bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
El Viaje De La Formación: Gambiarras Curriculares En La Postgraduación
Authors: Marques Vitor , Franco Sara Velásquez , Carvalho Maria Inez
Published: August 2023

Partiendo de un viaje de formación, desarrollamos este ensayo autoficcional a partir de un componente curricular obligatorio de un programa de posgrado en educación. Una disciplina que ante las contingencias hace uso de las gambiarras – dicho brasileño para nombrar la improvisación e inventiva – en el a-con-tecer formativo pandémico. No analizaremos este componente curricular como si fuera cualquier tipo de improvisación, y si como una gambiarra con objetivos y propuestas esbozadas sin la búsqueda metodológica y pretenciosa de una solución absoluta, para dicho análisis, convocamos un enfoque postestructural agenciando la traducción en las múltiples posibilidades de la práctica pedagógica.
CINEMA DOCUMENTÁRIO: NEM TUDO É VERDADE
Authors: Dos Santos Júlio César
Published: August 2023

O cinema, no formato que conhecemos nos dias de hoje, teve suas primeiras exibições no final do século XIX, e pode-se perceber que o registro das imagens em movimento a partir da realidade conferem aos primeiros filmes um caráter documentário. A verossimilhança entre as imagens registradas e a realidade coloca em questão a “reprodução” e a “representação” dessa realidade. Este artigo traz algumas indagações sobre esse “efeito de realidade” que atravessa o cinema documentário, buscando situar este gênero de cinema no bojo da linguagem cinematográfica como um todo. Ao final traz uma reflexão sobre um dos filmes do documentarista Eduardo Coutinho (1933-2014) exemplificando a pretensão de afirmar que no cinema documentário nem tudo é verdade.
EXPERIÊNCIAS DO LABORATÓRIO DE MATEMÁTICA EM CASA PARA A LICENCIATURA EM PEDAGOGIA: UM OLHAR SOB O CONTEXTO REMOTO
Authors: Lozano Abel Rodolfo Garcia , Da Silva Daniela Mendes Vieira , Da Silva Fabio Menezes , De Souza Marcele Câmara , Petito Priscila Cardoso
Published: August 2023

Este trabalho apresenta análises de produções de estudantes do curso de licenciatura em Pedagogia, elaboradas a partir de um conjunto de atividades desenvolvidas para facilitar a compreensão do Sistema Numérico Decimal com o uso de material dourado, no contexto do Ensino Emergencial Remoto. O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi o de analisar, dentro da Teoria dos Registros de Representação Semiótica (TRRS), as representações utilizadas pelos participantes na resolução das atividades propostas. Os objetivos específicos do presente trabalho foram: compreender o papel de iniciativas que estimulam o uso de materiais concretos pessoais na superação de limitações impostas pelo ensino remoto emergencial na aprendizagem de Matemática e analisar a congruência das produções dos(as) estudantes envolvidos na aula supracitada. A metodologia de coleta de dados envolveu o envio de fotos com as produções dos(as) estudantes e a metodologia de análise consistiu na categorização das produções por semelhança e na produção de inferências subsidiadas pela TRRS. Como resultados, observamos que o material dourado pessoal auxiliou, não obstante o obstáculo da interação direta da docente, na transposição da dificuldade de interação com materiais concretos no ensino remoto. O uso, organizado, relacionando elementos significantes na mesma ordem e com elementos de chegada com entendimento único, de diferentes representações semióticas, facilitou a comunicação das intencionalidades pedagógicas e matemáticas dos(as) estudantes envolvidos(as), indicando alcance da compreensão do conceito proposto (noésis) de forma congruente e que isto se coaduna a teoria utilizada como subsídio da análise feita.
MANIFESTO CIBORGUE: CIÊNCIA, TECNOLOGIA E FEMINISMO-SOCIALISTA NO FINAL DO SÉCULO XX
Authors: Simões Ana Beatriz
Published: August 2023

Esta resenha dedica-se a apresentar o texto “Manifesto ciborgue: ciência, tecnologia e feminismo-socialista no final do século XX, de Donna Haraway.  Discute-se o ensejo da autora em propor um mito ciborgue, profícuo a um ideário feminista emancipador, pautado na luta contra uma linguagem universal, que, ilusoriamente, seria capaz de codificar fidedignamente a realidade. Além disso, destaca-se a visão da autora acerca da escrita como uma tecnologia ciborgue, em uma luta pela linguagem contra a univocidade da comunicação e de um código que traduza a realidade de modo perfeito. Por meio destes pressupostos, Donna Haraway propõe uma escrita ciborgue de autoria feminina, que se distancia dos mitos fálicos e ocidentais sobre a origem e lança-se a subvertê-los.
EDUCAÇÃO E TECNOLOGIAS DIGITAIS EM REDE
Authors: Carvalho Felipe , Pimentel Mariano , Santos Edméa dos , Menezes Marcos Marcos Vinícius Dias de , Maddalena Tania Lucía
Published: August 2023

V. 7, n. 1 (2023) - Publicação contínua – Jan./Dez. PROCESSOS FORMATIVOS E SUBJETIVOS EM TEMPO DE CIBERCULTURA
FAZERES CIBERCULTURAIS PATAXÓ NO/DO COLÉGIO ESTADUAL INDÍGENA KIJẼTXAWÊ ZABELÊ
Authors: Almeida Aelsio Pereira de , Da Silva Paulo de Tássio Borges
Published: August 2023

O presente texto se insere nas atividades do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ensino e Relações Étnico-Raciais – PPGER, no Instituto de Humanidades, Artes e Ciências – IHAC da Universidade Federal do Sul da Bahia – UFSB e em diálogos no grupo de pesquisa “Kijetxawê: Currículo, Diferença e Formação de Professores – CNPq/UFSB”. O mesmo tem como objetivos identificar e analisar práticas ciberculturais do/no Colégio Estadual Indígena Kijẽtxawê Zabelê. A pesquisa utiliza a conversa como metodologia de pesquisa, juntamente com a netnografia e etnoprintgrafia. Assim, tivemos como campo empírico o Colégio Estadual Indígena Kijetxawê Zabelê, participando de conferências e encontros virtuais para a observação e diálogo com os (as) docentes e discentes indígenas, bem como etnoprintgrafias em canais do Youtube, sites e páginas de redes sociais, registrando as práticas ciberculturais realizadas pelo Colégio e seus/suas membros (as).
MOVIMENTOS (AUTO) BIOGRÁFICOS (COM) TEXTOS NARRATIVOS
Authors: Duarte de Souza Adria Simone
Published: August 2023

O artigo apresenta as abordagens narrativas em educação e discute os processos que sustentam o ato de narrar a si mesmo, articulando constantemente esse ato a produção de efeitos de identidades/identificações. Reflete ainda sobre os diferentes níveis que constroem as dimensões da subjetividade, apresentando a aposta do sujeito (auto)biográfico defendida por Passeggi  e Souza (2017) e Passeggi  (2020). A partir dessas abordagens, analisa o livro “Canumã: a travessia” de Ytanajé Coelho Cardoso por meio da noção de acontecimento proposta por Barros (2016) e sujeito autobiográfico Passeggi (2020), pontuando que na medida em que o narrador relata suas memórias no tempo da narração, rememora o passado adormecido e materializa as lembranças desse passado no texto.
"MARINA, VAMOS VIAJAR?" JOGO EDUCATIVO INTERDISCIPLINAR PARA O ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL
Authors: Rosa Anderson Aparecido , Oliveira João Ricardo , Santos Vanessa Matos dos , Lopes Renato De Aquino
Published: August 2023

O presente artigo foi elaborado através das oportunidades geradas pelo avanço e inovação da tecnologia acerca de sua utilização em sala de aula no formato da gamificação e dos jogos educativos. Nesse sentido, foi identificada a necessidade de propor o desenvolvimento de um jogo interdisciplinar nas disciplinas de História e Geografia no Ensino Fundamental para crianças de 6 a 10 a anos de idade.  A proposta se deu no desenvolvimento de um jogo educativo intitulado “Marina, vamos viajar?”, que oferece por meio de desafios lúdicos estímulos à busca de informações e conhecimentos a respeito de diversos aspectos da construção do território brasileiro, da sua população e sua história. A proposta se justifica pela flexibilidade e mobilidade de sua utilização, uma vez que o jogo poderá ser utilizado tanto em sala de aula, quanto em casa, com o aluno estando próximo dos pais, amigos e outros familiares, facilitando o processo de aprendizagem de forma lúdica e ampliada. Considera-se que ao utilizar o jogo como parte da didática no processo de ensino, este se torna um facilitador na consolidação dos conteúdos estudados de forma divertida, criativa, e possibilita que alunos se sintam agentes ativos da sua própria aprendizagem
ANÁLISE COMPARATIVA DA MODELAGEM PARA MAPEAMENTO DE SUSCETIBILIDADE À INUNDAÇÃO, NAS SUB-BACIAS RIO DA PRATA DO MENDANHA E CAMPINHO, MUNICÍPIO DO RIO DE JANEIRO
Authors: Silva Filho André Luiz Da , Castilho da Costa Vivian
Published: August 2023

A pesquisa possui objetivo analisar comparativamente modelagens em SIG para mapeamentos de áreas suscetíveis à inundação nas sub-bacias Rio da Prata do Mendanha e Campinho, município do Rio de Janeiro. Para atingir os objetivos utilizou-se dados do Projeto RJ-25, IBGE (2018), Data Rio e GeoINEA. Para a compreensão das mudanças socioeconômicas foram utilizados dados dos Censos 2000 e 2010, e dados do Sistema Alerta Rio sobre eventos extremos de precipitação ocorridos entre 1998 e 2019. Para identificação das áreas suscetíveis a inundação utilizou-se o modelo HAND, cujo resultado foi ajustado ao Modelo Digital de Terreno Hidrologicamente Consistido. Para validação dos resultados da modelagem no HAND foram utilizados dados de trabalhos de campo. Os resultados obtidos no mapeamento das duas sub-bacias através do modelo HAND apresentou maior precisão e acurácia em comparação ao mapeamento das áreas suscetíveis às inundações realizado pelo CPRM (2017). Apesar de ambos os métodos utilizarem a mesma escala de análise (1:25.000), o modelo apresentado pelo HAND demonstrou uma redução nas áreas de maior suscetibilidade no geral, já que ao todo são 7,33 km2 contra 10,05 km2 apresentado pela CPRM, sendo o bairro de Campo Grande (RJ), com maior quantitativo de áreas passíveis de inundações (4,54 km2).
ESPAÇO BANAL, VIDA COMUM: PRÁXIS E CULTURA NAS PERIFERIAS URBANAS
Authors: Franca Gilberto Cunha , Raimundo Silvia Lopes
Published: August 2023

Nas pesquisas, assim como nos ativismos e movimentos sociais, percebe-se o interesse sobre as práticas e a gestão do bem comum. No âmbito deste debate e engajamento é que propomos aqui uma reflexão sobre o comum nos espaços urbanos periféricos. Nossa análise se apoiará basicamente no pensamento de Milton Santos e, mais especificamente, no conceito de espaço banal, de onde dialogamos com outras elaborações, incluindo nossas próprias pesquisas sobre os coletivos e os movimentos de cultura. Assim, é do espaço banal e da perspectiva da geografia, que procuramos analisar as bases materiais e imateriais dos comuns urbanos periféricos, construídos a partir da tessitura feita por mãos de muitos, não somente operários e sindicalistas, mas artistas, trabalhadores e “filósofos da cultura” e mulheres, gênero que historicamente constrói a base intelectual e material dos Comuns das periferias urbanas.
Halal Supply Chain Management: A Bibliometric Study
Authors: Hanoum Syarifa , Sugihartanto Mushonnifun Faiz , Zuhriya Hana
Published: August 2023

This research aims to provide a literature review using a bibliometric approach to analyze research trends in Halal Supply Chain Management (HSCM). It examines 149 papers from the Scopus and Web of Science databases during 2011-2021. It involves citation and co-citation analysis with the help of VOSviewer software to find out information about research trends, journals, authors, countries, citations, methodology, and the research content. The analysis divides HSCM research into five research clusters: (1) Halal Food Industry; (2) Challenges and Opportunities of Halal Logistics; (3) Integrity Guarantee of Halal Food; (4) Integrity Guarantee of Halal Logistics; (5) Halal Logistics Performance. This study helped to explore halal supply chain management in practice and be useful for researchers and practitioners to know the current development of HSCM research and map the potential topic for future research.
Convergence Exercises for Convergence Insufficiency Type Exotropia in Bilateral Internuclear Ophthalmoplegia
Authors: Kuwera Edward , Hariharakumar Shreya
Published: August 2023

Purpose; To report a case of successfully treated convergence insufficiency type exotropia (CI-XT) in the context of bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia (BINO) using only convergence exercises.

Observations; A 17-year-old male with a history of a resected posterior fossa pilocytic astrocytoma presented with constant diplopia since the craniotomy. Patient and his parents were adamant in pursuing surgical treatment for his new onset strabismus. With appropriate counseling and management with convergence exercises only, the CI-IXT was successfully treated without surgery over the course of two years.

Conclusion and Importance; We present a non-invasive approach to the treatment of CI-IXT in the context of a BINO, also known as wall-eyed BINO (WEBINO). This approach should be considered before any surgical intervention, especially if prism is unable to successfully neutralize diplopia for any extended period of time.
Long-term care as a policy issue for the European Union and United Nations organisations
Authors: Daly Mary
Published: August 2023

This article critically assesses the recent European Care Strategy, the European Union’s most significant policy statement yet on long-term care. Using a framework that differentiates between economistic, social protection and configurational approaches, the European Care Strategy is adjudged to rely on an economistic approach. This sees it suggest some important measures for better services and working conditions for care workers but not enough on social protection rights and too little to disrupt the reliance on unpaid carers. Comparing the European Union approach with that of several United Nations entities – the International Labour Organization, World Health Organization and UN Women – indicates that other approaches are possible, though all need improvement.
Digital coercive control: barriers to victim/survivors’ help-seeking and risk management in Victoria
Authors: Woolley Jessica , Iliadis Mary , McMahon Marilyn
Published: August 2023

Digital technologies are increasingly being used within the context of domestic and family violence (DFV) to facilitate coercive and controlling behaviours – also known as digital coercive control (DCC). Drawing on the perspectives of a small sample of nine DFV practitioners and scholarly experts, this article examines the barriers victim/survivors of DCC encounter as they seek help in Victoria, Australia. We find that DCC has distinct impacts on victim/survivors who are socially and geographically isolated. DFV support services also experience a range of challenges in detecting and responding to DCC, including in risk assessment and management, highlighting a requirement for further training of frontline workers to better respond to DCC.
Bipartite and tripartite steering by a nonlinear medium in a cavity
Authors: Ornelas-Cruces P. , Rosales-Zárate L.
Published: August 2023

Nonlocal quantum correlations are important for potential applications in quantum optics and quantum information. Multipartite quantum correlations are relevant to access to high-dimensional systems such as qudits. There are also different proposals for the generation of quantum steering based on nonlinear systems and cavities. Here, we consider the Hamiltonian of a triple photon parametric down-conversion process to investigate the regions where bipartite and tripartite steering are generated. In this model, three beams interact with a nonlinear medium inside a cavity through the process of parametric down-conversion, creating three output fields. The positive P representation is used to analyze this system and steady-state solutions are obtained. We calculated the intracavity fluctuation spectra to analyze steering in the frequency domain and used different criteria to certify this quantum correlation. We certified bipartite steering for the three output fields from the cavity. In the case of full tripartite two-way steering inseparability, it is also present for all the bipartitions under consideration. Our results show regimes where bipartite and tripartite steering is certified for this model.
Portrait stylized rendering for 3D light-field display based on radiation field and example guide
Authors: Shen Sheng , Xing Shujun , Sang Xinzhu , Yan Binbin , Xie Xinhui , Fu Bangshao , Zhong Chongli , Zhang Shuang
Published: August 2023

With the development of three-dimensional (3D) light-field display technology, 3D scenes with correct location information and depth information can be perceived without wearing any external device. Only 2D stylized portrait images can be generated with traditional portrait stylization methods and it is difficult to produce high-quality stylized portrait content for 3D light-field displays. 3D light-field displays require the generation of content with accurate depth and spatial information, which is not achievable with 2D images alone. New and innovative portrait stylization techniques methods should be presented to meet the requirements of 3D light-field displays. A portrait stylization method for 3D light-field displays is proposed, which maintain the consistency of dense views in light-field display when the 3D stylized portrait is generated. Example-based portrait stylization method is used to migrate the designated style image to the portrait image, which can prevent the loss of contour information in 3D light-field portraits. To minimize the diversity in color information and further constrain the contour details of portraits, the Laplacian loss function is introduced in the pre-trained deep learning model. The three-dimensional representation of the stylized portrait scene is reconstructed, and the stylized 3D light field image of the portrait is generated the mask guide based light-field coding method. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, which can use the real portrait photos to generate high quality 3D light-field portrait content.
Theoretical limit and framework of dynamic modulation in spoof surface plasmon polariton interconnects
Authors: Nayem Suzit Hasan , Imtiaz Nafiz , Roy Joy Soumitra , Baten Md. Zunaid
Published: August 2023

Spoof-surface-plasmon-polariton (SSPP) interconnects are potential candidates for next-generation interconnects to satisfy the growing demand for high-speed, large-volume data transfer in chip-to-chip and inter-chip communication networks. As in any interconnect, the viability and efficiency of the modulation technique employed will play a crucial role in the effective utilization of SSPP interconnects. In light of the lack of a comprehensive platform for the performance analysis of SSPP signal modulation, this work presents a theoretical framework that contributes to the following: 1) predictions of the maximum attainable modulation speed, limited by geometric dispersion in SSPP waveguide, 2) quantification of the fundamental trade-off relation between modulation speed and energy-efficiency for an arbitrary design of SSPP structure, 3) extension of the analysis over a broad category of SSPP modulation technique. In conjunction, a novel SSPP signal modulation technique is introduced, involving controlled alteration of the resonant condition of the SSPP interconnect using a variable resistor. Analyzing a sample SSPP waveguide with a 7 GHz cut-off frequency, the study identifies a potential ∼28% change in its transmission-band by varying the implanted resistor from 5kΩ to 5Ω, a range of values practically attainable with gate-controlled, state-of-the-art submicron scale field-effect transistors. The assertions of the theoretical model have been independently validated by finite-element method based numerical simulations, which show that the underlying concept can be utilized to realize the digital modulation scheme of the amplitude shift keying. For a millimeter-scale SSPP channel having 2.75 GHz transmission bandwidth, up to 300 Mbps modulation speed with nominal power loss is achieved in a standard, thermal-noise limited communication system. By scaling the interconnect to micrometer dimensions, the speed can be augmented up to 10 Gbps for data transfer over 100 mm distance with ≥80% energy efficiency. Essentially, the presented theory is the first of its kind that provides the foundational design guideline for designing and optimizing diverse range of SSPP modulators.
Spontaneous soliton mode-locking of a microcomb assisted by Raman scattering
Authors: Do In Hwan , Suk Daewon , Jeong Dongin , Go Seokjoo , Ko Kiyoung , Hong Hyun-Gue , Yu Dai-Hyuk , Lee Jae Hoon , Lee Hansuek
Published: August 2023

We successfully control the interaction dynamics between optical parametric oscillation (OPO) and stimulated Raman scattering, leading to the generation of distinct frequency comb states in a microresonator. Through Raman-scattered photons, a Raman comb with a sech2 envelope is demonstrated having a broad RF beat note linewidth of several hundred kHz. Moreover, under a specific coupling regime, we successfully generate self-locked Raman single-solitons which is confirmed by a narrow RF beat note of 25 Hz. Remarkably, this spontaneous Raman soliton is deterministically generated through adiabatic pump frequency detuning without the requirement of external locking mechanisms. Additionally, we identify a frequency comb with an unconventional envelope that can be fitted with a Lorentzian × sech2 function, generated via an anti-Stokes process with respect to the Raman comb.
Super low-frequency electric field measurement based on Rydberg atoms
Authors: Li Ling , Jiao Yuechun , Hu Jinlian , Li Huaqiang , Shi Meng , Zhao Jianming , Jia Suotang
Published: August 2023

We demonstrate the measurement of super low-frequency electric field using Rydberg atoms in an atomic vapor cell with inside parallel electrodes, thus overcoming the low-frequency electric-field-screening effect at frequencies below a few kHz. Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) spectra involving 52D5/2 state is employed to measure the signal electric field. An auxiliary DC field is applied to improve the sensitivity. A DC Stark map is demonstrated, where the utilized 52D5/2 exhibits m
j
 = 1/2, 3/2, 5/2 Stark shifts and splittings. The m
j
 = 1/2 state is employed to detect the signal field because of its larger polarizability than that of m
j
 = 3/2, 5/2. Also, we show that the strength of the spectrum is dependent on the angle between the laser polarizations and the electric field. With optimization of the applied DC field to shift the m
j
 = 1/2 Rydberg energy level to a high sensitivity region and the laser polarizations to obtain the maximum m
j
 = 1/2 signal, we achieve the detection of the signal electric field with a frequency of 100 Hz down to 214.8 µV/cm with a sensitivity of 67.9 µV cm−1Hz−1/2, and the linear dynamic range is over 37 dB. Our work extends the measurement frequency of Rydberg sensors to super low frequency with high sensitivity, which has the advantages of high sensitivity and miniaturization for receiving super low frequency.
Impact of the multilayer dielectric design on the laser-induced damage threshold of pulse compression gratings for petawatt-class lasers
Authors: Diop Saaxewer , Bonod Nicolas , Chorel Marine , Lavastre Éric , Roquin Nadja , Heymans Lilian , Brianceau Pierre , Gallais Laurent , Lamaignère Laurent
Published: August 2023

The peak-power of petawatt-class lasers is limited by laser-induced damage to final optical components, especially on the pulse compression gratings. Multilayer dielectric (MLD) gratings are widely used in compressor systems because they exhibit a high diffraction efficiency and high damage threshold. It is now well established that the etching profile plays a key role in the electric field distribution, which influences the laser damage resistance of MLD gratings. However, less attention has been devoted to the influence of the multilayer design on the laser damage resistance of MLD gratings. In this Letter, we numerically and experimentally evidence the impact of the dielectric stack design on the electric field intensity (EFI) and the laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT). Three different MLD gratings are designed and manufactured to perform laser damage tests. On the basis of the expected EFIs and diffraction efficiencies, the measured LIDTs show how the multilayer design influences the laser resistance of the MLD gratings. This result highlights the impact of the multilayer dielectric design on the electric field distribution and shows how to further improve the laser-induced damage threshold of pulse compression gratings.
Polarized room-temperature polariton lasing in elliptical microcavities filled with fluorescent proteins
Authors: Bennenhei Christoph , Struve Marti , Stephan Sven , Kunte Nils , Mitryakhin Victor N. , Eilenberger Falk , Ohmer Jürgen , Fischer Utz , Silies Martin , Schneider Christian , Esmann Martin
Published: August 2023

Organic exciton-polaritons, which arise from the strong light-matter
coupling between excitons in organic molecules and cavity photons,
have emerged as a versatile platform for the investigation of
polariton lasing, Bose-Einstein condensation and many-body phenomena
at ambient conditions. Here, we study the condensation of
exciton-polaritons in fluorescent protein-filled microcavities with
elliptical cross-sections. The structural anisotropy of these cavities
yields a distinct optical polarization splitting, which we investigate
both experimentally and numerically. In the high-density regime of
exciton-polaritons, the pronounced polarization splitting of the
fundamental polaritonic resonance enforces selective condensation in
one linearly polarized polaritonic mode. Our findings constitute a
solid basis for polarization engineering in room-temperature polariton
condensates.
Photonic molecule based on coupled ring quantum cascade lasers
Authors: Kacmoli Sara , Sivco Deborah L. , Gmachl Claire F.
Published: August 2023

Photonic molecules—particular systems composed of coupled optical resonators—emulate the behavior of complex physical systems exhibiting discrete energy levels. In this work, we present a photonic molecule composed of two strongly coupled, mid-infrared ring quantum cascade lasers. We explore both experimentally and numerically the key features of the photonic molecule such as the energy level splitting of bonding and antibonding supermodes. Due to the large size of the resonators, the energy splitting results in bands containing tens of modes. Each of these modes is furthermore doubly degenerate with respect to the direction of propagation, namely, clockwise and counterclockwise. We explore several methods to carefully break these symmetries of the system in a controlled manner by introducing spatial and temporal asymmetries in the pumping scheme of the ring lasers. By employing these techniques, we achieve a high degree of precision in the dynamic control of the photonic molecule. Owing to their inherent suitability for on-chip integration, this class of devices may enable applications as varied as mid-infrared sensors or a rich playground for studying non-Hermitian photonics and quantum optics with quantum cascade lasers.
MapperPlus: Agnostic clustering of high-dimension data for precision medicine
Authors: Datta Esha , Ballal Aditya , López Javier E. , Izu Leighton T.
Published: August 2023

One of the goals of precision medicine is to classify patients into subgroups that differ in their susceptibility and response to a disease, thereby enabling tailored treatments for each subgroup. Therefore, there is a great need to identify distinctive clusters of patients from patient data. There are three key challenges to three key challenges of patient stratification: 1) the unknown number of clusters, 2) the need for assessing cluster validity, and 3) the clinical interpretability. We developed MapperPlus, a novel unsupervised clustering pipeline, that directly addresses these challenges. It extends the topological Mapper technique and blends it with two random-walk algorithms to automatically detect disjoint subgroups in patient data. We demonstrate that MapperPlus outperforms traditional agnostic clustering methods in key accuracy/performance metrics by testing its performance on publicly available medical and non-medical data set. We also demonstrate the predictive power of MapperPlus in a medical dataset of pediatric stem cell transplant patients where a number of cluster is unknown. Here, MapperPlus stratifies the patient population into clusters with distinctive survival rates. The MapperPlus software is open-source and publicly available.
Direct and indirect effects of age on dengue severity: The mediating role of secondary infection
Authors: Annan Esther , Treviño Jesús , Zhao Bingxin , Rodriguez-Morales Alfonso J. , Haque Ubydul
Published: August 2023

Severe dengue occurrence has been attributed to increasing age and different dengue virus (DENV) serotypes that cause secondary infections and immune-enhancing phenomena. Therefore, we examined if the effect of age on dengue severity was mediated by infectivity status while controlling for sex and region. Further, we assessed the spatial clustering of dengue severity for individuals with primary and secondary infection across Mexican municipalities. Health data from 2012 to 2017 was retrieved from Mexico’s Ministry of Health. A mediation analysis was performed using multiple logistic regression models based on a directed acyclic graph. The models were explored for the direct effect of age on dengue severity and its indirect impact through secondary infection. In addition, severe dengue clusters were determined in some Northeastern and Southeastern municipalities through spatial analysis. We observed a nonlinear trend between age and severe dengue. There was a downward trend of severe dengue for individuals between 0 and 10 years and an upward trend above 10 years. The effect of age on dengue severity was no longer significant for individuals between 10 and 60 years after introducing infectivity status into the model. The mediating role of infectivity status in the causal model was 17%. Clustering of severe dengue among individuals with primary infection in the Northeastern region may point to the high prevalence of DENV-3 in the region. Public health efforts may prevent secondary infection among infants and the aged. In addition, there should be a further investigation into the effect of DENV-3 in individuals with primary disease.
Inference on the stress strength reliability with exponentiated generalized Marshall Olkin-G distribution
Authors: Salah Youssef Temraz Neama
Published: August 2023

In this paper, an inference on stress-strength reliability model is introduced in case of the exponentiated generalized Marshall Olkin G family of distributions. The maximum likelihood estimator of the stress-strength reliability function is deduced. An asymptotic confidence and bootstrap confidence intervals for the stress-strength reliability function are derived. A Bayesian inference is introduced for the stress-strength reliability. A simulation is introduced to obtain the maximum likelihood and Bayesian estimates for the stress strength reliability. Real data applications are provided to show the results for the stress-strength model and compare the exponentiated generalized Marshall Olkin-G distribution with other distributions.
Recommendations for finite element modelling of nickel-titanium stents—Verification and validation activities
Authors: Bernini Martina , Hellmuth Rudolf , Dunlop Craig , Ronan William , Vaughan Ted J.
Published: August 2023

The objective of this study is to present a credibility assessment of finite element modelling of self-expanding nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) stents through verification and validation (VV) activities, as set out in the ASME VV-40 standard. As part of the study, the role of calculation verification, model input sensitivity, and model validation is examined across three different application contexts (radial compression, stent deployment in a vessel, fatigue estimation). A commercially available self-expanding Ni-Ti stent was modelled, and calculation verification activities addressed the effects of mesh density, element integration and stable time increment on different quantities of interests, for each context of use considered. Sensitivity analysis of the geometrical and material input parameters and validation of deployment configuration with in vitro comparators were investigated. Results showed similar trends for global and local outputs across the contexts of use in response to the selection of discretization parameters, although with varying sensitivities. Mesh discretisation showed substantial variability for less than 4 × 4 element density across the strut cross-section in radial compression and deployment cases, while a finer grid was deemed necessary in fatigue estimation for reliable predictions of strain/stress. Element formulation also led to substantial variation depending on the chosen integration options. Furthermore, for explicit analyses, model results were highly sensitive to the chosen target time increment (e.g., mass scaling parameters), irrespective of whether quasistatic conditions were ensured (ratios of kinetic and internal energies below 5%). The higher variability was found for fatigue life simulation, with the estimation of fatigue safety factor varying up to an order of magnitude depending on the selection of discretization parameters. Model input sensitivity analysis highlighted that the predictions of outputs such as radial force and stresses showed relatively low sensitivity to Ni-Ti material parameters, which suggests that the calibration approaches used in the literature to date appear reasonable, but a higher sensitivity to stent geometry, namely strut thickness and width, was found. In contrast, the prediction of vessel diameter following deployment was least sensitive to numerical parameters, and its validation with in vitro comparators offered a simple and accurate (error ~ 1–2%) method when predicting diameter gain, and lumen area, provided that the material of the vessel is appropriately characterized and modelled.
How socioeconomically disadvantaged people access, understand, appraise, and apply health information: A qualitative study exploring health literacy skills
Authors: Stormacq Coraline , Oulevey Bachmann Annie , Van den Broucke Stephan , Bodenmann Patrick
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Health literacy, or a person’s competence to access, understand, appraise and apply health information, can be considered a mediating factor between socioeconomic characteristics and health disparities. Socioeconomically disadvantaged people in particular present with less health literacy skills. To develop targeted interventions tailored to their real needs, it is important to understand how they function and what difficulties they encounter when dealing with health information. The purpose of this study was to explore their experiences when accessing, understanding, appraising, and applying health information in their everyday lives.

Methods

Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 12 socioeconomically disadvantaged adults living in the community in Switzerland (age range: 44–60 years old).

Results

Thematic analysis of the interviews yielded four themes, describing the health literacy processes of participants, related barriers, and compensatory strategies used: Financial insecurity triggers the need for health information; Pathway 1: Physicians as ideal (but expensive) interlocutors; Pathway 2: The internet as a suboptimal alternative; and Pathway 3: Relatives as a default resource. The progression of socioeconomically disadvantaged people in the health literacy process is like an ‘obstacle course’, with numerous steps taken backwards before they can develop compensatory strategies to overcome the barriers to obtaining health information.

Conclusions

Financial deprivation seems to be the most important factor contributing to health literacy barriers. Appraising health information is the health literacy skill with which socioeconomically disadvantaged people struggle the most. Physician-based, individual skills-based, organizational, and policy-based interventions are needed to help them overcome their health literacy challenges.
Diabetes self-management education (DSME) for older persons in Western countries: A scoping review
Authors: Camargo-Plazas Pilar , Robertson Madison , Alvarado Beatriz , Paré Geneviève C. , Costa Idevania G. , Duhn Lenora
Published: August 2023

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic health condition affecting millions globally. Diabetes is a growing concern among aging societies, with its prevalence increasing among those aged 65 and above. Enabling disease self-management via relevant education is part of high-quality care to improve health outcomes and minimize complications for individuals living with diabetes. Successful diabetes self-management education (DSME) programs usually require tailoring for the intended audience; however, there is limited literature about the preferences of older persons in Western countries concerning DSME. As such, a broad overview of DSME for older persons was an identified need. To map the available evidence on DSME for persons aged 65 years and older in Western countries, the JBI methodology for conducting and reporting scoping reviews was used. In this scoping review, we considered all studies about DSME for older persons with T1D and T2D in Western countries where lifestyles, risks, prevention, treatment of diabetes, and approaches to self-management and DSME are similar (e.g., North America, Western and Northern Europe and Australasia). Systematic keyword and subject heading searches were conducted in 10 databases (e.g., MEDLINE, JBI EBP) to identify relevant English language papers published from 2000 to 2022. Titles and abstracts were screened to select eligible papers for full-text reading. Full-text screening was done by four independent reviewers to select studies for the final analysis. The review identified 2,397 studies, of which 1,250 full texts were screened for eligibility. Of the final 44 papers included in the review, only one included participants’ understanding of DSME. The education programs differed in their context, design, delivery mode, theoretical underpinnings, and duration. Type of research designs, outcome measures used to determine the effectiveness of DSME, and knowledge gaps were also detailed. Overall, most interventions were effective and improved clinical and behavioural outcomes. Many of the programs led to improvements in clinical outcomes and participants’ quality of life; however, the content needs to be adapted to older persons according to their culture, different degrees of health literacy, preference of education (e.g., individualized or group), preference of setting, degree of frailty and independence, and comorbidities. Few studies included the voices of older persons in the design, implementation, and evaluation of DSME programs. Such experiential knowledge is vital in developing educational programs to ensure alignment with this population’s preferred learning styles, literacy levels, culture, and needs—such an approach could manifest more substantive, sustained results.
Predicting climate-change induced heat-related illness risk in Grand Canyon National Park visitors
Authors: Buttke Danielle E. , Raynor Brinkley , Schuurman Gregor W.
Published: August 2023

Background

The climate crisis is the greatest public health threat of the 21st century. Excessive heat is responsible for more deaths than any other extreme weather event, and the frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme heat events are increasing globally due to climate change. Exposure to excessive heat can result in heat related illnesses (HRIs) and long-term poor health outcomes. Physical exertion, sudden exposure to excessive heat, and the lack of physical or behavioral adaptation resources are all associated with greater HRI risk, which is expected to increase for visitors to Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) and other public lands as climate change worsens.

Objectives

Our objectives were to understand 1) the relationship between weather and HRI in GCNP visitors, 2) how future HRI rates may change, and 3) how land management agencies can update risk mitigation strategies to match changing risk and better manage an increased HRI burden.

Methods

We utilized previously published data on HRI in GCNP visitors, and records of daily visitation, temperatures, and maximum and minimum daily humidity from the same study period to develop a model estimate for HRI risk. We then used future climate projections from the World Climate Research Programme’s Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 multi-model dataset to model future HRI risk under different climate scenarios.

Results

The incidence of HRI was significantly associated with maximum daily temperature and minimum relative humidity, and was more common in the shoulder season months. We estimated that HRI will increase 29%-137% over 2004–2009 levels through 2100, assuming no change in visitation.

Discussion

Climate change will continue to increase HRI risk for GCNP visitors and poses risks to public land managers’ mission to provide for safe recreation experiences for the benefit of this and future generations in places like GCNP. Excessive risk during the shoulder season months presents an opportunity to increase preventative search and rescue and education efforts to mitigate increased risk.
Real-life safety of Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide/Bictegravir
Authors: Squillace Nicola , Ricci Elena , Maggi Paolo , Taramasso Lucia , Menzaghi Barbara , De Socio Giuseppe Vittorio , Piconi Stefania , Maurizio Celesia Benedetto , Orofino Giancarlo , Sarchi Eleonora , Pellicanò Giovanni Francesco , Simeone Filomena , Valsecchi Laura , Bandera Alessandra , Cenderello Giovanni , Attala Letizia , Angioni Goffredo , Falasca Katia , Cascio Antonio , Bargiacchi Olivia , Di Biagio Antonio , Bonfanti Paolo ,   for the CISAI Study Group
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTI) are one of the most prescribed drug classes for the treatment of HIV infection worldwide. Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide/ Bictegravir (FTC/TAF/BIC) has been evaluated in randomized clinical trials; few studies have verified tolerability and safety in clinical practice. Our aim was to investigate the metabolic and hepatic safety in a real-life setting of FTC/TAF/BIC.

Materials and methods

Consecutive people living with HIV infection (PLWH) enrolled in the SCOLTA project, switching to or initiating their first antiretroviral treatment with FTC/TAF/BIC were included. PLWH with HBV co-infection were excluded. Metabolic and hepatic variables were collected at T0 and T1, were defined as baseline and 6-month follow-up respectively, and their modifications were analysed using the paired t-test and the analysis of variance.

Results

Five hundred and thirty-nine PLWH with at least one follow-up visit were included in the analysis. Mean age was 48 years (±12.1), 74% were male, 16.1% were naïve to antiretrovirals (ART). At T1, ART-experienced PLWH showed a significant reduction of total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides, and a slight increase in blood glucose (BG) and ALT. On the contrary, in ART-naïve PLWH blood lipids significantly increased, although with an unaffected TC/high density lipoprotein (HDL)-c ratio, while alanine aminotransferase (ALT) decreased significantly, mainly in those with altered baseline level. The treatment interruptions were 45 (8.4%) over the whole observation period, 13 (2.4%) due to AEs. The most frequent AEs were related to the central nervous system (6 events of depression, insomnia, headache, agitation) and 3 PLWH discontinued the regimen because of grade 1–2 weight gain.

Conclusions

In ART-experienced PLWH switching to FTC/TAF/BIC a significant improvement of lipid profile occurred but with significant BG and ALT variation without clinical relevance. In ART-naïve PLWH, blood lipids increased even though lipid profile did not worsen, and a trend towards normalization of liver enzymes was suggested. FTC/TAF/BIC is well tolerated in the real life setting.
A new acquisition protocol for conducting studies with children: The science camp research experience
Authors: Márquez-García Amparo V. , Doesburg Sam M. , Iarocci Grace , Magnuson Justine R. , Moreno Sylvain
Published: August 2023

In the last 50 years, the study of brain development has brought major discoveries to education and medicine, changing the lives of millions of children and families. However, collecting behavioral and neurophysiological data from children has specific challenges, such as high rates of data loss and participant dropout. We have developed a science camp method to collect data from children using the benefits of positive peer interactions and interactive and engaging activities, to allow researchers to better collect data repeatedly and reliably from groups of children. A key advantage of this approach is that by increasing participant engagement, attention is also increased, thereby increasing data quality, reducing data loss, and lowering attrition rates. This protocol describes the step-by-step procedure for facilitation of a science camp, including behavioral, electrophysiological, and participatory engagement activities. As this method is robust but also flexible, we anticipate that it can also be applied to different demographics and research needs.
Examining the linkages between maternity services and postpartum modern contraceptive adoption among young women in India: Insights from the 2015–16 and 2019–21 National Family Health Survey
Authors: Biswas Monirujjaman , Banerjee Anuradha
Published: August 2023

Background

The adoption of maternity services and postpartum modern contraception are the two most crucial components that help in reducing maternal and infant mortality; still, India is consistently struggling with it. This paper, therefore, aimed to examine the linkages between use of maternity services and postpartum modern contraceptive adoption.

Data and methods

The required reproductive calendar data were extracted from the 2015–16 and 2019–21 National Family Health Survey (NFHS) datasets. The assessment was made based on a sample of currently married women aged 15–24 years who had given most recent childbirth in five years preceding the survey. For the analysis, a time-to-event approach was applied using the Kaplan-Meier survival statistic, Log-Rank Chi-square test and Cox-Proportional Hazard (Cox-PH) models.

Results

The results revealed that the proportion of postpartum modern contraceptive uptake among young users increased by 9%, from 33% in 2015–16 to 42% in 2019–21. The Cox-PH models revealed that, in both NFHS waves, the associations between various components of maternity services and postpartum modern contraceptive uptake were strongly significant, even after controlling for selected socio-economic and demographic correlates.

Conclusions

The findings of this study reinforced urgent need for implementing integrated maternal-child health and family planning programmes and for boosting effective family planning counselling by health professionals to promote and motivate young women with a desire to early adoption of modern contraception in subsequent months after a recent childbirth.