bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of filter frequency ratio in pseudo random modulated fiber amplifiers for maximally suppressing stimulated Brillouin scattering
Authors: Seah S. K. W. , Ye Y. E. , Lim W. Y. W. , Lam L. C. Y. , Lam J. W. , Wee W. H. , Seah C. P. , Tan B. S.
Published: December 2021

A filtered pseudorandom binary sequence (PRBS) phase modulation scheme to broaden the linewidth of a fiber laser has previously been shown to simultaneously enhance stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) suppression and spectral brightness relative to a fiber laser under an unfiltered modulation scheme. We examined in detail the unwanted distortions to the broadened spectrum of an optical signal due to the low-pass filtering of the PRBS modulation signal, and show how one can navigate these deleterious effects for an optimal filtering strategy for SBS suppression. Through numerical simulations of the filtering effects on the optical spectrum, we determined the optimal ratios of the filter bandwidth to the PRBS modulation frequency to be 0.63, 0.56, 0.50, and 0.44 for bit numbers

k
=

7

, 8, 9, 10, respectively. A cursory experimental study for the

k
=

7

case verified the approach, which provides a more precise filtering-to-modulation frequency ratio for improved SBS suppression than the more general guideline of filtering at approximately half the modulation frequency reported in the literature. Applying this optimization strategy with a filtered 4.6 GHz PRBS scheme, we demonstrated a 1 kW,

M
2

∼

1.27

, all-fiberized narrow linewidth amplifier.
THz generation by optical rectification of femtosecond laser pulses in a liquid crystal
Authors: Wang Lei , Qiu Hongsong , Jin Ping , Ge Shijun , Shen Zhixiong , Hu Wei , Li Bingxiang , Nakajima Makoto , Jin Biaobing , Lu Yanqing
Published: December 2021

In this study, we propose the generation of broadband terahertz (THz) radiation from a liquid crystal with large birefringence in the THz range, pumped by 800 nm femtosecond laser pulses based on optical rectification. Our measurements revealed that the THz amplitude depends on the orientation of the liquid crystal relative to the polarization of the femtosecond pump. Additionally, it was found that the THz peak intensity is linearly dependent on the pump fluence. Furthermore, an elliptically polarized THz wave pattern was observed. The results may lead to a new type of tunable THz source.
Polarization-modulated grating interferometer by conical diffraction
Authors: Liu Lin , Liu Zhaowu , Jiang Shan , Wang Wei , Yu Hongzhu , Jiang Yanxiu , Li Wenhao
Published: December 2021

The grating interferometer in the Littrow configuration uses quarter wave plates (QWPs) to modulate the polarization in the measurement system to determine the autocollimation optical path. Fabrication errors and mounting errors of the QWPs lead to phase changes in the grating interferometer that generate measurement errors. As an alternative, we propose a grating interferometer that produces conical diffraction. Using the grating instead of QWPs to modulate the beam’s polarization bypasses this source of error. A 45 mm range experiment was performed that yielded a repeated measurement error of 40 nm. Experiments show that the system has a simple structure and good repeatability and is capable of high-precision displacement measurements.
COVID-19 detection from red blood cells using highly comparative time-series analysis (HCTSA) in digital holographic microscopy
Authors: O’Connor Timothy , Santaniello Sabato , Javidi Bahram
Published: December 2021

We present an automated method for COVID-19 screening based on reconstructed phase profiles of red blood cells (RBCs) and a highly comparative time-series analysis (HCTSA). Video digital holographic data ­was obtained using a compact, field-portable shearing microscope to capture the temporal fluctuations and spatio-temporal dynamics of live RBCs. After numerical reconstruction of the digital holographic data, the optical volume is calculated at each timeframe of the reconstructed data to produce a time-series signal for each cell in our dataset. Over 6000 features are extracted on the time-varying optical volume sequences using the HCTSA to quantify the spatio-temporal behavior of the RBCs, then a linear support vector machine is used for classification of individual RBCs. Human subjects are then classified for COVID-19 based on the consensus of their cells’ classifications. The proposed method is tested on a dataset of 1472 RBCs from 24 human subjects (10 COVID-19 positive, 14 healthy) collected at UConn Health Center. Following a cross-validation procedure, our system achieves 82.13% accuracy, with 92.72% sensitivity, and 73.21% specificity (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.8357). Furthermore, the proposed system resulted in 21 out of 24 human subjects correctly labeled. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of a highly comparative time-series analysis using digital holographic microscopy data.
Distributed active phase-locking of an all-fiber structured laser array by a stochastic parallel gradient descent (SPGD) algorithm
Authors: Chang Hongxiang , Su Rongtao , Long Jinhu , Chang Qi , Ma Pengfei , Ma Yanxing , Zhou Pu
Published: December 2021

Coherent beam combining (CBC) of fiber laser array is a promising way to achieve high output power. Phase control is one key point to implement CBC. Appropriate feedback structures should be established to achieve phase control. Most feedback structures of CBC are established after the lasers emit to free space and consist of a set of lenses or mirrors. Those optical elements in free space may hinder array size and integration. In this paper, we demonstrated an all-fiber structured CBC method with distributed phase-locking. By adding an all-fiber measurement loop beside the main laser chain, the phase of main laser chain is appended to the measuring loop. Phases of each main laser chain are locked indirectly though the measurement loops by using stochastic parallel gradient descent (SPGD) algorithm. The principle of distributed phase-locking is also illustrated. Corresponding simulations are carried out and two-channel fiber lasers are coherently combined by this method. The experimental results show that the structure can achieve phase-locking effectively. Stable and distinct interference fringe is observed. Additionally, the structure proposed in this paper is straightforwardly building and expanding.
Terahertz nonreciprocal and functionality-switchable devices based on dielectric multilayers integrated with graphene and VO2
Authors: Yin Shengnan , Zhu Zebin , Gao Xiangfei , Wang Qing , Yuan Jing , Liu Ying , Jiang Liyong
Published: December 2021

Recently, terahertz (THz) nonreciprocal and functionality-switchable
devices have drawn much attention. Here we report a magnetic-free THz
unidirectional perfect absorber as well as a functionality-switchable
device between the band-pass filter and perfect absorber based on
dielectric-graphene multilayers containing a VO2 defect
layer. We provide a theoretical explanation for the nonreciprocal
transmission properties. The working frequencies of these devices can
be tailored by using graphene layers of different chemical
potentials.
Comparison and analysis of phase change materials-based reconfigurable silicon photonic directional couplers
Authors: Teo Ting Yu , Krbal Milos , Mistrik Jan , Prikryl Jan , Lu Li , Simpson Robert Edward
Published: December 2021

The unique optical properties of phase change materials (PCMs) can be exploited to develop efficient reconfigurable photonic devices. Here, we design, model, and compare the performance of programmable 1 × 2 optical couplers based on: Ge2Sb2Te5, Ge2Sb2Se4Te1, Sb2Se3, and Sb2S3 PCMs. Once programmed, these devices are passive, which can reduce the overall energy consumed compared to thermo-optic or electro-optic reconfigurable devices. Of all the PCMs studied, our ellipsometry refractive index measurements show that Sb2S3 has the lowest absorption in the telecommunications wavelength band. Moreover, Sb2S3 -based couplers show the best overall performance, with the lowest insertion losses in both the amorphous and crystalline states. We show that by growth crystallization tuning at least four different coupling ratios can be reliably programmed into the Sb2S3 directional couplers. We used this effect to design a 2-bit tuneable Sb2S3 directional coupler with a dynamic range close to 32 dB. The bit-depth of the coupler appears to be limited by the crystallization stochasticity.
Spatially microstructured topology of chalcogenide glasses by a combination of the electrothermal process and selective etching for functional infrared media
Authors: Karam Lara , Alvarado Ricardo , Calzavara Florian , Dahmani Redouane , Kang Myungkoo , Blanco Cesar , Adamietz Frédéric , Richardson Kathleen A. , Dussauze Marc
Published: December 2021

Chalcogenide glasses exhibit a wide transparency domain spanning from near infrared (IR) to mid-IR and thus, have become highly attractive optical materials in a range of applications. Controlling the topology of these glasses can be seen as a key aspect for the design of optical elements such as gratings, metasurfaces, waveguides, and other diverse refractive and diffractive optical components. Here, we demonstrate the structuring of large, millimeter square areas that have been structured at the micrometer scale employing an easy two-step process, incorporating a micro-poling step followed by immersion in an amine solvent. Ge-Sb-S-Na glasses have been investigated, and the influence of the sulphur and sodium content on the pre- and post-poling material dissolution response has been discussed. Three compositions of varying sulphur and sodium content were selected to study the influence of thermal poling using either a homogeneous or a structured electrode. It was found that either a large difference in dissolution rates of poled and unmodified regions or a large poled layer thickness leads to the generation of significant topological contrast. The origin of the poled region’s selective etching has been explained on the basis of a poling-induced density decrease. Finally, it was demonstrated that when the targeted resolution is micrometric, this rather easy process could be employed as an alternative to classical lithography techniques.
Mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser based on a mechanically exfoliated ReS2 saturable absorber onto D-shaped optical fiber
Authors: Steinberg David , Zapata Juan D. , Nascimento Regiane , Rosa Henrique G. , Saito Lúcia A. M. , Thoroh de Souza Eunézio A.
Published: December 2021

In this work, we report a femtosecond mode-locking Erbium-doped fiber laser using mechanically exfoliated rhenium disulfide (ReS2) deposited onto the polished surface of a D-shaped optical fiber. By performing the polarization and saturable absorption measurements, the sample exhibited a polarization extinction ratio of 10 dB (90%) and nonlinear transmittance variation of 3.40%. When incorporated into the cavity as a saturable absorber (SA), the passive mode-locking performance of 220 fs was achieved. This is the best mode-locking performance ever reported in literature achieved with all-fiber based ReS2 SA. By using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we obtained the electronic states and the optical absorption spectrum at 1550 nm attributed by defects in the ReS2 structures, which is consistent with its linear and nonlinear optical absorption in the laser mode-locking mechanism.
Metabolic engineering of Bacillus subtilis with an endopolygalacturonase gene isolated from Pectobacterium. carotovorum; a plant pathogenic bacterial strain
Authors: Rafique Nagina , Bashir Saiqa , Khan Muhammad Zubair , Hayat Imran , Orts Willium , Wong Dominic W. S.
Published: December 2021

Pectinolytic enzymes or pectinases are synthesized naturally by numerous microbes and plants. These enzymes degrade various kinds of pectin which exist as the major component of the cell wall in plants. A pectinase gene encoding endo-polygalacturonase (endo-PGase) enzyme was isolated from Pectobacterium carotovorum a plant pathogenic strain of bacteria and successfully cloned into a secretion vector pHT43 having σA-dependent promoter for heterologous expression in Bacillus subtilis (WB800N).The desired PCR product was 1209bp which encoded an open reading frame of 402 amino acids. Recombinant proteins showed an estimated molecular weight of 48 kDa confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Transformed B. subtilis competent cells harbouring the engineered pHT43 vector with the foreign endo-PGase gene were cultured in 2X-yeast extract tryptone medium and subsequently screened for enzyme activity at various temperatures and pH ranges. Optimal activity of recombinant endo-PGase was found at 40°C and pH 5.0. To assay the catalytic effect of metal ions, the recombinant enzyme was incubated with 1 mM concentration of various metal ions. Potassium chloride increased the enzyme activity while EDTA, Zn++ and Ca++, strongly inhibited the activity. The chromatographic analysis of enzymatic hydrolysates of polygalacturonic acid (PGA) and pectin substrates using HPLC and TLC revealed tri and tetra-galacturonates as the end products of recombinant endo-PGase hydrolysis. Conclusively, endo-PGase gene from the plant pathogenic strain was successfully expressed in Bacillus subtilis for the first time using pHT43 expression vector and could be assessed for enzyme production using a very simple medium with IPTG induction. These findings proposed that the Bacillus expression system might be safer to escape endotoxins for commercial enzyme production as compared to yeast and fungi. Additionally, the hydrolysis products generated by the recombinant endo-PGase activity offer their useful applications in food and beverage industry for quality products.
Research on the method of travel area clustering of urban public transport based on Sage-Husa adaptive filter and improved DBSCAN algorithm
Authors: Zhang Xinhuan , Lauber Les , Liu Hongjie , Shi Junqing , Wu Jinhong , Pan Yuran
Published: December 2021

The travel trajectory data of mobile intelligent terminal users are characterized by clutter, incompleteness, noise, fuzzy randomness. The accuracy of original data is an essential prerequisite for better results of trajectory data mining. The Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) is one of the most effective trajectory data mining methods, but the selection of input parameters often limits it. The Sage-Husa adaptive filtering algorithm effectively controls the error range of mobile phone GPS data, which can meet the positioning accuracy requirements for DBSCAN spatial clustering having the advantages of low cost and convenient use. Then, a novel cluster validity index was proposed based on the internal and external duty cycle to balance the influence of the distance within-cluster, the distance between clusters, and the number of coordinate points in the process of clustering. The index can automatically choose input parameters of density clustering, and the effective clustering can be formed on different data sets. The optimized clustering method can be applied to the in-depth analysis and mining of traveler behavior trajectories. Experiments show that the Sage -Husa adaptive filtering algorithm proposed further improves the positioning accuracy of GPS, which is 17.34% and 15.24% higher eastward and northward, 14.25%, and 18.17% higher in 2D and 3D dimensions, respectively. The number of noise points is significantly reduced. At the same time, compared with the traditional validity index, the evaluation index based on the duty cycle proposed can optimize the input parameters and obtain better clustering results of traveler location information.
The impact of factors on information sharing: An application of meta-analysis
Authors: Diem Le Chau Thi , Pakurár Miklós , Kun István András , Oláh Judit
Published: December 2021

Background

Information sharing plays a key role in supply chain performance. According to previous individual studies, technology, trust, commitment, and uncertainty are four potential factors affecting information sharing. However, most studies focus on testing a positive relationship between each factor and information sharing. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the effect of each factor on information sharing.

Objective

To determine the accurate effect of factors on sharing information and propose key factors to support decision-makers in improving their information sharing.

Data

Correlation coefficients between factors are collected from 41 individual studies with a total of 8,983 samples on Google Scholar

Methods

Using the rank correlation test and Egger’s regression test to test publication bias. The meta-analysis method is used to perform analysis models, including fixed-effect, random-effect, and Hunter and Schmidt methods

Results

Commitment plays the most important role in information sharing when compared to technology, trust, and uncertainty. Commitment accounts for 19% in the Hunter and Schmidt method and 22% in both fixed-effect and random-effect models. In addition, the result indicates that there are around 50% of other factors that affect the efficiency of sharing information besides four factors in our studies.

Conclusion

Technology, trust, and commitment significantly affect information sharing, of which the impact of commitment on information sharing is strongest and should be a priority in improving the effectiveness of information sharing. Our study contributes two findings to literature in the field of supply chain information sharing: 1) certain confirming the important role of commitment on sharing information, and 2) the necessity of considering other factors besides these four elements.
The impact of positive and negative testimony on children’s attitudes toward others
Authors: Shinohara Asami , Kanakogi Yasuhiro , Okumura Yuko , Kobayashi Tessei
Published: December 2021

Children can identify who is benevolent or malevolent not only through first-hand experiences and observations but also from the testimony of others. In this study, we investigated whether 5- and 7-year-olds (N = 128) would form their attitudes toward others after hearing testimony about that person’s past moral behavior and whether the valence of testimony would differently influence the children. In the positive condition, half of the participants gained information about three puppets: puppet A’s prosocial behavior by their own first-hand observation, testimony about puppet B’s past prosocial behavior, and testimony about puppet C’s past neutral behavior. In the negative condition, the other half also learned information about the three puppets: puppet A’s antisocial behavior by their own first-hand observation, testimony about puppet B’s past antisocial behavior, and testimony about puppet C’s past neutral behavior. Then they engaged in tasks that measured their behavioral attitudes toward the puppets and evaluated the goodness of each puppet to assess their attitudes at a cognitive level. Our results concluded that the children form their behavioral attitudes toward others based on testimony starting at the age of 7, and attitude formation at the cognitive level based on testimony is seen at age 5. Negative testimony, rather than positive testimony, influences the children’s attitudes toward others. In addition, the 7-year-olds’ use of testimony differs depending whether they are the allocators or the receivers of rewards. Our findings deepen understanding of how children rely on the verbal information around themselves when they navigate interactions with others.
Understanding the implementation, impact and sustainable use of an electronic pharmacy referral service at hospital discharge: A qualitative evaluation from a sociotechnical perspective.
Authors: Jeffries Mark , Keers Richard N. , Belither Hilary , Sanders Caroline , Gallacher Kay , Alqenae Fatema , Ashcroft Darren M.
Published: December 2021

Introduction

The transition of patients across care settings is associated with a high risk of errors and preventable medication-related harm. Ensuring effective communication of information between health professionals is considered important for improving patient safety. A National Health Service(NHS) organisation in the North West of England introduced an electronic transfer of care around medicines (TCAM) system which enabled hospital pharmacists to send information about patient’s medications to their nominated community pharmacy. We aimed to understand the adoption, and the implications for sustainable use in practice of the TCAM service

Methods

We evaluated the TCAM service in a Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Foundation Trust in Salford, United Kingdom (UK). Participants were opportunistically recruited to take part in qualitative interviews through stakeholder networks and during hospital admission, and included hospital pharmacists, hospital pharmacy technicians, community pharmacists, general practice-based pharmacists, patients and their carers. A thematic analysis, that was iterative and concurrent with data collection, was undertaken using a template approach. The interpretation of the data was informed by broad sociotechnical theory.

Results

Twenty-three interviews were conducted with health care professionals patients and carers. The ways in which the newly implemented TCAM intervention was adopted and used in practice and the perceptions of it from different stakeholders were conceptualised into four main thematic areas: The nature of the network and how it contributed to implementation, use and sustainability; The material properties of the system; How work practices for medicines safety were adapted and evolved; and The enhancement of medication safety activities. The TCAM intervention was perceived as effective in providing community pharmacists with timely, more accurate and enhanced information upon discharge. This allowed for pharmacists to enhance clinical services designed to ensure that accurate medication reconciliation was completed, and the correct medication was dispensed for the patient.

Conclusions

By providing pharmacy teams with accurate and enhanced information the TCAM intervention supported healthcare professionals to establish and/or strengthen interprofessional networks in order to provide clinical services designed to ensure that accurate medication reconciliation and dispensing activities were completed. However, the intervention was implemented into a complex and at times fragmented network, and we recommend opportunities be explored to fully integrate this network to involve patients/carers, general practice pharmacists and two-way communication between primary and secondary care to further enhance the reach and impact of the TCAM service.
Assessing vaccination priorities for different ages and age-specific vaccination strategies of COVID-19 using an SEIR modelling approach
Authors: Yang Cong , Yang Yali , Li Yang
Published: December 2021

In the past year, the global epidemic situation is still not optimistic, showing a trend of continuous expansion. With the research and application of vaccines, there is an urgent need to develop some optimal vaccination strategies. How to make a reasonable vaccination strategy to determine the priority of vaccination under the limited vaccine resources to control the epidemic and reduce human casualties? We build a dynamic model with vaccination which is extended the classical SEIR model. By fitting the epidemic data of three countries—China, Brazil, Indonesia, we have evaluated age-specific vaccination strategy for the number of infections and deaths. Furthermore, we have evaluated the impact of age-specific vaccination strategies on the number of the basic reproduction number. At last, we also have evaluated the different age structure of the vaccination priority. It shows that giving priority to vaccination of young people can control the number of infections, while giving priority to vaccination of the elderly can greatly reduce the number of deaths in most cases. Furthermore, we have found that young people should be mainly vaccinated to reduce the number of infections. When the emphasis is on reducing the number of deaths, it is important to focus vaccination on the elderly. Simulations suggest that appropriate age-specific vaccination strategies can effectively control the epidemic, both in terms of the number of infections and deaths.
Mortality predictors of hospitalized patients with COVID-19: Retrospective cohort study from Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
Authors: Pya Yuriy , Bekbossynova Makhabbat , Gaipov Abduzhappar , Lesbekov Timur , Kapyshev Timur , Kuanyshbek Aidyn , Tauekelova Ainur , Litvinova Liya , Sailybayeva Aliya , Vakhrushev Ivan , Sarria-Santamera Antonio
Published: December 2021

Background

First reported case of Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Kazakhstan was identified in March 2020. Many specialized tertiary hospitals in Kazakhstan including National Research Cardiac Surgery Center (NRCSC) were re-organized to accept coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infected patients during summer months of 2020. Although many studies from worldwide reported their experience in treating patients with COVID-19, there are limited data available from the Central Asia countries. The aim of this study is to identify predictors of mortality associated with COVID-19 in NRCSC tertiary hospital in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to the NRCSC between June 1st–August 31st 2020 with COVID-19. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected from electronic records. In-hospital mortality was assessed as an outcome. Patients were followed-up until in-hospital death or discharge from the hospital. Descriptive statistics and factors associated with mortality were assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.

Results

Two hundred thirty—nine admissions were recorded during the follow-up period. Mean age was 57 years and 61% were males. Median duration of stay at the hospital was 8 days and 34 (14%) patients died during the hospitalization. Non-survivors were more likely to be admitted later from the disease onset, with higher fever, lower oxygen saturation and increased respiratory rate compared to survivors. Leukocytosis, lymphopenia, anemia, elevated liver and kidney function tests, hypoproteinemia, elevated inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) and coagulation tests (fibrinogen, D-dimer, international normalized ratio (INR), and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)) at admission were associated with mortality. Age (OR 1.2, CI:1.01–1.43), respiratory rate (OR 1.38, CI: 1.07–1.77), and CRP (OR 1.39, CI: 1.04–1.87) were determined to be independent predictors of mortality.

Conclusion

This study describes 14% mortality rate from COVID-19 in the tertiary hospital. Many abnormal clinical and laboratory variables at admission were associated with poor outcome. Age, respiratory rate and CRP were found to be independent predictors of mortality. Our finding would help healthcare providers to predict the risk factors associated with high risk of mortality. Further investigations involving large cohorts should be provided to support our findings.
Financial inclusion and monetary policy effectiveness: A sustainable development approach of developed and under-developed countries
Authors: Arshad Muhammad Usman , Ahmed Zeeshan , Ramzan Ayesha , Shabbir Muhammad Nadir , Bashir Zahid , Khan Fahad Najeeb
Published: December 2021

The study explores the causal relationship between monetary policy effectiveness and financial inclusion in developed and under-developed countries. Structural Vector Auto-regressive techniques have been inducted to explore the relationship between monetary policy effectiveness and financial inclusion. The study covers the secondary data of 10 developed and 30 underdeveloped countries throughout 2004–2018. It is concluded that monetary policy effectiveness and financial inclusion do not have a contemporaneous impact on each other. Nevertheless, the reduced-form Vector Auto-regressive witness the reverse causality between financial inclusion and monetary policy effectiveness in developed countries. Thus, effective monetary policy enhances financial inclusion in a country, and a higher degree of financial inclusion lowers the inflation rate and makes monetary policy effective. One way causality from monetary policy effectiveness to financial inclusion can be observed in under-developed countries. Using the Structural Vector auto-regressive technique and financial inclusion index composed of three-dimension to examine the relationship of monetary policy effectiveness and financial inclusion in developed and developing countries is considered the study’s significant contribution.
Empirical evidence for robust personality-gaming disorder associations from a large-scale international investigation applying the APA and WHO frameworks
Authors: Montag Christian , Kannen Christopher , Schivinski Bruno , Pontes Halley M.
Published: December 2021

Disordered gaming has gained increased medical attention and was recently included in the eleventh International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) by the World Health Organization (WHO) after its earlier inclusion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fifth revision) (DSM-5) as an emerging disorder by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Although many studies have investigated associations between personality and disordered gaming, no previous research compared the differential associations between personality and disordered gaming with time spent gaming. Due to the novelty of the WHO diagnostic framework for disordered gaming, previous research focused mainly on the associations between personality and disordered gaming in relation to the APA framework. Beyond that, these studies are generally limited by small sample sizes and/or the lack of cross-cultural emphasis due to single-country sampling. To address these limitations, the present study aimed to investigate the associations between personality and gaming behavior in a large and culturally heterogeneous sample (N = 50,925) of individuals from 150 countries. The results obtained suggested that low conscientiousness and high neuroticism were robustly associated with disordered gaming across both the APA and WHO frameworks. Interestingly, personality associations with weekly time spent gaming were smaller. The findings of the present study suggest that personality is of higher importance to predict disordered gaming compared to weekly time spent gaming.
Application of recommended preventive measures against COVID-19 could help mitigate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during dental practice: Results from a follow-up survey of French dentists
Authors: Diakonoff Hadrien , Jungo Sébastien , Moreau Nathan , Mazevet Marco E. , Ejeil Anne-Laure , Salmon Benjamin , Smaïl-Faugeron Violaine
Published: December 2021

Background

During the first-wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, dentists were considered at high-risk of infection. In France, to stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2, a nationwide lockdown was enforced, during which dentists suspended their routine clinical activities, working solely on dental emergencies. This measure has had an indisputable mitigating effect on the pandemic. To continue protecting dentists after suspension of nationwide lockdown, implementation of preventive measures was recommended, including adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and room aeration between patients. No study has explored whether implementation of such preventive measures since the end of the first-wave has had an impact on the contamination of dentists.

Methods

An online survey was conducted within a French dentist population between July and September 2020. To explore risk factors associated with COVID-19, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results

The results showed that COVID-19 prevalence among the 3497 respondents was 3.6%. Wearing surgical masks during non-aerosol generating procedures was a risk factor of COVID-19, whereas reducing the number of patients was a protective factor.

Conclusions

Considering the similar COVID-19 prevalence between dentists and the general population, such data suggest that dentists are not overexposed in their work environment when adequate preventive measures are applied.

Impact

Dentists should wear specific PPE (FFP2, FFP3 or (K)N95 masks) including during non-aerosol generating procedures and reduce the number of patients to allow proper implementation of disinfection and aeration procedures. Considering the similarities between COVID-19 and other viral respiratory infections, such preventive measures may also be of interest to limit emerging variants spread as well as seasonal viral outbreaks.
Efficacy of a sonic toothbrush on plaque removal—A video-controlled explorative clinical trial
Authors: Schlueter Nadine , Fiedler Sarah , Mueller Maxi , Walter Clemens , Difloe-Geisert Julia C. , Vach Kirstin , Ganss Carolina
Published: December 2021

Clinical studies on the efficacy of sonic toothbrushes show inconsistent results, most studies have been conducted without sufficient supervision of appropriate toothbrush usage. Aims of the explorative clinical trial were therefore to investigate whether the usage of an activated sonic toothbrush reduces plaque more effectively than an inactivated one used as a manual toothbrush, and to which extent the correct use of such toothbrush plays a role in its efficacy. The clinical trial was designed as a video-controlled interventional study. Thirty participants (mean (±SD) age 22.9 (±2.5) years) were included, areas of interest were the buccal surfaces of the upper premolars and the first molar (partial mouth recording). Toothbrushing was performed without toothpaste in a single brushing exercise under four different conditions: switched off, habitually used as manual toothbrush, no instruction; switched on, habitually used as powered toothbrush, no instruction; switched off, used as manual toothbrush, instruction in the Modified Bass Technique; switched on, used as powered toothbrush, instruction in a specific technique for sonic toothbrushes. Brushing performance was controlled by videotaping, plaque was assessed at baseline (after 4 days without toothbrushing) using the Rustogi modified Navy-Plaque-Index and planimetry. Main study results were that plaque decreased distinctly after habitual brushing regardless of using the sonic brush in ON or OFF mode (p for all comparisons < 0.001). After instruction, participants were able to use the sonic brush in ON mode as intended, with only minor impact on efficacy. Using the toothbrush in OFF mode with the Modified Bass Technique was significantly less effective than all other conditions (p for all comparisons < 0.001). Under the conditions used, the sonic toothbrush was not more effective when switched on than when switched off, and there was no evidence that the correct use of the toothbrush was more effective than the habitual use.
Design and analysis of a performance monitoring system for a seed metering device based on pulse width recognition
Authors: Liu Zhengyuan , Xia Junfang , Hu Mengjie , Du Jun , Luo Chengming , Zheng Kan
Published: December 2021

To realize real-time and accurate performance monitoring of large- and medium-sized seed metering devices, a performance monitoring system was designed for seed metering devices based on LED visible photoelectric sensing technology and a pulse width recognition algorithm. Through an analysis of the of sensing component pointing characteristics and seed motion characteristics, the layout of the sensing components and critical photoelectric sensing system components was optimized. Single-grain seed metering devices were employed as monitoring objects, and the pulse width thresholds for Ekangmian-10 cotton seeds and Zhengdan-958 corn seeds were determined through pulse width threshold calibration experiments employed at different seed metering plate rotational speeds. According to the seeding quantity monitoring experiments, when the seed metering plate rotational speed ranged from 28.31~35.71 rev/min, the accuracy reached 98.41% for Ekangmian-10 cotton seeds. When the seed metering plate rotational speed ranged from 13.78~19.39 rev/min, the seeding quantity monitoring accuracy reached 98.19% for Zhengdan-958 corn seeds. Performance monitoring experiments revealed that the qualified seeding quantity monitoring accuracy of cotton precision seed metering devices, missed seeding quantity monitoring accuracy, and reseeding quantity monitoring accuracy could reach 98.75%, 94.06%, and 91.30%, respectively, within a seeding speed range of 8~9 km/h. This system meets the requirements of real-time performance monitoring of large- and medium-sized precision seed metering devices, which helps to improve the operational performance of seeding machines.
Undergraduate nursing students’ COVID-19 vaccine intentions: A national survey
Authors: Fontenot Holly B. , Mattheus Deborah B. , Lim Eunjung , Michel Alexandra , Ryan Nicole , Knopf Amelia , Abuelezam Nadia N. , Stamp Kelly , Hekel Barbara , Branson Sandra , Zimet Gregory
Published: December 2021

Introduction

In December 2020, the first two COVID-19 vaccines were approved in the United States (U.S.) and recommended for distribution to front-line personnel, including nurses. Nursing students are being prepared to fill critical gaps in the health care workforce and have played important supportive roles during the current pandemic. Research has focused on vaccine intentions of current health care providers and less is known about students’ intentions to vaccinate for COVID-19.

Methods

A national sample of undergraduate nursing students were recruited across five nursing schools in five U.S. regions in December 2020. The survey measured perceived risk/threat of COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccine attitudes, perceived safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, sources for vaccine information and level of intention to become vaccinated [primary, secondary (i.e., delayed), or no intention to vaccinate].

Results

The final sample consisted of 772 students. The majority (83.6%) had intentions to be vaccinated, however of those 31.1% indicated secondary intention, a delay in intention or increased hesitancy). The strongest predictors of primary intention were positive attitudes (OR = 6.86; CI = 4.39–10.72), having lower safety concerns (OR = 0.26; CI = 0.18–0.36), and consulting social media as a source of information (OR = 1.56; CI = 1.23–1.97). Asian (OR = 0.47; CI = 0.23–0.97) and Black (OR 0.26; CI = 0.08–0.80) students were more likely to indicate secondary intention as compared to primary intention. Students in the Midwest were most likely to indicate no intention as compared to secondary intention (OR = 4.6; CI = 1.32–16.11).

Conclusions

As the first two COVID-19 vaccines were approved/recommended in the U.S. nursing students had overall high intentions to vaccinate. Findings can guide development of educational interventions that reduce concerns of vaccine safety that are delivered in a way that is supportive and affirming to minoritized populations while being respectful of geo-political differences.
Higher-order structure of DNA determines its positioning in cell-size droplets under crowded conditions
Authors: Nishio Takashi , Yoshikawa Yuko , Yoshikawa Kenichi
Published: December 2021

Background

It is becoming clearer that living cells use water/water (w/w) phase separation to form membraneless organelles that exhibit various important biological functions. Currently, it is believed that the specific localization of biomacromolecules, including DNA, RNA and proteins in w/w microdroplets is closely related to their bio-activity. Despite the importance of this possible role of micro segregation, our understanding of the underlying physico-chemical mechanism is still unrefined. Further research to unveil the underlying mechanism of the localization of macromolecules in relation to their steric conformation in w/w microdroplets is needed.

Principal findings

Single-DNA observation of genome-size DNA (T4 GT7 bacteriophage DNA; 166kbp) by fluorescence microscopy revealed that DNAs are spontaneously incorporated into w/w microdroplets generated in a binary aqueous polymer solution with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and dextran (DEX). Interestingly, DNAs with elongated coil and shrunken conformations exhibit Brownian fluctuation inside the droplet. On the other hand, tightly packed compact globules, as well as assemblies of multiple condensed DNAs, tend to be located near the interface in the droplet.

Conclusion and significance

The specific localization of DNA molecules depending on their higher-order structure occurs in w/w microdroplet phase-separation solution under a binary aqueous polymer solution. Such an aqueous solution with polymers mimics the crowded conditions in living cells, where aqueous macromolecules exist at a level of 30–40 weight %. The specific positioning of DNA depending on its higher-order structure in w/w microdroplets is expected to provide novel insights into the mechanism and function of membraneless organelles and micro-segregated particles in living cells.
Risk factors for suicidal ideation and suicide attempt among medical students: A meta-analysis
Authors: Seo Chanhee , Di Carlo Christina , Dong Selina Xiangxu , Fournier Karine , Haykal Kay-Anne
Published: December 2021

Background

Medical training poses significant challenge to medical student wellbeing. With the alarming trend of trainee burnout, mental illness, and suicide, previous studies have reported potential risk factors associated with suicidal behaviours among medical students. The objective of this study is to provide a systematic overview of risk factors for suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempt (SA) among medical students and summarize the overall risk associated with each risk factor using a meta-analytic approach.

Methods

Systemic search of six electronic databases including MEDLINE, Embase, Education Source, Scopus, PsycInfo, and CINAHL was performed from database inception to March 19, 2021. Studies reporting original quantitative or epidemiological data on risk factors associated with SI and SA among undergraduate medical students were included. When two or more studies reported outcome on the same risk factor, a random-effects inverse variance meta-analysis was performed to estimate the overall effect size.

Results

Of 4,053 articles identified, 25 studies were included. Twenty-two studies reported outcomes on SI risk factors only, and three studies on both SI and SA risk factors. Meta-analysis was performed on 25 SI risk factors and 4 SA risk factors. Poor mental health outcomes including depression (OR 6.87; 95% CI [4.80–9.82] for SI; OR 9.34 [4.18–20.90] for SA), burnout (OR 6.29 [2.05–19.30] for SI), comorbid mental illness (OR 5.08 [2.81–9.18] for SI), and stress (OR 3.72 [1.39–9.94] for SI) presented the strongest risk for SI and SA among medical students. Conversely, smoking cigarette (OR 1.92 [0.94–3.92]), family history of mental illness (OR 1.79 [0.86–3.74]) and suicidal behaviour (OR 1.38 [0.80–2.39]) were not significant risk factors for SI, while stress (OR 3.25 [0.59–17.90]), female (OR 3.20 [0.95–10.81]), and alcohol use (OR 1.41 [0.64–3.09]) were not significant risk factors for SA among medical students.

Conclusions

Medical students face a number of personal, environmental, and academic challenges that may put them at risk for SI and SA. Additional research on individual risk factors is needed to construct effective suicide prevention programs in medical school.
Kurdish women and TV journalism in Iraqi Kurdistan: Experiences and strategies
Authors: Nilsson Marco , Esmaiel Leah
Published: December 2021

Few studies on female TV journalists in the Middle East have been conducted. Neither have Bourdieu’s theoretical concepts been used to analyse women journalists’ experiences of their professional practice and their strategies for navigating a male-dominated media world in the Middle East. For this unique study, ten Kurdish women journalists that work for six different TV stations in Iraqi Kurdistan were interviewed. Informed by different forms of capital, the thematic analysis revealed four themes that capture the respondents’ experiences and strategies: coping with perceptions of pretty dolls and honorary men; coping with the threat of violence and a bad reputation; coping with the gendered distribution of news assignments; and tackling glass ceilings and unwritten rules. A particularly interesting result of the study was that while the strategies range from proclaiming any news hard news to openly defying orders from the managers, and to claiming that one’s ability to advance depends on having a strong personality, the focus is consistently on individualistic survival strategies. When masculinity and male norms still dominate the contents of symbolic capital, it may result in seemingly counterproductive practices such as the lack of a distinct ‘we’ feeling among women journalists. For women journalists, the cost of transforming their cultural and social capital into symbolic capital that is effective in the journalistic field is affected by both the journalistic field and the society at large, which creates contextually bound obstacles to women journalists in Iraqi Kurdistan.
La fisonomía lingüística de 86*RL y su relación con otros cancioneros impresos antiguos: variación y singularidad
Authors: De Beni Matteo
Published: December 2021

El Cancionero de Llavia (86*RL) salió de la imprenta de los Hurus, en Zaragoza, entre 1484 y 1488 aproximadamente. Su fama se debe, sobre todo, a su reputación de cancionero pionero de los albores de la imprenta en España y a su condición de testimonio de las Coplas por la muerte de su padre de Jorge Manrique. En este artículo presentamos, en primer lugar, un corpus de ocho poemas seleccionados entre los incluidos en el Cancionero de Llavia y, asimismo, el grupo de impresos antiguos —realizados desde finales del siglo XV hasta principios del XVI— que también conservan alguno de los mismos textos. A través del cotejo, para cada uno de los poemas en cuestión, entre las versiones de 86*RL y las de los otros cancioneros impresos hemos podido recabar datos de interés lingüístico —de distinta naturaleza (grafemática, léxica, morfológica, sintáctica)— que, por un lado, permiten contribuir a la descripción de la lengua del Cancionero de Llavia y, por el otro, ponen en evidencia variantes y lecciones únicas de dicho incunable con respecto al resto de la documentación impresa.
Los poemas en arte mayor castellano de Les trobes en lahors de la Verge Maria (74*LV): problemas ecdóticos, interferencias lingüísticas y edición crítica
Authors: Hamlin Cinthia María , Grasso Ludmila
Published: December 2021

En este artículo estudiaremos los dos poemas en arte mayor castellano que se transmiten en Les trobes en lahors de la Verge Maria: «Del gran Redemptor» ([ID 4650] de Francí de Castellví y «Al tempo que Febo» ([ID4652] de Pere de Civillar. Analizaremos sus características métricas y estróficas para luego desarrollar las diversas problemáticas ecdóticas que encierran. Nos detendremos, asimismo, en un estudio de sus interferencias lingüísticas, cuya identificación no solo es fundamental para realizar una edición crítica respetuosa del diasistema del texto, sino que nos permitirá también avanzar hipótesis sobre los diferentes procesos lingüísticos, compositivos y mecánicos que entran en juego durante los procesos de composición poética y de impresión, así como sobre la procedencia de los agentes involucrados. Ofreceremos, finalmente una nueva edición crítica de ambos poemas.