bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discovering down’s syndrome: An account from A low middle income country
Authors: Ali Ayeza , Ali Nabiha , Hanif Misbah Iqbal , Ali Syed Rehan
Published: September 2024

Objective: This study aims to establish the frequency of Down’s syndrome which will enhance the knowledge of our local population as well to understand our genotypic patterns and variations.
Methods: Electronic Medical Records of inborn babies at the Department of Neonatology, Sheikh Saeed Memorial Campus of The Indus Hospital Karachi during the study period from 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2022 were retrieved. Chromosomal karyotyping was done for all babies with suspicious clinical features identified on routine new born examination by consultant neonatologists, trainee doctors and experienced nurses.
Result: There was a total of 7,433 live births during the study period, out of which 14 babies had features suggestive of DS. repetition of sentence. What about karyotyping result??
Conclusion: The frequency of DS in our study is slightly higher than the incidence reported within South East Asia. It is high time to perform effective antenatal screening and efficient prenatal diagnostic services for early detection of chromosomal numerical aberration such as Down syndrome for better management of upcoming pregnancies.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.9.9083
How to cite this: Ali A, Ali N, Hanif MI, Ali SR. Discovering down’s syndrome: An account from A low middle income country. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(9):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.9.9083
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
The Problem of Stakeholder Governance
Authors: Bridoux Flore , Stoelhorst1 J.W.
Published: September 2024

We reply to a comment by Hargrave and Smith on a paper in which we use Ostrom’s design principles to develop theory about stakeholder governance. We agree with most of the issues that Hargrave and Smith raise, but disagree with their statement that the systems view of stakeholder governance that they advocate stands in contrast to our approach. The two approaches are complementary.
Hip joint degeneration - not only an issue of the elderly
Authors: Rutkowski Wojciech , Gajdzińska Natalia , Salwa Adam , Rostkowska Weronika , Rzepka Maciej , Sztuba Karolina , Puchała Justyna , Rymaszewska Katarzyna , Starzomska Dominika , Basiura Karolina
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCPD) is a condition characterized by ischemia of the proximal femoral epiphysis, leading to pain, limping, and potential hip joint deformities in children. Its etiology remains unclear, with theories implicating repetitive microtrauma, skeletal retardation, and vascular insufficiency. Diagnosis involves radiological assessment and classification systems to monitor disease progression, influencing treatment decisions and long-term outcomes.
Material and methods: This study summarizes existing literature and clinical data on LCPD, focusing on etiological theories, diagnostic methods, treatment strategies, risk factors, and prognostic indicators. Information was gathered from medical databases, peer-reviewed journals, and case studies to compile a comprehensive overview of the disease.
Aim of study: The aim was to gather current knowledge on LCPD, emphasizing diagnostic approaches, treatment modalities, and factors influencing clinical outcomes. Special attention was given to discussing the efficacy of various treatment options and identifying prognostic factors that impact the disease trajectory.
Conclusion: Effective management of LCPD hinges on early diagnosis, appropriate treatment selection, and careful monitoring of disease progression. Prognosis is influenced by factors such as age at diagnosis, extent of femoral head involvement, and maintenance of hip joint congruence. Further research is needed to refine treatment protocols and improve long-term outcomes for affected children.
Hołd dla bohaterskiej Ukrainy, drogowskaz dla rusycystyki
Authors: Wawrzyńczak Aleksander
Published: September 2024

W artykule została omówiona najnowsza książka polskiego filologa, rusycysty i historyka idei Grzegorza Przebindy zatytułowana Ostatnia wojna Putina. Rozprawa filologa z Rosją. Trzon tej pozycji stanowi Dziennik pierwszego roku wojny będący intelektualną refleksją nad rozpoczętą przez Federację Rosyjską wojną przeciwko Ukrainie. Na tle bieżących wydarzeń, odnotowując i piętnując rosyjskie zbrodnie wojenne autor książki snuje rozważania na temat historii, kultury oraz literatury rosyjskiej, pokazując nie tylko historyczne i kulturowe źródła rosyjskiego imperializmu, ale także bogate dziedzictwo walki rosyjskiej inteligencji z kolejnymi represyjnymi reżimami w największym geograficznie państwie świata. To nie tylko rozprawa z rosyjskimi imperialnymi mitami, ale też hołd dla walczącego o przetrwanie narodu ukraińskiego i tych nielicznych Rosjan, którzy aktywnie, mimo grożących im represji protestują przeciwko wojnie. To także książka wyznaczająca szereg kierunków przyszłych badań naukowych dla międzynarodowej społeczności rusycystycznej.
Gynybos baudžiamajame procese pagrindai: Mokslo monografija. Primoji dalis
Authors: Merkevičius Remigijus
Published: September 2024

Advokato įgyvendinama gynyba baudžiamajame procese neabejotinai yra viena kontraversiškiausių teisinių profesijų. Julius Glaser dar 1885 m. pagrįstai teigė, jog „baudžiamojo proceso istorija – tai gynybos baudžiamajame procese istorija, o gynybos baudžiamajame procese istorija – tai gynėjo procesinio statuso istorija“. Gynybai baudžiamajame procese skirtos diskusijos Vokietijoje neretai yra pradedamos ar lydimos šios šalies advokatūrai „kultiniu“ Hans Dahs teiginiu, jog „Gynyba yra kova. Kova už kaltinamojo teises, konfliktuojant su valstybės institucijomis, kurios siekia įvykdyti joms priskirtą užduotį persekioti nusikaltimus“. Nepaisant tokio gynybos pobūdžio ir reikšmės ginamo žmogaus likimui, būsimų advokatų „niekas nemoko būti gynėjais baudžiamajame procese“. Lietuvoje vyraujanti baudžiamojo proceso teisės doktrina niekada nemėgo advokatūros, gynėjų ir gynybos funkcijos baudžiamajame procese. Šioms temoms niekada neskyrė didesnio dėmesio, jų šalinosi, laikė ir vis dar tebelaiko kažkokiomis „svetimomis“. Atsižvelgiant į tai, kad užsibrėžus tikslą išsamiai aptarti gynybos baudžiamajame procese sampratą, labai lengva pamesti horizontą, šioje mokslinėje monografijoje siekiama atskleisti tik „gynybos baudžiamajame procese pagrindus“: „profesionaliosios gynybos“ istorines ištakas, konstitucinį pamatą, gynėjo dalyvavimo baudžiamajame procese paskirtį ir santykius su svarbiausiais baudžiamosios procesinės erdvės dalyviais, gynybos tikslus, pozicijas ir metodus, taip pat gynybos praktikai aktualias gynėjo teises ir galimybes baudžiamajame procese. Šioje mokslinėje monografijoje pristatomas ne teorinis, „sterilus vadovėlinis“ vertinimas, o asmeniškai išgyventas ir apmąstytas praktinis požiūris į „tikrą“ baudžiamąjį procesą, „gyvą procesinę veiklą“, nevengiama kelti ir mėginama atsakyti į nepatogius klausimus, stengiamasi paneigti baudžiamosios valdžios išgalvotus procesinius mitus.
A INTELIGÊNCIA ARTIFICIAL VERSUS DIREITOS AUTORAIS: A IMPUNIDADE DO USO NÃO AUTORIZADO, ESPECIAL REFERÊNCIA AO BRASIL - DOI: 10.12818/P.0304-2340.2024v84p243
Authors: Carrasco Medina Janny
Published: September 2024

A inteligência artificial (IA) chegou para acelerar a desatualização jurídica que sofrem os direitos autorais no contexto nacional e internacional. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo geral analisar a eficácia do sistema de direitos autorias frente ao uso não autorizado da IA. A metodologia utilizada é de enfoque transdisciplinar, apoiada nos métodos logico, histórico, sociais, culturais e jurídicos, tendo uma combinação de métodos das ciências sociais e jurídicas em particular. Como resultado concluísse que a utilização de obras protegidas pelos direitos autorais por IA, representa uma ameaça à eficácia jurídica de violações aos direitos autorais, pois os mecanismos jurídicos existentes são insuficientes em razão do uso da tecnologia. A contribuição do estudo está focada na discussão da IA como uma ferramenta que desrespeita os diretos autorais e consequentemente coloca em xeque o sistema jurídico no tocante à punição das violações cometidas.
EMPLOYEE’S RIGHT TO INFORMATION IN ECHR JUDGMENTS: ANALYSIS OF SPECIFIC CASES WHERE THIS RIGHT WAS VIOLATED OR RECOGNIZED - DOI: 10.12818/P.0304-2340.2024v84p335
Authors: M. Yaroshenko Oleg , O. Melnychuk Nataliia , YE. Lutsenko Olena , M. Vapnyarchuk Natalya , I. Sheverdina Viktoriia
Published: September 2024

Observance of the employee’s right to access information is important because the priority direction of state policy is the formation of a democratic country, which presupposes a strict observance of inalienable human rights and freedoms, maintenance of the rule of law and democracy. This study contributes to the development of the national legal system, protection of human rights, and preparation of Ukraine for integration into the European legal framework. It is necessary to take into account and adapt European standards to ensure fair and effective mechanisms for protecting employees’ rights. Therefore, the study of the ECHR cases on the employee’s information right can help Ukraine to adapt its legislation and judicial practice to European standards, which is a necessary step towards joining the European Union.
DAS SUCESSÕES: DIREITO HEBREU ATRAVÉS DA BÍBLIA E DO TALMUDE - DOI: 10.12818/P.0304-2340.2024v84p419
Authors: Goldstein Mateo
Published: September 2024

O presente trabalho apresenta uma tradução inédita para o português do espanhol da obra do jurista argentino Mateo Goldstein, “Derecho hebreo: a través de la Bíblia y el Talmud”. O recorte para fins de adequação técnica foi dentro do campo do Direito das Sucessões, considerando sua contextualização histórica e cultural. A metodologia dentro dos estudos da tradução se embasou na Teoria de Skopos, com vistas a uma maior preocupação com a função do texto, em detrimento de vertentes mais ligadas à tradução literal, palavra por palavra. A escolha temática se justifica pelo interesse em compreender as bases que influenciaram e ainda influenciam o desenvolvimento do Direito no Ocidente, tendo em mente a atual e polêmica situação de crise vivida no Oriente Médio. A leitura do texto também evidencia a influência das discussões religiosas antigas nos sistemas jurídicos contemporâneos, na expectativa de promover o entendimento de que, muito além de se destacar diferenças que podem gerar conflitos, urge a necessidade de se valorizar as semelhanças que unem as sociedades ao longo da história, promovendo diálogos mais harmoniosos. Nesse sentido, a apresentação em língua portuguesa não apenas contribui para difusão de conhecimento jurídico-histórico, mas para uma maior compreensão cultural, além de permitir futuras reflexões sobre fundamentos de justiça e direitos humanos.
Code and Data Repository for Clustering Then Estimation of Spatio-Temporal Self-Exciting Processes
Authors: Zhang Haoting , Zhan Donglin , Anderson James , Righter Rhonda , Zheng Zeyu
Published: September 2024

This directory contains the code for the Clustering then Estimation of Spatio-Temporal Self-Exciting Processes (CTE) algorithm.
Embrace the Unexpected: How Organizations Foster Participatory Improvisation with Customers
Authors: Demetry Daphne
Published: September 2024

This study explores how organizations, together with their customers, solve problems in the face of disruptions, a process I call “participatory improvisation.” Drawing on interviews, ethnographic observations, and archival data collected from an underground restaurant, Secret Kitchen, and the theory of interaction order, I develop a process model of participatory improvisation with a two-part structure. First, I find that an organization must lay the foundation for participatory improvisation by establishing alternative conventions (e.g., expect and embrace the unexpected). Second, these conventions facilitate mutual face work by both the organization and customers in response to disruptions, thereby protecting interactions from breakdowns. When alternative conventions are not established, participatory improvisation may be ineffective, and interactions may be severely threatened. These findings contribute to the literature on organizational improvisation by uncovering how organizations can foster participatory improvisation and how it unfolds in situ. They also reveal an alternate way for customer-facing organizations to achieve their goals beyond routinization.

Funding: This work was supported by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Dissertation Grant.
On-Demand Meal Delivery: A Markov Model for Circulating Couriers
Authors: Bell Michael G. H. , Le Dat Tien , Bhattacharjya Jyotirmoyee , Geers Glenn
Published: September 2024

On-demand meal delivery has become a feature of most cities around the world as a result of platforms and apps that facilitate it as well as the pandemic, which for a period, closed restaurants. Meals are delivered by couriers, typically on bikes, e-bikes, or scooters, who circulate collecting meals from kitchens and delivering them to customers, who usually order online. A Markov model for circulating couriers with n + 1 parameters, where [Formula: see text] is the number of kitchens plus customers, is derived by entropy maximization. There is one parameter for each kitchen and customer representing the demand for a courier, and there is one parameter representing the urgency of delivery. It is shown how the mean and variance of delivery time can be calculated once the parameters are known. The Markov model is irreducible. Two procedures are presented for calibrating model parameters on a data set of orders. Both procedures match known order frequencies with fitted visit probabilities; the first inputs an urgency parameter value and outputs mean delivery time, whereas the second inputs mean delivery time and outputs the corresponding urgency parameter value. Model calibration is demonstrated on a publicly available data set of meal orders from Grubhub. Grubhub data are also used to validate the calibrated model using a likelihood ratio. By changing the location of one kitchen, it is shown how the calibrated model can estimate the resulting change in demand for its meals and the corresponding mean delivery time. The Markov model could also be used for the assignment of courier trips to a street network.

History: This paper has been accepted for the Transportation Science Special Issue on ISTTT Conference.
making a circle: building a community of philosophical enquiry in a post-apartheid, government school in south africa
Authors: Reynolds Rose-anne
Published: September 2024

In this paper I attempt to trace an entanglement of an event documented in my PhD research which contests dominant modes of enquiry. It is experimental research which resists the human subject as the most important aspect of research, the only one with agency or intentionality. In particular, I analyse the process of the making of the circle, and how integral it is in contributing to building the Community of Enquiry, the pedagogy of Philosophy with Children. I offer a critical posthuman analysis which engages with the material-discursive entanglements of the making of the circle. I move beyond the linguistic turn by paying attention to the intra-actions in between human and more-than-human, place, the circle and the chairs. I show how the mainly authoritarian adult-child relationships prevalent in most South African schools, can be disrupted through this pedagogical approach. This research takes place with a group of Grade 2 learners in a government school in South Africa.
the richness of questions in philosophy for children
Authors: Costa-carvalho Magda , Mendonça Dina
Published: September 2024

This paper argues that the various approaches within P4C (Philosophy for Children) should purposefully integrate the exploration of questioning instead of only presenting children with prepared questions as starting points for inquiry. This is particularly relevant since P4C is one of the few educational settings that offers a space for children to question and explore the variation of their questions’ impact. The purposeful integration of questions does justice to the inheritance of the philosophical tradition, and reinforces questions as a privileged way for human beings to relate to the world. More than simply a methodological step in designing a P4C session, questions are an educational resource and are a central part of thinking and inquiry in a philosophical session. The paper proposes a new way to leverage these tools, arguing that defining philosophy as an obsession to overcome opacity and aim for transparency (Caeiro, 2015) can help participants identify questions that may empower dialogue in a philosophical way.
Desenvolvimento de vídeos curtos como estratégia de educação alimentar e nutricional para promoção da culinária doméstica
Authors: Oliveira Mariana Fernandes Brito de , Maldonado Luciana Azevedo , Farias Silvia Cristina , Martins Carla Adriano , Damião Jorginete de Jesus , Costa Rute Ramos da Silva , Braga Fernanda Amorim de Morais Nascimento , Tavares Letícia Ferreira , Lacerda Elisa Maria de Aquino , Castro Inês Rugani Ribeiro de
Published: September 2024

Introdução: Documentos orientadores de alimentação adequada e saudável destacam a importância da culinária doméstica para sua promoção. Vídeos educativos vêm sendo utilizados como estratégias de educação alimentar e nutricional e são promissores para a abordagem da culinária doméstica. Objetivo: Apresentar o percurso metodológico de construção da websérie “Cidinha dá Jeito” e analisar a convergência dos conteúdos dos episódios com os guias alimentares brasileiros e com o Modelo Conceitual de Autonomia Culinária (MCAC). Métodos: Na primeira fase, elaboração da websérie, foram conduzidas seis etapas: escolha das bases conceituais; definição do público de interesse; elaboração preliminar de temas e conteúdos dos vídeos; oficinas de escuta; sistematização das contribuições, versão final dos temas e conteúdos e elaboração dos roteiros; e definição da plataforma virtual para divulgação e produção dos vídeos. Na segunda fase, analisou-se a convergência dos conteúdos dos episódios com os guias alimentares e o MCAC. Resultados: Após quatro oficinas de escuta com o público de interesse e especialistas, foi desenvolvida uma websérie composta por 21 episódios com recursos para acessibilidade comunicacional, cada um com duração de até sete minutos, tendo como audiência prioritária famílias de baixa renda e usuárias do Sistema Único de Saúde. Em abril de 2024, a websérie registrou 20.773 visualizações no canal do YouTube®. Os conteúdos dos guias alimentares brasileiros e do MCAC permeiam todos os episódios. Conclusão: A websérie, com potencial de amplo alcance e avanços na acessibilidade, busca reconhecer a complexidade da culinária e favorecer a implementação das recomendações sobre alimentação adequada e saudável.
Jogos educativos brasileiros para promoção da alimentação adequada e saudável nas escolas: uma análise a partir do eduCAPES
Authors: Dantas Rebekka Fernandes , Vale Diôgo , Da Costa Joicy Suely Galvão , De Andrade Renata Almeida
Published: September 2024

Educação Alimentar e Nutricional (EAN) é um campo de conhecimentos e de práticas contínuas e permanentes que está presente em diversos setores da sociedade, sendo a Educação um dos principais. Diversas normativas valorizam a EAN nas escolas, que deve fazer uso de abordagens e recursos educacionais ativos, como preconizado pelo Marco de Referência de EAN para Políticas Públicas. Nesse sentido, os jogos podem se constituir como uma ferramenta pedagógica de EAN. Considerando o portal eduCAPES como um importante repositório de jogos educativos brasileiros, este artigo tem como objetivo identificar e analisar aqueles que apresentam a temática da alimentação e discuti-los à luz dos princípios do Marco de EAN. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, exploratório e descritivo. O corpus foi composto por jogos disponíveis no acervo eduCAPES o qual foi acessado em maio de 2023. Dos 331 jogos listados no repositório, 10 foram selecionados para análise. Inicialmente, os jogos foram analisados quanto às narrativas, percepções gerais, palavras-chave e mecânicas. Logo em seguida, esses elementos foram relacionados aos princípios do Marco. Três jogos abordam o princípio I; dois relacionam-se com o princípio II; um jogo aborda o princípio III; seis jogos relacionam-se com o princípio IV; e um jogo apresentou relação explícita com o princípio V. Enfim, indica-se a necessidade de que mais jogos sejam elaborados e mais conhecimento sobre esse tema seja produzido, considerando mecânicas adequadas e os princípios do Marco de EAN e dos guias alimentares oficiais como referenciais norteadores.
Educação alimentar e nutricional nas infâncias para além de um tema transversal: esboço de uma teoria da prática
Authors: Jorge Thiago Perez , Vale Diôgo , Sousa Juliana Morais de
Published: September 2024

A Educação Alimentar e Nutricional (EAN) se constitui como importante campo formativo de saberes e práticas para nutricionistas, sendo estratégica para a promoção da alimentação adequada, saudável e sustentável. Já a infância é uma fase da vida com importantes aprendizados e desenvolvimentos – sensório-motores, emocionais, cognitivos e sociais – que influenciarão na formação de hábitos da criança. Partindo desta imbricação, entre EAN e infâncias, objetiva-se neste ensaio elaborar uma teorização refletida de nossas práticas de ensino e de extensão universitárias, realizadas com graduandos de Nutrição e com crianças de um colégio de aplicação, ambos vinculados a uma universidade federal nordestina. Para isso, elaboramos os princípios de nossa experiência realizada de modo contínuo e permanente desde 2018, visando colocar em relevo questões da EAN no espaço escolar. Os resultados indicam que a curricularização da EAN passa pela construção dialogada e participativa, integrando a comunidade escolar. A EAN não se reduz a um tema transversal, mas coloca-se como parte do processo de ensino e aprendizagem, devendo, portanto, estar devidamente referenciada enquanto método e inserida no currículo, para se tornar significativa entre os sujeitos da educação. Os princípios de nossas práticas também se colocam como desafios: a EAN precisa estar claramente situada entre seus agentes/promotores; o processo que sustenta o ensino-aprendizagem se dá como despertar de paixões entre os envolvidos; o lúdico pauta as ações educativas; e a centralidade da pessoa, no caso, as crianças e suas infâncias, incluindo o contexto sociocultural e o processo de aprendizagem. Espera-se que essas reflexões contribuam tanto com os princípios que sustentam uma EAN voltada às infâncias, quanto ao campo científico da Nutrição.
KLASİK TÜRK EDEBİYATINDA HURMA
Authors: Özlük Işılay Pınar
Published: September 2024

Klasik Türk edebiyatı ürünlerinde işlenen konular ele alındığında, araştırmacılara en zengin ve en renkli malzemeyi sunan alanlardan bir tanesinin sosyal hayat olduğu görülmektedir. Giyim-kuşamdan adet ve inanışlara kadar uzanan pek çok başlık edebî metinler üzerinden takip edilebilmektedir. Bu başlıklardan birisi de yeme-içme kültürüdür. Her canlının birincil ihtiyacı olan beslenme faaliyeti, insanı hayatta tutmasının yanı sıra toplumların değişmesi ve gelişmesiyle sembolik bir anlam kazanmıştır. Yiyecek ve içeceklerin adetlerde kendilerine yer bulması, atasözlerinde benzetme ve mecazlarla yer alması edebî metinlerde sıklıkla karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Bir yiyecek veya içecekle ilgili yapılan araştırma bizi dînî yahut mitolojik bir hikâyeye veya tarihi bir gerçekliğe götürebilir. Edebî metinlerimizde bu tür arka planı olan besin unsurlarının sayıları hiç de az değildir. İncirden zeytine, lohusa şerbetinden helvaya, aşureden nara kadar adını tek tek sayamayacağımız kadar meyve, sebze, yiyecek ve içeceğin kendisine has birer hikâyesi vardır. Hikâyesi olan meyvelerden birisi de “hurma” dır. Hurma; Kur’ân’da anılması, evliya menkıbelerinde yer edinmesi, mitolojik olaylara konu olması, gastronomide yemek ve tatlılarda kullanılması yanında sağlık alanında üzerinde çalışmalar yapılması açısından da incelenmeye değer bir yiyecektir. Çalışmada hurmanın Kur’ân-ı Kerim’den bilimsel çalışmalara, menkıbelerden yemek kitaplarına uzanan yolculuğu ele alınırken örnek beyitlerle meyvenin edebî metinlerdeki anlam değeri üzerinde durulmaktadır.
Thomas Mathiesen in our view
Authors: Andenæs Kristian , Papendorf Knut
Published: September 2024

We are two colleagues and friends of Thomas Mathiesen who have written about Thomas from two perspectives. Kristian Andenæs contributes with the inside perspective of a long-time colleague at the Institute for Sociology of Law and the Department of Criminology and Sociology of Law. Knut Papendorf, as a colleague and former criminologist and activist in Germany, focuses on the potential provided by the abolitionist model, as advocated by Thomas Mathiesen.
Single-photon circulator by spinning optical resonators
Authors: Li Jing , Lu Tian-Xiang , Peng Meiyu , Kuang Le-Man , Jing Hui , Zhou Lan
Published: September 2024

A circulator is one of the crucial devices in quantum networks and simulations. We propose a four-port circulator that regulates the flow of single photons at muti-frequency points by studying the coherent transmission of a single photon in a coupled system of two resonators and two waveguides. When both resonators are static or rotate at the same angular velocity, the single-photon transport demonstrates reciprocity; however, when the angular velocities differ, four distinct frequency points emerge where photon circulation can occur. In particular, when the angular velocities of the two resonators are equal and opposite, there are two different frequency points where photon circulation can be achieved, and there is a frequency point where a single photon input from any waveguide can be completely routed to the other waveguide. Interestingly, by rotating the two resonators, the single-photon circulation suppressed by the internal defect-induced backscattering can be restored.
Radiation force of a self-focused vortex beam on Rayleigh particles
Authors: Jiang Yawei , Mei Zhangrong
Published: September 2024

The radiation force of a partially coherent self-focusing vortex beam on Rayleigh particles is studied in this paper. According to the generalized Huygens-Fresnel principle and Rayleigh scattering theory, the effects of two main parameters of the beam, namely relative coherence length and non-trivial phase factor, on the self-focusing characteristics and radiation force are respectively researched. We have also conducted a brief analysis of the stability of particle capture using this self-focusing vortex beam. It has been found that changing the values of such parameters can flexibly regulate the self-focusing effect of the beam on propagation so as to effectively adjust the magnitude of the radiation force and trapping range. The results show that such beams can be used to trap and manipulate particles without using a focusing lens. In addition, this beam is able to capture two different refractive index particles, that is, high refractive index particles are captured near the focus, and low refractive index particles are captured on the z-axis. The research results establish a theoretical basis for the application of this novel partially coherent self-focusing vortex beams in optical tweezers technology.
Controllable lasing characteristics in Brillouin random fiber lasers by tailoring gain and random feedback fibers
Authors: Wang Haiyang , Jia Pinggang , An Guowen , Xiong Jijun
Published: September 2024

Brillouin random fiber lasers (BRFLs), the combination of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) gain and random distributed feedback, offer narrow linewidth lasing with simplicity and flexibility. However, BRFLs may not gain broad acceptance unless the fundamental lasing mechanisms governing their operation are fully understood and the lasing properties are effectively manipulated. Here, we demonstrate the control of lasing characteristics in BRFLs by tailoring the SBS gain fiber and the scattering pattern of the random feedback fiber. Experimental results show that BRFLs with 5 cm random fiber gratings (RFGs) feedback exhibit lower intensity fluctuation, longer coherence time, and more stable frequency compared to those with 6 km Rayleigh scattering fiber (RSF) feedback thanks to more correlated phase, lower mode density, and weaker dependence on external variations of RFGs. The low-randomness RFG feedback further improves the coherence time and intensity fluctuation attributed to the small period variation of sub-gratings. Moreover, the BRFL based on the high gain fiber and the strong scattering RFG feedback with low loss achieves high lasing efficiency and low threshold. The frequency jitter, intensity noise, and coherence time are also improved by reducing the gain fiber from 20 km to 1 km due to decreased mode hopping from mode competition. These results clarify the impact of gain and random feedback fibers on BRFL performance, offering insights for optimizing complex laser design for applications requiring high frequency stability and long coherence time.
Quantum correlated image recording through noisy and turbulent channels
Authors: Freitas Brayden , Zhang Yingwen , England Duncan , Lundeen Jeff , Sussman Benjamin
Published: September 2024

Various quantum imaging techniques have been shown to be effective at imaging through some aspects of traditionally difficult free-space channels, including ghost imaging through turbulent channels, or quantum illumination through channels with noisy backgrounds. While effective, these techniques have only ever been shown to work independently, whereas real-world free-space channels are often both turbulent and noisy. This work experimentally demonstrates that quantum correlated imaging using an SPDC source and a time-tagging camera can be made robust against both turbulent media and a noisy background in free-space channels by implementing filtering based on the temporal and spatial correlations of paired photons. Furthermore, the filtering reduces accidental coincidence counts between uncorrelated photons, allowing the pair source to operate at high brightness which, in turn, leads to video-rate integration times. These quantum correlated recordings allow for improved object tracking, while the longer integration time images improve image fidelity over turbulent and noisy channels. This demonstration could allow for new improvements in communication, measurement, and sensing through turbulent and noisy free-space channels.
The genetic basis of the kākāpō structural color polymorphism suggests balancing selection by an extinct apex predator
Authors: Urban Lara , Santure Anna W. , Uddstrom Lydia , Digby Andrew , Vercoe Deidre , Eason Daryl , Crane Jodie ,   Kākāpō Recovery Team, Wylie Matthew J. , Davis Tāne , LeLec Marissa F. , Guhlin Joseph , Poulton Simon , Slate Jon , Alexander Alana , Fuentes-Cross Patricia , Dearden Peter K. , Gemmell Neil J. , Azeem Farhan , Weyland Marvin , Schwefel Harald G. L. , van Oosterhout Cock , Morales Hernán E.
Published: September 2024

The information contained in population genomic data can tell us much about the past ecology and evolution of species. We leveraged detailed phenotypic and genomic data of nearly all living kākāpō to understand the evolution of its feather color polymorphism. The kākāpō is an endangered and culturally significant parrot endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand, and the green and olive feather colorations are present at similar frequencies in the population. The presence of such a neatly balanced color polymorphism is remarkable because the entire population currently numbers less than 250 birds, which means it has been exposed to severe genetic drift. We dissected the color phenotype, demonstrating that the two colors differ in their light reflectance patterns due to differential feather structure. We used quantitative genomics methods to identify two genetic variants whose epistatic interaction can fully explain the species’ color phenotype. Our genomic forward simulations show that balancing selection might have been pivotal to establish the polymorphism in the ancestrally large population, and to maintain it during population declines that involved a severe bottleneck. We hypothesize that an extinct apex predator was the likely agent of balancing selection, making the color polymorphism in the kākāpō a “ghost of selection past.”
Multisensory perceptual and causal inference is largely preserved in medicated post-acute individuals with schizophrenia
Authors: Rohe Tim , Hesse Klaus , Ehlis Ann-Christine , Noppeney Uta
Published: September 2024

Hallucinations and perceptual abnormalities in psychosis are thought to arise from imbalanced integration of prior information and sensory inputs. We combined psychophysics, Bayesian modeling, and electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate potential changes in perceptual and causal inference in response to audiovisual flash-beep sequences in medicated individuals with schizophrenia who exhibited limited psychotic symptoms. Seventeen participants with schizophrenia and 23 healthy controls reported either the number of flashes or the number of beeps of audiovisual sequences that varied in their audiovisual numeric disparity across trials. Both groups balanced sensory integration and segregation in line with Bayesian causal inference rather than resorting to simpler heuristics. Both also showed comparable weighting of prior information regarding the signals’ causal structure, although the schizophrenia group slightly overweighted prior information about the number of flashes or beeps. At the neural level, both groups computed Bayesian causal inference through dynamic encoding of independent estimates of the flash and beep counts, followed by estimates that flexibly combine audiovisual inputs. Our results demonstrate that the core neurocomputational mechanisms for audiovisual perceptual and causal inference in number estimation tasks are largely preserved in our limited sample of medicated post-acute individuals with schizophrenia. Future research should explore whether these findings generalize to unmedicated patients with acute psychotic symptoms.
The primacy model and the structure of olfactory space
Authors: Giaffar Hamza , Shuvaev Sergey , Rinberg Dmitry , Koulakov Alexei A.
Published: September 2024

Understanding sensory processing involves relating the stimulus space, its neural representation, and perceptual quality. In olfaction, the difficulty in establishing these links lies partly in the complexity of the underlying odor input space and perceptual responses. Based on the recently proposed primacy model for concentration invariant odor identity representation and a few assumptions, we have developed a theoretical framework for mapping the odor input space to the response properties of olfactory receptors. We analyze a geometrical structure containing odor representations in a multidimensional space of receptor affinities and describe its low-dimensional implementation, the primacy hull. We propose the implications of the primacy hull for the structure of feedforward connectivity in early olfactory networks. We test the predictions of our theory by comparing the existing receptor-ligand affinity and connectivity data obtained in the fruit fly olfactory system. We find that the Kenyon cells of the insect mushroom body integrate inputs from the high-affinity (primacy) sets of olfactory receptors in agreement with the primacy theory.
Correlates of Hepatitis B infection in pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Wa Municipality, Ghana
Authors: Awiah Emmanuel Anebakwo , Aabalekuu Simon , Dun-Dery Frederick , Dun-Dery Elvis , Bayor Fidelis , Adokiya Martin Nyaaba , Bessing Barnabas
Published: September 2024

Despite the availability of an effective vaccine against viral hepatitis B infection, it remains prevalent, highly transmissible especially through mother-to-child, life-threatening, and a major public health challenge. A positive Hepatitis B e-Antigen (HBeAg) mother has a 90% risk of transmitting the virus to the unborn child in the perinatal period. This study sought to determine the prevalence and risk of Hepatitis B infection among pregnant women in the Wa Municipality of Ghana. A cross-sectional study employing systematic random sampling was conducted among 183 consented pregnant women who went for antenatal care in nine health facilities in the Wa Municipality. A structured validated questionnaire was used to collect information about socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics, awareness of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) transmission and its prevention. Blood samples (3.0 mls) were collected from each participant to test for HBV serum markers using a Wondfo One Step HBV rapid immunochromatographic assay (Catalog number W003) for the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). We conducted descriptive statistics including the prevalence and used multivariable logistic regression to determine the risk of Hepatitis B among study participants. Data was analysed using Stata/SE 15. About 20.2% of the 183 pregnant women screened tested positive for HBsAg. Generally, compared with younger pregnant women, older (> = 25) pregnant women were >9 times less likely to test positive for both chronic Hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) and (HBeAg) Hepatitis B infections. However, pregnant women in polygamous relationship were more likely to test positive for both (HBcAb) and (HBsAg and HBeAg) Hepatitis B infections compared with those in monogamous relationship. In a multivariable analysis, pregnant women in a polygamous relationships were about 5 times more likely to test positive for HBsAg (AOR = 4.61, 95% CI: 2.06–9.89) and HBcAb (AOR = 4.89, 95% CI:1.52–6.81) and HBeAg (AOR = 4.62, 95% CI:1.21–6.39) compared with those in a monogamous relationship. This study highlights a high HBsAg prevalence among pregnant women with those in polygamous relationship and younger age more likely to test positive. Facility and community-based health services should emphasize the need for regular screening, education, and vaccination of pregnant women, especially those at high risk, to prevent mother-to-child transmission of viral hepatitis B.
Evolving patterns of COVID-19 mortality in US counties: A longitudinal study of healthcare, socioeconomic, and vaccination associations
Authors: Ganjkhanloo Fardin , Ahmadi Farzin , Dong Ensheng , Parker Felix , Gardner Lauren , Ghobadi Kimia
Published: September 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the need for pandemic preparedness strategies to mitigate its impacts, particularly in the United States, which experienced multiple waves with varying policies, population response, and vaccination effects. This study explores the relationships between county-level factors and COVID-19 mortality outcomes in the U.S. from 2020 to 2023, focusing on disparities in healthcare access, vaccination coverage, and socioeconomic characteristics. We conduct multi-variable rolling regression analyses to reveal associations between various factors and COVID-19 mortality outcomes, defined as Case Fatality Rate (CFR) and Overall Mortality to Hospitalization Rate (OMHR), at the U.S. county level. Each analysis examines the association between mortality outcomes and one of the three hierarchical levels of the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), along with other factors such as access to hospital beds, vaccination coverage, and demographic characteristics. Our results reveal persistent and dynamic correlations between various factors and COVID-19 mortality measures. Access to hospital beds and higher vaccination coverage showed persistent protective effects, while higher Social Vulnerability Index was associated with worse outcomes persistently. Socioeconomic status and vulnerable household characteristics within the SVI consistently associated with elevated mortality. Poverty, lower education, unemployment, housing cost burden, single-parent households, and disability population showed significant associations with Case Fatality Rates during different stages of the pandemic. Vulnerable age groups demonstrated varying associations with mortality measures, with worse outcomes predominantly during the Original strain. Rural-Urban Continuum Code exhibited predominantly positive associations with CFR and OMHR, while it starts with a positive OMHR association during the Original strain. This study reveals longitudinal persistent and dynamic factors associated with two mortality rate measures throughout the pandemic, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. The findings emphasize the urgency of implementing targeted policies and interventions to address disparities in the fight against future pandemics and the pursuit of improved public health outcomes.
Drug supply management at first-level public health facilities: Case of Pyay District, Myanmar
Authors: Hlaing Thein , Lat Tun Win
Published: September 2024

First-level public health facilities (PHFs) serve as primary providers of essential medicines, necessitating critical attention to drug availability and quality assurance. This study aimed to examine the status of functional areas within the drug supply chain management framework and assess the overall capability maturity at first-level PHFs. The cross-sectional study was conducted among 183 drug store sites from six townships of Pyay District. Only situational analysis was exercised to determine the existing situations. The overall capability maturity was determined according to the definitions of levels of the Capability Maturity Module Tool. 58.47% lacked formal drug supply management training, with 23.5% not undergoing performance reviews. Drug forecasting predominantly relied on a pen-paper system (91.6%) and factors like patient load (87.39%), drug consumption (85.71%), and disease prevalence (64.71%). Store site analysis revealed that 65.03% exhibited marginal capability, lacking standardized drugstores and employing unstandardized procedures. Storage practices varied, with 48.69% storing drugs conveniently and others categorizing them by drug type (32.79%) or using the first-expired-first-out system (40.98%). Approximately 42.69% reported having expired drugs. Concerning transportation costs, 37.16% incurred expenses exceeding 20,000 Kyats per time, with management staff often covering the costs. Waste management methods included burial pits (49.18%), incineration (62.84%), and sharp pits (55.19%). A majority (78.14%) used safety boxes, and 57.38% implemented a color-coded system for waste bins. The logistics management information system was entirely paper-based (100%). On average, assessments of drug quality conditions and physical damages scored 46.51% and 48.20%, respectively. The overall supply chain maturity at first-level public health facilities is at a marginal capability level (36.35%). While some basic drug supply chain management procedures were in place, they were not consistently followed, and many systems remain manual. The findings underscored significant inconsistencies in the management functions of supplied drugs, with poor adherence to Standard Operating Procedure guidelines.
Comparison and development of cross-study normalization methods for inter-species transcriptional analysis
Authors: Feldman Sofya , Ner-Gaon Hadas , Treister Eran , Shay Tal
Published: September 2024

Performing joint analysis of gene expression datasets from different experiments can present challenges brought on by multiple factors—differences in equipment, protocols, climate etc. “Cross-study normalization” is a general term for transformations aimed at eliminating such effects, thus making datasets more comparable. However, joint analysis of datasets from different species is rarely done, and there are no dedicated normalization methods for such inter-species analysis. In order to test the usefulness of cross-studies normalization methods for inter-species analysis, we first applied three cross-study normalization methods, EB, DWD and XPN, to RNA sequencing datasets from different species. We then developed a new approach to evaluate the performance of cross-study normalization in eliminating experimental effects, while also maintaining the biologically significant differences between species and conditions. Our results indicate that all normalization methods performed relatively well in the cross-species setting. We found XPN to be better at reducing experimental differences, and found EB to be better at preserving biological differences. Still, according to our in-silico experiments, in all methods it is not possible to enforce the preservation of the biological differences in the normalization process. In addition to the study above, in this work we propose a new dedicated cross-studies and cross-species normalization method. Our aim is to address the shortcoming mentioned above: in the normalization process, we wish to reduce the experimental differences while preserving the biological differences. We term our method as CSN, and base it on the performance evaluation criteria mentioned above. Repeating the same experiments, the CSN method obtained a better and more balanced conservation of biological differences within the datasets compared to existing methods. To summarize, we demonstrate the usefulness of cross-study normalization methods in the inter-species settings, and suggest a dedicated cross-study cross-species normalization method that will hopefully open the way to the development of improved normalization methods for the inter-species settings.
Effects on patient activation of eHealth support in addition to standard care in patients after radical prostatectomy: Analysis of secondary outcome from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wennerberg Camilla , Ekstedt Mirjam , Schildmeijer Kristina , Hellström Amanda
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Prostate cancer is often treated with radical prostatectomy, but surgery can leave patients with side effects. Patients who actively take part in their rehabilitation have been shown to achieve better clinical outcomes. eHealth support has the potential to increase patient activation, but has rarely been evaluated in long-term randomized controlled trials. Therefore, we evaluated the effects on patient activation of eHealth support (electronic Patient Activation in Treatment at Home, ePATH) based on motivational theory. The aim was to investigate the effects of eHealth support on patient activation at 6 and 12 months after radical prostatectomy, compared with standard care alone, and associations with baseline patient activation and depression.

Methods

A multicentre randomized controlled trial with two study arms was conducted. Men planned for radical prostatectomy at three county hospitals in southern Sweden were included and randomized to the intervention or control group. The effects of ePATH on the secondary outcome, patient activation, were evaluated for one year after surgery using the patient activation measure and analysed using a linear mixed model.

Results

The study included 170 men during 2018–2019. In the intervention group, 64% (53/83) used ePATH. The linear mixed model showed no significant differences between groups in patient activation [β -2.32, P .39; CI -7.64–3.00]. Baseline patient activation [β 0.65, P < .001; CI 0.40–0.91] and depression [β -0.86, P .03; CI -1.64– -0.07] statistically impacted patient activation scores over one year.

Conclusions

ePATH had no impact on patient activation during long-term prostate cancer rehabilitation. However, patient activation at baseline and depression scores significantly influenced patient activation, underlining the need to assess these aspects in prostate cancer surgery rehabilitation.

Trial registration

ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN18055968, (07/06/2018); https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN18055968; International Registered Report Identifier: RR2-10.2196/11625.