bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiwavelength achromatic super-resolution focusing via a metasurface-empowered controlled generation of focused cylindrically polarized vortex beams
Authors: Wang Junyi , Li Fangfang , Kang Guoguo
Published: August 2022

Non-invasive imaging beyond the diffraction limit and free from fluorescent labels in the visible is highly desired for microscopy. It remains a challenge to obtain such super-resolution focusing along with multiwavelength achromatic performance in the far field using an integratable and easily designed system. In this work, we demonstrate a straightforward metasurface-based method to realize multiwavelength achromatic generation and focusing of cylindrically polarized vortex beams (CPVBs). Attributed to the extra degrees of freedom of CPVBs and multi-section design, we have realized multiwavelength achromatic super-resolution focusing in the air with focal size tighter than that of normally used schemes like immersion metalenses or focused radially polarized beams. It is expected that this metasurface-empowered ultra-compact design will benefit potential applications which call for high resolution, like optical microscopy, laser processing, etc.
CoCoCs: co-optimized compressive imaging driven by high-level vision
Authors: Huang Honghao , Hu Chengyang , Li Jingwei , Dong Xiaowen , Chen Hongwei
Published: August 2022

Compressive imaging senses optically encoded high-dimensional scene data with far fewer measurements and then performs reconstruction via appropriate algorithms. In this paper, we present a novel noniterative end-to-end deep learning-based framework for compressive imaging, dubbed CoCoCs. In comparison to existing approaches, we extend the pipeline by co-optimizing the recovery algorithm with optical coding as well as cascaded high-level computer vision tasks to boost the quality of the reconstruction. We demonstrate the proposed framework on two typical compressive imaging systems, i.e., single pixel imaging and snapshot video compressive imaging. Extensive results, including conventional image quality criteria, mean opinion scores, and accuracy in image classification and motion recognition, confirm that CoCoCs can yield realistic images and videos, which are friendly to both human viewing and computer vision. We hope CoCoCs will give impetus to bridge the gap between compressive imagers and computer vision and the perception of human.
Spatio-temporal ultrafast pulse shaping at the femtosecond–nanometer scale
Authors: Korman Shlomi , Bahar Eyal , Arieli Uri , Suchowski Haim
Published: August 2022

Optical pulse shaping is a fundamental tool for coherent control of the light–matter interaction. While such control enables the measurement of ultrafast temporal dynamics, simultaneous spatiotemporal control is required for studying non-local ultrafast charge dynamics at the nanoscale. However, obtaining accurate spatial control at a sub-wavelength resolution with conventional optical elements poses significant difficulty. Here, we use the spatiotemporal coupling naturally arising in a spatial light modulator based pulse shaping apparatus to achieve accurate control with femto–nano spatiotemporal resolution. We experimentally demonstrate spatial steering at the sub-micron scale of second harmonic generation from nanostructures. In addition, we apply an absolute-value spectral phase to achieve controlled double pulses for nanoscale excitation. We introduce a novel, to the best of our knowledge, scheme for accurate tunable spatiotemporal pump–probe experiments. This method offers rich insight into materials with ultrafast transport phenomena at the femtosecond–nanometer regimes.
Addressing asymmetric Fano profiles on molecular lines in dual-comb spectroscopy
Authors: Guay Philippe , Walsh Mathieu , Genest Jérôme
Published: August 2022

Fano resonance in molecular spectroscopy is reported with a dual-comb instrument. The effect is observed as asymmetric absorption lines of H12CN. Pulse chirping conditions in the gas cell are varied to show that Fano resonance is dependent on the pulse peak power. A model adding the Fano profile to Voigt lines is used to estimate Fano phase as a function of pulse peak power. A pulse peak power condition is derived from this analysis to avoid line shape distortion in pulsed laser experiments.
Light-driven flow control in the hydrogel microchannel by utilizing a metal microstructure fabricated by multiphoton photoreduction
Authors: Nagano Yo , Onoe Hiroaki , Terakawa Mitsuhiro
Published: August 2022

The light-stimulated control of flow velocity in the hydrogel microchannel was demonstrated by utilizing a metal microstructure fabricated by multiphoton photoreduction. The metal microstructure was fabricated adjacent to the microchannel in a poly-N- isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAm) hydrogel. Owing to the photothermal conversion at the metal microstructure, local deformation of the microchannel and change in flow velocity was induced as a result of the volume phase transition of the supporting hydrogel around the metal microstructure. Wavelength-selective change in the flow velocity was realized by utilizing dissimilar metal microstructures, that exhibit different optical resonances. The results indicate that multiphoton photoreduction is a promising method for fabricating novel hydrogel devices having flow-controllable switches by arranging light-absorbing structures with high spatial selectivity.
Validation of MuLBSTA score to derive modified MuLB score as mortality risk prediction in COVID-19 infection
Authors: George Richie , Mehta Asmita A. , Paul Tisa , Sathyapalan Dipu T. , Haridas Nithya , Kunoor Akhilesh , Ravindran Greeshma C.
Published: August 2022

COVID-19pandemic was started in December 2019. It has variable presentation from mild sore throat to severe respiratory distress. It is important to identify individuals who are likely to worsen. The Research question is how to identify patients with COVID-19 who are at high risk and to predict patient outcome based on a risk stratification model? We evaluated 251 patients with COVID-19 in this prospective inception study. We used a multi-variable Cox proportional hazards model to identify the independent prognostic risk factors and created a risk score model on the basis of available MuLBSTA score. The model was validated in an independent group of patients from October2020 to December 2021. We developed a combined risk score, the MuLBA score that included the following values and scores: Multi lobar infiltrates (negative0.254, 2), lymphopenia (lymphocytes of <0.8x109 /L, negative0.18,2), bacterial co- infection (negative, 0.306,3). In our MuLB scoring system, score of >8 was associated with high risk of mortality and <5 was at mild risk of mortality (P < 0.001). The interpretation was that The MuLB risk score model could help to predict survival in patients with severe COVID-19 infection and to guide further clinical research on risk-based treatment.
An effective behavior recognition method in the video session using convolutional neural network
Authors: Meng Yizhen , Zhang Jun
Published: August 2022

In order to further improve the accuracy of the video-based behavior recognition method, an effective behavior recognition method in the video session using convolutional neural network is proposed. Specifically, by adding the target detection phase before the behavior recognition algorithm, the body region in the video can be accurately extracted to reduce the interference of redundant and unnecessary background noises, and at the same time, the inappropriate images can be replaced, which has reached the role of balance background trade-off, and finally, the neural network can learn the human behavior information with emphasis. By adding fragmentation and stochastic sampling, the long-time time-domain modeling of the whole video session can be established, so that the model can obtain video-level expression ability. Finally, the improved loss function is used for behavior recognition to solve the problem of classification difficulty and possible sample imbalance. In addition, we conducted the hyperparametric experiment, the ablation experiment and the contrast experiment on different open source and benchmark datasets. Compared with other commonly used behavior recognition algorithms, the experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. In addition, the related deep learning-based methods used in behavior recognition are reviewed at the beginning of this paper, and the challenges in behavior recognition and future research directions are prospected at the end of this paper, which will undoubtedly play a double role in the work of later researchers.
Aedes koreicus, a vector on the rise: Pan-European genetic patterns, mitochondrial and draft genome sequencing
Authors: Kurucz Kornélia , Zeghbib Safia , Arnoldi Daniele , Marini Giovanni , Manica Mattia , Michelutti Alice , Montarsi Fabrizio , Deblauwe Isra , Van Bortel Wim , Smitz Nathalie , Pfitzner Wolf Peter , Czajka Christina , Jöst Artur , Kalan Katja , Šušnjar Jana , Ivović Vladimir , Kuczmog Anett , Lanszki Zsófia , Tóth Gábor Endre , Somogyi Balázs A. , Herczeg Róbert , Urbán Péter , Bueno-Marí Rubén , Soltész Zoltán , Kemenesi Gábor
Published: August 2022

Background

The mosquito Aedes koreicus (Edwards, 1917) is a recent invader on the European continent that was introduced to several new places since its first detection in 2008. Compared to other exotic Aedes mosquitoes with public health significance that invaded Europe during the last decades, this species’ biology, behavior, and dispersal patterns were poorly investigated to date.

Methodology/Principal findings

To understand the species’ population relationships and dispersal patterns within Europe, a fragment of the cytochrome oxidase I (COI or COX1) gene was sequenced from 130 mosquitoes, collected from five countries where the species has been introduced and/or established. Oxford Nanopore and Illumina sequencing techniques were combined to generate the first complete nuclear and mitochondrial genomic sequences of Ae. koreicus from the European region. The complete genome of Ae. koreicus is 879 Mb. COI haplotype analyses identified five major groups (altogether 31 different haplotypes) and revealed a large-scale dispersal pattern between European Ae. koreicus populations. Continuous admixture of populations from Belgium, Italy, and Hungary was highlighted, additionally, haplotype diversity and clustering indicate a separation of German sequences from other populations, pointing to an independent introduction of Ae. koreicus to Europe. Finally, a genetic expansion signal was identified, suggesting the species might be present in more locations than currently detected.

Conclusions/Significance

Our results highlight the importance of genetic research of invasive mosquitoes to understand general dispersal patterns, reveal main dispersal routes and form the baseline of future mitigation actions. The first complete genomic sequence also provides a significant leap in the general understanding of this species, opening the possibility for future genome-related studies, such as the detection of ‘Single Nucleotide Polymorphism’ markers. Considering its public health importance, it is crucial to further investigate the species’ population genetic dynamic, including a larger sampling and additional genomic markers.
Fundamental frequency sequence amplitude estimator for power and energy applications
Authors: Ahmed Hafiz , Tir Zoheir , Biricik Samet , Benbouzid Mohamed
Published: August 2022

A grid-synchronization-based fundamental frequency positive-sequence (FFPS) and negative-sequence (FFNS) amplitudes estimation technique is proposed for unbalanced and distorted grid. In this technique, the sequence amplitudes are extracted by extracting the phase-angle of the FFPS and FFNS components. The extracted phase-angles have DC and double frequency AC components. The AC component is filtered out by using a Moving Average Filter (MAF) of appropriate window length. From the extracted phase-angle, the unknown frequency can be estimated by using a suitable controller. A frequency-fixed equidistant samples-based pre-loop filter is also applied to eliminate the effect of measurement offset. The proposed technique has a very simple structure and is easy to tune. Small-signal modeling-based stability analysis and gain tuning procedure are also provided. The proposed technique strikes a good balance between fast convergence and disturbance rejection capability. Comparative numerical simulation and experimental results with similar other techniques demonstrate the suitability and performance enhancement by the proposed technique.
Utility analysis of digital villages to empower balanced urban-rural development based on the three-stage DEA-Malmquist model
Authors: Cao Lingling , Niu Huawei , Wang YiFeng
Published: August 2022

Rural subjects, the agricultural industrial structure, public services and rural governance are fully empowered by digital villages. This empowerment effectively compensates for the urban-rural digital divide and promotes the equalization of urban-rural income, consumption, education, medical care, and governance. Based on the three-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) model and Malmquist index, this article conducts an in-depth study of the static and dynamic efficiency trends of digital villages that empower urban-rural balanced development in 31 provinces in China from 2015 to 2020. The results show that comprehensive technical efficiency of 31 provinces is weak DEA effective, and that the scale efficiency is the main factor affecting comprehensive technical efficiency. The educational level, local finance and industrial structure optimization have a significant positive impact on efficiency evaluation, but technological innovation and the urbanization level have a significant negative impact. Total factor productivity shows diminishing marginal utility based on the Malmquist index and its decomposition change. Restricted by the change in technological progress, the efficiency of digital villages in China in enabling urban-rural equilibrium needs to be further improved.
Examination of a nutritional treatment pathway according to pretreatment health status and stress levels of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Aoyama Takashi , Imataki Osamu , Notsu Akifumi , Yurikusa Takashi , Ichimaru Koki , Tsuji Masanori , Yoshitsugu Kanako , Fukaya Masafumi , Enami Terukazu , Ikeda Takashi
Published: August 2022

Introduction

This study aimed to validate hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) treatment via a tailored nutritional pathway in myeloablative conditioning (MAC), determine its efficacy in terms of remission, and explore associations between clinical outcomes and nutritional indicators.

Methods

We included patients who underwent MAC for HSCT at the Shizuoka Cancer Center Stem Cell Transplantation between 2015 and 2019. We evaluated outcomes from the day before treatment initiation (transplant date: day 0) to day 42.

Results

Among the 40 MAC cases (participant characteristics: 20/40 males, mean age of 52 years, and mean body mass index of 21.9 kg/m2), we found that the percent loss of body weight and loss of skeletal muscle mass were correlated with the basal energy expenditure rate (BEE rate; r = 0.70, p<0.001 and r = 0.49, p<0.01, respectively). Based on the receiver operating characteristics curves, the cutoff value for the BEE rate in terms of weight loss was 1.1. Salivary amylase levels did not significantly change during the treatment course. Continuous variables, including oral caloric intake and performance status, showed statistically significant correlations with nutrition-related adverse events during treatment (r = −0.93, p<0.01 and r = 0.91, p<0.01, respectively). Skeletal muscle mass before treatment initiation was an independent predictive variable for reduced 2-year survival (p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Our results support the validity of a safe nutritional pathway with a BEE rate of 1.1 for HSCT patients pretreated with MAC. Specifically, we found that this pathway could prevent weight loss in response to nutrition-related adverse events. Skeletal muscle mass before treatment was identified as an independent risk factor for reduced 2-year survival.
Outcomes of asymptomatic recombinant tissue plasminogen activator associated intracranial hemorrhage
Authors: Teekaput Chutithep , Thiankhaw Kitti , Tanprawate Surat , Teekaput Kanokkarn , Chai-Adisaksopha Chatree
Published: August 2022

Background

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is the most devastating complication of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) treatment in acute ischemic stroke patients. Data on rtPA-associated asymptomatic ICH (aICH) are limited.

Objectives

To determine the incidence, risk factors, characteristics, management, and clinical outcome of rtPA-associated aICH.

Methods

The data were retrieved from the Chiang Mai University Hospital Stroke Registry between 1995 and 2019. Consecutive ischemic stroke patients were included if they were 18 or older and received rtPA. Study outcomes were the incidence and characteristics of aICH, management, 90-day modified Rankin scale (mRS), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Barthel index, and all-cause mortality.

Results

Of 725 rtPA treated patients, 166 (16.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 13.4–18.9) had aICH, 50 (6.9%, 95% CI 5.2–9.0) had symptomatic ICH (sICH). Patients with aICH had more hemorrhagic infarctions (HI) compared to sICH (81.9% vs 2.0%, P-value < 0.001). Fresh Frozen Plasma and cryoprecipitate were the most common blood products used to reverse the anticoagulant effect in sICH. Craniotomy was performed in 1% and 60% of patients who had aICH and sICH. At 90 days, patients who had aICH had poorer clinical outcomes (mRS, NIHSS and Barthel index) as compared to those without ICH. Compared to non-ICH patients, aICH patients were associated with increased risk of 90-day mortality, the hazard ratio (HR), 3.7, 95% CI 1.6–8.9.

Conclusions

The rtPA-associated aICH increased the risk of morbidity and mortality outcomes. Further treatment consensus, guideline generation, or clinical trials focusing on the treatment of rtPA-associated aICH may be required.
MiCloud: A unified web platform for comprehensive microbiome data analysis
Authors: Gu Won , Moon Jeongsup , Chisina Crispen , Kang Byungkon , Park Taesung , Koh Hyunwook
Published: August 2022

The recent advance in massively parallel sequencing has enabled accurate microbiome profiling at a dramatically lowered cost. Then, the human microbiome has been the subject of intensive investigation in public health and medicine. In the meanwhile, researchers have developed lots of microbiome data analysis methods, protocols, and/or tools. Among those, especially, the web platforms can be highlighted because of the user-friendly interfaces and streamlined protocols for a long sequence of analytic procedures. However, existing web platforms can handle only a categorical trait of interest, cross-sectional study design, and the analysis with no covariate adjustment. We therefore introduce here a unified web platform, named MiCloud, for a binary or continuous trait of interest, cross-sectional or longitudinal/family-based study design, and with or without covariate adjustment. MiCloud handles all such types of analyses for both ecological measures (i.e., alpha and beta diversity indices) and microbial taxa in relative abundance on different taxonomic levels (i.e., phylum, class, order, family, genus and species). Importantly, MiCloud also provides a unified analytic protocol that streamlines data inputs, quality controls, data transformations, statistical methods and visualizations with vastly extended utility and flexibility that are suited to microbiome data analysis. We illustrate the use of MiCloud through the United Kingdom twin study on the association between gut microbiome and body mass index adjusting for age. MiCloud can be implemented on either the web server (http://micloud.kr) or the user’s computer (https://github.com/wg99526/micloudgit).
Statistical inference for a constant-stress partially accelerated life tests based on progressively hybrid censored samples from inverted Kumaraswamy distribution
Authors: Yousef Manal M. , Alyami Salem A. , Hashem Atef F.
Published: August 2022

In this article, we investigate the problem of point and interval estimations under constant-stress partially accelerated life tests. The lifetime of items under use condition is assumed to follow the two-parameter inverted Kumaraswamy distribution. Based on Type-I progressively hybrid censored samples, the maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods are applied to estimate the model parameters as well as the acceleration factor. Under linear exponential, general entropy and squared error loss functions, Bayesian method outcomes are obtained. In addition, interval estimation is achieved by finding approximately confidence intervals for the parameters, as well as credible intervals. To investigate the accuracy of the obtained estimates and to compare the performance of confidence intervals, a Monte Carlo simulation is developed. Finally, a set of real data is analyzed to demonstrate the estimation procedures.
Research on a Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis method for mining pathogenic genes in thyroid cancer
Authors: Wang Bo , Jiang Wei , Zheng Xiaodong , Han Yu , Liu Runjie
Published: August 2022

Thyroid cancer (TC) is one of the most common thyroid malignancies occurring worldwide, and accounts for about 1% of all the malignant tumors. It is one of the fastest growing tumor and can occur at any age, but it is more common in women. It is important to find the pathogenesis and treatment targets of TC. In this pursuit, the present study was envisaged to investigate the effective carcinogenic biological macromolecules, so as to provide a better understanding of the occurrence and development of TC. The clinical and gene expression data were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We clustered mRNA and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) into different modules by Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), and calculated the correlation coefficient between the genes and clinical phenotypes. Using WGCNA, we identified the module with the highest correlation coefficient. Subsequently, by using the differential genes expression analysis to screen the differential micro-RNA (miRNA), the univariate Cox proportional hazard regression was employed to screen the hub genes related to overall survival (OS), with P < 0.05 as the statistical significance threshold. Finally, we designed a hub competitive endogenous RNA(ceRNA) network of disease-associated lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs. From the results of enrichment analysis, the association of these genes could be related to the occurrence and development of TC, and these hub RNAs can be valuable prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in TC.
Reality or Appearance of Ethical Life?
Authors: Honneth Axel
Published: August 2022

The article attempts to show that Hegel’s concept of “civil society” is characterized by a deep ambivalence about the value of the new market economy. On the one side, Hegel believed that the economic system represented by “civil society” succeeded like no other in simultaneously giving free reign to the desires of individual subjects and integrating them into a stable structural framework (I). On the other side, Hegel’s reflections are growingly overtaken by doubts as to whether, in light of its self-destructive tendencies, the market system can be as successful in guaranteeing individual freedom as he first envisaged it to be (II). In the course of this essay, it will ultimately become clear that Hegel’s attempt to redefine “civil society” reveals considerably more conceptual indecision and inner conflict than one might have suspected from the great system builder.
Hegel’s Concept of Action between Deflationary Approaches and The Science of Logic
Authors: Tereshchenko Yuliia
Published: August 2022

The research in this paper attempts to outline the connection between Hegel’s concept of action and the contemporary philosophy of action. Hegel’s concept of action has some features in common with the ideas of analytical philosophers, and might open unexpected integration of these different philosophical traditions, which would contribute to the development of both of them. A brief overview of ways to comprehend Hegel’s concept of action (from Taylor to Brandom) shows that the cause of ambiguous understandings of this concept lies in the complexity of Hegel’s approach. The following article highlights the tension between “deflationary” interpretations and the complexity of Hegel´s original approach. Further, by revisiting the Section “Teleology” in Hegel’s Science of Logic, the article illustrates how deflationary interpretations of human action can be improved, so that they are topical for both contemporary practical philosophy and the philosophy of action, beyond the unnecessary split between analytical vs. continental philosophy. Such concepts as “purpose” and “mediation” become crucial, as they have sociological and normative extensions in Hegel’s Philosophy of Right, as discussed in the last Section of this article.
The Importance of Kant’s Schematism for Schelling’s Project of a Philosophy of Nature
Authors: Garcia Luis Fellipe
Published: August 2022

Counteracting a widespread interpretation of Schelling’s project of a philosophy of nature as anti-Kantian, this paper claims that Kant’s doctrine of the schematism plays a central role in the emergence and development of Schelling’s project. My argument will be structured in the following way. First, I will discuss Schelling’s reception of the schematism in his Ideas for a Philosophy of Nature of 1797, especially as regards his association of it with Kant’s dynamical conception of matter in the Metaphysical Foundations of Natural Science. Relying on this reconstruction, I will argue, secondly, that Schelling brings together a central issue of the Critique of Pure Reason (the objectivity of pure concepts) and the overall problem of the Metaphysical Foundations (the transition from pure philosophy to empirical sciences) by addressing the issue of a schematism specifically related to outer sense. Thirdly, I maintain that this issue is at the core of the overall argument developed in the Ideas, where it appears in the form of a schematism of “materiality as such”. Finally, I suggest that the notion of a schematism of materiality as such offers a useful key to understanding the unfolding of Schelling’s project between 1797 and 1800.
Characterization of egg shell powder-doped ceramic–metal composites
Authors: Yönetken Ahmet , Erol Ayhan , Peşmen Günnur
Published: August 2022

Titanium is known to be an indispensable element in biomaterials. In this study, boron carbide was considered as an alternative to titanium due to its good mechanical properties. Boron carbide has high temperature resistance, high wear resistance, etc. It is a preferred material due to its properties. Considering this information, different compositions were created by mixing Fe–B4C and egg shell powders. Compositions sintered using powder metallurgy technique were investigated mechanically, physically and metallographically. According to the results of the analysis, it was determined that the hardness increased by 13.75% with the addition of egg shell. The hardness value of 204.12 HB was measured in the sample sintered at 1,400°C by adding 6.66% egg shelter powder.
On a first-order differential system with initial and nonlocal boundary conditions
Authors: Ngoc Le Thi Phuong , Long Nguyen Thanh
Published: August 2022

This paper is devoted to the existence of solutions and the multiplicity of positive solutions of an initial-boundary value problem for a nonlinear first-order differential system with nonlocal conditions. The main tool is the fixed-point theorem in which we construct the novel representation of the associated Green’s functions with useful properties and define a cone in the Banach space suitably. Some examples are also given to demonstrate the validity of the main results.
NMT verb rendering: A cognitive approach to informing Arabic-into-English post-editing
Authors: Almanna Ali , Jamoussi Rafik
Published: August 2022

Machine translation (MT) has made significant strides and has reached accuracy levels that often make the post-editing (PE) of MT output a viable alternative to manual translation. However, despite professional translators increasingly considering PE as a valid stage in their translation workflow, little has been done to investigate MT output for the purpose of informing training in PE. Against this background, the present project focuses on the handling of tense and aspect configurations in the English translation of Arabic sentences using current neural machine translation (NMT) systems. Using a dataset of representative Arabic sentences, the output of five NMT engines was assessed against reference translations. The investigation reveals regressing accuracy levels when comparing morphological, structural, and contextual tenses. These findings are believed to represent valuable information that contributes to a more informed training in the PE of Arabic-into-English NMT output.
Does Deliberative Thinking Increase Tolerance? Political Tolerance Toward Individuals With Dual Citizenship
Authors: Verkuyten Maykel , Yogeeswaran Kumar , Adelman Levi
Published: August 2022

A growing number of states permit dual citizenship, but continued fears about communitarian values and worries about divided loyalties of dual citizens frequently boil up, leading to forms of political intolerance against such individuals. Dual-process theories argue that tolerance is more likely when people engage in deliberative (vs. intuitive) thinking in which they recognize and consider the equal rights of all citizens. We used a survey experiment to manipulate deliberative versus intuitive thinking to test whether deliberative thinking increases political tolerance of immigrant-origin individuals with dual citizenship. Using a nationally representative sample of Dutch majority members, we found that deliberative thinking can indeed increase political tolerance. This finding was robust across demographic differences in gender, age, religiosity, educational level, political orientation, and authoritarianism.
Child Health Status and Health Care Use in Grandparent- Versus Parent-Led Households
Authors: Joshi Deepa S. , Lebrun-Harris Lydie A.
Published: August 2022

OBJECTIVES

To use a nationally representative sample to compare children in grandparent-led versus parent-led households with regard to diagnosed child health conditions, receipt of timely health care, and burden of caregiving responsibilities.

METHODS

We used 4 years of pooled data from the National Survey of Children’s Health, representative of United States children ages 0 to 17 years, and applied bivariate analyses and logistic regressions adjusted for sociodemographic confounders to compare grandparent- and parent-led households on key measures of interest.

RESULTS

Compared with children in parent-led households, those in grandparent-led households had increased physical health conditions (oral health problems: 18.9% vs 13.1%, P = .0006; overweight/obesity: 40.3% vs 29.7%, P = .0002); emotional, mental, and developmental health conditions (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: 16.3% vs 8.0%; behavioral/conduct problems: 13.9% vs 6.1%; depression: 6.6% vs 3.1%; learning disability: 13.9% vs 6.2%, P < .0001 for all); and special health care needs (28.2% vs 17.8%, P < .0001). They also had decreased prevalence of health care utilization (usual source of sick care: 65.7% vs 79.5%, preventive checkups: 64.6% vs 77.1%; preventive dental visits: 73.8% vs 80.6%; specialty care: 78.6% vs 90.2%, P ≤ .0001 for all) and increased prevalence of forgone care (5.9% vs 2.8%, P = .0020). After adjustment, the associations with caregiver type remained statistically significant for all emotional, mental, and developmental conditions listed; special health care needs; usual source of sick care and preventive checkups.

CONCLUSIONS

Grandparent caregivers may benefit from additional support to ensure that grandchildren receive timely health care services.
The Intersection of Race, Racism, and Child and Adolescent Health
Authors: Jindal Monique , Trent Maria , Mistry Kamila B.
Published: August 2022

There has been an increasing focus on the impact of racism both within pediatrics and throughout society as a whole. This focus has emerged as a result of the current sociopolitical climate in the United States coupled with the recent deaths of Black Americans by law enforcement and the maltreatment of Latina/o immigrants. In 2019, the American Academy of Pediatrics released the landmark policy statement “The Impact of Racism on Child and Adolescent Health,” which describes the profound effects of racism on health, its function in perpetuating health disparities, and the potential role of child health professionals in addressing racism as a public health issue. (1) Foundational knowledge regarding race, racism, and their relation to health are not consistently included in standard medical education curricula. This leaves providers, including pediatricians, with varying levels of understanding regarding these concepts. This article seeks to provide an overview of the intersection of race, racism, and child/adolescent health in an effort to reduce knowledge gaps among pediatric providers with the ultimate goal of attenuating racial health disparities among children and adolescents. Please reference the Table for additional resources to reinforce concepts described throughout this article.
FACTORS PREDICTING A POSSIBLE INCREASE OF GLEASON SCORE AFTER RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY IN PATIENTS WITH WELL-DIFFERENTIATED PROSTATE CANCER
Authors: Lazarov B.
Published: August 2022

Introduction The discrepancy between the Gleason score (GS) of the prostate biopsy and those after the radical prostatectomy (RP) is a well-known event. This is important for the patients because some of them, at least initially, prefer active surveillance, not active treatment.
Aim To investigate the factors which can predict a possible increase in GS after RP in patients with well-differentiated (GS ≤ 6) prostate cancer (PCa).
Methods The patients are divided into three groups. Group 1-GS of the biopsy is equal to those of the RP. Group 2- GS of the biopsy increases after the RP. Group 3- GS of the biopsy decreases after the RP. The information was collected and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23.
Results The patients available for analysis are 78- 32 patients in group 1, 34 patients in group 2, and 12 patients in group 3. A statistically significant difference in the prostate volumes and PSA density (PSAD) of the patients of the three groups is found.
Discussion According to literature data patients with well-differentiated PCa (GS ≤ 6) are most likely to have their GS upgraded. That is why we studied several preoperative parameters (age, PSA, PSAD, prostate volume and presence of a palpable nodule in the prostate) in order to find a possible association with a GS-upgrade.
Conclusion Higher PSAD and lower prostate volume are associated with a possible increase in GS. PSA, age, and the presence of a palpable nodule do not demonstrate a difference between the three groups.
A review of nutritional implications of bioactive compounds of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), their biological activities and nano-formulations
Authors: Ishfaq Muhammad , Hu Wanying , Hu Zhihua , Guan Yurong , Zhang Ruihong
Published: August 2022

Ginger is a rhizome of the family Zingiberaceae and is one of the most commonly used spices in food and beverages worldwide. The pharmacological activities of ginger, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and protective effects against pain and gastrointestinal tract disorders, are primarily attributed to its phenolic compounds. However, knowledge about the mechanisms of toxicity, absorption, molecular targets, and dose–response relationship of ginger in human clinical studies is still elusive. The aim of this review is to give an overview of the current literature in the context of bioactive compounds and biological activities of ginger. Furthermore, recent findings regarding the absorption, tissue distribution, and nano-formulations of ginger bioactive compounds are discussed. The current in vitro and in vivo studies identified and validated ginger extracts and bioactive compounds, including gingerols, zingiberene, shogaols, and zingerone. Despite the data available regarding the pharmacological uses of ginger together with a deep mechanistic approach about the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and dose-response studies in humans is yet to be provided. Studies on the absorption, bioavailability, adverse reactions, and safe doses of the bioactive compounds of ginger will additionally improve its therapeutic applications. Nonetheless, the use of nano-formulations of bioactive compounds of ginger will be a more effective strategy in drug delivery. These novel evidences may bring ginger to the forefront of nutraceuticals for the treatment and/or prevention of various human health disorders.
Apresentação
Authors: Natividade Marcelo Tavares , Coelho Júnior Carlos Lacerda
Published: August 2022

Em outubro de 2020, um posicionamento do Papa Francisco chamou atenção da opinião pública: “As pessoas homossexuais têm direito de estar em uma família. Elas são filhas de Deus e têm direito a uma família. Ninguém deve ser impedido ou tornado infeliz por isso. O que precisamos criar é uma lei sobre as uniões civis.”. Com essa fala, registrada pelo cineasta italiano, Evgeny Afineevsky, em filme exibido no Festival de Roma, ele deu explícito apoio à união homoafetiva e aos direitos LGBTI+. Será que a notícia pode ser interpretada como um avanço, fissura nas estruturas ideológicas do cristianismo, diante de séculos de posturas institucionais francamente hostis e LGBTIfóbicas? Que mudanças estariam em curso no tradicionalismo cristão e suas
Cardiac PI3K p110α attenuation delays aging and extends lifespan
Authors: Abdellatif Mahmoud , Eisenberg Tobias , Heberle Alexander Martin , Thedieck Kathrin , Kroemer Guido , Sedej Simon
Published: August 2022

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) is a key component of the insulin signaling pathway that controls cellular metabolism and growth. Loss-of-function mutations in PI3K signaling and other downstream effectors of the insulin signaling pathway extend the lifespan of various model organisms. However, the pro-longevity effect appears to be sex-specific and young mice with reduced PI3K signaling have increased risk of cardiac disease. Hence, it remains elusive as to whether PI3K inhibition is a valid strategy to delay aging and extend healthspan in humans. We recently demonstrated that reduced PI3K activity in cardiomyocytes delays cardiac growth, causing subnormal contractility and cardiopulmonary functional capacity, as well as increased risk of mortality at young age. In stark contrast, in aged mice, experimental attenuation of PI3K signaling reduced the age-dependent decline in cardiac function and extended maximal lifespan, suggesting a biphasic effect of PI3K on cardiac health and survival. The cardiac anti-aging effects of reduced PI3K activity coincided with enhanced oxidative phosphorylation and required increased autophagic flux. In humans, explanted failing hearts showed increased PI3K signaling, as indicated by increased phosphorylation of the serine/threonine-protein kinase AKT. Hence, late-life cardiac-specific targeting of PI3K might have a therapeutic potential in cardiac aging and related diseases.
“Malhar” as a metaphor of physical exercise
Authors: Coelho Filho Carlos Alberto de Andrade
Published: August 2022

Abstract This research seeks to contribute to the understanding of the problem of motivation to the regular practice of physical and sporting activities. To do so, we analyze the metaphorical use of the word “malhar”, which, in Brazil, is associated with physical exercise. One hundred ninety four people participated in the “free association method”, by saying from one to three words or expressions that came immediately to their minds, from the inductor term “malhar”. We also conducted ten interviews. We conclude that there is a correlation between professional performance in physical education and the problem investigated. The demand for performance produces a negative (unconscious) affection that operates in the body as a force (tiredness, discouragement, and suffering).
Côte D’Or National Sports Complex, Mauritius: engineering a new African sporting hub
Authors: Aldous Michael
Published: August 2022

The Côte D’Or National Sports Complex provided the African island nation of Mauritius with world-class sporting venues for the 2019 Indian Ocean Island Games. The new high-performance facilities were designed and built in just 2 years against a backdrop of complex geotechnical conditions, rigorous settlement criteria and the challenges of operating in a tropical environment prone to seasonal cyclone activity. Additional considerations included the limited local procurement capacity and material availability. The lessons learned and standards applied provide a useful resource for similar works in the Indian Ocean region.
Physical, Chemical and Sensory Characterization of Deep-Fried Fresh-Cut Potatoes Coated with Hydrocolloid/Herbal Extracts
Authors: Kurek Mia , Repajić Maja , Ščetar Mario , Radošević Lea , Pedisić Sandra , Pelaić Zdenka , Levaj Branka , Galić Kata
Published: August 2022

Research background. Recently, natural plant extracts have been used to increase the
nutritional value of food and to potentially reduce the absorbed fat and the formation of
acrylamide in fried foods. Literature data on the use of edible polymers with nettle or olive leaf extracts are scarce.
Experimental approach. The effect of novel coatings on colour, fat absorption, phenolic
and sugar content, and acrylamide formation in deep-fat-fried fresh-cut potatoes was
evaluated. Extracts of olive and nettle leaves were incorporated in carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and gum arabic, used as coatings for potatoes and applied before frying. This aimed to improve the nutritional quality of deep-fat-fried fresh-cut potatoes.
Results and conclusions. Enrichment of the edible coatings with extracts resulted in a
significant change in the visible colour of the potatoes before frying. Significant effect of the extract amount on the sensory characteristics of potatoes was also observed. Most importantly, the perception of characteristic potato odour and taste was not significantly affected by the coating. Although higher amounts of the extract (1.5 %) resulted in higher phenolic mass fraction in fried potatoes, the sensory scores decreased. After frying, fat mass fraction in the coated potatoes was reduced by about 15 % compared to the uncoated samples. The type of extract affected the total sugar mass fraction in fried potatoes, which was lower in the samples with coatings enriched with olive leaf than in those with nettle leaf. Only gum arabic coating had a reducing effect on acrylamide mass fraction by 17 %. Based on all the obtained results, CMC and gum arabic coatings did not influence sensory properties, so they can be recommended as carriers of functional compounds or as a frying pre-treatment for potatoes with favourable effect on fat and acrylamide content.
Novelty and scientific contribution. The knowledge obtained in this study can be exploited for preparation of coatings with functional compounds used as a pre-treatment for fried food with favourable effect on fat and acrylamide content.
Kereke Ya Sephiri: A Study of a Secret Society in Botswana and South Africa
Authors: Nthoi Leslie
Published: August 2022

The difference between esotericism and exoterism is unlike the difference between circles and rectangles. It is also not the difference between the size and relevance of a specific body of knowledge in circulation. It is rather the extent of the circulation, acceptance, understanding, and meaning of a particular body of knowledge, philosophy, or worldview, over the spiritual and socio-political life of diverse categories of people in society. The infancy of the academic study of esotericism, as well as its interdisciplinary nature, militate against the crystallization of a universally accepted definition of the term 'esotericism'. The various definitions of the term by researchers consistently relate to their research interests. In line with Faivre's concern with the forms of thought of esoteric movements (Faivre 1996), as well as the preoccupation that Versluis has with gnosis generation in esoteric movements (Versluis n.d), our study of Kereke ya Sephiri in Botswana and South Africa examines a) the cultural and religious contexts in which Frederick Modise, a gnostic in his own right, generated the underlying gnosis of his secret society, and b) the import of the content of this visionary mystical revelation in the spiritual and social lives of members of this secret society1. The study of the Setswana term, Kereke ya Sephiri (church of a secret, referring to a Christian-based secret society), is a study of African esotericism in South Africa and Botswana. The principal academic interest in the study of esotericism lies in our quest to identify the fundamental tenets of the worldviews of the specific esoteric society, the eclectic nature of its philosophy, and how this philosophy relates to the orthodoxy of the day (Christianity in this instance). We do so by concentrating on the form of thinking, engendered by esoteric practices. Esoteric groups do not appear or exist within cultural voids. For this reason, by identifying the eclectic or syncretic nature of the fundamental philosophy (gnosis) of these groups, we trace the cultural influences involved in the emergence and consolidation of these worldviews and philosophies. This study shows that African esotericism is not always antithetic or subversive of dominant or institutionalized Christianity.
Investigating the differential item functioning of a PIRLS Literacy 2016 text across three languages
Authors: Roux Karen , van Staden Surette , Pretorius Elizabeth J.
Published: August 2022

This study forms part of a larger study (Roux, 2020), which looked at the equivalence of a literary text across English, Afrikaans, and isiZulu from the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). PIRLS is a large-scale reading comprehension assessment that assesses Grade 4 students' reading literacy achievement. PIRLS Literacy 2016 results for South African Grade 4 students indicated poor performance in reading comprehension, with approximately eight out of 10 Grade 4 students who could not read for meaning. Descriptive statistics led to the Rasch analysis, which was conducted using the South African PIRLS Literacy 2016 data. Even though the Rasch analysis indicated differential item functioning across the three languages for this specific passage, there was no universal discrimination against one particular language. By conducting differential item functioning, it was possible to determine whether the selected text had metric equivalence, in other words, whether the test questions were of similar difficulty across languages.