bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The novel coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China
Authors: Zhu Hengbo , Wei Li , Niu Ping
Published: March 2020

The novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV, or COVID-19) epidemic first broke out in Wuhan and has been spreading in whole China and the world. The numbers of new infections and deaths in Wuhan are still increasing, which have posed major public health and governance concerns. A series of mandatory actions have been taken by the municipal and provincial governments supported by the central government, such as measures to restrict travels across cities, case detection and contact tracing, quarantine, guidance and information to the public, detection kit development, etc. Challenges such as lacking effective drugs, insufficient hospital services and medical supplies, logistics, etc. have much alleviated with the solidarity of the whole society. The pandemic will definitely be ended with the continuous efforts of both national and international multi-sectoral bodies.
Integrated 3D geomechanical modeling and its application for well planning in Bantumilli South area, Krishna-Godavari Basin, India
Authors: Deshmukh Soumen , Sharma Rajesh , Chaudhary Manisha , Lal Hari
Published: March 2020

Complex geologic structure, a heterogeneous reservoir, and complications related to high pressure during drilling necessitate carrying out geomechanical modeling to understand the physical properties of rocks and fluids present within the Early Cretaceous synrift sequence in the Bantumilli South area of the Krishna-Godavari Basin in India. Reservoirs within the synrift sequence exhibit low permeability and high pore pressure. Identification of safe mud-weight window zones is critical for safe drilling of wells in this part of the basin. A detailed workflow for building a robust 3D geomechanical model and its applications to well planning and hydraulic fracturing are presented. Elastic properties of the reservoirs were estimated by prestack seismic inversion. Elastic properties and pore pressure volumes were used to simulate the 3D stress field. The maximum horizontal stress direction is observed to be 130°N ± 5°, i.e., northwest to southeast, and estimated fracture pressure (minimum horizontal stress) values range between 10,000 and 14,200 psi within the synrift sequence. The study has shown that the Cretaceous section of the reservoir has narrow mud-weight window zones. These zones are governed mainly by a high pore pressure regime in the reservoirs. Additionally, deep-seated basement faults have played an important role in the compartmentalization of the reservoir in terms of geomechanical properties.
Reviews
Authors: Green William R. , Taylor Patrick , Treitel Sven , Fliedner Moritz
Published: March 2020

Geophysics and Geosequestration, edited by Thomas L. Davis, Martin Landr⊘, and Malcolm Wilson, ISBN 978-1-107-13749-3, 2019, Cambridge University Press, 388 p. Geological Carbon Storage: Subsurface Seals and Caprock Integrity, edited by Stéphanie Vialle, Jonathan Ajo-Franklin, and J. William Carey, ISBN 978-1-119-11864-0, 2018, American Geophysical Union and Wiley, 364 p. Introduction to Deep Learning, by Eugene Charniak, ISBN 978-0-262-03951-2, 2019, MIT Press, 192 p. Foundations of Machine Learning, second edition, by Mehryar Mohri, Afshin Rostamizadeh, and Ameet Talwalkar, ISBN 978-0-262-03940-6, 2018, MIT Press, 504 p. Seismic Ambient Noise, edited by Nori Nakata, Lucia Gualtieri, and Andreas Fichtner, ISBN 978-1-108-41708-2, 2019, Cambridge University Press, 370 p.
Patient-Oncologist Communication Regarding Oral Chemotherapy During Routine Office Visits
Authors: Nguyen Bobbie K. H. , Wu Benjamin S. , Sanoff Hanna K. , Lafata Jennifer Elston
Published: March 2020

PURPOSE:

Although studies in other clinical areas have shown that patient-clinician communication can positively influence adherence to medications, little is known about how oncologists address medication counseling during routine office visits. We describe patient-oncologist office-based discussions of oral chemotherapy treatment.

METHODS:

Transcripts of 24 patient-oncologist office visits were obtained from a national database. Patients were aged ≥ 19 years and prescribed capecitabine for colorectal cancer. We developed a structured coding worksheet using medication-counseling concepts previously identified as important to medication adherence and a grounded approach. Two coders reviewed transcripts for oncologists’ provision of medication information, assessment of patients’ adherence to medication, and the provision of self-management support for management of adverse effects. We assessed interrater reliability with Cohen κ statistics. We describe the counseling concepts present within patient-oncologist conversations and present illustrative quotes to describe how they were discussed.

RESULTS:

Oncologists generally provided patients who had yet to initiate therapy comprehensive medication information; those in the midst of treatment received less information. Oncologists discussed patients’ continued use of the medication (or discontinuation) among all patients who had initiated therapy (N = 18). How the patient was taking the medication (ie, therapy implementation) was less commonly discussed. Medication adverse effects were also discussed in all encounters. Self-management strategies were commonly provided, albeit mostly in response to a presenting symptom and not preemptively. Patients’ use of concurrent medications, financial access to therapy, and assessments of logistical arrangements were discussed more sporadically.

CONCLUSION:

Using audio recordings from a national sample of patient-oncologist office visits, we identified several potentially important opportunities to enhance medication counseling among patients prescribed capecitabine for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
Patient Perspectives on the Implementation of Risk-Aligned Bladder Cancer Surveillance: Systematic Evaluation Using the Tailored Implementation for Chronic Diseases Framework
Authors: Schroeck Florian R. , St Ivany Amanda , Lowrance William , Makarov Danil V. , Goodney Philip P. , Zubkoff Lisa
Published: March 2020

PURPOSE:

Many patients living with bladder cancer do not undergo surveillance that is aligned with their risk for recurrence or progression, which exposes them to unnecessary risk and burden of procedures. To implement risk-aligned surveillance as recommended by multiple guidelines, we need to understand patient-, provider-, and system-level factors contributing to the delivery of risk-aligned surveillance. In this study, we sought to systematically assess patient-level factors.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS:

Guided by the Tailored Implementation for Chronic Diseases framework, we conducted semistructured interviews with 22 patients with bladder cancer undergoing surveillance cystoscopy procedures at three facilities within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Patients were sampled using quantitative data on bladder cancer risk category (low v high) and on surveillance category (aligned v not aligned with cancer risk). Interview transcripts were analyzed using a priori codes from the Tailored Implementation for Chronic Diseases framework. Quantitative and qualitative data were integrated by cross-tabulating determinants across risk and surveillance categories.

RESULTS:

Participants included seven low-risk and 15 high-risk patients; 10 underwent risk-aligned surveillance and 12 did not. In mixed-methods analyses, perception of risk appropriately differed by risk but not by surveillance category. Participants understood the recommended surveillance schedule according to their risk category. Participants emphatically expressed that adhering to providers’ recommendations is prudent; intentions to adhere did not vary across risk and surveillance categories.

CONCLUSION:

Participants intended to adhere to providers’ recommendations and strongly endorsed the importance of adherence. These findings suggest implementation strategies to improve risk-aligned surveillance may be most effective when targeting provider- and system-level factors rather than patient-level factors.
Utility of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Fusion Imaging for Prediction of Metastasis to Sentinel and Nonsentinel Nodes in Patients with Clinically Node-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Yamagishi Yoji , Yamasaki Tamio , Ishida Jiro , Moriya Tomoyuki , Einama Takahiro , Koiwai Tomomi , Fukumura-Koga Makiko , Kono Takako , Hayashi Katsumi , Ueno Hideki , Yamamoto Junji , Tsuda Hitoshi
Published: March 2020

Purpose

18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography fusion imaging (18F-FDG PET/CT) is an important diagnostic tool in breast cancer. The utility of maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) of primary tumors has been evaluated to predict sentinel node (SN) and non-SN metastasis in clinically node-negative (cN0) patients.

Patients and Methods

18F-FDG PET/CT was performed on 414 cN0 patients. The following parameters were evaluated: SUVmax at 60 min (SUVmax1), SUVmax at 120 min (SUVmax2), percent change between SUVmax1 and SUVmax2 (ΔSUVmax%), SN metastasis foci maximum size (SN meta size), and ratio of metastatic SNs to total SNs or SN ratio (SNR). It was assessed whether these were risk factors for SN metastasis. The relationship between these parameters and the status of SN and/or non-SN metastasis was retrospectively explored to predict non-SN metastasis.

Results

All SUV parameters significantly correlated with pathological T factor (pT), nuclear grade, lymphatic invasion (Ly), and Ki-67 labeling index. On multivariate analysis, pT and Ly were independent predictive factors for SN metastasis. In SN meta-positive cases, SN meta size, SNR, and ΔSUVmax% were predictors for non-SN metastasis on univariate analyses, and the former two were independent predictors on multivariate analysis. The combination of SUVmax2 and ΔSUVmax% was an independent predictor of non-SN metastasis (P = 0.0312) and was associated with prediction of non-SN metastasis negative status with high probability (92.3%).

Conclusions

In patients with cN0 breast cancer, SUV parameters of the primary tumor were correlated with pathological features. The combination of SUVmax2 and ΔSUVmax% may be useful for predicting non-SN metastasis.
Accuracy of linear measurements obtained from stitched cone beam computed tomography images versus direct skull measurements
Authors: Hamed Doaa Ahmed Fouad , El Dawlatly Mostafa Mohamed , El Dessouky Sahar Hosny , Hamdy Reham Mohamed
Published: March 2020

Background: To assess whether the linear measurements obtained from stitched cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were as accurate as the direct skull measurements.

Methods: Nine dry human skulls were marked with gutta-percha at reference points to obtain Twenty-two linear measurements on each skull. Ten measurements in the cranio-caudal plane, two measurements in the antero-posterior plane, and ten measurements in the medio-lateral plane. CBCT linear measurements obtained using stitching software were measured and compared with direct skull measurements.

Results: The absolute Dahlberg error between direct linear measurements and linear measurements on stitched CBCT images ranged from (0.07 mm to 0.41 mm). The relative Dahlberg error ranged from (0.2% to 1.8%). Moreover, Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) ranged from (0.97 to 1.0) indicating excellent agreement.

Conclusion: Stitched CBCT linear measurements were highly comparable to the direct skull measurements using a digital caliper.
Sorites, Curry and Suitable Models
Authors: Da Ré Bruno , Teijeiro Paula
Published: March 2020

In this paper we present two new approaches for dealing with semantic paradoxes and soritical predicates based on fuzzy logic. We show that both of them have conceptual advantages over the more traditional Łukasiewicz approach, and that the second one even avoids standard proofs of ω-nconsistency.
Antidote to Civil War?
Authors: Stefanidis Ioannis D.
Published: March 2020

This paper seeks to reopen the question of legitimacy, and in particular democratic legitimacy, as an important factor affecting the course of European ‘small states’ involved in World War II. It draws attention to previously neglected or understudied but crucial aspects of wartime legitimacy, eminently the role of recognition by foreign powers, the rhetoric of the ‘Big Three’ Allies regarding post-war Europe, and the relevance of democratic legitimacy as a powerful antidote to civil conflict during the period of transition into peacetime.
Integrating Literary Works as the Local Content of ELT Materials for Undergraduate Students
Authors: Amelia Pratiwi , Hikmawati Agci
Published: March 2020

The objective of this study is to design English materials for undergraduate students. In designing the materials, the writers focused on the general English materials integrated with Bangkanese’ Folks as one of the literary works existing in Bangka Belitung Province, Indonesia. This idea was based on the writers’ awareness to introduce local values to the students. Thus, the existing literary works were taken and modified by the writers to meet the purpose of the research.  The writers used the theory of Hutchinson and Waters (1987) and Borg & Gall (1989). The theory offered six steps, namely need analysis, writing syllabus, developing materials, trying-out materials, evaluating materials, revision, and writing the final draft. The participants of the research were 37 students studying in one of the private colleges in Bangka Belitung Province. These participants were chosen randomly. The designed ELT materials integrated the English lessons and the local folktales and culture. The integration was intended to improve the students’ communicative competence of both productive and receptive skills. Furthermore, it was expected that the designed materials were able to encourage the students to communicate more communicatively and appropriately in their social context.
Uyghur and China in The American Media Discourse: A Critical Discourse Analysis of CNN News Articles
Authors: Prayudha Prayudha , Fawwaz Ma’ruf
Published: March 2020

This paper analyzes the textual aspects in Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) Norman Fairclough model of CNN news discourse about Uyghur issue. When this research is conducted, there are only at least five articles specifically discussing Uyghur issue that are 29th December 2011, 29th February 2012, 29th February 2012, 30th October 2013, and 5th September 2014 publications. The research focuses on analyzing the text representation and the relation between participants in the discourse. Objectives of the paper are: 1) to analyze the text representation of news in the news channel of CNN related to the Uyghur case, and 2) to analyze the relation between participants in the news channel of CNN related to the Uyghur case. The subject of this paper is Uyghur issue as reflected in the news articles of CNN International. The paper applies qualitative descriptive method. As a consequence: CNN often put formality features and a vague vocabulary to block and obscure the negative value from the readers to China. The relation here is presented by CNN to China rather than CNN to Uyghur. It is reflected by the power of the status of China.
Let them ‘try before they buy’
Authors: Berry Claire
Published: March 2020

Award-winning dental hygienist Claire Berry suggests that by discussing and demonstrating the benefits of an electric toothbrush, patients will be happy to invest in their long-term oral health
Why new fathers need more support
Authors: Hill Melanie
Published: March 2020

It is time that the mental health and well-being of new fathers was given a stronger focus, says Melanie Hill. Her research highlights the pressures and uncertainties that many face during the ante and post natal periods, and how family services are often failing to throw them a lifeline.
Lonely no more
Authors: Burke Denise
Published: March 2020

Isolation between people – and particularly the generations – is a growing problem for society in Britain. But strategies which bring communities together can be transformative and early years has a key role to play, says Denise Burke.
Use of unstable surfaces and conscious abdominal contraction on the activity of periscapular muscles
Authors: Ferreira Fernanda Lenise Soares , Alves de Oliveira Valéria Mayaly , Santos Michelle Ribeiro , Nascimento Vinícius Yan Santos , Pitangui Ana Carolina Rodarti , Cappato de Araújo Rodrigo
Published: March 2020

Background/aims

Core training has been recommended in shoulder rehabilitation programs. However, the evidence on this topic is still scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of conscious abdominal contraction combined with unstable surfaces on electromyographic activity of periscapular muscles during the plus phase of a push-up.

Methods

A total of 20 male participants (22.8 ± 2.5 years) were evaluated. Electromyographic signals were collected from the upper, middle and lower trapezius, serratus anterior, and external and internal oblique muscles during push-up exercises on a stable and unstable surface with and without the conscious abdominal contraction. Each participant performed four variations of the plus phase of a push-up.

Results

The results demonstrated that the conscious abdominal contraction caused an increase in the electromyographic activity of external oblique, internal oblique, serratus anterior and lower trapezius muscles (P≤0.008). The unstable surface caused only a relevant increase in electromyographic activity of the abdominal muscles (P≤0.025). Combining the two strategies did not increase the electromyographic activity of any muscles (P≥0.238).

Conclusions

The conscious abdominal contraction seems to be a viable strategy to increase the electromyographic activity of the periscapular muscles.
The diagnostic value of routine preliminary biopsy in diagnosing late prosthetic joint infection after hip and knee arthroplasty
Authors: Fink Bernd , Schuster Philipp , Braun Rüdiger , Tagtalianidou Eli , Schlumberger Michael
Published: February 2020

Aims

Biopsy of the periprosthetic tissue is an important diagnostic tool for prosthetic joint infection (PJI) as it enables the detection of the responsible microorganism with its sensitivity to antibiotics. We aimed to investigate how often the bacteria identified in the tissue analysis differed between samples obtained from preoperative biopsy and intraoperative revision surgery in cases of late PJI; and whether there was a therapeutic consequence.

Methods

A total of 508 patients who required revision surgery of total hip arthroplasty (THA) (n = 231) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) (n = 277) because of component loosening underwent biopsy before revision surgery. The tissue samples collected at biopsy and during revision surgery were analyzed according to the criteria of the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS).

Results

In total, 178 (113 THA, 65 TKA) were classified as infected. The biopsy procedure had a sensitivity of 93.8%, a specificity of 97.3%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 94.9%, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 96.7%, and an accuracy of 96.1%. Of the 178 infected patients, 26 showed a difference in the detected bacteria from the biopsy and the revision surgery (14.6%). This difference required a change to antibiotic therapy in only two cases (1.1%).

Conclusion

Biopsy is a useful tool to diagnose PJI, but there may be a difference in the detected bacteria between the biopsy and revision surgery. However, this did not affect the choice of antibiotic therapy in most cases, rendering the clinical relevance of this phenomenon as low. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(3):329–335
Validation of the Sydney Hamstring Origin Rupture Evaluation (SHORE)
Authors: French Sofie R. , Kaila Rajiv , Munir Selin , Wood David G.
Published: February 2020

Aims

To validate the Sydney Hamstring Origin Rupture Evaluation (SHORE), a hamstring-specific clinical assessment tool to evaluate patient outcomes following surgical treatment.

Methods

A prospective study of 70 unilateral hamstring surgical repairs, with a mean age of 47.3 years (15 to 73). Patients completed the SHORE preoperatively and at six months post-surgery, and then completed both the SHORE and Perth Hamstring Assessment Tool (PHAT) at three years post-surgery. The SHORE questionnaire was validated through the evaluation of its psychometric properties, including; internal consistency, reproducibility, reliability, sensitivity to change, and ceiling effect. Construct validity was assessed using Pearson’s correlation analysis to examine the strength of association between the SHORE and the PHAT.

Results

The SHORE demonstrated an excellent completion rate (100%), high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.78), and good reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 0.82). The SHORE had a high correlation with the validated PHAT score. It was more sensitive in detecting clinical change compared to the PHAT. A ceiling effect was not present in the SHORE at six months; however, a ceiling effect was identified in both scores at three years post-surgery.

Conclusion

This study has validated the SHORE patient reported outcome measure (PROM) as a short, practical, reliable, valid, and responsive tool that can be used to assess symptom and function following hamstring injury and surgical repair. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(3):388–393
Deformity correction in thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Pesenti Sébastien , Lafage Renaud , Henry Brice , Kim Han J. , Bolzinger Manon , Elysée Jonathan , Cunningham Mathew , Choufani Elie , Lafage Virginie , Blanco John , Jouve Jean-Luc , Widmann Roger
Published: February 2020

Aims

To compare the rates of sagittal and coronal correction for all-pedicle screw instrumentation and hybrid instrumentation using sublaminar bands in the treatment of thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 124 patients who had undergone surgery in two centres for the correction of Lenke 1 or 2 AIS. Radiological evaluation was carried out preoperatively, in the early postoperative phase, and at two-year follow-up. Parameters measured included coronal Cobb angles and thoracic kyphosis. Postoperative alignment was compared after matching the cohorts by preoperative coronal Cobb angle, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and pelvic incidence.

Results

A total of 179 patients were available for analysis. After matching, 124 patients remained (62 in each cohort). Restoration of thoracic kyphosis was significantly better in the sublaminar band group than in the pedicle screw group (from 23.7° to 27.5° to 34.0° versus 23.9° to 18.7° to 21.5°; all p < 0.001). When the preoperative thoracic kyphosis was less than 20°, sublaminar bands achieved a normal postoperative thoracic kyphosis, whereas pedicle screws did not. In the coronal plane, pedicle screws resulted in a significantly better correction than sublaminar bands at final follow-up (73.0% versus 59.7%; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This is the first study to compare sublaminar bands and pedicle screws for the correction of a thoracic AIS. We have shown that pedicle screws give a good coronal correction which is maintained at two-year follow-up. Conversely, sublaminar bands restore the thoracic kyphosis better while pedicle screws are associated with a flattening of the thoracic spine. In patients with preoperative hypokyphosis, sublaminar bands should be used to restore a proper sagittal profile. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(3):376–382
Management of multiligament knee injuries
Authors: Ng Jimmy Wui Guan , Myint Yulanda , Ali Fazal M.
Published: March 2020

Up to 18% of multiligament knee injuries (MLKI) have an associated vascular injury. All MLKI should be assessed using the ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) with selective arteriography if ABPI is < 0.9. An ischaemic limb following knee dislocation must be taken to the operating theatre immediately for stabilization and re-vascularization. Partial common peroneal nerve (CPN) injury following MLKI has better recovery than complete palsy. Posterior tibial tendon transfer is offered to patients with complete CPN palsy if there is no recovery at six months. Operative treatment with acute or staged reconstructions provides the best outcome in MLKI. Effective repair can only be performed within three weeks of injury. There is no difference between repair and reconstruction of medial collateral ligament and posteromedial corner. Posterolateral corner reconstruction has a lower failure rate than repair. Early mobilization following MLKI surgery results in fewer range-of-motion deficits.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:145-155. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.190012
Why is there a shortage of doctors in the UK?
Authors: Taylor M
Published: March 2020

Recruitment and retention strategies are indispensable in targeting the medical workforce crisis.
The public and the privative: Honig’s Public things and the politics of the psychoanalytic setting
Authors: Butler Daniel G.
Published: February 2020

This article turns to psychoanalytic theories of the setting in an effort to build on Bonnie Honig’s concept of ‘public things’. A privative (and not just private) dimension to public things is posited. The privative is defined as a violence that emanates from an unrepresentable thing in the setting. Like transitional objects, settings manage the privative’s violence, but the thing thwarts these attempts at management. The public is thought to be managed through a reduction of surplus populations to things, and this reduction is illustrated through a brief discussion of the neocolonial setting.
Dual-fiber point diffraction interferometer to measure the wavefront aberration of an imaging system
Authors: Feng Peng , Tang Feng , Wang Xiangzhao , Lu Yunjun , Xu Jinghao , Guo Fudong , Zhang Guoxian
Published: March 2020

A dual-fiber point diffraction interferometer is built to measure the wavefront aberration of an imaging system with high precision. The optical intensity of the test light and reference light are controlled independently, so that high interference contrast can be obtained. The interferometer has several advantages: high precision, a flexible structure, and a quasi-common optical path. System errors of the interferometer that influence the measurement accuracy are considered and calibrated. In the experiments, a projection lens with numerical aperture of 0.3 is measured. The measured wavefront error is 1.5 nm rms, and the measurement repeatability is 35 pm rms.
Investigating unique hues at different chroma levels with a smaller hue angle step
Authors: Bao Wenyu , Wei Minchen , Xiao Kaida
Published: March 2020

Unique hue plays a critical role in color appearance models and uniform color spaces. Past studies investigating unique hues commonly used 40 Munsell samples with the same chroma and lightness levels to produce color stimuli, with a hue angle step of 9°. These 40 samples were always simultaneously presented to the observers. Both the larger hue angle step and the simultaneous presentation of the samples may help to reduce the variations. In this study, we reduced the hue angle step to 5° and each stimulus was individually presented to the observer, which resulted in larger inter- and intra-observer variations. The results suggested that the hue angles of the unique hues in both CIECAM02 and CIELAB should be revised, but both CIECAM02 and CIELAB had good hue uniformity at the hue angles of the four unique hues.
Global coupling of QCLs: inclusion of dynamics
Authors: Gavrielides A. , Newell T. C.
Published: March 2020

A theoretical nonlinear treatment of coupled quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) by a monolithic Talbot cavity all grown on the same chip is presented, analyzed and the results are compared to recent experiments. The model is capable of computing numerically the stability or instability of the supermodes of the coupled system and can capture possible bifurcations into pulsating intensities. The model is derived by using an equivalent ring laser model that contains several separated gain section all coupled by an integrated Talbot cavity. In the small signal gain limit it captures the threshold gain of the various supermodes and matches the results of previous calculations in the literature in the same limit.
Generation of leaky mode resonance by metallic oxide nanocoating in tilted fiber-optic gratings
Authors: Li Zhihong , Bao Qikai , Zhu Jiayin , Ruan Xiukai , Dai Yuxing
Published: March 2020

This work investigates the excitation of dense comb-like enhanced leaky mode resonance (eLMR) in tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) integrated with indium tin oxide (ITO) nanocoating. The ITO overlay leads to a large reduction in mode loss and a great increase of propagation length for s-polarized leaky modes, which means the leaky modes become guided. The guidance of leaky modes enhances significantly the interaction with the core guided mode, which leads to the generation of strong dense comb-like eLMR. The results show that the ultra-narrow eLMR bands present promising sensing performance with an extended measurement range and provide advantages of high Q measurement over the case of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and lossy mode resonance (LMR). The similarities and differences between the eLMR and SPR and LMR are also discussed. This study offers new opportunities to develop eLMR-based multifunctional fiber-optic devices with high performance.
Non-Hermitian multimode interference
Authors: Longhi Stefano , Feng Liang
Published: March 2020

Multimode interference (MMI) and self-imaging are important phenomena of diffractive optics with major applications in signal processing, beam shaping, and optical sensing. Such phenomena generally arise from interference of normal modes in lossless dielectric guiding structures; however, the impact of spatially inhomogeneous optical gain and loss, which break mode orthogonality and symmetries, has been overlooked. Here we consider MMI in non-Hermitian optical systems, either graded-index or coupled optical waveguide structures, and reveal distinctive features, such as the absence of mirror images and strong sensitivity of self-imaging to perturbations, making MMI in non-Hermitian waveguides of interest in optical sensing.
Computational cannula microscopy of neurons using neural networks
Authors: Guo Ruipeng , Pan Zhimeng , Taibi Andrew , Shepherd Jason , Menon Rajesh
Published: March 2020

Computational cannula microscopy is a minimally invasive imaging technique that can enable high-resolution imaging deep inside tissue. Here, we apply artificial neural networks to enable real-time, power-efficient image reconstructions that are more efficiently scalable to larger fields of view. Specifically, we demonstrate widefield fluorescence microscopy of cultured neurons and fluorescent beads with a field of view of 200 µm (diameter) and a resolution of less than 10 µm using a cannula of diameter of only 220 µm. In addition, we show that this approach can also be extended to macro-photography.
Rapid functional optoacoustic micro-angiography in a burst mode
Authors: Hofmann Urs A. T. , Rebling Johannes , Estrada Héctor , Subochev Pavel , Razansky Daniel
Published: March 2020

Optoacoustic microscopy (OAM) can image intrinsic optical absorption contrast at depths of several millimeters where state-of-the-art optical microscopy techniques fail due to intense light scattering in living tissues. Yet, wide adoption of OAM in biology and medicine is hindered by slow image acquisition speed, small field of view (FOV), and/or lack of spectral differentiation capacity of common system implementations. We report on a rapid acquisition functional optoacoustic micro-angiography approach that employs a burst-mode laser triggering scheme to simultaneously acquire multi-wavelength 3D images over an extended FOV covering

50

m
m

×

50

m
m

in a single mechanical overfly scan, attaining 28 µm and 14 µm resolution in lateral and axial dimensions, respectively. Owing to an ultrawideband low-noise design featuring a spherically focused polyvinylidene difluoride transducer, we demonstrate imaging of human skin and underlying vasculature at up to 3.8 mm depth when using per-pulse laser energies of only 25 µJ without employing signal averaging. Overall, the developed system greatly enhances performance and usability of OAM for dermatologic and micro-angiographic studies.
Nonuniform depolarization properties of typical nanostructures and potential applications
Authors: Dong Zhengqiong , Gu Honggang , Zhu Jinlong , Shi Yating , Nie Lei , Lyu Jiaying , Chen Xiuguo , Jiang Hao , Liu Shiyuan
Published: March 2020

Nonuniform depolarization properties of

SiO
2

thin film, two-dimensional (2D) Si grating, and three-dimensional Si cylinder grating, were systematically investigated by Lu-Chipman decomposition. We find that introducing surface profiles with dimensions comparable to the detecting wavelengths can lead to obvious nonuniform depolarization, and control of the sample azimuth can manipulate the uniformity of the depolarizer components. The results indicate that the 2D nanostructure shows obvious nonuniform depolarization at 0° and 90° azimuths, while almost uniform depolarization at 45° azimuth. These discovered phenomena may give rise to some potential applications, such as the detection of the existence of nanostructures without a priori information about the sample, and the design of a uniform or nonuniform depolarizer.
Crisis, descentralización y gobernabilidad urbana en el área metropolitana de Caracas
Authors: García-Guadilla María Pilar
Published: March 2020

RESUMEN: El proceso de reforma política y descentralización venezolano fueron interpretados como elementos necesarios para profundizar la democracia en este país. Sin embargo, la crisis econónica y lo incompleto del proceso de descentralización han significado a la larga un descenso en el nivel de gobernabilidad general. En este contexto, la autora analiza el caso del área metropolitana de Caracas y explica las peculiaridades de la gobernabilidad urbana en situaciones de aguda crisis económica.ABSTRACT: The Venezuelan process of political reform and transference of competentes to the regional and local levels were considered as constituent elements to deep democracy in this country. However, the economic crisis and the unfinished devolution have meant at the long run a decline in the level of general governability. In this context, the author analyzes the metroplitan area of Caracas, trying to explain the urban governability in contexts of grave economic crisis.
Hábitat y tecnología en Centroamérica: países pequeños con grandes necesidades
Authors: Salas Serrano Julián
Published: March 2020

RESUMEN: Los gobiernos centroamericanos están llevando a cabo una novedosa estrategia "facilitadora" frente a los asentamientos humanos que consiste en apoyar las iniciativas de la sociedad civil a cambio de desresponsabilizarse de una de sus funciones: la de garantizar el "derecho a la vivienda para todos". La oficialización del proceso de libarización" de la responsabilidad gubernamental implica el reconocimiento de la primacía de las leyes del mercado en el sector del hábitat. El desarrollo de "gérmenes industriales" (pequeños núcleos productivos) intenta ser una alternativa real de solución para esta problemática porque supone la formalización del sector informal y la desmistificación de la industrialización del sector.ABSTRACT: Central American governments are carrying out a new "facilitating" strategy facing human settlements. This consists in supporting civil society initiatives but withdrawing at the same time from any responsability concerning housing policies. This implies the acknowledgement of the primacy of market laves in the housing sector.The development ot small productive centres tríes to be an alternative solution to this problem because it implies the formalization of the "informal" sector as well as the demitification of the industriliazation of the sector.
El análisis de los diputados latinoamericanos en el contexto de los estudios sobre la clase política. Características, objetivos y estrategias de investigación.
Authors: Alcántara Sáez Manuel , Llamazares Valduvieco Iván
Published: March 2020

RESUMEN: El presente artículo describe algunas de las características básicas del proyecto de investigación sobre los diputados latinoamericanos realizado por el equipo de investigación sobre élites políticas latinoamericanas de la Universidad de Salamanca. Además, este artículo señala algunas de las razones fundamentales por las que este tipo de investigación es relevante en los terrenos académico y político. Finalmente, este artículo define y clasifica las principales alternativas teóricas presentes en el estudio de las élites políticas, así como apunta algunas de las expectativas e hipótesis que se derivan de cada una de ellas.ABSTRACT: This article defines some basic characteristics of the research project on Latin American members of parliament conducted by the University of Salamanca research team on Latin American political elites. In addition, it points out some of the reasons why this kind of research is both scholarly and politically interesting. Finally, this article defines and classifies the main alternative theoretical approaches to the study of political elites, as well as some of the empirical expectations that derive from each theoretical f"ramework.
¿Dónde encajan las democracias electorales latinoamericanas?
Authors: Alcántara Sáez Manuel
Published: March 2020

RESUMEN: El autor destaca la dificultad existente a la hora de establecer tipologías en las que puedan encuadrarse los actuales sistemas democráticos latinoamericanos. Las elecciones realizadas durante la década de los años 80 han probado que se trata de sistemas que funcionan correctamente desde el punto de vista formal, aunque tienen serias dificultades para resolver problemas que afectan a su eficacia y que por consiguiente lastran su consolidación.ABSTRACT: The author emphasizes the difficulties existing when trying to establish typologies in which we could frame the current latinoamerican democratic systems. The elections celebrated during the eighties proved that fi-om the formal point of view, these systems functioned correctly, although they suffered from serious difficulties to solve problems of eficacy and then they make not verv easy their consolidación.
Los partidos políticos en la democratización del Estado en América Latina
Authors: Ramos Jiménez Alfredo
Published: March 2020

RESUMEN: El autor se propone en este ensayo destacar ciertos aspectos del funcionamiento de los partidos que resultan claves para entender el proyecto más general de la democratización del Estado en América Latina. Como conclusión final se señala la necesidad de ampliar el espacio de los partidos políticos en una doble dirección: en el de la proyección de la cultura democrática con fines de socialización del poder económico y político y en el de la promoción de una nueva clase política, dispuesta a la ampliación de la participación de los ciudadanos en la toma de decisiones.ABSTRACT: The author marks several keys issues about political parties and the process of state democratization in Latin America. The final conclusion is to nide the political parties espace in two ways: first, the rise of a civic and democracit political culture; second, the rise of a new political class who allow the popular participation in the decission taking process.
Culturas ciudadanas y partidos tradicionales: Argentina y Uruguay (1982-90)
Authors: Mallo Susana , Serna Miguel
Published: March 2020

RESUMEN:I .—En Argentina se da un rápido retorno a la democracia, democratización que no se consolida existiendo continuos desequilibrios económicos y políticos. La transición en Uruguay se diferencia considerablemente siendo mucho más lenta, pero logrando a largo plazo una consolidación mayor del sistema político democrático.2.—Argentina pese a todos sus vaivenes políticos a lo largo de su historia, logró reconstituir el sistema de partidos bipartidista (radicales y peronistas) con una notoria ausencia de partidos de derecha y de izquierda. Uruguay en cambio tiene importantes transformaciones del sistema de partidos, pasando de un sistema bipartidista (blancos y colorados) a uno multipartidario. Es notorio el crecimiento del peso relativo de los partidos de izquierda en el sistema político.3.—Las violaciones de los DD.HH. en Argentina llevaron al juzgamiento y condena de los culpables, siendo posteriormente amnistiados. Para el caso uruguayo se optó por una ley de amnistía general para los responsables de violaciones a los DD.HH., medida que fue plebiscitada a instancia de la sociedad civil. Se analizan las distintas repercusiones que tuvieron para la consolidación de los sistemas políticos.4.—Tanto en Uruguay como en Argentina se generalizaron procesos electorales de "voto castigo" y alta rotatividad entre los votantes de los partidos tradicionales. Pero mientras que en Argentina no se registra una pérdida relativa en el caudal electoral de los partidos tradicionales, en Uruguay la pérdida constante de votantes de los mismos en los últimos años es muy apreciable.ABSTRACT:1.—Although Argentina underwent a fast democratization process, consolidation was not achieved and waves and breaking kept appearing. Different from this case, the re-democratization process in Uruguay is much more slowly but could get a better consolidation in the long run.2.—Argentina presented continuous waves all along its political history. In spite of this, the two-parties political system ("radicales" and "peronistas" )without any leftist parties at all. On the contrary, Uruguay registered huge changes in its party system. In fact, the two parties scheme led to a pluralist one, with an enormous increase and power of the left.3.—Argentina because of human rights violations culpables were judge, being under amnesty afferwards. On the Uruguayan case general amnesty law was the choose it was aplied to human rights violations responsables and was plebiscitated among civil society. The different consequences of these are analised about the consolidation political system.4.—"Punishment voting" and high rotation between voters from traditional parties, are the recent and generalized processes in Argentina and Uruguay. A not slight difference should be remarked: in Argentina, the traditional parties have not decreased the total votes. In Uruguay, just the reverse: the less votes to this kind of parties have been acute during the last years.
La integración económica latinoamericana y caribeña en la década de los noventa: un panorama
Authors: Río Sánchez Francisco Javier del
Published: March 2020

RESUMEN: En el presente artículo se analizan los principales cambios que se han producido en el proceso integrador latinoamericano y caribeño, a lo largo de la década de los noventa, así como sus implicaciones para la economía regional. El autor focaliza su análisis en tres aspectos que caracterizan esa evolución: la revitalización del proceso de integración a nivel continental, la convergencia entre diferentes espacios económicos y la incidencia de estos aspectos en el modelo de desarrollo regional.ABSTRACT: This article anlayses main changes during the present decade in latin american and caribbean integration process, as well as its implications on regional economy. The author focuses on three aspects that characterize this evolution: continental revitalization of the integration process, convergence among different economical arcas and incidence of these aspects on the regional development model.
Mercosur: lo bueno, lo malo y lo feo
Authors: Torres Jorge José
Published: March 2020

RESUMEN: En este texto, el autor ensaya una visión amplia de la evolución y situación del proceso de integración del Mercado Común del Sur (Mercosur). Partiendo de los antecedentes de la constitución del bloque, argumenta sobre la necesidad de la integración para facilitar la inserción competitiva de las economías de la región en el mundo. Luego focaliza el análisis en tres planos. En el primero señala los grandes avances registrados a nivel de intercambio entre los países miembros. En el segundo refleja la debilidad institucional del Mercosur, y finalmente realiza una exposición de los efectos territoriales que ya se comienzan a apreciar como consecuencia de la nueva dinámica económica.ABSTRACT: In this text, the author develops a broad vision of the evolution and situation of the process of integration of the Common Market of the South (Mercosur). On the basis of the antecedents of the creation of Mercosur, he argues that integration is necessary in order to facilitate the competitive insertion of the economies of this region in the world rrarket. He focuses on three topics. First, he points out the big advances made in the comercial exchanges among the members countries. In the second he analizes the institutional weakness of the Mercosur. And finally he analizes the territorial implications of the new economic dynamics.
El cambio político en México: una mirada desde España
Authors: Escobedo Delgado Francisco
Published: March 2020

RESUMEN: Este ensayo considera que la transición a la democracia en México está inconclusa. Los resultados electorales del 6 de julio de 1997, terminaron con siete décadas de monopolio del PRI en el parlamento federal y con la prohibición de los derechos políticos de los ciudadanos de la Ciudad de México. Los cambios en la relación de fuerzas entre partidos, se inscriben en el largo ciclo de mutaciones y reformas, que empezó con el despegue liberalizador de 1977. Durante el gobierno de Carlos Salinas (1988-1994), se desplegó una estrategia de restauración legitimista, que hizo posible la reconsolidación autoritaria del régimen. El gobierno de Ernesto Zedillo enfrenta las tensiones de un régimen autoritario en crisis, con una política reactiva y ambigua. El presidente no se decide a liderar el cambio político hacia la democracia, tanto tiempo postergada.ABSTRACT: This essay takes into account that the transition to democracy in México is unfinished.The electoral results of the 6 july in 1997 terminate with seven decades of PRI's monopoly in the federal parliament and with the forbid of political rights of citizens the City of Mexico. The changes in the balance of power among parties it's record in the long cycle of mutations and reforms that began with the take off reformist in 1977. During the Carlos Salinas'government (1988-1994) the authoritarian regime it's reconsolidated. Ernesto Zedillo's government to put face the stress of the authoritarian regime in crisis, with a reagent policy and ambiguous, The president don't decide to practice as leader of the political change to democracy for a long time delay.
Salida, voz y hostilidad en Cuba
Authors: Colomer Josep M.
Published: March 2020

RESUMEN: Utilizando las categorías analíticas de Hirschman de "salida", "voz" y "lealtad", se realiza un análisis de los flujos migratorios de Cuba hacia Estados Unidos durante el régimen revolucionario y del desarrollo de la oposición anticastrista en la isla. En particular, se discute el esquema de Hirschman y su utilidad para analizar las interacciones entre los gobiernos de Estados Unidos y de Cuba y para interpretar las sucesivas oleadas de "salida" desde Cuba hacia Estados Unidos.ABSTRACT: This article analyzes emigration from Cuba to the United States after the the 1959 revolution by using Hirschman's concepts of "exit", "voice" and "loyalty." It also analyzes the development of the anti-Castro opposition within Cuba. In particular, this article uses Hirschman's key concepts in order to interprete the relationships between Cuban and the Unisted States and to examine emigration from Cuba to United States.