bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep learning enables parallel camera with enhanced- resolution and computational zoom imaging
Authors: Liu Shu-Bin , Xie Bing-Kun , Yuan Rong-Ying , Zhang Meng-Xuan , Xu Jian-Cheng , Li Lei , Wang Qiong-Hua
Published: June 2023

High performance imaging in parallel cameras is a worldwide challenge in computational optics studies. However, the existing solutions are suffering from a fundamental contradiction between the field of view (FOV), resolution and bandwidth, in which system speed and FOV decrease as system scale increases. Inspired by the compound eyes of mantis shrimp and zoom cameras, here we break these bottlenecks by proposing a deep learning-based parallel (DLBP) camera, with an 8-μrad instantaneous FOV and 4 × computational zoom at 30 frames per second. Using the DLBP camera, the snapshot of 30-MPs images is captured at 30 fps, leading to orders-of-magnitude reductions in system complexity and costs. Instead of directly capturing photography with large scale, our interactive-zoom platform operates to enhance resolution using deep learning. The proposed end-to-end model mainly consists of multiple convolution layers, attention layers and deconvolution layer, which preserves more detailed information that the image reconstructs in real time compared with the famous super-resolution methods, and it can be applied to any similar system without any modification. Benefiting from computational zoom without any additional drive and optical component, the DLBP camera provides unprecedented-competitive advantages in improving zoom response time (~ 100 ×) over the comparison systems. Herein, with the experimental system described in this work, the DLBP camera provides a novel strategy to solve the inherent contradiction among FOV, resolution and bandwidth.
Bridging community and clinic through digital health: Community-based adaptation of a mobile phone-based heart failure program for remote communities in Uganda
Authors: Wali Sahr , Ssinabulya Isaac , Muhangi Cinderella Ngonzi , Kamarembo Jenipher , Atala Jenifer , Nabadda Martha , Odong Franklin , Akiteng Ann R. , Ross Heather , Mashford-Pringle Angela , Cafazzo Joseph A. , Schwartz Jeremy I.
Published: June 2023

Background

In Uganda, limited healthcare access has created a significant burden for patients living with heart failure. With the increasing use of mobile phones, digital health tools could offer an accessible platform for individualized care support. In 2016, our multi-national team adapted a mobile phone-based program for heart failure self-care to the Ugandan context and found that patients using the system showed improvements in their symptoms and quality of life. With approximately 84% of Ugandans residing in rural communities, the Medly Uganda program can provide greater benefit for communities in rural areas with limited access to care. To support the implementation of this program within rural communities, this study worked in partnership with two remote clinics in Northern Uganda to identify the cultural and service level requirements for the program.

Methods

Using the principles from community-based research and user-centered design, we conducted a mixed-methods study composed of 4 participatory consensus cycles, 60 semi-structured interviews (SSI) and 8 iterative co-design meetings at two remote cardiac clinics. Patient surveys were also completed during each SSI to collect data related to cell phone access, community support, and geographic barriers. Qualitative data was analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The Indigenous method of two-eyed seeing was also embedded within the analysis to help promote local perspectives regarding community care.

Results

Five themes were identified. The burden of travel was recognized as the largest barrier for care, as patients were travelling up to 19 km by motorbike for clinic visits. Despite mixed views on traditional medicine, patients often turned to healers due to the cost of medication and transport. With most patients owning a non-smartphone (n = 29), all participants valued the use of a digital tool to improve equitable access to care. However, to sustain program usage, integrating the role of village health teams (VHTs) to support in-community follow-ups and medication delivery was recognized as pivotal.

Conclusion

The use of a mobile phone-based digital health program can help to reduce the barrier of geography, while empowering remote HF self-care. By leveraging the trusted role of VHTs within the delivery of the program, this will help enable more culturally informed care closer to home.
Low-Cost Wound Healing Protocol Reduces Infection and Reoperation Rates After Cranioplasty: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Rae Ali I. , O'Neill Brannan E. , Godil Jamila , Fecker Adeline L , Ross Donald
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Cranioplasty infections are a common and expensive problem associated with significant morbidity. Our objective was to determine whether a wound healing protocol after cranioplasty reduced the rate of infections and to determine the value of this intervention.

METHODS:

This is a single-institution retrospective chart review of 2 cohorts of cranioplasty patients over 12 years. The wound healing protocol, consisting of vitamin and mineral supplementation, fluid supplementation, and oxygen support, was instituted for all patients aged older than 15 years undergoing cranioplasty. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients over the study period and compared outcomes before and after protocol institution. Outcomes included surgical site infection, return to operating room within 30 days, and cranioplasty explant. Cost data were collected from the electronic medical record. We included 291 cranioplasties performed before the wound healing protocol and 68 postprotocol.

RESULTS:

Baseline demographics and comorbidities were comparable between preprotocol and postprotocol groups. Odds of takeback to operating room within 30 days were the same before and after the wound healing protocol (odds ratio [OR] 2.21 [95% CI 0.76-6.47], P = .145). Odds of clinical concern for surgical site infection were significantly higher in the preprotocol group (OR 5.21 [95% CI 1.22-22.17], P = .025). Risk of washout was higher in the preprotocol group (HR 2.86 [95% CI 1.08-7.58], P = .035). Probability of cranioplasty flap explant was also significantly higher in the preprotocol group (OR 4.70 [95% CI 1.10-20.05], P = .036). The number needed to treat to prevent 1 cranioplasty infection was 24.

CONCLUSION:

A low-cost wound healing protocol was associated with reduced rate of infections after cranioplasty with concomitant reduction in reoperations for washout, saving the health care system more than $50,000 per 24 patients. Prospective study is warranted.
The C. elegans gene gvd-1 promotes late larval development and germ cell proliferation
Authors: Ezhil Buvani Anbalagan Pon , Subramaniam Kuppuswamy
Published: June 2023

Limiting maternal resources necessitates deferring the development of adult-specific structures, notably the reproductive structures, to the postembryonic phase. These structures form postembryonically from blast cells generated during embryogenesis. A close coordination of developmental timing and pattern among the various postembryonic cell lineages is essential to form a functional adult. Here, we show that the C. elegans gene gvd-1 is essential for the development of several structures that form during the late larval stages. In gvd-1 mutant animals, blast cells that normally divide during the late larval stages (L3 and L4) fail to divide. In addition, germ cell proliferation is also severely reduced in these animals. Expression patterns of relevant reporter transgenes revealed a delay in G1/S transition in the vulval precursor cell P6.p and cytokinesis failure in seam cells in gvd-1 larvae. Our analyses of GVD-1::GFP transgenes indicate that GVD-1 is expressed in both soma and germ line, and functions in both. Sequence comparisons revealed that the sequence of gvd-1 is conserved only among nematodes, which does not support a broadly conserved housekeeping function for gvd-1. Instead, our results indicate a crucial role for gvd-1 that is specific to the larval development of nematodes.
The doctor-patient relationship and barriers in non-verbal communication during teleconsultation in the era of COVID-19: A scoping review
Authors: Pinedo-Torres Isabel , Garcia-Villasante Eilhart Jorge , Gutierrez-Ortiz Claudia Cecilia , Quispe-Sarria Carlos , Morales-Pocco Kevin , Cedillo-Balcázar Jamil , Moran-Mariños Cristian , Baca-Carrasco Victor
Published: June 2023

Background: Telemedicine is increasingly being used to provide virtual medical care. However, the transition to virtual consultations presents challenges for non-verbal communication. This scoping review aimed to identify and summarize studies that present data on barriers to non-verbal communication during teleconsultation.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE/Pubmed, Ovid, APA, EBSCO, Web of Science and Scielo, without language or region restrictions. Our study included case series, cross-sectional, retrospective, and prospective cohorts that addressed barriers in any aspect of the non-verbal communication during teleconsultation. The quality of the evidence was assessed by the New Castle-Ottawa and Murad tools, and a thematic analysis was used for the qualitative synthesis of results.

Results: We included 18 studies that reported qualitative findings related to the dimensions of non-verbal communication in telemedicine, which include ‘head and face’, ‘voice and speech’, ‘body language’, and ‘technical aspects’. The most reported barriers were facial gestures, looks, and body posture.

Conclusions: Our study identified several dimensions of non-verbal communication that may pose barriers during teleconsultation. These findings may help guide the development of strategies to address these barriers and improve the quality of telemedicine services.
Vertical jump performance and the relationship with sprint speed at 20 m and 50 m in professional soccer players.
Authors: Wheeler Botero Carlos , Patiño Palma Brayan Esneider , Ramos Parrací Carlos , Gómez Rodas Alejandro , Afanador Restrepo Diego Fernando , Vidarte Claros José Armando
Published: June 2023

Background: Jumping and sprinting are essential skills for several sports, especially for soccer, since they allow to determine neuromuscular function and maximum power of the lower extremities in athletes. This study aimed to establish the relationship between vertical jump performance and sprint speed at 20 m and 50 m in professional soccer players.

Methods: This study took place from June 2020 to November 2021 with participants from the U20 category of the Colombian professional team Fortaleza CEIF, and the U18 category of the Brazilian professional team Boston City. The vertical jump was assessed with the countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), and rebound jump (RJ) variants using the WheelerJump jump sensor while the sprint was measured using the Winlaborat horizontal encoder.

Results: 200 participants from the selected teams were included in this study. Almost perfect correlations (p < 0,05 – r: 0.97) and excellent coefficients of determination (R2: 0.95 – 0.93) were observed between the reactive force index with the mean height of the different jump protocols and the 50-meter sprint speed, indicating that the higher the altitude and/or the higher the reactive force index, the higher the 50-meter sprint speed. The same behavior was found with the 20-meter race, but the correlation levels (p <0,05, r: 0.63-0.62) and the determination coefficients were lower (0.40).

Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that, in professional soccer players, long sprint performance like 50 m is strongly correlated and could be accuracy explained by the average height reached in SJ, CMJ, and RJ and by the ability to perform repeated jumps using short contact times, thus increasing the ground reaction forces, which translates into a similar behavior during successive contacts of the player's feet against the ground during the race.
Outcomes of a fixed-dose combination of sucralfate, metronidazole, and lidocaine in patients undergoing anorectal surgery: Results from a prospective, single-centre study
Authors: Agarwal Niranjan
Published: June 2023

Background: Various topical applications provide varying pain control outcomes among patients undergoing surgery for anorectal conditions like haemorrhoids, anal fissures, and anal fistulae with varying outcomes. We evaluated the outcomes of a fixed-dose combination of sucralfate, metronidazole, and lidocaine as a local application following anorectal surgery.

Methods: This was a prospective, single-arm, single-centre study with 50 patients who underwent anorectal surgery. Coprimary endpoints were 1) proportion of patients with minimal clinically important difference (MCID) defined as 10-point reduction in 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS) score and 2) mean reduction in anal pain on VAS, from baseline to 3 and 6 weeks after surgery. Proportion of patients with complete wound healing and reduction in symptoms of itching, bleeding, and burning and incidence of adverse events (AEs) and tolerability were also assessed.

Results: Of 50 patients, 18.0%, 26.0%, and 56.0% underwent haemorrhoidectomy, fissurectomy, and fistulectomy, respectively. All patients achieved MCID at week 3, which was maintained at 6 weeks. The mean VAS score for anal pain reduced significantly from 68.6 at baseline to weeks 3 and 6, respectively (p<0.001). The pain score reduced significantly by 36.5 and by 59.4 at weeks 3 and 6, respectively, in patients who underwent haemorrhoidectomy, by 43.5 and 71.7 at weeks 3 and 6, respectively, in patients who underwent fissurectomy, and by 37.6 and 61.2 at week 3 and 6, respectively, in those who underwent fistulectomy. The mean changes in itching, bleeding, and burning scores at weeks 3 and 6 reduced significantly in the total cohort and in the subgroups. Complete wound healing was achieved in 40.0% of patients by week 6. No AEs were reported and the study medication was well tolerated.

Conclusion: The topical FDC was effective, with a good safety and tolerability profile, in patients undergoing surgery for anorectal conditions.

Clinical trial registration: CTRI/2020/11/029298.
Effect of green tea extract antioxidant on dentin shear bond strength and resin-tag penetration depth after non-vital bleaching
Authors: Safinaz Darin , Widyandari Paramita , Meidyawati Ratna , Kusumasari Citra , Nyoman Putri Artiningsih Dewa Ayu
Published: June 2023

Background: 35% Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as an active material for internal bleaching can produce free radicals that can affect resin tag penetration into the dentinal tubules. Application of 10% and 35% green tea (GT) extract as an antioxidant after 2 minutes are expected to remove free radical residues and increase dentin shear bond strength and resin tags penetration depth after non-vital bleaching.

Methods: 30 extracted healthy human premolars were cut horizontally 2 mm from the Cemento Enamel Junction margin to the crown part, then cut in a mesio-distal direction into two parts. The specimens were divided into five groups: normal dentin, post bleaching dentin, delayed 2 weeks, 10% GT, and 35% GT group. Non-vital walking bleach with 35% H2O2 gel was done to all groups except control group. Soon after, 10% and 35% GT extract gel were applied on dentin for 2 minutes, then the specimens were rinsed-off with aquabidest for 2 minutes and dried. All specimens were etched and bonded with an etch-and-rinse adhesive system and filled with resin composite. The shear bond strength assessment was carried out using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) with a cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/minute. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) with a wavelength of 560 nm and a lens magnification of 40x was used to analyze the resin tag penetration. Data were analyzed by one way ANOVA and t-test.

Results: There was a significant difference in resin tag penetration depth and shear bond strength between applying 10% and 35% GT extract (p < 0.05). The 35% GT extract group resulted in a significantly longer resin tag penetration than the 10% GT extract group.

Conclusions: The application of 35% GT extract is more effective than 10% GT extract as an antioxidant for increasing the shear bond strength of composite resin after internal bleaching.
What is the visual behaviour and attentional effort of football players in different positions during a real 11v11 game? A pilot study
Authors: Ballet Charles , Barreto Joana , Hope Edward , Casanova Filipe
Published: June 2023

Background: Visual perception has been defined as the first step to a football player’s decision-making process and it plays an important role in performance in sport. The skill of focussing to prioritize relevant cues has been also considered crucial in sport. This pilot study aims to explore the visual behaviour and attentional effort of three football players (mean age 19 ± 0 years old) in specific-role positions; Right-winger (RW), Centre-Midfielder (CM) and Left-Back (LB), in the five seconds before receiving the ball from their teammate.

Methods: Twenty-two male football players performed an 11v11 game, where 24 game sequences (trials) from which 166 fixations were recorded and analysed via the Tobii Pro eye-movement registration glasses and software. The gaze behaviour dependent variables were the mean of fixation duration (FD), time to first fixation (TTF), both measured in milliseconds (ms), and the number of fixations (NF) on eight areas of interest (AOIs). AOIs include teammate with and without the ball, opponent without the ball, space around teammate with and without the ball, space around opponent without the ball, ball and undefined.  The mean pupil diameter (PD) correlates to the attentional effort and was measured in millimetres (mm).

Results: Descriptive statistics showed nonregular search rate data between the participants in FD, TTF, NF on the AOIs. Mean FD on the ball: (CM, 270 ms), (RW, 570 ms), (CM, 380 ms). They also presented differences in the mean PD during play; (CM: 2.90 mm ± 0.26), (RW: 2.74 mm ± 0.30), (LB 2.77mm ± 0.27).

Conclusions: Albeit the sample size was small, the findings demonstrated a promising way to measure the on-field perceptual-cognitive abilities of football players according to their specific positions, since different playing roles revealed to present distinctive visual and attentional patterns.
Consent, decisional capacity and guardianship in mental health research
Authors: Undurraga Juan , Negussie Hanna , Wendler David
Published: June 2023

Background: Research with adults who cannot give informed consent has important social value. However, enrolling adults who cannot consent in research raises significant ethical concerns. 

Methods: To evaluate how researchers in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) can assess individuals’ decisional capacity, and the conditions under which it is appropriate, and the conditions under which it is not appropriate to include individuals who lack decisional capacity. 

Results: In LMICs, where resources may be limited, implementing protections for adults with decisional incapacity can be especially challenging. Recognition of the ethical concerns, and awareness of the circumstances and available resources, offers the means to protect these vulnerable participants.

Conclusions: Researchers in low and middle-income countries should be aware of steps they can take to ensure appropriate protections for subjects with decisional impairments while conducting clinical trials on methods to improve their clinical care.
Growth and feeding features of the four-spotted megrim Lepidorhombus boscii (Risso,1810) in the Aegean Sea, Türkiye
Authors: Ulutürk Efe , Kaya Murat
Published: June 2023

The growth and feeding features of Lepidorhombus boscii (Risso, 1810) (four-spotted megrim) obtained from the Aegean Sea between May 2009 and April 2010 were determined. During the study, 1864 specimens were examined, and the female/male ratio was 1:0.41. The total length range and age distribution for all specimens were 6.3-34.8 cm and I-XIV, respectively. The Von-Bertalanffy growth equations were calculated by using the mean total lengths of each age group. The results were as follows: (L∞= 43.24 cm, K=0.088, t0= -2.897) for females, (L∞= 28.53 cm; K= 0,.25; t0= - 0.829) for males, and (L∞= 42.9 cm, K=0.097, t0= -2.070) for all specimens. The stomach contents of the L. boscii species were also examined; a total of 9 main groups (Amphipoda, Mysidacea, Natantia, Anomura, Brachyura, Stomatopoda, Cephalopoda, Teleostei, Decapod Crustacea) were determined.
New record for the algal flora of Türkiye: Antithamnionella spirographidis (Schiffner) E.M.Wollaston, 1968 (Ceramiales, Ceramiaceae)
Authors: Önen Tarantini Senem
Published: June 2023

In this study, the new record of the non-indigenous Rhodophyta Antithamnionella spirographidis (Schiffner) Wollaston (1968) has been reported from the Marmara Sea that the connection area between the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. The species, originally described from Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea), is currently known throughout the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea. Our finding is the easternmost record of this tiny filamentous alga in the Mediterranean Sea.
Propiedades psicométricas de una escala para evaluar las actitudes de enfermería hacia el cuidado al final de la vida en Colombia: la escala FATCOD-S
Authors: Campiño-Zuluaga Valeria , Pérez-Villa Marjorie , Krikorian-Daveloza Alicia
Published: June 2023

Introducción: el personal de enfermería afronta el cuidado de personas con enfermedades que amenazan la vida. Este artículo examina las propiedades psicométricas de una escala que evalúa actitudes ante el cuidado en fin de vida (fatcod-s) en profesionales de enfermería que atienden a pacientes oncológicos y busca determinar la relación entre sus actitudes y sus características sociodemográficas y relacionadas con el entrenamiento. Materiales y métodos: estudio cuantitativo de diseño transversal. Los participantes trabajaban en servicios oncológicos de tres instituciones sanitarias de Medellín (Colombia) y hacían parte de un grupo de interés académico. Se empleó el fatcod-s, y se recogieron variables sociodemográficas y relacionadas con la formación. Se analizaron los componentes principales, así como la confiabilidad, y se obtuvieron estadísticos descriptivos y comparativos. Resultados: 83 participantes con una mediana de edad de 34 años (riq: 7), de los cuales el 96.3 % eran mujeres; el 51.2 % laboraban en hospitalización; el 31.7 % tenían menos de dos años en el servicio, y el 35.4 %, con dos a cinco años de experiencia cuidando pacientes oncológicos. El fatcod-s mostró propiedades psicométricas robustas y el puntaje promedio obtenido fue de 87.6 (desviación estándar: 8.2). Actitudes más favorables hacia la familia y la experiencia de morir se relacionaron con el entrenamiento y la experiencia profesional. Conclusión: las actitudes de los profesionales de enfermería hacia el cuidado en fin de vida tienden a ser muy favorables y se asocian con el tipo de entrenamiento y la experiencia profesional.
Substrate Innovation Centre
Authors: Tyler Neil
Published: June 2023

LETI AND SOITEC EMBARK ON FIVE-YEAR PARTNERSHIP TO PUSH ADVANCED ENGINEERING SUBSTRATES RESEARCH.
UK Spaceport
Authors: Grylls Bethan
Published: June 2023

AS PLANS ARE ANNOUNCED FOR UK SPACEPORTS, SCOTLAND IS SET TO HAVE A PIVOTAL ROLE.
Enjoying Its Independence
Authors: Tyler Neil
Published: June 2023

INTEL'S DECISION TO SELL WIND RIVER TO TPG CAPITAL HAS BEEN WELCOMED BY JIM DOUGLAS, THE CEO OF THE SOFTWARE COMPANY.
The Boom Continues
Authors: Grylls Bethan
Published: June 2023

Distribution in the UK has been experiencing a prolonged period of growth, but while economic and political challenges mount, the sector remains positive about the future.
Detection of weak A antigen associated with Proteus vulgaris infection
Authors:   Kharkiv National Medical University, Department of internal medicine N 2, Clinical Immunology and Allergology named after academician L.T.Malaya, Ukraine., Kravchun Pavlo Grigorovich , Babadzan Vladimir Danilovich ,   Kharkiv National Medical University, Department of internal medicine N 2, Clinical Immunology and Allergology named after academician L.T.Malaya, Ukraine., Leontyeva Frida Solomonivna ,   Sytenko Institute of Spine and Joint Pathology National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Ukraine., Dielievska Valentyna Yuriivna ,   Kharkiv National Medical University, Department of internal medicine N 2, Clinical Immunology and Allergology named after academician L.T.Malaya, Ukraine.
Published: June 2023

Background: A person with weak A antigen expression is presented. Objectives: The study aimed to reveal weak A antigen by different methods applied in laboratories. Materials and methods: The reaction of adsorption, agglutination, and inhibition of agglutination were performed at 4 °C, 10 °C, 13 °C, 20 °C, and 37 °C for 1-13 hrs and one-day incubation. The complement of the guinea pig was added to the heated serum to reveal hemolysis. Results: A person’s red blood cells reacted with commercial anti-B sera. Whereas anti-A and anti-B (reactive at 37 °C) antibodies were found in the serum. The person demonstrated anti-A antibody adsorbing ability at 4 °C. The plasma of the person inhibited agglutination of A and B RBCs by polyclonal sera. The blood culture was positive for Proteus vulgaris infection. Conclusion: The presence of weak A antigen was detected the best by the adsorption method at low temperatures with polyclonal sera from the O blood group.
Evaluation of soil and water loss under different soil covers
Authors: Silva Adriana Peixoto da , Carneiro Emanoella Santos , Carneiro Lauriane De Oliveira , Silva Natielle Guimarães da , Santos Rosangela Leal
Published: June 2023

The current hegemonic agricultural model, which is based on the green revolution, is intrinsically related to environmental and social impacts, such as erosion, desertification, and abandonment of agricultural areas. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the loss of soil and water through runoff during a simulated rainfall event, testing the efficiency of different types of coverings on beds with watermelon crops, inferring that in relation to soil loss, this was greater in uncovered soil. Therefore, it should be observed that this work has applicability in the choice of efficient soil management techniques, to minimize the effects of erosion and, consequently, the environmental impacts as a result of agricultural activities. The results obtained showed a loss equivalent to 72.72% of the total for bare soil, which means a greater sedimentation of the soil, while for soils covered with corn straw and the biodegradable blanket, a loss of 19.70% and 7.58% of the total were observed, respectively. Surface water runoff, with the use of corn straw and the biodegradable blanket, was reduced by 81.22% and 67.42%, respectively. It was concluded that soil cover is effective in controlling water erosion.The current hegemonic agricultural model, which is based on the green revolution, is intrinsically related to environmental and social impacts, such as erosion, desertification, and abandonment of agricultural areas. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the loss of soil and water through runoff during a simulated rainfall event, testing the efficiency of different types of coverings on beds with watermelon crops, inferring that in relation to soil loss, this was greater in uncovered soil. Therefore, it should be observed that this work has applicability in the choice of efficient soil management techniques, to minimize the effects of erosion and, consequently, the environmental impacts as a result of agricultural activities. The results obtained showed a loss equivalent to 72.72% of the total for bare soil, which means a greater sedimentation of the soil, while for soils covered with corn straw and the biodegradable blanket, a loss of 19.70% and 7.58% of the total were observed, respectively. Surface water runoff, with the use of corn straw and the biodegradable blanket, was reduced by 81.22% and 67.42%, respectively. It was concluded that soil cover is effective in controlling water erosion.
Desenvolvimento e Avaliação da Estabilidade de Formulação Fotoprotetora Contendo Extrato de Spondias purpurea L.
Authors: De Lima de Jesus Elaine , Sonia Carine Cova Costa
Published: June 2023

Protetores Solares são preparações cosméticas que permitem a proteção exógena contra efeitos nocivos da radiação UVA (320 a 400 nm) e radiação UVB (280 a 320 nm) na derme por meio da absorção, dispersão ou reflexão da radiação solar (BRASIL, 2012).
Sub-regional phase error compensation based on a probability distribution function and gamma precoding
Authors: Feng Wei , Xu Shinan , Liu Qianqian , Fan Jiahao , Zhai Zhongsheng
Published: June 2023

In this paper, a phase error compensation method based on a probability distribution function (PDF) is proposed to improve the accuracy of phase extraction, which is helpful for three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction. First, the relationship between the gamma and the gray values is established to segment the projection regions. Then a new method based on a PDF is designed to represent the variation degree of phase error, which fits the precoded gamma value in the minimum range of the phase error. After that, the error compensation method is applied to the self-built system and packaged independently from the 3D reconstruction system to unwrap phases with high precision. The experimental results show that the proposed method can reduce the standard deviation of the phase error by 46.9% compared without phase error compensation, and decrease the standard deviation of the phase error by 30% compared with the whole precoding. Generally, our method can effectively avoid overcompensation or under-compensation caused by single global gamma precoding correction, and better reduce the phase error and improve the 3D reconstruction accuracy in the fringe projection system.
Embedded silicon gratings for high-efficiency light-chip coupling to thin film silicon nitride waveguides
Authors: Rawat Pravin , Nambiar Siddharth , Venkatachalam P. , Singh Radhakant , Kumar Selvaraja Shankar
Published: June 2023

Thin film silicon nitride (<150 nm) waveguide has emerged as a dominant ultra-low-loss platform for many loss-critical applications. While thin-film silicon nitride propagation loss is a crucial characteristic, coupling light between an optical fiber and the waveguide is still challenging. While the larger mode size of the decoupled thin waveguide offers better coupling than a highly-confined waveguide, the coupling efficiency is still sub-optimal. The poor diffraction efficiency of such thin films limits the scope of implementing standalone surface gratings. We demonstrate an efficient way to couple into thin film silicon nitride waveguides using amorphous silicon strip gratings. The high contrast gratings provide an efficient means to boost the directionality from thin films leading to an enhanced coupling performance. In addition, we incorporate a bottom reflector to further improve the coupling. We present an optimal design for uniform strip gratings with a maximum coupling efficiency of -1.7 dB/coupler. We achieved a maximum coupling efficiency of -0.28 dB/coupler by engineering the scattering strength along the grating through apodization. We have experimentally shown the highest coupling efficiency reported yet of -2.22 dB/coupler and -1.84 dB/coupler for uniform and apodized grating couplers in the C-L band. We present a detailed design strategy, simulation, fabrication and characterization data on the effect of various parameters on the coupling efficiency.
Channel power equalization based on joint optimization of EDFA and ROADM configuration in open optical network
Authors: Fan Yingbo , Li Yajie , Liu Zhifu , Wang Wei , Zhao Yongli , Zhang Jie , Zhou Yantao , Tan Yanxia , Jiao Mingtao
Published: June 2023

Deterioration of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is an important challenge in ultra-long multi optical line system (OLS) optical transmission systems. The non-uniform gain and cascading of the Erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) lead to SNR deterioration in transmission systems. In this paper, we propose two channel power equalization methods based on joint optimization of EDFA and Reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) configurations: 1) reinforcement learning (RL)-based channel power equalization (RL-PE) and 2) covariance matrix adaptive evolution strategy (CMA-ES) channel power equalization (CMA-PE). The simulation results indicate that the power equalization effect was improved by 1.9 dB through the CMA-PE method, while the RL-PE method led to a 1.5 dB improvement in an ultra-long 80-channel 7-OLS transmission system.
Nutritional status and growth of children and adolescents with and without cerebral palsy in eastern Uganda: A longitudinal comparative analysis
Authors: Hamid Namaganda Lukia , Andrews Carin , Wabwire-Mangen Fred , Peterson Stefan , Forssberg Hans , Kakooza-Mwesige Angelina
Published: June 2023

There is a need to understand the growth and burden of malnutrition in children with cerebral palsy (CP) in order to design appropriate inclusive nutrition strategies. We compared the nutritional status and four-year longitudinal growth of a population-based cohort of children and adolescents (C&A) with CP (n = 97; 2–17 years; 55/42 M/F), and an age and sex matched group without CP (n = 91; 2-17y; 50/41 M/F) in rural Uganda. The cohorts were assessed in 2015 and 2019 for weight, height, social demographic characteristics, and feeding related factors. Nutritional status was determined using the World Health Organization (WHO) Z-scores. Wilcoxon sign rank and Mann-Whitney tests were used to test within and between group differences. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine predictors of the change in growth. Approximately two thirds (62/97 (64%)) of C&A with CP were malnourished (with <-2SD in any of the WHO Z-scores), especially those with feeding difficulties (OR = 2.65; P = 0.032), and those who needed to be fed (OR = 3.8; P = 0.019). Both the CP and non-CP groups deviated negatively from the WHO reference growth curve for height, with a significantly slower growth in the CP group (median change score of height-for-age Z score (HAZ) between assessments = -0.80(-1.56, 0.31), p<0.01), than the non-CP group (median HAZ change score = -0.27(-0.92,0.34, p = 0.034). There was a statistically significant group difference in the median HAZ change score between the CP and non-CP groups (z = -2.21, p = 0.026). Severity of motor impairment measured by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS-level) correlated negatively (r = -1.37,95%CI -2.67, -0.08) with the change in HAZ scores among the CP group. Children and adolescents with severe motor impairments exhibit an increased risk of malnutrition and growth retardation compared to their age matched peers without CP, which underscores the need to develop inclusive community-based nutrition strategies for children with cerebral palsy.
Uvula infections and traditional uvulectomy: Beliefs and practices in Luwero district, central Uganda
Authors: Kibira Simon Peter Sebina , Namutundu Juliana , Kiwanuka Julius , Kiwanuka Noah , Nankabirwa Victoria , Namwagala Justine
Published: June 2023

Uvulitis is the inflammation and swelling of the uvula, usually associated with infection of nearby structures. Uvulitis can be treated symptomatically, using medication or in some cases with uvulectomy, the uvula surgical removal or shortening. Traditional uvulectomy by traditional practitioners has been practiced in Africa for ages, associated with adverse outcomes. Although there is no empirical evidence for the association between adverse outcomes and traditional uvulectomy in Uganda, anecdotal findings showed incidents of uvula infections following uvulectomy in central Uganda. While these findings also indicate that traditional uvulectomy is common, the community understanding of uvulitis, the beliefs and practices are not well understood. This qualitative study sought to understand beliefs and practices using interviews with community health workers, traditional uvulectomy clients, and traditional surgeons, and focus group discussions with community members. Transcribed data were analysed in Atlas.ti 9 using thematic analysis steps. The findings show that uvula infection, locally known as “Akamiro” and the associated traditional uvulectomy are common in Luwero and beyond. “Akamiro” was described as larger than the normal, the size of a chicken heart or a big pimple, visible when a child cries, with unknown causes. Symptoms included persistent cough, diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of appetite, inability to swallow and ultimately weight loss, swollen stomach, saliva overflow, fever, breathing and speech difficulty. Diagnosis was confirmed after seeking care from health workers or in consultation with significant others and finally the traditional surgeon; in a hierarchical pattern. Uvulectomy was conducted by traditional surgeons, with surgery lasting a few minutes, in the morning or after sun-set. Tools used were razor blades, reeds, strings, wires, sickle knives and spoons. Payment was flexible; cash or in-kind. Surgeons had immense community trust, including community health workers. Interventions to support persons with uvula infections need to address the health system weaknesses, and health education.
Assessing the critical success factors for implementing industry 4.0 in the pharmaceutical industry: Implications for supply chain sustainability in emerging economies
Authors: Debnath Binoy , Shakur Md Shihab , Bari A. B. M. Mainul , Saha Joy , Porna Wazida Akter , Mishu Mostarin Jahan , Islam Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul , Rahman Muhommad Azizur
Published: June 2023

The emerging technologies of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) are crucial to incorporating agility, sustainability, smartness, and competitiveness in the business model, enabling long-term sustainability practices in the pharmaceutical supply chain (PSC). By leveraging the latest technologies of I4.0, pharmaceutical companies can gain real-time visibility into their supply chain (SC) operations, allowing them to make data-driven decisions that improve SC performance, efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. However, to date, no research has examined the critical success factors (CSFs) that enable the pharmaceutical industry to adopt I4.0 successfully to enhance overall SC sustainability. This study, therefore, analyzed the potential CSFs for adopting I4.0 to increase all facets of sustainability in the PSC, especially from the perspective of an emerging economy like Bangladesh. Initially, sixteen CSFs were identified through a comprehensive literature review and expert validation. Later, the finalized CSFs were clustered into three relevant groups and analyzed using a Bayesian best-worst method (BWM)-based multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework. The study findings revealed that "sufficient investment for technological advancement", "digitalized product monitoring and traceability", and "dedicated and robust research and development (R&D) team" are the top three CSFs to adopt I4.0 in the PSC. The study’s findings can aid industrial practitioners, managers, and policymakers in creating effective action plans for efficiently adopting I4.0 in PSC to avail of its competitive benefits and ensure a sustainable future for the pharmaceutical industry.
El cine en el aprendizaje de la manipulación genética a través de ciencia ficción en Gattaca (1997)
Authors: Almela Baeza Javier , Graterol-Guía Mariana
Published: June 2023

La manipulación genética ha sido una de las ramas de la biotecnología con mayor desarrollo durante los últimos 20 años. Con la llegada de la técnica CRISPR, la posibilidad de corregir, cambiar y eliminar genes de una secuencia de ADN se ha convertido en una posibilidad de la ciencia. Las tramas de las películas cinematográficas son, en muchas ocasiones, un reflejo realista de aspectos psicosociales de la población, esto puede ser empleado en entornos educativos para mostrar las consecuencias de determinadas situaciones o dilemas morales. Desde un punto de vista didáctico, este estudio interpreta las secuencias más significativas de la película Gattaca (1997), de Adrew Niccol, donde, en un ambiente futurista, se distingue entre seres humanos inferiores no tratados genéticamente y con funciones de poca categoría, o superiores si han sido tratados genéticamente y destinados principalmente a funciones de mayor relevancia como viajes espaciales. El objetivo principal es facilitar la comprensión de conceptos relacionados con la manipulación genética, como el determinismo genético, la eugenesia o la discriminación genética, entre otros, tras el visionado y puesta en común de esta película.
A tapasztalat- és a világfogalom jelentéskülönbségei Kant és
Merleau-Ponty filozófiájában
Authors: Tóth Gábor
Published: June 2023

A tanulmány célja a tapasztalat- és a világ-fogalom
jelentéskülönbségeinek feltárása Kant és Merleau-Ponty filozófiájában. A
tiszta ész kritikája koncepciója szerint a megismerés tárgyainak
összességeként adódó “világ” szerkezete a priori elvek szerint
meghatározható, szigorú rendszert alkot. Merleau-Ponty az “eredendő
nyitottság ontológiájának” kidolgozásakor amellett érvel, hogy a szubjektum
és az objektív valóság viszonya nem magyarázható meg a Kant által felvázolt
keretek között. A francia gondolkodó e helyett egy olyan valóságmodellt
alkot meg, amelyben a tárgyak nem rendelkeznek szilárd formával és
elrendeződéssel. Ebből következik, hogy a megismerés során a világhoz
viszonyuló megismerő számára nem jelölhető ki egyértelmű és kitüntetett
pozíció, amely lehetővé tenné a tárgyak megragadását. E szemléletmód tárja
fel a filozófiai gondolkodás tulajdonképpeni lényegét, amely a nyugati
filozófiai hagyományban háttérbe szorult. Merleau-Ponty szerint a
klasszikus metafizikai kategóriákat a „vad lét” ontológiájának kell
felváltania, amely a filozófust elvezetheti a lét és a gondolkodás
autentikus dimenzióihoz.
Public Opinion Analysis on Social Media Platforms: A Case Study of High Speed 2 (HS2) Rail Infrastructure Project
Authors: YAO Ruiqiu , Gillen Andrew
Published: June 2023

Abstract: Public opinion evaluation is becoming increasingly significant in infrastructure project assessment. The inefficiencies of conventional evaluation approaches can be improved with social media analysis. Posts about infrastructure projects on social media provide a large amount of data for assessing public opinion. This study proposed a hybrid model which combines pre-trained RoBERTa and gated recurrent units for sentiment analysis. We selected the United Kingdom railway project, HighSpeed 2, as the case study. The sentiment analysis showed the proposed hybrid model has good performance in classifying social media sentiment. Furthermore, the study applies LDA topic modelling to identify key themes within the tweet corpus, providing deeper insights into the prominent topics surrounding the HS2 project. The findings from this case study serve as the basis for a comprehensive public opinion evaluation framework driven by social media data. This framework offers policymakers a valuable tool to effectively assess and analyse public sentiment.
Soy un/a productor/a agroecológico/a: diversidad de sujetos sociales en el centro de Santa Fe
Authors: Grosso Susana , Sánchez Deicas Lucía , Garrido Santiago , Canesini María Celeste
Published: June 2023

La agroecología surge, en tanto ciencia y práctica, como una alternativa al modelo dominante de producción agropecuaria, basado en el uso de insumos externos de síntesis química, y debido a sus efectos negativos en términos ambientales y sociales. En la provincia de Santa Fe (Argentina), se observa un aumento en el número de productores que se autodenominan agroecológicos, tanto por los relevamientos oficiales como por las consultas, que éstos realizan, a los organismos tecnológicos regionales. Una mirada más profunda sobre estos sujetos demandantes de referencias técnicas permite vislumbrar que, detrás de dicha autodenominación, existe una diversidad de hombres y mujeres con trayectorias socio-profesionales, recursos disponibles y objetivos diferentes. Este trabajo propone una caracterización de un grupo de productores que se autodenominan agroecológicos en el centro de Santa Fe que permita generar insumos para que los organismos tecnológicos regionales puedan revisar el diseño de políticas públicas y estrategias de extensión.
Local-Sharia Regulations and Religious Expression in Aceh: Criticism of the Qanun about Establishing Places of Worship
Authors: Tobroni Faiq
Published: June 2023

Abstract: Religious identity-based laws can cause restrictions on the expression of religious freedom in the public sphere. It occurred in the implementation of Qanun Aceh 4/2016 about the provisions for establishing places of worship in Aceh (the Qanun). The enactment of the Qanun often triggers the majority hegemony over minority groups. Having focused on criticizing the Qanun, this article analyses two aspects. Firstly, the Qanun was reviewed from human rights. Secondly, the impact of the Qanun on the map on distribution and condition of places of worship for religious minorities in each regency/city in Aceh Province. This article uses qualitative research methods by utilizing, mapping, and reviewing data from the 2020 Central Statistics Agency of Aceh Province. This study found that: firstly, the Qanun does not meet the provisions of limitations on human rights in the 1945 Indonesian Constitution, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the Principle of Siracusa; secondly, the access for minority groups for establishing places of worship in Aceh can be mapped in three conditions, namely positive, normal and negative.Abstract: Hukum yang didasarkan pada identitas keagamaan bisa menyebabkan pembatasan ekspresi kebebasan beragama di muka umum. Ini terjadi dalam pelaksanaan Qanun Aceh 4/2016 tentang persyaratan pendirian tempat ibadah di Aceh (Qanun). Pemberlakuan Qanun sering memicu hegemoni mayoritas terhadap kelompok minoritas. Dengan fokus untuk mengkritisi Qanun, artikel ini mengulas dua aspek. Pertama, keberadaan Qanun ditinjau dengan Hak Asasi Manusian (HAM). Kedua, pengaruh Qanun terhadap peta distribusi dan konsisi tempat ibadah bagi kelompok keagamaan minoritas di setiap kabupaten/kota di Provinsi Aceh. Artikel ini menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif dengan memanfaatkan, memetakan dan mereview data tahun 2020 dari Badan Pusat Statistik Provinsi Aceh. Penelitian ini menemukan: pertama, Qanun tidak memenuhi persyaratan pembatasan HAM yang diatur dalam UUD 1945, Kovenan Internasional Hak Sipil-Politik, dan PrinsipSiracusa; kedua, akses kelompok minoritas atas pendirian rumah ibadah di Aceh dapat dipetakan dalam tiga konidisi, yakni positif, normal dan negatif.