bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collective Resilience: Building Wellness in an Entrepreneurship Programme
Authors: Cruz Teller Tanya
Published: February 2021

This article highlights the positive impact of sharing appreciative stories of resilience in a women’s entrepreneurship development programme pivoting online due to the Covid‑19 pandemic. The simple and spacious virtual design, coupled with technology support, culminated in a powerful harvesting of their collective resilience wisdom.
Appreciative Inquiry Mentoring: A Virtual Network Approach
Authors: Marcinkevage Carrie H.
Published: February 2021

How can we provide positive, nurturing mentoring relationships in a way that not only acknowledges today’s need for social connection, virtuality and scale, but also turns those circumstances into strengths? This case study describes an Appreciative Inquiry-based mentoring program created by a large, US-based global consulting firm to invite diverse young professionals into an under-represented STEM-based field. Appreciative Inquiry offered a positive, action-oriented, relationship-building mentoring approach. Virtual delivery offered flexibility, inclusiveness and scale.
The separation of property and control and its costs a century old problem that seems modern
Authors: Vargas-Hernández José G. , Marsilio Yoeslandy García
Published: February 2021

The Agency Costs resulting from the conflict between principals and agents, due to the separation of ownership and control in the capitalist enterprise, was analyzed in many works of the last century. Could we assume that the current globalization of companies has increased the differences between principals and agents? Does this scenario lead to an increase in Agency Costs in those companies with the greatest presence in the global economy? The objective of this article is to compile studies that will allow us to answer these questions affirmatively and conclude that large transnational, multinational or global companies involve higher Agency Costs than those that remain within national borders.
Exploring the Impediments to New Learning Habits in View of Change Management - A Comparative Study of Botswana Accountancy College(BAC) and Botho University (BU)
Authors: Chidaushe Wilbert Kudakwashe
Published: February 2021

The study explored the impediments and best practice use of change management in the transition to new learning habits at the institutions of higher learning in Botswana. Two institutions of higher learning were considered in the study, where e-learning initiatives are rather prevalent. The research also involved a review of literature from the seminal authors. The study used the qualitative research methodology involving a questionnaire survey and used semi-structured interview administered questionnaire at exploring the factors that impede the transformation from traditional learning to e-learning. A total of fifty questionnaires were administered using purposive random sampling of students, lecturers and academic administrators at the studied institutions. The objective of the study was to explore into the hindrances to a successful change to e-learning from traditional learning methods that were experienced at the two institutions of higher learning. The next objective of the study was to explore the best means of changing from traditional learning methods to digital learning. It was revealed by the research that insufficient exposure to digital training, lack of proper planning, lack of involvement of the affected stakeholders, lack of commitment by top management and inadequate resources are the major reasons behind the resistance to change at the Botho University (BU) and Botswana Accountancy College (BAC). In the study resistance to change was regarded as not a barrier to change but rather the reasons causing the resistance to organizational transformation into e-learning were the obstacles to the e-learning transition. The best means of changing from traditional learning to e-learning that was observed among others were education and training, participation and involvement, facilitation and support. Organizational readiness was also been regarded as a critical requirement to afford the successful transition to e-learning. The study ended with the provision of recommendations targeted at contributing to relevant capacity building and aimed at influencing the future development of policy issues with regard to the successful transition to e-learning.
Quando os súditos se convertem em soldados: O pacto político ao Norte e ao Sul da América Portuguesa
Authors: De Mello Christiane Figueiredo Pagano
Published: February 2021

Diante das crescentes tensões vividas na Europa, resultantes da Guerra dos Sete Anos (1756-1763), fazia-se indispensável aumentar a capacidade defensiva tanto no Reino de Portugal, como, também, no Estado do Brasil, sua principal terra colonial. O primeiro-ministro de D. José, Marques de Pombal, lança um ambicioso programa de reformas militares: reparação de fortificações, melhoria do exército regular e reforma das milícias. Pretendemos neste artigo, fazer uma analise da estratégia “Povoar para Defender” no contexto da segunda metade do século XVIII, mais especificamente no interior da política militar pombalina na região do Macapá, considerada pela administração central um território de risco. Utilizaremos uma perspectiva comparativa das regiões Norte e Centro-sul da América a fim de obter uma compreensão mais ampla da política militar utilizada pela Coroa Lusitana nas suas possessões ultramarina.
Cultura escrita na Fronteira Sul: práticas intelectuais indígenas e usos políticos da escrita entre os Kaingang
Authors: Vojniak Fernando
Published: February 2021

Os historiadores propuseram problemas candentes à história dos processos de formação geopolítica e cultural dos territórios e das populações das regiões de fronteira do Brasil Meridional. Esses problemas vêm sendo amplamente analisados nos estudos de história ambiental, da colonização e dos movimentos sociais, de etnohistória indígena, de etnolinguística indígena e nos estudos arqueológicos. Entretanto, os temas da cultura escrita e das práticas intelectuais indígenas parecem ainda não consolidados no interior desses estudos, não obstante seja cada vez mais possível de serem analisados a partir de novos problemas que podem ser colocados à documentação e à bibliografia já conhecida ou aos novos acervos documentais que se formam nos arquivos. Tendo isso em vista, e considerando que os estudos da cultura escrita e da história intelectual precisam superar o olhar eurocêntrico, que negligenciou, em grande medida, entre outras, as práticas intelectuais indígenas, neste artigo é proposta uma apresentação panorâmica das possibilidades de análise em perspectiva histórica das práticas intelectuais e dos usos políticos da escrita entre os indígenas, especialmente os Kaingang. A partir da análise de documentos e textos clássicos de memorialistas, viajantes e etnólogos, em diálogo com artigos, capítulos e livros de estudos especializados, o presente estudo cobre assim um período ampliado, que vai de começos do século XIX até fins do século XX, e tem como recorte espacial a atualmente chamada Mesorregião da Fronteira Sul.
Entrevista com Alessandra Izabel de Carvalho, Professora Associada da Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa e Editora da Revista de História Regional
Authors: Maleval Isadora Tavares , Atallah Cláudia , Cesco Susana
Published: February 2021

Entrevista para a Revista Maracanan, n. 26 - "História Regional: novas perspectivas", jan.-abr. 2021.
The rationale for the newly launched Clinical Advisory Group
Authors: Charlson Paul
Published: February 2021

Dr Paul Charlson explains the aims and motives of the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners′ new group: the Clinical Advisory Group
Preparing for the end of the tax year
Authors: Thornley Helen
Published: February 2021

As the 2020/21 tax year will soon be coming to an end, Helen Thornley explains the plans that should be put in place to take full advantage
Assessment of physical land suitability by GIS-based fuzzy AHP for rubber plantation at the Nam Dong district, Thua Thien Hue province
Authors: TRAN Thi Minh Chau , LE Dinh Huy , LE Ngoc Phuong Quy , NGUYEN Thi Hai , TRAN Trong Tan , TRINH Ngan Ha
Published: February 2021

This research was conducted to determine the main influences and physical factors of land suitability for rubber plantation in the Nam Dong district, Thua Thien Hue province. Six factors such as soil type, soil texture, soil thickness, slope, soil pH and soil organic matter content were considered. Results indicate that soil thickness is has the highest role on the land suitability analysis while soil pH has the lowest. The physical land suitability of rubber plantation was divided into 4 levels: very suitable (10.1%), suitable (15.5%), slightly suitable (3.6%), and currently not suitable (70.8%). This research provides important information for rubber cultivation in projected agricultural land use planning of the Nam Dong district.

Nghiên cứu này được thực hiện nhằm xác định sự ảnh hưởng của các yếu tố tự nhiên đến sự thích nghi đất đai của loại hình sử dụng đất trồng cây cao su trên địa bàn huyện Nam Đông, tỉnh Thừa Thiên Huế. Có 6 yếu tố được xem xét trong nghiên cứu này bao gồm: loại đất, thành phần cơ giới, tầng dày canh tác, độ dốc, độ chua và hàm lượng mùn trong đất. Kết quả nghiên cứu chỉ ra rằng tầng dày canh tác là yếu tố có ảnh hưởng lớn nhất đến việc sử dụng đất trồng cây cao su, trong khi đó độ chua là yếu tố có ảnh hưởng ít nhất. Sự thích nghi tự nhiên của loại hình sử dụng đất trồng cây cao su được chia thành 4 mức độ bao gồm rất thích nghi (10,1%), thích nghi (15,5%), tương đối thích nghi (3,6%) và hiện taị không thích nghi (70,8%). Nghiên cứu này cung cấp những thông tin cần thiết và hữu ích cho việc quy hoạch sử dụng đất trồng cây cao su trên địa bàn huyện Nam Đông.
La conciliación en la Universidad, ¿un asunto solo de mujeres?
Authors: Selma Penalva Alejandra
Published: February 2021

Las dificultades de conciliar vida laboral y profesional constituyen, en la práctica, uno de los principales factores que desencadenan la desigualdad de oportunidades que hombres y mujeres presentan en el ámbito laboral y académico. Aunque se trate de un hecho que todavía muchas veces pase desapercibido, las Universidades españolas, pese a los importantes esfuerzos realizados al respecto, todavía adolecen de ciertos defectos que, de forma indirecta, lastran la carrera profesional y académica de las personas con cargas familiares, incidiendo de forma especialmente intensa sobre el colectivo femenino. En el presente trabajo se analizan algunas de las causas de desigualdad y se proponen estrategias de mejora con el fin de solventar los problemas detectados.
Reflexiones sobre la ética en la investigación en el proceso formativo de la clínica jurídica “circuitos coloniales del trabajo en el resguardo indígena de San Lorenzo"
Authors: Cardona Zuleta Elvigia
Published: February 2021

Este artículo pretende narrar la experiencia sobre la reflexión de la ética en el trabajo con comunidades étnicas. Se recurre a la investigación cualitativa crítica desde la autorreflexibilidad para interrogarnos e interrogar a esos otros “yo” que nos habitan. Se presentan varias de las preocupaciones con relación a los propósitos de la investigación en la universidad, esto es, responder a las preguntas ¿para qué investigamos? ¿para quién investigamos? y ¿cómo investigamos?, que implican cuestionamientos constantes por la ética en la investigación académica que nos permite evidenciar la potencia de la estrategia de la Clínica Jurídica en la enseñanza-aprendizaje del Derecho y la Ciencia Política posturas responsables y éticas.
La enseñanza digital en serio y el derecho a la educación en tiempos del coronavirus
Authors: Cotino Hueso Lorenzo
Published: February 2021

Especialmente desde una perspectiva jurídica, el estudio analiza las medidas en el ámbito educativo adoptadas en a nivel mundial y en España en razón del coronavirus: la “suspensión sin suspensión” de la educación especialmente a través de la enseñanza digital. Sin embargo, la educación digital se ha considerado “inferior”, “excepcional” y sólo “complementaria” de la presencial y fuente de graves barreras y peligros para la educación. Así ha sido en el ámbito internacional y también para el TEDH, el TC y nuestra legislación. Se tiene en cuenta el especial peligro de la desigualdad en la educación digital y, ya en el caso de la pandemia, se describen algunas medidas especiales de equidad e igualdad. Sin perjuicio de este panorama más negativo, se apuesta por ver el vaso medio lleno y por hacer de la necesidad virtud. Se considera así que el coronavirus supone una oportunidad para dejar atrás una educación obsoleta del siglo XX. Se recuerda la necesidad del cambio hacia competencias digitales y el pensamiento computacional. Finalmente se hace un recorrido por los contenidos y objetivos del derecho a la educación y especialmente las obligaciones prestacionales que implica para su proyección ante los retos generales de la educación digital y la situación de la pandemia. Además de las obligaciones del Estado, se recuerdan los deberes de los padres en la educación, y también ante la educación digital en casa en razón de las circunstancias. Se concluye que la educación digital es un salvavidas en una situación como la pandemia para garantizar unos mínimos de los objetivos que garantiza el derecho a la educación. Pero es más, la pesadilla del coronavirus nos despierta de cierto letargo en la educación y nos obliga a asumir el cambio de siglo y nos brinda la oportunidad de mejorar mucho la educación gracias a la transformación digital.
Repercusiones de la docencia online en el estatuto jurídico del profesorado universitario
Authors: Sanz Esteban David
Published: February 2021

La propagación de la pandemia causada por la enfermedad COVID-19 precipitó la suspensión de la docencia presencial en la Universidad. La transición desde una modalidad esencialmente presencial a una totalmente online ha supuesto un reto para las universidades españolas, quienes han debido adaptarse en un tiempo récord. Esto ha generado para el profesorado nuevas obligaciones para las cuales las instituciones universitarias no los habían preparado. La carencia de normativa específica ha hecho que los procesos se hayan debido adaptar a la ya existente, contando únicamente con cierto margen en lo que respecta a la reglamentación propia de las universidades. Este trabajo hace un recorrido por los distintos escenarios modificados por la docencia online y las implicaciones que ha tenido para las instituciones universitarias y su profesorado.
Cámaras e imágenes personales en el proceso de aprendizaje universitario
Authors: Arenas Ramiro Mónica
Published: February 2021

Desde que el 14 de marzo de 2020 se decretara en España el estado de alarma y se impusieran medidas de confinamiento y distanciamiento social para prevenir y controlar la expansión de la pandemia por coronavirus, en el ámbito universitario se adoptaron diversos planes para dar continuidad al servicio de educación superior -que nuestro texto constitucional encomienda a las Universidades- sin necesidad de cumplir con la presencialidad en el aula. Este tránsito de un proceso de aprendizaje tradicionalmente presencial a un proceso desarrollado en un entorno online ha implicado no sólo el uso de herramientas y dispositivos electrónicos y/o informáticos y el de plataformas virtuales. Se ha hecho evidente la necesidad de observar las normas respecto del uso de los datos personales, como las imágenes de docentes y estudiantes asociados al citado proceso educativo. En este artículo pretendemos analizar las necesidades que surgen en este nuevo entorno respecto del uso de información personal, a la vez que ofrecer una serie de recomendaciones para garantizar su uso seguro en un entorno virtual de aprendizaje.
Análisis jurídico-administrativo del programa Préstamos Renta Universidad
Authors: Andrés Llamas Miguel Ángel
Published: February 2021

El Gobierno de España creó el programa Préstamos Renta Universidad para financiar los estudios de posgrado. En la primera convocatoria (2007), los estudiantes sólo tenían que devolver el dinero prestado si ingresaban una cantidad superior a 22.000 euros anuales. Sin embargo, en sucesivas convocatorias se eliminó el umbral de devolución. A raíz de la crisis económica, numerosas personas no pueden hacer frente al pago de los préstamos. El diseño del programa Préstamos Renta Universidad es complejo: intervienen el Ministerio de Educación, el Instituto de Crédito Oficial y entidades de crédito colaboradoras. En la ejecución de este programa han existido numerosos problemas relacionados con la información administrativa. La naturaleza jurídica de los préstamos y el procedimiento de concesión también son cuestiones complejas. Finalmente, se examinan las medidas urgentes que el Gobierno ha adoptado para solucionar el problema.
Edito x ellas: una app que conecta educación e igualdad de género
Authors: Domínguez Sánchez Maday , Álamo Bolaños Arminda
Published: February 2021

Las distintas esferas de la sociedad contemporánea continúan atravesadas por situaciones que responden a una estructura estrictamente patriarcal. En este sentido, los centros escolares tienen un papel fundamental en la transmisión de normas, creencias y valores que contribuyen al constructo identitario del alumnado. Sin embargo, las acciones pedagógicas que se desarrollan en algunas escuelas tienden a reproducir, de manera implícita, elementos atravesados por la desigualdad entre los géneros. El objetivo de esta investigación fue indagar sobre los aspectos que se transmiten en el aula a través del estudio del currículo oculto de los libros de texto en Educación Primaria. La metodología implementada implicó la investigación y desarrollo, un análisis mixto cuantitativo y cualitativo, y el diseño de una aplicación para dispositivos móviles, “Edito X Ellas”, que permitió el reporte del contenido sexista presente en los libros de texto. Los resultados evidenciaron la existencia de diversas prácticas que nos indicaron que existía la necesidad de trabajar conjuntamente con las editoriales, los contenidos de sus libros a través de la utilización de “Edito X Ellas”. Las conclusiones nos mostraron la importancia del papel del profesorado para la detección de estos aspectos machistas y la promoción de la igualdad desde el currículum de Educación Primaria.
Goal Attainment Scaling: A Framework for Research and Practice in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Field
Authors: Shogren Karrie A. , Dean Evan E. , Burke Kathryn M. , Raley Sheida K. , Taylor Julie Lounds
Published: February 2021

Goal setting and attainment is often a targeted outcome in the intellectual and developmental disabilities field; however, standardizing the measurement of attainment of individualized goals is challenging. The purpose of this article is to introduce a four-domain framework that provides a series of questions to research and evaluation teams in planning for the use of goal attainment scaling (GAS) as an outcome measure at the individual or aggregate level. We intend to stimulate discussion and ongoing work to further systematize how GAS is used in (a) intervention research to establish evidence-based practices and (b) practice to assess the extent to which interventions and supports lead to intended outcomes. The goal is to promote a clear planning process to inform data collection on individualized goal attainment outcomes that are rooted in goals and outcomes valued by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
A Pilot Study of a Future Planning Program for Siblings of People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Lee Chung E. , Burke Meghan M.
Published: February 2021

Given the increased longevity of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), future planning programs are becoming increasingly common. However, although siblings are likely to fulfill caregiving roles for people with IDD, siblings have not been included in future planning interventions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and feasibility of the Sibling Training for Early future Planning (STEP) program. Using quantitative and qualitative data, 18 siblings of individuals with IDD participated in the study. After completing the STEP program, participants demonstrated significantly improved feelings of empowerment, disability connectedness, family communication, and knowledge of adult disability services. The STEP program was also feasible given high attendance, low attrition rates, and high participant satisfaction. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Cause-Related Advertising, the #MeToo Movement, and Implications for Marketers
Authors: Bonaparte Yvette Lynne , Reeves Martha E.
Published: February 2021

Abstract: This paper examines advertising and marketing professionals' inclusion of concerns from the #MeToo Movement in their cause-related messaging. The paper provides a brief account of the #MeToo Movement in the context of a history of recent gender-based, cause-related marketing campaigns and their impact on consumers. It also features a quantitative study of the differences in familiarity with the #MeToo Movement between undergraduate men and women at two Southeastern universities in the United States. The study assesses the degree to which survey respondents consider that the #MeToo Movement has addressed social justice issues and their expectations about when and if advertisers should include concerns related to the #MeToo Movement in their work. The findings of this study are informative for how marketers present gender-based, cause-related advertising campaigns, particularly to the Generation Z cohort. An original data set of 436 individuals is used. In addition to discussion of the #MeToo Movement, the paper highlights advertising campaigns that have capitalized on social movements important to women.
Digital Teaching Opportunities in the Time of COVID-19
Authors: Mensa Marta , Grow Jean M.
Published: February 2021

Abstract: For academics, and the students they serve, the reality of COVID-19 has meant an unexpected switch to online remote learning, and with it, new pedagogical challenges and opportunities. Online teaching is not a new concept for universities. However, this article addresses online education, framed by emergency remote teaching (ERT), which addresses the challenges of teaching remotely during a crisis when faculty would otherwise have been delivering course content face-to-face. Additionally, given the rapid movement to online, online teaching and learning experiences often cause additional stress and anxiety. Addressing these challenges this piece identifies pedagogical opportunities by exploring new and more creative digital teaching alternatives during the time of COVID-19. The work focuses on leveraging the moment with ten guiding principles and three sample assignments designed to help advertising educators provide fresh digital learning opportunities that will allow teachers and students alike to access digital personal learning networks (PLN) while creating vibrant digital learning environments.
Herriott cell spot imaging increases the performance of tunable laser spectrometers
Authors: Webster Christopher R. , Flesch Gregory J. , Briggs Ryan M. , Fradet Mathieu , Christensen Lance E.
Published: February 2021

With the availability of high-power (milliwatts) single-mode tunable laser sources that operate at room temperature across the infrared (IR) region, tunable laser spectrometers have seen an explosion of growth in applications that include commercial, Earth and planetary science, and medical and industrial sensing. While the laser sources themselves have shown steady improvement, the detection architecture of using a single-element detector at one end of a multipass cell has remained unchanged over the last few decades. We present here an innovative new approach using a detector array coupled to an IR-transmissive mirror to image all or part of the multipass spot pattern of the far mirror and record spectra for each pixel. This novel approach offers improved sensitivity, increased dynamic range, laser power normalization, contaminant subtraction, resilience to misalignment, and reduces the instrument power requirement by avoiding the need for “fringe-wash” heaters. With many tens of pixels representing each spot during the laser spectral scan, intensity and optical fringe amplitude and phase information are recorded. This allows selection and manipulation (e.g., co-addition, subtraction) of the pixel output spectra to minimize optical interference fringes thereby increasing sensitivity. We demonstrate a factor of

∼

20

sensitivity improvement over traditional single-element detection. Dynamic range increase of a factor of

∼

100

is also demonstrated through spot selection representing different pathlengths. Additionally, subtracting the spectrum of the first spot from that of the higher pass normalizes the laser power and removes the contribution of contaminant gas and fringes in the fore-optics region. These initial results show that this imaging method is particularly advantageous for multi-channel laser spectrometers, and, once the image field is analyzed, pixel selection can be used to minimize data rate and volume collection requirements. This technique could be beneficial to enhanced-cavity detection schemes.
Mixed constraint in global and sequential hologram generation
Authors: Velez-Zea Alejandro , Torroba Roberto
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we implement a mixed constraint scheme with a global
Gerchberg–Saxton algorithm for the improved generation of phase
holograms from multiplane intensity distributions. We evaluate the
performance of the proposed method compared to the mixed constraint
sequential Gerchberg–Saxton algorithm, as well as the implementation
of both schemes in several scenarios involving intensity distributions
of up to nine independent planes. We also show that a careful
selection of the parameters involved in the mixed constraint hologram
generation technique can lead to even greater improvements in
reconstruction quality. We present numerical results validating the
effectiveness of our proposal.
Comparison between image texture and polarization features in histopathology
Authors: Liu Yudi , Dong Yang , Si Lu , Meng Ruoyu , Dong Yanmin , Ma Hui
Published: February 2021

Digital pathology has shown great importance for diagnostic purposes in the digital age by integrating basic image features into multi-modality information. We quantify the degree of correlation between the multiple texture features from H&E images and polarization parameter sets derived from Mueller matrix images of the same sample to provide more microstructural information for assisting diagnosis. The experimental result shows the correlations between texture feature and polarization parameter via Pearson coefficients. Polarization parameters t1, DL and the depolarization parameter Δ correlated with image texture features Tamura_Fcon and Tamura_Frgh, and can be used as powerful tools to quantitatively characterize cell nuclei related with tumor progression in breast pathological tissues. Polarization parameters δ and rL associated with the image texture feature Tamura_Flin have great potential for the quantitative characterization of proliferative fibers produced by inflammation. Furthermore, polarization parameters have the advantages of stable recognition in low resolution images. This work validates the associations between image texture features and polarization parameters and the merit of polarization imaging methods in low-resolution situations.
Two-point calibration method for a zoom camera with an approximate focal-invariant radial distortion model
Authors: An Pei , Ma Jie , Ma Tao , Fang Bin , Yu Kun , Liu Xiaomao , Zhang Jun
Published: February 2021

A zoom camera can change its focal length and track moving objects with an adjustable resolution. To extract precise geometric information for the tracked objects, a zoom camera requires an accurate calibration method. High-precision camera calibration methods, however, usually require a number of control points that are not guaranteed in some practical situations. Most zoom cameras suffer radial distortion. Athough a traditional method can recover an undistorted image with known intrinsic parameters, it fails to work for a zoom camera with an unknown focal length. Motivated by these problems, we propose a two-point calibration method (TPCM). In this scheme, we first propose an approximate focal-invariant radial distortion (AFRD) model. With the AFRD model, an RGB image can be undistorted with an unknown focal length. After that, the TPCM method is presented to estimate the focal length and rotation matrix with only two control points for one image. Synthetic experiments demonstrate that the AFRD model is efficient. In the real data experiment, the mean reprojection error of the TPCM method is less than one pixel, which is smaller than current state-of-the-art methods, and we believe meets the demand for high-precision calibration.
Effect of wavefront rotation on the photoionization process by ultrafast laser spatiotemporal focusing
Authors: Li Yuedong , Song Juan , Zhai Qinxiao , Yin Weiyi , Tang Xinlan , Dai Ye
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we theoretically studied the propagation of the first-order spatiotemporal coupled ultrafast pulse in fused silica glass by using the Cartesian nonlinear Schrödinger equation coupled with the electron density rate equation. We found that wavefront rotation, one parameter of the shaped pulse, may play an integral role to adjust the asymmetrical modification under different initial coupling conditions. During the focusing process, the pulse wavefront generates or rotates the pulse front through angular dispersion, and this process directly causes the change of inclined direction of the pulse front tilt at the focal plane. The spatiotemporal coupling change could make a difference in the asymmetric distributions of intensity, fluence, and electron density at the plane of interaction, and further affect the photoionization process. Therefore, the research on the influence of wavefront rotation on the pulse front tilt under the initial pulse incidence condition helps us to understand the temporal and spatial evolution of ultrafast laser pulses. Based on our numerical simulation, the possible mechanism of nonreciprocal direct-writing phenomena is revisited by taking into account the effect of wavefront rotation.
Measurement of net Goos–Hänchen shift and reshaping shift
Authors: Saito Hirozumi , Tomita Makoto
Published: February 2021

We develop the concepts of net Goos–Hänchen (GH) shift and reshaping shift, and apply these concepts to lateral beam shift arising from

k

(wavenumber) domain dispersion. Specifically, our interest is in cases in which the traditional concept of GH shift loses its meaning. We analyzed the effects of finite beam size, complicated beam profiles, and phase modulations on GH shift. We experimentally examined the GH shift for surface plasmon polaritons and a leaky waveguide mode. The results agreed well with those from analyses based on the net GH shift and reshaping shift, indicating that these concepts are useful for extending the traditional concept of GH shift to complicated reflection systems.
Electro-optic chaos system with time delay signature concealment based on XOR operation and multi-bit PRBS
Authors: Zou Guoyang , Wang Hongxiang , Ji Yuefeng
Published: February 2021

A novel chaos system with XOR operations and multi-bit PRBS is proposed to improve the sequence complexity and the security of the classic electro-optic intensity chaos system. Through the bifurcation diagram and permutation entropy analysis, the PE can be increased to 0.99. The key space is enlarged because additional DSP parameters and PRBS are introduced. The impacts of ADC/DAC characteristics and PRBS characteristics are analyzed in detail. The simulation results show that the time delay signature can be concealed with the appropriate DSP parameters.
Full optical SESAM characterization methods in the 1.9 to 3-µm wavelength regime
Authors: Heidrich Jonas , Gaulke Marco , Alaydin Behcet Ozgur , Golling Matthias , Barh Ajanta , Keller Ursula
Published: February 2021

Semiconductor saturable absorber mirrors (SESAMs) are widely used for modelocking of various ultrafast lasers. The growing interest for SESAM-modelocked lasers in the short-wave infrared and mid-infrared regime requires precise characterization of SESAM parameters. Here, we present two SESAM characterization setups for a wavelength range of 1.9 to 3 µm to precisely measure both nonlinear reflectivity and time-resolved recovery dynamics. For the nonlinear reflectivity measurement, a high accuracy (<0.04%) over a wide fluence range (0.1–1500 µJ/cm2) is achieved. Time-resolved pump-probe measurements have a resolution of about 100 fs and a scan range of up to 680 ps. Using the two setups, we have fully characterized three different GaSb-SESAMs at an operation wavelength of 2.05 µm fabricated in the FIRST lab at ETH Zurich. The results show excellent performance suitable for modelocking diode-pumped solid-state and semiconductor disk lasers. We have measured saturation fluences of around 4 µJ/cm2, modulation depths varying from 1% to 2.4%, low non-saturable losses (∼ 0.2%) and sufficiently fast recovery times (< 32 ps). The predicted influence of Auger recombination in the GaSb material system is also investigated.
Constructing an achromatic polarization-dependent bifocal metalens with height-gradient metastructures
Authors: Xiong Xiang , Wang Xi , Wang Zhenghan , Gao Yajun , Peng Ruwen , Wang Mu
Published: February 2021

Metalenses possess the extraordinary capability to tailor the wavefront of light with compact metastructures. However, it remains challenging to eliminate chromatic aberration and realize multifunctionality. Here we report an achromatic bifocal metalens (ABM) made of three-dimensional standing nano blocks (SNBs). By introducing a height gradient to SNBs, the ABM can achieve achromatic focusing in the wavelength range of 760–1550 nm with two different focal lengths by merely orthogonally switching the linear polarization of the incident beam. Such an achromatic multi-functional element may have applications in polarization sensing/display and shared-aperture optics design, among many others.
Compact long-range single-photon imager with dynamic imaging capability
Authors: Jiang Peng-Yu , Li Zheng-Ping , Xu Feihu
Published: February 2021

Single-photon light detection and ranging (LiDAR) has emerged as a strong candidate technology for active imaging applications. Benefiting from the single-photon sensitivity in detection, long-range active imaging can be realized with a low-power laser and a small-aperture transceiver. However, existing kilometer-range active imagers are bulky and have a long data acquisition time. Here we present a compact co-axial single-photon LiDAR system for kilometer-range 3D imaging. A fiber-based transceiver with a 2.5 cm effective aperture was employed to realize a robust and compact architecture, while a tailored temporal filtering approach guaranteed the high signal-to-noise level. Moreover, a micro–electro–mechanical system scanning mirror was adopted to achieve fast beam scanning. In experiment, high-resolution 3D images of different targets up to 12.8 km were acquired to demonstrate the long-range imaging capability. Furthermore, it exhibits the ability to achieve dynamic imaging at five frames per second over a distance of

∼

1

k
m

. The results indicate potential in a variety of applications such as remote sensing and long-range target detection.
Femtosecond infrared supercontinuum generation in 6H-SiC crystal
Authors: Šuminienė Agnė , Jukna Vytautas , Šuminas Rosvaldas , Tamošauskas Gintaras , Dubietis Audrius
Published: February 2021

We report on supercontinuum generation in silicon carbide (6H-SiC), pumped by tunable femtosecond pulses in the wavelength range of 1.3 - 2.4 μm, which cover the regions of normal, zero, and anomalous group velocity dispersion of the material. More than an octave spanning infrared supercontinuum spectra were measured, demonstrating almost constant blue cut-offs around 0.9 μm. Low energy thresholds for supercontinuum generation (depending on the pump wavelengths, but generally below 200 nJ) were demonstrated due to large nonlinear refractive index of the material (n2 = 97 ± 19 × 10−16 cm2/W), which was experimentally evaluated by measurement of the nonlinear transmission at 2.0 μm.
Modeling drug response using network-based personalized treatment prediction (NetPTP) with applications to inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Han Lichy , Sayyid Zahra N. , Altman Russ B.
Published: February 2021

For many prevalent complex diseases, treatment regimens are frequently ineffective. For example, despite multiple available immunomodulators and immunosuppressants, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains difficult to treat. Heterogeneity in the disease across patients makes it challenging to select the optimal treatment regimens, and some patients do not respond to any of the existing treatment choices. Drug repurposing strategies for IBD have had limited clinical success and have not typically offered individualized patient-level treatment recommendations. In this work, we present NetPTP, a Network-based Personalized Treatment Prediction framework which models measured drug effects from gene expression data and applies them to patient samples to generate personalized ranked treatment lists. To accomplish this, we combine publicly available network, drug target, and drug effect data to generate treatment rankings using patient data. These ranked lists can then be used to prioritize existing treatments and discover new therapies for individual patients. We demonstrate how NetPTP captures and models drug effects, and we apply our framework to individual IBD samples to provide novel insights into IBD treatment.
Sialotranscriptomics of the argasid tick Ornithodoros moubata along the trophogonic cycle
Authors: Oleaga Ana , Soriano Beatriz , Llorens Carlos , Pérez-Sánchez Ricardo
Published: February 2021

The argasid tickOrnithodoros moubatais the main vector of human relapsing fever (HRF) and African swine fever (ASF) in Africa. Salivary proteins are part of the host-tick interface and play vital roles in the tick feeding process and the host infection by tick-borne pathogens; they represent interesting targets for immune interventions aimed at tick control.

The present work describes the transcriptome profile of salivary glands ofO.moubataand assesses the gene expression dynamics along the trophogonic cycle using Illumina sequencing.

De novotranscriptome assembling resulted in 71,194 transcript clusters and 41,011 annotated transcripts, which represent 57.6% of the annotation success. Most salivary gene expression takes place during the first 7 days after feeding (6,287 upregulated transcripts), while a minority of genes (203 upregulated transcripts) are differentially expressed between 7 and 14 days after feeding. The functional protein groups more abundantly overrepresented after blood feeding were lipocalins, proteases (especially metalloproteases), protease inhibitors including the Kunitz/BPTI-family, proteins with phospholipase A2 activity, acid tail proteins, basic tail proteins, vitellogenins, the 7DB family and proteins involved in tick immunity and defence. The complexity and functional redundancy observed in the sialotranscriptome ofO.moubataare comparable to those of the sialomes of other argasid and ixodid ticks.

This transcriptome provides a valuable reference database for ongoing proteomics studies of the salivary glands and saliva ofO.moubataaimed at confirming and expanding previous data on theO.moubatasialoproteome.
Multi-annual performance evaluation of laboratories in post-mortem diagnosis of animal rabies: Which techniques lead to the most reliable results in practice?
Authors: Robardet Emmanuelle , Servat Alexandre , Rieder Jonathan , Picard-Meyer Evelyne , Cliquet Florence
Published: February 2021

Rabies diagnosis proficiency tests on animal specimens using four techniques (FAT, RTCIT, conventional RT-PCR and real-time RT-PCR) were organised over 10 years (2009–2019). Seventy-three laboratories, of which 59% were from Europe, took part. As the panels were prepared with experimentally-infected samples, the error rate of laboratories on positive and negative samples was accurately estimated. Based on fitted values produced by mixed modelling including the variable “laboratory” as a random variable to take into account the longitudinal design of our dataset, the technique that provided the most concordant results was conventional RT-PCR (99.3%; 95% CI 99.0–99.6), closely followed by FAT (99.1%; 95% CI 98.7–99.4), real-time RT-PCR (98.7%; 95% CI 98.1–99.3) and then RTCIT (96.8%; 95% CI 95.8–97.7). We also found that conventional RT-PCR provided a better diagnostic sensitivity level (99.3% ±4.4%) than FAT (98.7% ±1.6%), real-time RT-PCR (97.9% ±0.8%) and RTCIT (95.3% ±5.1%). Regarding diagnostic specificity, RTCIT was the most specific technique (96.4% ±3.9%) followed closely by FAT (95.6% ±3.8%), real-time RT-PCR (95.0% ±1.8%) and conventional RT-PCR (92.9% ±0.5%). Due to multiple testing of the samples with different techniques, the overall diagnostic conclusion was also evaluated, and found to reach an inter-laboratory concordance level of 99.3%. The concordance for diagnostic sensitivity was 99.6% ±2.0% and for diagnostic specificity, 98.0% ±8.5%. Molecular biology techniques were, however, found to be less specific than expected. The potential reasons for such findings are discussed herein. The regular organisation of performance tests has contributed to an increase in the performance of participating laboratories over time, demonstrating the benefits of such testing. Maintaining a high-quality rabies diagnosis capability on a global scale is key to achieving the goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies deaths. The regular organisation of exercises on each continent using selected local strains to be tested according to the local epidemiological situation is one factor that could help increase reliable diagnosis worldwide. Rabies diagnosis capabilities could indeed be enhanced by providing adequate and sustainable proficiency testing on a large scale and in the long term
Can cornelian cherry mask bitter taste of probiotic chocolate? Human TAS2R receptors and a sensory study with comprehensive characterisation of new functional product
Authors: Szczepaniak Oskar , Jokiel Maria , Stuper-Szablewska Kinga , Szymanowska Daria , Dziedziński Marcin , Kobus-Cisowska Joanna
Published: February 2021

Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruits are a valuable source of bioactive compounds that are responsible for the perception of bitter taste of chocolate products. The aim of the study was to validate the inhibitory effect of Cornus mas on the TAS2R3 and TAS2R13 bitter taste receptors and to assess the effect of masking the bitter taste of dark chocolate with the help of the sensory panel. Dark chocolate was prepared with an addition of 5% of freeze-dried cornelian cherry fruits and 108 CFU/g of Bacillus coagulans probiotic strains. Effect on the TAS2R receptors was evaluated in specially transfected HEK293T cells, and the inhibition ratio was measured using the calcium release test. Moreover, the total polyphenol content, antioxidant activity and simulated intestinal in vitro digestion were determined for the samples. The tested chocolate products were rich in chlorogenic, caffeic and sinapic acids. The addition of cornelian cherry positively affected the antioxidant activity. The phytochemicals of Cornus mas decreased the TAS2R13 activity by 132% after a 2-minute interaction and, % at the same time, inhibited the TAS2R3 activity by 11.5. Meanwhile, chocolate with the addition of fruit was less bitter according to the sensory panel.
The influence of sample geometry and size on porcine aortic material properties from uniaxial tensile tests using custom-designed tissue cutters, clamps and molds
Authors: Pei Ming , Zou Donghua , Gao Yong , Zhang Jianhua , Huang Ping , Wang Jiawen , Huang Jiang , Li Zhengdong , Chen Yijiu
Published: February 2021

The aim of this study was to identify the influence of specimen geometry and size on the results of aortic uniaxial tensile tests using custom-designed tissue cutters, clamps and molds. Six descending thoracic aortas from pigs were used for rectangular sample tests, in which the circumferential and axial specimens had widths of 6 mm, 8 mm and 10 mm. The other six aortas were used for the dog-bone-shaped sample tests and were punched into circumferential, axial and oblique specimens with widths of 2 mm, 4 mm and 6 mm. We performed uniaxial tensile tests on the specimens and compared the test results. The results showed that mid-sample failure occurred in 85.2% of the dog-bone-shaped specimens and in 11.1% of the rectangular samples, which could be caused by Saint-Venant’s principle. Therefore, rectangular specimens were not suitable for aortic uniaxial tensile testing performed until rupture. The results also showed that the size effect of the aorta conformed to Weibull theory, and dog-bone-shaped specimens with a width of 4 mm were the optimal choice for aortic uniaxial tensile testing performed until rupture.
Bone strain index as a predictor of further vertebral fracture in osteoporotic women: An artificial intelligence-based analysis
Authors: Ulivieri Fabio Massimo , Rinaudo Luca , Piodi Luca Petruccio , Messina Carmelo , Sconfienza Luca Maria , Sardanelli Francesco , Guglielmi Giuseppe , Grossi Enzo
Published: February 2021

Background

Osteoporosis is an asymptomatic disease of high prevalence and incidence, leading to bone fractures burdened by high mortality and disability, mainly when several subsequent fractures occur. A fragility fracture predictive model, Artificial Intelligence-based, to identify dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) variables able to characterise those patients who are prone to further fractures called Bone Strain Index, was evaluated in this study.

Methods

In a prospective, longitudinal, multicentric study 172 female outpatients with at least one vertebral fracture at the first observation were enrolled. They performed a spine X-ray to calculate spine deformity index (SDI) and a lumbar and femoral DXA scan to assess bone mineral density (BMD) and bone strain index (BSI) at baseline and after a follow-up period of 3 years in average. At the end of the follow-up, 93 women developed a further vertebral fracture. The further vertebral fracture was considered as one unit increase of SDI. We assessed the predictive capacity of supervised Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to distinguish women who developed a further fracture from those without it, and to detect those variables providing the maximal amount of relevant information to discriminate the two groups. ANNs choose appropriate input data automatically (TWIST-system, Training With Input Selection and Testing). Moreover, we built a semantic connectivity map usingthe Auto Contractive Map to provide further insights about the convoluted connections between the osteoporotic variables under consideration and the two scenarios (further fracture vs no further fracture).

Results

TWIST system selected 5 out of 13 available variables: age, menopause age, BMI, FTot BMC, FTot BSI. With training testing procedure, ANNs reached predictive accuracy of 79.36%, with a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 83.72%.

The semantic connectivity map highlighted the role of BSI in predicting the risk of a further fracture.

Conclusions

Artificial Intelligence is a useful method to analyse a complex system like that regarding osteoporosis, able to identify patients prone to a further fragility fracture. BSI appears to be a useful DXA index in identifying those patients who are at risk of further vertebral fractures.