δρώντα πρόσωπα που συμμετέχουν στο ψυχικό θέαμα του ονείρου ή οράματος: Θεός, άγιοι και άλλα ιερά πρόσωπα, εγκόσμιες μορφές, δαίμονες, απρόσωπες οντότητες. (δ) Κατάσταση συνειδητότητας του υποκειμένου κατά τη βίωση της ψυχικής εμπειρίας: ύπνος, εγκοίμηση σε ιερό χώρο, εγρήγορση, έκσταση, ενδιάμεση κατάσταση μεταξύ ύπνου και εγρήγορσης. (ε) Σχέση του ονείρου ή οράματος με τον αφηγηματικό χρόνο: παρουσίαση γεγονότων που συνέβησαν στο παρελθόν, θα συμβούν στο μέλλον ή είναι σύγχρονα προς την ψυχική εμπειρία. (στ) Σκοπός του ψυχικού φαινομένου: αποκάλυψη της ιερότητας του αγίου, παροχή ηθικών συμβουλών, βοήθειας ή εντολών για επιθυμητές ενέργειες, επίπληξη, θεραπεία παθήσεων, προαναγγελία μελλοντικών γεγονότων, πειρασμός ή βασανισμός από δαίμονες. Χάρη σε αυτό το εκτενές και περίπλοκο τυπολογικό σύστημα, αποτυπώνεται με πληρότητα η μορφολογία και η λογοτεχνική συγκρότηση των ονείρων και οραμάτων στα μεσοβυζαντινά αγιολογικά κείμενα, και κατανοούνται η στοχοθεσία και η συγγραφική πρακτική των δημιουργών τους.
Manual annotation of Drosophila genes: a Genomics Education Partnership protocol
Authors: Rele Chinmay P. , Sandlin Katie M. , Leung Wilson , Reed Laura K.
Published: July 2023

Annotating the genomes of multiple species allows us to analyze the evolution of their genes. While many eukaryotic genome assemblies already include computational gene predictions, these predictions can benefit from review and refinement through manual gene annotation. The Genomics Education Partnership (GEP; https://thegep.org/) developed a structural annotation protocol for protein-coding genes that enables undergraduate student and faculty researchers to create high-quality gene annotations that can be utilized in subsequent scientific investigations. For example, this protocol has been utilized by the GEP faculty to engage undergraduate students in the comparative annotation of genes involved in the insulin signaling pathway in 27 Drosophila species, using D. melanogaster as the reference genome. Students construct gene models using multiple lines of computational and empirical evidence including expression data (e.g., RNA-Seq), sequence similarity (e.g., BLAST and multiple sequence alignment), and computational gene predictions. Quality control measures require each gene be annotated by at least two students working independently, followed by reconciliation of the submitted gene models by a more experienced student. This article provides an overview of the annotation protocol and describes how discrepancies in student submitted gene models are resolved to produce a final, high-quality gene set suitable for subsequent analyses. The protocol can be adapted to other scientific questions (e.g., expansion of the Drosophila Muller F element) and species (e.g., parasitoid wasps) to provide additional opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in genomics research. These student annotation efforts can substantially improve the quality of gene annotations in publicly available genomic databases.
Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome among dentists: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kostares Evangelos , Kostare Georgia , Kostares Michael , Kantzanou Maria
Published: July 2023

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among dental surgeons and the effect of possible moderators on it.

Methods: A systematic literature search (Medline and Scopus databases) was conducted independently by two reviewers. Only observational studies that examined specifically the prevalence rates of CTS among dentists were included. Quality assessment was performed. The pooled prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was estimated. Outlier and influential analysis were conducted. Moderator analysis was performed in order the effect of categorical and continuous variables on the estimated prevalence to be investigated.

Results: In total, ten eligible studies (3,547 participants) were finally included in this meta-analysis. Two of them were estimated as high quality (low risk of bias) and the remaining ones as moderate quality (moderate risk of bias). The overall prevalence of CTS among dental surgeons was estimated as 9.87% (95%CI 6.84%-14.03%) with significant heterogeneity between studies. No study was identified as influential. Potential sources of heterogeneity were not identified through meta-regression analysis. In the subgroup analysis the prevalence was 12.47% (95%CI 6.38%-22.95%) for the group identified as having CTS through medical history and at least clinical examination or electrodiagnostic testing and 8.56% (95%CI 5.53%-13.01%) among those who identified solely through questionnaire.

Conclusions: Our findings are important to provide the pooled prevalence of CTS among dentists. Our results were based on highly heterogeneous studies. Our study reports a considerable prevalence, consequently, significance of awareness among dental surgeons regarding the etiology of this issue is more than necessary. More studies need to be conducted that could guide researchers in order this issue to be fully investigated.
The challenging reality of the clinical learning environment at Damascus University Faculty of Dental Medicine in Syria: a qualitative study
Authors: Alfakhry Ghaith , Mustafa Khattab , Jazayerli Bashar , Alhomsi Khaled , Jamous Issam
Published: July 2023

Introduction: In Syria, specialist dentists undergo five years of undergraduate education and four years of postgraduate education. In the latter, students engage in treating complex cases as part of their professional training. This study aimed to obtain in-depth qualitative understanding of the clinical learning environment at Damascus University Faculty of Dental Medicine, Syria.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were held with eight postgraduate dental students at Damascus University Faculty of Dental Medicine. The faculty has eight clinical departments; therefore, a single participant was purposively sampled from each department. The male-female ratio of the eight interviewed participants was 1:1. All interviews were conducted between 26th April 2020 and 8th January 2021. Data was analyzed inductively using reflective thematic analysis. Pragmatic saturation was discussed during the analysis and the authors made an interpretative judgement to stop data collection at the eighth interview.

Results: Major themes which emerged covered different aspects of the clinical learning environment such as clinical training, social interaction and assessment procedures. Faculty’s negligence of their teaching duties was one of the most recurrent themes. In clinical training and due to faculty inaccessibility, students had to rely on themselves or their senior peers in training. The social climate was perceived negatively and assessment was described as unfair and biased.

Discussion: The findings of this study showcased the continuing deterioration of the clinical learning environment at Damascus University. It is hoped that these findings will encourage decision makers to introduce a comprehensive reform that addresses the curriculum, teaching practices and assessment procedures in clinical professional training.
COPO - Managing sample metadata for biodiversity: considerations from the Darwin Tree of Life project
Authors: Shaw Felix , Minotto Alice , McTaggart Seanna , Providence Aaliyah , Harrison Peter , Paupério Joana , Rajan Jeena , Burgin Josephine , Cochrane Guy , Kilias Estelle , Lawniczak Mara K.N. , Davey Robert
Published: July 2023

Large-scale reference genome sequencing projects for all of biodiversity are underway and common standards have been in place for some years to enable the understanding and sharing of sequence data. However, the metadata that describes the collection, processing and management of samples, and link to the associated sequencing and genome data, are not yet adequately developed and standardised for these projects. At the time of writing, the Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) Project is over two years into its ten-year ambition to sequence all described eukaryotic species in Britain and Ireland. We have sought consensus from a wide range of scientists across taxonomic domains to determine the minimal set of metadata that we collectively deem as critically important to accompany each sequenced specimen. These metadata are made available throughout the subsequent laboratory processes, and once collected, need to be adequately managed to fulfil the requirements of good data management practice.

Due to the size and scale of management required, software tools are needed. These tools need to implement rigorous development pathways and change management procedures to ensure that effective research data management of key project and sample metadata is maintained. Tracking of sample properties through the sequencing process is handled by Lab Information Management Systems (LIMS), so publication of the sequenced data is achieved via technical integration of LIMS and data management tools.

Discussions with community members on how metadata standards need to be managed within large-scale programmes is a priority in the planning process. Here we report on the standards we developed with respect to a robust and reusable mechanism of metadata collection, in the hopes that other projects forthcoming or underway will adopt these practices for metadata.
Freedom as an Issue in the Context of Transhumanism and Artificial Intelligence, Digitalization, and Robotics (AIDR)
Authors: DAĞ Ahmet
Published: July 2023

Historically, the notion that knowledge and technology enhance human freedom has been accepted since the Renaissance. In fact, it cannot be ignored that “freedom” developed during the Renaissance, Enlightenment, industrialization, and technologicalization processes. While the development of the boundaries of the concept of freedom has increased with artificial intelligence, digitalization, and robotics (AIDR), this development has also created the problem of the violation of personal rights such as “privacy,” “confidentiality,” and “security,” which are the most essential concepts of humans and society. When the “Metaverse,” i.e., the “Web 3.0” process, is added to this phenomenon, the concept of freedom will develop more with the transcendence of time and space. Still, violations of personal rights, increased opportunities to commit crimes, and additional types of crimes will appear. The further development and increased visibility of AIDR require the ancient issue of freedom to be reconsidered in the context of “freedom and responsibility.”
Transhumanism is one of the 21st century’s most influential scientific and philosophical movements, and its goals will make the issue of freedom more important. Transhumanism, first used as a concept in 1957 in the context of the physical and cognitive development of human beings, suggests that natural human limits can be overcome with the possibilities of biotechnology, nanotechnology, cyber-technology, and cognitive sciences. Research in areas such as delaying aging, eugenics debates and discourses legitimizing eugenics, the claim that immortality can be achieved, the development of the mind with the possibilities of nanotechnology, the brain-machine interface (BMI), the development of the body with biotechnological elements and similar studies aim to realize the biological freedom of human beings. This potential biological freedom may yield a result inversely proportional to social freedom. This is because differences between individuals will create a situation of “superiority” that will lead to differences between individuals and classes and thus to inequality. This situation can foster slave-master processes. This process may occur not only between people but also between humans and AI and robotic applications. In addition, AIDR itself, its producer, and its user will differentiate the processes of freedom. In particular, whether transhumanist people are forced to use healing technologies or whether they develop and adapt their own bodies and minds as a result of their own choice or as a result of coercion are other matters of debate in the context of the issue of freedom. This study discusses freedom, an essential issue for humanity, in the context of AIDR processes and transhumanism, which includes these processes.
El-Khaḍir/El-Khiḍr: Le Prophète-Sage dans la Tradition Musulmane by Irfan Omar (Casablanca: A. Retani Éditions La Croisée des Chemins, 2021), 202 pp., ISBN: 9789920769860, 18.00 €
Authors: CALABRİA Michael
Published: July 2023

First Paragraph: In November 1654, the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan made a pilgrimage to the shrine of Mu’in al-Din Chishti in the city of Ajmer as was a common practice for the members of his dynasty. The journey is captured in a painting from his royal chronicle, The Padshahnama. As the emperor crosses a stream on the outskirts of the city, he encounters a mysterious figure standing on the surface of the water, clad in an emerald robe and turban, and offering a globe to the emperor. Although unnamed in the painting, this figure has been identified as al-Khiḍir (also rendered as al-Khaḍir and Khizr), literally “the Green One,” the traditional name given to Mūsā’s (Moses’) mysterious guide mentioned in the Qur’an (al-Kahf 18.60-82 ff.) and the subject of Irfan Omar’s welcome study of this important figure in Islam.
PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF REFORMING STATE CONTROL IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Authors: Lipuntsova Anna V.
Published: July 2023

The article is devoted to an urgent topic in the context of the ongoing transformation of public administration in Russia – the problems and prospects for the development of state control. The subject of the analysis is the currently available results of changes in control and supervisory activities in connection with the entry into force of new legislative acts in this area. The author aims to conduct a theoretical and legal characterization of the reform of state control. The study analyzes the approaches to the essence of state control that have developed in the scientific literature, considers the most priority areas for the development of control and supervisory activities, and provides analytical data. The author makes proposals to improve the legislation laying the legal foundations for the implementation of state control. The research is based on both general scientific and private scientific methods. The formal legal method is used as a special method. The results of the research can be applied for further theoretical work in the framework of administrative law, as well as in the practical activities of legislative and executive bodies of state power.
TO THE ANNIVERSARY OF MIKHAIL VIKTOROVICH RYZHAKOV
Authors: Abylkasymova A.
Published: July 2023

Ryzhakov Mikhail Viktorovich is Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Academician of the Russian Academy of Education. Colleagues congratulate Mikhail Viktorovich on his anniversary.
Training Educators to Work in the Context of Inclusive Education
Authors: Vasil'eva O.
Published: July 2023

Abstract. With the spread of inclusive education, new demands are placed on teachers, including their readiness to teach, educate, and assist in the development of children with special educational needs. Scientists recognize the need to make changes in the training of teachers in order to develop their readiness to teach children with disabilities.

The study presents an analysis of modern research on this issue using methods of analysis, systematization, and comparison of modern approaches to teacher training for inclusive education of children with disabilities. The study reveals scholars’ understanding of the term “readiness for inclusive education of children with disabilities” and a list of professional and personal qualities, value-semantic guidelines, and professional competencies that an inclusive education teacher should have. Scientific approaches to the training of such a specialist (competency-based, integrated) and proposed forms of education are critically analyzed, and issues of content and new technologies used in preparing a teacher for this type of professional are considered.

The study reveals the shortcomings of the current situation in the preparation for inclusive education of children with disabilities, the authors' views on changing the form of such training are offered. As a result of the analysis the prospects for further research in the field of teacher training for inclusive education of children with disabilities are highlighted.
A Multilateral Study of Social Intelligence and Associated Personal Characteristics of a Generation Z Student
Authors: Kyazimova K. , Krylova Natal'ya
Published: July 2023

The study of the phenomenon of "social intelligence" in foreign and domestic psychology was discovered unexpectedly. In a generalized view, the concept under study is considered as a complex structural formation, including a set of abilities aimed at establishing interpersonal relationships; as a personal formation, regardless of general intelligence and associated with a specific activity. Recently, there has been an opinion about social intelligence as a clear and compatible group of mental abilities associated with the processing of social information, i.e. evaluating the level of adequacy and effectiveness of interaction. It should be noted that a special explanation is required of the relationship of intelligence as a cognitive ability linked to personality traits; intelligence and propensity to adapt to new expectations and events of the wedding, as well as the connection of intelligence, processes of self-regulation and control of the locus.

Separately, it is necessary to theoretically and applied comprehend the specific features of the student's generation when designing the conditions for the development of intelligence in the conditions of the educational process of higher education.
On Improving the Mechanism of Strategic Planning and Management of Vocational Education
Authors: Todosiychuk A.
Published: July 2023

The article analyzes the current state of the regulatory framework and the corresponding mechanism of strategic planning and management of vocational education in the Russian Federation. The main element of the mechanism for implementing state policy in the field of personnel training is the state programs of scientific and technological development and education development. Poor quality and insufficiently balanced development of vocational education is one of the main factors of weak innovation activity of the economy. In turn, this creates a low demand for the training of new generations of personnel capable of ensuring the implementation of priority areas of scientific and technological development.

The article presents recommendations for improving the mechanism of strategic planning and management of vocational education, planning budget expenditures for science and vocational education.
Unlimited Testing: Let’s Test Your Emails with AI
Authors: Nguyen Nguyen , Johnson Joseph , Tsiros Michael
Published: July 2023

How to use AI to Predict Success of Email Campaigns
Be part of the practice evolution
Authors: Frisby Claire
Published: July 2023

Claire Frisby outlines the areas in which practices need to evolve.
The land of smiles and kindness
Authors: do Carmo Sara
Published: July 2023

Sara do Carmo takes us on her life changing volunteering journey to Cambodia.
Dental imaging for dental nurses
Authors: Grant Sharon
Published: July 2023

Sharon Grant highlights the requirements and knowledge needed in order to work within radiography.

Aim

To provide advice regarding training requirements for dental nurses to become radiography and CBCT operators.

Objectives

Understand the reasons behind the training requirements to become a radiography operator. Appreciate the different methods of imaging available.
Driven to Autonomous Success
Authors: Fowler David
Published: July 2023

Driverless cars have been put through their paces on London streets in a landmark demonstration by the DRIVEN consortium.
Air of Positivity
Authors: Nathan Stuart
Published: July 2023

Rolls-Royce’s Alan Newby believes that the aviation industry needs to be bolder in stressing its positive contribution to the modern world.
Seating Plan
Authors: Nathan Stuart
Published: July 2023

The Royal Academy of Engineering’s Enterprise Fellowship Scheme links young engineers with ideas with people who can help turn them into businesses. Stuart Nathan talks to Enterprise Fellow Hsin-Hua (Sheana) Yu, whose business Aergo helps severely disabled children sit more comfortably
Armed and Unmanned RIB Takes to Sea
Authors: Excell Jon
Published: July 2023

Demonstration vessel shows its capabilities
Force to be Reckoned with
Authors: Excell Jon
Published: July 2023

Aston Martin's Valkyrie is one of the most hotly anticipated supercars of the decade, and its V12 powerplant has been hailed as the ultimate expression of the internal combustion engine.
Exploring civic engagement dynamics during emergencies: an empirical study into key drivers
Authors: Mishor Efrat , Vigoda-Gadot Eran , Mizrahi Shlomo
Published: July 2023

This article investigates the importance of civic engagement during emergencies. We consider various individual-level factors such as trust, risk cognition, fears about the emergency and cost–benefit analyses of engagement as factors that motivate citizens to become engaged. We argue that governments should recognise the value of community initiatives and civic engagement in coping with emergencies. Our empirical investigation uses data collected in Israel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results demonstrate that trust in government and interpersonal trust may influence citizens’ perceptions of engagement during emergencies but have no effect on engagement behaviour. However, risk cognition and cost–benefit analyses are better predictors of future engagement intentions during emergencies. These insights may improve our understanding of community resilience and the ability of individuals to bounce back after emergencies.
NOMA cooperative VLC systems: design and performance analysis with OOK and L-PPM modulation
Authors: Dwivedy Prashant , Dixit Vipul , Kumar Atul
Published: July 2023

Visible light communication (VLC) allows white LEDs to communicate while lighting, which improves resource consumption. Multiple relay approaches can be employed in conjunction with cooperative communications to achieve large gains in spatial diversity, expand the coverage, and possibly boost system capacity. In this paper, the nonorthogonal multiple access (NOMA) cooperative techniques for VLC systems using on–off keying (OOK) and L-pulse-position modulation (L-PPM) are proposed. The maximum ratio combining (MRC) schemes is adopted at the receiving node to combine the signals received from cooperative transmissions. Further, the decode-and-forward relaying protocol is considered for cooperation. The proposed system is analyzed for a multiuser scenario that is followed by a two- and three-user scenario for detailed analysis. This study calculates the bit error probability (BEP) of an OOK/L-PPM modulated NOMA cooperative VLC system under perfect and imperfect successive interference cancellation. Simulation results are presented to validate the produced analytical BEP results.
Ultra-wide angle panoramic imaging system based on a multiplexed reflective surface
Authors: Ke Fang , Gao Shaohua , Bai Jian , Wang Kaiwei
Published: July 2023

We propose an ultra-wide angle panoramic imaging system based on a multiplexed reflective surface, which consists of a panoramic head unit (PHU) and the relay lens group. The multiplexed reflective surface is applied in the PHU to reflect light from glass and air for imaging, obtaining the front and rear view channels, respectively. With a field of view (FoV) of 360∘×(35∘−120∘) and an f-number of four, this system has good image quality and relative illumination in the FoV. In addition, it has loose tolerance requirements and a diameter ratio of 7.2, reducing the difficulty of manufacturing and assembly. This optical system architecture provides a promising solution for panoramic perception over a wider FoV.
Nonlinear error reduction for phase-shifting profilometry considering periodicity and symmetry of a phase histogram
Authors: Xu Hongzhi , Yang Lingling , Zhu Haojie , Rao Yuan , Liu Lu , Wang Yuwei
Published: July 2023

Phase-shifting profilometry is extensively utilized for three-dimensional (3D) measurement. However, because of gamma nonlinearity, the image intensities of the captured fringe patterns are regrettably distorted. An effective nonlinear error reduction method without requiring parameter estimation is presented in this paper. Differing from the traditional whole-period phase histogram equalization (PHE) method, our method takes into account not only the periodicity but also the symmetry of the phase histogram. Taking a three-step phase-shifting algorithm as an example, the phase error frequency triples the fringe frequency; thus, we first propose a 1/3-period PHE method. Moreover, since the phase error distribution is sinusoidal with symmetry, we further propose a 1/6-period PHE method. Simulations and experiments both indicate that the 1/6-period PHE method, compared with the whole-period PHE and 1/3-period PHE methods, can further reduce the nonlinear error.
US-BSF: a unified simplification of BSF model with different scattering phase functions for underwater wireless optical communication
Authors: Yang Fan , Zhong Ruiheng , Cao Guanyu
Published: July 2023

Underwater wireless optical communications (UWOCs) use beam shaping techniques such as the Beer–Lambert (BL) law which describes how light interacts with matter. The BL model ignores the scattering effect of UWOC, while the beam spread function (BSF) can characterize the combined effect of absorption and scattering of UWOC more accurately. The original triple-integral beam spread function (OTI-BSF) involves the Bessel function, which is very time-consuming to calculate. In addition, different seawater environments may require different scattering phase functions (SPFs) to obtain accurate modeling results compared with Henyey–Greenstein SPF (HG-SPF). So far, the BSF-based channel data generation and performance analysis in complex water environments have been time-consuming. We propose a unified simplification of BSF (US-BSF) channel based on the Gaussian mixture model, which is suitable for three commonly used SPFs. From the point of view of time consumption, our proposed US-BSF only requires an order of O(10−4) s to calculate a value on average, while the OTI-BSF requires an order of O(102) s.
Beam Decoherence Study Based On Scanning Oscillating Method
Authors: Wu Xiaobin , Yin Haoyu , Ma Yueyang , Li Hui , Fang Xuchen , WANG KUIBO , sha pengfei
Published: July 2023

The resolution of imaging system is affected by illumination beam, and the coherence of illumination beam is not conducive to high resolution imaging. This paper uses scanning oscillating method (SOM) by introducing MEMS mirror to split light and reduce the coherence of illumination through the light intensity time integral of time-separated sub-beams. It has the advantages as simple structure and high energy transmission efficiency. From the application of speckle suppression and high-resolution imaging, the decoherence effect of SOM technology is theoretically analyzed and verified by experiments. The speckle brightness is greatly reduced, the speckle contrast decreases significantly relative to the initial value, the interference diffraction phenomenon disappears, and the resolution improvement effect is remarkable.
Light-stimulated low-power artificial synapse based on a single GaN nanowire for neuromorphic computing
Authors: Zhou Min , Zhao Yukun , Gu Xiushuo , Zhang Qianyi , Zhang Jianya , Jiang Min , Lu Shulong
Published: July 2023

The fast development of the brain-inspired neuromorphic computing system has ignited an urgent demand for artificial synapses with low power consumption. In this work, it is the first time a light-stimulated low-power synaptic device based on a single GaN nanowire has been demonstrated successfully. In such an artificial synaptic device, the incident light, the electrodes, and the light-generated carriers play the roles of action potential, presynaptic/postsynaptic membrane, and neurotransmitter in a biological synapse, respectively. Compared to those of other synaptic devices based on GaN materials, the energy consumption of the single-GaN-nanowire synaptic device can be reduced by more than 92%, reaching only 2.72×10−12  J. It is proposed that the oxygen element can contribute to the synaptic characteristics by taking the place of the nitrogen site. Moreover, it is found that the dynamic “learning−forgetting” performance of the artificial synapse can resemble the behavior of the human brain, where less time is required to relearn the missing information previously memorized and the memories can be strengthened after relearning. Based on the experimental conductance for long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), the simulated network can achieve a high recognition rate up to 90% after only three training epochs. Such few training times can reduce the energy consumption in the supervised learning processes substantially. Therefore, this work paves an effective way for developing single-nanowire-based synapses in the fields of artificial intelligence systems and neuromorphic computing technology requiring low-power consumption.
Gas sensing with 7-decade dynamic range by laser vector spectroscopy combining absorption and dispersion
Authors: Lou Xiutao , Wang Yue , Xu Ning , Dong Yongkang
Published: July 2023

Laser absorption spectroscopy (LAS) has been widely used for unambiguous detection and accurate quantification of gas species in a diverse range of fields. However, up-to-date LAS-based gas sensors still face challenges in applications where gas concentrations change in a wide range, since it is extremely difficult to balance spectral analysis strategies for different optical thicknesses. Here we present laser vector spectroscopy that combines absorption spectroscopy with dispersion spectroscopy, simultaneously taking advantage of the former’s high sensitivity in the low-concentration region and the latter’s high linearity in the high-concentration region. In the proof-of-concept demonstration of acetylene measurement, it achieves a linear dynamic range of 6×107 (R2>0.9999), which surpasses all other state-of-the-art LAS techniques by more than an order of magnitude, with the capability of highly accurate quantification retained. The proposed laser spectroscopic method paves a novel way of developing large-dynamic-range gas sensors for environmental, medical, and industrial applications.
Gene regulatory network inference using mixed-norms regularized multivariate model with covariance selection
Authors: Mbebi Alain J. , Nikoloski Zoran
Published: July 2023

Despite extensive research efforts, reconstruction of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) from transcriptomics data remains a pressing challenge in systems biology. While non-linear approaches for reconstruction of GRNs show improved performance over simpler alternatives, we do not yet have understanding if joint modelling of multiple target genes may improve performance, even under linearity assumptions. To address this problem, we propose two novel approaches that cast the GRN reconstruction problem as a blend between regularized multivariate regression and graphical models that combine the L2,1-norm with classical regularization techniques. We used data and networks from the DREAM5 challenge to show that the proposed models provide consistently good performance in comparison to contenders whose performance varies with data sets from simulation and experiments from model unicellular organismsEscherichia coliandSaccharomyces cerevisiae. Since the models’ formulation facilitates the prediction of master regulators, we also used the resulting findings to identify master regulators over all data sets as well as their plasticity across different environments. Our results demonstrate that the identified master regulators are in line with experimental evidence from the model bacteriumE. coli. Together, our study demonstrates that simultaneous modelling of several target genes results in improved inference of GRNs and can be used as an alternative in different applications.
Gentle and fast all-atom model refinement to cryo-EM densities via a maximum likelihood approach
Authors: Blau Christian , Yvonnesdotter Linnea , Lindahl Erik
Published: July 2023

Better detectors and automated data collection have generated a flood of high-resolution cryo-EM maps, which in turn has renewed interest in improving methods for determining structure models corresponding to these maps. However, automatically fitting atoms to densities becomes difficult as their resolution increases and the refinement potential has a vast number of local minima. In practice, the problem becomes even more complex when one also wants to achieve a balance between a good fit of atom positions to the map, while also establishing good stereochemistry or allowing protein secondary structure to change during fitting. Here, we present a solution to this challenge using a maximum likelihood approach by formulating the problem as identifying the structure most likely to have produced the observed density map. This allows us to derive new types of smooth refinement potential—based on relative entropy—in combination with a novel adaptive force scaling algorithm to allow balancing of force-field and density-based potentials. In a low-noise scenario, as expected from modern cryo-EM data, the relative-entropy based refinement potential outperforms alternatives, and the adaptive force scaling appears to aid all existing refinement potentials. The method is available as a component in the GROMACS molecular simulation toolkit.
Predictors of program interest in a digital health pilot study for heart health
Authors: Lockwood Kimberly G. , Pitter Viveka , Kulkarni Priya R. , Graham Sarah A. , Auster-Gussman Lisa A. , Branch OraLee H.
Published: July 2023

Digital health programs can play a key role in supporting lifestyle changes to prevent and reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. A key concern for new programs is understanding who is interested in participating. Thus, the primary objective of this study was to utilize electronic health records (EHR) to predict interest in a digital health app called Lark Heart Health. Because prior studies indicate that males are less likely to utilize prevention-focused digital health programs, secondary analyses assessed sex differences in recruitment and enrollment. Data were drawn from an ongoing pilot study of the Heart Health program, which provides digital health behavior coaching and surveys for CVD prevention. EHR data were used to predict whether potential program participants who received a study recruitment email showed interest in the program by “clicking through” on the email to learn more. Primary objective analyses used backward elimination regression and eXtreme Gradient Boost modeling. Recruitment emails were sent to 8,649 patients with available EHR data; 1,092 showed interest (i.e., clicked through) and 345 chose to participate in the study. EHR variables that predicted higher odds of showing interest were higher body mass index (BMI), fewer elevated lab values, lower HbA1c, non-smoking status, and identifying as White. Secondary objective analyses showed that, males and females showed similar program interest and were equally represented throughout recruitment and enrollment. In summary, BMI, elevated lab values, HbA1c, smoking status, and race emerged as key predictors of program interest; conversely, sex, age, CVD history, history of chronic health issues, and medication use did not predict program interest. We also found no sex differences in the recruitment and enrollment process for this program. These insights can aid in refining digital health tools to best serve those interested, as well as highlight groups who may benefit from behavioral intervention tools promoted by additional recruitment efforts tailored to their interest.
Candida haemulonii complex, an emerging threat from tropical regions?
Authors: Françoise Ugo , Desnos-Ollivier Marie , Le Govic Yohann , Sitbon Karine , Valentino Ruddy , Peugny Sandrine , Chouaki Taieb , Mazars Edith , Paugam André , Nicolas Muriel , Desbois-Nogard Nicole , Lortholary Olivier ,   French Mycoses Study Group
Published: July 2023

Background

Candida haemulonii complex-related species are pathogenic yeasts closely related to Candida auris with intrinsic antifungal resistance, but few epidemiological data are available.

Methodology/Principal findings

We analyzed clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with fungemia due to C. haemulonii complex and related species (C. pseudohaemulonii, C. vulturna) reported in France during 2002–2021, and compared them to data of C. parapsilosis fungemia, as they all can be commensal of the skin. We also conducted a study on adult inpatients and outpatients colonized by C. haemulonii complex, managed at the University Hospital of Martinique during 2014–2020. Finally, we performed a literature review of fungemia due to C. haemulonii complex and related species reported in Medline (1962–2022).

In total, we identified 28 fungemia due to C. haemulonii complex in France. These episodes were frequently associated with bacterial infection (38%) and high mortality rate (44%), and differed from C. parapsilosis fungemia by their tropical origin, mainly from Caribbean and Latin America. All isolates showed decreased in vitro susceptibility to amphotericin B and fluconazole. In Martinique, we found that skin colonization was frequent in the community population, while colonization was strongly associated with the presence of foreign devices in ICU patients. The literature review identified 274 fungemia episodes, of which 56 were individually described. As in our national series, published cases originated mainly from tropical regions and exhibited high crude mortality.

Conclusions/Significance

Multidrug-resistant C. haemulonii complex-related species are responsible for fungemia and colonization in community and hospital settings, especially in tropical regions, warranting closer epidemiological surveillance to prevent a potential C. auris-like threat.
Can women’s reports in client exit interviews be used to measure and track progress of antenatal care services quality? Evidence from a facility assessment census in Malawi
Authors: Mchenga Martina , Burger Ronelle , von Fintel Dieter
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Unlike household surveys, client exit interviews are conducted immediately after a consultation and therefore provides an opportunity to capture routine performance and level of service quality. This study examines the validity and reliability of women’s reports on selected ANC interventions in exit interviews conducted in Malawi.

Methods

Using data from the 2013–2014 Malawi service provision facility census, we compared women’s reports in exit interviews regarding the contents of ANC received with reports obtained through direct observation by a trained healthcare professional. The validity of six indicators was tested using two measures: the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and the inflation factor (IF). Reliability of women’s reports was measured using the Kappa coefficient (κ) and the prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK). Finally, we examined whether reporting reliability varied significantly by individual and facility characteristics.

Results

Of the six indicators, two concrete and observable measures had high reporting accuracy and met the validity criteria for both AUC ≥ 0.7 and 0.75>IF>1.25, namely whether the provider prescribed or gave malaria prophylaxis (AUC: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.83–0.86; IF: 0.96) or iron/folic tablets (AUC: (0.84 95% CI: 0.81–0.87; IF:1.00). Whereas four measures related to counselling had lower reporting accuracy: whether the provider offered counselling about nutrition in pregnancy (AUC: 0.69, 95%CI: 0.67–0.71; IF = 1.26), delivery preparation (AUC: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.60–065; IF = 0.99), pregnancy related complications (AUC: 0.59, 95%CI: 0.56–0.61; IF = 1.11), and iron/folic acid side effects (AUC:0.58, 95% CI: 0.55–0.60; IF = 1.42). Similarly, the observable measures had high reliability with both κ and PABAK values in the ranges of ≥ 0.61 and ≥ 0.80. Respondent’s age, primiparous status, number of antenatal visits, and the type of health provider increased the likelihood of reporting reliability.

Conclusion

In order to enhance the measurement of quality of ANC services, our study emphasizes the importance of carefully considering the type of information women are asked to recall and the timing of the interviews. While household survey programmes such as the demographic health survey and multiple indicator cluster survey are commonly used as data sources for measuring intervention coverage and quality, policy makers should complement such data with more reliable sources like routine data from health information systems.
A cluster randomized trial assessing the impact of personalized prescribing feedback on antibiotic prescribing for uncomplicated acute cystitis to family physicians
Authors: Carney Greg , Maclure Malcolm , Patrick David M. , Fisher Anat , Stanley Dana , Bassett Ken , Dormuth Colin R.
Published: July 2023

Objective

To evaluate the impact of personalized prescribing portraits on antibiotic prescribing for treating uncomplicated acute cystitis (UAC) by Family Physicians (FPs).

Design

Cluster randomized control trial.

Setting

The intervention was conducted in the primary care setting in the province of BC between December 2010 and February 2012.

Participants

We randomized 4 833 FPs by geographic location into an Early intervention arm (n = 2 417) and a Delayed control arm (n = 2 416).

Intervention

The Education for Quality Improvement in Patient Care (EQIP) program mailed to each FP in BC, a ‘portrait’ of their individual prescribing of antibiotics to women with UAC, plus therapeutic recommendations and a chart of trends in antibiotic resistance.

Main outcome measures

Antibiotic prescribing preference to treat UAC.

Results

Implementing exclusion criteria before and after a data system change in the Ministry of Health caused the arms to be unequal in size–intervention arm (1 026 FPs, 17 637 UAC cases); control arm (1 352 FPs, 25 566 UAC cases)–but they were well balanced by age, sex and prior rates of prescribing antibiotics for UAC. In the early intervention group probability of prescribing nitrofurantoin increased from 28% in 2010 to 38% in 2011, a difference of 9.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.1% to 10.7. Ciprofloxacin decreased by 6.2% (95% CI: 5.6% to 6.9%) and TMP-SMX by 3.7% (95% CI: 3.1% to 4.2%). Among 295 FPs who completed reflective surveys, 52% said they were surprized by the E. coli resistance statistics and 57% said they planned to change their treatment of UAC.

Conclusion

The EQIP intervention demonstrated that feedback of personal data to FPs on their prescribing, plus population data on antibiotic resistance, with a simple therapeutic recommendation, can significantly improve prescribing of antibiotics.

Trial registration: ISRCTN 16938907.
Conditional autoencoder asset pricing models for the Korean stock market
Authors: Kim Eunchong , Cho Taehee , Koo Bonha , Kang Hyoung-Goo
Published: July 2023

This study analyzes the explanatory power of the latent factor conditional asset pricing model for the Korean stock market using an autoencoder. The autoencoder is a type of neural network in machine learning that can extract latent factors. Specifically, we apply the conditional autoencoder (CA) model that estimates factor exposure as a flexible nonlinear function of covariates. Our main findings are as follows. The CA model showed excellent explanatory power not only in the entire sample but also in several subsamples in the Korean market. Also, because of this explanatory power, it can better explain market anomalies compared to the traditional asset pricing models. As a result of examining investment strategies using pricing error, the CA model measures the expected return of stocks better than the traditional asset pricing model. In addition, the CA model indicates that the firm characteristic variables are important in asset pricing conditional on macro-financial states, such as the global financial crisis and the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The result shows that the major variables considered in the explanation of stock returns through the CA model may vary depending on the time. This is expected to provide a broader perspective on asset pricing through the CA model in the future.