bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction: The Age of Federalisms
Authors: LaCroix Alison L.
Published: October 2024

The period between 1815 and 1861 witnessed a transformation in American constitutional law and politics. This book argues that these decades were a foundational era of both constitutional crisis and creativity. It thus upends the conventional story of the period as a hiatus between the “real” constitutional moments of the founding and Reconstruction. The introduction sets forth five central claims. First, the interbellum era was a distinct period. Second, the book rejects two orthodox conceptions of constitutional debates in this period: the view of federalism as a binary between state and federal power, and the view that the valence of federal power was necessarily toward abolition and emancipation, and against slavery. Third, the book argues that concurrent power was central to interbellum constitutional debates, distinguishing the era from both the founding and the post–Civil War period. The key domains in which concurrent power operated were commerce, migration, and slavery. Fourth, the book argues that the Constitution’s commerce powers were the crucible for interbellum battles over federalism. Finally, the book examines the many and varied meanings of “union” in the political and legal debates of the period.
The Justice, the Sailors, and the Founders’ Legacy
Authors: LaCroix Alison L.
Published: October 2024

This chapter delves into a searing moment of legal and political controversy in Charleston, South Carolina. In 1823, a free Black British sailor named Henry Elkison brought a case in federal court in which he challenged a state law requiring that any “free negro or person of colour” debarking in any South Carolina port be immediately jailed for the duration of his vessel’s stay. The battle over the law involved numerous levels of governmental and private actors, each with its own views concerning the constitutionality of the state regulations. Those participants included British diplomats; the U.S. secretary of state and attorney general; South Carolina lawmakers; the sheriff of Charleston; the Black sailors whose freedom was jeopardized by the act; a group of planter vigilantes; and William Johnson, Jr., the Charleston-born Supreme Court justice who heard Elkison’s case. The story of South Carolina in the 1820s illustrates the variegated nature of constitutional thought even within a single, self-consciously insular society. It also suggests that courts were one but by no means the only voice in establishing what counted as constitutional argumentation.
Lost Fatherland
Authors: Vushko Iryna
Published: October 2024

This book presents a portrait of a particular milieu—the overlapping political and intellectual circles from the late Habsburg Empire and interwar Europe—in order to examine broader issues of European history in the late nineteenth and first half of the twentieth centuries. It brings together twenty-one individuals who started in politics in the Habsburg Empire and continued their lives in different states across Europe. Marked by the trauma of the First World War, the vanishing of their home countries, and the transition to post-1918 Europe, they produced a remarkable array of political programs and staffed and sustained the various polities that emerged after the imperial downfall. Covering the Austrian part of what after 1867 became the federative empire of Austro-Hungary, this study analyzes the transfer of institutional models and practices across 1918, from the empire to interwar Europe and beyond. This monograph demonstrates how a cluster of ideas rooted in the nineteenth-century Habsburg Empire—conservatism, liberalism, nationalism, Christian socialism, Austro-Marxism, federalism, and internationalism—shaped European politics and society in the twentieth century. It proposes an alternative narrative of European history, one that highlights the connections between the fin de siècle and the post–Second World War eras. That is, the Habsburg epoch in European history may be said to have come to an end, not in 1918, but between 1938 and 1945.
Empire, Catholicism, and the Nation, 1880s–1920s
Authors: Vushko Iryna
Published: October 2024

This chapter offers an analysis of two Christian Social parties—the Austrian and the Italian —and their leading personalities, Ignaz Seipel and Alcide De Gasperi, respectively. Both of them, and in particular De Gasperi, carried on the tradition of federalist internationalism leading up to the foundation of the European Union in the 1950s. The Christian Social ideology, one of the most important to emerge in the empire, had a lasting effect on Europe in the twentieth century. The Habsburg Empire gave rise to several Christian Social parties, each carrying on into several successor states. The continuity is most obvious in Austria itself, where Christian Democracy has remained a dominant party to the present day. In post-1918 Italy, the Christian Social ideology united Italians from the old empire as well as the kingdom, but it was the old-empire Italians who, drawing on a more durable Christian Social tradition, were more significant in the movement. The Christian Social legacy is so lasting, and at the same time so controversial, that any discussion of the empire and post-1918 Europe without it would be incomplete.
Democratic Socialism and Left-Wing Radicalism
Authors: Vushko Iryna
Published: October 2024

Chapters 6–8 narrate chronological and geographical transformations of Austro-Marxism across European space and time, foregrounding historical and geographical continuities between the empire and several states of post-1918 Europe and explaining how a doctrine formulated before 1918 became a political practice thereafter. This chapter focuses on the Austrian-Czech vector in the history of Austro-Marxism, exploring ideological and political contingencies in looking at this school of thought and different variations of socialism and communism in post-1918 Austria and Czechoslovakia. It brings together four socialists—Otto Bauer, Wilhelm Ellenbogen, Ludwig Czech, and Bohumír Šmeral—who all emerged from the same Austrian-Czech milieu and who were leading members of imperial social democracy, representing the Austrian and Czech sections. After 1918, the former two ended up in Austria, and the latter two in Czechoslovakia. Just as Austro-Marxism was intertwined with the empire, its Social Democratic Party exposed the symbiotic relationship between Austria, Bohemia, and Moravia. In particular, several leading Austrian socialists came from the Czech-German frontiers of the empire. The Social Democratic parties in post-1918 Austria and Czechoslovakia not only had some of the same leadership but were also built on the same Austro-Marxist tradition.
Epilogue
Authors: Vushko Iryna
Published: October 2024

To round out the story of the main protagonists, the epilogue introduces their children—daughters and sons whose lives were profoundly affected by their fathers’ choices. Many grew up to be prominent politicians, diplomats, intellectuals, and businesspeople. Some were born out of wedlock, and some lacked paternal attention even when their fathers were technically present. Some endorsed their fathers’ political choices; others went their own way. This book is therefore also a story of the intertwining of politics and private life, which had repercussions for the rest of the century. It is a story of human behavior, alienation, and betrayal across geographical divides and beyond 1918.
Novels, Needleworks, and Empire
Authors: Smith Chloe Wigston
Published: October 2024

This book examines women’s material contributions to empire and colonialism in the eighteenth century, focusing on how handicrafts, in life and in fiction, incorporated images of the Atlantic world. Women’s handiwork, such as beadwork, samplers, sewing, knitting, embroidery, and other crafts, formed a familiar presence in the lives and learning of girls and women across social classes, and it was deeply connected to colonialism. This book follows the material and visual images of the Atlantic world that found their way into the hands of women and girls in Britain and early America—in the objects they made, the books they held, the stories they read—and in doing so adjusted and altered the form and content of print and material culture. Chloe Wigston Smith studies a wide range of domestic artifacts made by women and girls, including by women and girls of color (such as Mary D’Silver, Rosena Disery, and Mary Emiston) and North American Indigenous women and girls (such as Weetamoo and Christeen Baker). The book argues that handiwork, and its representation in eighteenth-century novels set in the Atlantic world, brought the global into conversation with domesticity, placing images of empire and colonialism within arm’s reach. It includes discussion of key writers from the late seventeenth century to the early nineteenth century, such as Aphra Behn, Lydia Maria Child, Daniel Defoe, Charlotte Lennox, Mary White Rowlandson, Sarah Scott, John Shebbeare, and Phillis Wheatley, among others, and the anonymously authored novels The Female American and The Woman of Colour. The book shows how fiction and handicrafts offer new evidence of women’s contributions to the home’s place within the global eighteenth century, revealing the rich and complex connections between the global and domestic.
Global Domestic Objects
Authors: Smith Chloe Wigston
Published: October 2024

This chapter studies “global domestic objects,” women’s handicrafts and garments that reference the world, scientific expeditions, and settler colonialism. It first discusses map samplers (embroidered maps), which were a comprehensive pedagogical tool for the education of girls in the eighteenth century. The map sampler enabled schoolmistresses and governesses to cover lessons in needlework, geography, history, and geometry. The chapter then attends to the representation of Indigenous dress and handiwork in two mid-eighteenth-century novels that feature heroines who cross the Atlantic, John Shebbeare’s Lydia and the pseudonymously authored The Female American. These crafts and novels suggest that the division between home and empire was imprecise, muddled, and ripe for reinterpretation—especially in the hands of women.
Towards living a better future: political vision and the humanistic conscience
Authors: Morelock Jeremiah , Narita Felipe Ziotti , Ward Crystal Lee
Published: October 2024

Fromm’s theories can help the Left overcome its collective rejection of individualism and universalism, which limit socio-political possibility, offering Left solutions to these challenges and promoting alternate perspectives. His humanistic vision shares much with humanistic and positive psychology but differs in important respects. Centrally, Fromm’s notion of emancipation emphasises both individual and societal components. He believes independent and authentic relationships are a higher expression of human potential and bring true fulfilment. Fromm identifies a creative, non-alienated character orientation that includes a ‘humanistic conscience’. Comparing authoritarian and humanistic consciences, he emphasises human potential and social and individual interdependence. Personal development must also drive social change, and vice versa. Fromm’s perspective rejects zero-sum, either/or thinking about social change vis-à-vis individual flourishing. For him, both are important, and they are related. Following Fromm’s example, the Left should stress that individualistic societies cannot satisfy individual needs. Self-fulfilment requires fairness, community and shared personal experiences.
Labour process theory: in and beyond the core: continuities, challenges, and choices
Authors: Thompson Paul , Smith Chris
Published: October 2024

Since the publication of Braverman’s seminal Labor and Monopoly Capital (1974), labour process theory (LPT) has become a successful theory-building project driven by empirical expansion and conceptual innovation, operating as the equivalent of a normal science, with a distinctive scope and specific empirical focus on workplace regimes in the context of capitalist political economy. It’s toolkit or conceptual architecture combines underpinning and ordering principles with contingent and flexible operational categories concerning labour power and control. Though LPT has built stronger conceptual connections between workplace and accumulation regimes, changes in the global order have brought new theoretical and empirical challenges that are requiring it to adjust some of its core concepts and boundaries to consider development such as new sources of labour power, migration, and mobility.
‘Because I am a woman, an old woman, I have no voice’: gendered ageism and disempowerment of older women in three African countries
Authors: Roy Senjooti , Ayalon Liat , Veitch Georgina , Stovell Jemma
Published: October 2024

Background and objectives:

Gendered ageism refers to the intersectionality of age and gender bias and discrimination. It is widely prevalent and leads to inequality, injustice, oppression, exploitation and disempowerment of older women. In this study, we explore the impacts of gendered ageism on three areas of older women’s lives in three African countries. These areas are: (1) participation in public and political life and access to justice and law enforcement; (2) family relations, inheritance, and land and property ownership; and (3) violence, abuse and neglect.

Research design and methods:

Eighteen women aged 54–85 years were interviewed for this study. Thematic analysis was undertaken to identify and explore disempowering impacts of gendered ageism on their lives and rights.

Results:

In all areas of the participants’ lives, their lack of voice in their inability to make choices, to claim their rights and to participate meaningfully in decision-making were highlighted. These manifested in the suppression of their interests, opinions and aspirations in public life; denial of justice; prejudice and discrimination within family settings; exploitation, harassment, abandonment and violence; and an overall devaluation, dehumanisation and silencing of older women.

Discussion:

Women often outlive men and experience marginalisation for a greater proportion of their lives. Yet, their lived experiences receive limited acknowledgement and redressal. In developing countries, older women face multiple forms of oppression arising from gendered ageism. This study highlights such experiences with the expectation that this will generate awareness, garner support from stakeholders and help inform policies for the protection and equal treatment of older women.
Multifunctional electrically switchable metalens
Authors: Wang Yu , Cui Dajian , Yang Guohui , Wang Yue , Wang Chunhui
Published: October 2024

Here, we propose three all-solid-state, electrically switchable, transmissive, and
multifunctional metalens arrays comprising tunable metal-oxide
material BaTiO3 (BTO) nanopillars with different
structural parameters. To produce the required phase profile for each
metalens, the rectangular nanopillars, as the unit cell of the BTO
structure, are developed to support arbitrary combinations of two
independent phase shifts (0−2π) with bias voltage states of
0 V and 60 V, at first. Second, the structure parameters
of different functional metalens arrays are generated efficiently and
accurately based on the dual-phase modulation characteristics of a
single structure. Finally, we use the finite-difference time-domain
method to simulate the three kinds of switchable metalenses. The
results show that the three metalenses can realize the function of
adjustable focus position, switchable beam focusing and beam
deflection, and switchable beam focusing and beam splitting.
Analysis on scattering and inner near-field characteristics of a uniaxial anisotropic sphere by an off-axis high-order Bessel (vortex) beam
Authors: Li Zheng Jun , Yang Kai , Qu Tan , Bai Jing , Shang Qing Chao
Published: October 2024

Based on the generalized Lorenz–Mie theory (GLMT) and the Fourier transform method, a theoretical approach is introduced to study the scattering of a uniaxial anisotropic sphere illuminated by an off-axis high-order Bessel (vortex) beam (HOBVB). According to the orthogonality of the associated Legendre function and exponential function, a concise expression of the expansion coefficients of the off-axis HOBVB in terms of the spherical vector wave functions (SVWFs) is derived that can effectively reconstruct the HOBVB with all conical angles. The differences of scattering characteristics of a uniaxial anisotropic sphere illuminated by an on-axis and off-axis HOBVB and a plane wave are exhibited. Influences of the topological charge, conical angle, particle size, and off-axis distance on the angle distributions of the radar cross-section (RCS), scattering and extinction efficiencies, and asymmetric factor are analyzed in detail. The unique internal and near-field distributions of a uniaxial anisotropic spherical particle illuminated by an on-axis and off-axis HOBVB are demonstrated. The results provide insights into the scattering and Bessel beam–matter interactions and may find important applications in optical propagation and optical micromanipulation, microwave engineering, target shielding, and near-field measurement.
Characterization of heterodyne optical phase locking for relative laser frequency noise suppression in differential measurement
Authors: Kulur Ramamohan A. , Chua S. S. Y. , Zhang Y. , Yap M. J. , Wright J. , Holland N. A. , Forsyth P. W. F. , Slagmolen B. J. J.
Published: October 2024

Laser frequency noise is particularly challenging to mitigate in low Fourier frequency measurement. For differential measurement schemes using heterodyne optical phase-locked loops, this noise can be common-mode suppressed in the final readout while maintaining a flexible frequency offset and a large frequency-shift dynamic range. We demonstrate simultaneous optical phase-locked loops using digital servo systems, with up to 300 MHz offset frequency range, 250 dB open-loop gain at 0.1 Hz, and control timescales suitable for low-frequency measurement. We also detail a four-laser differential measurement intended for use in a precision measurement device that uses optical phase-locked loops, suppressing relative free-running noise to reach below 0.1 Hz/Hz at 0.1 Hz in the measurement readout.
Broadband conversion between high-order angular modes based on double-sided exposure long-period fiber grating
Authors: Wang Xin , Guo Huiyi , Shi Zekun , Chang Wenzhe , Wang Zhi , Liu Yan-Ge
Published: October 2024

Broadband high-order mode converters play a fundamental and crucial role in mode division multiplexing systems. Unfortunately, there have been no reports on achieving broadband mutual conversion between high-order modes using long-period fiber gratings (LPFGs). In this paper, based on the concept of “stepwise” progressive conversion (SPC), a double-sided exposure fabrication method of LPFGs to achieve broadband mutual conversion between high-order modes is proposed and demonstrated. Based on the proposed method, broadband mode conversion from LP11 to LP21, from LP21 to LP31 and from LP31 to LP41 with low insertion loss are achieved by utilizing low exposure power and shortened device lengths. The 10 dB bandwidths of the three converters are measured to be 80 nm, 110 nm, and 90 nm, respectively, and their insertion losses are all less than 0.2 dB. Theoretically, this method can achieve broadband conversion of even higher-order modes, providing a novel solution for the fabrication of stable broadband mode converters. More generally, such mode converters can convert between any two modes and are essential for building advanced MDM networks that require routing and mode switching.
Multi-plane multiplicative-noise-multiplexing holography with low crosstalk assisted by temporal multiplexing
Authors: Tang Wenhao , Yuan Huan , Zhang Bin , Zhong Zheqiang
Published: October 2024

Multi-plane holography has attracted increasing interest for reconstructing depth information. However, achieving multi-plane holography with high capacity and low crosstalk is always highly desired. Here, we proposed and demonstrated a novel multi-plane holography based on multiplicative noise multiplexing and temporal multiplexing. By utilizing the orthogonality inherent between multiplicative noise phases, the proposed holography enables the image reconstruction with simultaneous combination of multi-plane and multiplexing dimensions. The integration of temporal multiplexing contributes to further improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Both simulation and experimental results have demonstrated that, by introducing the noise engineering, this holography can enhance the information capacity and significantly lower the inter-plane and inter-channel crosstalk. This promising holography has the potential in the fields of ultrahigh-capacity 3D display, information storage, and information encryption.
High power mid-infrared side-pump combiner with good thermal stability based on the point-by-point fusion splicing technique
Authors: Chen Liming , Huang Jiapeng , Sun Weiyi , Li Zeqing , Jiang Cong , Wang Yuchen , Jiang Yiguang , Zhang Long , Jiang Xin , Pang Meng
Published: October 2024

High-power mid-infrared fiber lasers, featuring superior beam quality and good power-scaling ability, have a few important applications in material processing, medical surgery, and molecule spectroscopy. The high-power pump light combiner, as one of the key elements for constructing a mid-infrared fiber laser, is crucial for the laser performance. While some advanced side-pump combiners based on fluoride fiber have been reported in recent literatures, the thermal stability of the fluoride fiber combiner, which is closely-related to its power-scaling capability, is a long-living challenge. In this work, we demonstrate a high-power mid-infrared side-pump combiner with improved thermal stability, realized using the point-by-point fusion-splicing technique between a silica fiber taper and a piece of Er-doped fluoride gain fiber. The developed combiner exhibits a high coupling efficiency of ∼90%, supporting highly-stable operation at an incident pump power of up to 60 W. Using this combiner, we constructed a continuous-wave mid-infrared fiber laser which can deliver stably 4 W output power at 2.8 µm without using active cooling system. At this lasing power, the maximum input pump power is limited to 20 W to prevent fiber end-facet degradation, which can be further improved with the use of endcaps. This remarkable thermal stability renders the combiner great application potentials in constructing compact, robust, high-power fiber lasers at mid-infrared wavelengths.
Achromatic correction for birefringent interferometers that improve Fourier transform spectrometers and hyperspectral imaging
Authors: Im Dasol , Faitz Zachary M. , Jin Feng , Kim Joo Soo , Magee Erica , Amarasinghe Priyanthi , Trivedi Sudhir , Zanni Martin T.
Published: October 2024

Spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging are widely used tools for identifying compounds and materials. One optical design is a polarization interferometer that uses birefringent wedges, like a Babinet-Soleil compensator, to create the interferograms that are Fourier transformed to give the spectra. Such designs have lateral spatial offset between the no and ne optical beams, which reduces the interferogram intensity and creates a spatially dependent phase that is problematic for hyperspectral imaging. The lateral separation between the beams is wavelength dependent, created by the achromatic nature of Babinet-Soleil compensators. We introduce a birefringent wedge design for Fourier transform spectroscopy that creates collinear no and ne optical beams for optimal interference and no spatial dependent phase. Our 3-wedge design, which we call a Wisconsin interferometer, improves the signal strength of polarization spectrometers, and eliminates phase shifts in hyperspectral imaging. We anticipate that it will find use in analytical, remote sensing, and ultrafast spectroscopy applications.
End-to-end learning strategy with channel-aided polar autoencoder in IM/DD optical interconnection
Authors: Mu Yujia , He Hailian , Ming Jun , Song Junyuan , Xu Qi , Gao Ran , Li Zhipei , Xin Xiangjun , Dong Ze
Published: October 2024

An end-to-end (E2E) learning strategy with a channel-aided polar autoencoder (AE) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated in an intensity-modulation direct-detection optical interconnection system. With the global training of the E2E deep neural network, the learned fiber channel and transceiver characteristics are used to back-forward aid the channel indexes of AE, thus obtaining optimal polarization weight in polar encoding to mitigate signal impairments. The experimental results reveal that when the 50 GBaud PAM4 signals are transmitted over standard single mode fiber, the proposed polar AE by E2E learning strategy can effectively improve the received power sensitivity by 1.5 dB under conditions of overall adaptation of system parameters optimization.
The optimal spatially-dependent control measures to effectively and economically eliminate emerging infectious diseases
Authors: Xia Fan , Xiao Yanni , Ma Junling
Published: October 2024

Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) are effective in mitigating infections during the early stages of an infectious disease outbreak. However, these measures incur significant economic and livelihood costs. To address this, we developed an optimal control framework aimed at identifying strategies that minimize such costs while ensuring full control of a cross-regional outbreak of emerging infectious diseases. Our approach uses a spatial SEIR model with interventions for the epidemic process, and incorporates population flow in a gravity model dependent on gross domestic product (GDP) and geographical distance. We applied this framework to identify an optimal control strategy for the COVID-19 outbreak caused by the Delta variant in Xi’an City, Shaanxi, China, between December 2021 and January 2022. The model was parameterized by fitting it to daily case data from each district of Xi’an City. Our findings indicate that an increase in the basic reproduction number, the latent period or the infectious period leads to a prolonged outbreak and a larger final size. This indicates that diseases with greater transmissibility are more challenging and costly to control, and so it is important for governments to quickly identify cases and implement control strategies. Indeed, the optimal control strategy we identified suggests that more costly control measures should be implemented as soon as they are deemed necessary. Our results demonstrate that optimal control regimes exhibit spatial, economic, and population heterogeneity. More populated and economically developed regions require a robust regular surveillance mechanism to ensure timely detection and control of imported infections. Regions with higher GDP tend to experience larger-scale epidemics and, consequently, require higher control costs. Notably, our proposed optimal strategy significantly reduced costs compared to the actual expenditures for the Xi’an outbreak.
BoReMi: Bokeh-based jupyter-interface for registering spatio-molecular data to related microscopy images
Authors: Ishar Jaspreet , Tam Yee Man , Mages Simon , Klughammer Johanna
Published: October 2024

Spatio-molecular data and microscopy images provide complementary information, essential to study structure and function of spatially organised multicellular systems such as healthy or diseased tissues. However, aligning these two types of data can be challenging due to distortions and differences in resolution, orientation, and position. Manual registration is tedious but may be necessary for challenging samples as well as for the generation of ground-truth data sets that enable benchmarking of existing and emerging automated alignment tools. To make the process of manual registration more convenient, efficient, and integrated, we created BoReMi, a python-based, Jupyter-integrated, visual tool that offers all the relevant functionalities for aligning and registering spatio-molecular data and associated microscopy images. We showcase BoReMi’s utility using publicly available data and images and make BoReMi as well as an interactive demo available on GitHub.
Distinct cellular and junctional dynamics independently regulate the rotation and elongation of the embryonic gut in Drosophila
Authors: Inaki Mikiko , Higashi Takamasa , Okuda Satoru , Matsuno Kenji
Published: October 2024

Complex organ structures are formed with high reproducibility. To achieve such intricate morphologies, the responsible epithelium undergoes multiple simultaneous shape changes, such as elongation and folding. However, these changes have typically been assessed separately. In this study, we revealed how distinct shape changes are controlled during internal organ morphogenesis. The Drosophila embryonic hindgut undergoes left-right asymmetric rotation and anteroposterior elongation in a tissue-autonomous manner driven by cell sliding and convergent extension, respectively, in the hindgut epithelia. However, the regulation of these processes remains unclear. Through genetic analysis and live imaging, we demonstrated that cell sliding and convergent extension are independently regulated by Myosin1D and E-cadherin, and Par-3, respectively, whereas both require MyosinII activity. Using a mathematical model, we demonstrated that independently regulated cellular dynamics can simultaneously cause shape changes in a single mechanical system using anisotropic edge contraction. Our findings indicate that distinct cellular dynamics sharing a common apparatus can be independently and simultaneously controlled to form complex organ shapes. This suggests that such a mechanism may be a general strategy during complex tissue morphogenesis.
Validation of the performance of a point of care molecular test for leprosy: From a simplified DNA extraction protocol to a portable qPCR
Authors: Bertão-Santos Amanda , Dias Larisse da Silva , Ribeiro-Alves Marcelo , Pinheiro Roberta Olmo , Moraes Milton Ozório , Manta Fernanda Saloum de Neves , Costa Alexandre Dias Tavares
Published: October 2024

The study aimed to optimize qPCR reactions using oligonucleotides from the first Brazilian molecular diagnostic kit for leprosy on a portable platform (Q3-Plus). In addition, we sought to develop a simplified protocol for DNA extraction that met point-of-care criteria. During optimization on the Q3-Plus, optical parameters, thresholds, and cutoffs for the 16S rRNA and RLEP targets of M. leprae were established using synthetic DNA, purified DNA from M. leprae, and pre-characterized clinical samples. For the simplified extraction protocol, different lysis solutions were evaluated using chaotropic agents, and purification was carried out by transferring the lysed material to FTA cards. The complete protocol (simplified extraction + qPCR on the portable platform) was then evaluated with pre-characterized clinical skin biopsy samples and compared with standard equipment (QuantStudio-5). LOD95% for the optimized reactions was 113.31 genome-equivalents/μL for 16S rRNA and 17.70 genome-equivalents/μL for RLEP. Among the lysis solutions, the best-performing was composed of urea (2 M), which provided good dissolution of the skin fragment and a lower Ct value, indicating higher concentrations of DNA. The complete technological solution showed a sensitivity of 52% in reactions. Our results highlight the need for additional optimization to deal with paucibacillary samples, but also demonstrate the feasibility of the portable platform for the qPCR detection of M. leprae DNA in low infrastructure settings.
Community-Based Mycetoma Surveillance in Uganda: Identifying Knowledge Gaps and Training of Community Health Workers to Improve Case Detection
Authors: Kibone Winnie , Semulimi Andrew Weil , Kwizera Richard , Bongomin Felix
Published: October 2024

Background

Mycetoma is an uncommon and neglected tropical disease in Uganda. We aimed to assess baseline knowledge and provide community health workers (CHWs) in Northern Uganda with knowledge to identify and refer presumptive mycetoma cases.

Methodology

Between March and August 2023, we conducted a concurrent triangulation mixed methods study among CHWs in Gulu and Pader districts on mycetoma. We conducted a 1 day in person training on mycetoma. Quantitative data were collected before (pretest), immediately (immediate posttest) and six months (6-month posttest) after the training and results compared using paired sample t test or one-way ANOVA. Qualitative data were collected using four focused group discussions, audio recorded, and analyzed using thematic content analysis.

Principal findings

Forty-five CHWs were enrolled, mostly male (66.7%, n = 30), with a median age of 36 years (IQR 29 43). Out of a total score of 18, the baseline mean knowledge score was 7±2.42, improving to 11±1.99 immediately posttest (p<0.001), and 10±2.35 at 6 months (p<0.001), without additional training. Significant knowledge improvements at 6 months were observed among female participants (p = 0.004), those aged 30 40 years (p = 0.031) or 40+ years (p = 0.035), and those with secondary education (p = 0.007). Over 6 months, CHWs screened 2,773 adults, identifying and referring 30 presumptive mycetoma cases. Qualitative findings revealed challenges and barriers to early identification and referral of mycetoma presumptive cases including limited knowledge, stigma, myths, lack of an indigenous name for mycetoma, delayed decision making, and transportation barriers.

Conclusions

This study highlights a significant knowledge gap among CHWs about mycetoma, with substantial improvement following training. The identification of presumptive cases by CHWs reflects their potential in community-based surveillance, emphasizing the need to integrate well-trained CHW to lead efforts for mycetoma surveillance and capacity building to enhance health outcomes in Uganda.
Mild burn amplifies the locomotive depression in demyelinated mice without muscle pathophysiological changes
Authors: Song Juquan , EI Ayadi Amina , Rontoyanni Victoria G. , Wolf Steven E.
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Patients with mild burns take most accounts, however, the impact of mild burns is less known. Nerve destruction leads to muscle atrophy. We posit that even mild burn injury could worsen demyelinated nerves related to muscle pathophysiological impairment.

Methods

Young adult C57BL/6 (male, n = 60) mice were randomly fed with either a 0.2% cuprizone diet or a regular rodent diet for 4 weeks. At week 5, all mice were then grouped into mild scald burn with 10% TBSA and sham injury groups. Mice received animal behavior tests and in situ muscle isometric force measurement before euthanasia for tissue collection.

Results

Total horizontal ambulation and vertical activity were significantly reduced in mice with mild burn injury (p<0.05). Mice with the cuprizone diet had significantly less time to fall than those with the regular diet on day 7 after burn (p<0.05). No significant difference was found in gastrocnemius tissue weight among the groups, nor muscle isometric tensions (all p>0.05). The cuprizone diet increased the maximal phosphorylating respiration in mice muscle mitochondria (p<0.05). The muscle protein expressions of caspase 3, Fbx-32, and Murf1 significantly increased in mice with the cuprizone diet 3 days after burn (p<0.05). The signal expression of S100B significantly increased in mice with the cuprizone diet, and its expression was even greater on day 7 after burn injury. (p<0.05)

Conclusion

The cuprizone diet-induced locomotion and cognitive disorders were amplified by the mild burn injury in mice, which is associated with muscle intracellular signal alterations. However, mild burn injury does not cause mouse muscle weight loss and function impairment. The potential risk of pre-existed neural impairment could be aware when patients encounter even small or mild burns.
Prevalence and risk of occurrence of visible birth defects in mining areas in South Kivu: A hospital-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Cikomola Fabrice Gulimwentuga , Bisimwa Alliance Wani , Nyalundja Arsene Daniel , Barthélemy Ernest J. , Matabaro Bijoux Safi , Mukamba Franck Masumbuko , Nyamugabo Kinja , Alumeti Désiré Munyali , Kabesha Théophile , Miserez Marc , Sengeyi Dieudonné Mushengezi
Published: October 2024

Background

Possible contamination related to mining activities might contribute with other risk factors in increasing the burden of birth defects (BDs) in many developing countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo. The subsequent prevalence is frequently underestimated. Implementation of focused public health interventions is hindered by the paucity of comprehensive data. We assessed the potential impact of mining on the prevalence and occurrence of visible BDs in neonates in South Kivu (SK).

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 65,474 newborns registered in 7 hospitals in SK from 2016-2021. Hospitals were categorized based on mining activities in their respective catchment areas. Living in a mining zone was the exposure, whereas the outcome was visible BDs. Prevalence was estimated per 100,000 live births, and risk of occurrence with odds ratio (OR) and their 95% confidence interval.

Results

261 neonates with visible BDs were recorded accounting for a prevalence of 399 cases per 100,000 live births. The prevalence ranges between 217 and 1365 cases per 100,000 live births. An increased risk was found in mining zones(OR=2.07; 95%CI=1.59-2.68), Mubumbano(OR=1.72, 95%CI=1.22-2.43), and Mwenga(OR=3.89, 95%CI=2.73-5.54), whereas a reduced risk was reported in non-mining zones(OR=0.48, 95%CI=0.37-0.62) in Katana (OR=0.49, 95%CI=0.33-0.73). Musculoskeletal(28.74%) and central nervous systems(19.92%) were the most common BDs. A significant difference in prevalence for BDs involving the face, GI system and abdominal wall, musculoskeletal, central nervous and genitourinary systems between mining and non-mining zones was found(p<0.001).

Conclusion

There is an excessive risk for visible BDs in areas with hazardous mining activities in SK region.​​ More complex studies are needed to define the possible causal relationship. Moreover, findings generated herein should be corroborated by other research design, periodically monitored by public health authorities, and used to inform initiatives promoting enhanced environmental health, access to pediatric surgical care, and public health campaigns aimed at decreasing risk of BDs.
Combining ability for agronomic traits among commercial maize hybrids under low and high nitrogen inputs targeting the development of breeding populations
Authors: Luz Luiz Silva , Reis Helber Moreira dos , de Leon da Costa Noé Mitterhofer Eiterer Ponce , Carvalho Flaviane Ribeiro , Caixeta Diego Gonçalves , DeLima Rodrigo Oliveira
Published: October 2024

Commercial hybrids are the main germplasm source for developing maize lines in breeding programs in Brazil; additionally, nitrogen (N) is one the major limiting maize production in Brazilian tropical areas. Here, we assessed the combining ability among ten commercial hybrids under contrasting N inputs and selected the best parental hybrids to develop breeding populations for optimal and N-stress environments. We evaluated the 45 F1 crosses for agronomic traits under contrasting N inputs and over two summer seasons. A mixed model approach was used to estimate the variance components of general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) as well as to predict the GCA and SCA effects. N-stress caused a reduction in GY (33.25%) of F1 crosses averaged across seasons. We found presence of combining ability (GCA and SCA) x N input interaction for grain yield (GY), days to pollen and plant stature. The parental hybrids showed differences in GCA for cycle and plant stature but not for GY, irrespective of N inputs. Additionally, the variance components of SCA were not significant (P>0.10) for GY under LN, whereas SCA was the major component accounting for variation among F1 crosses under HN. Based on estimates of GCA effects for cycle and plant height, we selected the hybrids BAL188, BM3061, GNZ7210, BRS1060 and DKB390 as sources of favorable alleles for earlier maturing and shorter stature maize for both N conditions and suggested that hybrids GNZ7201 and DKB390, and AG1051 and NS70, which presented very small estimates of SCA for GY, must be recombined to develop two synthetic populations to begin a reciprocal recurrent selection program, mainly for non N-stress environments.
Effectiveness of neck-specific exercises with and without internet-based support on dizziness/unsteadiness in chronic whiplash-associated disorders: Secondary analyses of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Peolsson Anneli , Wirqvist Sara , Kammerlind Ann-Sofi , Peterson Gunnel
Published: October 2024

Aim

To investigate the effectiveness in individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WADs) of neck-specific exercise (NSE) supervised by a physiotherapist twice a week for 12 weeks versus neck-specific exercise with internet support and four physiotherapy visits (NSEIT) regarding dizziness, unsteadiness and balance, and to investigate the differences between WAD grades.

Method

This is a secondary analysis of a prospective randomised multicentre study (RCT) with concealed allocation (ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol ID: NCT03022812). The outcomes were dizziness measured on the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI); dizziness at rest and during activity and unsteadiness using visual analogue scales; and standing on one leg with eyes closed (SOLEC). Participants (n = 140) were randomised to NSE or NSEIT. Measurements were obtained at baseline, and at three- and 15-month follow-ups by assessor-blinded investigators.

Results

There were no significant differences between NSEIT and NSE in any of the outcomes (p>0.38). Both NSEIT and NSE improved over time (p<0.02; effect size (ES) = 0.74–1.01) in DHI score and dizziness during activity. There was a significant group-by-time interaction effect in dizziness (at rest: p = 0.035; ES: 0.66; and during activity: p = 0.016; ES: 1.24) between WAD grades. Individuals with WAD grade 3 had dizziness/unsteadiness to a greater extent and improved in all outcomes over time (p<0.04) compared to those with WAD grade 2, except for SOLEC.

Conclusions

There were no significant group differences between NSEIT and NSE. Both groups decreased in terms of self-reported dizziness (DHI, dizziness during activity), with medium to large effect size. Those with WAD grade 3 have dizziness/unsteadiness to a greater extent than those with WAD grade 2. Despite improvements, many participants still reported dizziness at 15-month follow-up, and additional balance training and/or vestibular exercise may be investigated for potential additional effect.
Target detection of helicopter electric power inspection based on the feature embedding convolution model
Authors: Liu Dakun , Zhou Wei , Zhou Linzhen , Guan Wen
Published: October 2024

This study aims to improve the helicopter electric power inspection process by using the feature embedding convolution (FEC) model to solve the problems of small scope and poor real-time inspection. First, simulation experiments and model analysis determine the keyframe and flight trajectory. Second, an improved FEC model is proposed, extracting features from aerial images in large ranges in real time and accurately identifying and classifying electric power inspection targets. In the simulation experiment, the accuracy of the model in electric power circuit and equipment detection is improved by 30% compared with the traditional algorithm, and the inspection range is expanded by 26%. In addition, this study further optimizes the model with reinforcement learning technology, conducts a comparative analysis of different flight environments and facilities, and reveals the diversity and complexity of inspection objectives. The performance of the optimized model in fault detection is increased by more than 36%. In conclusion, the proposed model improves the accuracy and scope of inspection, provides a more scientific strategy for electric power inspection, and ensures inspection efficiency.
Ameliorative effects of Penthorum chinense Pursh on insulin resistance and oxidative stress in diabetic obesity db/db mice
Authors: Hu Jilei , Zheng Leyu , Fan Xi , Lang Hongmei , Xie Huibo , Lin Ning
Published: October 2024

Background

Penthorum chinense Pursh (PCP), a medicinal and edible plant, has been reported to protect against liver damage by suppressing oxidative stress. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with liver dysfunction and oxidative stress. In the present study, we aim to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of PCP on db/db mice and further explore the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Thirty-two db/db mice were randomized into four groups, including a diabetic model control group (MC) and three diabetic groups treated with low (LPCP, 300 mg/kg/d), medium (MPLP, 600 mg/kg/d), and high doses of PCP (HPCP, 1200 mg/kg/d), and the normal control group (NC) of eight db/m mice were included. Mice in the NC and MC groups received the ultrapure water. After four weeks of intervention, parameters of fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin resistance (IR), blood lipid levels, hepatic oxidative stress, and enzymes related to hepatic glucose metabolism were compared in the groups.

Results

PCP administration significantly reduced FBG and IR in diabetic db/db mice, and improved hepatic glucose metabolism by increasing glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) and glucokinase (GCK) protein expression. Meanwhile, PCP supplementation ameliorated hepatic oxidative stress by decreasing malonaldehyde content and increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in db/db mice. Furthermore, PCP treatment reduced obesity and food intake in db/db mice, and improved dyslipidemia demonstrated by increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) while decreasing total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). All doses of PCP treatment decreased the values of LDL-C/HDL-C in a dose-response relationship.

Conclusion

PCP significantly alleviated hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, and obesity, inhibited hepatic oxidative stress, and enhanced hepatic glucose transport in T2DM mice. Based on the above findings, the hypoglycemic effect of PCP may be attributed to the activation of the GLUT2/GCK expression in the liver and the reduction of hepatic oxidative stress.