bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Imaging CXCR4 receptors expression for staging multiple myeloma by using 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT: comparison with 18F-FDG PET/CT
Authors: Shekhawat Amit Singh , Singh Baljinder , Malhotra Pankaj , Watts Ankit , Basher Rajender , Kaur Harneet , Hooda Monika , Radotra Bishan D
Published: June 2022

Objectives:

68Ga-Pentixafor positron emission tomography (PET) imaging targets CXCR4 expression which is overexpressed in multiple myeloma (MM). In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic utility of 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT for imaging CXCR4 expression in MM and compared results with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT.

Methods:

34 (21M; 13F; median age = 57.5 years) treatment naive multiple myeloma patients were recruited. All the patients underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT and 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT imaging. Freshly prepared 68Ga-Pentixafor (148–185 MBq) was injected intravenously and whole-body PET/CT (low-dose CT) was acquired at 1 h post-injection. The pattern of uptake (diffuse, focal or mixed) and the mean SUVmax value of all the lesions (when lesions were ≤5) or of the five most tracer avid lesions (when lesions was >5) were evaluated. Tumor to background ratio (TBRmax) was calculated for both the tracers. Durie Salmon plus staging (DSPS) was used for disease staging on PET and the results were compared with International staging system (ISS)

Results:

68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT showed higher disease extent than seen on 18F-FDG PET/CT in 23/34 patients (68.0%), lesser disease extent in 2/34 (6%) and similar disease extent in 9/34 (26%) patients. Significantly (p < 0.001) higher TBRmax values (5.7; IQR 8.8) were observed on 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT as compared to 18F-FDG PET/CT values (2.9; IQR = 4.0). Both the techniques detected extramedullary lesions in six patients. On the other hand, 68Ga-Pentixafor detected medullary lesions in five, whereas, 18F-FDG PET in three patients. Further, only 68Ga-Pentixafor TBRmax correlated significantly (ρ = 0.421; 0.013) with bone marrow plasma cell percentage. 68Ga-Pentixafor PET upstaged more number (9/29) of patients as compared to (4/29) 18F-FDG PET imaging. On the other hand, 18F-FDG PET down-staged 9/29, whereas 68Ga-Pentixafor PET downstaged only 3/29 patients.

Conclusion:

68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT evaluated the whole-body disease burden of CXCR4 receptors non-invasively which is not possible by tissue sampling methods. This novel PET tracer has also implication for disease staging. Dual 68Ga-Pentixafor/18F-FDG PET/CT imaging may help in determining the tumor heterogeneity in MM.

Advances in knowledge:

This CXCR4 targeting PET tracer has a promising role in the development of CXCR4 targeting theranostics and also for response assessment to these therapies including the conventional treatment.
Interventional oncology: new techniques and new devices
Authors: Breuer Joseph A , Ahmed K Hamzah , Al-Khouja Fares , Macherla Anvesh R , Muthoka Jackline M , Abi-Jaoudeh Nadine
Published: June 2022

Interventional oncology is a rapidly emerging field in the treatment of cancer. Minimally invasive techniques such as transarterial embolization with chemotherapeutic and radioactive agents are established therapies and are found in multiple guidelines for the management of primary and metastatic liver lesions. Percutaneous ablation is also an alternative to surgery for small liver, renal, and pancreatic tumors. Recent research in the niche of interventional oncology has focused on improving outcomes of established techniques in addition to the development of novel therapies. In this review, we address the recent and current advancements in devices, technologies, and techniques of chemoembolization and ablation: thermal ablation, histotripsy, high-intensity focused ultrasound, embolization strategies, liquid embolic agents, and local immunotherapy/antiviral therapies.
Gallbladder polyps and adenomyomatosis
Authors: Riddell Zena C , Corallo Carmelo , Albazaz Raneem , Foley Kieran G
Published: June 2022

Incidental findings are commonly detected during examination of the gallbladder. Differentiating benign from malignant lesions is critical because of the poor prognosis associated with gallbladder malignancy. Therefore, it is important that radiologists and sonographers are aware of common incidental gallbladder findings, which undoubtedly will continue to increase with growing medical imaging use. Ultrasound is the primary imaging modality used to examine the gallbladder and biliary tree, but contrast-enhanced ultrasound and MRI are increasingly used. This review article focuses on two common incidental findings in the gallbladder; adenomyomatosis and gallbladder polyps. The imaging features of these conditions will be reviewed and compared between radiological modalities, and the pathology, epidemiology, natural history, and management will be discussed.
A Study on Replica Restoration Methods through Scientific Analysis of Seongju Lee Family’s Portraits
Authors: Jeong Ji-Youn , Lee Jang-Jon , Han Min-su
Published: June 2022

Materials and techniques u sed for two portraits ( Jo-nyeon L ee a nd S ung-in L ee) o f the Lee family from Seongju enshrined in Seongsan temple were scientifically analyzed, and based on the data, an optimal replica restoration method was designed. According to the expression technique investigation, both portraits were expressed mainly in line drawing, but there were differences in shoes, pupils, the color expression of flesh, overpainting, and traces of reinforcement. Pigment analysis revealed that a mixture of cinnabar and minium, organic pigment, azurite, malachite, lead white, and yellow pigment were used in common. In the case of Sung-in Lee’s portrait, seokganju and atacamite were also used. In addition, comparison with the contemporaneous portraits of gentry showed that the portrait style at the time was found in the two portraits, but the singularity was modified differently there. Based on the scientific analysis, it was decided to replicate the old color restoration for Jo-nyeon Lee’s portrait while for Sung-in Lee’s portrait, it was decided to replicate the phenomenon. Detailed coloring techniques were presented by supplementing the expression techniques that are difficult to confirm visually using scientific data. In addition, by measuring the chromaticity of representative positions in the portrait for each color and presenting the color reference value calculated as the average value, the current color of the artifact can be replicated and restored based on the objective data as much as possible.
Ο διασκελισμός στον Φιλύρα και στον Σεφέρη
Authors: Μισιρλιάδη Κωνσταντίνα (Νάντια)
Published: June 2022

Αντικείμενο της παρούσας διατριβής είναι ο διασκελισμός· το φαινόμενο μελετάται μέσα από το ποιητικό έργο του Ρώμου Φιλύρα και του Γιώργου Σεφέρη με σκοπό να περιγραφούν αφενός τα γενικά του χαρακτηριστικά, αφετέρου να γίνουν επιμέρους παρατηρήσεις για τα γνωρίσματα που αποκτά στο εν λόγω corpus. Στόχος είναι η ανάδειξη της σημασίας του διασκελισμού τόσο για το έργο των μελετώμενων ποιητών όσο και για την ποίηση εν γένει, η οποία σημασία αγνοήθηκε για πολλά χρόνια. Οι ποικίλες απόψεις των μελετητών για το θέμα όπως και τα θεωρητικά στοιχεία εκτίθενται στις πρώτες σελίδες της εργασίας. Οι περισσότερες από εκείνες που θα ακολουθήσουν αφορούν στους διασκελισμούς των παραπάνω ποιητών, το έργο των οποίων βρίσκουμε πλέον σε νέες εκδόσεις· τα αντιπροσωπευτικά παραδείγματα των διασκελισμών τους αναλύθηκαν στο κύριο σώμα της εργασίας, ενώ τα υπόλοιπα καταγράφονται και παρουσιάζονται στο παράρτημα. Μαζί με εκείνα του Φιλύρα και του Σεφέρη αναλύθηκαν επίσης παραδείγματα διασκελισμών σύγχρονών τους ποιητών, ώστε να γίνει προσπάθεια προσέγγισης του φαινομένου μέσα από το έργο περισσότερων των δύο ποιητών του Μεσοπολέμου.Δημιουργήθηκαν επομένως τρία κεφάλαια· το πρώτο όπου αναπτύσσεται η θεωρία, το δεύτερο όπου μελετώνται οι διασκελισμοί του Φιλύρα και του Σεφέρη και το τρίτο όπου γίνονται παρατηρήσεις για τους διασκελισμούς των ποιητών της εποχής τους. Τα κεφάλαια αυτά ακολουθεί παράρτημα με πίνακες, όπου καταγράφονται οι διασκελισμοί των μελετώμενων ποιητών ανά στίχο, πίνακες που συνδέονται με σχετικά γραφήματα. Στο δεύτερο μέρος του επιμέτρου υπάρχουν επιπλέον διασκελισμοί από το έργο άλλων ποιητών του Μεσοπολέμου.
Ανάπτυξη ικανοτήτων επιχειρηματολογίας σε πλαίσιο διαλόγου κατά το συνεργατικό σχεδιασμό και την ανάπτυξη διαθεματικών ψηφιακών παιχνιδιών
Authors: Παναγιώτου Ευρύκλεια
Published: June 2022

Η παρούσα διατριβή μελετά την λεκτική αλληλεπίδραση μαθητών Γυμνασίου και Λυκείου, όταν εκείνοι συνεργάζονται με σκοπό να πάρουν ομαδοσυνεργατικές αποφάσεις, αλληλεπιδρώντας με ψηφιακά παιχνίδια. Η έρευνα τοποθετείται σε μια νέα ερευνητική κατεύθυνση την ομαδοσυνεργατική μάθηση βασισμένη στην επιχειρηματολογία. Συμβάλλοντας σε πλαίσια δράσης που ενισχύουν την ευκαιρία για αλληλεπίδραση και επιχειρηματολογία, σχεδιάστηκαν δύο παιχνίδια προσομοίωσης βασισμένα σε επιλογές. Η παρούσα διατριβή επιδιώκει να διερευνήσει τα είδη λεκτικής αλληλεπίδρασης, τους τύπους περιεχομένου και τις σχετικές με την επιχειρηματολογία γνωσιολογικές διεργασίες που φαίνεται να αναδύονται κατά την αλληλεπίδραση των μαθητών με τα ψηφιακά παιχνίδια. Πραγματοποιήθηκαν δύο διδακτικές παρεμβάσεις. Οι αλληλεπιδράσεις των μαθητών καταγράφονταν συνεχώς και μεταγραφόταν πλήρως. Μονάδα ανάλυσης αποτέλεσε η διαλογική στροφή με υποδιαιρέσεις, όπου κρίθηκε αναγκαίο. Τα δεδομένα αναλύθηκαν ποιοτικά: παραγωγικά και επαγωγικά. Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν ότι το περικείμενο επηρεάζει το είδος της λεκτικής αλληλεπίδρασης των μαθητών, με τις κινήσεις συναινετικής κατασκευής και επικύρωσης εξηγήσεων και τα συνεργατικά κίνητρα να υπερισχύουν σε κάθε ερευνητική φάση. Οι μαθητές φάνηκε να επικαλούνται σε περισσότερες κωδικοποιημένες περιπτώσεις τις αξίες και τις πεποιθήσεις τους και στη συνέχεια τα εμπειρικά δεδομένα που τις επιβεβαιώνουν. Τέλος, φάνηκε να εκτελούνται διαφορετικές διεργασίες επικοινωνίας και νομιμοποίησης ανάλογα το στόχο κάθε ερευνητικής φάσης.
Burnout and work satisfaction are differentially associated in gastroenterologists in Germany
Authors: Adarkwah Charles Christian , Labenz Joachim , Hirsch Oliver
Published: June 2022

Background:

Burnout in the field of gastroenterology is an under-researched phenomenon. So far, only a few studies have dealt with this topic. There are large geographical variations in burnout rates with 16–20% of gastroenterologists in Mexico and Germany being at risk or having burnout, 30–40% in the United Kingdom, and 50–55% in South Korea, Canada, and the USA. The investigation of differential associations of burnout with important factors in gastroenterologists leading to tailored therapy recommendations is lacking. Therefore, we investigated the associations between work satisfaction and burnout in this specialization.

Methods:

We distributed an electronic survey to gastroenterologists organized mainly in the Federal Organization of Gastroenterology in Germany (the BVGD - Bundesverband Gastroenterologie Deutschland). The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Work Satisfaction Questionnaire (WSQ) were examined regarding their postulated internal structure in our sample of gastroenterologists. Canonical correlations were performed to examine the association between work satisfaction and burnout in endoscopy physicians.

Results:

An acceptable model fit was shown for both the MBI and the Work Satisfaction Questionnaire. The canonical correlation analysis resulted in two statistically significant canonical functions with correlations of .62 (p<.001) and .27 (p<.001). The full model across all functions was significant (χ2(18) = 386.26, p<.001). Burden, personal rewards, and global item regarding the job situation were good predictors for less exhaustion, while patient care and professional relations were good predictors for personal accomplishment. This supports the recognition of burnout as being a multidimensional construct which has to be thoroughly diagnosed.

Conclusions:

Specific interventions should be designed to improve symptoms of burnout in endoscopy physicians according to their individual complaints as burnout is a multidimensional construct. Differential interventions should be offered on the basis of our study results in order to alleviate the issue of work satisfaction and burnout in endoscopy physicians.
Discrimination of the SARS–CoV-2 strains using of coloured s-LASCA-imaging of GB-speckles, developed for the gene “S” nucleotide sequences
Authors: Ulianova Onega , Saltykov Yury , Ulyanov Sergey , Zaytsev Sergey , Ulyanov Alexander , Feodorova Valentina
Published: June 2022

Background: A recent bioinformatics technique involves changing nucleotide sequences into 2D speckles. This technique produces speckles called GB-speckles (Gene Based speckles). All classical strategies of speckle-optics, namely speckle-interferometry, subtraction of speckle-images as well as speckle-correlometry have been inferred for processing of GB-speckles. This indicates the considerable improvement in the present tools of bioinformatics.  

Methods: Colour s-LASCA imaging of virtual laser GB-speckles, a new method of high discrimination and typing of pathogenic viruses, has been developed. This method has been adapted to the detecting of natural mutations in nucleotide sequences, related to the spike glycoprotein (coding the gene «S») of SARS–CoV-2 gene as the molecular target.   

Results: The rate of the colouring images of virtual laser GB-speckles generated by s-LASCA can be described by the specific value of R. If the nucleotide sequences compared utilizing this approach the relevant images are completely identical, then the three components of the resulting colour image will be identical, and therefore the value of R will be equal to zero. However, if there are at least minimal differences in the matched nucleotide sequences, then the value of R will be positive.   

Conclusion: The high effectiveness of an application of the colour images of GB-speckles that were generated by s-LASCA- has been demonstrated for discrimination between different variants of the SARS–CoV-2 spike glycoprotein gene.
Case Report: Recurrent retinal vein occlusion as the first clinical manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus in a male patient
Authors: Ben Brahim Marwa , Arfa Sondes , Boubaker Fadia , Chelly Jihen , Ammari Wafa , Hammami Sonia , Arbi Fatma , Berriche Olfa
Published: June 2022

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, autoimmune disease characterized by widespread clinical manifestations and immunological disorders. A myriad of ocular manifestations can be seen in patients with SLE. The most vision-threatening complication is vaso-occlusive retinopathy including retinal vein occlusion (RVO). RVO associated with SLE is well described in the literature and its association with antiphospholipid antibodies is recognized. However, RVO as the initial manifestation of SLE is scarcely reported.

Herein, we report the first case of recurrent RVO as the revealing manifestation of SLE in a 40-year-old male patient. He had two consecutive episodes of decreased vision. Ophthalmologic examination disclosed a branch retinal vein occlusion the first time and a central retinal vein occlusion the second time. The diagnosis of SLE was established based on clinical and immunological criteria. He was prescribed antiplatelet therapy, hydroxychloroquine at 5.5 mg/kg/day, and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibodies regimen. He slowly improved under treatment.
Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on prehospital emergency care for adults with stroke and transient ischaemic attack: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Burton Edel , Aladkhen Johnny , O’Donnell Cathal , Masterson Siobhán , Merwick Aine , McCarthy Vera JC , Kearney Patricia M , Buckley Claire M
Published: June 2022

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted on health service provision worldwide, including care for acute time sensitive conditions. Stroke and transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) are particularly vulnerable to pressures on healthcare delivery as they require immediate diagnosis and treatment. The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prehospital emergency care for stroke/TIA is still largely unknown. Thus, the aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prehospital emergency care for stroke and TIA.

Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the review is registered on PROSPERO (registration number CRD42022315260). Peer-reviewed quantitative studies comparing prehospital emergency care for adults with stroke/TIA before and during the COVID-19 pandemic will be considered for inclusion. The outcomes of interest are ambulance times and emergency call volumes for stroke/TIA. A systematic search of databases including PubMed, Embase and Scopus will be conducted. Two authors will independently screen studies for inclusion based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data extraction and quality assessment will be conducted by two authors. Meta-analysis will be performed to calculate overall pooled estimates of ambulance times (primary outcome) and stroke/TIA call volumes (secondary outcome), where appropriate.  Where heterogeneity is low a fixed-effects model will be used and where heterogeneity is high a random-effects model will be used. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses will include location, stroke/TIA diagnosis and COVID-19 case numbers.

Results: Data on primary and secondary outcomes will be provided. Results of subgroup/sensitivity analyses and quality assessment will also be presented.

Conclusions: This review will identify existing evidence reporting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prehospital emergency care for adult patients with stroke/TIA and provide summary estimates of effects on ambulance response times.
Europejski semestr – pakiet wiosenny: zalecenia dla Polski dotyczące skoordynowanej reakcji na pandemię COVID-19
Authors: Serowaniec Maciej
Published: June 2022

Extraordinary circumstances – and the COVID-19 epidemic undoubtedly meets this criterion – require extraordinary solutions, both in the EU and on the national scale. For the sake of the stability of the economic systems of the European Union Member States, it has become necessary to introduce procedures enabling effective counteracting the effects of COVID-19, also in the sphere of economic activity. The European Semester procedure currently plays an important role in monitoring these initiatives, as it allows Member States to discuss their policies, exchange best practices and agree on joint actions for the future to tackle the effects of COVID-19. This study aims to present the recommendations for Poland that were formulated as part of the 2020 spring European semester.
Rola sektora bankowego w stymulowaniu polskiej gospodarki po kryzysie COVID-19. Zagrożenia dla finansów publicznych
Authors: Łasak Piotr
Published: June 2022

The banking sector plays a significant role in the economy of every country. In good times it enables fluent cash flow and efficient capital allocation. In times of imbalances it could contribute to the deterioration of the difficult situation or even trigger the crisis. Despite these features, this sector is able to play significant role in exiting from the economic disturbance. It is confirmed by the situation of Polish economy, where the banking sector plays important role in the implementation of anti-crisis shields, which are implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Banks adjusted to the new circumstances very quickly and substituted the lower level of loans with investments in government bonds. Simultaneously, the National Bank of Poland initiated the quantitative easing (QE) policy, that provided additional protection for the Polish banking sector. In the short-term the situation seems to be kept under control and the banking sector engagement provides stability for the public finance. The actions undertaken, however, generate some risks, which may become significant in long-term. The efficiency of the banking sector in stimulus for the Polish economy will depend on the further stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lidded Jar from Grave No. 40 at Tell El-Murra Cemetery
Authors: Kazimierczak Magdalena
Published: June 2022

The goal of the article is to provide data about a lidded jar discovered in a Tell el-Murra (Nile Delta) grave from the Early Dynastic period. Through the publication of the morphological and technological analysis of the lidded vessel and the details of the place of its discovery, the author would like to make a contribution to the understanding of this kind of jars, known mostly from Upper Egypt and Nubia.
Sacral Inventories and Archaeological Reality in the Isis Sanctuaries oustide Egypt (Late Hellenistic and Roman Periods)
Authors: Podvin Jean-Louis
Published: June 2022

What kind of material can be found in Isiac sanctuaries, that is, those devoted to Isis, and her companion Sarapis, as well as the synnaoi theoi, Anubis and Harpocrates? To answer this question, we can study the sacral inventories, but they are few. Sundry information is also to be found in literary and epigraphical texts (especially dedications) and iconography, but all these sources have to be linked with the material discovered in sanctuaries. Three main groups of material can be identified: first of all, the statue and everything connected to it (such as garments and jewels); then, the material used to worship the god or goddess during everyday worship or on different feasts; finally, objects used to create a special atmosphere peculiar to a mystery cult.
Algunos apuntes de la reforma a la Ley de Ejecución Penal: visiones desde la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos
Authors: Sicardi Mariano , Di Pino Canela
Published: June 2022

El objetivo de este artículo es mapear los artículos más trascendentes relativos a las reformas introducidas a la Ley de Ejecución de la Pena Privativa de la Libertad (ley n° 24.660) entre 2004 y 2017.  Estas decisiones legislativas las pondremos en diálogo con las decisiones más relevantes de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos en cuestiones referidas a estándares de ejecución de la pena y condiciones de detención. Finalmente, mostraremos que las reformas menoscaban el principio de progresividad de la pena y producen problemas en las condiciones materiales de la vida dentro de las prisiones.
Conflictos jurídico-ambientales y territoriales en los sistemas de depuración de aguas residuales de Montería (Colombia)
Authors: Velásquez Muñoz Carlos Javier , Arismendy  Ramírez María Estella , Nassif Puche Zaida Cecilia
Published: June 2022

La localización de sistemas de depuración en las ciudades constituye una problemática ambiental y territorial en muchas partes del mundo, especialmente en asentamientos de países en desarrollo. De ordinario, su mala ubicación o funcionamiento producen problemas que afectan el ambiente, el suelo, la salud o la vida de las personas. Lo anterior es fundamento de esta investigación, la cual analiza posibles conflictos ambientales y territoriales relacionados con la ubicación y funcionamiento de los sistemas de tratamiento de aguas residuales en la ciudad de Montería, Colombia. Metodológicamente, la investigación recolectó y analizó fuentes primarias y secundarias y concluyó analizando los efectos y presentando propuestas de mejora para consolidar su desarrollo urbano sostenible que tanto se pregona en los últimos años.
Injusticia epistémica: Afectación de la imparcialidad de la justicia como resultado de la estigmatización del chamanismo amazónico en el Ecuador
Authors: León Calle Stephanie Cristina , Senent-De Frutos Juan Antonio
Published: June 2022

El artículo presenta el análisis de un proceso penal que tuvo lugar en la amazonía ecuatoriana. Un reconocido practicante de salud ancestral shuar, el chamán o uwishin (en lengua shuar) es sancionado penalmente por el delito de homicidio, por el fallecimiento de una participante en una ceremonia de ayahuasca o ritual Natemamu. Se presenta el análisis de un caso judicial que muestra la situación de la pluralidad de medicinas correspondiente al pluralismo social frente al monismo jurídico penal del Estado y la correlación hegemónica, no pluralista y no igualitaria de la diversidad social. La medicina ancestral se encuentra en una situación de desventaja epistémica que afecta la interpretación del método de la medicina ancestral, observamos que las decisiones judiciales se encuentran gobernadas por una visión monocultural y estereotipada sobre los chamanes y el ritual de ayahuasca, lo que conlleva dificultades en la interpretación de los hechos, el oficio del chamán y su lex artis, las normas aplicables, afectándose el principio de imparcialidad en la administración de justicia, reconociendo una injusticia epistémica.
Operations Research Helps the Optimal Bidding of Virtual Power Plants
Authors: Kim Daeho , Cheon Hyungkyu , Choi Dong Gu , Im Seongbin
Published: June 2022

As distributed energy resources (DERs) continue to emerge, a new cloud-based information technology platform business model, the virtual power plant (VPP), is being introduced into the electricity market. The competitiveness of VPPs mainly depends on data analytics and operational technologies. Among the several operational problems, we focus on the optimal bidding decision problem in the day-ahead market. The bidding decision is a VPP’s commitment to supply the market with electricity from uncertain DERs, thereby affecting the VPP’s profits. Based on a collaboration with a VPP company in South Korea, H Energy Co. Ltd., we formulate a Markov decision process model for the problem and use a stochastic dynamic programming-based solution approach. This is the first study under the incentive-based market structure. To describe the uncertainty in the power supply from DERs, we build frameworks to generate scenario trees or lattices. Additionally, we apply heuristic techniques to reduce the computational burden. Through a pilot test based on real data, we verify the performance and practicality of our proposed model and solution approach. The case company has begun implementing the model and solution approach on its platform and has found that performance has improved after using advanced forecasting models for DERs.
Overcoming Vocabulary-Related Anxieties in Students When Communicating in the Media Internationally
Authors: Borshchovetska Valentyna , Molotkina Yuliia , Vitomska Nadiia , Serhiienko Inna , Turitsyna Olena
Published: June 2022

The purpose of the study was to identify how the designed instructional model moderated the vocabulary-related anxieties in students when they communicated in the media internationally. The methodological approach used in the study was aimed at controlling and manipulating variables which were as follows: The level of vocabulary anxiety related to communication in the media, cultural intelligence, and English vocabulary level. The study relied on quantitative and qualitative methods to gather the experimental data and answer the research questions. Insufficient vocabulary was found to be one of the key factors of anxieties in students when they communicated in the media internationally. The major sub-factors of the vocabulary-related anxieties in the students when they communicated in the media internationally (as perceived by the respondents) were spontaneous interaction with the native speakers, guessing the meaning of the words from the context, and paraphrasing ideas using synonyms. The instructional-purpose use of the predesigned vocabulary lists, learning them using the Telegram bot, talking to the foreign speakers in the media, self-analysis, and analysis by peers were proven to be capable to moderate the vocabulary-related anxieties in students when they communicate in the media with the foreign speakers.
Gothic Politics in Ahmed Saadawi’s Frankenstein in Baghdad (2013)
Authors: Alkhayat Marwa Essam Eldin Fahmy
Published: June 2022

The present article examines a narrative of darkness to illuminate the rhetoric of haunting and monstrosity. Gothicity evokes a sense of indeterminateness and it dramatizes disruptive incorporeal occurrences as interrogated in Ahmed Saadawi’sFrankenstein in Baghdad, a war Frankenfiction. It stages horror to chronicle national disintegration through the rise of a sewn-together zombie to mark the appalling arrival of the Iraqi dissenter. The new twenty-first-century monster is a zombie to defy marginality and to associate monstrosity with deviance and abnormality. Within this rationale, the present study investigates the aesthetics of Postcolonial Gothic politics to examine the use of the supernatural, the grotesque body, the monstrous abject, and the haunted ruins to depict a dismembered nation through the deployment of eerie motifs and surreal techniques. My premise fleshes out the Frankenstein hubris to dismantle the US political culture in Iraq. The aim is to reframe the modern Gothic monster as an emblem of reverse colonialism to defy the imperialist ideologies and to articulate past trauma through the rhetoric of bodily horror, haunting and ghostly fear.
Setting Narrative through Instagram Posts: A Study of BBC’s Reportage on Afghanistan
Authors: Sharma K. Anjali , Naresh Suparna
Published: June 2022

Media organizations have an immense role to play in disseminating information and shaping perspectives across borders. Though the information revolution provides us with many new opportunities, it also helps in establishing a single narrative through the cultural cultivation of popular media over time. Orientalism, in this manner, presents an image that the West created of the Near East centuries ago and these second-hand experiences are enhanced over the years by the powerful states and media organizations to maintain the established hegemony. This current study focuses on understanding the British Broadcasting Corporation’s narrative and its ability to include and exclude certain historical facts while reporting on the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan through Instagram posts. The study found BBC portraying a favorable image for the role played by the NATO allies in Afghanistan and described the Taliban as a sheer group of terror, barbaric, and inhumane organization, following extreme Sharia laws.
Islamophobia, Antisemitism, Zionism, Settler Colonialism
Authors: Veracini Lorenzo
Published: June 2022

This article discusses Islamophobia and its relationship with antisemitism in the context of the radical European right’s recent shift towards pro-Israel positions and away from its traditional antisemitism. Whereas this shift also has US and Australian manifestations, this article suggests that current Islamophobic utterances can be seen as surrogate antisemitism.
Spaces of Racialization: Ireland’s Direct Provision Asylum Centres as Sites of Racialized State Violence
Authors: Lentin Ronit
Published: June 2022

Since November 1999, people arriving in Ireland to seek asylum have been dispersed throughout the country and confined in Direct Provision (DP) accommodation centres. Though initially meant for a six-month stay, by May 2020 7,700 people were living in 85 DP and emergency accommodation centres, many of them for up to nine years. The centres are operated by for-profit private companies who have been paid 1.6 billion euros since 2000, and are mostly sited in remote locations outside cities, on the periphery of society. The confinement of asylum seekers has been disavowed by state and society and continues the disavowal by Irish state and society of the coercive confinement of unwed mothers and poor children in church-run institutions, where women and children were confined and enslaved until late in the twentieth century.

This article is based on interviews with and publicly available testimonies of asylum seekers in Direct Provision and on public and social media statements by the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (MASI). It theorizes the DP centres as racialized zones of nonbeing (Fanon 1967: 8) and the DP regime as racialized state violence. The segregation and racialization of asylum seekers in Direct Provision were poignantly demonstrated by asylum seekers’ inability to observe social distancing in overcrowded DP centres during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a considerable number of them being infected.
Blind and low-complexity modulation format identification based on signal envelope flatness for autonomous digital coherent receivers
Authors: Jiang Xuedong , Hao Ming , Yan Lianshan , Jiang Lin , Xiong Xingzhong
Published: June 2022

Modulation format identification (MFI) is a critical technology for autonomous digital coherent receivers in next-generation elastic optical networks. A novel and simple MFI scheme, to the best of our knowledge, based on signal envelope flatness is proposed without requiring any training or other prior information. After amplitude normalization and partition, the incoming polarization division multiplexed (PDM) signals can be classified into quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), 8 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), 16QAM, and 64QAM signals according to envelope flatnesses

R

1

,

R

2

, and

R

3

of signals in different amplitude ranges. The feasibility of the proposed MFI scheme is first verified via numerical simulations with 28 GBaud PDM-QPSK/-8QAM/-16QAM/-64QAM signals. Only by using 4000 symbols can the proposed MFI scheme achieve a 100% correct identification rate for the four modulation formats over a wide optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) range. Proof-of-concept experiments among 28 GBaud PDM-QPSK/-8QAM/-16QAM systems under back-to-back and long-haul fiber transmission links are implemented to further demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed MFI scheme. The experimental results show that the proposed MFI scheme can obtain a 100% correct identification rate when the OSNR value of each modulation format is higher than the threshold corresponding to 7% FEC and is resilient towards fiber nonlinearities. More importantly, the proposed MFI scheme can significantly reduce computational complexity.
Instantaneous microwave frequency measurement with single branch detection based on the birefringence effect
Authors: Zhu Wei , Li Jing , Pei Li , Ning Tigang , Zheng Jingjing , Wang Jianshuai
Published: June 2022

Instantaneous frequency measurement (IFM) with single branch detection based on the birefringence effect is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The unknown microwave frequencies are modulated to pump a length of polarization maintaining fiber. Due to the fiber birefringence effect, the input light signal is decomposed into two orthogonal-polarization signals with a relative time delay. After detection, an amplitude comparison function (ACF) is obtained by comparing the alternating-current and direct-current powers. Therefore, no multipath detection is needed so that the electrical variations in the photonic link can be cancelled out in ACF. A theoretical analysis is given to illustrate the mechanism of the proposed IFM system. The disturbances are investigated and discussed in simulation. A proof-of-concept experiment is carried out for verification with a result of

±

0.2

G
H
z

over 2.2–5.2 GHz.
Tailoring high-performance illumination lenses for extended non-Lambertian sources
Authors: Ding Zhanghao , Shen Fanqi , Liu Yingli , Kuang Cuifang , Zheng Zhenrong , Jia Shengnan , Cao Liping , Mao Xianglong , Wu Rengmao
Published: June 2022

A key challenge in tailoring compact and high-performance illumination lenses for extended non-Lambertian sources is to take both the étendue and the radiance distribution of an extended non-Lambertian source into account when redirecting the light rays from the source. We develop a direct method to tailor high-performance illumination lenses with prescribed irradiance properties for extended non-Lambertian sources. A relationship between the irradiance distribution on a given observation plane and the radiance distribution of the non-Lambertian source is established. Both edge rays and internal rays emanating from the extended light source are considered in the numerical calculation of lens profiles. Three examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness and characteristics of the proposed method. The results show that the proposed method can yield compact and high-performance illumination systems in both the near field and far field.
Quantum fisher information of an optomechanical force sensor driven by a squeezed vacuum field
Authors: Lee Chang-Woo , Lee Jae Hoon , Joo Jaewoo , Seok Hyojun
Published: June 2022

We investigate the enhancement in sensitivity when measuring a weak force through the optical response of an optomechanical oscillator driven by squeezed light. In the context of a quantum sensor based on cavity-optomechanics, the sensitivity scaling measured by the quantum Fisher information for a squeezed vacuum state pump is compared to that for a coherent state pump. We show that squeezed state inputs can produce noise levels below the standard quantum limit and even the Heisenberg limit in given regimes. This study shows that new pathways can be opened for enhanced quantum sensing with optomechanical systems conducive to measuring various physical quantities such as gravitational force, acceleration, and acoustics.
PRBS orders required to train ANN equalizer for PAM signal without overfitting
Authors: Kim Jongwan , Kim Hoon
Published: June 2022

Artificial neural network (ANN)-based nonlinear equalizers (NLEs) have been gaining popularity as powerful waveform equalizers for intensity-modulation (IM)/direct-detection (DD) systems. On the other hand, the M-ary pulse amplitude modulation (PAM-M) format is now widely used for high-speed IM/DD systems. For the training of ANN-NLE in PAM-M IM/DD systems, it is common to employ pseudorandom binary sequences (PRBSs) for the generation of PAM-M training sequences. However, when the PRBS orders used for training are not sufficiently high, the ANN-NLE might suffer from the overfitting problem, where the equalizer can estimate one or more of the constituent PRBSs from a part of PAM-M training sequence, and as a result, the trained ANN-NLE shows poor performance for new input sequences. In this paper, we provide a selection guideline of the PRBSs to train the ANN-NLE for PAM-M signals without experiencing the overfitting. For this purpose, we determine the minimum PRBS orders required to train the ANN-NLE for a given input size of the equalizer. Our theoretical analysis is confirmed through computer simulation. The selection guideline is applicable to training the ANN-NLE for the PAM-M signals, regardless of symbol coding.
Mid-infrared broadband optical frequency comb generated in MgF2 resonators
Authors: Wu Wei , Sun Qibing , Wang Yi , Yang Yu , Ming Xianshun , Shi Lei , Wang Keyi , Zhao Wei , Wang Leiran
Published: June 2022

Microresonator-based optical frequency combs are broadband light sources consisting of equally spaced and coherent narrow lines, which are extremely promising for applications in molecular spectroscopy and sensing in the mid-infrared (MIR) spectral region. There are still great challenges in exploring how to improve materials for microresonator fabrication, extend spectral bandwidth of parametric combs, and realize fully stabilized soliton MIR frequency combs. Here, we present an effective scheme for broadband MIR optical frequency comb generation in a

MgF

2

crystalline microresonator pumped by the quantum cascade laser. The spectral evolution dynamics of the MIR Kerr frequency comb is numerically investigated, revealing the formation mechanism of the microresonator soliton comb via scanning the pump-resonance detuning. We also experimentally implement the modulation instability state MIR frequency comb generation in

MgF

2

resonators covering from 3380 nm to 7760 nm. This work proceeds microresonator-based comb technology toward a miniaturization MIR spectroscopic device that provides potential opportunities in many fields such as fundamental physics and metrology.
Values of the Metaverse: Hybride Arbeit in virtuellen Begegnungsräumen
Authors: Kammler Paula , Gravemeier Laura Sophie , Göritz Lorena , Kammler Friedemann , Gembarski Paul Christoph
Published: June 2022

Spätestens seit Beginn der Corona-Pandemie ist eine Vielzahl von Unternehmen aufgrund von Social-Distancing-Maßnahmen und neuen Mitarbeiteranforderungen mit hybrider Arbeit als neuem Status Quo konfrontiert. Während hierin absehbar das Potenzial zur generellen Flexibilisierung von Arbeit liegt, müssen Arbeitgeber veränderte Formen der Zusammenarbeit auch ermöglichen und räumliche Distanzen überbrücken. Hinzu kommt, dass der unerwartete Eintritt der pandemischen Lage oftmals zur ad-hoc-Einführung von Werkzeugen geführt hat, die als „Erste Hilfe“-Lösung grundsätzliche Kommunikation und Kollaboration ermöglichen sollten. Knapp drei Jahre nach Beginn der Pandemie vergleichen wir gemeinsam mit Initiatoren und Nutzern zwei derartige Anwendungsfälle, die die Metaverse-Lösung Gather eingeführt haben. In einer multiperspektivischen Untersuchung fragen wir nach den geplanten und realisierten Mehrwerten und stellen Verbindungen zu den Features der Software her. Aus den Erkenntnissen leiten wir zwei Arten von Handlungsempfehlungen ab. Einerseits, inwiefern Gather ad-hoc als „Erste Hilfe“-Lösung geeignet ist und andererseits, welche Potenziale in der zukünftigen Überarbeitung gehoben werden können, um ein robustes hybrides Arbeitsmodell aufzubauen.
Systematic inference of indirect transcriptional regulation by protein kinases and phosphatases
Authors: Madsen Christian Degnbol , Hein Jotun , Workman Christopher T.
Published: June 2022

Gene expression is controlled by pathways of regulatory factors often involving the activity of protein kinases on transcription factor proteins. Despite this well established mechanism, the number of well described pathways that include the regulatory role of protein kinases on transcription factors is surprisingly scarce in eukaryotes.

To address this, PhosTF was developed to infer functional regulatory interactions and pathways in both simulated and real biological networks, based on linear cyclic causal models with latent variables. GeneNetWeaverPhos, an extension of GeneNetWeaver, was developed to allow the simulation of perturbations in known networks that included the activity of protein kinases and phosphatases on gene regulation. Over 2000 genome-wide gene expression profiles, where the loss or gain of regulatory genes could be observed to perturb gene regulation, were then used to infer the existence of regulatory interactions, and their mode of regulation in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Despite the additional complexity, our inference performed comparably to the best methods that inferred transcription factor regulation assessed in the DREAM4 challenge on similar simulated networks. Inference on integrated genome-scale data sets for yeast identified ∼ 8800 protein kinase/phosphatase-transcription factor interactions and ∼ 6500 interactions among protein kinases and/or phosphatases. Both types of regulatory predictions captured statistically significant numbers of known interactions of their type. Surprisingly, kinases and phosphatases regulated transcription factors by a negative mode or regulation (deactivation) in over 70% of the predictions.
Scabies epidemiology in health care centers for refugees and asylum seekers in Greece
Authors: Louka Christina , Logothetis Emmanouil , Engelman Daniel , Samiotaki-Logotheti Eirini , Pournaras Spyros , Stienstra Ymkje
Published: June 2022

Background

Scabies is a global health concern disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations such as refugees and asylum seekers. Greece is a main point of entry in Europe for refugees, but epidemiological data on scabies in this population are scarce. We aimed to describe the epidemiology of scabies, including trends over the study period.

Methodology/Principal findings

Data were collected from June, 2016 to July, 2020, using the surveillance system of the Greek National Public Health Organization. Daily reports on scabies and other infectious diseases were submitted by staff at health centers for refugees/asylum seekers. Observed proportional morbidity for scabies was calculated using consultations for scabies as a proportion of total consultations.

There were a total of 13118 scabies cases over the study period. Scabies was the third most frequently observed infectious disease in refugees/asylum seekers population after respiratory infections and gastroenteritis without blood in the stool. The scabies monthly observed proportional morbidity varied between 0.3% (August 2017) to 5.7% (January 2020). Several outbreaks were documented during the study period. The number of cases increased from October 2019 until the end of the study period, with a peak of 1663 cases in January 2020, related to an outbreak at one center. Spearman correlation test between the number of reported scabies cases and time confirmed an increasing trend (ρ = 0.67).

Conclusions/Significance

Scabies is one of the most frequently reported infectious diseases by health care workers in refugee/asylum seekers centers in Greece. Observed proportional morbidity for scabies increased over time and there were several outbreaks. The current surveillance system with daily reports of the new cases effectively detects new cases in an early stage. Public health interventions, including mass drug administration, should be considered to reduce the burden of scabies in refugee/migrant populations.
Vulnerability of smallholder farmers to climate variability and change across different agro-ecological Zones in Oromo Nationality Administration (ONA), North east Ethiopia
Authors: Ebrahim Ahmed Aliy , Miheretu Birhan Asmame , Alemayehu Arragaw
Published: June 2022

Ethiopia is frequently identified as a country that is highly vulnerable to climate variability and change. The study was aimed to examine agro-ecological based smallholder farmers’ livelihood vulnerability to climate variability and change in Oromo Nationality Administration (ONA), North East Ethiopia. Data were collected from a survey of 335 sampled households, focus group discussion, and interview from three different agro-ecologies in the study area and secondary sources. Count, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Chi-square test (test of independence), ANOVA, Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) and LVI-IPCC were used for analysis. LVI and LVI-IPCC results revealed that Kolla is the most vulnerable (0.18) because of its highest exposure (0.74) and sensitivity (0.71) values and lowest adaptive capacity (0.49) while Daga is least vulnerable (0.08) because of its lowest exposure (0.61) and sensitivity (0.42). Overall, results suggest that the two methods resulted in similar degrees of vulnerability and identified Kolla agro-ecological zone as the most vulnerable while the Dega agro-ecological zone is the least vulnerable of the three agro-ecological zones. The researchers conclude that development strategies and plans should be prepared considering local-specific issues and/or situation.