bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variance properties of the microwave absorption spectrum of an ensemble of nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond
Authors: Chelly R. A. , Chang T. , Holzman I. , Cohen T. , Kantorovitsch J. , Stern M.
Published: November 2023

This work presents an original method based on the variance properties of the microwave absorption spectrum of an ensemble of nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond. The spectrum is measured optically. A compact and simple device is designed to optimize the photon collection. We conduct a quantitative comparison of the ensemble's optical signal in both the visible and near infrared range. Using the enhanced signal-to-noise ratio achieved through the device geometry we perform real-time DC magnetometry at moderate light and microwave powers. Under these conditions, the amplitude of a DC magnetic field can be extracted from the variance of the microwave absorption spectrum in a fast and reproducible manner, without the burden of complex fitting techniques.
Regulation of the apico-basolateral trafficking polarity of the homologous copper-ATPases ATP7A and ATP7B
Authors: Ruturaj  , Mishra Monalisa , Saha Soumyendu , Maji Saptarshi , Rodriguez-Boulan Enrique , Schreiner Ryan , Gupta Arnab
Published: November 2023

The homologous P-type copper-ATPases (Cu-ATPases) ATP7A and ATP7B are the key regulators of copper homeostasis in mammalian cells. In polarized epithelia, upon copper treatment, ATP7A and ATP7B traffic from the trans-Golgi network (TGN) to basolateral and apical membranes, respectively. We characterized the sorting pathways of Cu-ATPases between TGN and the plasma membrane and identified the machinery involved. ATP7A and ATP7B reside on distinct domains of TGN in limiting copper conditions, and in high copper, ATP7A traffics to basolateral membrane, whereas ATP7B traverses common recycling, apical sorting and apical recycling endosomes en route to apical membrane. Mass spectrometry identified regulatory partners of ATP7A and ATP7B that include the adaptor protein-1 complex. Upon knocking out pan-AP-1, sorting of both Cu-ATPases is disrupted. ATP7A loses its trafficking polarity and localizes on both apical and basolateral surfaces in high copper. By contrast, ATP7B loses TGN retention but retained its trafficking polarity to the apical domain, which became copper independent. Using isoform-specific knockouts, we found that the AP-1A complex provides directionality and TGN retention for both Cu-ATPases, whereas the AP-1B complex governs copper-independent trafficking of ATP7B solely. Trafficking phenotypes of Wilson disease-causing ATP7B mutants that disrupts putative ATP7B–AP1 interaction further substantiates the role of AP-1 in apical sorting of ATP7B.
Passive electroreception in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): implication for micro- and large-scale orientation
Authors: Hüttner Tim , von Fersen Lorenzo , Miersch Lars , Dehnhardt Guido
Published: November 2023

For the two dolphin species Sotalia guianensis (Guiana dolphin) and Tursiops truncatus (bottlenose dolphin), previous research has shown that the vibrissal crypts located on the rostrum represent highly innervated, ampullary electroreceptors and that both species are correspondingly sensitive to weak electric fields. In the present study, for a comparative assessment of the sensitivity of the bottlenose dolphin's electroreceptive system, we determined detection thresholds for DC and AC electric fields with two bottlenose dolphins. In a psychophysical experiment, the animals were trained to respond to electric field stimuli using the go/no-go paradigm. We show that the two bottlenose dolphins are able to detect DC electric fields as low as 2.4 and 5.5 µV cm−1, respectively, a detection threshold in the same order of magnitude as those in the platypus and the Guiana dolphin. Detection thresholds for AC fields (1, 5 and 25 Hz) were generally higher than those for DC fields, and the sensitivity for AC fields decreased with increasing frequency. Although the electroreceptive sensitivity of dolphins is lower than that of elasmobranchs, it is suggested that it allows for both micro- and macro-scale orientation. In dolphins pursuing benthic foraging strategies, electroreception may facilitate short-range prey detection and target-oriented snapping of their prey. Furthermore, the ability to detect weak electric fields may enable dolphins to perceive the Earth's magnetic field through induction-based magnetoreception, thus allowing large-scale orientation.
Artificial Intelligence and its Impact in International Relations
Authors: Meleouni Christina , Efthymiou Iris Panagiota
Published: November 2023

In an era marked by remarkable technological advancements, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful force in the realm of International Relations. AI's adaptability, which includes automating the processes of foreign policy-making and improving predictive analytics, is swiftly reshaping the ways in which countries participate in international affairs. The impact of AI is notably observed in activities like data analysis, policy assessment, conflict resolution, cybersecurity, language translation, and disaster response, all of which streamline diplomatic activities and enhance communication. This article discusses how AI technology will shape the field of International Relations.
Deficient editorial practices, perceived quality, and expedient scholarly publishing in a developing nation
Authors: Bredan Amin , Tashani Osama , Bakoush Omran
Published: November 2023

Background There is increasing concern about the quality, integrity, and accessibility to research published in the developing world. This study explores the editorial practices and editors’ perspectives to gain insight into the standard of scholarly publishing in Libya. Methods Between 21st January and 12th February, 2022, the editors-in-chief (EC) of Libyan academic journals were invited to complete a questionnaire on editorial practices, degree of satisfaction with submitted and published manuscripts, review processes, and journal performance, as well as challenges facing the journals. Journal websites were examined for quality, and indexation coverage and citations were assessed. We examined the number of citations in Google Scholar for all 2019 articles published in each journal. Descriptive statistics were used to quantitatively summarize the data and thematic analysis was used for the narrative text. Results 48 EC completed the questionnaire. The EC was affiliated with the institution that owns the journal in 92% of cases. Most EC (83%) were satisfied with the peer-review quality, 69% believed that most of their published papers add new ideas or findings, and 96% were satisfied with their journal’s performance. However, despite the high degree of satisfaction, only one journal was indexed in Web of Science or Scopus and only 17% of the journals were indexed in Google Scholar. A qualitative assessment of journal websites revealed shortcomings in publishing practices in a large proportion of the journals. Conclusions The discordance between the satisfaction of the journal editors and the journal quality indicators points to a break in the quality system of Libyan academic publishing. Similar expedient publishing practices might exist in other countries as well. A comprehensive action plan led by academic institutions to enforce high standards for scholarly publishing is needed to advance research and high-quality scholarly publications in developing countries.
Low prevalence of germline TP53 and PALB2 mutations in unselected cohort of breast cancer patients from Brunei Darussalam
Authors: Matusin Siti Nur Idayu , Lu Zen Huat , Haji Abdul Hamid Mas Rina Wati
Published: November 2023

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy affecting women worldwide. The majority of breast cancer occurs sporadically, with only 5-10% being caused by inheritance of susceptibility genes. In Brunei Darussalam, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer in women. The prevalence and clinical relevance of breast cancer susceptibility genes in Brunei breast cancer patients is unknown. We investigated the prevalence and clinical relevance of germline TP53 and PALB2 genes, recognised to confer a high and moderate risk respectively, in the development of breast cancer in an unselected cohort of Brunei breast cancer patients.

Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of 54 unselected Brunei breast cancer patients. The DNA samples were sequenced for germline BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, and PALB2 variants using targeted panel sequencing on a Hi-Plex NGS platform. Identified variants were analysed for their pathogenicity classification based on clinical/population/mutation databases, in-silico data, and available functional data analysis. Chi-square test was used to determine the association between TP53 codon 72 and response to chemotherapy in Brunei breast cancer patients.

Results: We identified two TP53 and five PALB2 missense variants in our study population. Five of the identified variants were classified as variants of uncertain significance (one in TP53 and four in PALB2) giving a prevalence of TP53 and PALB2 variant of uncertain significance carriers at 1.9% and 9.3%, respectively. No pathogenic TP53 and PALB2 mutation was identified in this study suggesting the rarity of these genes in breast cancer.TP53 codon 72 had no association with Brunei breast cancer patients’ response to chemotherapy supporting the benign characteristic of the variant P72R.

Conclusions: Our current findings suggest that the contribution of germline TP53 and PALB2 genes in unselected Brunei breast cancer patients is rare, and a larger number of participants will be required to confirm this finding.
A pro-environmental survey of Malaysian micro, small and medium enterprises: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Yee Yen Yuen , Chin Wei Chong
Published: November 2023

Background The objective of this study is to examine the relationships among green human resource management, green knowledge sharing, green leadership, environmental commitment, green entrepreneurial orientation and pro-environmental behavior in micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) post coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This study serves as one of the pioneer studies in Malaysia and Asia to examine pro-environmental behavior at MSMEs post COVID-19 pandemic. This study provides new knowledge and insights to the literature on pro-environmental behavior at MSMEs in developing countries such as Malaysia. Methods A total of 215 questionnaires were distributed and 146 questionnaires with complete responses were received from managers and owners of the MSMEs at central regions in Malaysia, purposive sampling was used to recruit these businesses. Informed consent was obtained from the respondents. Data was analyzed by using structural equation modelling. Results Environmental commitment, green human resource management and green entrepreneurial orientation positively influence pro-environmental behavior at MSMEs post COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast, green knowledge sharing and green leadership do not influence pro-environmental behavior at MSMEs. Conclusions Practical recommendations has been provided to MSMEs owners and managers to create a conducive working environment that encourages pro-environmental behavior.
Time to sense biofield (Prana) experiences between hands: A preliminary single blinded randomised controlled trial
Authors: Vijayakumar Vinu , Nagaraja Jois Srikanth , Mallikarjuna Majgi Sumanth , Prasad Krishnamurthy Nagendra , Nanjunda swamy Roopa
Published: November 2023

Aims: There is minimal research on the duration of biofield experiences. This preliminary study used the experiential learning practice of Master Choa Kok Sui’s hands sensitisation to determine the duration to experience biofield sensations in between hands and to find the relationship between learning style preferences and biofield sensations.

Methods: This randomised controlled, single blinded trial included 88 male and female pre-service teachers, aged 22.8 ±1.2 years. Learning Style questionnaire, Ruler drop test, and Six Letter Cancellation tests were administered to participants and randomised into two groups. The experimental (hands facing each other as introduced by Master Choa Kok Sui) and sham (hands facing opposite) groups practiced hands sensitisation. A semi-structured questionnaire was provided to gather information about biofield sensations and the time it took to experience these sensations between the hands.

Results: All (100%) of the participants in the experimental group (N=44) and 29.55% in the sham group (N=13) reported experiencing biofield sensations. A significant difference was found in, magnetic, temperature variation, and pain sensations between experimental and sham groups (X2= 59.20, p<.001).  In the experimental group, the average time taken to first experience magnetic sensation, other biofield sensations and temperature variation was 34.84±12.97, 40.28± 20.96 and 42.50±19.79, respectively. Minimum time taken to first experience biofield sensation was 5 seconds and lasted up to study duration of 120 seconds. There was no correlation found between reaction time, attention, and the time needed to experience biofield sensations.

Conclusions: The duration to experience the novel biofield sensation was described in this study.
Prawne i instytucjonalne regulacje dotyczące zwalczania chorób zakaźnych w początkach II Rzeczypospolitej (listopad 1918 – lipiec 1919)
Authors: Kozłowska Urszula , Sikorski Tomasz
Published: November 2023

Artykuł przedstawia organizację organów administracji centralnej nadzorującej walkę z chorobami zakaźnymi i przeciwdziałającej epidemii w okresie od XI 1918 r. do VII 1919 r., następnie proces tworzenia aktów normatywnych i regulaminów wewnętrznych (np. wydawanych przez Ministerstwo Zdrowia Publicznego) oraz innych dokumentów prawnych, w szerszej perspektywie polityki zdrowotnej prowadzonej przez gabinety Jędrzeja Moraczewskiego i Ignacego J. Paderewskiego. Przyjęte wówczas akty prawne i przepisy prawne pomimo mankamentów i luk jakie zawierały zamykały pierwszy etap tworzenia  regulacji instytucjonalno – prawnych dotyczących zwalczania chorób zakaźnych w II Rzeczypospolitej.
Konstanty Łubieński i Stanisław Stomma wobec problemu nowelizacji konstytucji PRL w 1976 r.
Authors: Orzełek Ariel Krzysztof
Published: November 2023

W 1976 r. władze PRL doprowadziły do nowelizacji konstytucji, wpisując do niej zasadę przewodniej roli partii komunistycznej i sojusz ze Związkiem Sowieckim. Jedynym posłem na Sejm, który nie poparł poprawek, był działacz środowiska „Znak”, Stanisław Stomma. Pozostali czterej parlamentarzyści z jego koła poprawki poparli. Celem artykułu jest analiza najlepiej egzemplifikujących rozłam w środowisku „Znak” postaw Konstantego Łubieńskiego i Stanisława Stommy. Stąd też badaniu zostały poddane ich droga życiowa i motywacje, które skłoniły ich do podjęcia decyzji w sprawie poparcia nowelizacji, oraz konsekwencje tego dla nich i całego środowiska. Zostaną one rozpatrzone w kontekście konfliktu w środowisku „Znak” przez pryzmat politycznego realizmu, ideowości i oportunizmu.
Tradycja jako znak rozumienia przeszłości, teraźniejszości i przyszłości Hiszpanii.
Authors: Kubiaczyk Filip
Published: November 2023

Niniejszy artykuł recenzyjny dotyczy książki Hispanofilia. España frente a su destino (Hispanofilia. Hiszpania wobec swojego przeznaczenia), w której jej autor twierdzi, że dzisiejszą rzeczywistość hiszpańską wyznaczają dwa prowadzące ją do destrukcji koncepty: „Hiszpania pusta” (España inane), będąca wynikiem globalizacji i lewicowego postmodernizmu oraz „anty-Hiszpania” (anti-España) nacjonalistów i separatystów katalońskich i baskijskich. Wśród przyczyn, które doprowadziły do zaniku hiszpańskiej tożsamości narodowej, mającej swoje podstawy w historycznym rozwoju narodu hiszpańskiego, autor wyróżnia zwycięstwo w XVII-wiecznej Europie wywrotowych sił protestantyzmu, z którymi Hiszpania sobie nie poradziła, a co zmaterializowało się w pokoju westfalskim (1648) i spowodowało triumf nihilizmu materialistycznego. Obie Hiszpanie przyczyniły się do rozbicia hiszpańskiej jedności narodowej, zaniku wspólnej historii i tożsamości, a anty-Hiszpania dąży wręcz do jej unicestwienia i uczynienia z niej konfederacji republik iberyjskich. Winnymi tej sytuacji są dla autora secesjoniści katalońscy i baskijscy oraz hiszpańska lewica i prawica. Autor nie ogranicza się do diagnozy takiego stanu rzeczy, lecz wskazuje również na czynniki, które jego zdaniem mogą przyczynić się do odrodzenia hiszpańskiej jedności i dumy ze wspólnej historii i tożsamości podzielanej przez wszystkie ludy i narody składające się na Hiszpanię. Chodzi o to, co określa on mianem „hiszpańskiej alternatywy”. W artykule podjęto polemikę z tezami autora wskazując na ich mocne i słabe strony.
La ciudad y sus metáforas. Formulación ideológica y procesos de reestructuración urbana en la Barcelona contemporánea
Authors: Haba Morales Juan de la
Published: November 2023

El artículo analiza determinados «contextos metafóricos» que han servido de soporte ideológico-cultural para los actuales procesos de renovación urbana de Barcelona, con especial referencia a la creación del nuevo barrio marítimo de la villa olímpica y la remodelación del frente marítimo de la ciudad; operaciones que se inscriben en el contexto general de promoción de Barcelona como gran metrópolis mediterránea. En ese ámbito se aborda la producción de identidades urbanas y microterritoriales, así como la interrelación con otros niveles de identidad presentes en Cataluña.
"La sociedad internet". Una falsa promesa
Authors: Wolton Dominique
Published: November 2023

Creer que las redes de comunicación conducen a la paz y al conocimiento es abandonarse a la ideología tecnocrática que domina hoy los discursos sobre el «progreso», ya que si bien algunas de sus facetas son altamente deseables, la sociedad de la «multi-conexión» podría llegar a hacer estallar a la sociedad real, sustituyendo mediante el individualismo y las relaciones «a la carta», la solidaridad que implicaba la vida en un mismo territorio y el compartir recursos culturales comunes.
Guggenheim. Imagen y valor
Authors: Laborda Yneva José
Published: November 2023

Por una vez más, la imagen del siglo concluye con la imagen del Guggenheim a través de la cual el autor desentraña las intenciones y los procedimientos del nuevo capitalismo para establecer su poder.
Mitos y fabulas del siglo. Espacio y construcción de la significatividad
Authors: Trachana Angelique
Published: November 2023

El siguiente artículo trata de la génesis de la significación en la sociedad moderna; de los viejos y nuevos mitos que han instituido lo imaginario social y de su representación en el espacio construido. En este intento se vislumbran los mecanismos de propagación ideológica y de control social del capitalismo tardío.
De la crisis global al impacto local.
Authors: Miquel Luis
Published: November 2023

En este trabajo se efectúa una lectura paralela de los problemas medioambientales, el hiperdesarrollo urbano y la crisis de Estado del bienestar advirtiendo las consecuencias de la implantación de modelos urbanos globalizadores y homogeneizadores en el malestar urbano y la vulnerabilidad del ciudadano.
Nuevas técnicas, nuevas formas
Authors: Martínez Calzón Julio
Published: November 2023

Una vez más la consideración de la incidencia de la técnica en la naturaleza recobra para el autor relevancia en la medida que nuevas técnicas toman el relevo: en el lugar de la ingeniería civil, la gran técnica de las transformaciones territoriales y desarrollo de las sociedades, una «suprafénica que planea sobre todas las actividades humanas: la informática». Ante el nuevo panorama subyace una preocupación por la trangresión de importantes valores del pensamiento y de la creatividad en todas sus expresiones formales.
Moi polscy pisarze i poeci
Authors: Gömöri György
Published: November 2023

György Gömöri jest w Polsce wysoko ceniony zarówno w środowisku literackim, jak i w kręgach akademickich. Zalicza się go do elitarnego grona cudzoziemców szczególnie zasłużonych dla kultury – zwłaszcza literatury – polskiej. (…) Niemalże od początku występował równocześnie w kilku rolach: krytyka, popularyzatora, tłumacza. Jakby tego było mało, przez dziesięciolecia wykładał literaturę polską, a także węgierską, na najbardziej renomowanych uczelniach zachodnich, głównie w Cambridge, ale również na Uniwersytecie Kalifornijskim w Berkeley (namaszczony przez Czesława Miłosza, którego przez jeden semestr tam zastępował). (…) Książka, którą czytelnik ma przed oczyma, jest świetnym i bardzo interesującym świadectwem bardzo rozległych kontaktów Gömöriego z pisarzami polskimi. Wielu z nich zawdzięcza mu łatwiejszą drogę do czytelników, zresztą nie tylko węgierskich. Jerzy Snopek
Dementia and communication
Authors: Pepper Amy , Dening Karen Harrison
Published: November 2023

People with dementia of all stages and subtypes can experience challenges with communicating. Therefore, it is vital that community nurses working with people with dementia have an understanding of the ways in which communication might be challenged, and that they have skills in communicating effectively. This article presents an overview of the ways in which dementia might impact on communication and offers the model of person-centred dementia care as a way of communicating effectively. The use of person-centred communication in practice is illustrated through a case study approach, highlighting the practical approaches that can be used by community nurses in their practice.
Barriers to infection prevention and control in patients’ homes
Authors: Wood Dana Jayne
Published: November 2023

While there is a lot of emphasis on the need for good infection prevention and control practices and acute care, the increasing complexity of patients being cared for in their own homes means that there is an increased risk for infection. Good practice is required by community nurses to minimise this risk. Patients’ own homes can present particular challenges in complying with good practice and this article looks at some of the barriers to optimum infection prevention and control precautions in this setting.
Good tidings for bad breath sufferers
Authors: Kidd Sharon
Published: November 2023

Sharon Kidd explores how patients can combat bad breath over the festive season.
Poor oral health and oral dysbiosis: what's the link?
Authors: Garlo Nina
Published: November 2023

Nina Garlo explores the significant link between poor oral health and systemic diseases.
Supercharging your career
Authors: Starkey Gemma
Published: November 2023

Gemma Starkey gives tips on how to boost your dental nursing career with social media!
Efficacy of the voice therapy protocol (VTP) for adult patients with unilateral vocal fold mobility impairment; a feasibility study
Authors:   Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand., Wilaklang Jureemas , Makarabhirom Kalyanee ,   Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand., Thayansin Sawitri ,   National Institute for Child and Family Development, Mahidol University,Bangkok, Thailand., Praneetvatakul Phurich ,   Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Published: November 2023

Background: Unilateral vocal fold mobility impairment (UVFMI) causes dysphonia and/or dysphagia, which can significantly affect a patient’s ability to communicate and perform regular daily life activities as well as the quality of life. Voice therapy offers a less invasive and more preferential method for patients. However, there are limitations concerning the integration of multiple therapy approaches. Voice therapy exercises with clear methodologies are required to plan and conduct therapy systematically, and frequency would be required for each exercise. Therefore, this study was conducted by applying the protocols of voice therapy in adult patients with unilateral vocal fold mobility impairment. Objective: This feasibility study is a prospective cohort, pre-post single arm, designed to determine whether the voice therapy protocol (VTP) can enhance voice quality in adult patients with unilateral vocal fold mobility impairment (UVFMI) in a pilot study. Materials and methods: All subjects received 12 sessions of voice therapy protocol, with each session conducted weekly for 45 minutes. The voice therapy protocol applied in this study consisted of vocal hygiene education, abdominal breathing exercises, vocal function exercises, pushing exercises, muscle relaxation exercises, and applied resonance voice therapy. The outcomes of protocols for voice therapy were measured before and after treatment using subjective voice assessments (GIRBAS scale) and objective voice assessments (Dr. Speech program and electroglottography-EGG). Results: Cases 2, 7, 10, 11, and 13 improved after receiving VTP. As for other participants, there are still some voice parameters that need to be monitored. Overall, it was found that the participants’ voice parameters were changing within the acceptable range, with MPT, jitter, shimmer, and HNR values significantly different (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that the voice therapy protocol was a worthwhile alternative and could be used to develop further treatment guidelines for adult patients with UVFMI at a speech clinic.
Influence of career commitment and employee competency on career management
Authors: Risal Abhishek , Devkota Niranjan , Dhakal Krishna , Raj Paudel Udaya
Published: November 2023

The objective of the research on which this article is based was to comprehend the impact of career commitment and employee competency on the career management of information technology (IT) professionals in the Kathmandu Valley. The study employed an exploratory research design, drawing on social cognitive theory. Data were analysed using quantitative methods, specifically descriptive and inferential analysis, utilising a structured questionnaire. The study employed convenience sampling to collect data from 232 IT workers in Kathmandu Valley, utilising the KOBO Toolbox for data collection. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed for data analysis. The experience of stress and burnout, as well as feelings of inadequate confidence and insufficient training, are significant impediments to career management among IT professionals. The findings of the SEM analysis indicate that there exists a statistically significant relationship between career commitment and employee competency with respect to career management. The field of career management for IT professionals is currently in its nascent stage in Nepal. However, with increasing awareness among employers and individuals, its importance is steadily gaining momentum. Thus, it is imperative for HR managers to establish effective policies that facilitate the professional growth of employees.
Middle Passages: Lessons in Racial Subjection at the Hampton Institute and Carlisle Indian Industrial School
Authors: Brown Elizabeth C.
Published: November 2023

Abstract: This essay argues that the historically Black Hampton Institute (1868) and the Carlisle Indian Industrial School (1879) are crucial sites to investigate how US political, territorial, and economic conquest were sutured to the project of emancipation after the Civil War. Rather than focusing on these schools’ manual education, I turn to their newspapers, the Southern Workman and Indian Helper , to demonstrate how they developed techniques of discursive representation, rooted in Black fungibility, that made racial subjection appear as racial emancipation in the postbellum period. These newspapers were framed as both tool and evidence of students’ subjective transformation. Instead of providing authentic evidence of Black and Native transformation, however, they provide a glimpse into how Hampton’s and Carlisle’s representations of racial emancipation drew on discursive techniques created in the material and symbolic violence of transatlantic slavery’s Middle Passage. The essay concludes by demonstrating how a trio of boarding school stories (1900) by the Yankton Sioux author Zitkala-Ša provides a nascent critique of the ways in which Indian boarding schools produced Native fungibility as a technique of white domination in the context of postbellum US imperialism.
Split Inalienable Coding in the East Bird's Head Family
Authors: Arnold Laura
Published: November 2023

Abstract: This paper discusses the diachrony of inalienable possessive constructions in East Bird's Head, a small Papuan family of the Bird's Head peninsula in northwest New Guinea. In particular, it focuses on a phenomenon known as Split Inalienable Coding, in which a language has two or more possessive coding strategies closely or exclusively associated with the expression of inalienable possession. Based on the available data, Split Inalienable Coding can be reconstructed to the proto-Meax branch of East Bird's Head, but not to proto-East Bird's Head itself. It is argued that Split Inalienable Coding was innovated in pre-proto-Meax, and had begun to erode in proto-Meax; after the divergence of the Meax branch, further changes in the daughter languages have obscured the original system of Split Inalienable Coding. As Split Inalienable Coding is found in other neighboring yet unrelated languages, the role of contact in the development of Split Inalienable Coding in pre-proto-Meax is also discussed. From the present-day distribution, it is inferred that Split Inalienable Coding first developed in an Austronesian/Papuan contact zone in the east of the Bird's Head, before spreading to other nearby Austronesian languages.
Multipath artifacts enable angular contrast in multimodal endoscopic optical coherence tomography
Authors: Tanskanen A. , Malone J. , MacAulay C. , Lane P.
Published: November 2023

Multipath artifacts are inherent to double-clad fiber based optical coherence tomography (OCT), appearing as ghost images blurred in the A-line direction. They result from the excitation of higher-order inner-cladding modes in the OCT sample arm which cross-couple into the fundamental mode at discontinuities and thus are detected in single-mode fiber-based interferometers. Historically, multipath artifacts have been regarded as a drawback in single fiber endoscopic multimodal OCT systems as they degrade OCT quality. In this work, we reveal that multipath artifacts can be projected into high-quality two-dimensional en face images which encode high angle backscattering features. Using a combination of experiment and simulation, we characterize the coupling of Mie-range scatterers into the fundamental image (LP01 mode) and higher-order image (multipath artifact). This is validated experimentally through imaging of microspheres with an endoscopic multimodal OCT system. The angular dependence of the fundamental image and higher order image generated by the multipath artifact lays the basis for multipath contrast, a ratiometric measurement of differential coupling which provides information regarding the angular diversity of a sample. Multipath contrast images can be generated from OCT data where multipath artifacts are present, meaning that a wealth of clinical data can be retrospectively examined.
Optimized helical intermedium-period fiber grating for breathing monitoring
Authors: Li Chenxu , Liu Shen , Zhong Junlan , Zou Tao , Yan Wenqi , Lin Qiao , Xiao Yueliang , Wang Yiping
Published: November 2023

The investigation into the spectral properties and refractive index (RI) sensitivities at low RI region of helical intermedium-period fiber gratings (HIPFGs) with varied periods ranging from 10-48 μm is presented in detail for the first time. The structure of HIPFG is optimized for RI sensing in the RI range of 1.3-1.33 by comparing the optical properties of HIPFGs with different grating periods. The HIPFG with optimized structure is demonstrated to have a high average sensitivity of 302.5 nm/RIU in the RI ranging from 1.3 to 1.33, which is two orders more elevated than the traditional long-period fiber gratings. The improved HIPFG is also experimentally applied to breath monitoring in different states. Normal breath, slow breath, fast breath, and unhealthy breath are distinguished based on breathing rate, intensity, and time of exhalation and inhalation. The fastest response time is determined to be 10 ms. The results demonstrate that the optical fiber's sensitivity in the low RI region can be increased by shortening its period, offering a special strategy for improving detection performance of HIPFGs. By verifying its performance in breathing monitoring, it is proved that the optimized HIPFG sensor has the great potential to expand medical applications.
Three-phase electrowetting liquid lens with deformable liquid iris
Authors: Xu Jin-Bo , Yuan Rong-Ying , Zhao You-Ran , Liu Chao , Wang Qiong-Hua
Published: November 2023

Inspired by the arrangement of iris and crystalline lens in human eyes, we propose a three-phase electrowetting liquid lens with a deformable liquid iris (TELL-DLI). The proposed electrowetting liquid lens has three-phase fluid: air, conductive liquid, and dyed insulating liquid. The insulating liquid is distributed on the inner wall of the chamber in a ring shape. By applying voltage, the contact angle is changed, so that the dyed insulating liquid contracts towards the center, which is similar to the contraction of iris and the function of crystalline lens muscle in human eyes. The variation range of focal length is from -451.9 mm to -107.9 mm. The variation range of the aperture is from 4.89 mm to 0.6 mm. Under the step voltage of 200 V, the TELL-DLI can be switched between the maximum aperture state and the zero aperture state, and the switching time is ∼150/200 ms. Because of the discrete electrodes, TELL-DLI can regionally control the shape and position of the iris, and switch between circle, ellipse, sector, and strip. The TELL-DLI has a wide application prospect in imaging systems, such as microscopic imaging system, and has the potential to be applied in the field of complex beam navigation.
Powerful 1-µm 1-GHz optical frequency comb
Authors: Müller Michael , Hamrouni Marin , Komagata Kenichi N. , Parriaux Alexandre , Wittwer Valentin J. , Südmeyer Thomas
Published: November 2023

A self-referenced optical frequency comb is presented based on Kerr-lens mode-locking of ytterbium-doped CALGO. The robust source delivers 3.5 W average power in 44 fs-long pulses at 1 GHz repetition rate. The residual root-mean-square timing jitter of the emitted pulse-train is 146 fs and the residual integrated phase noise of the carrier-envelope offset frequency is 107 mrad, both in a span from 1 Hz to 10 MHz. After stabilization, 2.7 W average power remains for direct application. This work represents the first multi-mode pumped Kerr-lens mode-locked optical frequency comb at gigahertz-level repetition rate.
Physics-informed and simulation-driven optimization for binary Fourier single-pixel imaging
Authors: Ma Mengchao , Jia Yiqi , Qin Fushun , Hou Jieting , Shen Yinran , Zhong Xiang , Deng Huaxia , Zhang Xuming
Published: November 2023

Binary patterns are used in fast Fourier single-pixel imaging (FSI) technology to increase the imaging speed at the expense of spatial resolution or image quality. In this Letter, we propose a method for optimizing the image quality-speed trade-off that is informed by physical principles and driven by data from simulations. To compensate for the quantization error induced by binary dithering, convolution kernels are proposed and optimized for both low and high spatial frequencies. The proposed method has been demonstrated to work in both simulation and experiments. Other single-pixel imaging (SPI) techniques may also benefit from this approach.
Health care provider and client experiences of counselling on depot medroxyprogesterone acetate subcutaneous (DMPA-SC) for self-injection in Malawi
Authors: Porter Erlank Chelsey , Ali Gracious , Birhanu Frehiwot , Stanley Melinda , Chirwa Jessie Salamba , Kachale Fannie , Gunda Andrews
Published: November 2023

Since the introduction of subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) in 2018, Malawi has achieved national coverage of trained providers in the public sector and steady increases in uptake of DMPA-SC. However, the rate of clients opting to self-inject DMPA-SC has remained lower than early acceptability studies suggested. Providers play an instrumental role in building client confidence to self-inject through counselling/training. This cross-sectional qualitative study explored the perspectives of providers and injectable clients on the integration of self-injection into contraceptive counselling, to identify best practices and potential gaps. The study was conducted at public sector sites in three districts (Nkhotakota, Mzimba South, Zomba) in Malawi. In-depth interviews were conducted with provider-administered injectable clients, self-injecting clients, and DMPA-SC trained providers. All providers interviewed reported successfully integrating self-injection into their approach. During group health education sessions, some providers reported focusing on benefits of self-injection to spark interest in the method, and then follow that up with more in-depth information during individual counselling. Due to time pressures, a minority of providers reported replacing individual counselling with small-group counselling and limited use of elements such as visualizations and demonstrations. Most providers skipped client practice on inanimate objects, feeling this was either not necessary or inappropriate given stock constraints. Self-injection clients tended to credit their decision to take up SI to receiving lengthy, comprehensive counselling/training, often inclusive of reassuring messages, visualizations, demonstrations and sometimes repeated trainings over time. Provider-administered clients tended to credit their lack of uptake of self-injection to fear and lack of confidence, often blaming themselves instead of the quality of their counselling/training–even while many felt their counselling/training had been rushed or incomplete. Providers should be supported to overcome time- and resource-pressures to invest in counselling/training best practices, to ensure sufficient support is provided to clients interested in self-injection.
Successful elimination of falciparum malaria following the introduction of community-based health workers in Eastern Myanmar: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Zaw Aye Sandar , Win Ei Shwe Sin , Yan Soe Wai , Thein Kyaw Sithu , Verma Vasundhara , McLean Alistair R. D. , Kyaw Thar Tun , White Nicholas J. , Smithuis Frank M.
Published: November 2023

Background

Myanmar has a large majority of all malaria in the Greater Mekong Subregion. In the past decade, substantial progress was made in malaria control. The residual burden of malaria is in remote areas where currently recommended malaria elimination approaches are generally not feasible. In such hard-to-reach communities in Mon state, East Myanmar, Medical Action Myanmar introduced community health workers (CHWs) to deliver early diagnosis and treatment for malaria. We conducted a retrospective analysis to assess the impact of this intervention.

Methods and findings

This retrospective analysis involved data collected routinely from a CHW programme in Mon state conducted between 2011 and 2018. A network of 172 CHWs serving a population of 236,340 was deployed. These CHWs carried out 260,201 malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) to investigate patients with acute febrile illness. The median blood examination rate was 1.33%; interquartile range (IQR) (0.38 to 3.48%); 95% CI [1.28%, 1.36%] per month. The changes in malaria incidence and prevalence in patients presenting with fever were assessed using negative binomial regression mixed effects models fitted to the observed data. The incidence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria (including mixed infections) declined by 70%; 95% CI [65%, 75%]; p < 0.001 for each year of CHW operation. The incidence of P. vivax malaria declined by 56%; 95% CI [50%, 62%]; p < 0.001 per year. Malaria RDT positivity rates for P. falciparum and P. vivax declined by 69%; 95% CI [62%, 75%]; p < 0.001 and 53%; 95% CI [47%, 59%]; p < 0.001 per year, respectively. Between 2017 and 2018, only 1 imported P. falciparum case was detected in 54,961 RDTs. The main limitations of the study are use of retrospective data with possible unidentified confounders and uncharacterised population movement.

Conclusions

The introduction of CHWs providing community-based malaria diagnosis and treatment and basic health care services in remote communities in Mon state was associated with a substantial reduction in malaria. Within 6 years, P. falciparum was eliminated and the incidence of P. vivax fell markedly.
Prevalence of biofilm producing Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gedefie Alemu , Alemayehu Ermiyas , Mohammed Ousman , Bambo Getachew Mesfin , Kebede Samuel Sahile , Kebede Berhanu
Published: November 2023

Background

Acinetobacter baumannii, the first human pathogen to be designated as a "red-alert" pathogen, is on the critical priority list of pathogens requiring new antibiotics. Biofilm-associated diseases are the most common infections caused by the antibiotic-resistant bacteria A. baumannii. Multidrug-resistant strains are more easily transmitted around the world due to A. baumannii’s ability to produce biofilms, which allows it to develop antibiotic resistance mechanisms and thrive in healthcare environments. As a result, A. baumannii infections are becoming increasingly common in hospital settings allover the world. As a result, a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out to determine the global prevalence of biofilm-producing A. baumannii clinical isolates.

Methods

Articles were extensively searched in bibliographic databases and grey literatures using entry terms or phrases. Studies meeting eligibility criteria were extracted in MS Excel and exported into STATA version 12 software for statistical analysis. A random-effects model was used to compute the pooled prevalence of biofilm-producing A. baumannii clinical isolates. The heterogeneity was quantified by using the I2 value. Publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and Egger’s test. Sensitivity analysis was done to assess the impact of a single study on pooled effect size.

Result

Of the 862 studies identified, 26 studies consisted of 2123 A.baumannii clinical isolates of which 1456 were biofilm-producing. The pooled prevalence of biofilm-producing A.baumannii clinical isolates was 65.63% (95% CI = 56.70%-74.56%). There was substantial heterogeneity with an I2 value of 98.1%. Moreover, 41.34%, 33.57%, and 27.63% of isolates of strong, mild, and weak producers of biofilm. Higher prevalence was found in studies published after 2014 (66.31%); Western Pacific region (76.17%); and Asia (66.22%) followed by the African continent (57.29%).

Conclusion

The pooled prevalence of biofilm-producing A. baumannii clinical isolates has risen alarmingly, posing a public health risk. This indicates the burden of biofilm-producing A. baumannii infections urges routine screening and appropriate treatment for better management of hospitalized patients, as well as effective controlling of the emergence of drug resistance. Furthermore, this finding is an alert call for the stakeholders to develop strong infection prevention and antibiotics stewardship programs for the prevention and control of biofilm-producing bacterial infections.
Effects of sling exercises on pain, function, and corticomuscular functional connectivity in individuals with chronic low back pain- preliminary study
Authors: Chen Bo-Jhen , Liu Tzu-Ying , Wu Hsin-Chi , Tsai Mei-Wun , Wei Shun-Hwa , Chou Li-Wei
Published: November 2023

Background

Individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP) exhibit altered brain function and trunk muscle activation.

Aim

This study examined the effects of sling exercises on pain, function, and corticomuscular coherence (CMC) in healthy adults and individuals with CLBP.

Methods

Eight individuals with CLBP and 15 healthy adults received sling exercise training for 6 weeks. Before and after training, participants performed two motor tasks: rapid arm lifts and repeated trunk flexion–extension tasks, and electromyography of the trunk muscles and electroencephalography of the sensorimotor cortex were recorded. Chi-squared test and Mann–Whitney U tests were used for between group comparison, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for pre- and post-training comparison. Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient (Rs) was used to identify for the relationship between motor performance and Corticomuscular coherence.

Results

Sling exercises significantly improved pain (median from 3 to 1, p = .01) and Oswestry Disability Index scores (median from 2.5 to 2, p = .03) in the CLBP group. During rapid arm lifts, individuals with CLBP showed lower beta CMC of the transverse abdominis and internal oblique (Tra/IO) (0.8 vs. 0.49, p = .01) and lumbar erector spinae (0.70 vs. 0.38, p = .04) than the control group at baseline. During trunk flexion–extension, the CLBP group showed higher gamma CMC of the left Tra/IO than the control group at baseline (0.28 vs. 0.16 , p = .001). After training, all CMC became statistically non-significant between groups. The training induced improvement in anticipatory activation of the Tra/IO was positively correlated with the beta CMC (rs = 0.7851, p = .02).

Conclusion

A 6-week sling exercises diminished pain and disability in patients with CLBP and improved the anticipatory activation and CMC in some trunk muscles. These improvements were associated with training induced changes in corticomuscular connectivity in individuals with CLBP.
Quantifying dispersal between two colonies of northern elephant seals across 17 birth cohorts
Authors: Condit Richard , Hatfield Brian , Morris Patricia A. , Costa Daniel P.
Published: November 2023

Dispersal drives extinction-recolonization dynamics of metapopulations and is necessary for endangered species to recolonize former ranges. Yet few studies quantify dispersal and even fewer examine consistency of dispersal over many years. The northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) provides an example of the importance of dispersal. It quickly recolonized its full range after near extirpation by 19thcentury hunting, and though dispersal was observed it was not quantified. Here we enumerate lifetime dispersal events among females marked as pups at two colonies during 1994-2010, then correct for detection biases to estimate bidirectional dispersal rates. An average of 16% of females born at the Piedras Blancas colony dispersed northward 200 km to breed at Año Nuevo, while 8.0% of those born at Año Nuevo dispersed southward to Piedras Blancas. The northward rate fluctuated considerably but was higher than southward in 15 of 17 cohorts. The population at Piedras Blancas expanded 15-fold during the study, while Año Nuevo’s declined slightly, but the expectation that seals would emigrate away from high density colonies was not supported. During the 1990s, dispersal was higher away from the small colony toward the large. Moreover, cohorts born later at Piedras Blancas, when the colony had grown, dispersed no more than early cohorts. Consistently high natal dispersal in northern elephant seals means the population must be considered a single large unit in terms of response to environmental change. High dispersal was fortuitous to the past recovery of the species, and continued dispersal means elephant seals will likely expand their range further.