bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fully phase-image encryption and watermarking using structured phase masks
Authors: Rao Sonu Kumar , Nishchal Naveen K.
Published: November 2023

In optical cryptography, light beams are used because of inherent speed and parallel processing nature. This paper demonstrates a fully-phase image watermarking using structured phase masks in the fractional Fourier transform domain and discrete wavelet transform.
Compact Er:GGAG laser for gain-switching and free-running laser operation at 2.83 µm
Authors: Švejkar Richard , Fialková Zuzana , Šulc Jan , Boháček Pavel , Jelínková Helena , Trunda Bohumil , Havlák Lubomír , Nikl Martin , Jurek Karel
Published: November 2023

Highly-doped Er:GGAG crystal was prepared to make compact laser system for short-pulse generation in gain-switching regime. Pulse duration 244 ns with repetition rate 2 kHz and peak power up to 7.3 W were reached.
Optical Metasurfaces for High-sensitivity Color Imaging
Authors: Miyata Masashi
Published: November 2023

In this talk, I present the design and evaluation of pixelated metasurfaces for full color sorting. I show their capability to create filter-free color image sensors that exceed current sensitivity limits without sacrificing image quality.
Holey metalens focusing of extreme ultraviolet light
Authors: Ossiander M. , Meretska M.L. , Hampel H.K. , Lim S.W.D. , Knefz N. , Jauk T. , Capasso F. , Schultze M.
Published: November 2023

Manipulating light in the extreme ultraviolet wavelength range is challenging due to a limited number of suitable optical materials. In this work, we demonstrate a silicon holey metalens to focus 50-nm wavelength light.
Optimizing Meta-Optics: Advancing Efficiency and Fabricability
Authors: Jenkins Ronald P. , Campbell Sawyer D. , Werner Pingjuan L. , Werner Douglas H.
Published: November 2023

The optimization of high-performance meta-devices is an essential prerequisite to developing meta-optics which are competitive with traditional optical design along standard performance metrics (MTF, WFE, etc.). In this paper we share recent contributions to supercell fabrication robustness and topology optimization efficiency which aid in this goal. Minimum feature size enforcement of arbitrary binary masks allows for global optimization strategies to meet the strict feature size constraints of state-of-the-art nanofabrication processes. Additionally, the introduction of multiple-gradient descent into topology optimization enhances its convergence for planar metasurface design by at least a factor of 2.
Lensless Single-Shot Endoscopy with Needle-Thin Multicore Fiber Bundles enabled by 2PP 3D Printing on the Fiber Tip
Authors: Scharf Elias , Stephan Ronja , Zolnacz Kinga , Steinke Michael , Kuschmierz Robert , Czarske Juergen
Published: November 2023

Multicore fibers (MCF) have potential for use in endoscopy due to their flexibility and small diameters. We found that 2-Photon Polymerization (2PP) can be used for phase correction, enabling cost-effective and robust lensless endoscopes for clinics.
A Koopman-Based Reduced-Order Observer using Measurable Visual Image Observables
Authors: Williams Jadal , Asada Haruhiko Harry
Published: November 2023

Standard state observers cannot be applied to nonlinear and non-observable systems. We present a novel Koopman reduced-order observer that extracts directly measurable camera image features to estimate robot end-effector location.
Topological Charge Identification of Superimposed Orbital Angular Momentum Beams Using Image Processing and ResNet
Authors: Zhang Yiwen , Xu Tianxu , Zhang Runzhou , Ren Yongxiong , Pan Zhongqi , Yue Yang
Published: November 2023

Image filtering, segmentation and ResNet are used to identify the topological charge (TC) of superimposed orbital angular momentum beams. 100% TC identification accuracy for ±1 to ±40 superimposed beams under different beam intensity is achieved.
3D Time-of-Flight Imaging Through a Single Multimode Fibre
Authors: Mekhail Simon Peter , Stellinga Daan , Phillips David , Selyem Adam , Turtaev Sergey , Čižmár Tomáš. , Padgett Miles J.
Published: November 2023

We perform real-time spatially-resolved time-of-flight measurements through a static multimode optical fibre for 3D imaging at ranges from 10 to 250 centimetres capturing both the reflectivity shape profiles of an object.
Robust frame synchronization for continuous-variable quantum key distribution with coherent states
Authors: Wang Dong , Zhou Liangjiang , Zhao Yibo
Published: November 2023

In a practical continuous variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) system, frame synchronization is crucial for its operation, especially in conditions of low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and phase drift. This paper introduces a robust frame synchronization scheme for CVQKD systems that only utilizes quantum signals. The proposed scheme effectively employs randomly selected segments of quantum signals to achieve frame synchronization, eliminating the need for additional modulation. The performance of this scheme applied in a local local oscillator scenario is thoroughly analyzed through numerical simulations. The results demonstrate that the proposed scheme is capable of withstanding low SNR and arbitrary slow phase drift, as well as fast phase drift originates from two independent lasers, while also slightly improving the secret key rate compared to the scheme using inserted synchronization frames. These findings validate the feasibility of implementing the proposed scheme for long-distance CVQKD in practical scenarios.
Intensity correlation holography for remote phase sensing and 3D imaging
Authors: Thekkadath Guillaume , England Duncan , Sussman Benjamin
Published: November 2023

Holography is an established technique for measuring the wavefront of optical signals through interferometric combination with a reference wave. Conventionally the integration time of a hologram is limited by the interferometer coherence time, thus making it challenging to prepare holograms of remote objects, especially using weak illumination. Here, we circumvent this limitation by using intensity correlation interferometry. Although the exposure time of individual holograms must be shorter than the interferometer coherence time, we show that any number of randomly phase-shifted holograms can be combined into a single intensity-correlation hologram. In a proof-of-principle experiment, we use this technique to perform phase imaging and 3D reconstruction of an object at a ∼3 m distance using weak illumination and without active phase stabilization.
Breaking symmetry restriction of chirality through spin-decoupled phase modulation utilizing non-mirror-symmetric meta-atoms
Authors: Zhang Baifu , Wang Yan , Huang Zhixing , Li Huafeng , Xu Ji , Ding Jianping
Published: November 2023

The geometric phase in metasurfaces follows a symmetry restriction of chirality, which dictates that the phases of two orthogonal circularly polarized waves are identical but have opposite signs. In this study, we propose a general mechanism to disrupt this symmetric restriction on the chirality of orthogonal circular polarizations by introducing mirror-symmetry-breaking meta-atoms. This mechanism introduces a new degree of freedom in spin-decoupled phase modulation without necessitating the rotation of the meta-atom. To demonstrate the feasibility of this concept, we design what we believe is a novel meta-atom with a QR-code structure and successfully showcase circular-polarization multiplexing metasurface holography. Our investigation offers what we believe to be a novel understanding of the chirality in geometric phase within the realm of nanophotonics. Moreover, it paves the way for the development of what we believe will be novel design methodologies for electromagnetic structures, enabling applications in arbitrary wavefront engineering.
PI-NLOS: polarized infrared non-line-of-sight imaging
Authors: Liu Hao , Wang Pengfei , He Xin , Chen Mingyang , Liu Mengge , Xu Ziqin , Jiang Xiaoheng , Peng Xin , Xu Mingliang
Published: November 2023

Passive non-line-of-sight (NLOS) imaging is a promising technique to enhance visual perception for the occluded object hidden behind the wall. Here we present a data-driven NLOS imaging framework by using polarization cue and long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) images. We design a dual-channel input deep neural network to fuse the intensity features from polarized LWIR images and contour features from polarization degree images for NLOS scene reconstruction. To train the model, we create a polarized LWIR NLOS dataset which contains over ten thousand images. The paper demonstrates the passive NLOS imaging experiment in which the hidden people is approximate 6 meters away from the relay wall. It is an exciting finding that even the range is further than that in the prior works. The quantitative evaluation metric of PSNR and SSIM show that our method as an advance over state-of-the-art in passive NLOS imaging.
Sequential propagation of a single photon through five measurement contexts in a three-path interferometer
Authors: Hofmann Holger F.
Published: December 2023

Quantum contextuality describes scenarios in which it is impossible to explain the experimental evidence in terms of a measurement-independent reality. Here a three-path interferometer is introduced in which all five contexts needed for a demonstration of contextuality are realized in sequence. It is then possible to observe a paradoxical situation where the paths connecting input ports to their corresponding output ports appear to be blocked by destructive interference. It is shown that the conditional currents observed in weak measurements provide a consistent explanation of the paradox, indicating that weak values might help to bridge the gap between wave-like propagation effects and local particle detection.
Description of an 84-km Propagation Experiment across White Sands Missile Range
Authors: Baca Andrea , Voelz David , Muschinski Andreas , Hull Robert
Published: November 2023

The development and operation of a long-range optical propagation experiment for investigating scintillation and angle-of-arrival effects of atmospheric turbulence is described.
The Path to Fried’s parameter ρ0
Authors: Consortini Anna
Published: November 2023

Fried’s parameter ρ0 was the theoretical formulation of previous results, also derived from different authors, on the laser radiation deterioration, due to atmospheric turbulence, and its consequences on systems using it. Here, results of two such groups are presented.
Sonic Anemometry for Calibrating SMASH Inner Scale Measurements
Authors: Oesch Denis W. , Afanador Shyheim N. , Beason Melissa K. , Sexauer Mike S. , Kirby David M.
Published: November 2023

The aperture size of the Small Mobile Atmospheric Sensing Hartmann makes it well suited to interrogating the atmospheric inner scale. Previously several methods of estimating the inner scale from SMASH measurements were presented. Here sonic anemometry is being developed to establish an independent measurement against which the SMASH techniques can be evaluated.
Interaction of a Beam Carrying Orbital Angular Momentum with an Ice Microparticle
Authors: Avramov-Zamurovic Svetlana , McCarthy John E. , Hart Matthew B. , Sivaprakasam Vasanthi
Published: November 2023

We investigate the interaction of light carrying orbital angular momentum and a single ice microparticle using COMSOL multiphysics software. We report on the intensity and phase spatial distribution within the observation volume.
Error Considerations for Nodal Turbulence Sensors
Authors: Beason Melissa , Afanador Shyheim , Powers Brendan , McCrae Jack , Bose-Pillai Santasri , Fiorino Steven
Published: November 2023

We build on well-accepted work to theoretically consider the impact of measurement time on accuracy of reported CT2 and Cn2 values. These results are applied to measured sonic anemometer data.
Secondary distribution of HIV self-test kits from males to their female sexual partners in two fishing communities in rural Uganda
Authors: Matovu Joseph K. B. , Kemigisha Linda , Taasi Geoffrey , Musinguzi Joshua , Wanyenze Rhoda K. , Serwadda David
Published: November 2023

Secondary distribution of HIV self-test kits from females to their male partners has increased HIV testing rates in men but little evidence exists on the potential for HIV self-test kits distribution from males to their female partners. We assessed the acceptability of secondary HIV self-test kits distribution from males to their female sexual partners in a fishing community context. This secondary analysis used data from thePEer-led HIVSelf-Testing interventionfor MEN(PEST4MEN), a pilot interventional study in Buvuma and Kalangala districts in Uganda. At the baseline visit, in July 2022, data were collected from 400 men aged 15+ years who self-reported a HIV-negative or unknown HIV status. Enrolled men were asked to pick two oral fluid HIV self-test kits from a trained male distributor. At the first follow-up visit, in September 2022, men were asked about the number of kits that they received and if they gave kits to anyone, including to their female sexual partners. We used a modified Poisson regression model to determine the factors independently associated with giving kits to sexual partners. Data were analyzed using STATA version 16.0. Of 361 men interviewed at follow-up, 98.3% (355) received at least one kit; 79.7% (283) received two kits. Of those who received two kits, 64% (181) gave the second kit to anyone else; of these, 74.6% (132/177) gave it to a sexual partner. Being currently married (adjusted prevalence ratio [adj. PR] = 1.39; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.10, 1.75) and having difficulty in reading text prepared in the local language (adj. PR = 1.26; 95%CI: 1.03, 1.55) were significantly associated with men giving kits to their female sexual partners. Ninety-seven per cent (112/132) of the men reported that they knew their sexual partners’ HIV self-test results. Of these, 93.7% (n = 105) reported that their partners were HIV-negative while 6.3% (n = 7) reported that they were HIV-positive. Only 28.6% (n = 2) of the HIV-positive sexual partners were reported to have initiated HIV care. Secondary distribution of HIV self-test kits from males to their female sexual partners is well accepted by women in the fishing communities, suggesting that distribution of kits through men in the fishing communities can help to improve HIV testing uptake among their female sexual partners.
Health professionals’ knowledge on vaccine cold chain management and associated factors in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kasahun Abebaw Wasie , Zewdie Amare , Mose Ayenew , Adane Haimanot Abebe
Published: November 2023

Background

Vaccines are playing a great role in prevention of many infectious diseases worldwide. Health professionals’ knowledge towards vaccine cold chain management is an essential element of maintaining vaccine’s potency at shelf and during transportation. Studies on health professionals’ knowledge on vaccine cold chain management system and associated factors in Ethiopia have inconclusive findings. This systematic review and meta-analysis is aimed to produce the overall level of health professionals’ knowledge on vaccine cold chain management system and to identify its associated factors in Ethiopia.

Methods

Systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted on health professionals’ knowledge on vaccine cold chain management in Ethiopia. It is registered under PROSPERO website with registration number CRD42023391627. Literature search was made on international data bases using medical subject heading and key words. Data were extracted using Microsoft excel and imported to STATA version 17 for analysis. Heterogeneity was checked using Cochrane Q test and I2 statistics. Weighted Inverse variance random effect model was used to estimate the pooled level of health professionals’ knowledge on vaccine cold chain management. Publication bias was checked using funnel plot and using Egger’s test.

Results

A total of nine studies were included in the review. The pooled health professionals’ good knowledge on vaccine cold chain management in Ethiopia is 49.92% with 95% CI (48.06–51.79). Having five years or more experience AOR 2.27 95% CI (1.72–2.99), being nurse AOR 3.03 95% CI (1.47–6.27), received on job training AOR 6.64 95% CI (4.60–9.57), EPI guideline available at facility AOR 2.46 95% CI (1.75.-3.48) are factors positively associated with health professionals’ knowledge on vaccine cold chain management in Ethiopia.

Conclusion

The pooled prevalence of good knowledge on vaccine cold chain management among health professionals is much lower than the expected level. There is a need to plan on job trainings for all vaccine handlers and other health professionals supposed to work on vaccination program.
Health services satisfaction and medical exclusion among migrant youths in Gauteng Province of South Africa: A cross-sectional analysis of the GCRO survey (2017−2018)
Authors: Akokuwebe Monica Ewomazino , Osuafor Godswill Nwabuisi , Likoko Salmon , Idemudia Erhabor Sunday
Published: November 2023

Background

Medical xenophobia of migrant (either in-migrants or immigrants) youths is an ongoing problem in contemporary South African society. Medical mistreatment by healthcare workers and social phobia from migrant youths have been attributed to major obstacles to healthcare utilization as well as health services satisfaction. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors contributing to health services satisfaction and medical exclusion among migrant youths in Gauteng province in South Africa.

Methods

The Round 5 Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) Quality of Life (QoL) survey was conducted in 2017‒2018, a nationally representative survey piloted every two years in South Africa, was utilized in this study. A 2-year cohort study of 24,889 respondents aged 18 to 29 and a baseline data consisted of 4,872 respondents, comprising non-migrants, in-migrants and immigrants, from where 2,162 in-migrants and immigrants were utilized as the sample size. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-Square analysis and logistic regression.

Results

A total of 2,162 migrants, comprising 35.4% in-migrants and 9.0% of immigrants, from the 4,872 respondents, were included in the analysis. The prevalence of medical exclusion of in-migrant and immigrant youths were 5.5% and 4.2%, and the majority of them reported the use of public health facilities (in-migrants ‒ 84.3% vs. immigrants ‒ 87.1%). At the bivariate level, demographic (age, sex, and population group), economic (employed and any income) and health-related (no medical aid and household member with mental health) factors were significantly associated with medical exclusion (ρ≤0.05). The adjusted odds ratio showed that only female gender (AOR: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.678, 1.705), no medical aid cover (AOR: 1.23, 95% CI: 0.450, 3.362), and neither (AOR: 1.59, 95% CI: 0.606, 4.174) or dissatisfied (AOR: 4.29, 95% CI: 2.528, 7.270) were independent predictors of medical exclusion.

Conclusion

Having no medical aid cover, being a female and dissatisfied, or neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with health services significantly increased the odds of medical exclusion among migrant youths. To increase healthcare utilization and ensuring adequate medical care of migrant youths, opting for medical aid insurance without increasing costs should be guaranteed. Therefore, there should be no consequences for lack of residence status or correct documentation papers when accessing healthcare services among migrant youths in South Africa.
The impact of restricted provision of publicly funded elective hip and knee joints replacement during the COVID-19 pandemic in England
Authors: Penfold Chris M. , Blom Ashley W. , Redaniel Maria Theresa , Jones Tim , Eyles Emily , Keen Tim , Elliott Andrew , Judge Andrew
Published: November 2023

Aims

Elective hip and knee replacement operations were suspended in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of this suspension and continued disruption to the delivery of joint replacement surgery is still emerging. We describe the impact of the pandemic on the provision of publicly funded elective hip and knee replacement surgery at one teaching hospital in England and on which patients had surgery.

Methods

We included all elective primary and revision hip and knee replacements performed at one hospital between January 2016 and June 2021. Using data for the years 2016–2019, we estimated the expected number of operations and beds occupied per month in January 2020 to June 2021 using time series linear models (adjusting for season and trend). We compared the predictions with the real data for January 2020 to June 2021 to assess the impact of the pandemic on the provision of elective hip and knee replacements. We compared the length of stay and characteristics (age, gender, number of comorbidities, index of multiple deprivation) of patients who had surgery before the pandemic with those who had surgery during the pandemic.

Results

We included 6,964 elective primary and revision hip and knee replacements between January 2016 and June 2021. Between January 2020 and June 2021 primary hip replacement volume was 59% of predicted, and 47% for primary knee replacements. Revision hip replacement volume was 77% of predicted, and 42% for revision knee replacement. Median length of stay was one day shorter for primary (4 vs 3 days) and revision (6 vs 5 days) operations during the pandemic compared with before. Patients operated on during the pandemic were younger and had slightly more comorbidities than those operated on before the pandemic.

Conclusions

The restricted provision of elective hip and knee replacements during the COVID-19 pandemic changed the patient casemix, but did not introduce new inequalities in access to these operations. Patients were younger, had more comorbidities, and stayed in hospital for less time than those treated before the pandemic. Approximately half the number of operations were performed during the pandemic than would have been expected and the effect was greatest for revision knee replacements.
Comedy, migration and post-crisis anxiety in Perdiendo el norte/Off Course (Nacho García Velilla 2015) and Perdiendo el este/Off Course to China (Paco Caballero 2019)
Authors: Donovan Mary Kate
Published: December 2023

Comedy in Perdiendo el norte/Off Course (2015) and its sequel Perdiendo el este/Off Course to China (2019) is a tool for mitigating national anxieties related to migration and economic exchange following the global financial crisis. Both films follow Spaniards who emigrate in the wake of the economic crisis. While Perdiendo el norte follows a tradition of comedic españoladas (typically Spanish films), employing the familiar foil of Germany, Perdiendo el este introduces China as an economic challenger. Perdiendo el norte borrows heavily from its predecessor, Vente a Alemania, Pepe/Come to Germany, Pepe (1971), but ultimately flips the script on Vente’s nationalist nostalgia, advocating for greater transnationalism. Perdiendo el este, on the other hand, reinscribes a nationalist agenda by framing the Chinese as incompatible with Spanish national identity. Its preoccupation with Chinese investment in post-crisis Spain can be read as a reflection of the region’s angst about its own economic and cultural capital in the twenty-first century.
Border politics: Migrant melodramas from the Great Recession to the present
Authors: Cameron Bryan
Published: December 2023

Centring on the politics of compassion in migrant films produced from the Great Recession of 2008 to the present, this article examines the affective strategies deployed by two Spanish melodramas featuring African protagonists who endure physical and psychological trauma in search of a better life. Engaging recent scholarship on global melodrama, I argue that Diamantes negros/Black Diamonds (Alcantud 2013) and Adú (Calvo 2020) look beyond European borders to identify the sociopolitical coordinates of suffering on a worldwide scale.
Disability and post-ETA poetics
Authors: Miguélez-Carballeira Helena
Published: December 2023

In this article, I explore the use of cultural emotions in state-aligned post-ETA poetics by analysing the role that illness and disability play in post-ceasefire filmic – Fuego/Fire (Marías 2014) – and literary – Patria/Homeland (Aramburu 2016) – representations of the Basque national conflict. Recent critical discussions interpret disability in Spanish film and literature as harbingers of inclusivity and cultural pluralism (Fraser 2013; Marr 2013). However, if placed in the intensely polarized context for media and cultural representations of the Basque conflict in Spain, disability plays a less salutary role. Concretely, I argue that the possibility of post-ETA closure is often envisaged via the spectacularization (and thus the instrumentalization) of disabled and ill bodies, which are used to ‘mobilize affect’ towards a series of state-sanctioned positions with regard to victimhood, forgiveness and post-conflict reconciliation.
Számítógépes szókincsmérő teszt kisiskolás diákok részére
Authors: Magyar Andrea , Habók Anita , Molnár Gyöngyvér
Published: December 2023

Már az általános iskola kezdő éveiben jelentősek a különbségek az
iskolába lépő tanulók között az alapkészségek terén, és ez az évek
előrehaladtával egyre jobban fokozódik (Nagy, 2017). Egyre nő azon tanulók
aránya, akiknél a nyolcadik évfolyam végére sem alakul ki a megfelelő
szintű olvasáskészség, ami jelentős hatással van további tanulmányaikra,
illetve a munkaerőpiacon, életben való boldogulásukra (OECD, 2023). Már a
felső tagozatban történő tanuláshoz is elengedhetetlen, hogy megfelelő
szintű szövegértő és szövegfeldolgozó készségek birtokában legyenek a
diákok. Ehhez szükséges az adott tantárgy szaknyelvének, szakszókincsének
ismerete. Kutatásunk célja egy online, számítógépes játék-alapú, kisiskolás
diákok körében alkalmazható szókincsteszt kidolgozása és empirikus
kipróbálása volt. A szókincsteszt korpuszát a jelenlegi tankönyvjegyzéken
szereplő alsós tankönyvek szókészlete alkotta. A kidolgozott mérőeszköz
négy különböző típusú, a szókincset tartalomtól függetlenül mérő feladatot
és egy szövegértésbe ágyazott feladatsort tartalmazott. A kutatásban 150
2–5. évfolyamos tanuló vett részt. A teszt Cronbach-α (0,90) és
személy-szeparációs reliabilitása (0,91) megfelelő volt. A Rasch analízis
eredménye is megerősítette, hogy a teszt jól működött és a feladatok
megfelelőek voltak a vizsgált korosztály képességszintjének mérésére. A
feladatok nehézségi szintje lefedte a vizsgált korosztály képességskáláját
és a teszt jól differenciált a tanulók között. A kutatás legfőbb pedagógiai
relevanciája, hogy a létrehozott mérőeszköz osztálytermi keretek között
alkalmazható online teszt, amely automatikus kiértékeléssel azonnali
visszajelzést ad a pedagógusok és a gyerekek részére is, így a további
fejlesztés alapját jelentheti.
How does the wealth level of nations affect their COVID-19 vaccination plans?
Authors: Kargı Bilal , Coccia Mario , Uçkaç Bekir Cihan
Published: November 2023

This study uses global data to examine how vaccination levels correlate with socioeconomic, institutional and political variables across 150 countries. Results demonstrate that as a country's economic development, measured by GDP per capita, increases, so does the percentage of vaccinated people, reaching a peak of 70%. Furthermore, countries with Monarchy and Parliamentary Monarchy exhibit higher vaccination levels among their populations compared to countries with mixed Executives. In this context, manifold countries are implementing restrictions and bureaucratic rules, such as green pass/vaccine reports, to boost vaccination levels by regulating various public and private life aspects that potentially impact individuals' well-being. The discussion elucidates the underlying causes of these sociopolitical phenomena within the context of social insecurity. All these results can provide valuable insights for policymakers, aiding them in crafting sustainable policy responses to address not only COVID-19 but other similar epidemics, all while not adversely affecting nations' economies and social structures.
Native bacteria from the caatinga biome mitigate the effects of drought on melon (Cucumis melo L.)
Authors: Dias Kayo César Fernandes Pereira , Da Silva Souza Igor Juliano , Costa Barros Yasmin , Pereira da Silva Edilania , Leite Jakson , Freire Araújo Feitoza Adriane , Feitoza de Jesus Santos Adailson
Published: December 2023

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) from drylands are promising biological resources to mitigate thenegative effects induced by water deficit. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of bacteria nativefrom the Caatinga biome on the initial growth of melon plants subjected to water deficit. Nine bacteria (M1.1,T11.2, PH5.2, T11.1, T2.1, T1.1, M7.1, XX6.9 and XX6.6) isolated from Caatinga soils were tested in two varietiesof melons (Cantaloupe and Yellow) cultivated under two water availability scenarios (50% irrigation and 100%irrigation of the crop evapotranspiration - ETc). In the control treatment, no inoculation was performed. Theeffects of the treatments on shoot length (SL), shoot dry mass (SDM), root length (RL) and root dry mass (RDM)were evaluated. In the scenario without water deficit (100% ETc replacement), the isolates PH5.2, T2.2, M7.1,XX6.9 promoted (p<0.05) the root and shoot biomasses in the Cantaloupe variety, while in the Yellow variety,growth promotion was sporadic, with three isolates (M1.1, M7.1 and XX6.9) promoting at least one parameterevaluated. In the scenario with a water deficit (50% ETc replacement), isolates T1.1 and XX6.9 promoted thetotal biomasses (SDM and RDM) of the Cantaloupe and Yellow varieties, respectively. All isolates stimulated RL inthe Cantaloupe variety. Bacteria isolated from the Caatinga promote growth and reduce the effects of waterdeficit in melon and thus are potential inoculants to enhance production in the early stages of melon cultivationin semiarid regions.
Recycled materials for sublayers
Authors: Svoboda Richard , Hubáčková Dana , Valehrach Jan
Published: November 2023

The article focuses on the recycled materials used in sleeper substructure. In the introduction, it summarizes the requirements for bearing layers of railway substructure and recycling of waste construction materials. The article presents the materials on which laboratory tests have been carried out and discusses in detail the most perspective – recycled concrete. For concrete recyclate, the article describes the results of laboratory tests – sieve analysis, determination of optimum moisture, and determination of bearing capacity using California bearing ratio, Immediate bearing index and Static deformation modulus.
First-Year Students' Satisfaction by E-Learning
Authors: Puntsag Orkhontuya , Altansuvd Javkhlantuya , Radnaa Tuvshinjargal
Published: November 2023

Universities around the world have been using electronic learning systems more and more in recent years. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Mongolian universities are changing the way of teaching online and thus starting from the second semester of the 2019-2020 academic year. The purpose of this study is to investigate the satisfaction of students towards e-learning and the factors affecting it.

321 first-year students of the School of Nursing of NUMS participated in this survey, the survey questionnaire filled in Google form, and received by electronically. The relationship between satisfaction and its influencing factors was evaluated by using the Pearson test (correlation coefficient).

According to the indicators of the research results, students' satisfaction is the most satisfied with learning materials (4.16), student engagement (4.15), and the lowest with e-educational technology (3.25). Due to this, there is a didactic need to improve the quality of e-learning and to update the lesson technology.

Students' satisfaction level had a direct strong positive correlation (r=0.65) with grade (r=0.65) and a weak direct positive correlation (r=0.38) with lesson access (p<0.001), and e-learning satisfaction scores had a direct correlation (p<0.001) to the quality of teaching, supply of learning materials, assessment, and student engagement.
ANALYSIS OF REGULATORY AND METHODOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION IN THE MANDATORY CERTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUAL FALL PROTECTION
Authors: Kondratyeva E. P. , Ivanova V. A.
Published: November 2023

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is used at many industrial sites where work takes place at height with the use of safety and restraint systems. In Russia, means of individual fall protection are regulated by the Customs Union, TR TS 019/2011 “On the safety of personal protective equipment”, and are subject to mandatory compliance assessment. The manufacturer of personal fall protection equipment must comply with safety requirements TR TS 019/2011 and to mark the products sold on the market (EAC). To apply and fulfill the requirements of TR CU 019/2011, there is a list of standards and documents containing the rules and methods of research. The analysis of safety requirements of TR TS 019/2011 related to PPE against falls has helped to determine regulatory documents. Further analysis of these documents in terms of determining the requirements for PPE against falls requires a significant amount of work for the manufacturer and appropriate staff qualification. PPE against falls has a complex design, so their compliance is confirmed within the compulsory certification. To undergo the mandatory certification, the manufacturer must choose a certification body from the register of the federal executive body that performs the functions of the national accreditation body of the Russian Federation. In accordance with TR TS 019/2011 for PPE against falls, a certification plan is established (1c, 3c, 4c, 5c, 6c), approved by the Commission of the Customs Union. The mandatory certification includes several steps, depending on the certification plan. When a certification plan 3c (certification of a product batch) and 4c (single products (samples)) are used, the applicant must specify the identifying characteristics of the product batch. There is no inspection for plans 3c and 4c. Using the certification scheme 6c, the application must contain information about the manufacturer's compliance certificate of the management system. The paper establishes the algorithm of the compulsory certification of PPE against falls depending on the plan. Each step of the algorithm is described by a regulatory document, which will allow the manufacturer not to waste time looking for it and reviewing it. The conducted review of regulations describing the rules and test methods allows the manufacturer to meet the safety requirements of TR TS 019/2011 related to PPE against falls.
DEVELOPMENT OF A THEORETICAL MODEL OF THE ROLLER SCREW MECHANISM FOR ITS CALCULATIONS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT MANUFACTURING ERRORS
Authors: Blinov D. S. , Dikun E. V. , Kolobov A. Yu.
Published: November 2023

Considered promising planetary roller screw mechanisms (PRSM), which are the most promising converters of rotational motion to translational motion and are increasingly used in products of the aerospace industry because of the high load capacity with small dimensions and high reliability. PRSM are spatial mechanisms and have a number of features. They are multi-threaded, have numerous redundant links, have loading peculiarities. During operation in PRSM there is a constant redistribution of load, the reason for this phenomenon is due to manufacturing errors of numerous (measured in hundreds) mating turns of threaded parts (screws, rollers, nuts) of the mechanism. Since the manufacturing errors of the threaded parts of the PRSM are random, the research methods and models under development must have a probabilistic nature. Due to the large number of working turns of the threaded parts of the computers, the research should be carried out by numerical methods with extensive use of computers. Hence, it was proposed to carry out the computers studies by the methods of computer simulation modeling. In the development of a theoretical model that can be used for the force calculation of PRSM and other studies, it is proposed on the basis of metrological measurements of the threaded parts of the mechanism to take into account the manufacturing errors of these parts, primarily errors in the thread pitch. This will make it possible to obtain reasonable and more reliable results of force calculation and other studies. This paper describes the development of mathematical models of the threaded parts of the PRSM and the mathematical model of the mechanism as a whole. Experiments with the mathematical models of the threaded parts of the prototype PRSM and the mechanism as a whole are performed and the results obtained are analyzed. Further works will describe the continuation of this complex study with the developed models.
SOME SOLUTION FOR FORCED OSCILLATIONS OF BEAM SYSTEMS WITH DISTRIBUTED PARAMETERS
Authors: Radin V. P. , Chirkov V. P. , Poznyak E. V. , Novicova O. V.
Published: November 2023

Methods for determining response of the beam with distributed parameters to harmonic external loads are considered. The main attention is paid to the method of decomposition of displacements by modes of oscillations. The features of the method are described for beams without damping, with external and internal damping. For specific examples, a complete calculation of the steady-state forced oscillations is carried out. The frequency dependence of generalized coordinates and phase parameters are obtained and investigated in a wide frequency range of external dynamic action.
Стереопанорамный анеморумбометр для системы ориентации горизонтально-осевой ветроэнергетической установки
Authors: Соломин Евгений Викторович , Solomin Evgenii Viktorovich , Мартьянов Андрей Сергеевич , Martyanov Andrey Sergeevich , Ковалeв Антон Александрович , Kovalyov Anton Alexandrovich , Рявкин Глеб Николаевич , Ryavkin Gleb Nikolaevich , Осинцев Константин Владимирович , Osintsev Konstantin V. , Болков Ярослав Сергеевич , Bolkov Yaroslav S. , Антипин Дмитрий Сергеевич , Antipin Dmitry S.
Published: December 2023

Традиционный подход к ориентации ротора горизонтально-осевой ветроэнергетической установки по ветру приводит к появлению известной дифференциальной ошибки ориентации из-за вращающихся лопастей и периодического отклонения воздушного потока.
Для снижения ее величины в традиционном подходе используется флюгер, расположенный сверху гондолы.
В настоящем исследовании предлагается новый подход - использование комплексного или «стереодатчика» в виде двух устройств, симметрично расположенных по обе стороны гондолы (аналогично стереоскопическим устройствам).
Для доказательства эффективности подхода были выбраны несколько характерных точек вблизи гондолы для последующего моделирования воздушных потоков в ее области в программе ANSYS® CFX с использованием
$k$-$\varepsilon$ модели турбулентности на основе дифференциальных уравнений Навье-Стокса.
В каждой точке была рассчитана средняя величина ошибки угла ориентации при следующих условиях: различных скоростях ветра, значениях быстроходности и углов направления на ветер.
В результате выявлены две наиболее подходящие для размещения приборов точки.
В численном виде показано преимущество стереопанорамного анеморумбометра перед традиционным на примере расчетного случая с номинальными параметрами.
Анализ в Matlab/Simulink показал прирост производительности ветроэнергетической установки за счет повышения достоверности определения направления ветра при применении правильно расположенных датчиков ветрового потока.
Данная статья не дает представления о конструкции датчика, поскольку для определения правильного направления ветра можно использовать любой принцип. Однако авторами рассматривается новый «стереодатчик», который будет более детально исследоваться в следующих работах.
Численное решение задачи о напряженно-деформированном состоянии поверхностно
упрочненного призматического образца с надрезом V-образного профиля в упругой и упругопластической постановках
Authors: Радченко Владимир Павлович , Radchenko Vladimir Pavlovich , Шишкин Дмитрий Михайлович , Shishkin Dmitry Mikhailovich , Саушкин Михаил Николаевич , Saushkin Mikhail Nikolaevich
Published: December 2023

Разработан метод решения задачи расчета напряженно-деформированного состояния в поверхностно упрочненном образце со сквозным поперечным надрезом V-образного профиля при различных значениях угла раскрытия в упругой и упругопластической постановках. Метод базируется на конечно-элементном моделировании и известном начальном напряженно-деформированном состоянии для гладкого упрочненного образца. Выполнено детальное исследование влияния угла раскрытия надреза и его глубины на уровень и характер распределения остаточных напряжений от дна концентратора напряжений по толщине упрочненного слоя для обеих постановок задач. На основании данных расчета обоснована целесообразность исследования поставленной задачи в упругопластической постановке, когда надрез находится полностью или частично в упрочненном слое, так как величины остаточных напряжений при решении задачи в упругой постановке физически нереализуемы, поскольку их значения превосходят по модулю временной предел сопротивления материала в несколько раз.
В этом случае погрешность между решениями в упругой и упругопластической постановках для остаточных напряжений в среднеквадратической норме достигает 100-200 %, а при равномерной оценке (норма Чебышева) - нескольких сотен процентов.
Если глубина концентратора превышает величину упрочненного слоя более чем в 1.5 раза, то упругое и упругопластическое решения дают близкие результаты.
Molecular Docking Approach and Enantioseparation of Hydroxychloroquine by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography using Amylose Tris (3,5-dimethyl phenyl carbamate) as the Chiral Selector
Authors: Hermawan Dadan , Rahmadina Salsabil , Irmanto Irmanto , Fatoni Amin , Suwandri Suwandri , Mudasir Mudasir , Aboul-Enein Hassan Y
Published: December 2023

The chiral separation of hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug with one chiral center, has been predicted using molecular docking and was proven using the HPLC method. Docking utilized the PM3 semi-empirical method with specific grid coordinates (X = 19.977, Y = 20.069, and Z = 25.901) and a grid size of (X = 20, Y = 20, and Z = 60), employing a grid spacing of 1,000 Å, an exhaustiveness value of 8, and num_modes of 10. The analysis revealed the enhanced stability of R-hydroxychloroquine within the tris amylose complex, resulting in slower retention and elution rates compared to S-hydroxychloroquine. The HPLC experimental validation demonstrates resolution (Rs = 2.23), successfully achieved by employing amylose tris-based chiral columns. The mobile phase composition employed in this study consisted of acetonitrile:aquabidest: dimethylamine (47:52:1, v/v). Detection was performed at 343 nm, and the optimized HPLC method successfully quantitatively determined hydroxychloroquine in a liquid pharmaceutical sample with a percentage recovery of 98.47%.
Combined Classical and Flooding Molecular Dynamics Simulations of The Mip-Rapamycin and FKBP12-Rapamycin Complexes
Authors: Widjajakusuma Elisabeth Catherina , Frederica Monica , Kaweono Kornelius
Published: December 2023

Macrophage infectivity potentiator (Mip) protein, an essential virulence factor encoded by pathogenic bacteria such as Legionella pneumophila, arises as an interesting new therapeutic target for novel antimicrobials. However, Mip- ligands also interact with FKBP12 protein, a human FKBP exhibiting immunosuppressive effects. Therefore, these ligands are unsuitable antibiotics. Understanding the dynamics and conformations of proteins in the binding pocket is important to predict binding properties and to design new binders for different FKBPs. We performed the 40 ns combined classical and flooding molecular dynamics simulations using additional flooding potential for Mip-rapamycin and FKBP12-rapamycin complexes. Both complexes have different flexibilities and dihedral angle principal component analysis calculated from MD trajectories. As a result, the Mip-rapamycin complex had more conformations than the FKBP12-rapamycin complex. These different features of both complexes at the binding pocket will provide new dues for the design of selective inhibitors of Mip proteins
Stability of solutions to obstacle problems with generalized Orlicz growth
Authors: Harjulehto Petteri , Karppinen Arttu
Published: November 2023

We consider nonlinear equations having generalized Orlicz growth (also known as Musielak–Orlicz growth). We prove that if differential operators

𝒜
i

{\mathcal{A}_{i}}

converge locally uniformly to an operator

𝒜

{\mathcal{A}}

, then the sequence of solutions

(

u
i

)

{(u_{i})}

has a subsequence converging to the solution u of the limit operator in Sobolev and Hölder norms.
Wearing embarrassment: television discourse and the ideologies of T-shirt English in Japan
Authors: Furukawa Gavin
Published: November 2023

This article examines the ways in which symbolic English is used in fashion and mass media by indexing ideologies and expectations regarding language ability in Japan. One example of this is the popularity of English language T-shirts in Japan. Using English that is often widely criticized for being awkward or meaningless, these T-shirts are now often mocked in various media sources due to the increased flow of images across traditional nation-state boundaries. By examining the use of these English T-shirts in a Japanese variety show featuring a teen idol known for having English language ability this paper will show how the symbolic value of English T-shirts in Japan can be used to construct a hierarchy based on language ability within Japanese society and how television programs that use such items, take advantage of linguistic inability to increase embarrassment and stake for people heightening linguistic anxiety while at the same time discursively constructing the show and its staff in a positive light. This article examines this phenomenon and the ways in which these fashion items are then appropriated and denaturalized for entertainment both within and outside Japan through forms of mass-media such as television programs, books, and websites.
Masculine pronouns are not only for boys: Japanese girls breaking traditional relationships between gender and language in a school context
Authors: Miyazaki Ayumi
Published: November 2023

Based on a longitudinal ethnography at a Japanese junior high school, this paper explores how ideologies of Japanese women’s language are subverted through girls’ everyday linguistic ideological work of breaking presumed linkages between female gender and language. Girls at Sakura Junior High School employed masculine and non-traditional first-person pronouns and created new sets of indexicalities. The ethnography tracks how the girls did this in three important ways: 1) They used the most masculine pronoun, ore, and attached positive metapragmatic meanings (such as “cool,” “powerful,” “independent,” and “assertive”) to their use of this pronoun. In doing so, they established a powerful ore register and persona for girl users. 2) They also interpreted their use of boku, a plain masculine pronoun, as gender-appropriate for girls, whereas they negatively regarded boy users of boku as weak mama’s boys. 3) They attached strongly negative metapragmatic meanings to feminine pronouns and created an unfavorable feminine register and persona for these pronouns from which they disaligned themselves. The girls’ persistence in aligning masculine and non-traditional registers did not point to any evidence of their desire to take on a male identity, but rather to their creation of positive indexicalities about masculine pronouns and to their engagement in the social capital of maleness that accompanies male speech. Consequently, girls’ ideological work contextually constructed new indexical fields where girls established their own space in which they severed the naturalized relationships between language, identities, and social categories.