bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis, synthesis, and rearrangement of 3D images by using multiview wavelets
Authors: Saveljev Vladimir
Published: September 2023

Multiview wavelets were designed to process images in autostereoscopic multiview three-dimensional (3D) displays. The structure of the proposed wavelets directly corresponds to the structure of the multiview image; the wavelets are made up of rectangular pulses. We demonstrated the analysis, synthesis, and rearrangement of 3D multiview images with the continuous wavelet transform, direct and inverse. By modifying wavelet coefficients, we made transformed (rearranged) 3D images (the rotation, the dimension of the parallax, the inverse depth, and the threshold). The visual 3D images confirm the correctness of processing and rearrangements. The simple structure of the proposed wavelets facilitates their practical application. The proposed technique can be applied to various (multiview/integral/light-field/plenoptic) 3D images.
Analysis of influential factors of image reconstruction quality in structured illumination imaging and its application in laser microprocessing
Authors: Song Juan , Wang Hongjian , Zhang Faling , Jiang Yan
Published: September 2023

Due to the huge demand for higher resolution and stable imaging from fluorescent labeling biological systems and life systems, there has been much research and development of structured light illumination imaging (SIM). Despite this, further investigating the possible applications of SIM in other fields is still meaningful. In this paper, super-resolution observation of non-fluorescent samples by a SIM system under reflective illumination is analyzed. The simulation of SIM imaging and image reconstruction is carried out by using an open-source program, and the influences of the structural parameters of the illumination light (fringe direction, phase, and intensity uniformity of the cosine structured light), the optical parameters of the imaging system (selection of the optical transfer function) and the anti-vibration characteristics of the platform on the super-resolution imaging effect are studied. Finally, by optimizing the above influential factors according to simulation results, successful application of SIM in laser processing process monitoring is demonstrated in the experiment. We believe that our research results will provide some reference for the application of SIM in other similar scenarios.
Research and design of a metasurface with an extended depth of focus in the near field
Authors: Yin Bo , Wang Shubin
Published: September 2023

A metasurface with an extended depth of focus has broad application prospects in security detection. However, in the near field, the simulation results obtained by using traditional methods to achieve an extended depth of focus have a significant deviation from the preset value. This paper discusses the relationship between the depth of focus and focusing position, and the reason why the simulation results deviate from the preset focus position in the radial modulation method.  The angle modulation method is found by a simulation. A more accurate method for an extended depth of focus was proposed by combining the radial modulation method with the quasi-optical path principle. Finally, a polarization-insensitive reflective metasurface element was designed, and elements were arranged to form a polarization-insensitive focus between 150 and 400 mm based on the focusing effect settings. The simulation results indicate that the metasurface achieves the same focusing effect between 175 and 425 mm when different linear-polarization waves are incident. This focus is greater and more accurate than the radial modulation method under the same conditions, which indicates that the method is superior to the radial modulation method in the near-field region. The simulation verifies the accuracy of the method and shows potential application prospects in fields such as microwave imaging.
Advanced algorithms for monochromatic monitoring of complex optical coatings
Authors: Tikhonravov A. , Lagutin Iu. , Lagutina A. , Romanov B. , Yagola A.
Published: September 2023

The paper proposes to use combinations of two algorithms for the on-line prediction of the termination times of layer depositions in the case of complex optical coatings with large numbers of layers with significantly different layer thicknesses. Notch filters with very thin and thick coating layers are considered as examples of coatings where such combinations of algorithms can be useful. Computational manufacturing experiments are used to estimate expected levels of thickness errors and the strength of the error self-compensation effect for various notch filter designs. It is shown that the estimates obtained can be used to select the optimal combination of the considered algorithms.
UN-PUNet for phase unwrapping from a single uneven and noisy ESPI phase pattern
Authors: He Hongxuan , Tang Chen , Zhang Liao , Xu Min , Lei Zhenkun
Published: September 2023

The wrapped phase patterns of objects with varying materials exhibit uneven gray values. Phase unwrapping is a tricky problem from a single wrapped phase pattern in electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) due to the gray unevenness and noise. In this paper, we propose a convolutional neural network (CNN) model named UN-PUNet for phase unwrapping from a single wrapped phase pattern with uneven grayscale and noise. UN-PUNet leverages the benefits of a dual-branch encoder structure, a multi-scale feature fusion structure, a convolutional block attention module, and skip connections. Additionally, we have created an abundant dataset for phase unwrapping with varying degrees of unevenness, fringe density, and noise levels. We also propose a mixed loss function MS_SSIM + L2. Employing the proposed dataset and loss function, we can successfully train the UN-PUNet, ultimately realizing effective and robust phase unwrapping from a single uneven and noisy wrapped phase pattern. We evaluate the performance of our method on both simulated and experimental ESPI wrapped phase patterns, comparing it with DLPU, VUR-Net, and PU-M-Net. The unwrapping performance is assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. Furthermore, we conduct ablation experiments to evaluate the impact of different loss functions and the attention module utilized in our method. The results demonstrate that our proposed method outperforms the compared methods, eliminating the need for pre-processing, post-processing procedures, and parameter fine-tuning. Moreover, our method effectively solves the phase unwrapping problem while preserving the structure and shape, eliminating speckle noise, and addressing uneven grayscale.
Pixel-wise beam-hardening correction for dark-field signal in X-ray dual-phase grating interferometry
Authors: Tang Ruizhi , Organista Caori , Romano Lucia , Van Hoorebeke Luc , Stampanoni Marco , Aelterman Jan , Boone Matthieu N.
Published: September 2023

The dark-field signal provided by X-ray grating interferometry is an invaluable tool for providing structural information beyond the direct spatial resolution and their variations on a macroscopic scale. However, when using a polychromatic source, the beam-hardening effect in the dark-field signal makes the quantitative sub-resolution structural information inaccessible. Especially, the beam-hardening effect in dual-phase grating interferometry varies with spatial location, inter-grating distance, and diffraction order. In this work, we propose a beam-hardening correction algorithm, taking into account all these factors. The accuracy and robustness of the algorithm are then validated by experimental results. This work contributes a necessary step toward accessing small-angle scattering structural information in dual-phase grating interferometry.
Coherence-OAM matrix properties of a twisted Gaussian Schell model beam
Authors: Wang Jing , Nie Xinyu , Guo Yinlong , Liang Yaru , Li Jinhong
Published: September 2023

Based on the cross-spectral density (CSD) function, the coherence-orbital angular momentum (COAM) matrix of twisted Gaussian Schell-model (TGSM) beam is proposed, and the COAM matrix is used to describe the correlation between OAM modes in TGSM optical field. The COAM matrix characteristics of TGSM beam are analyzed by numerical simulation. The results show that the COAM matrix characteristics of TGSM beam depend on the initial parameters of the beam. In addition, a method of generating TGSM beam by superposition of COAM matrix element modes is described, and the influence of different initial parameters on the superposition characteristics is studied. The results reveal the internal relationship between the coherent structure of the optical field, the twist phase and the OAM modes. Our work helps to explore new expressions of partially coherent beams and promote the practical application of optimizing partially coherent beams.
Spatial resolution enhancement with line-scan light-field imaging
Authors: Shi Shengxian , Yu Chengshuai , Zhou Hongyu , Wang Rui , Zhao Zhou , Ji Yu , New T. H. , Qi Fei
Published: September 2023

This Letter proposes a line-scan-based light-field imaging framework that records lines of a light-field image successively to improve its spatial resolution. In this new, to the best of our knowledge, light-field imaging method, a conventional square or hexagonal microlens array is replaced with a cylindrical one. As such, the spatial resolution along the cylindrical axis remains unaffected, but angular information is recorded in the direction perpendicular to the cylindrical axis. By sequentially capturing multiple rows of light-field images with the aid of a translation device, a high-resolution two-dimensional light-field image can then be constructed. As a proof of concept, a prototype line-scan light-field camera was built and tested with the 1951 USAF resolution chart and the high-precision calibration dot array. Good measurement accuracies in the x, y, and z directions are demonstrated and prove that line-scan light-field imaging can significantly improve spatial resolutions and could be an alternative for fast three-dimensional inspections in the production line.
Noncollinear, inelastic four-wave mixing in the extreme ultraviolet
Authors: Mincigrucci R. , Cannizzo A. , Capotondi F. , Cinquegrana P. , Cucini R. , Dallari F. , Danailov M. B. , De Ninno G. , Di Mitri S. , Feurer T. , Foglia L. , Frei H.-M. , Manfredda M. , Maznev A. A. , Monaco G. , Naumenko D. , Nikolov I. , Ollmann Z. , Paltanin E. , Pamfilidis G. , Pedersoli E. , Principi E. , Rehault J. , Simoncig A. , Svetina C. , Knopp G. , Masciovecchio C. , Bencivenga F.
Published: September 2023

Driving four-wave mixing (FWM) processes with extreme ultraviolet (EUV)
pulses could enable experimental approaches that have the potential to
provide unique information on dynamics and correlations. In this work,
we demonstrate inelastic FWM obtained by noncollinear mixing of two
EUV pulses with different photon energies and an optical pulse in a
diamond sample. This three-pulse interaction leads to the emission of
an optical signal, propagating in the phase-matching direction and
blue shifted by the photon energy difference of the two EUV pulses.
The presented results demonstrate the feasibility of experiments such
as the soft X-ray analogue of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering,
so far only theoretically conceived [Phys. Rev. Lett.
89, 043001 (2002)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.89.043001], which can
be further extended for studying vibrational and electronics dephasing
in solid, liquid, or gaseous samples.
Photonic crystal slabs with maximal chiroptical response empowered by bound states in the continuum
Authors: Duan Qilin , Zeng Yali , Yin Yuhang , Xu Jinying , Chen Zhining , Hao Zhanlei , Chen Huanyang , Liu Yineng
Published: September 2023

To enhance the strength of chiral light–matter interaction for practical applications, the chirality and quality factors (Q-factors) of current methods need to be strengthened simultaneously. Here, we propose a design of photonic crystal slabs (PhCs) supporting chiral bound states in the continuum (BICs) of transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes, exhibiting maximal chiroptical responses with high Q-factors and near-unity circular dichroism (CD=0.98). Different from the past, the PhCs we employed only have reduced in-plane symmetry and can support simultaneously chiral quasi-BICs (q-BICs) of TE and TM mode with two-dimensional ultra-strong external and internal chirality. Based on the temporal coupled-mode theory, two analytical expressions of CD of chiral q-BICs response are revealed, which are consistent with the simulation results. Furthermore, we elucidate these results within the charge-current multipole expansion framework and demonstrate that the co-excitation of higher-order multipole electric/magnetic modes is responsible for near-perfect CD. Our results may provide more flexible opportunities for various applications requiring high Q-factors and chirality control, such as chiral lasing, chiral sensing, and enantiomer separation.
Molecular characterization of nervous system organization in the hemichordate acorn worm Saccoglossus kowalevskii
Authors: Andrade López José M. , Pani Ariel M. , Wu Mike , Gerhart John , Lowe Christopher J.
Published: September 2023

Hemichordates are an important group for investigating the evolution of bilaterian nervous systems. As the closest chordate outgroup with a bilaterally symmetric adult body plan, hemichordates are particularly informative for exploring the origins of chordates. Despite the importance of hemichordate neuroanatomy for testing hypotheses on deuterostome and chordate evolution, adult hemichordate nervous systems have not been comprehensively described using molecular techniques, and classic histological descriptions disagree on basic aspects of nervous system organization. A molecular description of hemichordate nervous system organization is important for both anatomical comparisons across phyla and for attempts to understand how conserved gene regulatory programs for ectodermal patterning relate to morphological evolution in deep time. Here, we describe the basic organization of the adult hemichordateSaccoglossus kowalevskiinervous system using immunofluorescence, in situ hybridization, and transgenic reporters to visualize neurons, neuropil, and key neuronal cell types. Consistent with previous descriptions, we found theS.kowalevskiinervous system consists of a pervasive nerve plexus concentrated in the anterior, along with nerve cords on both the dorsal and ventral side. Neuronal cell types exhibited clear anteroposterior and dorsoventral regionalization in multiple areas of the body. We observed spatially demarcated expression patterns for many genes involved in synthesis or transport of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides but did not observe clear distinctions between putatively centralized and decentralized portions of the nervous system. The plexus shows regionalized structure and is consistent with the proboscis base as a major site for information processing rather than the dorsal nerve cord. In the trunk, there is a clear division of cell types between the dorsal and ventral cords, suggesting differences in function. The absence of neural processes crossing the basement membrane into muscle and extensive axonal varicosities suggest that volume transmission may play an important role in neural function. These data now facilitate more informed neural comparisons between hemichordates and other groups, contributing to broader debates on the origins and evolution of bilaterian nervous systems.
The impact of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning design features on the transmission of viruses, including the 2019 novel coronavirus: A systematic review of filtration
Authors: Thornton Gail M. , Fleck Brian A. , Kroeker Emily , Dandnayak Dhyey , Fleck Natalie , Zhong Lexuan , Hartling Lisa
Published: September 2023

Historically, viruses have demonstrated airborne transmission. Emerging evidence suggests the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 also spreads by airborne transmission. This is more likely in indoor environments, particularly with poor ventilation. In the context of airborne transmission, a vital mitigation strategy for the built environment is heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. HVAC features could modify virus transmission potential. A systematic review was conducted to identify and synthesize research examining the effectiveness of filters within HVAC systems in reducing virus transmission. A comprehensive search of OVID MEDLINE, Compendex, and Web of Science Core was conducted to January 2021. Two authors were involved in study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessments. Study characteristics and results were displayed in evidence tables and findings were synthesized narratively. Twenty-three relevant studies showed that: filtration was associated with decreased transmission; filters removed viruses from the air; increasing filter efficiency (efficiency of particle removal) was associated with decreased transmission, decreased infection risk, and increased viral filtration efficiency (efficiency of virus removal); increasing filter efficiency above MERV 13 was associated with limited benefit in further reduction of virus concentration and infection risk; and filters with the same efficiency rating from different companies showed variable performance. Adapting HVAC systems to mitigate virus transmission requires a multi-factorial approach and filtration is one factor offering demonstrated potential for decreased transmission. For filtration to be effective, proper installation is required. Of note, similarly rated filters from different companies may offer different virus reduction results. While increasing filtration efficiency (i.e., increasing MERV rating or moving from MERV to HEPA) is associated with virus mitigation, there are diminishing returns for filters rated MERV 13 or higher. Although costs increase with filtration efficiency, they are lower than the cost of ventilation options with the equivalent reduction in transmission.

Systematic review registration: PROSPERO 2020CRD42020193968.
Androgen receptor and its correlation with estrogen and progesterone receptors, aimed for identification of cases for future anti-androgen therapy in endometrial cancers
Authors: Moatamed Neda A. , Vahdatshariatpanahi Saba , Gjertson David W. , Sachs Chana R. , Kang Yuna , Ostrzega Nora , Huang Jiaoti , Memarzadeh Sanaz
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The expression of androgen receptor (AR) is not commonly tested or studied in uterine cancers, unlike estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) which are positive in most endometrial carcinomas. In this series, we evaluated the expression of AR and its comparison to ER and PR in different types of endometrial cancers and have reviewed the literature.

Materials and methods

The status of AR, ER, and PR expression were evaluated in 71 cases which were categorized into endometrial endometrioid cancer (EEC), non-endometrioid endometrial cancers (NEEC), and metastatic carcinomas of endometrium. Expression of the receptors were compared to each other as well as to mismatch repair proteins (MMR), p53, and body mass index (BMI) using Fisher’s Exact test in the StatPlus software.

Results

In EECs, the positivity was 97% for all the three receptors. In NEEC, positivity rates were 68%, 48%, and 35% for AR, ER, and PR respectively. In Metastatic carcinomas, AR and ER positivity was seen in 100% while PR was positive in 75% of the cases. In all cancers, the rates were 17% (11/66) for MMR loss, 57% (30/53) for p53 aberrant expression, and 76% (54/71) for the patients with BMI of ≥ 25 (kg/m2).

Conclusion

AR is expressed in a high percentage of endometrial cancers. Its significance is more evident in high-grade NEEC where ER and PR may not be expressed. These findings warrant further evaluation of AR expression and candidacy of this pathway as a potential therapeutic target in endometrial cancers.
Protocol for a randomized controlled trial to evaluate a year-long (NICU-to-home) evidence-based, high dose physical therapy intervention in infants at risk of neuromotor delay
Authors: Deng Weiyang , Anastasopoulos Sofia , deRegnier Raye-Ann , Pouppirt Nicole , Barlow Ann K. , Patrick Cheryl , O’Brien Megan K. , Babula Sarah , Sukal-Moulton Theresa , Peyton Colleen , Morgan Catherine , Rogers John A. , Lieber Richard L. , Jayaraman Arun
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Developmental disabilities and neuromotor delay adversely affect long-term neuromuscular function and quality of life. Current evidence suggests that early therapeutic intervention reduces the severity of motor delay by harnessing neuroplastic potential during infancy. To date, most early therapeutic intervention trials are of limited duration and do not begin soon after birth and thus do not take full advantage of early neuroplasticity. The Corbett Ryan–Northwestern–Shirley Ryan AbilityLab–Lurie Children’s Infant Early Detection, Intervention and Prevention Project (Project Corbett Ryan) is a multi-site longitudinal randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of an evidence-based physical therapy intervention initiated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and continuing to 12 months of age (corrected when applicable). The study integrates five key principles: active learning, environmental enrichment, caregiver engagement, a strengths-based approach, and high dosage (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT05568264).

Methods

We will recruit 192 infants at risk for neuromotor delay who were admitted to the NICU. Infants will be randomized to either a standard-of-care group or an intervention group; infants in both groups will have access to standard-of-care services. The intervention is initiated in the NICU and continues in the infant’s home until 12 months of age. Participants will receive twice-weekly physical therapy sessions and caregiver-guided daily activities, assigned by the therapist, targeting collaboratively identified goals. We will use various standardized clinical assessments (General Movement Assessment; Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 4th Edition (Bayley-4); Test of Infant Motor Performance; Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Family Impact Module; Alberta Infant Motor Scale; Neurological, Sensory, Motor, Developmental Assessment; Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination) as well as novel technology-based tools (wearable sensors, video-based pose estimation) to evaluate neuromotor status and development throughout the course of the study. The primary outcome is the Bayley-4 motor score at 12 months; we will compare scores in infants receiving the intervention vs. standard-of-care therapy.
Trends in U.S. self-reported health and self-care behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Hooper Madison , Reinhart Morgan , Dusetzina Stacie B. , Walsh Colin , Griffith Kevin N.
Published: September 2023

Importance

The COVID-19 pandemic represents a unique stressor in Americans’ daily lives and access to health services. However, it remains unclear how the pandemic impacted perceived health status and engagement in health-related behaviors.

Objective

To assess changes in self-reported health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to explore trends in health-related behaviors that may underlie the observed health changes.

Design

Interrupted time series stratified by age, gender, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, household income, and employment status.

Setting

United States.

Participants

All adult respondents to the 2016–2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (N = 2,146,384).

Exposure

Survey completion following the U.S. public health emergency declaration (March-December 2020). January 2019 to February 2020 served as our reference period.

Main outcomes and measures

Self-reported health outcomes included the number of days per month that respondents spent in poor mental health, physical health, or when poor health prevented their usual activities of daily living. Self-reported health behaviors included the number of hours slept per day, number of days in the past month where alcohol was consumed, participation in any exercise, and current smoking status.

Results

The national rate of days spent in poor physical health decreased overall (-1.00 days, 95% CI: -1.10 to -0.90) and for all analyzed subgroups. The rate of poor mental health days or days when poor health prevented usual activities did not change overall but exhibited substantial heterogeneity by subgroup. We also observed overall increases in mean sleep hours per day (+0.09, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.13), the percentage of adults who report any exercise activity (+3.28%, 95% CI 2.48 to 4.09), increased alcohol consumption days (0.27, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.37), and decreased smoking prevalence (-1.11%, 95% CI -1.39 to -0.83).

Conclusions and relevance

The COVID-19 pandemic had deleterious but heterogeneous effects on mental health, days when poor health prevented usual activities, and alcohol consumption. In contrast, the pandemic’s onset was associated with improvements in physical health, mean hours of sleep per day, exercise participation, and smoking status. These findings highlight the need for targeted outreach and interventions to improve mental health in individuals who may be disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
Effects of non-technical skill-based surgical education for trainees on herniorrhaphy outcomes
Authors: Koike Daisuke , Nishimura Takahiro , Suka Yusuke , Nagai Motoki , Nomura Yukihiro , Kato Hiroyuki , Asano Yukio , Ito Masahiro , Arakawa Satoshi , Ishihara Takuma , Horiguchi Akihiko
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Non-technical skills are essential for surgical patient safety and are implemented in clinical practice. However, training for non-technical skills has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the learning curve for non-technical skill-based education in herniorrhaphy.

Methods

Quality improvement initiatives, including non-technical skill-based intervention, were performed in the department of surgery. The intervention included declaring the patient safety policy, briefing and debriefing, and criterion for the switching of places of the trainee and instructor as defined by the department. Patients who underwent herniorrhaphy from April 2014 to September 2017 were included.

Results

A total of 14 trainees and nine instructors in the pre-intervention period and 14 trainees and seven instructors in the intervention period were included in this study. The median experience of each trainee was 28 and 15 cases in the pre-intervention and intervention groups, respectively. A total of 749 patients were included: 473 in the pre-intervention period and 328 in the intervention period. Demographics and hernia types were mostly similar between groups, and morbidity was not statistically different between the two groups (3.4 vs. 1.2%, p = 0.054). The nonlinear regression model showed an early decline and deep plateau phase of the learning curve in the intervention group. A significant difference was observed in the plateau operation time (61 min in the pre-intervention group and 52 min in the intervention group).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the effectiveness of non-technical skill-based intervention for surgical training. An early decline and deep plateau of the learning curve can be achieved with well-implemented quality improvement initiatives. Nonetheless, further studies are needed to establish a training program for non-technical skill-based learning.
Efficacy of nonpharmacological interventions targeting social function in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yu Zhili , Zhang Peiming , Tao Chenyang , Lu Liming , Tang Chunzhi
Published: September 2023

Background and aims

This paper aimed to evaluate the use of nonpharmacological interventions for the management of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The effects of acupuncture and behavioural therapy, two nonpharmalogical interventions, on social function in ASD patients are still controversial. This meta-analysis investigated the impact of these two treatments and compared their effects.

Methods

Seven electronic databases were systematically searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the use of acupuncture or behavioural therapy for ASD. A meta-analysis was carried out using Review Manager 5.4 software. Continuous data are reported as mean differences (MDs) or standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). An assessment of methodological quality using the Cochrane risk-of-bias (ROB) tool for trials was carried out. The Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) was applied to evaluate the quality (certainty) of evidence for results regarding social function indicators.

Results

Thirty RCTs on acupuncture and 36 on behavioural therapy were included. Compared with the control condition, body acupuncture (SMD: 0.76, 95% CI: [0.52, 1.01]; low certainty), modern acupuncture technology (SMD: 0.84, 95% CI: [0.32, 1.35]; low certainty), cognitive behavioural therapy (SMD: 0.42, 95% CI: [0.26, 0.58]; high certainty), the Denver model (SMD: 0.61, 95% CI: [0.23, 0.99]; moderate certainty) and social skills training (SMD: 0.56, 95% CI: [0.41, 0.71]; moderate certainty) improved social functioning.

Conclusion

Behavioural therapies (such as CBT, the Denver model, social skills training), improved the social functioning of patients with ASD in the short and long term, as supported by high- and moderate-quality evidence. Acupuncture (including scalp acupuncture, body acupuncture and use of modern acupuncture technology) also improved social functioning, as supported by low- and very low-quality evidence. More high-quality evidence is needed to confirm the effect of acupoint catgut embedding and Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI).
Ecological urbanism as a condition underpinning urban life for internally displaced peoples in Colombia
Authors: Valencia Londoño Paula Andrea , Valencia Londoño Diana , Paz Phoenix Storm
Published: September 2023

This paper employs the concepts of sustainability and habitability to define and measure ecological urbanism in informal settlements founded by people who have been forcibly displaced by violence. The objective is to identify the obstacles in meeting the tenets of ecological urbanism in informal settlements. We offer primary research from La Primavera, an informal settlement founded by internally displaced people in the late 1970s, located in thecorregimientoEl Hatillo of Barbosa, Antioquia in northwestern Colombia. Primary research includes qualitative and quantitative data gathered through 72 surveys and 45 technical assessments of properties and houses in the settlement. Situated between the Aburrá River and the northbound highway, above a gas pipeline and under an electricity pylon, La Primavera exists in a state of extreme risk, exacerbated by increasing migration which threatens to exceed the carrying capacity of the territory. Moreover, in Article 35 of Law 388 of 1997, the territory was declared a protected or restricted area and earmarked for the development of the regional commuter train, called theTren de Cercanías, in 2017. The case study highlights the contradictions in the development agenda in Colombia by showing how development projects designed for the economic betterment and environmental conservation of the region negatively impact the quality of life for the most vulnerable inhabitants and expose them to greater environmental, economic, and social risk.
Understanding the use of information sources during the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of Kuwait
Authors: Navarro Cristina , Abuali Yasser , Yousef Fatemah , Alsabbagh Rania
Published: September 2023

This article explores the uses of sources in the news coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait between 1 January and 31 December 2020. Our study analyses the sources and actors that were presented in 673 news stories on COVID-19 that were published in nine outlets, comparing media platforms and across time as the pandemic evolved. Our results show that political sources dominated these stories, which demonstrates the strong influence of the government in constructing the news. It also suggests that the media could not find the right balance between elite and other voices, including those of health professionals. Contrary to the previous literature, citizen and civic society sources did not play an important role in the pandemic coverage. This confirms the difficulty of non-elite voices to be heard in the media in Kuwait. Surprisingly, the state-owned and larger media outlets used fewer and a narrower range of information sources. The extreme dependence on elite actors, especially political figures, health and business representatives, and the abuse of anonymous and media sources, prove that the health crisis that impacted the world in 2020 affected all aspects of society, including journalism. This led political authorities to take responsibility for responding to the coronavirus outbreak. Overall, the media discourse during the first year of the pandemic was characterized by the political control of the narrative.
What it takes to be religious: Religion online vs. online religion1
Authors: Çömez-Polat Filiz , Tekdemir Göklem
Published: September 2023

How individuals live their religion has been one of the most frequently studied areas of social sciences in recent years. The starting point of this study is based on the observation that people who describe themselves as religious have different ways of using social media platforms in relation to their religious beliefs. Similar to the diversity observed in the definitions of religiosity over Christianity in the West, different interpretations of Islam and Islamic way of living have also become prevalent in Turkey. With the intensification of computer-mediated communication, the communication resources and forms of discourses (re)produced online of the religious people have also diversified. This study aims to examine how active users of social media in relation to their religious values and commitments evaluate the construction and byproducts of religion online. The results show that there are three main repertoires related to the use of social media and religiosity in Turkey: religiosity as religious duties, religiosity as interpreting Islam and religiosity for managing impressions. The results can be evaluated together with the secularization theory, that is, discourses about being religious ‘warn’ individuals about the negative consequences of social media use, while offering an alternative to the positive ones.
Multimodal Islamophobia: Gendered stereotypes in memes
Authors: Aguilera-Carnerero Carmen , Tegal Megara
Published: September 2023

This article focuses on the potential of memes as apparently innocuous communicative digital tools to spread gendered Islamophobia. Following theories of meme families, we studied a corpus of 100 memes retrieved from popular internet meme sites from 2017 to 2021. We applied the principles of multimodal discourse analysis to analyse Shifman’s three dimensions of memes (content, form and stance) and described a large sample of memes, categorizing them into three popular tropes of Muslim women found in literature and electronic media. Our findings revealed that most misogynistic Islamophobic memes characterize Muslim women as oppressed by their own community. A smaller degree of memes portrays Muslim women’s bodies as sexualized and assailable, and finally very few memes depict them as terrorists. We contend that internet memes can be a powerful and efficient means to disseminate vitriolic rhetoric in a subtle and camouflaged way leading to the trivialization and, eventually, acceptance of their hateful discourse.
Editorial
Authors: Bestley Russ
Published: September 2023

Punk & Post-Punk questions, critiques and problematizes our expanded field of research and practice. This issue reflects on notions of punk agency, temporality and the rhetoric of punk chronotypes, decolonial thinking, punk stereotypes in film and the intersections between punk, art history and (sub)cultural commentary.
Gee Vaucher: Beyond Punk, Feminism and the Avant-Garde, Rebecca Binns (2022)
Authors: Owens Emily
Published: September 2023

Review of: Gee Vaucher: Beyond Punk, Feminism and the Avant-Garde, Rebecca Binns (2022)

Manchester: Manchester University Press, 216 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-52614-789-9, p/bk, £20
Season of the Witch: The Book of Goth, Cathi Unsworth (2023)
Authors: Hollins Paul
Published: September 2023

Review of: Season of the Witch: The Book of Goth, Cathi Unsworth (2023)

London: Nine Eight Books, 496 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-78870-624-7, h/bk, £22
Adventures in Wonderland, Paul Charles (2023)
Authors: Murphy Michael Mary
Published: September 2023

Review of: Adventures in Wonderland, Paul Charles (2023)

Dublin: Hot Press Books, 320 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-95761-149-8, p/bk, £13.99
Jewish Children's Literature Around the World: A Survey
Authors: Posner Marcia W.
Published: September 2023

The First International Symposium on Jew­ ish Children's Literature, which met for a full day on July 4, 1990, during the First In­ternational Conference of Judaica and Isra­eli Librarians (July 2–6, 1990), was the culmination of a year-long study on the state of children's literature with Jewish content in all countries with a Jewish population -- except for Israel and the United States, which were not included because this information is readily available. An article on children's literature in Israel, "Leading Israeli Children's Authors," by Dr. Jaqueline Shachter Weiss, appeared in Judaica Librarianship (Weiss, 1985), and a second article, ""Forty Years of Children's Literature in Israel: Genres, Trends, and Heroes," by Dr. Shlomo Harel, appears in this issue.
Editorial N39
Authors: Arias María Alejandra , Rosado Nayibe
Published: September 2023

Estimados y estimadas lectoras: Les presentamos el número 39 de nuestra revista Zona Próxima. Las investigaciones derivadas de la reciente pandemia siguen teniendo un lugar importante en la producción intelectual de los (las) investigadores (as) educativos. En este número incluimos algunos artículos que presentan avances en relación con percepción de estudiantes, el efecto en el rendimiento académico, en las prácticas evaluativas y en la formación de docentes en provincia. Un segundo bloque de investigaciones aborda temas tales como la formación docente, como categoría epistémica, el papel del contexto en procesos de lectura de docentes de lenguaje, y el enfoque de resolución de problemas en el aprendizaje de las matemáticas. Cerramos con una revisión sistemática sobre cuestiones socio-científicas en Colombia.
Radon Activity Concentration Measurements in the Water Collected from the Lower Zab River in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Authors: Smail Jahfer M. , Azeez Hiwa H. , Mansour Habeeb H. , Ahmad Saddon T.
Published: September 2023

This study aims to assess radon levels in the water of the Lower Zab River. Knowing the radon concentrations is crucial for understanding the potential risks to human health and implementing protective measures. ARAD7-H2O detector has been used to measure the radon concentration in 28 water samples from the Lower Zab River in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Results show that the radon activity concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 4 Bq.L−1, with an average of 0.61 Bq.L−1, and the resulting annual effective dose (AED) varied from 0.137 to 60.06 Sv.y−1, with an average of 12.08 Sv.y−1. The average radon concentration and AED in the measured samples are below the reference levels recommended by the ICRP and the World Health Organization. Consequently, the LZR water is suitable for human consumption and use and does not present any health hazards related to radon exposure.
APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLE FULL DISCLOSURE AND LEGAL PROTECTION FOR INVESTOR DUE TO MARKET MANIPULATION OF SHAREPRICES BY ISSUERS IN CAPITAL MARKET
Authors: Pohan Ghiffary Akmal Alija , Priyono FX. Joko , Priyono Ery Agus
Published: September 2023

Capital market plays an essential role in economic activity, particularly in the allocation of public money which is can’t be separated from the role of investor and issuer as well as the implementation of capital market, stipulated in the Capital Market Law No. 8 Year 1995. The transaction mechanism between the investor and the issuer themselves known as the Initial Public Offering (IPO) which furtherly understood as the process of selling securities from the issuers to investors. Hence, in the running of capital market itself there were found such a violation in the principle of full disclosure, also, the market manipulation that obviously undertook in the IPO that would obviously causes several losses for the investor rights. The research method was carried out using a judicial normative legal approach, in which, solely through the examination of library materials or secondary data. All the legal materials obtained would be analyzed using a logical/systematical interpretation referring to the relatable laws and regulations, also supported from the judge decision that strengthened the legal issue which further explaining the research’s result and discussion. It is clear that the Issuer responsibility would be served under the supervision of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) that would undertook either the preventive or the repressive action toward every crimes formed by the issuer. So does in the market manipulation cases, there would be imposing sanctions contained in the Capital Market Law in the form of criminal and administrative sanctions which were given intentionally of having a deterrent effect and providing legal certainty upon the Capital Market Law.
PELAKSANAAN EKSEKUSI PUTUSAN ARBITRASE INTERNASIONAL YANG BERPOTENSI MENGHAMBAT KEGIATAN INVESTASI ASING DI INDONESIA
Authors: Bianti Githa
Published: September 2023

Penulisan ini memfokuskan pada proses eksekusi Putusan Arbitrase Internasional melalui permohonan eksekuatur di Pengadilan Negeri Jakarta Pusat yang kerap menemui kesulitan. Undang-Undang No. 30 Tahun 1999 tentang Arbitrase dan Alternatif Penyelesaian Sengketa yang telah berlaku lebih dari 20 tahun dirasa sudah tidak dapat mengakomodasi iklim bisnis di Indonesia yang berkembang secara dinamis, yang tentu berdampak buruk pada iklim investasi di Indonesia dan menjadikan para investor asing enggan dalam menanamkan modalnya. Atas hal tersebut, dalam dunia internasional, Indonesia dikenal sebagai ‘unfriendly arbitration state’. Penerapan asas iktikad baik dalam proses eksekusi putusan dirasa belum cukup dalam memberikan kepastian hukum bagi para investor yang telah dimenangkan pada institusi arbitrase internasional. Amendemen peraturan tentang arbitrase di Indonesia juga perlu diselaraskan dengan cita Indonesia saat ini.
PERAN WORD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO) DALAM PERLINDUNGAN LINGKUNGAN DI ERA LIBERALISASI PERDAGANGAN
Authors: Fauzi Ahmad Fadli
Published: September 2023

Peran World Trade Organization dalam mengatur jalannya transaksi perdagangan internasional sangat penting, tidak terkecuali perdagangan yang melibatkan isu lingkungan. Mengingat, dewasa ini liberalisasi perdagangan kerap menjadi alasan pembenar untuk melewati batas perlindungan lingkungan. Artikel ini berfokus pada kajian terkait upaya perlindungan lingkungan oleh WTO di era liberalisasi perdagangan. Metode penelitian dalam artikel ini dilakukan secara yuridis-normatif dan menggunakan data sekunder atau literature review. Hasil kajian artikel ini menunjukkan bahwa perdagangan internasional dan perlindungan lingkungan merupakan dua substansi yang berjalan beriringan. Dalam konteks liberalisasi perdagangan internasional di bidang lingkungan, peran WTO melalui kebijakannya telah mengatur agar perdagangan internasional tidak merusak ekosistem lingkungan (sustainable development) dan pembatasan perdagangan di bidang lingkungan tidak memutus mata rantai transaksi internasional. Salah satu upaya dalam perlindungan lingkungan ialah dengan penerapan eco-label untuk produk kemasan. Namun, di sisi lain dengan adanya liberalisasi perdagangan yang merambah sampai di bidang lingkungan sedikit banyak berimplikasi pada lingkungan trofis seperti negara Indonesia.
Knockdown of DLK4 inhibits non-small cell lung cancer tumor growth by downregulating CKS2
Authors: Wan Zongren , Wang Jipeng , Liu Qing , Yang Dan , Li Pengling , Wang Lixin
Published: September 2023

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of all lung cancer cases and is considered as the most common type of cancer. DLX4 was originally identified as a β-globin gene suppressor in red blood cells, which plays critical roles in several types of cancers. However, the role and related mechanism of DLX4 in NSCLC are still unclear. The study aimed to uncover the expression of DLX4 in human NSCLC cells and tissues, reveal its possible role in NSCLC, and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Immunoblot and TCGA database were used to detect the expression of DLX4 in human NSCLC cells and tissues. CCK-8, colony formation, and FCM assays were conducted to detect the effects of DLX4 on the viability and cell cycle of NCI-H2170 and A549 cells. Immunoblot assays were further performed to investigate the possible mechanism underlying DLX4 affecting the growth of NSCLC. We revealed that knockdown of DLX4 inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation. We further revealed that DLX4 knockdown induced the NSCLC cell cycle arrest. Our results further showed that downregulation of DLX4 suppressed YB-1 expression, which further suppressed CKS2 expression, thereby suppressing tumor growth of NSCLC. In conclusion, DLX4 has the potential to serve as a promising drug for NSCLC treatment.
Assessing the dimensionality of Chinese as a second language reading: a confirmatory factor analysis approach
Authors: Lin Jia
Published: September 2023

Second language (L2) reading is a complex construct, and there is no consensus about its dimensionality. The investigation of the dimensionality of L2 reading ability is of great significance since it can provide important implications for teaching and testing. Understanding of the factor structure, subskills, and sub-knowledge of L2 reading is the starting point for language teachers and test developers to plan a syllabus, describe students’ reading proficiency, and develop reading assessments. This study investigated the factor structure of Chinese L2 reading, which has been less commonly studied compared to alphabetic languages. Three hypotheses derived from the literature review have been tested: 1) L2 reading is a unitary skill; 2) L2 reading is bi-divisible; 3) L2 reading is tri-divisible. A series of confirmatory factor analyses shows that the correlated three-factor model is the most appropriate for explaining the factor structure. L2 Chinese reading comprehension can be conceptualized as consisting of three inter-correlated components: lower-level decoding, interim-level textbase construction, and higher-level situation-model building. This study also explores subcomponents of each factor, highlighting Chinese-specific linguistic features and corresponding cognitive processes. Implications for future research, teaching, and testing are provided.