bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Problem of Social Responsibility of Laboratory Sciences
Authors: Sikora Marek
Published: July 2022

The classic approach to science is dominated by the belief that science is a form of cognitive activity that focuses on constructing theories to describe and explain the phenomena and processes found in the world. Due to the fulfilment of the criteria of intersubjective communicability and controllability, theories are considered to be objective products of research activity that do not bear social responsibility for their applications. In this paper, the issue of social responsibility of science is addressed both from the classic perspective and from the non-classic viewpoint represented by laboratory sciences, i.e. those sciences that are predominantly concerned with creating phenomena rather than discovering them. It is argued that whereas in the former case the problem of social responsibility of science does not provoke serious controversy, in the latter case such controversies do exist and, furthermore, they are justified.
A Stochastic Approximation Method for Simulation-Based Quantile Optimization
Authors: Hu Jiaqiao , Peng Yijie , Zhang Gongbo , Zhang Qi
Published: July 2022

We present a gradient-based algorithm for solving a class of simulation optimization problems in which the objective function is the quantile of a simulation output random variable. In contrast with existing quantile (quantile derivative) estimation techniques, which aim to eliminate the estimator bias by gradually increasing the simulation sample size, our algorithm incorporates a novel recursive procedure that only requires a single simulation sample at each step to simultaneously obtain quantile and quantile derivative estimators that are asymptotically unbiased. We show that these estimators, when coupled with the standard gradient descent method, lead to a multitime-scale stochastic approximation type of algorithm that converges to an optimal quantile value with probability one. In our numerical experiments, the proposed algorithm is applied to optimal investment portfolio problems, resulting in new solutions that complement those obtained under the classical Markowitz mean-variance framework.

History: Accepted by Alice E. Smith, Editor-in-Chief; Bruno Tuffin, Area Editor for Simulation.

Funding: The work of Y. Peng was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) [Grants 72022001, 92146003, and 71901003], and by the Key Research and Development Programof Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission.

Supplemental Material: The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2022.1214 .
A New Take on the Categorical Imperative: Gatekeeping, Boundary Maintenance, and Evaluation Penalties in Science
Authors: Fini Riccardo , Jourdan Julien , Perkmann Markus , Toschi Laura
Published: July 2022

Extant theory suggests that candidates with an unfocused identity—those spanning different categories—suffer from a valuation penalty because evaluators are confused by their profile and concerned they lack the required skills. We argue that unfocused candidates may be penalized for another reason; they threaten established social boundaries. This happens in contexts where evaluators act as gatekeepers for social entities, such as professions. We test how the penalty applied to unfocused candidates varies in an academic accreditation process, a setting where evaluators decide on admitting candidates to an academic discipline and where candidates’ prior performance is observable. We find using data on the 2012 national scientific qualification in Italian academia that the valuation penalty applied to unfocused (multidisciplinary) candidates was most pronounced for the most high-performing candidates. High-performing yet ill-fitting candidates threaten the distinctiveness and knowledge domain of the discipline and are hence penalized by evaluators. High-performing multidisciplinary candidates suffered the greatest penalty in small and distinctive academic disciplines and when accreditors were highly typical members of their discipline. Our theory and findings suggest that the categorical imperative may be driven not only by cognitive or capability considerations as typically argued in the literature but also, by attempts to maintain social boundaries.

Supplemental Material: The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2022.1610 .
Distributionally Robust Fair Transit Resource Allocation During a Pandemic
Authors: Sun Luying , Xie Weijun , Witten Tim
Published: July 2022

This paper studies the distributionally robust fair transit resource allocation model (DrFRAM) under the Wasserstein ambiguity set to optimize the public transit resource allocation during a pandemic. We show that the proposed DrFRAM is highly nonconvex and nonlinear, and it is NP-hard in general. Fortunately, we show that DrFRAM can be reformulated as a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) by leveraging the equivalent representation of distributionally robust optimization and monotonicity properties, binarizing integer variables, and linearizing nonconvex terms. To improve the proposed MILP formulation, we derive stronger ones and develop valid inequalities by exploiting the model structures. Additionally, we develop scenario decomposition methods using different MILP formulations to solve the scenario subproblems and introduce a simple yet effective no one left-based approximation algorithm with a provable approximation guarantee to solve the model to near optimality. Finally, we numerically demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approaches and apply them to real-world data provided by the Blacksburg Transit.

History: This paper has been accepted for the Transportation Science Special Issue on Emerging Topics in Transportation Science and Logistics.

Funding: This work was supported by the Division of Computing and Communication Foundations [Grant 2153607] and the Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation [Grant 2046426].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2022.1159 .
Highlighting the latest research: July 2022
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane
Published: July 2022

Sarah Jane Palmer presents a selection of recently published articles of interest to nurses working in cardiovascular nursing. The aim of this roundup is to provide a brief overview of the research papers selected. A full reference is provided for those who wish to look at the research in further detail.
Scaling Up a Peer-Mediated Program Statewide: Lessons Learned Through Peer to Peer
Authors: Matthews Amy , Ziegler Maureen , Mayberry Margie , Owen-DeSchryver Jamie , Carter Erik W.
Published: July 2022

Peer-mediated interventions are a powerful and practical way of promoting the social relationships, learning, and inclusion of students with disabilities. In this article, we describe one state's efforts to scale up a research-based, peer-mediated program called Peer to Peer throughout Michigan. Among the more than 700 schools that now offer this program, as many as 18,000 peers are involved in supporting nearly 5,000 schoolmates with autism and other developmental disabilities in their learning and relationships. We share our perspectives on eight key factors that have contributed to the growth and widespread adoption of Peer to Peer over the last 20 years. We discuss enduring challenges in this long-haul work and conclude with recommendations for future research focused on schoolwide peer-mediated programs.
Effect of inactivating RNA viruses by coupled UVC and UVA LEDs evaluated by a viral surrogate commonly used as a genetic vector
Authors: Zhao Yun , Dong Jianfei
Published: July 2022

RNA viruses are ubiquitous in nature, many of which can cause severe infectious syndromes to humanity, e.g., the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been widely studied for inactivating various species of microorganisms, including viruses. The most applicable UV light for viruses ranges from 200nm to 280nm in wavelength, i.e., UVC. More recently, the synergy of UVA light with UVC has been studied in disinfecting bacteria in polluted water. However, little attention has been paid to studying viral inactivation by coupled UVC and UVA LEDs. The necessity of such research is to find an effective and economical solution for the LEDs of these two bands. Along this track, we attempt to tackle two major challenges. The first is to find a suitable viral surrogate that can safely be used in ordinary labs. In this aspect, lentivirus is commonly used as a genetic vector and has been selected to surrogate RNA viruses. Another is to determine the effective dosage of the coupled UVC and UVA light. To this end, the surrogate lentivirus was irradiated by 280nm (UVC) LEDs, 365nm (UVA) LEDs, and their combination at various doses. Survival rates were detected to compare the efficacy of various options. Moreover, the viral RNA damage was detected by RT-qPCR to disclose the mechanism of viral death. The results have shown that for the same duration of irradiation, the effect of the full-power 280nm LEDs is equivalent to that of the half-power 280nm LEDs combined with a suitable radiant power of the 365nm LEDs. The observations have been further confirmed by the effect of damaging the viral RNA by either the 280nm or 365nm light. In conclusion, the experimental results provide clear evidence of alleviating the requirement of UVC LEDs in viral inactivation by substituting them partially with UVA LEDs.
High-power CW oscillation of 1.3-µm wavelength InP-based photonic-crystal surface-emitting lasers
Authors: Itoh Yuhki , Kono Naoya , Inoue Daisuke , Fujiwara Naoki , Ogasawara Makoto , Fujii Kosuke , Yoshinaga Hiroyuki , Yagi Hideki , Yanagisawa Masaki , Yoshida Masahiro , Inoue Takuya , Zoysa Menaka De , Ishizaki Kenji , Noda Susumu
Published: July 2022

We demonstrate high-power continuous-wave (CW) lasing oscillation of 1.3-µm wavelength InP-based photonic-crystal surface-emitting lasers (PCSELs). Single-mode operation with an output power of over 100 mW, a side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) of over 50 dB, and a narrow single-lobe beam with a divergence angle of below 1.2° are successfully achieved by using a double-lattice photonic crystal structure consisting of high-aspect-ratio deep air holes. The double lattice is designed to enhance both the in-plane optical feedback and the surface radiation effects in the photonic crystal. The coupling coefficients for 180

∘

, +90

∘

, and -90

∘

diffractions are estimated from the measurements of the photonic band structure as κ1D = 417 cm−1, κ2D+ = 135 cm−1, and κ2D− = 65 cm−1, respectively. The stable single-mode, high-beam-quality operation is attributed to these large coupling coefficients introduced by the asymmetric double-lattice structure.
A versatile multi-tone laser system for manipulating atomic qubits based on a fiber Mach–Zehnder modulator and second harmonic generation
Authors: Li Rui-Rui , He Ran , Cui Jin-Ming , Chen Yan , Ye Wei-Ran , Chen Yi-Long , Huang Yun-Feng , Li Chuan-Feng , Guo Guang-Can
Published: July 2022

Stimulated Raman transition is a fundamental method to coherently manipulate quantum states in different physical systems. Phase-coherent dichromatic radiation fields matching the energy level splitting are the key to realizing stimulated Raman transition. Here we demonstrate a flexible-tuning, spectrum-clean and fiber-compatible method to generate a highly phase-coherent and high-power multi-tone laser. This method features the utilization of a broadband fiber Mach–Zehnder modulator working at carrier suppression condition and second harmonic generation. We generate a multi-tone continuous-wave 532 nm laser with a power of 1.5 Watts and utilize it to manipulate the spin and motional states of a trapped 171Yb+ ion via stimulated Raman transition. For spin state manipulation, we acquire an effective Rabi frequency of 2π × 662.3 kHz. Due to the broad bandwidth of the fiber modulator and nonlinear crystal, the frequency gap between tones can be flexibly tuned. Benefiting from the features above, this method can manipulate 171Yb+ and 137Ba+ simultaneously in the multi-species ion trap and has potential to be widely applied in atomic, molecular and optical physics.
Polarization insensitive efficient ultra-narrow diode laser strictly locked by a Faraday filter
Authors: Tang Hao , Zhao Huizi , Zhang Dan , Li Liang , Yang Weiqiang , han Kai , Yang Zining , Wang Hongyan , Xu Xiaojun
Published: July 2022

A Faraday anomalous dispersion optical filter (FADOF) could lock high-power diode lasers to atomic resonance lines with ultra-narrow bandwidth. However, the polarization sensitivity of the Faraday filter limits its applications since the standard diode module often employs polarization combination to increase pumping brightness. We proposed a polarization-insensitive mutual injection configuration to solve this problem and locked a standard polarization combined diode module to Rb D2-line. The laser bandwidth was narrowed from 4 nm to 0.005 nm (2.6 GHz, FWHM) with 38.3 W output and an external cavity efficiency of 80%. This FADOF-based polarization-insensitive external-cavity scheme would find many applications, such as high energy atomic gas laser pumping (alkali lasers, metastable rare gas lasers) and quantum optics, etc.
Dual-physical layer high-security encryption scheme for seven-core fiber FPS-OFDM-PON
Authors: Huang Jingrui , Liu Bo , Ren Jianxin , Mao Yaya , Chen Shuaidong , Wu Xiangyu , Wan Yibin , Liu Xuanling , Wu YongFeng , Zhao LiLong , Sun TingTing , Ullah Rahat
Published: July 2022

This paper proposes an encryption scheme for floating probabilistic shaping orthogonal frequency division multiplexing passive optical networks (FPS-OFDM-PON). Four chaotic sequences are generated by the 4D hyperchaotic model for floating probabilistic shaping (FPS) and bubble sort encryption scheme. An experiment is conducted to demonstrate the transmission of a 70Gb/s (7×10Gb/s) FPS-OFDM-PON signal across a 2km weakly coupled 7-core fiber. The keyspace of the 4D hyperchaotic model reaches 10120. The results show that a 1.82 dB gain in receiver sensitivity compared with the conventional uniform 16QAM-OFDM due to the introduction of FPS. When the system is assaulted by an unlawful receiver, the bit error rate (BER) can still remain at 0.49, successfully assuring the system's security. Due to its good transmission and security performance, the scheme has important application prospects in the future optical access network.
High-power near-CW Raman lasing in mm-sized glass disks
Authors: Gold D. C. , Bhadkamkar A. S. , Carpenter S. , Hogan L. T. , Dwyer M. , Beede M. , Goldsmith R. H. , van der Weide D. , Yavuz D. D.
Published: July 2022

We experimentally demonstrate Raman lasing in a mm-sized CaF2 disk, with an optical power output of the first Stokes sideband exceeding 100 mW in a near-continuous wave (CW) operation. The pump beam at a wavelength of 1.06

μ

m is coupled to the whispering gallery modes of the disk with the use of a tapered glass fiber. With the pump beam coupled to one of the resonator modes, we observe the generation of the first and the second Stokes sidebands at wavelengths of 1.1

μ

m and 1.14

μ

m, respectively. The conversion efficiency from the pump laser beam to the generated sidebands is ∼10%. These results open up the prospect of using such mm-sized disks as compact, highly efficient ultrafast modulators with modulation frequencies as high as 10 THz.
Micro-fabricated mirrors with finesse exceeding one million
Authors: Jin Naijun , McLemore Charles A. , Mason David , Hendrie James P. , Luo Yizhi , Kelleher Megan L. , Kharel Prashanta , Quinlan Franklyn , Diddams Scott A. , Rakich Peter T.
Published: July 2022

The Fabry–Perot resonator is one of the most widely used optical
devices, enabling scientific and technological breakthroughs in
diverse fields including cavity quantum electrodynamics, optical
clocks, precision length metrology, and spectroscopy. Though resonator
designs vary widely, all high-end applications benefit from mirrors
with the lowest loss and highest finesse possible. Fabrication of the
highest-finesse mirrors relies on centuries-old mechanical polishing
techniques, which offer losses at the parts-per-million (ppm) level.
However, no existing fabrication techniques are able to produce
high-finesse resonators with the large range of mirror geometries
needed for scalable quantum devices and next-generation compact atomic
clocks. In this paper, we introduce a scalable approach to fabricate
mirrors with ultrahigh finesse (

≥

10
6

) and user-defined radius of curvature
spanning of four orders of magnitude (

10

−
4

−

10
0

m

). We employ photoresist reflow and
reactive ion etching to shape and transfer mirror templates onto a
substrate while maintaining sub-Angstrom roughness. This substrate is
coated with a dielectric stack and used to create arrays of compact
Fabry–Perot resonators with finesse values as high as 1.3 million and
measured excess loss

<

1

p
p
m

. Optical ringdown measurements of 43
devices across five substrates reveal that the fabricated cavity
mirrors—with both small and large radii of curvature—produce an
average coating-limited finesse of 1.05 million. This versatile
approach opens the door to scalable fabrication of high-finesse
miniaturized Fabry–Perot cavities needed for emerging quantum optics
and frequency metrology technologies.
Insight into the photoinduced phenomena in ternary Ge-Sb-Se sputtered thin films
Authors: Halenkovič Tomáš , Kotrla Magdaléna , Gutwirth Jan , Nazabal Virginie , Němec Petr
Published: July 2022

The kinetics of photoinduced changes, namely, photobleaching and photodarkening in sputtered ternary

Ge

29

Sb

8

Se

63

thin films, was studied. The study of time evolution of the absorption coefficient

Δ
α
(
t
)

upon room-temperature near-bandgap irradiation revealed several types of photoinduced effects. The as-deposited films exhibited a fast photodarkening followed by a dominative photobleaching process. Annealed thin films were found to undergo photodarkening only. The local structure studied by Raman scattering spectroscopy showed significant structural changes upon thermal annealing, which are presumably responsible for a transition from the photobleaching observed in as-deposited and reversible photodarkening in annealed thin films. Moreover, a transient photodarkening process was observed in both as-deposited and annealed thin films. The influence of the initial film thickness and laser optical intensity on the kinetics of photoinduced changes is discussed.
Folding metamaterials with extremely strong electromagnetic resonance
Authors: Silalahi Harry Miyosi , Chiang Wei-Fan , Shih Yi-Hong , Wei Wan-Yi , Su Jou-Yu , Huang Chia-Yi
Published: July 2022

Aqueous solutions cannot be detected using transmissive terahertz metamaterials because water strongly absorbs terahertz waves. Transmissive terahertz metamaterials are easier to integrate terahertz emitters and receivers into single and compact devices than reflective terahertz metamaterials. The detection of aqueous solutions using transmissive terahertz metamaterials is a big challenge. This work fabricates a transmissive terahertz metamaterial using a folding metamaterial comprising split-ring resonators (SRRs) with nano-profiles with a high aspect ratio of 41.4. The folding metamaterial has a small transmittance of

−
49
  
dB

at its resonance frequency, large transmittance contrast of approximately

6
×

10

4

with respect to the transmittance of its substrate, large refractive index sensitivity of 647 GHz/RIU, and large quality factor of 37. This result arises from the nano-profiles of the SRRs. The nano-profiles increase the surface areas of the SRRs, increasing their surface currents and enhancing the electromagnetic resonance of the folding metamaterial. The folding metamaterial detects a 188-μm-thick rabbit-blood layer that is deposited on it, which cannot be detected by using a common metamaterial. This result reveals that folding metamaterials have potential in detecting the products of live microorganisms with geometrical sizes up to several hundreds of micrometers, such as hydrogen gas, hydrocarbons, and antibodies.
Lessons from a pandemic
Authors: Eggli Yves , Rousson Valentin
Published: July 2022

Several interventions have been used around the world trying to contain the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, such as quarantine, prohibition of mass demonstrations, isolation of sick people, tracing of virus carriers, semi-containment, promotion of barrier gestures, development of rapid self-tests and vaccines among others. We propose a simple model to evaluate the potential impact of such interventions. A model for the reproduction number of an infectious disease including three main contexts of infection (indoor mass events, public indoor activities and household) and seven parameters is considered. We illustrate how these parameters could be obtained from the literature or from expert assumptions, and we apply the model to describe 20 scenarios that can typically occur during the different phases of a pandemic. This model provides a useful framework for better understanding and communicating the effects of different (combinations of) possible interventions, while encouraging constant updating of expert assumptions to better match reality. This simple approach will bring more transparency and public support to help governments to think, decide, evaluate and adjust what to do during a pandemic.
Epidemiology of yellow fever virus in humans, arthropods, and non-human primates in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Oyono Martin Gael , Kenmoe Sebastien , Abanda Ngu Njei , Takuissu Guy Roussel , Ebogo-Belobo Jean Thierry , Kenfack-Momo Raoul , Kengne-Nde Cyprien , Mbaga Donatien Serge , Tchatchouang Serges , Kenfack-Zanguim Josiane , Lontuo Fogang Robertine , Zeuko’o Menkem Elisabeth , Ndzie Ondigui Juliette Laure , Kame-Ngasse Ginette Irma , Magoudjou-Pekam Jeannette Nina , Bowo-Ngandji Arnol , Nkie Esemu Seraphine , Ndip Lucy
Published: July 2022

Yellow fever (YF) has re-emerged in the last two decades causing several outbreaks in endemic countries and spreading to new receptive regions. This changing epidemiology of YF creates new challenges for global public health efforts. Yellow fever is caused by the yellow fever virus (YFV) that circulates between humans, the mosquito vector, and non-human primates (NHP). In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we review and analyse data on the case fatality rate (CFR) and prevalence of YFV in humans, and on the prevalence of YFV in arthropods, and NHP in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We performed a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, African Journal Online, and African Index Medicus databases. We included studies reporting data on the CFR and/or prevalence of YFV. Extracted data was verified and analysed using the random effect meta-analysis. We conducted subgroup, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias analyses using the random effect meta-analysis while I2 statistic was employed to determine heterogeneity. This review was registered with PROSPERO under the identification CRD42021242444. The final meta-analysis included 55 studies. The overall case fatality rate due to YFV was 31.1% (18.3–45.4) in humans and pooled prevalence of YFV infection was 9.4% (6.9–12.2) in humans. Only five studies in West and East Africa detected the YFV in mosquito species of the genus Aedes and in Anopheles funestus. In NHP, YFV antibodies were found only in members of the Cercopithecidae family. Our analysis provides evidence on the ongoing circulation of the YFV in humans, Aedes mosquitoes and NHP in SSA. These observations highlight the ongoing transmission of the YFV and its potential to cause large outbreaks in SSA. As such, strategies such as those proposed by the WHO’s Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) initiative are urgently needed to control and prevent yellow fever outbreaks in SSA.
Covid and mental health in America
Authors: Blanchflower David G. , Bryson Alex
Published: July 2022

Using 44 sweeps of the US Census Household Pulse Survey data for the period April 2020 to April 22 we track the evolution of the mental health of just over three million Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. We find anxiety, depression and worry had two major peaks in 2020 but improved in 2021 and 2022. We show that a variable we construct based on daily inflows of COVID cases by county, aggregated up to state, is positively associated with worse mental health, having conditioned on state fixed effects and seasonality in mental health. However, the size of the effect declines in 2021 and 2022 as vaccination rates rise. For women and college educated men having a vaccine improved mental health. However, being vaccinated worsens mental health among less educated men.
Temporal relationships among role stress, staff burnout, and residents’ behavioral problems: A 2-year longitudinal study in child care homes in Hong Kong
Authors: Fong Ted C. T. , Ho Rainbow T. H. , Fong Joyce C. Y.
Published: July 2022

Young residents in care homes experience psychological distress arising from their complex family backgrounds. Residential care workers face job demands and are prone to burnout due to the role stress of balancing enormous workloads with residents’ emotional needs. This 2-year study examined the changes in role stress, burnout, and residents’ behavioral problems, and their temporal relationships in a sample of 381 young residents and 76 workers from residential care homes in Hong Kong. The workers completed the Role Questionnaire and Copenhagen Burnout Inventory and evaluated the residents’ behavioral problems using the Child Behavior Checklist every 3 months. Latent growth modeling was used to analyze the temporal changes, and multilevel regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between role stress and residents’ behavioral problems. The workers displayed stable trends in role stress and burnout with significant inter-individual variations in temporal changes. The residents’ total behavioral problems displayed piecewise decreasing trajectories with significant declines over the first 9 months. Controlling for baseline levels, changes in role stress showed significant and positive associations with changes in work burnout and total behavioral problems over the first 9 months. The findings provide support for the temporal relationships among role stress, work burnout, and residents’ behavioral problems in a residential care setting.
Length of hospital stay and associated factors among heart failure patients admitted to the University Hospital in Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Tigabe Tekle Masho , Bekalu Abaynesh Fentahun , Tefera Yonas Getaye
Published: July 2022

Background

A prolonged length of hospital stay during heart failure-related hospitalization results in frequent readmission and high mortality. The study was aimed to determine the length of hospital stays and associated factors among heart failure patients.

Methods

A prospective hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the length of hospital stay and associated factors among heart failure patients admitted to the medical ward of the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from January 2019 to June 2020. Multiple linear regression was used to identify factors associated with length of hospital stay and reported with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI). P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant to declare the association.

Result

A total of 263 heart failure patients (mean age: 51.08 ± 19.24 years) were included. The mean length of hospital stay was 17.29 ± 7.27 days. Number of comorbidities (B = 1.494, p < 0.001), admission respiratory rate (B = -0.242, p = 0.009), serum potassium (B = -1.525, p = 0.005), third heart sound (B = -4.118, p = 0.005), paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (B = 2.494, p = 0.004), causes of acute heart failure; hypertensive heart disease (B = -6.349, p = 0.005), and precipitating factors of acute heart failure; infection (B = 2.867, p = 0.037) were significantly associated with length of hospital stay. Number of comorbidities, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and precipitating factors of AHF specifically infection were associated with a prolonged length of hospital stay.

Conclusion

Heart failure patients admitted to the medical ward had prolonged hospital stays. Thus, clinicians would be aware of the clinical features contributing to the longer hospital stay and implementation of interventions or strategies that could reduce the heart failure patient’s hospital stay is necessary.
How social media data are being used to research the experience of mourning: A scoping review
Authors: Spiti Julia Muller , Davies Ellen , McLiesh Paul , Kelly Janet
Published: July 2022

Background

Increasingly, people are using social media (SM) to express grief, and researchers are using this data to investigate the phenomenon of mourning. As this research progresses, it is important to understand how studies are being conducted and how authors are approaching ethical challenges related to SM data.

Objective

The aim of this review was to explore how SM data are being used to research experiences of mourning through the following questions: a) ‘Which topics related to mourning are being studied?’; b) ‘What study designs have been used to analyse SM data’; c) ‘What type of data (natural or generated) have been used?’; and d) ‘How are ethical decisions being considered?’.

Methods

The JBI Scoping Review methodology guided this review. Eligibility criteria were determined using the PCC framework, and relevant key words and phrases derived from these criteria were used to search eight databases in September 2021 (CINAHL, Embase, LILACS, OpenGrey, ProQuest, PsycINFO, PubMed and Scopus). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines were used to report the results of this review.

Results

Database searches resulted in 3418 records, of which, 89 met eligibility criteria. Four categories of grief and mourning were identified. Most records were qualitative in nature and used natural data. Only 20% of records reported ethics approval by an Institutional Review Board, with several including measures to protect participants, for example, using pseudonyms.

Conclusions

This unique review mapped the diverse range of mourning-related topics that have been investigated using SM data and highlighted the variability in approaches to data analysis. Ethical concerns relating to SM data collection are identified and discussed. This is an emerging and rapidly changing field of research that offers new opportunities and challenges for exploring the phenomenon of mourning.
The effect of nonpharmaceutical interventions on COVID-19 infections for lower and middle-income countries: A debiased LASSO approach
Authors: Zamanzadeh Akbar , Cavoli Tony
Published: July 2022

This paper investigates the determinants of COVID-19 infection in the first 100 days of government actions. Using a debiased LASSO estimator, we explore how different measures of government nonpharmaceutical interventions affect new infections of COVID-19 for 37 lower and middle-income countries (LMCs). We find that closing schools, stay-at-home restrictions, and contact tracing reduce the growth of new infections, as do economic support to households and the number of health care workers. Notably, we find no significant effects of business closures. Finally, infections become higher in countries with greater income inequality, higher tourist inflows, poorly educated adults, and weak governance quality. We conclude that several policy interventions reduce infection rates for poorer countries. Further, economic and institutional factors are important; thereby justifying the use, and ultimately success, of economic support to households during the initial infection period.
Epilepsy life skill education guidelines for primary school teachers and learners in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces, South Africa: Multiphase mixed methods protocol
Authors: Makhado Thendo Gertie , Lebese Rachel Tsakani , Maputle Maria Sonto , Makhado Lufuno
Published: July 2022

Epilepsy is a disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures. It may result from a genetic condition and occurs mainly in children, especially at a primary level. Most people living with Epilepsy suffer from stigma and discrimination because of a lack of knowledge regarding Epilepsy. This study aims to develop life skills education guidelines for primary school learners of Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces to educate learners about Epilepsy, thus decreasing stigma and discrimination. A multimethod research approach will be used in this study to fulfil its purpose. Both stages 1 and 2 of the empirical phase (phase 1) will employ an exploratory-descriptive study design focusing on the primary school teachers, life skills educational advisors and learners to obtain their perceptions or views regarding the need to include Epilepsy in life skills education. Data will be collected using individual interviews for life skill educational advisors and focus group discussions for teachers and learners at the sampled primary schools in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. Phase two will conceptualise the phase 1 findings into the conceptual framework, and phase 3 will develop and validate the life skills guideline. This study will adhere to both internal and external ethical considerations. Recommendations will be made based on the findings of the study.
Association of compassion and empathy with prosocial health behaviors and attitudes in a pandemic
Authors: Karnaze Melissa M. , Bellettiere John , Bloss Cinnamon S.
Published: July 2022

This investigation examined how dispositional compassion and empathy were associated with prosocial behaviors and attitudes in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Every two weeks from March 22 to June 15, 2020, we fielded a survey to a new cohort of adults in the U.S. Compassion related to whether one stayed home to protect others, more hours spent staying home and distancing from others, and more frequent mask wearing in public, in the past two weeks. Compassion also related to greater perceived ability to help others who were negatively affected. Empathy related to more endorsement of understanding others’ fear of COVID-19, and less endorsement of the view that others were overreacting to COVID-19. There was an interaction between empathy and political ideology, suggesting that empathy may matter for understanding others’ fear among those with more conservative-leaning beliefs. Empathy also related to greater understanding that sheltering-in-place helps prevent the spread of COVID-19. Findings suggest that messaging and interventions to increase compassion and empathy may promote public health behaviors during a pandemic regardless of political orientation. Targeting empathy may be one way to reach individuals with more conservative political beliefs, and it is important to use an evidence-based approach accounting for political party differences in motivated reasoning.
Understanding no-show behaviour for cervical cancer screening appointments among hard-to-reach women in Bogotá, Colombia: A mixed-methods approach
Authors: Barrera Ferro David , Bayer Steffen , Bocanegra Laura , Brailsford Sally , Díaz Adriana , Gutiérrez-Gutiérrez Elena Valentina , Smith Honora
Published: July 2022

The global burden of cervical cancer remains a concern and higher early mortality rates are associated with poverty and limited health education. However, screening programs continue to face implementation challenges, especially in developing country contexts. In this study, we use a mixed-methods approach to understand the reasons for no-show behaviour for cervical cancer screening appointments among hard-to-reach low-income women in Bogotá, Colombia. In the quantitative phase, individual attendance probabilities are predicted using administrative records from an outreach program (N = 23384) using both LASSO regression and Random Forest methods. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews are analysed to understand patient perspectives (N = 60). Both inductive and deductive coding are used to identify first-order categories and content analysis is facilitated using the Framework method. Quantitative analysis shows that younger patients and those living in zones of poverty are more likely to miss their appointments. Likewise, appointments scheduled on Saturdays, during the school vacation periods or with lead times longer than 10 days have higher no-show risk. Qualitative data shows that patients find it hard to navigate the service delivery process, face barriers accessing the health system and hold negative beliefs about cervical cytology.
Assessing the efficacy of electronic quail callers in attracting stubble quail and non-target predators
Authors: Ray Mia , White John G. , Weston Michael A. , Rendall Anthony R. , Toop Simon D. , Dunstan Heath , Hampton Jordan O. , Cooke Raylene
Published: July 2022

Hunting is a prominent feature of many human societies. Advancements in hunting technologies can challenge the ethics and sustainability of hunting globally. We investigated the efficacy of an electronic acoustic lure (‘quail caller’), in attracting the otherwise difficult-to hunt stubble quail Coturnix pectoralis in Victoria, Australia. Using distance sampling, the density and abundance of stubble quail was estimated at 79 sites across a range of habitat types in an agricultural setting, each with an active ‘quail caller’ station continuously broadcasting for 48 hours, and a control station (no broadcast). Quail detectability at the active stations (62.9%) far exceeded that at control stations (6.3%). Most (57%) detections occurred within 30 m of active ‘quail callers’. Stubble quail relative abundance was substantially greater when ‘quail callers’ were broadcasting. Cameras mounted near ‘quail callers’ identified the predatory red fox as a non-target predator, although rates of attraction appear similar between active and control sites. ‘Quail callers’ are highly effective at attracting stubble quail and concentrating them to a known area, raising questions in relation to sustainable hunting practices, indirect effects, and ethical implications. ‘Quail callers’ do, however, also offer a tool for estimating quail abundance and developing more accurate population size estimates.
Social and maternal behavior in mesoderm specific transcript (Mest)-deficient mice
Authors: Anunciado-Koza Rea P. , Stohn J. Patrizia , Hernandez Arturo , Koza Robert A.
Published: July 2022

Mesoderm specific transcript (Mest)/paternally expressed gene-1 (Peg1) is an imprinted gene expressed predominantly from the paternal allele. Aberrations in maternal behavior were previously reported in a Mest global knockout mouse (Mesttm1Masu). In this study, we performed in-depth social and maternal behavioral testing in a mouse model of Mest inactivation developed in our laboratory (Mesttm1.2Rkz). Mice with paternal allele inactivation (MestpKO) did not show anxiety after testing in the elevated plus maze, open field trial, and marble burying; nor depression-like behaviors in the tail suspension test. MestpKO showed normal social behaviors and memory/cognition in the three-chamber box test and the novel object recognition test, respectively. Primiparous MestpKO and MestgKO (biallelic Mest inactivation) female mice exhibited normal nest building and maternal behavior; and, virgin MestpKO and MestgKO female mice showed normal maternal instinct. Analyses of gene expression in adult hypothalamus, embryonic day 14.5 whole brain and adult whole brain demonstrated full abrogation of Mest mRNA in MestpKO and MestgKO mice with no effect on miR-335 expression. Our data indicates no discernible impairments in object recognition memory, social behavior or maternal behavior resulting from loss of Mest. The basis for the differences in maternal phenotypic behaviors between Mesttm1Masu and Mesttm1.2Rkz is not known.
Testing for Benford’s Law in very small samples: Simulation study and a new test proposal
Authors: Cerasa Andrea
Published: July 2022

Benford’s Law defines a statistical distribution for the first and higher order digits in many datasets. Under very general condition, numbers are expected to naturally conform to the theorized digits pattern. On the other side, any deviation from the Benford distribution could identify an exogenous modification of the expected pattern, due to data manipulation or even fraud. Many statistical tests are available for assessing the Benford conformity of a sample. However, in some practical applications, the limited number of data to analyze may raise questions concerning their reliability. The first aim of this article is then to analyze and compare the behavior of Benford conformity testing procedures applied to very small samples through an extensive Monte Carlo experiment. Simulations will consider a thorough choice of compliance tests and a very heterogeneous selection of alternative distributions. Secondly, we will use the simulation results for defining a new testing procedure, based on the combination of three tests, that guarantees suitable levels of power in each alternative scenario. Finally, a practical application is provided, demonstrating how a sounding testing Benford compliance test for very small samples is important and profitable in anti-fraud investigations.
Implementación de datos meteorológicos modelados en el norte patagónico argentino (1982-2017)
Authors: García Bu Bucogen Grethel , Piccolo María Cintia , Bohn Vanesa Yael
Published: July 2022

El objetivo del trabajo es comparar y validar bases de datos meteorológicos modeladas con datos in situ para caracterizar climáticamente el norte patagónico argentino. La clasificación climática fue realizada en base a las ecorregiones propuestas por Morello et al. (2012). Se analizaron estadísticamente las bases de datos in situ del Sistema Meteorológico Nacional (SMN) e Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) para el período 1982-2017. La información modelada fue obtenida de las bases de datos POWER NASA, NCEP/NCAR y 3CN. Los datos de reanálisis fueron validados para el año 2017. La prueba de Levene (homogeneidad) evaluó la representatividad de los valores promedio. La base POWER NASA presentó la mayor correlación con los datos in situ y fue validada exitosamente. POWER NASA mostró buen ajuste estadístico para la temperatura del aire (Pearson ~ 0,99) en zonas continentales no montañosas. La restricción se extiende a sectores costeros para la humedad relativa. La prueba de Levene debe ser implementada al trabajar con series de precipitación. El empleo de la variable está limitado a sectores continentales no montañosos. La velocidad del viento fue el parámetro que mostró una correlación baja. No se recomienda su utilización.
Narrativa y experiencia turística en los visitantes de Teotihuacán
Authors: Hernández Espinosa Rafael , Mendoza Ontiveros Martha Marivel , Ruíz Conde María Verónica
Published: July 2022

En los estudios de turismo poco se ha atendido el papel de las narrativas personales. El presente documento tiene por objetivo exponer los resultados de una investigación en la que, con base en observación etnográfica y entrevistas semiestructuradas con visitantes, se analizaron sus actividades, comportamientos e interacciones, así como los discursos y significados que ellos construyen en torno a las vivencias adquiridas durante su estancia en la zona arqueológica de Teotihuacán. Los resultados muestran que las experiencias de los visitantes se constituyen mediante narrativas que involucran situaciones consideradas turísticas y significaciones del viaje del encuentro con el Otro, del ocio, de la recreación y, en particular, del lugar visitado.
Silver nanoparticle-conjugated antibiotics inhibit in vitro growth of Brucella melitensis
Authors: Saadh Mohamed J.
Published: July 2022

Background and Aim: Brucellosis is a contagious livestock disease with a significant economic impact. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of antibiotics used alone or in combination with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against Brucella melitensis Rev 1 in vitro.

Materials and Methods: AgNps conjugated with ciprofloxacin was synthesized and thoroughly characterized by ultraviolet visible spectrophotometry (UV-vis). The antimicrobial effect of ciprofloxacin alone and ciprofloxacin conjugated with AgNPs against B. melitensis Rev 1 was determined by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the erythrocyte hemolytic assay determined the capability of conjugation to cause hemolysis in human erythrocyte.

Results: The UV-vis spectra of both silver-drug nanoconjugates showed a characteristic surface plasmon resonance band at 420 nm. The MIC assays showed that AgNPs conjugation to antibiotics enhanced the antibacterial potential of the selected antibiotics against B. melitensis Rev 1 relative to non-conjugated antibiotics. The results show that low concentrations of AgNPs can kill B. melitensis Rev 1. The MICs of ciprofloxacin and ciprofloxacin–AgNPs were 0.75 and 0.05 μM, respectively.

Conclusion: The conjugation of ciprofloxacin with AgNPs enhanced the antibacterial effects against B. melitensis Rev 1. In addition, this conjugation appears to inhibit the capability of this bacterium to adapt to the presence of antibiotics, thereby inhibiting bacterial resistance. Further studies are required to examine its potential as an in vivo treatment.
Das Papier spricht - Der Körper zeichnet - Die Hand denkt
Authors: Schreyer Lucia
Published: July 2022

Die Körperhaftigkeit der Werkzeichnungen (1963-1974) von Franz Erhard Walther und ihre Bedeutung für das Gesamtwerk des Künstlers wurde vielfach unterschätzt. Lucia Schreyer nimmt sich dieser beidseitigen Blätter an, in denen Sprache und Bild ineinandergreifen und die auf Erlebnissen und Vorstellungen bei der Handlung mit den 58 Werkstücken des 1. Werksatzes (1963-1969) beruhen. Dabei zeichnet sie ihre spannungsreiche Entwicklungsgeschichte zwischen Zensur und Emanzipation im ideologischen Zeitgeist der Konzeptkunst nach und stellt fest: Ihre Ambivalenz und Resistenz gegenüber tradierten Kunstformen steht für eine autonome künstlerische Sprache, in der die dialektische Verbindung von Gegensätzen gedacht wird.
Krankheit gestalten
Authors: Eßler Henrik
Published: July 2022

Moulagen - plastische Krankheitsdarstellungen - waren wichtige Dokumentations- und Lehrobjekte der Medizin. Die Moulagenbildner*innen galten in der Medizingeschichte oft als skurrile Außenseiter*innen, deren Arbeit von alchemistisch anmutender Geheimnistuerei umgeben war. Henrik Eßler widmet sich erstmals der Berufsgeschichte dieser unterschätzten Spezialist*innen. Dabei stellt er einerseits die Bedeutung der Moulage heraus, die weit über eine »naturgetreue« Nachbildung hinausging. Andererseits rückt er die Stellung der Moulagenbildner*innen im wissenschaftlichen Arbeitsprozess in ein neues Licht: Sie waren nicht nur ausführendes Organ, sondern Kooperationspartner*innen im Forschungszusammenhang.
El oxímoron de las clases medias negras
Authors: Viveros Vigoya Mara
Published: July 2022

Abordar la existencia de unas clases medias negras en Colombia no sólo es difícil sino un aparente contrasentido, un oxímoron, porque la gente negra es imaginada como inevitablemente pobre y de »clase baja«. Pero ¿acaso no existen otras experiencias de clase dentro de esta población? Para responder al vacío investigativo sobre este grupo social este libro examina la configuración de las clases medias negras desde finales de los años treinta del siglo xx, a partir de las historias de vida de miembros de tres generaciones de familias originarias de la región del Pacífico y el Caribe que se identifican como parte de esta clase. Esta indagación se hace desde una perspectiva interseccional, que asume que no se puede entender el funcionamiento de las relaciones de poder que dan forma a estas experiencias desde un solo marco explicativo (de clase, género o raza), y que para hacerlo se deben considerar sus mutuas interrelaciones y afectaciones.