bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facilitators and barriers to condom use in Middle East and North Africa: a systematic review
Authors: Hamidi Abier , Regmi Pramod , van Teijlingen Edwin
Published: May 2023

Background

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region continues to have the lowest prevalence of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) in the world, less than 0.1%, yet new transmissions are increasing. Consistent condom use can reduce the probability of transmission by 90–95%, and its use remains as the staple prevention method; however, this isn’t the case for the MENA region, where condom use, knowledge of proper use, and accessibility are limited.

Aims

To conduct a systematic review on condom use, its use across different population groups, and its barriers and facilitators in countries that fall under the UNAIDS regional classification of MENA.

Methods

This systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The search included electronic databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, Academic Search Ultimate, COCHRANE, APA PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, CINAHL Complete, Scopus. There was no date restriction.

Results

Of the 471 records retrieved, 45 articles were appraised and included in the analysis. The reported barriers and facilitators are sub-divided into personal, social, and structural factors. Condom accessibility, partner objection, and their perceived ineffectiveness were key barriers, whereas availability, cost, and lack of awareness were rarely mentioned. Concerns of personal health and future financial security, as well as positive peer influence and delayed sexual experience, were identified as motivators.

Conclusion

Condom promotion in the region needs to incorporate gender-based power in relationships and the influence of religion, as well as the legal and structural factors. More investment and research are needed for women-initiated contraceptive and digital healthcare initiatives.
Leadership in Ethical Practice: Students Learning Outcomes
Authors: Blaich Caitlyn , Kenny Belinda , Jimenez Yobelli
Published: May 2023

Health science students frequently experience ethical dilemmas on clinical placements, yet ethics education rarely prepares students with the ethical leadership skills required. The Leadership in Ethical Practice (LEP) program is an ethics education resource designed to enhance health science students’ knowledge and skills in ethical leadership to prepare them for clinical placements and future professional practice. This qualitative study aimed: to explore the nature of students’ ethical leadership goals; determine whether a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) format was an effective tool for students to create ethical leadership goals; and identify any changes in students’ pre- and post-self-ratings of ethical leadership knowledge following the LEP program. Eighty-two diagnostic radiography students from the University of Sydney participated in the study. Inductive and deductive qualitative content analysis (Elo & Kyngas, 2008) were used to explore students’ goals. Descriptive statistics were used to investigate students’ pre- and post-self-ratings. Four themes emerged from students’ goals: initiative, competence, and courage in ethical reasoning; communicating ethical stories through listening, questioning, and connecting; reflecting and growing as an ethical leader; and safe practice and person-centred outcomes. SMART goal format elements were evident in 61% of students’ goals. Students' ethical leadership self-ratings showed positive changes after participating in the LEP program. Findings indicated students planned to further develop ethical leadership skills during clinical placements and future professional practice. This study demonstrated the ethics education approaches used within the LEP could assist health science students to apply ethical leadership in future clinical practice.
Nonmonotone Globalization for Anderson Acceleration via Adaptive Regularization
Authors: Ouyang Wenqing , Tao Jiong , Milzarek Andre , Deng Bailin
Published: May 2023

Anderson acceleration ($$\textsf{AA}$$
AA
) is a popular method for accelerating fixed-point iterations, but may suffer from instability and stagnation. We propose a globalization method for $$\textsf{AA}$$
AA
to improve stability and achieve unified global and local convergence. Unlike existing $$\textsf{AA}$$
AA
globalization approaches that rely on safeguarding operations and might hinder fast local convergence, we adopt a nonmonotone trust-region framework and introduce an adaptive quadratic regularization together with a tailored acceptance mechanism. We prove global convergence and show that our algorithm attains the same local convergence as $$\textsf{AA}$$
AA
under appropriate assumptions. The effectiveness of our method is demonstrated in several numerical experiments.
Thermal analysis of tendon, cartilage and bone samples from shoulder joint replacement patients using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (DTA/TG)
Authors: Lőrinczy Dénes , Bata András , Lábas Zoltán , Shafiei Farid , Szabó Hajnalka , Cifra János , Nöt Laszlo G.
Published: May 2023

Despite advanced imaging techniques, more information on the extent of joint degeneration and modifications in tendon collagen content is required for selecting the appropriate type of shoulder prosthesis. The goal of this study was to compare the thermal parameters of various tissue samples from patients who had shoulder arthroplasty and to correlate the thermal shifts with the outcomes of radiological and histopathological assessments. Rotator cuff (ROC) tendon, hyaline cartilage, and subchondral bone samples were obtained throughout surgery for a comminuted 4-part proximal humerus fracture or cuff tear arthropathy. Thermal parameters were measured using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry (DTA/TG). ROC: The effect of advanced collagen damage was visible in denaturation curves of osteoarthritis samples. Only moderately increased thermal enthalpy and melting temperature were found in the tissue of the trauma patients. Cartilage: Thermal parameters revealed that structural change generated by pathologic conditions exceeded the effects of trauma. Bone: Thermal parameters from degenerative samples revealed more structural damage and calcification decrease than thermal parameters from trauma samples. Correlation: A statistically significant relationship between the extent of osteoarthritis and the thermal variables of cartilage and subchondral bone was discovered. Authors suggest that thermal analysis may be useful in the diagnostic process of orthopedic and posttraumatic shoulder diseases.
A novel and accurate deep learning-based Covid-19 diagnostic model for heart patients
Authors: Hassan Ahmed , Elhoseny Mohamed , Kayed Mohammed
Published: May 2023

Using radiographic changes of COVID-19 in the medical images, artificial intelligence techniques such as deep learning are used to extract some graphical features of COVID-19 and present a Covid-19 diagnostic tool. Differently from previous works that focus on using deep learning to analyze CT scans or X-ray images, this paper uses deep learning to scan electro diagram (ECG) images to diagnose Covid-19. Covid-19 patients with heart disease are the most people exposed to violent symptoms of Covid-19 and death. This shows that there is a special, unclear relation (until now) and parameters between covid-19 and heart disease. So, as previous works, using a general diagnostic model to detect covid-19 from all patients, based on the same rules, is not accurate as we prove later in the practical section of our paper because the model faces dispersion in the data during the training process. So, this paper aims to propose a novel model that focuses on diagnosing accurately Covid-19 for heart patients only to increase the accuracy and to reduce the waiting time of a heart patient to perform a covid-19 diagnosis. Also, we handle the only one existed dataset that contains ECGs of Covid-19 patients and produce a new version, with the help of a heart diseases expert, which consists of two classes: ECGs of heart patients with positive Covid-19 and ECGs of heart patients with negative Covid-19 cases. This dataset will help medical experts and data scientists to study the relation between Covid-19 and heart patients. We achieve overall accuracy, sensitivity and specificity 99.1%, 99% and 100%, respectively.
The role of intelligences in teams: a systematic literature review
Authors: Davaei Mahboobeh , Gunkel Marjaana
Published: May 2023

With organizations moving towards team-based structures, there is a great interest in studying organizational teams. Using a comprehensive, thorough, and systematic literature review, this study reviews the existing studies that have contributed to the importance of intelligences in various types of teams. This study intends to structure existing research, identify its current trends, and provide an overview of recent research strands and topics on the role of intelligences in organizational teams. Searches were conducted of Web of Science and EBSCO databases, and 44 eligible studies, published in Chartered Association of Business Schools (ABS) ≥ 2-star journals, were identified. The results indicate that cognitive ability, emotional intelligence, and cultural intelligence can be considered important factors contributing to various team-related outcomes. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate a growing interest in research on global virtual teams, which is a trend that is predicted to continue. Suggestions for future research directions are discussed.
Geophysical structural interpretation of Esh El Mallaha basin, southern Gulf of Suez: implications for oil potential in South Malak and Rabeh fields
Authors: Elbahrawy Ahmed , Omran Mohammad A. , Khamees Hossam , Sarhan Mohammad A.
Published: May 2023

Esh El Mellaha area is located at the western margin of the Gulf of Suez rift system. It is one of the most important potential hydrocarbon resources in the north Eastern Desert. Satellite images, field observations (e.g. measure relevant structures, lineaments mapping, compile maps at the outcrops) and seismic data were used to delineate the surface and subsurface structural elements of the area west of Esh El Mellaha range. The present study revealed that, the main structural trends have the directions NW–SE, NE–SW to NNW–SSE, WNW–ESE and ENE–WSW. The NW–SE trending faults are the major dominating trend which is related to the Gulf of Suez rift opening. The seismic interpretation step led to the identification of four prominent continuous reflectors and five depositional seismic sequences. The recognised seismic reflectors were named; Q, F, R and K and ranging in age from the Lower Miocene to the Middle–Upper Miocene. The petrophysical examination exhibits good reservoir quality for the sandstones of Matulla Formation in Rabeh and South Malak fields, southern Esh El Mellaha area. These reservoirs display low shale volume (5–20%); high effective porosity (10–20%), relatively low water saturation (40–55%) and pay thickness varies between 30 and 85 ft. Accordingly, this study highlights the oil potentiality of the Matulla sandstones for further exploration purposes in both Rabeh and South Malak fields.
Morphine Re-Arranges Chromatin Spatial Architecture of Primate Cortical Neurons
Authors: Wang Liang , Wang Xiaojie , Liu Chunqi , Xu Wei , Kuang Weihong , Bu Qian , Li Hongchun , Zhao Ying , Jiang Linhong , Chen Yaxing , Qin Feng , Li Shu , Wei Qinfan , Liu Xiaocong , Liu Bin , Chen Yuanyuan , Dai Yanping , Wang Hongbo , Tian Jingwei , Cao Gang , Zhao Yinglan , Cen Xiaobo
Published: May 2023

The expression of linear DNA sequence is precisely regulated by the three-dimensional (3D) architecture of chromatin. Morphine-induced aberrant gene networks of neurons have been extensively investigated; however, how morphine impacts the 3D genomic architecture of neurons is still unknown. Here, we applied digestion-ligation-only high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (DLO Hi-C) technology to investigate the effects of morphine on the 3D chromatin architecture of primate cortical neurons. After receiving continuous morphine administration for 90 days on rhesus monkeys, we discovered that morphine re-arranged chromosome territories, with a total of 391 segmented compartments being switched. Morphine altered over half of the detected topologically associated domains (TADs), most of which exhibited a variety of shifts, followed by separating and fusing types. Analysis of the looping events at kilobase-scale resolution revealed that morphine increased not only the number but also the length of differential loops. Moreover, all identified differentially expressed genes from the RNA sequencing data were mapped to the specific TAD boundaries or differential loops, and were further validated for changed expression. Collectively, an altered 3D genomic architecture of cortical neurons may regulate the gene networks associated with morphine effects. Our finding provides critical hubs connecting chromosome spatial organization and gene networks associated with the morphine effects in humans.
Equivalent income versus equivalent lifetime: does the metric matter?
Authors: Onder Harun , Pestieau Pierre , Ponthiere Gregory
Published: May 2023

We examine the effects of the postulated metric on the measurement of well-being, by comparing, in the (income, lifetime) space, two indexes: the equivalent income index and the equivalent lifetime index. The conditions under which the equivalent lifetime index exists are more restrictive than the ones under which the equivalent income index exists, but it is possible to define an alternative equivalent lifetime index, based on two reference income levels, for which the non-existence problem is less acute. Those indexes are also shown to satisfy different properties concerning interpersonal well-being comparisons, which can lead to contradictory rankings. While those incompatibilities arise under distinct indifference maps, we also explore the effects of the metric while relying on a unique indifference map, and show that, even in that case, the postulated metric matters for the measurement of well-being.
Exploring microfoundations and multilevel mechanisms of absorptive capacity in an emerging economy: empirical evidence from a leading car manufacturer
Authors: Kashan Alireza Javanmardi , Mohannak Kavoos , Torres de Oliveira Rui
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Despite the importance of knowledge processes in building absorptive capacity, we are less clear about the micro-processes of absorptive capacity development and particularly about the role of individuals' knowledge processes.

Design/methodology/approach

This study empirically examined, via an in-depth case study, the microfoundations of absorptive capacity and their influence on building absorptive capacity in an automaker across the course of four product innovation projects.

Findings

Findings suggested that dynamics in a knowledge environment informed individual-level tacit and explicit knowledge processes. In return, knowledge processes at the individual level informed organizational learning processes and the emergence of knowledge processes at organization level for acquisition, assimilation, transformation, and exploitation of new knowledge.

Originality

This study contributes to the literature by revealing individuals' knowledge processes from which absorptive capacity emerges. Practically, managers can use the findings of this study to promote certain knowledge processes to develop intended aspects of absorptive capacity at an individual level.
A CLASSIFICATION OF THE WADGE HIERARCHIES ON ZERO-DIMENSIONAL POLISH SPACES
Authors: CARROY RAPHAËL , MOTTO ROS LUCA , SCAMPERTI SALVATORE
Published: May 2023

We provide a complete classification, up to order-isomorphism, of all possible Wadge hierarchies on zero-dimensional Polish spaces using (essentially) countable ordinals as complete invariants. We also observe that although our assignment of invariants is very simple and there are only

$ \aleph _1 $

-many equivalence classes, the above classification problem is quite complex from the descriptive set-theoretic point of view: in particular, there is no Borel procedure to determine whether two zero-dimensional Polish spaces have isomorphic Wadge hierarchies. All results are based on a complete and explicit description of the Wadge hierarchy on an arbitrary zero-dimensional Polish space, depending on its topological properties.
Exploring the Quotidian: An Analysis of Plain-Weave Textiles at Cerro de Oro, Peru, during the Sixth to Tenth Centuries
Authors: Fernandini Parodi Francesca , Varillas Rosa María
Published: May 2023

Andean prehispanic textiles are renown for being complex masterpieces made with labor-intensive techniques and high-quality raw materials. Nevertheless, the vast majority of textiles, those used by the population at large, were plain, simple, and without any decoration. We study a sample composed of the most common textiles used by people living at Cerro de Oro in the Cañete Valley, Peru. Our analysis focuses on fiber selection, yarn thickness, and the presence of errors throughout the process of weaving. We discuss relevant aspects of the social process of textile production, such as the role played by plain-weave textiles in different contexts, their use in different types of garments, and the varied ways community members, with particular skill levels, participated in clothing the living and the dead at Cerro de Oro.
Which psychotherapy is most effective and acceptable in the treatment of adults with a (sub)clinical borderline personality disorder? A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Setkowski Kim , Palantza Christina , van Ballegooijen Wouter , Gilissen Renske , Oud Matthijs , Cristea Ioana A. , Noma Hisashi , Furukawa Toshi A. , Arntz Arnoud , van Balkom Anton J. L. M. , Cuijpers Pim
Published: May 2023

A broad range of psychotherapies have been proposed and evaluated in the treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD), but the question which specific type of psychotherapy is most effective remains unanswered. In this study, two network meta-analyses (NMAs) were conducted investigating the comparative effectiveness of psychotherapies on (1) BPD severity and (2) suicidal behaviour (combined rate). Study drop-out was included as a secondary outcome. Six databases were searched until 21 January 2022, including RCTs on the efficacy of any psychotherapy in adults (⩾18 years) with a diagnosis of (sub)clinical BPD. Data were extracted using a predefined table format. PROSPERO ID:CRD42020175411. In our study, a total of 43 studies (N = 3273) were included. We found significant differences between several active comparisons in the treatment of (sub)clinical BPD, however, these findings were based on very few trials and should therefore be interpreted with caution. Some therapies were more efficacious compared to GT or TAU. Furthermore, some treatments more than halved the risk of attempted suicide and committed suicide (combined rate), reporting RRs around 0.5 or lower, however, these RRs were not statistically significantly better compared to other therapies or to TAU. Study drop-out significantly differed between some treatments. In conclusion, no single treatment seems to be the best choice to treat people with BPD compared to other treatments. Nevertheless, psychotherapies for BPD are perceived as first-line treatments, and should therefore be investigated further on their long-term effectiveness, preferably in head-to-head trials. DBT was the best connected treatment, providing solid evidence of its effectiveness.
Exploring individual variation in Turkish heritage speakers’ complex linguistic productions: Evidence from discourse markers
Authors: Özsoy Onur , Blum Frederic
Published: May 2023

Research on multilingual speakers is often compared to monolingual baselines which are commonly treated as if they were homogeneous across speakers. Despite recent research showing that this homogeneity does not hold, these practices reproduce native-speakerism and monolingualism. Heritage language research, which established itself in the past two decades, is no exemption. Focusing on three predefined linguistic groups, namely Turkish speakers which are framed as monolingual in Turkey as well as two heritage bilingually framed groups in Germany and the USA, we ask: (1) Do heritage speakers of Turkish produce more discourse and fluency markers (FMs) than monolingual speakers? (2) Are the groups homogeneous, or is there wide variation between speakers across groups? We focus on the variation between and within groups using Bayesian Linear Regression with a multilevel model for speakers and heritage groups. Our findings confirm that the use of discourse and FMs is largely defined through individual variation, and not through the belonging to a certain speaker group. By focusing on variation across groups rather than between groups, our study design supports the growing body of literature that questions common heritage language research practices of today and shows alternative paths to understanding heritage grammars.
Implantation de l’Accompagnement-citoyen personnalisé d’intégration communautaire (APIC) : vers l’optimisation de la mise en œuvre de cette approche novatrice visant la participation sociale des aînés
Authors: Gobeil Janie , Gaumond Véronique , Germain Stéphanie , Vézina Audrey , Duguay Anne-Marie , Levasseur Mélanie
Published: May 2023

La présente étude visait à documenter l’implantation de l’Accompagnement-citoyen personnalisé d’intégration communautaire (APIC), lors duquel des bénévoles soutiennent la participation sociale d’aînés, dans des organismes communautaires en identifiant les facteurs favorables et défavorables ainsi que ses conditions essentielles. Soutenu par un devis qualitatif descriptif de type recherche clinique, une rencontre et six entretiens semi-dirigés ont été réalisés afin de documenter cette implantation dans six organismes communautaires œuvrant en milieu urbain au Québec (Canada). Selon les six coordonnatrices de l’APIC, les cinq directeurs généraux et l’agente de recherche, le principal facteur favorable est la conviction des responsables de l’implantation en la valeur ajoutée de l’intervention, incluant sa concordance avec la mission et les valeurs des organismes et les besoins de la population qu’ils desservent. Les facteurs défavorables sont principalement la répartition aléatoire et le temps accordé pour l’implantation. Ces résultats permettront de mieux guider l’implantation de l’APIC à plus grande échelle.
Prediction of the COVID-19 transmission: a case study of Pakistan
Authors: Sabir Qurat Ul An , Shafqat Ambreen , Aslam Muhammad
Published: May 2023

The world has suffered a lot from COVID-19 and is still on the verge of a new outbreak. The infected regions of coronavirus have been classified into four categories: SIRD model, (1) suspected, (2) infected, (3) recovered, and (4) deaths, where the COVID-19 transmission is evaluated using a stochastic model. A study in Pakistan modeled COVID-19 data using stochastic models like PRM and NBR. The findings were evaluated based on these models, as the country faces its third wave of the virus. Our study predicts COVID-19 casualties in Pakistan using a count data model. We’ve used a Poisson process, SIRD-type framework, and a stochastic model to find the solution. We took data from NCOC (National Command and Operation Center) website to choose the best prediction model based on all provinces of Pakistan, On the values of log L and AIC criteria. The best model among PRM and NBR is NBR because when over-dispersion happens; NBR is the best model for modelling the total suspected, infected, and recovered COVID-19 occurrences in Pakistan as it has the maximum log L and smallest AIC of the other count regression model. It was also observed that the active and critical cases positively and significantly affect COVID-19-related deaths in Pakistan using the NBR model.
Redefining caregiver strain for family caregivers in end-of-life care in Hong Kong
Authors: Chow Amy Yin Man , Fordjour Genevieve Ataa , Jiao Keyuan , Jung Nahri , Chan Iris Kwan Ning , Kuok Chak Nam
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Caregiving for family members at their end of life is stressful. Caregivers’ strain, burden, or stress has been measured in various geographical and sociodemographic contexts. The concept of stress, burden, and strain are sometimes used interchangeably. By analysing the factor structure of the Chinese version of the Modified Caregiver Strain Index (C-M-CSI), this study aimed to examine the caregiving strain concept and its demographic correlates.

Methods

A sample of 453 family caregivers of patients with a terminal illness in Hong Kong was employed. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed. In addition, generalized linear models (GLM) were used to examine the demographic correlates.

Results

The EFA yielded a 3-factor model termed “Perception of Caregiving,” “Empathetic Strain,” and “Adjustment Demand.” This 3-factor model explained 50% of the variance and showed good internal consistency. The CFA confirmed the 3-factor construct with satisfactory internal reliability (χ2 [61, N = 226] = 108.86, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.95, SRMR = 0.04, and RMSEA = 0.06). Inspired by this factor structure and concepts of stress and strain from engineering discipline, a new model of caregiver strain is proposed. Additionally, family caregivers of non-cancer patients, who were not living with the patient, or younger were associated negatively with different dimensions of caregiver strain.

Significance of results

The results gave insights into the advancement of the conceptualization of caregiver strain, its multidimensional nature, and process of change, which inform directions for future research and practices.
Germination ecology and response to herbicides of Ludwigia prostrata and their implication for weed control in paddy fields
Authors: Li Tao , Qian Huawei , Yuan Guohui , Fan Jiequn , Guo Shuiliang
Published: May 2023

Prostrate water primrose is a troublesome weed in rice paddy fields. A study was conducted to determine the influence of environmental and agronomic factors on its emergence. The efficacy of herbicides on this species was also examined. The germination percentage of mature seeds remained above 90% within 180 d after harvest, indicating a low primary dormancy of this species. Light stimulated seed germination. Seeds buried deeper than 0.5 cm did not form seedlings. These results suggest that stale seedbed practices and deep tillage operations can mitigate the occurrence of this species in paddy fields. The optimum temperature for germination varied from 25/15 C to 35/25 C. The osmotic potential and salt concentration needed to inhibit 50% of maximum germination were −0.4 MPa and 197 mM, respectively. Seeds were tolerant to flooding and did not germinate at pH 8 to 10. The preemergence herbicides oxadiazon, oxadiargyl, and butachlor had excellent control efficacy on prostrate water primrose, with a 95.4% to 100% reduction in seedling number and a 99.2% to 100% reduction in biomass, respectively. The postemergence herbicides MCPA-Na + bentazone, bentazone, MCPA-Na, and fluroxypyr applied at the 2- to 3-leaf stage of prostrate water primrose provided a 90.6% to 100% reduction in seedling number and a 99.3% to 100% reduction in biomass. The results of this study can help in developing sustainable and effective integrated weed management strategies for controlling prostrate water primrose in paddy fields.
Screening und Assessment zur frühzeitigen Identifikation und Abklärung von Mangelernährung im Alter
Authors: Kiesswetter Eva
Published: May 2023

Zusammenfassung: Mangelernährung ist unter älteren Menschen weitverbreitet und führt aufgrund von Veränderungen der Körperzusammensetzung und -funktion zu zahlreichen negativen klinischen Konsequenzen. Voraussetzung für eine erfolgreiche Prävention oder Therapie ist die frühzeitige Erkennung älterer Personen, die gefährdet sind, eine Mangelernährung zu entwickeln, oder schon davon betroffen sind. In geriatrischen Einrichtungen wird daher ein Mangelernährungsscreening mit einem validierten Instrument (z.B. Mini Nutritional Assessment oder Nutritional Risk Screening) routinemässig und in regelmässigen Abständen empfohlen. Im Falle eines positiven Befunds wird ein anschliessendes Ernährungs-Assessment zur Diagnosebestätigung, zur Ursachenabklärung und zur Bestimmung des Energie- und Proteindefizits durchgeführt, um zielgerichtete ernährungstherapeutische Massnahmen einleiten zu können und dadurch den Ernährungszustand der älteren Personen und damit verbunden die Gesamtprognose zu verbessern.
Caring Through COVID
Authors: Plys Evan , Ahmad Nina , Netten Allegra , Williams Kadija N. , Tyrrell Caitlin J. , Weiskittle Rachel E. , Reddin Shauna , Mitchell Milann , Strong Jessica V.
Published: May 2023

Abstract: This multisite quality improvement (QI) project reports on a psychotherapy group for family care partners of persons living with neurodegenerative conditions. Following the plan-do-study-act model, a team of geropsychologists iteratively developed, implemented, and refined the 8-week “Caring Through COVID” psychotherapy group across five cycles from January 2021 to April 2022. Participants were 21 spouses or adult children of persons living with neurodegenerative conditions. Across two clinics, participants evidenced moderate improvements in caregiver burden ( d = .59), self-efficacy for caregiving ( d = −.64), and self-efficacy for emotion regulation ( d = −.60). The group was perceived positively by participants. This QI project demonstrates the real-world implementation of a psychotherapy group developed during the COVID-19 pandemic and refined to remain ongoing.
A Symbiosis Between Agriculture and Solar Power
Authors: Sidder Aaron
Published: May 2023

A growing population requires more food and energy, which compete for limited space…unless they don’t.
Aggregates of conjugated polymers: bottom-up control of mesoscopic morphology and photophysics
Authors: Kim Chanwoo , Joung Hyeyoung , Kim Hyung Jun , Paeng Keewook , Kaufman Laura J. , Yang Jaesung
Published: May 2023

Conjugated polymer (CP) aggregates have been the focus of considerable research, as these mesoscopic entities, compared with single CP chains, provide environments more analogous to those present in polymer-based optoelectronics in terms of the complexity of morphology and chain interactions; thereby, such aggregates hold the potential to provide insights into structure–function relationships highly relevant to optoelectronic device efficiency and stability. This review article highlights single-aggregate spectroscopy studies of CP aggregates based on a combination of solvent vapor annealing and single-molecule fluorescence techniques and draws mesoscopic connections between morphology, electronic coupling, and photophysics in CPs. This molecular-level understanding will pave the way for the bottom-up control of optoelectronic properties from the molecular to the device-length scale.
On-chip spin-photon entanglement based on photon-scattering of a quantum dot
Authors: Chan Ming Lai , Tiranov Alexey , Appel Martin Hayhurst , Wang Ying , Midolo Leonardo , Scholz Sven , Wieck Andreas D. , Ludwig Arne , Sørensen Anders Søndberg , Lodahl Peter
Published: May 2023

The realization of on-chip quantum interfaces between flying photons and solid-state spins is a key building block for quantum-information processors, enabling, e.g., distributed quantum computing, where remote quantum registers are interconnected by flying photons. Self-assembled quantum dots integrated into nanostructures are one of the most promising systems for such an endeavor thanks to their near-unity photon-emitter coupling and fast spontaneous emission rate. Here we demonstrate high-fidelity on-chip entanglement between an incoming photon and a stationary quantum-dot hole spin qubit. The entanglement is induced by sequential scattering of the time-bin encoded photon interleaved with active spin control within a microsecond, two orders of magnitude faster than those achieved in other solid-state platforms. Conditioning on the detection of a reflected photon renders the entanglement fidelity immune to the spectral wandering of the emitter. These results represent a major step towards realizing a quantum node capable of interchanging information with flying photons and on-chip quantum logic, as required for quantum networks and quantum repeaters.
A web-based system to determine risk of investment in international rail construction projects
Authors: Yuan Ting
Published: May 2023

Manual evaluation of investment risk make results and solutions are not timely. The objective of the study is to explore intelligent risk data collecting and risk early warning of international rail construction. First, this study has identified risk variables by content mining. Second, risk thresholds are calculated by the quantile method based on data from 2010 to A.D. 2019. Third, this study has developed risk early warning system by the gray system theory model, the matter-element extension method and the entropy weight method. Fourth, the risk early warning system is verified using Nigeria coastal railway project in Abuja. This study found that: (1) the framework of the developed risk warning system contains a software and hardware infrastructure layer, a data collection layer, an application support layer, and an application layer. (2) 37 investment risk variables are recognized; (3) 12 risk variables thresholds intervals are not equally divided between 0 and 1, the others are evenly distributed; (4) based on the application of Nigeria coastal railway project in Abuja, the system verification results are consistent with real situations, which is shown that risk early warning system is reasonable and feasible. These findings offer a good reference for intelligent risk management.
A versatile method to fingerprint and compare the oxidative behaviour of lipids beyond their oxidative stability
Authors: Pizzimenti Silvia , Bernazzani Luca , Duce Celia , Tinè Maria Rosaria , Bonaduce Ilaria
Published: May 2023

In this work we propose the use of isothermal thermogravimetry to evaluate the oxidative stability of a lipid and to evaluate how the glyceride composition affects the entire oxidative process, to quantify the oxidation undertaken by the lipid, and numerically compare the oxidative behaviour of different lipids. The innovative aspect of the present method lies in the acquisition of a prolonged “oxygen uptake” curve (4000–10,000 min) of a lipid under oxygen and in the development of a semi-empirical fitting equation for the experimental data. This provides the induction period (oxidative stability), and allows to evaluate the rate of oxidation, the rate and the magnitude of oxidative degradation, the overall mass loss and the mass of oxygen taken by the lipid upon time. The proposed approach is used to characterize the oxidation of different edible oils with different degrees of unsaturation (linseed oil, sunflower oil, and olive oil) as well as chemically simpler compounds used in the literature to model the autoxidation of vegetable oils and lipids in general: triglycerides (glyceryl trilinolenate, glyceryl trilinoleate and glyceryl trioleate) and methyl esters (methyl linoleate and methyl linolenate). The approach proves very robust and very sensitive to changes in the sample composition.
Bacteria-targeted delivery of black phosphorus quantum dots facilitates photothermal therapy against hypoxic tumors and complementary low-dose radiotherapy
Authors: Ji Pengchao , Chen Jinghua , Wang Hao , Shi Linfei , Tang Xudong , Duo Yanhong
Published: May 2023

Many approaches have been employed to relieve hypoxia in solid tumors to enhance sensitivity to radiotherapy (RT), including O2 delivery or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) decomposition strategies.
Mechanistic insights into amination via nucleophilic aromatic substitution
Authors: Kim Junu , Hayashi Yusuke , Badr Sara , Okamoto Kazuya , Hakogi Toshikazu , Furukawa Haruo , Yoshikawa Satoshi , Nakanishi Hayao , Sugiyama Hirokazu
Published: May 2023

Extensive kinetic investigations were performed to identify novel reaction pathways and assess their feasibility to resolve contradictions in the reported understanding of an amination reaction via nucleophilic aromatic substitution.
Antibacterial hydrogel therapy for eradication of wound associated polymicrobial biofilms
Authors: Haidari Hanif , Kopecki Zlatko
Published: May 2023

The recalcitrance of bacterial biofilms to current antimicrobials has presented a major cause of clinical recurrence of wound infections. These biofilm-associated infections are often present in polymicrobial nature associated with the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus creating a large heterogeneity that shares a common resistance to current antimicrobials making pathogen eradication extremely challenging. In this study, we overcome the intrinsic biofilm barriers by delivering ultrasmall-sized silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using a smart hydrogel system that allows slow and sustained release of silver ions mediating successful accumulation and penetration of bacterial biofilms. The antibiofilm efficacy of the AgNP hydrogel was assessed using ex vivo porcine wound polymicrobial biofilms. Treatment with AgNP hydrogel resulted in significant dispersion of early to mature biofilms, 2–5-log reduction of bacteria compared to untreated controls. This approach overcomes the enhanced tolerance and resistance of polymicrobial biofilms by using the combined benefits of smart delivery system and the antibiofilm properties of ultrasmall AgNPs to ensure biofilm complete destruction and elimination.
DFT-based computational investigations of structural, mechanical, optoelectronics, and thermoelectric properties of InXF3 (X = Be and Sr) ternary fluoroperovskites compounds
Authors: Husain Mudasser , Rahman Nasir , Sohail Mohammad , Khan Rajwali , Zaman Tahir , Neffati Riadh , Murtaza Ghulam , Azzouz-Rached Ahmed , Khan Aurangzeb
Published: May 2023

Wide-band gap semiconductors are very interesting due to their high frequency applications. Perovskite have proved to be most stable structures useful for many applications e.g. solar cells detectors etc The current work is based on the prediction of two new materials (InXF3 where X = Be and Sr) for the use of high energy applications. The modelling and simulations were performed through the WIEN2K and BoltzTrap2 packages. The most accurate and precise exchange-correlation of TB-mBJ potential interfaced within WIEN2K is utilized for obtaining better results. The results showed that the selected compounds possess a cubic crystal structure with a space group of Pm-3m (#221). The Goldschmidt’s tolerance factor (τ) is determined and is found to be 0.96 for InBeF3 and 0.92 for InSrF3 which indicates the stability of the compounds in cubic phase. The unit cell crystal structural optimization is done to evaluate the ground state lattice parameters. Both the compounds possess a semiconducting nature having an indirect band gap of 3.06 eV for InBeF3 from M-X symmetry points while a direct band gap from X-X of 3.98 eV for InSrF3 compound. The optical properties are computed and analyzed from the optical dielectric function for both the compounds within the energy range of 0 eV to 40 eV and the results depict that these materials are more sensitive at higher energy range, possess high absorption and optical conductivity in good agreement with electronic band structure. Mechanically these compounds are stable, ductile, anisotropic, and hard to scratch. The thermoelectric properties are evaluated for InXF3 (X = Be and Sr) compounds up to a temperature range of 1000 K. This work can open new opportunities for further exploration in this field.
Infra-red deformation of the non-relativistic matter as an alternative for dark energy
Authors: Roushan M , Nozari K , Rashidi N
Published: May 2023

We study some thermodynamic properties of the late time universe in the presence of a minimal measurable momentum/maximal length scale. With a minimal measurable momentum/maximal length scale as an infrared cutoff, it is possible to realize the late time cosmic speed up even with the standard non-relativistic matter as the Universe content. In this framework, we show that the cosmic effective entropy decreases with time and the specific heat capacity is negative in a constant volume. Both these interesting features are due to the presence of a minimal measurable momentum/maximal length scale that causes the positively accelerated expansion even with ordinary, non-relativistic matter.
Propagatory dynamics of electromagnetic drift waves in inhomogeneous spin degenerate compact objects plasmas
Authors: Ahmad Zulfiqar , Mushtaq A
Published: May 2023

A theoretical analysis is carried out to investigate the dynamics of electromagnetic drift modes in non-uniform spin quantum magnetoplasmas found in degenerate compact objects. General dispersion relations are derived using spin quantum hydrodynamic equations, Poisson equation, and Maxwell equation, with and without ion inertial effects. The effects of quantum spin magnetization, Bohm potential, and density inhomogeneity on the dispersion of electromagnetic drift modes are explored numerically. The advancing theoretical analysis demonstrated herein has strong correlations and consistencies with the dynamic growth of compact astrophysical objects and their surrounding atmospheres, such as black holes, white dwarfs, and dense molecular clouds.
Experimental generation and characterization of partially spatially coherent qubits
Authors: Sharma Preeti , Rao Sakshi , Kanseri Bhaskar
Published: May 2023

Partially spatially coherent qubits are more immune to turbulent atmospheric conditions than coherent qubits, which makes them excellent candidates for free-space quantum communication. In this article, we report the generation of partially spatially coherent qubits in a spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) process using a Gaussian Schell model (GSM) pump beam. For this non-linear process, we demonstrate experimentally for the first time, the transfer of spatial coherence features of the pump (classical) to the biphotons (quantum) field. Also, the spatial profiles of partially coherent qubits generated in type-I and type-II non-collinear SPDC process are experimentally observed and multi-mode nature of partially coherent photons (qubit) is ascertained. These investigations pave the way toward the efficient generation of partially spatially coherent qubits with a tunable degree of spatial coherence, which lead to wide range of applications in frontier areas such as quantum cryptography, teleportation, imaging, and lithography.
Electromagnetically induced grating in azimuthal dependent three-level quantum dot system
Authors: Aslla-Quispe A P , Camacho-Orbegoso E W , Farfán-Latorre M , Lavilla-Condori W G , Madueño-Portilla R , Rodas-Guizado E , Carrión-Abollaneda R , Luján-Pérez D , Huamán-Romaní Y L , Garrido-Arismendis J J
Published: May 2023

The Fraunhofer diffraction pattern in a three-level quantum dot nanostructure is examined. A probe light, a two-dimensional standing wave field, and a weak signal light are the three optical laser fields that the graphene quantum dot interacts with them. The Fraunhofer diffraction pattern of the probe transmitted light has been addressed under two different coupling situations, including when the weak signal light into an optical vortex beam and a plane wave. The Fraunhofer diffraction pattern becomes symmetric for plane wave coupling light, and the diffracted light can be adjusted by the relative phase between applied lights. However, using the orbital angular momentum of light, it is possible to obtain an asymmetric diffraction pattern for optical light. It has been discovered that in both instances, phase modulation of the probe light’s transmission function allows the probe energy to move from zero order to higher orders.
Optimization and first electronic implementation of the Constant-Fraction Time-Over-Threshold pulse shape discrimination method
Authors: Roy A. , Vartsky D. , Mor I. , Boiano C. , Brambilla S. , Riboldi S. , Cohen E.O. , Yehuda-Zada Y. , Beck A. , Arazi L.
Published: May 2023

In this contribution we report on further investigations of the recently-evaluated Constant-Fraction Time-over-Threshold (CF-ToT) method for neutron/gamma-ray Pulse Shape Discrimination (PSD). The superiority of the CF-ToT PSD method over the constant-threshold (CT-ToT) method was previously demonstrated, down to low neutron energy thresholds of 100 keVee. Here, we report on a quantitative comparison between the traditionally used Charge Comparison (CC) method and the CF-ToT method using a stilbene scintillator coupled to a silicon photomultiplier, implementing an offline analysis of recorded fast-neutron and gamma-ray waveforms. An optimization of the constant fraction value indicates that a 20%-fraction yields the optimum figure-of-merit (FOM) and gamma-ray peak-to-valley (P/V) ratio. The results obtained for a particle energy threshold of 100 keVee (kilo electron Volt electron equivalent) show that the FOM and P/V values achieved with the CF-ToT method are superior to those obtained using the standard CC method. In addition, a first electronic implementation of the CF-ToT method was performed using simple circuitry suitable for multichannel architecture. Initial results obtained with this circuit prototype are presented.
Seasonal variation in molecular and physiological stress markers in Asian elephants
Authors: Ukonaho Susanna , Berger Vérane , Franco dos Santos Diogo J , Htut Win , Aung Htoo Htoo , Nyeing U Kyaw , Reichert Sophie , Lummaa Virpi
Published: May 2023

Free-living species exhibit seasonal variation in various life history traits, including vital rates such as birth and death patterns. Different physiological mechanisms are thought to underlie the expression of life history traits that contribute to lifetime fitness. However, although the broad impacts of seasonality on life history traits and trade-offs is well established in many systems, the exact physiological mechanisms responsible for driving differences within and between individuals are poorly understood. Among them, molecular and physiological stress pathways, such as stress hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and oxidative stress, have potential to mediate relationships between individual survival, reproduction and environmental seasonality. Here, we determine how different physiological markers of stress including faecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs), heterophils/lymphocytes (H/L) ratio, two markers indicating oxidative balance including a marker of oxidative damage (reactive oxygen metabolites, ROM) and a marker of antioxidant defences (superoxide dismutase, SOD) and body weight vary in a large semi-captive population of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) exposed to extreme seasonality (e.g. elevated temperatures). Individuals showed higher FCM levels and H/L ratios during cold season, indicating increased stress, and the lowest FCM levels during monsoon season and H/L ratios during hot and dry season, but we found no pattern in oxidative stress (ROM and SOD) levels. Hot season also associated with a decline in body weight. The present study shows how different physiological parameters (FCM levels and H/L ratio), molecular (oxidative stress) and body condition vary with seasonal changes, and how these parameters might allow individuals to adapt to such variations. Our results on an endangered long-lived species are crucial in indicating the most productive timing for conservation efforts, predicting how individuals cope with environmental changes, and allow for a more accurate representation of how animal physiology operates in nature.