bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature and RI sensing based on micro-structured optical fiber surface plasmon resonance
Authors: Wang Zhipeng , Xiao Yiming , Tian Shuang , Zhao Wanqi , Cheng Yu , Yuan Libo
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we propose a surface plasmon resonance sensor based on micro-structured optical fiber capable of simultaneous sensing of a liquid refractive index and temperature. The fiber structure comprises four large air holes, with side polishing and rectangular groove processing on one side without air holes. Ag film and α-Fe2O3 film are coated inside the rectangular groove for refractive index sensing. Au film is coated on the inner walls of the two side air holes and filled with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for temperature sensing. The results show that the sensor can achieve sensing of two parameters in two polarization directions. With a refractive index ranging from 1.35 to 1.42 and temperature ranging from 10°C to 100°C, the maximum refractive index sensitivity reaches 28225.7 nm/RIU and the maximum temperature sensitivity reaches −3.64nm/∘C. The sensor features simple structure, easy implementation, and high sensitivity, making it applicable in fields such as biosensing, chemical sensing, and environmental monitoring.
Single-shot quantitative differential phase contrast microscope using a single calcite beam displacer
Authors: Saxena Anuj , Ahmad Azeem , Dubey Vishesh Kumar , Mao Hong , Kumar Anand , Habib Anowarul , Dubey Satish Kumar , Singh Ahluwalia Balpreet , Mehta Dalip Singh
Published: October 2024

This paper presents the development of a single-shot, partially spatially coherent quantitative differential phase contrast microscopy (Q-DPCM) system. The optical scheme comprises a polarizer, lenses, calcite beam displacer, and analyzer, which can be seamlessly integrated to an existing bright-field microscopy system, transforming it into a Q-DPCM system. It utilizes a partially spatially coherent light source, enabling single-shot quantitative differential phase recovery of the specimens with high spatial phase sensitivity. It generates highly sensitive quantitative differential phase images of the specimens along one direction, like a gradient light interference microscopy (GLIM) system, using only a single interferogram. First, we validated the differential phase measurement capability of the system through experiments on polystyrene spheres (diameter 5.2 µm) and HeLa cells. Next, the system is utilized to generate quantitative phase maps of human red blood cells using two orthogonal differential interferograms recorded at two orientations of the calcite beam displacer. Further, the Q-DPCM system is implemented for 1-h time-lapse live cell monitoring, revealing the dynamics of intracellular granules such as nucleolus and lipids in U2OS cells.
Determination of optimal solar-viewing geometry for in-flight polarization calibration using sun glint over ocean
Authors: Zhu Mengyao , Yang Changbao , Qie Lili , Xu Hua , Li Zhengqiang , Xie Yisong , Zhang Hao , Zhang Ying , Lan Chenwei , Chen Zhenting
Published: October 2024

The sun glint has been proven to be a valuable natural polarization
calibration target because it is strongly polarized, and its
polarization characteristics can be accurately simulated with models.
It is convenient to calibrate the satellite’s in-flight polarimetry by
comparing the polarization simulations with actual measurements.
Meanwhile, the accuracy of polarization simulation at the top of the
atmosphere (TOA) over sun glint is affected by several atmospheric and
oceanic surface factors and depends on the specific solar-viewing
geometry. In this paper, the sensitivity of the degree of linear
polarization (DOLP) at the TOA to the uncertainties of the aerosol
optical depth, aerosol model, absorption gas content (CWV, O3), sea surface instantaneous wind
speed (WS), and chlorophyll concentration (Chl) under different
solar-viewing geometries is analyzed via radiative transfer
simulation. The error budgets indicate that aerosols and WS are the
main error factors for polarization calibration, while
the uncertainties of Chl and absorbing gases can be
disregarded. The total DOLP error increases with the solar zenith
angle and viewing zenith angle (i.e., the increase of atmospheric
optical path) and the sun glint angle (SGA, the angle between the
viewing and the specular directions of the sun) (i.e., the decrease of
sun glint brightness). The dependence of the total DOLP error on SGA
decreases with the WS (i.e., the increase of sun glint spot area and
the decrease of the sun glint intensity) and increases with the
wavelength (i.e., the decrease of atmospheric scattering
contribution). Based on the error budgets, an optimized solar-viewing
geometry screening strategy is proposed to ensure that the simulated
DOLP error is limited to 0.02. The in-flight DOLP calibration result
of POLDER/PARASOL shows that the proposed screening strategy obtained
more calibration samples and covered a wider range of DOLP, especially
for the samples with DOLP of less than 0.2, compared with the
screening strategies of Toubbe et al.
[IEEE Trans.
Geosci. Remote Sens. 37, 513
(1999)IGRSD20196-289210.1109/36.739104]and Hagolle et al. [IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote
Sens. 42, 1472
(2004)IGRSD20196-289210.1109/TGRS.2004.826805] in previous work.
The smaller standard error (SE) of the samples indicates more stable
calibration results obtained for the optimized strategy. This research
presents an optimized strategy for screening the solar-viewing
geometry of the samples to calibrate satellite in-flight polarization
measurements using the sun glint.
Tissue-probe contact assessment during robotic surgery using single-fiber reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: de Roode Lotte M. , de Boer Lisanne L. , Sterenborg Henricus J. C. M. , Ruers Theo J. M.
Published: October 2024

The introduction of robotic surgery has improved minimally invasive surgery, and now robotic surgery is used in several areas of surgical oncology. Several optical techniques can be used to discriminate cancer from healthy tissue based on their optical properties. These technologies can also be employed with a small fiber-optic probe during minimally invasive surgery; however, for acquiring reliable measurements, some optical techniques require the fiber-optic probe to be in direct contact with the tissue. The lack of tactile feedback in robotic surgery makes assessing tissue-probe contact suitable for optical contact measurements challenging for the surgeon. In this study, we investigated the use of single fiber reflectance (SFR) to determine tissue-probe contact adequately. A machine learning-based algorithm was developed to classify if direct tissue-probe contact was present during the measurement in an ex-vivo tissue setup. Using this classification algorithm, an average accuracy of 93.9% was achieved for assessing probe-tissue contact, suggesting that this technique can be utilized to assess tissue-probe contact in an in vivo clinical setting.
Protocol-aware approach for mitigating radiation-induced errors in free-space optical downlinks
Authors: Pacheco-Labrador Jorge , Misa Moreira Carmen , Ramírez Molina Julio , Guzman-Miranda Hipolito
Published: October 2024

Multigigabit per second satellite-to-ground communications are evolving owing to free-space optical (FSO) communications. They benefit greatly from the use of commercial off-the-shelf field-programmable gate arrays, which offer higher performance than their space-grade counterparts. However, these capabilities are severely diminished in the case of improper implementation of radiation mitigation schemes not being properly assessed. Although these schemes have been improved over the years, they can be further optimized. Therefore, this study proposes, to our knowledge, a new protocol-aware approach, tailored for FSO satellite downlinks, to classify the criticality of radiation-induced errors. This approach can achieve a reduction in overhead by nearly an order of magnitude compared to current protection schemes.
Optimized Kretschmann–Raether configuration for maximized electromagnetic near-field enhancement
Authors: Li Ling , Min Changjun , Yuan Xiaocong
Published: October 2024

This work focuses on maximizing the near-field enhancement effect of a Kretschmann–Raether configuration. Through theoretical calculation and numerical simulation, we demonstrate that a global optimization of excitation parameters provides 36 times more near-field intensity enhancement. This maximum near-field enhancement at the transmitted side of a metal surface occurs at the coalescence of the transmission coefficient’s pole and the reflection coefficient’s zero. The additional enhancement is possible by tuning the excitation wavelength, incident angle, and metal layer thickness synergistically. This work paves the way for further enhancing light-matter interaction in a broad application using layered structures.
Longitudinal resolution of three-dimensional integral imaging in the presence of noise
Authors: Usmani Kashif , Javidi Bahram
Published: October 2024

The two-point source longitudinal resolution of three-dimensional integral imaging depends on several factors including the number of sensors, sensor pixel size, pitch between sensors, and the lens point spread function. We assume the two-point sources to be resolved if their point spread functions can be resolved in any one of the sensors. Previous studies of integral imaging longitudinal resolution either rely on geometrical optics formulation or assume the point spread function to be of sub-pixel size, thus neglecting the effect of the lens. These studies also assume both point sources to be in focus in captured elemental images. More importantly, the previous analysis does not consider the effect of noise. In this manuscript, we use the Gaussian process-based two-point source resolution criterion to overcome these limitations. We compute the circle of confusion to model the out-of-focus blurring effect. The Gaussian process-based two-point source resolution criterion allows us to study the effect of noise on the longitudinal resolution. In the absence of noise, we also present a simple analytical expression for longitudinal resolution which approximately matches the Gaussian process-based formulation. Also, we investigate the dependence of the longitudinal resolution on the parallax of the integral imaging system. We present optical experiments to validate our results. The experiments demonstrate agreement with our Gaussian process-based two-point source resolution criteria.
Modal phase-matching in thin-film lithium niobate waveguides for efficient generation of entangled photon pairs
Authors: Liu Jiacheng , Duan Jiachen , Zhu Pingyu , Xia Gongyu , Hong Qilin , Zhang Kaikai , Zhu Zhihong , Qin Shiqiao , Xu Ping
Published: October 2024

Thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) waveguides have emerged as a pivotal platform for on-chip spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC), serving as a crucible for the generation of entangled photon pairs. The periodic poling of TFLN, while capable of generating high-efficiency SPDC, demands intricate fabrication processes that can be onerous in terms of scalability and manufacturability. In this work, we introduce a novel approach to the generation of entangled photon pairs via SPDC within TFLN waveguides, harnessing the principles of modal phase-matching (MPM). To address the challenge of efficiently exciting pump light typically in a higher-order mode, we have engineered a mode converter that couples two asymmetrically dimensioned waveguides. This converter adeptly transforms the fundamental mode into a higher-order mode, demonstrating a conversion loss of 1.55 dB at 785 nm with a 3 dB bandwidth exceeding 30 nm. Subsequently, we have showcased the device’s capabilities by characterizing the pair generation rate (PGR), coincidences-to-accidentals ratio (CAR), and spectral profile of the entangled photon source. Our findings present a simplified and versatile method for the on-chip generation of entangled photon sources, which may pave the way for the application in the realms of quantum information processing and communication technologies.
Research on single-point fast three-dimensional concentration reconstruction of a smoke plume based on the static interference infrared imaging spectroscopy system
Authors: Sheng Kaiyang , Zhao Baixuan , Zheng Meiru , Zhao Yingze , Zheng Kaifeng , Chen Yupeng , Qin Yuxin , Wang Weibiao , Ming Anjie , Wang Shanshan , Liu Guohao , Lv Jinguang , Liang Jingqiu
Published: October 2024

To meet the requirements of real-time and effectiveness of three-dimensional concentration telemetry of gas clouds and address the difficulty of fast three-dimensional concentration reconstruction of single instrument smoke plumes, the paper proposes a single-point fast three-dimensional concentration reconstruction of the smoke plume based on a static interference infrared Fourier transform imaging spectrometer (ISIFTS) by using the advantages of high throughput, large field of view, high stability, and rapid detection. Based on the scanning field switching characteristics of ISIFTS, a single instrument quickly scans the dual-field map data to obtain the three-dimensional point cloud of the target scene. Combined with the three-dimensional spatial parameters of the scene, a multi-dimensional re-projection algorithm is constructed based on the Gaussian plume continuous diffusion model to simulate the concentration-path-length product (CL) image, and the measured CL image is solved by analyzing the smoke plume image spectra data. The normalized cross-correlation fitting algorithm is used to perform the optimal matching of simulated-measured CL images, and then the three-dimensional concentration distribution of the plume scene is reconstructed based on the dimension mapping relationship. The field smoke plume telemetry experiment was designed and carried out, and the three-dimensional concentration distribution of plume gas at three emission points in the scene was obtained. The CO2 emission rates were calculated to be 13.572 kg / s, 12.225 kg / s, and 14.114 kg / s, respectively. The data are consistent with the emission rate of the coal-fired thermal power plant, which verifies the effectiveness of the single-point fast three-dimensional concentration reconstruction of the smoke plume method based on the ISIFTS system.
Electrically smoothing gain-switched optical pulses from a semiconductor laser diode
Authors: Wang Cong , Cao Fuyi , Liu Yuejun , Nakamae Hidekazu , Kobayashi Masataka , Jiang Dongxin , Qi Yihan , Weng Guoen , Hu Xiaobo , Akiyama Hidefumi , Chen Shaoqiang
Published: October 2024

The typical optical pulse from a gain-switched semiconductor laser diode (LD) usually consists of a first-spike (FS) component and a quasi-steady-state (QSS) lasing component. For the stability and accuracy in some specific applications of sensing and detection, it is necessary to achieve a smooth QSS component without the FS component (regarded as spike noise). This Letter reports a technique to smooth the optical pulse shape from gain-switched LDs via stepped electric pulse, which can eliminate or suppress the FS component effectively, without any postprocessing. Rate-equation calculations well reproduced the major features of the experimental results and revealed that the pre-pump of the stepped electrical pulse plays a crucial role by adjusting the accumulated carrier density to be close to threshold before lasing in the LD, which suppresses the FS generation during the main pump injects and allows LD transit more rapidly into the QSS mode. The stepped electrical pulse pump provides a feasible and convenient method to smooth the optical pulse shape of gain-switched semiconductor LDs for various applications.
Color tunability, concentration dependence, and temperature responsive afterglow of SrZn2(PO4)2: Eu2+, Mn2+ phosphors
Authors: Li Lulu , Zhang Dan , Li Jing , Zhang Xinlian , Duan Yongmin , Zhang Junjie
Published: October 2024

Long persistent luminescence (LPL) materials with color adjustable afterglow have a wide application prospect in display and information encryption, yet there are few reports on such materials. In this paper, SrZn2(PO4)2 phosphors with tunable and thermal stimuli-responsive afterglow emissions were synthesized by a solid-state method. After ultraviolet (UV) excitation, the prepared samples exhibited emission at 419 nm, 533 nm, and 633 nm due to Eu2+: 4f65d1 → 4f7 transitions, Mn2+: 4T2(4G) →6A1(6S) transitions, and Mn2+: 4T1(4G) → 6A1(6S) transitions, respectively. The Commission Internationale de I’ Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of samples can be changed among blue, white, and yellow by varying the Mn2+ concentration. Additionally, due to the differing thermal stability of Eu2+ and Mn2+, the phosphor exhibited a temperature-responsive afterglow, and its colors can be adjusted between white and yellow over a temperature range from 293 K to 383 K. Given its distinctive temperature-responsive afterglow, the prepared phosphor is suitable for use as a temperature sensor. Moreover, the tunable afterglow colors of the phosphors are advantageous for application in anti-counterfeiting.
Intragenomic conflicts with plasmids and chromosomal mobile genetic elements drive the evolution of natural transformation within species
Authors: Mazzamurro Fanny , Chirakadavil Jason Baby , Durieux Isabelle , Poiré Ludovic , Plantade Julie , Ginevra Christophe , Jarraud Sophie , Wilharm Gottfried , Charpentier Xavier , P. C. Rocha Eduardo
Published: October 2024

Natural transformation is the only mechanism of genetic exchange controlled by the recipient bacteria. We quantified its rates in 786 clinical strains of the human pathogensLegionella pneumophila(Lp) and 496 clinical and environmental strains ofAcinetobacter baumannii(Ab). The analysis of transformation rates in the light of phylogeny revealed they evolve by a mixture of frequent small changes and a few large quick jumps across 6 orders of magnitude. In standard conditions close to half of the strains of Lp and a more than a third in Ab are below the detection limit and thus presumably non-transformable. Ab environmental strains tend to have higher transformation rates than the clinical ones. Transitions to non-transformability were frequent and usually recent, suggesting that they are deleterious and subsequently purged by natural selection. Accordingly, we find that transformation decreases genetic linkage in both species, which might accelerate adaptation. Intragenomic conflicts with chromosomal mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and plasmids could explain these transitions and a GWAS confirmed systematic negative associations between transformation and MGEs: plasmids and other conjugative elements in Lp, prophages in Ab, and transposable elements in both. In accordance with the hypothesis of modulation of transformation rates by genetic conflicts, transformable strains have fewer MGEs in both species and some MGEs inactivate genes implicated in the transformation with heterologous DNA (in Ab). Innate defense systems against MGEs are associated with lower transformation rates, especially restriction-modification systems. In contrast, CRISPR-Cas systems are associated with higher transformation rates suggesting that adaptive defense systems may facilitate cell protection from MGEs while preserving genetic exchanges by natural transformation. Ab and Lp have different lifestyles, gene repertoires, and population structure. Nevertheless, they exhibit similar trends in terms of variation of transformation rates and its determinants, suggesting that genetic conflicts could drive the evolution of natural transformation in many bacteria.
Human motor learning dynamics in high-dimensional tasks
Authors: Kamboj Ankur , Ranganathan Rajiv , Tan Xiaobo , Srivastava Vaibhav
Published: October 2024

Conventional approaches to enhance movement coordination, such as providing instructions and visual feedback, are often inadequate in complex motor tasks with multiple degrees of freedom (DoFs). To effectively address coordination deficits in such complex motor systems, it becomes imperative to develop interventions grounded in a model of human motor learning; however, modeling such learning processes is challenging due to the large DoFs. In this paper, we present a computational motor learning model that leverages the concept of motor synergies to extract low-dimensional learning representations in the high-dimensional motor space and the internal model theory of motor control to capture both fast and slow motor learning processes. We establish the model’s convergence properties and validate it using data from a target capture game played by human participants. We study the influence of model parameters on several motor learning trade-offs such as speed-accuracy, exploration-exploitation, satisficing, and flexibility-performance, and show that the human motor learning system tunes these parameters to optimize learning and various output performance metrics.
Childhood tuberculosis outcomes and factors associated with unsuccessful treatment outcomes in selected public hospitals of Lusaka Zambia from 2015 to 2019
Authors: Ngosa Dennis , Lupenga Joseph
Published: October 2024

Treatment outcomes of tuberculosis in children are rarely evaluated. Childhood tuberculosis has been a low priority for tuberculosis programs due to difficulties in diagnosis and treatment. This study evaluated childhood tuberculosis outcomes and factors associated with unsuccessful treatment outcomes in selected public hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia from 2015 to 2019. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in eight public hospitals in Lusaka. All children aged 0–14 years, treated with tuberculosis and had treatment outcomes evaluated were included. The WHO tuberculosis treatment outcomes were grouped into successful treatment outcome (cured, treatment completed) and unsuccessful treatment outcome (death, loss to follow-up, failure). Taking unsuccessful treatment outcome as the outcome variable, logistic regression models were performed. All analyses were done at a 95% confidence interval. Out of 2,531 children managed for TB from 2015 to 2019, only 1,495 (59.1%) had treatment outcomes evaluated. Out of 1,495 participants, majority were 5 to 14 years old (50.9%), males (51.1%), HIV-negative (58.7%), and had pulmonary tuberculosis (74.2%). Bacteriological tests were performed on 59.8% of children, where 21.6% had positive bacteriological results. Bacteriologically confirmed TB was higher in children over 5 years (29.5%), pulmonary TB (25.6%), and retreatment (28.6%). The majority of children (84.2%) completed treatment, while 10.7% were cured, 1.5% were lost to follow-up, 3.1% died, and 0.5% failed treatment. Overall, unsuccessful treatment outcome was 5.1% while successful treatment outcome was 94.1%. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis was associated with unsuccessful treatment outcomes (AOR 1.64; 95% CI: 1.02–2.62). The tuberculosis successful treatment outcome met the World Health Organization’s threshold goal of 90%. Children with extrapulmonary tuberculosis should be targeted as a high-risk group to improve treatment outcomes. Tracking children whose treatment outcomes were not evaluated would provide more precise estimates of TB treatment outcomes.
μCT imaging of a multi-organ vascular fingerprint in rats
Authors: Napieczyńska Hanna , Kedziora Sarah M. , Haase Nadine , Müller Dominik N. , Heuser Arnd , Dechend Ralf , Kräker Kristin
Published: October 2024

The importance of microvascular imaging in diagnosis and therapeutic targeting of various diseases is increasingly recognized. The new approach emphasizes the need for holistic studies to understand the inter-organ vascular cross-talk. Here, we report on the development of a novel perfusion protocol which consistently delivers a micro-computed tomography contrast agent to micro-vessels of multiple organs in a single experimental animal. We describe the achieved repeatability of the perfusions, as well as the image analysis steps developed individually for each organ type. We also optimize image acquisition by investigating the compromise between shortening of the scanning time and preservation of the highest possible spatial resolution. Taking together, with the multi-organ perfusion, optimized image acquisition, and the conceived image analysis steps, we provide a comprehensive and reliable experimental protocol for studying vascular morphology and pathology in multi-organ diseases.
Comparison of fetal growth patterns from Western India with Intergrowth-21st
Authors: Kinare Arun , Joshi Priscilla , Dangat Kamini , Gupte Sanjay , Tipnis Manish , Singh Garima , Randhir Karuna , Madiwale Shweta , Pisal Hemlata , Wagh Girija , Lalwani Sanjay , Joshi Sadhana , Fall Caroline , Sachdev Harshpal Singh
Published: October 2024

Objective

To generate longitudinal fetal growth data in an Indian population and compare it with Intergrowth-21st.

Material and methods

Fetal biometry data was collected in a prospective longitudinal observational study (REVAMP: Research Exploring Various Aspects and Mechanisms in Preeclampsia) from 2017 to 2022. Fetal crown-rump length (CRL) was measured at 11–14 weeks gestation, and biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), and femur length (FL) at 18–22 and 32–35 weeks, and converted into Z-scores using the Intergrowth standard. Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale and Shape (GAMLSS) models were used to construct fetal growth centile curves compared against Intergrowth centiles.

Results

Out of 1096 singleton pregnancies in REVAMP, this analysis included 655 ‘healthy’ pregnancies (uncomplicated by pre-eclampsia, diabetes, pre-term delivery or low birth weight) and a sub-set of 106 ‘low-risk’ pregnancies defined using Intergrowth criteria. The ‘healthy’ study subjects showed lower mean CRL Z-score [-0.45 SD (95% CI:-0.54,-0.37)] at 11–14 weeks, and BPD Z-score [-1.2 SD (-1.28,-1.11) and -1.17 SD (-1.23,-1.1)] at 18–22 and 32–35 weeks respectively. Mean HC Z-score was comparable to the Intergrowth standard at 18–22 weeks [-0.08 SD (-0.16, 0.02)] but smaller at 32–35 weeks [-0.25 SD (-0.32,-0.19)]. Mean AC Z-score was lower at 18–22 weeks [-0.32 SD (-0.41,-0.23)] but comparable at 32–35 weeks [0.004 SD (-0.07, 0.07)]. FL was comparable to or larger than the Intergrowth standard at both time points [0.05 SD (-0.05, 0.14); 0.82 SD (0.75, 0.89), respectively]. These findings were similar, though measurements were slightly larger, in the ‘low-risk’ sample.

Conclusions

This data from healthy and low-risk pregnant women in urban western India indicates that some fetal dimensions and growth trajectories differ significantly from the Intergrowth-21st. Our data suggest the need for a larger representative study to define a population-specific fetal growth reference for India, for identification of fetal growth restriction.
Trajectory optimization and obstacle avoidance of autonomous robot using Robust and Efficient Rapidly Exploring Random Tree
Authors: Ul Islam Naeem , Gul Kaynat , Faizullah Faiz , Ullah Syed Sajid , Syed Ikram
Published: October 2024

One of the key challenges in robotics is the motion planning problem. This paper presents a local trajectory planning and obstacle avoidance strategy based on a novel sampling-based path-finding algorithm designed for autonomous vehicles navigating complex environments. Although sampling-based algorithms have been extensively employed for motion planning, they have notable limitations, such as sluggish convergence rate, significant search time volatility, a vast, dense sample space, and unsmooth search routes. To overcome the limitations, including slow convergence, high computational complexity, and unnecessary search while sampling the whole space, we have proposed the RE-RRT* (Robust and Efficient RRT*) algorithm. This algorithm adapts a new sampling-based path-finding algorithm based on sampling along the displacement from the initial point to the goal point. The sample space is constrained during each stage of the random tree’s growth, reducing the number of redundant searches. The RE-RRT* algorithm can converge to a shorter path with fewer iterations. Furthermore, the Choose Parent and Rewire processes are used by RE-RRT* to improve the path in succeeding cycles continuously. Extensive experiments under diverse obstacle settings are performed to validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms existing methods in terms of computational time, sampling space efficiency, speed, and stability.
Effect of a loss of the mda5/ifih1 gene on the antiviral resistance in a Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha cell line
Authors: Collins Catherine , Chaumont Lise , Peruzzi Mathilde , Jamak Nedim , Boudinot Pierre , Béjar Julia , Moreno Patricia , Álvarez Torres Daniel , Collet Bertrand
Published: October 2024

Cells are equipped with intracellular RIG-like Receptors (RLRs) detecting double stranded (ds)RNA, a molecule with Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern (PAMPs) generated during the life cycle of many viruses. Melanoma Differentiation-Associated protein 5 (MDA5), a helicase enzyme member of the RLRs encoded by the ifih1 gene, binds to long dsRNA molecules during a viral infection and initiates production of type I interferon (IFN1) which orchestrates the antiviral response. In order to understand the contribution of MDA5 to viral resistance in fish cells, we have isolated a clonal Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha epithelial-like cell line invalidated for the ifih1 gene by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. We demonstrated that IFN1 induction is impaired in this cell line after infection with the Snakehead Rhabdovirus (SHRV), the Salmon Alphavirus (SAV) or Nervous Necrosis Virus (NNV). The cell line, however, did not show any increase in cytopathic effect when infected with SHRV or SAV. Similarly, no cytopathic effect was observed in the ifih1-/- cell line when infected with Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus (IPNV), Infectious Haemorrhagic Necrotic Virus (IHNV). These results indicate the redundancy of the antiviral innate defence system in CHSE-derived cells, which helps with circumventing viral evasion strategies.
Effects of selection stringency on the outcomes of directed evolution
Authors: Alpay Berk A. , Desai Michael M.
Published: October 2024

Directed evolution makes mutant lineages compete in climbing complicated sequence-function landscapes. Given this underlying complexity it is unclear how selection stringency, a ubiquitous parameter of directed evolution, impacts the outcome. Here we approach this question in terms of the fitnesses of the candidate variants at each round and the heterogeneity of their distributions of fitness effects. We show that even if the fittest mutant is most likely to yield the fittest mutants in the next round of selection, diversification can improve outcomes by sampling a larger variety of fitness effects. We find that heterogeneity in fitness effects between variants, larger population sizes, and evolution over a greater number of rounds all encourage diversification.
Palestinian university students’ perspectives on COVID-19 risk and remote learning during the pandemic: A qualitative photovoice study
Authors: Sarhan Mohammed B. A. , Basha Hanin , Giacaman Rita , Jimba Masamine , Fujiya Rika
Published: October 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered major changes worldwide, with repercussions on mental health and education. The present study primarily aimed to retrospectively explore undergraduate students’ risk perceptions of COVID-19 and their experiences with remote learning during the pandemic, with an emphasis on their high school years.

Methods

This qualitative photovoice study was conducted between 30 March and 4 May 2023. The target population of this study was first- and second-year undergraduate students who had been in high school during the pandemic. Maximum variation, snowball, and convenience sampling methods were used to recruit students. They were asked to share photos and provide comments in written or voice messages explaining their experiences during the pandemic. Voice messages were manually transcribed verbatim. A manual content analysis of these comments was performed to derive the codes and themes relevant to the study objectives.

Results

Forty-seven students initially agreed to participate and signed an informed consent form. However, the final sample included 16 students (nine men and seven women). The content analysis revealed four themes that were identified as the main factors contributing to high school students’ risk perceptions of COVID-19. The first theme was psychosocial factors related to the pandemic, including emotions, isolation and stress. The second focused on the mechanisms used to cope with the pandemic. The third theme included beliefs and behaviours that either increased or decreased COVID-19 risk. The final theme addressed schools’ responses to COVID-19, including factors such as maintaining connections with schools, preventive measures and the transition to remote learning.

Conclusion

This study highlighted the extensive impact of the pandemic on Palestinian high school students, demanding instantaneous adaptation to ensure their safety and well-being while maintaining the quality of education. Remote learning has become an important strategy with opportunities and challenges for high school students.
Using multivariate partial least squares on fNIRS data to examine load-dependent brain-behaviour relationships in aging
Authors: Gonzalez Claudia , Ranchod Supreeta , Rakobowchuk Mark
Published: October 2024

Researchers implementing non-invasive neuroimaging have reported distinct load-dependent brain activity patterns in older adults compared with younger adults. Although findings are mixed, these age-related patterns are often associated with compensatory mechanisms of cognitive decline even in the absence of direct comparisons between brain activity and cognitive performance. This study investigated the effects of cognitive load on brain-behavior relationships in younger and older adults using a data-driven, multivariate partial least squares (PLS) analysis of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) data. We measured bilateral prefrontal brain activity in 31 older and 27 younger adults while they performed single and dual 2-back tasks. Behavioral PLS analysis was used to determine relationships between performance metrics (reaction time and error rate) and brain oxygenation (HbO) and deoxygenation (HbR) patterns across groups and task loads. Results revealed significant age-group differences in brain-behavior relationships. In younger adults, increased brain activity (i.e., increased HbO and decreased HbR) was associated with faster reaction times and better accuracy in the single task, indicating sufficient neural capacity. Conversely, older adults showed a negative correlation between HbR and error rates in the single task; however, in the dual task, they demonstrated a positive relationship between HbO and performance, indicative of compensatory mechanisms under the higher cognitive load. Overall, older adults’ showed relationships with either HbR or HbO, but not both, indicating that the robustness of the relationship between brain activity and behavior varies across task load conditions. Our PLS approach revealed distinct load-dependent brain activity between age groups, providing further insight into neurocognitive aging patterns, such as compensatory mechanisms, by emphasizing the variability and complexity of brain-behavior relationships. Our findings also highlight the importance of considering task complexity and cognitive demands in interpreting age-related brain activity patterns.
Distinct chikungunya virus polymerase palm subdomains contribute to viral protein accumulation and virion production
Authors: Martin Marie-France , Bonaventure Boris , McCray Nia E. , Peersen Olve B. , Rozen-Gagnon Kathryn , Stapleford Kenneth A.
Published: October 2024

Alphaviruses encode an error-prone RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), nsP4, required for genome synthesis, yet how the RdRp functions in the complete alphavirus life cycle is not well-defined. Previous work using chikungunya virus has established the importance of the nsP4 residue cysteine 483 in replication. Given the location of residue C483 in the nsP4 palm domain, we hypothesized that other residues within this domain and surrounding subdomains would also contribute to polymerase function. To test this hypothesis, we designed a panel of nsP4 variants via homology modeling based on the coxsackievirus B3 3D polymerase. We rescued each variant in mammalian and mosquito cells and discovered that the palm domain and ring finger subdomain contribute to host-specific replication. In C6/36 cells, we found that while the nsP4 variants had replicase function similar to that of wild-type CHIKV, many variants presented changes in protein accumulation and virion production even when viral nonstructural and structural proteins were produced. Finally, we found that WT CHIKV and nsP4 variant replication and protein production could be enhanced in mammalian cells at 28°C, yet growing virus under these conditions led to changes in virus infectivity. Taken together, these studies highlight that distinct nsP4 subdomains are required for proper RNA transcription and translation, having major effects on virion production.
Comportamiento y pronóstico del costo económico por desastres relacionados al cambio climático en América Latina y el Caribe (1970-2030)
Authors: Méndez González Carlos , Gutiérrez Ortiz Ariel
Published: October 2024

El objetivo general de este trabajo es analizar y pronosticar el costo económico por desastres relacionados al cambio climático en América Latina y el Caribe rumbo al 2030. En la revisión literaria se identifica que el cambio climático es un fenómeno complejo y es uno de los principales problemas en la agenda mundial con respecto al tema ambiental. Se colecta información anual (serie de tiempo de 52 años) disponible en las bases de datos y publicaciones estadísticas (CEPALSTAT) de la Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL). De acuerdo con las cifras disponibles, en los últimos años se ha incrementado de manera importante el costo económico de los desastres relacionados con el cambio climático en América Latina y el Caribe. La metodología econométrica propuesta se basa en la sugerida por Box y Jenkins (1970), Engle (1982) y Box, Jenkins, Reinsel y Ljung (2015) que consiste en un modelo auto regresivo con medias móviles conocido como modelo ARMA. Los resultados indican que los costos económicos por desastres relacionados al cambio climático en América Latina y el Caribe tienen un comportamiento determinístico y al alza a futuro.
Reziliencia a hazai neveléstudományi diskurzusban
Authors: Szirtes-Tankó Tünde
Published: October 2024

Célunk, hogy egy, a hazai társadalomtudományi területen kevéssé használt bibliometriai szoftverrel elemezzük a hazai neveléstudományi rezilienciapublikációk tartalmi sajátosságait, változásait, és mindezt nemzetközi kontextusban is elhelyezzük. A tanulmány két korábbi hazai publikációnk közvetlen folytatása. Az egyikben 112 darab, 2012 és 2022 között megjelent, szisztematikusan kiválogatott, releváns publikáció néhány alapvető formai sajátosságát elemeztük. A másikban bemutattunk egy eljárást, amely lehetővé tette, hogy ugyanezt az adathalmazt kompatibilissé tegyük a VOSviewer szoftverrel. Az összehasonlítás alapja pedig egy ugyanebben a témában, 2023-ban megjelent nemzetközi tanulmány, amely egyben módszertani mintaként is szolgált számunkra. A hazai publikációk tárgyszavain alapuló elemzés során azonosítjuk a főbb kulcskifejezéseket, amelyek jórészt ugyanazok voltak, mint a korábbi vizsgálatban (pl. hátrányos helyzet, felsőoktatás, hallgatók, kvantitatív vizsgálat, iskolai siker, esélyegyenlőség, teljesítmény, eredményesség, családi háttér), továbbá a szoftver segítségével képzett klaszterek alapján bemutatunk hét elkülönülő, de egymással kapcsolatban álló tématerületet, valamint e témák időbeli alakulását is. Mindezt bibliometriai térképek segítségével vizuálisan is megjelenítjük. A nemzetközi összehasonlítás a hasonlóságok mellett feltárt néhány, hazai szerzők által kevéssé kutatott, külföldön népszerű témát, és javaslatot tesz arra is, hogy a magyar szerzők mivel tudnának hozzájárulni a nemzetközi diskurzushoz. Írásunk módszertani jelentősége egy olyan eljárás és az eljárás nyomán született eredmények bemutatása, amely révén magyar bibliográfiai adatokat tudunk elemezni és vizuálisan megjeleníteni az ingyenes, felhasználóbarát és népszerű VOSviewer programmal.
Zene és fogyatékosság
Authors: Csányi Andrea Mária
Published: October 2024

Ebben a tanulmányban a zenei nevelés történetét, a zene funkcióját hozzuk kapcsolatba a fogyatékosságok megközelítésének paradigmáival. A szakirodalmi tájékozódás során arra a következtetésre jutottunk, hogy a zene egyetemes, univerzális nyelv, és a történelem folyamán valamennyi társadalomban azonos vagy hasonló szerepet töltött be. Ahogyan a zenei nevelés korai előzményei mind megmutatkoznak a jelenlegi gyakorlatunkban, úgy a fogyatékosságokról való gondolkodásmód valamennyi modellje is feltűnik napjainkban. Különböző korszakok jeles filozófusainak, szónokainak, zenepedagógusainak, egyházi elöljáróinak gondolatait idézve mutatjuk be a zene szerepköreit, és demonstráljuk a fogyatékos személyek helyzetét, védelmük vagy kitaszítottságuk okait. Hosszmetszeti elemzés után próbálunk következtetést levonni a kettő kapcsolódására vonatkozóan.
Az értelmi fogyatékos gyermekek iskoláztatásának kialakulása Magyarországon a nemzetközi intézményfejlődési folyamatok tükrében
Authors: Hodász Kata
Published: October 2024

Jelen tanulmány az értelmi fogyatékos gyermekek nevelésének-oktatásának hazai intézményesülési folyamatát, még a tankötelezettség keretein kívül megvalósuló intézményes nevelésük innovatív elemeit vizsgálja, szem előtt tartva, hogy a magyar intézményhálózat kibontakozása miként illeszkedett a nevelésükre-oktatásukra létrehozott európai rendszerek általános fejlődési tendenciáihoz. Módszertanunk kvalitatív tematikus elemzésre épül a dualizmus korában Magyarországon megjelenő, az értelmi fogyatékos gyermekek nevelését-oktatását érintő diskurzusok vizsgálata, valamint a fókuszba emelt időszak (gyógy)pedagógiai vonatkozásait értelmező szakirodalmak elemzése által. A kutatás jelentősége, hogy szintetizáló összefoglalást nyújt az eddigi nevelés- és gyógypedagógia-történeti tudásról; a téma kifejtése során nemzetközi kontextusba helyezi az értelmi fogyatékos gyermekek hazai intézményeinek alakulását, árnyalja a róluk alkotott korabeli felfogást. Az intézményfejlődési út betekintést nyújt abba, miként változott meg az egyensúly a segítségnyújtás és az elnyomás között az idők során, felfedi a gyógypedagógia történetében egyszerre jelenlévő segítő és kirekesztő gesztust.
Avaliação da intrusão de molares superiores com placa palatina em C modificada, em um paciente adolescente com mordida aberta anterior e hiperdivergência esquelética: relato de caso
Authors: Hung Kuo Chou Alex , R. Vaiid Nikhilesh , Kook Yoon-Ah , So Sheila , Nicolay Olivier
Published: October 2024

﻿INTRODUÇÃO: A mordida aberta anterior (MAA), má oclusão caracterizada por um trespasse vertical negativo entre os dentes anteriores durante a intercuspidação máxima, pode ser tratada por meio de diferentes abordagens, incluindo: extração dos primeiros molares, cirurgia ortognática, eliminação das causas etiológicas, ou extrusão dos dentes anteriores e intrusão dos dentes posteriores. OBJETIVOS: O presente relato de caso ilustra o uso de uma placa palatina em C modificada (modified C-palatal plate, MCPP) e aparelhos fixos para tratar a MAA em um paciente adolescente. RELATO...
Finansowe aspekty udzielania nieodpłatnej pomocy prawnej i świadczenia nieodpłatnego poradnictwa obywatelskiego
Authors: Daniluk Dawid
Published: October 2024

Przedmiot artykułu stanowi przedstawienie finansowych aspektów związanych z funkcjonowaniem systemu nieodpłatnej pomocy prawnej i nieodpłatnego poradnictwa obywatelskiego w Polsce. Zadania polegające na udzielaniu nieodpłatnej pomocy prawnej oraz świadczeniu nieodpłatnego poradnictwa obywatelskiego są finansowane ze środków powiatów pochodzących z dotacji z budżetu państwa. Coraz częściej w środowiskach zaangażowanych w organizację systemu nieodpłatnej pomocy pojawiają się opinie o ich niedostatecznym dofinansowaniu. Podstawą ustalenia dotacji jest kwota bazowa. Analizy determinantów kształtujących wysokość dotacji i kwoty bazowej dokonano przy wykorzystaniu trzech metod badawczych: dogmatycznoprawnej, statystycznej oraz historycznoprawnej. Z przeprowadzonych badań wynika, że ustawowe kryteria ustalania wysokości kwoty bazowej nie istnieją. Kompetencje w tym zakresie posiada Minister Sprawiedliwości działający w porozumieniu z ministrem właściwym do spraw budżetu. Obliczanie kwoty bazowej następuje zgodnie z przepisami ustawy o nieodpłatnej pomocy prawnej, nieodpłatnym poradnictwem obywatelskim oraz edukacji prawnej. Ograniczeniem w ustaleniu wysokości kwoty bazowej jest wskazany w ustawie roczny maksymalny limit wydatków. Czynnikiem kształtującym wysokość kwoty bazowej była początkowo wysokość dwóch trzecich wynagrodzenia zasadniczego prokuratora prokuratury rejonowej w pierwszym stopniu zaszeregowania. Badania wskazują, że organy administracji rządowej odpowiedzialne za ustalenie wysokości kwoty bazowej odeszły od tych założeń, gdyż jest ona obecnie ustalona na dużo niższym poziomie i znacząco odbiega od zakładanych przez projektodawców standardów wynagrodzenia, które miało zapewnić wysoką jakość wykonywanych usług przez pozyskanie do współpracy adwokatów i radców prawnych.
Influence of dynamic assessment on Taiwanese undergraduates and graduate students’ academic writing of research proposals
Authors: Chien Chin-Wen
Published: October 2024

Dynamic assessment (DA) integrates assessment and instruction between the instructor and learners. It emphasizes the learning process. DA was introduced to 24 undergraduates and 9 graduate students in two academic writing courses in Taiwan. The analysis of the pre- and post-tests, writing portfolios, observations, and interviews reached the following major conclusions. First, participants had a positive attitude toward DA, particularly regarding expert evaluation as the mediation for identifying global and local errors. Secondly, the integration of DA influenced the participants’ academic writing on research proposals, particularly the structure and the use of the APA format. Thirdly, participants regarded the instructor’s model writing and the exemplary journal articles as useful mediations. Suggestions on the effective integration of DA into academic writing courses are provided.
Investigating the plurilingual profiles and linguistic repertoires of student language teachers: issues of SLA, multilingual assessment, and the role of L2 Italian in a localized Greek context
Authors: Mouti Anna
Published: October 2024

Plurilingual competence or repertoire of languages refers to all individuals being potentially plurilingual. As plurilingual competence and language repertoires are individual, assessment modes targeted to the individual and localized to the context should be encouraged. This study explored and depicted the plurilingual profile of Italian Studies students (and thus student language teachers) in the Greek context through various modes. The role of the Italian language in this localized context was also explored and the language trajectory was attempted to be de-picted qualitatively. The instruments used were the Language Passport, the DIALANG diagnostic test, the ECML ‘Self-evaluate your language skills’ tool, a plurilingual portrait (to make the language repertoire visible), and a short personal written narrative. It is mainly a qualitative study, and instances of multi-method research are also present. Moreover, the whole procedure contributed to incorporating plurilingualism and multiculturalism into language teacher education for student Italian language teachers in higher education.