bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial neural network for the reduction of birefringence-induced errors in fiber shape sensors based on cladding waveguides gratings
Authors: Zheng Hanrong , Jiang Yi , Angelmahr Martin , Flachenecker Günter , Cai Haiwen , Schade Wolfgang
Published: February 2020

Cladding waveguide fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) provide a compact and simple solution for fiber shape sensing. The shape sensing accuracy is limited by birefringence, which is induced by bending and the non-isotropic FBG structure (written by femtosecond laser point-by-point technique). An algorithm based on an artificial neural network for fiber shape sensing is demonstrated, which enables increased accuracy, better robustness, and less time latency. This algorithm shows great potential in the application of high-accuracy real-time fiber shape measurements.
Highly efficient 3.7  kW peak-power single-frequency combined Er/Er-Yb fiber amplifier
Authors: Khudyakov M. M. , Lipatov D. S. , Gur’yanov A. N. , Bubnov M. M. , Likhachev M. E.
Published: February 2020

In this Letter, we propose and realize a novel concept for a high-peak-power highly efficient fiber amplifier in the 1.55 µm spectral range. The amplifier is based on the simultaneous utilization of Er-doped, Yb-free, and Er-Yb codoped large-mode-area fibers spliced together. Using this approach, we demonstrate the amplification of single-frequency 160 ns pulses at 1554 nm to a peak power of 3.7 kW with a pump-to-signal conversion efficiency of 23.6% relative to the launched multimode pump power at 976 nm.
Experimental observation of shaking soliton molecules in a dispersion-managed fiber laser
Authors: Xia Ran , Luo Yiyang , Ping Shum Perry , Ni Wenjun , Liu Yusong , Quoc Lam Huy , Sun Qizhen , Tang Xiahui , Zhao Luming
Published: February 2020

Recent progress in real-time spectral interferometry enables access to the internal dynamics of optical multisoliton complexes. Here, we report on the first, to the best of our knowledge, experimental observation of shaking soliton molecules by means of the dispersive Fourier transform technique. Beyond the simplex vibrating soliton pairs, multiple oscillatory motions can jointly involve in the internal dynamics, reminiscent of the shaking soliton pairs. Both quasi-periodically and chaotically evolving phase oscillations are approached in the sense of different oscillatory frequencies. In addition, the shaking soliton pair combined with sliding phase dynamics is also observed, and is interpreted as the superposition of two different internal motions. All of these results shed new light on the internal dynamics of soliton molecules with higher degrees of freedom, as well as enrich the framework toward multisoliton complexes.
Broadband pumping enabled flat-amplitude multi-wavelength random Raman fiber laser
Authors: Ye Jun , Zhang Yang , Xu Jiangming , Song Jiaxin , Yao Tianfu , Xiao Hu , Leng Jinyong , Zhou Pu
Published: February 2020

A flat-amplitude multi-wavelength random Raman fiber laser with broad spectral coverage and a high optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) is challenging and of great interest. In this Letter, we theoretically and experimentally proved that broadband pumping can help realize a broader, flat-amplitude multi-wavelength random Raman fiber laser. The influence of pump bandwidth, tunability of the spectral envelope, and channel spacing are investigated. As a result, with a 40 nm pump bandwidth, a spectral coverage of 1116–1125 nm with 19 laser lines and 31 dB OSNR is achieved, and the standard deviation in the peak intensities of the central nine lines is

∼

1

.

1

d
B
m

. This technique can also be applied to the multi-wavelength Raman (or random Raman) fiber lasers at other wavelengths and provide a reference for multi-wavelength applications in sensing, communication, and optical component testing.
Translanguaging-ikuspegia lehen hezkuntzako ikasgelan. Ba al du eraginik ikasleen euskara-mailan?
Authors: Leonet Oihana
Published: February 2020

Translanguaging terminoan elebakartasunean oinarritutako hizkuntzen banaketarekin apurtzea proposatzen duten hainbat ekarpen teoriko nahiz praktiko biltzen dira. Ikerketa hau, ikasgela ba- rruan, hizkuntzen artean muga zurrunik ezarri gabe, euskararen, gaztelaniaren eta ingelesaren arteko antze- kotasunak nabarmentzen dituen proiektu pedagogiko handiago baten barruan gauzatu da. Zehazki, hizkuntza baliabideen erabilera alderatze hutsetik haratago joan, eta baliabide hauen erabilera estimulatzen duen esku- hartze didaktikoak ikasleen euskara mailan izandako eragina aztertu da. Ikerketa honetan Euskal Autonomia Erkidegoko ikastetxe publiko bateko 5. eta 6. mailako 89 ikaslek parte hartu dute. Ikasle guztiek euskarazko irakurriaren ulermena neurtzeko test bat gauzatu dute esku-hartzearen aurretik eta ostean. Ikasleez gain proiektuan parte hartu duen euskara irakaslearen iritziak ere jaso dira erdi-egituratutako elkarrizketa baten bidez. Emaitzek erakusten dutenez, esku-hartzeak ez du ikasleen euskara-gaitasuna kaltetu. Irakasleak ere esku-hartzearen balorazio positiboa egiten du eta translanguagingean oinarritutako esku-hartze pedagogi- koa ikasleen kontzientzia linguistikoa eta metalinguistikoa indartzeko baliagarria izan dela azpimarratzen du.GAKO-HITZAK: translanguaging, hezkuntza eleaniztuna, kontzientzia metalinguistikoa, kontzientzia linguistikoa, lehen hezkuntza
Monthly dynamics and biting behavior of principal onchocerciasis vector (Simulium damnosum s.l.) in endemic area of Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Mose Alemayehu Dagne , Mamo Behailu Taye , Alamirew Solomon Yeshanew
Published: February 2020

Background and Aim: Vector-borne diseases are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in several regions, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. This study aimed to compare the relative abundance, diversity, monthly biting rates, and parity rate of onchocerciasis vector collected from three small rivers in Southwest Ethiopia.

Materials and Methods: Adult Simulium were collected using human landing catch with protected by the Mosq Tent for 4 consecutive days per month from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. from January 2018 to December 2018 at three communities: Dizi, Agalo Uka, and Haro Magela. Chi-square test was used to determine the association between study site villages and abundances of the Simulium diversity.

Results: During the study period, a total of 15,264 Simulium belong to two species Simulium damnosum sensu lato and Simulium neavei were collected. The monthly dynamics of S. damnosum sensu lato shows that the highest density of flies was observed in August, followed by July, whereas the lowest was observed in April. On the other hand, the highest peak biting hour was observed between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., while the lowest hourly activity of the fly was recorded from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Furthermore, the highest parity rate was observed 82.2% in July followed by 80.9% in August while the lowest rate was observed 43.7% in January.

Conclusion: This information on onchocerciasis vectors seasonal variation, diversity, parity, and biting time are important factors that to be considered for noticeable suggestions in monitoring transmission levels to guide the regional and national onchocerciasis elimination programs in Ethiopia.
Sympathetic Care
Authors: Cubellis Lauren
Published: February 2020

German clinicians working with psychiatric crises employ an alternative therapy called Open Dialogue to excavate the family histories and interpersonal relationships of their clients. In learning to do this, they perform role-play exercises in which familial narratives are imagined and improvised. Through this process, they develop an embodied practice in which they attune to misalignments in the network through words.
Care and the Nonhuman Politics of Veteran Drunk Driving
Authors: MacLeish Ken
Published: February 2020

Military veteran drunk driving is a field of pathologized behavior in which traces of military excess meet the surveillance and banality of home-front safety. In communities with significant veteran populations, drunk driving blurs the lines between battlefield dangers and more familiar modes of domestic disorderliness, and the deployment of special mechanisms for dealing with law-breaking veterans gives rise to novel combinations of dangerous and deserving, criminal and cared-for. This article recognizes and questions the production of knowledge that is as ambivalent as the scenes of life from which it emerges.
Mining Leftovers: Making Futures on the Margins of Capitalism
Authors: Jaramillo Pablo
Published: February 2020

The Colombian government and large-scale mining companies accuse small-scale gold miners of lacking a sense of the future, thereby harming the future of Colombia. In this article, I argue that marginalized people who extract gold with small-scale techniques create an alternative sense of future by engaging with the leftovers of their gold mining practices. This article is based on ethnographic fieldwork with people who struggle to make a living in the wake of large-scale mining interventions in the town of Marmato. Small-scale mining constantly creates simple by-products—gases, rubble, and mud—that look like waste. Small-scale miners engage with such substances as a way to make sense of their lives and the future. Making the relationships between humans and geological substances, waste and technology visible elucidates alternative forms of life that “get in the way” of a multinational mining company, the national government, local mafias, and financial markets hungry for gold in times of crisis. By analyzing people’s engagement with leftovers, I offer an understanding of resilience and survival in the margins of capitalist cycles of violence.

Resumen

El gobierno de Colombia y las compañías mineras a gran escala ven la minería a pequeña escala como una práctica sin futuro y dañina para el país. En este artículo argumento que las personas marginalizadas que extraen oro a pequeña escala crean sentidos de futuro alternativos al entrar en relación con las sobras de sus propias prácticas mineras. El artículo está basado en trabajo de campo etnográfico en el pueblo de Marmato, con personas que luchan por sobrevivir ante la inminencia de la ejecución de un proyecto de minería a gran escala en la montaña donde se localiza el pueblo. La minería a pequeña escala crea subproductos de manera permanente—colas, sobrantes y restos—que parecen basura. No obstante, los mineros a pequeña escala se involucran con estas sustancias como una forma de hacer sentido sobre sus propias vidas y futuros. Hacer visible la relación entre humanos y sustancias geológicas, desechos y tecnología hace posible apreciar formas alternativas de vida que “se ponen en el camino” de una multinacional minera, el gobierno nacional, mafias locales y los mercados financieros que buscan oro en tiempos de crisis. Al analizar la relación de las personas con gases, escombros, rocas, y barro, aporto una posibilidad de entender la resiliencia y subsistencia en los márgenes del capitalismo y sus ciclos de violencia.
Biodiesel Production through Catalytic Microwave In-situ Transesterification of Micro-algae  (Chlorella sp.)
Authors: Mahfud Mahfud , Kalsum Ummu , Ashwie Viqhi
Published: February 2020

Aim of this research are to study and develop research related to the potential of Chlorella sp. into biodiesel with the help of microwaves in-situ transesterification by characterizing parameters such as microwave power (300; 450; 600 W) and reaction time (10; 30; 50 minutes) with catalyst concentration of KOH and molar ratio of microalga : methanol are 2% and 1:12 respectively and optimized by response surface methodology with Face Centered Central Composite Design (FCCCD). The study was carried out by dissolving the catalyst into methanol according to the variable which was then put into a reactor containing microalgae powder in the microwave and turned on according to the predetermined variable. After the reaction process is complete, the mixture is filtered and resuspended with methanol for 10 minutes to remove the remaining FAME and then the obtained filtrate is cooled. Water is added to the filtrate solution to facilitate the separation of hydrophilic components before being separated and pushed apart until 3 layers are formed. Amount of FAMEs in the first layer formed were extracted with n-hexane solution and washed with water and the FAME product obtained was then distilled to remove the remaining n hexane and then weighed. The results indicated that yield increased with increasing reaction time and microwave power with the best conditions of 50 minutes each and 440.53 watts with the highest yield reaching 35.72% (dry basis) through using of KOH catalysts with low concentrations, 2%.©2020. CBIORE-IJRED. All rights reserved
Effect of Power and Time in Pectin Production from Cocoa Pod Husk Using Microwave-Assisted Extraction Technique
Authors: Sarah Maya , Hisham Hisham , Rizki Mushila , Erwinda Ricka
Published: February 2020

Investigation on microwave technique to extract pectin from cocoa pod husk in this study carries out using citric acid and hydrochloric acid (HCl). Extraction proceeds at various microwave powers (180, 300, 450, 600 Watt) and irradiation periods (10, 15, 20, 25, 30 minutes). This study observed effect of power and time to yield and quality of pectin.  Yield of pectin increased at elevated power and time either with citric acid or HCl solvent. Overall pectin quality in this study meet the IPPA quality factor exclude water content which relatively higher. MAE treatment with citric acid using microwave power of 300 Watt for 30 minutes resulted yield of 42% and high pectin quality as compare to MAE treatment with HCl. The best pectin product in this study has moisture content of 8%, ash content of 10%, equivalent weight of 714.29 mg, methoxyl content of 4.8% and galacturonate level of 43%. ©2020. CBIORE-IJRED. All rights reserved
Optimizing solar dish performance using analytical flux distribution in focal region
Authors: Santoso Dany Iman , Antoko Bambang , Ichsani Djatmiko
Published: February 2020

In this paper, thermal performance analysis of 4 m2 solar dish collector is presented.The focal image characteristics of the solar dish are determined to propose the suitable design of a receiver. A flat plate was used for the receiver to measure flux distribution in the focal region. The measurement had been done in the midday. Intercept factor based on this distribution had been calculated and was obtained to calculate thermal efficiency after total heat loss was described. From the experiment, total heat loss was formed by conductive and radiative in the receiver. The results showed that the increase in total heat loss followed the increase in receiver temperature and it caused a decrease in thermal efficiency. On the peak of the measurement or in midday, receiver temperature can achieve 138°C and it gave around 1200-Watt heat loss and it was dominated by radiative heat loss for around 80%. The thermal efficiency of the system due to flux distribution measurement in the focal region was above 70% and it was classified as high average but we needed to cover this flux up so it did not lose a lot of heat. Cavity aperture would keep around 20% total heat loss and it minimized radiative heat loss from the flux. The design of cavity aperture was the next discussion to insulate thermal heat reflection of the parabolic dish system from high radiative heat loss.©2020. CBIORE-IJRED. All rights reserved
Assessment of genetic diversity of Turkish and Algerian native sheep breeds
Authors: AMEUR AMEUR Abdelkader , YILMAZ Onur , ATA Nezih , CEMAL Ibrahim , GAOUAR Semir Bechir Suheil
Published: February 2020

In Algeria and Turkey, the sheep production systems are based on the under extensive rural conditions and their genetic management has led to increased homozygosity and hence productivity loss. The identification of inter-breed and intra-breed genetic diversity plays a key role in the shaping of conservation and breeding programs. The present study was conducted to investigate the genetic diversity of native sheep breeds reared in Turkey and Algeria. A total of 240 animals from four Algerian (Hamra, Ouled Djellal, Sidaou, and Tazegzawt) and four Turkish (White Karaman, South Karaman, Karacabey Merino, and Kıvırcık) native sheep breeds were genotyped with fourteen microsatellite markers recommended by FAO. A total of 340 alleles were detected from fourteen markers studied. All the eight breeds exhibited moderate to high levels of genetic diversity, with a slight superiority of the Algerian sheep breeds. Overall FIS value was low, but highly significant (p < 0.001). It may have been due to the high inbreeding within the population. The mean global coefficient of gene differentiation (GST) showed that approximately 94.0 % of the genetic variation was within-population. The highest number of private alleles with a frequency above 5 % was observed in Ouled Djellal sheep. Structure analysis of populations studied revealed the most appropriate K with four genetic clusters. As the result, the dendrogram showed that the Algerian sheep breeds were completely separated from the Turkish sheep breeds furthermore the Bayesian clustering revealed a high level of admixture, especially in Algerian sheep populations.
Comparison of the toxicity and repellency of two conventional neonicotinoids and a coconut-derived insecticide soap toward the parasitoid wasp Aphelinus mali Haldeman, 1851
Authors: EBADOLLAHI Asgar , SADEGHI Reza
Published: February 2020

The parasitoid wasp Aphelinus mali,Haldeman, 1851 (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is the most important biological control agent against the woolly apple aphid, Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausemann, 1802) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), which is an important apple orchards pest throughout the world. Based on the importance of using low-risk compounds to protect beneficial agents, the present study was carried out to evaluate the toxic and repellent effects of two conventional chemicals (imidacloprid and thiacloprid) and coconut-derived biopesticide soap (PalizinÒ) toward A. mali. The results of residual bioassays on apple leaf discs indicated that imidacloprid after 24 h and insecticide soap after 72 h exposure time categorized at the highest and no/little toxicity rates, respectively. Ingestion bioassays on filter papers revealed that imidacloprid and thiacloprid had moderate toxicity rate, while insecticide soap had a low-level toxicity rate. Repellency test at Y-tube olfactometer showed that the repellent effects of both chemicals were more than that of insecticide soap. It is concluded that coconut-derived soap was compatible with the parasitoid activity, and the caution should be paid when including the two neonicotinoid insecticides imidacloprid and thiacloprid for E. lanigerum management.
Physiological and biochemical responses of selected cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) accessions to iron toxicity
Authors: IFIE Josiah ESEOGHENE , IFIE-ETUMAH Sandra OMON , IKHAJIAGBE Beckley
Published: February 2020

This study aimed to investigate the effect of iron toxicity in cowpea using physiological and biochemical responses of selected accessions. Fifteen accessions of cowpea were exposed to two treatments of iron using FeSO4 solution (100 mg l-1 and 400 mg l-1) and distilled water at pH 6.2 as control. The results showed that there was a general reduction in germination morphology; germination percentage among the 400 mg l-1 Fe-treated accessions. Seed mortality rates were significantly higher among the 400 mg l-1Fe-treated accessions (> 35 %). Water imbibition capacity and relative mass gained were higher for Fe-treated accessions. Furthermore, significant increase in the total sugar and percentage utilization of sugars was accompanied by an insignificant decrease in chlorophyll a, a significant decrease in chlorophyll b contents and the persistence of foliar chlorosis, among the 400 mg l-1 Fe-treated accessions. MDA levels were significantly increased while proline remained unchanged, mean SOD activity was insignificantly increased, whereas Cat decreased among the 400 mg l-1 Fe-treated accessions. Documentation of these observable changes in physiological and biochemical parameters will be useful in understanding the impact of elevated iron concentrations on the cultivation of cowpea accessions in soils associated with ferruginous ultisols.
Quickstep
Authors: Patel Jignesh M. , Deshmukh Harshad , Zhu Jianqiao , Potti Navneet , Zhang Zuyu , Spehlmann Marc , Memisoglu Hakan , Saurabh Saket
Published: February 2020

Modern servers pack enough storage and computing power that just a decade ago was spread across a modest-sized cluster. This paper presents a prototype system, called Quickstep, to exploit the large amount of parallelism that is packed inside modern servers. Quickstep builds on a vast body of previous methods for organizing data, optimizing, scheduling and executing queries, and brings them together in a single system. Quickstep also includes new query processing methods that go beyond previous approaches. To keep the project focused, the project's initial target is read-mostly in-memory data warehousing workloads in single-node settings. In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of Quickstep for this target application space. We also present experimental results comparing the performance of Quickstep to a number of other systems, demonstrating that Quickstep is often faster than many other contemporary systems, and in some cases faster by orders-of-magnitude. Quickstep is an Apache (incubating) project.
Smoke
Authors: Psallidas Fotis , Wu Eugene
Published: February 2020

Data lineage describes the relationship between individual input and output data items of a workflow and is an integral ingredient for both traditional (e.g., debugging or auditing) and emergent (e.g., explanations or cleaning) applications. The core, long-standing problem that lineage systems need to address---and the main focus of this paper---is to quickly capture lineage across a workflow in order to speed up future queries over lineage. Current lineage systems, however, either incur high lineage capture overheads, high lineage query processing costs, or both. In response, developers resort to manual implementations of applications that, in principal, can be expressed and optimized in lineage terms. This paper describes S
moke
, an in-memory database engine that provides both fast lineage capture and lineage query processing. To do so, S
moke
tightly integrates the lineage capture logic into physical database operators; stores lineage in efficient lineage representations; and employs optimizations if future lineage queries are known up-front. Our experiments on microbenchmarks and realistic workloads show that S
moke
reduces the lineage capture overhead and lineage query costs by multiple orders of magnitude as compared to state-of-the-art alternatives. On real-world applications, we show that S
moke
meets the latency requirements of interactive visualizations (e.g., < 150ms) and outperforms hand-written implementations of data profiling primitives.
Diagnostic amyloid proteomics: experience of the UK National Amyloidosis Centre
Authors: Canetti Diana , Rendell Nigel B. , Gilbertson Janet A. , Botcher Nicola , Nocerino Paola , Blanco Angel , Di Vagno Lucia , Rowczenio Dorota , Verona Guglielmo , Mangione P. Patrizia , Bellotti Vittorio , Hawkins Philip N. , Gillmore Julian D. , Taylor Graham W.
Published: February 2020

Systemic amyloidosis is a serious disease which is caused when normal circulating proteins misfold and aggregate extracellularly as insoluble fibrillary deposits throughout the body. This commonly results in cardiac, renal and neurological damage. The tissue target, progression and outcome of the disease depends on the type of protein forming the fibril deposit, and its correct identification is central to determining therapy. Proteomics is now used routinely in our centre to type amyloid; over the past 7 years we have examined over 2000 clinical samples. Proteomics results are linked directly to our patient database using a simple algorithm to automatically highlight the most likely amyloidogenic protein. Whilst the approach has proved very successful, we have encountered a number of challenges, including poor sample recovery, limited enzymatic digestion, the presence of multiple amyloidogenic proteins and the identification of pathogenic variants. Our proteomics procedures and approaches to resolving difficult issues are outlined.
Age-specific reference values improve the diagnostic performance of AMH in polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Evliyaoglu Osman , Imöhl Mathias , Weiskirchen Ralf , van Helden Josef
Published: February 2020

Background

The increased secretion of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) by the growing follicles has been supposed as a determinative feature of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The diagnostic performance of AMH in PCOS is superior compared to the free androgen index (FAI) and luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) quotient. We established age-dependent reference ranges to further improve the diagnostic performance of AMH.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, in samples of 4712 reproductive age patients, ranging from 14 to 50 years, BMI, AMH and other reproductive hormones were determined by immunoassay or tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to calculate age-specific reference ranges and the diagnostic performance.

Results

Age-specific diagnostic performances for Elecsys® AMH, FAI and LH/FSH ratio were established in the reference group. No significant difference in BMI was found between the groups. AMH values were significantly negatively correlated with age (r = −0.628, p < 0.001) in patients with normal ovarian function, but there was no correlation between age and AMH levels in PCOS patients (r = − 0.041, p < 0.174). In all the study groups, AMH showed a weak correlation between FAI and LH/FSH ratio (r = 0.302, p < 0.001 and r = 0.434, p < 0.001, respectively). The sensitivity/specificity for AMH, FAI and LH/FSH ratio were 89/96%, 71/69% and 75/72%, respectively, according to the Youden index.

Conclusions

We determined the age-dependent reference ranges for serum AMH levels in a large population-based study and calculated the age-specific diagnostic performance of FAI and LH/FSH ratio, which allows physicians to evaluate patients with PCOS who have normal AMH levels. AMH is suggested as the strongest diagnostic marker in patients with PCOS compared to FAI and LH/FSH ratio.
Value of cervicovaginal fluid cytokines in prediction of fetal inflammatory response syndrome in pregnancies complicated with preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM)
Authors: Mikołajczyk Mateusz , Wirstlein Przemysław , Adamczyk Magdalena , Skrzypczak Jana , Wender-Ożegowska Ewa
Published: February 2020

Background

Preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM) is associated with a high risk of prematurity and complications of fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS). The aim of the study is to determine any correlations between the concentration of selected cytokines contained in the cervicovaginal secretion eluates and in the umbilical cord plasma in patients with pPROM and to find the noninvasive markers of FIRS in order to pinpoint the optimal time of the delivery.

Methods

The study included 80 patients with pPROM between the 24th and 34th week of gestation. The cervicovaginal fluid and umbilical cord blood were collected. Interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10 (IL-10), interleukin 19 (IL-19) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations were measured in both materials. For the statistical analysis, SigmaStat3.5 software was used.

Results

There was no direct association in levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-19 between the cord blood and cervicovaginal secretions within the studied group. The cut-off point of IL-6 of 26.8 pg/mL in the vaginal fluid had high sensitivity and specificity in order to discriminate between newborns with and without FIRS (81.08%; 76.74%).

Conclusion

Further studies are needed on a larger group of participants to demonstrate that an elevated concentration of IL-6 above 26.8 pg/mL in the cervicovaginal secretion eluate is an indirect noninvasive marker of FIRS.
Deep learning enabled inverse design in nanophotonics
Authors: So Sunae , Badloe Trevon , Noh Jaebum , Bravo-Abad Jorge , Rho Junsuk
Published: February 2020

Deep learning has become the dominant approach in artificial intelligence to solve complex data-driven problems. Originally applied almost exclusively in computer-science areas such as image analysis and nature language processing, deep learning has rapidly entered a wide variety of scientific fields including physics, chemistry and material science. Very recently, deep neural networks have been introduced in the field of nanophotonics as a powerful way of obtaining the nonlinear mapping between the topology and composition of arbitrary nanophotonic structures and their associated functional properties. In this paper, we have discussed the recent progress in the application of deep learning to the inverse design of nanophotonic devices, mainly focusing on the three existing learning paradigms of supervised-, unsupervised-, and reinforcement learning. Deep learning forward modelling i.e. how artificial intelligence learns how to solve Maxwell’s equations, is also discussed, along with an outlook of this rapidly evolving research area.
Electronic cigarettes – an important progress or just another risk for health?
Authors: Jakschitz Thomas , Fischnaller Martin , Noel Jean-Christophe , Gstir Ronald , Rainer Daniela , Rutzinger Peter , Bonn Günther , Rode Bernd Michael
Published: February 2020

Liquids for electronic cigarettes and the vapor generated from them were examined by chemical and biological methods in order to reveal potential risk factors and their acceptability for consumers. Although the majority of the liquids on the market appear to be safe, some aroma compositions have been identified as possibly toxic for human vein epithelial cells, similar to tobacco smoke, thus indicating potential health risks and suggesting suitable test procedures before marketing the liquids.
Health-Seeking Behaviors and its Determinants: A Facility-Based Cross-Sectional Study in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Authors: Abuduxike Gulifeiya , Aşut Özen , Vaizoğlu Songül Acar , Cali Sanda
Published: February 2020

Background: Understanding health-seeking behaviors and determining factors help governments to adequately allocate and manage existing health resources. The aim of the study was to examine the health-seeking behaviors of people in using public and private health facilities and to assess the factors that influence healthcare utilization in Northern Cyprus. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2 polyclinics among 507 people using a structured intervieweradministered questionnaire. Health-seeking behaviors were measured using four indicators including routine medical check-ups, preferences of healthcare facilities, admission while having health problems, and refusal of health services while ill. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to explore factors influencing the use of health services. Results: About 77.3% of the participants reported to have visited health centers while they had any health problems. More than half (51.7%) of them had a routine medical check-up during the previous year, while 12.2% of them had refused to seek healthcare when they felt ill during the last five years. Of all, 39.1% of them reported preferring private health services. Current smokers (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.92, 95% CI: 1.17-3.14), having chronic diseases (AOR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.95-2.16), having poor perceptions on health (AOR=2.33; 95% CI: 1.563.48), and spending less on health during the last three months (AOR=2.08, 95% CI: 1.43- 3.01) had about twice the odds of having routine checkups. Higher education (AOR=1.87, 95% CI: 1.38-2.55) was shown to be a positive predictor for the health-seeking behaviors, whereas having self-care problems (AOR=0.18, 95% CI: 0.08-0.40) and having a moderate-income (AOR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.57-0.81) were inversely associated with seeking healthcare. Conclusion: The utilization of public and private health sectors revealed evident disparities in the socio-economic characteristics of participants. The health-seeking behaviors were determined by need factors including chronic disease status and having poor health perception and also by enabling factors such as education, income, insurance status and ability to pay by oneself. These findings highlight the need for further nationwide studies and provide evidence for specific strategies to reduce the socioeconomic inequalities in the use of healthcare services.
Analyzing Main and Interaction Effects of Length of Stay Determinants in Emergency Departments
Authors: Sarıyer Gorkem , Ataman Mustafa Gökalp , Kızıloğlu İlker
Published: February 2020

Background: Measuring and understanding main determinants of length of stay (LOS) in emergency departments (EDs) is critical from an operations perspective, since LOS is one of the main performance indicators of ED operations. Therefore, this study analyzes both the main and interaction effects of four widely-used independent determinants of ED-LOS. Methods: The analysis was conducted using secondary data from an ED of a large urban hospital in Izmir, Turkey. Between-subject factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the main and interaction effects of the corresponding factors. P values <.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: While the main effect of gender was insignificant, age, mode of arrival, and clinical acuity had significant effects, whereby ED-LOS was significantly higher for the elderly, those arriving by ambulance, and clinically-categorized high-acuity patients. Additionally, there was an interaction between the age and clinical acuity in that, while ED-LOS increased with age for high acuity patients, the opposite trend occurred for low acuity patients. When ED-LOS was modeled using gender, age, and mode of arrival, there was a significant interaction between age and mode of arrival. However, this interaction was not significant when the model included age, mode of arrival, and clinical acuity. Conclusion: Significant interactions exist between commonly used ED-LOS determinants. Therefore, interaction effects should be considered in analyzing and modelling ED-LOS.
Where Do We Start? Building Consensus on Drivers of Health Sector Corruption in Nigeria and Ways to Address It
Authors: Onwujekwe Obinna , Orjiakor Charles T. , Hutchinson Eleanor , McKee Martin , Agwu Prince , Mbachu Chinyere , Ogbozor Pamela , Obi Uche , Odii Aloysius , Ichoku Hyacinth , Balabanova Dina
Published: February 2020

Background: Corruption is widespread in Nigeria’s health sector but the reasons why it exists and persists are poorly understood and it is often seen as intractable. We describe a consensus building exercise in which we asked health workers and policy-makers to identify and prioritise feasible responses to corruption in the Nigerian health sector. Methods: We employed three sequential activities. First, a narrative literature review identified which types of corruption are reported in the Nigerian health system. Second, we asked 21 frontline health workers to add to what was found in the review (based on their own experiences) and prioritise them, based on their significance and the feasibility of assessing them, by means of a consensus building exercise using a Nominal Group Technique (NGT). Third, we presented their assessments in a meeting of 25 policy-makers to offer their views on the practicality of implementing appropriate measures. Results: Participants identified 49 corrupt practices from the literature review and their own experience as most important in the Nigerian health system. The NGT prioritised: absenteeism, procurement-related corruption, underthe-counter payments, health financing-related corruption, and employment-related corruption. This largely reflected findings from the literature review, except for the greater emphasis on employment-related corruption from the NGT. Absenteeism, Informal payments and employment-related corruption were seen as most feasible to tackle. Frontline workers and policy-makers agreed that tackling corrupt practices requires a range of approaches. Conclusion: Corruption is recognized in Nigeria as widespread but often seems insurmountable. We show how a structured approach can achieve consensus among multiple stakeholders, a crucial first step in mobilizing action to address corruption.
HIV-Related Stigma Among Healthcare Providers in Different Healthcare Settings: A Cross-Sectional Study in Kerman, Iran
Authors: Tavakoli Fatemeh , Karamouzian Mohammad , Rafiei-Rad Ali Ahmad , Iranpour Abedin , Farrokhnia Mehrdad , Noroozi Mehdi , Sharifi Ali , Marshall Brandon D.L. , Shokoohi Mostafa , Sharifi Hamid
Published: February 2020

Background: Stigmatizing attitudes among healthcare providers are an important barrier to accessing services among people living with HIV (PLHIV). This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the status and correlates of HIV-related stigma among healthcare providers in Kerman, Iran. Methods: Using a validated and pilot-tested stigma scale questionnaire, we measured HIV-related stigma among 400 healthcare providers recruited from three teaching hospitals (n=363), private sectors (n=28), and the only voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) center (n=9) in Kerman city. Data were gathered using self-administered questionnaires at participants’ workplace during Fall 2016. To examine the correlates of stigmatizing attitudes, we constructed bivariable and multivariable linear regression models. Results: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of stigma score was 25.95 ± 7.20 out of the possible 50, with higher scores reflecting more stigmatizing attitudes. Paramedics, nurses’ aides, and housekeeping staff had the highest, and VCT personnel had the lowest average stigma scores, respectively. Multivariable regression analyses showed that prior experience of working with PLHIV (β=-2.48; P=.03), exposure to HIV-related educational courses (β=-2.03; P=.02), and <10 years of work experience (β=-2.70; P<.001) were associated with lower stigma scores. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the need for health managers to provide training opportunities for healthcare providers, including programs that focus on improving HIV-related knowledge for healthcare providers. Enforcing policies that aim to reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination among healthcare providers in Iran are urgently needed.
Handing the Microphone to Women: Changes in Gender Representation in Editorial Contributions Across Medical and Health Journals 2008-2018
Authors: Chang Angela Y. , Cesare Nina
Published: February 2020

The editorial materials in top medical and public health journals are opportunities for experts to offer thoughts that might influence the trajectory of the field. To date, while some studies have examined gender bias in the publication of editorial materials in medical journals, none have studied public health journals. In this perspective, we studied the gender ratio of the editorial materials published in the top health and medical sciences journals between 2008 and early 2018 to test whether gender bias exists. We studied a total of 59 top journals in health and medical sciences. Overall, while there is a trend of increasing proportion of female first authors, there is still a greater proportion of male than female first authors. The average male-to-female first author ratio during the study period across all journals was 2.08. Ensuring equal access and exposure through journal editorials is a critical step, albeit only one step of a longer journey, towards gender balance in health and medical sciences research. Editors of top journals have a key role to play in pushing the fields towards more balanced gender equality, and we strongly urge editors to rethink the strategies for inviting authors for editorial materials.
The Remains of Humanity
Authors: Mara Kathryn
Published: February 2020

In this autoethnographic article, I examine the presentation of human remains at memorials commemorating the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, focusing on witnessing and voyeurism. Drawing on my own and others’ experiences visiting these memorials, I address the following questions: How do we represent humans who are no longer living? How do we conceptualize the humanity of human remains produced by violent means? This article examines these questions through an engagement with literary representations of Rwanda’s dead, specifically Boubacar Boris Diop’s Murambi: The Book of Bones and Koulsy Lamko’s La Phalène Des Collines (A Butterfly in the Hills), as well as analysis of my field notes and diary entries regarding my personal responses to genocide memorials I visited in Rwanda. Whereas previous scholarship has focused primarily on the intended function of the memorials and the anticipated response of their visitors, by concentrating on affective and aesthetic responses to the dead, I address something in between: the aesthetic perception of human remains, particularly in relation to the dignity of the people they were. At stake in this research is who is able to make a claim to humanity and under what theoretical guises.
Democracy, Race, and the Socialist Project in the United States
Authors: Smith Robert C.
Published: February 2020

This paper examines the relationship between race, socialism, and democracy in America. It is organized into five sections and a conclusion. The first section explores how socialism has been viewed by many black leaders and intellectuals as necessary, imperative perhaps, in the black struggle for material equality, and further investigates the relationship of this black perspective on socialism to white opposition. The second section uses the most recent historical work to identify the factors that have the stalled the development of socialism in America. I also assess how these factors have changed or not in terms of making the socialist project more likely. In the third section, I analyze available poll data on American opinion about socialism from the 1930s to the present. While the data show unambiguously increased support for socialism since the 1930s, socialism does not today command the support of a majority of the American people. In the fourth section I examine the paradigmatic Franklin Roosevelt presidency on how liberal Democratic presidents have avoided the socialist label while embracing socialist programs. The fifth section is a brief examination of what socialism—really existing socialism—means in the early twenty-first century, and the idea of “socialist smuggling” as manifested in the presidencies of FDR and Lyndon Johnson. The speculative conclusion asks what are the prospects for the socialist project, and whether the white liberal cosmopolitan bourgeoisie rather than the white working class might become a mass base for the socialist project.
PSA positivo, espermatozoides ausentes: vale a tentativa de obtenção de perfil genético masculino?
Authors: Toselli Milena , Pacheco Ana Cláudia , Dias Filho Claudemir Rodrigues
Published: February 2020

A violência sexual é uma questão histórica e cultural que afeta crianças, adolescentes e adultos. A ausência de prova pericial e a falta de prestação de queixa da vítima dificulta a condenação do agressor. Porém, muitas vezes é possível a obtenção do perfil genético do agressor pela adequada coleta de vestígios no exame de corpo de delito da vítima e desta forma a vinculação de um suspeito ao crime. Em material relacionado à violência sexual, a perícia efetua exames preliminares para a constatação de material biológico, como a pesquisa de antígeno prostático específico (PSA) e a detecção da presença de espermatozoides através de microscopia de luz. É relativamente comum a abstenção dos procedimentos genéticos quando da ausência ou exiguidade de espermatozoides na amostra, sendo esses casos muitas vezes arquivados. Deste modo, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a possibilidade de se obter um perfil genético masculino isolado de peças que resultaram PSA positivo e a pesquisa de espermatozoide negativo ou raro. Foram analisados 61 casos durante o período de janeiro a dezembro de 2014, dos quais, 28 casos resultaram negativos na pesquisa de espermatozoides. Desses foi possível isolar o perfil masculino em 13 casos. Dos 33 casos com espermatozoides raros, 66,67% (22 casos) resultaram em sucesso na obtenção de perfil masculino isolado. Os resultados são indicativos de que esses casos não devem ser arquivados após a constatação de líquido seminal, sem que se faça uma tentativa para obtenção de um perfil genético masculino. Foi possível isolar o perfil genético masculino em 57,37% dos casos estudados através das células espermática e/ou epitelial do criminoso, sendo esses perfis masculinos importantes não apenas para o confronto com o perfil de suspeitos, mas também para a alimentação do banco nacional de dados para futura identificação do agressor.
Xeración de residuos derivados do turismo receptor en Galicia
Authors: Carrascal Incera André , Fernández Fernández Melchor , Pereira López Xesús
Published: February 2020

Estimar o impacto do turismo nunha sociedade significa considerar tanto os beneficios coma os custos asociados á actividade turística. Sen dúbida, o turismo reviste unha importancia económica e social decisiva; porén, o crecemento da actividade turística foi acompañado por dificultades importantes en termos de emisión de gases de efecto invernadoiro, de consumo de auga, de vertidos de auga non tratada, de xeración de residuos, de danos á biodiversidade terrestre e mariña ou da ameaza para a supervivencia da cultura ou das tradicións locais. Na maioría das análises económicas do turismo incídese sobre os beneficios derivados do gasto directo dos turistas, sen detectar nin a existencia de impactos indirectos nin de efectos ambientais. O noso obxectivo é ofrecer unha aproximación ao impacto ambiental da actividade turística a partir da estimación da xeración de residuos vinculada ao consumo dos non residentes. Para satisfacer o vector de demanda final turística necesitamos producir toda unha serie de bens e servizos, e no transcurso desta produción obtemos non só eses bens, senón tamén toda unha serie de residuos físicos que devolvemos á natureza. A partir dunha ampliación do modelo inputoutput é posible obter unha estimación dos residuos xerados directa e indirectamente polo consumo dos visitantes non residentes. Con fins ilustrativos, aplícase o modelo á economía galega.
Auditoría, comités de auditoría e neutralidade na información narrativa
Authors: Babío Arcay María Rosario , Suárez Fernández Oscar , Vidal Lopo Rosario
Published: February 2020

O obxectivo deste traballo é a análise da implicación do auditor e do comité de auditoría na revisión da información narrativa. Utilizando como medida da calidade o ton da información histórica e de carácter financeiro contida no informe de xestión, estudamos a súa relación con determinadas características que a investigación previa identificou como determinantes da calidade da auditoría externa e da efectividade do comité de auditoría nas súas tarefas de supervisión da información. Os nosos resultados apuntan a unha falta de obxectividade na información que a actividade de auditores e comités non contribúe a corrixir. Unicamente resulta significativa a medida relativa ao grao de esforzo do auditor, que se relaciona positivamente cunha maior neutralidade, mentres que a duración da relación cliente-firma de auditoría e a prestación de servizos adicionais polo auditor, aínda que non significativamente, se relacionan negativamente coa calidade da información. Nin a presenza de independentes no comité de auditoría nin o seu grao de actividade mostran relación coa neutralidade da información.