bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Network structure of ICD-11 adjustment disorder: a cross-cultural comparison of three African countries
Authors: Levin Yafit , Bachem Rahel , Karatzias Thanos , Shevlin Mark , Maercker Andreas , Ben-Ezra Menachem
Published: April 2021

Background

Adjustment disorder is one of the most widespread mental disorders worldwide. In ICD-11, adjustment disorder is characterised by two main symptom clusters: preoccupation with the stressor and failure to adapt. A network analytic approach has been applied to most ICD-11 stress-related disorders. However, no study to date has explored the relationship between symptoms of adjustment disorder using network analysis.

Aims

We aimed to explore the network structure of adjustment disorder symptoms and whether its structure replicates across questionnaire versions and samples.

Method

A network analysis was conducted on adjustment disorder symptoms as assessed by the Adjustment Disorder–New Module (ADNM-8) and an ultra-brief version (ADNM-4) using data from 2524 participants in Nigeria (n = 1006), Kenya (n = 1018) and Ghana (n = 500).

Results

There were extensive connections between items across all samples in both ADNM versions. Results highlight that preoccupation symptoms seem to be more prominent in terms of edges strengths (i.e. connections) and had the highest centrality in all networks across samples and ADNM versions. Comparisons of network structure invariance revealed one difference between Nigeria and Ghana in both ADNM versions. Importantly, the ADNM-8 global strength was similar in all networks whereas in the ADNM-4 Kenya had a higher global strength score compared with Nigeria

Conclusions

Results provide evidence of the coherence of adjustment disorder in ICD-11 as assessed by the ADNM questionnaire. The prominence of preoccupation symptoms in adjustment disorder highlights a possible therapeutic target to alleviate distress. There is a need to further replicate the network structure of adjustment disorder in non-African samples.
Foregut Exclusion Enhances Incretin and Insulin Secretion After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Kirwan John P , Axelrod Christopher L , Kullman Emily L , Malin Steven K , Dantas Wagner S , Pergola Kathryn , del Rincon Juan Pablo , Brethauer Stacy A , Kashyap Sangeeta R , Schauer Philip R
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Patients with type 2 diabetes experience resolution of hyperglycemia within days after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. This is attributed, in part, to enhanced secretion of hindgut factors following exclusion of the gastric remnant and proximal intestine during surgery. However, evidence of the mechanisms of remission remain limited due to the challenges of metabolic evaluation during the early postoperative period. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the role of foregut exclusion in the resolution of type 2 diabetes after RYGB.

Methods

Patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 15) undergoing RYGB had a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) placed in their gastric remnant at time of surgery. Patients were randomized to receive a mixed meal tolerance test via oral or G-tube feeding immediately prior to and 2 weeks after surgery in a repeated measures crossover design. Plasma glucose, insulin, C-peptide, incretin responses, and indices of meal-stimulated insulin secretion and sensitivity were determined.

Results

Body weight, fat mass, fasting glucose and insulin, and circulating lipids were significantly decreased 2 weeks after surgery. The glycemic response to feeding was reduced as a function of total area under the curve but not after adjustment for the reduction in fasting glucose. Oral feeding significantly enhanced insulin and incretin secretion after RYGB, which was entirely ablated by G-tube feeding.

Conclusion

Foregut exclusion accounts for the rise in incretin and insulin secretion but may not fully explain the early improvements in glucose metabolism after RYGB surgery.
Fatty Acids From the Cyanobacterium Microcystis Aeruginosa With Potent Inhibitory Effects on Fish Gill Na+/K+-ATPase Activity
Authors: Bury N. R. , Codd G. A. , Bonga S. E. Wendelaar , Flik G.
Published: April 2021

Fatty acids from two strains of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa, PCC 7820 (a strain that produces the hepatotoxin microcystin-LR, MC-LR) and CYA 43 (a strain that produces only small quantities of MC-LR), were extracted, partially characterised and tested for their inhibitory effect on the K+-dependent p-nitrophenol phosphatase (pNPPase) activity of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) gill basolateral membrane. Thin-layer chromatography of the lipids from dichloromethane:methanol extracts of M. aeruginosa PCC 7820 and CYA 43, using diethylether:isopropanol:formic acid (100:4.5:2.5) as solvent, yielded five inhibitory products from M. aeruginosa 7820 and six from M. aeruginosa CYA 43. None of these products could be related to MC-LR. The inhibitory behaviour of the products mimics that of a slow, tight-binding inhibitor. The inhibitory activity is removed by incubation of extracts with fatty-acid-free bovine serum albumin (FAF-BSA). However, FAF-BSA only partially reversed the inhibition of K+-dependent pNPPase on fish gills pre-exposed to the extracted products. We conclude that M. aeruginosa strains PCC 7820 and CYA 43 produce fatty acids with potent inhibitory effects on K+-dependent pNPPase. The release of these products following lysis of cyanobacterial blooms may help to explain fish kills through a disturbance of gill functioning.
Embryonic Temperature Influences Juvenile Temperature Choice And Growth Rate In Snapping Turtles Chelydra Serpentina
Authors: O’Steen Shyril
Published: April 2021

Snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) demonstrate temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD): intermediate egg incubation temperatures (23–27 °C) produce males, while extreme temperatures produce females. Snapping turtles are also sexually dimorphic: adult males are typically larger than females. Previous researchers hypothesized that male-producing egg temperatures enhanced the growth rate of juvenile turtles, resulting in the adult dimorphism and potentially providing an adaptive benefit for TSD. In reptiles, the choice of ambient temperature can also influence growth. I measured the effect of egg incubation temperature on juvenile growth rate and water temperature choice of C. serpentina. Eggs were incubated in the laboratory at 21.5, 24.5, 27.5 or 30.5 °C to produce both sexes, all males, both sexes or all females, respectively. Egg temperature was linearly and negatively correlated with growth rate of both male and female juveniles. Thus, growth was enhanced, but not maximized, by male-producing egg temperatures. Egg temperature was also negatively correlated with juvenile temperature choice such that, on average, turtles from 21.5 °C eggs selected 28 °C water, while turtles from 30.5 °C eggs chose 24.5 °C water. Additionally, these temperature choices were highly repeatable, even following a 6 month hibernation period at 7 °C. Thus, while male egg temperatures do not directly maximize growth, multiple effects of embryonic temperature may combine to create long-lasting differences in the behavioral physiology of male and female C. serpentina. Such differences could be important to the ecology and evolution of TSD.
Comparison of diagnosis of cracked tooth using contrast-enhanced CBCT and micro-CT
Authors: Hu ZiYang , Wang TieMei , Pan Xiao , Cao DanTong , Liang JiaHao , Gao AnTian , Xie Xin , Xu Shi , Miao LeiYing , Lin ZiTong
Published: April 2021

Objectives:

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy using sodium iodide (NaI) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as contrast agent in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning, and compare this with micro-CT.

Methods:

18 teeth were cracked artificially by soaking them cyclically in liquid nitrogen and hot water. After pre-treatment with artificial saliva, the teeth were scanned in four modes: CBCT routine scanning without contrast agent (RS); CBCT with meglumine diatrizoate (MD) as contrast agent (ES1); CBCT with NaI + DMSO as contrast agent (ES2); and micro-CT (mCT). The number of crack lines was evaluated in all four modes. Depth of crack lines and number of cracks presented from the occlusal surface to the pulp cavity (Np) in ES2 and micro-CT images were evaluated.

Results:

There were 63 crack lines in all 18 teeth. 45 crack lines were visible on ES2 images as against four on the RS and ES1 images (p<0.05) and 37 on micro-CT images (p>0.05). Further, 34 crack lines could be observed on both ES2 and micro-CT images, and the average depth presented on ES2 images was 4.56 ± 0.88 mm and 3.89 ± 1.08 mm on micro-CT images (p<0.05). More crack lines could be detected from the occlusal surface to the pulp cavity on ES2 images than on micro-CT images (22 vs 11).

Conclusion:

CBCT with NaI +DMSO as the contrast agent was equivalent to micro-CT for number of crack lines and better for depth of crack lines. NaI + DMSO could be a potential CBCT contrast agent to improve diagnostic accuracy for cracked tooth.
Propagation of threatened climber species Entada rheedii Spreng. – a medicinal plant with extremely thick and hard seed coat
Authors: Hossain Md. Aktar , Dey Joyeta , Rahman Mohammed Abdur
Published: April 2021

The study explored propagation techniques of Entada rheedii Spreng., a threatened medicinal climber species with extremely hard seed coat. Propagation trials included both pre-sowing treatments of seeds for germination and clonal propagation by stem cutting. Pre-sowing treatments included (a) soaking of both cut (notched) and uncut (intact) seeds in water for 0 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h and (b) immersion of intact seeds in 5% acetone solution for 5 min, 10 min, and 20 min before sowing in germination media in polybags. On the other hand, stem cutting involved treating the summer or autumn cuttings with 0%, 0.4%, and 0.8% IBA solution before rooting in non-mist propagator. Notched seeds soaked in water for 48 h showed the fastest seed germination with the highest germination percentages (73.3) and better seedling growth in terms of plant height, collar diameter, leaf number and total dry mass followed by notched seeds soaked in water for 72 h. The slowest germination and the lowest germination percentage (3.3), as well as the poorest growth performance was for intact seeds without any treatment. The highest rooting percent­age with maximum number of roots (36.6) was obtained from the summer cuttings treated with 0.4% IBA solution followed by autumn cuttings with 0.8% IBA and the lowest (43.3% and 8.3 roots) was for summer cuttings in control. The factors also dictated the survival and growth performance of rooted cuttings in the nursery conditions. The outcomes of these trials i.e., notched seeds soaking in water for 48 h will help to enhance the propagation of this valuable medicinal plant species.
Derivation and internal validation of a data-driven prediction model to guide frontline health workers in triaging children under-five in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Mawji Alishah , Akech Samuel , Mwaniki Paul , Dunsmuir Dustin , Bone Jeffrey , Wiens Matthew O. , Görges Matthias , Kimutai David , Kissoon Niranjan , English Mike , Ansermino Mark J.
Published: April 2021

Background: Many hospitalized children in developing countries die from infectious diseases. Early recognition of those who are critically ill coupled with timely treatment can prevent many deaths. A data-driven, electronic triage system to assist frontline health workers in categorizing illness severity is lacking. This study aimed to develop a data-driven parsimonious triage algorithm for children under five years of age.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study of children under-five years of age presenting to the outpatient department of Mbagathi Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya between January and June 2018. A study nurse examined participants and recorded history and clinical signs and symptoms using a mobile device with an attached low-cost pulse oximeter sensor. The need for hospital admission was determined independently by the facility clinician and used as the primary outcome in a logistic predictive model. We focused on the selection of variables that could be quickly and easily assessed by low skilled health workers.

Results: The admission rate (for more than 24 hours) was 12% (N=138/1,132). We identified an eight-predictor logistic regression model including continuous variables of weight, mid-upper arm circumference, temperature, pulse rate, and transformed oxygen saturation, combined with dichotomous signs of difficulty breathing, lethargy, and inability to drink or breastfeed. This model predicts overnight hospital admission with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.88 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.94). Low- and high-risk thresholds of 5% and 25%, respectively were selected to categorize participants into three triage groups for implementation. 

Conclusion: A logistic regression model comprised of eight easily understood variables may be useful for triage of children under the age of five based on the probability of need for admission. This model could be used by frontline workers with limited skills in assessing children. External validation is needed before adoption in clinical practice.
A Casual Study on Impact of Green HRM Practices on Organisation Sustainability
Authors: V Swarnalatha
Published: April 2021

Nowadays, our business environment has changed itsview from a traditional financial perspective tocompetency based and strategic based perspective. Thegreen movement across the world has given birth to theconcept of Green HRM. The concept became popularowing to the issues in the present business world, rangingfrom excessive consumption of natural resources, carboncredits, global warming, to pollution. All these results inserious industrial accidents decrease in life span, changesin climate, etc. In general, Green HR deals with practicingall HR activities with environment-friendly concerns.This, in turn, helps in the sustainability of businesses aswell as the employees. Nevertheless, there is a wide crackbetween the HRM and environmental facets. Thereforethere is an emerging requirement for research inarticulating green HR approaches and their suggestionson general business execution. The reason behind thisinvestigation is to talk about the ideas of green HRM andits impact on organisation sustainability with the help ofextensive review of the literature.
The Relationship between Biopsychic and Social Foundations Fear of Death
Authors: Gavrilova Yu. , Len'ko A. , Sklyadneva V.
Published: April 2021

The study is aimed at identifying and analyzing the features of the relationship between biopsychic and social bases of the fear of death. Research objectives: to consider the content of biopsychic mechanisms of the fear of death; to identify the features of the functioning of biopsychic processes as the basis for the fear of death; using the example of the COVID-19 pandemic to analyze the impact of social conditions on the occurrence of fear of death; consider the interaction and interaction of biopsychic and social bases of fear of death; consider possible ways to minimize the fear of death at the individual level and at the level of social groups. Research results. The authors, relying on the theory of interaction of the social with the natural, reveal that the bases of the fear of death are the peculiarities of the functioning of the human psyche, the action of the instinct of self-preservation, emotional and psychophysiological reactions, which are included in the area of functioning of the internal natural. It is noted that the biopsychological foundations of fear are manifested at the level of the individual, personal dimension and represent a natural (natural) form of fear of death, filled with social content. Arising under the influence of external threats, including of a social nature, the fear of death activates the psychophysiological reactions of the human body, that is, the process of social influence on the internal natural is taking place, bringing it to a functional state. At the same time, the inner natural, contributing to the appearance and manifestation of the fear of death, makes a person change social reality, build a new value-semantic hierarchy of life. This reveals the relationship between biopsychic and social foundations of the fear of death. Social upheavals, epidemics, wars, crises, poverty are considered by the authors as the dominant social foundations of the fear of death. It has been established that the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic are extreme conditions for human existence, in which the fear of death is characterized by increased intensity. The reactions of individuals and social groups to the experience of fear of death represent the search for a way to get rid of the fear of death, which constitutes a system of practices for ensuring psychological well-being.
Value-Centered Model Moral Development of the Person
Authors: Artemyeva Svetlana , Zhuravleva E. , Plehanova E.
Published: April 2021

The health of students and their physical fitness are among the most important and urgent problems. Health depends to a large extent on the way of life, covering the entire complex of life processes and the entire area of human interaction with the environment. When studying the functional state of the body, the most important are the indicators of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, the assessment of the level of physical development, fitness, functional capabilities and deviations in health. Motor activity increases the adaptation of the human body to changing environmental conditions and improves all adaptive mechanisms. Decreased physical activity contributes to an increase in the number of disorders in the body, which entails the risk of mental and physical discomfort in students.
An Efficiency Model for Assessing Intellectual Capital
Authors: Myasoedov Aleksey
Published: April 2021

Today we live in a knowledge society, a society shaped by the information revolution and developed by communication technologies. At the dawn of the new era, the concept of intellectual capital was first used to explain the importance of intellectual resources - such as information, knowledge, and experience - in the modern economy. Today, intellectual capital is a key factor in the company's profitability and has become an essential resource for creating economic wealth. In this environment, intellectual capital and intangible assets are fundamental to success. Intellectual capital consists of intangible assets that, when properly used, become a source of sustainable competitive advantage. To create value, the components of intellectual capital must interact. The assessment of intellectual capital is an important activity for any organization operating in a competitive market, and involves the achievement of intangible assets, but at a lower cost. The interest in measuring intellectual capital was caused by the fact that accounting, as it is currently practiced, has largely lost its information capacity as enterprises have become more and more knowledge-intensive. Traditional valuation methods based on accounting principles, where the value of a company's assets is a fraction of the value, have systematically undervalued companies. The existence of non-financial standards is critical to the company's value creation, as the accounting rules, under constant review, were originally developed for tangible assets, which are a source of wealth in the industrial period. In the literature, the assessment of intellectual capital is considered in different ways, with many approaches developed over time based on research and research, most of which are aimed at improving the performance of an organization, measured by different tools. This article is a synthesis of the most well-known models used to evaluate intellectual capital and its subsequent implementation in the case of Company X. The results obtained confirm the hypothesis that the intellectual capital of a company has a favorable effect on the results of the organization's activities and may indicate future competitiveness.
Universal Competences in Modern Education
Authors: Andreev A.
Published: April 2021

Educational objectives can be represented as the following chain containing conceptual algorithms: universal skills - soft skills - hard skills.

Under the universal competences (universal skills) is meant the possession of effective algorithms for solving informational in nature tasks facing a person who relies on the highest cultural values. Universal competencies allow you to form a picture of the world. The status of “universal” competencies implies that these competencies are equally important in professional, social and personal life.

On the basis of universal competencies, narrowly specialized competencies (hard skills) and “personal qualities” - soft skills should be formed.
Sintaksičeskaâ informaciâ dlâ Aktivnogo slovarâ russkogo âzyka
Authors: Apresân Ûrij D.
Published: April 2021

Syntactic information for Активный словарь русского языка ‘Active dictionary of Russian’

The article discusses the two types of syntactic information assigned to lexemes in the Active Dictionary of Russian (ADR) which is now being compiled at the Vinogradov Russian Language Institute of RAN. A lexeme is viewed in ADR as a word with only one of its meanings, but with all of the linguistically relevant properties characteristic for that meaning. Syntactic information assigned to a lexeme in ADR comprises government pattern(s) for predicate lexemes, and lexeme specific syntactic constructions, regardless of whether the lexeme is a predicate or not. Government patterns are deduced directly from the meaning definitions of predicate lexemes. Meaning definitions of predicate lexemes are formulated in terms of simpler senses and variables, of the form A1 which denote the semantic actants of the lexeme in question. A government pattern is the sum of lines A1, A2, …, An, each containing information on the external manifestation of the given actant.
Identity (Including Collective Identity)
Authors: Ścigaj Paweł
Published: April 2021

Identity has remained a popular concept for many decades, being widely used in scientific research. This reflects not only the importance of the phenomena standing behind this notion, but also wide and deep changes accompanying the transition of societies from industrial to post-industrial, late modern, post-modern, network or information society. Regardless of the disputes about the nature of the new era, researchers agree that identities, including collective identities, play a key role in it, and the fight for the recognition of individual and social actors is an extremely important element of contemporary social processes and relations. The article presents a brief description of the most important points in the debate on identity, concerning its meaning, the subjects of identity, the dimensions of identity and the forms of its manifestations in social reality.
Administrative and Territorial Organization of the State as a Tool of Ethnic Politics:The Example of the Republic of Croatia
Authors: Korzeniewska-Wiszniewska Mirella
Published: April 2021

The article focuses on the issue of Croatia’s ethnic policy towards minorities at the level of administrative and territorial organization. It attempts to answer the question whether and to what extent the ethnic and territorial conflict in the 1990s influenced the processes of transformation of the administrative and territorial organization of the state. The Croatian state, given as an example, at the time of declaring its independence in 1991 had to face the threat of territorial disintegration from the Serb minority living in its territory. The Italian minority was also suspected of such tendencies, but it soon turned out that these suspicions were groundless. The Serbian community could, however, threaten the unification of the state, which initially happened as a result of an armed conflict. After its end, fears did not diminish, especially in the face of the changes in territorial borders that took place until the end of the first decade of the 21st century. The threat could be reduced using one of the tools, which was the local government administration and the shape of its territorial units. The Author analyses this issue basing on the projects of Croatian experts dealing with the issues of administrative and territorial organization of the last three decades and at various stages of Croatian statehood, data on demographic changes and laws regulating the functioning of local and regional local governments as well as regulations concerning the position of national minorities in the state.
Ideological Identifying as a Determiner of the Polish People Political Collective Identity
Authors: Godlewski Tomasz
Published: April 2021

The aim of the article is to examine whether and to what extent a socio-political division into left- and right-wing is a factor that significantly influences the formation of the Polish political collective identity. The author of the article attempted to present the leftist and rightist identities in relation to defining characteristics of collective identity. Then, a theoretical model was empirically verified based on the findings of the author’s own research conducted in 2019.
The Impact of Firm Speed Capabilities on the Decision to Partner or Go It Alone
Authors: Hawk Ashton , J. Reuer Jeffrey , Garofolo Andrew
Published: April 2021

This study empirically examines the role of intrinsic speed capabilities, which refer to the ability to execute investment projects faster than competitors, in shaping corporations’ choice of alliances versus autonomous project development. Our basic premise is that firms lacking intrinsic speed capabilities (i.e., slow firms) are more likely to turn to alliances to supplement their capability deficiency. However, we expect that the ability of slow firms to partner with fast firms hinges on the former’s possession of complementary supporting assets. Our empirical analyses furnish evidence supporting these ideas using data from the global liquefied natural gas industry.
The group embedded figure and pattern test for cognitive styles of deaf-mute students
Authors: Kusumawati Vaula Greennita , Andriyani Andriyani
Published: April 2021

This research aim is to describe deaf-mute students' cognitive style which seen in the condition of the Group Embedded Figure Test (GEFT). Data was collected through given by GEFT to four deaf-mute students of SLBN 2 Bantul and the data were analyzed through an interactive analysis of the Miles & Huberman model namely data collection, data reduction, data display, verification or conclusion inferred. From the test results, two students were categorized to Field-Dependent (FD) cognitive style and the other students were categorized to Field-Independent (FI) cognitive style. Students with FD cognitive styles tend to have difficulty focusing on something or analyzing the pattern into different parts. In contrary, students with FI cognitive style are more capable to accept separate parts of an overall pattern and analyzing the pattern into its components.
Formação inventiva de professores em tempos de pandemia: o que um louco lúcido nos convida a pensar e escrever?
Authors: Kohan Walter Omar
Published: April 2021

Depois de uma apresentação do momento presente e da crise do capitalismo com a atual pandemia do COVID-19, o texto busca pensar as seguintes perguntas: qual seria o papel de uma formação inventiva de professores no atual cenário de suspensão aberto pela pandemia, que nos abre a possibilidade de novas formas de vida (nas escolas e fora delas)? O que fazer, em nome de uma formação inventiva de educadores, a partir de um momento crítico como o presente?  O artigo o faz a partir de uma leitura da frase “inventamos ou erramos”, de Simón Rodríguez, e da inspiração de pedagogia menina da pergunta de Paulo Freire.
Developing a just culture in the NHS
Authors: Tingle John
Published: April 2021

John Tingle, Lecturer in Law, Birmingham Law School, University of Birmingham, discusses several reports on developing a just culture in the NHS
Did COVID-19 related delays in surgical management lead to patient morbidity in the orthopaedic oncological population?
Authors: Fitzgerald Michael J. , Goodman Howard J. , Kenan Samuel , Kenan Shachar
Published: April 2021

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess orthopaedic oncologic patient morbidity resulting from COVID-19 related institutional delays and surgical shutdowns during the first wave of the pandemic in New York, USA.

Methods

A single-centre retrospective observational study was conducted of all orthopaedic oncologic patients undergoing surgical evaluation from March to June 2020. Patients were prioritized as level 0-IV, 0 being elective and IV being emergent. Only priority levels 0 to III were included. Delay duration was measured in days and resulting morbidities were categorized into seven groups: prolonged pain/disability; unplanned preoperative radiation and/or chemotherapy; local tumour progression; increased systemic disease; missed opportunity for surgery due to progression of disease/lost to follow up; delay in diagnosis; and no morbidity.

Results

Overall, 25 patients met inclusion criteria. There were eight benign tumours, seven metastatic, seven primary sarcomas, one multiple myeloma, and two patients without a biopsy proven diagnosis. There was no priority level 0, two priority level I, six priority level II, and 17 priority level III cases. The mean duration of delay for priority level I was 114 days (84 to 143), priority level II was 88 days (63 to 133), and priority level III was 77 days (35 to 269). Prolonged pain/disability and delay in diagnosis, affecting 52% and 40%,respectively, represented the two most frequent morbidities. Local tumour progression and increased systemic disease affected 32% and 24% respectively. No patients tested positive for COVID-19.

Conclusion

COVID-19 related delays in surgical management led to major morbidity in this studied orthopaedic oncologic patient population. By understanding these morbidities through clearer hindsight, a thoughtful approach can be developed to balance the risk of COVID-19 exposure versus delay in treatment, ensuring optimal care for orthopedic oncologic patients as the pandemic continues with intermittent calls for halting surgery. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(4):236–242.
Avaliação de Estratégias aplicadas na manutenção pesada ferroviária
Authors: Leme Lucas Budel Paes , Ryba Lenzi Andréa , Da Silva Junior Roberto Gregorio
Published: April 2021

O setor ferroviário brasileiro apresenta perspectivas de crescimento, demandando, assim, estratégias que propiciem maior confiabilidade e disponibilidade operacional, evitando ociosidades e atrasos, bem como garantindo a segurança na operação. Nesse sentido, este estudo teve como objetivo a identificação de estratégias para melhorias no setor de manutenção pesada de uma empresa concessionária do setor ferroviário. Para tal finalidade, foi realizada uma pesquisa-ação, contemplando diagnóstico preliminar, avaliação das estratégias e proposição de melhorias. Os resultados indicaram uma orientação para perspectivas tradicionais, como segurança, custos e reputação, e indicaram oportunidades de melhorias, contemplando relacionamento com a comunidade, estratégia de terceirização e diminuição do choque cultural entre colaboradores, entre outras. Além disso, a pesquisa propiciou o compartilhamento de opiniões, experiências e visões de futuro, e fez emergir falhas e lacunas estratégicas que serão tratadas oportunamente pela empresa.
Going Mobile: oportunidades, barreiras e fatores críticos de sucesso para iniciativas de M-Government
Authors: Hanada Leandro Mitsuo , Tavares Elaine , Costa Isabel de Sá Affonso da
Published: April 2021

Nesta pesquisa foram identificados oportunidades, barreiras e fatores críticos de sucesso para iniciativas de governo eletrônico em plataforma móvel (m-government), e foi desenvolvido um quadro analítico para futuras pesquisas sobre a adoção de tecnologias móveis da informação e comunicação (mTICs) no setor público. Constituíram o escopo da pesquisa: serviços de governo eletrônico com tecnologia móvel prestados por meio de smartphones e tablets; projetos que conectam o governo ao cidadão; projetos internos do governo que conectam os seus funcionários por meio da tecnologia móvel; portais que fornecem serviços das três esferas públicas; canais do governo com a iniciativa privada. Foi realizado levantamento bibliográfico dos artigos publicados no Portal de Periódicos Capes, entre 2000 e 2019. Evidenciou-se que o sucesso na implantação das iniciativas de m-government envolve fatores além dos relativos à tecnologia. Processos, parcerias, legislação, políticas e impactos socioeconômicos cabem ao contexto analisado, e fornecem um panorama abrangente de elementos que influenciam projetos em m-government.
Characterization method of the effective phase retardation in linear
birefringent thin sheets
Authors: Pabón Jhon , Salazar Karol , Torres Rafael
Published: April 2021

Characterization of the birefringence of materials offers the
opportunity to develop applications and elements to manipulate the
polarization of light. We propose a new method for characterizing the
effective phase retardation based on the linear birefringent law. The
proposed method is flexible and easy to implement; it also determines
the retardation introduced by a linear birefringent as from an input
polarization state and a specific output state generated by the
rotated material. The method is evaluated experimentally by
characterizing the birefringence of cellophane samples.
Spatiotemporal monitoring of changes in oxy/deoxy-hemoglobin concentration and blood pulsation on human skin using smartphone-enabled remote multispectral photoplethysmography
Authors: He Qinghua , Sun Zhiyuan , Li Yuandong , Wang Wendy , Wang Ruikang K.
Published: April 2021

We propose a smartphone-enabled remote multispectral photoplethysmography (SP-rmPPG) system and method to realize spatiotemporal monitoring of perfusion changes and pulsations of the oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxyhemoglobin (Hb) information of the effective blood volume within light interrogated skin tissue beds. The system is implemented on an unmodified smartphone utilizing its built-in camera and flashlight to acquire videos of the skin reflectance. The SP-rmPPG method converts the RGB video into multispectral cubes, upon which to decouple the dynamic changes in HbO2 and Hb information using a modified Beer-Lambert law and the selective wavelength bands of 500 nm and 650 nm. Blood pulsation amplitudes are then obtained by applying a window-based lock-in amplification on the derived spatiotemporal changes in HbO2 or Hb signals. To demonstrate the feasibility of proposed method, we conduct two experiments on the skin tissue beds that are conditioned by occlusive maneuver of supplying arteries: one using the popular blood cuff pressure maneuver on the upper arm, and another artificially inducing a transient ischemic condition on the facial skin tissue beds by finger pressing on the supplying external carotid artery. The cuff experiment shows that the measured dynamic information of HbO2 and Hb in the downstream agrees well with the parallel measurements of oxygenation saturation given by the standard pulse oximeter. We also observe the expected imbalance of spatiotemporal changes in the HbO2 and Hb between the right and left cheeks when the transient ischemic condition is induced in the one side of facial skin tissue beds. The results from the two experiments sufficiently demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method to monitor the spatiotemporal changes in the skin hemodynamics, including blood oxygenation and pulsation amplitudes. Considering the ever-growing accessibility and affordability of the smartphone to the general public, the proposed strategy promises the early screening of vascular diseases and improving general public health particularly in rural areas with low resource settings.
Matched coordinates for the analysis of 1D gratings
Authors: Granet Gérard , Bischoff Joerg
Published: April 2021

The Fourier modal method (FMM) is certainly one of the most popular and general methods for the modeling of diffraction gratings. However, for non-lamellar gratings it is associated with a staircase approximation of the profile, leading to poor convergence rate for metallic gratings in TM polarization. One way to overcome this weakness of the FMM is the use of the fast Fourier factorization (FFF) first derived for the differential method. That approach relies on the definition of normal and tangential vectors to the profile. Instead, we introduce a coordinate system that matches laterally the profile and solve the covariant Maxwell’s equations in the new coordinate system, hence the name matched coordinate method (MCM). Comparison of efficiencies computed with MCM with other data from the literature validates the method.
Michelson interferometer based phase demodulation for stable time transfer over 1556 km fiber links
Authors: Lin Jinping , Wang Zhaohui , Lei Zitong , Dong Jiameng , Wang Youlin , Shang Jianming , Jiang Tianwei , Luo Bin , Yu Song
Published: April 2021

Time transfer based on phase modulation schemes has attracted extensive attention in recent years. We propose and experimentally demonstrate an adjustable and stable Michelson interferometer (MI) with a DC phase tracking algorithm for two-way time transfer. Time signal with one pulse per second (1 PPS) is loaded on an optical carrier modulated in phase and demodulated by a Michelson interferometer. The whole compact and cost-effective demodulator is symmetrical with a single coupler to split and recombine optical waves, flexible with one photodetector and a bias tee to separate the DC signal and recovery pulses and stable with a phase modulator to compensate for the drift-phase noise. We show the implementation of modulation and demodulation of the time signal and obtain the stability of 2.31 × 10−11 at 1000 s averaging time. We then demonstrate two-way time transfer over 1556 km lab fibers. The experimental result shows time interval stability of 1 PPS with 5.62 × 10−11 at 1000 s averaging time. It has the potential to transfer time signals in long-distance fiber optic links.
Real-time multi-functional near-infrared wave manipulation with a 3-bit liquid crystal based coding metasurface
Authors: Shabanpour Javad , Sedaghat Morteza , Nayyeri Vahid , Oraizi Homayoon , Ramahi Omar M.
Published: April 2021

We propose a new generation of reprogrammable multi-functional bias encoded metasurfaces for dynamic wave manipulation using liquid crystals (LC). This metadevice is an array of unit-cells based on LCs to provide the desired phase steps based on its large birefringence property. The presented 3-bit coding metasurface (CM) use 8 states of "000"-"111" to control and manipulate the scattered wave at λ=1.4µm for several applications. The metasurface is introduced in detail and followed by several examples to show its versatility. Steered pencil, regular, and focused vortex beams with different topological charges are realized. The theoretical predictions are confirmed by numerical simulations. The proposed CM enables the realization of multifunctional optical wavefront manipulation and future intelligent optical devices.
3D printing-based mirrored image component for seamless modular curved-edge displays
Authors: Lee Seunghwan , Yoo Chanhyung , Yoon Hyungsoo , Kim Dongyeon , Kim Geonhee , Lee Byoungho , Hong Yongtaek
Published: April 2021

A facile method for designing and fabricating a concave mirror from a 3D printed mold is proposed for a seamless modular curved-edge display. The concave mirror is placed on the seam of modular curved-edge display, thereby reflecting images at the curved-edge area toward the observer direction. By investigating the concave mirror structures based on parametric modeling, we obtain a continuous image in a modular curved-edge display by optically concealing the seam. We also analyze the luminance distribution and the viewing angle of the seamless modular curved-edge display to show the capability of concealing the seam by the concave mirror.
Room-temperature watt-level and tunable ∼3  µm lasers in Ho3+/Pr3+ co-doped AlF3-based glass fiber
Authors: Liu Mo , Zhang Jiquan , Xu Niannian , Tian Xinwei , Jia Shijie , Wang Shunbin , Brambilla Gilberto , Wang Pengfei
Published: April 2021

A room-temperature watt-level continuous-wave-output power mid-infrared fiber laser operating at

λ
∼
3

µ

m

is demonstrated using a

H
o

3
+

/

P
r

3
+

co-doped

A
l
F

3

based glass fiber as a gain fiber. This fixed-wavelength laser had maximum output power of 1.13 W with a slope efficiency of 10.3% and a long-term operating stability of

>

40

min

without any additional packaging or active thermal management. A fiber laser with tunability from 2.842 to 2.938 µm showed a maximum output power of 110 mW.
Der Zusammenhang zwischen Wohnungsgröße und Miethöhe in Deutschland und dessen Einfluss auf die Projektentwicklung
Authors: Engel Dominik , Gärtner Philip , Linke Hans-Joachim
Published: April 2021

Die Entwicklung der Mietpreise auf dem deutschen Wohnungsmarkt hat in den letzten Jahren zu regulatorischen Eingriffen des Gesetzgebers geführt, um die Preissteigerung zu begrenzen. Dennoch steigen die Preise in einigen Regionen weiter und stellen Marktakteure vor Herausforderungen. Insbesondere Projektentwickler im Wohnungsbau, die die zukünftige Nachfrage in ihren Entwicklungen antizipieren müssen, müssen entscheiden, welche Wohnungsgrößen zukünftig nachgefragt werden und welchen Einfluss die Entwicklung unterschiedlicher Wohnungsgrößen auf ihren Erlös hat. Diese Studie greift dazu diesen bisher in der Literatur noch allenfalls eingeschränkt behandelten Aspekt auf. Dazu wird der Trend der Wohnungsgrößenentwicklung sowohl auf Bundes- wie auch auf kommunaler Ebene anhand amtlicher Statistiken untersucht und die Erlös- und Kostenentwicklung mit Hilfe von Mietpreisstatistiken, Angebotsdaten und Experteninterviews analysiert. Der ermittelte Trend der Wohnungsgrößenentwicklung hin zu kleineren Wohnungen impliziert eine Untersuchung der sich daraus ergebenden Konsequenzen. Die Analyse der Mietpreisstatistiken und Angebotsdaten zeigt, dass dies mit höheren Erlösen pro Quadratmeter Wohnfläche einhergeht. Die Analyse der Größeneffekte auf die Kalkulation von Projektentwicklern zeigt, dass insbesondere der Flächeneffizienz und bestimmten Positionen der Baukosten frühzeitig verstärkt Beachtung zukommen sollte. Dies legt in Verbindung mit der Mietpreisanalyse die Entwicklung kleinerer Wohnungen, unter sorgfältiger Abwägung der Randbedingungen des individuellen Projektes, nahe.
Vessel network extraction and analysis of mouse pulmonary vasculature via X-ray micro-computed tomographic imaging
Authors: Chadwick Eric A. , Suzuki Takaya , George Michael G. , Romero David A. , Amon Cristina , Waddell Thomas K. , Karoubi Golnaz , Bazylak Aimy
Published: April 2021

In this work, non-invasive high-spatial resolution three-dimensional (3D) X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) of healthy mouse lung vasculature is performed. Methodologies are presented for filtering, segmenting, and skeletonizing the collected 3D images. Novel methods for the removal of spurious branch artefacts from the skeletonized 3D image are introduced, and these novel methods involve a combination of distance transform gradients, diameter-length ratios, and the fast marching method (FMM). These new techniques of spurious branch removal result in the consistent removal of spurious branches without compromising the connectivity of the pulmonary circuit. Analysis of the filtered, skeletonized, and segmented 3D images is performed using a newly developed Vessel Network Extraction algorithm to fully characterize the morphology of the mouse pulmonary circuit. The removal of spurious branches from the skeletonized image results in an accurate representation of the pulmonary circuit with significantly less variability in vessel diameter and vessel length in each generation. The branching morphology of a full pulmonary circuit is characterized by the mean diameter per generation and number of vessels per generation. The methods presented in this paper lead to a significant improvement in the characterization of 3D vasculature imaging, allow for automatic separation of arteries and veins, and for the characterization of generations containing capillaries and intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses (IPAVA).
Route selection in non-Euclidean virtual environments
Authors: Muryy Alexander , Glennerster Andrew
Published: April 2021

The way people choose routes through unfamiliar environments provides clues about the underlying representation they use. One way to test the nature of observers’ representation is to manipulate the structure of the scene as they move through it and measure which aspects of performance are significantly affected and which are not. We recorded the routes that participants took in virtual mazes to reach previously-viewed targets. The mazes were either physically realizable or impossible (the latter contained ‘wormholes’ that altered the layout of the scene without any visible change at that moment). We found that participants could usually find the shortest route between remembered objects even in physically impossible environments, despite the gross failures in pointing that an earlier study showed are evident in the physically impossible environment. In the physically impossible conditions, the choice made at a junction was influenced to a greater extent by whether that choice had, in the past, led to the discovery of a target (compared to a shortest-distance prediction). In the physically realizable mazes, on the other hand, junction choices were determined more by the shortest distance to the target. This pattern of results is compatible with the idea of a graph-like representation of space that can include information about previous success or failure for traversing each edge and also information about the distance between nodes. Our results suggest that complexity of the maze may dictate which of these is more important in influencing navigational choices.