bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishment of a novel axon pruning model of Drosophila motor neuron
Authors: Xu Wanyue , Kong Weiyu , Gao Ziyang , Huang Erqian , Xie Wei , Wang Su , Rui Menglong
Published: January 2023

Developmental neuronal pruning is a process by which neurons selectively remove excessive or unnecessary neurite without causing neuronal death. Importantly, this process is widely used for the refinement of neural circuits in both vertebrates and invertebrates, and may also contribute to the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism and schizophrenia. In the peripheral nervous system (PNS), class IV dendritic arborization (da) sensory neurons of Drosophila, selectively remove the dendrites without losing their somas and axons, while the dendrites and axons of mushroom body (MB) γ neuron in the central nervous system (CNS) are eliminated by localized fragmentation during metamorphosis. Alternatively, dendrite pruning of ddaC neurons is usually investigated via live-cell imaging, while dissection and fixation are currently used for evaluating MB γ neuron axon pruning. Thus, an excellent model system to assess axon specific pruning directly via live-cell imaging remains elusive. Here, we report that the Drosophila motor neuron offers a unique advantage for studying axon pruning. Interestingly, we uncover that long-range projecting axon bundle from soma at ventral nerve cord (VNC), undergoes degeneration rather than retraction during metamorphosis. Strikingly, the pruning process of the motor axon bundle is straightforward to investigate via live imaging and it occurs approximately at 22 h after pupal formation (APF), when axon bundles are completely cleared. Consistently, the classical axon pruning regulators in the Drosophila MB γ neuron, including TGF-β signaling, ecdysone signaling, JNK signaling, and the ubiquitin-proteasome system are also involved in governing motor axon pruning. Finally, our findings establish an unprecedented axon pruning mode that will serve to systematically screen and identify undiscovered axon pruning regulators.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Case Report: Primary graft failure due to a reversed lenticule in Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty
Authors: Kate Anahita , Basu Sayan
Published: January 2023

Introduction and importance: This report details the clinical features and management in a case of Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) which had primary graft failure (PGF) due to an inverted yet attached lenticule.

Presentation of case: A 66-year-old gentleman had poor visual recovery in the right eye after undergoing cataract surgery 12 years prior to presentation. The visual acuity was counting fingers and examination revealed endothelial decompensation. The patient underwent a DSAEK and postoperatively had a well attached lenticule. However, the cornea was edematous three weeks after the surgery and optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed a reversed lenticule. The patient underwent a repeat DSAEK and had an uneventful postoperative course. The visual acuity was 20/40 after 7 months with a clear cornea and a well attached graft.

Discussion: PGF is a rare complication following DSAEK which occurs due to poor endothelial function of the donor graft. Insertion of a reversed lenticule may get overlooked as a cause of PGF unless the graft edge profile is examined on an OCT scan. The graft in the current case was well attached despite its inverted position suggesting that graft adherence is perhaps not a function of the corneal endothelial pumps in isolation and may be driven by factors such as the intraocular pressure.

Conclusion: A reversed DSAEK lenticule may have normal adherence to the host stroma and must be considered in cases with PGF. OCT of the graft edge is required for diagnosis before performing a repeat keratoplasty.
Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis on preoperative risk factors for failure after fixed sling implantation for post-prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Sacco Emilio , Marino Filippo , Gavi Filippo , Moretto Stefano , Gandi Carlo , Bientinesi Riccardo , Pierconti Francesco , Bassi Pierfrancesco
Published: January 2023

Background: Post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence (PPI) is a bothersome complication affecting patients undergoing prostate surgery that in up 10% of cases will require an invasive treatment with fixed slings or artificial urinary sphincters (AUS). Although fixed slings have several advantages over AUS, failure rates after slings range between 15% and 45% while current knowledge of predictors of sling efficacy remains limited. By systematically combining and summarizing all relevant literature, the present review and meta-analysis aim to address this research need assessing the association between preoperative risk factors and sling failure.

Methods: Studies pertaining to fixed synthetic male perineal slings as treatment for adult male suffering from PPI, will be included. A systematic search will be conducted in PubMED, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane databases, and in the reference lists of retrieved articles. Independent reviewers will conduct study selection and data extraction. Outcomes will include failure to achieve the continence cure and overall success (cure plus improvement), measured as per included studies. Exposures will include any preoperative variables evaluated for association with sling failure. The QUIPS tool will be used for study quality assessment and a random-effects DerSimonian-Laird model, with Hartung-Knapp adjustment, will be used to pool adjusted and unadjusted odds ratios separately. Sensitivity analysis will be performed using the leave-one-out methodology and subgroup meta-analyses based on pre-specified studies’ characteristics will be conducted to explain the heterogeneity. Certainty of evidence will be assessed according to GRADE methodology and review reporting will comply with the PRISMA-P statement.

Discussion: By summarising all relevant literature in the field, our results will help to incorporate available evidence into clinical practice assisting healthcare professionals managing PPI patients in treatment decision-making. The present review will also provide researchers with the necessary, evidence-based groundwork to perform future high-quality prognostic studies in the field.

Registration: CRD42022307160.
Electric energy utilization in modern industrial environments
Authors: Todorović Ivan , Isakov Ivana , Dobrić Goran , Žarković Mileta
Published: January 2023

Industrial facilities represent a specific environment for the deployment and coordination of electric energy sources and storage systems. Large areas (roofs, parking lots, etc.) and land and terrain specificities enable various systems with high installed power to be utilized, hence diversifying energy production and providing a flexible and reliable energy supply. Moreover, diversification of energy sources ushers the usage of advanced energy management schemes that secure efficient electric energy resource utilization. Also, various storage systems can be installed and energy usage can be optimized further. Still, the paradigmatic change in how energy is used, from a single source, single aggregated load to the large and sophisticated prosumer concept, brings many technical and technological hurdles. This paper provides an outlook on some of the new developments regarding how electric energy is produced, stored, and managed in modern industrial environments. Also, how impediments, hindering mentioned developments, can be mitigated is discussed.
A scoping review of the evidence for the impact of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions on shift work related sleep disturbance in an occupational setting
Authors: Conway-Jones Rebecca , Dunlop Ella , Kyle Simon , Ray David , Roberts Nia , Farmer Andrew
Published: January 2023

Background: Shift work is essential in society but can be detrimental to health and quality of life and is associated with decreased productivity and increased risk of accidents. Interventions to reduce these consequences are needed, but the extent and range of trial evidence for interventions for those most affected by their shift-work schedules is unclear. We therefore carried out a scoping review to assess the availability of evidence to inform the development and evaluation of future interventions.

Methods: We aimed to identify clinical trials of any intervention for shift work-related sleep disturbance that included a comparator group, where the intervention was delivered in an occupational setting. We searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline and Science Citation Index from inception to 30th March 2020 for relevant citations. Citations were screened by two independent reviewers, a third reviewer resolved disagreements. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers.

Results: From 1250 unique citations, 14 studies met inclusion criteria for comparative trials of treatment in an occupational setting. There were five trials of hypnotics, five trials of stimulants, and four trials of non-pharmacological therapies (cognitive behavioural therapy, light therapy, aromatherapy and herbal medicine). Outcomes included sleep parameters, day-time sleepiness, and quality of life. There were no consistently reported outcomes across trials.

Conclusions: Interventions fell into three distinct groups investigated in distinct time periods without progression from efficacy trials to wider-scale interventions. The lack of consistent patient-reported outcome measures limits synthesising findings. Some trials focussed on optimising sleep, others on reducing wake-time sleepiness. Adequately powered trials of existing interventions are needed, with the development and testing of novel combination treatments in patients with well-defined shift work sleep disorder. A core set of clinically relevant outcomes will develop and standardise the evidence-base for shift work sleep disorder.
Identifying and characterising Thrap3, Bclaf1 and Erh interactions using cross-linking mass spectrometry
Authors: Shcherbakova Liudmila , Pardo Mercedes , Roumeliotis Theodoros , Choudhary Jyoti
Published: January 2023

Background: Cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) is a powerful technology capable of yielding structural insights across the complex cellular protein interaction network. However, up to date most of the studies utilising XL-MS to characterise individual protein complexes’ topology have been carried out on over-expressed or recombinant proteins, which might not accurately represent native cellular conditions.

Methods: We performed XL-MS using MS-cleavable crosslinker disuccinimidyl sulfoxide (DSSO) after immunoprecipitation of endogenous BRG/Brahma-associated factors (BAF) complex and co-purifying proteins. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD027611.

Results: Although we did not detect the expected enrichment of crosslinks within the BAF complex, we identified numerous crosslinks between three co-purifying proteins, namely Thrap3, Bclaf1 and Erh. Thrap3 and Bclaf1 are mostly disordered proteins for which no 3D structure is available. The XL data allowed us to map interaction surfaces on these proteins, which overlap with the non-disordered portions of both proteins. The identified XLs are in agreement with homology-modelled structures suggesting that the interaction surfaces are globular.

Conclusions: Our data shows that MS-cleavable crosslinker DSSO can be used to characterise in detail the topology and interaction surfaces of endogenous protein complexes without the need for overexpression. We demonstrate that Bclaf1, Erh and Thrap3 interact closely with each other, suggesting they might form a novel complex, hereby referred to as TEB complex. This data can be exploited for modelling protein-protein docking to characterise the three-dimensional structure of the complex. Endogenous XL-MS might be challenging due to crosslinker accessibility, protein complex abundance or isolation efficiency, and require further optimisation for some complexes like the BAF complex to detect a substantial number of crosslinks.
Implementing the Maternal Postnatal Attachment Scale (MPAS) in universal services: Qualitative interviews with health visitors
Authors: Bird Philippa K , Hindson Zoe , Dunn Abigail , Cronin de Chavez Anna , Dickerson Josie , Howes Joanna , Bywater Tracey
Published: January 2023

Background: A secure parent-infant relationship lays the foundations for children’s development, however there are currently no measurement tools recommended for clinical practice. We evaluated the clinical utility of a structured assessment of the parent-infant relationship (the Maternal Postnatal Attachment Scale, MPAS) in a deprived, multi-ethnic urban community in England. This paper answers the question: what are health visitors’ views on the parent-infant relationship, and experiences of piloting the MPAS? It explores the barriers and facilitators to implementation, and complements the paper on psychometric properties and representativeness reported in Dunn et al (2022).  

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 health visitors and data were analysed using thematic analysis. 

Results: Health visitors saw identification and support of the parent-infant relationship as an important part of their role, and reported benefits of the MPAS, including opening conversation and identifying and reporting concerns. Challenges included timing and workload, the appropriateness of language, perceived intrusiveness and understanding of the questions, and the length of the tool. Suggestions for improvements to the tool were put forward. 

Conclusions: The experiences, benefits and challenges identified help to explain results in Dunn et al, and the wide-ranging challenges identified would hinder assessment of the parent-infant relationship in routine practice. Further work with health professionals and parents has been undertaken to co-produce an acceptable, feasible and reliable tool for clinical practice.
Out-of-pocket payments during childbirth in Kenya under the free maternity services: Perspectives of mothers, healthcare workers and county officials
Authors: Oyugi Boniface , Kendall Sally , Peckham Stephen , Barasa Edwine
Published: January 2023

Background: This study seeks to determine the extent of women's out-of-pocket (OOP) payments for delivery under the free maternity policy (FMP). 

Methods: We conducted a convergent parallel mixed-methods study using quantitative and qualitative data collection. The study was set in three facilities (levels 3, 4, and 5) in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study involved exit interview (EI) surveys with mothers (n = 553) who utilised FMP delivery services and focus group discussions (FGDs) with mothers who returned for postnatal visits (6, 10, and 14 weeks). There were 21 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with county officials and healthcare workers (HCWs). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. 

Results: Despite the FMP being free on paper, mothers incurred OOP payments in practice. The overall mean OOP payments incurred by mothers who underwent normal delivery was 9.50 USD (SD 8.20 USD), and caesarean section (CS) was 10.88 USD (SD 15.16 USD). The main cost drivers were transport, lack of adequate supply and medications, lack of policy clarity by health workers, failure to notify the NHIF office of available clients, and ultrasound scan services. While the OOP payments were not deemed catastrophic, some women perceived it as a barrier to care as they ended up using savings or selling their assets to meet the costs. There were no patient characteristics associated with OOP payments. 

Conclusions: OOP payments during childbirth in Kenya place a considerable economic burden on mothers and their households. There is need to promote awareness of the policy and provide a sustainable form of transport, especially during emergencies, through collaboration with partners. Prioritising the supply of required medication used in maternal services in the universal health care benefits package to which Kenyan citizens are entitled, or sustainably financing the FMP is crucial.
The genome sequence of the White-barred Gold, Micropterix aruncella (Scopoli, 1763)
Authors: Holland Peter W. H. , Hammond James , Holland Amanda S. ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: January 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Micropterix aruncella (the White-barred Gold; Arthropoda, Insecta, Lepidoptera; Micropterigidae). The genome sequence is 1,079 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the assembled Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.0 kilobases in length.
Text in psycholinguistics
Authors: Papish Vitaliia
Published: January 2023

The article gives the insight into the notion of “text” via “prism” of linguistic and psycholinguistic parameters and presents its “broad” and “narrow” interpretation in humanities. It is pointed out that the linguistic parameters of the text include its in-tegrity, coherence, and boundary structuring, while psycholinguistic definitions focus on emotions and creativity of the sender and addressee. The psychological aspects and stages of text creation are analyzed with reference to knowledge of its background and linguistic presupposition. The contribution of Ukrainian and foreign studies to the development of the psycholinguistic foundations of the text are discussed on the basis of examples from Ukrainian literature. It is proved that the interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of the text is crucial for text study; the peculiarities of text creation are characterized through the opposition “generation – perception”, as well as through the expression of the linguistic personality of its ego in the text. The positive and negative impact of the text on the recipient is highlighted as well as it gives up-to-date interpretation of such notions as pathological text, apperception, understanding, interpretational variability of the text. The phenomenon of linguistic and psycho-accentuation is being analyzed on the basis of the texts of Ukrainian distinguished writers (P. Kulish, O. Kobylyanska, I. Ogienko, and others). The author characterizes the influence of linguistic and extralinguistic factors on increasing psycholinguistic accentuation.
A Play by Any Other Name Would Be Puritan Folly: the Unitarian Embrace of Theatre
Authors: Sanders Paige
Published: January 2023

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Finding Meaning after Prolonged Trauma: Is the Construct of Post-Traumatic Growth Relevant for Survivors with Elevated Symptoms of Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?
Authors: Augustat Olivia
Published: January 2023

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Revisiting Semidefinite Programming Approaches to Options Pricing: Complexity and Computational Perspectives
Authors: Henrion Didier , Kirschner Felix , De Klerk Etienne , Korda Milan , Lasserre Jean-Bernard , Magron Victor
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we consider the problem of finding bounds on the prices of options depending on multiple assets without assuming any underlying model on the price dynamics but only the absence of arbitrage opportunities. We formulate this as a generalized moment problem and utilize the well-known moment-sum-of-squares hierarchy of Lasserre to obtain bounds on the range of the possible prices. A complementary approach (also from Lasserre) is employed for comparison. We present several numerical examples to demonstrate the viability of our approach. The framework we consider makes it possible to incorporate different kinds of observable data, such as moment information, as well as observable prices of options on the assets of interest.

History: Accepted by Antonio Frangioni, area editor for Design & Analysis of Algorithms–Continuous.

Funding: This work was supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement [Grant 813211 (POEMA)].

Supplemental Material: The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplementary Information [ https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/suppl/10.1287/ijoc.2022.1220 ] or is available from the IJOC GitHub software repository ( https://github.com/INFORMSJoC ) at [ http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6602361 ].
Environmental Footprint of Covid-19 in India: Short Term ‘Green Effect’ but Long Run Pitfall
Authors: Furqan Abdullah , Farooq Ayesha
Published: January 2023

The outset of novel coronavirus namely SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 first came into the limelight in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and was soon declared a ‘global pandemic’ by W.H.O. in March 2020 after realizing its highly infectious and transmission capability and its potential to develop severe pneumonia-like respiratory infection amongst the humans. This declaration along with the rising number of COVID-19 infected cases and deaths globally led to the complete locking down of countries and cities, thereby limiting all unnecessary human movement and activities by way of imposition of strict measures to control and minimize the spread of the virus. This study reveals that this sudden halt of all major activities and movement resulted in providing a much needed temporary short-term relief to the environment from excessive exploitation at the hands of humans which has caused alarming levels of environmental pollution and GHG emissions, particularly in India. However, on the downside, it has also added a substantial burden on the environment by creating a panic-like situation leading to more than usual waste generation and an enormous challenge of its effective management and disposal which is most likely to persist in the longer run. On the whole, this review points out that years of damage done to the environment cannot be undone by although crucial but short-term relief resulting from such a temporary halt of activities. In the wake of this situation, an attempt has been made to discuss the future challenges that lie ahead of us and recommend possible solutions based on a holistic integrated planning approach which is the need of the hour to tackle the pertinent issue.
Ethnobotanical Survey on Trees of Seminary Hills, Nagpur (M.S.): An Approach Towards Plant Conservation
Authors: Naqvi Nikhat , Gurao Sarika , Humane Pitambar
Published: January 2023

Seminary Hills (Latitude 21°9'57"North and Longitude 79°3'47" East) play an important role in maintaining ecological and environmental balance of the rapidly- growing Nagpur city. Majority of the area of Seminary Hills lie under protected forest area. Seminary Hills Forest represents the unique vegetation of tropical dry deciduous forest, and shows presence of trees like Tectona grandis L.f., Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub., Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Acacia catechu (L. f.) Willd., Anogeissus latifolia (Roxb. ex DC.) Wall. ex Guill. & Perr., characteristics of tropical dry deciduous forest. The survey was conducted to explore the valuable tree species and enrich the knowledge of ethnobotanical plants in the area. Study revealed occurrence of 49 tree species belonging to 19 families in the area. Majority of the trees belong to the family Fabaceae (43%). Survey showed that virtually all the recorded tree species have medicinal and economical value. Stem/Bark (78%) of the plants was most useful part followed by leaves (59 %, fruit and seeds (45 %), roots (33 %), flowers (29 %), gum (12 %). In 6% of the trees, all the parts were found to be useful. Knowledge gained about the diversity and uses of trees will generate awareness among people regarding importance and conservation of these plant species.
The Estimation of Small Metal Traces of Cd (II) from the Alloy and Water Effluents using Fast and Accurate Extractive Spectrophotometric Method with Newly Developed DBA Reagent
Authors: Patil Sonali S.
Published: January 2023

Experimental research was reported on the extraction and the spectrophotometric determination of minute quantities of Cd(II), using a fresh novel ligand 2, 4-dimethyl -3H- 1, 5 benzodiazepine (DBA) from given sample of alloy. In this work, the fresh ligand was developed and its characterization was conducted using mass spectrophotometer and IR, NMR. A developed analytical ligand (DBA) when reacts with cadmium produces colored compound, this red colored complex, maintained at constant pH 8.9 and again extracted using n-butanol as a selected solvent. Beers law is also validated in the selected concentration range. The optimum parameters like absorption maxima, molar extinction coefficient and sandell’s sensitivity to the red compound were also reported to be 450 nm, 1960 L mol-1cm-2 and 0.01879 ?g cm-2, respectively. A prepared analytical ligand DBA is found to be effective and efficiently employed for determination of small quantities of Cd (II) metal ions.
Carbon Management Index and Soil Organic Carbon pools of Different land use in Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya
Authors: Tiwari Neha , Joshi Namita
Published: January 2023

Himalayan soils are young, unstable and prone to erosion due to its terrain, climate responsive conditions and human activities. Thus, a research was conducted to assess the dynamics of total organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, labile and non-labile carbon, lability index and carbon management index among three distinct landuse at various soil depth in north himalayan region. Mixed forest have considerably more total organic carbon (43.0 g/kg), particulate organic carbon (5.45 g/kg) followed by agricultural total organic carbon (29.58 g/kg), particulate organic carbon (3.51 g/kg) and tea garden total organic carbon (21.96 g/kg), particulate organic carbon (2.42 g/kg). There is a greater accumulation of all the indices and carbon pools at the surface layer in all landuse system. Mixed forest have higher lability index (0.77) and carbon management index (67.76) value indicating better soil health and quality. Therefore mixed forest is considered as the best landuse system in mitigating climate change through carbon storage. This study provides key details for conservation framing and reducing land deterioration in mountainous regions.
Whether University Students Intent to Use Facebook for Social Capital Building? A PLS-SEM Approach
Authors:   President Pink Pakistan Trust, Karachi-75300, Pakistan, Qazi Zubaida , Qazi Wasim ,   Department of Education and Learning Sciences, IQRA University, Karachi-75300, Pakistan, Raza Syed Ali ,   Department of Business Administration, IQRA University, Karachi-75300, Pakistan, Khan Komal Akram ,   Department of Business Administration, IQRA University, Karachi-75300, Pakistan, Umer Amna ,   Department of Business Administration, IQRA University, Karachi-75300, Pakistan
Published: January 2023

Social networking sites are powerful tools for forming relationships, enhancing cooperation, and facilitating the learning process. Today, students need to form associations and linkages with many people. It is essential to identify what encourages university students in Pakistan to use social media sites, in particular the popular platform Facebook. This article asks whether and how university students develop an intention to use Facebook and build social capital. Smart PLS was used for data analysis, and PLS-SEM was employed to assess measurements and structural models. It is argued that Facebook use intensity, perceived playfulness, bridging social capital, and bonding social capital all have positive and substantial effects on students developing an intention to use Facebook, which provides a valuable platform for formal and informal interactions. This article fulfills a gap in literature on higher education and social media. It explains the importance of social capital building through Facebook to the lives of university students. In addition, other factors are included for an in-depth understanding of students’ intention to continue using Facebook in Pakistan, which is a developing country where the internet and social media are increasing in popularity. Keywords: Facebook, Social capital, Social networking, University students, Smart PLS.
Shan Female Sex Workers’ Vulnerabilities and Coping Strategies in Response to COVID-19 in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Authors:   Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, Wichit Chanakan , Ayuttacorn Arratee ,   Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Published: January 2023

The Thailand government has marginalized, criminalized, and discriminated against migrant sex workers for decades and the COVID-19 pandemic has only increased the vulnerability of sex workers to hardship. Using a mixed research methodology including interviews, this article outlines the risks Shan sex workers in northern Thailand faced during the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020, their vulnerability contexts, and their coping strategies, including how institutional aid and existing assets impacted their livelihoods. Our findings reveal that Shan sex workers in Thailand have suffered primarily from oppressive laws and social stigma. They were excluded from government COVID-19 mitigation measures such as health services, compensation, and economic support. Identifying vulnerability factors highlights the difficulties of both systemic and individual-level responses, leading to suggestions for policymaking to improve the quality of sex workers’ lives. This study reveals that Shan sex workers are still being left behind and discriminated against in Thailand, but they have persevered to speak their minds and struggle to live through the COVID-19 crisis. There is an urgent need for Thailand authorities to decriminalize sex work and restructure the social security system so that it is inclusive for migrants. Keywords: Shan, Sex workers, COVID-19, Vulnerability, Coping strategy, Chiang Mai.
Applying A Hip Spica In A Child
Authors: Kapoor Darshan , Vaidya Sandeep
Published: January 2023

Hip spica cast is a useful modality for the lower limb immobilization in children with hip and femur pathologies. Single, one and half, double limb spica cast may be applied depending on the indication. The position of hip immobilization is also dependent on the underlying pathology for which the spica is being applied. The inguinal region and knee are potential weak spots in a spica and these should reinforce during spica application. Potential complications include plaster sores, breakage, avascular necrosis of femoral head (in developmental dysplasia of hip), neurovascular compromise, and superior mesenteric artery syndrome (very rare). Careful attention to technique and vigilant after-care is necessary to prevent these complications.
Clinical Profile of Congenital Clasped thumb: A case series
Authors: Kumar Bhaskaranand , Acharya Ashwath , Prasad Himanshu , Venugopal S M
Published: January 2023

Purpose: :Congenital clasped thumb is a rare deformity and not much has been described in literature about it. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical profile of congenital clasped thumb, examine peroperative pathoanatomy, and evaluate the results of the treatment of such cases. Methods: A prospective study on 57 patients [106 hands] was done and their data recorded from the medical case records. A thorough clinical and radiological assessment was performed. Patients were classified using the Tsuyuguchi classification. Splinting program was initially started and patients not responding to it and those older than 10 years underwent contracture release, joint stabilization, and local flap cover with or without tendon transfers. All patients were assessed by Gilbert’s grading after 1 year. Results: There were 43 males and 14 females. The average age was 33 months [range 0–21 years]. At presentation, 51% [54/106] of hands were classified as severe with syndromic pattern [Type III]. About 61% [35/57] of the patients presented at the age <5 years and 21% after 10 years including three adults. About 41% of these patients [23/57] had a history of consanguinity and 27% [15/57] had a family history of a similar or associated congenital deformity. Splinting program showed excellent results in type I. An a-la-Carté release of soft tissues, joint stabilization with K-wire, and ligament reconstruction with local flap cover gave good to excellent results in 73% of our patients. Nine patients had features of web creep at first web space. Conclusion: Congenital clasp thumb showed a strong genetic predisposition. There was no difference between type II and type III variants with respect to the pathoanatomy, treatment protocol, operative procedures, and results. Splinting program in mild deformity and surgical correction with reconstruction in more severe cases gave satisfactory results.
Prospective study of attitude of MBBS doctors towards violence against doctors
Authors: Kale Sachin , Shetty Sunil , Vatkar Arvind , Singh Sushmit , Bhor Pramod , Rayudu Raja Ganesh
Published: January 2023

Introduction: It is perceived that about 75% of doctors have faced some kind of violence at work, which is similar to the rates from other countries in the continent. A substantial proportion of doctors are in peril as they are victims of violence by their patients or relatives, which often is unreported. Methodology:A structured study questionnaire was designed and prepared in the form of “Google Forms.” Results: Student doctors tackling such abuse are known to develop psychological stress at most times; and come about with high functioning depression, fear, and post-traumatic stress disorders at such a preliminary stage of their practice. From this study, we explored that how doctors from being genuinely praised for their altruistic work to having faced social stigma and abuse. Conclusion: We intent to fortify doctors to tackle this emerging issue for the safety of physicians. Drawing inference from the literature and graphical analysis, a sustainable way to alleviate duress on doctors would be ameliorating public health-care services and thus the quality of life. To fathom this issue and to tackle interludes of violence against doctors, it is of paramount importance that as a society, we concede this as a public health and safety challenge.
Recurrence of GCTB of Wrist in an Autografted Non-vascularized Fibula: A Case Report
Authors: Kamat Amar , Gopurathingal Anto Anand , Chinder Pramod , Hindiskere Suraj
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Distal radius is known to have high percentage of recurrences in giant cell tumor (GCT) despite best efforts. We would like to present a case where the recurrence unusually occurred in the graft and the complications associated with it. Case Report: A 45-year-old woman, who had previously undergone curettage of GCT distal radius, presented with recurrence of lesion which was managed initially with resection and non-vascularized fibular autograft reconstruction. Tumor again recurred in the autografted fibula which was managed by curettage and cementing. Due to progressive collapse of the carpus, resection of the autograft and wrist arthrodesis was carried out. Conclusion: Recurrence of GCT is a challenging problem. Wide resections may not always avoid recurrences. Patients should be made aware of the extend of recurrence that can happen in spite of the best efforts
Distribution of heavy metal (Pb, Cd and Hg) concentrations in sediment of Bone River, Gorontalo
Authors: Kadim Miftahul Khair , Yuli Endang Herawati , Arfiati Diana , Hertika Asus Maizar Suryanto , Kasim Faizal
Published: January 2023

The concentration of three heavy metals Pb, Cd and Hg ware measured in Bone River, Gorontalo sediment. The heavy metal pollution on sediment in Bone River have not been explored longitudinally. The samples were taken in July 2021 at 8 stations.  The trend of metals ware observed in sediment as PbCdHg. The level of studied metals Cd and Hg did not exceed the safe limit by ANZECC, OSQG LEL and CCME TEL meanwhile Pb was met the limit by by ANZECC. However, the investigated showed that fluctuations due to differences in the characteristics of each location. Contamination factor (CF) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) demonstrated that the sediment samples were low contamination and lightly polluted. Contamination by heavy metals in the Bone River implies that the conditions are much frightening for the biota and residents around the river.
Low-loss and broadband cascaded SiN RGB coupler with dual-mode interference
Authors: Hu Xiao-Long , Jiang Jian-Kun , Liu Wen-Jie
Published: January 2023

We design and demonstrate a cascaded SiN-based RGB coupler with dual-mode interference (DMI) for a micro laser scanning image projector. The DMI configuration in SiN-based waveguides mitigates the adverse effects of self-image point deviation caused by wavelength dispersion, achieving decreased device length and high transmission efficiency. The underlying mechanisms are discussed based on coupled-mode theory and 3D finite difference time domain simulation. A small footprint of

3

µ

m

×
70

µ

m

is achieved for the RGB coupler device without input/output circuits, and the insertion losses are less than 0.56 dB at RGB wavelengths. There are two orders of magnitude reduction in device length as compared with the conventional

S
i

O

2

-based RGB coupler, which greatly promotes the miniaturization of the couplers and displays integration advantages with a laser diode and waveguide photodetector. In addition, the 3 dB bandwidth is over 50 nm for the coupler, and it demonstrates good fabrication tolerance. This design can further be integrated into visible light communication systems and applied to visible light integrated photonics.
Detection of biomarkers using terahertz metasurface sensors and machine learning
Authors: Lin Shangjun , Chen Jie , Liu Wentao , Peng Zhenyun , Chen Zhencheng , Hu Fangrong
Published: January 2023

To achieve classification and concentration detection of cancer biomarkers, we propose a method that combines terahertz (THz) spectroscopy, metasurface sensors, and machine learning. A metasurface sensor suitable for biomarker detection was designed and fabricated with five resonance frequencies in the range of 0.3–0.9 THz. We collected biomarkers of five types and nine concentrations at 100 sets of time-domain spectra per concentration. The spectrum is processed by noise reduction and fast Fourier transform to obtain the frequency-domain spectrum. Five machine learning algorithms are used to analyze time- and frequency-domain spectra and ascertain which algorithm is more suitable for the classification of the biomarker THz spectrum. Experimental results show that random forest can better distinguish five biomarkers with an accuracy of 0.984 for the time-domain spectrum. For the frequency-domain spectrum, the support vector machine performs better, with an accuracy of 0.989. For biomarkers at different concentrations, we used linear regression to fit the relationship between biomarker concentration and frequency shift. Experimental results show that machine learning can distinguish different biomarker species and their concentrations by the THz spectrum. This work provides an idea and data processing method for the application of THz technology in biomedical detection.
Refractive index sensors based on cascaded multimode interference hetero-core optical fibers
Authors: de Oliveira Hebio J. B. , da Silva Allamys A. D. , Peixoto e Silva Marianne S. , Alves Henrique P. , do Nascimento Jehan F. , Martins-Filho Joaquim F.
Published: January 2023

In this work, we demonstrate refractive index (RI) sensors based on the cascade of hetero-core structures using multimode and no-core optical fibers in sequence. The sensor device is engineered to have resonances at different wavelengths using different sensing region lengths. The device fabrication involves simple fiber cleaving and fusion splicing. For the experiments, the two sensor regions are exposed to liquids with different RIs. For the hetero-core fiber insertion length of 45 mm, the transmission valley is centered at 1082.5 nm with 15.1 nm full width at half-maximum (FWHM) for an external medium RI of 1.3370. Additionally, it shifts 4.1 nm towards longer wavelengths as the RI of the external medium increases to 1.3840. For the 30 mm long hetero-core structure, the valley is centered at 1599.7 nm with 23.3 nm FWHM for an external medium RI of 1.3370, which shifts 7.4 nm as the RI increases to 1.3840. The sensor sensitivities are up to

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index unit (RIU) and 270 nm/RIU. The resolution of the devices is estimated to be

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Nonlinear focal shift due to the Kerr effect for a Gaussian beam focused by a lens
Authors: Aupart-Acosta Adrián , Rosete-Aguilar Martha , Garduño-Mejía Jesús , Rodríguez-Herrera Oscar G. , Ruiz Camilo
Published: January 2023

When a low-power, monochromatic Gaussian beam is focused by a thin lens in air and the waist of the beam is in the plane of the lens, there is a shift of the focus position if the waist of the beam is much smaller than the size of the lens. The point of maximum intensity relative to the geometrical focal point shifts closer to the lens. We show that for ultra-intense light beams, when the Kerr effect is unavoidable, there is a nonlinear focal shift. The nonlinear focus position shifts closer to the lens for laser powers below the critical power. To avoid the nonlinear focal shift below the critical power, the correct combination of Gaussian beam waist and focal system has to be used in the experimental setup. It will be shown that as the Fresnel number

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associated with the Gaussian beam radius increases, the nonlinear focal shift first increases and then begins to decrease.
Network-aware compute and memory allocation in optically composable data centers with deep reinforcement learning and graph neural networks
Authors: Shabka Zacharaya , Zervas Georgios
Published: January 2023

Composable data center architectures promise a means of pooling resources remotely within data centers, allowing for both more flexibility and resource efficiency underlying the increasingly important infrastructure-as-a-service business. This can be accomplished by means of using an optically circuit switched backbone in the data center network (DCN), providing the required bandwidth and latency guarantees to ensure reliable performance when applications are run across non-local resource pools. However, resource allocation in this scenario requires both server-levelandnetwork-level resources to be co-allocated to requests. The online nature and underlying combinatorial complexity of this problem, alongside the typical scale of DCN topologies, make exact solutions impossible and heuristic-based solutions sub-optimal or non-intuitive to design. We demonstrate thatdeep reinforcement learning, where the policy is modeled by agraph neural network, can be used to learn effectivenetwork-awareandtopologically scalableallocation policies end-to-end. Compared to state-of-the-art heuristics for network-aware resource allocation, the method achieves up to a 20% higher acceptance ratio, can achieve the same acceptance ratio as the best performing heuristic with3×less networking resources available, and can maintain all-around performance when directly applied (with no further training) to DCN topologies with102×more servers than the topologies seen during training.
Plain quantification of subwavelength-gap metal-clad planar waveguides by the approximate analytical approach
Authors: Yoshino Toshihiko
Published: January 2023

A theoretical study that enables us to make a plain quantitative analysis of subwavelength-gap metal-clad planar waveguides (SMWs) via the analytical approach with a few-percentage-point discrepancy error compared to the complicated computational approach is presented. A variety of the characteristic features of SMWs, such as effective refractive index, propagating loss, mode width, and Fabry–Perot multiple-pass transmittance, have been analytically quantified by simple functions of SMW parameters, for the first time, to the best of the author’s knowledge. By applying the theoretical results to various real metal SMWs, their maximum achievable nanophotonic performances have been demonstrated.
Cortical representations of numbers and nonsymbolic quantities expand and segregate in children from 5 to 8 years of age
Authors: Nakai Tomoya , Girard Cléa , Longo Léa , Chesnokova Hanna , Prado Jérôme
Published: January 2023

Number symbols, such as Arabic numerals, are cultural inventions that have transformed human mathematical skills. Although their acquisition is at the core of early elementary education in children, it remains unknown how the neural representations of numerals emerge during that period. It is also unclear whether these relate to an ontogenetically earlier sense of approximate quantity. Here, we used multivariate fMRI adaptation coupled with within- and between-format machine learning to probe the cortical representations of Arabic numerals and approximate nonsymbolic quantity in 89 children either at the beginning (age 5) or four years into formal education (age 8). Although the cortical representations of both numerals and nonsymbolic quantities expanded from age 5 to age 8, these representations also segregated with learning and development. Specifically, a format-independent neural representation of quantity was found in the right parietal cortex, but only for 5-year-olds. These results are consistent with the so-called symbolic estrangement hypothesis, which argues that the relation between symbolic and nonsymbolic quantity weakens with exposure to formal mathematics in children.
Maternal and paternal employment in agriculture and early childhood development: A cross-sectional analysis of Demographic and Health Survey data
Authors: Bliznashka Lilia , Jeong Joshua , Jaacks Lindsay M.
Published: January 2023

Considerable literature from low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs) links maternal employment to child nutritional status. However, less is known about the role of parental employment and occupation type in shaping child development outcomes. Additionally, little empirical work has examined the mechanisms through which parental occupation influences child outcomes. Our objective was to investigate the associations between maternal and paternal employment (comparing agricultural and non-agricultural employment) and child development and to examine childcare practices and women’s empowerment as potential mechanisms. We pooled nine Demographic and Health Surveys (Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, Congo, Haiti, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo, and Uganda) with data on 8,516 children aged 36–59 months. We used generalised linear models to estimate associations between parental employment and child development, child stimulation (number of activities provided by the mother, father, and other household members), child supervision (not left alone or with older child for >1 hour), early childhood care and education programme (ECCE) attendance, and women’s empowerment. In our sample, all fathers and 85% of mothers were employed. In 40% of families, both parents were employed in agriculture. After adjusting for child, parental and household confounders, we found that parental agricultural employment, relative to non-agricultural employment, was associated with poorer child development (relative risk (RR) 0.86 (95% CI 0.80, 0.92), more child stimulation provided by other household members (mean difference (MD) 0.26 (95% CI 0.09, 0.42)), less adequate child supervision (RR, 0.83 (95% 0.78, 0.80)), less ECCE attendance (RR 0.46 (95% CI 0.39, 0.54)), and lower women’s empowerment (MD -1.01 (95% CI -1.18, -0.84)). Parental agricultural employment may be an important risk factor for early childhood development. More research using more comprehensive exposure and outcome measures is needed to unpack these complex relationships and to inform interventions and policies to support working parents in the agricultural sector with young children.