bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and the Luso-African identity
Authors: Mormul Joanna
Published: April 2021

The article aims at searching for the correlation between the Luso-African identity, understood as a form of cultural identity based on the concept of Lusophony, and The Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), an international organisation that brings together countries whose official language is Portuguese. The CPLP is considered as an institutional emanation of the idea of Lusophony. However, for almost 25 years since its creation it still receives a lot of criticism. Despite the multiplicity of initiatives that it proposed, for a long time it seemed that the CPLP did not really move beyond the concept phase. Furthermore, until recently the organisation has focused mainly on cultural and political cooperation, leaving behind its enormous economic possibilities and provoking questions about an untapped potential of the CPLP. The paper attempts to reflect on the hypothesis that the limited capacities of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries regarding the African continent are, at least partially, related to the problem with Luso-African identity. The considerations presented in the article are based on the critical reading of the literature of the subject, qualitative analysis of the already existing data (official documents and the press, available statistics), as well as the author’s reflections drawn from observations, interviews and informal talks conducted during field research in Mozambique (2015) and Guinea-Bissau (2016), along with multiple study visits to Portugal (2011-2016), while realizing the research project devoted to the problem of state dysfunctionality in the Lusophone Africa.
The 2020 U.S. Supreme Court and Political Identity
Authors: Laidler Paweł
Published: April 2021

This article aims to determine current political identity of the U.S. Supreme Court by analyzing the process of appointment of its recent Justices and their ideology. The Author claims that ideology and politics play decisive role on Court’s jurisprudence, but that it was Anthony Kennedy’s retirement in 2018 which defined the direction of Court’s adjudication for years to come. The analysis shows important role of the President and Senate in the process of indirect interpretation of the Constitution by the appointment of Justices representing certain ideology.
More than a Storm in a Teacup? British Nationals in Poland in the Time of Brexit
Authors: Davies Stephen , Kułakowska Małgorzata
Published: April 2021

The paper will present and analyse the results of qualitative research conducted by Stephen Davies with British nationals residing in Poland. The research questions explore their attitudes towards Britain and Brexit, as well as their future plans connected with their place of residence. The dominant themes of the paper are the questions of belonging and attachment. The analysis is preceded by a short introductory section which presents the context of the Brexit processes, as well as the results of research into EU migrants in the United Kingdom and British nationals living in different parts of the European Union.
Perception of car workshop partners towards the vocational students’ internship performance in Cilacap
Authors: Widiastuti Eka Rini , Santosa Budi , Sayuti Muhammad
Published: April 2021

This research aims to determine the perceptions of industrial partners of the car workshop on the performance of vocational high school students in Cilacap after conducting internship program. The type of this research is descriptive qualitative. The data collection techniques used questionnaires. To test the validity and research data, we used triangulation of data that is how researchers test the validity of data by collecting similar data but by using different data collection techniques. The data to be concluded is about the performance of internship students. The performance of internship students is concluded with different methods, namely the questionnaire method and the interview method.
Sentido do Trabalho: a Percepção de Empreendedores Sociais de Cooperativas de Reciclagem
Authors: Schmitt Figueiró Paola , Gisele Bessi Vânia
Published: April 2021

Cooperativas constituem uma alternativa possível de geração de renda para diferentes grupos sociais. Nesta pesquisa o enfoque recai sobre cooperativas de reciclagem e seus cooperados, tratados sob a perspectiva do empreendedorismo social. O objetivo geral é compreender o sentido do trabalho para empreendedores sociais de cooperativas de reciclagem da região sul do Brasil. Utilizou-se uma abordagem qualitativa, a partir de observação direta e entrevistas. A análise mostrou que, embora os cooperados percebam que exercem um trabalho significativo para a sociedade, muitos não lhe atribuem valor em função de preconceitos sofridos ao longo do tempo e internalizados por eles. Os resultados revelaram que alguns trabalhadores mantêm uma relação de subordinação com os gestores das cooperativas, o que se sobrepõe ao propósito cooperativista do negócio, limitando a autonomia necessária à um trabalho com sentido.
Benefícios e Desafios do Home Office em Empresas de Tecnologia da Informação
Authors: Haubrich Deise Bitencourt , Froehlich Cristiane
Published: April 2021

O home office foi regulamentado com a reforma trabalhista no Brasil no ano de 2017. Esta pesquisa objetiva analisar os benefícios e os desafios da adoção do home office sob a perspectiva de profissionais do departamento de recursos humanos de empresas de tecnologia da informação. Trata-se de um estudo multicasos, de natureza descritiva e qualitativa. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas em empresas do setor de tecnologia da informação. Os resultados principais apontam que as empresas investigadas aderiram a esse formato de trabalho gradativamente. Os principais benefícios da adoção do home officeidentificados foram: flexibilidade, produtividade, possibilidade de contratar profissionais sem restrições geográficas, redução de despesas de estrutura e de deslocamento e melhoria da qualidade de vida. Os desafios identificados incluem cultura organizacional, modelo contratual, indisciplina, falta de comprometimento, dificuldades da ausência de contato presencial com a equipe e tecnologia insuficiente.
Use of Strategic Tools in Farm Management: Evidences From The Brazilian Countryside
Authors: Todescato Cavalheiro Rafael , Kremer Andréia Maria , Toesca Gimenes Regio Márcio , Baratelli Márcio , Braga Pitteri Luciano
Published: April 2021

Este estudo buscou identificar as características associadas ao uso das ferramentas estratégicas no contexto das propriedades rurais. Para tanto, foi realizado um survey, com uma amostra de 181 produtores rurais da microrregião de Dourados, no Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Testou-se a associação das variáveis por meio da estatística , Coeficiente  e Coeficiente  de Cramer. Os resultados revelam que o uso das ferramentas estratégicas está associado ao nível de conhecimento sobre gestão estratégica, grau de escolaridade, tamanho da fazenda, uso de sistemas de controle, separação de gastos da fazenda dos gastos pessoais da família e nível de conhecimento sobre gestão de custos. Verificou-se que houve avanços em termos de adoção de práticas de gerenciamento estratégico, porém ainda predomina a gestão informal ou pouco desenvolvida nas fazendas investigadas.
Approximate Voigt function formula for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy fitting
Authors: Chen Siying , Jia Yiwen , Chen He , Guo Pan , Xu Qixiang , Wang Lifu , Zhang Yinchao
Published: April 2021

Accurate and rapid spectrum fitting is very important for quantitatively analyzing laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The Voigt function is often used to fit LIBS spectral lines. We propose a new approximate Voigt function formula. Based on the classic Lorentz–Gauss linear combination formula, a summation term was added that contained a specific convolution operation to improve the Voigt function’s calculation and fitting accuracy. This formula can be used for the approximate calculation of the Voigt function with an overall accuracy of 0.31% and a full width at half-maximum internal accuracy of 0.25% when the ratio of Lorentzian linewidth to Gaussian linewidth is 1:1. The formula was then applied to LIBS data processing to fit four element spectral lines of calcium (Ca-393.37, 396.85, and 422.67 nm) and potassium (K-766.49 nm). The fitting results showed that this new approximate formula could fit at least seven data points, and compared with the complex plane partition method and the classic linear combination formula, the new formula had better fitting speed and accuracy.
Identification of spectral signature for in situ real-time monitoring
of smoltification
Authors: Svendsen Eirik , Volent Zsolt , Schellewald Christian , Tsarau Andrei , Bjørgan Asgeir , Venås Birger , Bloecher Nina , Bondø Morten , Føre Martin , Jónsdóttir Kristbjörg Edda , Stefansson Sigurd
Published: April 2021

We describe the use of an optical hyperspectral sensing technique to
identify the smoltification status of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) based on spectral signatures, thus
potentially providing smolt producers with an additional tool to
verify the osmoregulatory state of salmon. By identifying whether a
juvenile salmon is in the biological freshwater stage (parr) or has
adapted to the seawater stage (smolt) before transfer to sea, negative
welfare impacts and subsequent mortality associated with failed or
incorrect identification may be reduced. A hyperspectral imager has
been used to collect data in two water flow-through and one
recirculating production site in parallel with the standard
smoltification evaluations applied at these sites. The results from
the latter have been used as baseline for a machine-learning algorithm
trained to identify whether a fish was parr or smolt based on its
spectral signature. The developed method correctly classified fish in
86% to 100% of the cases for individual sites, and had an overall
average classification accuracy of 90%, thus indicating that analysis
of spectral signatures may constitute a useful tool for smoltification
monitoring.
Visual performance after the deterioration of retinal image quality: induced forward scattering using Bangerter foils and fog filters
Authors: Castro-Torres José J. , Martino Francesco , Casares-López Miriam , Ortiz-Peregrina Sonia , Ortiz Carolina
Published: April 2021

We induced and evaluated different levels of retinal-image degradation using Bangerter foils and fog filters. We found increased straylight and an important deterioration in visual performance, assessed by means of visual acuity, contrast threshold, and visual discrimination capacity. Bangerter foils induced forward scattering levels comparable to those observed in mature to severe cataracts, with an important impact of halos and starbursts. Fog filters induced lower levels of intraocular scattering, although luminous veils and circular halos were reported. The visual disturbance index positively correlated with intraocular scattering and straylight. Our results show retinal-image quality has an important influence on night-vision performance.
Introduction to the ONDM2020 special issue
Authors: Casellas Ramon , Muñoz Raul , Furdek Marija , Spadaro Salvatore , Zhu Zuqing
Published: April 2021

This JOCN special issue includes extended versions of selected papers that were presented at the 24th International Conference on Optical Network Design and Modeling (ONDM2020), which took place virtually on May 18–21, 2020. The topics covered by the papers represent clear trends in current optical networking research including filterless optical networks and their applicability in metropolitan scenarios; programmable, software-defined-networking-enabled sliceable bandwidth variable transceivers supporting multi-dimensionality; and two applications of machine learning—the cognitive reconfiguration of data-center networks in support of high-performance computing, and quality of transmission estimation for reduced margins.
Surface structure evolution and Raman response for multipulse, few-cycle, laser damaged ZnSe
Authors: Chai Yingjie , Yu Xiaoming , Cheng He , Chang Zenghu , Tetard Laurene , Bass Michael , Soileau M. J.
Published: April 2021

Multiple 11-fs infrared, few-cycle laser pulses were applied to a polycrystal ZnSe surface to study the evolution of surface damage morphologies. The polycrystalline grain boundaries seem to be the initiation site of surface damage and formation of ripples, which evolve as the result of many laser pulses at the same site. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were applied to characterize the surface. The crystalline change and material phase transition were examined by confocal Raman spectroscopy. The thermal expansion coefficient increased slightly in the ablated zone compared to the non-ablated zone according to an AFM thermal tip test. The results show the growth and organization of surface ripples and the change of thermal properties as the number of irradiations at each site increases.
Optical frequency conversion of light with maintaining polarization and orbital angular momentum
Authors: Ren Zhi-Cheng , Lou Yan-Chao , Cheng Zi-Mo , Fan Li , Ding Jianping , Wang Xi-Lin , Wang Hui-Tian
Published: April 2021

Optical frequency conversion provides a fundamental and important approach to manipulate light in frequency domain. In such a process, manipulating the frequency of light without changing information in other degrees of freedom of light will enable us to establish an interface between various optical systems operating in different frequency regions and have many classical and quantum applications. Here we experimentally demonstrate a frequency conversion with maintaining polarization and orbital angular momentum (OAM) by successfully upconverting various polarization-OAM composite states in a nonlinear Sagnac interferometer. Our scheme offers a new possibility for building different wave band interfaces in more degrees of freedom.
Broadband second-harmonic generation from artificial optical nonlinearity
Authors: Wang Chen , Wen Yongzheng , Sun Jingbo , Zhou Ji
Published: April 2021

In this Letter, we present a mechanism for effectively broadening the bandwidth of second-harmonic generation (SHG) with the metamaterial-based artificial optical nonlinearity. As the nonlinear response of the artificial nonlinearity arising from the magnetoelectric coupling constructed by the meta-molecule (MM) structure, the broadband second-order nonlinearity can be built by simply combining the MMs with different geometrical sizes together. The physical model and the numerical simulation fully support the artificial generation and modulation of the broadband second harmonics. Our work suggests a new route for realizing the on-chip custom-designed nonlinear optical devices with broadband operation.
Differential fluorescence microscopy by using a dynamic cylindrical-vector field
Authors: Cai Yanhui , Liu Wei , Yang Wenkai , Xu Jian , Yang Hong , Shi Kebin
Published: April 2021

Fluorescence emission difference (FED) microscopy, as an emerging super-resolution imaging modality, uses double-exposure and subtraction between double-exposed fluorescence images to achieve high spatial resolution beyond the diffraction limit. Here we report on a new FED imaging approach with a single-exposure scheme based on dynamic cylindrical-vector fields, where the fluorescence excitation beam can be switched between radial and azimuthal polarization states at a designated high radio frequency. Lateral spatial resolution of

∼

λ

/

4

is achieved. Being able to integrate with lock-in amplifier detection, the proposed method will find promising applications for high-speed fluorescence imaging with improved signal-to-noise ratio.
Active remote sensing of atmospheric dust using relationships between their depolarization ratios and reflectivity
Authors: Zubko Evgenij , Shmirko Konstantin , Pavlov Andrey , Sun Wenbo , Schuster Gregory L. , Hu Yongxiang , Stamnes Snorre , Omar Ali , Baize Rosemary R. , McCormick M. Patrick , Loughman Robert , Arnold Jessica A. , Videen Gorden
Published: April 2021

The backscattered light from agglomerated debris particles shows that an approximate linear correlation exists between the logarithm of the geometric albedo

log
⁡
(
A
)

of polydispersions of agglomerated debris particles and their lidar linear or circular depolarization ratios,

µ
L

and

µ
C

. The nature of the relationship depends on the complex refractive index of the particles in the distribution. This extension of the Umov law can be used for lidar and radar characterizations by placing constraints on the reflectivity of the particles. It suggests that an approximate inverse relationship exists between the lidar ratio and the lidar depolarization ratios whose scaling parameter depends on the refractive index of the aerosol population.
Reconfigurable carbon quantum emitters from CO2 gas reduced via surface plasmons
Authors: Walia Jaspreet , Rashid Sabaa , Killaire Graham , Variola Fabio , Weck Arnaud , Berini Pierre
Published: April 2021

Silver gratings supporting surface plasmons at 532 nm catalyze the formation of light-emitting solid carbon from

C
O

2

gas, revealing a low-energy

C
O

2

reduction pathway involving hot electrons. Reversibility and spatial control over the formation of carbon quantum emitters are achieved.
Six-mode extended L-band EDFA with a low differential modal gain
Authors: Qiu Q. , Gu Z. M. , Shi C. J. , Chen Y. , Lou Y. , He L. , Peng J. G. , Li H. Q. , Xing Y. B. , Chu Y. G. , Dai N. L. , Li J. Y.
Published: April 2021

We report a numerical investigation on a trench-assisted few-mode erbium-doped fiber amplifier supporting 6 spatial modes with a very low differential modal gain. The numerical investigation is based on the experimentally measured parameters of extended L-band Er3+ doped fiber. The results show that the differential modal gain of 6 spatial modes covering the spectral range from 1570 to 1616 nm was reduced to as low as 0.28 dB by a mode hybrid core pumped architecture at a 1550 nm pump wavelength. Compared with cladding pumping, our method achieved a gain efficiency increased by 23.1% and a smaller differential modal gain when both average gains reached 20 dB. It is suggested that our investigation shows great potential for decreasing the differential modal gain effectively.
Mimicking the gravitational effect with gradient index lenses in geometrical optics
Authors: Xiao Wen , Tao Sicen , Chen Huanyang
Published: April 2021

General relativity establishes the equality between matter-energy density and the Riemann curvature of spacetime. Therefore, light or matter will be bent or trapped when passing near the massive celestial objects, and Newton’s second law fails to explain it. The gravitational effect is not only extensively studied in astronomy but also attracts a great deal of interest in the field of optics. People have mimicked black holes, Einstein’s ring, and other fascinating effects in diverse optical systems. Here, with a gradient index lens, in the geometrical optics regime, we mimic the Schwarzschild precession in the orbit of the star S2 near the Galactic Center massive black hole, which was recently first detected by European Southern Observatory. We also find other series of gradient index lenses that can be used to mimic the possible Reissner–Nordström metric of Einstein’s field equation and dark matter particle motion. Light rays in such gradient lenses will be closed in some cases, while in other cases it would be trapped by the center or keep dancing around the center. Our work presents an efficient toy model to help investigate some complex celestial behaviors, which may require long period detection by using high-precision astronomical tools. The induced gradient lenses enlightened by the gravitational effect also enrich the family of absolute optical instruments for their selective closed trajectories.
The dinucleotide composition of the Zika virus genome is shaped by conflicting evolutionary pressures in mammalian hosts and mosquito vectors
Authors: Fros Jelke J. , Visser Imke , Tang Bing , Yan Kexin , Nakayama Eri , Visser Tessa M. , Koenraadt Constantianus J. M. , van Oers Monique M. , Pijlman Gorben P. , Suhrbier Andreas , Simmonds Peter
Published: April 2021

Most vertebrate RNA viruses show pervasive suppression of CpG and UpA dinucleotides, closely resembling the dinucleotide composition of host cell transcriptomes. In contrast, CpG suppression is absent in both invertebrate mRNA and RNA viruses that exclusively infect arthropods. Arthropod-borne (arbo) viruses are transmitted between vertebrate hosts by invertebrate vectors and thus encounter potentially conflicting evolutionary pressures in the different cytoplasmic environments. Using a newly developed Zika virus (ZIKV) model, we have investigated how demands for CpG suppression in vertebrate cells can be reconciled with potentially quite different compositional requirements in invertebrates and how this affects ZIKV replication and transmission. Mutant viruses with synonymously elevated CpG or UpA dinucleotide frequencies showed attenuated replication in vertebrate cell lines, which was rescued by knockout of the zinc-finger antiviral protein (ZAP). Conversely, in mosquito cells, ZIKV mutants with elevated CpG dinucleotide frequencies showed substantially enhanced replication compared to wild type. Host-driven effects on virus replication attenuation and enhancement were even more apparent in mouse and mosquito models. Infections with CpG- or UpA-high ZIKV mutants in mice did not cause typical ZIKV-induced tissue damage and completely protected mice during subsequent challenge with wild-type virus, which demonstrates their potential as live-attenuated vaccines. In contrast, the CpG-high mutants displayed enhanced replication in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and a larger proportion of mosquitoes carried infectious virus in their saliva. These findings show that mosquito cells are also capable of discriminating RNA based on dinucleotide composition. However, the evolutionary pressure on the CpG dinucleotides of viral genomes in arthropod vectors directly opposes the pressure present in vertebrate host cells, which provides evidence that an adaptive compromise is required for arbovirus transmission. This suggests that the genome composition of arbo flaviviruses is crucial to maintain the balance between high-level replication in the vertebrate host and persistent replication in the mosquito vector.
Systematic comparison and prediction of the effects of missense mutations on protein-DNA and protein-RNA interactions
Authors: Jiang Yao , Liu Hui-Fang , Liu Rong
Published: April 2021

The binding affinities of protein-nucleic acid interactions could be altered due to missense mutations occurring in DNA- or RNA-binding proteins, therefore resulting in various diseases. Unfortunately, a systematic comparison and prediction of the effects of mutations on protein-DNA and protein-RNA interactions (these two mutation classes are termed MPDs and MPRs, respectively) is still lacking. Here, we demonstrated that these two classes of mutations could generate similar or different tendencies for binding free energy changes in terms of the properties of mutated residues. We then developed regression algorithms separately for MPDs and MPRs by introducing novel geometric partition-based energy features and interface-based structural features. Through feature selection and ensemble learning, similar computational frameworks that integrated energy- and nonenergy-based models were established to estimate the binding affinity changes resulting from MPDs and MPRs, but the selected features for the final models were different and therefore reflected the specificity of these two mutation classes. Furthermore, the proposed methodology was extended to the identification of mutations that significantly decreased the binding affinities. Extensive validations indicated that our algorithm generally performed better than the state-of-the-art methods on both the regression and classification tasks. The webserver and software are freely available at http://liulab.hzau.edu.cn/PEMPNI and https://github.com/hzau-liulab/PEMPNI.
MRLocus: Identifying causal genes mediating a trait through Bayesian estimation of allelic heterogeneity
Authors: Zhu Anqi , Matoba Nana , Wilson Emma P. , Tapia Amanda L. , Li Yun , Ibrahim Joseph G. , Stein Jason L. , Love Michael I.
Published: April 2021

Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) studies are used to understand the regulatory function of non-coding genome-wide association study (GWAS) risk loci, but colocalization alone does not demonstrate a causal relationship of gene expression affecting a trait. Evidence for mediation, that perturbation of gene expression in a given tissue or developmental context will induce a change in the downstream GWAS trait, can be provided by two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR). Here, we introduce a new statistical method, MRLocus, for Bayesian estimation of the gene-to-trait effect from eQTL and GWAS summary data for loci with evidence of allelic heterogeneity, that is, containing multiple causal variants. MRLocus makes use of a colocalization step applied to each nearly-LD-independent eQTL, followed by an MR analysis step across eQTLs. Additionally, our method involves estimation of the extent of allelic heterogeneity through a dispersion parameter, indicating variable mediation effects from each individual eQTL on the downstream trait. Our method is evaluated against other state-of-the-art methods for estimation of the gene-to-trait mediation effect, using an existing simulation framework. In simulation, MRLocus often has the highest accuracy among competing methods, and in each case provides more accurate estimation of uncertainty as assessed through interval coverage. MRLocus is then applied to five candidate causal genes for mediation of particular GWAS traits, where gene-to-trait effects are concordant with those previously reported. We find that MRLocus’s estimation of the causal effect across eQTLs within a locus provides useful information for determining how perturbation of gene expression or individual regulatory elements will affect downstream traits. The MRLocus method is implemented as an R package available at https://mikelove.github.io/mrlocus.
Evolutionary dynamics of the human pseudoautosomal regions
Authors: Monteiro Bruno , Arenas Miguel , Prata Maria João , Amorim António
Published: April 2021

Recombination between the X and Y human sex chromosomes is limited to the two pseudoautosomal regions (PARs) that present quite distinct evolutionary origins. Despite the crucial importance for male meiosis, genetic diversity patterns and evolutionary dynamics of these regions are poorly understood. In the present study, we analyzed and compared the genetic diversity of the PAR regions using publicly available genomic sequences encompassing both PAR1 and PAR2. Comparisons were performed through allele diversities, linkage disequilibrium status and recombination frequencies within and between X and Y chromosomes. In agreement with previous studies, we confirmed the role of PAR1 as a male-specific recombination hotspot, but also observed similar characteristic patterns of diversity in both regions although male recombination occurs at PAR2 to a much lower extent (at least one recombination event at PAR1 and in ≈1% in normal male meioses at PAR2). Furthermore, we demonstrate that both PARs harbor significantly different allele frequencies between X and Y chromosomes, which could support that recombination is not sufficient to homogenize the pseudoautosomal gene pool or is counterbalanced by other evolutionary forces. Nevertheless, the observed patterns of diversity are not entirely explainable by sexually antagonistic selection. A better understanding of such processes requires new data from intergenerational transmission studies of PARs, which would be decisive on the elucidation of PARs evolution and their role in male-driven heterosomal aneuploidies.
Anatomical and morphometric evaluation of the orbit, eye tunics, eyelids and orbital glands of the captive females of the South African painted dog (Lycaon pictus pictus Temminck, 1820) (Caniformia: Canidae)
Authors: Paszta Wojciech , Klećkowska-Nawrot Joanna E. , Goździewska-Harłajczuk Karolina
Published: April 2021

In this study, we present the first data concerning the anatomical, morphometrical, histological and histochemical study of the orbit, eye tunics, eyelids and orbital glands in South African Painted Dogs (Lycaon pictus pictus). The study was performed using eyeball morphometry, analysis of the bony orbit including its morphometry, macroscopic study, morphometry, histological examination of the eye tunics and chosen accessory organs of the eye and histochemical analysis. The orbit was funnel shaped and was open-type. There was a single ethmoid opening for the ethmoid nerve on the orbital lamina. The pupil was round, while the ciliary body occupied a relatively wide zone. The iris was brown and retina had a pigmented area. The cellulartapetum lucidumwas semi-circular and milky and was composed of 14–17 layers of tapetal cells arranged in a bricklike structure. In the lower eyelid, there was a single conjunctival lymph nodule aggregate. One or two additional large conjunctval folds were observed within the posterior surface of the upper eyelids. The superficial gland of the third eyelid had a serous nature. The third eyelid was T-shaped and was composed of hyaline tissue. Two to three conjunctival lymph nodul aggregates were present within the bulbar conjunctiva of the third eyelid. The lacrimal gland produced a sero-mucous secretion. A detailed anatomic analysis of the eye area in the captive South African Painted Dogs females showed the similarities (especially in the histological examination of the eyetunics and orbital glands) as well as the differences between the Painted dog and the other representatives ofCanidae. The differences included the shape and size od the orbita with comparison to the domestic dog. Such differences in the orbit measurements are most likely associated with the skull type, which are defined in relation to domestic dogs. The presented results significantly expand the existing knowledge on comparative anatomy in the orbit, eye and chosen accessory organs in wildCanidae.
Citizen science with colour blindness: A case study on the Forel-Ule scale
Authors: Burggraaff Olivier , Panchagnula Sanjana , Snik Frans
Published: April 2021

Many citizen science projects depend on colour vision. Examples include classification of soil or water types and biological monitoring. However, up to 1 in 11 participants are colour blind. We simulate the impact of various forms of colour blindness on measurements with the Forel-Ule scale, which is used to measure water colour by eye with a 21-colour scale. Colour blindness decreases the median discriminability between Forel-Ule colours by up to 33% and makes several colour pairs essentially indistinguishable. This reduces the precision and accuracy of citizen science data and the motivation of participants. These issues can be addressed by including uncertainty estimates in data entry forms and discussing colour blindness in training materials. These conclusions and recommendations apply to colour-based citizen science in general, including other classification and monitoring activities. Being inclusive of the colour blind increases both the social and scientific impact of citizen science.
Stillbirth rates, service outcomes and costs of implementing NHS England’s Saving Babies’ Lives care bundle in maternity units in England: A cohort study
Authors: Widdows Kate , Roberts Stephen A. , Camacho Elizabeth M. , Heazell Alexander E. P.
Published: April 2021

Objective

To assess implementation of the Saving Babies Lives (SBL) Care Bundle, a collection of practice recommendations in four key areas, to reduce stillbirth in England.

Design

A retrospective cohort study of 463,630 births in 19 NHS Trusts in England using routinely collected electronic data supplemented with case note audit (n = 1,658), and surveys of service users (n = 2,085) and health care professionals (n = 1,064). The primary outcome was stillbirth rate. Outcome rates two years before and after the nominal SBL implementation date were derived as a measure of change over the implementation period. Data were collected on secondary outcomes and process outcomes which reflected implementation of the SBL care bundle.

Results

The total stillbirth rate, declined from 4.2 to 3.4 per 1,000 births between the two time points (adjusted Relative Risk (aRR) 0.80, 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) 0.70 to 0.91, P<0.001). There was a contemporaneous increase in induction of labour (aRR 1.20 (95%CI 1.18–1.21), p<0.001) and emergency Caesarean section (aRR 1.10 (95%CI 1.07–1.12), p<0.001). The number of ultrasound scans performed (aRR 1.25 (95%CI 1.21–1.28), p<0.001) and the proportion of small for gestational age infants detected (aRR 1.59 (95%CI 1.32–1.92), p<0.001) also increased. Organisations reporting higher levels of implementation had improvements in process measures in all elements of the care bundle. An economic analysis estimated the cost of implementing the care bundle at ~£140 per birth. However, neither the costs nor changes in outcomes could be definitively attributed to implementation of the SBL care bundle.

Conclusions

Implementation of the SBL care bundle increased over time in the majority of sites. Implementation was associated with improvements in process outcomes. The reduction in stillbirth rates in participating sites exceeded that reported nationally in the same timeframe. The intervention should be refined to identify women who are most likely to benefit and minimise unwarranted intervention.

Trial registration

The study was registered on (NCT03231007); www.clinicaltrials.gov.
Regional development potentials of Industry 4.0: Open data indicators of the Industry 4.0+ model
Authors: Czvetkó Tímea , Honti Gergely , Abonyi János
Published: April 2021

This paper aims to identify the regional potential of Industry 4.0 (I4.0). Although the regional background of a company significantly determines how the concept of I4.0 can be introduced, the regional aspects of digital transformation are often neglected with regard to the analysis of I4.0 readiness. Based on the analysis of the I4.0 readiness models, the external regional success factors of the implementation of I4.0 solutions are determined. An I4.0+ (regional Industry 4.0) readiness model, a specific indicator system is developed to foster medium-term regional I4.0 readiness analysis and foresight planning. The indicator system is based on three types of data sources: (1) open governmental data; (2) alternative metrics like the number of I4.0-related publications and patent applications; and (3) the number of news stories related to economic and industrial development. The indicators are aggregated to the statistical regions (NUTS 2), and their relationships analyzed using the Sum of Ranking Differences (SRD) and Promethee II methods. The developed I4.0+ readiness index correlates with regional economic, innovation and competitiveness indexes, which indicates the importance of boosting regional I4.0 readiness.
Hepatitis C virus infection restricts human LINE-1 retrotransposition in hepatoma cells
Authors: Schöbel Anja , Nguyen-Dinh Van , Schumann Gerald G. , Herker Eva
Published: April 2021

LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposons are autonomous transposable elements that can affect gene expression and genome integrity. Potential consequences of exogenous viral infections for L1 activity have not been studied to date. Here, we report that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes a significant increase of endogenous L1-encoded ORF1 protein (L1ORF1p) levels and translocation of L1ORF1p to HCV assembly sites at lipid droplets. HCV replication interferes with retrotransposition of engineered L1 reporter elements, which correlates with HCV RNA-induced formation of stress granules and can be partially rescued by knockdown of the stress granule protein G3BP1. Upon HCV infection, L1ORF1p localizes to stress granules, associates with HCV core in an RNA-dependent manner and translocates to lipid droplets. While HCV infection has a negative effect on L1 mobilization, L1ORF1p neither restricts nor promotes HCV infection. In summary, our data demonstrate that HCV infection causes an increase of endogenous L1 protein levels and that the observed restriction of retrotransposition of engineered L1 reporter elements is caused by sequestration of L1ORF1p in HCV-induced stress granules.
Mechanisms of HIV-1 evasion to the antiviral activity of chemokine CXCL12 indicate potential links with pathogenesis
Authors: Armani-Tourret Marie , Zhou Zhicheng , Gasser Romain , Staropoli Isabelle , Cantaloube-Ferrieu Vincent , Benureau Yann , Garcia-Perez Javier , Pérez-Olmeda Mayte , Lorin Valérie , Puissant-Lubrano Bénédicte , Assoumou Lambert , Delaugerre Constance , Lelièvre Jean-Daniel , Lévy Yves , Mouquet Hugo , Martin-Blondel Guillaume , Alcami Jose , Arenzana-Seisdedos Fernando , Izopet Jacques , Colin Philippe , Lagane Bernard
Published: April 2021

HIV-1 infects CD4 T lymphocytes (CD4TL) through binding the chemokine receptors CCR5 or CXCR4. CXCR4-using viruses are considered more pathogenic, linked to accelerated depletion of CD4TL and progression to AIDS. However, counterexamples to this paradigm are common, suggesting heterogeneity in the virulence of CXCR4-using viruses. Here, we investigated the role of the CXCR4 chemokine CXCL12 as a driving force behind virus virulence. In vitro, CXCL12 prevents HIV-1 from binding CXCR4 and entering CD4TL, but its role in HIV-1 transmission and propagation remains speculative. Through analysis of thirty envelope glycoproteins (Envs) from patients at different stages of infection, mostly treatment-naïve, we first interrogated whether sensitivity of viruses to inhibition by CXCL12 varies over time in infection. Results show that Envs resistant (RES) to CXCL12 are frequent in patients experiencing low CD4TL levels, most often late in infection, only rarely at the time of primary infection. Sensitivity assays to soluble CD4 or broadly neutralizing antibodies further showed that RES Envs adopt a more closed conformation with distinct antigenicity, compared to CXCL12-sensitive (SENS) Envs. At the level of the host cell, our results suggest that resistance is not due to improved fusion or binding to CD4, but owes to viruses using particular CXCR4 molecules weakly accessible to CXCL12. We finally asked whether the low CD4TL levels in patients are related to increased pathogenicity of RES viruses. Resistance actually provides viruses with an enhanced capacity to enter naive CD4TL when surrounded by CXCL12, which mirrors their situation in lymphoid organs, and to deplete bystander activated effector memory cells. Therefore, RES viruses seem more likely to deregulate CD4TL homeostasis. This work improves our understanding of the pathophysiology and the transmission of HIV-1 and suggests that RES viruses’ receptors could represent new therapeutic targets to help prevent CD4TL depletion in HIV+ patients on cART.
Docentes universitarios inclusivos: qué les caracteriza y cómo conciben la discapacidad
Authors: Sánchez Díaz María Nieves , Morgado Camacho Beatriz
Published: April 2021

El incremento de estudiantes con discapacidad en las universidades españolas conlleva la necesidad de desarrollar prácticas docentes inclusivas que garanticen la participación y el aprendizaje de todo el alumnado. Con este trabajo se pretende: (1) conocer las concepciones que el profesorado universitario que ejerce prácticas docentes inclusivas tiene sobre la discapacidad; (2) analizar las razones que les motivan para tener en cuenta las necesidades de los estudiantes con discapacidad, y (3) describir las características que les definen. En el estudio participaron 42 docentes que fueron seleccionados como inclusivos por estudiantes con discapacidad de seis universidades públicas de diferentes comunidades autónomas de España (Andalucía, Valencia y Madrid). Estos docentes pertenecían a diferentes áreas de conocimiento y todos impartían docencia en Facultades de Ciencias de la Educación. Se siguió una metodología biográfico-narrativa, mediante el uso de entrevistas semiestructuradas. Los resultados indicaron que la mayoría del profesorado concebía la discapacidad desde el modelo social, abogando por una educación inclusiva. Entre las razones que les llevaban a responder a las necesidades de este alumnado estaban la experiencia previa con personas con discapacidad, el principio de igualdad y su responsabilidad como docente. Respecto a las características de estos docentes
Teljesítményértékelés a professzionális kosárlabdában
Authors: Sterbenz Tamás
Published: April 2021

A professzionális sportban, mint minden iparágban, a teljesítmény mérése kulcsfontosságú. Az alkalmazott módszereknek mérniük kell a csapat teljesítményét, azt össze kell hasonlítani az ellenfelekével, meg kell határozni azokat a faktorokat, standardokat, amelyek szükségesek a sikeres szerepléshez. A módszereknek mérniük kell a sportolók egyéni teljesítményét, az egyéni hozzájárulás mértékét a csapat eredményéhez és információkat kell nyújtaniuk a piac számára, hiszen a játékosok nagyrészt korábbi teljesítményük alapján kerülnek értékelésre. A teljesítményértékelés egyben a játékosok ösztönzésének fontos forrása is, ezért a hatékony menedzselés szempontjából olyan módszer kidolgozása szükséges, amely a szervezet céljait és az egyéni célokat sikeresen koordinálja.
Namibia's Children
Authors: Fink Michaela , Gronemeyer Reimer
Published: April 2021

Many children in Namibia find themselves facing a social crisis. They have been abandoned or abused, are malnourished, homeless, or live in shacks that barely provide any protection. However, amidst these disastrous living conditions, children have developed remarkable survival skills, and come up with equally clever and disillusioned analyses of their situation. For three years, Michaela Fink and Reimer Gronemeyer conducted interviews in Namibia with women who take care of vulnerable children. The book gives these children a voice in interviews and essays.
Transição para o ensino médio: Gestão de política de correção de fluxo e trajetórias escolares
Authors: Lima Maria de Fatima Magalhaes de , Paes de Carvalho Cynthia
Published: April 2021

O presente estudo analisa as possíveis relações entre a gestão de uma política de correção de fluxo em uma rede pública de ensino e a transição para o ensino médio. O estudo das trajetórias escolares dos alunos constituiu-se como recurso para compreender os resultados da política e seus possíveis efeitos sobre as transições escolares para o ensino médio. Na análise foram utilizados dados do Censo Escolar, da base de matrículas da rede de ensino e os documentos oficiais disponíveis sobre a política e sua gestão. Inicialmente apresenta-se o contexto do desenho e gestão da política - estruturada no âmbito de uma parceria público/privada - e as trajetórias escolares de toda a população de alunos matriculados no 5º ano do ensino fundamental na rede de ensino estudada em 2010. Posteriormente apresenta-se as trajetórias daqueles que chegaram ao ensino médio em 2014. Os resultados sugerem que, não obstante a correção de fluxo através dos projetos de aceleração da aprendizagem ter favorecido o ingresso no ensino médio, a elevada taxa de repetência no ano subsequente - 1º ano desta nova etapa de ensino - deixa transparecer que o acesso ao ensino médio pode não ter correspondido a um processo de escolarização sustentável e bem consolidado em termos de aprendizagem, evidenciando os limites do controverso caráter compensatório da política em tela.
Uncovering whiteness as discourse: A critical discourse analysis of the in-state resident tuition debate for undocumented students in Texas
Authors: Tapia-Fuselier Nicholas , Jones Veronica A. , Harbour Clifford P.
Published: April 2021

Undocumented college students in the United States encounter a number of structural barriers to postsecondary education success, including disparate in-state resident tuition (ISRT) policies across the country. Texas, the first state to establish ISRT benefits for undocumented college students, has been a site of tension respective to this issue over the last 20 years. In fact, there have been eight legislative attempts to repeal the state’s affirmative ISRT policy. In order to investigate this ongoing ISRT debate in Texas, we used critical discourse analysis methods to analyze the implicit and explicit messages communicated in the policy and surrounding policy discourse. Our conceptual framework, grounded in three constructs of critical whiteness studies including ontological expansiveness, color evasiveness, and individualization, allowed us to uncover whiteness as a pernicious undergirding force within this policy discourse.
Verification of the accommodative responses in viewing an on-axis analog reflection hologram
Authors: Lee Seunghyun , Gentet Philippe , Kim Jungho , Ha Sungjae , Kwon Soonchul
Published: April 2021

Vergence and accommodation responses of human vision are very important factors when a 3D image is observed, and a vergence-accommodation conflict (VAC) causes perceptual distortion, visual discomfort, and fatigue for an observer. Theoretically, a hologram is expected to provide a 3D image without such a conflict. In this article, natural focusing was verified by human accommodation response (A-R) measurement during on-axis analog reflection Denisyuk hologram observation. The A-R of a group of participants were measured for a real marker and its Denisyuk hologram at various visualization distances using an Nvision K5001 autorefractor. The experimental results statistically confirmed the equivalence of the responses to the Denisyuk hologram and its real counterpart, as well as the absence of a VAC.
Gaussian radial basis functions method for linear and nonlinear convection–diffusion models in physical phenomena
Authors: Wang Fuzhang , Zheng Kehong , Ahmad Imtiaz , Ahmad Hijaz
Published: April 2021

In this study, we propose a simple direct meshless scheme based on the Gaussian radial basis function for the one-dimensional linear and nonlinear convection–diffusion problems, which frequently occur in physical phenomena. This is fulfilled by constructing a simple ‘anisotropic’ space–time Gaussian radial basis function. According to the proposed scheme, there is no need to remove time-dependent variables during the whole solution process, which leads it to a really meshless method. The suggested meshless method is implemented to the challenging convection–diffusion problems in a direct way with ease. Numerical results show that the proposed meshless method is simple, accurate, stable, easy-to-program and efficient for both linear and nonlinear convection–diffusion equation with different values of Péclet number. To assess the accuracy absolute error, average absolute error and root-mean-square error are used.
On the optical solutions to nonlinear Schrödinger equation with second-order spatiotemporal dispersion
Authors: Rezazadeh Hadi , Adel Waleed , Eslami Mostafa , Tariq Kalim U. , Mirhosseini-Alizamini Seyed Mehdi , Bekir Ahmet , Chu Yu-Ming
Published: April 2021

In this article, the sine-Gordon expansion method is employed to find some new traveling wave solutions to the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with the coefficients of both group velocity dispersion and second-order spatiotemporal dispersion. The nonlinear model is reduced to an ordinary differential equation by introducing an intelligible wave transformation. A set of new exact solutions are observed corresponding to various parameters. These novel soliton solutions are depicted in figures, revealing the new physical behavior of the acquired solutions. The method proves its ability to provide good new approximate solutions with some applications in science. Moreover, the associated solution of the presented method can be extended to solve more complex models.