bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case Report: Emergency endovascular management of a ruptured giant abdominal aortic aneurysm with severely angulated and conical shaped neck using novel multiple stiff wire technique
Authors: Taofan Taofan , Dakota Iwan , Adiarto Suko , Indriani Suci , Aurora Ruth Grace , Putra Rendra Mahardhika , Marsudi Bagas Adhimurda , Afandy Jonathan Edbert , Benly Melani Limenco , Paramastri Kanya , Lam Macmilliac , Iqbal Muhammad Rafli , Saputro Keviano Bobby , Kang Sung Gwon , Widyantoro Bambang
Published: October 2024

Background Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) is commonly fatal, with an overall mortality rate of nearly 90%, and the risk of subsequent rupture remains high, especially in large aneurysm diameters or progressive disease. Unfavorable neck anatomy in EVAR is linked to early graft failure and long-term complications. Recently, a novel multiple stiff wire (MSW) technique has been developed to overcome the challenges of hostile neck anatomy without introducing additional devices and procedural complexity. It has also been feasible in a series of elective cases. In this case, we report the first-ever utilization of the MSW technique in an emergency case of an acute contained rAAA with a conical-shaped, severely angulated neck who underwent Endovascular Aortic Repair (EVAR). Case presentation A 61-year-old man came with intermittent sharp stomach pain radiating to his back since three weeks ago. Physical examination showed elevated blood pressure and anemic conjunctiva. Laboratory examinations showed anemia, leukocytosis, elevated D-dimer level, high creatinine level, and low eGFR. CT-Scan Angiography (CTA) revealed severely hostile anatomy, a conical-shaped abdominal aorta aneurysm with a length of 13.2 cm and a maximum diameter of 9.3 cm with angulation of 90.1°. The patient was diagnosed with Ruptured AAA with a conical-shaped, severely angulated neck. Endovascular Aortic Repair (EVAR) management with MSW technique was planned for him. After four days, The patient was discharged in a clinically stable condition with optimal medical treatment and education. Conclusion The endovascular approach could be performed in emergency settings and has been proven to reduce length of stay, mortality, and morbidity rates. In this case, the endovascular approach with the MSW technique showed promising results for the patient.
Enriched marine oil supplements in pregnancy for the modulation of maternal inflammatory- associated causes of preterm delivery
Authors: Regidor Pedro Antonio , Eiblwieser Johanna , Steeb Theresa , Rizo Jose Miguel
Published: October 2024

Preterm birth is a major cause of perinatal complications and neonatal deaths. Furthermore, in the field of obstetrics many clinical entities like uterine contractions or the occurrence of pre- eclampsia remain to be serious complications during pregnancy and represent a major psychological, financial, and economic burden for society. Several published guidelines, studies and recommendations have highlighted the importance of supplementation of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) during pregnancy. This narrative review aims at giving an overview on the modern perception of inflammatory processes and the role of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) in their resolution, especially in obstetrics. Additionally, we highlight the possible role of SPMs in the prevention of obstetric complications through oral supplementation using enriched marine oil nutritional’s. The intake of PUFAs may result in an overall improvement of pregnancy outcomes by contributing to fetal brain growth and neurological development but more importantly though modulation of inflammation-associated pathologies. Especially the use of SPMs represents a promising approach for the management of obstetric and perinatal complications. SPMs are monohydroxylates derived from enriched marine oil nutritional’s that involve certain pro-resolutive metabolites of omega-3 long chains PUFAs and may contribute to an attenuation of inflammatory diseases. This may be obtained through various mechanisms necessary for a proper resolution of inflammation such as the termination of neutrophil tissue infiltration, initiation of phagocytosis, downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines or tissue regeneration. In this way, acute and chronic inflammatory diseases associated with serious obstetrical complications can be modulated, which might contribute to an improved pregnancy outcome.
Using models and maps to inform Target Product Profiles and Preferred Product Characteristics: the example of Wolbachia replacement
Authors: Tiley Katie , Entwistle Julian , Thomas Bruce , Yakob Laith , Brady Oliver
Published: October 2024

Background The global prevalence of diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, such as dengue, Zika and Yellow Fever, is increasing, but development of promising new mosquito control technologies could reverse this trend. Target Product Profiles (TPPs) and Preferred Product Characteristics (PPCs) documents issued by the World Health Organization can guide the research and development pathways of new products and product combinations transitioning from proof of concept to operational use. Methods We used high resolution global maps of the case and economic burden of dengue to derive programmatic cost targets to support a TPP for Wolbachia replacement. A compartmental entomological model was used to explore how release size, spacing and timing affect replacement speed and acceptability. To support a PPC for a hybrid suppress-then-replace approach we tested whether Wolbachia replacement could be achieved faster, more acceptably or at a lower cost if preceded by a mosquito suppression programme. Results We show how models can reveal trade-offs, identify quantitative thresholds and prioritise areas and intervention strategies for further development. We estimate that for Wolbachia replacement to be deployable in enough areas to make major contributions to reducing global dengue burden by 25% (in line with 2030 WHO targets), it must have the potential for cost to be reduced to between $7.63 and $0.24 (USD) per person protected or less. Suppression can reduce the number of Wolbachia mosquitoes necessary to achieve replacement fixation by up to 80%. A hybrid approach can also achieve fixation faster and potentially improve acceptability, but may not justify their cost if they require major new investments in suppression technologies. Conclusions Here we demonstrate the value dedicated modelling can provide for interdisciplinary groups of experts when developing TPPs and PPCs. These models could be used by product developers to prioritise and shape development decisions for new Wolbachia replacement products.
Sterilization and Long-Term Stability of Cobalt Intercalated MnO₂ Catalyst in the Cathode of Separator-Free Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors: Shiraki Kaisei , Hirose Soichiro , Nakamoto Trang , Taguchi Kozo
Published: October 2024

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) are a promising technology that can simultaneously address recent energy shortages and wastewater treatment problems for freshwater production. Recently, inexpensive Pt-free catalysts have been investigated to improve the cathode performance of MFCs. In this study, birnessite manganese oxide intercalated a cobalt (Co-MnO₂) catalyst to make the cathode sterilizable. The use of a bactericidal cathode is expected to improve output by suppressing electron transfer from microorganisms to the cathode, which is the cause of MFC performance degradation, and by eliminating the separator that limits proton transfer. The MFC with Co-MnO₂ catalyst on the cathode achieved a maximum power density of 110 μW/cm². In addition, the function of the Co-MnO₂ catalyst did not degrade for at least 158 days.
ReConstruyendo sustentabilidad urbana: un análisis alternativo de huertos urbanos comunitarios en la Ciudad de México.
Authors: Bautista-Villalobos Xanath , García-Frapolli Eduardo
Published: October 2024

Los huertos urbanos son cada vez más reconocidos como opciones viables para generar sustentabilidad urbana. Además de producir alimentos y especies vegetales útiles, los huertos urbanos son también una manera de transformar el espacio urbano, de generar comunidad, de innovar socialmente y ser espacios formativos. En esta investigación analizamos, a partir de los planteamientos de la agroecología, la economía social y solidaria y la innovación social, dos huertos urbanos comunitarios en la Ciudad de México. Con la participación de los administradores de los huertos y otros participantes claves, definimos los instrumentos metodológicos para convocar a la participación comunitaria y realizamos talleres para conocer las percepciones locales sobre cómo están trabajando los huertos. A su vez, se definieron atributos y variables que fueron evaluadas en términos del cumplimiento de objetivos. Los resultados muestran que ambas iniciativas son bien percibidas por sus comunidades, a pesar de que son pocas las personas que se vinculan con los huertos. Encontramos que la mayoría de las variables fueron evaluadas satisfactoriamente, aunque aspectos como el origen y uso del agua, así como la distribución de los ingresos entre la comunidad o la generación de presupuestos comunitarios, no han logrado los objetivos.
El vacío periurbano como resistencia. Las huertas del Agra del Orzán en San Pedro de Visma en A Coruña.
Authors: García García María Concepción
Published: October 2024

Los espacios periurbanos de nuestras ciudades son espacios de conflicto. Espacios codiciados por su proximidad a la ciudad central y sus posibilidades para ser transformados en zonas de expansión residencial. Su valor inmobiliario en base a su plusvalía edificatoria se define en los instrumentos de planeamiento local ortodoxos de manera que la mayoría de estos espacios únicos de origen agrario y con un gran potencial para el desarrollo de la agricultura periurbana han desaparecido. Los que han llegado hasta nuestros días son espacios valiosísimos para equilibrar el metabolismo urbano, constituyendo auténticos lugares de descongestión de la densa trama construida. Los suelos de origen agrario en el entorno de la ciudad son suelos fértiles singulares con valores patrimoniales territoriales que exigen su salvaguarda. Este texto describe un estudio de caso en la ciudad de A Coruña, el área periurbana de San Pedro de Visma, que ha generado un gran debate ciudadano en relación a su transformación como suelo urbanizable para ejecutar cerca de 4.000 viviendas en uno de los últimos espacios abiertos de origen agrario de la ciudad. El proceso administrativo avanza inexorable; sirva esta investigación como contribución para la defensa de un espacio único.
Hacia una bioeconomía, circular, regenerativa y nuevas formas de producción. Estudio de caso: Proyecto Siempremonte, provincia de Córdoba, Argentina.
Authors: Fenoglio Valeria
Published: October 2024

El cambio climático es el mayor reto medioambiental al que se enfrenta nuestro planeta y se vincula directamente al gran consumo de energía y materiales no renovables. Sin embargo, la conservación de la biodiversidad, los recursos de agua y suelo y su relación con el medio socio-productivo constituyen temas de agenda relevante y urgente para abordar de manera estratégica e integrada, también. En ese marco, la bioeconomía surge como un nuevo paradigma de producción y consumo a partir del aprovechamiento sostenible de los recursos naturales, con un claro objetivo de disminuir el impacto socio-ambiental de los combustibles fósiles. El trabajo toma como caso de estudio una experiencia denominada Siempremonte, cuyas estrategias de diseño e implementación presentan características de un modelo bioeconómico, circular y regenerativo. Como objetivo principal se interpretan cuáles son los senderos de la bioeconomía por los que actualmente está transitando y cuáles son los principales factores inductores que está aplicando como estrategia bieoconómica. Como resultado se concluye la relevancia que poseen las autoridades gubernamentales en identificar y apoyar núcleos endógenos de propuestas de este tipo, que puedan potenciar y/o consolidar procesos innovadores en algunos sectores, tales como, la construcción en madera u ordenamiento territorial en áreas degradadas.
Asentamientos Humanos y Áreas Naturales Protegidas. Retos en el hábitat actual en concordancia con los ODS. Caso de estudio: Región Capital del estado de Veracruz.
Authors: Zilli García Gabriel , Vázquez Honorato Luis Arturo , Salazar Martínez Bertha Lilia
Published: October 2024

El acelerado incremento de la población a nivel global ha intensificado la explotación de los recursos naturales, exacerbando simultáneamente la necesidad de conformar Asentamientos Humanos (AH) resilientes y sostenibles; por lo tanto, se plantean desafíos en la implementación efectiva de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS), los cuales buscan asegurar una existencia digna para todos, manteniendo la integridad ecológica del planeta. Desde una perspectiva urbano-arquitectónica, se propone como metodología la adopción de Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG) y Metodologías Participativas (MP), complementadas con la Producción y Gestión Social del Hábitat (PGSH), para ofrecer soluciones sistémicas a nuevos desafíos. Como resultados, se demuestra que los SIG proporcionan una base sólida en la comprensión territorial de los AH en relación con su entorno natural, mientras que las MP y la PGSH promueven una participación consciente de las comunidades locales en la planificación y diseño de su hábitat, con un entendimiento enriquecido del entorno y de los impactos recíprocos de las acciones humanas y el ecosistema, habilitando decisiones informadas y una cooperación efectiva con las autoridades en favor de un equilibrio entre las necesidades humanas y la conservación ambiental. Así, se pretende esbozar propuestas viables para mejorar la calidad de vida y la sostenibilidad en los AH situados en Áreas Naturales Protegidas (ANP) a través de una colaboración entre academia, gobiernos y sociedad civil organizada
El proyecto “Chinatown Madrid”. Capitalización urbana y descentralización turística.
Authors: Coppari Alessandra
Published: October 2024

“Chinatown” es una palabra polisémica usada a nivel global en diversos ámbitos históricos, geográficos y sociourbanos; y actualmente, por lo general, define un espacio turístico en varias ciudades globales. A través de un análisis socioespacial de un caso de estudio particular, el proyecto de regeneración urbana promovido por el Ayuntamiento de Madrid nombrado “Chinatown Madrid”, se quiere comprender el significado actual del término “Chinatown” y sus usos e implicaciones en el contexto sociourbano específico del distrito madrileño de Usera. Este artículo realiza un análisis crítico de este proyecto, aprobado definitivamente en enero de 2024, y se propone plantear algunas preguntas sobre el significado que asume el espacio público en esta controvertida operación urbanística. Se plantea poner de manifiesto algunas posibles consecuencias de este proyecto en el tejido urbano y social teniendo en cuenta las objeciones expresadas por algunas asociaciones vecinales con respecto a los beneficios que el mismo proporcionaría a quien vive en el distrito. Esta investigación quiere aportar una contribución al debate crítico sobre algunas políticas urbanas europeas, nacionales o locales actuales que parecen ser orientadas más al crecimiento económico y turístico y a las necesidades de las personas que transitan que al bienestar de las personas que habitan las ciudades.
Mujeres, memorias y genealogías. Nuevas aproximaciones al imaginario femenino del conjunto escultórico de Cerrillo Blanco (Porcuna, Jaén).
Authors: Herranz Sánchez Ana Belén
Published: October 2024

El presente texto tiene como objetivo ampliar las lecturas de los imaginarios femeninos del programa ideológico de la élite local ibera del territorio de Ipolka (Porcuna, Jaén) que, a mediados del siglo V a.n.e., se plasmó en el conjunto escultórico del heroon de Cerrillo Blanco y que ha tenido sus principales líneas de desarrollo discursivas y referencias en la imagen heroica masculina. Una revisión desde los planteamientos de la arqueología feminista y las relaciones de género, así como nuevas aproximaciones desde la construcción social de los cuerpos y la identidad, permite explicitar, aún más, la imaginería femenina del grupo de antepasados e introducir en el discurso del monumento aspectos fundamentales relacionados con las prácticas y los espacios de las mujeres de esta aristocracia ibera de Ipolka. Como resultado se obtiene una perspectiva de estas élites más rica y llena de matices, contribuyendo con ello a la generación de narrativas sobre patrimonio arqueológico más ecuánimes, que inciden en una educación patrimonial para la igualdad.El presente texto tiene como objetivo ampliar las lecturas de los imaginarios femeninos del programa ideológico de la élite local ibera del territorio de Ipolka (Porcuna, Jaén) que, a mediados del siglo V a.n.e., se plasmó en el conjunto escultórico del heroon de Cerrillo Blanco y que ha tenido sus principales líneas de desarrollo discursivas y referencias en la imagen heroica masculina. Una revisión desde los planteamientos de la arqueología feminista y las relaciones de género, así como nuevas aproximaciones desde la construcción social de los cuerpos y la identidad, permite explicitar, aún más, la imaginería femenina del grupo de antepasados e introducir en el discurso del monumento aspectos fundamentales relacionados con las prácticas y los espacios de las mujeres de esta aristocracia ibera de Ipolka. Como resultado se obtiene una perspectiva de estas élites más rica y llena de matices, contribuyendo con ello a la generación de narrativas sobre patrimonio arqueológico más ecuánimes, que inciden en una educación patrimonial para la igualdad.
Modas decorativas en la pintura de Colonia Patricia Corduba: los conjuntos de la calle Concepción n.º 9.
Authors: Castillo Alcántara Gonzalo , Muñiz García Alejandro
Published: October 2024

El presente artículo aborda el estudio de los conjuntos pictóricos documentados en la intervención arqueológica de urgencia realizada en 1994 en dos edificios hallados en la calle Concepción n.º 9 de Córdoba. La revisión de los materiales recuperados ha permitido diferenciar diversos grupos de fragmentos y conjuntos que constituyen una muestra de la producción pictórica cordobesa entre mediados del siglo I a.C. y segunda mitad del siglo II/inicios del siglo III d.C. Pese a la fragmentariedad de los restos asociados al primer edificio, la escasez de ejemplos de pintura de factura itálica supone una importante evidencia para reconstruir la implantación y desarrollo de la pintura romana en la Baetica y en Corduba en particular. El análisis estilístico realizado permite observar, a través de esta muestra, la evolución de los programas pictóricos de la ciudad desde el artesanado itálico a los talleres locales
Is Green Energy the Pathway to Sustainability? – An Explanation From the Perspective of Degrowth Theory
Authors: Yuan Yiming , Li Li , Zhang Rui
Published: October 2024

The discourse surrounding energy transition is intensifying due to insufficient global energy resources. Nonetheless, given that the capitalist economy prioritizes expansion and growth, it remains uncertain whether green energy solutions can genuinely pave the way towards sustainability and address the challenges of climate change, energy shortages, and food security concerns. Degrowth calls for a radical reorganization of politics and economics to reduce resource, energy consumption. This paper discusses the crisis of capitalism from multiple dimensions. It uses the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) as an approach to explain degrowth and green energy. It also explores green energy in terms of three aspects of sustainable development: the profit-making industry, the high-efficiency paradox, and the re-challenge to the environment. Finally, it discusses the possible pathways for society to solve the global environmental crisis in the context of degrowth. These movements encourage critical thinking about the transition to green energy and offer a feasible pathway to sustainability without relying on growth ideology. This highlights the viability of the degrowth framework as a means to address a range of problems.
Climate Change Implications on Middle Eastern Geography and Stability – A Case Studies of GCC- with a Focus on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Mokdad Mohamad , Al-Mekaimi Haila , Bhandari Medani P.
Published: October 2024

The environment constitutes the natural setting where humans reside, secure food sources, and utilize natural resources to fulfill their material and life necessities. Unlike other creatures, humans have not adapted to nature and the surrounding environment; instead, they have manipulated it to their advantage, disrupting the ecological balance. The primary catalyst for this disruption was the Industrial Revolution, which significantly increased pollution rates, harmful emissions, and the extraction of raw materials, thereby intensifying the exploitation of natural resources. The gravest concern is that the damage inflicted upon nature may reach a point of no return, with catastrophic and enduring consequences, such as global warming, ice melting, rising sea levels, and escalation in greenhouse gases, along with severe repercussions of these events, including an increase in mortality rates due to natural disasters. Effective responses necessitate actions at various levels, including cultural and educational initiatives and international measures, particularly in legislation. Such laws must enforce stringent controls on emissions from industrial and automotive sources. Individuals are called upon to conserve electricity and water, and adopting renewable energy sources, such as solar, hydro, wind, and tidal energy, that do not rely on fuel combustion is encouraged. Planting trees, which absorb carbon dioxide as a primary contributor to global warming, is among the most critical measures we can undertake. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is essential in combating climate change in this arena, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is leading in this. This paper elaborates on the impact of climate change in Middle Eastern countries using a brief case study of the Saudi Green Initiatives. The paper also presents the policy recommendations to the concerned stakeholders of the GCC and the government of Saidi Arabia.
Hydro-thermal Power Reserve Allocation Under Outage Uncertainty
Authors: Roubalik Michal , Dostal Vaclav
Published: October 2024

In recent decades, the energy sector, namely energy markets have proved to be changing considerably. Most of these changes result in increasing volatility related to global political and environmental factors. This volatility affects all entities operating in the power sector. This paper focuses on the power plant operator’s perspective. First, the global context of the power sector is discussed and the power plant operator’s role is reviewed. Further, the problem of power reserve is discussed revealing the motivations of the presented work. The central contribution of this work lies in the formulation and development of a stochastic model of power reserve coupled with a mixed-integer programming scheduling model. In the results section, we show that the developed model allocates power reserve in an optimal way respecting the technical and economic parameters of the power plants as well as handling the stochastic nature of the power reserve allocation problem by minimizing the mean value of the sum of penalty for not delivering contracted power and lost opportunity.
Criminalizing Nazism and Neo-Fascism: East German Anti-Racial Discrimination Law, Socialist Legality, and Human Rights
Authors: Gehrig Sebastian
Published: October 2024

Abstract: The East German criminalisation of fascism was about more than atonement for Nazism. While its law makers certainly focussed on outlawing Nazism after the foundation of their state in 1949, they also opened up to international law and new human rights norms in the 1960s. This was not a mere diplomatic move to garner international support for the GDR's existence as a sovereign state —especially in the Third World—but also became part of an attempt to build a new kind of international legal order grounded in socialist law. As such, East German legal reform efforts, until the 1980s, formed part of a wider socialist project of defining universalist meanings of law in the international sphere. Shorter Abstract: The East German criminalisation of fascism was about more than atonement for Nazism. While its law makers certainly focussed on outlawing Nazism after the foundation of their state in 1949, they also opened up to international law and new human rights norms in the 1960s. This was not a mere diplomatic move to garner international support for the GDR's existence as a sovereign state —especially in the Third World—but also became part of an attempt to build a new kind of international legal order grounded in socialist law.
Collective Impunity for Transition? Consenso and the International Travels of a Spanish Paradigm
Authors: Baby Sophie , Kressel Daniel , Mark James
Published: October 2024

Abstract: Before South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation , there was the Spanish consenso . The idea of negotiated and peaceful consensus it embodied, as a way to overcome violent pasts after the end of dictatorship, was forged in the work of Communists, Socialists, Christian Democrats and human rights organisations both internationally and in Spain from the late 1950s onwards. Following the death of Franco and Spain's successful democratization from the late 1970s, it would then become an influential approach that travelled internationally for two decades. This article highlights the role of left politicians and organisations such as the Socialist International in the deradicalization of visions of post-dictatorial justice and in the circulation of this paradigm across Latin America and Eastern Europe. It concludes by tracing the way in which, in the twenty-first century, consenso-type settlements have been attacked for, variously, their acceptance of impunity; avoidance of questions of economic and structural justice; and incapacity to effect a revolutionary break sufficient to protect societies from corruption, inequality and a return to authoritarianism. Shorter Abstract: Before South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation , there was the Spanish consenso , understood not only as a commitment to a peaceful democratic exit from dictatorship, but also a way of forging an end to, and not falling back into, civil war. This article explores in particular the contribution of an international and domestic left in not only building the consenso in Spain, but also exporting its deradicalized vision of post-dictatorial justice across Latin America and Eastern Europe. It concludes by analysing why consenso-type settlements fell out of fashion after the Cold War and have been attacked in the twenty-first century.
Rebel Greed and Postcolonial Governance: Neoliberal Accountings of the Past within Transitional Justice Processes in Sierra Leone
Authors: Bowsher Josh
Published: October 2024

Abstract: This article extends recent academic debates about the sociohistorical entanglements between neoliberalism and human rights by exploring transitional justice processes in Sierra Leone, which followed the country's decade-long civil war (1991-2002). It analyses the ways both the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) and the Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission (SLTRC) drew on 'economic' discourses, variously using the concepts of 'greed', 'corruption' and 'governance' to explain the broader context of the human rights violations with which they were concerned. By critically tracing how these discourses were mobilised, this article shows that neither the SLTRC nor the SCSL challenged the neoliberal vision of human rights. Rather, each process produced a narrative about Sierra Leone's civil war that not only effaced the deleterious role of neoliberal policies in the history of the conflict but also reproduced neoliberal ideas both about conflict and the economy. In this respect, my exploration of the Sierra Leone case demonstrates the importance of paying closer attention to how 'the socioeconomic' is conceptualised and accounted for within transitional justice and broader human rights processes, especially if they are to pose a more adequate challenge to the neoliberal order. Shorter abstract: This article extends recent academic debates about the sociohistorical entanglements between neoliberalism and human rights by exploring transitional justice processes in Sierra Leone after the country's decade-long civil war. The article focuses on the ways both the Special Court for Sierra Leone and the Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission drew on discourses of 'greed', 'corruption' and 'governance' to explain the broader socioeconomic context of the human rights violations they were concerned with. The article demonstrates these discourses did not challenge but instead reinforced neoliberal visions of human rights.
Dynamic process of soliton generation in CaF2 crystalline whispering gallery mode resonators with negative TO effects
Authors: Qu Mingfei , Li Chenhong , Liu Kangqi , Zhu Weihang , Wei Yuan , Wang Pengfei , Kang Songbai
Published: October 2024

Calcium fluoride (CaF2) crystalline whispering gallery mode resonators (WGMRs) are emerging as promising platforms for the generation of temporal dissipative Kerr soliton (DKS) or soliton microcomb, attributed to their ultrahigh intrinsic quality factors and favorable anomalous dispersion properties at low power, particularly within the communication and mid-infrared bands. However, their unique negative thermo-optic (TO) effects present in CaF2 WGMRs pose challenges in achieving thermal equilibrium, a critical aspect for stable soliton comb generation. Here, we report the successful demonstration of soliton microcombs in CaF2 WGMRs. Our experiments have revealed a variety of soliton formation dynamics. These encompass the generation of single and multiple solitons, as well as the observation of breathing solitons and vibrational solitons. Particularly noteworthy within our discoveries are the soliton bidirectional switching and soliton self-starting, which are induced by the negative TO effect. We also conducted theoretical analyses using the Lugiato-Lefever Equation (LLE) which incorporates the negative TO effect. The consistency between the theoretical simulations and our experimental results substantiates the authenticity of our observations. The outcomes derived from this study enrich the soliton generation platform and contribute to understanding the formation of solitons in WGMRs composed of various materials exhibiting negative TO effects.
Ultrafast laser-fabricated fluoride glass waveguides with exceptionally high positive refractive index change for mid-infrared integrated optics
Authors: Fernandez T. Toney , Hwang Yongsop , Mahmodi H. , Otten D. E. , Plenecassagne L. , Cozic S. , Gross S. , Kabakova I. , Withford M. , Poulain M. , Fuerbach A. , Lancaster D. G.
Published: October 2024

This study presents the successful fabrication of waveguides with a high positive refractive index change exceeding 0.02 in rare earth-doped fluoride glass, marking a major advancement in integrated optical components for visible to mid-infrared applications. By overcoming persistent challenges in mid-infrared direct-write photonics, this research enables the development of waveguides with high refractive index contrast and mode tailoring in optical substrates, supporting the miniaturization of optical devices. The investigation reveals that the exceptionally high index change results from material densification, driven primarily by the migration of barium within the glass composition. With low propagation losses ( 0.21 dB/cm) and a highly customizable V-number over a broad wavelength range from visible to mid-infrared, these waveguides hold significant promise for chip laser technologies and the development of advanced optical devices for sensing and spectroscopy.
Preprocessing convolutional neural networks based routing algorithm for PILOSS optical switching networks
Authors: Sun Zongwei , Zhao Li , Hussain Syed Baqar , Sultan Amber , Shi Xinyu
Published: October 2024

For path-independent insertion-loss (PILOSS) optical switching networks, the traditional XY routing algorithm fails to ensure high-quality end-to-end communication, highlighting the need for a more efficient routing algorithm. This paper introduces a preprocessing convolutional neural networks (CNN) based routing algorithm for PILOSS optical switching networks. The proposed routing algorithm addresses the issue of partial permutation when CNN is directly applied to the routing tables. The routing algorithm is redefined as a classification task, with the CNN monitoring multipath optical power and providing three classification references. The results show that CNN’s prediction accuracy improved from 47.56% to 90% after preprocessing. In optimal conditions, using 30G PAM4 modulation and with a fixed symbol error rate (SER) of 10−9, the lowest received optical power is -8.31dBm, nearly equivalent to the back-to-back (B2B) received power. Furthermore, crosstalk ranged between -50.31dB and -22.70dB, significantly outperforming the traditional XY algorithm.
Micro-mirror laser machining for ultra-low birefringence cavities
Authors: Kay D. J. , Snowden S. J. , Stutter G. , Keller M. K.
Published: October 2024

The development of high-finesse optical micro-cavities has significantly advanced applications in spectroscopy, quantum optics, and sensing. We introduce a novel CO2 laser machining method for fabricating optical micro-mirrors with high concentricity, as well as ultra-low birefringence and surface roughness. This process, which involves spinning the substrate at high speeds during machining, improves on previous methods in both the time and complexity of the process while also achieving superior mirror symmetry. We demonstrate the production of micro-mirrors with radii of curvature ranging from 100 μm to 700 μm, achieving surfaces with roughness below 0.15 nm and scattering losses as low as 4 ppm at 854 nm. Cavities made with these mirrors exhibit no measurable birefringence and their low scattering losses suggest that cavity finesses exceeding 600,000 at 854 nm are possible.
A multichannel electrophysiological approach to noninvasively and precisely record human spinal cord activity
Authors: Nierula Birgit , Stephani Tilman , Bailey Emma , Kaptan Merve , Pohle Lisa-Marie Geertje , Horn Ulrike , Mouraux André , Maess Burkhard , Villringer Arno , Curio Gabriel , Nikulin Vadim V. , Eippert Falk
Published: October 2024

The spinal cord is of fundamental importance for integrative processing in brain–body communication, yet routine noninvasive recordings in humans are hindered by vast methodological challenges. Here, we overcome these challenges by developing an easy-to-use electrophysiological approach based on high-density multichannel spinal recordings combined with multivariate spatial-filtering analyses. These advances enable a spatiotemporal characterization of spinal cord responses and demonstrate a sensitivity that permits assessing even single-trial responses. To furthermore enable the study of integrative processing along the neural processing hierarchy in somatosensation, we expand this approach by simultaneous peripheral, spinal, and cortical recordings and provide direct evidence that bottom-up integrative processing occurs already within the spinal cord and thus after the first synaptic relay in the central nervous system. Finally, we demonstrate the versatility of this approach by providing noninvasive recordings of nociceptive spinal cord responses during heat-pain stimulation. Beyond establishing a new window on human spinal cord function at millisecond timescale, this work provides the foundation to study brain–body communication in its entirety in health and disease.
Ortholog of autism candidate gene RBM27 regulates mitoribosomal assembly factor MALS-1 to protect against mitochondrial dysfunction and axon degeneration during neurodevelopment
Authors: Chowdhury Tamjid A. , Luy David A. , Scapellato Garrett , Farache Dorian , Lee Amy S. Y. , Quinn Christopher C.
Published: October 2024

Mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to be a key component of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, intellectual disability, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that protect against mitochondrial dysfunction during neurodevelopment. Here, we address this question through the investigation of rbm-26, the Caenorhabditis elegans ortholog of the RBM27 autism candidate gene, which encodes an RNA-binding protein whose role in neurons is unknown. We report that RBM-26 (RBM26/27) protects against axonal defects by negatively regulating expression of the MALS-1 (MALSU1) mitoribosomal assembly factor. Autism-associated missense variants in RBM-26 cause a sharp decrease in RBM-26 protein expression along with defects in axon overlap and axon degeneration that occurs during larval development. Using a biochemical screen, we identified the mRNA for the MALS-1 mitoribosomal assembly factor as a binding partner for RBM-26. Loss of RBM-26 function causes a dramatic overexpression of mals-1 mRNA and MALS-1 protein. Moreover, genetic analysis indicates that this overexpression of MALS-1 is responsible for the mitochondrial and axon degeneration defects in rbm-26 mutants. These observations reveal a mechanism that regulates expression of a mitoribosomal assembly factor to protect against axon degeneration during neurodevelopment.
Insights into trypanosomiasis transmission: Age, infection rates, and bloodmeal analysis of Glossina fuscipes fuscipes in N.W. Uganda
Authors: Cunningham Lucas J. , Esterhuizen Johan , Hargrove John W. , Lehane Mike , Lord Jennifer , Lingley Jessica , Mangwiro T. N. Clement , Opiyo Mercy , Tirados Iñaki , Torr Steve J.
Published: October 2024

Background

Tsetse flies (Glossina) transmit species of Trypanosoma which cause human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) and animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT). Understanding the epidemiology of this disease and controlling the vector rationally requires analysis of the abundance, age structure, infection rates and feeding patterns of tsetse populations.

Methods

We analysed a population of G. fuscipes fuscipes in the Koboko district of Uganda. Seasonal variation in the abundance of tsetse was assessed from the numbers of tsetse caught in pyramidal traps. The age structure of the population was assessed by dissecting female tsetse to estimate their ovarian categories. Classical and PCR-based methods were utilised to determine the presence of the three major pathogenic species of salivarian trypanosomes: T. vivax, T. congolense and T. brucei in a subset (n = 2369) of flies. Further, bloodmeal analysis was carried out using PCR to amplify and sequence a portion of the vertebrate cytb gene.

Results

The abundance and age structure of tsetse populations were relatively stable and a slight seasonal four-fold variation in abundance appeared to be correlated with rainfall. Analyses of age structure suggests a low natural daily mortality of 1.75% (1.62–1.88). Infection rates estimated were significantly greater (1.9–9.3 times) using the PCR-based method compared to the classical dissection-based method. Positive rates for T. brucei sl, T. congolense and T. vivax were 1.6% (1.32–2.24), 2.4% (1.83–3.11and 2.0% (1.46–2.63), respectively by PCR. The majority of bloodmeals were identified as cattle (39%, 30.5–47.8) and human (37%, 28.4–45.6).

Conclusion

The seasonally stable abundance, low mortality rate and high proportion of bloodmeals from humans may explain, in part, why this district has historically been a focus of sleeping sickness. Additionally, the high rates of cattle feeding indicate insecticide treated cattle may prove to be a useful vector control strategy in the area.
Temperature and photoperiod differentially impact maternal phenotypes in diapause egg-laying Aedes albopictus mosquitoes
Authors: Lee In Hae , Lee Anthony S. , Kogan Helen V. , Dong Linhan , Duvall Laura B.
Published: October 2024

Background

Aedes albopictus (Skuse 1894) mosquitoes can transmit deadly arboviruses and are globally invasive due to their ability to survive in both tropical and temperate climates. Although adults cannot survive harsh winters, females are capable of anticipating seasonal change and producing overwintering diapause (DP) eggs that remain in a state of arrested development over the winter and hatch when favorable conditions return in the spring. While low temperatures can facilitate DP entry under short photoperiods, temperature signals alone are not sufficient to induce DP.

Methodology/Principal findings

To identify maternal phenotypes predictive of DP egg production in laboratory conditions, we characterized aspects of maternal physiology and behavior to identify those that correlate with DP egg production and changes in photoperiod, versus changes in temperature. Neither changes in temperature nor photoperiod impacted protein preference, blood meal consumption, or total number of eggs produced per female. Egg retention and oviposition timing were influenced by temperature, independent of DP egg production. However, females housed under short photoperiod conditions showed increased starvation resistance, despite showing similar levels of locomotor activity and internal stores of triacylglycerols, glucose, glycogen, and trehalose compared to females housed in long photoperiods.

Conclusions/Significance

These results suggest that temperature and photoperiod differentially affect maternal phenotypes and identify starvation resistance as a maternal phenotype that is influenced by photoperiod and correlates with DP egg status.
A change in circulating chikungunya virus variant impacts Aedes aegypti vector competence and spatiotemporal distribution of disease in Malaysia
Authors: Azman Izzati Kausar , Chan Yoke Fun , Chua Chong Long , Abd Mutalib Zainal Abidin , Dass Sarat Chandra , Gill Balvinder Singh , Ismail Nor Hayati , Jelip Jenarun , Wan Ming Keong , Lee Wenn-Chyau , Vythilingam Indra , Alphey Luke , Sam I-Ching
Published: October 2024

Background

In 2008–2010, Malaysia experienced a nationwide chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreak caused by the Indian Ocean lineage E1-226V (valine) variant, adapted to Aedes albopictus. In 2017–2022, transition to an E1-226A (alanine) variant occurred. Ae. albopictus prevails in rural areas, where most cases occurred during the E1-226V outbreak, while Ae. aegypti dominates urban areas. The shift in circulating CHIKV variants from E1-226V to E1-226A (2009–2022) was hypothesized to result in a transition from rural to urban CHIKV distribution, driven by differences in Ae. aegypti vector competence for the two variants. This study aimed to: (1) map the spatiotemporal spread of CHIKV cases in Malaysia between 2009–2022; and (2) compare replication of E1-226A and E1-226V variants in the midguts and head/thoraxes of Ae. aegypti.

Methodology/Principal findings

Spatiotemporal analysis of national notified CHIKV case addresses was performed. Between 2009–2022, 12,446 CHIKV cases were reported, with peaks in 2009 and 2020, and a significant shift from predominantly rural cases in 2009–2011 (85.1% rural), to urban areas in 2017–2022 (86.1% urban; p<0.0001). Two Ae. aegypti strains, field-collected MC1 and laboratory Kuala Lumpur (KL) strains, were fed infectious blood containing constructed CHIKV clones, pCMV-p2020A (E1-226A) and pCMV-p2020V (E1-226V) to measure CHIKV replication by real-time PCR and/or virus titration. The pCMV-p2020A clone replicated better in Ae. aegypti cell line Aag2 and showed higher replication, infection and dissemination efficiency in both Ae. aegypti strains, compared to pCMV-p2020V.

Conclusions/Significance

This study revealed that a change in circulating CHIKV variants can be associated with changes in vector competence and outbreak epidemiology. Continued genomic surveillance of arboviruses is important.
Detection and evolutionary characterization of arboviruses in mosquitoes and biting midges on Hainan Island, China, 2019–2023
Authors: Wu Qun , Sun Dingwei , Zaman Wahid , Wang Fei , Huang Doudou , Ma Haixia , Wang Shunlong , Liu Ying , Liu Puyu , Zeng Xuexia , Yuan Zhiming , Xia Han
Published: October 2024

We conducted a large-scale survey of arboviruses in mosquitoes and biting midges to assess the presence and spread of mosquito-borne pathogens currently circulating on Hainan Island, China. RT-PCR assays were used to detect the arbovirus species, distribution, and infection rates in mosquitoes and biting midges. Cell inoculation and high throughput sequencing were performed to isolate the viruses and assemble full viral genomes. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted to identify the viral genotypes and evolutionary relationships with known viruses. During 2019–2023, 32,632 mosquitoes and 21,000 biting midges were collected from 14 of 18 cities/counties on Hainan Island. Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) was detected in Culex mosquitoes from five cities/counties, where the minimum infection rate (MIR) was 1.6 (0.6–2.6) per 1,000 females tested. Tembusu virus (TMUV) was detected in Culex mosquitoes from three cities/counties with MIR1.0 (0–2.2) per 1,000. Getah virus (GETV) was detected in Armigeres mosquitoes from Qionghai city with MIR 7.1 (0–15.2) per 1,000. Oya virus (OYAV) and Bluetongue virus (BTV) were detected in biting midges from Wanning city with MIRs of 0.4 (0–1.2) and 0.1 (0–10.2) per 1,000, respectively. Three JEV strains were isolated and clustered within the genotype I group, which is presently the dominant genotype in China. Three TMUV strains were isolated for the first time on Hainan Island that belonged to Cluster 3. Three isolated GETVs were identified as Group 3. BTV was reported for the first time on Hainan Island, and the complete genome for one BTV strain was successfully assembled, which was classified as serotype 1 based on the sequences of segment 2. These results stress the need to develop adequate surveillance plan measures to better control the public health threat of arboviruses carried by mosquitoes and biting midges in local regions.
Factors and mediators impacting the number of undergraduate research mentees at a research-intensive Hispanic-serving institution
Authors: Monarrez Angelica , Echegoyen Lourdes , Morales Danielle , Ramirez Maria Aleida , Seira Diego , Wagler Amy
Published: October 2024

Engaging in undergraduate research experiences is known to have broad and positive impacts on college students. Despite the benefits, achieving faculty buy-in and support can be challenging even when faculty have strong research funding. In order to understand how to better support undergraduate research programs, we applied quantitative models to explore how the impact of research funding is mediated by faculty beliefs about undergraduate research mentoring in STEM disciplines. The results indicate that faculty characteristics and beliefs about the benefits and barriers of mentoring undergraduate students in research impact the number of students mentored even when accounting for research funding levels of the individual faculty. Practical recommendations are presented based on the models from this research project in order to provide insight into how centers or units on a campus may work with faculty to support and encourage mentoring of undergraduates in research in the biomedical sciences.