bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hub Location with Protection Under Interhub Link Failures
Authors: Blanco Víctor , Fernández Elena , Hinojosa Yolanda
Published: May 2023

This paper introduces the hub location problem under interhub link failures, a hub location problem in which activated interhub links may fail with a given probability. Two different optimization models are studied, which construct hub backbone networks protected under interhub link disruptions by imposing that, for each commodity, an additional routing path exists besides its original routing path. Both models consider the minimization of the fixed costs of the activated hubs and interhub links plus the expected value of the routing costs of the original and alternative paths. The first model builds explicitly the alternative routing paths, whereas the second model guarantees that, for each commodity, at least one alternative path exists using a large set of connectivity constraints although the alternative paths are not built explicitly. The results of extensive computational testing allow us to analyze the performance of the two proposed models and to evaluate the extra cost required to design a robust backbone network under interhub link failures. The obtained results support the validity of the proposal.

History: Accepted by David Alderson, Area Editor for Network Optimization: Algorithms & Application.

Funding: The authors of this research acknowledge financial support by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología, Agencia Estatal de Investigación and Fondos Europeos de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) via projects PID2020-114594GB-C21 and MTM2019-105824GB-I00. The authors also acknowledge partial support from projects FEDER-US-1256951, Junta de Andalucía P18-FR-422, P18-FR-2369, B-FQM-322-UGR20 (COXMOS), and NetmeetData: Ayudas Fundación BBVA a equipos de investigación científica 2019. The first author was partially supported by the IMAG-Maria de Maeztu grant [CEX2020-001105-M/AEI/10.13039/501100011033] and UE-NextGenerationEU (ayudas de movilidad para la recualificación del profesorado universitario).

Supplemental Material: The online supplement is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2023.1296 .
Technical Note—On Hiring Secretaries with Stochastic Departures
Authors: Kesselheim Thomas , Psomas Alexandros , Vardi Shai
Published: May 2023

The paper studies generalization of the secretary problem, where decisions do not have to be made immediately upon applicants’ arrivals. After arriving, each applicant stays in the system for some (random) amount of time and then leaves, whereupon the algorithm has to decide irrevocably whether to select this applicant or not. The arrival and waiting times are drawn from known distributions, and the decision maker’s goal is to maximize the probability of selecting the best applicant overall.

The paper characterizes the optimal policy for this setting, showing that when deciding whether to select an applicant, it suffices to know only the time and the number of applicants that have arrived so far. Furthermore, the policy is monotone nondecreasing in the number of applicants seen so far, and, under certain natural conditions, monotone nonincreasing in time. Furthermore, when the number of applicants is large, a single threshold policy is almost optimal.
Assessment of Relationship Between Meteorological Parameters and Air Quality Index of Kota, Rajasthan, India
Authors: Kamboj Kuldeep , K. Mathur Anil
Published: May 2023

Meteorological parameters extremely influence the air quality of metropolitan cities worldwide. This study analyses the impact of meteorological variables on the quality of air for the Kota metropolis of Rajasthan (India) from 2018 to 2021 for four years. Wind speed and direction, relative humidity, precipitation, and temperature are the meteorological parameters selected to statistically determine the effect of meteorological variables on the AQI (air quality index). The AQIs are evaluated through PM10, PM2.5, NO2, and SO2. The average concentration of PM10 was 122.59 ± 44.11µg/m3, PM2.5 was 56.83 ± 24.89 µg/m3, NO2 was 24.91 ± 4.99 µg/m3, and SO2 was 7.39 ± 1.38 µg/m3 during the observation period. The average temperature varied between 18-38 °C in 2018, 15.7-34.8 °C in 2019, 15.5-35.1 in 2020, and 16.8-32.4 °C. Total rainfall in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 was 685 mm, 1637 mm, 514 mm, and 1338 mm, respectively. The average wind speed in the city were 1.39, 1.30, 1.26, and 1.22 m/s in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. The relative humidity ranged from 17-78 % in 2018, 22-84% in 2019, 40-90 % in 2020, and 24-82 % in 2021. The annual average AQI of Kota was 139, 118, 101, and 142 in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. There is a statistically significant correlation between temperature and AQI (p<0.05), rainfall and AQI (p<0.05), and wind speed and AQI (p<0.05), which show a significant impact on the air quality of the Kota metropolis. At the same time, there is a statistically insignificant correlation between relative humidity and AQI (p>0.05), which shows an insignificant impact on air quality. The formulated equation for predicting AQI through meteorological parameters has wide scope utility in air pollution management and control.
Geographic Information System-Based Analysis of Fish Diversity Trends of River Meenachil, Southern Western Ghats, Kerala.
Authors: Cheriyan Letha Punnackattu , Appukuttan Ajayakumar , Oommen Manu
Published: May 2023

In this study, the fish fauna of different geographical zones of Meenachil River was investigated using the spatial interpolation techniques of the Geographical Information System. The variations in fish diversity trends during the pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons from 2016 to 2020 along the longitudinal gradient of the Meenachil River were determined using the Kriging interpolation method and semivariograms. Sixty-seven fish species belonging to 15 orders, 29 families, and 46 genera were recorded from the river during the study period. Twenty-five were endemic to the Western Ghats, three were exclusive to Kerala, five were nearly threatened, and three were vulnerable. The midstream of the river recorded maximum diversity indices ranging from (H’) 2.608 to 3.171, reflecting the outcome of local river conservation efforts, and the downstream station with the lowest range (H’) 2.305 -2.643. Cluster analysis showed the spatial similarities in fish diversities between sampling stations. Deterioration in water quality downstream was reflected in the fluctuating levels of TDS (ppm) (21.300±116.828 to 365.000±116.828), Conductivity(µSmcm-1) (42.500±252.372 to 815.000±252.372), Salinity(ppt) (0.100±0.083 to 0.400±0.083) and dissolved oxygen levels(mgL-1) (2.900±0.876 to 5.600±0.876). The study highlights the necessity to broaden local conservation efforts and implement legal measures to protect the habitats and the native fish fauna of the tourism-dominated lower stretches of the Meenachil River. By integrating data in spatial maps, the geographic component added by GIS gives a clearer insight into the various data and efficiently supports global conservation measures, enhancing biodiversity protection.
A Case Study of Carbon Sequestration by Sacred Groves of Mundra Taluka, Kachchh District, Gujarat.
Authors: Alpesh Malsatar , P. K Mehta
Published: May 2023

Sacred groves are those forest patches that are connected with the religious and traditional values and beliefs of local people. Plants which are grown near the grove are called sacred plants. Sacred groves include several endemic, endangered and ecologically important plant species. In other words, sacred groves are natural conservation units for biodiversity. Sacred groves and sacred plants are protected and conserved due to the strong religious and mythological beliefs of local people. Their beliefs are as strong as their social traditions. The religious and cultural rites that are performed in the groves give it protection, as well as assisting in keeping the sacred grove in immaculate condition and ensuring the maintenance of its plants. As it is known that the trees are cutting day- by- day and on the other hand Sacred trees which grow near sacred groves are not under threat of cutting due to religious and cultural beliefs. Therefore, Sacred trees or sacred forest a potential role in the sequestration of atmospheric CO2 in the form of biomass. To estimation of Biomass and carbon sequestration in the Sacred tree species have been using a non-destructive method. The main focus of the current article is on estimating the carbon sequestration of sacred tree species in sacred groves found in selected areas Mundra Taluka of Kachchh District. Total 32 sacred groves were recorded from 18 villages which cover approximately 12.77 hectares of land area. Carbon sequestration of 172 individuals of 16 tree species was estimated through the standard method. Ficus benghalensis L. sequestered maximum carbon, i.e., 5.48 tones followed by Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (4.34 tones), Syzigium cumini (L.) Skeels (3.79 tones) While the lowest carbon sequestration was recorded in Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth (0961 tones), Prosopsis cineraria (L.) Druce (0.907 tones), Acacia catechu Willd. (0.39 tones) and Tamarindus indica L. (0.173 tones).
Forest Dependent Communities and Forest Degradation in Thiruvananthapuram, South-India
Authors: Manohar Midhun , T. A Rubeena
Published: May 2023

The concept of forest resource extraction versus forest conservation has been a relevant topic of discussion at present. Anthropogenic activities have direct and indirect impacts on forest ecosystem. These impacts varies with the extend of human interaction with the forest as well as the culture of those people rely on forests. The term “forest-dependent people” refer to those who utilise direct benefits of forests. It includes the indigenous communities living legally within the forests and those people inhabiting along the forest fringes prohibited by governments to enter the forest permises. The study compares role of these two groups in the spatio-temporal changes of forest cover in Thiruvananthapuram district. The Tribal Population Size (TPS) is one among the major factor influencing the nature of forest cover in a region and TPS above carrying capacity of any forest region could lead to forest degradation. Also, the Forest Dependency Ratio (FDR) of non-tribal rural population is a crucial factor leading to forest-cover Changes (RFC). The study analyses and compare the relationship between TPS and RFC as well as FDR and RFC. The results would help in differentiating the extend of impact of these two groups on forest ecosystem. This would encourage the future researches in the same field to focus on the major degradational activities carried out by forest dependent people and to formulate possible solutions. The forest conservation and socioeconomic progress of communities within forest ecosystem are essential since the success of forest conservation depends on the culture of local population and their involvement in forest sustentation.
Social Structure and Conflicting Elite Interest
Authors: Mishra Anish
Published: May 2023

This paper is a comparative study of the elite capture in Pakistan and the developmental structure in South Korea. The paper seeks to examine: why does the Pakistani state remain captured by social actors, despite similar post-colonial geopolitical trajectories of Pakistan and South Korea, failing to set up a developmental state and transform into an Asian tiger? On the other hand, South Korea was able to become a developmental state and achieved high rates of social and economic growth, uplifting the living standards of the vast majority of its population. It identifies social structure and conflicting elite interest as twin independent variables explaining the divergent (outcome) dependent variable of a developmental state in South Korea and a predatory state in Pakistan. This paper refutes the neoliberal school of thought that attributes the success of the East Asian Tigers to market forces rather than the role of the state. It aligns itself with the developmental state theory and neo-statist approach emphasizing on state intervention to explain the phenomenon of the East Asian economic miracle and likewise, the failure of Pakistan to achieve similar levels of socioeconomic growth.
Where does the buck stop? UK Home Office and other statutory body responses to allegations of human rights violations in two Serco-run hotels housing people seeking asylum
Authors: Moran Rhetta Ann , McMahon Gráinne
Published: May 2023

RAPAR applies our participatory action research methods to amplify the living experience of families seeking asylum in the UK who are in ‘contingency accommodation’, aka ‘hotels’, and claiming human rights abuses on these sites. From all over the world, these people are without status in the UK and are therefore without recourse to the public funds that are, theoretically, available to everyone living in the UK with status. Their complete legal dependence on the Home Office and its subcontractors to ‘look after’ them and deal with any complaints leads to the question: why would anyone choose to challenge any organisation about human rights violations when that same organisation exercises such profound control over their day to day living reality? The data comprises contemporaneously collected evidence from individual correspondence, questionnaires, semi-structured conversations and case studies with hotel residents. Our preliminary analysis demonstrates considerable failures of statutory bodies in implementing their statutory duties. No evidence of meaningful investigation by any implicated statutory authority, or their privatised sub-contractors, into the human rights violation allegations asserted by hotel residents has been produced. The Local Authorities and the NHS insist that the Home Office is responsible for hotel residents within their boundaries. In turn, the Home Office, including Greater Manchester Police and sub-contractors Serco and Migrant Help, have failed to address the allegations in any transparent way.

We call for immediate action that enables hotel residents to safely protect themselves and stimulates inclusive solution-making, with them, to end these human rights violations.
Sequential RGB color imaging with a millimeter-scale monochrome camera with a rolling shutter
Authors: Anspach Jordan , Dickensheets David L.
Published: May 2023

Applications are growing for ultracompact millimeter-scale cameras. For color images, these sensors commonly utilize a Bayer mask, which can negatively and perceptibly have an impact on image resolution and quality, especially for low pixel-count submillimeter sensors. To alleviate this, we built a time-multiplexed RGB LED illumination system synchronized to the rolling shutter of a monochrome camera. The sequential images are processed and displayed as near real-time color video. Experimental comparison with an identical sensor with a Bayer color mask showed significant improvement in the MTF curves and to perceived image clarity. Trade-offs with respect to system complexity and color motion artifacts are discussed.
Sidelobe modeling and mitigation for a three mirror anastigmat cosmic microwave background telescope
Authors: Gullett Ian , Benson Bradford , Besuner Robert , Bihary Richard , Carlstrom John , Emerson Nick , Gallardo Patricio A. , Gomez Jillian , King Cesiley L. , McMahon Jeff , May Jared L. , Nagy Johanna M. , Natoli Tyler , Niemack Michael D. , Okun Kate , Padin Stephen , Ruhl John E. , Wollack Edward J. , Zivick Jeff
Published: May 2023

Telescopes measuring cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization on
large angular scales require exquisite control of systematic errors to
ensure the fidelity of the cosmological results. In particular,
far-sidelobe contamination from wide angle scattering is a potentially
prominent source of systematic error for large aperture microwave
telescopes. Here we describe and demonstrate a ray-tracing-based
modeling technique to predict far sidelobes for a three mirror
anastigmat telescope designed to observe the CMB from the South Pole.
Those sidelobes are produced by light scattered in the receiver optics
subsequently interacting with the walls of the surrounding telescope
enclosure. After comparing simulated sidelobe maps and angular power
spectra for different enclosure wall treatments, we propose a highly
scattering surface that would provide more than an order of magnitude
reduction in the degree-scale far-sidelobe contrast compared to a
typical reflective surface. We conclude by discussing the fabrication
of a prototype scattering wall panel and presenting measurements of
its angular scattering profile.
Effect of the local energy distribution of x-ray beams generated through inverse Compton scattering in dual-energy imaging applications
Authors: Paternò G. , Cardarelli P. , Fantoni S. , Masoumi F. , Mettivier G. , Cialdi S. , Taibi A.
Published: May 2023

X-ray sources based on the inverse Compton interaction between a laser and a relativistic electron beam are emerging as a promising compact alternative to synchrotron for the production of intense monochromatic and tunable radiation. The emission characteristics enable several innovative imaging techniques, including dual-energy K-edge subtraction (KES) imaging. The performance of these techniques is optimal in the case of perfectly monochromatic x-ray beams, and the implementation of KES was proven to be very effective with synchrotron radiation. Nonetheless, the features of inverse Compton scattering (ICS) sources make them good candidates for a more compact implementation of KES techniques. The energy and intensity distribution of the emitted radiation is related to the emission direction, which means different beam qualities in different spatial positions. In fact, as the polar angle increases, the average energy decreases, while the local energy bandwidth increases and the emission intensity decreases. The scope of this work is to describe the impact of the local energy distribution variations on KES imaging performance. By means of analytical simulations, the reconstructed signal, signal-to-noise ratio, and background contamination were evaluated as a function of the position of each detector pixel. The results show that KES imaging is possible with ICS x-ray beams, even if the image quality slightly degrades at the detector borders for a fixed collimation angle and, in general, as the beam divergence increases. Finally, an approach for the optimization of specific imaging tasks is proposed by considering the characteristics of a given source.
Research and Industry News
Authors: Cartlidge Edwin , Daukantas Patricia , Kim Meeri , Michaud Sarah , Wills Stewart , Kirkland Alessia
Published: May 2023

On-chip femtosecond pulses / Fast 3D imaging / Magnetic
reconnection / Predicting telescope performance / Erbium and quantum
networks / Lasers and memory / Industry news
Research and Industry News
Authors: Cartlidge Edwin , Curtis Susan , Daukantas Patricia , Kim Meeri , Wills Stewart , Kirkland Alessia
Published: May 2023

Distortion-free structured light / Hydrogel purifies water / Flying
robot / From batteries to photodetectors / X-ray color imaging /
Microscopy & the Nobel / Stacking LED pixels / Industry news
Breaking Barriers, Advancing Optics
Authors: OPN Staff
Published: May 2023

OPN highlights the careers and perspectives of six Black
trailblazers in optics and photonics.
Compact real-time RF spectrum analyzer with 16 GHz instantaneous bandwidth based on photonic frequency-shifting loops
Authors: Guillet de Chatellus Hugues
Published: May 2023

Spectral analysis of broadband RF signals in real time is of primary importance for numerous applications. So far, the instantaneous bandwidth of real-time spectrum analyzers based on conventional digital techniques is limited to a few GHz. This limitation is set by the clock jitter of the analog-to-digital converters, and by the processing capabilities in real time of digital electronics. On the contrary, analog architectures based on microwave photonics are not constrained by such limitations, and offer potentially a very high instantaneous bandwidth. However, they generally suffer from inherent limitations, such as large footprint and high complexity. Here, we propose a much simpler architecture of RF spectrum analyzer based on frequency-shifting loops. It utilizes only compact commercial telecom components, a single CW laser, and slow electronic resources (10 MSa/s). The probability of intercept is 100%, the instantaneous bandwidth reaches 16 GHz, and the spectral and temporal resolutions are respectively equal to 160 MHz and 50 µs. Our system is expected to open new avenues in embedded applications of microwave photonics.
When perceived fairness and acceptance go hand in hand–Drivers of regulatory and economic policies for low-carbon mobility
Authors: Thaller Annina , Fleiß Eva , Brohmer Hilmar , Köstenbaumer Daniel , Posch Alfred , Athenstaedt Ursula
Published: May 2023

Restrictive measures are indispensable to achieving sustainable and low-carbon mobility. At the same time, these are often not implemented due to concerns that public support will not materialize; therefore, they are relegated to the background in the debate on policy measures that can be applied to change mobility behavior. In this national study (N = 1,083), we used structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the drivers of and differences between regulatory and economic transport policies. We find that policy-specific beliefs and, in particular, perceived fairness are key drivers of public acceptance. Our results indicate that policies must be perceived as fair, effective, and minimally intrusive for them to be accepted by the public and thus implementable. No major differences were found between the two types of policies examined, namely, regulatory and economic policies. Overall, public acceptance of the proposed measures is low. We discuss these results in terms of the study content and methodology and conclude by describing their implications for transport policy design.
PHYTOCHROME C regulation of photoperiodic flowering via PHOTOPERIOD1 is mediated by EARLY FLOWERING 3 in Brachypodium distachyon
Authors: Woods Daniel P. , Li Weiya , Sibout Richard , Shao Mingqin , Laudencia-Chingcuanco Debbie , Vogel John P. , Dubcovsky Jorge , Amasino Richard M.
Published: May 2023

Daylength sensing in many plants is critical for coordinating the timing of flowering with the appropriate season. Temperate climate-adapted grasses such as Brachypodium distachyon flower during the spring when days are becoming longer. The photoreceptor PHYTOCHROME C is essential for long-day (LD) flowering in B. distachyon. PHYC is required for the LD activation of a suite of genes in the photoperiod pathway including PHOTOPERIOD1 (PPD1) that, in turn, result in the activation of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT1)/FLORIGEN, which causes flowering. Thus, B. distachyon phyC mutants are extremely delayed in flowering. Here we show that PHYC-mediated activation of PPD1 occurs via EARLY FLOWERING 3 (ELF3), a component of the evening complex in the circadian clock. The extreme delay of flowering of the phyC mutant disappears when combined with an elf3 loss-of-function mutation. Moreover, the dampened PPD1 expression in phyC mutant plants is elevated in phyC/elf3 mutant plants consistent with the rapid flowering of the double mutant. We show that loss of PPD1 function also results in reduced FT1 expression and extremely delayed flowering consistent with results from wheat and barley. Additionally, elf3 mutant plants have elevated expression levels of PPD1, and we show that overexpression of ELF3 results in delayed flowering associated with a reduction of PPD1 and FT1 expression, indicating that ELF3 represses PPD1 transcription consistent with previous studies showing that ELF3 binds to the PPD1 promoter. Indeed, PPD1 is the main target of ELF3-mediated flowering as elf3/ppd1 double mutant plants are delayed flowering. Our results indicate that ELF3 operates downstream from PHYC and acts as a repressor of PPD1 in the photoperiod flowering pathway of B. distachyon.
Assessing insecticide susceptibility, diagnostic dose and time for the sand fly Phlebotomus argentipes, the vector of visceral leishmaniasis in India, using the CDC bottle bioassay
Authors: Chaubey Rahul , Shukla Ashish , Kushwaha Anurag Kumar , Tiwary Puja , Kumar Singh Shakti , Hennings Shawna , Singh Om Praksh , Lawyer Phillip , Rowton Edgar , Petersen Christine A. , Bernhardt Scott A. , Sundar Shyam
Published: May 2023

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector-borne protozoan disease, which can be fatal if left untreated. Synthetic chemical insecticides are very effective tools for controlling of insect vectors, including the sand fly Phlebotomus argentipes, the vector of VL in the Indian subcontinent. However, repeated use of the same insecticide with increasing doses potentially can create high selection pressure and lead to tolerance and resistance development. The objective of this study was to determine the lethal concentrations and assess levels of susceptibility, diagnostic doses and times to death of laboratory-reared P. argentipes to five insecticides that are used worldwide to control vectors. Using the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) bottle bioassay, 20–30 sand flies were exposed in insecticide- coated 500-ml glass bottles. Flies were then observed for 24 hours and mortality was recorded. Dose-response survival curves were generated for each insecticide using QCal software and lethal concentrations causing 50%, 90% and 95% mortality were determined. A bioassay was also conducted to determine diagnostic doses and diagnostic times by exposing 20–30 flies in each bottle containing set concentrations of insecticide. Mortality was recorded at 10-minute intervals for 120 minutes to generate the survival curve. Phlebotomus argentipes are highly susceptible to alpha-cypermethrin, followed by deltamethrin, malathion, chlorpyrifos, and least susceptible to DDT. Also, the lowest diagnostic doses and diagnostic times were established for alpha-cypermethrin (3μg/ml for 40 minutes) to kill 100% of the flies. The susceptibility data, diagnostic doses and diagnostic times presented here will be useful as baseline reference points for future studies to assess insecticide susceptibility and resistance monitoring of field caught sand flies and to assist in surveillance as VL elimination is achieved in the region.
Modularity of food-sharing networks minimises the risk for individual and group starvation in hunter-gatherer societies
Authors: Plana Francisco , Pérez Jorge , Abeliuk Andrés
Published: May 2023

It has been argued that hunter-gatherers’ food-sharing may have provided the basis for a whole range of social interactions, and hence its study may provide important insight into the evolutionary origin of human sociality. Motivated by this observation, we propose a simple network optimization model inspired by a food-sharing dynamic that can recover some empirical patterns found in social networks. We focus on two of the main food-sharing drivers discussed by the anthropological literature: the reduction of individual starvation risk and the care for the group welfare or egalitarian access to food shares, and show that networks optimizing both criteria may exhibit a community structure of highly-cohesive groups around special agents that we call hunters, those who inject food into the system. These communities appear under conditions of uncertainty and scarcity in the food supply, which suggests their adaptive value in this context. We have additionally obtained that optimal welfare networks resemble social networks found in lab experiments that promote more egalitarian income distribution, and also distinct distributions of reciprocity among hunters and non-hunters, which may be consistent with some empirical reports on how sharing is distributed in waves, first among hunters, and then hunters with their families. These model results are consistent with the view that social networks functionally adaptive for optimal resource use, may have created the environment in which prosocial behaviors evolved. Finally, our model also relies on an original formulation of starvation risk, and it may contribute to a formal framework to proceed in this discussion regarding the principles guiding food-sharing networks.
Identification, characterization of Apyrase (APY) gene family in rice (Oryza sativa) and analysis of the expression pattern under various stress conditions
Authors: Chowdhury Aniqua Tasnim , Hasan Md. Nazmul , Bhuiyan Fahmid H. , Islam Md. Qamrul , Nayon Md. Rakib Wazed , Rahaman Md. Mashiur , Hoque Hammadul , Jewel Nurnabi Azad , Ashrafuzzaman Md. , Prodhan Shamsul H.
Published: May 2023

Apyrase (APY) is a nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) diphosphohydrolase (NTPDase) which is a member of the superfamily of guanosine diphosphatase 1 (GDA1)—cluster of differentiation 39 (CD39) nucleoside phosphatase. Under various circumstances like stress, cell growth, the extracellular adenosine triphosphate (eATP) level increases, causing a detrimental influence on cells such as cell growth retardation, ROS production, NO burst, and apoptosis. Apyrase hydrolyses eATP accumulated in the extracellular membrane during stress, wounds, into adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and regulates the stress-responsive pathway in plants. This study was designed for the identification, characterization, and for analysis of APY gene expression in Oryza sativa. This investigation discovered nine APYs in rice, including both endo- and ecto-apyrase. According to duplication event analysis, in the evolution of OsAPYs, a significant role is performed by segmental duplication. Their role in stress control, hormonal responsiveness, and the development of cells is supported by the corresponding cis-elements present in their promoter regions. According to expression profiling by RNA-seq data, the genes were expressed in various tissues. Upon exposure to a variety of biotic as well as abiotic stimuli, including anoxia, drought, submergence, alkali, heat, dehydration, salt, and cold, they showed a differential expression pattern. The expression analysis from the RT-qPCR data also showed expression under various abiotic stress conditions, comprising cold, salinity, cadmium, drought, submergence, and especially heat stress. This finding will pave the way for future in-vivo analysis, unveil the molecular mechanisms of APY genes in stress response, and contribute to the development of stress-tolerant rice varieties.
The origin of Neolithic copper on the central Northern European plain and in Southern Scandinavia: Connectivities on a European scale
Authors: Brozio Jan Piet , Stos-Gale Zofia , Müller Johannes , Müller-Scheeßel Nils , Schultrich Sebastian , Fritsch Barbara , Jürgens Fritz , Skorna Henry
Published: May 2023

The production, distribution and use of copper objects and the development of metallurgical skills in Neolithic Northern Central Europe and Southern Scandinavia are linked to early centres of copper metallurgy of South East Central Europe and Southeast Europe. A total of 45 Neolithic copper objects, until now the largest sample of Early Neolithic objects from the Northern Central European Plain and Southern Scandinavia, were selected for new lead isotope analyses. They aided in the identification of the origin of the copper: These new analyses indicate that the copper ore deposits in Southeastern Europe, especially from the Serbian mining areas, were used for the Early Neolithic northern artefacts (ca. 4100–3300 BC). The most likely sources of copper for the few Middle Neolithic artefacts (ca. 3300–2800 BC) seem to be from the Slovak Ore Mountains, the Serbian mining areas and the Eastern Alps, whereas deposits of the Slovak Ore Mountains and the Alpine region were used for the Late Neolithic and the Early Bronze Age (ca. 2300–1700 BC) artefacts. For the artefacts dated after 2000 BC, the Great Orme mine in Wales also appears to have been the source of copper for the analysed metals. The use of copper from different regions of Europe probably reflects changing social and cultural connectivities on a European scale and the changing chronology of copper exploitation.
Prevalence and factors associated with chronic school absenteeism among 207,107 in-school adolescents: Findings from cross-sectional studies in 71 low-middle and high-income countries
Authors: Rahman Md. Ashfikur , Renzaho Andre M. N. , Kundu Satyajit , Awal Md. Abdul , Ashikuzzaman Md. , Fan Lijun , Ahinkorah Bright Opoku , Okyere Joshua , Kamara Joseph Kihika , Mahumud Rashidul Alam
Published: May 2023

Background

Despite the negative impact of chronic school absenteeism on the psychological and physical health of adolescents, data on the burden of adolescent chronic school absenteeism (ACSA) and interventions and programs to address it are lacking. We estimated the global, regional and national level prevalence of ACSA and its correlation with violence and unintentional injury, psychosocial, protective, lifestyle, and food security-related factors among in-school adolescents across low and middle-income, and high-income countries (LMICs–HICs).

Objectives

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of chronic school absenteeism (CSA) as well as to determine its associated factors among in-school adolescents across 71 low-middle and high-income countries.

Methods

We used data from the most recent Global School-based Student Health Survey of 207,107 in-school adolescents aged 11–17 years in 71 LMICs-HICs countries across six WHO regions. We estimated the weighted prevalence of ACSA from national, regional and global perspectives. Multiple binary logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the adjusted effect of independent factors on ACSA.

Results

The overall population-weighted prevalence of CSA was 11·43% (95% confidence interval, CI: 11·29–11·57). Higher likelihood of CSA was associated with severe food insecurity, peer victimisation, loneliness, high level of anxiety, physically attack, physical fighting, serious injury, poor peer support, not having close friends, lack of parental support, being obese, and high levels of sedentary behaviours. Lower likelihood of CSA was associated with being female (odds ratio, OR = 0·76, 95% CI: 0·74–0·78).

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that a combination of different socio-economic factors, peer conflict and injury factors, factors exacerbate CSA among adolescents. Interventions should be designed to focus on these risk factors and should consider the diverse cultural and socioeconomic contexts.
Food insecurity in a Brazilian transgender sample during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gomes Sávio Marcelino , Jacob Michelle Cristine Medeiros , Chaves Viviany Moura , Pereira de Sousa Luciana Maria , Signorelli Marcos Claudio , Canavese de Oliveira Daniel , de Oliveira Lyra Clélia , Roberto Augusto Noro Luiz
Published: May 2023

Transgender people often live with social vulnerability, largely promoted by gender-based prejudice. Our aim in this article was to raise preliminary data on how the COVID-19 pandemic and perceived prejudice have contributed to the problem of food and food insecurity in the transgender communities in Brazil. We conducted a web-based cross-sectional study, in which 109 transgender people from all regions of Brazil participated. We used the Chi-Square test and Poisson regression modeling with robust variance to estimate the association between food insecurity and the investigated factors. In our sample, 68.8% of transgender people experienced food insecurity, of these, 20.2% experienced severe food insecurity. Our results showed that the difficulties in purchasing food in the transgender community predate the COVID-19 pandemic, yet that the restrictive measures adopted have also impacted overall access to quality food. However, the main explanations for food insecurity were income and employment. In predicting food insecurity, the experiences of prejudice must be considered, and give rise to the hypothesis that specific conditions to which transgender people are exposed explain, to some degree, their vulnerability to food insecurity.
Dry- down probe free qPCR for detection of KFD in resource limited settings
Authors: Yadav Pooja , Sharma Shashi , Dash Paban Kumar , Dhankher Suman , V. K. Sandhya , Kiran S. K.
Published: May 2023

Kyasanur Forest Disease is a tick-borne flavivirus is endemic in the Southern India. The recent expansion and resurgence of sporadic outbreaks in southern parts of country is the most important concern. Although only formalin inactivated vaccine is available for treatment with limited efficacy the early detection and timely identification is a only way to prevent spread of cases. If the disease can be identified prior to infection in humans like in forest areas from ticks and vectors the disease spread supposed to be managed quickly. Here we have standardized a single tube ready to use dry-down probe free real time RT-PCR targeted against virus envelope gene for detection of KFDV infection. The assay was standardized in liquid format first, later it was converted into dry-down format with addition of stabilizers with a similar sensitivity and specificity (10RNA Copies/rxn). The sensitivity was comparable to the most widely used and accepted diagnostic platform i.e. TaqMan qRT-PCR. However as the reported assay here omit the need of probes makes it cost effective and dry-down reagents makes more stability to the developed assay in this study if compare to TaqMan qPCR. The assay was evaluated with KFD positive samples and healthy sample panel which revealed high concordance with TaqMan qRT-PCR. Stability was unaffected by temperature fluctuations during transportation even in cold chain free conditions, thus reduce the maintenance of strict cold storage. These findings demonstrated that the reported assay is convenient with 100% sensitivity and specificity to TaqMan qPCR. Thus this assay has the potential usefulness for diagnosis KFDV for routine surveillance in resource limited laboratory settings omitting the use costly and heat sensitive TaqMan qRT-PCR reagents without compromising the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis assay.
Diagnostic efficacy of the optical flow ratio in patients with coronary heart disease: A meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Huaigang , Li Bin , Xiao Yanyan , Wang Hong , Kuang Maobin , Sun Hanjin , Yang Liu
Published: May 2023

Background

Coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAD) remains one of the most serious diseases threatening human health and life. PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) is the most common treatment for patients with CAD. A rigorous and comprehensive assessment of coronary artery lesions is now needed before PCI, however, there is no consensus on how best evaluate the combination of various intracavitary imaging techniques. By merging the benefits of physiological assessment and high-definition imaging, the optical flow ratio (OFR) has emerged as a novel technology with promising prospects for application.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was conducted. Studies that met the criteria of the meta-analysis were considered to assess OFR and FFR (fractional flow reserve). And the summary values of sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tests and summary receiver operating curves (SROC) were calculated.

Results

A total of 5 studies were included. The sensitivity and specificity of OFR in the diagnosis of coronary artery lesions were 0.83 (95% CI: 0.75–0.88) and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.91–0.96), respectively; the positive likelihood ratio and the negative likelihood ratio were 14 (95% CI: 9.3, 21.3) and 0.18 (95% CI:0.13, 0.27), respectively. OFR showed good correlation and consistency with FFR.

Conclusion

The new OFR technique achieve an encouraging diagnostic performance, which also showed good correlation and consistency with FFR.
Influences of age and gender on operative risks following carotid endarterectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Nantakool Sothida , Chuatrakoon Busaba , Orrapin Saritphat , Leung Rachel , Howard Dominic P. J. , Rerkasem Amaraporn , Derraik José G. B. , Rerkasem Kittipan
Published: May 2023

Objectives

This review aims to undertake a comprehensive review of the literature and investigate associations of age and gender on 30 days post carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and up to 5 years post CEA stroke, death, and combined stroke and death.

Design

A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

Three main electronic databases including the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and Embase were searched from their inception to July 2022. Studies examining operative risks (i.e., stroke, death, and combined stroke and death following CEA) linked to age or gender were included. Two independent reviewers were responsible for study selection, quality assessment, and data extraction. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of all outcomes were calculated.

Results

44609 studies were retrieved from the search. There were 127 eligible studies (80 studies of age, 72 studies of gender, 25 studies of age and gender) for pooling in the meta-analysis. With regards to stroke and death risks within 30 days post CEA; patients aged ≥75 had higher death (OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.10–1.75) than patients aged <75. Patients aged ≥80 had higher stroke risk (OR 1.17; 95% CI 1.07–1.27) and death risk (OR 1.85; 95% CI 1.48–2.30) particular in asymptomatic patients (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.56–3.81). Pooled effect estimates by gender, at 30 days post CEA, showed that female was associated with increased risk of stroke (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.16–1.40), with more risk in asymptomatic female patients (OR 1.51; 95% CI 1.14–1.99).

Conclusions

This meta-analysis highlights that older people is associated with increased stroke risk, particularly asymptomatic octogenarians who had higher likelihood of death within 30 days post CEA. In addition, female especially those with asymptomatic carotid stenosis had greater likelihood of stroke within 30 days post CEA surgery.
Anemia and associated factors among internally displaced children at Debark refugee camp, North Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Teketelew Bisrat Birke , Bayleyegn Biruk , Berta Dereje Mengesha , Enawgaw Bamlaku , Woldu Berhanu
Published: May 2023

Background

Children in refugee camps, due to their living conditions, are the most vulnerable groups to suffer from anemia. Nutritional deficiencies, especially iron deficiency is the most common causes of anemia. However, there is limited information on the prevalence and associated factors of anemia in Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of anemia among internally displaced children at Debark refugee camp, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 354 internally displaced children, at Debark refugee camp from March to May 2022. A systematic sampling technique was employed. The socio demographic characteristics were collected by using structured questionnaire via face-to-face interview with the caregivers. The hemoglobin level was determined using HemoCue301+. Form anemic children, venous blood sample was collected for iron profile analysis. Parasitological and anthropometric measurements were also done. The data were entered using Epi-data version 4.6.0.6 and exported to STATA version 14 for analysis. Bi-variable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis were done. Both crude odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio with the corresponding 95% confidence interval were calculated to measure the strength of association. P-Value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant association.

Results

From the total of 354 children included in this study, more than half (54.8%) of them were male. The median age of children was 7 years with interquartile range of (4–10) years. The total prevalence of anemia in this study was 33.62% (95% CI:28.7, 38.7). Moderate type anemia was predominant in this study. From anemic children 30 (25.2%) had iron deficiency anemia. In this study, low dietary diversity (AOR = 4.9; 95% CI: 2.0, 11.7), duration in the camp more than six months (AOR = 4.2; 95% CI:1.9, 9.4), presence of diarrhea (AOR = 2.7; 95% CI:1.3, 5.7), fever (AOR = 3.4; 95% CI:1.6, 7.1), and wasting (AOR = 3.6; 95% CI:1.3, 10.3) were significantly associated with the prevalence of anemia.

Conclusion

Anemia was moderate public health problem in the current study. Focused policies and strategies towards to internally displaced children should be designed to reduce anemia, by preventing the significant risk factors associated with anemia.
Diseño y desarrollo de una crema pañal con leche de burra
Authors: Bautista Sánchez Beatriz , Zarzuelo Castañeda Aránzazu
Published: May 2023

Debido a la prevalencia de la dermatitis del pañal en la infancia, afección que cursa con irritación e inflamación cutánea de la zona del bebé que se encuentra en contacto directo con el pañal, se planteó buscar una solución a este problema. Para ello, tras estudiar en profundidad la patología, se procedió al desarrollo de una crema pañal capaz de prevenir, paliar y/o tratar el problema. Entre sus ingredientes, cuenta con leche de burra, componente que ha demostrado tener capacidad para mejorar el problema que se describe.
CURSOS JURÍDICOS: ANÁLISE DA FORMAÇÃO HUMANÍSTICA SOB A PERSPECTIVA DE PAULO FREIRE
Authors: Pinheiro Priscila Tinelli
Published: May 2023

Contextualização: As marcas da colonialidade estão presentes em diversos segmentos da sociedade brasileira e, sobretudo, no ensino jurídico. Um traço dessa herança adquirida da relação de colonialismo é a própria estrutura da aula jurídica, em que o monopólio do espaço da sala de aula é exclusivo do professor, o que confere um papel secundário ao aluno. A fim de superar a crise do ensino jurídico e cumprir a determinação da Resolução 09/2004, a qual prevê que os cursos de Direito devem proporcionar uma sólida formação humanística, objetiva-se uma análise decolonial sobre o processo de ensino do Direito.
Objetivo: O presente estudo analisará uma nova produção dialógica de conhecimento através de uma concepção decolonial no pensamento pedagógico em Paulo Freire, identificando uma pedagogia da decolonialidade como expressão emancipadora e libertadora. Busca-se, portanto, metodologias que podem ser praticadas na experiência docente e no currículo jurídico que possuem traços e marcas decoloniais, numa tentativa de desconstruir a estrutura arcaica que foi imposta ao ensino do Direito.
Metodologia: A pesquisa utiliza o método dialético e uma revisão de literatura.
Resultados: Como principais resultados, verifica-se a necessidade de o aluno do curso de Direito assumir uma postura de protagonista dentro do ambiente da sala de aula, de modo que compartilhe com o professor aquele tempo e espaço, a fim de construir uma formação mais significativa.
Developing Border Area: A Study of the Village Internet Program in Kaliau Village, Sambas Regency
Authors: Arifin Arifin , Yuniarsih Rulida
Published: May 2023

The implementation of the village community empowerment program around the national border areas is faced a unique environment with complex problems. The purpose of the study is to highlight the empowerment program and explore the supporting and inhibiting factors of the program. The type of this study was descriptive-qualitative. Data were collected through interviews, document searches, and observation. The collected data were then processed, analysed, and concluded. Results showed that the process of implementing the empowerment program started from with planning the program carried out by the village government and the community. Programplanning was conducted using a bottom-up pattern, involving representatives from each community component. The program implementation was based on the bottom-up planning model as the main supporting factor for the effectiveness of the empowerment program. Through the program implemented, all components of society can meet their needs regarding internetbased information. The main obstacles to implementing the empowerment program are natural matters, such as wide-area coverage, uneven distribution of the population, and lack ofresources for the program development. The success of the program can be achieved through community involvement in program planning based on full awareness of the community’s needs for the program and structurally supported by the village government.