bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Object of Jewish Literature
Authors: Mann Barbara E.
Published: January 2023

With the rise of digital media, the “death of the book” has been widely discussed. But the physical object of the book persists. Here, through the lens of materiality and objects, this book tells a history of modern Jewish literature, from novels and poetry to graphic novels and artists' books. Bringing contemporary work on secularism and design in conversation with literary history, the book offers a new and distinctive frame for understanding how literary genres emerge. The long twentieth century, a period of tremendous physical upheaval and geographic movement, witnessed the production of a multilingual canon of writing by Jewish authors. Literature's objecthood is felt not only in the physical qualities of books—bindings, covers, typography, illustrations—but also through the ways in which materiality itself became a practical foundation for literary expression.
Scotland
Authors: Pittock Murray
Published: January 2023

Scotland is one of the oldest nations in the world, yet by some it is hardly counted as a nation at all. Neither a colony of England nor a fully equal partner in the British union, Scotland's history has often been seen as simply a component part of British history. But the story of Scotland is one of innovation, exploration, resistance and global consequence. This book examines the place of Scotland in the world. The book explores Scotland and empire, the rise of nationalism, and the pressures on the country from an increasingly monolithic understanding of Britishness. From the Thirty Years' War to Jacobite risings and today's ongoing independence debates, Scotland and its diaspora have undergone profound changes. The book reveals the diversity of Scotland's history and shows how, after the country disappeared from the map as an independent state, it continued to build a global brand.
Introduction Global Scotland
Authors: Pittock Murray
Published: January 2023

This chapter covers the notion and history of two Scotlands. Scotland disappeared from the map as an independent state but remained to build a global brand. It explains the changing status of Scotland within the United Kingdom. Scotland's presence on the global stage simultaneously continued and compromised the state's role as a national entity and its role played by Scottish networks, and the careers of individual Scots. The chapter notes the influences of Scottish history, ranging between England, France, and the Netherland. It tackles the history beginning with the Thirty Years' War and its first major Scottish manifestation in the National Covenant of 1638.
The Force of Sentiment
Authors: Pittock Murray
Published: January 2023

This chapter looks into the full incorporation of Scotland into Britain's global military presence, which had been achieved by the British Army's initial occupation of Scotland and the British Government policy of confiscation and control concerning local magnate power. Perceptions of Scottish bravery escalated throughout the Napoleonic Wars, where Scots had provided manpower to Britain's militia units, while Highlanders were among the battle honours at Waterloo. Moreover, the British victory in the Seven Years' War opened up the prospect of extensive landed settlement simultaneously in Scotland and North America. The chapter also covers the clannishness of Scots becoming entrenched in the Caribbean, Canadian provinces, and Thirteen Colonies. It discusses the Scots making major headway in British India with the East India Company.
Scottish Romanticism, Tourism, Capitalism and Clearance
Authors: Pittock Murray
Published: January 2023

This chapter focuses on Scottish Romanticism, tourism, capitalism, and clearance. It explores the difference between Enlightenment and Romanticism. In Scotland, Romanticism drew on the stadial historiography of the Scottish Enlightenment and the rational ideal of the System itself. Thus, national culture became central to Romanticism. Moreover, Scottish Romanticism was strongly oriented toward creating a national story revolving around glory and heroic pasts. The chapter discusses the works of Robert Burns and Walter Scott putting the Scots on a global map. It also elaborates on the clearances, racism, and radicalism present in Scotland. Meanwhile, high levels of temporary migration to towns often result in increased population instability.
The Scottish World
Authors: Pittock Murray
Published: January 2023

This chapter explores the rise of the transport and communication revolution with the maturation of the second British Empire. Innovation vastly changed the geopolitical and commercial landscape as the modern era of globalization emerged. The chapter explains the centrality of rail and steam transport by sea and land of global trade in Scotland. It also covers the growth of the domestic heavy industry in vast proportions. By 1912, the Scottish capital had a controlling interest in one of the world's biggest shipping lines. The chapter notes the influence of Scottish culture in South and East Asia, the United States, and Canada. Additionally, the Kirk of Scotland played a significant role in creating an infrastructure for Scottish identity through the British Empire.
Introduction
Authors: Lieber Robert J.
Published: January 2023

This chapter makes a case for the United States about being indispensable in its global role and about envisioning a rejuvenated American leadership. It argues that America's active performance of a critically important leadership role that no other country is able to take on is what is indispensable. It also highlights factors that create this indispensability, such as the absence of desirable alternatives, the shortcomings of other proposed strategies, and the harmful consequences of retrenchment for allies and likeminded countries. The chapter provides a background on the unique role that the United States plays, which is one that is easily misinterpreted as there are those who fail to consider the adverse consequences of the United States pulling back. It mentions liberal internationalists who embrace the ideals of a liberal world order and urge the United States to bind itself to international institutions.
Opportunities and Methods for Using Fluorescent Gel as a Proxy for Pathogen Transfer in Biosecurity Research
Authors: Warmka Anna , Cortus Erin L. , Janni Kevin A. , Schuft Abby , Noll Sally
Published: January 2023

Highlights

While fluorescing gel may evaporate from a surface, luminance of the surface does not change.

Fluorescing gel exhibits thresholds beyond which additional gel density does not increase luminance.

Fluorescing gel only transfers between surfaces when it is wet.

There are limits to relating luminance and mass transfer.

Fluorescent material is a useful proxy for contamination transfer demonstration and research.

Abstract. Glo Germ fluorescing material is a popular tool for teaching and researching contaminant transfer in and out of agriculture. The objectives of this paper were to: (1) quantify relationships between gel area density (mass per unit area) on a surface and its luminance, and (2) identify factors important in measuring Glo Germ gel transfer from one surface to another. Varying densities of Glo Germ gel were applied to paper, plastic, and rubber surfaces; each combination was replicated three times. Digital images collected over one hour were analyzed for luminance (the average gray value per unit area) under ultraviolet light. Changes in mass were also measured. For the gel transfer objective, a fixed weight was placed over varying wet and dried fluorescent material densities on paper and plastic surfaces. Gel masses were weighed, and images of the surface and receptor were taken before and after transfer. Evaporation was significantly faster (p =  0.0019) on the paper surface compared to the plastic surface. The luminance did not change as the gel evaporated from either surface. For each material, luminance initially increased with increasing density until a threshold, after which additional fluorescing gel density did not change luminance. The thresholds for paper, plastic, and rubber surfaces were 0.018, 0.014, and 0.041 g cm-2, respectively. Wet gel transfer test results suggest that transfer is easier to quantify on the receptor than the source. The dried gel did not exhibit measurable transfer. This research found limitations in equating mass transfer and luminance, but luminance threshold values can inform maximum Glo Germ application for imaging purposes. These research results support continued research and outreach with fluorescent material to reduce and prevent the spread of disease or other harmful contaminants in food and animal production. Keywords: Biosecurity, Fluorescence, Luminance, Mass transfer.
A etnomatemática no contexto da tecnologia digital: repensando a prática pedagógica no ensino da matemática
Authors: Rios Couto Simênia
Published: January 2023

O artigo, resultado de um estudo bibliográfico, discute sobre a Etnomatemática no contexto das tecnologias digitais, tendo como enfoque as práticas pedagógicas do professor. Em um primeiro momento, optamos em conceituar o termo etnomatemática, com foco na análise da abordagem histórico-cultural, vinculada à cultura digital na escola e seus desafios. Compreendemos que as tecnologias podem ser entendidas como uma cultura que exige uma nova linguagem, novos recursos e uma nova postura do educador e educando em relação ao ato de ensinar e de aprender Matemática. Diante da perspectiva etnomatemática, nosso objetivo é demonstrar a necessidade de novas práticas pedagógicas capazes de construírem um conhecimento matemático que atenda o estudante, marcado pela presença dessas tecnologias, no sentido de ressignificar os conteúdos de matemática a partir dos conhecimentos adquiridos nas práticas cotidianas. Partimos, portanto, da busca por outros caminhos que nos tragam maior relevância no processo de ensino e de aprendizagem na ambiência da sala de aula.
Imaging across multiple spatial scales with the multi-camera array microscope
Authors: Harfouche Mark , Kim Kanghyun , Zhou Kevin C. , Konda Pavan Chandra , Sharma Sunanda , Thomson Eric E. , Cooke Colin , Xu Shiqi , Kreiss Lucas , Chaware Amey , Yang Xi , Yao Xing , Pathak Vinayak , Bohlen Martin , Appel Ron , Bègue Aurélien , Cook Clare , Doman Jed , Efromson John , Horstmeyer Gregor , Park Jaehee , Reamey Paul , Saliu Veton , Naumann Eva , Horstmeyer Roarke
Published: January 2023

This paper experimentally examines different configurations of a
multi-camera array microscope (MCAM) imaging technology. The MCAM is
based upon a densely packed array of “micro-cameras” to
jointly image across a large field-of-view (FOV) at high resolution.
Each micro-camera within the array images a unique area of a sample of
interest, and then all acquired data with 54 micro-cameras are
digitally combined into composite frames, whose total pixel counts
significantly exceed the pixel counts of standard microscope systems.
We present results from three unique MCAM configurations for different
use cases. First, we demonstrate a configuration that simultaneously
images and estimates the 3D object depth across a 100×135mm2 FOV at approximately
20 µm resolution, which results in 0.15 gigapixels (GP)
per snapshot. Second, we demonstrate an MCAM configuration that
records video across a continuous 83×123mm2 FOV with twofold increased resolution
(0.48 GP per frame). Finally, we report a third high-resolution
configuration (2 µm resolution) that can rapidly produce
9.8 GP composites of large histopathology specimens.
Manipulating the supermodes in photonic molecules: Prospects for All-optical Switching and Sensing
Authors: Geints Yuri
Published: January 2023

A specific photonic structure, a photonic molecule (PM), formed by several ordered resonance microcavities (photonic atoms) supporting high-quality "whispering gallery" eigenmodes (WGM) is considered theoretically. All PM atoms are bound together by WGM electromagnetic fields and constitute collective supermodes of the whole molecule. Usually, the composition of the SM spectrum in a particular PM is determined only by its topology (atomic lattice type, interatomic gap). We propose another way to control the spectral composition of supermodes by using bilateral (double-sided) optical pumping of a PM provided by a variable phase shift between the optical excitation channels. We show that multi-atomic PMs made of silicone microcylinders demonstrate more than tenfold amplification/suppression of particular supermodes intensity located in the Stokes and anti-Stokes wings of the molecular spectrum. This may be beneficial for the engineering of PM-based intensity-dependent sensors of refractive index changes in optical pumping buses or all-optical thyristor with high switching range.
Manipulating the supermodes in photonic molecules: All-optical thyristor concept
Authors: Geints Yuri
Published: January 2023

A specific photonic structure, a photonic molecule (PM), formed by several ordered resonance microcavities (photonic atoms) supporting high-quality "whispering gallery" eigenmodes (WGM) is considered theoretically. All PM atoms are bound together by WGM electromagnetic fields and constitute collective supermodes of the whole molecule. Usually, the composition of the SM spectrum in a particular PM is determined only by its topology (atomic lattice type, interatomic gap). We propose another way to control the spectral composition of supermodes by using bilateral (double-sided) optical pumping of a PM provided by a variable phase shift between the optical excitation channels. We show that multi-atomic PMs made of silicone microcylinders demonstrate more than tenfold amplification/suppression of particular supermodes intensity located in the Stokes and anti-Stokes wings of the molecular spectrum. This may be beneficial for the engineering of PM-based intensity-dependent sensors of refractive index changes in optical pumping buses or all-optical thyristor with high switching range.
Integrated photonic chips based on Sagnac interference
Authors: Juodkazis Saulius , Moss David , Wu Jiayang , Arianfard Hamed
Published: January 2023

As a fundamental optical approach to interferometry, Sagnac interference has been widely used for reflection manipulation, precision measurements, and spectral engineering in optical systems. Compared to other interferometry configurations, it offers attractive advantages by yielding a reduced system complexity without the need for phase control between different pathways, thus offering a high degree of stability against external disturbance and a low wavelength dependence. The advance of integration fabrication techniques has enabled chip-scale Sagnac interferometers with greatly reduced footprint and improved scalability compared to more conventional approaches implemented by spatial light or optical fiber devices. This facilitates a variety of integrated photonic devices with bidirectional light propagation, showing new features and capabilities compared to unidirectional-light-propagation devices such as Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs) and ring resonators (RRs). This paper reviews functional integrated photonic devices based on Sagnac interference. First, the basic theory of integrated Sagnac interference devices is introduced, together with comparisons to other integrated photonic building blocks such as MZIs, RRs, photonic crystal cavities, and Bragg gratings. Next, the applications of Sagnac interference in integrated photonics, including reflection mirrors, optical gyroscopes, basic filters, wavelength (de)interleavers, optical analogues of quantum physics, and others, are systematically reviewed. Finally, the open challenges and future perspectives are discussed.
Spatially Encoded Hyperspectral Compressive Microscope for Ultrabroadband VIS/NIR Hyperspectral Imaging
Authors: Klein Lukas , Zidek Karel , Tous Jan
Published: January 2023

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) has become a valuable tool in sample characterization in various scientific fields. While many approaches have been tested, specific applications and technology usually lead to only a narrow part of the spectrum being studied. We demonstrate the use of a broadband HSI setup based on compressed sensing capable of capturing data in visible (VIS), near-infrared (NIR), and short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectral regions. Using a tested design, we developed a dual configuration and tested its performance on a set of samples demonstrating spatial resolution and spectral reconstruction. Samples showing a potential use of the setup in optical defect detection are also tested. The setup showcases a dual single-pixel camera configuration capable of combining various detectors with a shared spatial modulation, further improving data efficiency and providing an affordable instrument from broadband spectral studies.
Theoretical investigations of weakly- and strongly-coupled multi-core fibers for the applications of optical submarine communications under power and fiber count limits
Authors: Sun Lin , Zhang Junwei , Zhou Gai , Chen Bin , Cai Yi , Li Zhaohui , Lu Chao , Shen Gangxiang , Liu Gordon
Published: January 2023

The practical cable design for optical submarine communications has a limited fiber pair count due to the mechanical considerations of cable weight and size. Consequently, multi-core fibers (MCFs) could exhibit higher capacity than the conventional single-mode fibers (SMFs) thanks to space division multiplexing (SDM). That is because the power supply to a submarine cable is fed by the voltage difference between shores.
Under the power limited condition, SDM improves the cable capacity by using more paths which outperforms the SMF link whose capacity approximately complies with a logarithmic relationship to optical power.
At the same time, fiber nonlinearity can be alleviated by the reduced power density of transmitted light in MCFs, due to the increased spatial diversity and mode coupling among coupled cores. In this work, we theoretically investigate the potentials of MCFs including weakly-coupled mutlicore fiber (WC-MCF) and strongly-coupled multicore fiber (SC-MCF) as the propagation media for submarine communications across the Atlantic and the Pacific. To fairly compare the performances of SMFs- and MCFs-based submarine cables, Gaussian noise (GN) model for SDM links is employed to optimize the systematic settings including modulation format, optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) and single span length. Then, we develop an SDM and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) fiber transmission model based on coupled nonlinear Schrodinger equations (CNSE) to investigate the optical filed coupling effect in MCFs-based cables. Developed transmission model has been self-examined by measuring the inter-core crosstalk (IC-XT) and spatial mode dispersion (SMD), referring to the set values. As indicated by the theoretical analysis, the WC-MCFs cable exhibits larger capacity than the SMFs cable, when fiber pair count is limited below 32. Moreover, the SC-MCFs cable outperforms the WC-MCFs cable thanks to the reduced fiber nonlinearity due to the random mode coupling and the assitance of multiple-input and multiple-output digital signal processing (MIMO-DSP). At last, the marginal influences of IC-XT, SMD and insertion loss of Fan-in and Fan-out couplers are also analyzed for the MCFs cable.
Photonic time crystals: A materials perspective
Authors: Shalaev Vladimir , Saha Soham , Segal Ohad , Fruhling Colton , Lustig Eran , Segev Mordechai , Boltasseva Alexandra
Published: January 2023

Recent advances in ultrafast, large-modulation photonic materials have opened the door to many new areas of research. One specific example is the exciting prospect of photonic time crystals. In this perspective, we outline the most recent material advances that are promising candidates for photonic time crystals. We discuss their merit in terms of modulation speed and depth. We also investigate the challenges yet to be faced and provide our estimation on possible roads to success.
Essential newborn care practices and associated factors among home delivered mothers in Guto Gida District, East Wollega zone
Authors: Abebe Mulugeta , Kejela Gemechu , Chego Melese , Desalegn Markos
Published: January 2023

Background

Essential Newborn Care is a set of strategic and cost-effective interventions planned to improve the health of newborns through the care they receive from birth up to 28 days. In the current study area, little is known about the prevalence of essential newborn care practices and its associated factors. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of essential newborn care practice and its associated factors among home-delivered mothers in Guto Gida district, western Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Guto Gida district from September 5 to 15, 2020. Data were collected by interviewing 601 systematically selected home-delivered women. Descriptive statistics were employed to describe frequency and percent. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to identify candidate variables for the final model. Variables with p-value less than 0.25 at bivariate logistic regression were considered as the candidate variable and entered into multivariable logistic regression model. Finally, multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify associated factors at p-value less than 0.05, and the strength of association was described by adjusted odds ratios with 95% CI.

Results

The study shows that the level of essential newborn care practices was 168 (28%) (23.9–31.4). In this study, women in the first wealth quantile (AOR [95% CI] = 0.64 [0.34–0.97]), women who had one live birth (AOR [95% CI] = 0.51 [0.22–0.87]), women who lost their neonate before the study period (AOR [95% CI] = 0.11 [0.05–0.22]) were less likely to practice essential newborn care. Women who were advised on essential newborn care practice during a home visit by health extension workers (AOR [95% CI] = 3.45[1.56–7.26]), women who attended antenatal care during their current pregnancy (AOR [95% CI] = 1.79 (1.21–3.36]), and women who were attended at their birth by health extension workers (AOR [95% CI] = 3.29 [2.13–5.94]) were more likely to practice essential newborn care.

Conclusions

In this study, the prevalence of essential newborn care practice was low (28%), as compared with the World Health Organization recommendation that it should be 100%. The wealth quantile, number of live births, home visits by health extension workers, antenatal care, birth attendant, and neonatal death were independent predictors of essential newborn care practices.
Cardiovascular health promotion: A systematic review involving effectiveness of faith-based institutions in facilitating maintenance of normal blood pressure
Authors: Sanusi Abayomi , Elsey Helen , Golder Su , Sanusi Osayuwamen , Oluyase Adejoke
Published: January 2023

Globally, faith institutions have a range of beneficial social utility, but a lack of understanding remains regarding their role in cardiovascular health promotion, particularly for hypertension. Our objective was assessment of modalities, mechanisms and effectiveness of hypertension health promotion and education delivered through faith institutions. A result-based convergent mixed methods review was conducted with 24 databases including MEDLINE, Embase and grey literature sources searched on 30 March 2021, results independently screened by three researchers, and data extracted based on behaviour change theories. Quality assessment tools were selected by study design, from Cochrane risk of bias, ROBINS I and E, and The Joanna Briggs Institute’s Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument tools. Twenty-four publications contributed data. Faith institution roles include cardiovascular health/disease teaching with direct lifestyle linking, and teaching/ encouragement of personal psychological control. Also included were facilitation of: exercise/physical activity as part of normal lifestyle, nutrition change for cardiovascular health, cardiovascular health measurements, and opportunistic blood pressure checks. These demand relationships of trust with local leadership, contextualisation to local sociocultural realities, volitional participation but prior consent by faith / community leaders. Limited evidence for effectiveness: significant mean SBP reduction of 2.98 mmHg (95%CI -4.39 to -1.57), non-significant mean DBP increase of 0.14 mmHg (95%CI -2.74 to +3.01) three months after interventions; and significant mean SBP reduction of 0.65 mmHg (95%CI -0.91 to -0.39), non-significant mean DBP reduction of 0.53 mmHg (95%CI -1.86 to 0.80) twelve months after interventions. Body weight, waist circumference and multiple outcomes beneficially reduced for cardiovascular health: significant mean weight reduction 0.83kg (95% CI -1.19 to -0.46), and non-significant mean waist circumference reduction 1.48cm (95% CI -3.96 to +1.00). In addressing the global hypertension epidemic the cardiovascular health promotion roles of faith institutions probably hold unrealised potential. Deliberate cultural awareness, intervention contextualisation, immersive involvement of faith leaders and alignment with religious practice characterise their deployment as healthcare assets.
Assessment of potential risk factors for COVID-19 among health care workers in a health care setting in Delhi, India -a cohort study
Authors: Dudeja Mridu , Shaikh Aqsa , Islam Farzana , Alvi Yasir , Ahmad Mohammad , Kashyap Varun , Singh Vishal , Rahman Anisur , Panda Meely , Shree Neetu , Nandy Shyamasree , Jain Vineet
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Healthcare workers (HCW) are most vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 infection. Understanding the extent of human-to-human transmission of the COVID-19 infection among HCWs is critical in managing this infection and for policy making. We did this study to estimate new infection by seroconversion among HCWs in recent contact with COVID-19 and predict the risk factors for infection.

Methods

A cohort study was conducted at a tertiary care COVID-19 hospital in New Delhi during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. All HCWs working in the hospital during the study period who came in recent contact with the patients were our study population. The data was collected by a detailed face-to-face interview, serological assessment for anti- COVID-19 antibodies at baseline and end line, and daily symptoms. Potential risk factors for seroprevalence and seroconversion were analyzed by logistic regression keeping the significance at p<0.05.

Results

A total of 192 HCWs were recruited in this study, out of which 119 (62.0%) were seropositive. Almost all were wearing Personal protective equipment (PPE) and following Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures during their recent contact with a COVID-19 patient. Seroconversion was observed among 36.7% of HCWs, while 64.0% had a serial rise in the titer of antibodies during the follow-up period. Seropositivity was negatively associated with being a doctor (odds ratio [OR] 0.35, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.18–0.71), having COVID-19 symptoms (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.05–0.82), having comorbidities (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.03–0.67), and received IPC training (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.07–0.86), while positively associated with partial (OR 3.30, 95% CI 1.26–8.69), as well as complete vaccination for COVID-19 (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.12–5.27). Seroconversion was positively associated with doctor as a profession (OR 13.04, 95% CI 3.39–50.25) and with partially (OR 4.35, 95% CI 1.07–17.65), as well as fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (OR 6.08, 95% CI 1.73–21.4). No significant association was observed between adherence to any IPC measures and PPE adopted by the HCW during the recent contact with COVID-19 patients and seroconversion.

Conclusion

Almost all the HCW practiced IPC measures in these settings. High seropositivity and seroconversion are most likely due to concurrent vaccination against COVID-19 rather than recent exposure to COVID-19 patients. Further studies using anti-N antibodies serology may help us find the reason for the seropositivity and seroconversion among HCWs.
Longitudinal HbA1c trajectory modelling reveals the association of HbA1c and risk of hospitalization for heart failure for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tee Clarence , Xu Haiyan , Fu Xiuju , Cui Di , Jafar Tazeen H. , Bee Yong Mong
Published: January 2023

Background

Inconsistent conclusions in past studies on the association between poor glycaemic control and the risk of hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) have been reported largely due to the analysis of non-trajectory-based HbA1c values. Trajectory analysis can incorporate the effects of HbA1c variability across time, which may better elucidate its association with macrovascular complications. Furthermore, studies analysing the relationship between HbA1c trajectories from diabetes diagnosis and the occurrence of HHF are scarce.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study of the SingHealth Diabetes Registry (SDR). 17,389 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from 2013 to 2016 with clinical records extending to the end of 2019 were included in the latent class growth analysis to extract longitudinal HbA1c trajectories. Association between HbA1c trajectories and risk of first known HHF is quantified with the Cox Proportional Hazards (PH) model.

Results

5 distinct HbA1c trajectories were identified as 1. low stable (36.1%), 2. elevated stable (40.4%), 3. high decreasing (3.5%), 4. high with a sharp decline (10.8%), and 5. moderate decreasing (9.2%) over the study period of 7 years. Poorly controlled HbA1c trajectories (Classes 3, 4, and 5) are associated with a higher risk of HHF. Using the diabetes diagnosis time instead of a commonly used pre-defined study start time or time from recruitment has an impact on HbA1c clustering results.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that tracking the evolution of HbA1c with time has its importance in assessing the HHF risk of T2DM patients, and T2DM diagnosis time as a baseline is strongly recommended in HbA1c trajectory modelling. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to identify an association between HbA1c trajectories and HHF occurrence from diabetes diagnosis time.
Riluzole for treating spasticity in patients with chronic traumatic spinal cord injury: Study protocol in the phase ib/iib adaptive multicenter randomized controlled RILUSCI trial
Authors: Cotinat Maëva , Boquet Isabelle , Ursino Moreno , Brocard Cécile , Jouve Elisabeth , Alberti Corinne , Bensoussan Laurent , Viton Jean-Michel , Brocard Frédéric , Blin Olivier
Published: January 2023

Background

Satisfactory treatment is often lacking for spasticity, a highly prevalent motor disorder in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Low concentrations of riluzole potently reduce the persistent sodium current, the post-SCI increase in which contributes to spasticity. The repurposing of this drug may therefore constitute a useful potential therapeutic option for relieving SCI patients suffering from chronic traumatic spasticity.

Objective

RILUSCI is a phase 1b–2b trial designed to assess whether riluzole is a safe and biologically effective means of managing spasticity in adult patients with traumatic chronic SCI.

Methods

In this multicenter double-blind trial, adults (aged 18–65 years) suffering from spasticity after SCI (target enrollment: 90 participants) will be randomly assigned to be given either a placebo or a recommended daily oral dose of riluzole for two weeks. The latter dose will be previously determined in phase 1b of the study by performing double-blind dose-finding tests using a Bayesian continuous reassessment method. The primary endpoint of the trial will be an improvement in the Modified Ashworth Score (MAS) or the Numerical Rating Score (NRS) quantifying spasticity. The secondary outcomes will be based on the safety and pharmacokinetics of riluzole as well as its impact on muscle spasms, pain, bladder dysfunction and quality of life. Analyses will be performed before, during and after the treatment and the placebo-controlled period.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this clinical trial will be the first to document the safety and efficacy of riluzole as a means of reducing spasticity in patients with chronic SCI.

Trial registration

The clinical trial, which is already in progress, was registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov website on August 9, 2016 under the registration number NCT02859792.

Trial sponsor

Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Marseille.
Sensing dynamic human activity zones using geo-tagged big data in Greater London, UK during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Chen Tongxin , Zhu Di , Cheng Tao , Gao Xiaowei , Chen Huanfa
Published: January 2023

Exploration of dynamic human activity gives significant insights into understanding the urban environment and can help to reinforce scientific urban management strategies. Lots of studies are arising regarding the significant human activity changes in global metropolises and regions affected by COVID-19 containment policies. However, the variations of human activity dynamics amid different phases divided by the non-pharmaceutical intervention policies (e.g., stay-at-home, lockdown) have not been investigated across urban areas in space and time and discussed with the urban characteristic determinants. In this study, we aim to explore the influence of different restriction phases on dynamic human activity through sensing human activity zones (HAZs) and their dominated urban characteristics. Herein, we proposed an explainable analysis framework to explore the HAZ variations consisting of three parts, i.e., footfall detection, HAZs delineation and the identification of relationships between urban characteristics and HAZs. In our study area of Greater London, United Kingdom, we first utilised the footfall detection method to extract human activity metrics (footfalls) counted by visits/stays at space and time from the anonymous mobile phone GPS trajectories. Then, we characterised HAZs based on the homogeneity of daily human footfalls at census output areas (OAs) during the predefined restriction phases in the UK. Lastly, we examined the feature importance of explanatory variables as the metric of the relationship between human activity and urban characteristics using machine learning classifiers. The results show that dynamic human activity exhibits statistically significant differences in terms of the HAZ distributions across restriction phases and is strongly associated with urban characteristics (e.g., specific land use types) during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings can improve the understanding of the variation of human activity patterns during the pandemic and offer insights into city management resource allocation in urban areas concerning dynamic human activity.
Social interventions to support people with disability: A systematic review of economic evaluation studies
Authors: Ma Bernice Hua , Badji Samia , Petrie Dennis , Llewellyn Gwynnyth , Chen Gang
Published: January 2023

Social interventions are essential in supporting the health and well-being of people with disability, but there is a critical need to prioritise resources for those that provide the best value for money. Economic evaluation is a widely used tool to assist priority setting when resources are scarce. However, the scope and consistency of economic evaluation evidence for disability social services are unclear, making it hard to compare across interventions to guide funding decisions. This systematic review aims to summarise the current evidence in the economic evaluation of social services for people with disability and to critically compare the methodologies used in conducting the economic evaluations with a focus on the outcomes and costs. We searched seven databases for relevant studies published from January 2005 to October 2021. Data were extracted on study characteristics such as costs, outcomes, perspectives, time horizons and intervention types. Overall, economic evaluation evidence of social services for people with disability was scarce. Twenty-four economic evaluations were included, with the majority conducting a cost-effectiveness analysis (n = 16). Most interventions focused on employment (n = 10), followed by community support and independent living (n = 6). Around 40% of the studies addressed people with mental illnesses (n = 10). The evidence was mixed on whether the interventions were cost-effective but the methods used were highly variable, which made comparisons across studies very difficult. More economic evidence on the value of interventions is needed as well as a more standardised and transparent approach for future research.
Semantic segmentation of UAV remote sensing images based on edge feature fusing and multi-level upsampling integrated with Deeplabv3+
Authors: Li Xiaolong , Li Yuyin , Ai Jinquan , Shu Zhaohan , Xia Jing , Xia Yuanping
Published: January 2023

Deeplabv3+ currently is the most representative semantic segmentation model. However, Deeplabv3+ tends to ignore targets of small size and usually fails to identify precise segmentation boundaries in the UAV remote sensing image segmentation task. To handle these problems, this paper proposes a semantic segmentation algorithm of UAV remote sensing images based on edge feature fusing and multi-level upsampling integrated with Deeplabv3+ (EMNet). EMNet uses MobileNetV2 as its backbone and adds an edge detection branch in the encoder to provide edge information for semantic segmentation. In the decoder, a multi-level upsampling method is designed to retain high-level semantic information (e.g., the target’s location and boundary information). The experimental results show that the mIoU and mPA of EMNet improved over Deeplabv3+ by 7.11% and 6.93% on the dataset UAVid, and by 0.52% and 0.22% on the dataset ISPRS Vaihingen.
Retention among transgender women treated with dolutegravir associated with tenofovir/lamivudine or emtricitabine in Argentina: TransViiV study
Authors: Frola Claudia E. , Aristegui Inés , Figueroa María I. , Radusky Pablo D. , Cardozo Nadir , Zalazar Virginia , Cesar Carina , Patterson Patricia , Fink Valeria , Gun Ana , Cahn Pedro , Sued Omar
Published: January 2023

In Argentina, transgender women (TGW) have a high HIV prevalence (34%). However, this population shows lower levels of adherence, retention in HIV care and viral suppression than cisgender patients. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the transition to dolutegravir (DTG)-based regimens to reduce adverse events and improve adherence and retention. The purpose of this study was to determine retention, adherence and viral suppression in naïve TGW starting a DTG-based first-line antiretroviral treatment (ART) and to identify clinical and psychosocial factors associated with retention. We designed a prospective, open-label, single-arm trial among ART-naïve HIV positive TGW (Clinical Trial Number: NCT03033836). Participants were followed at weeks 4, 8, 12, 24, 36 and 48, in a trans-affirmative HIV care service that included peer navigators, between December, 2015 and May, 2019. Retention was defined as the proportion of TGW retained at week 48 and adherence was self-reported. Viral suppression at <50 copies/mL was evaluated using snapshot algorithm and as per protocol analysis. Of 75 TGW screened, 61 were enrolled. At baseline, median age was 28 y/o., HIV-1-RNA (pVL) 46,908 copies/mL and CD4+ T-cell count 383 cells/mm3. At week 48, 77% were retained and 72% had viral suppression (97% per protocol). The regimen was well tolerated and participants reported high adherence (about 95%). Eleven of the fourteen TGW who discontinued or were lost to follow-up had undetectable pVL at their last visit. Older age was associated with better retention. DTG-based treatment delivered by a trans-competent team in a trans-affirmative service was safe and well tolerated by TGW and associated with high retention, high adherence and high viral suppression at 48 weeks among those being retained.
Privacy preserving data sharing method for social media platforms
Authors: Yadav Snehlata , Tiwari Namita
Published: January 2023

Digital security as a service is a crucial aspect as it deals with user privacy provision and secure content delivery to legitimate users. Most social media platforms utilize end-to-end encryption as a significant security feature. However, multimedia data transmission in group communication is not encrypted. One of the most important objectives for a service provider is to send the desired multimedia data/service to only legitimate subscriber. Broadcast encryption is the most appropriate cryptographic primitive solution for this problem. Therefore, this study devised a construction called anonymous revocable identity-based broadcast encryption that preserves the privacy of messages broadcasted and the identity of legitimate users, where even revoked users cannot extract information about the user’s identity and sent data. The update key is broadcast periodically to non-revoked users, who can obtain the message using the update and decryption keys. A third-party can also revoke the users. It is proven that the proposed construction is semantically secure against IND-ID-CPA attacks and efficient in terms of computational cost and communication bandwidth.
Investigation of inerter-based suspension systems for heavy vehicles
Authors: Soong Ming Foong , Ramli Rahizar , Saifizul Ahmad Abdullah , Goh Kah Yin , Long Su Xian
Published: January 2023

The inerter is a two-terminal component that can be added to the spring-and-damper configuration of a suspension system. It has the property that the force exerted is proportional to the relative acceleration at its terminals. Studies have demonstrated the inerter’s benefit of providing superior vibration isolation when it is used in the vehicle suspension of passenger cars. However, similar benefit on another common vehicle class on the roads, namely heavy vehicles, remain to be shown, as these vehicles have vastly different parameter values than passenger cars. This study is an investigation on the performance improvement brought by an inerter in the suspension of common heavy vehicles. In the study, the parameter values of a truck and a bus were adopted in the quarter vehicle model with two different spring-damper-inerter configurations (parallel and serial inerter), and the improvements in vibration isolation and road holding capability were determined by optimization of inertance. Results show that the inerter is similarly effective in providing the said improvements when implemented on heavy vehicles instead of on passenger cars, judging from reductions in sprung mass acceleration and dynamic tire load. It is also observed that the performance benefit is associated with larger optimum inertance than that for passenger cars. Overall, the inerter has been shown to be beneficial in the parallel and serial configurations, both of which are common and can be practically implemented in the suspension of heavy vehicles.
Cascades in capacity constrained agents
Authors: Derechin Jacob
Published: January 2023

Many sorts of contagious phenomenon, such as music, do not exist in isolation but as part of a competitive marketplace. In these settings there are often superstars with out-sized popularity along with a large number of flops with little popularity. It could be the case that superstars are more popular because they are higher quality but I suggest that capacity constraints may be a structural factor that influences these disparities. In this agent-based model, there are multiple potentially cascading states that the agent can potentially occupy. The agents have a certain capacity of states that they can occupy at once. For example, suppose someone has a workout playlist that lasts 1 hour. As they discover new music to add to the playlist, they have to remove songs currently in the playlist to keep the playlist 1 hour. Thus, in this setting, the states indirectly trade off with each other by virtue of the capacity constraint. The key question is whether the indirect trade offs imposed by the capacity constraint are enough to induce disparities in popularity, even when the states are otherwise identical. I find that increasing the number of states in excess of capacity increases the disparities between popular and unpopular states. This suggests that capacity constraints may be a structural factor in explaining market concentration and superstar phenomenon.
A single-layer, wideband and angularly stable metasurface based polarization converter for linear-to-linear cross-polarization conversion
Authors: Rashid Aamir , Murtaza Mudassir , Zaidi Syed Azhar Ali , Zaki Hammad , Tahir Farooq A.
Published: January 2023

In this article, a single-layer metasurface based reflector design is proposed for linear-to-linear cross-polarization conversion in microwave frequency range. The unit-cell of the proposed design consists of triple-arrow resonant design printed on a grounded FR4 substrate. Excellent cross-conversion is achieved over a broad frequency range (8.0–18.50 GHz) with polarization conversion efficiency higher than 90%. The proposed design has a large fractional bandwidth (FBW) of 80% due to three resonances occurring in the band. The polarization response is angularly stable with respect to oblique incidences with incidence angles up to 45°. The proposed design has been fabricated and experimentally validated. The measurement results are in good agreement with the simulation results.
Prognostic factors for favorable outcomes after veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in critical care patients with COVID-19
Authors: Kieninger Bärbel , Kilger Magdalena , Foltan Maik , Gruber Michael , Lunz Dirk , Dienemann Thomas , Schmid Stephan , Graf Bernhard , Wiest Clemens , Lubnow Matthias , Müller Thomas , Salzberger Bernd , Schneider-Brachert Wulf , Kieninger Martin
Published: January 2023

Background

Patients with COVID-19 and severe acute respiratory failure may require veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO). Yet, this procedure is resource-intensive and high mortality rates have been reported. Thus, predictors for identifying patients who will benefit from VV ECMO would be helpful.

Methods

This retrospective study included 129 patients with COVID-19 and severe acute respiratory failure, who had received VV ECMO at the University Medical Center Regensburg, Germany, between 1 March 2020 and 31 December 2021. Patient-specific factors and relevant intensive-care parameters at the time of the decision to start VV ECMO were investigated regarding their value as predictors of patient survival. In addition, the intensive-care course of the first 10 days of VV ECMO was compared between survivors and patients who had died in the intensive care unit.

Results

The most important parameters for predicting outcome were patient age and platelet count, which differed significantly between survivors and non-survivors (age: 52.6±8.1 vs. 57.4±10.1 years, p<0.001; platelet count before VV ECMO: 321.3±132.2 vs. 262.0±121.0 /nL, p = 0.006; average on day 10: 199.2±88.0 vs. 147.1±57.9 /nL, p = 0.002). A linear regression model derived from parameters collected before the start of VV ECMO only included age and platelet count. Patients were divided into two groups by using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis: group 1: 78% of patients, mortality 26%; group 2: 22% of patients, mortality 75%. A second linear regression model included average blood pH, minimum paO2, and average pump flow on day 10 of VV ECMO in addition to age and platelet count. The ROC curve resulted in two cut-off values and thus in three groups: group 1: 25% of patients, mortality 93%; group 2: 45% of patients, mortality 31%; group 3: 30% of patients, mortality 0%.