bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A ética na escrita e o empenho da literatura infantojuvenil na formação de leitores críticos: a obra de Georgina Martins
Authors: Adler Pereira Victor Hugo
Published: January 2025

O trabalho analisa os rumos tomados pela literatura que apresenta à criança problemas e conflitos sociais e questões humanas contundentes. Com o objetivo de provocar a discussão sobre a defesa de uma ética norteadora da criação, apresento as propostas defendidas pela escritora e educadora Georgina Martins e analiso obras em que procurou concretizá-las; como: Ave do Paraíso (2019), Uma maré de desejos (2005), Minha família é colorida (2005), O menino que brincava de ser (2000 e Tudo por você (2012). Artigos jornalísticos, resenhas críticas e crônicas radiofônicas dirigidas a um público infantojuvenil de Walter Benjamin, assim como estudos que abordam criticamente a história da literatura para crianças, de Leonardo Arroyo e Marc Soriano, servem de ponto de partida para situar a permanência, em diferentes contextos culturais e períodos, de tendências estéticas e questões educacionais em torno do gênero. Outra referência importante foi o ensaio publicado por Georgina Martins, analisando a concepção de narrador em obras de três escritores brasileiros contemporâneos que abordam a miséria dos proletários brasileiros. Esse artigo ensejou o paralelo entre as posições defendidas por Georgina Martins e as críticas ao naturalismo e ao formalismo de Georg Lukács em certa etapa de sua trajetória.
Entrevista com a escritora Roseana Murray para o Dossiê 49 da Soletras, Revista do Mestrado PPLIN-UERJ, sobre “Literatura Infantil e Juvenil contemporânea: inquietações e metamorfoses”
Authors: Murray Roseana , Porto C. Allevato Braem Eloísa , Michelli Perim Regina
Published: January 2025

Entrevista com a escritora Roseana Murray para o Dossiê 49 da Soletras, Revista do Mestrado PPLIN-UERJ, sobre “Literatura Infantil e Juvenil contemporânea: inquietações e metamorfoses”
Medo, horror e um corpo (de)colonial no conto “Lorena”, de María Fernanda Ampuero
Authors: Carneiro Fabianna Simão Bellizzi
Published: January 2025

A temática deste trabalho comporta a violência doméstica, as leituras pós-coloniais revistas na decolonialidade e como tais são abordados na escrita literária. Parte-se do pressuposto de que a violência contra as mulheres, em países que guardam as marcas da colonização, mantém a acepção da crueldade colonial. Destaca-se o conto Lorena, que compõe a coletânea Sacrifícios humanos (2022), da equatoriana María Fernanda Ampuero (1976), pelo fato de apresentar a história de uma moça latino-americana, que se casa com um mexicano, e a partir de então fica à mercê de um cenário doméstico de horror e medo. Objetiva-se a comprovação da hipótese a partir de leituras sobre a decolonialidade, conceito que ultrapassa os estudos sobre pós-colonialismo pelo fato de tensionar as concepções epistêmicas coloniais que ainda se mantêm. O referencial teórico perfaz um entendimento histórico sobre corpos femininos subjugados, com texto de Gerda Lerner (2019); aborda leituras de Susana de Castro (2020) e José Carlos Gomes dos Anjos (2023) como apoio para se entender decolonialidade e feminino; Noël Carroll (1999) para uma abordagem da estética do horror na literatura, além de outros devidamente referenciados.Palavras-chave: Horror; Corpo feminino; Decolonialidade; Literatura latino-americana.
Quem tem medo do romance pornográfico? O romance pornográfico como campo de disputa da crítica feminista
Authors: Germano Iara , Figueiredo Camargo Fábio
Published: January 2025

O presente artigo investiga o romance pornográfico como um espaço de disputa dentro da crítica feminista e literária. Com base em discussões de Susan Sontag, que propôs o reconhecimento do valor artístico da pornografia, exploramos como este gênero literário continua marginalizado, sendo frequentemente analisado sob perspectivas psicológicas e sociais. No campo da crítica feminista, a pornografia gera divisões. Feministas antipornografia argumentam que a pornografia reforça a opressão masculina e a objetificação das mulheres, enquanto a outras teóricas questionam as definições que distinguem pornografia de erotismo, ressaltando a complexidade dessa categorização. A nossa discussão reflete a dualidade presente na crítica feminista, que tanto condena a pornografia por suas implicações de violência de gênero quanto reconhece seu potencial para expressar as múltiplas facetas da sexualidade feminina. Além disso, discutimos como o romance pornográfico desafia as convenções literárias e culturais, sendo um reflexo das tensões sociais em torno da sexualidade e do gênero. Em última análise, o defendemos uma análise mais complexa e aberta dessa literatura, sugerindo que ela pode operar como um campo legítimo de investigação crítica e acadêmica.Palavras-chave: Romance pornográfico; Pornografia; Crítica feminista; Crítica Literária; Cânone literário.
Advanced Air Mobility Testing RoundUp 2023
Authors: Cecutta Sergio
Published: January 2025

eVTOL aircraft developers made significant testing progress this year
Following The Digital Thread
Authors: Choukri Mostapha , Hallez Raphael
Published: January 2025

How a digital thread improves traceability, verification, and validation
Revolutionizing EVTOL Testing
Authors: Hermyt Daniel , Pastucha Christian
Published: January 2025

How new test technologies helped Volocopter accelerate the VoloCity development
Diagnostic value of upper gastrointestinal imaging for duodenal webbing in adults: A case report
Authors: Chen Kang-Quan , Jiang Wen-Qian , Li Xiao-Rong
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND

Duodenal web is a rare congenital malformation, exceedingly uncommon in adults, and often misdiagnosed due to the subtle imaging features.

CASE SUMMARY

By analyzing the clinical diagnosis process and various imaging findings of a patient from our institution, this case report emphasizes the necessity of upper gastrointestinal series in diagnosing duodenal webs, outlines its typical radiographic features, and provides a literature review on the etiology, clinical presentation, and management of this condition.

CONCLUSION

This case report emphasizes the necessity of upper gastrointestinal series in diagnosing duodenal webs.
Intraluminal migration of a surgical drain near an anastomosis site after total gastrectomy: A case report
Authors: Janež Jurij , Romih Jan , Čebron Žan , Gavric Aleksandar , Plut Samo , Grosek Jan
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND

Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage (EJAL) is a severe complication following gastrectomy for gastric cancer, typically treated with drainage and nutritional support. We report a case of intraluminal drain migration near the esophagojejunal anastomosis (EJA), resulting in persistent drainage and mimicking EJAL after total gastrectomy.

CASE SUMMARY

A 64-year-old male underwent open total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction for gastric adenocarcinoma, with two silicone drains placed near the EJA. On postoperative day (POD) 4, the patient developed signs of peritonitis and sepsis, necessitating surgical re-exploration abscess drainage, peritoneal lavage, and drain repositioning. A contrast swallow study on POD 18 revealed rapid filling of the abdominal drain without extraluminal contrast collection. Persistent drainage prompted an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy on POD 59, which revealed approximately 5 cm of the drain within the esophagus, with the perforation site located 2 cm distal to the intact EJA. The drain was repositioned under endoscopic guidance. A repeat contrast radiograph on POD 67 demonstrated no evidence of extraluminal contrast extravasation or filling of the abdominal drain. The patient was subsequently discharged without further incident.

CONCLUSION

Intraluminal drain migration is a rare complication following gastric surgery but should be considered when persistent drainage occurs.
Fast deep coherence holography for 3D object reconstruction
Authors: Trieu Quang , Nehmetallah George
Published: January 2025

We propose a fast, new, position-independent reconstruction method, to our knowledge, for coherence holography using deep learning (DL) method, dubbed fast deep coherence holography (FDCH). Our trained network was developed to reconstruct the complex object field at the location corresponding to the position of the camera, which opens the ability to apply angular spectrum propagation to reconstruct the 3D object. Phase-shift coherence holography is a traditional analytical technique that also reconstructs the complex object, but it is subject to noise such as experimental noise, camera noise. In a previous work, deep coherence holography (DCH) was developed to predict a non-diffracted field from a noisy image, but it requires the camera to be inserted at the right position of the non-diffracted field, which increases the complexity and the cost of the experimental setup. In addition, while the analytical method one requires Nsin (Nsin>3) captured interferograms to reconstruct the complex field, and the number of the recorded images of the DCH is proportional to the number of sub-objects contained in the object, our new proposed DL method only needs two images at a random camera position. Hence, the total reconstruction time is reduced. Not only does the FDCH reconstruct the 3D object faster at any random position, but it also yields a better result than the above methods in terms of accuracy.
Multiscale local sparsity and prior learning algorithm for Cherenkov-excited luminescence scanned tomography reconstruction
Authors: Zhang Hu , Hu Ting , Geng Mengfan , Zhang Jingyue , Sun Zhonghua , Li Zhe , Jia Kebin , Feng Jinchao , Pogue Brian W.
Published: January 2025

Cherenkov-excited luminescence scanned tomography (CELST) is an emerging imaging technique and its potential applications during radiation therapy have just recently been explored. The aim of CELST is to recover the distribution of luminescent probes from emission photons. However, CELST images tend to suffer from low resolution and degraded image quality due to light multiple scattering and limited boundary measurements. Therefore, inaccurate information about the status of the luminescent probe is provided. To accurately capture the sparsity characterization of a luminescent probe and achieve the high-quality image, a novel reconstruction method, to our knowledge, is proposed for CELST by combining a sparse prior with an attention network, termed LKSVD-Net. A multiscale learned KSVD is first incorporated to obtain the local sparsity information of a luminescent probe. Subsequently, a prior attention network is designed to leverage the prior features related to the measurements. The multiscale sparsity and prior features are finally combined to complete the image reconstruction. Experimental results demonstrate that the LKSVD-Net can notably enhance image quality even in a 20 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Furthermore, the proposed LKSVD-Net yields improved quantitative accuracy for 4 mm diameter probes with an edge-to-edge distance of 2 mm. The results demonstrate that LKSVD-Net improves the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) by approximately 15.1%, structural similarity index measure (SSIM) by about 95.8%, and Pearson correlation (PC) by around 3% compared to Tikhonov regularization.
DDRM-PR: Fourier phase retrieval using denoising diffusion restoration models
Authors: Kaya Mehmet Onurcan , Oktem Figen S.
Published: January 2025

Diffusion models have demonstrated their utility as learned priors for solving various inverse problems. However, most existing approaches are limited to linear inverse problems. This paper exploits the efficient and unsupervised posterior sampling framework of denoising diffusion restoration models (DDRMs) for the solution of nonlinear phase retrieval problems, which requires reconstructing an image from its noisy intensity-only measurements such as Fourier intensity. The approach combines the model-based alternating-projection methods with the DDRM to utilize pretrained unconditional diffusion priors for phase retrieval. The performance is demonstrated through both simulations and experimental data. The results demonstrate the potential of this approach for improving the alternating-projection methods as well as its limitations.
Ultra-small spectral confocal displacement sensors based on GRIN lenses
Authors: Wang Yuhang , Qin Hao , Qin Yufu , Zhang Tianshu , Wang Xinwei , Wang Jixiang , Ding Wanyun , Zhang Tao , Ding Xumin
Published: January 2025

Spectral confocal displacement sensors have been widely used in various precision measurement fields such as aerospace, biology, and medicine due to their advantages of high accuracy, non-contact, fast response, and high resolution. In this paper, a new method of spectral confocal measurement of a ultra-compact probe based on a GRIN lens, to our knowledge, is proposed. Through ray tracing analysis, it is found that the axial dispersion is close to linear in a specific wavelength range, and a theoretical model of spectral confocal measurement with the GRIN lens is deduced. A GRIN lens with a diameter of 1 mm and a length of 6.59 mm was prepared by the ion-exchange method and used as a dispersive objective lens in a homemade spectral confocal measurement system. The system was calibrated to have an axial measurement range of 440 µm, an axial resolution better than 0.5 µm, a maximum standard deviation of 0.749 µm, and a relative error of less than 2%. In addition, the system was successfully applied to 3D surface contour scanning, demonstrating its potential for 3D scanning. The results show that the system has the advantages of simple structure, low cost, easy integration, and excellent performance.
Method for quantifying loss of central and peripheral color discrimination with tinted lenses
Authors: Coia Andrew
			J. , Mojica Andrew J. , Bartak Christopher
			P. , Arizpe Joseph M. , Ashworth Alan
Published: January 2025

In addition to blocking laser threats, laser eye protection (LEP) can cause
color confusion for pilots. We developed and validated a novel method of
measuring LEP effects on the discrimination, detection, and localization
of chromaticity differences corresponding to yellow and white in the
central and peripheral visual fields. Signal detection theory measures of
sensitivity and response bias were calculated. The central LEP condition
resulted in a significantly worse performance than a No LEP condition, but
with enough contrast discrimination with LEP was achieved. The peripheral
task showed the same color bias, and discrimination was close to chance
even at maximum contrast.
Alternative illumination system for extreme ultraviolet mask inspection based on Fourier synthesis technology
Authors: Deng Shuying , Luo Junyao , Li Kunyang , Fu Jinjiang , Xing Zhenjiang , Luo Feng , Zhang Peng , Meng Fanqiang , Zhou Zhou
Published: January 2025

This study proposes an alternative illuminator based on the Fourier synthesis technology that provides a powerful and flexible way of controlling the coherent properties of illumination for extreme ultraviolet mask inspection. The illuminator achieves coherence control by programming the incident beam scanning a Fresnel zone plate and thus can provide free pupil-fill patterns. In this work, a visible laser-based laboratory microscopic imaging platform has been developed using the illuminator. The spatial resolution and the dense-line image contrast were experimentally evaluated for various coherence factors when a disk and a dipole pupil-fill pattern were applied, respectively. The results are in good agreement with the theoretical calculation of the Rayleigh criterion and the contrast transfer function, which validates the proposed new illuminator. The reliable laser-based imaging platform sheds light on designing and improving EUV mask inspection systems based on synchrotron radiation light sources. The proposed new alternative illuminator will be used in an EUV microscopy at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility in future work.
Increase the sensitivity of terahertz liquid detection using a triple attenuated total reflection probe
Authors: Wu Shengao , Yuan Yinghao , Li Gaopeng , Zhu Yiming , Chen Lin
Published: January 2025

Terahertz attenuated total reflection (ATR) technique serves as a pivotal tool for the spectroscopic analysis of liquids. However, when measuring liquids, conventional single internal reflection probes exhibit low sensitivity and detection accuracy due to the limited interaction between the evanescent wave and the sample. To address this limitation, we designed and constructed a terahertz liquids ATR probe utilizing a triple internal reflection prism, which effectively enhances the interaction between the evanescent wave and the liquid by increasing the number of reflections within the prism. Experimental results demonstrate that the terahertz triple ATR probe achieves high accuracy in measuring the sample's optical constants. By exploiting the differences in terahertz wave absorption among different polar solvents, the proposed probe effectively recognizes polar solvents such as ethanol, water, isopropanol, and acetone. In terms of sensor performance, the sensitivity of our probe, which employs a triple internal reflection scheme, is three times that of a conventional single internal reflection probe. This increased sensitivity further enhances the accuracy of measuring small changes in solution composition.
Meta-coupler empowered dynamic wavefront control with on-chip polarization reconfiguration
Authors: Fang Bin , Li Yantao , Lei Yu , Cao Jiaqi , Shu Fangzhou , Zhao Tianqi , Zhou Shenghua , Jin Zhongwei , Shen Changyu , Hong Zhi , Zhan Chunlian , Li Lin
Published: January 2025

Metasurfaces consisting of subwavelength structures have shown unparalleled capability in light field manipulation. However, their functionalities are typically static after fabrication, limiting their practical applications. Though persistent efforts have led to dynamic wavefront control with various materials and mechanisms, most of them work in free space and require specialized materials or bulky configurations for external control. This deviates from the original intention of metasurface to realize compact and integrated devices. Here, we leverage the on-chip geometric metasurface associated with polarization reconfiguration of the guided wave, enabling three functions simultaneously: guided wave radiation, polarization multiplexing, and dynamic wavefront manipulation. We demonstrate proof-of-principle functionalities, including intensity-continuously tunable multifocal metalens, and dynamic zoom metalens as well as dynamic holography, based on a metasurface dressed lithium-niobate-on-insulator waveguide. Such an integrated platform for dynamic wavefront shaping implies the prospect of advancements in chip-integrated multifunctional meta-devices.
Extraction of power transmission parameters from PT-symmetric waveguides
Authors: Huang Chengnian , Lan Zhihao , Chen Menglin L. N. , Sha Wei E. I.
Published: January 2025

The PT-symmetric waveguides have been frequently discussed in the photonics community due to their extraordinary properties. Especially, the study of power transmission is significant for switching applications. The aim of this study is to extract the mode power transmission parameters based on the coupled mode equations and analyze the power properties of the PT-symmetric system. The equations relying on the coupled mode theory are constructed according to the two different orthogonality relations between the original and adjoint system. The results matching well with the finite difference simulations demonstrate the validity of our method, while the conventional coupled mode theory fails. The power properties in the PT-symmetric and PT-broken phases are also observed. Furthermore, a new integration is implemented from which the conserved quantity is defined and extracted, which reflects the Hamiltonian invariant of the system. Our method fully incorporates the properties of complex modes and allows the study of the power transmission properties based on the orthogonality relations, which is also applicable to other types of non-Hermitian optical systems. This work provides what we believe to be a new perspective for the power analysis of PT-symmetric waveguides and is helpful to design the switching devices.
High operating temperature mid-wavelength infrared InAsSb nBn detectors and focal plane array
Authors: Shan Yifan , Zhang Ye , Yao Lingze , Xie Ruoyu , Pang Qiuyao , Wu Donghai , Jiang Dongwei , Wang Guowei , Hao Hongyue , Xu Yingqiang , Ni Haiqiao , Niu Zhichuan
Published: January 2025

Raising the operating temperature of mid-wavelength infrared detectors is critical for meeting the low size, weight, and power (SWaP) demands of infrared imaging systems. In this work, we report and analyze a high operating temperature (HOT) InAs0.91Sb0.09 nBn mid-wave infrared (MWIR) focal plane array (FPA) and single element photodetectors with AlAs/AlSb superlattices as the electron barrier. Under an applied bias of −350 mV, the nBn photodetectors demonstrate a dark current density of 2.42 × 10−6 A/cm2 and a quantum efficiency of 60.5%, resulting in a specific detectivity of 1.94 × 1012 cm·Hz1/2/W at 150 K. At 300 K, the photodetectors exhibit a dark current density of 5.54 × 10−2 A/cm2 and a specific detectivity of 1.52 × 1010 cm·Hz1/2/W. The 15-µm pitch 640 × 512 FPA achieves a high operativity of 99.5% and exhibits a noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD) value of 37.9 mK using f/1.6 optics at 150 K. The InAsSb MWIR FPA device operates at temperatures up to 230 K, offering promising potential for applications requiring reductions in SWaP.
Snapshot infrared Fourier transform imaging spectrometer for transient dynamic sensing
Authors: Chen Yupeng , Liang Jingqiu , Zhao Baixuan , Yue Wei , Zheng Kaifeng , Zhao Yingze , Qin Yuxin , Nie Haitao , Wang Weibiao , Lv Jinguang
Published: January 2025

Imaging spectroscopy is an effective method for simultaneously acquiring the spatial information distribution and the spectral fingerprint characteristics of a target. Implementing dynamic target spectral mapping through optical scanning may lead to image artifacts and spectral interference. This paper proposes an innovative structure for a snapshot infrared Fourier transform Imaging spectrometer (SIFTIS), which utilizes a stepped micro-mirror and a lens array, combining the advantages of snapshot imaging spectroscopy and infrared spectral detection. The SIFTIS technology acquires a complete three-dimensional dataset within a single integration time, featuring good stability, strong real-time capability, and high spatiotemporal resolution. It has significant advantages in fields such as camouflage target recognition and harmful and pollutant gas measurement. Firstly, the optical field transmission model of SIFTIS was constructed, and the system's error propagation model was further deduced. The impact of the optical system and core optical components’ aberration residues and positional errors on spectral mapping were analyzed, providing design error tolerance. Subsequently, preliminary experiments combined with simulation analysis were used to calibrate and correct the spectral shifts caused by rotation, pitch, and roll component errors of the stepped micro-mirrors reflective surfaces at various levels. Finally, imaging spectral detection of dynamic plume targets was conducted to demonstrate the desired results and feasibility.
Can the speed of information dissemination exceed the speed of light?
Authors: Wan Chuyi
Published: January 2025

When a single photon passes through a slit, the principles of quantum mechanics regarding the boundary conditions of the wave function hide a specific condition: within the wave packet of the photon, the speed of information transmission perpendicular to the direction of photon propagation is infinite. This does not violate Relativity, as it does not conflict with the Principle of Constancy of Light Velocity. In the direction parallel to the propagation of the photons, the speed of information transmission matches c. However, in other directions, the speed of information transmission can exceed c. Causality is not an immutable law of nature, it is not easily overturned at the macro level, while it is not so at the quantum level. Cause and result are mutually causal in different reference frames. Assuming that the angle between the direction of information transmission inside the wave packet and the direction of photon propagation is θ, quantum mechanics utilizes the special case of θ=π/2 to handle wave functions, while the establishment of Relativity is based on the special case of θ=0. Relativity and quantum mechanics can be viewed as two specific instances of a unified theory.
8-ary Underwater Optical Wireless Communication Systems Using Blue-Green Color Shift Keying and Multi-Level Intensity Modulation
Authors: Sabbagh Abbasali Ghorban , Bigham Ahmad
Published: January 2025

Inspired by visible light communication, we propose a novel 8-ary underwater optical wireless communication (UOWC) system that combines color shift keying with multi-level intensity modulation. The system employs blue and green LEDs to deliver high throughput while ensuring robust tolerance to transmitter-receiver misalignment. Performance is evaluated through Monte Carlo simulations using commercially available multi-color LEDs, with Lambertian and H-models employed to characterize intensity distribution and spectral behavior. The channel impulse response incorporates absorption and scattering effects, analyzed both with and without the blueshift induced by receiver filters. Key performance metrics, including path loss (PL) and bit error rate (BER), are assessed across a range of transmission rates, link lengths, and fields of view in clean, coastal, and harbor water environments. Results show PL values of approximately 50 dB at link lengths of 6.5, 20, and 40 meters in harbor, coastal, and clean waters, respectively. The system achieves error-free data rates of up to 30 Gbps over 20 meters in coastal water and 5 Gbps over 8 meters in harbor water, with blueshift increasing PL by approximately 0.4 dB in harbor conditions. While the system's performance in clean water suggests the potential for symbol rates on the order of hundreds of giga symbols per second over 50 meters, such rates surpass the practical capabilities of currently available hardware. These findings highlight the promise of the proposed UOWC system for enabling high-speed, reliable communication across diverse aquatic environments.
Bayesian active sound localisation: To what extent do humans perform like an ideal-observer?
Authors: McLachlan Glen , Majdak Piotr , Reijniers Jonas , Mihocic Michael , Peremans Herbert
Published: January 2025

Self-motion is an essential but often overlooked component of sound localisation. As the directional information of a source is implicitly contained in head-centred acoustic cues, that acoustic input needs to be continuously combined with sensorimotor information about the head orientation in order to decode to a world-centred frame of reference. When utilised, head movements significantly reduce ambiguities in the directional information provided by the incoming sound. In this work, we model human active sound localisation (considering small head rotations) as an ideal observer. In the evaluation, we compared human performance obtained in a free-field active localisation experiment with the predictions of a Bayesian model. Model noise parameters were set a-priori based on behavioural results from other studies, i.e., without any post-hoc parameter fitting to behavioural results. The model predictions showed a general agreement with actual human performance. However, a spatial analysis revealed that the ideal observer was not able to predict localisation behaviour for each source direction. A more detailed investigation into the effects of various model parameters indicated that uncertainty on head orientation significantly contributed to the observed differences. Yet, the biases and spatial distribution of the human responses remained partially unexplained by the presented ideal observer model, suggesting that human sound localisation is sub-optimal.
Intraneuronal binding of amyloid beta with reelin—Implications for the onset of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Kobro-Flatmoen Asgeir , Omholt Stig W.
Published: January 2025

Numerous studies of the human brain supported by experimental results from rodent and cell models point to a central role for intracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In a rat model used to study AD, it was recently shown that in layer II neurons of the anteriolateral entorhinal cortex expressing high levels of the glycoprotein reelin (Re+alECLII neurons), reelin and Aβ engage in a direct protein–protein interaction. If reelin functions as a sink for intracellular Aβ and if the binding to reelin makes Aβ physiologically inert, it implies that reelin can prevent the neuron from being exposed to the harmful effects typically associated with increased levels of oligomeric Aβ. Considering that reelin expression is extraordinarily high in Re+alECLII neurons compared to most other cortical neurons, such a protective role appears to be very difficult to reconcile with the fact that this subset of ECLII neurons is clearly a major cradle for the onset of AD. Here, we show that this conundrum can be resolved if Re+alECLII neurons have a higher maximum production capacity of Aβ than neurons expressing low levels of reelin, and we provide a rationale for why this difference has evolved.
Tuberculosis healthcare service disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, India and South Africa: A model-based analysis of country-level data
Authors: de Villiers Abigail K. , Osman Muhammad , Struchiner Claudio J. , Trajman Anete , Tumu Dheeraj , Shah Vaibhav V. , Werneck Guilherme L. , Alves Layana C. , Choudhary Megha , Verma Sunita , Mattoo Sanjay K. , Meehan Sue-Ann , Singh Urvashi B. , Hesseling Anneke C. , Marx Florian M.
Published: January 2025

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading infectious disease cause of death worldwide. In recent years, stringent measures to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 have led to considerable disruptions of healthcare services for TB in many countries. The extent to which these measures have affected TB testing, treatment initiation and outcomes has not been comprehensively assessed. We aimed to estimate TB healthcare service disruptions occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, India, and South Africa. We obtained country-level TB programme and laboratory data and used autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) time-series models to estimate healthcare service disruptions with respect to TB testing, treatment initiation, and treatment outcomes. We quantified disruptions as the percentage difference between TB indicator data observed during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with values for a hypothetical no-COVID scenario, predicted through forecasting of trends during a three-year pre-pandemic period. Annual estimates for 2020–2022 were derived from aggregated monthly data. We estimated that in 2020, the number of bacteriological tests conducted for TB diagnosis was 24.3% (95% uncertainty interval: 8.4%;36.6%) lower in Brazil, 27.8% (19.8;3 4.8%) lower in India, and 32.0% (28.9%;34.9%) lower in South Africa compared with values predicted for the no-COVID scenario. TB treatment initiations were 17.4% (13.9%;20.6%) lower than predicted in Brazil, 43.3% (39.8%;46.4%) in India, and 27.0% (15.2%;36.3%) in South Africa. Reductions in 2021 were less severe compared with 2020. The percentage deaths during TB treatment were 13.7% (8.1%; 19.7%) higher than predicted in Brazil, 1.7% (-8.9%;14.0%) in India and 21.8% (7.4%;39.2%) in South Africa. Our analysis suggests considerable disruptions of TB healthcare services occurred during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, India, and South Africa, with at least partial recovery in the following years. Sustained efforts to mitigate the detrimental impact of COVID-19 on TB healthcare services are needed.
Pharmacological inhibition of key metabolic pathways attenuates Leishmania spp infection in macrophages
Authors: de Oliveira Elaine Carvalho , Tibúrcio Rafael , Duarte Gabriela , Lago Amanda , de Melo Léon , Nunes Sara , Davanzo Gustavo Gastão , Martins Ana Júlia , Ribeiro Bruno Vinagre , Mothé Deborah , Menezes Juliana B. P. , Veras Patrícia , Tavares Natalia , Moraes-Vieira Pedro M. , Brodskyn Cláudia Ida
Published: January 2025

Macrophages represent a fundamental component of the innate immune system that play a critical role in detecting and responding to pathogens as well as danger signals. Leishmania spp. infections lead to a notable alteration in macrophage metabolism, whereby infected cells display heightened energy metabolism that is linked to the integrity of host mitochondria. However, little is known about how different species of Leishmania manipulate host metabolism. Here, we demonstrate that despite differences in their mechanisms for evading host immune responses, L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis induce comparable disruptions in key metabolic pathways. We found that infected macrophages exhibited an overall elevation in energy metabolism regardless of the parasite strain, evidenced by the elevation in glycolysis and oxygen consumption rates, along with increased proton leak and decreased ATP production. We also analyzed the effects of both Leishmania spp. strain infection on mitochondria function, further revealing that infected cells display heightened mitochondrial mass and membrane potential. To investigate the metabolic pathways required for Leishmania amastigotes to persist in BMDMs, we pre-treated cells with small molecule drugs that target major metabolic pathways, revealing that perturbations in several metabolic processes affected parasite survival in a strain-independent manner. Treatments with inhibitors of the oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis substantially reduced parasite loads. Collectively, our findings suggest that L.amazonensis and L.braziliensis exploit host cell metabolic pathways similarly to survive in macrophages.
Continuous detection of Chikungunya Virus in a passive surveillance system in southern Thailand, 2012–2019
Authors: Farmer Aaron , Anderson Kathryn B. , Buddhari Darunee , Hortiwakul Thanaporn , Charernmak Boonsri , Thaisomboonsuk Butsaya , Wongstitwilairoong Tippa , Hunsawong Taweewun , Klungthong Chonticha , Chinnawirotpisan Piyawan , Chusri Sarunyou , Fernandez Stefan
Published: January 2025

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infections are distributed across the globe, causing significant and, often, lasting morbidity. CHIKV vaccines are in development, but their evaluation is limited by the unpredictability of CHIKV transmission, which classically manifests as explosive epidemics separated by variable interepidemic periods. A passive surveillance study for undifferentiated febrile illness was established in southern Thailand in 2012 and is ongoing. Among 1466 febrile individuals with acute and convalescent specimens, 398 (27.1%) had molecular or serological evidence of acute CHIKV infection. The proportions of participants confirmed to have CHIKV infection differed by year, being highest during epidemic periods (41.1% in 2018–2019, corresponding to a large regional CHIKV outbreak, compared to 19.3% in 2012–2017). These data suggest persistent circulation of CHIKV in the study area, though additional studies are needed to confirm these findings and to discern whether this persistence reflects widespread, low-level transmission or migrating bursts of focal epidemic activity.
Solar radiation model and optimization of asymmetric large-span externally insulated plastic greenhouses
Authors: Wang Chuanqing , Liu Kai , Ma Hongyu , Li Tianhua , Wang Shaojie , Zhang Dalong , Wei Min
Published: January 2025

To improve the light environment of asymmetric large-span externally insulated plastic greenhouses, a solar radiation model that considers the projection path equations of the insulation quilts and validated the model was established. The model was employed to investigate the impact of different heights, spans, and north lighting projection lengths on the greenhouses’ light environment. The results revealed that ground radiation interception, a key component of winter lighting, was most influenced by height, followed by span, and least influenced by the projection length of the north lighting roof. Additionally, ground radiation spatial uniformity was most affected by height, followed by the projection length of the north lighting roof, and least influenced by span. The optimization objectives for solar radiation were set to maximize solar radiation interception and minimize the coefficient of variation. The optimal structural parameters for the asymmetric large-span externally insulated plastic greenhouse were determined using the NSGA-II method and the entropy weight-TOPSIS method: the height of 6.97 m, and the projection length of north lighting roof is 7.44 m for a greenhouse with a span of 20.00 m. Compared to the initial greenhouse, the optimized design enhances both radiation interception performance and ensures uniform light distribution. These results offer valuable theoretical guidance for greenhouse construction.
The impact of achievement goals on college students’ English performance—A moderated mediation model
Authors: Tan Shaojie , Samad Arshad Abd , Ismail Lilliati
Published: January 2025

The study investigated the relationship between learning engagement and achievement goals, and English performance among college students. With the increasing popularity of online teaching methods, exploring how different teaching modes (online and classroom teaching) might influence students’ learning outcomes is important. The researcher sought to understand how adopting different achievement goals such as mastery and performance-avoidance approaches could impact English performance and learning engagement. By examining this factor, the study aimed to provide insights into effective teaching strategies and interventions that could enhance students’ academic success in English language learning. The survey included 953 college students assessed using the Achievement Goal Questionnaire and Learning Engagement Scale. Their IELTS English scores were also recorded to study the relationship between learning engagement and achievement goals, and English performance. Additionally, the researcher utilized statistical analysis tools such as SPSS and the PROCESS Marco programme to explore the moderated mediation model and to uncover the complex relationships among the variables in the study. The results revealed that adopting a mastery approach positively influenced English performance, while the performance-avoidance approach negatively influenced English performance. Additionally, learning engagement partially mediated the connection between the mastery approach, performance-avoidance approach, and English performance. Teaching mode influenced the initial phase of the mediating effect between the mastery approach and English performance. More importantly, compared to online teaching, classroom teaching with a focus on mastery approach had a stronger predictive effect on learning engagement. Lastly, there was a moderated mediating effect between English achievement and the mastery approach, whereas the performance-avoidance approach showed a simple mediating effect on English achievement. The findings from this research could potentially inform educators and policymakers on how to optimize teaching practices to promote student engagement and improve English language proficiency.
Device-measured physical activity in adults born preterm with very low birth weight and mediation by motor abilities
Authors: Benum Silje Dahl , Aakvik Kristina Anna Djupvik , Mehl Cathrin Vano , Kongsvold Atle , Lydersen Stian , Vollsæter Maria , Mork Paul Jarle , Kajantie Eero , Evensen Kari Anne I.
Published: January 2025

Physical activity (PA) is beneficial for several health outcomes. Adults born with very low birth weight (VLBW<1500g) undertake less PA than those born at term, have poorer motor abilities and may serve as a model on early life origins of PA. We therefore examined whether motor abilities mediate the association between being born with VLBW and device-measured PA. In a joint assessment of two longitudinal birth cohorts from Finland and Norway, PA was measured by two tri-axial accelerometers in 87 adults born preterm with VLBW and 109 controls born at term. We explored the mediating role of motor abilities assessed by standardized tests on the association between VLBW and device-measured PA. To do this, we examined group differences in metabolic equivalent of task (MET) min/day of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), light PA and sedentary. Analyses were adjusted for cohort, age and sex. MVPA was 40.4 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 13.3 to 69.4) MET min/day lower in the VLBW group than the control group. This was in part mediated through gross motor abilities, indicated by the indirect effect on the association between VLBW and MVPA being -15.6 (95% CI: -28.5 to -5.4) MET min/day. In conclusion, adults born preterm with VLBW undertake less MVPA than controls born at term, and gross motor abilities mediate this association. Interventions targeting motor abilities should be examined as potential ways to increase PA.
Effectiveness of menstrual hygiene management training to enhance knowledge, attitude, and practice among adolescents in Sindhupalchowk, Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Swastika , Thapa Saki , Bucha Bikram , Kunwar Safal , Subedi Bigyan , Singh Aishwarya Rani , Chapagain Durga Datta , Dhital Raghu , Caws Maxine
Published: January 2025

Background

Menstrual Health (MH) knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) are highly affected by access to information regarding menstruation. Despite being included in the school curriculum, Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) education is often not delivered in practice. School-based educational interventions have been shown to be effective in promoting MH.

Methods

A school-based study was conducted in Indrawati rural municipality of Sindhupalchowk district in Nepal. 427 participants (175 boys and 252 girls), aged 11–13, completed a questionnaire evaluating MH KAP before receiving a structured training module on MH provided by experienced trainers from Putali Nepal using the Menstrupedia tool. The questionnaire was repeated one month after the training. Pre and post intervention scores were compared to determine the effect of the intervention. Focus group discussions were also conducted to understand the perceptions of participants toward SRH teaching. Association of independent socio-demographic with dependent variables knowledge and attitude towards menstrual health were analyzed using MANOVA test. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the median outcome of the pre and post-test attitude and knowledge. The maximum possible score was 6 for MH knowledge. The total attitude score ranged 14 to 70.

Results

The median knowledge score increased by 1 point (p = <0.001) and the median attitude score by 5 points (p = <0.001), one month after delivery of the intervention. Higher knowledge scores were significantly associated with Hindu religion, female gender, higher father’s literacy, and mothers in an informal occupation on multivariate analysis. Higher attitude scores were significantly associated with Hindu religion while lower attitude scores were associated with a mother in an informal occupation.

Conclusion

The Menstrupedia comic educational intervention improved knowledge and attitude towards menstruation among Nepali adolescents. A scale-up of the Menstrupedia based intervention would significantly change knowledge and attitude towards menstruation in Nepali adolescents.
Mobile Sleep Lab: Comparison of polysomnographic parameters with a conventional sleep laboratory
Authors: Suzuki Chihiro , Suzuki Yoko , Abe Takashi , Kanbayashi Takashi , Fukusumi Shoji , Kokubo Toshio , Takahara Isamu , Yanagisawa Masashi
Published: January 2025

In remote areas, visiting a laboratory for sleep testing is inconvenient. We, therefore, developed a Mobile Sleep Lab in a bus powered by fuel cells with two sleep measurement chambers. As the environment in the bus could affect sleep, we examined whether sleep testing in the Mobile Sleep Lab was as feasible as in a conventional sleep laboratory (Human Sleep Lab). We tested 15 healthy adults for four nights using polysomnography (the first two nights at the Human Sleep Lab or Mobile Sleep Lab with a switch to the other facility for the next two nights). Sleep variables of the four measurements were used to assess the discrepancy of different places or different nights. No significant differences were found between the laboratories other than the percentage of total sleep time in stage N3. Next, we analyzed the intraclass correlation coefficient to evaluate the test-retest reliability. The intraclass correlation coefficient between these two measurements: the Human Sleep Lab and Mobile Sleep Lab showed similar reliability for the same sleep variables. The intraclass correlation coefficient revealed that several sleep indexes, such as total sleep time, sleep efficiency, wake after sleep onset, percentage of stage N1, and stage R latency, showed poor reliabilities (<0.5) based on Koo and Li’s criteria. In contrast, the percentage of stage N3 showed moderate (0.5–0.75) or good (0.75–0.9) reliabilities. As almost all sleep variables showed no difference and same level of test-retest reliability between the Mobile Sleep Lab and Human Sleep Lab, the Mobile Sleep Lab might be suitable for conducting polysomnography as a conventional sleep laboratory. The reduction in N3 in the Mobile Sleep Lab should be scrutinized in the larger sample, including sleep disorders. Practical application of the Mobile Sleep Lab can transform sleep medicine in remote areas.
Arte verbal del siglo XXI: la escritura como práctica artística post-literaria en el mundo contemporáneo
Authors: Rodríguez Posada Adolfo
Published: January 2025

En el contexto del mundo contemporáneo, la literatura española moderna se ha venido desplazando desde un modelo flaubertiano de escritura, es decir, una escritura saturada de convención literaria gracias al estilo y la poética del autor, hacia el territorio de una práctica artística paralela, hermanada y que indirectamente se reintegraría con las artes contemporáneas en el nuevo estadio posmoderno. Así pues, la literatura española contemporánea, en el marco de la revolución digital que determina el contexto cultural del siglo XXI, parece traspasar, superar y avanzar, en su nueva faceta como escritura creativa y arte verbal, más allá de los límites teóricos y categoriales de su concepto moderno, establecido y fundado en las nociones definitorias de lo literario como lo son la ficción, los géneros, el estilo, la función poética o la significación de los textos como estructuras semánticas. La importancia clave que alcanza la experimentación con el medio verbal, en la producción vanguardista de los escritores españoles desde la segunda mitad del siglo XX hasta la actualidad y gracias a los nuevos soportes vinculados a la invención de Internet, las redes sociales y los dispositivos electrónicos, convierte en centrales, dentro de la nueva teoría del arte verbal español, aspectos tales como la materialidad de la escritura y su dimensión gráfica y concreta, técnicas y mecanismos de postproducción de textos como el collage, la apropiación y la derivación (détournement), el montaje (editing), la remezcla (mixing) o el sampleado (sampling), así como la performatividad que desmaterializa el objeto poético y reduce la práctica literaria a una acción artística conceptualista. Este artículo propone una revisión general de tales aspectos desde una perspectiva teórica y las posibilidades de reintegración de la literatura como arte verbal dentro del conjunto de las prácticas literarias y artísticas de autores españoles contemporáneos como José Luis Castillejo, Fernando Millán, Julio Plaza, José-Miguel Ullán, Germán Sierra, Vicente Luis Mora, Jorge Carrión, María Salgado o Laía Argüelles Folch.