bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TiN-GST-TiN all-optical reflection modulator for the 2 µm wave band reaching 85% efficiency
Authors: Bhuiyan Md Asif Hossain , Mitu Shamima Akter , Choudhury Sajid Muhaimin
Published: October 2022

In this study, we present an all-optical reflection modulator for the
2 µm communication band exploiting a nanogear-array metasurface
and phase-change-material

G
e

2

S
b

2

T
e

5

(GST). The reflectance of the
structure can be manipulated by altering the phase of GST by employing
optical stimuli, and this paper provides details on the optical and
opto-thermal modeling techniques of GST. A numerical investigation
reveals that the metastructure exhibits a conspicuous changeover from

∼

99
%

absorption to very poor interaction
with the operating light depending on the switching states of the GST,
ending up with 85% modulation depth and only 0.58 dB insertion
loss. Due to noticeable differences in optical responses, we can
demonstrate a high extinction ratio of 28 dB and a commendable
figure of merit of 49, so far the best modulation performance in this
wavelength window, to our knowledge. In addition, real-time tracking
of reflectance during phase transition manifests high-speed switching
expending low energy per cycle, of the order of sub-nJ. Hence, given
its overall performance, the device will be a paradigm for optical
modulators for upcoming 2 µm communication technology.
Miniature light-driven nanophotonic electron acceleration and control
Authors: Shiloh Roy , Schönenberger Norbert , Adiv Yuval , Ruimy Ron , Karnieli Aviv , Hughes Tyler , Joel England R. , Leedle Kenneth James , Black Dylan S. , Zhao Zhexin , Musumeci Pietro , Byer Robert L. , Arie Ady , Kaminer Ido , Hommelhoff Peter
Published: October 2022

Dielectric laser accelerators (DLAs) are fundamentally based on the
interaction of photons with free electrons, where energy and momentum
conservation are satisfied by mediation of a nanostructure. In this
scheme, the photonic nanostructure induces near-fields which transfer
energy from the photon to the electron, similar to the
inverse-Smith–Purcell effect described in metallic gratings.
This, in turn, may provide ground-breaking applications, as it is a
technology promising to miniaturize particle accelerators down to the
chip scale. This fundamental interaction can also be used to study and
demonstrate quantum photon-electron phenomena. The spontaneous and
stimulated Smith–Purcell effect and the photon-induced
near-field electron-microscopy (PINEM) effect have evolved to be a
fruitful ground for observing quantum effects. In particular, the
energy spectrum of the free electron has been shown to have discrete
energy peaks, spaced with the interacting photon energy. This energy
spectrum is correlated to the photon statistics and number of photon
exchanges that took place during the interaction. We give an overview
of DLA and PINEM physics with a focus on electron phase-space
manipulation.
Multihop fault-tolerant joint remote state preparation of an arbitrary single-qubit state
Authors: Gong Renzhi , Jiang Min
Published: October 2022

We present a strategy for multihop fault-tolerant joint remote state preparation of an arbitrary single-qubit state. To reduce the requirements of the channels, our scheme uses the nonmaximally entangled channel instead of the maximally entangled channel as the quantum channel. However, several typical operational errors such as X, Z, or XZ may occur on the channel qubits when the qubits are distributed from the former node to the next adjacent node. Note that the quantum error correction matrix is considered to deal with the influence of all possible operational errors by the final receiver instead of each intermediate node. Since all the measurement operations in the scheme can be executed in parallel and all the error corrections and the preparation of the target state are handled by the receiver with one unified unitary operation, our scheme significantly reduces both the time delay and the operation complexity and also enhances the implementation efficiency.
Compact and broadband on-chip silicon polarization beam splitter based on tilted subwavelength grating
Authors: Sun Haoyang , Xu Yin , Dong Yue , Zhang Bo , Ni Yi
Published: October 2022

Efficient polarization management is a key issue for on-chip silicon photonic integrated circuits. Here, we propose a compact and broadband on-chip silicon polarization beam splitter (PBS) using tilted subwavelength grating (SWG) structure. The key polarization separation region consists of an input tapered SWG, a titled SWG, and two output tapered SWGs at both output ports. The tilted SWG has a strong polarization dependence for the mode coupling, and we have introduced different grating duty cycles, positional offset, and a new, to the best of our knowledge, output mode transition structure to enhance the device performance. Based on these techniques, the key coupling length of the proposed PBS is only 5 µm (total length, 12 µm), together with polarization extinction ratio (ER) 21.2 dB (19.7 dB) and insertion loss 0.21 dB (0.39 dB) for the TE (TM) mode. Moreover, the device working bandwidth can be extended to 311 nm (154 nm) by keeping

E
R

>

15

d
B

(

E
R

>

18

d
B

), satisfying the on-chip broadband applications. We believe the proposed device could become a good candidate to boost the on-chip polarization management toward compact and broadband directions.
Utility of knife-edge position tracking in cycloidal computed tomography
Authors: Roche i Morgó Oriol , Aleksejev Jure , Astolfo Alberto , Savvidis Savvas , Gerli Mattia FM , Cipiccia Silvia , Olivo Alessandro , Hagen Charlotte K.
Published: October 2022

Cycloidal computed tomography provides high-resolution images within relatively short scan times by combining beam modulation with dedicated under-sampling. However, implementing the technique relies on accurate knowledge of the sample’s motion, particularly in the case of continuous scans, which is often unavailable due to hardware or software limitations. We have developed an easy-to-implement position tracking technique using a sharp edge, which can provide reliable information about the trajectory of the sample and thus improve the reconstruction process. Furthermore, this approach also enables the development of other innovative sampling schemes, which may otherwise be difficult to implement.
Scalable workflow for characterization of cell-cell communication in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Lin Yingxin , Loo Lipin , Tran Andy , Lin David M. , Moreno Cesar , Hesselson Daniel , Neely G. Gregory , Yang Jean Y. H.
Published: October 2022

COVID-19 patients display a wide range of disease severity, ranging from asymptomatic to critical symptoms with high mortality risk. Our ability to understand the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 infected cells within the lung, and of protective or dysfunctional immune responses to the virus, is critical to effectively treat these patients. Currently, our understanding of cell-cell interactions across different disease states, and how such interactions may drive pathogenic outcomes, is incomplete. Here, we developed a generalizable and scalable workflow for identifying cells that are differentially interacting across COVID-19 patients with distinct disease outcomes and use this to examine eight public single-cell RNA-seq datasets (six from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, one from bronchoalveolar lavage and one from nasopharyngeal), with a total of 211 individual samples. By characterizing the cell-cell interaction patterns across epithelial and immune cells in lung tissues for patients with varying disease severity, we illustrate diverse communication patterns across individuals, and discover heterogeneous communication patterns among moderate and severe patients. We further illustrate patterns derived from cell-cell interactions are potential signatures for discriminating between moderate and severe patients. Overall, this workflow can be generalized and scaled to combine multiple scRNA-seq datasets to uncover cell-cell interactions.
Improving the management and security of COVID 19 diagnostic test data with a digital platform in resource-limited settings: The case of PlaCARD in Cameroon
Authors: Tchatchueng-Mbougua Jules Brice , Messanga Essengue Loique Landry , Septoh Yuya Francis Jaudel , Kamtchogom Vanessa , Hamadou Achta , Sadeuh-Mbah Serge Alain , Tagnouokam-Ngoupo Paul Alain , Tchuente Maurice , Njouom Richard , Eyangoh Sara , Tejiokem Mathurin Cyrille
Published: October 2022

During the COVID 19 pandemic, round-the-clock demand for COVID -19 laboratory tests exceeded capacity, placing a significant burden on laboratory staff and infrastructure. The use of laboratory information management systems (LIMS) to streamline all phases of laboratory testing (preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical) has become inevitable. The objective of this study is to describe the architecture, implementation, and requirements of PlaCARD, a software platform for managing patient registration, medical specimens, and diagnostic data flow, as well as reporting and authentication of diagnostic results during the 2019 coronavirus pandemic (COVID -19) in Cameroon. Building on its experience with biosurveillance, CPC developed an open-source, real-time digital health platform with web and mobile applications called PlaCARD to improve the efficiency and timing of disease-related interventions. PlaCARD was quickly adapted to the decentralization strategy of the COVID 19 testing in Cameroon and, after specific user training, was deployed in all COVID 19 diagnostic laboratories and the regional emergency operations center. Overall, 71% of samples tested for COVID 19 by molecular diagnostics in Cameroon from 05 March 2020 to 31 October 2021 were entered into PlaCARD. The median turnaround time for providing results was 2 days [0–2.3] before April 2021 and decreased to 1 day [1– 1] after the introduction of SMS result notification in PlaCARD. The integration of LIMS and workflow management into a single comprehensive software platform (PlaCARD) has strengthened COVID 19 surveillance capabilities in Cameroon. PlaCARD has demonstrated that it can be used as a LIMS for managing and securing test data during an outbreak.
Spatio-temporal based deep learning for rapid detection and identification of bacterial colonies through lens-free microscopy time-lapses
Authors: Paquin Paul , Durmort Claire , Paulus Caroline , Vernet Thierry , Marcoux Pierre R. , Morales Sophie
Published: October 2022

Detection and identification of pathogenic bacteria isolated from biological samples (blood, urine, sputum, etc.) are crucial steps in accelerated clinical diagnosis. However, accurate and rapid identification remain difficult to achieve due to the challenge of having to analyse complex and large samples. Current solutions (mass spectrometry, automated biochemical testing, etc.) propose a trade-off between time and accuracy, achieving satisfactory results at the expense of time-consuming processes, which can also be intrusive, destructive and costly. Moreover, those techniques tend to require an overnight subculture on solid agar medium delaying bacteria identification by 12–48 hours, thus preventing rapid prescription of appropriate treatment as it hinders antibiotic susceptibility testing. In this study, lens-free imaging is presented as a possible solution to achieve a quick and accurate wide range, non-destructive, label-free pathogenic bacteria detection and identification in real-time using micro colonies (10–500 μm) kinetic growth pattern combined with a two-stage deep learning architecture. Bacterial colonies growth time-lapses were acquired thanks to a live-cell lens-free imaging system and a thin-layer agar media made of 20 μl BHI (Brain Heart Infusion) to train our deep learning networks. Our architecture proposal achieved interesting results on a dataset constituted of seven different pathogenic bacteria—Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium), Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis), Streptococcus pneumoniae R6 (S. pneumoniae), Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes), Lactococcus Lactis (L. Lactis). At T = 8h, our detection network reached an average 96.0% detection rate while our classification network precision and sensitivity averaged around 93.1% and 94.0% respectively, both were tested on 1908 colonies. Our classification network even obtained a perfect score for E. faecalis (60 colonies) and very high score for S. epidermidis at 99.7% (647 colonies). Our method achieved those results thanks to a novel technique coupling convolutional and recurrent neural networks together to extract spatio-temporal patterns from unreconstructed lens-free microscopy time-lapses.
The RNA helicase DDX6 controls early mouse embryogenesis by repressing aberrant inhibition of BMP signaling through miRNA-mediated gene silencing
Authors: Kim Jessica , Muraoka Masafumi , Okada Hajime , Toyoda Atsushi , Ajima Rieko , Saga Yumiko
Published: October 2022

The evolutionarily conserved RNA helicase DDX6 is a central player in post-transcriptional regulation, but its role during embryogenesis remains elusive. We here show that DDX6 enables proper cell lineage specification from pluripotent cells by analyzing Ddx6 knockout (KO) mouse embryos and employing an in vitro epiblast-like cell (EpiLC) induction system. Our study unveils that DDX6 is an important BMP signaling regulator. Deletion of Ddx6 causes the aberrant upregulation of the negative regulators of BMP signaling, which is accompanied by enhanced expression of Nodal and related genes. Ddx6 KO pluripotent cells acquire higher pluripotency with a strong inclination toward neural lineage commitment. During gastrulation, abnormally expanded Nodal and Eomes expression in the primitive streak likely promotes endoderm cell fate specification while inhibiting mesoderm differentiation. We also genetically dissected major DDX6 pathways by generating Dgcr8, Dcp2, and Eif4enif1 KO models in addition to Ddx6 KO. We found that the miRNA pathway mutant Dgcr8 KO phenocopies Ddx6 KO, indicating that DDX6 mostly works along with the miRNA pathway during early development, whereas its P-body-related functions are dispensable. Therefore, we conclude that DDX6 prevents aberrant upregulation of BMP signaling inhibitors by participating in miRNA-mediated gene silencing processes. Overall, this study delineates how DDX6 affects the development of the three primary germ layers during early mouse embryogenesis and the underlying mechanism of DDX6 function.
Phosphorylated histone variant γH2Av is associated with chromatin insulators in Drosophila
Authors: Simmons James R. , An Ran , Amankwaa Bright , Zayac Shannon , Kemp Justin , Labrador Mariano
Published: October 2022

Chromatin insulators are responsible for orchestrating long-range interactions between enhancers and promoters throughout the genome and align with the boundaries of Topologically Associating Domains (TADs). Here, we demonstrate an association between gypsy insulator proteins and the phosphorylated histone variant H2Av (γH2Av), normally a marker of DNA double strand breaks. Gypsy insulator components colocalize with γH2Av throughout the genome, in polytene chromosomes and in diploid cells in which Chromatin IP data shows it is enriched at TAD boundaries. Mutation of insulator components su(Hw) and Cp190 results in a significant reduction in γH2Av levels in chromatin and phosphatase inhibition strengthens the association between insulator components and γH2Av and rescues γH2Av localization in insulator mutants. We also show that γH2Av, but not H2Av, is a component of insulator bodies, which are protein condensates that form during osmotic stress. Phosphatase activity is required for insulator body dissolution after stress recovery. Together, our results implicate the H2A variant with a novel mechanism of insulator function and boundary formation.
After action review of the response to an outbreak of Lassa fever in Sierra Leone, 2019: Best practices and lessons learnt
Authors: Njuguna Charles , Vandi Mohamed , Liyosi Evans , Githuku Jane , Squire James Sylvester , Njeru Ian , Rufus Ian , Katawera Victoria , Gachari Wilson , Musoke Robert , Amuzu Claudette , Fahnbulleh Mukeh , Bunting-Graden Joseph , Kayita Janet , Bunn James , Talisuna Ambrose , Yoti Zabulon
Published: October 2022

Background

In November 2019, an outbreak of Lassa Fever occurred among health workers in a non-endemic district in Sierra Leone. The outbreak resulted in five cases, including two that were exported to the Netherlands. The outbreak tested multiple technical capacities in the International Health Regulations (2005) in a real-life setting. As such, an after action review (AAR) was undertaken as recommended by World Health Organization. We report on the findings of the AAR including best practices and lessons learnt.

Methods

A two stage review process was employed. The first stage involved national pillar level reviews for each technical pillar and one review of the district level response. The second stage brought together all pillars, including participants from the national and sub-national level as well as health sector partners. National guidelines were used as references during the deliberations. A standardized template was used to report on the key findings on what happened, what was supposed to happen, what went well and lessons learnt.

Results

This was a hospital associated outbreak that likely occurred due to a breach in infection prevention and control (IPC) practices resulting in three health workers being infected during a surgical operation. There was a delay in detecting the outbreak on time due to low index of suspicion among clinicians. Once detected, the outbreak response contained the outbreak within one incubation period. Areas that worked well included coordination, contact tracing, active case search and ring IPC. Notable gaps included delays in accessing local emergency funding and late distribution of IPC and laboratory supplies.

Conclusions

The incident management system worked optimally to contain this outbreak. The core technical gaps identified in surveillance, IPC and delay in deployment of resources should be addressed through systemic changes that can mitigate future outbreaks.
The impact of patient travel time on disparities in treatment for early stage lung cancer in California
Authors: Obrochta Chelsea A. , Parada Humberto , Murphy James D. , Nara Atsushi , Trinidad Dennis , Araneta Maria Rosario (Happy) , Thompson Caroline A.
Published: October 2022

Background

Travel time to treatment facilities may impede the receipt of guideline-concordant treatment (GCT) among patients diagnosed with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (ES-NSCLC). We investigated the relative contribution of travel time in the receipt of GCT among ES-NSCLC patients.

Methods

We included 22,821 ES-NSCLC patients diagnosed in California from 2006–2015. GCT was defined using the 2016 National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, and delayed treatment was defined as treatment initiation >6 versus ≤6 weeks after diagnosis. Mean-centered driving and public transit times were calculated from patients’ residential block group centroid to the treatment facilities. We used logistic regression to estimate risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between patients’ travel time and receipt of GCT and timely treatment, overall and by race/ethnicity and neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES).

Results

Overall, a 15-minute increase in travel time was associated with a decreased risk of undertreatment and delayed treatment. Compared to Whites, among Blacks, a 15-minute increase in driving time was associated with a 24% (95%CI = 8%-42%) increased risk of undertreatment, and among Filipinos, a 15-minute increase in public transit time was associated with a 27% (95%CI = 13%-42%) increased risk of delayed treatment. Compared to the highest nSES, among the lowest nSES, 15-minute increases in driving and public transit times were associated with 33% (95%CI = 16%-52%) and 27% (95%CI = 16%-39%) increases in the risk of undertreatment and delayed treatment, respectively.

Conclusion

The benefit of GCT observed with increased travel times may be a ‘Travel Time Paradox,’ and may vary across racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups.
Phylogenetic resolution of the fly superfamily Ephydroidea–Molecular systematics of the enigmatic and diverse relatives of Drosophilidae
Authors: Winkler Isaac S. , Kirk-Spriggs Ashley H. , Bayless Keith M. , Soghigian John , Meier Rudolf , Pape Thomas , Yeates David K. , Carvalho A. Bernardo , Copeland Robert S. , Wiegmann Brian M.
Published: October 2022

The schizophoran superfamily Ephydroidea (Diptera: Cyclorrhapha) includes eight families, ranging from the well-known vinegar flies (Drosophilidae) and shore flies (Ephydridae), to several small, relatively unusual groups, the phylogenetic placement of which has been particularly challenging for systematists. An extraordinary diversity in life histories, feeding habits and morphology are a hallmark of fly biology, and the Ephydroidea are no exception. Extreme specialization can lead to “orphaned” taxa with no clear evidence for their phylogenetic position. To resolve relationships among a diverse sample of Ephydroidea, including the highly modified flies in the families Braulidae and Mormotomyiidae, we conducted phylogenomic sampling. Using exon capture from Anchored Hybrid Enrichment and transcriptomics to obtain 320 orthologous nuclear genes sampled for 32 species of Ephydroidea and 11 outgroups, we evaluate a new phylogenetic hypothesis for representatives of the superfamily. These data strongly support monophyly of Ephydroidea with Ephydridae as an early branching radiation and the placement of Mormotomyiidae as a family-level lineage sister to all remaining families. We confirm placement of Cryptochetidae as sister taxon to a large clade containing both Drosophilidae and Braulidae–the latter a family of honeybee ectoparasites. Our results reaffirm that sampling of both taxa and characters is critical in hyperdiverse clades and that these factors have a major influence on phylogenomic reconstruction of the history of the schizophoran fly radiation.
Would you respect a norm if it sounds foreign? Foreign-accented speech affects decision-making processes
Authors: Bazzi Luca , Brouwer Susanne , Planelles Almeida Margarita , Foucart Alice
Published: October 2022

Does listening to a foreign-accented speaker bias native speakers’ behavior? We investigated whether the accent, i.e., a foreign accent versus a native accent, in which a social norm is presented affects native speakers’ decision to respect the norm (Experiments 1 and 2) and the judgement for not respecting it (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, we presented 128 native Spanish speakers with new social norms, adapted from the measures imposed by the Spanish Government to fight the Covid-19 pandemic (e.g., ‘To avoid the spread of the Covid-19 virus, keep your distance’), whereas in Experiment 2, we presented 240 native Spanish speakers with everyday social norms learned from childhood (e.g., ‘Not littering on the street or in public places’), that have an intrinsic cultural and linguistic link. In Experiment 1, the norms were uttered either in a native accent, or in a foreign accent unfamiliar to our participants to avoid stereotypes. In Experiment 2, we added an accent negatively perceived in Spain to assess the role of language attitudes on decision making. Overall, accent did not directly impact participants’ final decisions, but it influenced the decision-making process. The factors that seem to underlie this effect are emotionality and language attitudes. These findings add up to the recent Foreign Accent effect observed on moral judgements and further highlight the role of the speaker’s identity in decision making.
Socio-economic dynamics of Magdalenian hunter-gatherers: Functional perspective
Authors: Gauvrit Roux Eugénie
Published: October 2022

The beginning of the Middle Magdalenian is marked by an increase in the density and geographic extension of evidences of human occupation across western Europe. The Early Middle Magdalenian (19,5–17,5 ka cal. BP) thereby extends from Poland to Spain, and the sharing of the flint-knapping concepts and the circulation of raw materials show the existence of networks active over this wide area. In parallel, part of the production of art, ornaments, microliths, bone industry, and the proportions of hunted ungulates vary regionally and allow to identify distinct technical traditions. Departing from a palethnographic approach at a regional scale, this paper aims at participating in renewing our understanding of the mechanisms of regionalisation during the period, and among past societies of hunter-gatherers. The reflection is based on the techno-functional analysis of stone tools from two cave sites of west-central France that are at the heart of the definition of two technical traditions: La Marche (Magdalenian with Lussac-Angles points) and the Blanchard cave (Magdalenian with navettes). Inter-site comparisons of the functioning and management of stone tools, and of subsistence strategies show the sharing of techno-economical norms, expressing the adhesion to a wider community of practice. The long-term occupation of at least part of the caves and the high density of sites in the Vienne, the Creuse, the Gartempe, and the Charente Valleys, indicate the strong regional implantation of human societies. This strong territoriality (effective and symbolic) is likely a major factor to understand the specificity of the EMM expressions in the area, as well as the sharing, in the same economic territory, of technical norms and of part of the system of symbolic representation.
The effects of social feedback on private opinions. Empirical evidence from the laboratory
Authors: Sarközi Marcel , Jütersonke Stephanie , Banisch Sven , Poppe Stephan , Berger Roger
Published: October 2022

The question of how people change their opinions through social interactions has been on the agenda of social scientific research for many decades. Now that the Internet has led to an ever greater interconnectedness and new forms of exchange that seem to go hand in hand with increasing political polarization, it is once again gaining in relevance. Most recently, the field of opinion dynamics has been complemented by social feedback theory, which explains opinion polarization phenomena by means of a reinforcement learning mechanism. According to the assumptions, individuals not only evaluate the opinion alternatives available to them based on the social feedback received as a result of expressing an opinion within a certain social environment. Rather, they also internalize the expected and thus rewarded opinion to the point where it becomes their actual private opinion. In order to put the implications of social feedback theory to a test, we conducted a randomized controlled laboratory experiment. The study combined preceding and follow-up opinion measurements via online surveys with a laboratory treatment. Social feedback was found to have longer-term effects on private opinions, even when received in an anonymous and sanction free setting. Interestingly and contrary to our expectations, however, it was the mixture of supportive and rejective social feedback that resulted in the strongest influence. In addition, we observed a high degree of opinion volatility, highlighting the need for further research to help identify additional internal and external factors that might influence whether and how social feedback affects private opinions.
ECG performance in simultaneous recordings of five wearable devices using a new morphological noise-to-signal index and Smith-Waterman-based RR interval comparisons
Authors: Bläsing Dominic , Buder Anja , Reiser Julian Elias , Nisser Maria , Derlien Steffen , Vollmer Marcus
Published: October 2022

Background

Numerous wearables are used in a research context to record cardiac activity although their validity and usability has not been fully investigated. The objectives of this study is the cross-model comparison of data quality at different realistic use cases (cognitive and physical tasks). The recording quality is expressed by the ability to accurately detect the QRS complex, the amount of noise in the data, and the quality of RR intervals.

Methods

Five ECG devices (eMotion Faros 360°, Hexoskin Hx1, NeXus-10 MKII, Polar RS800 Multi and SOMNOtouch NIBP) were attached and simultaneously tested in 13 participants. Used test conditions included: measurements during rest, treadmill walking/running, and a cognitive 2-back task. Signal quality was assessed by a new local morphological quality parameter morphSQ which is defined as a weighted peak noise-to-signal ratio on percentage scale. The QRS detection performance was evaluated with eplimited on synchronized data by comparison to ground truth annotations. A modification of the Smith-Waterman algorithm has been used to assess the RR interval quality and to classify incorrect beat annotations. Evaluation metrics includes the positive predictive value, false negative rates, and F1 scores for beat detection performance.

Results

All used devices achieved sufficient signal quality in non-movement conditions. Over all experimental phases, insufficient quality expressed by morphSQ values below 10% was only found in 1.22% of the recorded beats using eMotion Faros 360°whereas the rate was 8.67% with Hexoskin Hx1. Nevertheless, QRS detection performed well across all used devices with positive predictive values between 0.985 and 1.000. False negative rates are ranging between 0.003 and 0.017. eMotion Faros 360°achieved the most stable results among the tested devices with only 5 false positive and 19 misplaced beats across all recordings identified by the Smith-Waterman approach.

Conclusion

Data quality was assessed by two new approaches: analyzing the noise-to-signal ratio using morphSQ, and RR interval quality using Smith-Waterman. Both methods deliver comparable results. However the Smith-Waterman approach allows the direct comparison of RR intervals without the need for signal synchronization whereas morphSQ can be computed locally.
Life satisfaction, resilience and coping mechanisms among medical students during COVID-19
Authors: Haider Sonia Ijaz , Ahmed Farhatulain , Pasha Hassan , Pasha Hadia , Farheen Nudrat , Zahid Muhammad Talha
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Life satisfaction influences well-being. Medical students often experience more stress as compared to their counterparts in other disciplines as they are required to meet the demands of both academic workload and clinical responsibilities. However, during the current pandemic, in addition to academic changes, inability to complete clinical placements, loss of peer interaction and social connectedness and, deployment to areas in times of crisis could exacerbate their stress. This would impact their ability to cope with stress and eventually influence their life satisfaction. Students approach these challenges in various ways, either positively, religiously, or by avoiding. This study aimed to explore the association between resilience, coping mechanisms and life satisfaction in medical students during the pandemic.

Methods

A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted from undergraduate medical students from year 1 to year 5. Three instruments were used to measure life satisfaction, resilience, and coping, namely The Brief Resilience Scale, The Satisfaction with Life Scale and the COPE inventory. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for all continuous variables. Robust linear regression model was used for analysis. Hierarchical (forward) stepwise model building technique was used for final model. Alpha cut off was kept at 0.05.

Results

A total of 351 students (out of 500 students) completed the questionnaires. A moderately negative, slightly linear correlation between life satisfaction and avoidant coping was reported. Life satisfaction showed moderately positive, slightly linear correlation with resilience score. Three variables stayed significant in the final model: Resilience, avoidant coping, and religion coping.

Conclusion

Life satisfaction can be improved among medical students by focusing on strategies which enhance resilience. Religion is identified as a significant coping strategy among medical students. Students coping mechanism can vary and more research is needed to assess which types of coping strategies could contribute positively to the quality of their personal and professional lives
BMI and HbA1c are metabolic markers for pancreatic cancer: Matched case-control study using a UK primary care database
Authors: Lemanska Agnieszka , Price Claire A. , Jeffreys Nathan , Byford Rachel , Dambha-Miller Hajira , Fan Xuejuan , Hinton William , Otter Sophie , Rice Rebecca , Stunt Ali , Whyte Martin B. , Faithfull Sara , de Lusignan Simon
Published: October 2022

Background

Weight loss, hyperglycaemia and diabetes are known features of pancreatic cancer. We quantified the timing and the amount of changes in body mass index (BMI) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and their association with pancreatic cancer from five years before diagnosis.

Methods

A matched case-control study was undertaken within 590 primary care practices in England, United Kingdom. 8,777 patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (cases) between 1stJanuary 2007 and 31stAugust 2020 were matched to 34,979 controls by age, gender and diabetes. Longitudinal trends in BMI and HbA1c were visualised. Odds ratios adjusted for demographic and lifestyle factors (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated with conditional logistic regression. Subgroup analyses were undertaken according to the diabetes status.

Results

Changes in BMI and HbA1c observed for cases on longitudinal plots started one and two years (respectively) before diagnosis. In the year before diagnosis, a 1 kg/m2decrease in BMI between cases and controls was associated with aOR for pancreatic cancer of 1.05 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.06), and a 1 mmol/mol increase in HbA1c was associated with aOR of 1.06 (1.06 to 1.07). ORs remained statistically significant (p< 0.001) for 2 years before pancreatic cancer diagnosis for BMI and 3 years for HbA1c. Subgroup analysis revealed that the decrease in BMI was associated with a higher pancreatic cancer risk for people with diabetes than for people without (aORs 1.08, 1.06 to 1.09 versus 1.04, 1.03 to 1.05), but the increase in HbA1c was associated with a higher risk for people without diabetes than for people with diabetes (aORs 1.09, 1.07 to 1.11 versus 1.04, 1.03 to 1.04).

Conclusions

The statistically significant changes in weight and glycaemic control started three years before pancreatic cancer diagnosis but varied according to the diabetes status. The information from this study could be used to detect pancreatic cancer earlier than is currently achieved. However, regular BMI and HbA1c measurements are required to facilitate future research and implementation in clinical practice.
Wood stock in neotropical streams: Quantifying and comparing instream wood among biomes and regions
Authors: Saraiva Sarah O. , Rutherfurd Ian D. , Kaufmann Philip R. , Leal Cecília G. , Macedo Diego R. , Pompeu Paulo S.
Published: October 2022

Instream wood plays important chemical, physical and ecological functions in aquatic systems, benefiting biota directly and indirectly. However, human activities along river corridors have disrupted wood recruitment and retention, usually leading to reductions in the amount of instream wood. In the tropics, where wood is believed to be more transient, the expansion of agriculture and infrastructure might be reducing instream wood stock even more than in the better studied temperate streams. However, research is needed to augment the small amount of information about wood in different biomes and ecosystems of neotropical streams. Here we present the first extensive assessment of instream wood loads and size distributions in streams of the wet-tropical Amazon and semi-humid-tropical Cerrado (the Brazilian savanna). We also compare neotropical wood stocks with those in temperate streams, first comparing against data from the literature, and then from a comparable dataset from temperate biomes in the USA. Contrary to our expectations, Amazon and Cerrado streams carried similar wood loads, which were lower than the world literature average, but similar to those found in comparable temperate forest and savanna streams in the USA. Our results indicate that the field survey methods and the wood metric adopted are highly important when comparing different datasets. But when properly compared, we found that most of the wood in temperate streams is made-up of a small number of large pieces, whereas wood in neotropical streams is made up of a larger number of small pieces that produce similar total volumes. The character of wood volumes among biomes is linked more to the delivery, transport and decomposition mechanisms than to the total number of pieces. Future studies should further investigate the potential instream wood drivers in neotropical catchments in order to better understand the differences and similarities here detected between biomes and climatic regions.
Extension projects as transformers of society: A report of experience of students of the Centro Universitário Senac, Águas de São Pedro campus, with APAE São Pedro (SP).
Authors: Pedrosa Rute Machado , Teixeira Nicholas , Stoco Fábio Leandro Bontorim , Coletti Gabriel Furlan
Published: October 2022

Higher education goes beyond the development of technical skills, and plays a central role in the social transformation of the environment in which it is inserted. This role is fostered within institutions through research, teaching and extension.  This work is a report of the experience of students of the APAE of São Pedro, within the extension project "APAE no Senac", carried out by the Centro Universitário Senac, Águas de São Pedro campus (SP). Its purpose was to promote the social inclusion of these people, given that one of the main functions of gastronomy, since the discovery of fire, has been to bring people together. The APAE students were able to gain experience of activities of the degree in gastronomy technology by applying cooking and recipe replication techniques, in a controlled environment, in twelve demonstrative and practical classes, accompanied by project scholarship students and advisory professors from the HEI. The classes were developed in the kitchens and restaurant laboratories of the college. It was observed that there is potential for replicability of the work model, due to its characteristics and the low investment required. There is also potential to generate the teaching experience for HEI students and social inclusion for APAE students, through the mastery of new tools and techniques in the area of gastronomy.
A Semi-Supervised Learning Method for Hyperspectral-Image Open Set Classification
Authors: Duan Zhaolin , Chen Hao , Li Xiaohua , Zhou Jiliu , Wang Yuan
Published: October 2022

We present a conceptually simple and flexible method for hyperspectral-image open set classification. Unlike previous methods, where the abundant unlabeled data inherent in the data set are ignored completely and unknown classes are inferred using score post-calibration, our approach
makes the unlabeled data join in and help to train a simple and practical model for open set classification. The model is able to provide an explicit decision score for both unknown classes and each known class. The main idea of the proposed method is augmenting the original training set of
K known classes using the pseudo-labeled unknown-category samples that are detected elaborately from the unlabeled data using modified OpenMax and semi-supervised iterative learning. Then a (K + 1)-class deep convolutional neural network model is trained based on the augmented training set
with (K + 1) class samples. The model can not only classify instances of each known class but also refuse instances of unknown class explicitly. We validated the proposed method on four well-known hyperspectral-image data sets, obtaining superior performance over previous methods.
Follow-up of benign thyroid nodules confirmed by ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy after inconclusive cytology on fine-needle aspiration biopsy
Authors: Hwang Yoon Ji , Koo Hye Ryoung , Park Jeong Seon
Published: October 2022

Purpose: The goal of this study was to follow benign thyroid nodules confirmed by ultrasound (US)-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) after inconclusive cytology on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy.Methods: Sixty-two thyroid nodules from 62 patients with CNB-confirmed benign histology that initially had inconclusive cytology on FNA were retrospectively included. The thyroid nodules were followed for 38.7 months (median, 27.5 months; range, 6 to 101 months), and the US findings of biopsied nodules, such as the interval change in size, US characteristics, and imaging category based on the Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (K-TIRADS), were evaluated. In addition, patients’ clinical records were reviewed for any further management or newly diagnosed thyroid malignancy.Results: Among 62 cases, three (4.8%) showed interval size growth, while 59 (95.2%) demonstrated no interval change or a decrease in size. There was no upgrade of K-TIRADS category or any newly diagnosed malignancy during the follow-up period.Conclusion: US-guided CNB-confirmed benign thyroid nodules with inconclusive cytology on FNA showed a stable status during follow-up, and repeated CNB could be helpful in the management of nodules with inconclusive cytology on FNA.
Proposta de glossário bilíngue Libras–português para aprendizagem da matemática
Authors: D'Azevedo Rodolpho Pinheiro , Vilarinho Michelle Machado de Oliveira
Published: October 2022

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados da pesquisa de mestrado desenvolvida na linha de pesquisa Léxico e Terminologia do Programa de Pós-graduação em Linguística da Universidade de Brasília (UnB). O objeto de estudo é constituído pelos termos matemáticos relacionados ao campo conceitual equações, tendo como público-alvo os alunos Surdos, bem como os professores e intérpretes educacionais atuantes na Educação Básica. O objetivo foi criar glossário terminológico bilíngue Libras – Português de termos matemáticos deste campo conceitual. Para tanto, registramos os termos e sinais-termo seguindo o modelo de ficha terminográfica de Faulstich (2010), para a Língua Portuguesa, e o modelo de ficha terminográfica em Libras de Tuxi (2017). O método empregado na pesquisa foi o analítico-descritivo. Como procedimentos metodológicos, adotamos os seguintes passos: i) coleta dos termos e das definições em Língua Portuguesa; ii) reformulação das definições em Língua Portuguesa; iii) preenchimento das fichas terminográficas em Língua Portuguesa; iv) coleta dos sinais-termo em Libras; v) criação dos sinais-termo; vi) validação dos sinais-termo; vii) preenchimento das Fichas de Análise de Sinal-Termo; viii) criação das definições em Libras; ix) preenchimento das fichas terminográficas em Libras. Como resultado dessa pesquisa, apresentamos o Glossário Bilíngue Libras – Português da matemática, o qual se baseou na proposta de organização de glossário bilíngue de Tuxi (2017), de modo que há registro de sinais-termo equivalentes em outras línguas de sinais, além da possibilidade de direcionamento das remissivas tanto em português quanto em Libras, por meio de hiperlinks. Em relação ao público-alvo, este glossário é destinado a alunos Surdos dos anos finais do Ensino Fundamental e do Ensino Médio, além dos professores de matemática e intérpretes educacionais que atuam diretamente no ensino de matemática para estes alunos.
Freedom Learning on Early Childhood Education: Implementation of STEAM Method with Loose Parts Media
Authors: Rianti Rianti , Nurjanah Ika , Latifah Dewi , Alifah Nisa , Asyiah Aas
Published: October 2022

Purpose – This study aims to describe and analyze the teacher's experience in implementing independent learning using the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematic) method made from loose parts, namely by creating a fun education so that students can be actively involved in increasing children's creativity, so children's development aspects can develop well.Design/methods/approach – This study uses a qualitative descriptive method. The data analysis technique uses data collection, display, reducing data, and drawing conclusions. We are collecting data using observation, interviews, and documentation. The research subjects were teachers and children of group B of Nurul Iman Kindergarten.Findings – The study findings are in the form of loose parts media used by TK Nurul Iman's teacher in learning with the STEAM method, namely the selection of loose parts material using natural materials such as playing with sand, arranging leaves into necklaces, writing with water on the wall, arranging letters using pieces leaves above the ground. By using loose parts media, aspects of children's development will be achieved, including the artistic aspect: children can make pictures on the sand. Social-Emotional: children have behavior that reflects the attitude of self-confidence, caring, and empathy. Religious and moral values: children can name objects created by God. Language: the child can arrange the pieces of the leaf into a word. Cognitive: children can conceptualize numbers with sand and leaves. Physical motor: children can write using a stick and water on the school wall.Research implications/limitations – The study focuses on implementing independent learning using loose parts media with the STEAM method in students' learning process with natural materials, which have implications for children's development and independent learning.Practical implications – The study can be an additional reference for teachers in developing loose parts of teaching media to implement independent learning.Originality/value – This study provides an in-depth understanding of liberating early childhood by using STEAM loose part media.Paper type: Research paper
"On behalf of the family"
Authors: Lukavic John P. , Patrello Chris
Published: October 2022

This article examines themes of collaboration and stewardship, the importance of cultural protocols, and the intergenerational transmission of knowledge in the context of a Haida totem pole raising ceremony held at the Denver Art Museum in November 2019.  Collaborating with members of the Wallace family, direct descendants of the original owners of the house frontal and memorial poles in its collection, the Denver Art Museum organized the event to honor the family’s legacy and the history of the poles. In this article, we outline the planning process, events, and outcomes of the event, and situate this within the context of Haida cultural practices. Combined with an analysis of Haida oratory, song, and dance, we demonstrate the ways in which collaborations that honor Haida cultural protocols can engender meaningful relationships between institutions and originating communities.
Sitting Bull, Four Horns, and Fort Buford
Authors: Greene Candace
Published: October 2022

New research on a set of drawings known as “Four Horns copies of Sitting Bull’s drawings” reveals that both the name and ethnic identity of the artist are unsupported. Those identifications derive from research and records of an earlier era built upon Western understanding of cultural materials. Rather than seeking to provide definitive new answers to these questions, this paper explores other aspects of the drawings that are now better aligned with anthropological and ethnohistorical interest, seeking to recover the context of production and circulation and what the drawings may have meant to Native people.