bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repercussões das Conferências Nacionais de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional nas propostas legislativas para o Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar
Authors: Ramos Flávia Pascoal , Panelli-Martins Bárbara Eduarda , Dos Santos Sandra Maria Chaves
Published: March 2024

Introdução: As Conferências Nacionais de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (CNSAN) foram realizadas no Brasil no período de 1994 a 2015. Por seu caráter intersetorial e multidimensional, as CNSAN debateram um amplo conjunto de temas e recomendações de políticas e programas, dentre eles, o Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE). Objetivo: Analisar as repercussões das recomendações das CNSAN direcionadas ao PNAE no processo legislativo. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo documental, realizado em duas fases: a primeira consistiu na identificação de recomendações para políticas públicas de SAN contempladas nos relatórios das cinco CNSAN direcionadas ao PNAE; a segunda, na busca de projetos legislativos que tivessem pertinência temática com as demandas das CNSAN no período de 24 meses após cada evento. Resultados: Identificou-se, nas CNSAN, um total de 24 recomendações para atualização do PNAE e 24 projetos legislativos que tratam integral ou parcialmente dos temas e se distribuem de forma desigual entre as CNSAN. Foram encontrados projetos legislativos para 41,7% das recomendações das CNSAN para o PNAE, indicando que há convergência entre a agenda das CNSAN e do Legislativo brasileiro; as recomendações de universalização do programa e de reajuste dos valores repassados pela União para estados e municípios sobressaíram quanto ao número de projetos no Legislativo, indicando foco na garantia do direito à alimentação escolar; duas leis foram aprovadas para o período estudado. Conclusão: Tais resultados podem estar relacionados à abertura do congresso para as recomendações das CNSAN, devido ao modelo de governança adotado no período analisado.
Feel Good Factors
Authors: Fortune Kyle
Published: March 2024

Rouven Mohr, chief technical officer at Lamborghini, discusses why, however complex a car such as the hybrid V12 Revuelto may be, the most important engineering factors are those of driving feel
Certified: Healthy Habits
Authors: Martin-Smith Alex
Published: March 2024

In the latest in our ongoing series on certification best practice, UL Solutions offers guidance for electronics makers considering a move into the growing market for health monitoring technology.
Power Moves
Authors: Klein Emily , Gyenes Russ , Jones Daniel
Published: March 2024

As the demand for more, and more complex, batteries grows in consumer tech, so does the need for a robust and full-proof testing methodology, says Element Materials Technology.
YAZIDAKİ YAS: BİR ÖLÜNÜN DEFTERİ
Authors: TURAN KAYMAK Buse , ARDALI BÜYÜKARMAN Didem
Published: March 2024

Svetlana Boym Tırnak İçinde Ölüm (2010) isimli kitabında yazı ile yaşam arasında paranteze alınan ölümün ve yazının içinde, mecazi intiharını gerçekleştiren yazarın izini sürer. Hayatının birçok noktasında kayıp duygusuyla yaşamak zorunda kalan, yazdığı roman ve hikâyelerle dönemi edebiyatının gelişmesine öncülük etmiş Halit Ziya Uşaklıgil’in eserlerinde yas önemli bir yer tutar. İlk dönem eserlerinden Bir Ölünün Defteri’nde (1892) romanın başkahramanı Vecdi, yaşamaktan vazgeçmek ile yazmayı bırakmak arasında kalır; kaybettiklerinin ardından yazdıkça iç dünyasına gömülür ve kaçmaya çalıştığı kimsesizliğiyle karşılaşır. O, “yaşam” ve “ölüm” sözcüklerinin yanına konan tırnak işaretlerinin etrafında yaşamak, yazmaya ya da yaşamaya son vermek sorunsallarıyla ve babasından kalan mektuptaki yasıyla mücadele ederken bizzat kendi yazdığı defterin içindeki yazıyla benliğini yok etmeye çalışır. Bu makalede, kaybedilenin yasını metinde var eden bir unsur olan yazının, yazarın mecazi ölümüyle, kahramanının yazı aracılığıyla yarattığı edebi intihar arasındaki ilişki incelenmiştir.
BİR ŞİİR MECMUASINDAN HAREKETLE DERZİ-ZÂDE ULVÎʼNİN YAYIMLANMAMIŞ BİR GAZELİ
Authors: KOÇ Hamza , ŞENGÜL Emre , BÜLBÜL Ferit
Published: March 2024

ÖZ: Asıl adı Mehmed olup Derzi-zâde lakabıyla tanınan Ulvî’nin doğum tarihi bilinmemektedir. Ulvî’den bahseden tezkireciler, şairin İstanbullu olduğu konusunda mutabıktırlar. Kardeşi Mustafa Çelebi’nin de Re’yî mahlasıyla şiirler yazması, onun edebî bir çevrede yetiştiğini göstermektedir. Ulvî’nin hayatının en önemli safhası Manisa müftüsü Muallim-zâde Ahmed Efendi’nin yanında ilim tahsil etmesiyle başlar. Zira Manisa’da bulunduğu sıralarda Kanuni’nin oğlu II. Selim’in musahiplerinden Celal Bey ve Turak Çelebi tarafından şehzadeye takdim edilmiş ve Turak Çelebi’nin yardımıyla birçok ihsana mazhar olmuştur. Ulvî, ayrıca II. Selim’e sunduğu kasidelerle şehzadenin takdirini kazanmış ve hem ilmî hem edebî anlamda kendisini yetiştirerek XVI. yüzyılın seçkin şairleri arasındaki yerini almayı başarmıştır. Fakat Turak Çelebi’nin Kanuni tarafından İstanbul’da idam ettirilmesi, şairi maddî ve manevî anlamda zora sokmuştur. Hamisinin katledilişinden duyduğu derin üzüntüyü dile getiren bir matla yazan Ulvî; bu şiirden rahatsız olan Kanuni’nin, hakkında çıkardığı hapis ve ölüm fermanı üzerine ortalardan kaybolmuş ve II. Selim’in tahta oturmasıyla tekrar İstanbul’a dönerek Hubbî Mollası adıyla şöhret kazanan Mehmed Vusûlî Efendi’ye mülazım olmuştur. Meyhane ve şaraba olan düşkünlüğünden dolayı hayatının son dönemlerini sefalet içerisinde geçirmiş ve 993/1585 yılında İstanbul’da ölmüştür. Ulvî, en önemli eseri olan Divan’ının yanında bir de Manisa Şehrengizi kaleme almıştır. Mazmun ve edebî sanat açısından zengin, sade ve akıcı bir üsluba sahip olan Ulvî’nin ayrıca birçok şiir mecmuasında manzumelerine rastlamak mümkündür. Bilindiği üzere şiir mecmuaları, divan şairlerinin manzumelerinin toplandığı ve kayıt altına alındığı önemli kültürel kaynaklarımızdandır. Dolayısıyla gerek divan sahibi birçok şairin divanında bulunmayan şiirleri ihtiva etmeleri gerekse döneminin edebî zevkini yansıtmaları açısından kayda değer öneme sahiptirler. Bu ehemmiyete binaen incelediğimiz Yapı Kredi Araştırma Kütüphanesi Y 0431’de kayıtlı şiir mecmuasında Ulvî’nin, biri Dîvân’ında yer almayan toplam üç gazeli bulunmaktadır. Bu çalışmada Ulvî’nin yayımlanmadığı tespit edilen bu gazelinin şekil ve muhteva özellikleri üzerinde durulacak, söz konusu manzumenin Ulvî’ye aidiyeti tartışılacak ve çeviri yazılı metni sunulacaktır.
Metastatic clear cell sarcoma of the pancreas: A rare case report
Authors: Liu Yu-Jing , Zou Chen , Wu Yong-You
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND

Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) is a rare soft-tissue sarcoma. The most common metastatic sites for CCS are the lungs, bones and brain. CCS is highly invasive and mainly metastasizes to the lung, followed by the bone and brain; however, pancreatic metastasis is relatively rare.

CASE SUMMARY

We report on a rare case of CCS with pancreatic metastasis in a 47-year-old man. The patient had a relevant medical history 3 years ago, with abdominal pain as the main clinical manifestation. No abnormalities were observed on physical examination and the tumor was found on abdominal computed tomography. Based on the medical history and postoperative pathology, the patient was diagnosed with CCS with pancreatic metastasis. The patient was successfully treated with surgical interventions, including distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy.

CONCLUSION

This report summarizes the available treatment modalities for CCS and the importance of regular postoperative follow-up for patients with CCS.
Malignant triton tumor in the abdominal wall: A case report
Authors: Yang Ho Jik , Kim Donghyun , Lee Won Suk , Oh Sang-Ha
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND

Malignant triton tumors (MTTs) comprise a subgroup of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) that exhibits rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation and follow an aggressive course. MTTs are primarily located along peripheral nerves. Cases of MTTs in the abdominal wall have not been reported. MTT has a poorer prognosis than classic MPNSTs, and accurate diagnosis necessitates a keen understanding of the clinical history and knowledge of its differential diagnosis intricacies. Treatment for MTTs mirrors that for MPNSTs and is predominantly surgical.

CASE SUMMARY

A 49-year-old woman presented with a subcutaneous mass in her lower abdominal wall and a pre-existing surgical scar that had grown slowly over 3-4 months before the consultation. She had previously undergone radical hysterectomy and concurrent chemo-radiotherapy for cervical cancer approximately 5 years prior to the consultation. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed a 1.3 cm midline mass in the lower abdomen with infiltration into the rectus abdominis muscle. There was no sign of metastasis (T1N0M0). An incisional biopsy identified sporadic MTT of the lower abdomen. A comprehensive surgical excision with a 3 cm margin inclusive of the peritoneum was executed. Subsequently, the general surgeon utilized an approach akin to the open peritoneal onlay mesh technique. The patient underwent additional treatment with an excision shaped as a mini-abdominoplasty for the skin defect. No complications arose, and annual follow-up CTs did not show signs of recurrence or metastasis.

CONCLUSION

An abdominal MTT was efficaciously treated with extensive excision and abdominal wall reconstruction, eliminating the need for postoperative radiotherapy.
ARRECADAÇÃO DE IMPOSTOS DOS MUNICÍPIOS BRASILEIROS NA VIGÊNCIA DA CONSTITUIÇÃO FEDERAL DE 1988
Authors: Passos Cristhian Rêgo , Passos Guiomar de Oliveira
Published: March 2024

Este texto analisa a arrecadação de impostos de competência municipal no contexto fiscal no período de 2003 a 2019, traçando o panorama atual da receita proveniente desses impostos, segundo a região, o porte populacional, a categoria (se capital ou interior) e a participação de cada imposto nos agrupamentos considerados. Utilizou-se pesquisa bibliográfica e a base de dados disponibilizada por Santos, Mota e Faria (2020), analisada por medidas de frequências absolutas e relativas e coeficientes de variação. Constatou-se que a arrecadação mais que dobrou no período, sendo os municípios mais populosos e com maior participação no PIB nacional, geralmente localizados na região Sudeste, os que arrecadam mais, e o Imposto Sobre Serviços (ISS) é o que mais contribui em todos os grupos, refletindo a natureza urbana da base tributária municipal, cada vez mais assentada, ao passar dos anos, no setor de serviços, cuja cobrança representa menores custos administrativo e político.
Identification of roll damping coefficient using the free rotation method
Authors: BUNESCU Ionut , PRICOP Mihai-Victor , STOICAN Mihaita-Gilbert , HOTHAZIE Mihai-Vladut
Published: March 2024

The free rotation method represents the simplest method for roll damping coefficient identification in experimental aerodynamics. To apply this method, it is necessary to spin the model to a desired angular velocity and then release the model to spin freely under flow conditions, recording the variation in time of the model’s rolling rate. Thus, applying the logarithmic decrement formula at any roll rate between near zero and the desired angular velocity, the roll damping moment will be calculated. This paper presents the application of the free rotation method on raw data obtained for different Mach numbers and incidences, considering different regression functions, time windows and their implications. Last but not least, the necessary correction methods and their impact on the results are presented.
Entitled young men and powerless young women: an examination of how police and post-secondary school personnel view survivors and campus sexual violence
Authors: Ostridge Lindsay , O’Connor Christopher D. , Frederick Tyler
Published: March 2024

The police, campus security, and post-secondary school officials continue to pose challenges to student survivors who require guidance and resources from their institutions after experiencing sexual violence. Recently, the provincial government of Ontario, Canada, mandated that all post-secondary institutions in Ontario adopt some form of a stand-alone sexual violence policy for their campuses. Yet, little is known about how post-secondary schools have implemented this mandate. This article explores the perspectives of individuals responsible for responding to sexual violence on campus through interviews with post-secondary school officials and police officers. We examine how they understood and discussed sexual violence responses on campus. More specifically, we examine whether these understandings draw on carceral or anti-carceral frameworks. Utilising a critical feminist anti-carceral approach, we explore ways that the current responses on campus to sexual violence are problematic.
A Sociolinguistic Examination of the Dual Usted in Medellín, Colombia: Evidence from Semi-spontaneous Speech and Implicit Language Attitudes
Authors: Denbaum-Restrepo Nofiya , Restrepo-Ramos Falcon
Published: March 2024

Abstract: The system of second person singular forms of address (2PS) in Medellín, Colombia is tripartite consisting of tú, vos , and usted , while also including the existence of a dual usted . The current study compares usage of the intimate usted versus the distant usted with data from an oral discourse completion task (DCT) while also investigating listeners' implicit language attitudes toward the usage of usted utilizing the matched guise technique. A sample of speakers from Medellín (N=72) stratified by age, sex, and education level completed an oral DCT, and a subset (N=38) also completed a matched guise task. For usage, it was found that intimate usted occurred 36.7% of the time with distant usted occurring 63.3% of the time. A multivariate mixed effects regression selected all fixed effects as significant. Specifically, intimate usted was favored by commands, statements, indirect commands, male interlocutors, same age interlocutors, male speakers, younger speakers, and speakers with high school education. These findings show that although the default usted usage is with distant interlocutors, the intimate usted is extremely vital, especially between men and with younger speakers. The current study also demonstrates the importance of comparing usage data and attitudinal data.
"A Bow of Promise on the Cloud": The Rise, Decline, and Regeneration of Christian Science, 1925-2024
Authors: Swensen Rolf
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT: In 1925, the Christian Science movement, which emphasized healing through prayer, was the fastest-growing religion in the United States, yet by the turn of the twenty-first century, the church was in freefall. Using church records and contemporary and current published sources, this article delves into the reasons for this dramatic downturn. Evidence presented here shows that, despite an initial impressive spurt of growth, one major factor in the movement's decline was the strong centralized control that the governing Christian Science Board of Directors of The Mother Church in Boston exercised over the movement. This policy shackled both local churches and their members, resulting in conformity and only sporadic efforts to share the faith. Other reasons for the slide include the rise of medical science and few social activities for young and old alike. This article utilizes the framework of the rational choice school of the sociology of religion to illustrate the historic rise, decline, and regeneration of one of America's most distinctive religious groups.
The House of David: Adaptation, Marketing, and Millenarianism
Authors: Rose Dell J.
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT: While some religious groups emphasize separation from society at large, other groups prioritize understanding and utilizing mainstream cultural expressions. The House of David, one of America's most successful communal religious groups, drew on a wide variety of mainstream cultural influences to share the message that their founders Benjamin (1861-1927) and Mary (1862-1953) Purnell were the last in a long line of British millenarian prophets. Finding inspiration in popular evangelists, jazz music, and theme parks, the House of David would successfully adapt the distinctly British tradition of the Southcottian Israelitism to the needs of the American religious market, and gives us a clear example of the role innovation plays in the crowded religious marketplace.
Utilizing Joukowsky transformation in the design of optical fiber for elliptical-to-circular mode conversion
Authors: Fu Shuaikang , Jiang Ping , Qin Yan , Liu Jianing , Yang Huajun
Published: March 2024

This study addresses the challenge of enhancing coupling efficiency between optical fibers and elliptical Gaussian beams emitted by semiconductor lasers, particularly in fiber communication systems. We introduce a method for fiber design utilizing the Joukowsky transformation to facilitate efficient mode transformation from elliptical to circular, thereby augmenting the coupling efficiency with both single-mode and multimode fibers. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulations demonstrate that the fiber with a structurally transitional core maintains high-efficiency mode transformation across various lengths, and its structure has been optimized accordingly. Additionally, our investigation reveals the designed fiber’s ability to preserve polarization states, which could have significant implications in precision optical applications. The proposed design offers an approach to improving performance in optical communication systems, especially in wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) transmission systems and fiber lasers.
Multitap microwave photonic filter based on a DFB laser array using photonic wire bonding
Authors: Xu Zhenzhen , Yang Tongtong , Sun Zhenxing , Mei Yipeng , Lu Jun , Wang Wenxuan , Ma Yuxin , Chen Xiangfei
Published: March 2024

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a multitap microwave photonic filter (MPF) based on a distributed feedback (DFB) laser array using photonic wire bonding (PWB). Through the application of the PWB technique, an eight-wavelength DFB laser array with wavelength spacing of 400 GHz was hybrid-integrated with an arrayed waveguide grating multiplexer. Remarkably, the insertion losses of all eight channels are maintained below 5 dB. In the experiments, the larger wavelength spacing allowed us to achieve a sinc MPF with a lower 3 dB bandwidth of 0.22 GHz using only eight taps. Further, Gaussian apodization enabled the out-of-band rejection of the filter to reach 24 dB. These results indicate that the proposed scheme could provide a promising guideline for the MPFs that demand high reconfigurability and greatly reduced size and complexity.
Global optimization of multilayer dielectric coatings for precision measurements
Authors: Venugopalan Gautam , Salces-Cárcoba Francisco , Arai Koji , Adhikari Rana X.
Published: March 2024

We describe the design of optimized multilayer dielectric coatings for precision laser interferometry. By setting up an appropriate cost function and then using a global optimizer to find a minimum in the parameter space, we were able to realize coating designs that meet the design requirements for spectral reflectivity, thermal noise, absorption, and tolerances to coating fabrication errors. We also present application of a Markov-Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) based parameter estimation algorithm that can infer thicknesses of dielectric layers in a coating, given a measurement of the spectral reflectivity. This technique can be a powerful diagnostic tool for both commercial coating manufacturers, and the community using dielectric mirrors for precision metrology experiments.
Sensitive organic/inorganic polarized photodetectors enhanced by charge transfer with image sensing capacity
Authors: Zhao Jing , Liu Qing , Du Qianqian , Zheng Xialian , Wang Wenjun , Qin Shuchao
Published: March 2024

Organic photodetectors (OPDs) have attracted increasing attention in the future wearable sensing and real-time health monitoring, due to their intrinsic features including the mechanical flexibility, low-cost processing and cooling-free operations; while their performances are lagging as the results of inferior carrier mobility and small exciton diffusion coefficient of organic molecules. Graphene exhibits the great photoresponse with wide spectral bandwidth and high response speed. However, weak light absorption and the absence of a gain mechanism have limited its photoresponsivity. Here, we report a sensitive organic/inorganic phototransistor with fast response speed by coupling PTCDA organic single crystal with the monolayer graphene. The long range exciton diffusion in highly ordered π-conjugated molecules, efficient exciton dissociation and charge transfer at the PTCDA/graphene heterointerfaces, and the high mobility of graphene enable a high responsivity (8 × 104A/W), short response time (220 µs) and excellent specific detectivity (>1011 Jones), which is higher than the level of commercial on-chip device. This interfacial photogating effect is verified by the high-resolution spatial photocurrent mapping experiment. In addition, the high sensitivity to polarization is clear and the ultrahigh photoconductive gain enables a near-infrared (NIR) response for 980 and 1550 nm. Finally, high-speed visible and NIR imaging applications are successfully demonstrated. This work suggests that high quality organic single crystal/graphene is a promising platform for future high performance optoelectronic systems and imaging applications.
Tunable non-polarizing optical bandpass filtering in prism pair coupled planar optical waveguide
Authors: Jiang Ping , Liu Jianhua
Published: March 2024

A tunable non-polarizing optical bandpass filter structure, comprising a prism pair coupled planar optical waveguide (POW), is demonstrated, by changing the incident angle of the filter. Experimental measurements show that pass bands for both TM and TE polarized waves are present in the filter simultaneously, and the two passbands overlap on each other. The overlapping of the two passbands can be sustainable for the peak wavelength from 623 to 852 nm as the incident angle of the light tuned within 2°. This POW based optical bandpass filter can be potentially applicable in various fields of optical and laser spectroscopies.
Pseudo coherent-perfect-absorption approach toward perfect polarization conversion
Authors: Kang Ming , Chen Jing
Published: March 2024

Polarization is one of the essential properties of light. Thereby, its manipulation is important for numerous applications. When employing a resonance in a mirror-symmetry system to manipulate polarization, non-zero residual light in the excited polarization channel leads to the shrink in the scope of the polarization manipulation, and a perfect polarization conversion cannot occur. In this work we show that the concept of coherent perfect absorption can be applied to perfect polarization conversion for circular polarization states. We find that the only requirement to achieve a perfect polarization conversion is that the working frequency is the resonant one. More importantly, the range of the output polarization states can be efficiently enlarged, and can span the entire Poincare sphere by combining the momentum dependent radiative coupling rate driven by the bound states in the continuum (BIC) and the phase delay. When applied to realistic design, we adopt a guided mode resonance driven from the symmetry protected BICs in a dielectric photonic crystal slab. Numerical results are in good agreements with our theoretical predictions. We believe this work can deliver important benefits for a variety of applications based on the efficiently light polarization control and management.
Nearest neighbor bit assisted decision scheme for ISI mitigation in optical camera communications
Authors: Shi Jin , He Jing
Published: March 2024

To enable a higher transmission rate in optical camera communication (OCC) systems, severe inter-symbol interference (ISI) occurs owing to the reduction of the number of pixel-row-per-bit (PPB). Therefore, those pixels representing data bit 0 or 1 may have same gray scale values, significantly deteriorating the bit decision when using the conventional thresholding scheme. In this Letter, a simple yet efficient scheme, referred to as nearest neighbor bit assisted decision (NNBAD) scheme, is proposed and experimentally demonstrated for signal decision in OCC systems. NNBAD leverages the nearest neighbor bit to jointly assist bit decision for pixels with severe ISI. Experimental results show that, for OCC systems with on–off keying (OOK) modulation, those pixels with severe ISI cannot be distinguished by the conventional thresholding scheme. Yet, the NNBAD scheme exhibits strong robustness against ISI, remarkably improving the bit error rate (BER) performance. The proposed scheme can achieve a throughput of 8.2 kbps with OOK modulation under an illuminance of 600 lx.
Transport-of-intensity model for single-mask x-ray differential phase contrast imaging
Authors: Yuan Jingcheng , Das Mini
Published: March 2024

X-ray phase contrast imaging holds great promise for improving the visibility of light-element materials such as soft tissues and tumors. The single-mask differential phase contrast imaging method stands out as a simple and effective approach to yield differential phase contrast. In this work, we introduce a model for a single-mask phase imaging system based on the transport-of-intensity equation. Our model provides an accessible understanding of signal and contrast formation in single-mask x-ray phase imaging, offering a clear perspective on the image formation process, for example, the origin of alternate bright and dark fringes in phase contrast intensity images. Aided by our model, we present an efficient retrieval method that yields differential phase contrast imagery in a single acquisition step. Our model gives insight into the contrast generation and its dependence on the system geometry and imaging parameters in both the initial intensity image as well as retrieved images. The model validity as well as the proposed retrieval method are demonstrated via both experimental results on a system developed in house as well as Monte Carlo simulations. In conclusion, our work not only provides a model for an intuitive visualization of image formation but also offers a method to optimize differential phase imaging setups, holding tremendous promise for advancing medical diagnostics and other applications.
Attention to audiovisual speech shapes neural processing through feedback-feedforward loops between different nodes of the speech network
Authors: Wikman Patrik , Salmela Viljami , Sjöblom Eetu , Leminen Miika , Laine Matti , Alho Kimmo
Published: March 2024

Selective attention-related top-down modulation plays a significant role in separating relevant speech from irrelevant background speech when vocal attributes separating concurrent speakers are small and continuously evolving. Electrophysiological studies have shown that such top-down modulation enhances neural tracking of attended speech. Yet, the specific cortical regions involved remain unclear due to the limited spatial resolution of most electrophysiological techniques. To overcome such limitations, we collected both electroencephalography (EEG) (high temporal resolution) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) (high spatial resolution), while human participants selectively attended to speakers in audiovisual scenes containing overlapping cocktail party speech. To utilise the advantages of the respective techniques, we analysed neural tracking of speech using the EEG data and performed representational dissimilarity-based EEG-fMRI fusion. We observed that attention enhanced neural tracking and modulated EEG correlates throughout the latencies studied. Further, attention-related enhancement of neural tracking fluctuated in predictable temporal profiles. We discuss how such temporal dynamics could arise from a combination of interactions between attention and prediction as well as plastic properties of the auditory cortex. EEG-fMRI fusion revealed attention-related iterative feedforward-feedback loops between hierarchically organised nodes of the ventral auditory object related processing stream. Our findings support models where attention facilitates dynamic neural changes in the auditory cortex, ultimately aiding discrimination of relevant sounds from irrelevant ones while conserving neural resources.
Widespread prevalence of a methylation-dependent switch to activate an essential DNA damage response in bacteria
Authors: Kamat Aditya , Tran Ngat T. , Sharda Mohak , Sontakke Neha , Le Tung B. K. , Badrinarayanan Anjana
Published: March 2024

DNA methylation plays central roles in diverse cellular processes, ranging from error-correction during replication to regulation of bacterial defense mechanisms. Nevertheless, certain aberrant methylation modifications can have lethal consequences. The mechanisms by which bacteria detect and respond to such damage remain incompletely understood. Here, we discover a highly conserved but previously uncharacterized transcription factor (Cada2), which orchestrates a methylation-dependent adaptive response in Caulobacter. This response operates independently of the SOS response, governs the expression of genes crucial for direct repair, and is essential for surviving methylation-induced damage. Our molecular investigation of Cada2 reveals a cysteine methylation-dependent posttranslational modification (PTM) and mode of action distinct from its Escherichia coli counterpart, a trait conserved across all bacteria harboring a Cada2-like homolog instead. Extending across the bacterial kingdom, our findings support the notion of divergence and coevolution of adaptive response transcription factors and their corresponding sequence-specific DNA motifs. Despite this diversity, the ubiquitous prevalence of adaptive response regulators underscores the significance of a transcriptional switch, mediated by methylation PTM, in driving a specific and essential bacterial DNA damage response.
Southern Ocean food-webs and climate change: A short review and future directions
Authors: Queirós José P. , Borras-Chavez Renato , Friscourt Noémie , Groß Jasmin , Lewis Candice B. , Mergard Georgia , O’Brien Katie
Published: March 2024

Food-webs are a critical feature of ecosystems and help us understand how communities will respond to climate change. The Southern Ocean is facing rapid and accelerating changes due to climate change. Though having evolved in an isolated and somewhat extreme environment, Southern Ocean biodiversity and food-webs are among the most vulnerable. Here, we review 1) current knowledge on Southern Ocean food-webs; 2) methods to study food-webs; 3) assessment of current and future impacts of climate change on Southern Ocean food-webs; 4) knowledge gaps; and 5) the role of Early Career Researchers (ECRs) in future studies. Most knowledge on Southern Ocean food-webs come from the pelagic environment, both at macro- and microbial levels. Modelling and diet studies of individual species are major contributors to the food-web knowledge. These studies revealed a short food-web, predominantly sustained by Antarctic Krill (Euphausia superba). Additionally, alternative pathways exist, involving other krill species, fish, and squid, which play equally important roles in connecting primary producers with top predators. Advantages and disadvantages of several techniques used to study Southern Ocean food-webs were identified, from the classical analyses of stomach contents, scats, or boluses to the most recent approaches such as metabarcoding and trophic-biomarkers. Observations show that climate change can impact the food-web in different ways. As an example, changes to smaller phytoplankton species can lengthen the food-web, increasing assimilation losses and/or changing nutrient cycles. Future studies need to focus on the benthic-dominated food-webs and the benthopelagic coupling. Furthermore, research during the winter season and below the ice-shelves is needed as these areas may play a crucial role in the functioning of this ecosystem. ECRs can play a significant role in advancing the study of Southern Ocean food-webs due to their willingness for interdisciplinary collaboration and proficiency in employing various methodologies, contributing to the construction of high-resolution food-webs.
A negative feedback loop is critical for recovery of RpoS after stress in Escherichia coli
Authors: Bouillet Sophie , Hamdallah Issam , Majdalani Nadim , Tripathi Arti , Gottesman Susan
Published: March 2024

RpoS is an alternative sigma factor needed for the induction of the general stress response in many gammaproteobacteria. Tight regulation of RpoS levels and activity is required for bacterial growth and survival under stress. In Escherichia coli, various stresses lead to higher levels of RpoS due to increased translation and decreased degradation. During non-stress conditions, RpoS is unstable, because the adaptor protein RssB delivers RpoS to the ClpXP protease. RpoS degradation is prevented during stress by the sequestration of RssB by anti-adaptors, each of which is induced in response to specific stresses. Here, we examined how the stabilization of RpoS is reversed during recovery of the cell from stress. We found that RpoS degradation quickly resumes after recovery from phosphate starvation, carbon starvation, and when transitioning from stationary phase back to exponential phase. This process is in part mediated by the anti-adaptor IraP, known to promote RpoS stabilization during phosphate starvation via the sequestration of adaptor RssB. The rapid recovery from phosphate starvation is dependent upon a feedback loop in which RpoS transcription of rssB, encoding the adaptor protein, plays a critical role. Crl, an activator of RpoS that specifically binds to and stabilizes the complex between the RNA polymerase and RpoS, is also required for the feedback loop to function efficiently, highlighting a critical role for Crl in restoring RpoS basal levels.
Factors associated with uptake of breast and cervical cancer screening among Nepalese women: Evidence from Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2022
Authors: Lamichhane Bipul , Adhikari Bikram , Poudel Lisasha , Pandey Achyut Raj , Kakchhapati Sampurna , K. C. Saugat Pratap , Giri Santosh , Dulal Bishnu Prasad , Joshi Deepak , Gautam Ghanshyam , Baral Sushil Chandra
Published: March 2024

Breast cancer screening (BCS) and cervical cancer screening (CCS) are integral parts of initiatives to reduce the burden associated with these diseases. In this context, we aimed to determine factors associated with BCS and CCS uptake among Nepalese women aged 30 to 49 years using data from the Nepal Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 2022. We performed a weighted analysis to account complex survey design of the NDHS 2022. We employed univariable and multivariable logistic regression to determine factors associated with the uptake of BCS and CCS and results were presented as crude odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) along with 95% confidence interval (CI). The uptake of BCS and CCS among Nepalese women aged 30 to 49 years were 6.5% and 11.4% respectively. Women from Terai compared to mountain region (AOR = 0.54, 95%CI: 0.31, 0.93) and those engaged in agriculture compared to non-working (AOR = 0.59, 95%CI: 0.42, 0.82) women had lower odds of BCS uptake. Conversely, Dalit women compared to Brahmin/Chhetri (AOR = 2.08, 95%CI: 1.37, 3.16), and women with basic (AOR = 1.49, 95%CI: 1.04, 2.13), secondary (AOR = 1.96, 95%CI: 1.33, 2.88), and higher education (AOR = 2.80, 95% CI: 1.51, 5.19) compared to those with no education had higher odds of BCS uptake. Women from rural areas (AOR = 0.76, 95%CI: 0.61, 0.96), and those living in Bagmati (AOR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.44, 3.23) and Gandaki (AOR = 2.09, 95%CI: 1.40, 3.14) provinces had higher odds of CCS uptake compared to their urban counterparts and those living in Koshi province, respectively. The odds of CCS increased with age (AOR = 1.06, 95%CI: 1.04, 1.08). Women with secondary education (AOR = 1.47, 95%CI: 1.06, 2.04) had higher odds of CCS uptake compared to those without education. Similarly, married women (AOR = 8.24, 95%CI: 1.03, 66.21), and those with health insurance (AOR = 1.41, 95%CI: 1.08, 1.83) had higher odds of CCS. In conclusion, the uptake of both BCS and CCS was relatively poor among Nepalese women indicating a need for targeted and tailored intervention to increase BCS and CCS uptake.
Unintended pregnancy and contraception use among African women living with HIV: Baseline analysis of the multi-country US PEPFAR PROMOTE cohort
Authors: Aizire Jim , Yende-Zuma Nonhlanhla , Hanley Sherika , Nematadzira Teacler , Nyati Mandisa M. , Dadabhai Sufia , Chinula Lameck , Nakaye Catherine , Fowler Mary Glenn , Taha Taha ,   for the US-PEPFAR PROMOTE Cohort Study team
Published: March 2024

Background

About 90% of unintended pregnancies are attributed to non-use of effective contraception–tubal ligation, or reversible effective contraception (REC) including injectables, oral pills, intra-uterine contraceptive device (IUCD), and implant. We assessed the prevalence of unintended pregnancy and factors associated with using RECs, and Long-Acting-Reversible-Contraceptives (LARCs)–implants and IUCDs, among women living with HIV (WLHIV) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods

We conducted cross-sectional analyses of the US-PEPFAR PROMOTE study WLHIV on ART at enrollment. Separate outcome (REC and LARC) modified-Poisson regression models were used to estimate prevalence risk ratio (PRR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Of 1,987 enrolled WLHIV, 990 (49.8%) reported their last/current pregnancy was unintended; 1,027/1,254 (81.9%) non-pregnant women with a potential to become pregnant reported current use of effective contraception including 215/1,254 (17.1%) LARC users. Compared to Zimbabwe, REC rates were similar in South Africa, aPRR = 0.97 (95% CI: 0.90–1.04), p = 0.355, lower in Malawi, aPRR = 0.84 (95% CI: 0.78–0.91), p<0.001, and Uganda, 0.82 (95% CI: 0.73–0.91), p<0.001. Additionally, REC use was independently associated with education attained, primary versus higher education, aPRR = 1.10 (95% CI: 1.02–1.18), p = 0.013; marriage/stable union, aPRR = 1.10 (95% CI: 1.01–1.21), p = 0.039; no desire for another child, PRR = 1.10 (95% CI: 1.02–1.16), p = 0.016; infrequent sex (none in the last 3 months), aPRR = 1.24 (95% CI: 1.15–1.33), p<0001; and controlled HIV load (≤ 1000 copies/ml), PRR = 1.10 (95% CI: 1.02–1.19), p = 0.014. LARC use was independently associated with country (Zimbabwe ref: South Africa, PRR = 0.39 (95% CI: 0.26–0.57), p<0.001; Uganda, PRR = 0.65 (95% CI: 0.42–1.01), p = 0.054; and Malawi, aPRR = 0.87 (95% CI: 0.64–1.19), p = 0.386; HIV load (≤ 1000 copies/ml copies/ml), aPRR=1.73 (95% CI: 1.26–2.37), p<0.001; and formal/self-employment, aPRR = 1.37 (95% CI: 1.02-1.91), p = 0.027.

Conclusions

Unintended pregnancy was common while use of effective contraception methods particularly LARCs was low among these African WLHIV. HIV viral load, education, sexual-activity, fertility desires, and economic independence are pertinent individual-level factors integral to the multi-level barriers to utilization of effective contraception among African WLHIV. National programs should prioritize strategies for effective integration of HIV and reproductive health care in the respective African countries.
Learning curves for itinerant nurses to master the operation skill of Ti-robot-assisted spinal surgery equipment by CUSUM analysis: A pilot study
Authors: Yao Yichao , Wang Huiyue , Zhang Qi , Teng Haimao , Qi Hui , Zhang Qian
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to investigate the minimum number of operations required for itinerant nurses in the operating room to master the skills needed to operate the Ti-robot-assisted spinal surgery equipment. Additionally, we aimed to provide a corresponding basis for the development of qualification admission criteria and skill training for nurses who cooperate with this type of surgery. Nine operating room itinerant nurses independently performed Ti-robot equipment simulations using a spine model as a tool, with 16 operations per trainee. Four evaluation indices were recorded: time spent on equipment preparation and line connections, time spent on image acquisition and transmission, time spent on surgical spine screw placement planning, and time spent on robot arm operation. Individual and general learning curves were plotted using cumulative sum analysis. The number of cases in which the slope of the individual learning curves began to decrease was 3–11 cases, and the number of cases in which the slope of the general learning curve began to decrease was 8 cases. The numbers of cases in which the learning curves began to decrease in the four phases were the 5th, 8th, 11th, and 3rd cases. Itinerant nurses required at least eight cases to master the equipment operation skills of Ti-robot-assisted spinal surgery. Among the four phases, the image acquisition and transmission phases and the surgical spine screw placement planning phase were the most difficult and must be emphasized in future training.
Hybrid whale algorithm with evolutionary strategies and filtering for high-dimensional optimization: Application to microarray cancer data
Authors: Hafiz Rahila , Saeed Sana
Published: March 2024

The standard whale algorithm is prone to suboptimal results and inefficiencies in high-dimensional search spaces. Therefore, examining the whale optimization algorithm components is critical. The computer-generated initial populations often exhibit an uneven distribution in the solution space, leading to low diversity. We propose a fusion of this algorithm with a discrete recombinant evolutionary strategy to enhance initialization diversity. We conduct simulation experiments and compare the proposed algorithm with the original WOA on thirteen benchmark test functions. Simulation experiments on unimodal or multimodal benchmarks verified the better performance of the proposed RESHWOA, such as accuracy, minimum mean, and low standard deviation rate. Furthermore, we performed two data reduction techniques, Bhattacharya distance and signal-to-noise ratio. Support Vector Machine (SVM) excels in dealing with high-dimensional datasets and numerical features. When users optimize the parameters, they can significantly improve the SVM’s performance, even though it already works well with its default settings. We applied RESHWOA and WOA methods on six microarray cancer datasets to optimize the SVM parameters. The exhaustive examination and detailed results demonstrate that the new structure has addressed WOA’s main shortcomings. We conclude that the proposed RESHWOA performed significantly better than the WOA.
Automatic detection of cell-cycle stages using recurrent neural networks
Authors: Jose Abin , Roy Rijo , Moreno-Andrés Daniel , Stegmaier Johannes
Published: March 2024

Mitosis is the process by which eukaryotic cells divide to produce two similar daughter cells with identical genetic material. Research into the process of mitosis is therefore of critical importance both for the basic understanding of cell biology and for the clinical approach to manifold pathologies resulting from its malfunctioning, including cancer. In this paper, we propose an approach to study mitotic progression automatically using deep learning. We used neural networks to predict different mitosis stages. We extracted video sequences of cells undergoing division and trained a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) to extract image features. The use of RNN enabled better extraction of features. The RNN-based approach gave better performance compared to classifier based feature extraction methods which do not use time information. Evaluation of precision, recall, and F-score indicates the superiority of the proposed model compared to the baseline. To study the loss in performance due to confusion between adjacent classes, we plotted the confusion matrix as well. In addition, we visualized the feature space to understand why RNNs are better at classifying the mitosis stages than other classifier models, which indicated the formation of strong clusters for the different classes, clearly confirming the advantage of the proposed RNN-based approach.
No association between disease severity and respiratory syncytial virus subtypes RSV-A and RSV-B in hospitalized young children in Norway
Authors: Bøås Håkon , Havdal Lise Beier , Størdal Ketil , Døllner Henrik , Leegaard Truls Michael , Bekkevold Terese , Flem Elmira , Inchley Christopher , Nordbø Svein Arne , Rojahn Astrid Elisabeth , Debes Sara , Barstad Bjørn , Haarr Elisebet , Kran Anne-Marte Bakken ,   for the Norwegian Enhanced Pediatric Immunisation Surveillance (NorEPIS) Network
Published: March 2024

Objective

There is conflicting evidence whether subtypes of Respiratory syncytial virus have different seasonality or are differentially associated with clinical severity. We aimed to explore the associations between disease severity and RSV subtypes RSV-A and RSV-B and to describe the circulation of RSV subtypes pattern by season and age.

Methods

Active prospective hospital surveillance for RSV-A and RSV-B in children <59 months of age was conducted during 2015–2018. All febrile children 12–59 months of age were enrolled, whereas children <12 months were eligible if presenting with fever or respiratory symptoms. Risk factors and upper and lower respiratory tract infection was identified by linkage to national registry data and analyzed using penalized maximum likelihood logistic regression.

Results

Both RSV-A and B were found to co-circulate throughout all three study seasons, and no clear seasonal pattern was identified. Likewise, we found no association between sex or measures of severity with RSV-A or RSV-B. There was significantly more RSV-A than RSV-B among children with comorbidities.

Conclusions

No association was found between disease severity or sex and RSV subtypes RSV-A and RSV-B in hospitalized young children in Norway.
Design and development of patient health tracking, monitoring and big data storage using Internet of Things and real time cloud computing
Authors: Shafi Imran , Din Sadia , Farooq Siddique , Díez Isabel de la Torre , Breñosa Jose , Espinosa Julio César Martínez , Ashraf Imran
Published: March 2024

With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation and quarantine have become commonplace across the world. IoT health monitoring solutions eliminate the need for regular doctor visits and interactions among patients and medical personnel. Many patients in wards or intensive care units require continuous monitoring of their health. Continuous patient monitoring is a hectic practice in hospitals with limited staff; in a pandemic situation like COVID-19, it becomes much more difficult practice when hospitals are working at full capacity and there is still a risk of medical workers being infected. In this study, we propose an Internet of Things (IoT)-based patient health monitoring system that collects real-time data on important health indicators such as pulse rate, blood oxygen saturation, and body temperature but can be expanded to include more parameters. Our system is comprised of a hardware component that collects and transmits data from sensors to a cloud-based storage system, where it can be accessed and analyzed by healthcare specialists. The ESP-32 microcontroller interfaces with the multiple sensors and wirelessly transmits the collected data to the cloud storage system. A pulse oximeter is utilized in our system to measure blood oxygen saturation and body temperature, as well as a heart rate monitor to measure pulse rate. A web-based interface is also implemented, allowing healthcare practitioners to access and visualize the collected data in real-time, making remote patient monitoring easier. Overall, our IoT-based patient health monitoring system represents a significant advancement in remote patient monitoring, allowing healthcare practitioners to access real-time data on important health metrics and detect potential health issues before they escalate.