bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation of Communication Practice in Foreign Language Classes at a Military School
Authors: Minkina Yuliya
Published: March 2023

The foreign language speech of a military specialist is characterized by a limited selectivity of vocabulary, which comes to the question: is it enough for a future officer to possess only a professional terminology base?

This article is devoted to the problems of general and professional language training of a military school cadets aimed at the developing a professional communicative competence.

The article highlights the systematic approach to the question of using communicative activities in foreign language classes, including non-traditional exercises and tasks for teaching cadets of both linguistic and non-linguistic sections fluent foreign language, in order to prepare future military specialists for effective communication activities at the international level.
Community diagnostic centres: what, where and why?
Authors: Clough Isobel
Published: March 2023

The British Journal of Healthcare Management's editor discusses the potential benefits of community diagnostic centres for patients and the wider NHS, along with key considerations to drive this model forward.
A non-traditional student journey
Authors: Wyatt Dan
Published: March 2023

In his first student column for the Journal of Paramedic Practice, mature student, Dan Wyatt, outlines his unconventional journey to becoming a student paramedic, going from lecturer to student, all within the ‘Keele bubble’…
On cue
Authors: Russell Meredith Jones
Published: March 2023

In the baby room, what should practitioners be looking out for to guide their interactions, asks Meredith Jones Russell
Proof of concept
Authors: Goldenberg Gemma
Published: March 2023

In part 3 of this series, Gemma Goldenberg discovers what evidence-based practice looks like at a research school
Let's go to…the Kirkleatham Museum
Authors: Bissell Ellen , Graham Jo
Published: March 2023

Children at this social history museum took on key front-of-house and security roles during a takeover session. By Ellen Bissell, museum outreach officer, and Jo Graham
Challenges of agency staff
Authors: Caswell Jo , Peach Kate
Published: March 2023

Agency staff are a vital resource for many settings, but using them can pose difficulties. By Jo Caswell and Kate Peach, owners of Peachwell early years consultancy
Changing lives
Authors: Thompson Philippa , Richardson Tanya
Published: March 2023

What do ECS degrees and the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies mean for career progression? By Philippa Thompson and Tanya Richardson at the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network
Ramp-Rate Control for Mitigation of Solar PV Fluctuations with Hybrid Energy Storage System
Authors: Kumar G. V. Brahmendra , Palanisamy K.
Published: March 2023

This paper proposes a ramp-rate control (RRC) for mitigation of solar PV fluctuations with a hybrid energy storage system (HESS). The highly fluctuating primary energy source causes photovoltaic (PV) generators to suffer from variable output capacity. Such variations can lead to instability in power systems and problems with power quality due to large PV penetration. The role of energy storage devices (ESSs) as a fluctuation compensator is suggested to minimize these issues using RRC. Distributed Generation Systems (DGs) have become a key challenge as the disruption of DG from the grid during faults results in severe difficulties such as power outages and voltage flickers. Low voltage ride through (LVRT) is a promising method for supplying reactive power under low voltage conditions. The proposed method will enable dynamic control of integrated battery storage (BS) to mitigate power fluctuations during the day while simultaneously charging or discharging the integrated super-capacitor (SC) storage to control sudden variations in a BS to a certain magnitude. A system for exchanging energy between the BS and the SC storage provides uninterrupted control of the rapid fluctuations of the passing cloud. The storage capacity savings are evaluated by using the RRC for the smoothing impact of geographical deflection on PV power production. Simulations conducted with real operational PV power output data taken every 1 s from the power plant during one year confirm the validity of the model. The OP-5700 HIL test-bench is used for the real-time results.
Economic Analysis by Optimal Placing of DGs in Distribution Networks by Particle Swarm Optimisation and Gravitational Search Optimisation Algorithm
Authors: Prasad C. Hari , Subbaramaiah K. , Sujatha P.
Published: March 2023

The particle swarm optimisation and gravitational search optimisation algorithm (PSOGSA) is a hybrid algorithm which is used to determine size of optimal Distributed Generation (DG) in this paper. The PSOGSA integrates the social thinking ability (gbest) in PSO to capability of local search in GSA. The algorithm combines the searching capability of PSO and with enhanced exploration ability of GSA. Distributed generations are connected in distribution systems to consumers to reduce losses, enhance the voltage profile, reliability and economic benefits. DG optimal positioning and loss minimisation have a significant role for economic operation and overall reduction of energy costs. For evaluation of proposed algorithm, the test bus sets IEEE15, 33 and 69 are chosen. For considered objectives i.e., optimal DG sizing and economic analysis, this PSOGSA algorithm gives better results as compared to other methods and better outcomes has been achieved when DG unit of type III operates at power factor of 0.9 lag
What happens when care homes close? A review of the literature
Authors: Douglass Tom , Zafar Shazia , Glasby Jon
Published: March 2023

In a fraught fiscal and post-pandemic context, English adult social care is likely to see further care home closures. To make sure that closures minimise distress and potentially negative outcomes for residents, this article reports findings from an analytical narrative review of the existing research evidence about the process and outcome of such closures in the UK. Despite the importance of these issues, there is little underpinning research to draw on when establishing good practice, with particular gaps in terms of understanding outcomes for older people, the experience of care staff, economic evidence and the perspectives of social care leaders.
Distribución geográfica de los refranes. Notas para el análisis geoparemiológico
Authors: Álvarez Pérez Xosé Afonso
Published: March 2023

Este artículo reflexiona sobre la viabilidad del estudio de la distribución espacial de los refranes (geoparemiología). Se exponen diferentes requisitos previos para investigar en ese campo, entre los que cabe mencionar: a) la existencia de un corpus numeroso de proverbios con localización geográfica conocida, b) la clasificación temática exhaustiva de los elementos formantes de los refranes, c) el tratamiento informático de los materiales y d) un proceso de formalización de los refranes que permita delimitar paremiotipos, esto es, proverbios que expresan un mismo contenido semántico, aunque difieran en la lengua, la estructura sintáctica y los componentes lexicales. Finalmente, se proponen varias estrategias de investigación geoparemiológica y se ofrecen algunas muestras preliminares de resultados.
Sebastià Farnés i la paremiologia catalana
Authors: Oriol Carazo Carme
Published: March 2023

L’article estudia les aportacions realitzades per Sebastià Farnés (1854 1934) en el camp de la paremiologia des de les seves publicacions a les revistes catalanes de l’època (La Renaixensa, La Ilustració Catalana, Arxiu de Tradicions Populars i Catalana) i l’edició del llibre Assaig de paremiologia catalana comparada (1913) fins a l’elaboració de la seva gran obra, la Paremiologia catalana comparada (1992 99). L’estudi analitza les motivacions que van dur Farnés a interessar se per la paremiologia, les influències que va rebre i la seva col laboració amb l’Arxiu d’Etnografia i Folklore de Catalunya, dirigit per Tomàs Carreras i Artau. Els resultats del treball mostren que Farnés va ser un folklorista preparat, que va aplicar amb eficàcia el comparativisme a l’estudi de les parèmies. Finalment, la seva gran contribució a l’estudi de la paremiologia catalana el situa com una de les figures més importants de la història del folklore català.
Paremiologia i Internet
Authors: Pàmies i Riudor Víctor
Published: March 2023

La irrupció d’internet i de la informàtica accessible al públic en general ha comportat un seguit de canvis en moltes disciplines que ha obligat a replantejar ne els fonaments i la metodologia. En aquests moments, els usuaris d’internet no només consumeixen informació, sinó que poden generar continguts i avaluar els que consumeixen d’una manera interactiva i bidireccional. Això ha permès eixamplar l’oferta de materials paremiològics, ja siguin acadèmics, divulgatius o amb un component important de negoci al darrere. I la creativitat i l’aprofitament d’aquestes noves eines ha permès també diversificar molt l’oferta de continguts.
Copper concentrate dual-band joint classification using reflectance hyperspectral images in the VIS-NIR and SWIR bands
Authors: Rivas Franco , Pérez Francisco , Sandoval Claudio , Sanhueza Ignacio , Sepúlveda Benjamín , Yañez Jorge , Torres Sergio
Published: March 2023

A study on the classification of copper concentrates relevant to the copper refining industry is performed by means of reflectance hyperspectral images in the visible and near infrared (VIS-NIR) bands (400–1000 nm) and in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) (900–1700 nm) band. A total of 82 copper concentrate samples were press compacted into 13-mm-diameter pellets, and their mineralogical composition was characterized via quantitative evaluation of minerals and scanning electron microscopy. The most representative minerals contained in these pellets are bornite, chalcopyrite, covelline, enargite, and pyrite. Three databases (VIS-NIR, SWIR, and VIS-NIR-SWIR) containing a collection of average reflectance spectra computed from 9×9pixel neighborhoods in each pellet hyperspectral image are compiled to train the classification models. The classification models tested in this work are a linear discriminant classifier and two non-linear classifiers, a quadratic discriminant classifier, and a fine K-nearest neighbor classifier (FKNNC). The results obtained show that the joint use of VIS-NIR and SWIR bands allows for the accurate classification of similar copper concentrates that contain only minor differences in their mineralogical composition. Specifically, among the three tested classification models, the FKNNC performs the best in terms of overall classification accuracy, achieving 93.4% accuracy in the test set when only VIS-NIR data are used to construct the classification model, up to 80.5% using only SWIR data, and up to 97.6% using both VIS-NIR and SWIR bands together.
Sun-like light source design considering non-visual performance to improve working efficiency
Authors: Qu W. J. , Cao G. Y. , Xu J. W. , Zhang J. H. , Wang Z. S.
Published: March 2023

With the discovery of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells, we have a better understanding of the non-visual effects of lighting. In this study, the optimum spectral power distribution in sunlight of different color temperatures is calculated by MATLAB software. At the same time, the ratio of the non-visual effect and visual effect (Ke,α) at different color temperatures is calculated according to the sunlight spectrum to evaluate the non-visual and visual effects of white LEDs at the corresponding color temperature. Then based on the characteristics of monochromatic LED spectra, the joint-density-of-states model is used as a mathematical model, and the optimal solution is calculated for its database. According to the calculated combination scheme, Light Tools software is used to optimize and simulate the expected light source parameters. The final color temperature is 7525 K, the color coordinate is (0.2959, 0.3255), and the color rendering index reaches 92. The high efficiency light source has not only the function of lighting, but also the effect of improving work efficiency with lower blue light hazard efficiency of radiation than normal LEDs.
Adaptive parabolic membrane mirrors for large deployable space telescopes
Authors: Rabien Sebastian
Published: March 2023

A key element for the development of extremely large telescopes in space or
balloon-borne observatories will be a reduction in the areal weight of
the primary mirror. Large membrane mirrors offer a very low areal
weight but are difficult to manufacture with the optical quality
needed for astronomical telescopes. This paper demonstrates a
practical method to overcome this limitation. In a test chamber we
have successfully grown optical quality parabolic membrane mirrors on
a rotating liquid in a test chamber. These polymer mirror prototypes
of up to 30 cm in diameter show a sufficiently low surface
roughness and can be coated with reflective layers. By manipulating
the parabolic shape locally using radiative adaptive optics methods,
it is shown that imperfections or changes in the shape can be
corrected. With only tiny local temperature changes induced by the
radiation, many micrometers of stroke have been achieved. Scaling the
method investigated to produce mirrors with diameters of many meters
is possible using available technology. This approach opens the
possibility to produce affordable extremely large primary mirrors for
space telescopes. With the flexibility of the membrane material, this
type of mirror can be compactly rolled up when stored in the launch
vehicle, and then be deployed in space.
Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy of the cartilage tissue in the fourth optical window
Authors: Nazarov Dmitriy A. , Denisenko Georgy M. , Budylin Gleb S. , Kozlova Elizaveta A. , Lipina Marina M. , Lazarev Vladimir A. , Shirshin Evgeny A. , Tarabrin Mikhail K.
Published: March 2023

Studies of the optical properties of biological tissues in the infrared range have demonstrated significant potential for diagnostic tasks. One of the insufficiently explored ranges for diagnostic problems at the moment is the fourth transparency window, or short wavelength infrared region II (SWIR II). A Cr2+:ZnSe laser with tuning capability in the range from 2.1 to 2.4 µm was developed to explore the possibilities in this region. The capability of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to analyze water and collagen content in biosamples was investigated using the optical gelatin phantoms and the cartilage tissue samples during their drying process. It was demonstrated that decomposition components of the optical density spectra correlated with the partial content of the collagen and water in the samples. The present study indicates the possibility of using this spectral range for the development of diagnostic methods, in particular, for observation of the changes in the content of cartilage tissue components in degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis.
Stimulated Brillouin scattering by surface acoustic waves in lithium niobate waveguides
Authors: Rodrigues Caique C. , Zurita Roberto O. , Alegre Thiago P. M. , Wiederhecker Gustavo S.
Published: March 2023

We numerically demonstrate that lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) waveguides may support confined short-wavelength surface acoustic waves that interact strongly with optical fields through backward-stimulated Brillouin scattering in both Z- and X-cut orientation. We conduct fully anisotropic simulations that consider not only moving boundary and photoelastic forces, but also roto-optic forces for the Brillouin interaction. Our results indicate that photoelasticity dominates the Brillouin gain and can reach as high as G
B
/Q
m
=0.43W−1m−1 in standard ridge waveguides.
SU(1,1)-displaced coherent states, photon counting, and squeezing
Authors: Gazeau J.-P. , del Olmo M. A.
Published: March 2023

We revisit the Perelomov SU(1,1)-displaced coherent states as possible quantum states of light. We disclose interesting statistical aspects of these states in relation to photon counting and squeezing. In the non-displaced case, we discuss the efficiency of the photodetector as inversely proportional to the parameterϰof the discrete series of unitary irreducible representations of SU(1,1). In the displaced case, we study the counting and squeezing properties of the states in terms ofϰand the number of photons in the original displaced state. We finally examine the quantization of a classical radiation field based on these families of coherent states. The procedure yields displacement operators that might allow to prepare such states in the way proposed by Glauber for standard coherent states.
Sub-diffraction computational imaging via a flexible multicore-multimode fiber
Authors: Lyu Zhouping , Abrashitova Ksenia , de Boer Johannes F. , Andresen Esben R. , Rigneault Hervé , Amitonova Lyubov V.
Published: March 2023

An ultra-thin multimode fiber is an ideal platform for minimally invasive microscopy with the advantages of a high density of modes, high spatial resolution, and a compact size. In practical applications, the probe needs to be long and flexible, which unfortunately destroys the imaging capabilities of a multimode fiber. In this work, we propose and experimentally demonstrate sub-diffraction imaging through a flexible probe based on a unique multicore-multimode fiber. A multicore part consists of 120 Fermat’s spiral distributed single-mode cores. Each of the cores offers stable light delivery to the multimode part, which provides optimal structured light illumination for sub-diffraction imaging. As a result, perturbation-resilient fast sub-diffraction fiber imaging by computational compressive sensing is demonstrated.
Spatial temporal Fourier single-pixel imaging
Authors: Tang Zixin , Tang Tianhang , Chen Jie , Lv Shun , Liu Yiguang
Published: March 2023

Generally, the imaging quality of Fourier single-pixel imaging (FSI) will severely degrade while achieving high-speed imaging at a low sampling rate (SR). To tackle this problem, a new, to the best of our knowledge, imaging technique is proposed: firstly, the Hessian-based norm constraint is introduced to deal with the staircase effect caused by the low SR and total variation regularization; secondly, based on the local similarity prior of consecutive frames in the time dimension, we designed the temporal local image low-rank constraint for the FSI, and combined the spatiotemporal random sampling method, the redundancy image information of consecutive frames can be utilized sufficiently; finally, by introducing additional variables to decompose the optimization problem into multiple sub-problems and analytically solving each one, a closed-form algorithm is derived for efficient image reconstruction. Experimental results show that the proposed method improves imaging quality significantly compared with state-of-the-art methods.
Depletion-limited Kerr solitons in singly resonant optical parametric oscillators
Authors: Mas Arabí Carlos , Englebert Nicolas , Parra-Rivas Pedro , Gorza Simon-Pierre , Leo François
Published: March 2023

We analyze the impact of pump depletion in the generation of parametrically driven Kerr cavity solitons in a degenerate optical parametric oscillator. Using variational methods, we derive an analytical expression that describes the soliton existence region. We use this expression to study the energy conversion efficiency and compare it to a linearly driven Kerr resonator modeled by the Lugiato–Lefever equation. Parametric driving is more efficient at high walk-off between the continuous wave driving and the soliton.
Subthreshold phonon generation in an optomechanical system with an exceptional point
Authors: Mukhamedyanov Artem , Zyablovsky Alexander A. , Andrianov Evgeny S.
Published: March 2023

We consider a phonon laser based on an optomechanical system consisting of two optical modes interacting with each other via a phononic mode. An external wave exciting one of the optical modes plays the role of the pumping. We show that in this system at some amplitude of the external wave an exceptional point exists. When the external wave amplitude is less than one corresponding to the exceptional point, the splitting of the eigenfrequencies takes place. We demonstrate that in this case, the periodic modulation of the external wave amplitude can result in simultaneous generation of photons and phonons even below the threshold of optomechanical instability.
Substrate-mediated plasmon hybridization toward high-performance light trapping
Authors: Shen Shaoxin , Liu Wenxuan , Zeng Yue , Wu Zhijun , Yang Zhilin
Published: March 2023

High-performance light trapping in metamaterials and metasurfaces offers prospects for the integration of multifunctional photonic components at subwavelength scales. However, constructing these nanodevices with reduced optical losses remains an open challenge in nanophotonics. Herein, we design and fabricate aluminum-shell–dielectric gratings by integrating low-loss aluminum materials with metal–dielectric–metal designs for high-performance light trapping featuring nearly perfect light absorption with broadband and large angular tuning ranges. The mechanism governing these phenomena is identified as the occurrence of substrate-mediated plasmon hybridization that allows energy trapping and redistribution in engineered substrates. Furthermore, we strive to develop an ultrasensitive nonlinear optical method, namely, plasmon-enhanced second-harmonic generation (PESHG), to quantify the energy transfer from metal to dielectric components. Our studies may provide a mechanism for expanding the potential of aluminum-based systems in practical applications.
On-chip ytterbium-doped lithium niobate waveguide amplifiers with high net internal gain
Authors: Zhang Yuqi , Luo Qiang , Wang Shuolin , Zheng Dahuai , Liu Shiguo , Liu Hongde , Bo Fang , Kong Yongfa , Xu Jingjun
Published: March 2023

Integrated optical systems based on lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) have shown great potential in recent years. However, the LNOI platform is facing a shortage of active devices. Considering the significant progress made in rare-earth-doped LNOI lasers and amplifiers, the fabrication of on-chip ytterbium-doped LNOI waveguide amplifiers based on electron-beam lithography and inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching was investigated. The signal amplification at lower pump power (<1 mW) was achieved by the fabricated waveguide amplifiers. A net internal gain of ∼18 dB/cm in the 1064 nm band was also achieved in the waveguide amplifiers under a pump power of 10 mW at 974 nm. This work proposes a new, to the best of our knowledge, active device for the LNOI integrated optical system. It may become an important basic component for lithium niobate thin-film integrated photonics in the future.
Transformation of spin and orbital angular momentum in second-harmonic generation process by the near-surface layer of isotropic nonlinear medium
Authors: Diukov V. A. , Grigoriev K. S. , Makarov V. A.
Published: March 2023

We investigate the conversion between orbital and spin components of the angular momentum of light beams in the second-harmonic generation process from the near-surface layer of the nonlinear isotropic medium without spatial dispersion at oblique incidence of the elliptically polarized fundamental beam. The conservation of the projection of both spin and orbital angular momenta onto the normal to the surface of the medium during the transformation of the incident wave into a reflected double frequency wave has been demonstrated.
Photothermal modulation speckle optical coherence tomography of microvascular nondestructive imaging in vivo with high effective resolution
Authors: Hu Yudan , Wu Nanshou , Tang Peijun , Li Tingfeng , Tang Zhilie
Published: March 2023

To achieve non-invasive and high effective resolution microvascular imaging in vivo, photothermal modulation speckle optical coherence tomography (PMS-OCT) imaging technology is proposed in this Letter to enhance the speckle signal of the bloodstream for improving the imaging contrast and image quality in the deeper depth of Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT). The results of simulation experiments proved that this photothermal effect could disturb and enhance the speckle signals, because the photothermal effect could modulate the sample volume to expand and change the refractive index of tissues, leading to the change in the phase of interference light. Therefore, the speckle signal of the bloodstream will also change. With this technology we obtain a clear cerebral vascular nondestructive image of a chicken embryo at a certain imaging depth. This technology expands the application fields of optical coherence tomography (OCT) especially in more complex biological structures and tissues, such as the brain, and provides a new way, to the best of our knowledge, for the application of OCT in brain science.
Narrowband HgCdTe infrared photodetector with integrated plasmonic structure
Authors: Zhou Ziji , Sang Maosheng , Zhang Jinguo , Wen Zhengji , Qiu Qianli , Xu Qianqian , Tan Chong , Zhou Dongjie , Qiao Hui , Li Xiangyang , Sun Yan , Dai Ning , Chu Junhao , Hao Jiaming
Published: March 2023

The application of plasmonic structure has been demonstrated to improve the performance of infrared photodetectors. However, the successful experimental realization of the incorporation of such optical engineering structure into HgCdTe-based photodetectors has rarely been reported. In this paper, we present a HgCdTe infrared photodetector with integrated plasmonic structure. The experimental results show that the device with plasmonic structure has a distinct narrowband effect with a peak response rate close to 2 A/W, which is nearly 34% higher compared with the reference device. The simulation results are in good agreement with the experiment, and an analysis of the effect of the plasmonic structure is given, demonstrating the crucial role of the plasmonic structure in the enhancement of the device performance.
Photonic Möbius topological insulator from projective symmetry in multiorbital waveguides
Authors: Jiang Chuang , Song Yiling , Li Xiaohong , Lu Peixiang , Ke Shaolin
Published: March 2023

The gauge fields dramatically alter the algebraic structure of spatial symmetries and make them projectively represented, giving rise to novel topological phases. Here, we propose a photonic Möbius topological insulator enabled by projective translation symmetry in multiorbital waveguide arrays, where the artificial π gauge flux is aroused by the inter-orbital coupling between the first (s) and third (d) order modes. In the presence of π flux, the two translation symmetries of rectangular lattices anti-commute with each other. By tuning the spatial spacing between two waveguides to break the translation symmetry, a topological insulator is created with two Möbius twisted edge bands appearing in the bandgap and featuring 4π periodicity. Importantly, the Möbius twists are accompanied by discrete diffraction in beam propagation, which exhibit directional transport by tuning the initial phase of the beam envelope according to the eigenvalues of translation operators. This work manifests the significance of gauge fields in topology and provides an efficient approach to steering the direction of beam transmission.
Linear dichroism and birefringence spectra of bamboo and its use as a wave plate in the terahertz frequency region
Authors: Ichikawa Hiroya , Takeya Kei , Tripathi Saroj R.
Published: March 2023

The applications of terahertz (THz) waves have been increasing rapidly in various fields, and there is a strong demand for efficient, robust, and low-cost optical components working in the terahertz frequency region. Bamboo, being one of the naturally occurring renewable resources, it has the potential to be used as an easily accessible and sustainable material for the fabrication of terahertz optical components. In this article, transmission mode terahertz time domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) is used to investigate the terahertz properties, such as refractive index and absorption coefficient of three different species of bamboo in a frequency range from 200 GHz to 1 THz. Remarkable features such as birefringence and linear dichroism are observed, and the origin of these properties is primarily attributed to the orientation of fiber in the bamboo. The possibility of fabricating waveplates using bamboo is explored, and a quarter waveplate working in the sub-terahertz frequency region is demonstrated as a proof-of-principle. This wave plate can be used in terahertz sensing and imaging systems.
Gender equality related to gender differences in life expectancy across the globe gender equality and life expectancy
Authors: Pinho-Gomes Ana-Catarina , Peters Sanne A. E. , Woodward Mark
Published: March 2023

Life expectancy (LE) depends on the wider determinants of health, many of which have gendered effects worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether gender equality was associated with LE for women and men and the gender gap in LE across the globe. Gender equality in 156 countries was estimated using a modified global gender gap index (mGGGI), based on the index developed by the World Economic Forum between 2010 and 2021. Linear regression was used to investigate the association between the mGGGI and its economic, political, and education subindices and the gender gap in LE and women and men’s LE. Overall, the mGGGI increased from 58% in 2010 to 62% in 2021. Globally, changes in the mGGGI and its economic and political subindexes were not associated with changes in the gender gap in LE or with LE for women and men between 2010 and 2020. Improvements in gender equality in education were associated with a longer LE for women and men and widening of the gender gap in LE. In 2021, each 10% increase in the mGGGI was associated with a 4.3-month increase in women’s LE and a 3.5-month increase in men’s LE, and thus with an 8-month wider gender gap. However, the direction and magnitude of these associations varied between regions. Each 10% increase in the mGGGI was associated with a 6-month narrower gender gap in high-income countries, and a 13- and 16-month wider gender gap in South and Southeast Asia and Oceania, and in Sub-Saharan Africa, respectively. Globally, greater gender equality is associated with longer LE for both women and men and a widening of the gender gap in LE. The variation in this association across world regions suggests that gender equality may change as countries progress towards socioeconomic development and gender equality.
Fractional order SEIQRD epidemic model of Covid-19: A case study of Italy
Authors: Paul Subrata , Mahata Animesh , Mukherjee Supriya , Mali Prakash Chandra , Roy Banamali
Published: March 2023

The fractional orderSEIQRDcompartmental model of COVID-19 is explored in this manuscript with six different categories in the Caputo approach. A few findings for the new model’s existence and uniqueness criterion, as well as non-negativity and boundedness of the solution, have been established. WhenRCovid19<1 at infection-free equilibrium, we prove that the system is locally asymptotically stable. We also observed thatRCovid19<1, the system is globally asymptotically stable in the absence of disease. The main objective of this study is to investigate the COVID-19 transmission dynamics in Italy, in which the first case of Coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19) was identified on January 31stin 2020. We used the fractional orderSEIQRDcompartmental model in a fractional order framework to account for the uncertainty caused by the lack of information regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Routh-Hurwitz consistency criteria and La-Salle invariant principle are used to analyze the dynamics of the equilibrium. In addition, the fractional-order Taylor’s approach is utilized to approximate the solution to the proposed model. The model’s validity is demonstrated by comparing real-world data with simulation outcomes. This study considered the consequences of wearing face masks, and it was discovered that consistent use of face masks can help reduce the propagation of the COVID-19 disease.
Determinants of early initiation of first antenatal care visit in Ethiopia based on the 2019 Ethiopia mini-demographic and health survey: A multilevel analysis
Authors: Abebe Gossa Fetene , Alie Melsew Setegn , Girma Desalegn , Mankelkl Gosa , Berchedi Ashenafi Assefa , Negesse Yilkal
Published: March 2023

Background

Early initiation of the first antenatal care visit provides a critical opportunity for health promotion, disease prevention, and curative care for women and their unborn fetuses. However, in developing countries, including Ethiopia, it is underutilized and most of the pregnant women didn’t attend antenatal care visits during the first trimester (early). Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of early initiation of antenatal care visits and its determinants among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia.

Methods

A secondary data analysis was done based on the 2019 intermediate Ethiopian demographic health survey. The data were weighted by sampling weight for probability sampling and non-response to restore the representativeness of the data and have valid statistical estimates. Then, a total weighted sample of 2,935 women aged 15–49 years who gave birth in the five years preceding the survey and who had antenatal care visits for their last child was included. A multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression model was fitted to examine the determinants of early initiation of first antenatal care visits. Finally, statistical significance was declared at a p-value < 0.05.

Results

In this study, the overall magnitude of early initiation of the first antenatal care visit was 37.4% (95%CI: 34.6–40.2%). Women who attend higher education (AOR = 2.26: 95%CI; 1.36–3.77), medium wealth status (AOR = 1.80: 95%CI; 1.17–2.76), richer wealth status (AOR = 1.86: 95%CI; 1.21, 2.85), richest wealth status (AOR = 2.34: 95%CI; 1.43–3.83), living in Harari region (AOR = 2.24: 95%CI; 1.16–4.30), and living at Dire-Dawa city (AOR = 2.24: 95%CI; 1.16–4.30) were higher odds of early initiation of first ANC visits. However, women who were rural resident (AOR = 0.70: 95%CI; 0.59–0.93), household headed by male (AOR = 0.87: 95%CI; 0.72, 0.97), having ≥ 5 family size (AOR = 0.71: 95%CI; 0.55–0.93), and living in SNNPRs (AOR = 0.44: 95%CI; 0.23–0.84) were lower odds of early initiation of first ANC visits.

Conclusion

The prevalence of early initiation of first antenatal care remains low in Ethiopia. Women’s education, residence, wealth status, household head, having ≥ 5 family sizes, and region were determinants of early initiation of first antenatal care visits. Improving female education and women’s empowerment through economic transitions with special attention given to rural and SNNPR regional state residents could maximize the early initiation of first antenatal care visits. Furthermore, to increase early antenatal care uptake, these determinants should be considered when designing new policies or updating policies and strategies on antenatal care uptake to help increase early attendance, which can help in the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality and to achieve sustainable development goals 3 by 2030.
A machine learning approach to support triaging of primary versus secondary headache patients using complete blood count
Authors: Yang Fei , Meng Tong , Torben-Nielsen Ben , Magnus Carsten , Liu Chuang , Dejean Emilie
Published: March 2023

Headaches account for up to 4.5% of emergency department visits, where they present a significant diagnostic challenge. While primary headaches are benign, secondary headaches can be life-threatening. It is essential to rapidly differentiate between primary and secondary headaches as the latter require immediate diagnostic work-up. Current assessment relies on subjective measures; time constraints can result in overuse of diagnostic neuroimaging, prolonging diagnosis, and adding to economic burden. There is therefore an unmet need for a time- and cost-efficient, quantitative triaging tool to guide further diagnostic testing. Routine blood tests may provide important diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers indicating underlying headache causes. In this retrospective study (approved by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Independent Scientific Advisory Committee for Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) research [20_000173]), UK CPRD real-world data from patients (n = 121,241) presenting with headache from 1993–2021 were used to generate a predictive model based on a machine learning (ML) approach for primary versus secondary headaches. A ML-based predictive model was constructed using two different methods (logistic regression and random forest) and the following predictors were evaluated: ten standard measurements of complete blood count (CBC) test, 19 ratios of the ten CBC test parameters, and patient demographic and clinical characteristics. The model’s predictive performance was assessed using a set of cross-validated model performance metrics. The final predictive model showed modest predictive accuracy using the random forest method (balanced accuracy: 0.7405). The sensitivity, specificity, false negative rate (incorrect prediction of secondary headache as primary headache), and false positive rate (incorrect prediction of primary headache as secondary headache) were 58%, 90%, 10%, and 42%, respectively. The ML-based prediction model developed could provide a useful time- and cost-effective quantitative clinical tool to facilitate the triaging of patients presenting to the clinic with headache.
Evaluating the accuracy of CAD/CAM optimized stones compared to conventional type IV stones
Authors: Ceylan Gülsüm , Emir Faruk
Published: March 2023

This study compared the accuracy (trueness and precision) of stone models fabricated using two brands of CAD/CAM optimized stones Cerec Stone (BC) and Elite Master (EM), and a conventional type IV stone Elite Rock Fast (ERF). 30 conventional Type IV and scannable stone complete-arch models were scanned with a blue LED extraoral scanner, and root mean square values were obtained. 6 abutments were used in complete-arch models. The digital models were compared with the master model to evaluate their trueness using model superimposition with Geomagic software. Precision was determined for each case by superimposing combinations of the 10 datasets in each group. The point cloud density of each model was calculated with MeshLab software. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney non-parametric tests were used for the statistical analysis. The trueness of the stone models was 96 μm for the BC, 88.2 μm for the EM, and 87.6 μm for the ERF. There were no significant differences between the tested dental stones (p = .768). However, the EM models (35.6 μm) were more precise than the BC (46.9 μm) and ERF (56.4 μm) models (p = .001, p < .001). EM models also showed the highest point cloud density. There were significant differences in point cloud density (p = .003). The EM models showed significant differences in precision but no significant differences in terms of trueness. Although EM was more precise and had the highest point cloud density, all models were within the clinically acceptable limit.
Prevalence and associated factors of delayed sputum smear conversion in patients treated for smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis: A retrospective follow up study in Sabah, Malaysia
Authors: Khor Linghui Amanda , A. Wahid Ulfa Nur Izzati , Ling Lee Lee , Liansim Sarah Michael S. , Oon Jush’n , Balakrishnan Mahendran Naidu , Ng Wei Leik , Cheong Ai Theng
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Tuberculosis remains a major health problem globally and in Malaysia, particularly in the state of Sabah. Delayed sputum conversion is associated with treatment failure, drug-resistant tuberculosis and mortality. We aimed to determine the prevalence of delayed sputum conversion among smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients and its associated factors in Sabah, Malaysia.

Methods

A retrospective follow up study on all patients newly diagnosed with smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis from 2017 to 2019 was conducted at three government health clinics in Sabah, utilizing data from a national electronic tuberculosis database and medical records. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were applied for data analysis. The outcome of the study was the sputum conversion status at the end of the two-month intensive treatment phase with either successful conversion to smear negative or non-conversion.

Results

374 patients were included in the analysis. Our patients were generally younger than 60 years old with no medical illness and varying proportions of tuberculosis severity as judged by radiographic appearance and sputum bacillary load upon diagnosis. Foreigners constituted 27.8% of our sample. 8.8% (confidence interval: 6.2–12.2) did not convert to smear negative at the end of the intensive phase. Binary logistic regression showed that older patients ≥60 years old (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 4.303), foreigners (AOR = 3.184) and patients with higher sputum bacillary load at diagnosis [2+ (AOR = 5.061) and 3+ (AOR = 4.992)] were more likely to have delayed sputum smear conversion.

Conclusion

The prevalence of delayed sputum conversion in our study was considerably low at 8.8% with age ≥60 years old, foreigners and higher pre-treatment sputum bacillary load associated with delayed conversion. Healthcare providers should take note of these factors and ensure the patients receive proper follow up treatment.
Live Digital
Authors: Daly Dermot
Published: March 2023

There can be little disagreement that the pandemic disproportionately affected the arts. Whilst it removed livelihoods and purpose for many overnight, it afforded the performance industry a pause in which many thought about what and who the industry was for. The rise of streaming and online cultural activity – necessitated by governmental indicatives and changing social responsibilities – created a new type of audience and, it is argued here, the beginnings and conditions for a new genre and/or way of making work. This article argues that the ‘liveness’ of performance art is key to the essence of performing and that the streaming of ‘past glories’ did not give audiences and creatives what they needed and wanted from interactions and cultural product. In order to see positives in a potentially negative situation, a new genre – here named Live Digital – is suggested, that democratizes, empowers, facilitates and builds creative culture for artists and audiences alike. Using tropes from theatre, film and streaming, Live Digital presents provocations to posit a new way of creation, distinct from these progenitors – one that strives to be more inclusive.
‘Keep people safe’: Designing a participatory performance within the strict parameters of social distancing in Australia
Authors: Fahd Cherine
Published: March 2023

This article recounts designing and performing an intimate encounter with strangers during the pandemic. At the end of 2020, as Australians emerged from a long period of ‘lockdown’, the celebrated Sydney Opera House again opened its doors to the public. Commissioned to create a new work for the Sydney Opera House’s Antidote Festival, I designed a ‘touch’ performance that met the Australian Government’s COVID-19 protocols for social distancing at indoor events. Instead of being frustrated by the restrictions, I used the health and safety rules as if they were conceptual instructions. Surprisingly, I was reminded of the 1960s and 1970s conceptual artists whose experimental capacity was borne from instructive limitations. Seeing the restrictions as an opportunity, I discuss how the physical limitations ushered in by COVID-19 (along with the heritage status of the Sydney Opera House) provided the parameters for conceiving a scene and an experience that was everything the pandemic denied – public, participatory, intimate and physical. I also reflect on what I learned in the process and how needing to keep people safe brought profound ethical understanding.
Don Pasquale, Opera by Gaetano Donizetti, Damiano Michieletto (dir.)
Authors: Sporton Gregory
Published: March 2023

Don Pasquale, Opera by Gaetano Donizetti, Damiano Michieletto (dir.)

Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 20 May 2022
Experiencing Renaissance theatre on Zoom: The creation of action choreography for online theatre and its unexpected insights into Renaissance theatre
Authors: Hughes Lizzie Conrad , Vinci Valentina
Published: March 2023

The new artform of online theatre performance created by isolated actors, which emerged during the COVID-19 lockdowns beginning in March 2020, is a new performance medium and creative artform, with a new theatrical discipline for online action choreography. This new art form and its attendant specialist discipline deserve their place in theatre industry and theatre history. The article focuses on the experience of one UK theatre company, Shake-Scene Shakespeare and their online action choreographer: Alexandra Kataigida. The emergence of online performance is outlined, with its attendant opportunities and challenges, and the soon-identified need for online action choreography. Different categories of action choreography are detailed: individual and shared actions, changing perspective, prop passes, combat sequences and dances. Reference is also made to insights gained into Renaissance theatre practices through this experience.
Oxford town, Oxford town: Music scenes in a small English city
Authors: Cloonan Martin
Published: March 2023

This article explores notions of scene and locality as they are played out amongst Oxford’s musicians and music industries personnel. Based on interviews carried out in 2016, it charts the tensions between local distinctiveness and universal issues, showing that even in an increasingly online world, physical location still matters.
Instead of a body: The animation of Japanese pēpāshiatā in COVID-time
Authors: Astell-Burt Caroline
Published: March 2023

For a puppeteer specializing in the rare and beautiful Japanese otome bunraku, the story might have ended at COVID if it were not for a series of unexpected turns. First, there was a surprise primary school lockdown job making films of reading-books to beam into pupils’ homes; then, the sudden COVID precautionary ejection from the school building carrying an inadequate stock of books to continue the filming from home; then, the unexpected and possibly ‘barmy’ personal decision to write any extra books needed when the school stock ran out. Over weeks, my books, mainly drawings, were mounting up and intriguingly the filmed performances offered something extra, they became the stories and the images to mount on uchiwa rigid fans for me to play with. I rediscovered my ‘performance body’ in a ‘theatre of paper’ – small, private Japanese pēpāshiatā or ‘paper-theatre’. My body and brain woke up. The move from a Japanese-type puppetry pre-COVID (otome bunraku) to another kind during and post-COVID was happening. Lockdown was now promisingly creative. Directly out of the pain and suffering of COVID, and enforced restraint, a little known theatre practice was offering restitution.