bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maintenance schedule optimization based on distribution characteristics of the extreme temperature and relative humidity of Cave 87 in the Mogao Grottoes
Authors: Zhang Yanjie , Wang Yajun
Published: July 2023

Frequent fluctuations in microclimate inevitably cause serious irreversible damage to cultural heritage (such as high risks of cracking, flaking, salt efflorescence, swelling, disaggregation, surface layer detachment, and even microbe diseases). For the caves closed to the visitors, specifying a more rational schedule to minimize human influences on the microclimate is urgent and significant for daily maintenance of the Mogao Grottoes. Interior microclimate fluctuations are caused by air convection between the inside and outside environments, which is highly related to internal and external microclimate differences. Therefore, the occurrence times of the extreme values of temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), T difference (inside T minus outside T), and RH difference (inside RH minus outside RH) between the inside and outside environments of Cave 87 were analysed. The results indicated that the times of the extreme T/RH and T/RH differences showed obvious seasonal characteristics. From April to September, both the daily minimum T and RH differences mainly occurred from 8 am ~ 11 am, and the maximum differences were observed from 16 pm ~ 21 pm. This indicates that door openings for daily investigation and maintenance should be arranged in the morning rather than in the afternoon. The times of the daily extreme T and RH differences occurred from 16 pm ~ 19 pm (minimum) and 8 am ~ 11 am (maximum) from January ~ March and October ~ December, and the door opening time should be accordingly optimized. The analysis results provide more reasonable and specific door opening times for Cave 87 and a scientific reference for preventive conservation of the Mogao Grottoes.
Typical carcinoid in right middle lobe of pulmonary hypoplasia
Authors: Kubouchi Yasuaki , Kojima Shunsuke , Fujiwara Wakako , Miyamoto Tatsuya , Matsui Shinji , Ohno Takashi , Haruki Tomohiro , Nakamura Hiroshige
Published: July 2023

Background

Pulmonary typical carcinoid occurring in hypoplasia of the right middle lobe is very rare.

Case presentation

A routine examination's chest X-ray revealed an abnormal shadow in the right middle lung field of an 82-year-old Japanese woman. A chest computed tomography scan showed a solid 2.5 × 2.0-cm nodule in the very small right middle lobe. A trans-bronchial lung biopsy of the mass in the right middle lobe was performed; it revealed atypical cells with round nuclei growing in multiple foci, and immunostaining was positive for chromogranin A, synaptophysin and CD56, suggesting pulmonary carcinoid. The preoperative clinical diagnosis of primary lung cancer, cT1cN0M0 stage IA3 was considered. A right middle lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection were performed by video-assisted thoracic surgery. Intraoperatively, the middle lobe of the right lung was very small, with 1- to 2-mm-dia. pulmonary arteries and veins that were considered hypoplastic. The final histopathological diagnosis was typical carcinoid, pT2aN0M0 stage IB based on the presence of pleural invasion.

Conclusions

Including the present patient, only nine cases of lung cancer occurring within pulmonary hypoplasia have been reported, most of which were typical carcinoid.
Immunohistochemical expression of P53 protein in nephroblastoma: a predictor of unfavorable prognosis
Authors: Morgan Emmanuel D. , Yahaya James J. , Ngaiza Advera I. , Othieno Emmanuel , Livex Okwi A.
Published: July 2023

Objective

Immunohistochemical expression of P53 protein is so closely related to status of mutation of P53 gene which is tightly linked with pathogenesis of nephroblastoma or Wilms tumor. This study aims to determine the immunohistochemical expression of P53 protein and its predictors in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of patients with nephroblastoma.

Materials and methods

A series of 83 histologically diagnosed cases of nephroblastoma from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks archived at the Department of Pathology, Makerere University, in Kampala, Uganda, were analyzed. Monoclonal anti-p53 antibody (DO-7, DAKO) was used to assess the expression of P53 protein expression. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of P53 protein immunohistochemical expression, and statistical significance was considered when p-value was less than 0.05.

Results

Most (42.2%, n = 35) of the cases were in advanced tumor stages (III–V), and almost one-quarter (21.7%, n = 18) of the cases were in high-risk group. The immunohistochemical expression of P53 protein was (8.4%, n = 7), and there were more (83.3%, n = 5) positive anaplastic cases for P53 protein compared with (2.6%, n = 2) of P53 expression for non-anaplastic cases. High risk (AOR = 3.42, 95% CI = 7.91–12.55, p = 0.037) and anaplasia (AOR = 1.41, 95% CI = 13.85–4.46, p = 0.001) were potential predictors of immunohistochemical expression of P53 protein.

Conclusion

Most of patients with nephroblastoma in resources-limited settings are diagnosed with advanced clinical stages. Association of P53 protein with anaplasia found in this study indicates the possibility of having novel target therapy for treatment of patients with anaplastic form of nephroblastoma with a focus of identifying molecules that lead to its suppression in such subpopulations of patients with nephroblastoma.
The Book of Revolt and the House of Rejection: On Neoliberalism and the Constitutional Process in Chile, 2019–2022
Authors: Ojeda Jorge Pavez
Published: July 2023

As an introductory framework to the dossier, this article analyzes the Chilean political process based on the images that (re)emerged with the 2019 revolt and that were deployed in the constitutional process channeled into a Constitutional Convention (2020–22). It shows how the old ghosts of class, gender, and the nation appear in these “mental images,” the same ghosts that have historically operated in the defeat of transformative projects and contributed to the reproduction of an authoritarian and elitist society, whose neoconservative/neoliberal oligarchy has managed to restore the conditions of its domination. The article proposes these observations to stimulate the reading of the contributions to this dossier, which problematize different aspects of the political process under discussion: the aporetic relationship among revolt, violence, and law; the citizenry's turn from a desire of community and transformation expressed in the revolt to a feeling of fear and attachment to private property; writing as a practice, support, and challenge of the people's critical expression; the tension between the performance of the revolt as a failure and as a reset of neoliberal performativity; and the territorial and deterritorializing wagers in relation to affective infrastructures that became revolt and that continue through other means.
Strategies to Promote Vaccine Uptake in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring the “Ladder of Intrusiveness” in Three Countries
Authors: Cacace Mirella , Castelli Michele , Toth Federico
Published: July 2023

Context: A key task for countries around the world facing the COVID-19 pandemic was to achieve high vaccination coverage of the population. To overcome “vaccination inertia,” governments adopted a variety of policy instruments. These instruments can be placed along a “ladder of intrusiveness” based on their degree of constraint of individual freedoms. The aim of this study is to investigate how the governments of three European countries moved along the ladder of intrusiveness and how the choice of policy instruments was influenced by contextual factors.

Methods: The study draws on secondary data sources, including academic and gray literature, policy documents, and opinion polls, over an observation period from December 2020 to summer 2022. The study employs inductive logic to analyze data and identify the factors explaining similarities and differences across England, Germany, and Italy.

Findings: The study identifies similarities and differences in how the three countries advanced along the ladder of intrusiveness. Contextual factors such as policy legacy, social acceptability, and ideological orientation contribute to explain the observations.

Conclusions: Country-specific contextual factors play an important role in understanding the choice of policy instruments adopted by the three countries. Policy makers should carefully consider these factors when planning immunization strategies.
Mechanotransduction through hemidesmosomes during aging and longevity
Authors: Ewald Collin Y. , Nyström Alexander
Published: July 2023

Hemidesmosomes are structural protein complexes localized at the interface of tissues with high mechanical demand and shear forces. Beyond tissue anchoring, hemidesmosomes have emerged as force-modulating structures important for translating mechanical cues into biochemical and transcriptional adaptation (i.e. mechanotransduction) across tissues. Here, we discuss the recent insights into the roles of hemidesmosomes in age-related tissue regeneration and aging in C. elegans, mice and humans. We highlight the emerging concept of preserved dynamic mechanoregulation of hemidesmosomes in tissue maintenance and healthy aging.
α- and β-tubulin C-terminal tails with distinct modifications are crucial for ciliary motility and assembly
Authors: Kubo Tomohiro , Tani Yuma , Yanagisawa Haru-Aki , Kikkawa Masahide , Oda Toshiyuki
Published: July 2023

α- and β-tubulin have an unstructured glutamate-rich region at their C-terminal tails (CTTs). The function of this region in cilia and flagella is still unclear, except that glutamates in CTTs act as the sites for post-translational modifications that affect ciliary motility. The unicellular alga Chlamydomonas possesses only two α-tubulin and two β-tubulin genes, each pair encoding an identical protein. This simple gene organization might enable a complete replacement of the wild-type tubulin with its mutated version. Here, using CRISPR/Cas9, we generated mutant strains expressing tubulins with modified CTTs. We found that the mutant strain in which four glutamate residues in the α-tubulin CTT had been replaced by alanine almost completely lacked polyglutamylated tubulin and displayed paralyzed cilia. In contrast, the mutant strain lacking the glutamate-rich region of the β-tubulin CTT assembled short cilia without the central apparatus. This phenotype is similar to mutant strains harboring a mutation in a subunit of katanin, the function of which has been shown to depend on the β-tubulin CTT. Therefore, our study reveals distinct and important roles of α- and β-tubulin CTTs in the formation and function of cilia.
Evolving views of ionic, osmotic and acid–base regulation in aquatic animals
Authors: Tresguerres Martin , Kwan Garfield T. , Weinrauch Alyssa
Published: July 2023

The regulation of ionic, osmotic and acid–base (IOAB) conditions in biological fluids is among the most fundamental functions in all organisms; being surrounded by water uniquely shapes the IOAB regulatory strategies of water-breathing animals. Throughout its centennial history, Journal of Experimental Biology has established itself as a premier venue for publication of comparative, environmental and evolutionary studies on IOAB regulation. This Review provides a synopsis of IOAB regulation in aquatic animals, some of the most significant research milestones in the field, and evolving views about the underlying cellular mechanisms and their evolutionary implications. It also identifies promising areas for future research and proposes ideas for enhancing the impact of aquatic IOAB research.
How Social Security Reform Affects Retirement and Pension Claiming
Authors: Lalive Rafael , Magesan Arvind , Staubli Stefan
Published: July 2023

A reform increasing the full retirement age (FRA) by one year leads to larger than expected delays in pension claiming and retirement, while making late claiming more lucrative leads to a smaller than expected delay in pension claiming. Survey evidence shows people view the FRA as the “normal” retirement age and prefer to couple pension claiming and retirement decisions together, even though these two decisions are not coupled through social security provisions. Two mechanisms are at work: reference dependence with loss aversion in pension claiming, and spillovers from pension claiming on retirement choices. The FRA increase leads to large government savings. (JEL H55, J26)
Investing in Ex Ante Regulation: Evidence from Pharmaceutical Patent Examination
Authors: Frakes Michael D. , Wasserman Melissa F.
Published: July 2023

We explore how the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office may improve the quality of issued patents on “secondary” drug features by giving examiners more time to review drug patent applications. Our findings suggest that current time allocations are causing examiners to issue low-quality secondary patents on the margin. To assess the merits of expanding ex ante scrutiny of drug patent applications at the agency, we set forth estimates of the various gains and losses associated with giving examiners more time, including reduced downstream litigation costs and added personnel expenses, along with both the static gains and dynamic innovation losses associated with earlier generic entry. (JEL K11, L65, O31, O34, O38)
More than Words: Leaders’ Speech and Risky Behavior during a Pandemic
Authors: Ajzenman Nicolás , Cavalcanti Tiago , Da Mata Daniel
Published: July 2023

This paper investigates whether the anti-scientific rhetoric of modern populists can induce followers to engage in risky behavior. We gather electoral information, credit card expenses, and geo-localized mobile phone data for approximately 60 million devices in Brazil. After the president publicly dismissed the risks of the COVID-19 pandemic and challenged scientific recommendations, social distancing in pro-government localities declined. Consistently, credit card expenses increased immediately. Results are driven by localities with higher media penetration levels, active Twitter accounts, and a larger proportion of evangelical Christians, a critical electoral group. (JEL D72, D91, I12, I18, L82, O15, Z12)
Preventive and planned conservation
Authors: Κώνστα Ανθούλα
Published: July 2023

Κατά τη διάρκεια των τριών τελευταίων δεκαετιών, έχουν καλλιεργηθεί και διαδοθεί σε ευρωπαϊκό επίπεδο θεωρητικές και πρακτικές προσεγγίσεις προληπτικής και προγραμματισμένης συντήρησης στη διαχείριση της αρχιτεκτονικής κληρονομιάς. Τα παραπάνω παραδείγματα διακρίνονται από μια προσπάθεια ελέγχου των αποφάσεων και κατά συνέπεια από μια πιο αποτελεσματική χρήση των περιορισμένων πόρων. Η χρήση της ανάλυσης κινδύνου υιοθετήθηκε με σκοπό την ιεράρχηση των επεμβάσεων, τη μείωση του κόστους και των απωλειών και την αύξηση του οφέλους και της ποιότητας των αποτελεσμάτων συντήρησης. Παρά τις νέες αυτές προσπάθειες, είναι απαραίτητο να διαμορφωθούν επαρκώς οι μέθοδοι, οι διαδικασίες και τα εργαλεία. Ο σκοπός αυτής της μελέτης είναι λοιπόν διττός, αφενός, να παρέχει καλύτερη εκτίμηση των υφιστάμενων αποτελεσμάτων και αφετέρου, να συμβάλει στη βελτίωσή τους. Η έρευνα συνίσταται σε μια κριτική ανάλυση διαφόρων προσεγγίσεων διαχείρισης κινδύνου για την αρχιτεκτονική κληρονομιά, που βασίζεται στη μελέτη των καθοριστικών τους παραγόντων, στον προσδιορισμό της έννοιας του κινδύνου, στη διερεύνηση των φάσεων της διαδικασίας διαχείρισης κινδύνου, στην ταξινόμηση και σύγκριση διαφορετικών μεθόδων αξιολόγησης κινδύνου. Η ανάλυση στηρίζεται τόσο στη βιβλιογραφική έρευνα της διαχείρισης κινδύνων στην αρχιτεκτονική κληρονομιά όσο και σε διαφορετικά επιστημονικά πεδία. Επιπλέον, η ανάλυση υποστηρίζεται από δύο παραδείγματα πρακτικών εφαρμογών. Συμπερασματικά, η επιλογή και η κριτική ανάλυση διαφορετικών μεθόδων και εργαλείων, καθώς και η μελέτη σε πρακτικό επίπεδο, προτείνουν μια μεθοδολογική προσέγγιση στη διαχείριση κινδύνου για την αρχιτεκτονική κληρονομιά, η οποία αντιτίθεται σε μια αποσπασματική θεώρηση των προβλημάτων και της επίλυσής τους και προάγει τον συντονισμό των διαφορετικών επιπέδων της διαδικασίας της συντήρησης και της διεπιστημονικότητας.
EVOLUTION OF THE LEGAL REGULATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT IN THE RUSSIAN LEGISLATION
Authors: Zavorokhina Natalia S. , Treskin Dmitry V. , Filiptsova Sofya A.
Published: July 2023

This article examines the features of the development of labor contract institutions in Russian legislation, examines the stages of the formation of an employment contract, its types and signs.
Emotional burnout of employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the context of their stress resistance
Authors: Kaygorodova Nadezhda , Kursakova Elena , Volkova Tatiana , Kamenek Dmitry
Published: July 2023

This work is devoted to the study of the features of emotional burnout of employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The subject of the study was to determine the features of emotional burnout of employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which differ in stress tolerance. The sample of the study consisted of 30 students of the correspondence department of the BJU, who are employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in the Altai Territory. Among them are 30 men. The age of the subjects is from 25 to 30 years. For the study were used: methodology diagnostics professional burnout K. Maslach , S. Jackson (adapted by N. Vodopyanova, E. Starchenkova ), about the questionnaire for assessing neuropsychic stability "Forecast", a method for assessing the level of emotional burnout V.V. Boyko. Mathematical processing was carried out using the SPSS 23.0 statistical software package. Statistical comparison was carried out using the Mann-Whitney U-test and correlation analysis according to Spearman . The results obtained revealed differences in professional and emotional burnout depending on the level of stress tolerance of the respondents. The results of this study confirm the relevance of developing approaches and methods for preventing emotional burnout of employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs . The results obtained can be useful in organizing psychological support for employees, in professional selection, in the process of training, retraining and advanced training of practicing psychologists.
Three-dimensional basic typological design of personal characteristics of the head
Authors: Malyshev Konstantin , Malysheva Ol'ga , Sepiashvili Ekaterina , Nesterov Vladimir
Published: July 2023

The subject of the study is a three-dimensional basic typological design of the personal characteristics of the head. The purpose of the work is to build a measuring three–dimensional basis test for a manager. The methodology of the work is a systematic classification of the pairwise observed parameters of the personality of the head. Methods – comparison, typologization, modeling, design. The number of respondents – 108. Results of the work - correlations were found between the personality types of the manager and the professional personality types. The scope of application of the results is the development of the managerial potential of the head. Novelty - two more opposite types of ego states have been added to the typology of ego states according to E. Bern. Conclusions - a three-dimensional basic typological model of the personality of the head was built. In the study, three-dimensional basic design was used, which is associated with "modeling", with "construction" and with "measurement". In this case, the "measurement" is associated with the transformation of the evaluation layers.
Investigation of the motivation of illegal property behavior of juvenile offenders
Authors: Ustinov dmitriy
Published: July 2023

The article presents the results of a study of the need-motivation sphere of juvenile offenders who have committed crimes against property. The purpose of the study is to study the structure of criminal motivation of adolescents and young men who have experience in committing property crimes, to establish their leading motives and actualized needs that are satisfied in the process of committing theft. As the main psychodiagnostic material, the author's specialized projective technique for diagnosing the motives of delinquent property behavior of minors, based on the complex use of the possibilities of interpretive and additive projective techniques, is applied. 82 juvenile offenders registered in juvenile affairs units for committing crimes against property took part in the study. The results of the study allowed us to determine the significance of each type of motives in the structure of criminal motivation of juvenile offenders: the dominance of a potential criminal selfish motive was established, which the diagnosed showed more often and more intensively than others; the leading motivating value of a potential security motive was revealed; a significant role of potential motives for self-affirmation and self-esteem enhancement was established; the significance of potential criminal motives of envy, revenge, playful and humane, as not having, in general, a decisive influence on criminal behavior, but prevailing in the need-motivational sphere of individual offenders, has been established; situationally significant influence of the physiological motive has been revealed. The study also showed that juvenile offenders are not characterized by avoidance of illegal behavior, a desire to minimize the damage caused or to apologize to the victim. The results of the study of the criminal motivation of juvenile offenders, conducted for the first time using a specialized projective technique that allows leveling the factor of insincerity of the subjects, allow all subjects of the prevention of juvenile delinquency to carry out preventive measures taking into account the characteristics of the motivational components of the personality of juvenile offenders.
TRAINING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-CONTROL AS A PERSONAL RESOURCE TO OVERCOME PROFESSIONAL BURNOUT
Authors: Titova Mariya
Published: July 2023

The stressfulness of the performance of district police officers causes the occurrence of a syndrome of professional burnout of employees. In this regard, special measures of psychological and pedagogical support for the development of self-control are required as one of the main personal resources for the prevention and overcoming of professional burnout by district police officers. An effective method aimed at developing the self-control of district police officers is a specially organized training designed to promote the psychological recovery of employees and, ultimately, increase satisfaction with their professional activities, increase psychological well-being at work and reduce professional burnout.

The article proposes a training program for the development of self-control as a personal resource for overcoming professional burnout.
Analysis of legal and socio-psychological aspects of the «childfree» phenomenon
Authors: Deulin Dmitriy , Petrov Vladislav , Artyushenko Alexey
Published: July 2023

The article is devoted to the theoretical analysis of the psychological foundations of «conscious childlessness» as a complex socio-psychological phenomenon, as well as the formation of a psychologically and legally justified attitude to it. The subject of the scientific research was the psychology of the phenomenology of «childfree», its purpose was to study the legal and socio–psychological aspects of «conscious childlessness». The research methodology was based on axiological, phenomenological, humanistic, genetic and activity approaches in psychology, the provisions of gender psychology, family psychology and deviantology. Both general philosophical research methods (abstraction, deduction, induction) and a private scientific method – content analysis of domestic and foreign sources on the Childfree problem were used. 20 diverse publications were analyzed, primarily in the field of deviantology, family psychology, social psychology and engineering, regulatory legal acts.

As a result of the study, the corresponding genesis and multifactorial determination of the ideology of «conscious childlessness» are shown. Potentiating the emergence of childfree tendencies in society were social attitudes, the development of feminist movements, the leveling of biological instincts of generosity, the spread of psychotechnologies of social engineering, the change in the technological way of life of society. A special role in the existence of «childfree» as a phenomenon is assigned to economic goal-setting. The negative consequences of «conscious childlessness» for society are given. Since the conscious philosophy of childlessness aggravates the demographic situation in the state, the objective necessity of solving this problem at the level of the state and society, as well as in practical psychology, is justified. The novelty of the scientific research is that it shows an atypical path for social development and a socially dangerous (dead-end) path of childbirth – conscious childlessness. The material of the article is aimed at strengthening the institution of family and marriage, as well as psychological prevention of the occurrence and existence of the phenomenon of childfree in Russia.
Developing a Systematic and Practical Road Map for Implementing Quality 4.0
Authors: Khourshed Nevien , Gohar Nermin
Published: July 2023

Purpose: Various studies have recently focused on Quality 4.0 (Q4.0) or the digitization of quality. However, having a systematic and practical road map for implementing Q4.0 within emerging nations, particularly like Egyptian culture is not researched so far. Hence, this research is intended to address this research gap to create a methodical road map for implementing Q4.0 in the Egyptian service sector.
Methodology/Approach: Empirical research using the questionnaire method is conducted. This study explores and validates the readiness elements with senior quality professionals within Egyptian culture in the service sector to create a methodical road map for implementing Q4.0 in the Egyptian service sector.
Findings: According to the results, the element analytical thinking was the most impacting factor among all other factors. While, the factors of supplier centricity, and scalability are thought to have the least impact.
Research Limitation/Implication: The study was limited by the fact that it solely used a questionnaire to collect data. Additionally, there may not be enough responses to conclude the results of this study. So, future studies should use more than one tool for collecting data.
Originality/Value of paper: Since, research on quality service and its link with digitization is still lacking, particularly in emerging nations like Egypt. This study is a new contribution, as it develops a methodical road map for Q4.0 implementation in the Egyptian service sector.
Improving Operational Efficiency through Quality 4.0 Tool: Blockchain Implementation and Subsequent Market Reaction
Authors: Gimerská Vladimíra , Šoltés Michal , Mirdala Rajmund
Published: July 2023

Purpose: This article aims to observe and measure how modern and innovative blockchain technology improves the data quality and transparency and thus affect the stock prices of publicly traded companies after announcing its implementation in their operations. Additionally, the objective is to compare the results with control group of non-adopters.
Methodology/Approach: We selected 30 public companies across various sectors, obtained daily stock price data, identified peer companies, and employed an event study approach to examine the statistical impact of blockchain adoption announcements.
Findings: A significant negative reaction (-0.4%) was observed in stock prices the day following a blockchain adoption announcement, but overall, the market response was unsystematic, indicating no consistent reaction in stock prices post-announcement.
Research Limitation/Implication: The event study approach assumes that markets are always efficient. This methodology has some limitations because we live in a world that is not perfect, and stock prices do not necessarily fully reflect all available information.
Originality/Value of paper: Blockchain implementation is a current and intriguing subject that has attracted limited scholarly research. Each new study contributes valuable insights to the understanding of how this innovative technology impacts corporate operations. Furthermore, this research endeavours to draw comparisons between companies that have announced their adoption of blockchain and their non-adopters counterparts.
Convergence Rates for Regularized Optimal Transport via Quantization
Authors: Eckstein Stephan , Nutz Marcel
Published: July 2023

We study the convergence of divergence-regularized optimal transport as the regularization parameter vanishes. Sharp rates for general divergences including relative entropy or Lp regularization, general transport costs, and multimarginal problems are obtained. A novel methodology using quantization and martingale couplings is suitable for noncompact marginals and achieves, in particular, the sharp leading-order term of entropically regularized 2-Wasserstein distance for marginals with a finite [Formula: see text]-moment.

Funding: This work was supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation [Grant FG-2016-6282] and the Division of Mathematical Sciences [Grants DMS-1812661 and DMS-2106056].
Evaluating a psychology clinic in a community weight management service
Authors: McCallum Mary , Campbell Fiona , Schwertzel Carlotta , Robertson Sophia
Published: July 2023

Background/Aims

Living with obesity and being physically inactive increases the risk of several cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension. This study aimed to evaluate a psychology clinic, which was established in a tier 2 community adult weight management service in a real-world setting.

Methods

The psychology clinic was delivered by an assistant psychologist, working jointly with community dieticians, and included approaches informed by acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness. Quantitative data were collected regarding patients' weight, body mass index, and anxiety and depression scores in their first and last session, as well as attendance and drop-out rates. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and a one-sample t-test, with P<0.05 indicating significance. Qualitative feedback was collected by the assistant psychologist.

Results

A total of 31 patients were accepted for an initial assessment, of whom 27 were offered follow up and 17 completed the intervention. Patients' average weights and anxiety scores decreased significantly, but their average body masses indices and depression scores saw no significant difference. Qualitative feedback indicated that the clinic helped patients to increase their physical activity levels, improve their wellbeing, reduce emotional eating behaviours and develop strategies to cope with difficult emotions more effectively.

Conclusions

Psychological input can add value to weight management services, emphasising the importance of a multidisciplinary team when addressing modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, with a holistic approach to heart health and weight management interventions.
Making a positive impact
Authors: Waters Rebecca
Published: July 2023

Rebecca Waters outlines how the dental practice can improve their sustainability with good waste management.
Knowing your worth
Authors: Brown Clementine Rees
Published: July 2023

Clementine Rees Brown speaks with practice owner Polly Bhambra about her approach to recruitment and how she promotes a healthy workplace culture.
Can mouthwash fight not only plaque, but Covid-19 too?
Authors: Davies Simon
Published: July 2023

Simon Davies explores the vital benefits offered by the use of mouthwash at such a pivotal time in dentistry.
Forming healthy habits
Authors: Shathur Vee
Published: July 2023

Vee Shathur discusses the challenges and benefits of kicking old habits, and forming beneficial new ones.
Digital Crew Applies AI for Persistent Observation
Authors: Fowler David
Published: July 2023

Software can monitor feeds from any digital source
Loughborough Academic to Model ‘Living’ Micro-Machines
Authors: Fowler David
Published: July 2023

ERC awards £1.25m for five-year project
Public Debut for Autonomous Bus
Authors: Fowler David
Published: July 2023

Vehicle makes precise manoeuvres at NEC
New Connections for Electronics
Authors: Nathan Stuart
Published: July 2023

Patterned metal made with greener technique
And then there was Li-Fi
Authors: Excell Jon
Published: July 2023

Wireless technology that enables users to send and receive data in beams of LED light will help overcome the limitations of radio frequency communications.
The Engineer Drives: Hyundai Nexo – a Glimpse into the Hydrogen Future?
Authors: Pickering Chris
Published: July 2023

There have been hydrogen cars before, but the Hyundai Nexo is perhaps the most convincing example to date.
The Organisation of Turkic States’ Digital Communication and Digital Diplomacy Perspective
Authors: ALTUN Fatmanur
Published: July 2023

As a result of digitalisation, digital diplomacy is employed to establish and maintain dialogue between publics. Digital diplomacy, a sub-heading of public diplomacy activities, offers a common communication platform for the Organisation of Turkic States and an absolute coordination mechanism in the fight against disinformation, the global security threat of our time. The article discusses the changes and transformations in digital communication and their reflections on the Organisation of Turkic States. The article examines the Organisation of Turkic States’ digital communication and digital diplomacy activities as a case study and discusses the role of the effective use of digital media in the Organisation’s ability to explain itself in the right way. This study provides a descriptive analysis of the digital communication activities and use of social media by political actors in the Organisation of Turkic States. The limitations of the research are the organisation’s digital media activities. The study is the first of its kind to examine the Organisation’s digital communication strategy. In conclusion, the Organisation of Turkic States should combat disinformative content by enhancing its common communication platform with digital diplomacy along the axis of digital image and reputation management at the institutional level.
Aytmatov’un Eserlerinde Sovyet Çalışma Hayatı ve Emekçi İlişkileri
Authors: ÖZYURT Cevat
Published: July 2023

Cengiz Aytmatov’un Sovyet çalışma hayatı ve emek ilişkilerine bakışındaki tarihsel kırılma ve değişimleri anlamak, bu makalenin ana amacını oluşturmaktadır. Onun çalışma hayatı ve emek

ilişkilerine dair eserleri iki döneme ayrılarak incelenecektir. İlk eserler, Sosyalist Devrim’in yeni hayata ilişkin vaatlerinin gerçekleştiği varsayımıyla yazılmıştır. Emekçiler, sistemle ve çevreleriyle

uyumlu, mutlu, müreffeh bir hayat yaşarlar. Sömürü, tabakalaşma ve toplumsal çatışma sorunları çözülmüş ve emekçilerin ontolojik güvenliği sağlanmıştır. Bu bakış, ikinci döneme ait Elveda Gülsarı romanında değişerek eleştirel bir nitelik kazanır. Eser, sosyalist emekçi ve sosyalist devlet arasındaki çelişkileri sorgular; resmî söylemleri demistifiye ederek, planlama ve merkezileştirme süreçlerinde

kolhoz emekçilerinin ürün ve ilişkilerinin kendilerine nasıl yabancılaştığına açıklık getirir. Yazarın Sovyetler Birliği döneminde kaleme aldığı çalışma hayatı ve emek ilişkilerine eleştirel yaklaşımının kültürel, ahlaki ve ekolojik eleştirilerin arka planında kaldığı Beyaz Gemi, Gün Olur Asra Bedel ve Dişi Kurdun Rüyaları romanlarının detaylı analizi, makale formatını zorlamamak için bu çalışmanın kapsamı dışında bırakılmıştır.
POLÍMEROS BIODEGRADÁVEIS NA AGRICULTURA
Authors: Isabella Vieira de Carvalho  , Geany Peruch Camilloto
Published: July 2023

Na agricultura, os filmes plásticos são empregados para confecção de vários produtos como estufas, sacos e tubetes para produção de mudas e na cobertura de solo (mulch film) (BILCK, 2010), e causam um sério risco ambiental, pois possuem alto peso molecular, propriedades hidrofóbicas e alta estabilidade química, levando anos para se decomporem totalmente (RUTIAGA et al., 2005).
Injection-seeded high-power Yb:YAG thin-disk laser stabilized by the Pound-Drever-Hall method
Authors: Zeyen Manuel , Affolter Lukas , Abdou Ahmed Marwan , Graf Thomas , Kara Oguzhan , Kirch Klaus , Langenbach Adrian , Marszalek Miroslaw , Nez François , Ouf Ahmed , Pohl Randolf , Rajamohanan Siddharth , Yzombard Pauline , Schuhmann Karsten , Antognini Aldo
Published: July 2023

We demonstrate an injection-seeded thin-disk Yb:YAG laser at 1030 nm, stabilized by the Pound-Drever-Hall (PDH) method. We modified the PDH scheme to obtain an error signal free from Trojan locking points, which allowed robust re-locking of the laser and reliable long-term operation. The single-frequency pulses have 50 mJ energy (limited to avoid laser-induced damage) with a beam quality of M2 < 1.1 and an adjustable length of 55-110 ns. Heterodyne measurements confirmed a spectral linewidth of 3.7 MHz. The short pulse build-up time (850 ns) makes this laser suitable for laser spectroscopy of muonic hydrogen, pursued by the CREMA collaboration.
Experimental demonstration of acoustically induced polarization-dependent fiber optical vortex inversion
Authors: Sokolenko B. , Shostka N. , Karakchieva O. , Degtyarev S. , Vikulin D. , Alexeyev C. , Yavorsky M.
Published: July 2023

A recently proposed theoretical model of acousto-optic interaction in optical fibers with a traveling flexural acoustic wave of the fundamental order [M.A. Yavorsky, et al., Opt. Lett. 44, 598 (2019)10.1364/OL.44.000598] is experimentally examined. We show the effect of inversion of topological charge of optical vortices, which is governed by the direction of incident linear polarization. This vector effect of a coupling of polarization and orbital degrees of freedom proves the inconsistency of the conventional microbending-based model and confirms the recently suggested approach of the description of acousto-optic interaction that is based on the actual displacement vector. In addition, the obtained results demonstrate the realization of a controlled-NOT gate for orbital angular momentum (OAM) states.
Micrometer-precision absolute distance measurement with a repetition-rate-locked soliton microcomb
Authors: Yang Mingyue , Wang Guochao , Wang Zhichuang , Li Xianbin , Zhu Lingxiao , Wang Weiqiang , Zhang Wenfu , Yan Shuhua , Yang Jun
Published: July 2023

The soliton microcomb has sparked interest in high-precision distance measurement, owing to its ultrahigh repetition rate and chip-integrated scale. We report absolute distance measurements based on synthetic wavelength interferometry with a soliton microcomb. We stabilized the repetition rate of 48.98 GHz through injection locking, with fluctuations below 0.25 Hz. Distance measurements up to 64 mm were demonstrated, presenting residuals below 2.7 μm compared with a referenced laser interferometer. Long-term distance measurements were made at two fixed positions of approximately 0.2 m and 1.4 m, resulting in a minimum Allan deviation as low as 56.2 nm at an average time of 0.05 s. The dynamic demonstration illustrated that the proposed system could track round-trip motion of 3 mm at speeds up to 100 mm/s. The proposed distance measurement system is, to our knowledge, the first microcomb-based synthetic wavelength interferometer and achieves a ranging precision of tens of nanometers, with potential applications in the fields of satellite formation flying, high-end manufacturing, and micro–nano processing.
The Poynting vector field singularities: Effects of symmetry and its violation
Authors: Tribelsky M.
Published: July 2023

The study's primary goal is to reveal the generic effects of the problem symmetry, its violation, and energy conservation law on the Poynting vector field singularities based on the study of resonant scattering of a linearly polarized plane electromagnetic wave by an infinite right cylinder. The polarization plane of the incident wave has an arbitrary orientation against the cylinder axis (z-axis), and the wave vector is antiparallel to the x-axis. The angle between the polarization plane and the z-axis plays the role of a bifurcation parameter. We show that any deviation of the incident wave from the pure TE or TM orientations makes the pattern of the Poynting vector field lines three-dimensional. Meanwhile, the translational symmetry along the z-axis remains. Accordingly, all singular points of the Poynting vector field, but the ones lying on the x-axis, become ``false'' singularities. They are singular in the projection of the field lines on the plane xy. However, in the three-dimensional space, these points are regular owing to the finiteness of the Poynting vector z-component. In contrast, the singularities belonging to the x-axis remain the actual singular points at any angle between the z-axis and the polarization plane since the z-component of the Poynting vector for them vanishes owing to the problem symmetry. We study the bifurcations related to the creation (annihilation) of the false and actual singular points due to their splitting (merger) because of the bifurcation parameter variations. In all inspected cases, a pitchfork bifurcation occurs: the distance between the diverging (converging) singularities as well as the corresponding roots of the characteristic equation vary as the square root of a normalized deviation of the bifurcation parameter from its critical value. We present a phenomenological theory, explaining all observed peculiarities of the bifurcations. We unveil the qualitative impact of dissipation on the symmetry of the bifurcation scenarios. Remarkably, the bifurcation type is robust against the specific choice of the bifurcation parameter. We verify this by comparing the bifurcations caused by variations of the angle between the polarization plane and the cylinder axis at a fixed radius of its cross section with the ones caused by changes of the radius for the pure TM incidence of the scattering wave.
Generation of 210 GW few-cycle ultraviolet laser pulses
Authors: Xie Xinhua , Yi Hung , deng yunpei , Cavalieri Adrian , Baltuska Andrius , Johnson Steven
Published: July 2023

We demonstrate generation, spectral broadening, and post-compression of ultraviolet pulses using a thin BBO crystal on a fused silica substrate as the nonlinear interaction medium. By combining the second harmonic generation in the BBO crystal with self-phase modulation in the fused silica substrate, we efficiently generated broadband ultraviolet pulses and subsequently compress the pulses to a duration of 5 fs, achieving a peak power of 210 GW. The all-solid free-space apparatus is compact and robust, and can be scaled for higher powers, making it highly advantageous for generating intense ultraviolet pulses in the few-cycle regime. Furthermore, our method can be applied generally to achieve spectral broadening and pulse compression of ultraviolet and visible pulses through the utilization of thin nonlinear media for harmonic generation and self-phase modulation. Our work presents a significant step forward in the generation of high-power, broadband, ultrashort ultraviolet pulses, and opens up exciting possibilities for future research and applications in the realm of nonlinear physics and ultrafast science.
Bioimage informatics: Investing in software usability is essential
Authors: Paul-Gilloteaux Perrine
Published: July 2023

In 2018, PLOS Biology announced CellProfiler 3.0, which has become one of the most used pieces of image analysis software in biology. The rapid adoption of this software speaks to the importance of user experience to disseminate new methods of bioimage informatics.
A statistical framework to identify cell types whose genetically regulated proportions are associated with complex diseases
Authors: Liu Wei , Deng Wenxuan , Chen Ming , Dong Zihan , Zhu Biqing , Yu Zhaolong , Tang Daiwei , Sauler Maor , Lin Chen , Wain Louise V. , Cho Michael H. , Kaminski Naftali , Zhao Hongyu
Published: July 2023

Finding disease-relevant tissues and cell types can facilitate the identification and investigation of functional genes and variants. In particular, cell type proportions can serve as potential disease predictive biomarkers. In this manuscript, we introduce a novel statistical framework, cell-type Wide Association Study (cWAS), that integrates genetic data with transcriptomics data to identify cell types whose genetically regulated proportions (GRPs) are disease/trait-associated. On simulated and real GWAS data, cWAS showed good statistical power with newly identified significant GRP associations in disease-associated tissues. More specifically, GRPs of endothelial and myofibroblasts in lung tissue were associated with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, respectively. For breast cancer, the GRP of blood CD8+ T cells was negatively associated with breast cancer (BC) risk as well as survival. Overall, cWAS is a powerful tool to reveal cell types associated with complex diseases mediated by GRPs.
Arginine methyltransferases PRMT2 and PRMT3 are essential for biosynthesis of plant-polysaccharide-degrading enzymes in Penicillium oxalicum
Authors: Zhao Shuai , Mo Li-Xiang , Li Wen-Tong , Jiang Lian-Li , Meng Yi-Yuan , Ou Jian-Feng , Liao Lu-Sheng , Yan Yu-Si , Luo Xue-Mei , Feng Jia-Xun
Published: July 2023

Many filamentous fungi produce plant-polysaccharide-degrading enzymes (PPDE); however, the regulatory mechanism of this process is poorly understood. A Gal4-like transcription factor, CxrA, is essential for mycelial growth and PPDE production in Penicillium oxalicum. Its N-terminal region, CxrAΔ207–733 is required for the regulatory functions of whole CxrA, and contains a DNA-binding domain (CxrAΔ1–16&Δ59–733) and a methylated arginine (R) 94. Methylation of R94 is mediated by an arginine N-methyltransferase, PRMT2 and appears to induce dimerization of CxrAΔ1–60. Overexpression of prmt2 in P. oxalicum increases PPDE production by 41.4–95.1% during growth on Avicel, compared with the background strain Δku70;hphR+. Another arginine N-methyltransferase, PRMT3, appears to assist entry of CxrA into the nucleus, and interacts with CxrAΔ1–60 in vitro under Avicel induction. Deletion of prmt3 resulted in 67.0–149.7% enhanced PPDE production by P. oxalicum. These findings provide novel insights into the regulatory mechanism of fungal PPDE production.