bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Educação financeira e vieses cognitivos
Authors: Figueira Silva Nathállya Etyenne , Lopes Lucena Wenner Glaucio
Published: July 2023

Este artigo analisou a relação entre os vieses cognitivos: excesso de confiança e aversão à perda e a educação financeira, considerando variáveis sociodemográficas. A amostra da pesquisa foi composta por de 1.080 participantes e após aplicação das técnicas estatísticas, os resultados mostraram que o conhecimento financeiro percebido, o sexo, a idade, e a renda estão associados a probabilidade de o indivíduo exibir excesso de confiança em suas decisões. Em relação ao viés de aversão à perda, o sexo e a renda diminuem a probabilidade de o indivíduo apresentar tal viés, já a idade aumenta essa probabilidade.
Práticas avaliativas e os impactos na formação discente no curso de Ciências Contábeis
Authors: Aires Neves Deize , Sotoriva Daiane , Quintana Alexandre Costa , Silva Jacques Flávia Verônica
Published: July 2023

Este estudo investigou as práticas avaliativas utilizadas pelos docentes e seus impactos na formação dos discentes de Ciências Contábeis de uma IES pública no sul do Brasil durante a pandemia, sob a perspectiva da Teoria Histórico-Cultural de Vygotsky. A pesquisa envolveu questionários para alunos e professores, com análise quantitativa e qualitativa dos resultados. As práticas mais comuns no ensino remoto foram a avaliação formativa e atividades avaliadas. A dimensão pedagógica teve um impacto positivo na formação dos discentes, enquanto a dimensão emocional foi influenciada pela empatia do docente, e na dimensão ética foram identificados competência e compromisso com a aprendizagem.
Elementos para a socialização esclarecida do mestrando em Administração
Authors: Araújo Uajará Pessoa , Campos Rita de Cássia Leal , Ribeiro Lívia Maria de Pádua , Campos Alyce Cardoso
Published: July 2023

O objetivo deste ensaio - aplicável, descritivo, qualitativo e interpretativista - é disponibilizar conteúdo crítico para a socialização acadêmica esclarecida de alunos entrantes do mestrado em administração, discutindo a gênese, o alcance e as implicações das regulações e de outros elementos da estrutura do campo científico da área; sob a ótica de um conjunto selecionado de perspectivas teóricas. O material foi aplicado com resultado afiançado pelo aprofundamento das discussões destacadas ao final do artigo.
PROBLEMS OF TRANSLATING THE NAMES OF RUSSIAN AND GERMAN DOCUMENTS OF INDIVIDUAL PERSONS IN THE ASPECT OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
Authors: Zlobin A.
Published: July 2023

The need to optimize translating the documents of individual persons and the names of these documents is caused by the demand for the documents to ensure effective business communication. The focusing of the translator attention on the translation cognitive aspect as on the intersection of the external communicative context and the internal set of knowledge makes it possible to explicate the multifaceted translation specificity of the names of individual person documents from German into Russian and from Russian into German.
Posługa miłosierdzia na przykładzie medycznej działalności kamilianów i oratorianów na ziemiach polskich w XX wieku
Authors: Chomentowska Edyta , Polak Agnieszka
Published: July 2023

Posługa miłosierdzia jest podstawą działalności Kościoła katolickiego, która realizuje się w niesieniu pomocy i udzielaniu wsparcia osobom potrzebującym. Rozwój chrześcijaństwa w Europie Zachodniej doprowadził do powstania pielęgniarstwa i wynalezienie szpitala jako instytucji opieki zdrowotnej. Szczególną rolę w kwestii realizacji posługi w szpitalach, domach opieki, a także w domach chorych osób, odegrały zakony męskie i żeńskie. Na przestrzeni dziejów zmieniał się zakres pełnionych przez nie obowiązków. Niesiona pomoc miała na celu, tak jak w przypowieści o miłosiernym Samarytaninie, przynieść ukojenie w cierpieniu w wymiarze duchowym i fizycznym. W zależności od okresu akcent był kładziony albo na wymiar duchowy, albo na fizyczny. W XX wieku ważną rolę w organizowaniu czynnej opieki medycznej w Polsce odegrały wspólnoty zakonne: kamilianów i orionistów. Ich działalność na ziemiach polskich w czasie odbudowy państwowości, wojny i funkcjonowania przez kilka dziesięcioleci w państwie komunistycznym zasługuje na szczególną uwagę, zwłaszcza że trwa do czasów współczesnych.
Profesor dr hab. med Władysław Dobrzaniecki (1897-1941)
Authors: Bruziewicz-Mikłaszewska Barbara , Rupocińska Aleksandra
Published: July 2023

Autorki przedstawiają sylwetkę prekursora chirurgii plastycznej w Polsce w aspekcie chirurgiidziecięcej oraz pionierskiej operacji rozszczepu warg i podniebienia. Prof. dr hab. med. Władysław Dobrzaniecki (1897-1941) był jednym z najmłodszych profesorów lwowskiego Uniwersytetu Jana Kazimierza, uczniem prof. Hilarego Schramma (1857-1940), zamordowanym przed osiemdziesięciu laty, 4 lipca 1941 roku przez Niemców. Pozostawił trwały ślad w historii medycyny i polskiej chirurgii plastycznej.
Janina Frankowska-Bukowska (1890-1957) – pionier okulistyki dziecięcej w Polsce
Authors: Pawlikowska-Łagód Katarzyna , Grzybowski Andrzej
Published: July 2023

Celem niniejszej pracy jest przedstawienie sylwetki Janiny Frankowskiej-Bukowskiej (1890-1957), która była okulistą i pionierem okulistyki dziecięcej w Polsce. Doświadczenie zawodowe zdobywała w Instytucie Oftalmicznym oraz Klinice Ocznej w Warszawie. W swoich pracach naukowych skupiała się głównie na okulistyce dziecięcej.
Profesor Wacław Franciszek Bartłomiej Kuśnierczyk (1908-1997). Próba portretu
Authors: Kierzek Andrzej , Kozakiewicz Jacek
Published: July 2023

Jednym z wybitniejszych otorynolaryngologów lwowskich okresu Drugiej Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej oraz otorynolaryngologów śląskich w czasie po drugiej wojnie światowej był profesor Wacław Franciszek Barłomiej Kuśnierczyk (1908-1997). Szeroko przedstawiono jego rodowód, tradycje rodzinne, dzieciństwo, lata szkolne oraz uniwersyteckie w Uniwersytecie Jana Kazimierza. Przedstawiono drogę zawodową i naukową tego lekarza, wykształconego także w ośrodkach zagranicznych, w okresie lwowskim, warszawskim w czasie drugiej wojny światowej oraz w Nowym Sączu po drugiej wojnie światowej. Szczególnie dokładnie zanalizowano jego działalność naukową w Śląskiej Akademii Medycznej oraz Instytucie Onkologii w Gliwicach. Ta działalność doprowadziła go do tytułu profesora i kierownika Kliniki Otolaryngologicznej w Katowicach. Ukazano profesora Kuśnierczyka jak człowieka dużego formatu, poświęcającego także wiele czasu rodzinie, człowieka taktownego, wrażliwego, przyjaznego pacjentom i młodym lekarzom, jego zainteresowania muzyką, literaturą, turystyką etc.
Błogosławiona Elżbieta Róża Czacka (1876-1961) – niewidoma Matka niewidomych
Authors: Chomentowska Edyta , Grzybowski Andrzej
Published: July 2023

BLESSED ELŻBIETA RÓŻA CZACKA (1876-1961) – A BLIND MOTHER OF THE BLINDS Elżbieta Róża Czacka (1876-1961) was a member of a family with rich patriotic, social and charity traditions. After she lost her eyesight in her early youth, she devoted her life to work for the blind combined with a religious vocation. Officially, in 1911, thanks to her initiative, the Society for the Care of the Blind (TOnO) was established as the first organization that became the beginning of the so-called Opus of Laski. In 1915, she headed the congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Cross (Sorores Franciscanes Ancillae Crucis – FSK), which was the first female religious congregation created after Poland regained independence. This article aims to introduce the person of Mother Czacka, who, despite suffering and diseases, devoted her life to the implementation and development of typhlology in Poland. Recognition of her activities combining the religious and charity spheres was achieved by proclaiming her blessed to the Catholic Church in 2021. To show the topicality of the activities it promotes, the activities of TOnO, as one of the institutions established by it, were also presented.The works initiated by Róża Czacka can not be considered in isolation. Despite the secular nature of the TOnO board and the religious nature of the religious community, they were based on Christian care and Catholic principles of helping weaker people.
Clinical presentation of group B Streptococcus-infected diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Waldman Olivia V , Dexter Brandon J , Sulovari Aron , Oh Irvin C
Published: July 2023

Objective:

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common pathogen in diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), where it has been found to result in higher rates of soft tissue infection and amputation despite appropriate treatment. In this study, we aim to investigate clinical characteristics and prognosis of GBS DFU infections, especially those with tenosynovial involvement. We hypothesise that GBS-infected DFUs with tenosynovial involvement leads to an increased number of recurrent infections and unexpected returns to the operating room.

Method:

Data were retrospectively collected from GBS-infected DFU patients surgically treated by an orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon over a four-year period. Demographics, comorbidities, initial laboratory values and culture results from infected bone samples were recorded. Clinical outcome was assessed by recurrent infection and unplanned reoperation(s) within 3 months following the initial surgery.

Results:

In total, 72 patients were treated for GBS-infected DFUs. Intra-operative culture of infected bone identified GBS in 16 patients (22.2%). Significantly more black patients (p=0.017) were afflicted by GBS DFUs. Patients with GBS DFUs had higher initial haemoglobin A1C levels (p=0.019), and those with tenosynovial involvement were likely to require reoperation (p=0.036) and had a greater total number of surgeries (p=0.015) than those without.

Conclusion:

GBS-infected DFUs are more common in black patients and those with elevated haemoglobin A1Cs. GBS infections with tenosynovial involvement are particularly destructive and require aggressive treatment by surgeons.
Radioactive Task for Robots
Authors: Ford Jason
Published: July 2023

£1.5m for technology to decommission
New Centres of Excellence
Authors: Ford Jason
Published: July 2023

Universities team up with industry bodies
Leap Forward in Fuselage Manufacture
Authors: Wade Andrew
Published: July 2023

Stelia claims world first after it uses additive technique
Design of Non-Thermal Plasma Alfalfa Seed Vigor Enhancement Device and Study of Treatment Effect
Authors: Hui Yunting , Liao Yangyang , Li Sibiao , Shao Changyong , Wang Decheng , You Yong
Published: July 2023

Highlights

An effective seed treatment method is provided.

Three generations of field growth trials were conducted.

We Investigated the effects of low-temperature plasma treatment on the biological characters and yield components.

Abstract. An atmospheric pressure, low-temperature dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma seed treatment device was developed for plasma seed treatment. The device worked continuously on alfalfa seeds and evenly distributed the seeds in a plasma discharge range. The processing time, voltage amplitude, and frequency were adjustable. The device was used to study the effect of DBD plasma treatment at different voltages and times on alfalfa seed germination using untreated alfalfa seeds as the control (CK). The results showed that the DBD plasma treatment of alfalfa seeds promoted seed germination and seedling growth, and the optimal discharge conditions were a discharge voltage of 11 kV and a discharge time of 40 s. Compared with CK, the germination potential and germination rate increased by 12.49% and 18.08%, respectively. After treatment using the optimal discharge time, the germination potential, germination rate, dry weight, and seedling height increased by 9.9%, 16.1%, 15%, and 32.9%, respectively, compared with CK. The Scanning Electron Microscope images of the seed epidermis treated with 11 kV and 40 s plasma showed that the surface of alfalfa seeds was etched. Different doses of discharge radiation had different effects on physiological processes in seeds, and their sensitivity to plasma discharge was different. In a certain range, the germination rate, germination potential, fresh weight, dry weight, root length, and seedling height of alfalfa seeds improved to different degrees under different discharge voltages and times. Plasma has a good application prospect for improving the growth of alfalfa seeds. Keywords: Alfalfa, Dielectric barrier discharge plasma, Germination, Seed treatment device, Seedling growth.
New Higher Education Model? Degree Apprenticeships as a Strategy to Modernize Apprenticeships: Rationale, Current Development in the U.S., and a Conceptual Framework
Authors: Voeller Jooyoung
Published: July 2023

Purpose: To better prepare young people for the increasingly complex world of work in the global knowledge economy, apprenticeships are receiving renewed attention in countries without a strong history of vocational education. One of the strategies to promote and modernize apprenticeships in these countries is to offer apprenticeships integrated into degree programs, known as degree apprenticeships at the tertiary level. However, little research has been done to explore this new degree pathway. The purpose of this study is to explore the rationales and recent development of degree apprenticeships in the U.S. and to present a conceptual framework for designing and delivering such programs.
Approach: Through an extensive literature review, this study examines the underlying justifications for the integration of apprenticeships into degree programs. Subsequently, it delves into the current progress of degree apprenticeships in the U.S., substantiating the rationales. Finally, it explores multiple facets of degree apprenticeships, offering a conceptual framework for higher education institutions to consider when implementing such programs.
Findings: This study discusses two rationales for degree apprenticeships. First, they enable permeability of vocational education credentials, one of the features of a robust apprenticeship system. Second, they also equip higher education institutions to effectively prepare young people for work in response to globalization. For these reasons, recently, community colleges, the primary vocational education providers in the U.S., have actively been implementing apprenticeships within degree programs. This study also outlines four interconnected dimensions of apprenticeships - occupational, pedagogical, relational, and aligned – as a conceptual framework for implementing degree apprenticeships.
Conclusion: By providing a useful context and framework for degree apprenticeships, this study contributes to the growing body of research on apprenticeships and provides a foundation for on-going research to advance the theory and practice concerning degree apprenticeships. Future studies can explore the process of implementing degree apprenticeships using the suggested framework and develop strategies to further modernize apprenticeships based upon this study.
La huida de Mario (Plut. Mar. 35-40).
Authors: AMELA VALVERDE Luis
Published: July 2023

Uno de los episodios más fascinantes a la par que novelescos relatados por Plutarco sobre la República romana tardía fue la huida de C. Mario (cos. I 107 a.C.) de Roma tras la conquista de la ciudad por L. Cornelio Sila (cos. I 88 a.C.). En este relato se mezcla la realidad y la ficción, que intentamos discernir.

Palabras clave: Mario, Geminio, Minturno, Erice, África.
Multitasking FBG sensors for condition monitoring with a wideband (DC–MHz) interrogation system
Authors: Glasser Ziv , Liokumovitch Egor , Bank Stas , Simor Nadav , Kalnitsky Alexander , Sternklar Shmuel
Published: July 2023

We demonstrate diagnosis of several machine-condition failures using
wide-frequency-band interrogation of fiber Bragg grating (FBG)
sensors. In collaboration with Israel’s national water company Mekorot
Ltd., a scaled-down version of a semi-submerged pumping system was
constructed. By monitoring broadband signals from DC to ultrasound (>MHz), at different points of the engine
and the submersed pump, the system was able to diagnose incipient
cavitation, faulty bearings, and submerged dynamic water-level
measurements. In addition, a metal embedded FBG sensor was
investigated, revealing the potential of using FBGs in applications
where bonding is problematic such as bearing housing. These results
prove that wideband data acquisition, together with advanced
analytics, could open a variety of new applications in the fields of
structural health and machine-condition monitoring.
Portable optical spectroscopic assay for non-destructive measurement of key metabolic parameters on in vitro cancer cells and organotypic fresh tumor slices
Authors: Yan Jing , Lima Goncalves Carlos Frederico , Korfhage Madison O. , Hasan Md Zahid , Fan Teresa W.-M. , Wang Xiaoqin , Zhu Caigang
Published: July 2023

To enable non-destructive metabolic characterizations on in vitro cancer cells and organotypic tumor models for therapeutic studies in an easy-to-access way, we report a highly portable optical spectroscopic assay for simultaneous measurement of glucose uptake and mitochondrial function on various cancer models with high sensitivity. Well-established breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) were used to validate the optical spectroscopic assay for metabolic characterizations, while fresh tumor samples harvested from both animals and human cancer patients were used to test the feasibility of our optical metabolic assay for non-destructive measurement of key metabolic parameters on organotypic tumor slices. Our optical metabolic assay captured that MCF-7 cells had higher mitochondrial metabolism, but lower glucose uptake compared to the MDA-MB-231 cells, which is consistent with our microscopy imaging and flow cytometry data, as well as the published Seahorse Assay data. Moreover, we demonstrated that our optical assay could non-destructively measure both glucose uptake and mitochondrial metabolism on the same cancer cell samples at one time, which remains challenging by existing metabolic tools. Our pilot tests on thin fresh tumor slices showed that our optical assay captured increased metabolic activities in tumors compared to normal tissues. Our non-destructive optical metabolic assay provides a cost-effective way for future longitudinal therapeutic studies using patient-derived organotypic fresh tumor slices through the lens of tumor energetics, which will significantly advance translational cancer research.
Spatial beam self-cleaning accompanied by self-similar propagation in few-mode graded-index fiber
Authors: Graini Leila , Ortaç Bülend
Published: July 2023

We numerically investigated a nonlinear Kerr beam self-cleaning (KBSC)
dynamics accompanied by self-similar propagation regimes, which leads
to single-mode parabolic pulse reshaping and simultaneously high beam
quality based on KBSC, for special distributions of initially excited
modes in graded-index multimode fiber (GRIN-MMF). We coupled a
Gaussian pulse at 1060 nm, with 100 fs duration, into
GRIN-MMF supporting 10 modes that fall into four discrete mode groups.
As a result, by using initial powers below the KBSC threshold reported
in the literature, the output spatial beam evolves from a speckled
pattern into a bell-shaped beam; hence, the generated parabolic pulse
is mainly carried by the fundamental mode, which is boosted by the
KBSC process. We also provide promising indications for KBSC on
different higher-order modes.
Result-oriented lumped error correction for photonic-assisted broadband phased array processors
Authors: Chen Xiaoxue , Li Shangyuan , Bai Zhuoya , Xue Xiaoxiao , Zheng Xiaoping
Published: July 2023

Imperfect optoelectronic devices deteriorate the performance of microwave photonic (MWP) systems and then hinder further practical application. This paper proposes a result-oriented lumped error correction to address the problem in the photonic-assisted broadband phased array. Herein, we focus on the evolution of the ultimate output resulting from various errors due to the nonideality of components. By establishing the static calibration base set (CBS) with tangent line approximation, the correction procedure is simplified, and the output degradation is greatly improved. Experimental results show the effective number of bits (ENOB) at the final output has been enhanced from 2.5 to 6.1. Further, double objectives optimization and imaging correction are demonstrated experimentally. The range resolution has been boosted from 3.9 cm to 2.4 cm, and the quality of the inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) images is improved using the proposed method.
Reference-less wavefront shaping in a Hopfield-like rough intensity landscape
Authors: Leonetti Marco , Leuzzi Luca , Ruocco Giancarlo
Published: July 2023

This study introduces a new digital-micromirror based binary-phase wavefront shaping technique, which allows the measurement of the full coupling matrix of a disordered medium without a reference and enables to focusing transmitted light. The coupling matrix takes on a bi-dyadic structure, similar to a Hopfield memory matrix containing two memory patterns. Sequential wavefront optimization in this configuration often stalls due to a rough intensity landscape, resulting in a non-optimal state. To overcome this issue, we propose the Complete Couplings Mapping method, which consistently reaches the theoretically expected maximum intensity.
Voltage, thermal and magnetic field fiber sensors based on magnetic nanoparticles-doped photonic liquid crystal fibers
Authors: Zhang Rui , Du Wenyu , Shao Fei , Li Siqi , Kuai Yan , Cao Zhigang , Xu Feng , Liu Yu , Luo Yanhua , Peng Gang-Ding , Xie Kang , Yu Benli , Hu Zhijia
Published: July 2023

In this article, highly sensitive voltage, thermal and magnetic field fiber sensors were obtained in magnetic nanoparticles-doped E7 liquid crystals filled into photonic crystal fibers (PLCF). The voltage and temperature sensitivity reached at 12.598 nm/V and -3.874 nm/°C, respectively. The minimum voltage response time is 48.2 ms. The phase transition temperature Tc of liquid crystal with magnetic dopant was reduced from 60 °C to 46 °C. The magnetic field sensor based on magnetic nanoparticles-doped PLCF were obtained with sensitivity of 118.2 pm/mT from 400 to 460 mT.
Joint timing recovery and adaptive equalization based on training sequences for PM-16QAM faster-than-Nyquist WDM systems
Authors: You Jialin , Yang Tao , Wang Yongben , Zhou Weiqin , Wang Liqian , Chen Xue
Published: July 2023

Since the timing error detectors sensitivity (TEDS) of the timing recovery algorithm is close to zero under the singularity condition of azimuth θ about ±π/4 and differential group delay (DGD) about n × 1/2T (n is an odd number, T is the symbol period), it makes the squared Gardner phase detector (SGPD) timing recovery algorithm fail to achieve timing synchronization. What's worse, in the faster-than-Nyquist wavelength division multiplexing (FTN-WDM) systems, the tight filtering introduces inter-symbol-interference (ISI) so severe that the convergence cost of the SGPD timing recovery algorithm is extremely large even under the non-singularity condition. This paper proposes a joint timing recovery and adaptive equalization scheme for FTN coherent systems based on training sequences that could calculate channel matrix and indicate polarization characteristics, thereby avoiding the influence of azimuth on adaptive equalization and polarization demultiplexing (AEPD) embedded in the timing recovery feedback loop. Since embedded AEPD could compensate for most of DGD, the TEDS could be restored and timing synchronization could be achieved under the above adverse conditions. Thanks to the innovative scheme, which equalizes ISI and DGD during the feedback process of the loop, the convergence cost of timing recovery could be reduced with similar computational complexity compared with the conventional one. The simulation results of 128 GBaud polarization multiplexing (PM) 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) FTN-WDM transmission systems demonstrate that the proposed scheme could stably achieve timing synchronization under the singularity condition. And compared with the conventional scheme, the convergence cost is reduced by at least 42% @ 0.9 acceleration factor. In addition, 40 GBaud PM-16QAM FTN experiment results show that the proposed scheme could not only achieve timing synchronization stably but also exhibit an optical signal-to-noise ratio tolerance gain of 0.8 dB compared with the conventional scheme under 800 km transmission.
Towards a photonic integrated all-optical phase regenerator
Authors: Han Xinjie , Ke Haocheng , Wen Huashun , Dong Wenchan , Fan Yunru , Deng Guangwei , Zhou Qiang , Zhou Heng , Qiu Kun , Xu Jing , Geng Yong
Published: July 2023

All-optical phase regeneration aims at restoring the phase information of coherently encoded data signals directly in the optical domain so as to compensate for phase distortions caused by transceiver imperfections and nonlinear impairments along the transmission link. Although it was proposed two decades ago, all-optical phase regeneration has not been seen in realistic networks to date, mainly because this technique entails complex bulk modules and relies on high-precision phase sensitive nonlinear dynamics, both of which are adverse to field deployment. Here, we demonstrate a new, to the best of our knowledge, architecture to implement all-optical phase regeneration using integrated photonic devices. In particular, we realize quadrature phase quantization by exploring the phase-sensitive parametric wave mixing within on-chip silicon waveguides, while multiple coherent pump laser tones are provided by a chip-scale micro-cavity Kerr frequency comb. Multi-channel all-optical phase regeneration is experimentally demonstrated for 40 Gbps QPSK data, achieving the best SNR improvement of more than 6 dB. Our study showcases a promising avenue to enable the practical implementation of all-optical phase regeneration in realistic long-distance fiber transmission networks.
Biocompatible polymer optical fiber with a strongly scattering spherical end for interstitial photodynamic therapy
Authors: Pang Wen , Xiao Ziye , Wei Xunbin , Gu Bobo
Published: July 2023

Interstitial photodynamic therapy (I-PDT), which utilizes optical fibers to deliver light for photosensitizer excitation and the elimination of penetration depth limitation, is a promising modality in the treatment of deeply seated tumors or thick tumors. Currently, the excitation domain of the optical fiber is extremely limited, restricting PDT performance. Here, we designed and fabricated a biocompatible polymer optical fiber (POF) with a strongly scattering spherical end (SSSE) for I-PDT applications, achieving an increased excitation domain and consequently excellent in vitro and in vivo therapeutical outcomes. The POF, which was drawn using a simple thermal drawing method, was made of polylactic acid, ensuring its superior biocompatibility. The excitation domains of POFs with different ends, including flat, spherical, conical, and strongly scattering spherical ends, were analyzed and compared. The SSSE was achieved by introducing nanopores into a spherical end, and was further optimized to achieve a large excitation domain with an even intensity distribution. The optimized POF enabled outstanding therapeutic performance of I-PDT in in vitro cancer cell ablation and in vivo anticancer therapy. All of its notable optical features, including low transmission/bending loss, superior biocompatibility, and a large excitation domain with an even intensity distribution, endow the POF with great potential for clinical I-PDT applications.
Titanium nitride based plasmonic nanoparticles for photovoltaic application
Authors: Akhtary Nowshin , Zubair Ahmed
Published: July 2023

The plasmonic light trapping mechanism is an excellent way of improving solar cell efficiency. In this paper, our primary goal was to design and assess plasmonic nanosystems using TiN as an alternative material for photovoltaic application through theoretical simulations. To establish TiN’s functionality as a plasmonic material, we conducted a comparative analysis with noble metals, Ag and Au. We demonstrated, utilizing TiN-based plasmonic nanostructures, that the fraction of light scatter into the substrate can be tuned by varying the shape, size, thickness, dielectric thickness, and varying source angle. Moreover, total scattering in the wavelength range of the solar spectrum was modulated. The scattering performance improved for the thicker dielectric layer. Among the nanostructures, the bowtie shape showed a better light absorption cross-section. TiN nanostructures enhanced path length with a maximum scattering cross-section of 4.58 Wm−2 for bowtie-shaped nanoplate on 30 nm Si3N4. The maximum light absorption efficiency obtained for TiN plasmonic nanostructure was ∼ 30%. Moreover, absorption enhancement was achieved for TiN in visible and infrared wavelength regions.
Shape-tailored whispering gallery microcavity lasers designed by transformation optics
Authors: Lee Yong-Hoon , Park Honghwi , Kim Inbo , Park Sang-Jun , Rim Sunghwan , Park Byoung Jun , Kim Moohyuk , Kim Yushin , Kim Myung-Ki , Han Won Seok , Kim Hosung , Park Hongsik , Choi Muhan
Published: July 2023

Semiconductor microdisk lasers have great potential as low-threshold, high-speed, and small-form-factor light sources required for photonic integrated circuits because of their high-Q factors associated with long-lived whispering gallery modes (WGMs). Despite these advantages, the rotational symmetry of the disk shape restricts practical applications of the photonic devices because of their isotropic emission, which lacks directionality in far-field emission and difficulty in free-space out coupling. To overcome this problem, deformation of the disk cavity has been mainly attempted. However, the approach cannot avoid significant Q degradation owing to the broken rotational symmetry. Here, we first report a deformed shape microcavity laser based on transformation optics, which exploits WGMs free from Q degradation. The deformed cavity laser was realized by a spatially varying distribution of deep-sub-wavelength-scale (60 nm diameter) nanoholes in an InGaAsP-based multi-quantum-well heterostructure. The lasing threshold of our laser is one-third of that of the same shaped homogeneous laser and quite similar to that of a homogeneous microdisk laser. The results mean that Q spoiling caused by the boundary shape deformation is recovered by spatially varying nanohole density distribution designed by transformation optics and effective medium approximation.
M-current modulation of cortical slow oscillations: Network dynamics and computational modeling
Authors: Dalla Porta Leonardo , Barbero-Castillo Almudena , Sanchez-Sanchez Jose Manuel , Sanchez-Vives Maria V.
Published: July 2023

The slow oscillation is a synchronized network activity expressed by the cortical network in slow wave sleep and under anesthesia. Waking up requires a transition from this synchronized brain state to a desynchronized one. Cholinergic innervation is critical for the transition from slow-wave-sleep to wakefulness, and muscarinic action is largely exerted through the muscarinic-sensitive potassium current (M-current) block. We investigated the dynamical impact of blocking the M-current on slow oscillations, both in cortical slices and in a cortical network computational model. Blocking M-current resulted in an elongation of Up states (by four times) and in a significant firing rate increase, reflecting an increased network excitability, albeit no epileptiform discharges occurred. These effects were replicated in a biophysical cortical model, where a parametric reduction of the M-current resulted in a progressive elongation of Up states and firing rate. All neurons, and not only those modeled with M-current, increased their firing rates due to network recurrency. Further increases in excitability induced even longer Up states, approaching the microarousals described in the transition towards wakefulness. Our results bridge an ionic current with network modulation, providing a mechanistic insight into network dynamics of awakening.
Conjoint application of nano-urea with conventional fertilizers: An energy efficient and environmentally robust approach for sustainable crop production
Authors: Upadhyay Pravin Kumar , Dey Abir , Singh Vinod Kumar , Dwivedi Brahma Swaroop , Singh Tarunendu , G. A. Rajanna , Babu Subhash , Rathore Sanjay Singh , Singh Rajiv Kumar , Shekhawat Kapila , Rangot Meenakshi , Kumar Pradeep , Yadav Dhinu , Singh Devendra Pratap , Dasgupta Debarshi , Shukla Gaurav
Published: July 2023

One of the biggest challenges to be addressed in world agriculture is low nitrogen (N) use efficiency (<40%). To address this issue, researchers have repeatedly underlined the need for greater emphasis on the development and promotion of energy efficient, and environmentally sound novel fertilizers, in addition to improved agronomic management to augment nutrient use efficiency for restoring soil fertility and increasing farm profit. Hence, a fixed plot field experiment was conducted to assess the economic and environmental competency of conventional fertilizers with and without nano-urea (novel fertilizer) in two predominant cropping systemsviz., maize-wheat and pearl millet-mustard under semi-arid regions of India. Result indicates that the supply of 75% recommended N with conventional fertilizer along with nano-urea spray (N75PK+nano-urea) reduced the energy requirement by ~8–11% and increased energy use efficiency by ~6–9% over 100% nitrogen through prilled urea fertilizer (business as usual). Furthermore, the application of N75PK+ nano-urea exhibited ~14% higher economic yields in all the crops compared with N50PK+ nano-urea. Application of N75PK+nano-urea registered comparable soil N and dehydrogenase activities (35.8 μg TPF g-124 hrs-1across all crops) over the conventional fertilization (N100PK). This indicates that application of foliar spray of nano-urea with 75% N is a soil supportive production approach. More interestingly, two foliar sprays of nano-urea curtailed nitrogen load by 25% without any yield penalty, besides reducing the greenhouse gases (GHG) emission from 164.2 to 416.5 kg CO2-eq ha-1under different crops. Therefore, the application of nano-urea along with 75% N through prilled urea is an energy efficient, environmentally robust and economically feasible nutrient management approach for sustainable crop production.
Visual feedback manipulation in virtual reality to influence pain-free range of motion. Are people with non-specific neck pain who are fearful of movement more susceptible?
Authors: Kragting Maaike , Voogt Lennard , Coppieters Michel W. , Pool-Goudzwaard Annelies L.
Published: July 2023

Background

Movement-evoked pain may have a protective or learned component, influenced by visual cues which suggest that the person is moving towards a position that may be perceived as threatening. We investigated whether visual feedback manipulation in virtual reality (VR) had a different effect on cervical pain-free range of motion (ROM) in people with fear of movement.

Method

In this cross-sectional study, seventy-five people with non-specific neck pain (i.e., neck pain without a specific underlying pathology) rotated their head until the onset of pain, while wearing a VR-headset. Visual feedback about the amount of movement was equal, 30% smaller or 30% larger than their actual rotation. ROM was measured using the VR-headset sensors. The effect of VR manipulation in fearful (N = 19 using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) and N = 18 using the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire-physical activity (FABQpa)) and non-fearful (N = 46; non-fearful on both scales) people was compared using mixed-design ANOVAs.

Results

Fear of movement, influenced the effect of visual feedback manipulation on cervical pain-free ROM (TSK: p = 0.036, ղp2 = 0.060; FABQpa: p = 0.020, ղp2 = 0.077); a greater amplitude of pain-free movement was found when visual feedback reduced the perceived rotation angle compared to the control condition (TSK: p = 0.090, ղp2 = 0.104; FABQpa: p = 0.030, ղp2 = 0.073). Independent of the presence of fear, visual feedback manipulation reduced the cervical pain-free ROM in the overstated condition (TSK: p< 0.001, ղp2 = 0.195; FABQpa: p<0.001, ղp2 = 0.329).

Discussion

Cervical pain-free ROM can be influenced by visual perception of the amount of rotation and people with fear of movement seem to be more susceptible to this effect. Further research in people with moderate/severe fear is needed to determine whether manipulating visual feedback may have clinical applicability to make patients aware that ROM may be influenced more by fear than tissue pathology.
Financial burden of heart failure in Malaysia: A perspective from the public healthcare system
Authors: Ong Siew Chin , Low Joo Zheng
Published: July 2023

Background

Estimating and evaluating the economic burden of HF and its impact on the public healthcare system is necessary for devising improved treatment plans in the future. The present study aimed to determine the economic impact of HF on the public healthcare system.

Method

The annual cost of HF per patient was estimated using unweighted average and inverse probability weighting (IPW). Unweight average estimated the annual cost by considering all observed cases regardless of the availability of all the cost data, while IPW calculated the cost by weighting against inverse probability. The economic burden of HF was estimated for different HF phenotypes and age categories at the population level from the public healthcare system perspective.

Results

The mean (standard deviation) annual costs per patient calculated using unweighted average and IPW were USD 5,123 (USD 3,262) and USD 5,217 (USD 3,317), respectively. The cost of HF estimated using two different approaches did not differ significantly (p = 0.865). The estimated cost burden of HF in Malaysia was USD 481.9 million (range: USD 31.7 million– 1,213.2 million) per year, which accounts for 1.05% (range: 0.07%–2.66%) of total health expenditure in 2021. The cost of managing patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) accounted for 61.1% of the total financial burden of HF in Malaysia. The annual cost burden increased from USD 2.8 million for patients aged 20–29 to USD 142.1 million for those aged 60–69. The cost of managing HF in patients aged 50–79 years contributed 74.1% of the total financial burden of HF in Malaysia.

Conclusion

A large portion of the financial burden of HF in Malaysia is driven by inpatient costs and HFrEF patients. Long-term survival of HF patients leads to an increase in the prevalence of HF, inevitably increasing the financial burden of HF.
The Role of Risk Factors and Characteristic for Infantile Hemangioma at Wava Husada Hospital, Malang: Two Years of Retrospective Study
Authors: Ariani Yuni , Aliyatur T , Jatmiko S W
Published: July 2023

Introduction:. Infantile hemangioma is a prevalent tumor in children
Method: This research is a case control study. The data from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 were processed and presented to assess the incidence and percentage of risk factors for infantile hemangioma. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel SPSS 21 spreadsheet program.
Result : Total sample in this research is 201. The risk factor for mothers aged between 22-30 years to give birth to a child with infantile hemangioma is 4.257 times greater than that of mothers aged less than 22 years. The risk factor for mothers aged more than 30 years to give birth to a child with infantile hemangioma is 9.960 times greater than that of mothers aged less than 22 years. The risk factor for patients with a family history of hemangioma was 14.175 times greater than those without a family history of infantile hemangioma or vascular abnormalities. The risk factor of using preconception drugs during pregnancy had a 4.914 times risk than those who did not use preconception drugs during pregnancy.
Conclusion: Infantile hemangioma is more common in women with average birth weight. Mothers aged 22-30 years are at greater risk of giving birth to a child with infantile hemangioma. Family history of infantile hemangioma carries a greater risk than those without. The use of medications during pregnancy is associated with a greater risk of infantile hemangioma than not.
Efeito da adição de cinza de casca de arroz em matrizes de cimento Portland
Authors: Vieira Bruna , Nunes Jorge Luiz Oleinik , Tessaro Alessandra , Bandeira Jorge Luiz Saes , Mattos Flávia Costa
Published: July 2023

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a adição da cinza da casca do arroz em matrizes de cimento Portland. A cinza de casca de arroz tem como sua principal característica as propriedades pozolânicas, podendo ser utilizada como adição devido ao alto teor de sílica. Consequentemente, quando adicionadas, podem vir a melhorar o empacotamento e impedir o acesso de agente agressivos, além da contribuição para a sustentabilidade. Para isso, foram realizados ensaios de caracterização do cimento, da cinza e do cimento com adição de cinza, assim como foram realizados ensaio de resistência à compressão, para buscar resultados de percentuais ótimos que não comprometam a resistência do cimento. Após a verificação do comportamento, com base na NBR 5739 foi avaliado que o percentual que apresentou o melhor desempenho foi o Traço 5 com adição de 10% de cinza.
Deep Learning and Minimally Invasive Endoscopy: Automatic Classification of Pleomorphic Gastric Lesions in Capsule Endoscopy
Authors: Mascarenhas Miguel , Mendes Francisco , Ribeiro Tiago , Afonso João , Cardoso Pedro , Martins Miguel , Cardoso Hélder , Andrade Patrícia , Ferreira João , Mascarenhas Saraiva Miguel , Macedo Guilherme
Published: July 2023

INTRODUCTION:

Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a minimally invasive examination for evaluating the gastrointestinal tract. However, its diagnostic yield for detecting gastric lesions is suboptimal. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are artificial intelligence models with great performance for image analysis. Nonetheless, their role in gastric evaluation by wireless CE (WCE) has not been explored.

METHODS:

Our group developed a CNN-based algorithm for the automatic classification of pleomorphic gastric lesions, including vascular lesions (angiectasia, varices, and red spots), protruding lesions, ulcers, and erosions. A total of 12,918 gastric images from 3 different CE devices (PillCam Crohn's; PillCam SB3; OMOM HD CE system) were used from the construction of the CNN: 1,407 from protruding lesions; 994 from ulcers and erosions; 822 from vascular lesions; and 2,851 from hematic residues and the remaining images from normal mucosa. The images were divided into a training (split for three-fold cross-validation) and validation data set. The model's output was compared with a consensus classification by 2 WCE-experienced gastroenterologists. The network's performance was evaluated by its sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value, and area under the precision-recall curve.

RESULTS:

The trained CNN had a 97.4% sensitivity; 95.9% specificity; and positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 95.0% and 97.8%, respectively, for gastric lesions, with 96.6% overall accuracy. The CNN had an image processing time of 115 images per second.

DISCUSSION:

Our group developed, for the first time, a CNN capable of automatically detecting pleomorphic gastric lesions in both small bowel and colon CE devices.
СРАВНИТЕЛЬНЫЙ АНАЛИЗ АССОЦИАЦИИ ПОЛИМОРФИЗМА RS9939609 ГЕНА FTO
У ПАЦИЕНТОВ С САХАРНЫМ ДИАБЕТОМ 2 ТИПА В ТАТАРСКОЙ И ЯКУТСКОЙ
ПОПУЛЯЦИЯХ
Authors: Валеева Ф. В. , Киселева Т. А. , Хасанова К. Б. , Исламов Д. Р. , Сыдыкова Л. А.
Published: July 2023

ЦЕЛЬ: анализ распределения частот аллелей и генотипов полиморфизма rs9939609 гена FTO, ассоцииро-

ванного с риском развития сахарного диабета 2 типа (СД2), у пациентов с СД 2 типа в якутской популяции

и у жителей Республики Татарстан (РТ)

МАТЕРИАЛЫ И МЕТОДЫ: в исследовании приняли участие пациенты с подтверждённым диагнозом

СД 2 типа из популяции якутской национальности Республики Саха (Якутия), г. Якутск (n=132) и популяции

РТ (n=134).

ДНК выделяли из лейкоцитов крови сорбентным методом с помощью набора реагентов

«АмплиПрайм ДНК-сорб-В» (ИнтерЛабСервис, Россия). Молекулярно-генетический анализ по локу-

су rs9939609 гена FTO для образцов популяции РТ проводили с использованием аллель-специфичной

полимеразной цепной реакции в режиме реального времени на амплификаторе CFX-96 (Bio-Rad

Laboratories, США) с помощью коммерческих наборов реагентов (Тестген, Россия). Для генотипирова-

ния образцов ДНК якутской популяции был применен ПЦР-ПДРФ метод, с использованием специфич-

ных праймеров (форвард праймер: 5’-AACTGGCTCTTGAATGAAATAGGATTCAGA-3’ и реверс праймер:

5’-AGAGTAACAGAGACTATCCAAGTGCAGTAC-3’) (ООО «Биотех-Индустрия», г. Москва).

Распределение генотипов и аллелей пациентов по rs9939609 гена FTO сравнивали с условно здоровыми

людьми российской популяции (n=1564) и с базой данных 1000GENOME, Европейская популяция (n=503)

для популяции Республики Татарстан; а также с условно здоровыми людьми популяций Республики Саха

(Якутия) (n=70) и с базой данных 1000GENOME, восточно-азиатская популяция (n=504) для жителей Якутии.

Статистическая обработка данных проведена с использованием: GraphPad InStat, Microsoft Excel 2007.

РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ: для исследуемого генетического маркера rs9939609 гена FTO распределение генотипов

в контрольных группах и выборках пациентов с СД 2 типа в обеих популяциях соответствовало равнове-

сию Харди–Вайнберга (p>0,05).

Частота генотипа АА полиморфизма rs9939609 гена FTO в группе СД 2 типа популяции РТ отличалась

от собственной контрольной выборки: 30,1% против 14,5%; р=0,00008, а также от европейской группы

контроля из базы данных 1000GENOME: 30,1% против 19,9%; р=0,0006. Риск развития СД 2 типа при оценке

доминантной модели наследования увеличивается у носителей аллеля риска А (ОШ=2,73, ДИ=1,77-4,21,

p=0,00003).

При оценке распределения частот генотипов и аллелей полиморфизма rs9939609 гена FTO у якутской по-

пуляции относительно восточноазиатской контрольной группы из базы данных 1000GENOME обнаружено,

что частота рискового аллеля в группе СД 2 типа была выше, чем в группе контроля (27,7% против 16,9%,

p=0,00007). Носители хотя бы одного аллеля риска А имеют практически в 2,5 раза выше шансы развития

СД 2 типа (ОШ=2,20, ДИ=1,49-3,25, р=0,00006).

ВЫВОДЫ: получена ожидаемая ассоциация полиморфного маркёра rs9939609 FTO с развитием сахар-

ного диабета 2 типа в якутской популяции и у жителей Республики Татарстан.