bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supportive Political Milieu
Authors: Nemeth Bence
Published: January 2023

The chapter explains that a supportive political milieu is necessary for the creation of a new defence collaboration. Even if all the previously discussed factors are present, the lack of broader support risks leaving a new defence collaboration in a vacuum. This chapter applies the concept of ‘political milieu’ and discusses the microenvironment and macroenvironment of three case studies (the Lancaster House Treaties, NORDEFCO, CEDC) in this regard. It points out that actors in the different environments of the ‘political milieu’ use policy framing to influence others and win the competition for the dominant narrative.
The Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma: Religion, Spirituality, and Ritual among Children and Grandchildren of Holocaust Survivors
Authors: Jacobs Janet
Published: January 2023

This chapter investigates the relationship between inherited trauma and religious beliefs and practices among children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors. It is a study of genocide, religion and traumatic inheritance, as religious culture becomes a vehicle for both the memorialization of the past and the means by which a religious/spiritual future is reimagined. The chapter makes use of an interpretive framework that, in its departure from the prevailing psychological approach to traumatic transference, focuses on the social structures of family and culture – religious beliefs systems and ritual practices – through which a history of genocidal trauma is passed on from one generation to the next. It offers an exploration into the adaptive and creative religious responses that children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors employ as they negotiate the responsibility of culture-bearing for future generations among an historically threatened religio-ethnic population.
The Public Sphere and Presentations of the Collective Self: Being Shia in Modern India
Authors: Hasnain Aseem
Published: January 2023

This chapter studies select moments over the last century when the Shia in modern India use public forums to describe themselves as a distinct community in need of recognition, protection, and promotion. Drawing upon archival material, and in-depth interviews, this chapter shows how a community with a politically insignificant size perform in, under the gaze of, and to the public for constructing a positive edifice of their collective self I bring together Goffman’s work on performance, scholarship on the public sphere, and literatures in boundary making to focus on specific moments situated within the broader and shifting sociopolitical context. This multipronged interpretive approach helps see how collective identities emerge, establish, sustain, and transform over time, and also helps understand how religious, social, and political dimensions of collective identity are inextricable. It also reveals the flexibility of religious symbols, sacred memories, and spiritual messages and their use in profane matters, including negotiating for social and political power. I argue that the public denotes not only a sphere, arena, or state action but also an independent actor that exerts its own force on processes that take place in public arenas and spheres.
The Heritage Spectrum: A More Inclusive Typology for the Age of Global Buddhism
Authors: Falcone Jessica Marie
Published: January 2023

Many extant taxonomies of Buddhists outside of Asia have stumbled over issues of race, ethnicity, class, and nationality, because they have used those identity markers to clunkily try to index what they are really attempting to represent, that is, a particular Buddhist's enculturation into a particular kind of Buddhism. This chapter explores Buddhist taxonomies of the past and present as well as their disparate strengths and shortcomings. In an effort to more accurately address differences in Buddhist enculturation and practice, the author posits a more flexible way forward through the use of a “heritage spectrum” for Buddhist persons and institutions. The chapter asserts the need for scholars to be more careful and inclusive with their terminologies in Buddhist studies, and in religious studies more generally.
Introduction: Governing Urban Transformations In Penang
Authors: Connolly Creighton
Published: January 2023

This chapter introduces the main themes covered in the book, including the landscape political ecology (LPE) framework, and how it helps to make sense of the type of controversies taking place in Penang. It also provides important scholarly context for the Penang case study, situating the book within earlier research on Penang and Malaysia in the urban studies literature. In particular, the chapter discusses the challenges that Penang's urban centre of George Town has faced in balancing its considerable built heritage with its urban redevelopment aspirations over the past three decades. This tension is linked to broader aspirations at the national level with regards to modernisation and urban development. Finally, the chapter introduces the significant civil society sector in Penang, and how they have shaped urban governance in the city-region.
Megapolitan Explosions: Reworking Urban and Regional Metabolisms
Authors: Connolly Creighton
Published: January 2023

Chapter 3 analyses the spatial strategy for the George Town conurbation, which seeks to condense and centralise future urban development into the historic centres of George Town and Butterworth, on the mainland side of the state. The chapter adopts insights from ‘megapolitan’ political ecology approaches to examine the form of ‘regional urbanisation’ envisioned in this plan, and in doing so, facilitates dialogue between urban political ecology and ‘planetary urbanisation’ approaches to studying the contemporary explosion of urbanisation processes. The chapter thereby maintains that cities are not discrete entities, but rather deeply interconnected to surrounding metropolitan environments through large scale infrastructure networks, which are in turn promoted through state and nation making schemes. A further objective of the chapter is to highlight the discursive frameworks that have sought to develop new infrastructures, settlements, property markets and planning strategies to integrate — but also differentiate — communities within Penang's wider urban fabric.
Competing Visions of Landscape Transformation in a Worlding City
Authors: Connolly Creighton
Published: January 2023

This chapter examines controversies over the extensive urban redevelopment projects that have emerged since 2012, with a specific focus on the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP). Through examining this case, the chapter highlights key technologies of governance that are being used to counter neoliberal ‘global-city’ making strategies put forth by city managers which can have disastrous socio-ecological consequences for cities and their inhabitants. As I will show, the competing visions for Penang's future rely on competing understandings and imaginaries of the landscape and reflect the ways in which citizens of the global south are resisting the aspirational and hegemonic visions of their future imposed by city leaders. The chapter thereby highlights key technologies of governance that are being used to counter neoliberal ‘global-city’ making strategies put forth by city managers which can have disastrous socio-ecological consequences for cities and their inhabitants.
Neoliberal (In)stability and the Case of The Gambia
Authors: Hupp Williamson Sarah
Published: January 2023

In this chapter, a third pathway is explored using the country of The Gambia. Analysis of The Gambia focuses heavily on the role of state instability. Neoliberal economic reforms were intended to stabilize Gambia’s economy for entrance into the global market. Instead, Gambia lacked high globalisation, and experienced increasing political, social, and economic instability. The presence of economic dominance stemming from reliance on external creditors and worsening inequality and discrimination acted as push factors for migrating “the back way” through Nigeria and into Europe. Together with corruption, this has placed many young people, in particular, at risk for human trafficking. The response to human trafficking has lacked the money and resources needed to enforce new legislation. Moreover, corruption undermines what little state action is taken on the issue.
Arab Cartoonists and Religion: The Interdependence of Transgression and Taboo
Authors: Nasri Chourouq
Published: January 2023

Arab cartoonists operate in a very complicated climate and have to struggle against different forms of cultural and political control. In this chapter, selected cartoons are analysed to show that the relationship between Arab cartoonists and religion is complex and contradictory and to try to understand the parameters within which Arab cartoonists strive for agency.
Hizbullah’s Humour: Political Satire, Comedy, and Revolutionary Theatre
Authors: Alagha Joseph
Published: January 2023

Employing a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary humanities and social science approach, this chapter discusses how different forms of humour have been mobilised to negotiate, subvert, or sustain various paradigms of structural oppression, highlighting the shift between the sacred and the profane in humour as a genre of Resistance Art. Although there are a few studies focusing on political satire and Hizbullah’s reaction to the mockery of its leadership, hardly any have focused on the role of humour as a didactic genre of Resistance Art, with a clear purpose and function. Hizbullah permits purposeful humour, jokes, comedy, theatre, and political satire in its ideology since it regards popular culture as a site of struggle between the resistance of subordinate groups in society and the hegemonic authorities or ruling power elite. This chapter also studies aniconism vis-à-vis the political satire of al–Sistani’s caricature.
Conclusion
Authors: Schweizer Bernard , Molokotos-Liederman Lina
Published: January 2023

Abstract and Keywords to be supplied.
Eyebox enlargement in holographic AR glasses
Authors: Kalinina Anastasiia , Putilin Andrey , Kopenkin Sergey
Published: January 2023

Despite the high output characteristics of holographic optical elements (HOEs), there are still no affordable holographic AR glasses that combine qualities such as a wide field of view (FOV) and a large eyebox (EB). In this study, we propose an architecture for holographic augmented reality glasses that covers both needs. Our solution is based on the combination of an axial HOE with a directional holographic diffuser (DHD) illuminated by a projector. A transparent-type DHD redirects the light from the projector, increasing the angular aperture of the image beams and providing a large EB. A reflection-type axial HOE redirects the light, transforming the spherical beams into parallel ones and providing a wide FOV for the system. The main feature of our system is the coincidence of the DHD position with the planar intermediate image of the axial HOE. This unique condition makes the system free of off-axial aberrations and ensures high output characteristics. The proposed system has a horizontal FOV of 60 deg and an EB width of 10 mm. We used modeling and a prototype to prove our investigations.
Confocal reflectance microscopy for mapping collagen fiber organization in the vitreous gel of the eye
Authors: Hwang Eileen S. , Morgan Denise J. , Sun Jieliyue , Hartnett M. Elizabeth , Toussaint Kimani C. , Coats Brittany
Published: January 2023

Vitreous collagen structure plays an important role in ocular mechanics. However, capturing this structure with existing vitreous imaging methods is hindered by the loss of sample position and orientation, low resolution, or a small field of view. The objective of this study was to evaluate confocal reflectance microscopy as a solution to these limitations. Intrinsic reflectance avoids staining, and optical sectioning eliminates the requirement for thin sectioning, minimizing processing for optimal preservation of the natural structure. We developed a sample preparation and imaging strategy using ex vivo grossly sectioned porcine eyes. Imaging revealed a network of uniform diameter crossing fibers (1.1 ± 0.3 µm for a typical image) with generally poor alignment (alignment coefficient = 0.40 ± 0.21 for a typical image). To test the utility of our approach for detecting differences in fiber spatial distribution, we imaged eyes every 1 mm along an anterior-posterior axis originating at the limbus and quantified the number of fibers in each image. Fiber density was higher anteriorly near the vitreous base, regardless of the imaging plane. These data demonstrate that confocal reflectance microscopy addresses the previously unmet need for a robust, micron-scale technique to map features of collagen networks in situ across the vitreous.
Underwater image illumination estimation via an evolving extreme learning machine by an improved salp swarm algorithm
Authors: Yang Junyi , Cai Mudan , Wang Chao , Zheng Minhui , Chen Sheng
Published: January 2023

Underwater images have chromatic aberrations under different light sources and complex underwater scenes, which can lead to the wrong choice when using an underwater robot. To solve this problem, this paper proposes an underwater image illumination estimation model, which we call the modified salp swarm algorithm (SSA) extreme learning machine (MSSA-ELM). It uses the Harris hawks optimization algorithm to generate a high-quality SSA population, and uses a multiverse optimizer algorithm to improve the follower position that makes an individual salp carry out global and local searches with a different scope. Then, the improved SSA is used to iteratively optimize the input weights and hidden layer bias of ELM to form a stable MSSA-ELM illumination estimation model. The experimental results of our underwater image illumination estimations and predictions show that the average accuracy of the MSSA-ELM model is 0.9209. Compared to similar models, the MSSA-ELM model has the best accuracy for underwater image illumination estimation. The analysis results show that the MSSA-ELM model also has high stability and is significantly different from other models.
Cladding-pumped Raman laser with M2 of 1.3 and 400 µJ first Stokes energy
Authors: Roumayah Patrick , Anderson Brian , Pulford Benjamin , Cook Justin , Richardson Martin
Published: January 2023

Cladding-pumped Raman lasers have often been cited for their potential for brightness enhancement, but so far have never achieved high power and beam quality simultaneously. By utilizing a fiber geometry with a larger cladding to core ratio than current high power Raman fiber lasers for brightness enhancement (BE-RFLs), a noise-seeded Raman fiber laser pumped by a 100 ns pulsed laser with record beam quality is achieved with M2=1.3 and 0.4 mJ first Stokes output, with an instantaneous brightness enhancement of 60. The results here support the hypothesis that the limiting factor to high beam quality in BE-RFLs is Raman conversion in the pump cladding, rather than higher order core modes as in most conventional fiber lasers.
Analysis and design of transition radiation in layered uniaxial crystals using tandem neural networks
Authors: Gao Xiaoke , Zhao Xiaoyu , Huang Ruoyu , Ma Siyuan , Ma Xikui , Dong Tianyu
Published: January 2023

With the flourishing development of nanophotonics, a Cherenkov radiation pattern can be designed to achieve superior performance in particle detection by fine-tuning the properties of metamaterials such as photonic crystals (PCs) surrounding the swift particle. However, the radiation pattern can be sensitive to the geometry and material properties of PCs, such as periodicity, unit thickness, and dielectric fraction, making direct analysis and inverse design difficult. In this paper, we propose a systematic method to analyze and design PC-based transition radiation, which is assisted by deep learning neural networks. By matching boundary conditions at the interfaces, effective Cherenkov radiation of multilayered structures can be resolved analytically using the cascading scattering matrix method, despite the optical axes not being aligned with the swift electron trajectory. Once properly trained, forward deep learning neural networks can be utilized to predict the radiation pattern without further direct electromagnetic simulations. In addition, tandem neural networks have been proposed to inversely design the geometry and/or material properties for the desired effective Cherenkov radiation pattern. Our proposal demonstrates a promising strategy for dealing with layered-medium-based effective Cherenkov radiation detectors, and it can be extended to other emerging metamaterials, such as photonic time crystals.
High-resolution timing jitter measurement based on the photonics time stretch technique
Authors: Jiang Tianwei , Wang Leilei , Li Jie
Published: January 2023

High-resolution jitter measurement is essential for the next generation of electronic communications and sensor systems. However, most electrical timing jitter measurement equipment has a low resolution because of the limitations of electronic processing accuracy. Meanwhile, photonics-based jitter measurement methods have a higher resolution but cannot measure the widely used electrical signals. This work proposes a potential high-resolution jitter measurement method for electrical signals based on the photonics time stretch technique. The jitter information can be magnified in the optical domain and then measured by electrical equipment. The experimental results demonstrate that the jitter of an electrical pulse is magnified from 59.02 ps to 663.29 ps when the magnification factor is 11.24.
Low coherence interferometric detection of the spectral dependence of the retro-reflection coefficient of an anti-reflective coated interface
Authors: Lequime Michel , Khan Imran , Zerrad Myriam , Amra Claude
Published: January 2023

The measurement of very low reflection coefficients of anti-reflective coated interfaces has become a key issue for the realization of precision instruments such as the giant interferometers used for the detection of gravitational waves. We propose in this paper a method, based on low coherence interferometry and balanced detection, which not only allows to obtain the spectral dependence of this reflection coefficient in amplitude and phase, with a sensitivity of the order of 0.1 ppm and a spectral resolution of 0.2 nm, but also to eliminate any spurious influence related to the possible presence of uncoated interfaces. This method also implements a data processing similar to that used in Fourier transform spectrometry. After establishing the formulas that control the accuracy and the signal-to-noise ratio of this method, we present the results that provide a complete demonstration of its successful operation in various experimental conditions.
Free-space creation of a perfect vortex beam with fractional topological charge
Authors: Wang Guanxue , Weng Xiaoyu , Kang Xiangyu , Li Ziyan , Chen Keyu , Gao Xiumin , Zhuang Songlin
Published: January 2023

Perfect vortex beams can only propagate stably with integer topological charges. Thus, creating perfect fractional vortex beams capable of stable propagation in free space, as perfect integer vortex beams, is crucial. This study proposed perfect vortex beams carrying fractional topological charge of l + 0.5, which are special solutions of the wave equation, and can maintain stable propagation with physical laws same as integer topological charge. Perfect fractional vortex beams were created in free space, which can break the cognition of traditional fractional perfect vortex beams and promote the development of scientific fields such as optical communication, quantum sensing, and optical imaging.
Snapshot temporal compressive light-sheet fluorescence microscopy via deep denoising and total variation priors
Authors: Wang Meiqin , Zhou Liangliang , Hu Jinhu , Cao Huiqun , Lin Danying , Yu Bin , Qu Junle
Published: January 2023

We present a snapshot temporal compressive light-sheet fluorescence microscopy system to capture high-speed microscopic scenes with a low-speed camera. A deep denoising network and total variation denoiser are incorporated into a plug-and-play framework to quickly reconstruct 20 high-speed video frames from a short-time measurement. Specifically, we can observe 1,000-frames-per-second (fps) microscopic scenes when the camera works at 50 fps to capture the measurement. The proposed method can potentially be applied to observe cell and tissue motions in thick living biological specimens.
Polarization-independent photonic Bragg grating filter with cladding asymmetry
Authors: Pimbi Daniel , Hasan Mehedi , Borhan Mia Md , Jaidye Nafiz , Kim Sangsik
Published: January 2023

A photonic Bragg grating is a fundamental building block that reflects the direction of wave propagation through spatial phase modulation and can be implemented using sidewall corrugation. However, due to the asymmetric aspect ratio of a waveguide cross section, typical Bragg gratings exhibit a strong polarization sensitivity. Here, we show that photonic Bragg gratings with cladding asymmetry can enable polarization-independent notch filters by rotating input polarizations. Such Bragg gratings strongly couple transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes propagating in opposite directions, filtering the input signal and reflecting the rotated mode. We analyzed this polarization-rotating Bragg grating using the coupled-mode theory and experimentally demonstrated it on a silicon-on-insulator platform. Our device concept is simple to implement and compatible with other platforms, readily available as polarization transparent Bragg components.
Magnon-induced absorption via quantum interference
Authors: Wang Fei , Gou Chengdeng
Published: January 2023

We propose a scheme to generate magnon-induced absorption (MIA) in a two-cavity magnonics system. By placing an yttrium iron garnet (YIG) sphere into one of two coupled microwave cavities, three different interference pathways are established by the photon coupling and magnon–photon coupling, leading to the conversion from suppression to enhancement on resonance under proper conditions. Most interestingly, the analytical results of the probe absorption are solved based on bright and dark modes in a dressed-state picture, which can be used to explain the position, width, and height of the absorption peaks accurately. Furthermore, we investigate the noise spectral density (NSD) of the microwave cavity and find out the similar MIA phenomena, which may provide a feasible way to remotely detect a magnon with an optical method.
Accelerating Airy beams with particle-like polarization topologies and free-space bimeronic lattices
Authors: Berškys Justas , Orlov Sergej
Published: January 2023

Phase and polarization singularities in electromagnetic waves are usually attributed to one-dimensional topologies—lines, knots, and braids. Recently, particle-like structures have been predicted and observed: optical Skyrmions, vortices with spherical polarization, etc. In this article, we devise vector Airy beams with point-like singularity in the focal plane, thus leading to the presence of a particle-like topology. We present an extensive analytical analysis of the spatial spectra and focal structure of such beams. We report on the presence of a free-space lattice of bimerons in such vector Airy beams.
Platform-agnostic waveguide integration of high-speed photodetectors with evaporated tellurium thin films
Authors: Ahn Geun Ho , White Alexander D. , Kim Hyungjin , Higashitarumizu Naoki , Mayor Felix M. , Herrmann Jason F. , Jiang Wentao , Multani Kevin K. S. , Safavi-Naeini Amir H. , Javey Ali , Vučković Jelena
Published: January 2023

Many attractive photonics platforms still lack integrated
photodetectors due to inherent material incompatibilities and lack of
process scalability, preventing their widespread deployment. Here, we
address the problem of scalably integrating photodetectors in a
photonics-platform-independent manner. Using a thermal evaporation and
deposition technique developed for nanoelectronics, we show that
tellurium, a quasi-2D semi-conductive element, can be evaporated at
low temperatures directly onto photonic chips to form air-stable,
high-speed, ultrawide-band photodetectors. We demonstrate detection
from visible (520 nm) to short-wave infrared (2.4 µm), a
bandwidth of more than 40 GHz, and
platform-independent scalable integration with photonic structures in
silicon, silicon nitride, and lithium niobate.
Dynamic stable ring resonator for high-power continuous single-frequency lasers: conditions for a compact resonator
Authors: Wetter Niklaus , Bereczki Allan
Published: January 2023

When considering dynamically stable resonators, ring lasers are good choices because they have a twice larger stability interval when compared to linear resonators and sensitivity to misalignment decreasing with pump power, however literature does not provide easy design guidelines. A ring resonator utilizing Nd:YAG side pumped by diodes allowed single frequency operation. The output single-frequency laser had good output characteristics, however the overall length of resonator did not allow for building a compact device with low misalignment sensitivity and larger spacing between longitudinal modes which could improve single-frequency performance. Based on previously developed equations, which allow for ease of design of a ring DSR, we discuss how to build an equivalent ring resonator, aiming to building a shorter resonator with the same stability zone parameters. The study of the symmetric resonator containing a pair of lenses allowed finding the conditions to build the shortest possible resonator.
High power Nd:YLF four-level lasers with 68% slope efficiency
Authors: Wetter Niklaus , Prado Felipe , Franco Tomás , Vieira Tárcio
Published: January 2023

Three laser resonators are demonstrated emitting at 1053 nm and pumped at 797nm by VBG equipped diodes, achieving the highest reported efficiencies for Nd:YLF in a four-level system. A peak output power of 880 W is achieved by pumping the crystal with a diode-stack of 1.4 kW peak pump power.
Twelve-hour rhythms in transcript expression within the human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex are altered in schizophrenia
Authors: Scott Madeline R. , Zong Wei , Ketchesin Kyle D. , Seney Marianne L. , Tseng George C. , Zhu Bokai , McClung Colleen A.
Published: January 2023

Twelve-hour (12 h) ultradian rhythms are a well-known phenomenon in coastal marine organisms. While 12 h cycles are observed in human behavior and physiology, no study has measured 12 h rhythms in the human brain. Here, we identify 12 h rhythms in transcripts that either peak at sleep/wake transitions (approximately 9 AM/PM) or static times (approximately 3 PM/AM) in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a region involved in cognition. Subjects with schizophrenia (SZ) lose 12 h rhythms in genes associated with the unfolded protein response and neuronal structural maintenance. Moreover, genes involved in mitochondrial function and protein translation, which normally peak at sleep/wake transitions, peak instead at static times in SZ, suggesting suboptimal timing of these essential processes.
People with more extreme attitudes towards science have self-confidence in their understanding of science, even if this is not justified
Authors: Fonseca Cristina , Pettitt Jonathan , Woollard Alison , Rutherford Adam , Bickmore Wendy , Ferguson-Smith Anne , Hurst Laurence D.
Published: January 2023

People differ greatly in their attitudes towards well-evidenced science. What characterises this variation? Here, we consider this issue in the context of genetics and allied sciences. While most prior research has focused on the relationship between attitude to science and what people know about it, recent evidence suggests that individuals with strongly negative attitudes towards specific genetic technologies (genetic modification (GM) technology and vaccines) commonly do not objectively understand the science, but, importantly, believe that they do. Here, using data from a probability survey of United Kingdom adults, we extend this prior work in 2 regards. First, we ask whether people with more extreme attitudes, be they positive or negative, are more likely to believe that they understand the science. Second, as negativity to genetics is commonly framed around issues particular to specific technologies, we ask whether attitudinal trends are contingent on specification of technology. We find (1) that individuals with strongly positive or negative attitudes towards genetics more strongly believe that they well understand the science; but (2) only for those most positive to the science is this self-confidence warranted; and (3) these effects are not contingent on specification of any particular technologies. These results suggest a potentially general model to explain why people differ in their degree of acceptance or rejection of science, this being that the more someone believes they understand the science, the more confident they will be in their acceptance or rejection of it. While there are more technology nonspecific opponents who also oppose GM technology than expected by chance, most GM opponents fit a different demographic. For the most part, opposition to GM appears not to reflect a smokescreen concealing a broader underlying negativity.
Towards a great ape dictionary: Inexperienced humans understand common nonhuman ape gestures
Authors: Graham Kirsty E. , Hobaiter Catherine
Published: January 2023

In the comparative study of human and nonhuman communication, ape gesturing provided the first demonstrations of flexible, intentional communication outside human language. Rich repertoires of these gestures have been described in all ape species, bar one: us. Given that the majority of great ape gestural signals are shared, and their form appears biologically inherited, this creates a conundrum: Where did the ape gestures go in human communication? Here, we test human recognition and understanding of 10 of the most frequently used ape gestures. We crowdsourced data from 5,656 participants through an online game, which required them to select the meaning of chimpanzee and bonobo gestures in 20 videos. We show that humans may retain an understanding of ape gestural communication (either directly inherited or part of more general cognition), across gesture types and gesture meanings, with information on communicative context providing only a marginal improvement in success. By assessing comprehension, rather than production, we accessed part of the great ape gestural repertoire for the first time in adult humans. Cognitive access to an ancestral system of gesture appears to have been retained after our divergence from other apes, drawing deep evolutionary continuity between their communication and our own.
neuroWalknet, a controller for hexapod walking allowing for context dependent behavior
Authors: Schilling Malte , Cruse Holk
Published: January 2023

Decentralized control has been established as a key control principle in insect walking and has been successfully leveraged to account for a wide range of walking behaviors in the proposed neuroWalknet architecture. This controller allows for walking patterns at different velocities in both, forward and backward direction—quite similar to the behavior shown in stick insects—, for negotiation of curves, and for robustly dealing with various disturbances. While these simulations focus on the cooperation of different, decentrally controlled legs, here we consider a set of biological experiments not yet been tested by neuroWalknet, that focus on the function of the individual leg and are context dependent. These intraleg studies deal with four groups of interjoint reflexes. The reflexes are elicited by stimulation of the femoral chordotonal organ (fCO) or groups of campaniform sensilla (CS). Motor output signals are recorded from the alpha-joint, the beta-joint or the gamma-joint of the leg. Furthermore, the influence of these sensory inputs to artificially induced oscillations by application of pilocarpine has been studied. Although these biological data represent results obtained from different local reflexes in different contexts, they fit with and are embedded into the behavior shown by the global structure of neuroWalknet. In particular, a specific and intensively studied behavior, active reaction, has since long been assumed to represent a separate behavioral element, from which it is not clear why it occurs in some situations, but not in others. This question could now be explained as an emergent property of the holistic structure of neuroWalknet which has shown to be able to produce artificially elicited pilocarpine-driven oscillation that can be controlled by sensory input without the need of explicit innate CPG structures. As the simulation data result from a holistic system, further results were obtained that could be used as predictions to be tested in further biological experiments.
Antibody accessibility determines location of spike surface mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants
Authors: von Bülow Sören , Sikora Mateusz , Blanc Florian E. C. , Covino Roberto , Hummer Gerhard
Published: January 2023

The steady emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants gives us a real-time view of the interplay between viral evolution and the host immune defense. The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is the primary target of antibodies. Here, we show that steric accessibility to antibodies provides a strong predictor of mutation activity in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron. We introduce an antibody accessibility score (AAS) that accounts for the steric shielding effect of glycans at the surface of spike. We find that high values of the AAS correlate strongly with the sites of mutations in the spike proteins of newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. We use the AAS to assess the escapability of variant spike proteins, i.e., their ability to escape antibody-based immune responses. The high calculated escapability of the Omicron variant BA.5 with respect to both wild-type (WT) vaccination and BA.1 infection is consistent with its rapid spread despite high rates of vaccination and prior infection with earlier variants. We calculated the AAS from structural and molecular dynamics simulation data that were available early in the pandemic, in the spring of 2020. The AAS thus allows us to prospectively assess the ability of variant spike proteins to escape antibody-based immune responses and to pinpoint regions of expected mutation activity in future variants.
Mechanisms of hemoglobin cycling in anemia patients treated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents
Authors: Jörg David J. , Fuertinger Doris H. , Kotanko Peter
Published: January 2023

Patients with renal anemia are frequently treated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), which are dynamically dosed in order to stabilize blood hemoglobin levels within a specified target range. During typical ESA treatments, a fraction of patients experience hemoglobin ‘cycling’ periods during which hemoglobin levels periodically over- and undershoot the target range. Here we report a specific mechanism of hemoglobin cycling, whereby cycles emerge from the patient’s delayed physiological response to ESAs and concurrent ESA dose adjustments. We introduce a minimal theoretical model that can explain dynamic hallmarks of observed hemoglobin cycling events in clinical time series and elucidates how physiological factors (such as red blood cell lifespan and ESA responsiveness) and treatment-related factors (such as dosing schemes) affect cycling. These results show that in general, hemoglobin cycling cannot be attributed to patient physiology or ESA treatment alone but emerges through an interplay of both, with consequences for the design of ESA treatment strategies.
Factors driving underweight, wasting, and stunting among urban school aged children: Evidence from Merawi town, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Tewabe Tilahun , Kamal Md. Moustafa , Alam Khorshed , Quazi Ali , Talukder Majharul , Hossain Syeda Z.
Published: January 2023

Prior research identified malnutrition as one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among children globally. Furthermore, research revealed that over two thirds of deaths associated with inappropriate feeding practices occurred during the early years of life. Improper feeding practices impact a child’s health in many different ways. However, research on the possible factors driving underweight, wasting, and stunting among school aged children in developing countries is limited, hence warrant further attention. Against this backdrop, this research strives to identify and assess the determinants of underweight, wasting and stunting among school aged children of a developing country-Ethiopia. A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1, 2018 to June 15, 2018 in Merawi town, Ethiopia. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 422 children. Binary logistic regression technique was performed to examine the effect of each selected variable on the outcome measure. The prevalence of being underweight, wasting and stunting was found to be 5.7%, 9.8%, 10.4%, respectively. The age of the child [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 12.930 (2.350, 71.157)] and the number of children [AOR = 8.155 (1.312, 50.677)] were emerged as the key determinants for underweight, and the gender of the child was significantly associated with wasting [AOR = 0.455 (0.224, 0.927)]. Finally, the age of the child [AOR = 12.369 (2.522, 60.656)] was found to predict the risk of stunting. This study revealed the age, number of children and gender of the child to have a significant association with malnutrition. The findings of this research suggest that in improving the feeding practices of young school-aged children, special attention should be paid to female children and those coming from relatively large families.
Assessing the knowledge and practices of primary healthcare workers on malaria diagnosis and related challenges in view of COVID-19 outbreak in a Nigerian Southwestern metropolis
Authors: Ayandipo Esther Oluwayemisi , Babatunde Deborah , Afolayan Oladipo , Kalejaye Olabisi , Obembe Taiwo
Published: January 2023

The clinical features of COVID-19 and malaria are interrelated. Due to the similarity of symptoms between the two disease states, patients can be incorrectly diagnosed with the other ailment in areas with limited health resources. There is a dearth of knowledge of co-infection between COVID-19 and malaria from healthcare providers’ perspective. Hence, this study assessed the ability of primary healthcare workers to diagnose malaria infection correctly from COVID-19 infection. A multistage sampling technique was used to select health care workers who were directly involved in malaria case management at 261 government-owned primary health facilities in Oyo State. Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents, knowledge and practices, COVID-19 differential diagnosis and challenges that healthcare workers face regarding malaria diagnosis were obtained using a standardized electronic structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate analysis were conducted on data collected and significant results were interpreted at a 5% level of significance. A good percentage of the respondents (81.6%, 74.3%) had good knowledge about malaria and COVID-19. However, the knowledge gained did not translate to practice, as majority (86.2%) of respondents had poor malaria diagnosis practices. Practices relating to COVID-19 differential diagnosis in 69.7% of respondents were also poor. Most of the respondents attributed poor practices to the unavailability of Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (mRDT), inadequate training and continuous capacity improvement. Only 12.3% of the respondents have not had any form of training on malaria diagnosis and treatment in the last five years. Harmonization of regular trainings and continuous on-the job capacity building is essential to improve case identification, diagnosis and management of both ailments. Also, uninterrupted supplies of essential commodities such as mRDT in laboratories will reduce missed opportunities for malaria diagnosis.
Spatial distribution and predictors of lifetime experience of intimate partner violence among women in South Africa
Authors: Bolarinwa Obasanjo Afolabi , Tessema Zemenu Tadesse , Okyere Joshua , Ahinkorah Bright Opoku , Seidu Abdul-Aziz
Published: January 2023

In recent times, intimate partner has gained significant attention. However, there is limited evidence on the spatial distribution and predictors of intimate partner violence. Therefore, this study examined the spatial distribution and predictors of intimate partner violence in South Africa. The dataset for this study was obtained from a cross-sectional survey of the 2016 South Africa Demographic and Health Survey. We adopted both spatial and multilevel analyses to show the distribution and predictors of intimate partner violence among 2,410 women of reproductive age who had ever experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime in South Africa. The spatial distribution of intimate partner violence in South Africa ranged from 0 to 100 percent. Western Cape, Free State, and Eastern Cape were predicted areas that showed a high proportion of intimate partner violence in South Africa. The likelihood of experiencing intimate partner violence among women in South Africa was high among those who were cohabiting [aOR = 1.41; 95%(CI = 1.10–1.81)] and women who were previously married [aOR = 2.09; 95%(CI = 1.30–3.36)], compared to women who were currently married. Women who lived in households with middle [aOR = 0.67; 95%(CI = 0.48–0.95)] and richest wealth index [aOR = 0.57; 95%(CI = 0.34–0.97)] were less likely to experience lifetime intimate partner violence compared to those of the poorest wealth index. The study concludes that there is a regional variation in the distribution of intimate partner violence in South Africa. A high prevalence of intimate partner violence was found among women who live in the Western Cape, Free State, and Eastern Cape. Furthermore, predictors such as women within the poorest wealth index, women who were cohabiting and those who were previously married should be considered in the development and implementation of interventions against intimate partner violence in South Africa.
Effects of social determinants of health on obesity among urban women of reproductive age
Authors: Amugsi Dickson A. , Dimbuene Zacharie T.
Published: January 2023

Obesity is a major global public health problem. It is spreading very fast in low- and middle-income countries and has reached world record levels in some of them. In Ghana, it has increased by over 65% among urban women in the past three decades. This study investigated the effects of social determinants of health on obesity among women in urban Ghana. The study analyzed the Ghana demographic and health survey data. These are nationally representative data collective every five years across low- and middle-income countries. A total of 1,204 urban women were included in the analysis. Body mass index was the outcome variable of interest. We used logistic regression to model the effects of the various social determinants of health on obesity. The results showed that 40% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 25.4, 57.0) and 36.7% (95% CI = 25.6, 49.3) of women who had higher education and those whose partners had higher education suffered from obesity, respectively. Women living in rich households had a five times higher prevalence of obesity than those in poor households (28.8% vs 5.7%). Further, 33.4% (95% CI = 18.5, 19.3) of women who occupied managerial positions were obese. The results from the multivariable logistic regression analysis suggested that compared to women in poor households, those in rich households were 3.4 times (95% CI = 1.31, 8.97) more likely to suffer from obesity. Women whose main occupation was agriculture were 81% (aOR = 0.19; 95% CI = 0.034, 0.99) less likely to suffer from obesity compared to those with no occupation. The results suggest that the various social determinants of health (SDH) included in the analysis significantly influence obesity outcomes. Women and partner education levels, occupying a managerial position, and living in rich households increase the risk of obesity. Interventions to address the rising obesity in urban Ghana should have specific packages targeted at these sub-groups.
Multilevel correlates of abdominal obesity in adolescents and youth living with HIV in peri-urban Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Kamkuemah Monika , Gausi Blessings , Oni Tolu , Middelkoop Keren
Published: January 2023

Background

Chronic non-communicable disease comorbidities are a major problem faced by people living with HIV (PLHIV). Obesity is an important factor contributing to such comorbidities and PLHIV face an elevated risk of obesity. However, there is data paucity on the intersection of obesity and HIV in adolescents and youth living with HIV (AYLHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa. We therefore aimed to investigate the prevalence of abdominal obesity and associated multilevel factors in AYLHIV in peri-urban Cape Town, South Africa.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study enrolling AYLHIV aged 15–24 years attending primary healthcare facilities in peri-urban Cape Town in 2019. All measures, except for physical examination measures, were obtained via self-report using a self-administered electronic form. Our outcome of interest was abdominal obesity (waist-to-height ratio ≥ 0.5). We collected individual-level data and data on community, built and food environment factors. Data was summarized using descriptive statistics, stratified by obesity status. Multilevel logistic regression was conducted to investigate factors associated with abdominal obesity, adjusted for sex and age.

Findings

A total of 87 participants were interviewed, 76% were female and the median age was 20.7 (IQR 18.9–23.0) years. More than two fifths had abdominal obesity (41%; 95% CI: 31.0–51.7%), compared to published rates for young people in the general population (13.7–22.1%). In multilevel models, skipping breakfast (aOR = 5.42; 95% CI: 1.32–22.25) was associated with higher odds of abdominal obesity, while daily wholegrain consumption (aOR = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.05–0.71) and weekly physical activity (aOR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.06–0.92) were associated with lower odds of abdominal obesity. Higher anticipated stigma was associated with reduced odds of obesity (aOR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.33–1.00). Land-use mix diversity (aOR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.27–0.97), access to recreational places (aOR = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.18–0.74), higher perceived pedestrian and traffic safety (aOR = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.05–0.80) and having a non-fast-food restaurant within walking distance (aOR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.10–0.93) were associated with reduced odds of abdominal obesity. The main limitations of the study were low statistical power and possible reporting bias from self-report measures.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate a high prevalence of abdominal obesity and highlight multilevel correlates of obesity in AYLHIV in South Africa. An intersectoral approach to obesity prevention, intervening at multiple levels is necessary to intervene at this critical life stage.