bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION APPROACH FOR ADVANCED MATERIAL MODELING USING COMPOSITE OFF-AXIS TENSION AND COMPRESSION HIGH FIDELITY TEST DATA
Authors: CUTTING REBECCA , HENSON LANDON , CARPENTER BRIAN , MOLITOR MATTHEW
Published: October 2022

The predictive capability of progressive damage and failure analysis (PDFA) methods for composite structures must be validated against experiment for effective maturation to be achieved. The lack of publically available experimental data has protracted the development of such methods and slowed forward progress in the field. As such, a high fidelity database of composite failure characterization tests using IM7/5320-1 was created through the Office of Naval Research (ONR) High Fidelity Database and Validation Protocols program to aid in verification and validation (V&V) of PDFA methods. As a next step, the ONR High Fidelity Building Block and Validation Protocols for NextGen Composite Methods program seeks to expand upon the high fidelity database and the V&V protocols developed in the previous program. This work presents a V&V approach developed for simulating off-axis tension (OAT) and compression (OAC) samples as demonstrated using the material modeling capabilities within MAT299 in LS-DYNA. The simulations are first verified with analytical solutions for stiffness and strength of the OAT and OAC models. Validation is then completed against experimental data obtained at room-temperature ambient (RTA), cold-temperature dry (CTD), and elevated-temperature wet (ETW) conditions. Limitations in the modeling method are discussed as well as applicability of the LaRC- 04 failure envelope to test data at different environmental conditions.
Efficacy of a light convex appliance and mouldable ring in an early postoperative stoma with effluent leakage
Authors: del Teso Alberto Lado , del Pino Carmen , Jiménez Isabel , Lázaro Mireia , del Mar Medina María , Blázquez Eduardo García
Published: October 2022

Aim:

This study aimed to analyse the impact of using both a light convex appliance and mouldable ring in the early postoperative period on leakage frequency, peristomal skin health and quality of life after discharge.

Methods:

This prospective non-randomised study was performed in patients with a digestive stoma experiencing effluent leakage during the early postoperative period. Evaluation was performed at baseline (V1) during admission and at 2–3 weeks after discharge (V2). The outcomes measurements were: number of leaks per day; satisfaction (0 to 10 VAS scale); DET score evaluating discolouration (D); erosion/ulceration (E) and tissue overgrowth (T); stoma morphology and NANDA International nursing diagnosis, which measures anxiety, fear and image deterioration as well as insomnia. NANDA International diagnosis were evaluated as a percentage of cases with the diagnosis and categorically according to several dimension scores. Signed rank, McNemar, chi-squared and Bowker's tests were used for comparison.

Results:

Of 257 patients screened, 244 completed the study. The mean number of leak episodes using the light convex appliance and mouldable ring in the early postoperative period decreased from 3.4±5.2 (V1) to 1.3±2.3 (V2) (p<0.0001). Mean discolouration, erosion and tissue overgrowth (DET) score decreased from 3.3±3.3 (V1) to 1.6±2.3 (V2) (p<0.0001). Mean self-reported satisfaction with the appliance increased from 5.1±2 (V1) to 7.2±1.7 (V2) (p<0.0001). The proportion of patients with a retracted peristomal area changed from 27.9% to 21.7%, while that of patients with protruded stoma increased from 32.9% to 40% (p=0.025). Regarding NANDA International diagnosis, anxiety reduced from 36.5% to 9.5% (p<0.0001), fear from 40.6% to 4.9% (p<0.0001), image deterioration from 19.2% to 10.9% (p=0.002) and insomnia from 39.3% to 2.5% (p<0.0001). All the categorical dimensions evaluated for each NANDA International diagnosis improved (p<0.0001).

Conclusion:

Patients with an ostomy and effluent leakage in the early postoperative period clearly benefited from the use of both a light convex appliance and mouldable ring. This approach had a positive impact on number of leakages per day, peristomal skin status and patient satisfaction, as well as meeting several NANDA International nursing diagnosis criteria.
Managing risks, passing over harms? A commentary on the proposed EU AI Regulation in the context of criminal justice
Authors: Lavorgna Anita , Ugwudike Pamela
Published: October 2022

Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems for both crime prevention and control have been in use for several decades although they have in recent years become the subject of growing criminological attention. Despite its transformative potential for societies, AI in general has long existed in a normative void and has been subject to limited regulation and control. The recent draft of the EU AI Regulation can thus be welcomed as the first comprehensive effort to regulate AI in an attempt to set regional, and potentially global, standards. The approach adopted in the Regulation, however, does not seem to adequately address some of the major concerns surrounding AI when it comes, for instance, to its use in criminal justice arenas. This short intervention discusses how a different approach, focusing on the social harms at stake rather than technological risks, could be useful for overcoming some of the limitations of current regulatory attempts.
Compact structured illumination microscopy with high spatial frequency diffractive lattice patterns
Authors: Zhang Cilong , Xu Ning , Tan Qiaofeng
Published: October 2022

Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) enables live-cell super-resolution imaging with wide field of view (FOV) and high imaging speed, but the illumination system is usually bulky. With the advantages of small structure and high efficiency, lattice patterns assisted by diffractive optical elements (DOEs) have been used for structured illumination in SIM. But it is still challenging to raise the spatial frequency of diffractive lattice patterns when using traditional DOE design method, and thus the super-resolution imaging performance is restricted. In this paper, we propose a novel design method for DOE to generate lattice patterns with spatial frequency close to the cut-off frequency. It is the first time to obtain a lattice pattern with such high spatial frequency by diffractive optics. Finally, the proposed SIM achieves a lateral resolution of 131 nm at 519 nm fluorescent light while maintaining an original size as a standard inverted fluorescence microscope by only inserting a single well-designed DOE in the illumination optical path, which may promote this compact SIM applied in super-resolution imaging field.
Light scattering from a diffractive-refractive intraocular lens: a goniometer-based approach for individual zone assessment
Authors: Łabuz Grzegorz , van den Berg Thomas J. T. P. , Auffarth Gerd U. , Khoramnia Ramin
Published: October 2022

We proposed and tested a method to measure light scattering from the diffractive lens profile in an echelle element featuring 9 zones. Measurements were performed using a goniometer-based setup up to 7.5°. The proportion of scattered light was calculated to derive the loss of light. Material scattering was minimal (∼1 deg2/sr); however, each echelle zone acted as a scattering source. A nearly gradual straylight increase was found with the zone number showing peak intensity between 3° and 3.75°. An estimated 6.2% ± 0.1% was lost due to scattering, which ought to be considered when reporting an IOL's light loss.
Structure functions for optical waves in a complex medium of turbulent biological tissues
Authors: Ata Yalçın , Baykal Yahya , Gökçe Muhsin Caner
Published: October 2022

Although optical wave propagation is investigated based on the absorption and scattering in biological tissues, the turbulence effect can also not be overlooked. Here, the closed-form expressions of the wave structure function (WSF) and phase structure function (PSF) of plane and spherical waves propagating in biological tissue are obtained to help with future research on imaging, intensity, and coherency in turbulent biological tissues. This paper presents the effect of turbulent biological tissue on optical wave propagation to give a perception of the performance of biomedical systems that use optical technologies. The behavior of optical waves in different types of turbulent biological tissues such as a liver parenchyma (mouse), an intestinal epithelium (mouse), a deep dermis (mouse), and an upper dermis (human) are investigated and compared. It is observed that turbulence becomes more effective with an increase in the characteristic length of heterogeneity, propagation distance, and the strength of the refractive index fluctuations. However, an increase in the fractal dimension, wavelength, and small length scale factor has a smaller turbulence effect on the propagating optical wave. We envision that our results may be used to interpret the performance of optical medical systems operating in turbulent biological tissues.
Effect of the linear potential on frequency shift of Airy pulses
Authors: Li Mengjiao , Wang Yan
Published: October 2022

The dynamics of finite energy Airy pulse (FEAP) under the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with higher-order effects, including third-order dispersion (TOD), self-steepening (SS), and Raman scattering and in the presence of the linear potential is investigated. The linear potential that can control the trajectory of FEAP has been introduced as a unique technique to manipulate the frequency shift of FEAP. The results show that TOD and SS have a limited effect on the Raman-induced frequency shift, which decreases with the increase of the TOD and SS coefficients. The linear potential has no effect on the shape of the pulse and has a direct effect on the spectrum and leads to the frequency shift. The frequency shift is adjusted effectively with the linear potential, which can be obviously enhanced with the change of the linear potential strength.
Slope error correction on X-ray reflection gratings by a variation of the local line density
Authors: Kubec Adam , Samadi Nazanin , Langer Manuel , Döring Florian , Rösner Benedikt , Guzenko Vitaliy A. , Hernández Nazaret Ortiz , Staub Urs , Follath Rolf , Raabe Jörg , David Christian
Published: October 2022

The patterning of x-ray grating surfaces by electron-beam lithography offers large flexibility to realize complex optical functionalities. Here, we report on a proof-of-principle experiment to demonstrate the correction of slope errors of the substrates by modulating the local density of the grating lines. A surface error map of a test substrate was determined by optical metrology and served as the basis for an aligned exposure of a corrected grating pattern made by electron-beam lithography. The correction is done by a variation of the local line density in order to compensate for the local surface error. Measurements with synchrotron radiation and simulations in the soft X-ray range confirm that the effects of slope errors were strongly reduced over an extended wavelength range.
Ring-core few-mode fiber and DPP-BOTDA-based distributed large-curvature sensing eligible for shape reconstruction
Authors: Xu Pengbai , Guo Huapeng , Wang Xiaolong , Shen Lei , Wen Kunhua , Sun Yuehui , Ba Dexin , Dong Yongkang , Dong Xinyong , Yang Jun , Qin Yuwen
Published: October 2022

This study proposes a distributed large-curvature sensor based on ring-core few-mode fiber (RC-FMF) and differential pulse-pair Brillouin optical time-domain analysis (DPP-BOTDA). The RC-FMF is adhered to a thin steel substrate and an asymmetric hump shape is reconstructed using the Frenet-Serret algorithm. The proposed curvature sensor demonstrates a larger curvature-sensing range, excellent tolerance to bending-induced optical loss, and increased Brillouin gain coefficient. The proposed sensor also demonstrates longer sensing distance and continuous absolute measurement compared to other sensors. The proposed model can be applied to the end tracking of soft robotics and structural health monitoring of civil infrastructures.
Feed-forward stabilization of a single-frequency, diode-pumped Pr:YLF-Cr:LiCAF laser operating at 813.42 nm
Authors: Cheng Yuk Shan , Szutor Bence , Reid Derryck T.
Published: October 2022

We introduce a simple and compact diode-pumped Pr:YLF-Cr:LiCAF laser, operating at 813.42 nm and providing a 130-mW, single-frequency output tunable over a 3-GHz range. The laser has a short-term intrinsic linewidth estimated to be 700 Hz (β-separation method), while exhibiting a free-running wavelength stability of below 1 pm in one hour. Using a feed-forward technique we demonstrate the integration of the laser output into a fully stabilized, 1-GHz Ti:sapphire laser frequency comb, resulting in a heterodyne beat note between the laser and the comb with a bandwidth of 65 kHz. Combining feed-forward control with a low-bandwidth servo feedback loop permits stable long-term locking with an rms beat note variation of 15 kHz over 2 minutes. This performance makes the laser a potential candidate for the lattice laser in a 87Sr optical lattice clock.
Neural compression for hologram images and videos
Authors: Shi Liang , Webb Richard , Xiao Lei , Kim Changil , Jang Changwon
Published: October 2022

Holographic near-eye displays can deliver high-quality three-dimensional (3D) imagery with focus cues. However, the content resolution required to simultaneously support a wide field of view and a sufficiently large eyebox is enormous. The consequent data storage and streaming overheads pose a big challenge for practical virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) applications. We present a deep-learning-based method for efficiently compressing complex-valued hologram images and videos. We demonstrate superior performance over the conventional image and video codecs.
Microwave frequency measurement based on a frequency-to-phase mapping technique
Authors: Huang Chongjia , Chan Erwin H. W.
Published: October 2022

A new frequency-to-phase mapping technique for measuring a radio-frequency (RF) signal frequency is presented. The concept is based on generating two low-frequency signals where their phase difference is dependent on the input RF signal frequency. Hence, the input RF signal frequency can be determined by using a low-cost low-frequency electronic phase detector to measure the phase difference between the two low-frequency signals. The technique can measure the frequency of an RF signal instantaneously and has a wide frequency measurement range. The proposed frequency-to-phase-mapping-based instantaneous frequency measurement system is experimentally verified over the 5 to 20 GHz frequency measurement range with errors of less than ±0.2 GHz.
Improving the spectral efficiency of visible light communications by a super-Nyquist multi-band CAP modulation
Authors: Tian Zhongxing , Cai Yi , Sun Lin , Xu Hansheng , Xiong Chaoran , Gao Mingyi , Jiang Chenxu , Dong Xiaobin , Xia Bin , Ning Liu Gordon , Shen Gangxiang
Published: October 2022

In this Letter, we propose a flexible bandwidth compression scheme for visible light communication (VLC) systems employing multi-band carrierless amplitude and phase (CAP) modulation. The scheme combines a narrow filtering for every subband at the transmitter and an N-symbol look-up-table (LUT) based maximum likelihood sequence estimation (MLSE) at the receiver. The N-symbol LUT is generated by recording pattern-dependent distortions induced by inter-symbol-interference (ISI), inter-band-interference (IBI), and the other channel effects upon the transmitted signal. The idea is experimentally demonstrated on a 1 m free space optical transmission platform. The results show that the proposed scheme can improve the subband overlap tolerance up to 42% in subband overlapping scenarios, that is, 3 bit/s/Hz, which is the highest spectral efficiency (SE) among the experimented schemes.
Terahertz emission pattern from a single-color filament plasma
Authors: Rizaev Georgy E. , Seleznev Leonid V. , Mokrousova Daria V. , Pushkarev Dmitrii V. , Ionin Andrey A.
Published: October 2022

We study the angular distribution of different spectral components of the terahertz emission from a single-color laser filament plasma. The opening angle of a terahertz cone is experimentally demonstrated to be proportional to the inverse square root of both plasma channel length and terahertz frequency in the non-linear focusing mode, whereas in the case of linear focusing this dependence breaks down. We also experimentally show that any conclusions of terahertz radiation spectral composition require the angle range from which it is collected to be specified.
Monolithically integrated high-resolution full-color GaN-on-Si micro-LED microdisplay
Authors: Qi Longheng , Zhang Xu , Chong Wing Cheung , Lau Kei May
Published: October 2022

Full-color micro-LED displays are being widely developed and regarded as a primary option in current microdisplay technologies to fulfill the urgent demands of metaverse applications in the next decade. In this paper, a monolithic full-color micro-LED microdisplay with a resolution of 423 pixels per inch is demonstrated through the integration of a blue GaN-on-Si display module and a quantum dots photoresist (QDs-PR) color conversion module. The

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active-matrix blue micro-LED display with a dominant wavelength of 440 nm was monolithically fabricated using GaN-on-Si epiwafers and flip-chip bonded on a custom-designed complementary metal-oxide semiconductor backplane. A color conversion module was independently fabricated on a 4-in. sapphire substrate by applying red and green QDs-PR arrays and a color filter array through the standard lithography process. Combining the blue GaN-on-Si micro-LED display module and the lithography-based QDs-PR color conversion module, a full-color micro-LED display was achieved with a wide color gamut up to 104% of the standard red, green, and blue and a maximum brightness of over 500 nits. The influence of blue light leakage resulting from the possible misalignment of flip-chip bonding and crosstalk in the bottom GaN-on-Si display was investigated in which the percentages of efficient pumping light for the blue, green, and red subpixels are around 95%, 89%, and 92%, respectively. This prototype demonstrates potential scalability and low-cost volume production of high-resolution full-color micro-LED microdisplays soon.
Perceived benefits, challenges, and recommendations for HIV research dissemination and implementation science efforts in Tanzania: Findings from the HIV/AIDS Research Forum brainstorming session
Authors: Conserve Donaldson F. , Saini Subina , Issango Jumanne , Kilale Andrew M. , Kamwela Jerome , Maboko Leonard , Sims Wynton , Shirima Sylvia , Vargo Julianna , Rawson Ryleigh , Ondrus Abigail , Ezeanolue Echezona E. , Whembolua Guy-Lucien
Published: October 2022

Although several international and national HIV/AIDS conferences exist, there was not a national conference in Tanzania focusing on HIV/AIDS disseminating and implementation research conducted in the country and abroad. This created a missed opportunity for researchers to share their research findings with local policymakers and HIV program implementers who can influence the adoption and implementation of promising research in public health and clinical practice settings. In response, the first HIV/AIDS D&I Research Forum designed to enhance local D&I efforts for HIV research, was organized in Tanzania in 2018. This paper explores the perceived benefits of the HIV/AIDS D&I Research Forum and potential challenges of developing similar forums and recommendation for future HIV research D&I conference in Tanzania. During the second day of the Forum, which was held in September 2018 in Morogoro, Tanzania, a 1-hour structured brainstorming session was conducted with the Forum attendees (n = 50), including researchers, medical professionals, policymakers, representatives from different ministries. Transcription of the brainstorming session was analyzed to identify benefits of the Forum, perceived challenges for organizing similar HIV/AIDS research dissemination events, and recommendations for addressing the challenges. Overall, participants perceived the forum to be beneficial because it provided opportunities for strategic collaborations between researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders and for them to discuss challenges for D&I efforts. Forum attendees also identified several potential challenges for future D&I research forums such as the abstract requirement which may deter non-researchers, costs, meeting frequencies, and lack of funding and coordination between organizations involved in D&I research efforts. To address these concerns, a recommendation was made to host a biennial national conference in order to allow more time for ethical review and feedback that can enhance contribution of the project to D&I efforts and to raise funds. The benefits identified for the Forum highlight the importance of organizing similar D&I meetings for HIV-related research at the national level in Tanzania. However, the potential challenges discussed need to be addressed in order to develop a sustainable national D&I research conference by incorporating recommendations that forum attendees proposed.
Sustainable elk harvests in Alberta with increasing predator populations
Authors: Trump Tyler , Knopff Kyle , Morehouse Andrea , Boyce Mark S.
Published: October 2022

Large predators often are believed to cause declines in hunter harvests of ungulates due to direct competition for prey with hunters. In Alberta, predators of elk (Cervus elaphus), including grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), cougar (Puma concolor), and wolf (Canis lupus), have increased in recent years. We used trend analysis replicated by Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) to examine regional trends in elk harvest and hunter success. Over a 26-yr period, average harvest of elk increased by 5.46% per year for unrestricted bull and by 6.64% per year for limited-quota seasons. Also, over the same time frame, average hunter success increased by 0.2% per year for unrestricted bull and by 0.3% per year for limited-quota seasons, but no trend was detected in hunter effort (P>0.05). Our results show that increasing large-predator populations do not necessarily reduce hunter harvest of elk, and we only found evidence for this in Alberta’s mountain WMUs where predation on elk calves has reduced recruitment. Furthermore, data indicate that Alberta’s elk harvest management has been sustainable, i.e., hunting has continued while populations of elk have increased throughout most of the province. Wildlife agencies can justify commitments to long-term population monitoring because data allow adaptive management and can inform stakeholders on the status of populations.
Prevalence, pattern and risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders among Nigerian plumbers
Authors: Mbada Chidozie Emmanuel , Abegunrin Aanuoluwa Feyisike , Egwu Michael Ogbonnia , Fatoye Clara Toyin , Moda Haruna , Falade Olatomiwa , Fatoye Francis
Published: October 2022

Plumbing work is more manually driven in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs), and the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among workers who engage in plumbing in LMICs may be worse than earlier reports from developed countries. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, pattern and risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among Nigerian plumbers. A total of 130 consenting plumber participated in this cross-sectional study. The Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire and the Job Factor Questionnaire were used to assess information on prevalence and pattern of WMSDs; and perceptions regarding work-related risks factors for WMSDs. Descriptive (mean, frequency, range, percentage and standard deviation) and inferential (Chi-square) statistics were used to analyze data. Alpha level was set at p<0.05. The mean age of the respondents is 36.56 ± 10.418 years. The mean years of experience and working hours per day are 14.15 ± 9.161 years and 8.28 ± 2.512 hours. Job characteristics were mostly installation of pipes and fixtures (99.2%), equipment and fixtures prior to installation (96.9%), and testing of plumbing system for leaks (88.5%). 12-month and 7-day prevalence of WMSDS were 84.6% and 50.8%. Low-back (63.8%), neck (55.4%) and knee (50%) were the most affected body sites. Having WMSDs limits normal activities involving the low-back (32.3%), knee (25.4%) and neck (23.8%). There was significant association between 12-month prevalence of WMSDs and use of saws and pipe cutters (χ2= 4.483; p = 0.034), while sites of affectation had significant association with 12-month and 7-day prevalence of WMSDs (p<0.05) respectively. Nigerian plumbers have a high prevalence of WMSDs affecting most commonly the low back, neck and knee. Plumbing job factors pose mild to moderate risk to developing WMSDs, and use of saws and pipe cutters significantly influence WMSDs.
Mental illness and socio-economic situation of women and men diagnosed with gambling disorder (GD) in Sweden - nationwide case-control study
Authors: Larsson Louise , Håkansson Anders
Published: October 2022

The present study aimed to compare men and women with gambling disorder (GD) regarding presence of psychiatric comorbidity and socio-economic vulnerability, and to examine whether these factors appear before or after the gambling disorder. This is a retrospective case-control study, based on registers from The National Board of Health and Welfare and Statistics Sweden. A total of 3592 adults with GD were matched with two controls based on age and gender, including a total of 10776 individuals in the study. The study included psychiatric comorbidity through the presence of relevant diagnostic codes or pharmacological codes, and socio-economic vulnerability data through the presence of unemployment, social welfare payments and sickness/activity/rehabilitation compensation. Time between GD and psychiatric comorbidity/socio-economic vulnerability was calculated by subtracting dates between diagnoses/first incidence of socio-economic vulnerability factor and GD diagnosis. Women with GD were more likely to have a psychiatric comorbidity, compared to men. Overall, women were also more likely to receive their psychiatric diagnosis prior to GD diagnosis, while men were more likely to receive the diagnoses concurrently. Social welfare payments, and sickness support were more common among women, while there was no difference in unemployment between genders. Women were also more likely to receive sickness/activity/rehabilitation compensation prior to GD, than men who were more likely to receive these types of support after GD diagnosis. In conclusion, women appear to be at higher risk of psychiatric comorbidity and socio-economic vulnerability alongside GD. They are in general also more likely to receive have their psychiatric and psycho-social problems identified prior to GD, than men who are more likely to receive diagnoses concurrently.
The contribution of white matter pathology, hypoperfusion, lesion load, and stroke recurrence to language deficits following acute subcortical left hemisphere stroke
Authors: Sharif Massoud S. , Goldberg Emily B. , Walker Alexandra , Hillis Argye E. , Meier Erin L.
Published: October 2022

Aphasia, the loss of language ability following damage to the brain, is among the most disabling and common consequences of stroke. Subcortical stroke, occurring in the basal ganglia, thalamus, and/or deep white matter can result in aphasia, often characterized by word fluency, motor speech output, or sentence generation impairments. The link between greater lesion volume and acute aphasia is well documented, but the independent contributions of lesion location, cortical hypoperfusion, prior stroke, and white matter degeneration (leukoaraiosis) remain unclear, particularly in subcortical aphasia. Thus, we aimed to disentangle the contributions of each factor on language impairments in left hemisphere acute subcortical stroke survivors. Eighty patients with acute ischemic left hemisphere subcortical stroke (less than 10 days post-onset) participated. We manually traced acute lesions on diffusion-weighted scans and prior lesions on T2-weighted scans. Leukoaraiosis was rated on T2-weighted scans using the Fazekas et al. (1987) scale. Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) scans were evaluated for hyperintense vessels in each vascular territory, providing an indirect measure of hypoperfusion in lieu of perfusion-weighted imaging. We found that language performance was negatively correlated with acute/total lesion volumes and greater damage to substructures of the deep white matter and basal ganglia. We conducted a LASSO regression that included all variables for which we found significant univariate relationships to language performance, plus nuisance regressors. Only total lesion volume was a significant predictor of global language impairment severity. Further examination of three participants with severe language impairments suggests that their deficits result from impairment in domain-general, rather than linguistic, processes. Given the variability in language deficits and imaging markers associated with such deficits, it seems likely that subcortical aphasia is a heterogeneous clinical syndrome with distinct causes across individuals.
Virtually-delivered Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) for Canadian veterans with PTSD: A study protocol for a nation-wide effectiveness and implementation evaluation
Authors: Ryk Justin , Simpson Robert , Hosseiny Fardous , Notarianni MaryAnn , Provencher Martin D. , Rudnick Abraham , Upshur Ross , Sud Abhimanyu
Published: October 2022

Background

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains a significant treatment challenge among Canadian veterans. Currently accessible pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for PTSD often do not lead to resolution of PTSD as a categorical diagnosis and have significant non-response rates. Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY), a complementary and integrative health (CIH) intervention, can improve symptoms of PTSD. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this intervention has pivoted to virtual delivery and may be reaching new sets of participants who face multiple barriers to care.

Objective

To evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of virtually delivered Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) on decreasing PTSD symptom severity, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and pain, and improving quality of life in Canadian veterans affected by PTSD.

Methods and analysis

Using a mixed-methods approach guided by the RE-AIM framework, we will conduct a hybrid type II effectiveness and implementation study of virtually delivered Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) for Canadian veterans. Effectiveness will be evaluated by comparing virtually delivered SKY to a waitlist control in a single-blinded (investigator and data analyst) randomized controlled trial (RCT). Change in PTSD symptoms (PCL-5) is the primary outcome and quality of life (SF-36), symptoms of depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), and pain (BPI) are secondary outcomes. The SKY intervention will be conducted over a 6-week period with assessments at baseline, 6-weeks, 12-weeks, and 30 weeks. The reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of the intervention will be evaluated through one-on-one semi-structured interviews with RCT participants, SKY instructors, health professionals, and administrators that work with veterans.

Discussion

This is the first investigation of the virtual delivery of SKY for PTSD in veterans and aims to determine if the intervention is effective and implementable at scale.
Modulations of local synchrony over time lead to resting-state functional connectivity in a parsimonious large-scale brain model
Authors: Portoles Oscar , Qin Yuzhen , Hadida Jonathan , Woolrich Mark , Cao Ming , van Vugt Marieke
Published: October 2022

Biophysical models of large-scale brain activity are a fundamental tool for understanding the mechanisms underlying the patterns observed with neuroimaging. These models combine a macroscopic description of the within- and between-ensemble dynamics of neurons within a single architecture. A challenge for these models is accounting for modulations of within-ensemble synchrony over time. Such modulations in local synchrony are fundamental for modeling behavioral tasks and resting-state activity. Another challenge comes from the difficulty in parametrizing large scale brain models which hinders researching principles related with between-ensembles differences. Here we derive a parsimonious large scale brain model that can describe fluctuations of local synchrony. Crucially, we do not reduce within-ensemble dynamics to macroscopic variables first, instead we consider within and between-ensemble interactions similarly while preserving their physiological differences. The dynamics of within-ensemble synchrony can be tuned with a parameter which manipulates local connectivity strength. We simulated resting-state static and time-resolved functional connectivity of alpha band envelopes in models with identical and dissimilar local connectivities. We show that functional connectivity emerges when there are high fluctuations of local and global synchrony simultaneously (i.e. metastable dynamics). We also show that for most ensembles, leaning towards local asynchrony or synchrony correlates with the functional connectivity with other ensembles, with the exception of some regions belonging to the default-mode network.
Multi-isotopes in human hair: A tool to initiate cross-border collaboration in international cold-cases
Authors: Bataille Clément P. , Ammer Saskia T. M. , Bhuiyan Shelina , Chartrand Michelle M. G. , St-Jean Gilles , Bowen Gabriel J.
Published: October 2022

Unidentified human remains have historically been investigated nationally by law enforcement authorities. However, this approach is outdated in a globalized world with rapid transportation means, where humans easily move long distances across borders. Cross-border cooperation in solving cold-cases is rare due to political, administrative or technical challenges. It is fundamental to develop new tools to provide rapid and cost-effective leads for international cooperation. In this work, we demonstrate that isotopic measurements are effective screening tools to help identify cold-cases with potential international ramifications. We first complete existing databases of hydrogen and sulfur isotopes in human hair from residents across North America by compiling or analyzing hair from Canada, the United States (US) and Mexico. Using these databases, we develop maps predicting isotope variations in human hair across North America. We demonstrate that both δ2H and δ34S values of human hair are highly predictable and display strong spatial patterns. Multi-isotope analysis combined with dual δ2H and δ34S geographic probability maps provide evidence for international travel in two case studies. In the first, we demonstrate that multi-isotope analysis in bulk hair of deceased border crossers found in the US, close to the Mexico-US border, help trace their last place of residence or travel back to specific regions of Mexico. These findings were validated by the subsequent identification of these individuals through the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner in Tucson, Arizona. In the second case study, we demonstrate that sequential multi-isotope analysis along the hair strands of an unidentified individual found in Canada provides detailed insights into the international mobility of this individual during the last year of life. In both cases, isotope data provide strong leads towards international travel.
Elastic potentials as yield surfaces for isotropic materials
Authors: Castro Jorge
Published: October 2022

This paper proposes that elastic potentials, which may be rigorously formulated using the negative Gibbs free energy or the complementary strain energy density, may be used as the yield surface of elasto-plastic constitutive models. Thus, the yield surface may be assumed in some materials as an elastic potential surface for a specific level of critical complementary strain energy density. Traditional approaches, such as the total strain energy criterion, only consider second order terms, i.e., the elastic potential is centred at the origin of the current stress state. Here, first order terms are considered, and consequently, the elastic potential may be translated, which allows to reproduce the desired level of tension-compression asymmetry. The proposed approach only adds two additional parameters, e.g., uniaxial compressive and tensile yield limits, to the elastic ones. For linear elasticity, the proposed approach provides elliptical yield surfaces and shows a correlation between the shape of the ellipse and the Poisson’s ratio, which agree with published experimental data for soils and metallic glasses. This elliptical yield surface also fits well experimental values of amorphous polymers and some rocks. Besides, the proposed approach automatically considers the influence of the intermediate stress. For non-linear elasticity, a wider range of elastic potentials, i.e., yield surfaces, are possible, such as distorted ellipsoids. For the case of incompressible non-linear materials, the yield surfaces are between von Mises and Tresca ones.
Dynamic modelling of feed assimilation, growth, lipid accumulation, and CO2 production in black soldier fly larvae
Authors: Eriksen Niels Thomas
Published: October 2022

The black soldier fly (BSF) is becoming a novel farm animal. BSF larvae can be reared on different substrates. Their performance is important but highly variable and different models have been employed to analyze their growth, so far without considering that metabolic rates, growth, and biochemical composition of the larvae are interrelated. This work develops a dynamic model, which describes general growth patterns of BSF larvae and predicts observed variability in larval performances. The model was tested against data from literature, which combines kinetic growth data with measurements of lipid or dry weight content, and CO2 production. The model combines the kinetics of the logistic model with principles from differential energy budget models and considers key events in larval life history, moulting and metamorphosis. Larvae are compartmentised into structural biomass, storage lipids, and a pool of assimilates. Feed assimilation is considered the overall rate limiting process and is reduced in relation to larval weight by a logistic function. A second logistic function further reduces the specific growth rate of structural biomass, causes imbalance between and feed assimilation and growth rates, and leaves a surplus of assimilates to be stored as lipids. Fluxes between compartments consider cost of synthesis of structural biomass and lipids, as well as maintenance. When assimilation falls below maintenance needs, storage lipids are recycled. The model is able to describe growth and lipid contents of BSF larvae reared on chicken feed, growth of feed limited BSF larvae, as well as growth, dry weight content, and CO2 production of BSF larvae reared on different substrate qualities and moisture contents. The model may be used for the analysis of growth and performance of BSF larvae under variable rearing conditions. It can deepen the analyses of experimental data and provide insight into the causes of variability of larval performances.
Association between coronary artery calcium and all-cause mortality: A large single-center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Mu-Cyun , Lin Che-Chen , Chiang Hsiu-Yin , Chen Hung-Lin , Tsai Hsiu-Chen , Lin Wen-Yuan , Ho Hung-Chi , Kuo Chin-Chi
Published: October 2022

Objective

Previous studies have revealed that coronary artery calcium is related to cardiovascular diseases and mortality. However, most studies have been conducted in Western countries and have excluded patients with pre-existing heart disease. We investigated the association between coronary artery calcium (CAC) and all-cause mortality in an Asian cohort and in subgroups stratified by age, sex, smoking, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, blood pressure, and biochemical parameters.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 4529 health examinees who underwent multidetector computed tomography in a tertiary medical center in Taiwan between 2011 and 2016. The mean follow-up was 3.5 years. Cox regression was used to estimate the relative hazards of death. Stratified analyses were performed.

Results

The all-cause mortality rates were 2.94, 4.88, 17.6, and 33.1 per 1000 person-years for CAC scores of 0, 1–100, 101–400, and >400, respectively. The multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for all-cause mortality were 0.95 (0.53, 1.72), 1.87 (0.89, 3.90), and 3.05 (1.46, 6.39) for CAC scores of 1–100, 101–400, and >400, respectively, relative to a CAC score of 0. Compared with CAC ≤ 400, the HRs (95% CIs) for CAC > 400 were 6.46 (2.44, 17.15) and 1.94 (1.00, 3.76) in younger and older adults, respectively, indicating that age was a moderating variable (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

High CAC scores were associated with increased all-cause mortality. Although older adult patients had higher risks of death, the relative risk of death for patients with CAC > 400 was more prominent in people younger than 65 years.
Conservation in the Amazon rainforest and Google searches: A DCCA approach
Authors: Pereira Eder J. A. L. , Ferreira Paulo , da Cunha Lima Ivan C. , Murari Thiago B. , Moret Marcelo A. , Pereira Hernane B. de B.
Published: October 2022

In this paper we analyze the descriptive statistics of the Google search volume for the terms related to the National Reserve of Copper and Associates (RENCA), a Brazilian mineral reserve in the Amazon of 4.6 million hectares, before and after the government signed the decree releasing it for exploration. First, we analyze the volume of searches for expressions related to RENCA in Google Trends using descriptive statistics; second, we assess the cross-correlation coefficient ρDCCA, which measures the cross-correlation between two nonstationary time series across different time scales. After the government announced the release of the RENCA reserve, there was an increase in the average volume of Google searches for related terms, showing people’s concern about the announcement. By using the cross-correlation coefficient ρDCCA, we identify strong cross-correlations between the different expressions related to RENCA in Google Trends. Our work shows the utility of Google Trends as an indicator of the perception of environmental policies. Additionally, we show that ρDCCA can be used as a tool to measure the cross-correlation between synonyms extracted from Google Trends for various time scales.
Assessing the relationship between physical activity and the gut microbiome in a large, population-based sample of Wisconsin adults
Authors: Holzhausen Elizabeth A. , Malecki Kristen C. , Sethi Ajay K. , Gangnon Ronald , Cadmus-Bertram Lisa , Deblois Courtney L. , Suen Garret , Safdar Nasia , Peppard Paul E.
Published: October 2022

The gut microbiome is an important factor in human health and disease. While preliminary studies have found some evidence that physical activity is associated with gut microbiome richness, diversity, and composition, this relationship is not fully understood and has not been previously characterized in a large, population-based cohort. In this study, we estimated the association between several measures of physical activity and the gut microbiota in a cohort of 720 Wisconsin residents. Our sample had a mean age of 55 years (range: 18, 94), was 42% male, and 83% of participants self-identified as White. Gut microbial composition was assessed using gene sequencing of the V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA extracted from stool. We found that an increase of one standard deviation in weekly minutes spent in active transportation was associated with an increase in alpha diversity, particularly in Chao1’s richness (7.57, 95% CI: 2.55, 12.59) and Shannon’s diversity (0.04, 95% CI: 0.0008, 0.09). We identified interactions in the association between Inverse Simpson’s diversity and physical activity, wherein active transportation for individuals living in a rural environment was associated with additional increases in diversity (4.69, 95% CI: 1.64, 7.73). We also conducted several permutational ANOVAs (PERMANOVA) and negative binomial regression analyses to estimate the relationship between physical activity and microbiome composition. We found that being physically active and increased physical activity time were associated with increased abundance of bacteria in the family Erysipelotrichaceae. Active transportation was associated with increased abundance of bacteria in the genusPhascolarctobacterium, and decreased abundance ofClostridium. Minutes in active transportation was associated with a decreased abundance of the family Clostridiaceae.
Estimating treatment costs for uncomplicated diabetes at a hospital serving refugees in Kenya
Authors: Masis Lizah , Kanya Lucy , Kiogora John , Kiapi Lilian , Tulloch Caitlin , Alani Ahmad Hecham
Published: October 2022

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing markedly in low- and middle-income countries where over three-quarters of global deaths occur due to non-communicable diseases. Unfortunately, these conditions are considered costly and often deprioritized in humanitarian settings with competing goals. Using a mixed methods approach, this study aimed to quantify the cost of outpatient treatment for uncomplicated type-1 (T1DM) and type-2 (T2DM) diabetes at a secondary care facility serving refugees in Kenya. A retrospective cost analysis combining micro- and gross-costings from a provider perspective was employed. The main outcomes included unit costs per health service activity to cover the total cost of labor, capital, medications and consumables, and overheads. A care pathway was mapped out for uncomplicated diabetes patients to identify direct and indirect medical costs. Interviews were conducted to determine inputs required for diabetes care and estimate staff time allocation. A total of 360 patients, predominantly Somali refugees, were treated for T2DM (92%, n = 331) and T1DM (8%, n = 29) in 2017. Of the 3,140 outpatient consultations identified in 2017; 48% (n = 1,522) were for males and 52% (n = 1,618) for females. A total of 56,144 tests were run in the setting, of which 9,512 (16.94%) were Random Blood Sugar (RBS) tests, and 90 (0.16%) HbA1c tests. Mean costs were estimated as: $2.58 per outpatient consultation, $1.37 per RBS test and $14.84 per HbA1c test. The annual pharmacotherapy regimens cost $91.93 for T1DM and $20.34 for T2DM. Investment in holistic and sustainable non-communicable disease management should be at the forefront of humanitarian response. It is expected to be beneficial with immediate implications on the COVID-19 response while also reducing the burden of care over time. Despite study limitations, essential services for the management of uncomplicated diabetes in a humanitarian setting can be modest and affordable. Therefore, integrating diabetes care into primary health care should be a fundamental pillar of long-term policy response by stakeholders.
Superego, Desire, and Living for Others in Asako I & II
Authors: Yonts William
Published: October 2022

Asako I & II portrays the internal conflict of letting the demands of the Other dictate one’s own decisions. This article focuses on the film’s representation of two psychoanalytic concepts: superego, the part of the psyche that enforces adherence to the social order, and desire, a fundamental state of lack where an indescribable lost object is supplemented by empirical objects. This article analyzes certain sequences to reveal how Asako, the film’s protagonist, lets herself be dominated by the demands of the Other. Ultimately, the quest to either obey her superego or realize her desire proves unfulfilling.