bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trophic specialisation reflected by radular tooth material properties in an “ancient” Lake Tanganyikan gastropod species flock
Authors: Krings Wencke , Neiber Marco T. , Kovalev Alexander , Gorb Stanislav N. , Glaubrecht Matthias
Published: March 2021

Background

Lake Tanganyika belongs to the East African Great Lakes and is well known for harbouring a high proportion of endemic and morphologically distinct genera, in cichlids but also in paludomid gastropods. With about 50 species these snails form a flock of high interest because of its diversity, the question of its origin and the evolutionary processes that might have resulted in its elevated amount of taxa. While earlier debates centred on these paludomids to be a result of an intralacustrine adaptive radiation, there are strong indications for the existence of several lineages before the lake formation. To evaluate hypotheses on the evolution and radiation the detection of actual adaptations is however crucial. Since the Tanganyikan gastropods show distinct radular tooth morphologies hypotheses about potential trophic specializations are at hand.

Results

Here, based on a phylogenetic tree of the paludomid species from Lake Tanganyika and adjacent river systems, the mechanical properties of their teeth were evaluated by nanoindentation, a method measuring the hardness and elasticity of a structure, and related with the gastropods’ specific feeding substrate (soft, solid, mixed). Results identify mechanical adaptations in the tooth cusps to the substrate and, with reference to the tooth morphology, assign distinct functions (scratching or gathering) to tooth types. Analysing pure tooth morphology does not consistently reflect ecological specializations, but the mechanical properties allow the determination of eco-morphotypes.

Conclusion

In almost every lineage we discovered adaptations to different substrates, leading to the hypothesis that one main engine of the flock’s evolution is trophic specialization, establishing distinct ecological niches and allowing the coexistence of taxa.
Correction to: Post-transplant manifestation of ankylosing spondylitis: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Zawiasa-Bryszewska Anna , Brzezińska Olga , Kurnatowska Ilona , Makowska Joanna
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Three-year clinical and radiological results of a cruciate-retaining type of the knee prosthesis with anatomical geometry developed in Japan
Authors: Nakajima Arata , Yamada Manabu , Sonobe Masato , Akatsu Yorikazu , Saito Masahiko , Yamamoto Keiichiro , Saito Junya , Norimoto Masaki , Koyama Keita , Takahashi Hiroshi , Aoki Yasuchika , Suguro Toru , Nakagawa Koichi
Published: March 2021

Background

The FINE total knee was developed in Japan and clinical use began in 2001. It has unique design features, including an oblique 3ofemorotibial joint line that reproduces anatomical geometry. Although 20 years have passed since the FINE knee was clinically used for the first time in Japan, a formal clinical evaluation including patient-reported and radiographic outcomes has not been undertaken.

Methods

A total of 175 consecutive primary cruciate-retaining (CR)-FINE total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) at our hospital between February 2015 and March 2017 were included in this study. Three years postoperatively, range of motion (ROM), Knee Society Score (KSS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) were recorded and compared with preoperative scores. Radiographic analyses including mechanical alignment, component alignment, and incidence of radiolucent lines also were undertaken based on the radiographs 3 years postoperatively.

Results

One-hundred twenty-two knees (70%) were available for 3-year follow-up data using KOOS, except for the sports subscale. Postoperative KOOS-symptom, −pain and -ADL were > 85 points, but KOOS-sports, −QOL and FJS were less satisfactory. ROM, KSS and all the subscales of KOOS were significantly improved compared with preoperative scores. Postoperative mean FJS was 66 and was significantly correlated with all the subscales of KOOS, but not with postoperative ROM. Radiolucent lines ≧1 mm wide were detected in five knees (4.1%). There were no major complications needing revision surgeries.

Conclusions

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) for symptoms, pain and ADL after the CR-FINE TKA were generally improved, but those for sports, QOL and FJS were improved less. The incidence of radiolucent lines was rare but detected around the femoral components. With the mid- to long-term follow-up, improvements of surgical technique will be necessary to achieve better PROs from patients receiving the FINE knee.
Smart city lifestyle sensing, big data, geo-analytics and intelligence for smarter public health decision-making in overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes prevention: the research we should be doing
Authors: Kamel Boulos Maged N. , Koh Keumseok
Published: March 2021

The public health burden caused by overweight, obesity (OO) and type-2 diabetes (T2D) is very significant and continues to rise worldwide. The causation of OO and T2D is complex and highly multifactorial rather than a mere energy intake (food) and expenditure (exercise) imbalance. But previous research into food and physical activity (PA) neighbourhood environments has mainly focused on associating body mass index (BMI) with proximity to stores selling fresh fruits and vegetables or fast food restaurants and takeaways, or with neighbourhood walkability factors and access to green spaces or public gym facilities, making largely naive, crude and inconsistent assumptions and conclusions that are far from the spirit of 'precision and accuracy public health'. Different people and population groups respond differently to the same food and PA environments, due to a myriad of unique individual and population group factors (genetic/epigenetic, metabolic, dietary and lifestyle habits, health literacy profiles, screen viewing times, stress levels, sleep patterns, environmental air and noise pollution levels, etc.) and their complex interplays with each other and with local food and PA settings. Furthermore, the same food store or fast food outlet can often sell or serve both healthy and non-healthy options/portions, so a simple binary classification into 'good' or 'bad' store/outlet should be avoided. Moreover, appropriate physical exercise, whilst essential for good health and disease prevention, is not very effective for weight maintenance or loss (especially when solely relied upon), and cannot offset the effects of a bad diet. The research we should be doing in the third decade of the twenty-first century should use a systems thinking approach, helped by recent advances in sensors, big data and related technologies, to investigate and consider all these factors in our quest to design better targeted and more effective public health interventions for OO and T2D control and prevention.
Comprehensive evaluation of the metabolic effects of porcine CRTC3 overexpression on subcutaneous adipocytes with metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses
Authors: Liu Jiaqi , Li Jie , Chen Wentao , Xie Xintao , Chu Xingang , Valencak Teresa G. , Wang Yizhen , Shan Tizhong
Published: March 2021

Background

Meat quality is largely driven by fat deposition, which is regulated by several genes and signaling pathways. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) -regulated transcriptional coactivator 3 (CRTC3) is a coactivator of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) that mediates the function of protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway and is involved in various biological processes including lipid and energy metabolism. However, the effects of CRTC3 on the metabolome and transcriptome of porcine subcutaneous adipocytes have not been studied yet. Here, we tested whether porcine CRTC3 expression would be related to fat deposition in Heigai pigs (a local fatty breed in China) and Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire (DLY, a lean breed) pigs in vivo. The effects of adenovirus-induced CRTC3 overexpression on the metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles of subcutaneous adipocytes were also determined in vitro by performing mass spectrometry-based metabolomics combined with RNA sequencing (RNA-seq).

Results

Porcine CRTC3 expression is associated with fat deposition in vivo. In addition, CRTC3 overexpression increased lipid accumulation and the expression of mature adipocyte-related genes in cultured porcine subcutaneous adipocytes. According to the metabolomic analysis, CRTC3 overexpression induced significant changes in adipocyte lipid, amino acid and nucleotide metabolites in vitro. The RNA-seq analysis suggested that CRTC3 overexpression alters the expression of genes and pathways involved in adipogenesis, fatty acid metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism in vitro.

Conclusions

We identified significant alterations in the metabolite composition and the expression of genes and pathways involved in lipid metabolism in CRTC3-overexpressing adipocytes. Our results suggest that CRTC3 might play an important regulatory role in lipid metabolism and thus affects lipid accumulation in porcine subcutaneous adipocytes.
Accurate and sensitive detection of microbial eukaryotes from whole metagenome shotgun sequencing
Authors: Lind Abigail L. , Pollard Katherine S.
Published: March 2021

Background

Microbial eukaryotes are found alongside bacteria and archaea in natural microbial systems, including host-associated microbiomes. While microbial eukaryotes are critical to these communities, they are challenging to study with shotgun sequencing techniques and are therefore often excluded.

Results

Here, we present EukDetect, a bioinformatics method to identify eukaryotes in shotgun metagenomic sequencing data. Our approach uses a database of 521,824 universal marker genes from 241 conserved gene families, which we curated from 3713 fungal, protist, non-vertebrate metazoan, and non-streptophyte archaeplastida genomes and transcriptomes. EukDetect has a broad taxonomic coverage of microbial eukaryotes, performs well on low-abundance and closely related species, and is resilient against bacterial contamination in eukaryotic genomes. Using EukDetect, we describe the spatial distribution of eukaryotes along the human gastrointestinal tract, showing that fungi and protists are present in the lumen and mucosa throughout the large intestine. We discover that there is a succession of eukaryotes that colonize the human gut during the first years of life, mirroring patterns of developmental succession observed in gut bacteria. By comparing DNA and RNA sequencing of paired samples from human stool, we find that many eukaryotes continue active transcription after passage through the gut, though some do not, suggesting they are dormant or nonviable. We analyze metagenomic data from the Baltic Sea and find that eukaryotes differ across locations and salinity gradients. Finally, we observe eukaryotes in Arabidopsis leaf samples, many of which are not identifiable from public protein databases.

Conclusions

EukDetect provides an automated and reliable way to characterize eukaryotes in shotgun sequencing datasets from diverse microbiomes. We demonstrate that it enables discoveries that would be missed or clouded by false positives with standard shotgun sequence analysis. EukDetect will greatly advance our understanding of how microbial eukaryotes contribute to microbiomes.
A rare case of extensive placenta accreta in twin pregnancy after GnRH agonist treatment of adenomyosis
Authors: Agrawala Shilpi , Patil Jeevitha , Campbell Sukhkamal , Woodard Terri Lynn
Published: March 2021

Background

Adenomyosis remains an enigma for the reproductive endocrinologist. It is thought to contribute to sub-fertility, and its only curative treatment is hysterectomy. However, studies have documented increased live birth rates in women with adenomyosis who were treated with gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa).

Case

Here we present a case of a 52-year-old woman with adenomyosis who had three failed frozen embryo transfers (FETs) prior to initiating a 6-month trial of GnRHa. GnRHa therapy resulted in a decrease in uterine size from 11.5 × 7.9 × 7.0 cm to 7.8 × 6.2 × 5.9 cm and a decrease in the junctional zone (JZ) thickness from 19 to 9 mm. Subsequently, she underwent her fourth FET, which resulted in live birth of twins. The delivery was complicated by expansive accretas of both placentas requiring cesarean hysterectomy. The final pathology of the placentas demonstrated an extensive lack of decidualized endometrium that was even absent outside the basal plate.

Conclusions

GnRHa therapy in patients with adenomyosis may improve implantation rates after FET. Previous molecular studies indicate that genetic variance in the expression of the gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) could explain the expansive lack of decidualized endometrium after GnRHa therapy. Further investigations are needed to determine if GnRHa therapy contributes to the pathologic process of placenta accreta.
Splenic vein stenting for recurrent chylous ascites in sinistral portal hypertension: a case report
Authors: Covello Brian , Miller Jacob , Fourzali Roberto
Published: March 2021

Background

Sinistral portal hypertension results from obstruction or stenosis of the splenic vein and is characterized by normal portal vein pressures and liver function tests. Gastrointestinal bleeding is the most common presentation and indication for treatment. Although sinistral portal hypertension-related chylous ascites is rare, several cases have described successful treatment with portal venous, rather than splenic venous, recanalization. Splenectomy is effective in the treatment of sinistral portal hypertension-related bleeding, although recent studies have evaluated splenic vein stenting and splenic arterial embolization as minimally-invasive treatment alternatives. Splenic vein stenting may be a viable option for other presentations of sinistral portal hypertension.

Case presentation

A 59-year-old gentleman with a history of necrotizing gallstone pancreatitis was referred to interventional radiology for management of recurrent chylous ascites. Analysis of ascites demonstrated a triglyceride level of 1294 mg/dL. Computed tomography revealed splenic and superior mesenteric venous stricture. The patient elected to undergo minimally invasive transhepatic portal venography, which confirmed the presence of splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein stenosis. Venography of the splenic vein showed reversal of portal venous flow, multiple collaterals, and a pressure gradient of 14 mmHg. Two 10 mm × 40 mm Cordis stents were placed, which decreased the pressure gradient to 7 mmHg and resolved the portosystemic collaterals. At 6 months follow-up, the patient had no recurrent episodes of ascites.

Conclusion

The current case highlights the successful treatment of sinistral portal hypertension-related intractable chylous ascites treated with transhepatic splenic vein stenting. Splenic venous stent patency rates of 92.9% at 12 months have been reported. Rebleeding rates of 7.1% for splenic vein stenting, 16% for splenectomy, and 47.8% for splenic arterial embolization have been reported in the treatment of sinistral portal hypertension-related gastrointestinal bleeding. The literature regarding splenic vein stenting for sinistral portal hypertension-related ascites is less robust. Technical and clinical success in the current case suggests that splenic vein recanalization may be a safe and viable option in other sinistral portal hypertension-related symptomatology.

Level of Evidence: Level 4, Case Report.
Development, optimization and characterization of flurbiprofen matrix transdermal drug delivery system using Box–Behnken statistical design
Authors: Joshi Ramakant , Garud Navneet
Published: March 2021

Background

Present investigation for research was to develop matrix-type transdermal drug delivery system of flurbiprofen (FBP) with the various ratio of matrix polymers (hydrophilic and hydrophobic), the concentration of plasticizer and natural penetration enhancer by Box–Behnken statistical design to investigate the combined outcome of selected independent variables for effective management of rheumatoid arthritis.

The influence of a binary mixture of polymers, plasticizer and penetration enhancer on physicochemical considerations including thickness, tensile strength, percent elongation, weight variation, percent moisture content, percent moisture uptake, water vapour transmission rate, folding endurance, drug content, in vitro drug dissolution study and then ex vivo drug permeation study was evaluated.

Results

The study demonstrated that the tensile strength of films improved by matrix polymer ratio and to a slighter gradation in the rise of plasticizer and natural penetration enhancer. Ex vivo drug permeation study was accompanied via excised porcine skin as a permeation barrier in Franz diffusion cell. Ex vivo drug permeation study indicated that matrix polymer ratio (HPMC K15M:ERL100) at 3:1 and natural penetration enhancer (d-limonene) at highest concentration 7.5% w/w containing formulation FBPT7 delivered maximum flux and supplementary improved the permeation of drug. The result of the skin irritation test revealed that the developed formulation is free from any type of skin irritation effects like erythema and oedema.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this research, it can be established that a well-controlled release and very effective skin penetration of the drug was accomplished by the film FBPT7 in the existence of permeation enhancers for prolonged periods.
Analysis of clinical efficacy of Si Miao decoction combine with acupuncture and cupping treatment for gout: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kim Yun Jin , Aslam Muhammad Shahzad
Published: March 2021

This systematic review has been aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the Si Miao decoction combined with acupuncture and cupping treatment for Gout. Three English and Chinese databases were searched for articles related to the effect of the Si Miao decoction combine with acupuncture and cupping therapy on CRP, UA, and ESR in Gout. The time period was limited from 01 January 2010 till 31 August 2019. Meta- analysis was performed using both the random and fixed effects model, and I2 was used to evaluate the heterogeneity. Identification was made through database searching of 238 publications. Three articles were eligible.  Following the Si Miao Decoction combined with acupuncture and cupping therapy there was a significant reduction in the clinical parameters (SMD: −0.91, 95% CI: −1.081, −0.741, p = 0.000) (OR: −1.652, 95% CI: −1.960, −1.344, p = 0.000). High heterogeneity tests were indicated (Q=146.548, P = 0.00, I2 = 94.54%). This systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that the Si Miao decoction combined with acupuncture and cupping therapy significantly reduced the circulating levels of UA, ESR, and CRP.  There is a need to improve the methodologies of clinical trials on modified Si Miao decoction combined with Acupuncture and Cupping treatment.
Development of a simple and valid nutrition screening tool for pediatric hospitalized patients with acute illness
Authors: Atef Abdelsattar Ibrahim Hoda , Abdel-Raouf Rasha , Zeid Ahmed S. , Elsebaie Eman H. , Abdalaleem Shaimaa , Amin Aya A. , Aboulghar Hanna
Published: March 2021

Background: Nutritional screening, intervention and assessment in patients with undernutrition are key components of any nutritional care. The goal of any nutritional assessment is to determine the specific nutritional risk(s). Presently, there are no guidelines on any ideal screening tool to be used on admission for identification of children that are at risk of developing malnutrition during their hospital stay. The objective of the study was to develop a valid and simple nutritional screening tool which can be used on hospital admission to identify pediatric patients at risk of malnutrition.

Methods: This study was cross sectional analytical that enrolled children (n:161) admitted with acute illness to the general wards at Cairo University Children Hospitals (CUCH). The answers to the developed questionnaire were compared to the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), those with high accuracy (≥80%) were used for validity with anthropometric measures.

Results: In the ‘less than two years of age’ group, the simple and valid nutritional screening tools were the following questions: (Is there a problem during breast-feeding?), (Is there scanty breast milk?), (Is there appetite loss?). The simple and valid nutritional screening tools during the ‘early childhood’ group were the following questions: (Is there appetite loss?), (Is there any skipping of meals?), (Are they watching TV, videotapes and/or playing computer games for more than two hours/day?). The simple and valid  nutritional screening tools during the ‘late childhood’ group were the following questions: (Is there appetite loss?), (Are they watching TV, videotapes and/or playing computer games for more than two hours/day?).

Conclusion: The simple and valid nutritional screening tools differ according to age groups. The one which is valid in all ages is the question about the appetite loss.
How often is the placenta included in human pregnancy research? A rapid systematic review of the literature
Authors: Taylor Leigh A. , Gallagher Kelly , Ott Katherine A. , Gernand Alison D.
Published: March 2021

Background:The placenta is a complex organ that plays a vital role not only in nutrient transfer but also in directing maternal and fetal physiological processes across pregnancy. Due to its multi-functionality, assessing the placenta can provide critical information about maternal and child health and risks of adverse outcomes.

Objective:We aimed to quantify the percentage of human pregnancy studies that include placenta data.

Methods:We conducted a rapid review of pregnancy studies conducted in the US that were published as original research in PubMed in 2018. Human studies conducted during the second trimester, third trimester, or labor and/or delivery were eligible. The systematic search produced 1,448 publications. After screening and full article review, 290 studies met all eligibility criteria. We then extracted data on study design, reporting of placenta data, time and type of data collection, and study objective categorization.

Results:In total, 32% of studies were randomized controlled trials; the remaining were observational studies. Only 14% included placenta data of any kind. A total of 10% included placenta data during pregnancy and 7% included data after delivery; only 2% included both. Most data during pregnancy were collected by ultrasound and most data on the delivered placenta were from pathology exams. Study objectives were focused on maternal and/or infant outcomes (99.7%), while only one study had a placenta outcome.

Conclusion:Based on this rapid review, a small proportion of pregnancy studies use placenta data in research. The placenta, an essential component of understanding healthy or adverse outcomes, deserves much more attention in pregnancy research.
In vivo negative regulation of SARS-CoV-2 receptor, ACE2, by interferons and its genetic control
Authors: Ansari M. Azim , Marchi Emanuele , Ramamurthy Narayan , Aschenbrenner Dominik , Morgan Sophie , Hackstein Carl-Philipp ,   STOP-HCV consortium,   ISARIC-4C Investigators, Lin Shang-Kuan , Bowden Rory , Sharma Eshita , Pedergnana Vincent , Venkateswaran Suresh , Kugathasan Subra , Mo Angela , Gibson Greg , Cooke Graham S. , McLauchlan John , Baillie John Kenneth , Teichmann Sarah , Mentzer Alexander , Knight Julian , Todd John A. , Hinks Timothy , Barnes Eleanor J. , Uhlig Holm H. , Klenerman Paul
Published: March 2021

Background: Angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a receptor for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and differences in its expression may affect susceptibility to infection.

Methods: We performed a genome-wide expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis using hepatitis C virus-infected liver tissue from 190 individuals.

Results: We discovered that polymorphism in a type III interferon gene (IFNL4), which eliminates IFN-λ4 production, is associated with a two-fold increase in ACE2 RNA expression. Conversely, among genes negatively correlated with ACE2 expression, IFN-signalling pathways were highly enriched and ACE2 was downregulated after IFN-α treatment. Negative correlation was also found in the gastrointestinal tract where inflammation driven IFN-stimulated genes were negatively correlated with ACE2 expression and in lung tissue from a murine model of SARS-CoV-1 infection suggesting conserved regulation of ACE2 across tissue and species.

Conclusions: We conclude that ACE2 is likely a negatively-regulated interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) and carriage of IFNL4 gene alleles which modulates ISGs expression in viral infection may play a role in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis with implications for therapeutic interventions.
La producción anfórica de Carthago Nova y su territorio: estado de la cuestión
Authors: Quevedo Alejandro
Published: March 2021

A pesar del relevante papel que desempeñó como puerto comercial en época romana, la producción anfórica de Carthago Nova (Hispania Tarraconensis) y su territorio resultan a día de hoy casi desconocidas. De sus principales actividades económicas, solo la minerometalurgia parece haber tenido un claro carácter exportador. A la ausencia de alfares en los primeros siglos del Imperio se suma la escasez de instalaciones vinculadas con ciertos productos como el garum local, tan celebrado por los autores antiguos. Sin embargo, esta situación contrasta con el desarrollo de numerosas figlinae a lo largo del litoral a partir del s. IV d.C. y puede ser matizada gracias al estudio de nuevos materiales. En las páginas que siguen se presenta un estado de la cuestión sobre los envases manufacturados en Cartagena y su hinterland entre los siglos I y V d.C. Su análisis permite reflexionar sobre el contexto productivo de la ciudad y su desarrollo económico durante la Antigüedad.
Graccurris (Alfaro, La Rioja) y la decoración de la estancia 2 (casa 4)
Authors: Íñiguez Berrozpe Lara , Guiral Pelegrín Carmen , Martínez Torrecilla José Manuel , Hernández Vera José Antonio
Published: March 2021

Presentamos una síntesis del contexto histórico y arqueológico de Graccurris, primera fundación romana de época republicana en el valle del Ebro. Nos centramos en el estudio de pavimentos, pinturas y estucos del sector C del yacimiento, prestando especial atención a los encontrados en la habitación 2 de la Casa 4, pavimentada con opus signinum, conservado in situ, y decoradas sus paredes con pinturas, halladas en estado fragmentario. El pavimento y el conjunto 2 corresponden a una primera fase decorativa, del siglo I d.C., relacionada con la remodelación de la ciudad en dicha época, mientras que la cronología del conjunto pictórico 1 nos lleva a principios del siglo II d.C., fecha que coincide con la reforma de la domus. Las primitivas pinturas, conservadas parcialmente, presentan un esquema sencillo: zócalo gris moteado y paneles rojos bordeados de bandas negras en la zona media. La decoración de la segunda fase es más compleja: zócalo con imitaciones marmóreas, zona media articulada en una sucesión de columnas y paneles que emulan mármol serpentino y, finalmente, en la zona superior se dispone un sistema de relación continua. Mármoles y columnas forman parte de la corriente pictórica en boga en el valle del Ebro en el siglo II d.C.
Los depósitos y las áreas de almacenamiento en la urbe Chimú: Chan Chan, Trujillo, Perú
Authors: Correa-Trigoso Denis Elvis
Published: March 2021

Las áreas de almacenamiento son recurrentes en todos los palacios de Chan Chan, siendo los depósitos las estructuras de mayor importancia en el acúmulo de recursos. Mediante los resultados obtenidos en las investigaciones arqueológicas en los palacios Chayhuac, Uhle, Bandelier, Gran Chimú, Tschudi y Rivero, es posible conocer los diferentes tamaños y tipos de los depósitos. El tipo de almacenaje dependió de la naturaleza del objeto, usando o no recipientes para tal fin, pero posiblemente fue prioridad el almacenamiento de granos, como frejoles, maní y maíz, siendo este último parte fundamental de la dieta y la materia prima para la elaboración de la chicha. Los depósitos en la capital Chimú pudieron almacenar muchos objetos en su interior (el mayor tiene 27.09 m2 y 22.76 m3), es el palacio Uhle el que presente mayor capacidad como área de almacenamiento (1852.68 m2 y 1671.50 m3). Toda esta organización de recaudación estuvo organizada desde puntos de control denominados “audiencias” y su preponderancia dentro de los palacios estuvo asociada el acceso a los recursos durante la realización de las actividades políticas en la urbe, siendo posible reconocer las políticas administrativas que existió durante la construcción de los palacios Uhle y Bandelier.
Exploring the experience and challenges of maternity waiting homes in Jimma, southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Girma Woubishet , Tamiru Dessalegn , Woldie Mirkuzie , Kebede Ayantu , Birhanu Zewdie , Getachew Biniam , Abdulahi Misra , Feyissa Garumma Tolu
Published: March 2021

Background

Establishing maternity waiting homes is a key strategy to address the geographic barrier to obstetric care access among women living in rural areas. In Ethiopia, maternity waiting homes have been in use for several years, with a sharp increase in the number of such facilities recently. However, there is little empirical evidence detailing the experiences and challenges faced by women during the implementation of this initiative in Ethiopia.

Methods

This study used a multiple case study design with qualitative data collection methods, and was conducted from October to November 2016. Data were collected using focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and direct observation of each maternity waiting home. All interviews and focus group discussions were recorded using a digital voice recorder. Data were transcribed and translated into English. The coding process and formation of thematic structure was assisted by Atlas ti7.5 computer software.

Results

The participants reported that they were satisfied and comfortable with the services at the maternity waiting homes, as were their husbands and community leaders. Facility, social and environmental challenges were identified as common barriers to the utilisation of maternity waiting homes by stakeholders at different levels. Healthcare providers reported common challenges at maternity waiting homes include a lack of basic utilities (water and electric supply), and overcrowding because of a shortage of space and lack of medical supplies. Some women reported that poor transportation services and the distance to facilities hindered the utilisation of maternity waiting homes.

Conclusions

There are social and facility challenges related to the use of maternity waiting homes in Ethiopia. Policymakers and health managers should work with relevant sectors to mitigate the effect of facility, social and environmental barriers and maximise the use of maternity waiting homes.
Beam steering in a narrow-beam phosphor down-converted white light visible light communication link using transmitter lens decentering
Authors: Ahmad Faheem , Biswas Rabindra , Raghunathan Varun
Published: March 2021

Indoor visible light communication (VLC) systems with narrow beams can achieve
practical few-meters-long wireless optical links. Such links can
operate at low power levels and a high data rate for supporting
point-to-point or multipoint communication. The narrow-beam VLC links
can, however, benefit from beam steering to support mobility of user
equipment and cater to multiple users. Simple beam-steering techniques
with minimal changes to the existing optical hardware are required to
enable widespread adoption of beam steering in VLC links. We study the
performance of a simple transmitter-lens-decenter-based beam-steering
scheme in a VLC link, utilizing a phosphor down-converted blue laser
transmitter. The beam-steering angle, and hence the receiver coverage,
depend on the transmitter lens decenter and the choice of the
transmitter and receiver lens’s focal lengths. Optical ray tracing is
used to quantify the collection efficiency achievable with beam
steering, to choose a suitable receiver lens, and to understand the
role of off-axis aberration in the system performance. In our
experimental implementation, the transmitter lens decentering
technique results in a maximum steering angle of 7.1°, which
corresponds to a receiver coverage of 30 cm per cm of transmitter lens
decenter for a fixed link length of 300 cm. The measured on-axis white
light color coordinates of (0.286, 0.253) is found to shift toward
warmer white colors with beam steering. The on-axis illuminance level
of

∼

19

l
u
x

decreases slightly with beam steering
and is found to be below the maximum permissible exposure limit for
indoor illumination. We also quantify the data communication
performance as a function of beam steering using on-off modulated
data. Bit-error rates below the forward error correction limit are
obtained for receiver coverage diameter of 75 cm and 60 cm for
1.25 Gbps and 1.5 Gbps data rates, respectively.
Reducing backscattering and the Kerr noise in a resonant micro-optic
gyro using two independent lasers
Authors: Niu Jian , Liu Wenyao , Pan Ziwen , Tao Yu , Zhou Yanru , Xing Enbo , Liu Jun , Tang Jun
Published: March 2021

In a resonator micro-optic gyroscope (R-MOG), backscattering noise and
Kerr noise have been key issues affecting the optical gyro output that
are difficult to completely suppress. A method is proposed to suppress
backscattering noise in a R-MOG. It uses two independent lasers and,
by locking the two optical signals at different resonance peaks, a
differential output of the two optical signals is achieved that
successfully suppresses the backscattering noise. At the same time, a
light intensity feedback loop based on a light intensity modulator is
added to the loop to ensure the same optical power into the cavity.
Experimental results show that the light intensity fluctuation into
the gyro system is reduced nearly two orders of magnitude and the bias
stability is improved to 9.06 deg/h by using a light intensity
feedback loop with two independent lasers.
Polyvinyl chloride gel-based Fresnel zone plate fabricated by solvent evaporation under a DC electric field
Authors: Chen Cuifen , Xu Miao , Xu Peiwen , Lu Hongbo
Published: March 2021

In this work, a facile method was developed for the fabrication of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gel-based Fresnel zone plate (FZP). To this end, a concentric zoned electrode with odd zones connected to the anode and even zones connected to the cathode was used to shape the PVC gels solution. Next, the solvent of PVC gels solution was evaporated under a 60 V DC applied electric field at room temperature. During this process, the electric charge injected from the cathode was carried by the plasticizer toward the anode to accumulate on its surface. After full evaporation of the solvent, the PVC gels formed undulated shapes with concentric zoned patterns due to the electrostatic repulsions. The focal length of the as-obtained PVC gel-based FZP was estimated to 40 cm, and maximum diffraction efficiency was

∼

79.4

%

. In sum, the proposed PVC gel-based FZP with the simple fabrication process, compact structure, high transmittance, good optical isotropy, and low power consumption looks very promising for applications in long-distance optical communication, space navigation, and optical trapping.
LED-based compressive spectral-temporal imaging
Authors: Ma Xiao , Yuan Xin , Fu Chen , Arce Gonzalo R.
Published: March 2021

A compressive spectral-temporal imaging system is reported. A multi-spectral light-emitting diode array is used for target illumination and spectral modulation, while a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) encodes the spatial and temporal frames. Several encoded video frames are captured in a snapshot of an integrating focal plane array (FPA). A high-frame-rate spectral video is reconstructed from the sequence of compressed measurements captured by the grayscale low-frame-rate camera. The imaging system is optimized through the design of the DMD patterns based on the forward model. Laboratory implementation is conducted to validate the performance of the proposed imaging system. We experimentally demonstrate the video acquisition with eight spectral bands and six temporal frames per FPA snapshot, and thus a 256 × 256 × 8 × 6 4D cube is reconstructed from a single 2D measurement.
Visible Fourier transform absorption spectrum measurement method based on dual interferometer configuration
Authors: Wang Xuzhu , Lin Jin , Song Chaonan , Zhu Lina , Wang Shuxing
Published: March 2021

We introduce an absorption spectrum measurement method in the visible regime based on dual interferometer configuration. The proposed method can realize the measurement of the absorption spectrum by addition and calculation of the alternating current (AC) components of interferograms from dual symmetrical interferometers in one measurement, with no need to subtract twice-measured spectrum data with or without samples in the traditional single interferometer method, thus expanding the dynamic range of measurement, especially suitable for weak absorption. The absorption spectra of FB570-10 bandpass filter and NF533-17 notch filter measured by this method conform to the official data.
Offenheit durch XAI bei ML-unterstützten Entscheidungen: Ein Baustein zur Optimierung von Entscheidungen im Unternehmen?
Authors: Lossos Christian , Geschwill Simon , Morelli Frank
Published: March 2021

Künstliche Intelligenz (KI) und Machine Learning (ML) gelten gegenwärtig als probate Mittel, um betriebswirtschaftliche Entscheidungen durch mathematische Modelle zu optimieren. Allerdings werden die Technologien häufig in Form von „Black Box“-Ansätze mit entsprechenden Risiken realisiert. Der Einsatz von Offenheit kann in diesem Kontext mehr Objektivität schaffen und als Treiber für innovative Lösungen fungieren. Rationale Entscheidungen im Unternehmen dienen im Sinne einer Mittel-Zweck-Beziehung dazu, Wettbewerbsvorteile zu erlangen. Im Sinne von Governance und Compliance sind dabei regulatorische Rahmenwerke wie COBIT 2019 und gesetzliche Grundlagen wie die Datenschutz-Grundverordnung (DSGVO) zu berücksichtigen, die ihrerseits ein Mindestmaß an Transparenz einfordern. Ferner sind auch Fairnessaspekte, die durch Bias-Effekte bei ML-Systemen beeinträchtigt werden können, zu berücksichtigen. In Teilaspekten, wie z. B. bei der Modellerstellung, wird in den Bereichen der KI und des ML das Konzept der Offenheit bereits praktiziert. Das Konzept der erklärbaren KI („Explainable Artificial Intelligence“ – XAI) vermag es aber, das zugehörige Potenzial erheblich steigern. Hierzu stehen verschiedene generische Ansätze (Ante hoc‑, Design- und Post-hoc-Konzepte) sowie die Möglichkeit, diese untereinander zu kombinieren, zur Verfügung. Entsprechend müssen Chancen und Grenzen von XAI systematisch reflektiert werden. Ein geeignetes, XAI-basiertes Modell für das Fällen von Entscheidungen im Unternehmen lässt sich mit Hilfe von Heuristiken näher charakterisieren.
Neural modelling of the encoding of fast frequency modulation
Authors: Tabas Alejandro , von Kriegstein Katharina
Published: March 2021

Frequency modulation (FM) is a basic constituent of vocalisation in many animals as well as in humans. In human speech, short rising and falling FM-sweeps of around 50 ms duration, called formant transitions, characterise individual speech sounds. There are two representations of FM in the ascending auditory pathway: a spectral representation, holding the instantaneous frequency of the stimuli; and a sweep representation, consisting of neurons that respond selectively to FM direction. To-date computational models use feedforward mechanisms to explain FM encoding. However, from neuroanatomy we know that there are massive feedback projections in the auditory pathway. Here, we found that a classical FM-sweep perceptual effect, the sweep pitch shift, cannot be explained by standard feedforward processing models. We hypothesised that the sweep pitch shift is caused by a predictive feedback mechanism. To test this hypothesis, we developed a novel model of FM encoding incorporating a predictive interaction between the sweep and the spectral representation. The model was designed to encode sweeps of the duration, modulation rate, and modulation shape of formant transitions. It fully accounted for experimental data that we acquired in a perceptual experiment with human participants as well as previously published experimental results. We also designed a new class of stimuli for a second perceptual experiment to further validate the model. Combined, our results indicate that predictive interaction between the frequency encoding and direction encoding neural representations plays an important role in the neural processing of FM. In the brain, this mechanism is likely to occur at early stages of the processing hierarchy.
Toward a Monte Carlo approach to selecting climate variables in MaxEnt
Authors: Schnase John L. , Carroll Mark L. , Gill Roger L. , Tamkin Glenn S. , Li Jian , Strong Savannah L. , Maxwell Thomas P. , Aronne Mary E. , Spradlin Caleb S.
Published: March 2021

MaxEnt is an important aid in understanding the influence of climate change on species distributions. There is growing interest in using IPCC-class global climate model outputs as environmental predictors in this work. These models provide realistic, global representations of the climate system, projections for hundreds of variables (including Essential Climate Variables), and combine observations from an array of satellite, airborne, and in-situ sensors. Unfortunately, direct use of this important class of data in MaxEnt modeling has been limited by the large size of climate model output collections and the fact that MaxEnt can only operate on a relatively small set of predictors stored in a computer’s main memory. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of a Monte Carlo method that overcomes this limitation by finding a useful subset of predictors in a larger, externally-stored collection of environmental variables in a reasonable amount of time. Our proposed solution takes an ensemble approach wherein many MaxEnt runs, each drawing on a small random subset of variables, converges on a global estimate of the top contributing subset of variables in the larger collection. In preliminary tests, the Monte Carlo approach selected a consistent set of top six variables within 540 runs, with the four most contributory variables of the top six accounting for approximately 93% of overall permutation importance in a final model. These results suggest that a Monte Carlo approach could offer a viable means of screening environmental predictors prior to final model construction that is amenable to parallelization and scalable to very large data sets. This points to the possibility of near-real-time multiprocessor implementations that could enable broader and more exploratory use of global climate model outputs in environmental niche modeling and aid in the discovery of viable predictors.
A study on the characteristics of coke in the hearth of a superlarge blast furnace
Authors: Lv Qing Q. , Tian Yong S. , Du Ping , Zhou Jun L. , Wang Guang H.
Published: March 2021

An in-depth study on the characteristics of coke in the hearths of blast furnaces is of great significance for explaining the mechanism of coke deterioration in blast furnaces. In the present work, the changes in macromorphology, degree of graphitization, and microstructure of the coke taken from different hearth locations of a 5,800 m3 superlarge blast furnace during its intermediate repair period were systematically studied. Significant differences were found between cokes obtained from the edge (“edge coke”) and from the center (“center coke”) of the hearth in terms of properties and degradation mechanisms. Edge coke was severely eroded by liquid metal, and only a small amount of slag was detected in the coke porosity, whereas center coke was basically free from erosion by liquid metal, and a large amount of slag was detected in the coke porosity. The degree of graphitization of edge coke was higher than that of center coke. The carburizing effect of liquid metal was the main cause of the degradation of edge coke and made it smaller or even disappear. Center coke was degraded due to the combination of two factors: slag inserted into micropores on the surface of center coke loosened the surface structure; and graphite-like flakes that appeared on the center coke surface lowered the strength and caused cracks in the surface.
Awareness and knowledge of canine rabies: A state-wide cross-sectional study in Nigeria
Authors: Al-Mustapha Ahmad I. , Tijani Abubakar A. , Bamidele Folashade O. , Muftau Oyewo , Ibrahim Ahmed , Abdulrahim Ibrahim , Osu Muhammad Shuaib , Kia Grace , Patrick Nguku , Endie Waziri N.
Published: March 2021

Rabies is a highly fatal disease that is endemic in Nigeria. The poor community awareness and knowledge of canine rabies have thwarted the realization of zero deaths from dog mediated human rabies. This study aimed to assess the awareness and knowledge of canine rabies in Kwara state. A total of 1,460 questionnaires were administered to respondents in the three senatorial zones of the state using open data kit (ODK) on mobile phones between September 2019 to January 2020. The rabies awareness rate was 38.1%. The mean knowledge score was 3.78 ± 2.15. Only 10.6% (n = 59/557) of the respondents had satisfactory knowledge of canine rabies. Respondents had poor knowledge of the mode of transmission, symptoms, prevention, and the control measures needed to eliminate canine rabies. Only 20.1% of respondents owned at least a dog. Dog owners were 3.85× (95% CI: 2.89, 5.13; p < 0.01) more likely to be aware of canine rabies and were 1.78× (95% CI: 1.22–2.60; p = 0.003) more likely to have satisfactory knowledge about canine rabies than non-dog owners. Respondents with tertiary education were at least 6.81× (95% CI: 4.24, 10.92; p < 0.01) more likely to be aware of rabies than respondents with no formal education. The findings of this study showed very low awareness and knowledge of canine rabies among residents of Kwara state. Mass sensitization of the populace on the dangers of rabies should be intensified. Such interventions should be targeted at the general public and dog owners.