bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Territorial Reforms in Bulgaria: The Cases of Municipal Divorces
Authors: Kalcheva Desislava
Published: May 2022

The purpose of the study is to present the changes in the administrative and territorial structure at local level in Bulgaria (municipal divorces) in the period between 1990 and 2020. A desk survey has been conducted using a questionnaire completed by the representatives of the newly established municipalities. On this basis the general factors and reasons underlying municipal secessions are identified and described. Future trends for territorial reforms in the country are outlined.
Participation of Interest Groups at Local Level: Any Space for Democracy in Inter-Municipal Cooperation?
Authors: Bučaitė-Vilkė Jurga
Published: May 2022

The chapter analyzes the democratic legitimacy in emerging inter-municipal cooperative (IMC) initiatives in Lithuania. Reflecting the wider discussion on the territorial reforms, the main question is whether IMC arrangements contribute to issues of democratic representation and legitimacy, and what is the role of local actors and institutions in cooperative networking. For empirical evidence the author uses quantitative IMC survey data. The survey was designed to study the preconditions, motives, forms, and impact of inter-municipal cooperation in Lithuania. The analysis reveals the variety of relationships and power networks between different interest groups in IMC processes such as local authorities, communities, and business stakeholders. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the importance of discussing ‘democratic deficit’ problem in municipal cooperative arrangements in the countries with a highly consolidated self-governance systems.
Urban Leadership: German and Polish Mayors in Comparison
Authors: Heinelt Hubert
Published: May 2022

The role of political leadership in local governance in general and of mayors in particular has been emphasised for years in both scientific and political debate. Recent studies have shown that neither the role of mayors nor the importance of municipalities differ significantly between Germany and Poland. Nevertheless, it seems worth looking more closely at mayors in Germany and Poland, because local politics differs in the two countries – for example, with regard to the party politicization of local decision-making processes. This article will therefore deal with the role perception and role behaviour of mayors and their understanding of democracy from a comparative perspective.
Perspectives on European Local Government: Putting Local Democracy First!
Authors: Lackowska Marta , Szmigiel-Rawska Katarzyna , Teles Filipe
Published: May 2022

This chapter presents the main arguments of this volume, and provides an overview of the main challenges and gaps in European local government studies. Some fundamental aspects of decentralised governance are discussed: territorial reforms, democratic empowerment of citizens, and new trends in local finances. This chapter’s approach is divided into three main aspects of research on local governments: the territorial features of local governments and their changes (space); local government functions, capacity and autonomy to address contemporary challenges within a context of struggle between decentralisation and centralisation movements (scope); and local leadership, party politics and electoral systems (power). A final claim is presented regarding the relevance of the democratic foundations of local government in Europe.
Land Renewed
Authors: Hetherington Peter
Published: May 2022

Feeding Britain while preparing for the ravages of climate change are two key issues — yet there's no strategy for managing and enhancing that most precious resource: our land. This book explores how the pressures of leaving the EU, recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, and addressing global heating present unparalleled opportunities to re-work the countryside for the benefit of all. Incorporating personal, inspiring stories of people and places, the book sets out the innovative measures needed for nature's recovery while protecting our most valuable farmland, encouraging local food production and repeopling remote areas. In the first book to tackle these issues holistically, the author argues that we need to reshape the countryside with an adventurous new agenda at the heart of government.
Whose Night is It?
Authors: Acuto Michele , Seijas Andreina , McArthur Jenny , Robin Enora
Published: May 2022

Whose night is it anyway? What questions of equality and participation underline much of the sprawl of night-time governance? In this chapter we explore issues of what we could call ‘(in)visibilisation’ (Vergès 2019) in current approaches to night-time governance. Specifically, we argue that the ways in which ‘night-time economies’ are framed, discussed, defined, delimited and understood in policy conversations tend to obscure the intersecting racial, gender-based and socio-economic inequalities that shape and indeed maintain ‘thriving’ night-time economies (and urban economies more broadly).
The End as a New Beginning
Authors: Sorgner Stefan Lorenz
Published: May 2022

This chapter reflects on the philosophical issues concerning the insight that we have always been cyborgs. Technology has always been a part of us, and this applies to the emerging technologies, too. The chapter argues that the judgements that nature is good and technology is evil are part of a traditional dualistic mindset which is no longer plausible and which has many dangerous implications. This does not mean that there are no dangers connected to emerging technologies. The more efficient a technology is, the better the advantages, but also the greater the risks. These can be terrible, given inappropriate political circumstances.
Critical Criminology and Literary Criticism
Authors: McGregor Rafe
Published: May 2022

There is increasing pressure on the humanities to justify their value and on criminology to undertake interdisciplinary research. In this book, the author establishes a new interdisciplinary methodology, ‘criminological criticism’, harnessing the synergy between literary studies and critical criminology to produce genuine interventions in social reality. The author practices criminological criticism on George Miller' Mad Max: Fury Road, Prime Video's Carnival Row, and J.K. Rowling's The Cuckoo's Calling, demonstrating how these popular allegories provide insights into the harms of sexism, racism, and class prejudice. The book proposes a model for collaboration between literary studies and critical criminology that is beneficial to the humanities, the social sciences, and society.
The Cultural Criminology of The Cuckoo’s Calling
Authors: McGregor Rafe
Published: May 2022

This chapter assesses J.K. Rowling's The Cuckoo's Calling (2013). The Cuckoo's Calling has criminological value in illuminating the connections among media capital, mediated culture, and elitism, but its contribution to cultural criminology is the way in which the narrative event stages celebrity culture as exacerbating elitism. The novel opens with the impact of the media on the police investigation and closes with the impact of solving the case on Strike, both professionally and personally. The chapter suggests that The Cuckoo's Calling is an anti-elitist act that deploys a very similar model of mass media critique. More specifically, the extra-representational dimension of the novel reveals that celebrity culture exacerbates rather than alleviates elitism, aggravating the difference between the upper and lower class conditions by means of media capital.
Introduction: The Omnipresent Nature of Building
Authors: Imrie Rob
Published: May 2022

There are few places left untouched by the excavation of the earth’s resources for building and construction Wherever one goes the sounds, sights and smells of construction are evident, and the environment is increasingly shaped by a never-ending process of building. From the endless construction of domestic dwellings, to the excavation of new roads and railways into frontier areas such as Western China and Amazonia, building work is omnipresent to the extent that it is a formative process shaping contemporary economy and society. The chapter introduces the book’s key themes, and sets out the significance of building and construction in shaping socio-ecological patterns and processes.
Why Building More Housing Will Not Work
Authors: Imrie Rob
Published: May 2022

A fallacy of our building culture is that there is a shortage of housing which is the root cause of a crisis that includes unaffordability and homelessness. A proffered solution is to build more housing, a supply side argument that, as Pettifor (2018: 1) notes, is a conventional wisdom ‘bought into’ by everyone, ‘from the government, to housing charities, to housebuilders’. This ‘wisdom’ goes more or less unchallenged, and propagates swathes of volume house building that do little to tackle the problems of housing shortfalls. Chapter 7 challenges the ‘building as solution’ argument, and argues for a ‘less is more’ approach that tackles the complexities relating to people’s inability to get access to good quality housing. Part of an approach ought to be to build less and to work better with what exists, including bringing back into use the 210,000 long term empty homes in England (Westwater, 2019). It also means changing how people get access to housing, including reforming housing finance, rent controls, and a paraphernalia of other systems that, if left untouched, will mean that building more housing is ineffective.
Electro-optic chaotic system based on time delay feature hiding and key space enhancement based on chaotic post-processing
Authors: Gong XiaoYang , Zou Guoyang , Wang Hongxiang , Ji Yuefeng , Zhang Yu
Published: May 2022

To improve the output performance of the classical all-optical chaotic system and solve the security problems of its key exposure and small key space, a new chaotic system, to the best of our knowledge, based on logistic map post-processing is proposed. In terms of the general output performance of the system, the spectrum of the proposed system is flatter than the classical system. Through a bifurcation diagram and permutation entropy analysis, it is found that the output of the system is extremely complex. In terms of security, the simulation results show that, with a reasonable selection of system parameters, key hiding can be achieved under a large parameter range. Moreover, through the sensitivity analysis of logistic parameters, it can be seen that the introduction of logistic parameters can improve the key space of the system and further improve the security of the system.
Characterization and alignment of acousto-optic devices using digital tailored RF waveforms
Authors: Yushkov Konstantin B. , Slinkov Grigorii D. , Gurov Vasily V. , Molchanov Vladimir Ya.
Published: May 2022

Acousto-optic (AO) devices are used in a variety of light control and processing applications in different environments, including laboratory conditions and the field environment, as well as on air- and space-borne platforms. Accurate alignment and calibration of AO deflectors and tunable filters is crucial for correct operation and to achieve specified performances of those devices. We describe a simple routine to test and align AO devices with a programmable RF waveform generator. Using specially tailored RF waveforms as test signals enables single-shot measurement of an AO device’s diffraction efficiency as a function of the applied RF signal frequency and amplitude. MATLAB code is available to implement the testing procedure and application demonstrations for an AO deflector and two types of AO tunable filters.
Strip SAR image simulation of a composite vehicle–ground model
Authors: Li Juan , Li Chong , Guo Li-Xin , Wei Yi-Wen , Li Ke , Chai Shui-Rong
Published: May 2022

In this paper, the strip
synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image of a composite vehicle–ground
model is simulated by combining the electromagnetic scattering
algorithm and radar imaging algorithm. A linear frequency modulated
wave is incident on the composite model, which is partitioned into a
mass of triangular patches. In the “stop-and-go” radar mode, for each
patch, the amplitude of scattered echo in the frequency domain is
solved by a hybrid method of physical optics (PO)–shooting and
bouncing ray (SBR)–physical theory of diffraction (PTD). For the
composite model, the total scattered echo in terms of range frequency
and azimuth time is obtained by the vector superposition of echo on
patches. Then the SAR image of the composite model is generated by the
range–Doppler algorithm. In numerical simulations, both the
electromagnetic scattering of a target by the SBR-PTD method and
composite scattering by the PO-SBR-PTD method are validated and
evaluated by comparing with the multilevel fast multipole method
(MLFMM) in FEKO software. Moreover, the SAR image of the composite
vehicle–ground model is also compared with the real image in Moving
and Stationary Target Acquisition and Recognition database, which
verifies the feasibility of the proposed method. SAR images of the
composite model for different incident angles are also presented and
analyzed.
Frequency-switched photonic spiking neurons
Authors: Lu Yao , Zhang Wenjia , Fu Bangqi , He Zuyuan
Published: May 2022

We propose an approach to generate neuron-like spikes of vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) by multi-frequency switching. A stable temporal spiking sequence has been realized both by numerical simulations and experiments with a pulse width of sub-nanosecond, which is 8 orders of magnitude faster than ones from biological neurons. Moreover, a controllable spiking coding scheme using multi-frequency switching is designed and a sequence with 20 symbols is generated at the speed of up to 1 Gbps by experiment. Furthermore, we investigate the factors related to time delay of spiking generation, including injection strength and frequency detuning. With proper manipulation of detuning frequency, the spiking generation delay can be controlled upto 60 ns, which is 6 times longer than the delay controlled by intensity. The multi-frequency switching provides another manipulation dimension for spiking generation and will be helpful to exploit the abundant spatial-temporal features of spiking neural network. We believe the proposed VCSEL-neuron, as a single physical device for generating spiking signals with variable time delay, will pave the way for future photonic spiking neural networks.
Using lighting design tool to simplify the visible light positioning plan and reduce the deep learning loading
Authors: Chan Hei Man , Chow Chi-Wai , Liu Yang , Yeh Chien-Hung , Chang Yun-Han , Hsu Li-Sheng , Tsai Deng-Cheng , Yu Tien-Wei , Jian Yin-He
Published: May 2022

We put forward and transform the commercially available lighting design software into an indoor visible light positioning (VLP) design tool. The proposed scheme can work well with different deep learning methods for reducing the loading of training data set collection. The indoor VLP models under evaluation include second order regression, fully-connected neural-network (FC-NN), and convolutional neural-network (CNN). Experimental results show that the similar positioning accuracy can be obtained when the indoor VLP models are trained with experimentally acquired data set or trained with software obtained data set. Hence, the proposed method can reduce the training loading for the indoor VLP.
Fabrication of infrared linear arrays of InAs planar avalanche photodiodes
Authors: Osman T. , Lim L. W. , Ng J. S. , Tan C. H.
Published: May 2022

We report a, to the best of our knowledge, new device fabrication process for 128-pixel linear arrays of InAs planar avalanche photodiodes, utilizing selective area implantation of Beryllium ions into epitaxially-grown InAs wafers. The pixels exhibited uniform avalanche gain and responsivity. Room temperature responsivity values at 1550 and 2004 nm wavelengths are 0.49 ± 0.017 and 0.89 ± 0.024 A/W, respectively. Reverse dark current-voltage and avalanche gain measurements were carried out at different temperatures (from room temperature to 150 K). At 200 K at −15 V reverse bias, the pixels exhibited an avalanche gain of 22.5 ± 1.18 and dark current density of 0.68 ± 0.48 A/cm2.
Enhancing electromagnetic field gradient in tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy with a perfect radially polarized beam
Authors: Lu Fanfan , Zhang Wending , Sun Lixun , Mei Ting , Yuan Xiaocong
Published: May 2022

Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) is a promising label-free super-resolving imaging technique, and the electric field gradient of nanofocusing plays a role in TERS performance. In this paper, we theoretically investigated the enhancement and manipulation of the electric field gradient in a bottom-illumination TERS configuration through a tightly focused perfect radially polarized beam (PRPB). Improvement and manipulation in electric field enhancement and field gradient of the gap-plasmon mode between a plasmonic tip and a virtual surface plasmons (SPs) probe are achieved by adjusting the ring radius of the incident PRPB. Our results demonstrate that the method of optimizing the ring radius of PRPB is to make the illumination angle of incident light as close to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) excitation angle as possible. Under the excitation of optimal parameters, more than 10 folds improvement of field enhancement and 3 times of field gradient of the gap-plasmon mode is realized compared with that of the conventional focused RPB. By this feat, our results indicate that such a method can further enhance the gradient Raman mode in TERS. We envision that the proposed method, to achieve the dynamic manipulation and enhancement of the nanofocusing field and field gradient, can be more broadly used to control light-matter interactions and extend the reach of tip-enhanced spectroscopy.
Quantitative optical diagnostics on macroscopic soot onset for ethylene diffusion flames with ethyl ester addition
Authors: Zou Zhiyu , Sun Haowei , Chen Chen , Zhao Xuan , Huang Qin , Ying Yaoyao , Li Tianjiao , Xu Lei , Liu Dong
Published: May 2022

A novel quantitative optical diagnostics method for determining the threshold of soot onset in counterflow diffusion flames was proposed and demonstrated. The method was based on the proportional discrimination of trichromatic luminescence and the nonparametric and unsupervised automatic threshold selection algorithm. The macroscopic soot onset threshold in ethylene diffusion flame with three ethyl esters additions could be precisely determined. It was found that the undesirable soot onset phenomenon for ethylene diffusion flames was significantly suppressed with ethyl ester addition. The method proposed here will be useful as a reference for soot diagnostics in other flames.
Flexible p-i-n InAs thin-film photodetector with low dark current enabled by an InAlAs barrier
Authors: Woo Seungwan , Yeon Eungbeom , Chu Rafael Jumar , Kim Yeonhwa , Kim Tae Soo , Jung Daehwan , Choi Won Jun
Published: May 2022

Flexible mid-infrared photodetectors are essential to realize advanced imaging applications, including wearable healthcare monitoring, security, and biomedical applications. Here, we demonstrate high-performance flexible p-i-n InAs thin-film photodetectors with an optimal In0.8Al0.2As barrier layer. This In0.8Al0.2As barrier inserted between p-InAs and UID-InAs layer reduced leakage currents by a factor of 283 by blocking the flow of electrons. The fabricated flexible device exhibited relatively low dark current densities of 1.03×10−5 at 0 V and 0.85 A/cm2 at −0.5 V, comparable to both commercially available and reported homoepitaxially-grown InAs detectors. Also, the high mechanical robustness and excellent reliability of our flexible InAs photodetector were confirmed by bending tests under various curvatures and bending cycles.
Measuring the unknown: An estimator and simulation study for assessing case reporting during epidemics
Authors: Jarvis Christopher I. , Gimma Amy , Finger Flavio , Morris Tim P. , Thompson Jennifer A. , le Polain de Waroux Olivier , Edmunds W. John , Funk Sebastian , Jombart Thibaut
Published: May 2022

The fraction of cases reported, known as ‘reporting’, is a key performance indicator in an outbreak response, and an essential factor to consider when modelling epidemics and assessing their impact on populations. Unfortunately, its estimation is inherently difficult, as it relates to the part of an epidemic which is, by definition, not observed. We introduce a simple statistical method for estimating reporting, initially developed for the response to Ebola in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), 2018–2020. This approach uses transmission chain data typically gathered through case investigation and contact tracing, and uses the proportion of investigated cases with a known, reported infector as a proxy for reporting. Using simulated epidemics, we study how this method performs for different outbreak sizes and reporting levels. Results suggest that our method has low bias, reasonable precision, and despite sub-optimal coverage, usually provides estimates within close range (5–10%) of the true value. Being fast and simple, this method could be useful for estimating reporting in real-time in settings where person-to-person transmission is the main driver of the epidemic, and where case investigation is routinely performed as part of surveillance and contact tracing activities.
PRC1 chromatin factors strengthen the consistency of neuronal cell fate specification and maintenance in C. elegans
Authors: Bordet Guillaume , Couillault Carole , Soulavie Fabien , Filippopoulou Konstantina , Bertrand Vincent
Published: May 2022

In the nervous system, the specific identity of a neuron is established and maintained by terminal selector transcription factors that directly activate large batteries of terminal differentiation genes and positively regulate their own expression via feedback loops. However, how this is achieved in a reliable manner despite noise in gene expression, genetic variability or environmental perturbations remains poorly understood. We addressed this question using the AIY cholinergic interneurons of C. elegans, whose specification and differentiation network is well characterized. Via a genetic screen, we found that a loss of function of PRC1 chromatin factors induces a stochastic loss of AIY differentiated state in a small proportion of the population. PRC1 factors act directly in the AIY neuron and independently of PRC2 factors. By quantifying mRNA and protein levels of terminal selector transcription factors in single neurons, using smFISH and CRISPR tagging, we observed that, in PRC1 mutants, terminal selector expression is still initiated during embryonic development but the level is reduced, and expression is subsequently lost in a stochastic manner during maintenance phase in part of the population. We also observed variability in the level of expression of terminal selectors in wild type animals and, using correlation analysis, established that this noise comes from both intrinsic and extrinsic sources. Finally, we found that PRC1 factors increase the resistance of AIY neuron fate to environmental stress, and also secure the terminal differentiation of other neuron types. We propose that PRC1 factors contribute to the consistency of neuronal cell fate specification and maintenance by protecting neurons against noise and perturbations in their differentiation program.
Genome size distributions in bacteria and archaea are strongly linked to evolutionary history at broad phylogenetic scales
Authors: Martinez-Gutierrez Carolina A. , Aylward Frank O.
Published: May 2022

The evolutionary forces that determine genome size in bacteria and archaea have been the subject of intense debate over the last few decades. Although the preferential loss of genes observed in prokaryotes is explained through the deletional bias, factors promoting and preventing the fixation of such gene losses often remain unclear. Importantly, statistical analyses on this topic typically do not consider the potential bias introduced by the shared ancestry of many lineages, which is critical when using species as data points because of the potential dependence on residuals. In this study, we investigated the genome size distributions across a broad diversity of bacteria and archaea to evaluate if this trait is phylogenetically conserved at broad phylogenetic scales. After model fit, Pagel’s lambda indicated a strong phylogenetic signal in genome size data, suggesting that the diversification of this trait is influenced by shared evolutionary histories. We used a phylogenetic generalized least-squares analysis (PGLS) to test whether phylogeny influences the predictability of genome size from dN/dS ratios and 16S copy number, two variables that have been previously linked to genome size. These results confirm that failure to account for evolutionary history can lead to biased interpretations of genome size predictors. Overall, our results indicate that although bacteria and archaea can rapidly gain and lose genetic material through gene transfers and deletions, respectively, phylogenetic signal for genome size distributions can still be recovered at broad phylogenetic scales that should be taken into account when inferring the drivers of genome size evolution.
Factors associated with poor adherence to intrapartum fetal heart monitoring in relationship to intrapartum related death: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Ekblom Annette , Målqvist Mats , Gurung Rejina , Rossley Angela , Basnet Omkar , Bhattarai Pratiksha , K. C. Ashish
Published: May 2022

Background

Poor quality of intrapartum care remains a global health challenge for reducing stillbirth and early neonatal mortality. Despite fetal heart rate monitoring (FHRM) being key to identify fetus at risk during labor, sub-optimal care prevails in low-income settings. The study aims to assess the predictors of suboptimal fetal heart rate monitoring and assess the association of sub-optimal FHRM and intrapartum related deaths.

Method

A prospective cohort study was conducted in 12 hospitals between April 2017 to October 2018. Pregnant women with fetal heart sound present during admission were included. Inferential statistics were used to assess proportion of sub-optimal FHRM. Multi-level logistic regression was used to detect association between sub-optimal FHRM and intrapartum related death.

Result

The study cohort included 83,709 deliveries, in which in more than half of women received suboptimal FHRM (56%). The sub-optimal FHRM was higher among women with obstetric complication than those with no complication (68.8% vs 55.5%, p-value<0.001). The sub-optimal FHRM was higher if partograph was not used than for whom partograph was completely filled (70.8% vs 15.9%, p-value<0.001). The sub-optimal FHRM was higher if the women had no companion during labor than those who had companion during labor (57.5% vs 49.6%, p-value<0.001). After adjusting for background characteristics and intra-partum factors, the odds of intrapartum related death was higher if FHRM was done sub-optimally in reference to women who had FHRM monitored as per protocol (aOR, 1.47; 95% CI; 1.13, 1.92).

Conclusion

Adherence to FHRM as per clinical standards was inadequate in these hospitals of Nepal. Furthermore, there was an increased odds of intra-partum death if FHRM had not been carried out as per clinical standards. FHRM provided as per protocol is key to identify fetuses at risk, and efforts are needed to improve the adherence of quality of care to prevent death.
Using nanoemulsions of the essential oils of a selection of medicinal plants from Jazan, Saudi Arabia, as a green larvicidal against Culex pipiens
Authors: Mahran Hesham A.
Published: May 2022

Researchers are increasingly looking to plants as sources of novel ingredients active against vector-borne diseases. Medicinal plant extracts and their metabolites are an attractive source for such products. This study investigated the insecticidal activity of five essential oils extracted from the most common medicinal herbs in Jazan province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Extracted oils and nanoemulsions synthesized from those oils were characterized before application at different concentrations to laboratory-reared fourth-stage larvae of Culex pipens. Basil (Ocimum bascilicum) and cumin (Cuminum cyminum) essential oils showed moderate larvicidal effect with LC50 81.07 ug/mL and 96.29 ug/mL, respectively. That activity was improved in their nanoemulsion forms, as evidenced by a reduction in the LC50 to 65.19 ug/mL for basil and 64.50 ug/mL for cumin. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), henna (Lawsonia inermis) and ginger (Zingiber officinalis) oils showed weaker insecticidal activity, with LC50 values of 394 ug/mL, 306 ug/mL, and 494 ug/mL, respectively. Moreover, the nanoemulsion forms of those essential oils did not show any improvement in their insecticidal activity. In conclusion, of the studied plants, the nanoemulsions of basil and cumin showed significant larvicidal activity.
Knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 among secondary school students in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Getawa Solomon , Aynalem Melak , Bayleyegn Biruk , Adane Tiruneh
Published: May 2022

Background

In Ethiopia, an array of measures have been adopted to control the rapid spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Such control measures could significantly influence the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19 in the general population. However, still, there is scarce information regarding the KAP of students towards the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study aimed to assess KAP and associated factors towards COVID-19 among secondary school students in Gondar town, Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2021 on a total of 395 participants. Proportional sample allocation was used in 4 randomly selected schools. Then, students from each of the schools were recruited by using a systematic random sampling technique. Socio-demographic data and questions regarding the KAP were collected via a self-administered questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS 20. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify the associated factors and p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The mean age of study participants was 17.7±1.5 years and slightly more than 2/3 (67.3%) ranges from 17–19 years old. In this study, 86.3% (95% CI: 83–90) of study participants had good knowledge about COVID-19. Students having urban residence (AOR, with 95% CI: 5.6 (1.76–17.6), fathers with a diploma and above educational status (AOR, with 95% CI: 3 (1.2–7.5), and uses television or radio as a source of information (AOR, with 95% CI: 3.7 (1.5–9.3) tended to have good knowledge about COVID-19. About 381 (86.3%) had good attitude towards COVID-19 infections, while 238 (60.3%) of the participants had a good practice to prevent COVID-19 infections.

Conclusions

The majority of the secondary school students in Gondar town have good knowledge, attitude, and practices towards COVID-19. However, targeted interventions are still necessary, especially for students having poor knowledge and poor practice towards COVID-19. This study also found that urban residence, a father with a diploma and above educational status, and using television or radio as a source of information about COVID-19 were significantly associated with the knowledge level of the study participants.
Evaluating the effect of Bolsa Familia, Brazil’s conditional cash transfer programme, on maternal and child health: A study protocol
Authors: Falcão Ila Rocha , Ribeiro-Silva Rita de Cássia , Alves Flávia Jôse Oliveira , Ortelan Naiá , Silva Natanael J. , Fiaccone Rosemeire L. , de Almeida Marcia Furquim , Pescarini Júlia M. , Lisboa Cinthia Soares , Júnior Elzo Pereira Pinto , Paixao Enny S. , Ferreira Andrea J. F. , Teixeira Camila Silveira Silva , Rocha Aline dos Santos , Katikireddi Srinivasa Vittal , Ali M. Sanni , Dundas Ruth , Leyland Alastair , Rodrigues Laura C. , Ichihara Maria Yury , Barreto Mauricio L.
Published: May 2022

Background

Conditional Cash Transfer Programs have been developed in Latin America in response to poverty and marked social inequalities on the continent. In Brazil, the Bolsa Familia Program (BFP) was implemented to alleviate poverty and improve living conditions, health, and education for socioeconomically vulnerable populations. However, the effect of this intervention on maternal and child health is not well understood.

Methods

We will evaluate the effect of BFP on maternal and child outcomes: 1. Birth weight; 2. Preterm birth; 3. Maternal mortality; and 4. Child growth. Dynamic retrospective cohort data from the 100 Million Brazilian Cohort (2001 to 2015) will be linked to three different databases: Live Birth Information System (2004 to 2015); Mortality Information System (2011 to 2015); and Food and Nutritional Surveillance System (2008 to 2017). The definition of exposure to the BFP varies according to the outcome studied. Those who never received the benefit until the outcome or until the end of the follow-up will be defined as not exposed. The effects of BFP on maternal and child outcomes will be estimated by a combination of propensity score-based methods and weighted logistic regressions. The analyses will be further stratified to reflect changes in the benefit entitlement before and after 2012.

Discussion

Harnessing a large linked administrative cohort allows us to assess the effect of the BFP on maternal and child health, while considering a wide range of explanatory and confounding variables.
Impact of measurement method on interobserver variability of apparent diffusion coefficient of lesions in prostate MRI
Authors: Takahashi Hiroaki , Yoshida Kotaro , Kawashima Akira , Lee Nam Ju , Froemming Adam T. , Adamo Daniel A. , Khandelwal Ashish , Bolan Candice W. , Heller Matthew T. , Hartman Robert P. , Kim Bohyun , Philbrick Kenneth A. , Carter Rickey E. , Mynderse Lance A. , Humphreys Mitchell R. , Cai Jason C. , Takahashi Naoki
Published: May 2022

Purpose

To compare the inter-observer variability of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of prostate lesions measured by 2D-region of interest (ROI) with and without specific measurement instruction.

Methods

Forty lesions in 40 patients who underwent prostate MR followed by targeted prostate biopsy were evaluated. A multi-reader study (10 readers) was performed to assess the agreement of ADC values between 2D-ROI without specific instruction and 2D-ROI with specific instruction to place a 9-pixel size 2D-ROI covering the lowest ADC area. The computer script generated multiple overlapping 9-pixel 2D-ROIs within a 3D-ROI encompassing the entire lesion placed by a single reader. The lowest mean ADC values from each 2D-small-ROI were used as reference values. Inter-observer agreement was assessed using the Bland-Altman plot. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was assessed between ADC values measured by 10 readers and the computer-calculated reference values.

Results

Ten lesions were benign, 6 were Gleason score 6 prostate carcinoma (PCa), and 24 were clinically significant PCa. The mean±SD ADC reference value by 9-pixel-ROI was 733 ± 186 (10−6 mm2/s). The 95% limits of agreement of ADC values among readers were better with specific instruction (±112) than those without (±205). ICC between reader-measured ADC values and computer-calculated reference values ranged from 0.736–0.949 with specific instruction and 0.349–0.919 without specific instruction.

Conclusion

Interobserver agreement of ADC values can be improved by indicating a measurement method (use of a specific ROI size covering the lowest ADC area).
Live imaging of Yersinia translocon formation and immune recognition in host cells
Authors: Rudolph Maren , Carsten Alexander , Kulnik Susanne , Aepfelbacher Martin , Wolters Manuel
Published: May 2022

Yersinia enterocolitica employs a type three secretion system (T3SS) to translocate immunosuppressive effector proteins into host cells. To this end, the T3SS assembles a translocon/pore complex composed of the translocator proteins YopB and YopD in host cell membranes serving as an entry port for the effectors. The translocon is formed in a Yersinia-containing pre-phagosomal compartment that is connected to the extracellular space. As the phagosome matures, the translocon and the membrane damage it causes are recognized by the cell-autonomous immune system. We infected cells in the presence of fluorophore-labeled ALFA-tag-binding nanobodies with a Y. enterocolitica strain expressing YopD labeled with an ALFA-tag. Thereby we could record the integration of YopD into translocons and its intracellular fate in living host cells. YopD was integrated into translocons around 2 min after uptake of the bacteria into a phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate enriched pre-phagosomal compartment and remained there for 27 min on average. Damaging of the phagosomal membrane as visualized with recruitment of GFP-tagged galectin-3 occurred in the mean around 14 min after translocon formation. Shortly after recruitment of galectin-3, guanylate-binding protein 1 (GBP-1) was recruited to phagosomes, which was accompanied by a decrease in the signal intensity of translocons, suggesting their degradation or disassembly. In sum, we were able for the first time to film the spatiotemporal dynamics of Yersinia T3SS translocon formation and degradation and its sensing by components of the cell-autonomous immune system.
Quantum Computing Using Chaotic Numbers
Authors: Thakur Usama
Published: May 2022

Quantum Mechanics and Computation has a major problem called

the measurement problem. This has given physicists a very hard

time over the years when I first looked into the problem my approach was

simple find a new number system that can go with the uncertainty of a

Quantum particle the paper deals with the mathematics of uncertainty

which has solved 2 millenium prize problems and quantum mea-

surement problem very efficiently. We divide chaos into two parts low

chaos and high chaos then we find the desired value inside the inter-

section of both. This helps us find something in a ℵ3 >>> ∞ this takes

the problems around us to the next level if we are able to control a chaos

then we can achieve pretty much anything.
Light pollution: A landscape-scale issue requiring cross-realm consideration
Authors: Mayer-Pinto Mariana , Jones Theresa M. , Swearer Stephen E. , Robert Kylie A. , Bolton Damon , Aulsebrook Anne E. , Dafforn Katherine A. , Dickerson Ashton L. , Dimovski Alicia M. , Hubbard Nikki , McLay Lucy K. , Pendoley Kellie , Poore Alistair G.B. , Thums Michelle , Willmott Nikolas J. , Yokochi Kaori , Fobert Emily K.
Published: May 2022

Terrestrial, marine, and freshwater realms are inherently linked through ecological, biogeochemical and/or physical processes. An understanding of these connections is critical to optimise management strategies and ensure the ongoing resilience of ecosystems. Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a global stressor that can profoundly affect a wide range of organisms and habitats and impact multiple realms. Despite this, current management practices for light pollution rarely consider connectivity between realms. Here we discuss the ways in which ALAN can have cross-realm impacts and provide case studies for each example discussed. We identified three main ways in which ALAN can affect two or more realms: 1) impacts on species that have life cycles and/or stages on two or more realms, such as diadromous fish that cross realms during ontogenetic migrations and many terrestrial insects that have juvenile phases of the lifecycle in aquatic realms; 2) impacts on species interactions that occur across realm boundaries, and 3) impacts on transition zones or ecosystems such as mangroves and estuaries. We then propose a framework for cross-realm management of light pollution and discuss current challenges and potential solutions to increase the uptake of a cross-realm approach for ALAN management. We argue that the strengthening and formalisation of professional networks that involve academics, lighting practitioners, environmental managers and regulators that work in multiple realms is essential to provide an integrated approach to light pollution. Networks that have a strong multi-realm and multi-disciplinary focus are important as they enable a holistic understanding of issues related to ALAN.
“With the Pen of History, Write Carolina’s Name”
Authors: Rhonda Kemp Webb
Published: May 2022

Originally founded on curricula steeped in the classics and student leadership training forged in literary societies, Wofford College is an example of a Southern institution that sustained an academic transformation sparked by the American Civil War. After the war, Wofford College's administration adjusted curricula to accommodate practical higher education experiences to train men to rebuild and reimagine Southern society. The Civil War experiences of Wofford students, as recounted in period letters and literary society speeches, afford vivid glimpses into the thoughts and motivations of young men torn between popular politics and personal goals as the American South plunged headlong into war. These same young men became regional leaders after the war and helped to reshape Southern society.
“So Firm a Hold”
Authors: Bradshaw Lauren Yarnell , Marcia Bennett
Published: May 2022

Wesleyan Female College in Georgia was the first degree-granting institution for females in the United States. While many nineteenth century colleges failed, Wesleyan has remained open since its inception in 1836, including during the tumultuous American Civil War years. Campus resilience during the war manifested itself in numerous ways; students practicing military maneuvers on campus, college president Rev. John M. Bonnell’s refusal to allow the Confederate government to acquire campus land and buildings for a Confederate hospital, and Valedictorian Mary Clare’s defense of the Confederacy during the union occupation of Macon, Georgia. The belief that the education provided at Wesleyan was valuable and worthy of preservation motivated its students and leaders to take “so firm a hold” in its survival. This ideal was perpetuated in later decades via the “Lost Cause” myth that dominated popular and historic recollections of the Civil War for years to come.
Trinity College
Authors: Lauren Lassabe
Published: May 2022

Trinity College, as today’s Duke University was called during the Civil War, was founded in 1838. Like most Civil War-era Southern colleges, Trinity closed its doors for a brief period during the most violent months of conflict in North Carolina. Because the college’s closure comprised less than one academic year, its resolve to persevere through the first three years of the war render it an example of Southern higher education’s wartime endurance. During the four years of conflict in which the campus remained open, students and the president himself served the Confederacy as soldiers, company leaders, and prison overseers. This narrative is largely told through the administrative decisions made by the college’s wartime president, Braxton Craven.
The Recovered Life of Isaac Anderson
Authors: Jackson Alicia K.
Published: May 2022

As with countless other black leaders whose life stories have disappeared from the historical record, much of Isaac H. Anderson’s unique story has been shrouded in silence. His story is a microhistory of black religious and political experience after Emancipation, and a recovery of the life of a minister, politician, and former slave. His narrative begins with his white father and master, William Jackson Anderson, and with the system of slavery that provided the economic fuel by which William Jackson built his wealth and became a merchant prince of Fort Valley in Houston County. It progresses to Anderson winning and serving in his white father’s seat in Georgia’s legislature during Reconstruction even though he and William Jackson represented opposite political parties and perspectives. During his time in Georgia, Anderson actively opposed the rise of the apprenticeship system, targeting Black children, and the convict leasing system, which re-enslaved many Black men. His story gives understanding into the formation of the Black Church as the only space in which enslaved and free blacks could survive, and even contend with, the oppression of whites. Leaders like Anderson fostered spiritual and physical safe spaces for parishioners, and his story provides a fuller accounting of a history that has often been dismissively recast and retold by those who mistake subtle but sustained defiance as subservient survival, and thereby miss many of the nuances of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church’s beginnings. Anderson’s unique story also exposes the intra-racial tension that existed in and around the small denomination, and the strategies adopted by black leaders in dealing with a society that was often antithetical to them.
The Films of Fred Schepisi
Authors: McFarlane Brian
Published: May 2022

Fred Schepisi is a crucial name associated with the ‘revival’ of the Australian film industry in the 1970s. This book traces the lead-up to Schepisi’s critical successes in feature-filmmaking via his earlier award-winning success as a producer in advertising commercials in the 1960s and the setting up of his own company. A minor biographical element considers Schepisi’s early education in a Catholic seminary, which he drew on in his semi-autobiographical film, The Devil’s Playground, the success of which launched him as an exciting new feature director.
The book then charts Schepisi’s development as a director in demand in other countries, notably in the US and the UK, as well as continuing to make major films in Australia. His career is in this way symptomatic of Australian directors who have made their presence felt on the international stage.
What follows here is a critical account of Schepisi’s film output and the context in which it has taken place, with the co-operation of Schepisi and some of his key collaborators. The book details production histories, an account of the finished films, and a sense of how the films were received (both critically and popularly). Author Brian McFarlane explores the recurring thematic, narrative, and visual elements that have helped to characterize Schepisi as artist and craftsman.
In the New Century
Authors: McFarlane Brian
Published: May 2022

Schepisi’s output somewhat slowed in the first decade of the new century before returning to Australia at its end. The major achievement of the period is his brilliant television version of Richard Russo’s novel, Empire Falls (2005). The film was never intended as a TV series, but was screened in two parts, each with four ‘chapters’. This haunting study of a community in decline and the network of relationships involved shows Schepisi’s talent for such interweaving and the stylistic aptness of his approach. It was preceded by one of his lesser films, It Runs in the Family (2003), in which the on-screen family is incarnated in the real-life Douglas family. The effect is amiable enough but lacks narrative drive.