bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Διερεύνηση του κόστους ποιότητας επιχειρήσεων τροφίμων και ποτών στην Ελλάδα με τεχνικές της πολυμεταβλητής ανάλυσης δεδομένων
Authors: Χατζηπέτρου Ευρίκλεια
Published: September 2021

H παρούσα διατριβή διερευνά το ρόλο που διαδραματίζει το Κόστος Ποιότητας, και συγκεκριμένα το μοντέλο PAF, στις επιχειρήσεις Τροφίμων και Ποτών στην Ελλάδα. Εξετάζεται η έκταση εφαρμογής της κοστολόγησης Ποιότητας σε σχέση με το μέγεθος των επιχειρήσεων, την πιστοποίηση Ποιότητας που κατέχουν, τον υπο-κλάδο στον οποίο δραστηριοποιούνται κ.ό.κ. Επιπλέον, τονίζεται η σημασία των κατηγοριών του Κόστους Ποιότητας (Πρόληψη-Αξιολόγηση-Αποτυχία) και ερευνάται η σύνδεσή τους με την ωριμότητα του συστήματος Διοίκησης Ποιότητας των επιχειρήσεων και της διαμόρφωσης της στάσης τους σχετικά με την Ποιότητα και το κόστος της. Για την διερεύνηση των παραπάνω ερωτημάτων, χρησιμοποιείται η τεχνική συλλογής δεδομένων με ερωτηματολόγιο. Το ερωτηματολόγιο συντάχθηκε μετά από επισταμένη μελέτη της σχετικής βιβλιογραφίας και εστάλη στους Υπεύθυνους Οικονομικών ή/και Ποιότητας των επιχειρήσεων. Η ανάλυση των δεδομένων έγινε με την Παραγοντική Ανάλυση των Πολλαπλών Αντιστοιχιών και την Ανιούσα Ιεραρχική Ταξινόμηση. Τα αποτελέσματα που προκύπτουν καταδεικνύουν πως η έκταση της καταγραφής και της μέτρησης του Κόστους Ποιότητας έχει άμεση σχέση με το μέγεθος των επιχειρήσεων, καθώς και με την πιστοποίηση ISO/HACCP. Επιχειρήσεις με υψηλό κύκλο εργασιών, μεγάλο αριθμό εργαζομένων ή/και πιστοποίηση Ποιότητας, εστιάζουν σε διαδικασίες παρακολούθησης και ελέγχου του Κόστους Ποιότητας και της παραγωγής ποιοτικών προϊόντων. Επιπλέον, ο επιχειρηματικός υπο-κλάδος των επιχειρήσεων (π.χ. Άλευρα-Σιτηρά, Φρούτα-Λαχανικά, Ποτά κ.ά.) εμφανίζεται ως σημαντικός παράγοντας, καθώς αποτυπώνεται στην έρευνα η σχέση του με την κοστολόγηση της Ποιότητας. Παράλληλα, από τα ευρήματα προκύπτει πως οι επιμέρους συνιστώσες των κατηγοριών του Κόστους Ποιότητας, καθώς και οι δαπάνες που σχετίζονται με αυτές, συνδέονται με τα στάδια ωριμότητας της Διοίκησης Ποιότητας μιας επιχείρησης και καθορίζουν την πολυπλοκότητα (sophistication) ενός συστήματος κοστολόγησης Ποιότητας. Το υψηλό κόστος Εξωτερικής Αποτυχίας συνδέεται με πρώιμα στάδια ωριμότητας των επιχειρήσεων, ενώ έμφαση στο κόστος Αξιολόγησης υποδηλώνει ωριμότερα συστήματα Διοίκησης Ποιότητας και παρακολούθησης του κόστους.
Η επίδραση των διαιτητικών συνηθειών του φύλου της προσωπικότητας και της αυτοεκτίμησης στην εικόνα του σώματος ασκούμενων σε αερόβιες δραστηριότητες
Authors: Τσαρτσαπάκης Ιωάννης
Published: September 2021

Η εικόνα του σώματος ορίζεται ως η εσωτερική αναπαράσταση της εξωτερικής εμφάνισης ενός ατόμου. Τόσο για τους άνδρες όσο και για τις γυναίκες η αρνητική εικόνα του σώματος έχει επιζήμιες συνέπειες για τη σωματική, ψυχολογική και οικονομική τους κατάσταση. Η αρνητική εικόνα του σώματος σχετίζεται με συναισθηματική δυσφορία, το κάπνισμα, ακραίες ενέργειες για την αλλαγή της εμφάνισης, χρήση αναβολικών ουσιών, κοινωνικό άγχος, μειωμένη σεξουαλική λειτουργία, κατάθλιψη και διατροφικές διαταραχές. Σκοπός της παρούσας μελέτης ήταν η διερεύνηση του ρόλου των διαιτητικών συνηθειών, των διατροφικών στάσεων, του φύλου, της προσωπικότητας και της αυτοεκτίμησης, στην εικόνα του σώματος ενηλίκων ασκούμενων σε αερόβιες δραστηριότητες. Στη μελέτη συμμετείχαν 1794 άτομα (906 άντρες και 888 γυναίκες), ηλικίας από 18 έως 59 ετών (Μ.Ο. ηλικίας = 33.64, Τ.Α = 9.89), τα οποία χωρίστηκαν σε ομάδες με βάση την αερόβια δραστηριότητα που συμμετείχαν (ποδηλασία, δρόμοι αντοχής, άσκηση σε κλειστούς χώρους, κολύμβηση και μη ασκούμενοι). Τα εργαλεία που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν για τον επιδιωκόμενο σκοπό ήταν το πολυδιάστατο ερωτηματολόγιο της σχέσης σώματος - εαυτού (Cash, 2000), ο δείκτης συμμόρφωσης στη μεσογειακή διατροφή (Panagiotakos, Pitsavos & Stefanadis, 2006), το ερωτηματολόγιο διατροφικών στάσεων (Garner & Garfinkel, 1982), η δοκιμασία χαρακτηριστικών της προσωπικότητας (Τσαούσης, 2000), η κλίμακα αυτοεκτίμησης του Rosenberg (Rosenberg, 1965) και ένα ερωτηματολόγιο δημογραφικών χαρακτηριστικών που κατασκευάστηκε για τις ανάγκες της μελέτης. Από τα αποτελέσματα διαπιστώθηκε ότι οι κυριότεροι προβλεπτικοί παράγοντες για την εικόνα του σώματος και για τα δύο φύλα ήταν οι διατροφικές στάσεις, ο δείκτης μάζας σώματος, η αυτοεκτίμηση, οι διατροφικές συνήθειες και τα χαρακτηριστικά της προσωπικότητας, νευρωτισμός, ευρύτητα και προσήνεια Επιπλέον, καταδείχτηκε η ύπαρξη διαφορών των διατροφικών συνηθειών και στάσεων, της αυτοεκτίμησής, των παραγόντων της προσωπικότητάς τους, καθώς και των μεταβλητών του πολυδιάστατου ερωτηματολογίου της σχέσης σώματος – εαυτού, τόσο μεταξύ των ασκούμενων ανδρών και γυναικών, όσο και μεταξύ των ασκούμενων στις τέσσερις ομάδες της αερόβιας άσκησης. Τέλος, βρέθηκε ότι οι ασκούμενοι, συγκριτικά με τους μη ασκούμενους είχαν θετικότερη εικόνα του σώματος. Συμπερασματικά επισημαίνεται ότι η συνεξέταση των παραγόντων που επιδρούν στην εικόνα του σώματος των ασκούμενων, δύναται να εμπλουτίσει τις γνώσεις μας για τη βαθύτερη κατανόηση της σχέσης της συμμετοχής στην άσκηση και της εικόνας του σώματος. Λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τη θετική εικόνα του σώματος που παρουσίασε το σύνολο των ασκούμενων και των δύο φύλων φαίνεται ότι η άσκηση δρα θετικά στην εικόνα του σώματος, ασχέτως της δραστηριότητας που θα επιλεχθεί.
Pulmonary function parameters among marble industry workers in Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Butt Imran Maqsood , Mustafa Tajammal , Rauf Shahnaz , Razzaq Anjum , Anwer Javaria
Published: September 2021

Background: Occupational contact with dust particles is a well-known phenomenon, particularly in developing countries of the world. Crystalline silica present in marble dust is the main etiology of a rising prevalence of obstructive lung diseases in marble stone workers, who are in direct contact with marble dust in the surrounding environment during their regular work.  The purpose of this study was to compare the pulmonary function parameters of workers in marble workshops and age matched healthy individuals in the Lahore District of Pakistan.

Methods: The study included 164 male individuals, 82 individuals working in marble workshops and 82 healthy individuals from the same community. Data were collected through in-person interviews using a structured questionnaire after obtaining written consent. A Spiro Lab spirometry for pulmonary function tests was used to identify any change in the lung function parameters. FVC% (forced vital capacity), FEV 1 (forced expiratory volume in first second) and FEV1 / FVC ratio were evaluated.

Results: Mean age in the exposed group (marble workers) and non-exposed group (healthy individuals) were 29.92 ± 6.19 and 30.58 ± 6.37 years, respectively. The mean years of work experience of the exposed group was 11.92 ± 5.67 years. A statistically insignificant difference was observed between marble exposed workers & healthy individuals from the demographic variables. Lung function parameters in marble workers exhibited a highly significant (P < 0.001) decrease in FVC%, FEV1 & FEV1 / FVC ratio when compared to healthy individuals.

Seventy-one percent of marble workers had abnormal pulmonary parameters whereas 34% of workers had restrictive pulmonary impairment. Marble workers who had worked for more than 15 years had a highly significant risk of developing abnormal pulmonary function (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Continuous exposure to marble dust deteriorates the lung function of marble workers.
Integrating evidence-based interventions in clinical settings in Jordan: a policy brief
Authors: Alzaatreh Mohammad , Al-Maraira Obay A. , Abu Tabar Nazih , Alsadi Mohammad R. , Khrais Huthaifah , Abunab Hamzeh Y , Kasasbeh Khaled M. , Almaani Mohammad , Khalil Malek
Published: September 2021

Background: Evidence-based nursing practice (EBNP) is considered a major and very important global paradigm shift. Unfortunately, most healthcare providers and researchers embrace the concept of evidence-based practice (EBP) without integrating this concept in clinical settings. The current situation of EBP and new practice guidelines utilization in Jordan are scarce. This policy brief aimed to discusses the process of utilizing nursing EBP in clinical settings in Jordan.

Methods: The authors adopted an action plan utilizing a systematic approach to develop and implement specific strategies and policies to integrate EBP in clinical settings in Jordanian hospitals.

We present an experience of one country in terms of introducing a policy brief to establish an EBP policy accompanied by developing an EBP unit in the hospital's country.

Results: A comprehensive description of this policy is provided with reference to the eminent steps of policy analysis and evaluation. In fact, EBP policies and clinical practice guidelines should keep a live document and revise regularly or as needed. Overall, the authors suggest the development of a unit for EBP to deal with issues related to clinical practice guidelines.

Conclusions: Expected outcomes for the introduction of the EBP unit and its policy include increase research utilization and accelerated adoption of new evidence, increase the quality of care provided, increase patient, staff, and managers satisfaction, and decrease staff workload by reducing complications associated with medical errors and outdated interventions.
The genome sequence of the large tortoiseshell, Nymphalis polychloros (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Lohse Konrad , Laetsch Dominik , Vila Roger ,   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: September 2021

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Nymphalis polychloros (the large tortoiseshell; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Nymphalidae). The genome sequence is 398 megabases in span. The majority of the assembly is scaffolded into 32 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the W and Z sex chromosome assembled.
Technologies of personnel training and development in the organization
Authors: Polevaya Marina , Belogrud Igor' , Ivanova Irina , Kamneva Elena , Maslova Valentina , Polevoy Sergey , Simonova Margarita , Subocheva Alla
Published: September 2021

In the modern economy, high-quality personnel is a key factor for the success of an organization. The success of the organization directly depends on the degree of qualification of the staff.
The textbook presents technologies, methods and types of personnel training and development; legal and organizational aspects of professional training; socio-psychological features of personnel training and development; the basics of forming and managing the personnel reserve in the organization, as well as methods for evaluating the effectiveness of personnel training and development in the organization.
It is intended for students studying in the direction of training "Personnel Management", students of institutes and advanced training courses, employees of personnel management services, managers of enterprises and organizations.
Self-awareness and personal adaptive potential in normal and impaired development
Authors: Kuz'mina Tat'yana
Published: September 2021

The monograph presents the generalized results of the author's scientific activity related to the diagnosis and phenomenological description of the state of self-consciousness and the Self-concept of persons with developmental disorders, in particular with mild mental retardation. The variants of self-awareness diagnostics and a comprehensive assessment of the personal adaptive potential of subjects of different ages with intellectual disabilities are presented and methodologically justified. The presented methods allow us to form an individual adaptive profile based on a quantitative assessment of qualitative indicators of adaptability/maladaptivity. The content aspects of the formation of the antisocial potential of a person with mild mental retardation, in particular, the problems of suggestibility, indoctrination and the participation of persons with intellectual disabilities in criminal communities, are separately identified.
It will be useful for students, postgraduates, researchers and practitioners in the field of pedagogy, psychology, law.
LAURA NUDA: UN INTENSO RITRATTO FEMMINILE NEL CINEMA ITALIANO DEGLI ANNI SESSANTA.
Authors: Lamera Federica
Published: September 2021

Quando, nel 1961, uscì Laura nuda di Nicolò Ferrari (1927-2008), il giovane regista era considerato una delle maggiori promesse del cinema italiano dell’epoca e il suo film, destinato probabilmente a rappresentare l’Italia al festival di Cannes di quell’anno, avrebbe dovuto consacrarne definitivamente la fama già acquisita come apprezzato aiuto di Rossellini, Antonioni e Bolognini ed eccellente documentarista. La storia di Laura, raffinato quanto difficile ritratto psicologico di una figura complessa di donna, per la delicatezza dei temi trattati, considerati scabrosi, però entrò nel mirino della censura, finendo per essere boicottato e dimenticato, dopo essere stato proiettato in condizioni di semiclandestinità.
Does Gender Matter? The Effect of Management Responses on Reviewing Behavior
Authors: Proserpio Davide , Troncoso Isamar , Valsesia Francesca
Published: September 2021

The article studies the effect of management responses on the probability of reviewing of female and male reviewers.
Scalar Multivariate Risk Measures with a Single Eligible Asset
Authors: Feinstein Zachary , Rudloff Birgit
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we present results on scalar risk measures in markets with transaction costs. Such risk measures are defined as the minimal capital requirements in the cash asset. First, some results are provided on the dual representation of such risk measures, with particular emphasis given on the space of dual variables as (equivalent) martingale measures and prices consistent with the market model. Then, these dual representations are used to obtain the main results of this paper on time consistency for scalar risk measures in markets with frictions. It is well known from the superhedging risk measure in markets with transaction costs that the usual scalar concept of time consistency is too strong and not satisfied. We will show that a weaker notion of time consistency can be defined, which corresponds to the usual scalar time consistency but under any fixed consistent pricing process. We will prove the equivalence of this weaker notion of time consistency and a certain type of backward recursion with respect to the underlying risk measure with a fixed consistent pricing process. Several examples are given, with special emphasis on the superhedging risk measure.
Patient access to biological medications for ulcerative colitis
Authors: Taylor Jo
Published: September 2021

This article considers the evidence for using different biologics in ulcerative colitis (UC), in particular the landmark head-to-head VARSITY trial. It reviews and addresses questions about VARSITY and its study design, including potential underdosing of adalimumab and lack of steroid tapering. It weighs up the implications of the evidence for clinical practice, as well as how this evidence supports increasing patient access to vedolizumab. It also assesses how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the prescribing of biologics in ulcerative colitis, with a focus on subcutaneous adalimumab as the most commonly prescribed first biologic in UC.
Banning physical punishment of children in the UK
Authors: Hancock Dave
Published: September 2021

The Welsh government is outlawing physical punishment of children, following the publication of a review showing it is ineffective in improving children's behaviour. Dave Hancock reports
Is the end in sight for bovine viral diarrhoea virus, or is it just a mirage?
Authors: Armstrong Derek , Gow Lorna
Published: September 2021

Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) is an infectious disease that significantly affects the health, welfare and productivity of cattle. Elimination of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is technically feasible. There are mandatory BVDV elimination programmes in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Scotland. There are voluntary BVD programmes in England and Wales. The main focus of BVDV elimination programmes is the identification and slaughter of cattle persistently infected with BVDV (PIs). PI animals shed large amounts of virus in all excretions and secretions and are the main source of infection for other cattle. BVDV elimination can only succeed within a realistic timescale if PIs are removed quickly enough to minimise the risk of infection resulting in the generation of further PI animals. Maintaining stakeholder cohesion, commitment and engagement is also key in a BVD programme. All cattle farms need to be free of BVDV to eliminate the risk of infection and voluntary programmes are unlikely to reach all farms. The mandatory programme in Ireland started in 2013 and it is aiming to seek a declaration of freedom under the EU Animal Health Law in 2023. The other programmes are at various stages along the pathway to BVDV elimination. The stated intention of the cattle industry in the UK is elimination of BVDV by 2031. This will be a stretch target, particularly in England, but should be possible if the approach is science-based and the delivery programmes have the committed support of farmers and veterinary surgeons.
Anaemia in primary care: iron deficiency and anaemia of chronic disease
Authors: Perry Margaret
Published: September 2021

Iron deficiency anaemia and anaemia of chronic disease are commonly seen in primary care. Margaret Perry discusses how to recognise, diagnose and manage these conditions

This article will look at iron deficiency anaemia and anaemia of chronic disease. Both are problems encountered frequently at a global scale and in the primary care setting. Both conditions can potentially affect any age, although anaemia of chronic disease is more common among older adults. It is hoped that the information provided will give general practice nurses and nurse prescribers greater confidence in the recognition, diagnosis, and management of these conditions, to improve patient care.
Patient administration: Getting it wrong
Authors: Hancock Dave
Published: September 2021

Delayed, inaccurate or non-existent communication and lack of joined-up processes have a negative effect on patients' experiences, as Dave Hancock reports
Parental consent for the Covid-19 vaccine in children
Authors: Power Andrew
Published: September 2021

Parents may not always agree on childhood immunisation and this may also apply to the Covid-19 vaccination. Dr Andrew Power, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, discusses how to resolve parental disagreement
Using occurrence data to evaluate extinction reveals a strong resilience of butterflies in a National Park of Southern Europe (Alta Murgia National Park)
Authors: LABADESSA ROCCO , CAGNETTA GIUSEPPE , DESAPHY JEAN-FRANCOIS , BONIFACINO MARCO , DODARO GIUSEPPE , FESTA DEBORA , MONTERASTELLI ELISA , PAPA VITTORIA , ZOLLO LUCIANA , FESTA EMILIO , DAPPORTO LEONARDO
Published: September 2021

Butterflies from southernmost European regions encompass a large fraction of faunistic and genetic diversity but are also at the forefront of extinction risk for climate change. Nevertheless, monitoring schemes aimed at detecting their population trends were only recently established. In this study, we gathered all occurrence records of the 81 species of butterflies recorded for the Alta Murgia National Park (Italy, Apulia), a prime conservation area for butterflies. By using literature, citizen science, and unpublished sample data, we traced potential extinctions since 1966. We also provided a dedicated index to evaluate the potential extinction at the whole community level. We found that among the 29 species recorded before 2009, three were not recovered from 2009 to 2021. Another group of nine species was not recorded in the last five years. However, given the not standardized sampling methodology and the possibility that apparently disappeared species were due to inaccurate identification, we conclude that the butterfly community of the Park is showing a strong resilience. We hypothesize that such resilience may be attributed to the existence of the protected area and the presence of heterogeneous environments, which allow to buffer climatic changes and any other negative anthropic effects. The objective recognition of rare species in the surrounding region of 200 km ray also allowed identifying which species should be considered as prime targets for the conservation of local and regional diversity.
Spectral-polarizing beam splitter for simultaneous polarimetric imaging in a common IFOV
Authors: Pellicori Samuel , Burke Elliot
Published: September 2021

A new, to the best of our knowledge, multi-purpose spectral-polarizing beam splitter (SPBS) design is described that simultaneously isolates multiple identical reflected and transmitted polarized passbands to permit passive simultaneous polarimetry in a common instantaneous field of view (FOV). The SPBS design can be implemented in wavelength regions between

∼

260

n
m

and

∼

1700

n
m

and consists of fewer than 30 layers. Degree of linear polarization values are

∼

0.99

. FOV area coverage in a swath as wide as 6° is accomplished by object space scanning. A polarization calibrator/stability monitor source is integrated with the optical system. Estimated system polarimetric error is

<

2

%

. Applications range from biomedical instrumentation to remote sensing.
Performance improvement of a silicon nitride ring resonator biosensor operated in the TM mode at 1310 nm
Authors: Castelló-Pedrero Lucía , Gómez-Gómez María I. , García-Rupérez Jaime , Griol Amadeu , Martínez Alejandro
Published: September 2021

Silicon-based ring resonators have been demonstrated to be a key element to build lab-on-chip devices due to their ability to perform as label-free photonic sensors. In this work, we demonstrate photonic biosensing using silicon nitride ring resonators operated in the TM mode around 1310 nm wavelengths. Our results show that operating the devices using the TM mode results in an increased sensitivity in comparison with the typically used TE mode, while working at 1310 nm wavelengths compared to 1550 nm contributes to an increased quality factor. As a result, a reduction in the intrinsic limit of detection is achieved, indicating the suitability of TM modes in the 1310 nm regime for biosensing using integrated photonics.
Lower- versus higher-order nonclassicalities for a coherent superposed quantum state
Authors: Deepak  , Chatterjee Arpita
Published: September 2021

A coherent state is defined conventionally in different ways such as a displaced vacuum state, an eigenket of an annihilation operator, or as an infinite dimensional Poissonian superposition of Fock states. In this work, we describe a superposition

(
t
a
+
r

a
†

)

of field annihilation and creation operators acting on a continuous variable coherent state

|

α
⟩

and specify it by

|

ψ
⟩

. We analyze the lower- as well as higher-order nonclassical properties of

|

ψ
⟩

. The comparison is performed by using a set of nonclassicality witnesses (e.g., higher-order photon statistics, higher-order antibunching, higher-order sub-Poissonian statistics, higher-order squeezing, Agarwal–Tara parameter, Klyshko’s condition, and a relatively new concept, matrix of phase-space distribution). It is found that the higher-order criteria are much more efficient to detect the presence of nonclassicality as compared to lower-order conditions except squeezing, where the lower-order one is more competent than its higher-order counterpart.
Tomographic refractive index profiling of direct laser written waveguides
Authors: Barré Nicolas , Shivaraman Ravi , Ackermann Lisa , Moser Simon , Schmidt Michael , Salter Patrick , Booth Martin , Jesacher Alexander
Published: September 2021

The fabrication of complex integrated photonic devices via direct laser writing is a powerful and rapidly developing technology. However, the approach is still facing several challenges. One of them is the reliable quantitative characterization of refractive index (RI) changes induced upon laser exposure. To this end, we develop a tomographic reconstruction algorithm following a modern optimization approach, relying on accelerated proximal gradient descent, based on intensity images only. Very recently, such algorithms have become the state of the art in the community of bioimaging, but have never been applied to direct laser written structures such as waveguides. We adapt the algorithm to our concern of characterizing these translation-invariant structures and extend it in order to jointly estimate the aberrations introduced by the imaging system. We show that a correct estimation of these aberrations is necessary to make use of data recorded at larger angles and that it can increase the fidelity of the reconstructed RI profiles. Moreover, we present a method allowing to cross-validate the RI reconstructions by comparing en-face widefield images of thin waveguide sections with matching simulations based on the retrieved RI profile.
Influence of a damping parameter on helicity-independent all-optical switching
Authors: Gao Shihan , Cai Runji , Xiong Wanjie , Xu Chudong
Published: September 2021

Ultrafast magnetization switching has aroused much interest in recent years. Due to the complicated physical mechanisms, helicity-independent all-optical switching (HI-AOS) still lacks comprehensive understanding. In this article, we revealed the influence of damping on HI-AOS based on the simulation of the semiclassical atomic spin dynamics model. The results suggested that the smaller damping not only contributes to the increase to the maximum required pulse duration and the pulse fluence threshold for switching but also slows down the rate of magnetization dynamics. Our simulation results could provide some theoretical foundation to explore the optimization parameters of HI-AOS.
Fringe analysis approach for imaging surface undulations on technical surfaces
Authors: Broadley Luke H. , Chrimes Adam F. , Mitchell Arnan
Published: September 2021

Automated defect inspection is becoming increasingly important for advanced manufacturing. The ability to automatically inspect for critical defects early in the production cycle can reduce production costs and resources on unnecessary manufacturing steps. While there are many inspection techniques available, samples from early in a production workflow can prove challenging as they may still have systematic tooling marks, causing preferential scattering and hindering defect extraction. We propose a new imaging technique that exploits the preferential scattering from a technical surface to generate predictable fringe patterns on the sample’s surface using only an array of LEDs. The patterns from this adapted fringe projection technique are imaged, and phase shifting algorithms are used to recover surface undulations on the sample. We implement this technique in the context of Hard Disk Drive platters that exhibit tooling marks from the lapping process and show that it is possible to image both highly scattering pits and scratches, as well as slow surface undulations with the same apparatus.
Nonlinear absorption property investigation into MAX phase Ti2AlC at 1.9 μm
Authors: Lee Jinho , Lee Kyungtaek , Lee Ju Han
Published: September 2021

An experimental and theoretical investigation into the nonlinear absorption properties of MAX phase Ti2AlC was conducted at 1900 nm wavelength. First, the nonlinear absorption coefficient measurement of Ti2AlC was carried out using an open-aperture (OA) Z-scan technique. This measurement revealed that the nonlinear absorption coefficient of Ti2AlC was ∼(-24.13×103) cm2/GW at 1900 nm. Subsequently, the energy band structure of the Ti2AlC was calculated through density functional theory (DFT) calculation. This calculation confirmed that Ti2AlC had a metallic band structure implying an ultrawide absorption bandwidth. Finally, the feasibility of fabricating an all-fiberized device of a saturable absorber (SA) using Ti2AlC was conducted with a side-polished fiber platform. The SA was successfully used for the generation of femtosecond soliton pulses with features of 17.91 MHz repetition rate, 4.3-nm bandwidth, and ∼960 fs pulse width at 1922 nm. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the use of a MAX phase-based SA for femtosecond mode-locking in the 1.9 μm spectral region.
Inactivation mode of sodium channels defines the different maximal firing rates of conventional versus atypical midbrain dopamine neurons
Authors: Knowlton Christopher J. , Ziouziou Tabea Ines , Hammer Niklas , Roeper Jochen , Canavier Carmen C.
Published: September 2021

Two subpopulations of midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons are known to have different dynamic firing ranges in vitro that correspond to distinct projection targets: the originally identified conventional DA neurons project to the dorsal striatum and the lateral shell of the nucleus accumbens, whereas an atypical DA population with higher maximum firing frequencies projects to prefrontal regions and other limbic regions including the medial shell of nucleus accumbens. Using a computational model, we show that previously identified differences in biophysical properties do not fully account for the larger dynamic range of the atypical population and predict that the major difference is that originally identified conventional cells have larger occupancy of voltage-gated sodium channels in a long-term inactivated state that recovers slowly; stronger sodium and potassium conductances during action potential firing are also predicted for the conventional compared to the atypical DA population. These differences in sodium channel gating imply that longer intervals between spikes are required in the conventional population for full recovery from long-term inactivation induced by the preceding spike, hence the lower maximum frequency. These same differences can also change the bifurcation structure to account for distinct modes of entry into depolarization block: abrupt versus gradual. The model predicted that in cells that have entered depolarization block, it is much more likely that an additional depolarization can evoke an action potential in conventional DA population. New experiments comparing lateral to medial shell projecting neurons confirmed this model prediction, with implications for differential synaptic integration in the two populations.
Machine learning approach for automatic recognition of tomato-pollinating bees based on their buzzing-sounds
Authors: Ribeiro Alison Pereira , da Silva Nádia Felix Felipe , Mesquita Fernanda Neiva , Araújo Priscila de Cássia Souza , Rosa Thierson Couto , Mesquita-Neto José Neiva
Published: September 2021

Bee-mediated pollination greatly increases the size and weight of tomato fruits. Therefore, distinguishing between the local set of bees–those that are efficient pollinators–is essential to improve the economic returns for farmers. To achieve this, it is important to know the identity of the visiting bees. Nevertheless, the traditional taxonomic identification of bees is not an easy task, requiring the participation of experts and the use of specialized equipment. Due to these limitations, the development and implementation of new technologies for the automatic recognition of bees become relevant. Hence, we aim to verify the capacity of Machine Learning (ML) algorithms in recognizing the taxonomic identity of visiting bees to tomato flowers based on the characteristics of their buzzing sounds. We compared the performance of the ML algorithms combined with the Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC) and with classifications based solely on the fundamental frequency, leading to a direct comparison between the two approaches. In fact, some classifiers powered by the MFCC–especially the SVM–achieved better performance compared to the randomized and sound frequency-based trials. Moreover, the buzzing sounds produced during sonication were more relevant for the taxonomic recognition of bee species than analysis based on flight sounds alone. On the other hand, the ML classifiers performed better in recognizing bees genera based on flight sounds. Despite that, the maximum accuracy obtained here (73.39% by SVM) is still low compared to ML standards. Further studies analyzing larger recording samples, and applying unsupervised learning systems may yield better classification performance. Therefore, ML techniques could be used to automate the taxonomic recognition of flower-visiting bees of the cultivated tomato and other buzz-pollinated crops. This would be an interesting option for farmers and other professionals who have no experience in bee taxonomy but are interested in improving crop yields by increasing pollination.
The increased presence of repetitive motifs in the KDDR-plus recombinant protein, a kinesin-derived antigen from Leishmania infantum, improves the diagnostic performance of serological tests for human and canine visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Siqueira Williane Fernanda , Viana Agostinho Gonçalves , Reis Cunha João Luís , Rosa Leticia Mansur , Bueno Lilian Lacerda , Bartholomeu Daniella Castanheira , Cardoso Mariana Santos , Fujiwara Ricardo Toshio
Published: September 2021

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by protozoa belonging to theLeishmania donovanicomplex and is considered the most serious and fatal form among the different types of leishmaniasis, if not early diagnosed and treated. Among the measures of disease control stand out the management of infected dogs and the early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of human cases. Several antigens have been characterized for use in the VL diagnosis, among them are the recombinant kinesin-derived antigens fromL.infantum, as rK39 and rKDDR. The main difference between these antigens is the size of the non-repetitive kinesin region and the number of repetitions of the 39 amino acid degenerate motif (6.5 and 8.5 repeats in rK39 and rKDDR, respectively). This repetitive region has a high antigenicity score. To evaluate the effect of increasing the number of repeats on diagnostic performance, we designed the rKDDR-plus antigen, containing 15.3 repeats of the 39 amino acid degenerate motif, besides the absence of the non-repetitive portion fromL.infantumkinesin. Its performance was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and rapid immunochromatographic test (ICT), and compared with the kinesin-derived antigens (rKDDR and rK39). In ELISA with human sera, all recombinant antigens had a sensitivity of 98%, whereas the specificity for rKDDR-plus, rKDDR and rK39 was 100%, 96% and 71%, respectively. When evaluated canine sera, the ELISA sensitivity was 97% for all antigens, and the specificity for rKDDR-plus, rKDDR and rK39 was 98%, 91% and 83%, respectively. Evaluation of the ICT/rKDDR-plus, using human sera, showed greater diagnostic sensitivity (90%) and specificity (100%), when compared to the IT LEISH (79% and 98%, respectively), which is based on the rK39 antigen. These results suggest that the increased presence of repetitive motifs in the rKDDR-plus protein improves the diagnostic performance of serological tests by increasing the specificity and accuracy of the diagnosis.
Trading quality for quantity? Evidence from patient level data in China
Authors: Song Jinglin , Chen Chen , Zhao Shaoyang , Zhou Leming , Chen Hong
Published: September 2021

In China, overcrowding at hospitals increases the workload of medical staff, which may negatively impact the quality of medical services. This study empirically examined the impact of hospital admissions on the quality of healthcare services in Chinese hospitals. Specifically, we estimated the impact of the number of hospital admissions per day on a patient’s length of stay (LOS) and hospital mortality rate using both ordinary least squares (OLS) and instrumental variable (IV) methods. To deal with potential endogeneity problems and accurately identify the impact of medical staff configuration on medical quality, the daily air quality index was selected as the IV. Furthermore, we examined the differential effects of hospital admissions on the quality of care across different hospital tiers. We used the data from a random sample of 10% of inpatients from a city in China, covering the period from January 2014 to June 2019. Our final regression analysis included a sample of 167 disease types (as per the ICD-10 classification list) and 862,722 patient cases from 517 hospitals. According to our results, the LOS decreased and hospital mortality rate increased with an increasing number of admissions. Using the IV method, for every additional hospital admission, there was a 6.22% (p < 0.01) decrease in LOS and a 1.86% (p < 0.01) increase in hospital mortality. The impact of healthcare staffing levels on the quality of care varied between different hospital tiers. The quality of care in secondary hospitals was most affected by the number of admissions, with the average decrease of 18.60% (p < 0.05) in LOS and the increase of 6.05% (p < 0.01) in hospital mortality for every additional hospital admission in our sample. The findings suggested that the supply of medical services in China should be increased and a hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system should be actively promoted.
TRIM59: A potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in human tumors
Authors: Jin Zheng , Liu Liping , Yu Youran , Li Dong , Zhu Xun , Yan Dongmei , Zhu Zhenhua
Published: September 2021

TRIM59 is a protein that is highly expressed in a variety of tumors and promotes tumor development. However, the use of TRIM59 as tumor diagnosis and prognosis biomarker has not been fully explored. We collected datasets from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and gene expression omnibus (GEO) to investigate its potential as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis. A total of 46 studies, including 11,558 patients were included in this study. Here, we showed that TRIM59 was significantly upregulated in 15 type of human solid tumors in comparison to their adjacent tissues. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) results provided further evidence for the use of TRIM59 as a potential tumor diagnosis biomarker. Overall survival (OS) was compared between TRIM59 high expression and low expression groups. High expression of TRIM59 indicated a poor prognosis in multiple solid tumors. Taken together, these analyses showed that TRIM59 was upregulated in various types of tumors and had the potential to be used as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in human solid tumors.
Quantification of gaze reaction time in infants with Pediatric Perimeter
Authors: Datta Sourav , Chilakala Koteswararao , Vempati Sandeep , Oleti Tejopratap , Kulkarni Jaishree , Murki Srinivas , Gaddam Pramod , Satgunam PremNandhini
Published: September 2021

Purpose

We quantified the eye/head (gaze) reaction time in infants to establish a normative database for the Pediatric Perimeter device. Additionally, we tested the hypothesis that gaze reaction time will reduce with age.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted. Healthy infants between 3 to 10 months of age were recruited. Peripheral visual field stimuli (hemifield and quadrant stimuli) were presented in the Pediatric Perimeter device. Infant’s gaze to these stimuli was observed, documented in real time, and video recorded for offline analysis.

Results

A total of 121 infants were tested in three age group bins [3–5 months, n = 44; >5–7 months, n = 30 and >7–10 months, n = 47]. Overall, 3–5 months old had longer reaction time when compared to the older infants particularly for stimuli presented in the quadrants (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0.038). A significantly asymmetric difference (p = 0.025) in reaction time was observed between the upper (median = 820ms, IQR = 659-1093ms) and lower quadrants (median = 601ms, IQR = 540-1052ms) only for the 3–5 months old infants.

Conclusion

This study provides the normative gaze reaction time of healthy infants. With increase in age, there is reduction in reaction time and disappearance of reaction time asymmetry in quadrant stimuli. The longer reaction time for upward gaze could be due to delayed maturation of neural mechanisms and/or decreased visual attention.
Retrospective survey of youth sports participation: Development and assessment of reliability using school records
Authors: Jin Steven , Rabinowitz Amanda R. , Weiss Jordan , Deshpande Sameer , Gupta Nitika , Buford May Reuben A. , Small Dylan S.
Published: September 2021

Many youths participate in sports, and it is of interest to understand the impact of youth sports participation on later-life outcomes. However, prospective studies take a long time to complete and retrospective studies may be more practical and time-efficient to address some questions. We pilot a retrospective survey of youth sports participation and examine agreement between respondent’s self-reported participation with high school records in a sample of 84 adults who graduated from high school between 1948 and 2018. The percent agreement between our survey and the school resources for individual sports ranged between 91.5% and 100%. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the reliability of retrospective self-report of youth sports participation. This survey may serve as an efficient approach for evaluating relationships between involvement in youth sports and health outcomes later in adulthood.
Broadly directed SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ T cell response includes frequently detected peptide specificities within the membrane and nucleoprotein in patients with acute and resolved COVID-19
Authors: Heide Janna , Schulte Sophia , Kohsar Matin , Brehm Thomas Theo , Herrmann Marissa , Karsten Hendrik , Marget Matthias , Peine Sven , Johansson Alexandra M. , Sette Alessandro , Lütgehetmann Marc , Kwok William W. , Sidney John , Schulze zur Wiesch Julian
Published: September 2021

The aim of this study was to define the breadth and specificity of dominant SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell epitopes using a comprehensive set of 135 overlapping 15-mer peptides covering the SARS-CoV-2 envelope (E), membrane (M) and nucleoprotein (N) in a cohort of 34 individuals with acute (n = 10) and resolved (n = 24) COVID-19. Following short-term virus-specific in vitro cultivation, the single peptide-specific CD4+ T cell response of each patient was screened using enzyme linked immuno spot assay (ELISpot) and confirmed by single-peptide intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) for interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production. 97% (n = 33) of patients elicited one or more N, M or E-specific CD4+ T cell responses and each patient targeted on average 21.7 (range 0–79) peptide specificities. Overall, we identified 10 N, M or E-specific peptides that showed a response frequency of more than 36% and five of them showed high binding affinity to multiple HLA class II binders in subsequent in vitro HLA binding assays. Three peptides elicited CD4+ T cell responses in more than 55% of all patients, namely Mem_P30 (aa146-160), Mem_P36 (aa176-190), both located within the M protein, and Ncl_P18 (aa86-100) located within the N protein. These peptides were further defined in terms of length and HLA restriction. Based on this epitope and restriction data we developed a novel DRB*11 tetramer (Mem_aa145-164) and examined the ex vivo phenotype of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ T cells in one patient. This detailed characterization of single T cell peptide responses demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 infection universally primes a broad T cell response directed against multiple specificities located within the N, M and E structural protein.
Thinking outside the blood: Perspectives on tissue-resident Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Crilly Nathan P. , Mugnier Monica R.
Published: September 2021

Trypanosoma brucei is a protozoan parasite that causes human and animal African trypanosomiases (HAT and AAT). In the mammalian host, the parasite lives entirely extracellularly, in both the blood and interstitial spaces in tissues. Although most T. brucei research has focused on the biology of blood- and central nervous system (CNS)-resident parasites, a number of recent studies have highlighted parasite reservoirs in the dermis and adipose tissue, leading to a renewed interest in tissue-resident parasite populations. In light of this renewed interest, work describing tissue-resident parasites can serve as a valuable resource to inform future investigations of tissue-resident T. brucei. Here, we review this body of literature, which describes infections in humans, natural hosts, and experimental animal models, providing a wealth of information on the distribution and biology of extravascular parasites, the corresponding immune response in each tissue, and resulting host pathology. We discuss the implications of these studies and future questions in the study of extravascular T. brucei.
The Ebola virus soluble glycoprotein contributes to viral pathogenesis by activating the MAP kinase signaling pathway
Authors: Furuyama Wakako , Shifflett Kyle , Feldmann Heinz , Marzi Andrea
Published: September 2021

Ebola virus (EBOV) expresses three different glycoproteins (GPs) from its GP gene. The primary product, soluble GP (sGP), is secreted in abundance during infection. EBOV sGP has been discussed as a potential pathogenicity factor, however, little is known regarding its functional role. Here, we analyzed the role of sGP in vitro and in vivo. We show that EBOV sGP has two different functions that contribute to infectivity in tissue culture. EBOV sGP increases the uptake of virus particles into late endosomes in HEK293 cells, and it activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway leading to increased viral replication in Huh7 cells. Furthermore, we analyzed the role of EBOV sGP on pathogenicity using a well-established mouse model. We found an sGP-dependent significant titer increase of EBOV in the liver of infected animals. These results provide new mechanistic insights into EBOV pathogenicity and highlight EBOV sGP as a possible therapeutic target.
Posthuman identity and the human–animal divide in Pier Paolo Pasolini’s The Hawks and the Sparrows and Pigsty
Authors: Ferrara Enrica Maria
Published: September 2021

In this article, Ferrara puts forward the first analysis of Pier Paolo Pasolini’s films The Hawks and the Sparrows (1966) and Pigsty (1969) through the lens of posthumanist theory. She contends that by placing animal characters (raven and pigs) in close interaction with humans, Pasolini encouraged viewers to explore and overcome the human–animal divide. In doing so, he aimed to expose the faulty binary premises of Marxist ideology and construct a posthumanist identity that recognized the illusory separation between body and mind, and between the human and its related others. Drawing on concepts such as Marchesini’s ‘mimesis’, Cronin’s ‘tradosphere’, Nancy’s ‘co-ontology’ and Braidotti’s ‘becoming animal’, this article shows how Pasolini considers an exit from anthropocentrism and human exceptionalism via trans-species solidarity. Eventually, in Pigsty, animality turns into a metaphor for all alterity. As humans are silenced by pigs, a new powerful language of ‘otherness’ gives birth to the posthuman human.