bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2: A Pathological Examination of Neurosurgical Specimens
Authors: Fujii Tatsuhiro , Rennert Robert C. , Hurth Kyle M. , Ward Pamela M. , Campan Mihaela , Mathew Anna J. , Dubeau Louis , Wallace William D. , Liu Charles Y. , Russin Jonathan J.
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Neurological manifestations may occur in more than 80% of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection, including severe disruptions of the central nervous system (CNS), such as strokes, encephalitis, or seizures. Although the primary pathophysiological mechanism for the effects of COVID-19 in CNS remains unknown, evidence exists for both direct injury from neuroinvasion and indirect effects from disruptions in systemic inflammatory and coagulation pathways. In this study, we analyzed CNS tissue from living patients to better understand these processes.

METHODS:

With institutional review board approval and patient consent, samples that would be otherwise discarded from patients with active or recent (within 6 days of surgery) COVID-19 infection undergoing neurosurgical intervention were collected and tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 using immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, electron microscopy, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS:

Five patients with perioperative mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infection met inclusion criteria (2 male, 3 female; mean age 38.8 ± 13.5 years). Neurosurgical diagnoses included a glioblastoma, a ruptured arteriovenous malformation, a ruptured posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm, a middle cerebral artery occlusion, and a hemorrhagic pontine cavernous malformation. Samples analyzed included the frontal lobe cortex, olfactory nerve, arteriovenous malformation/temporal lobe parenchyma, middle cerebral artery, cerebellum, and cavernous malformation/brainstem parenchyma. Testing for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 was negative in all samples.

CONCLUSION:

The CNS is likely not a significant viral reservoir during mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infection, although direct neuroinvasion is not definitively excluded. Additional testing to help elucidate the relative contributions of direct and indirect pathways for CNS injury from COVID is warranted.
Identification of histone deacetylase inhibitors as neutrophil recruitment modulators in zebrafish using a chemical library screen
Authors: Fan Sijia , Jiang Jinlong , Zhang Huan , Wang Cuihong , Kong Shang , Zhao Tingting , Meng Ling , Liu Yang , Qin Jingjing , Rong Xiuqin , He Zhenting , He Qinke , He Ke , Chen Ketong , Lei Ling , Hai Xinyu , Nie Hong , Ren Chunguang
Published: September 2023

Tissue injury-induced neutrophil recruitment is a prerequisite for the initiation and amplification of inflammatory responses. Although multiple proteases and enzymes involved in post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins regulate leukocyte recruitment, an unbiased functional screen of enzymes regulating inflammatory leukocyte recruitment has yet to be undertaken. Here, using a zebrafish tail fin amputation (TFA) model to screen a chemical library consisting of 295 compounds that target proteases and PTM enzymes, we identified multiple histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors that modulate inflammatory neutrophil recruitment. AR-42, a pan-HDAC inhibitor, was shown to inhibit neutrophil recruitment in three different zebrafish sterile tissue injury models: a TFA model, a copper-induced neuromast damage and mechanical otic vesicle injury (MOVI) model, and a sterile murine peritonitis model. RNA sequencing analysis of AR-42-treated fish embryos revealed downregulation of neutrophil-associated cytokines/chemokines, and exogenous supplementation with recombinant human IL-1β and CXCL8 partially restored the defective neutrophil recruitment in AR-42-treated MOVI model fish embryos. We thus demonstrate that AR-42 non-cell-autonomously modulates neutrophil recruitment by suppressing transcriptional expression of cytokines/chemokines, thereby identifying AR-42 as a promising anti-inflammatory drug for treating sterile tissue injury-associated diseases.
The effects of temperature on elastic energy storage and release in a system with a dynamic mechanical advantage latch
Authors: Mendoza Elizabeth , Martinez Maya , Olberding Jeffrey P. , Azizi Emanuel
Published: September 2023

Changes in temperature alter muscle kinetics and in turn affect whole-organism performance. Some organisms use the elastic recoil of biological springs, structures which are far less temperature sensitive, to power thermally robust movements. For jumping frogs, the use of elastic energy in tendons is facilitated through a geometric latching mechanism that operates through dynamic changes in the mechanical advantage (MA) of the hindlimb. Despite the well-documented use of elastic energy storage, frog jumping is a locomotor behavior that is significantly affected by changes in temperature. Here, we used an in vitro muscle preparation interacting in real time with an in silico model of a legged jumper to understand how changes in temperature affect the flow of energy in a system using a MA latch. We used the plantaris longus muscle–tendon unit (MTU) to power a virtual limb with changing MA and a mass being accelerated through a real-time feedback controller. We quantified the amount of energy stored in and recovered from elastic structures and the additional contribution of direct muscle work after unlatching. We found that temperature altered the duration of the energy loading and recovery phase of the in vitro/in silico experiments. We found that the early phase of loading was insensitive to changes in temperature. However, an increase in temperature did increase the rate of force development, which in turn allowed for increased energy storage in the second phase of loading. We also found that the contribution of direct muscle work after unlatching was substantial and increased significantly with temperature. Our results show that the thermal robustness achieved by an elastic mechanism depends strongly on the nature of the latch that mediates energy flow, and that the relative contribution of elastic and direct muscle energy likely shapes the thermal sensitivity of locomotor systems.
Relationship between TV Watching during Childhood and Adolescence, and Artery Function in Adulthood
Authors: HAYNES ANDREW , MCVEIGH JOANNE , HISSEN SARAH L. , LESTER LEANNE , EASTWOOD PETER R. , STRAKER LEON , MORI TREVOR A. , BEILIN LAWRENCE , CARSON JENNIE , GREEN DANIEL J.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Artery dysfunction is an early, integral stage in atherogenesis that predicts future cardiovascular events. Sedentary behavior, such as TV watching, is highly prevalent and associated with increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. This study investigated whether patterns of TV watching throughout childhood and adolescence were associated with artery function in adulthood.

Methods

TV watching data were collected when participants of the Raine Study were aged 5, 8, 10, 14, 17, and 20 yr. Previous latent class analysis indicated three trajectory groups of TV watching: low TV (<14 h·wk−1), high TV (>14 h·wk−1), and increasing TV (change from low TV to high TV). At age 28 yr, participants were invited to undergo tests of brachial and femoral artery function by flow-mediated dilation (FMD). General linear models examined differences in artery function between TV trajectory groups for men and women.

Results

Five hundred sixty participants (n = 261 women, n = 299 men) were included in the study. In women, the low TV group had significantly greater femoral artery FMD (10.8 ± 1.6%) than both High TV (9.0 ± 1.3%, P = 0.005) and Increasing TV groups (8.5 ± 1.3%, P < 0.001); these results were maintained following mediation analysis, including contemporaneous risk factors. There were no significant differences in femoral artery FMD between TV trajectory groups in men (P = 0.955).

Conclusions

This study suggests that TV watching behaviors during childhood and adolescence may have legacy impacts on artery function at age 28 yr, particularly in women. This may increase the risk of atherosclerotic vascular pathologies in later life.
Development and thermophysical analysis of binary eutectics phase change materials for solar drying application
Authors: Pandey Saurabh , Anand Abhishek , Buddhi Dharam , Sharma Atul
Published: September 2023

Background: In the past 30–40 years, conflicts over limited conventional energy sources and the negative climate change caused by them have attracted researchers and analysts to new, clean, and green energy technologies. Thereby reducing the consumption of conventional fuel and the negative impact on the climate. The production of alternative energy in the form of thermal energy storage using phase change materials (PCMs) is one of the techniques that not only reduces the gap between the supply and demand of energy but also increases the stability of the energy supply. The tendency of PCMs to melt and solidify over a wide temperature range makes them more attractive for use in many applications. The effective and efficient storage of solar energy by PCM has the potential to significantly advance the use of renewable energy.

Methods: Organic non-paraffin compound beeswax (BW) mixed with other non-paraffin compounds stearic acid (SA), Palmitic acid (PA), Myristic acid (MA), and Lauric acid (LA) in different compositions with the help of magnetic stirrer at 50–60°C for 3–4 hours to prepare BWSA, BWPA, BWMA, and BWLA eutectic PCM.

Results: Prepared eutectics melt and solidify in the temperature range 36–56°C and with latent heat in the range of 155–211 kJ/Kg.

Conclusions: Due to suitable temperature and good latent heat storage range, it is a good choice as thermal energy storage, for solar drying applications.
Diversity of functional edaphic macrofauna in Musa acuminata x Musa balbisiana (AAB) agroecosystems
Authors: Zúniga-Gonzalez C. A. , Caballero-Hernández A. J.
Published: September 2023

Background: This study focused on evaluating the diversity and richness of the edaphic macrofauna in eight banana farms in the western zone of Nicaragua.

Methods: The sampling design was random and descriptive, it was divided into two phases, the first was the collection of the sample, and the second was the classification, coding, and storage of the extracted macrofauna populations. Subsequently, the indices of diversity and species richness, relative abundance, by functional groups were estimated.

Results: The results showed that the relative abundance of biodiversity was higher in the 0–20 cm soil depth stratum than in the branch and leaf biomass strata. The values ​​of the diversity indices of Dominion, Simpson, Shanon, Margalef, and Equity were in the normal range, with a tendency towards low diversity. Likewise, in the richness of species, the Dominant or most abundant genus were earthworms (Oligochaeta) and Hymenoptera (Solenopsis, Leptothorax, Camponotus, Pheidole), indicating the directly proportional relationship, that is to say, that the greater the number of earthworms the production increases and the greater the number of Hymenoptera it decreases, confirmed with the Pearson correlation coefficient with a reliability of 95%.

Conclusions: It was concluded that based on the estimates of the diversity indicators, two detritivore genus (earthworms and Hymenoptera) were the ones with the greatest presence, being important in the production of the banana agrosystem due to the decomposition of organic matter and its nutritional contribution to the plant. We observed a direct correlation with earthworms and an indirect relationship with Hymenoptera.
Editorial practices, perceived quality, and expedient scholarly publishing in a developing nation: a mixed methods study
Authors: Bredan Amin , Tashani Osama , Bakoush Omran
Published: September 2023

Background: Scholarly literature from the developing world is low and the scientific impact in some countries, including Libya, is much lower compared with their peers. 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 ECs 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 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.
Mapping the theories, content, and outcomes of family-based interventions for children and young people with gaming disorder: A scoping review protocol
Authors: V S Harshini , Abraham Mariam , Prabhu Samyuktha , Shi Jing , Dsouza Deena Dimple
Published: September 2023

Background: Despite the growth of gaming disorders globally, evidence of the formal involvement of family in treating gaming disorders is limited. When children are affected by gaming disorder, the family may encounter challenges in managing the behavior and in the lack of information regarding the gaming disorder, resulting in inconsistent parenting, which may further exacerbate the problem. Thus, it is essential to involve the family in formal interventions. The current scoping review plans to identify the theories, content, and outcomes of family-based interventions for children and young people with gaming disorders.

Methods: This scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. The population, Concept, and Context (PCC) were used to develop the review question. The studies published in the indexed databases will be searched systematically, and the reference list of included full texts will be searched for relevant studies. Intervention studies published in English from January 2010 to December 2022 will be included. Two independent reviewers will screen the studies against eligibility criteria. The data will be extracted and presented in a tabular and narrative style.

Discussion: This scoping review will help better understand content, outcomes, and theories underpinning family-based interventions for children and young people with gaming disorders. Findings will inform the stakeholders about the current topic and guide the potential research areas.

Registration details: The protocol has been registered in Open Science Framework with the DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/TXWBH
Contemporary Role and Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry
Authors: Bonny Talal , Al Nassan Wafaa , Obaideen Khaled , Al Mallahi Maryam Nooman , Mohammad Yara , El-damanhoury Hatem M.
Published: September 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies play a significant role and significantly impact various sectors, including healthcare, engineering, sciences, and smart cities. AI has the potential to improve the quality of patient care and treatment outcomes while minimizing the risk of human error. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the dental industry, just like it is revolutionizing other sectors. It is used in dentistry to diagnose dental diseases and provide treatment recommendations. Dental professionals are increasingly relying on AI technology to assist in diagnosis, clinical decision-making, treatment planning, and prognosis prediction across ten dental specialties. One of the most significant advantages of AI in dentistry is its ability to analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, providing dental professionals with valuable insights to enhance their decision-making processes. The purpose of this paper is to identify the advancement of artificial intelligence algorithms that have been frequently used in dentistry and assess how well they perform in terms of diagnosis, clinical decision-making, treatment, and prognosis prediction in ten dental specialties; dental public health, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral medicine and pathology, oral & maxillofacial radiology, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, and digital dentistry in general. We will also show the pros and cons of using AI in all dental specialties in different ways. Finally, we will present the limitations of using AI in dentistry, which made it incapable of replacing dental personnel, and dentists, who should consider AI a complimentary benefit and not a threat.
Examining the relationships between contraception and fertility rate in Ghana: Evidence from the 1988 to 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys
Authors: Gbagbo Fred Y. , Ameyaw Edward K.
Published: September 2023

Background: There have been some discrepancies between Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) and Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in Ghana over the years which we examined in this study.

Methods: We adopted a repeated cross-sectional study design to examine the relationship between Ghana's CPR and TFR using data from 1988 to 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys (GDHS).

Results: Our findings show that TFR declined from 6.4 to 4.2 births per woman between 1988 and 2014. Bivariate models fitted revealed that between 1988 and 2014, women using contraceptives had higher prospects of bearing more children than women not using contraceptives. This manifested in 1988 (IRR=1.16, 95% CI=1.11, 1.22) and 2014 (IRR=1.20, 95% CI=1.12, 1.29). The multivariable Poisson regression models also showed the same patterns in all the surveys including the 1988 GDHS (IRR=1.12, 95% CI=1.09,1.19) and 2014 (1RR=1.13,95% CI=1.09,1.17). Contrary to earlier studies reports, and common perceptions held by stakeholders in family planning that there is an inverse relationship between CPR and TFR in Ghana, we did not find any such inverse relationship between CPR and TFR in Ghana during the period under review.

Conclusions: Based on our findings we believe, contraception alone does not guarantee low fertility in Ghana, hence we recommend a qualitative study to further investigate the plausible factors behind our results/observations from this current study to inform policy and program decisions.
Diagnostic accuracy of 18F Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) PET-CT radiotracers in staging and restaging of high-risk prostate cancer patients and patients with biochemical recurrence: protocol for an overview of reviews
Authors: Dullea Andrew , O'Sullivan Lydia , Carrigan Marie , Ahern Susan , McGarry Maeve , O'Brien Kirsty , Harrington Patricia , Walsh Kieran A. , Smith Susan M. , Ryan Máirín
Published: September 2023

Background: Correct staging and risk stratification is essential in ensuring prostate cancer patients are offered the most appropriate treatment. Interest has been growing in the use of radiotracers targeting prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), including the use of 18F-PSMA PET-CT, as part of the primary staging or restaging of prostate cancer. Preliminary scoping identified a number of relevant systematic reviews and meta-analyses; however, individually, these each appear to look at only part of the picture. An overview of reviews aims to systematically identify, appraise and synthesise multiple systematic reviews, related to a relevant research question or questions. We present a protocol for an overview of reviews, which aims to collate existing evidence syntheses exploring the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-PSMA in staging and restaging of prostate cancer. It also aims to highlight evidence gaps in prostate cancer staging or restaging.

Methods: This protocol is reported in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for systematic review protocols (PRISMA-P). The search strategy will be designed in consultation with a librarian. Searches will be performed in Medline (EBSCO), Embase (Ovid), Google Scholar and the Cochrane Database for Systematic Reviews, supplemented by a targeted grey literature search, forward citation searching and searching reference lists of included reviews. No language or date restrictions will be applied to the eligibility criteria or the search strategy. Title & abstract and full text screening will be performed independently by two reviewers. Data will be extracted by one reviewer and checked in full by a second reviewer. Quality appraisal will be performed using the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews (ROBIS) tool independently by two reviewers, and results will be narratively synthesised.

Conclusions: This overview of reviews may be of interest to healthcare professionals, academics and health policy decision-makers.

Registration: OSF (September 7, 2023).
Understanding the importance of Gender Action Planning in EC Horizon projects: a case study
Authors: Fair Nicholas , Kirschberger Daniela
Published: September 2023

Against a backdrop of continued gender challenges within the European manufacturing and technology domains, and wider society in general, such as gender balance and inequality, the gender pay gap, the glass ceiling/sticky floor, the glass cliff, the invisible woman and the under-representation of women in STEM careers and senior positions, and framed within the latest European Commission guidelines and requirements on equality, diversity and inclusion, this paper will report on the actions and research undertaken by the voluntary Gender Action Planning (GAP) team within a large, multinational, complex Industry4.0 Horizon2020 research and innovation project to try to address gender inequalities and gender balance, as well as to provide safe spaces, supportive communities and raised awareness of gender issues over the four year lifespan of the project. It is hoped that the learning from the GAP team may provide a good exemplar for future Horizon programme proposal submissions where a Gender Plan is now a mandated requirement.
ELSMOR – towards European Licensing of Small Modular Reactors: Methodology recommendations for light-water small modular reactors safety assessment
Authors: Lansou Sylvain , Ammirabile Luca , Bakouta Nikolai , Bittan Jeremy , Buchholz Sebastian , Brandelet Jean-Yves , Courtin Etienne , Davelaar Frans , Dombrovsky Stanislav , Droin Jean-Baptiste , Ehster-Vignoud Sophie , Hamama Houda , Helminen Atte , Hollands Thorsten , Iskra Andriy , Israel Sebastien , Lorenzi Stefano , Lovasz Liviusz , Paulus Valerie , Pichancourt Isabelle , Miss Joachim , Nguyen Thuy , Rantakaulio Antti , Rocchi Federico , de-la-Rosa-Blul Juan-Carlos , Ricotti Marco , Seubert Armin , Sevbo Oleksandr , Sholomitsky Stanislav , Suurnäkki Olli , Szogradi Marton , Tulkki Ville , Wielenberg Andreas
Published: September 2023

Decarbonization of energy production is key in today’s societies and nuclear energy holds an essential place in this prospect. Besides heavy-duty electricity production, other industrial and communal needs could be served by integrating novel nuclear energy production systems, among which are low-power nuclear devices, like small modular reactors (SMRs). The ELSMOR (towards European Licensing of Small Modular Reactors) European project addresses this topic as an answer to the Horizon 2020 Euratom NFRP-2018-3 call.

The consortium includes 15 partners from eight European countries, involving research institutes, major European nuclear companies and technical support organizations. The 3.5-year project, launched in September 2019, investigates selected safety features of light-water (LW) SMRs with focus on licensing aspects.

Providing a comprehensive compliance framework that regulators can adopt and operate, the licensing process of such SMRs could be optimized, helping their deployment. In this prospect, as a result of ELSMOR’s work, this article gives an overview of the specific issues that LW-SMRs may bring about in the different domains of nuclear safety, in terms of:

Methodological standpoints: safety goals, safety requirements, safety principles (defence-in-depth implementation);

Main safety functions of reactivity control, decay heat removal and confinement management;

Severe accident management;

Other safety issues particular to SMRs: use of shared systems; performing of multi-unit probabilistic safety assessment (PSA); refuelling, spent fuel management, transport and disposal management.

In this article, adequate methodologies are developed to deal with these issues and to help assess the safety of LW-SMRs. This work gives a precious synthesis of the safety assessment issues of LW-SMRs and of the associated methodologies developed in the context of the ELSMOR European project.
Enseñanza del idioma inglés en educación primaria: Fortalecimiento de vocabulario y pronunciación a través de podcast
Authors: Fernández Sesma María Georgina , Alvarez Flores Erika Patricia , Reyes Arias Karla
Published: September 2023

Como parte de la transformación de la educación, se ha considerado el uso de la tecnología para elevar la calidad en el aprendizaje. Este estudio evalúa un programa experimental que gira en torno a la implementación de podcasts como material de apoyo fuera del aula, con énfasis a favorecer el aprendizaje del vocabulario y la pronunciación del idioma inglés. La investigación con enfoque mixto, utilizó los métodos Audiolingual y el Enfoque Natural bajo un criterio humanista. Participaron cincuenta y dos estudiantes mexicanos de primer grado de una escuela primaria pública estatal, con edades de seis y siete años, divididos de forma natural en un grupo experimental y otro de control. Para recopilar datos cuantitativos y cualitativos se aplicaron varias técnicas: pretest, postest, notas de diario y grupos focales. Los resultados revelaron una mejora significativa en la pronunciación y la adquisición de vocabulario en los alumnos del grupo experimental, superando de manera significativa a los alumnos del grupo de control. Entre otros hallazgos relevantes, destacan el aumento de las habilidades de los niños y las niñas para trabajar con tecnología, el desarrollo de la autonomía y las actitudes positivas de los alumnos por participar en actividades utilizando podcasts para aprender inglés.
Competencia digital docente en el uso de simulaciones virtuales: percepción del profesorado de áreas STEM
Authors: Moreno-Mediavilla Daniel , Palacios Alicia , Gómez del Amo Rosa , Barreras-Peral Álvaro
Published: September 2023

La competencia digital docente y su perfeccionamiento cobran un papel destacado en el contexto educativo actual. En las áreas STEM, uno de los principales recursos digitales para promover eficazmente el conocimiento de las ciencias y desarrollar habilidades de indagación son las simulaciones virtuales, cobrando gran importancia el papel del docente en su uso eficiente en el aula. El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar la percecpción de la competencia digital docente en el uso de simulaciones virtuales, así como analizar posibles diferencias frente a variables sociodemográficas, de uso y de formación. Se ha realizado un estudio cuantitativo mediante análisis descriptivo, correlacional y asociativo, con 500 docentes de áreas STEM de Educación Secundaria. Los resultados apuntan a una autopercepción media en las diferentes dimensiones de la competencia. No se obtienen diferencias significativas en genero, edad, años de experiencia docente, ni formación recibida, pero sí respecto al área de conocimiento en la que imparte clase, a la frecuencia de uso de esta tecnología en sus clases y a la necesidad de formación percibida. Se concluye que existe una necesidad de formación importante en el uso de simulaciones virtuales, destacando principalmente la formación en la búsqueda y selección de simulaciones adecuadas.
Dynamic Development Contests
Authors: Khorasani Sina , Körpeoğlu Ersin , Krishnan Vish V.
Published: September 2023

How to Optimally Design Contests in Development Settings for Rapid and Efficient Results:

Firms increasingly leverage their expert suppliers to develop innovative products and services while minimizing both time-to-market and expenses. In “Dynamic Development Contests,” Sina Khorasani, Ersin Korpeoglu, and Vish Krishnan study how companies can effectively organize contests to stimulate development efforts from competing suppliers to minimize project lead times while keeping the cost of incentives in check. Their characterization of the optimal designs reveals that flexible rewards are most effective when funds are sufficient. However, in cases where resources are constrained, strategic information disclosure in the form of probabilistic disclosure of any change in the state of competition serves as a valuable incentive instrument that helps contest organizers achieve their lead-time minimization objectives.
A qualitative analysis of reasons for satisfying professional career after completing higher education studies of public health
Authors: Furman Maciej , Bochenek Tomasz
Published: September 2023

Introduction. Public health as an academic discipline is taught at different academical levels all around the world. In Poland, the first School of Public Health was launched in 1991 in the city of Krakow, becoming then a part of the Jagiellonian University Medical College. Through more than three decades, this educational entity (Institute of Public Health Jagiellonian University Medical College; IPH JU MC) has educated hundreds of graduates who work for various healthcare stakeholders.
Aim. The goal of this study was to find the benefits resulting from studying public health, based on the experiences of IPH JU MC graduates, as well as to characterize the experiences gained and the skills developed during university studies of public health.
Material and Methods. Based on 46 interviews conducted with public health graduates, a qualitative analysis was made using NVivo 12 software. Interviews’ content was analyzed with the use of eight codes related to issues mentioned by graduates: EPH (EuroPubHealth), EBM, data analysis, English, project, HTA, practical placement, and students’ scientific clubs.
Results and Conclusions. In the interviews the graduates indicated the role of skills gained during education at IPH JU MC, e.g., drawing conclusions based on scientific research, taking part in many public health projects, better language skills thanks to English specialization path, working in the international environment. The results have shown that experiences gained during university studies of public health allow for career development in the healthcare sector.

Keywords: professional career, public health, graduates, qualitative analysis, interviews, healthcare.
What Have You Done, Where Have You Been, Euro-Modern Legal Academe? Uncovering the Bones of Law’s Colonial Ontology
Authors: Adébísí Folúké
Published: September 2023

This chapter examines the nature of Euro-modern law and how this nature enabled and continues to enable legal knowledge’s production, reproduction, and maintenance of colonial logics and praxes. This chapter confronts law’s historical and contemporary use in service of the colonial, as an invitation to the readers to view law as an uninterrupted continuum across space–time, which carries within it certain instances and ways of world-making. It argues that to enact decolonisation within and with legal knowledge is to pay closer attention to the concepts and methods of colonial thought that survive the colonial process unnoticed. Consequently, this chapter is a general examination of how Euro-modern legal knowledge is, historically and ontologically, implicated in producing ongoing colonial conditions and modalities of life.
Defining the Law’s Subject I: (Un)Making the Wretched of the Earth
Authors: Adébísí Folúké
Published: September 2023

This chapter focuses on how concepts of the human/body emerge from or are infused by colonial legal knowledge and logics. Racialisation – the main technology of imperial power – provides the primary point of entry into this analysis, with an understanding of the ways in which other axes of human categorisation/hierarchisation are implicated in the colonial constitution of the human. The contours of the category ‘human’ have been profoundly shaped by colonial knowledge systems therefore, Euro-modern legal knowledge necessarily is underpinned by and furthers the production of this ‘Europe’s human’ within its corpus. So, this chapter explains how this production enables the creation of racialised capital and other social constructions of colonial conditions of life, with the focus on how anti-Blackness, in particular, underwrites the evolution of colonial logics and the selective destructiveness of Euro-modernity as it is inscribed by and on the human/body. The chapter argues that law contains an inherent self-incapacitation to protect life, as Euro-modernity is coded instead to protect the conditions that produce bare life and for the interests of capital accumulation.
Defining the Law’s Subject III: Law, Time, and Colonialism’s Slow Violence
Authors: Adébísí Folúké
Published: September 2023

This chapter argues that time and temporality are vital means for understanding the ongoing-ness of colonial logics and praxis and their persisting embeddedness in legal knowledge. This is because law as a tool for social order, (past, present, and forward-looking), is complicit in enabling colonially and racially accumulated capital and other advantages to be retained through abstractions from time. The same is true of colonial and racial dispossession and ancillary disadvantages. This permanence of accumulation and dispossession results partly from a reliance on linearity and mono-temporality within legal knowledge, which presupposes the inevitability of progress in ways which naturalise the continuing effects of colonialism. Such linearity and singularity obscure and invisibilise the ongoing abstractive and extractive violence enacted through erasure of othered bodies and continuations of colonial cartographies in sacrifice zones. This chapter argues that effective decolonisation requires an unsettling of time and colonial chronopolitics.
Christianity as a Moral Force in the Fiction of John A. Lee
Authors: Holmes Martin George
Published: September 2023

Abstract: It has often been assumed that John A. Lee, one of New Zealand's most famous and influential authors, was anti-clerical and dismissive of Christianity. This opinion stems from the fact that Lee was a lapsed Presbyterian and a scientific socialist who frequently denounced Christian individuals and institutions in his fiction. In this article, I argue that Lee was actually a secular Puritan who regarded the Gospel message as compatible with radical socialism. Consequently, he tended to criticize Christian individuals and institutions only when he felt that they had departed from the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Development and calibration of a high dynamic range and autonomous ocean-light instrument to measure sub-surface profiles in ice-covered waters
Authors: Schartmüller Bernhard , Anderson Philip , McKee David , Connan-McGinty Stacey , Kopec Tomasz P. , Daase Malin , Johnsen Geir , Berge Jørgen
Published: September 2023

The optical chain and
logger (OptiCAL) is an autonomous ice-tethered
observatory equipped with multiple light sensors for mapping the
variation of light with depth. We describe the instrument and present
an ensemble calibration for downwelling irradiance EPAR in [µmolm−2s−1]. Results from a long-term deployment
in the Arctic Ocean demonstrate that the OptiCAL can cover the high
dynamic range of under-ice light levels from July to November and
produce realistic values in terms of magnitude when compared to
modeled surface irradiance. Transient features of raised light levels
at specific depths associated with nearby leads in the ice underline
the importance of depth-resolved light measurements.
Evaluation on quantum illumination radar with quantum limited amplification
Authors: Wei Rongyu , Li Jun , Wang Weihao , Guo Qinghua
Published: September 2023

Based on Quantum illumination (QI) protocol, researcshers have developed prototypes of quantum radar and demonstrated its quantum enhancement. Nevertheless, there are still difficulties in the practical application for QI radar, especially the trade-off between the detection range and quantum enhancement, as well as the construction of the optimized receiver. Some studies have suggested that the potential solutions to these difficulties are to deploy the quantum limited amplifiers in QI radars, and have envisioned different amplification schemes. In this paper, we establish a universal and effective method to evaluate the signal-to-noise ratio of QI radar. It connects QI radar theory with classical radar signal processing theory, providing support for researchers to evaluate the performance of various QI radar schemes from a radar perspective. Based on this method, we prove that any quantum limited phase-insensitive amplification scheme will seriously weaken the quantum enhancement of QI radar. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that the QI radar with phase-sensitive amplified idler has no advantage over the optimal classical illumination. These results can help us avoid some unreasonable QI radar schemes. In addition, we believe that the proposed method can also be applied to explore other potential QI radar schemes and contribute to promoting the application development of QI radar.
Combination of deep learning and 2D CARS figures for identification of amyloid-β plaques
Authors: Luo Ziyi , Zhu Guorui , Xu Hao , Lin Danying , Li Jia , Qu Junle
Published: September 2023

In vivo imaging and accurate identification of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque are crucial in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research. In this work, we propose to combine the coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy, a powerful detection technology for providing Raman spectra and label-free imaging, with deep learning to distinguish Aβ from non-Aβ regions in AD mice brains in vivo. The 1D CARS spectra is firstly converted to 2D CARS figures by using two different methods: spectral recurrence plot (SRP) and spectral Gramian angular field (SGAF). This can provide more learnable information to the network, improving the classification precision. We then devise a cross-stage attention network (CSAN) that automatically learns the features of Aβ plaques and non-Aβ regions by taking advantage of the computational advances in deep learning. Our algorithm yields higher accuracy, precision, sensitivity and specificity than the results of conventional multivariate statistical analysis method and 1D CARS spectra combined with deep learning, demonstrating its competence in identifying Aβ plaques. Last but not least, the CSAN framework requires no prior information on the imaging modality and may be applicable to other spectroscopy analytical fields.
Dispersion of the third-order optical nonlinearities in 2D (PEA)2PbI4 perovskite film
Authors: He Yuan , Li Xiaoyan , Li Jie , Huang Jing , Zhu Hao , Feng Yi , Yi Qian , Hu Wei , Miao Lili , Zhao Chujun
Published: September 2023

We report the wavelength-dependent third-order optical nonlinearity of two-dimensional halide organic-inorganic perovskite (PEA)2PbI4 film experimentally. The high-quality two-dimensional (PEA)2PbI4 film prepared via confinement-assisted drop-casting process exhibits ultrafast optical response and large third-order optical nonlinearities, and the measured nonlinear refractive index is closer to the quantum perturbation model accounting for the excitonic effect. In addition, the wavelength-dependent optical response transition from self-focusing to self-defocusing, saturable absorption to reverse saturable absorption has been observed and investigated. The experimental results confirm the large third-order optical nonlinearities in (PEA)2PbI4 film and may make inroads toward developing cost-effective high-performance optoelectronic devices.
Terahertz wireless communication systems: challenges and solutions for realizations of effective bidirectional links
Authors: Bergen Mark H. , Lowry Seth N. , Mitchell Michael E. , Jenne Matthias F. , Collier Christopher M. , Holzman Jonathan F.
Published: September 2023

Wireless communication systems have evolved through a pursuit for broader bandwidths and a drive to higher frequencies. The drive has continued to present day and is now approaching the terahertz (THz) spectrum, where there exists great potential for broadband communication—and equally great challenges. Of note are the challenges of mobility for conventional THz transmitters, which have low transmitted powers, large sizes, and high power consumption. The proposed work recognizes these challenges and introduces the concept of retro-modulation in passive THz transceivers to have them establish passive THz links. Conventional (active) THz transceivers and links are contrasted to the proposed (passive) THz transceivers and links, with experimental and theoretical results given for THz retro-modulators having corner-cube and spherical retroreflectors with optical and electrical modulators. Ultimately, the findings show that passive THz links with high-frequency electronic transmitters and detectors and the proposed THz retro-modulators are capable of operation with signal-to-noise ratios between 10 to 20 dB at 300 GHz. Such findings open the door to future bidirectional THz wireless communication systems with mobile THz transceivers.
Time-varying media, relativity, and the arrow of time
Authors: Koivurova Matias , Robson Charles W. , Ornigotti Marco
Published: September 2023

Research on time-varying media has recently enjoyed renewed interest, especially in photonics. Despite the large amount of research done in this field in the past few years, the attention has been focused on electromagnetic waves solely, while a comprehensive framework describing how wave phenomena in general are influenced by time-varying media has not been fully developed yet. To this aim, we study the implications of time-varying wave mechanics, and show how the standard wave equation is modified if the speed of a wave is not constant in time. In particular, waves that experience longitudinal acceleration are shown to have clear relativistic properties when a constant reference speed exists. Moreover, the accelerating wave equation admits only solutions propagating forward in time, which are continuous across material interfaces. We then consider the special case of electromagnetic waves, finding that the Abraham–Minkowski controversy is caused by relativistic effects, and the momentum of light is in fact conserved between different media. Furthermore, we show that the accelerating waves conserve energy when the wave is moving along a geodesic and demonstrate two example solutions. We conclude with some remarks on the role of the accelerating wave equation in the context of the arrow of time.
Silicosis, tuberculosis and silica exposure among artisanal and small-scale miners: A systematic review and modelling paper
Authors: Howlett Patrick , Mousa Hader , Said Bibie , Mbuya Alexander , Kon Onn Min , Mpagama Stellah , Feary Johanna
Published: September 2023

An estimated 44 million artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM), largely based in developing economies, face significant occupational risks for respiratory diseases which have not been reviewed. We therefore aimed to review studies that describe silicosis and tuberculosis prevalence and respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposures among ASM and use background evidence to better understand the relationship between exposures and disease outcomes. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase for studies published before the 24th March 2023. Our primary outcome of interest was silicosis or tuberculosis among ASM. Secondary outcomes included measurements of respirable dust or silica, spirometry and prevalence of respiratory symptoms. A systematic review and narrative synthesis was performed and risk of bias assessed using the Joanna Briggs Prevalence Critical Appraisal Tool. Logistic and Poisson regression models with predefined parameters were used to estimate silicosis prevalence and tuberculosis incidence at different distributions of cumulative silica exposure. We identified 18 eligible studies that included 29,562 miners from 13 distinct populations in 10 countries. Silicosis prevalence ranged from 11 to 37%, despite four of five studies reporting an average median duration of mining of <6 years. Tuberculosis prevalence was high; microbiologically confirmed disease ranged from 1.8 to 6.1% and clinical disease 3.0 to 17%. Average RCS intensity was very high (range 0.19–89.5 mg/m3) and respiratory symptoms were common. Our modelling demonstrated decreases in cumulative RCS are associated with reductions in silicosis and tuberculosis, with greater reductions at higher mean exposures. Despite potential selection and measurement bias, prevalence of silicosis and tuberculosis were high in the studies identified in this review. Our modelling demonstrated the greatest respiratory health benefits of reducing RCS are in those with highest exposures. ASM face a high occupational respiratory disease burden which can be reduced by low-cost and effective reductions in RCS.
A pan-cancer analysis reveals the diagnostic and prognostic role of CDCA2 in low-grade glioma
Authors: Li Wenle , Lv Dong , Yao Jieqin , Chen Boxian , Liu Huanqiang , Li Wensheng , Xu Chengjie , Li Zhenzhe
Published: September 2023

Background

Cell division cycle associated 2 (CDCA2), a member of the cell division cycle associated proteins (CDCA) family, is crucial in the regulation of cell mitosis and DNA repair. CDCA2 was extensively examined in our work to determine its role in a wide range of cancers.

Methods

CDCA2 differential expression was studied in pan-cancer and in diverse molecular and immunological subgroups in this research. Additionally, the diagnostic and prognostic significance of CDCA2 in pan-cancer was also evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Kaplan–Meier (KM) curves. Prognostic value of CDCA2 in distinct clinical subgroups of lower grade glioma (LGG) was also investigated and a nomogram was constructed. Lastly, potential mechanisms of action of CDCA2 were interrogated including biological functions, ceRNA networks, m6A modification and immune infiltration.

Results

CDCA2 is shown to be differentially expressed in a wide variety of cancers. Tumors are diagnosed and forecasted with a high degree of accuracy by CDCA2, and the quantity of expression CDCA2 is linked to the prognosis of many cancers. Additionally, the expression level of CDCA2 in various subgroups of LGG is also closely related to prognosis. The results of enrichment analyses reveal that CDCA2 is predominantly enriched in the cell cycle, mitosis, and DNA replication. Subsequently, hsa-miR-105-5p is predicted to target CDCA2. In addition, 4 lncRNAs were identified that may inhibit the hsa-miR-105-5p/CDCA2 axis in LGG. Meanwhile, CDCA2 expression is shown to be associated to m6A-related genes and levels of immune cell infiltration in LGG.

Conclusion

CDCA2 can serve as a novel biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis in pan-cancer, especially in LGG. For the development of novel targeted therapies in LGG, it may be a potential molecular target. However, to be sure, we’ll need to do additional biological experiments to back up our results from bioinformatic predictions.