bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Censuras y artivismos en la red: artistas contra gigantes..
Authors: Hernández-Acuaviva Helena , Muñoz-del-Amo Áurea
Published: June 2024

Muchos creadores contemporáneos utilizan actualmente internet y las redes sociales como canal de expresión y medio de creación en sí mismo. Nuestro objetivo es reflejar el modo en el que el arte último se adapta al medio digital, mostrando, desde un enfoque plástico, como este canal de comunicación proporciona unas posibilidades de compartición e interacción que resultan esenciales para las propuestas que se gestan en el contexto online. Sustentaremos nuestro análisis en el estudio de una selección de artistas contemporáneos cuyo discurso posee un marcado sesgo activista y cuyos proyectos artísticos giran en torno al fenómeno de la censura en la red, hablando de las problemáticas del medio desde el propio medio. Para ello, partiremos temporalmente del momento en el que emerge la Web 2.0, deteniéndonos en casos significativos en los que la práctica artística y el hacktivismo creativo actúan como resorte contra la censura. Así, observaremos cómo los artistas se enfrentan a grandes corporaciones -como Facebook, Google, Amazon o eBay- y gobiernos totalitarios -como el chino o el cubano-. Pretendemos, en definitiva, reflexionar sobre la condición de la mirada globalizada vinculada a los dispositivos digitales y a los límites de la libertad de expresión en el mundo virtual desde el pensamiento artivista.
Dynamics-aktion III. Propuesta de dinámicas pedagógicas, útiles en el taller de proyectos de diseño y más allá.
Authors: Besa Díaz Eneko
Published: June 2024

Este artículo analiza y evalúa una serie de dinámicas pedagógicas utilizadas en el Taller de Proyectos (Design Studio), en las Enseñanzas Artísticas Superiores de Diseño de Interior. Las dinámicas son inspiradoras hasta tal punto que pueden ser trasladables a cualquier disciplina. No obstante, el artículo incluye un soporte teórico específico: una discusión y un contraste comparativo con diferentes modelos del método pedagógico del Taller de Proyectos (Design Studio). Cada dinámica se diseña artísticamente, casi como si fuera una acción, para crear un ‘evento pedagógico’ que enseña a diseñar a través de la experiencia, lo cual hace que el contenido de este artículo no sea tanto conceptual, sino sobre todo vivencial. De hecho, las dinámicas diseñadas apelan, desde la afectación y la sensibilidad, a estratos profundos inconscientes activos en la realidad del aula. Así, este método recrea situaciones que operan en el trasfondo del sentimiento afectado durante el proceso de aprendizaje. Por ello, estas dinámicas ya en su misma concepción son ‘acciones diseñadas’ o ‘diseño en acción’, constituyendo lo que podríamos denominar ‘performances educativas’ dentro del aula (hooks, 2021, p. 32). De este modo, aplicando herramientas puramente artísticas y creativas a la ‘docencia de la creatividad’, practicamos lo que podría considerarse el ‘diseño de la pedagogía del diseño’.
Mi vida: cine, bioética y cuidados paliativos
Authors: Pinto Bustamante Boris Julián , Piñeros Hernández Laura Bibiana , Zapata Estefanía , Arenas delVecchio Lina María , Giraldo Parra María José , González Díaz Daniela , Arango Romero Helena
Published: June 2024

Los cuidados paliativos deben ser comprendidos desde una perspectiva más amplia que la noción de medicina paliativa, ofreciendo, desde un enfoque interdisciplinario, los cuidados necesarios para abordar las múltiples dimensiones del sufrimiento que experimentan pacientes y familiares enfrentados a una enfermedad en condición terminal. En este artículo se explorarán, con ayuda de la película My Life, los conceptos fundamentales de una atención centrada en el paciente, en el contexto de una enfermedad progresiva y sin alternativas terapéuticas. Allí, donde parece que no hay «nada más por hacer», los cuidados paliativos brindan apoyo, con especial atención a la comunicación asertiva que facilite el afrontamiento familiar y personal ante una situación de sufrimiento físico, mental y emocional. La intervención oportuna constituye una estrategia fundamental para afrontar estos sentimientos, al promover la planificación anticipada de las decisiones en torno a la atención, adecuar los esfuerzos con el propósito de optimizar la calidad de vida del paciente y su familia, apoyar la reorientación de intervenciones terapéuticas y considerar alternativas como la sedación al final de la vida como una opción para controlar los síntomas refractarios.
¿Qué edad tiene, doctor?, ¿cuándo lo sacamos de la lista?: cine, justicia y trasplante de órganos
Authors: Pinto Bustamante Boris Julián , Donoso Samper Andrea , Rey Sánchez Daniela Alejandra , Trujillo Guerrero Luisa Fernanda , Ausique Chacón Laura Ximena , Jiménez Tobón Guillermo Antonio
Published: June 2024

Este capítulo analiza, desde la perspectiva del principio de justicia distributiva, los procesos de obtención de componentes anatómicos para trasplante. Se examinan, a partir de la revisión de la literatura, la consulta de fuentes de datos estadísticos y el recurso de narrativas fílmicas, algunos factores que inciden en la brecha existente entre la oferta y demanda, el fenómeno del turismo de trasplantes, la obtención forzada de componentes anatómicos y algunos de los mitos divulgados por medios de comunicación que impactan negativamente la donación de órganos, tanto a nivel global como en el contexto del sistema de salud en Colombia. Se examinan también las nociones de justicia distributiva (equidad y utilidad) que legitiman los criterios de obtención, distribución y asignación de órganos y tejidos, partir de la categorización de estos bio-objetos como bienes sociales.
Instrumentos de política pública sobre cambio climático en Colombia Retos y aportes para el debate
Authors: Rodríguez Gloria Amparo , Gómez Rey Andrés
Published: June 2024

El objetivo del presente texto es simplemente describir los avances normativos y las principales estrategias que se han asumido en Colombia para abordar las problemáticas relacionadas con el cambio climático. Para ello nos apoyamos en los documentos emanados de las diversas instituciones que adelantan tareas en esta materia. A medida que se vayan implementando estos instrumentos se espera realizar la evaluación y el seguimiento correspondiente, cuyos resultados se presentarán en una segunda etapa del proyecto de investigación que sobre el cambio climático se viene adelantando en la Universidad del Rosario. Para lograr este fin se ha utilizado una metodología descriptiva que plantea el uso, estudio y análisis de las fuentes relevantes del derecho y del ordenamiento jurídico.
Nurses’ experiences of providing palliative care for children with life-limiting conditions
Authors: Reid Bernie B , Brogan Patricia
Published: June 2024

Background:

Paediatric palliative care (PPC) has evolved in response to the increased prevalence of children who have been diagnosed with life-limiting conditions. Nursing care is a fundamental aspect of PPC and understanding nurses’ experiences is imperative to the provision and development of quality holistic child-centred services.

Aim:

To review nurses’ experiences of providing palliative care for children with life-limiting conditions.

Method:

A systematic database search of the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Complete, Ovid Medline and Scopus was undertaken. Key words consisted of ‘palliative care’ or ‘terminal care’ or ‘dying’ or ‘end-of-life care’ and children* or paediatric* or pediatric* and ‘nurs* experience*’ or ‘nurs* view*’ or ‘nurs* perspective*’ or ‘nurs* feeling*’. Inclusion criteria included peer-reviewed studies published between 2016–2023 in the English language.

Findings:

A thematic approach was adopted with the 11 papers selected for the review and each study critically analysed to identify three recurring themes. The themes included: ‘a broken wreck’, ‘makes a life worth living’ and ‘challenges in doing 100%’. Findings point to mixed feelings among nurses in providing PPC and suggest that nurses experience emotional distress when caring for dying children. With appropriate supports and inspiration from their paediatric patients, nurses are determined to provide a ‘good death’ for the children in their care. Nevertheless, the perceived lack of knowledge and experience, communication struggles and personal dilemmas can be predisposing factors in triggering negative experiences among nurses when providing palliative care for children with life-limiting conditions.

Recommendations:

Education and policy development is required to meet the practice needs and support the emotional needs of nurses engaged in PPC. Further research is required to generate PPC evidence-based nursing interventions. In doing so, high quality PPC practice will be promoted, thereby ensuring high quality PPC for the children and their families.
Dental health of cleft patients attending the 18-month-old clinic at a specialised centre
Authors: Budhdeo Rakhee , Sanghvi Risha , Vaidyanathan Mina , Bhujel Nabina
Published: June 2024

Orofacial clefts are the most common craniofacial anomaly and children with a cleft are at increased risk of dental caries and anomalies, the most common being hypodontia. This evaluation aimed to establish whether implemented changes after the first cycle led to improved oral health prevention in children attending the 18-month-year-old cleft dental appointment. A total of 44 records were analysed retrospectively over a 9-month period for the second cycle. The initial findings were presented locally and nationally to cleft teams, and an article discussing the dental health of 18-month-old cleft patients was published in the British Dental Journal. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic limiting dental care access, registration with a local dentist increased by 8% in the second cycle. There was a 24% increase in the number of patients having twice-daily toothbrushing performed and an 11% increase in the number of cleft patients who have stopped bottle-feeding by 18 months. The implemented changes following the initial cycle looking at dental health had a positive impact on the percentage of patients who brush twice daily, stopped bottle-feeding and registered with a local dentist.
Cold Agglutinin Urticaria Secondary to Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Infection in Childhood: A Case Report
Authors: Cusmano Clelia , Ceravolo Giorgia , Vitale Agata , Zirilli Giuseppina , Wasniewska Malgorzata , Gitto Eloisa , Valenzise Mariella
Published: June 2024

This case report discusses a 13-year-old child presenting with bilateral middle-basal pneumonia attributed to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Despite the absence of hemolysis, the patient exhibited symptoms consistent with cold agglutinin syndrome (CAS), including an erythematous-pomfoid urticaria-like rash. Laboratory analyses confirmed CAS with elevated cold agglutinin titers and a recent Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Treatment with clarithromycin resolved the pneumonia, and the rash spontaneously regressed. Additionally, hepatic steatosis was detected, likely associated with the patient's overweight status. This case highlights the importance of considering CAS in children with atypical symptoms following Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.
EVALUATING THE UTILITY OF PLAIN RADIOGRAPH AND COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY SCANNING IN IDENTIFYING CONCOMITANT FOOT FRACTURES IN PATIENTS WITH UNSTABLE LISFRANC INJURIES
Authors: Aamir J. , Caldwell R. , Karthikappallil D. , Tanaka H. , Elbannan M. , Mason L.
Published: June 2024

Background

Lisfranc fracture dislocations are uncommon injuries, which frequently require surgical intervention. Currently, there is varying evidence on the diagnostic utility of plain radiographs (XR) and CT in identifying Lisfranc injuries and concomitant fractures. Our aim was to identify the utility of XR as compared to CT, with the nul hypothesis that there was no difference in fracture identification.

Methods

A retrospective assessment of patients who had sustained a Lisfranc injury between 2013 and 2022 across two trauma centres within the United Kingdom who underwent surgery. Pre-operative XR and CT images were reviewed independently by 2 reviewers to identify the presence of associated fractures.

Results

A total of 175 patients were included. Our assessment identified that XR images significantly under-diagnosed all metatarsal and midfoot fractures. The largest discrepancies between XR and CT in their rates of detection were in fractures of the cuboid (5.7% vs 28%, p<0.001), medial cuneiform (20% vs 51%, p=0.008), lateral cuneiform (4% vs 36%, p=0.113), second metatarsal (57% vs 82%, p<0.001), third metatarsal (37% vs 61%, p<0.001) and fourth metatarsal (26% vs 43%, p<0.001). As compared to CT, the sensitivity of XR was low. The lowest sensitivity for identification however was lateral foot injuries, specifically fractures of the lateral cuneiform (sensitivity 7.94%, specificity 97.3%), cuboid (sensitivity 18.37%, specificity 99.21%), fourth (sensitivity 46.7%, specificity 89.80%) and fifth metatarsal (sensitivity 45.00%, specificity 96.10%).

Conclusion

From our analysis, we can determine that XR significantly under-diagnoses associated injuries in patient sustaining an unstable Lisfranc injury, with lateral foot injuries being the worst identified. We advised the use of CT imaging in all cases for appropriate surgical planning.
SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF COMPLEX ANKLE FRACTURES IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES: A NATIONAL RETROSPECTIVE MULTICENTRE STUDY
Authors: Ahluwalia R. , Wek C. , Lewis T. , Stringfellow T. , Coffey D. , Ping S.T. , Edmonds M. , Reichert I.
Published: June 2024

Background

Ankle fractures associated with diabetes experience more complications following standard Open-Reduction-Internal-Fixation (ORIF) than those without diabetes. Augmented fixation strategies namely extended ORIF and hind-foot-nail (HFN) may offer better results, and early weightbearing in this group. The aim of this study was to define the population of patients with diabetes undergoing primary fixation for ankle fractures. Secondarily, to assess the utilisation of standard and augmented strategies and the effect of these choices on surgical outcomes including early post-operative weight bearing and surgical complications.

Methods

A national-multicentre retrospective cohort study was conducted between January to June 2019 in 56 centres (10 Major- Trauma-Centres and 46 Trauma-Units) in the United Kingdom; 1360 specifically defined complex ankle-fractures were enrolled. Demographics, fixation choice, surgical and functional outcomes were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to compare high-risk patients with/without diabetes.

Results

There were 316 patients in the diabetes cohort with mean age 63.9yrs (vs. 49.3yrs in non-diabetes cohort), and greater frailty score >4 (24% vs.14% (non-diabetes cohort) (p<0.03); 7.5% had documented neuropathy. In the diabetes cohort, 79.7% underwent standard ORIF, 7.1% extended ORIF and 10.2% a HFN compared to 87.7%, 3.0% and 10.3% in the non-diabetes cohort. Surgical wound complications after standard-ORIF were higher in the diabetes cohort (15.1% vs. 8.7%) (p<0.02) but patients with diabetes who underwent augmented techniques showed little difference in surgical outcomes/complications to non-diabetes, even though early-weight- bearing rates were greater than standard-ORIF.

Conclusion

Ankle fractures in diabetes occur in older, frailer patients; whilst lower than expected neuropathy rates suggest a need for improved assessment. Augmented surgical techniques may allow earlier weight-bearing without increasing complications in keeping with modern guidelines in ankle fracture management.
ULTRASOUND-GUIDED INFILTRATION WITH HYALURONIC ACID VERSUS CORTICOSTEROID FOR THE TREATMENT OF MORTON'S NEUROMA: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Authors: Lewis T. , Ferreira G.F. , Nunes G. , Ray R.
Published: June 2024

Background

Infiltration is considered the first treatment option for symptomatic Morton's neuroma and can be performed with various medications. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of hyaluronic acid infiltration versus corticosteroid injection in the treatment of Morton's neuroma.

Methods

A randomised clinical trial was conducted with 46 patients (50 feet) diagnosed with Morton's neuroma. After randomisation, the control group (CG) received three injections (one per week) of triamcinolone (Triancil®) guided by ultrasound, while the study group (SG) received three applications of hyaluronic acid (Osteonil Plus®). Patients were followed up for six months after the intervention. The primary outcome measure used was the Visual Pain Analog Scale (VAS). Secondary endpoints included patient-reported outcome measures using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and complications.

Results

Both groups showed significant improvement in VAS and AOFAS scores (p < 0.001). The CG showed greater improvement than the SG in the VAS (p < 0.05) and AOFAS (p < 0.001) variables. Four patients in the CG experienced skin hypochromia at the injection site, while there were no complications in the SG.

Conclusion

Ultrasound-guided hyaluronic acid infiltration in Morton's Neuroma proved to be safe, showing improvement in pain and function after six months of follow-up, without major complications, but with a significantly lower improvement when compared to corticosteroid injection. Taking into account cost implications and the potential for longer lasting improvement from viscosupplementation further medium- and long-term studies are needed.
Panoramic heat map for spatial distribution of necrotic lesions
Authors: Yang Peng , He Wei , Yang Weiming , Jiang Luoyong , Lin Tianye , Sun Weichao , Zhang Qingwen , Bai Xueling , Guo Da , Sun Wei
Published: June 2024

Aims

In this study, we aimed to visualize the spatial distribution characteristics of femoral head necrosis using a novel measurement method.

Methods

We retrospectively collected CT imaging data of 108 hips with non-traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head from 76 consecutive patients (mean age 34.3 years (SD 8.1), 56.58% male (n = 43)) in two clinical centres. The femoral head was divided into 288 standard units (based on the orientation of units within the femoral head, designated as N[Superior], S[Inferior], E[Anterior], and W[Posterior]) using a new measurement system called the longitude and latitude division system (LLDS). A computer-aided design (CAD) measurement tool was also developed to visualize the measurement of the spatial location of necrotic lesions in CT images. Two orthopaedic surgeons independently performed measurements, and the results were used to draw 2D and 3D heat maps of spatial distribution of necrotic lesions in the femoral head, and for statistical analysis.

Results

The results showed that the LLDS has high inter-rater reliability. As illustrated by the heat map, the distribution of Japanese Investigation Committee (JIC) classification type C necrotic lesions exhibited clustering characteristics, with the lesions being concentrated in the northern and eastern regions, forming a hot zone (90% probability) centred on the N4-N6E2, N3-N6E units of outer ring blocks. Statistical results showed that the distribution difference between type C2 and type C1 was most significant in the E1 and E2 units and, combined with the heat map, indicated that the spatial distribution differences at N3-N6E1 and N1-N3E2 units are crucial in understanding type C1 and C2 necrotic lesions.

Conclusion

The LLDS can be used to accurately measure the spatial location of necrotic lesions and display their distribution characteristics.

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2024;13(6):294–305.
Analysis and Application of Chaotic Genetic Algorithm Based on Network Security in The Research of Resilience of Cluster Networks
Authors: Song Xiaobo
Published: June 2024

With the wide application of UAV, in the actual flight process, UAV needs to calculate the safe path according to its own position, environment, obstacles and other information. Due to the complex and changeable scene and environment of UAV mission execution, it is very important to select an appropriate UAV path planning algorithm. This paper aims at the path planning problem of multiple UAVs in a complex three-dimensional environment to ensure that multiple UAVs reach the mission location from different angles. Taking the chaotic genetic algorithm in network security protection as the main body, the operation difficulty of the algorithm is reduced, and the solution speed and accuracy of the algorithm are improved. The path length obtained by the proposed algorithm is 8.4% less than that of the ABC algorithm, 11.3% less than that of the PSO algorithm, and 4.2% less than that of the BABC algorithm. The system running time of the improved algorithm is also reduced by 27% to 45% compared with other algorithms. In terms of unmanned cooperation, this paper proposes a system capability based on network modeling to improve the cooperative combat capability of multiple UAVs. By establishing a network model, information sharing, collaborative decision-making and collaborative decision-making between drones are realized, thereby improving the effectiveness of the entire system. At the same time, this paper also considers the problem of network survivability. By introducing redundant design and fault recovery mechanism, the robustness and reliability of the system are enhanced.
The Homology Determination System for APT Samples Based on Gene Maps
Authors: Xu Rui-chao , Di Yue-bin , Shou Zeng , Ma Xiao , Chai He-qiu , Yin Long
Published: June 2024

At present, there are fewer types of homology determination methods for advanced persistent threat (APT) samples detection, and most existing determination schemes have problems such as high cost, low accuracy, and difficulty in identifying unknown APT samples. Therefore, we proposed a homology determination system for APT samples based on gene maps by integrating deep learning and gene maps. Firstly, we extract the software gene features from the samples uploaded by the user and apply the TF-IDF algorithm to clean the extracted software genes. The Word2Vec algorithm is used to vectorize all the genes to construct the gene sample vectors. And we use a LSTM-based classifier to detect APT attack samples. Finally, the K-nearest neighbor algorithm is used to determine the homology of gene-sharing APT samples. The detailed construction process of the scheme is given in this paper, including APT sample gene extraction, cleaning, clustering, sample detection, and homology determination. Experimental validation showcases our model outperforming existing methodologies with an accuracy of 95%, precision of 94%, and recall of 95%. When compared to previous models, the superiority of our approach is evident. These results underscore our model’s high efficiency and accuracy, confirming its potential for significant application in the field of cybersecurity.
CAIXA-PRETA DA NAU FILOSÓFICA
Authors: Chabalgoity Diego
Published: June 2024

Esse artigo tem como objetivo contribuir para reflexões sobre o papel e os alcances da ficção científica na popularização de conhecimento. Como recorte e exercício de fundamentação, situa esse gênero ficcional como fotografia descritiva, buscando na filosofia da fotografia flusseriana elementos que auxiliem no entendimento crítico – que não dicotomiza técnica e estética - dos limites entre conhecimento e ficção. Na ficção científica temas filosóficos que movem seres humanos por milênios, como metafísica, ontologia, ética e política, se somam a uma das características mais cativantes desse gênero literário: o oferecimento de alternativas civilizacionais. Na primeira parte apresentamos os conceitos de tecnoimagem e caixa-preta, relacionando-os ao contexto atual em que o enorme avanço da tecnologia influencia de forma nunca antes vista a ficção audiovisual, criando espaços inéditos para a consubstanciação de ficções em teoria. Na segunda parte apresentamos a diferença entre fantasia e ficção científica traçando um paralelo entre a materialidade implicada no desvelar da caixa-preta e o caminho em que a ficção científica decodifica o conhecimento em ficção para transformar a ficção em conhecimento. Na conclusão sugere algumas questões de perspectiva a serem enfrentadas em investigações que busquem se fundamentar na filosofia da fotografia em Flusser, considerando nossa sociedade tecnocentrada.
VILÉM FLUSSER E A POESIA CONCRETA
Authors: Do Nascimento Charliston Pablo
Published: June 2024

A relação entre o pensamento filosófico de Vilém Flusser e a poesia concreta (e, especialmente, com o poeta Haroldo de Campos), é marcada por uma crítica ao mesmo tempo peculiar e complexa. O pensador tcheco-brasileiro se mostra um grande entusiasta da radicalidade daquela poesia no trato da linguagem, mas, ao mesmo tempo, considera-a tímida em seus resultados, pelo fato de ela ainda se sustentar em um caráter semântico tradicional dos termos ou apresentar, como parte de sua narrativa, um conteúdo de engajamento político. Por outro lado, a contundência da crítica flusseriana não recebeu, por parte de Haroldo de Campos e dos demais poetas concretos, reconhecidos por não se furtarem às polêmicas em que se viram envolvidos, uma reação análoga e da qual pudéssemos usufruir um aprofundamento do debate. No presente artigo, retomarei um tema em filosofia da arte que venho desenvolvendo nos últimos anos, inspirado nos conceitos de retórica e interpretação, de Arthur Danto, para defender que a querela e o afastamento entre Flusser e a poesia concreta é resultado de um conflito entre as suas distintas retóricas e pelo caráter ilustrativo da interpretação na crítica flusseriana àquela poesia.
Palavras-chave: Vilém Flusser; Haroldo de Campos; Poesia concreta; Questão retórica; Problema da interpretação.
DOSSIÊ VILÉM FLUSSER
Authors: Brayner de Farias André
Published: June 2024

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Nihilists, Fenians and Revolutionary Martyrdom in Transnational Context
Authors: Holekamp Abby
Published: June 2024

Abstract: Although their goals and the cultural contexts in which they were operating differed, both the so-called nihilists and the so-called Fenians described themselves and were described by others — in the press, in fiction — as martyrs willing to die for their cause. Whether employed with approval or opprobrium, Victorian print culture in particular drew these two sets of radicals together: fear of an impending ‘union of Nihilists and Fenians’, as one Lancaster newspaper put it in 1882, was a recurring theme in the late Victorian press. However, so too was the idea, expressed in 1896 by an English journalist who had worked in Russia, that it was unbelievable that nihilists would have ‘any connection whatsoever’ with the Fenians, because the high-minded nihilists supposedly perceived Irish radicals as prosaic dilettantes. By examining such contradictory representations of revolutionary sacrifice and martyrdom in comparative and transnational context (with particular attention paid to gendered representations), we can begin to trace the contours of a shared language of sacrifice both among and outside of these respective movements. In doing so, this article begins to define the role of Russia (and its ‘martyrs’) as both a focus and a foil in the fin de siècle European imagination.
Live cell imaging of cellular dynamics in poplar wood using computational cannula microscopy
Authors: Ingold Alexander , Mishra Gayatri , Sorenson Reed , Groover Andrew , Sieburth Leslie , Menon Rajesh
Published: June 2024

This study presents significant advancements in computational cannula
microscopy for live imaging of cellular dynamics in poplar wood
tissues. Leveraging machine-learning models such as
pix2pix for image reconstruction, we achieved
high-resolution imaging with a field of view of using a -core diameter probe. Our method
allows for real-time image reconstruction at 0.29 s per frame with a
mean absolute error of 0.07. We successfully captured cellular-level
dynamics in vivo, demonstrating
morphological changes at resolutions as small as . We implemented two types of
probabilistic neural network models to quantify confidence levels in
the reconstructed images. This approach facilitates context-aware,
human-in-the-loop analysis, which is crucial for in vivo imaging where ground-truth data is unavailable.
Using this approach we demonstrated deep in
vivo computational imaging of living plant tissue with high
confidence (disagreement score ). This work addresses
the challenges of imaging live plant tissues, offering a practical and
minimally invasive tool for plant biologists.
Phase-based structured interrogation frequency-domain near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Abdalsalam Ola , Howard Scott , O’Sullivan Thomas D.
Published: June 2024

Frequency-domain near-infrared spectroscopy (FD-NIRS) is a noninvasive method for quantitatively measuring optical absorption and scattering in tissue. This study introduces structured interrogation (SI) as an interference-based approach for implementing FD-NIRS in order to enhance optical property estimation in multilayered tissues and sensitivity to deeper layers. We find that, in the presence of realistic noise, SI accurately estimates properties and chromophore concentrations with less than a 5% error. Particularly noteworthy, the phase-only component of SI FD-NIRS can quantify both the optical absorption and reduced scattering in homogeneous tissues and shows a 20% improved sensitivity to absorption changes in deeper tissues compared to conventional methods. We show that this enhanced sensitivity is promising for improving the accuracy of functional brain monitoring in the cortex of an infant with less superficial contamination.
Drizzle microphysical property and vertical air motions retrieval using Doppler lidar and radar measurements
Authors: Di Huige , Yuan Yun , Wang Yaya , Yan Qing , Hua Dengxin
Published: June 2024

The microphysical changes in cloud formation and development are closely related to the vertical air motions. It is difficult to simultaneously detect microphysical parameters of drizzle and vertical air motions. This study proposes a method for the drizzle microphysical property and vertical air motions retrieval using Doppler lidar and radar measurements. The wavelength of lidar is 1.55 µm, and it undergoes Mie scattering or geometric scattering in drizzle. The wavelength of radar is 8.6 mm, and it undergoes Rayleigh scattering or Mie scattering in drizzle. The difference in scattering mechanisms of two wavelengths enables them to retrieve the microphysical parameters of vertical air motions and raindrops. This wavelength-dependent backscattering cross section causes differently shaped reflectivity-weighted Doppler velocity spectra leading to wavelength-dependent mean Doppler velocity, and spectra width. In this algorithm, the echo power intensity, mean Doppler velocity and spectra width of lidar and radar are used for the retrieval of microphysical parameters and vertical air motions. The feasibility of the proposed method is simulated and analyzed, which is suitable for stratiform clouds rainfall with low turbulence. Finally, an observation case is provided and analyzed.
Chiral absorption enhancement via critically coupled resonances in atomically thin photonic crystal exciton-polaritons
Authors: Zhou Jiaxin , Huang Di , Wang Yuefeng , Chen Yuhua , Xia Meng , Zhang Xingwang
Published: June 2024

Atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDS) offer a promising route to the scaling down of optoelectronic devices to the ultimate thickness limit. But the weak light–matter interaction caused by their atomically thin nature makes them inevitably rely on external photonic structures to enhance optical absorption. Here, we report chiral absorption enhancement in atomically thin tungsten diselenide (WSe2) using chiral resonances in photonic crystal (PhC) nanostructures patterned directly in WSe2 itself. We show that the quality factors (Q factors) of the resonances grow exponentially as the PhC thickness approaches atomic limit. As such, the strong interaction of high Q factor photonic resonance with the coexisting exciton resonance in WSe2 results into self-coupled exciton-polaritons. By balancing the light coupling and absorption rates, the incident light can critically couple to chiral resonances in WSe2 PhC exciton-polaritons, leading to the theoretically limited 50% optical absorptance with over 84% circular dichroism (CD).
Missing data in amortized simulation-based neural posterior estimation
Authors: Wang Zijian , Hasenauer Jan , Schälte Yannik
Published: June 2024

Amortized simulation-based neural posterior estimation provides a novel machine learning based approach for solving parameter estimation problems. It has been shown to be computationally efficient and able to handle complex models and data sets. Yet, the available approach cannot handle the in experimental studies ubiquitous case of missing data, and might provide incorrect posterior estimates. In this work, we discuss various ways of encoding missing data and integrate them into the training and inference process. We implement the approaches in the BayesFlow methodology, an amortized estimation framework based on invertible neural networks, and evaluate their performance on multiple test problems. We find that an approach in which the data vector is augmented with binary indicators of presence or absence of values performs the most robustly. Indeed, it improved the performance also for the simpler problem of data sets with variable length. Accordingly, we demonstrate that amortized simulation-based inference approaches are applicable even with missing data, and we provide a guideline for their handling, which is relevant for a broad spectrum of applications.
Computational design of Periplasmic binding protein biosensors guided by molecular dynamics
Authors: O’Shea Jack M. , Doerner Peter , Richardson Annis , Wood Christopher W.
Published: June 2024

Periplasmic binding proteins (PBPs) are bacterial proteins commonly used as scaffolds for substrate-detecting biosensors. In these biosensors, effector proteins (for example fluorescent proteins) are inserted into a PBP such that the effector protein’s output changes upon PBP-substate binding. The insertion site is often determined by comparison of PBP apo/holo crystal structures, but random insertion libraries have shown that this can miss the best sites. Here, we present a PBP biosensor design method based on residue contact analysis from molecular dynamics. This computational method identifies the best previously known insertion sites in the maltose binding PBP, and suggests further previously unknown sites. We experimentally characterise fluorescent protein insertions at these new sites, finding they too give functional biosensors. Furthermore, our method is sufficiently flexible to both suggest insertion sites compatible with a variety of effector proteins, and be applied to binding proteins beyond PBPs.
The epidemiology of behavioral risk factors for noncommunicable disease and hypertension: A cross-sectional study from Eastern Uganda
Authors: Gibson Dustin G. , Meghani Ankita , Ssemagabo Charles , Wosu Adaeze , Kibria Gulam Muhammed Al , Nareeba Tryphena , Gyezaho Collins , Galiwango Edward , Nanyonga Judith Kaija , Pariyo George W. , Kajungu Dan , Rutebemberwa Elizeus , Hyder Adnan Ali
Published: June 2024

In light of the suboptimal noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factor surveillance efforts, the study’s main objectives were to: (i) characterize the epidemiological profile of NCD risk factors; (ii) estimate the prevalence of hypertension; and (iii) identify factors associated with hypertension in a peri-urban and rural Ugandan population. A population-based cross-sectional survey of adults was conducted at the Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance System site in eastern Uganda. After describing sociodemographic characteristics, the prevalence of NCD risk factors and hypertension was reported. Prevalence ratios for NCD risk factors were calculated using weighted Poisson regression to identify factors associated with hypertension. Among 3220 surveyed respondents (mean age: 35.3 years (standard error: 0.1), 49.4% males), 4.4% were current tobacco users, 7.7% were current drinkers, 98.5% had low fruit and vegetable consumption, 26.9% were overweight, and 9.3% were obese. There was a high prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension, at 17.1% and 48.8%, respectively. Among hypertensive people, most had uncontrolled hypertension, at 97.4%. When we examined associated factors, older age (adjusted prevalence ratio (APR): 3.1, 95% CI: 2.2–4.4, APR: 5.2, 95% CI: 3.7–7.3, APR: 8.9, 95% CI: 6.4–12.5 among 30–44, 45–59, and 60+-year-old people than 18–29-year-olds), alcohol drinking (APR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.3–2.0, ref: no), always adding salt during eating (APR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1–2.2, ref: no), poor physical activity (APR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1–1.6, ref: no), overweight (APR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1–1.5, ref: normal weight), and obesity (APR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.6–2.4, ref: normal weight) had higher prevalence of hypertension than their counterparts. The high prevalence of NCD risk factors highlights the immediate need to implement and scale-up population-level strategies to increase awareness about leading NCD risk factors in Uganda. These strategies should be accompanied by concomitant investment in building health systems capacity to manage and control NCDs.
Anthelmintic effects of some medicinal plants on different life stages of Fasciola hepatica: Evidence on oxidative stress biomarkers, and DNA damage
Authors: Allahyari Mohaddeseh , Malekifard Farnaz , Yakhchali Mohammad
Published: June 2024

Fasciolosis caused by Fasciola hepatica is a major public health and economic problem worldwide. Due to the lack of a successful vaccine and emerging resistance to the drug triclabendazole, alternative phytotherapeutic approaches are being investigated. This study investigated the in vitro anthelmintic activity of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) essential oils (EOs) against F. hepatica. The in vitro study was based on an egg hatch assay (EHA), adult motility inhibition assays, DNA damage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level along with several oxidative stress biomarkers including glutathione peroxidase (GSH), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). To this end, different concentrations of L. angustifolia and C. siliqua EOs (1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 mg/mL) were used to assess anthelmintic effects on different life stages including egg, and adults of F. hepatica for 24 hrs. The results indicated that these EOs play a significant role as anthelminthics, and the effect was dependent on time and concentration. The in vitro treatment of F. hepatica worms with both L. angustifolia and C. siliqua EOs increased DNA damage, ROS production and induction of oxidative stress (decreased SOD, GST and GSH, and increased MDA), significantly compared to control. Therefore, it can be concluded that L. angustifolia and C. siliqua EOs have the potential to be used as novel agents for the control and treatment of F. hepatica infections. Further studies are required to investigate their pharmacological potential and effectiveness in vivo for the treatment of parasitic infections.
Exploring the relationship between EFL students’ writing performance and activity theory related influencing factors in the blended learning context
Authors: Wang Yuling , Kasuma Shaidatul Akma Binti Adi , Lah Salasiah Binti Che , Zhang Qi
Published: June 2024

With the rapid development of technologies, blended learning is widespread in English writing instruction. The effect of blended learning on EFL writing outcomes is affected by various factors. This study examines the relationship between EFL students’ writing performance and influencing factors and the relationship between these factors in a blended learning context based on the Activity Theory. The study used a quantitative method: English argumentative writing tests and questionnaires with 33 undergraduates. The results reveal that EFL students’ argumentative writing performance is significantly and positively correlated with five influencing factors, in descending order of correlation: subject, community, object, rules, and division of labor. Moreover, the findings suggest a significant positive relationship within each factor in the blended learning environment, except for no relationship between rules and division of labor. Furthermore, the research provides useful references and insights for further research and educational practice in blended writing instruction. Due to limitations such as the relatively small sample size, the focus on argumentative writing, and the reliance on quantitative data, this study gives the impression that the results only represent a portion of the population and situation. Therefore, future research could consider enlarging the sample size, adopting a more comprehensive range of writing genres, involving qualitative methods, or expanding the scope of research on the impact of BL on other disciplines.
Regulation of candidalysin underlies Candida albicans persistence in intravascular catheters by modulating NETosis
Authors: Tseng Kuo-Yao , Huang Yu-Tsung , Huang Yu-Ting , Su Yu-Ting , Wang An-Ni , Weng Wen-Yen , Ke Cai-Ling , Yeh Yu-Chiao , Wang Jhih-Jie , Du Shin-Hei , Gu Zi-Qi , Chen Wei-Lin , Lin Ching-Hsuan , Tsai Yu-Huan
Published: June 2024

Candida albicans is a leading cause of intravascular catheter-related infections. The capacity for biofilm formation has been proposed to contribute to the persistence of this fungal pathogen on catheter surfaces. While efforts have been devoted to identifying microbial factors that modulate C. albicans biofilm formation in vitro, our understanding of the host factors that may shape C. albicans persistence in intravascular catheters is lacking. Here, we used multiphoton microscopy to characterize biofilms in intravascular catheters removed from candidiasis patients. We demonstrated that, NETosis, a type of neutrophil cell death with antimicrobial activity, was implicated in the interaction of immune cells with C. albicans in the catheters. The catheter isolates exhibited reduced filamentation and candidalysin gene expression, specifically in the total parenteral nutrition culture environment. Furthermore, we showed that the ablation of candidalysin expression in C. albicans reduced NETosis and conferred resistance to neutrophil-mediated fungal biofilm elimination. Our findings illustrate the role of neutrophil NETosis in modulating C. albicans biofilm persistence in an intravascular catheter, highlighting that C. albicans can benefit from reduced virulence expression to promote its persistence in an intravascular catheter.
Performance Evaluation of Solar Parabolic Collector Using Low Volume Fractions of Multi-Walled Carbon-nanotube in Synthetic Engine Oil
Authors: Talugeri Vinayak , Nasi Veeranna Basawannappa , Lalagi Gururaj , Pattana Nagaraj Basavaraj
Published: June 2024

The use of nanofluids has been encouraged to advance the efficiency of solar collectors in previous investigations. In this experiment, the performance of solar parabolic collectors in Bangalore, India, was enhanced using low-volume fractions of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and synthetic engine oil as the base fluid. To stabilize and optimize the thermal conductivity of the nanofluids, orthocresol was used as a surfactant and was further treated with magnetic stirring and ultrasonication. The resulting MWCNT-synthetic engine oil nanofluid was generated at three different volume fractions with a 1:1 MWCNT/ Orthocresol ratio and tested at different flow rates between 10:00 and 16:00 according to ASHRAE Standards. The maximum efficiency was achieved at 0.0317 vol% and a discharge of 7 L/min, which was 6.9% higher than that of the synthetic engine oil. This study shows that even at low-volume fractions of nanofluids, effective heat transfer can be achieved in solar parabolic collectors. These findings suggest that MWCNT-synthetic engine oil nanofluids have the potential to significantly advance the performance of solar parabolic collectors.
Industry 4.0 maturity model in the context of state of Espírito Santo
Authors: Fernandes Raianny Souza , Mestria Mário
Published: June 2024

The aim of this paper is to develop a manufacturing maturity model for implementing Industry 4.0 technologies. The study was based on the methodology of De Bruin et al. (2005). The study contributes by providing insights into how the maturity model can help companies to see their strengths and weaknesses in order to improve the level of maturity of Industry 4.0 in these organizations. The model is specifically developed based on the specified objectives, factors and barriers, addressing the complexity of Industry 4.0 with a focus on manufacturing. To this end, a questionnaire was administered to 25 employees of companies in Espírito Santo, Brazil, with the aim of validating the model found and identifying the level of maturity of the organizations studied. The maturity model found consists of five maturity levels, three dimensions and 27 elements. The questionnaire applied resulted in a maturity level of 59.7%, obtaining an intermediate classification, meaning a partial use of Industry 4.0 technologies in the companies studied. A comparison was made between the Mining, Electrical, IT, Steel and Metallurgy sectors. The results showed that the Steel and Mining sectors have the highest maturity values and the IT and Metallurgy sectors have the lowest Industry 4.0 maturity values. A limitation of the study is the subjectivity inherent in the use of questionnaires. As a future suggestion, it is possible to identify the relationships between the elements presented in the maturity model.
Métodos para identificação de plantas daninhas em lavouras de milho com uso de inteligência artificial e processamento de imagens
Authors: Wessner Rodrigo Nunes , Frozza Rejane , Molz Rolf Fredi
Published: June 2024

As pesquisas baseadas em Inteligência Artificial e Processamento de Imagens com foco em soluções de controle e gerenciamento de pragas na agricultura vêm evoluindo progressivamente ao decorrer dos anos. Identificar e controlar infestações em lavouras é fundamental para o efetivo incremento de produtividade, o que reflete na cadeia de suprimentos da sociedade e na gestão de segurança alimentar. Assim, o objetivo, nesta fase da pesquisa, foi elaborar uma revisão sistemática da literatura, a partir de termos de busca, para identificar métodos e técnicas que vêm sendo utilizadas na identificação de plantas daninhas em lavouras de milho, com a utilização de redes neurais convolucionais. A análise das pesquisas relacionadas ao tema foi realizada de forma quantitativa e qualitativa. Foram selecionados nove trabalhos para um estudo aprofundado, buscando identificar fatores impactantes nos resultados. Também, elaborou-se um comparativo dos trabalhos selecionados com análises e gráficos de correlações entre palavras-chave e autores. Como resultado, os trabalhos encontrados demonstraram bons desempenhos em seus objetivos. Foram destacadas a preocupação em relação à qualidade da base de dados utilizada, bem como a calibração do modelo de rede neural convolucional, conforme especificidade de cada trabalho. Observou-se um avanço significativo na aplicação desses modelos para processamento de imagens em tempo real, permitindo uma resposta ágil e precisa no controle de pragas agrícolas.