bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptive dispersion compensation using a photonic integrated circuit finite impulse response filter
Authors: Liu Xumeng , Ren Guanghui , Xu Xingyuan , Dubey Aditya , Feleppa Timothy , Boes Andreas , Mitchell Arnan , Lowery Arthur
Published: September 2023

Optical equalization can be used for chromatic dispersion compensation in optical communication systems to improve the system performance; however, optical signal processing (OSP) is generally specifically designed for transmission channels, that is non-adaptive to dynamic transmission distortions compared with digital signal processing (DSP). In this contribution, we demonstrate optical equalization using a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) filter for chromatic dispersion compensation, with static and adaptive techniques: (a) the static optical equalizer is calibrated based on the known fiber dispersion and length, by using the fractional delay reference method; (b) the adaptive optical equalizer is updated iteratively to compensate transmission impairments based on a least-mean squares (LMS) algorithm. Experimental results show that both the static optical equalizer and the adaptive optical LMS equalizer can give an 18-dB Q-factor for a 14-Gbd QPSK signal transmitting over 30 km. To highlight the capability of the optical equalizers, we use simulations to show the improvement in dispersion compensating characteristics by implementing additional taps.
Robust design of mid-infrared GaSb-based single-mode laser diode fabricated by standard photolithography with socketed ridge-waveguide modulation
Authors: Yu Hongguang , Yang Chengao , Chen Yihang , Wang Tianfang , Shi Jianmei , Zhang Yu , Wu Donghai , Xu Yingqiang , Ni Haiqiao , Niu Zhichuan
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we put up a robust design of a stable single-mode-operated GaSb-based laser diode emitting around 1950nm. This novel design structure with socketed ridge-waveguide enables a simple fabrication and batch production of mid-infrared laser diodes on account of the mere usage of standard photolithography. By introducing micron-level index perturbations distributed along the ridge waveguide, the threshold gains of different FP modes are modulated. Four geometrical parameters of the perturbations are systematically optimized by analyzing the reflection spectrum to get a robust single-mode characteristic. Based on the optimized geometrical parameters, 1-mm long uncoated lasers are carried out and exhibit a stable single longitudinal mode from 10 °C to 40 °C with a maximum output power of more than 10 mW. Thus, we prove the feasibility of the standard photolithography to manufacture the monolithic single-mode infrared laser source without regrowth process or nanoscale lithography.
High-efficiency plasmonic vortex generation with near-infrared bifunctional metasurfaces
Authors: Chen Yizhen , Zheng Xiaoying , Liu Feifei , Pan Weikang , Wang Zhuo , Liu Muhan , Zhu Zhiyan , Wang Yingying , Li Liangwei , He Qiong , Sun Shulin , Zhou Lei
Published: September 2023

Plasmonic vortices have shown a wide range of applications in on-chip photonics due to their fascinating properties of the orbital angular momenta (OAM) and phase singularity. However, conventional devices to generate them suffer from issues of low efficiencies and limited functionalities. Here, we establish a systematic scheme to construct high-efficiency bifunctional metasurfaces that can generate two plasmonic vortices exhibiting distinct topological charges, based on a series of reflective meta-atoms exhibiting tailored reflection-phases dictated by both resonant and geometric origins. As a benchmark test, we first construct a meta-coupler with meta-atoms exhibiting geometric phases only, and experimentally demonstrate that it can generate a pre-designed plasmonic vortex at the wavelength of 1064 nm with an efficiency of 27% (56% in simulation). Next, we design/fabricate two bifunctional metasurfaces with meta-atoms integrated with both resonant and geometric phases, and experimentally demonstrate that they can generate divergent (or focused) or convergent (or defocused) plasmonic vortices with district OAM as shined by circularly polarized light with opposite helicity at 1064 nm wavelength. Our work provides an efficient platform to generate plasmonic vortices as desired, which can find many applications in on-chip photonics.
High-precision laser beam lateral displacement measurement based on differential wavefront sensing
Authors: Xia Qi , Liang Yu-Rong , Yan Hao , Xu Zhi-Lin , Liu Li , Zhou Ze-Bing
Published: September 2023

Accurately lateral displacement measurement is essential for a vast of non-contact sensing technologies. Here, we introduce a high-precision lateral displacement measurement method based on differential wavefront sensing (DWS). Compared to the conventional differential power sensing (DPS) method, the DWS method based on phase readout has the potential to achieve a higher resolution. The beam lateral displacement can be obtained by the curvature distribution of the wavefront on the surface of the detector. According to the theoretical model of the DWS method, the sensitivity of the lateral displacement can be greatly improved by increasing the wavefront curvature of the measured laser beam by means of lenses. An optical system for measuring the lateral displacement of the laser beam is built and calibrated by a high-precision hexapod. The experimental results show that the DWS-based lateral displacement measurement achieves a resolution of 40 pm/Hz1/2 (at 1–10 Hz) with a linear range of about 40 µm, which is consistent with the theoretical model. This technique can be applied to high-precision multi-degree-of-freedom interferometers.
Ideal suppression of Bessel beam intensity oscillations with a vortex phase plate
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Tong , Liu Shan-Shan , Zhang Xin , Wang Guo-Cui , Ye Jia-Sheng , Feng Sheng-Fei , Wang Xin-Ke , Han Peng , Sun Wen-Feng , Quan Bao-Gang , Zhang Yan
Published: September 2023

We propose what we believe to be a new kind of diffractive phase element, i.e., vortex phase plate (VPP) with phase singularities along the azimuth direction. Phase function of the proposed VPP is given analytically. Axial intensity oscillations of propagating Bessel beams are ideally suppressed by using the proposed VPP. Compared with the traditional amplitude mask, the proposed VPP takes such advantages as a simpler fabrication procedure and a lower cost.
Excalibur: A new ensemble method based on an optimal combination of aggregation tests for rare-variant association testing for sequencing data
Authors: Boutry Simon , Helaers Raphaël , Lenaerts Tom , Vikkula Miikka
Published: September 2023

The development of high-throughput next-generation sequencing technologies and large-scale genetic association studies produced numerous advances in the biostatistics field. Various aggregation tests, i.e. statistical methods that analyze associations of a trait with multiple markers within a genomic region, have produced a variety of novel discoveries. Notwithstanding their usefulness, there is no single test that fits all needs, each suffering from specific drawbacks. Selecting the right aggregation test, while considering an unknown underlying genetic model of the disease, remains an important challenge. Here we propose a new ensemble method, called Excalibur, based on an optimal combination of 36 aggregation tests created after an in-depth study of the limitations of each test and their impact on the quality of result. Our findings demonstrate the ability of our method to control type I error and illustrate that it offers the best average power across all scenarios. The proposed method allows for novel advances in Whole Exome/Genome sequencing association studies, able to handle a wide range of association models, providing researchers with an optimal aggregation analysis for the genetic regions of interest.
A detoxification pathway initiated by a nuclear receptor TcHR96h in Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval)
Authors: Wen Xiang , Feng Kaiyang , Qin Juan , Wei Peng , Cao Peng , Zhang Youjun , Yuchi Zhiguang , He Lin
Published: September 2023

Understanding the mechanism of detoxification initiation in arthropods after pesticide exposure is crucial. Although the identity of transcription factors that induce and regulate the expression of detoxification genes in response to pesticides is beginning to emerge, whether transcription factors directly interact with xenobiotics is unclear. The findings of this study revealed that a nuclear hormone receptor, Tetranychus cinnabarinus hormone receptor (HR) TcHR96h, regulates the overexpression of the detoxification gene TcGSTm02, which is involved in cyflumetofen resistance. The nuclear translocation of TcHR96h increased after cyflumetofen exposure, suggesting direct binding with cyflumetofen. The direct binding of TcHR96h and cyflumetofen was supported by several independent proteomic assays that quantify interactions with small molecules. Together, this study proposes a model for the initiation of xenobiotic detoxification in a polyphagous agricultural pest. These insights not only provide a better understanding of the mechanisms of xenobiotic detoxification and metabolism in arthropods, but also are crucial in understanding adaptation in polyphagous herbivores.
Better efficacy of triple antibiotics therapy for human brucellosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Shanjun , Wang Hao , Li Fande , Du Lanping , Fan Wenqi , Zhao Meifang , Zhen Hua , Yan Yuke , Lu Menghan , Han Xin , Li Zhuo , Li Mujinyan , An Shuqi , Zhang Xinyao , Zhen Qing , Shui Tiejun
Published: September 2023

Background

The treatment of brucellosis suffers from a high recurrence rate and drug resistance. Our study researched the differences in efficacy and side effects between triple antibiotics therapy and dual antibiotics therapy in the treatment of brucellosis through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

We searched 4 English electronic databases and 2 Chinese electronic databases for randomized controlled trials and cohort studies published through September 2022 on the use of triple antibiotics versus dual antibiotics in the treatment of brucellosis. Overall outcome indicators were therapeutic failure rate, relapse rate, overall therapeutic failure rate, and side effect rate. Relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used as summary statistics. A fixed-effects model was used to combine the overall effect sizes.

Results

The meta-analysis included 15 studies consisting of 11 randomized controlled trials and 4 cohort studies. Triple antibiotics showed better efficacy than dual antibiotics in a comparison of 3 overall outcome indicators (therapeutic failure rate (RR 0.42; 95% CI 0.30 to 0.59 heterogeneity P = 0.29, I2 = 15%), relapse rate (RR 0.29; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.45 heterogeneity P = 0.88, I2 = 0%), and overall therapeutic failure rate (RR 0.37; 95% CI 0.28 to 0.48 heterogeneity P = 0.35, I2 = 9%)). The incidence of side effects in patients with brucellosis treated with triple antibiotics was not significantly different from that in brucellosis patients treated with dual antibiotics (RR 0.85; 95% CI 0.67 to 1.06 heterogeneity P = 0.1, I2 = 35%). Sensitivity analyses showed robust results and Peter’s test showed no publication bias. The results of subgroup analyses for the research type, drugs, and type of brucellosis were largely consistent with the overall outcome indicators, indicating the reliability and robustness of the overall results.

Conclusions

In the treatment of brucellosis, triple antibiotics have better efficacy than dual antibiotics and do not increase the incidence of side effects.
Effects of six pyrimidine analogs on the growth of Tetrahymena thermophila and their implications in pyrimidine metabolism
Authors: Harpel Zander , Chang Wei-Jen , Circelli Jacob , Chen Richard , Chang Ian , Rivera Jason , Wu Stephanie , Wei RongHan
Published: September 2023

Tetrahymena are ciliated protists that have been used to study the effects of toxic chemicals, including anticancer drugs. In this study, we tested the inhibitory effects of six pyrimidine analogs (5-fluorouracil, floxuridine, 5’-deoxy-5-fluorouridine, 5-fluorouridine, gemcitabine, and cytarabine) on wild-type CU428 and conditional mutant NP1 Tetrahymena thermophila at room temperature and the restrictive temperature (37°C) where NP1 does not form the oral apparatus. We found that phagocytosis was not required for pyrimidine analog entry and that all tested pyrimidine analogs inhibited growth except for cytarabine. IC50 values did not significantly differ between CU428 and NP1 for the same analog at either room temperature or 37°C. To investigate the mechanism of inhibition, we used two pyrimidine bases (uracil and thymine) and three nucleosides (uridine, thymidine, and 5-methyluridine) to determine whether the inhibitory effects from the pyrimidine analogs were reversible. We found that the inhibitory effects from 5-fluorouracil could be reversed by uracil and thymine, from floxuridine could be reversed by thymidine, and from 5’-deoxy-5-fluorouridine could be reversed by uracil. None of the tested nucleobases or nucleosides could reverse the inhibitory effects of gemcitabine or 5-fluorouridine. Our results suggest that the five pyrimidine analogs act on different sites to inhibit T. thermophila growth and that nucleobases and nucleosides are metabolized differently in Tetrahymena.
Emotional responses to COVID-19 stressors increase information avoidance about an important unrelated health threat
Authors: Gustafson Christopher R. , Brooks Kathleen R. , Meerza Syed Imran Ali , Yiannaka Amalia
Published: September 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic, like other crises, has had direct and indirect impacts on individuals, many of which have been negative. While a large body of research has examined the impacts of COVID-19 on people’s lives, there is little evidence about how COVID-19 affects decision-making broadly. Emotional responses to COVID-19-related stressors, such as illness and income loss, provide a pathway for these stressors to affect decision-making. In this study, we examine linkages between exposure to COVID-19-related stressors—focusing on temporally specific local case counts and loss of income due to the pandemic—and decisions to access information about antimicrobial resistance (AMR), another critically important health issue. COVID-19 constitutes a natural experiment in that people’s exposure to stressors does not result from those individuals’ current decisions. Using a nationally representative survey with 1223 respondents in December 2020, we linked the temporally specific COVID-19 cases and income loss experienced by participants to an increased likelihood of feeling hopeless. Higher feelings of hopelessness led to a higher probability of avoiding information about AMR. A mediation analysis confirms that emotional responses to COVID-19 stressors significantly increase information avoidance about an unrelated, but important health issue. Our results suggest that large-scale crises, like COVID-19 and climate change, may diminish action on other important health issues facing humanity.
Gene regulation analysis of patient-derived iPSCs and its CRISPR-corrected control provides a new tool for studying perturbations of ELMOD3 c.512A>G mutation during the development of inherited hearing loss
Authors: Liu Xianlin , Wen Jie , Liu Xuezhong , Chen Anhai , Li Sijun , Liu Jing , Sun Jie , Gong Wei , Kang Xiaoming , Feng Zhili , He Chufeng , Mei Lingyun , Ling Jie , Feng Yong
Published: September 2023

The ELMOD3 gene is implicated in causing autosomal recessive/dominant non-syndromic hearing loss in humans. However, the etiology has yet to be completely elucidated. In this study, we generated a patient-derived iPSC line carrying ELMOD3 c.512A>G mutation. In addition, the patient-derived iPSC line was corrected by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system. Then we applied RNA sequencing profiling to compare the patient-derived iPSC line with different controls, respectively (the healthy sibling-derived iPSCs and the CRISPR/Cas9 corrected iPSCs). Functional enrichment and PPI network analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in the gene ontology, such as sensory epithelial development, intermediate filament cytoskeleton organization, and the regulation of ion transmembrane transport. Our current work provided a new tool for studying how disruption of ELMOD3 mechanistically drives hearing loss.
Characterization of a virulence factor in Plasmodiophora brassicae, with molecular markers for identification
Authors: Sedaghatkish Afsaneh , Gossen Bruce D. , McDonald Mary Ruth
Published: September 2023

Symptom severity on differential host lines is currently used to characterize and identify pathotypes of Plasmodiophora brassicae, which is an obligate, soil-borne chromist pathogen that causes clubroot disease on canola (Brassica napus) and other brassica crops. This process is slow, variable and resource intensive; development of molecular markers could make identification of important pathotypes faster and more consistent for deployment of cultivars with pathotype-specific resistance. In the current study, a variant of gene 9171 was identified in the whole-genome sequences of only the highly virulent pathotypes of P. brassicae from around the world, including the new cohort of virulent pathotypes in Canada; its presence was confirmed using three KASP marker pairs. The gene was not present in the initial cohort of pathotypes identified in Canada. The putative structure, domains, and gene ontogeny of the protein product of gene 9171 were assessed using on-line software resources. Structural analysis of the putative protein produced by gene 9171 indicated that it was localized in the cytosol, and likely involved in cellular processes and catalytic activity. Identification of gene 9171 represents a potentially useful step toward molecular identification of the pathotypes of P. brassicae.
Sustainable supplier selection based on VIKOR with single-valued neutrosophic sets
Authors: Luo Xiaochun , Wang Zilong , Yang Liguo , Lu Lin , Hu Song
Published: September 2023

Considering economic, environmental, and social issues, the sustainability of the supply chain has drawn considerable attention due to societal and environmental changes within the supply chain network. The strategic study of the entire supply chain process and maximizing an organization’s competitive advantage depend heavily on supplier selection based on sustainable indicators. Selecting sustainable suppliers for the supply chain is challenging since it is a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem with significant uncertainty in the decision-making process. This study uses the VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) technique and single-valued neutrosophic sets (SVNS) to deal with the challenge of choosing a sustainable supplier with insufficient information. This method reduces the influence of personal experience and preference on the final evaluation results and the problem of excessive individual regret caused by factor correlation and improves the consistency of evaluation results. Finally, the method’s success and adaptability are demonstrated by sensitivity analysis and additional comparison analysis, and the benefits and drawbacks of the suggested framework are examined. Compared to other approaches, it can assist decision-makers in communicating fuzzy and uncertain information, offering a perspective and approach for MCDM in the face of such situations, and helping them select suppliers of high caliber and who practice sustainable business practices.
Research on the tripartite evolution strategy of prefabricated building promotion based on the deepening of demand-side interests
Authors: Liu Mengkai , Chen Yuyao
Published: September 2023

Under construction industry upgrading and environmental protection requirements, promoting prefabricated buildings is very important, but its development varies significantly in different regions. For example, it only accounts for 20% of the new construction area in China, and the overall development level is low. The promotion of prefabricated buildings involves multiple interests. Then, how to encourage all stakeholders to work together to promote its development is a crucial issue. This study obtains an evolutionary game model among the government, developers, and purchasers. Then the stability strategies of the stakeholders are given conditions. Finally, numerical simulation is used to validate theoretical findings and determine the sensitivity of key parameters to a subject’s behavior. The results show that: (1) There are two key factors that restrict the cooperation of stakeholders to promote prefabricated buildings, including the lack of government subsidies and the weak demand of the purchasers; (2) The government’s overall subsidy should not be too high, exceeding the government’s expenditure on environmental protection, and the subsidies for developers and purchasers must be reasonably allocated to effectively compensate for development benefits and purchase costs under limited expenditures. (3) Improving the residential environment of prefabricated buildings can significantly enhance the vested interests of purchasers, make up for their purchase costs, increase their willingness to purchase, and thus reduce the sales risk of developers.
Prediction of pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer by using a deep learning model with 18F-FDG PET/CT
Authors: Bulut Gülcan , Atilgan Hasan Ikbal , Çınarer Gökalp , Kılıç Kazım , Yıkar Deniz , Parlar Tuba
Published: September 2023

Objectives

The aim of the study is 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging by using deep learning method are predictive for pathological complete response pCR after Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in locally advanced breast cancer (LABC).

Introduction

NAC is the standard treatment for locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). Pathological complete response (pCR) after NAC is considered a good predictor of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).Therefore, there is a need to develop methods that can predict the pCR at the time of diagnosis.

Methods

This article was designed as a retrospective chart study.For the convolutional neural network model, a total of 355 PET/CT images of 31 patients were used. All patients had primary breast surgery after completing NAC.

Results

Pathological complete response was obtained in a total of 9 patients. The study results show that our proposed deep convolutional neural networks model achieved a remarkable success with an accuracy of 84.79% to predict pathological complete response.

Conclusion

It was concluded that deep learning methods can predict breast cancer treatment.
The lived experiences of UK physiotherapists involved in Cauda Equina Syndrome litigation. A qualitative study
Authors: Yeowell Gillian , Leech Rachel , Greenhalgh Susan , Willis Emma , Selfe James
Published: September 2023

Background

Cauda Equina Syndrome is a serious spinal pathology, which can have life changing physical and psychological consequences and is highly litigious. Litigation can have negative personal and professional effects on the healthcare professionals cited in a clinical negligence claim. There is an absence of research looking at the experience of the physiotherapist and as such, it is unknown the impact litigation is having on them. This study explored the lived experiences of UK physiotherapists in relation to Cauda Equina Syndrome litigation.

Methods

A qualitative design, informed by Gadamerian hermeneutic phenomenology, using semi-structured interviews was used to explore participants’ lived experiences of litigation. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Findings were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis framework. Nvivo software was used to facilitate analysis. The study is reported in accordance with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative (COREQ) research.

Results

40 interviews took place online or over the phone, with physiotherapists and stakeholders. Four themes were found; ‘litigation effects’, ‘it feels personal’, ‘learning from litigation’ and ‘support and training’.

Conclusion

This is the first study to investigate the lived experiences of litigation in UK physiotherapists. Involvement in clinical negligence affected physiotherapists’ physical and mental wellbeing and impacted their clinical practice. Most physiotherapists felt litigation was a personal attack on them and their ability to do their job. Physiotherapists highlighted perceptions of a ‘blame culture’ and perceived stigma associated with the claim, which often led to a lack of sharing and learning from litigation. Physiotherapists emphasised the need for emotional support for those going through a legal claim and that training was needed to understand the process of litigation and range of potential outcomes.
Job satisfaction of hospital pharmacists in a representative province in Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Authors: Tran Van De , Vo Thi My Loan , Nguyen Di Khanh , Vo Quang Loc Duyen , Dewey Rebecca Susan , Pham Trung Tin , Tran Ba Kien , Pham Duy Toan
Published: September 2023

Background

Job satisfaction is an important factor affecting job performance and turnover of healthcare workers, especially hospital pharmacists. Nevertheless, limited studies have reported this issue in the context of Vietnam.

Objectives

To help maintain the quality and size of the limited hospital pharmacy workforce in Vietnam, especially in the Mekong Delta area, this study investigated the job satisfaction of hospital pharmacists, and the associated factors, in Vinh Long province, a representative province in the central Mekong Delta.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted, recruiting hospital pharmacists working in all 17 province/district-affiliated healthcare facilities across Vinh Long province, Vietnam, between August and September 2022.

Results

Among the 235 survey participants (representing a response rate of 97.1%), 189 pharmacists (80.4%) reported that they were satisfied with their job. Working conditions, leadership styles, and benefits were factors found to significantly influence job satisfaction. Pharmacists who had worked in the field for 3–5 years (OR = 3.752, 95% CI = 1.036–13.595), more than 5 years (OR = 6.361, 95% CI = 2.264–17.875), did not have additional duties besides their primary responsibilities (OR = 2.046, 95% CI = 1.005–4.163), and worked in a private healthcare facility (OR = 12.021, 95% CI = 1.470–98.316), were significantly more likely to be satisfied with their job.

Conclusions

Most hospital pharmacists were satisfied with their current job. To further improve job satisfaction in this population, further improvements to working conditions are necessary.
Climate change as a driver of insect invasions: Dispersal patterns of a dragonfly species colonizing a new region
Authors: Gil-Tapetado Diego , López-Collar Diego , Gómez José F. , Mañani-Pérez José , Cabrero-Sañudo Francisco J. , Muñoz Jesús
Published: September 2023

The dragonfly Trithemis kirbyi Sélys, 1891 recently colonized Western Europe from North Africa. Since its first record in the Iberian Peninsula in 2007, the species has been spreading northward and has become naturally established in the central and eastern Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic Islands and southern France. Despite its worldwide distribution, its rapid colonization of the western Mediterranean area occurred only very recently. The aims of this study were to evaluate (1) whether the species’ colonization of the western Mediterranean is related to climate change and rising temperatures, specifically the summer warming peaks that have occurred in the last decade, (2) which climatic variables have most influenced its distribution and dispersal, and (3) its potential future dispersal and colonization capacity towards the eastern Mediterranean. We found that the dispersal and recent establishment of T. kirbyi in southwestern Europe strongly depends on increasing temperatures, particularly summer temperature peaks, which has allowed this species to disperse farther and more effectively than during years with average summer temperatures. The most important variable in the suitability models is the minimum temperature of the coldest month, which, in recent decades, has become less of a limiting factor for ectotherms. According to the models, suitable areas for the species are currently found throughout the eastern Mediterranean parts of Europe, and it is likely that it can naturally colonize these areas as it did in the Iberian Peninsula. Trithemis kirbyi is a model of how climate change and observed rising temperatures have turned previously inhospitable regions into suitable areas for exotic species, which may successfully colonize them naturally if they can reach these promising lands on their own. However, this study serves as a warning that such species can also colonize these new regions with a little help from unsuspecting means, which are often responsible for the increasingly common presence of invasive, noxious taxa in Europe.
Benford’s Law applies to word frequency rank in English, German, French, Spanish, and Italian
Authors: Golbeck Jennifer
Published: September 2023

Benford’s Law states that, in many real-world data sets, the frequency of numbers’ first digits is predicted by the formula log(1 + (1/d)). Numbers beginning with a 1 occur roughly 30% of the time, and are six times more common than numbers beginning with a 9. We show that Benford’s Law applies to the the frequency rank of words in English, German, French, Spanish, and Italian. We calculated the frequency rank of words in the Google Ngram Viewer corpora. Then, using the first significant digit of the frequency rank, we found the FSD distribution adhered to the expected Benford’s Law distribution. Over a series of additional corpora from sources ranging from news to books to social media and across the languages studied, we consistently found adherence to Benford’s Law. Furthermore, at the user-level on social media, we found Benford’s Law holds for the vast majority of users’ collected posts and significant deviations from Benford’s Law tends to be a mark of spam bots.
AMTASTM and user-operated smartphone research application audiometry—An evaluation study
Authors: Sørensen Chris Bang , Adams Thomas Bording , Pedersen Ellen Raben , Nielsen Jacob , Schmidt Jesper Hvass
Published: September 2023

Objective

To evaluate two user-operated audiometry methods, the AMTASTM PC-based audiometry and a low-cost smartphone audiometry research application (R-App).

Design

A repeated-measures within-subject study design was used to compare both user-operated methods to traditional manual audiometry and to evaluate test-retest reliability of each method.

Study sample

58 subjects were recruited in the study of which 83 ears had normal hearing thresholds and 33 ears had hearing loss (pure-tone average > 25 dB HL). Average age of participants was 44.8 years, with an age range of 11–85.

Results

Standard deviation of absolute differences ranged between 3.9–6.9 dB on AMTASTM and 4.5–6.8 dB on the R-App. The highest variability was found at the 8000 Hz frequency (R-App and AMTASTM test) and 3000 Hz frequency (AMTASTM retest). Evaluation of test-retest reliability of AMTASTM and R-App showed SD of absolute differences ranging between 3.5–5.8 dB and 3.1–5.0 dB, respectively. The mean threshold difference between test and retest was within ±1.5 dB on AMTASTM and ±1 dB on the R-App.

Conclusion

Accuracy of AMTASTM and the R-App was within acceptable limits for audiometry and comparable to traditional manual audiometry on all tested frequencies (250–8000 Hz). Evaluation of test-retest reliability showed acceptable variation on both AMTASTM and R-App. Both user-operated methods could be reliably performed in a quiet non-soundproofed environment.
Examining explainable clinical decision support systems with think aloud protocols
Authors: Anjara Sabrina G. , Janik Adrianna , Dunford-Stenger Amy , Mc Kenzie Kenneth , Collazo-Lorduy Ana , Torrente Maria , Costabello Luca , Provencio Mariano
Published: September 2023

Machine learning tools are increasingly used to improve the quality of care and the soundness of a treatment plan. Explainable AI (XAI) helps users in understanding the inner mechanisms of opaque machine learning models and is a driver of trust and adoption. Explanation methods for black-box models exist, but there is a lack of user studies on the interpretability of the provided explanations. We used a Think Aloud Protocol (TAP) to explore oncologists’ assessment of a lung cancer relapse prediction system with the aim of refining the purpose-built explanation model for better credibility and utility. Novel to this context, TAP is used as a neutral methodology to elicit experts’ thought processes and judgements of the AI system, without explicit prompts. TAP aims to elicit the factors which influenced clinicians’ perception of credibility and usefulness of the system. Ten oncologists took part in the study. We conducted a thematic analysis of their verbalized responses, generating five themes that help us to understand the context within which oncologists’ may (or may not) integrate an explainable AI system into their working day.
Fast genome-based delimitation of Enterobacterales species
Authors: Hernández-Salmerón Julie E. , Irani Tanya , Moreno-Hagelsieb Gabriel
Published: September 2023

Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) is becoming a standard measure for bacterial species delimitation. However, its calculation can take orders of magnitude longer than similarity estimates based on sampling of short nucleotides, compiled into so-called sketches. These estimates are widely used. However, their variable correlation with ANI has suggested that they might not be as accurate. For a where-the-rubber-meets-the-road assessment, we compared two sketching programs, mash and dashing, against ANI, in delimiting species among Esterobacterales genomes. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis found Area Under the Curve (AUC) values of 0.99, almost perfect species discrimination for all three measures. Subsampling to avoid over-represented species reduced these AUC values to 0.92, still highly accurate. Focused tests with ten genera, each represented by more than three species, also showed almost identical results for all methods. Shigella showed the lowest AUC values (0.68), followed by Citrobacter (0.80). All other genera, Dickeya, Enterobacter, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Pectobacterium, Proteus, Providencia and Yersinia, produced AUC values above 0.90. The species delimitation thresholds varied, with species distance ranges in a few genera overlapping the genus ranges of other genera. Mash was able to separate the E. coli + Shigella complex into 25 apparent phylogroups, four of them corresponding, roughly, to the four Shigella species represented in the data. Our results suggest that fast estimates of genome similarity are as good as ANI for species delimitation. Therefore, these estimates might suffice for covering the role of genomic similarity in bacterial taxonomy, and should increase confidence in their use for efficient bacterial identification and clustering, from epidemiological to genome-based detection of potential contaminants in farming and industry settings.
Animal efficacy study of a plant extract complex (BEN815) as a potential treatment for COVID-19
Authors: Do Moon Ho , Li Hua , Cho Su Yeon , Oh Subin , Jeong Ju Hwan , Song Min-Suk , Jeong Jong-Moon
Published: September 2023

In a short time, several types of injectable and oral therapeutics have been developed and used to effectively manage patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). BEN815 is an improved mixture of three extracts (Psidium guajava, Camellia sinensis, and Rosa hybrida) recognized by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea as a health food ingredient that alleviates allergic rhinitis. The current animal efficacy study was performed to assess its probability of improving COVID-19 symptoms. BEN815 treatment significantly increased the survival of K18-hACE2 transgenic mice and reduced viral titers in the lungs at 5 days post infection (DPI). Furthermore, the lungs of the treated mice showed mild tissue damage at 5 DPI and nearly complete recovery from COVID-19 at 14 DPI. BEN815 appears to be an effective and minimally toxic anti-SARS-CoV-2 agent in mice and has potential for clinical applications.
South Asian maternal and paternal lineages in southern Thailand and the role of sex-biased admixture
Authors: Woravatin Wipada , Stoneking Mark , Srikummool Metawee , Kampuansai Jatupol , Arias Leonardo , Kutanan Wibhu
Published: September 2023

Previous genome-wide studies have reported South Asian (SA) ancestry in several Mainland Southeast Asian (MSEA) populations; however, additional details concerning population history, in particular the role of sex-specific aspects of the SA admixture in MSEA populations can be addressed with uniparental markers. Here, we generated ∼2.3 mB sequences of the male-specific portions of the Y chromosome (MSY) of a Tai-Kadai (TK)-speaking Southern Thai group (SouthernThai_TK), and complete mitochondrial (mtDNA) genomes of the SouthernThai_TK and an Austronesian (AN)-speaking Southern Thai (SouthernThai_AN) group. We identified new mtDNA haplogroups, e.g. Q3, E1a1a1, B4a1a and M7c1c3 that have not previously reported in Thai populations, but are frequent in Island Southeast Asia and Oceania, suggesting interactions between MSEA and these regions. SA prevalent mtDNA haplogroups were observed at frequencies of ~35–45% in the Southern Thai groups; both of them showed more genetic relatedness to Austroasiatic (AA) speaking Mon than to any other group. For MSY, SouthernThai_TK had ~35% SA prevalent haplogroups and exhibited closer genetic affinity to Central Thais. We also analyzed published data from other MSEA populations and observed SA ancestry in some additional MSEA populations that also reflects sex-biased admixture; in general, most AA- and AN-speaking groups in MSEA were closer to SA than to TK groups based on mtDNA, but the opposite pattern was observed for the MSY. Overall, our results of new genetic lineages and sex-biased admixture from SA to MSEA groups attest to the additional value that uniparental markers can add to studies of genome-wide variation.
Contribution and functional connectivity between cerebrum and cerebellum on sub-lexical and lexical-semantic processing of verbs
Authors: Reyes-Aguilar Azalea , Licea-Haquet Giovanna , Arce Brenda I. , Giordano Magda
Published: September 2023

Language comprehension involves both sub-lexical (e.g., phonological) and lexical-semantic processing. We conducted a task using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to compare the processing of verbs in these two domains. Additionally, we examined the representation of concrete-motor and abstract-non-motor concepts by including two semantic categories of verbs: motor and mental. The findings indicate that sub-lexical processing during the reading of pseudo-verbs primarily involves the left dorsal stream of the perisylvian network, while lexical-semantic representation during the reading of verbs predominantly engages the ventral stream. According to the embodied or grounded cognition approach, modality-specific mechanisms (such as sensory-motor systems) and the well-established multimodal left perisylvian network contribute to the semantic representation of both concrete and abstract verbs. Our study identified the visual system as a preferential modality-specific system for abstract-mental verbs, which exhibited functional connectivity with the right crus I/lobule VI of the cerebellum. Taken together, these results confirm the dissociation between sub-lexical and lexical-semantic processing and provide neurobiological evidence of functional coupling between specific visual modality regions and the right cerebellum, forming a network that supports the semantic representation of abstract concepts. Further, the results shed light on the underlying mechanisms of semantic processing and contribute to our understanding of how the brain processes abstract concepts.
The econometric analysis of voluntary environmental regulations and total factor productivity in agribusiness under digitization
Authors: Chen Min , Zhang Lili
Published: September 2023

Under the new development pattern, both "digital" and "low-carbon" development have entered the fast track, and digital transformation has become an important path to promote green development and enhance total factor productivity in agriculture. Based on the data of agricultural companies, this paper empirically verifies the impact of voluntary environmental regulations on total factor productivity. The empirical results show that voluntary environmental regulation has a significant positive impact on total factor productivity of agribusiness. In the mechanistic analysis, it is found that voluntary environmental regulations accelerate the digital transformation process of firms, which in turn increases their total factor productivity. In addition, the level of government environmental concern contributes to the increase of voluntary environmental regulations on firms’ total factor productivity. The findings have practical implications for the sustainable development of agribusiness, providing empirical evidence for policy formulation and adjustment, and helping the agricultural economy to achieve high-quality development.
Paixão pelo Exercício
Authors: Moreton Alves da Rocha Rafael , Rizzieri Romano Amanda , Morais Peixoto Evandro
Published: September 2023

A realização regular de exercício físico traz diversos benefícios à saúde física e psicológica dos praticantes, inclusive, podendo contribuir com seus níveis de bem-estar subjetivo. A paixão tem função fundamental no engajamento e manutenção destas práticas por longos períodos. Este estudo objetivou estimar evidências de validade da Escala de Paixão pelo Exercício com base na estrutura interna e relação com variáveis externas, afeto positivo e negativo. As análises fatoriais exploratória (amostra 1, N = 460 adultos da população geral praticantes de exercício físico) e confirmatória (amostra 2, N = 333 adultos da população geral praticantes de exercício físico) sugeriram adequação das duas dimensões da paixão, harmoniosa e obsessiva. A análise fatorial confirmatória multigrupo indicou a invariância forte do instrumento em função do sexo dos praticantes. Por meio da Modelagem de Equações Estruturais, verificou-se associação positiva da paixão harmoniosa com afeto positivo e associação negativa com afeto negativo experienciados durante a prática de exercício; em contraste, foi observada associação positiva entre paixão obsessiva e afeto negativo durante tal prática. Estes são indicativos de que não só a prática constante de atividades físicas impacta os níveis de felicidade dos sujeitos, mas também o tipo de relação que estabelecem com o exercício.
Drivers of antimicrobial resistance in layer poultry farming: Evidence from high prevalence of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and enterococci in Zambia
Authors: Mudenda Steward , Bumbangi Flavien Nsoni , Yamba Kaunda , Munyeme Musso , Malama Sydney , Mukosha Moses , Hadunka Mwendalubi Albert , Daka Victor , Matafwali Scott Kaba , Siluchali Godfrey , Mainda Geoffrey , Mukuma Mercy , Hang’ombe Bernard Mudenda , Muma John Bwalya
Published: September 2023

Background and Aim: Inappropriate use of antimicrobials exacerbates antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the poultry sector. Information on factors driving AMR in the layer poultry sector is scarce in Zambia. This study examined the drivers of AMR in the layer poultry sector in the Lusaka and Copperbelt Provinces of Zambia.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study employed a structured questionnaire in 77 layer poultry farms in the provinces of Lusaka and Copperbelt, Zambia, from September 2020 to April 2021. Data analysis was conducted using Stata version 16.1. Antimicrobial resistance was defined as the presence of multidrug resistance (MDR) isolates. Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify drivers of AMR.

Results: In total, 365 samples were collected, from which 339 (92.9%) Escherichia coli and 308 (84.4%) Enterococcus spp. were isolated. Multidrug resistance was identified in 39% of the E. coli and 86% of the Enterococcus spp. The overall prevalence of AMR in layer poultry farms was 51.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 40.3%–63.5%). Large-scale farmers (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.04%–0.99%) than small-scale and farmers who were aware of AMR than those who were unaware (AOR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.08%–0.86%) were less likely to experience AMR problems.

Conclusion: This study found a high prevalence of AMR in layer poultry farming linked to the type of farm management practices and lack of AMR awareness. Evidence of high MDR in our study is of public health concern and requires urgent attention. Educational interventions must increase AMR awareness, especially among small- and medium-scale poultry farmers.

Keywords: antimicrobial resistance, drivers, Escherichia coli, poultry, risk factors, Zambia.
T. S. 엘리엇과 신학적 모더니즘: ｢근대 프랑스 문학에 관한 여섯 번의 강의에 대한 수업계획서｣ 꼼꼼히 읽기
Authors:   The T. S. Eliot Society Of Korea, LEE Hongseop
Published: September 2023

The main aim of the article is to uncover how T. S Eliot’s view of classicism and romanticism is deeply intertwined with the theological confrontation between neo-scholasticism and Modernism at the turn of the 20th century by probing into his “Syllabus of a Course of Six Lectures on Modern French Literature” (1916). Heavily Influenced by T. E. Hulme’s writings, Eliot draws a binary distinction between classism and romanticism on the syllabus and transfigures them into two opposing worldviews (Weltanschaung) that underpin modern French literature. In Eliot’s view, there exists the deep-rooted affinity between classicism and neo-scholasticism while Modernism is to some extent a theological heir of romanticism. Though quite implicit, Eliot’s support of classicism and neo-scholasticism on the syllabus is a tell-tale sign that the seed of his conversion to Anglo-Catholicism in 1927 was already sprouting around 1916.
¿Qué puede decir la ciencia sobre el (buen) morirse?
Authors: Fernández Valls Carlos , Álvarez Moreno Bárbara , Valls Sancho Carmen
Published: September 2023

La ciencia es ciega a algunos aspectos de la vida humana, entre ellos, el morir como vivencia personal y comunitaria, ya que no puede ver más allá de la finalización de las funciones vitales. Por ello, las distintas perspectivas filosóficas, humanistas y espirituales deben unirse a las ciencias de la salud para poder convertir el tránsito en un acompañamiento de la persona en sus últimos días y de sus familiares. Una herramienta privilegiada para ello es el acompañamiento espiritual al final de la vida. Para defender su necesidad y multidisciplinariedad nos ayudaremos del pensamiento de Habermas y su teoría del interés del conocimiento, así como de la Sagrada Escritura, donde encontramos soporte para este acompañamiento espiritual. Este artículo ha sido escrito desde la perspectiva filosófica y teórica, pero también práctica y experiencial (tanto de la medicina como de la enfermería) del acompañamiento en cuidados paliativos.