bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors of competitive employment in individuals with severe mental illness: results from an observational, cross-sectional study in Germany
Authors: Gühne Uta , Pabst Alexander , Kösters Markus , Hasan Alkomiet , Falkai Peter , Kilian Reinhold , Allgöwer Andreas , Ajayi Klemens , Baumgärtner Jessica , Brieger Peter , Frasch Karel , Heres Stephan , Jäger Markus , Küthmann Andreas , Putzhammer Albert , Schneeweiß Bertram , Schwarz Michael , Becker Thomas , Breilmann Johanna , Riedel-Heller Steffi G.
Published: January 2022

Background

Employment is of great importance as it is associated with various positive effects. Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) are often excluded from competitive employment. Current data on employment of individuals with mental illness are rare, and influencing factors are under-researched. The present study examines possible predictors of competitive employment among individuals with SMI.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional and multicentered study of 300 individuals with SMI aged 18 to 65 years. The following inclusion criteria were used: (I) diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders (ICD-10 F2x), or affective disorders (ICD-10 F3x), (II) duration of psychiatric illness ≥ 2 years, and (III) substantial impact of illness on social functioning. Participants were interviewed by trained staff using standardised instruments. The relationship between potential predictors (age, sex, education, marital status, living situation, migration background, psychosocial functioning, age at first mental problem, physical illness, work ability) and employment was analysed using a hierarchic binary logistic regression model.

Results

Only one-third (34%) of participants were competitively employed. Almost one-third were unemployed (30%), and 28% reported early retirement due to mental illness. Psychosocial functioning was positively associated with competitive employment (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.05 – 1.13, p < 0.001); concurrent chronic physical illness was negatively associated with competitive employment (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.21 – 0.71, p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Findings confirm a high risk of exclusion from competitive employment among individuals with SMI. Nonetheless, a substantial proportion of individuals are employed. Findings call for efforts to maintain or enhance workforce participation among individuals with SMI. A special focus should be placed on improving physical health and strengthening psychosocial functioning.

Trial registration

The study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) under the registration number DRKS00015801 before the start of recruitment (Registration date: 21.02.2019).
Minimal residual disease detection by multicolor flow cytometry in cryopreserved ovarian tissue from leukemia patients
Authors: Zver Tristan , Frontczak Sophie , Poirot Catherine , Rives-Feraille Aurélie , Leroy-Martin Brigitte , Koscinski Isabelle , Arbez-Gindre Francine , Garnache-Ottou Francine , Roux Christophe , Amiot Clotilde
Published: January 2022

Background

Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue is a fertility-preservation option for women before gonadotoxic treatments. However, cryopreserved ovarian tissue transplantation must be performed with caution in women with malignancies that may metastasize to the ovaries. For this purpose, detecting minimal residual disease (MRD) in the ovarian cortex using sensitive methods is a crucial step. We developed an automated ovarian tissue dissociation method to obtain ovarian cell suspensions.

Results

We assessed MRD by multicolor flow cytometry (MFC) in cryopreserved ovarian cortex of 15 leukemia patients: 6 with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), 2 with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and 7 with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Ovarian MRD was positive in 5 of the 15 leukemia patients (one T-ALL and 4 AML). No B-ALL patient was positive by MFC. Quantitative reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction was performed when a molecular marker was available, and confirmed the MFC results for 3 patients tested. Xenografts into immunodeficient mice were also performed with ovarian cortical tissue from 10 leukemia patients, with no evidence of leukemic cells after the 6-month grafting period.

Conclusions

In conclusion, this is the first study using MFC to detect MRD in ovarian cortical tissue from acute leukemia patients. MFC has been accepted in clinical practice for its ease of use, the large number of parameters available simultaneously, and high throughput analysis. We demonstrate here that MFC is a reliable method to detect MRD in cryopreserved ovarian tissue, with a view to controlling the oncological risk before ovarian tissue transplantation in leukemia patients.
Mental imagery interventions to promote face covering use among UK university students and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
Authors: Conroy Dominic
Published: January 2022

Background

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has witnessed wide-ranging efforts to minimize the spread of the virus and to protect those most vulnerable to becoming unwell following viral infection. Core COVID-19 preventive measures include social distancing, regular hand washing, and wearing face coverings in public places. Understanding links between social cognitive factors relating to beliefs/skills is important in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, as this can suggest which factors might be targeted via behaviour change interventions to promote adherence to COVID-19 preventative behaviours. In this context, mental imagery exercises—self-directed imagining of an anticipated outcome or processes linked to a defined behaviour/activity—offer a well-evidenced, relatively simple behaviour change intervention. In the mental imagery invention reported in this protocol, individuals will be randomly assigned to one of four separate conditions (outcome imagery, process imagery, outcome and process imagery, control).

Methods

The primary objective of this randomized controlled study is to assess the effectiveness of a mental imagery intervention on wearing face coverings, as a defined core COVID-19 preventative behaviour. Participants will consist of UK university students and university employees of any age. Participants will be randomized to complete an ‘outcome imagery’ or a ‘process imagery’ exercise, both exercises (i.e. a combined condition) or neither exercise (i.e. a control condition). A total of 260 individuals will be recruited into the study. Outcomes for all study condition arms will be assessed at baseline (Time 1), immediately post-intervention (Time 2), and at 1-month follow-up (Time 3).

The primary outcome is frequency of wearing face covering, as reported at T2 and T3. Secondary outcomes include intervention effects on face covering attitudes, social norms, perceived behavioural control and barrier self-efficacy at T2 and T3. Putative moderators of intervention effects are conscientiousness, narcissism and ‘light triad’ personality traits.

Discussion

This trial will contribute toward the currently sparse evidence base concerning behaviour change techniques designed to promote COVID-19 preventative behaviours among UK university students and university employees.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. National Library of Medicine) NCT04583449. Retrospectively registered on 20 October 2020.
Production of succinic acid through the fermentation of Actinobacillus succinogenes on the hydrolysate of Napier grass
Authors: Lee Jhih-Sing , Lin Cheng-Jia , Lee Wen-Chien , Teng Hsin-Yi , Chuang Meng-Hsin
Published: January 2022

Background

Napier grass biomass can be hydrolyzed mainly containing glucose and xylose after alkaline pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. This biomass can be fermented using Actinobacillus succinogenes to produce succinic acid. The yield of succinic acid was 0.58 g/g. Because metabolizing xylose could produce more acetic acid, this yield of succinic acid was lower than that achieved using glucose as the sole carbon source.

Results

The addition of glycerol as a fermentation substrate to Napier grass hydrolysate increased the reducing power of the hydrolysate, which not only increased the production of succinic acid but also reduced the formation of undesirable acetic acid in bacterial cells. At a hydrolysate:glycerol ratio of 10:1, the succinic acid yield reached 0.65 g/g. The succinic acid yield increased to 0.88 g/g when a 1:1 ratio of hydrolysate:glycerol was used. For the recovery of succinic acid from the fermentation broth, an outside-in module of an ultrafiltration membrane was used to remove bacterial cells. Air sparging at the feed side with a flow rate of 3 L/min increased the filtration rate. When the air flow rate was increased from 0 to 3 L/min, the average filtration rate increased from 25.0 to 45.7 mL/min, which corresponds to an increase of 82.8%. The clarified fermentation broth was then electrodialized to separate succinate from other contaminated ions. After electrodialysis, the acid products were concentrated through water removal, decolorized through treatment with activated carbon, and precipitated to obtain a purified product.

Conclusions

The yield of succinic acid was increased by adding glycerol to the hydrolysate of Napier grass. The downstream processing consisting of ultrafiltration membrane separation and single-stage electrodialysis was effective for product separation and purification. An overall recovery yield of 74.7% ± 4.5% and a purity of 99.4% ± 0.1% were achieved for succinic acid.
Calciphylaxis of the penis and distal digits: a case report
Authors: Smilnak Gordon , Jiang Michael , Jain Bijal
Published: January 2022

Background

Calciphylaxis is a rare, often fatal disease resulting from calcification of dermal arterioles and capillaries. Usually diagnosed in patients with end-stage renal disease, this disorder typically presents as necrotic, nonhealing ulcers in acral or adipose areas. Here we report the case of an elderly man who was found to have calciphylaxis of the distal digits and penis, the latter of which is an uncommon site of disease that carries a particularly poor prognosis.

Case presentation

A 73-year-old African American man with multiple medical comorbidities including dialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease presented with worsening painful, necrotic lesions on his glans penis and several distal digits over the last 2 months. The wound on the glans was foul smelling with overlying purulence and had been unsuccessfully treated with amoxicillin–clavulanic acid. Discovery of diffuse intravascular calcification on computed tomography, in addition to a markedly elevated calcium–phosphate product immediately prior to the onset of his ulcers, led to the diagnosis of calciphylaxis. The patient was initiated on sodium thiosulfate without improvement in his lesions, and he died 3 months later after another prolonged hospitalization.

Conclusions

While calciphylaxis is a rare disease, involvement of the distal digits and especially the penis is even more uncommon and portends a particularly poor prognosis: 6-month mortality rates are reportedly as high as 70%. This suggests that prompt recognition and management of the disease is required; however, despite receiving standard therapy, our patient failed to experience improvement in his disease and instead developed several more fingertip ulcers at blood glucose sample points during his hospitalization. A corollary of the case presented here is the need for more effective management of calciphylaxis, especially for patients in whom uncommon sites, such as the penis, are involved.
Storage and efficacy of entomopathogenic nematode species as a biocontrol agent against the armyworm, Spodoptera litura (FABRICIUS) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Javed Salma , Khanum Tabassum Ara , Ali Ashraf
Published: January 2022

Background

The armyworm,Spodoptera litura(FABRICIUS) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a widely distributed polyphagous pest that is seriously affecting more than 100 different hosts. Globally, biopesticides are becoming the mainstream as chemicals and biocontrol agents gain more of the market share every year, because some of these biocontrol measures prevent the economic disruption of food crops.

Results

For storage, 3 substrates were tested for entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), viz., polyether polyurethane sponge, distilled water and soil. Best storage medium was found to be polyether polyurethane sponge for 2–12 months of storage at 15–18 °C. For biocontrol evaluation four species of Steinernematidae;Steinernema pakistanense, S. siamkayai,S. ceratophorumandS. bifurcatum, and one species of Heterorhabditidae;Heterorhabditis indica, were used against the armyworm. At 350 IJs/mlS. pakistanense;S. siamkayai,S. ceratophorum,S. bifurcatumandH.indica, showed 95, 78, 74, 90 and 87% mortality, respectively.

Conclusions

Nematode species, long-term storage and shelf life are important considerations for the success of EPNs against target insect pests which in turn are a prerequisite for successful commercialization and this can be achieved by maximum survival of IJs in a formulation for a long period before their utilization in the field.
The Medical Training Initiative scheme in forensic psychiatry: reflections on training and practice in the UK and Nigeria
Authors: Igbinomwanhia Nosa , Mapayi Boladale , Lee James , Tracy Derek K.
Published: January 2022

The Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Medical Training Initiative (MTI) enables qualified foreign-trained psychiatrists to gain further experience within the UK National Health Service (NHS). This article summarises the observations of two Nigerian psychiatrists during their forensic psychiatry placements on the MTI scheme and two of their UK supervisors. It discusses similarities and differences between Nigeria and the UK in forensic psychiatry, including the use of mental health legislation, the scope of forensic psychiatry and elements of the pathway to qualification in both countries. It concludes with recommendations that could improve the robustness of the MTI scheme.
Perception of Master of Public Health Students regarding E-Learning in Covid-19 Era: A New Normal in Lower- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Aleem Saima , Mahsood Naheed , Kibria Zeeshan , Gul Rubeena
Published: January 2022

Objectives: To explore the perception of postgraduate public health students regarding e-learning in context to Covid-19 pandemic and its effect on their academic performances

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Sarhad Institute of Health Science, SUIT Peshawar from 3rd October 2020 to 4th February 2021. The Census method was incorporated for sample selection. Participation in the study was subjected to consent by participants. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version-26.

Results: Out of 95 participants, 72 (75.8%) were males and 23 (24.2%) were females. The mean grade point average (GPA) of previous semester-1 and semester-2, when they were having a conventional education system on campus before the pandemic was 2.741±0.499 and 2.643±.498 respectively. The current mean GPA of semesters 1, 2, and 3 who had online classes during this pandemic was 2.41±0.66, 3.06±0.51, and 2.80±0.47 respectively. Fifty-one (53.7%) students preferred to use mobile for e-learning. Convenience to the use-learning management system (LMS) was 67.4% and 72.6% responded that their academic performance was positively affected by e-learning. Logistic regression revealed that source of learning (p 0.99), uninterrupted internet (p 0.87), convenience with LMS (p 0.17), stress (p 0.505), convenient communication with faculty (p 0.69), and compatibility with professional routine (p 0.21) were not significantly associated with good academic performance, however, students of semester 2 (p 0.001) and those using laptops (p 0.02) were more likely to get a GPA of 3.0 or above

Conclusions: Students in this study had a positive perception regarding e-learning however, there is a definite need to amalgamate both online and on-campus learning modalities for post-graduate students especially during the uncertain situations.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.4626

How to cite this:Aleem S, Mahsood N, Kibria Z, Gul R. Perception of Master of Public Health Students regarding E-Learning in Covid-19 Era: A New Normal in Lower- and Middle-Income Countries. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(3):---------.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.4626

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Subtle morpho-functional kidney changes in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients: A duplex ultrasound assessment
Authors: Alareqi Amal A. , Alshoabi Sultan Abdulwadoud , Qurashi Abdulaziz A. , Hamid Abdullgabbar M.
Published: January 2022

Objectives: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common endocrine disease with serious effects on multiple organs including the kidneys. This study aimed to investigate the subtle effects of type 2 DM (T2DM) on the kidneys.

Methods: This was a prospective case-control study conducted in the Radiology Department of University of Science and Technology Hospital (USTH) campus, Sana’a, Republic of Yemen, from 1 January 2020 to 31 November 2020. The renal length (RL), renal width (RW), resistive index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI) were prospectively measured in patients with T2DM and healthy controls. The results were compared using the independent samples t-test. Comparisons were likewise performed between patients with controlled DM and patients with uncontrolled DM.

Results: A total of hundred individuals, 50 diabetic patients and 50 controls, were enrolled in this study. Their mean age was 54 ± 7.88 years (range: 40–75 years). The RL, RI, and PI of both kidneys were significantly higher in T2DM than in the control group. Moreover, the RL, RI, PI and creatinine were slightly higher in patients with uncontrolled than in those with controlled DM.

Conclusion: T2DM has significant accentuating effects on the RL, RI and PI associated with low effective renal plasma flow, even before acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease diagnosis, which may be attenuated by careful regulation of DM. Ultrasound Doppler is a highly valuable imaging modality for evaluating the subtle effects of T2DM on kidney dimensions and blood flow. The RI can be implemented as a tool for the early diagnosis of kidney disease and contribute to slowing the disease progression and preventing renal failure.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.4699

How to cite this:Alareqi AA, Alshoabi SA, Qurashi AA, Hamid AM. Subtle morpho-functional kidney changes in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients: A duplex ultrasound assessment. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(3):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.4699

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Frequency of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) among patients presenting with Organophosphate Poisoning at National Poison Control Centre, Karachi: A prospective cross-sectional survey
Authors: Hanif Sadaf , Sattar Rukhsana Abdul
Published: January 2022

Background and Objective: Organophosphates poisoning is among the most prevalent forms of intentional and unintentional poisoning in Pakistan. However, the actual burden of AKI secondary to organophosphate poisoning in Pakistani population is still not known. This study aimed to determine the actual burden of AKI among patients admitted at National Poison Control Centre, Karachi.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at National Poison Control Centre, Karachi November, 2013 to April, 2014. A sample of 300 patients of age 18 years and above, presenting with organophosphate poisoning within 24 of exposure or ingestion were included in the study. Frequency of acute kidney injury was calculated using the diagnostic criteria of serum creatinine level of >1.4 mg/dL. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 19.

Results: The frequency of AKI which was defined as creatinine level >1.4 mg/dL was 22.3% (n=67). However, there was no statistically significant difference was found in frequency of AKI on the basis of age, sex, amount of organophosphates ingested and BMI. This study found statistically significant differences in the AKI frequency on the basis of lag time. Those who presented earlier after poisoning had relatively low frequency of AKI.

Conclusion: This study concludes that AKI is a common complication among patients presenting with organophosphate poisoning at National Poison Control Center, Karachi. Lag time is a key determinant of AKI among patients with organophosphate poisoning. Timely treatment can prevent this critical complication among patients with organophosphate poisoning.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.4819

How to cite this:Hanif S, Sattar RA. Frequency of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) among patients presenting with Organophosphate Poisoning at National Poison Control Centre, Karachi: A prospective cross-sectional survey. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(3):---------.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.4819

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Η ναοδομία του Δεσποτάτου της Ηπείρου και η ακτινοβολία της
Authors: Καρπάνου Χρυσάνθη
Published: January 2022

Το Δεσποτάτο της Ηπείρου υπήρξε ένα ανεξάρτητο βυζαντινό κρατίδιο που δημιουργήθηκε στις αρχές του 13ου αιώνα στην περιοχή της Ηπείρου, και η μοναδική περιοχή που παρέμεινε εκτός λατινικής κυριαρχίας στον Ελλαδικό χώρο, μετά την Τέταρτη Σταυροφορία. Η νέα αυτή πολιτική και διοικητική δομή είχε ως αποτέλεσμα τη δημιουργία μιας ξεχωριστής αρχιτεκτονικής έκφρασης στη ναοδομία, με πολλαπλές συνιστώσες, που ενσωμάτωσε στοιχεία της προϋπάρχουσας παράδοσης, επινόησε νέα χαρακτηριστικά και αφομοίωσε δημιουργικά πολλαπλές επιδράσεις, δημιουργώντας παράλληλα ένα ευρύ πεδίο ακτινοβολίας. Η έρευνα στο πλαίσιο της παρούσας διατριβής οδήγησε στη σαφή οριοθέτηση του παραπάνω φαινομένου, τόσο ως προς το χρονικό και ιστορικό του πλαίσιο, όσο και ως προς τη γεωγραφική του εξάπλωση και το πολιτικό καθεστώς: Η ακτινοβολία του Δεσποτάτου στα τέλη του 13ου και στις αρχές του 14ου αιώνα απλώθηκε στη Θεσσαλία, στα βορειοδυτικά τμήματα της Βυζαντινής Αυτοκρατορίας κατά μήκος της Εγνατίας και των οδών επικοινωνίας με τη Μακεδονία και τη Σερβία, με έναν κοινό χαρακτήρα ο οποίος δάνεισε στοιχεία ακόμα και σε δύο παραδείγματα της επίσημης ναοδομίας του Σερβικού κράτους.Τα μνημεία της ακτινοβολίας του Δεσποτάτου, τα οποία έως τώρα μελετώνταν αποσπασματικά, εξετάστηκαν σε άμεση συσχέτιση με τους ναούς του Δεσποτάτου αλλά και μεταξύ τους. Με βαση την In situ ερευνα στους ναούς και τη βιβλιογραφία, έγινε διερεύνηση των οικοδομικών φάσεών τους, επισήμανση των πολλαπλών επιρροών τους, καθώς και ακριβέστερη χρονολόγηση για ορισμένους από αυτούς. Τα κοινά στοιχεία που εντοπίζονται, κυρίως τυπολογικά και μορφολογικά, η διάδοση των οποίων οφείλεται εν πολλοίς στην εμβέλεια της μετακίνησης των οικοδομικών συνεργείων που ξεπερνούν τα γεωγραφικά και πολιτικά όρια, διαμορφώνουν την αναγνωρίσιμη εικόνα των μνημείων του Δεσποτάτου.
Incorporation of flexibility, reliability, availability, maintenance and safety in process operations and design
Authors: Θεοδοσιάδης - Θωμαΐδης Θωμάς
Published: January 2022

Η διδακτορική διατριβή αυτή ασχολείται με το πρόβλημα της συστηματικής ενσωμάτωση κριτηρίων λειτουργικότητας στο σχεδιασμό και την λειτουργία βιομηχανικών εγκαταστάσεων και συστημάτων. Προτείνονται γενικά κριτήρια αλλά και υπολογιστικά εργαλεία-μέθοδοι για την ποσοτική αξιολόγηση και βελτιστοποίηση της ευελιξίας, της αξιοπιστίας, της διαθεσιμότητας, της συντήρησης και της ασφάλειας σύνθετων συστημάτων και διεργασιών.Συγκεκριμένα, με βάση μαθηματικά/οικονομικά μοντέλα που περιγράφουν το σχεδιασμό και τα λειτουργικά χαρακτηριστικά του συστήματος (σχεδιαστικές εξισώσεις, ισοζύγια μάζας και ενέργειας, θερμοφυσικές ιδιότητες κ.λπ.) την αβεβαιότητα των διεργασιών σχετικά με την ζήτηση των προϊόντων, τις διακυμάνσεις ροής, πίεσης, θερμοκρασίας, αποτελεσματικότητας διεργασίας κ.λπ., όπως και μοντέλα αξιοπιστίας (που περιγράφουν τη μείωση της λειτουργικότητας του εξοπλισμού σε συνάρτηση με το χρόνο), μοντέλα συντήρησης (που περιλαμβάνουν ένα σύνολο πιθανών στρατηγικών συντήρησης) και μοντέλα ασφάλειας (που περιλαμβάνουν ένα σύνολο κρίσιμων καταστάσεων λειτουργίας), αναφερόμενα όλα στον κύκλο λειτουργίας του συστήματος, έχει αναπτυχθεί ένα πρωτότυπο και ολοκληρωμένο πλαίσιο μεθοδολογίας και λογισμικού “FRAMS” που περιλαμβάνει:-Ποσοτικό προσδιορισμό (ως προς το χρόνο) της επίδρασης της αβεβαιότητας και της επιδείνωσης του εξοπλισμού στην απόδοση του συστήματος, μέσω της λειτουργικής βελτιστοποίησης του συστήματος.- Προσδιορισμό της οικονομικότερης στρατηγικής συντήρησης για την επίτευξη ενός επιθυμητού στόχου στην απόδοση του συστήματος, εντός καθορισμένου χρόνου λειτουργίας, βελτιστοποιώντας τη στρατηγική συντήρησης.- Προσδιορισμός κρίσιμων στοιχείων (εξοπλισμού, υποσυστημάτων) στο σύστημα που περιορίζουν κυρίως την εύρυθμη λειτουργία και την ασφάλεια, μέσω της ανάλυσης κρισιμότητας (Criticality Analysis).Η επίλυση ορισμένων παραδειγμάτων πραγματικών προβλημάτων, απεικονίζουν τις δυνατότητες του προτεινόμενου πλαισίου, ενώ παρουσιάζονται αναλυτικές εφαρμογές με βάση το πρωτότυπο λογισμικό FRAMS.
Driving style recognition using machine learning and smartphones
Authors: bin Jamal Mohd Lokman Eilham Hakimie , Goh Vik Tor , Yap Timothy Tzen Vun , Ng Hu
Published: January 2022

Background: The lack of real-time monitoring is one of the reasons for the lack of awareness among drivers of their dangerous driving behavior. This work aims to develop a driver profiling system where a smartphone’s built-in sensors are used alongside machine learning algorithms to classify different driving behaviors.

Methods: We attempt to determine the optimal combination of smartphone sensors such as accelerometer, gyroscope, and GPS in order to develop an accurate machine learning algorithm capable of identifying different driving events (e.g. turning, accelerating, or braking).

Results: In our preliminary studies, we encountered some difficulties in obtaining consistent driving events, which had the potential to add “noise” to the observations, thus reducing the accuracy of the classification. However, after some pre-processing, which included manual elimination of extraneous and erroneous events, and with the use of the Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), we have been able to distinguish different driving events with an accuracy of about 95%.

Conclusions: Based on the results of preliminary studies, we have determined that proposed approach is effective in classifying different driving events, which in turn will allow us to determine driver’s driving behavior.
Analysis of the concept of informal economy through 102 definitions: legality or necessity
Authors: Luque Arturo
Published: January 2022

The processes of informal economy are well established, but the same cannot be said of their conceptual treatment in the academic literature. They constitute complex phenomena that cut across sectors and disciplines and give rise to other elements that simultaneously reject and encourage them. For many formal stakeholders in the economy, they are an enemy to be beaten; for the authorities, informal activity is seen as a loss of revenue for the state coffers; for the Sustainable Development Goals, by implicitly recognizing them in goal 8, they constitute a paradigm shift.  Meanwhile, the reality for those involved in the informal economy is that it is a way of life and not a mere choice, one that leads to the most social of all economies: that of necessity. There is no consensus among academics on informality and its ramifications, hence the need to analyze the processes of informal economy from its theoretical construction with the purpose of discovering its range and depth, as well as its interrelationships and theoretical implications. To achieve this, 102 definitions of informal economy were analyzed by identifying and deconstructing their dimensions and performing a frequency count of their citation in Google Scholar. This analysis demonstrated the lack of cultural elements in the definitions, which are the true underlying cause of the phenomenon, and the over-prominence afforded to legal dimensions.
Dylematy badaczy wiedzy o przeszłości: Ostrzeżenia i przestrogi
Authors: Maroń Jerzy
Published: January 2022

The work familiarises participants of historical seminars and enthusiasts of history with historical research. The opening chapter of the work contains the presentation of informational structures of the source, in accordance with a proposal of Jerzy Topolski, and methods of their implementation – a way from the source fact through the historical fact to the historiographic fact. In this scope, the questions of authenticity, source reliability and possibilities of acting for researches are very important – the authentic source is not automatically reliable, the falsified source remains potentially useful. The second chapter discusses these issues. The author indicates that one can observe quite common practice, not only among enthusiasts of history, but also among professional researchers, i.e. organising source information according to dates included in texts, and not according to dates of the creation of texts. Search for ways which lead to filling the informational emptiness bothering historians, especially medievalists, is one of the consequences of such an attitude – as it was already in the past. The author describes a few strategies chosen by great masters of the Polish historiography, who in a sophisticated way – more or less sophisticated – tried to fill the gap in the source information. The analysis reveals the deliberate violation of professional rules for different reasons.
Designing Product Development Contracts in the Presence of Managerial Lobbying
Authors: Bao Ying , Shi Mengze , Kalra Ajay
Published: January 2022

We examine a firm’s contract design problem in the context of allocating resources to new products with uncertain potential being developed by the managers vying for funds. The firm faces twin problems of identifying the right project(s) to prioritize them, and next also motivate the managers to exert effort in implementing the project to successful fruition. The firm’s contract design can incentivize the managers either using a resource-based incentive plan, which offers a reward based on the number of resources invested in the projects, or offering a resource-decoupled incentive plan, which provides a standard reward disregarding the differential amount of resources invested. We consider a set-up where the manager has private information about project quality. During the prioritizing first stage, we allow the manager to lobby for the project by manipulating the signal of the project quality. We show that a resource-decoupled incentive plan impacts the lobbying by encouraging the manager of the higher quality project to manipulate the quality signal more to stand out. Therefore, although a resource-based incentive plan is more efficient in inducing the manager in exerting implementation effort, a resource-decoupled incentive plan may be preferred as it leads to more accurate resource allocation. Thus, allowing lobbying that involves exaggeration may be beneficial by amplifying a firm’s ability to identify high caliber projects. We demonstrate the robustness of our results in models where the firm chooses the level of evaluation threshold, where there are multiple projects, and where the project evaluations involve a ranking procedure.

This paper was accepted by Duncan Simester, marketing.
Introduction
Authors: Gelbart Nina Rattner
Published: January 2022

This chapter begins with introducing the subject of the book: the six intrepid females who daringly chose to do science, to expand our knowledge of the natural world in diverse disciplines. It also introduces some “extraordinary women” of science, and Newtonian physicist Mme Du Châtelet who was overlooked for two centuries. As Voltaire's mistress, Mme Du Châtelet was mentioned by historians solely in that capacity, but her own intellectual prowess was not discussed, and surely not celebrated. The chapter discusses the six women in this book, scientific peers of hers, who were relegated to the shadows and are only slowly emerging into the light. The chapter revives the stories of these women, seeking their traces in the archives, finding what contemporaries said about them, and bit by bit uncovering information that had been dropped from the triumphalist narratives of science composed by men in charge. It emphasizes their differences as well, for they were an eclectic mix, representing a wide range, an assortment of approaches to their scientific goals. Ultimately, the chapter outlines the hybrid format and structure of the book, combining the age-old yet newly relevant genre of scientific biography with more personal elements.
Astronomer and “Learned Calculator”
Authors: Gelbart Nina Rattner
Published: January 2022

This chapter focuses on astronomer Nicole Reine Lepaute, her knowledge of astronomy, and her usefulness to the Académie des Sciences in this area. It begins by narrating her discussion with her friend and collaborator, the astronomer Joseph-Jérôme Lalande, about her frustration at being excluded from the Paris academy for which she had done much work. The chapter then follows Lepaute's works at the provincial Académie des Sciences de Béziers, and how she became a member of the city's academy and the first woman of science elected to such a body in France. The chapter then turns to chronicle her early life as Nicole Reine Etable, born in the Petit Luxembourg Palace into the Etable family. It recounts how she met the two most important people in her life at the Petit Luxembourg: the man she would marry, Jean-André Lepaute and the young astronomer Joseph-Jérôme Lalande. The trio were to be intensely entangled for several decades. Ultimately, the chapter highlights a triumph widely considered to prove Newton's law of universal gravitation: Lepaute's computation of the accurate prediction of the return of Halley's Comet.
Anatomist and Inventor
Authors: Gelbart Nina Rattner
Published: January 2022

This chapter concerns anatomist Marie-Marguerite Biheron, who analyzed the human body, taking it apart in countless dissections to elucidate the hidden internal structures. It examines Biheron's “anatomie artificielle” that she fashioned, displayed, and taught with for decades in her private home museum. The chapter also looks at her models, made from a formula of her own invention that neither melted nor broke, which were said to imitate the human body with consummate precision. It reviews Biheron's study and dissection of actual corpses, too numerous to count and ongoing over decades, then mentions the first of three widely and wildly heralded anatomical demonstrations in the Académie des Sciences. The chapter then shifts to track how she grew up in the healing culture and forged her own independent but related medical path. Ultimately, the chapter examines the roles played by the renowned surgeon Sauveur Morand, gifted botanist and botanical illustrator Mlle Basseporte, philosopher Denis Diderot and the eclectic doctor Jacques Barbeu Dubourg in her study of human anatomy with the emphasis on modeling.
Credibility Evaluation of Web Big Data Information Based on Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Zhao Nannan
Published: January 2022

In order to improve the credibility evaluation effectiveness of web big data information, the improved particle swarm optimization is established. Firstly, framework of web big data is designed to include web big data source, data storage, data processing and data analysis. The global credibility calculation formula of whole web is established. Secondly, the improved particle swarm algorithm is constructed through updating weight and training factor, introducing cross and mutation operations into the algorithm, and improving population diversification based on mountain climbing algorithm. Finally, ten sample industries and one hundred sample stocks are selected to carry out experiment analysis, and the results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively distinguish trusted and untrustworthy records. And the proposed algorithm of calculating credibility of web big data has high reasonableness.
Contactless Elevator Button Control System Based on Weighted K-NN Algorithm for AI Edge Computing Environment
Authors: Lee Sang-Yub , Cho In-Pyo , Hong Chung-Pyo
Published: January 2022

In recent years, attempts have been made to create a door-opening or elevator button that operates based on gestures when entering and exiting a building. This can consider the convenience of an individual carrying luggage, and in some cases, has the advantage of preventing the spread of disease between people through contact. In this study, we propose a method for operating elevator buttons without contact. Elevators cannot utilize high-performance processors owing to production costs. Therefore, this paper introduces a prototype of a low-performance processor-based system that can be used in elevators, and then introduces a weighted K-nearest neighbors (K-NN) based user gesture learning and number matching method for application in an optimal non-contact button control method that can be used in such an environment. As a result, through the proposed method, a performance gain of 7.5% in comparison to a conventional K-NN method and a performance improvement of 9.7% compared to a radial basis function were achieved in a relatively low-performance processor-based system.
Hands On vs. VR Lectures in Times of the Pandemic
Authors: Gampe Stefano , Haiss Ulrich , Curticapean Dan
Published: January 2022

The implementation of physical and optical experiments in a VR environment will be presented. A comparison between the hands on and the digital VR experiments will be analyzed and presented.
Lowering the entry barrier for novel photonic designers
Authors: Olivares Irene , Vilas Jaime , Jauregui Ignacio , Dias Antonio
Published: January 2022

Through our open software package and a guided process flow, barriers to entry are lowered so that a student can focus on photonic circuits design from the very beginning.
Evolution properties of twisted Hermite Gaussian Schell-model beams in non-Kolmogorov turbulence
Authors: Zhang Chao , Zhou Zhenglan , Xu Huafeng , Zhou Zhengxian , Han Yashuai , Yuan Yangsheng , Qu Jun
Published: January 2022

A general form of twisted Hermite Gaussian Schell-model (THGSM) beams is introduced; analytical expressionsare obtained for cross-spectral density and M2-factor using the extended Huygens–Fresnel principle and Wigner function. The evolution of THGSM beams during propagation in non-Kolmogorov turbulence is shown numerically; the beams exhibit self-splitting and twist into two lobes. The intensity distribution evolves into a Gaussian shape and beam quality worsens with increasing distance; the intensity distribution and M2-factor are determined by the twist factor, beam orders, and other beam parameters. THGSM beams provide more degrees of freedom to regulate beam parameters, thereby enriching the types of partially coherent beams.
Dual-band polarization-insensitive toroidal dipole quasi-bound states in the continuum in a permittivity-asymmetric all-dielectric meta-surface
Authors: Yu Shilin , Wang Yusen , Gao Ziang , Li Hao , Song Shaozhe , Yu Jianguo , Zhao Tonggang
Published: January 2022

Ultra-high quality (Q) factor resonances derived from the bound states in the continuum (BICs) have drawn much attention in optics and photonics. Especially in meta-surfaces, they can enable ultrasensitive sensors, spectral filtering, and lasers because of their enhanced light-matter interactions and rare superiority of scalability. In this paper, we propose a permittivity-asymmetric all-dielectric meta-surface, comprising high-index cuboid tetramer clusters with symmetric structural parameters and configuring periodically on a glass substrate. Simulation results offer dual-band quasi-BICs with high Q values of 4447 and 11391, respectively. Multipolar decomposition in cartesian and electromagnetic distributions are engaged to analyze the physical mechanism of dual quasi-BIC modes, which reveals that they are both governed by magnetic quadrupole (MQ) and in-plane toroidal dipole (TD). The polarization-insensitive and scalable characteristics are also investigated. Additionally, we appraise the sensing performances of the proposed structure. As an example, our work supports an uncommon route to design dual-band polarization-insensitive TD quasi-BICs resonators and facilitates their applications in optic and photonics, such as low-threshold lasers and sensing.
Laser-diode-pumped Tm:SrF2 single crystal for high efficiency CW laser operation at ∼2 µm
Authors: Wang Yangxiao , Liu Wenxin , Zhang Zhonghan , Strzep Adam , Liu Jie , Chen Zhenqiang , Ma Fengkai , Su Liangbi
Published: January 2022

A Tm:SrF2 single crystal is grown by a modified temperature gradient technique (TGT). A study of the fluorescence characteristics and laser performance is carried out. Under laser-diode (LD) end-pumping, a continuous-wave (CW) laser is demonstrated. A slope efficiency of up to 81.8% is first achieved in the Tm-doped single crystals, which is extremely close to the photon quantum efficiency of 2.00. Such a high photon quantum efficiency is caused by the effective cross-relaxation process between Tm3+ ions. A maximum output power of 4.082 W is also obtained. The laser performance indicates that Tm:SrF2 is a promising candidate for highly efficient ∼2 µm lasers.
Single-mode tellurite optical fiber for temperature measurement based on the self-phase modulation effect
Authors: Cheng Tonglei , Chen Xiaoyu , Gao Yuanhongliu , Zhang Fan , Li Bin , Yan Xin , Zhang Xuenan , Wang Fang , Suzuki Takenobu , Ohishi Yasutake
Published: January 2022

In this paper, the self-phase modulation (SPM) effect in a double-cladding single-mode tellurite optical fiber (DC-SMTOF) was exploited for temperature sensing. The DC-SMTOF was fabricated based on a TeO2–ZnO–Li2O–Bi2O3 (TZLB) glass material that has a thermo-optical coefficient as high as –16.4×10−6/°C. The temperature sensing performance was evaluated by detecting the 3-dB bandwidth of the SPM spectra with the variation of temperature at different pump wavelength and different average pump power. The temperature sensitivity was obtained to be –2.971 nm/°C with a resolution of 0.0168°C. Both simulation and experiment confirmed that a longer pump wavelength and higher average pump power will result in a higher temperature sensitivity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study concerning SPM-based temperature sensing in a tellurite optical fiber. The proposed temperature sensor has a compact structure, and it can realize temperature sensing of high sensitivity without any fiber modification. This work opens the road toward explorations of a novel temperature sensing technology combined with soft glass fibers and nonlinear phenomenon, and is expected to deepen our understanding in the application of these complex nonlinear phenomena.
Optically magnified dispersion of microwave signals with a wide and flexible tunable range
Authors: Li Jilong , Fu Songnian , Xie Xiangzhi , Xiang Meng , Yin Feifei , Dai Yitang , Qin Yuwen
Published: January 2022

Tunable microwave dispersion is highly desired for a wide field of microwave signal processing. However, a conventional microwave dispersive delay line usually suffers from either a small dispersion value or a narrow operation bandwidth. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the optically magnified dispersion of a microwave signal with a wide and flexible tunable range, based on a bandwidth-scaling microwave photonic system. The obtained microwave dispersion can therefore be magnified from the corresponding optical dispersion with a magnification factor that can be continuously tuned from 10,000 to 85,000. Meanwhile, a proof-of-concept experiment that includes both compression and stretching of chirped microwave pulses is reported. Microwave dispersion from 1.34 ns/GHz to 10.92 ns/GHz can be secured by the corresponding magnification of an optical dispersion value of 16 ps/nm.
Deep-learning based image reconstruction for MRI-guided near-infrared spectral tomography
Authors: Feng Jinchao , Zhang Wanlong , Li Zhe , Jia Kebin , Jiang Shudong , Dehghani Hamid , Pogue Brian W. , Paulsen Keith D.
Published: January 2022

Non-invasive near-infrared spectral tomography (NIRST) can incorporate
the structural information provided by simultaneous magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI), and this has significantly improved the images obtained
of tissue function. However, the process of MRI guidance in NIRST has
been time consuming because of the needs for tissue-type segmentation
and forward diffuse modeling of light propagation. To overcome these
problems, a reconstruction algorithm for MRI-guided NIRST based on
deep learning is proposed and validated by simulation and real patient
imaging data for breast cancer characterization. In this approach,
diffused optical signals and MRI images were both used as the input to
the neural network, and simultaneously recovered the concentrations of
oxy-hemoglobin, deoxy-hemoglobin, and water via end-to-end training by
using 20,000 sets of computer-generated simulation phantoms. The
simulation phantom studies showed that the quality of the
reconstructed images was improved, compared to that obtained by other
existing reconstruction methods. Reconstructed patient images show
that the well-trained neural network with only simulation data sets
can be directly used for differentiating malignant from benign breast
tumors.
Controlling gene expression timing through gene regulatory architecture
Authors: Ali Md Zulfikar , Brewster Robert C.
Published: January 2022

Gene networks typically involve the regulatory control of multiple genes with related function. This connectivity enables correlated control of the levels and timing of gene expression. Here we study how gene expression timing in the single-input module motif can be encoded in the regulatory DNA of a gene. Using stochastic simulations, we examine the role of binding affinity, TF regulatory function and network size in controlling the mean first-passage time to reach a fixed fraction of steady-state expression for both an auto-regulated TF gene and a target gene. We also examine how the variability in first-passage time depends on these factors. We find that both network size and binding affinity can dramatically speed up or slow down the response time of network genes, in some cases predicting more than a 100-fold change compared to that for a constitutive gene. Furthermore, these factors can also significantly impact the fidelity of this response. Importantly, these effects do not occur at “extremes” of network size or binding affinity, but rather in an intermediate window of either quantity.