bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Jacob Viner, Milton Friedman, and the Chicago Monetary Tradition: A Reconsideration
Authors: Tavlas George S.
Published: February 2022

Milton Friedman claimed that Jacob Viner's views in the early 1930s on (a) the monetary origins of the Great Depression and (b) the need of expansionary open-market operations established a linkage between the 1930s Chicago monetary tradition and Friedman's monetarist economics. I show that Viner's views on those issues and on such issues as the retention of the gold standard, money-financed versus bond-financed deficits, 100 percent reserves, the usefulness of cost cutting to combat the Depression, and rules-versus-discretion differed fundamentally from a core group of Chicagoans. I conclude that Viner's views were not representative of the Chicago tradition.
Variable Bound Tightening and Valid Constraints for Multiperiod Blending
Authors: Chen Yifu , Maravelias Christos T.
Published: February 2022

Multiperiod blending has a number of important applications in a range of industrial sectors. It is typically formulated as a nonconvex mixed integer nonlinear program (MINLP), which involves binary variables and bilinear terms. In this study, we first propose a reformulation of the constraints involving bilinear terms using lifting. We introduce a method for calculating tight bounds on the lifted variables calculated by aggregating multiple constraints. We propose valid constraints derived from the reformulation-linearization technique (RLT) that use the bounds on the lifted variables to further tighten the formulation. Computational results indicate our method can substantially reduce the solution time and optimality gap.

Summary of Contribution: In this paper, we study the multiperiod blending problem, which has a number of important applications in a range of industrial sectors, such as refining, chemical production, mining, and wastewater management. Solving this problem efficiently leads to significant economic and environmental benefits. However, solving even medium-scale instances to global optimality remains challenging. To address this challenge, we propose a variable bound tightening algorithm and tightening constraints for multiperiod blending. Computational results show that our methods can substantially reduce the solution time and optimality gap.
Data Breach Announcements and Stock Market Reactions: A Matter of Timing?
Authors: Foerderer Jens , Schuetz Sebastian W.
Published: February 2022

Although firms’ announcement of data breaches can lead to reputational or operational damages, extant research suggests that stock markets are relatively unresponsive to such announcements. We investigate whether markets’ unresponsiveness can be explained by firms strategically timing the announcement to coincide with busy days in the media, thereby reducing attention and, ultimately, attenuating market reactions. We leverage novel data on data breach announcements in the United States between 2008 and 2018 and create a measure of busyness in the trade press—news pressure—based on the Wall Street Journal. To investigate, we conduct two complementary studies. In Study 1, we employ an instrumental variable approach to assess whether announcements coincide with days of predictably high news pressure. We find that this is the case. On days with a one-standard-deviation-higher predictable news pressure, 4.44% more data breaches are announced (or approximately 19.024 data records). Strategic timing is more prevalent for breaches that are severe, that have firm-internal causes, and that leak healthcare data or credentials. In Study 2, we utilize a stock market event study to assess market reactions conditional on news pressure on the announcement day. We find that data breach announcements are associated with negative market reactions, yet these are attenuated by higher news pressure on the announcement day. If news pressure is on its empirical mean (respectively, one standard deviation above), we estimate a median decline in market capitalization of $347 (respectively, $85) million. We conclude that firms’ strategic timing might explain inconsistent findings in prior work.

This paper was accepted by Chris Forman, information systems.
Widening access to the specialised foundation programme
Authors: Youssef Sofian , Zaidi Syed , Lambie Mark , Ahmed Shahzada
Published: February 2022

The specialised foundation programme, previously known as the academic foundation programme, is an alternate foundation training pathway for doctors that are interested in research, medical education and leadership. The programme is highly competitive, with competition ratios rising to 1:5 in some units of application. A series of courses is held each year out of goodwill to assist students with the application process, but little has been published with respect to evidence-based approaches to both the application process and interviews. This article provides a series of frameworks to simplify the challenges posed by the application process and the academic, personal and clinical interviews.
Adherence to treatment in Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Lampridou Smaragda
Published: February 2022

Smaragda Lampridou looks at how patients can manage this increasingly prevalent condition
Optimization of the Process for Obtaining Biodiesel from Seeds of Ricinus communis using Basic Heterogeneous Catalyst in Transesterification
Authors: González Fernández Jose Manuel , Aquino-Torres Eliazar , Acevedo-Sandoval Otilio Arturo , Pacheco-Trejo Jaime , Prieto Garcia Francisco , Prieto-Méndez Judith
Published: February 2022

Abstract.

Castor bean (Ricinus communis) can be a high-demand crop for the production of biodiesel, an alternative biofuel similar to conventional diesel. The objective of the work has been to optimize the method of obtaining biodiesel from a “green technology” process, directly splitting the seeds of three macerated castor varieties, without prior extraction of the oil with n-hexane as is traditional. Also using low-cost heterogeneous basic catalysts, friendly to the environment. It has been shown that it is feasible to obtain biodiesel as an eco-fuel from castor beans directly, without prior oil extraction with the consequent saving of n-hexane solvent and the non-use of sodium hydroxide. It is feasible to substitute methanol for ethanol (less toxic and cheaper), and as a novel aspect, the use of BaCO3 as a heterogeneous catalyst, not reported in any reference of those consulted. Yield percentages ranging between 31% and 45% were obtained, comparable to those obtained from previous oil extractions. It was concluded that of the three varieties of castor bean evaluated, the variety HG-A-1 (collected in Atotonilco el Grande, Municipality of the State of Hidalgo) classified as IBEA type, is the one that presents the best results. Keywords: Barium carbonate, Castor oil, Eco-fuel, Ethanol, Seed.
Determination of the Equivalent Length for Evaluating Local Head Losses in Drip Irrigation Laterals
Authors: Wang Jian , Wei Tao , Song Zhuoyang , Chen Rui , He Qiu
Published: February 2022

Highlights

A hydraulic model was used to determine the value of the equivalent length for evaluating local emitter head losses in drip laterals.

Dimensional analysis was used to develop an equation for predicting the equivalent length.

The effects of the design variables on the equivalent length were investigated.

The accuracy of the equation was validated by a previous experiment and an alternative hydraulic model.

Abstract. The equivalent length is widely used in current hydraulic models to estimate local emitter head losses for the analysis and design of drip irrigation laterals. The accurate evaluation of the equivalent length is therefore required in the lateral design procedure. In this study, a finite element model was used to develop an equation to predict the equivalent length. Eight design variables were selected, and 32 lateral cases were generated using the orthogonal design. The total local head loss in the 32 laterals were firstly calculated using the local head loss coefficient multiplied by the kinetic head. The solutions were considered as exact values and being equivalent to friction head losses, and the equivalent length was computed using the Darcy-Weisbach equation. Dimensional analysis and regression procedures were then used to obtain the prediction equation related to the selected variables. The results show that the converted equivalent lengths accurately estimated the local head losses in the 32 laterals. The local head loss coefficient was the most important factor for the equivalent length, followed by the lateral diameter. The effects of the lateral inlet pressure head, flow exponent, nominal flow rate of emitter, number of emitter, emitter spacing and lateral slope were not significant. Two models were developed to predict the equivalent length, and to calculated the total local head losses. The results demonstrated satisfactory agreement with the measured value available in a previous experimental study, with RMSE = 0.202 and 0.162 m for the full and simplified model, respectively. The percent error between the measured and calculated total head losses using simplified model was from -16.5% to 14.8%, and the Camargo and Sentelhas coefficient c was higher than 0.98. The equations were therefore capable for evaluating the local head loss in the hydraulic design of drip irrigation laterals. Keywords: Dimensional analysis, Finite element method, Hydraulic design, Pressure head, Uniformity.
Lidar and Radar Enable the Next Generation of Dairy Cattle Feeding
Authors: Reger Matthias Thomas, Anton, Johann , Stumpenhausen Jörn , Bernhardt Heinz
Published: February 2022

Highlights

Developments in automatized feeding lead to farms being locked industrial production sites.

LiDAR and Radar facilitate driverless feed mixers by covering navigation and safety aspects.

External safety of driverless vehicles can be compensated with optical, acoustical and organizational measures.

Abstract. Present automatic feeding systems (AFS) for dairy cattle are predominantly machines with additional external structures, e.g., bus bars and guide rails. In order to achieve complete automation of the feeding process, future AFS must be adaptable to different types of farm structures. Technologies such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) enable free navigation of self-propelled feed mixer wagons and make important contributions to personal protection and collision avoidance. This enables the feed mixer to reach silo systems independently, remove feed and present it at the feed table. Using a self-propelled mixer feeder, both LiDAR and Radar are comparatively analyzed in a practical series of tests under farm conditions. Research into the legal framework and an exemplary risk assessment lay the conceptual basis for future automatic feeding systems. The aim of this consideration is to derive a coordinated concept for the areas of navigation and collision protection in an automatic feeding system for next-generation dairy cattle. Keywords: AFS, AGV, Automation, Dairy, Feeding, Laser, LiDAR, Radar.
Effects of Infrared Radiation on Germination of Long Grain Rice
Authors: Hampton Rachel M. , Atungulu Griffiths , Rolland Virginie , Wilson Shantae A. , McKay Tanja
Published: February 2022

Highlights

The study provides insight to infrared (IR) drying and the effects on germination of two long-grain rice cultivars

Drying rice seeds using IR with intensity at 10.84 kW/m2 negatively impacted germination and probabilities of shoot and primary root growth.

IR intensities of 2.15 and 2.83 kW/m2 did not affect rice seed germination or growth compared to control samples dried using natural air at 26°C and 65% relative humidity.

CL152, the pureline cultivar, did not germinate as well as XL745, the hybrid cultivar.

Abstract. Infrared radiation (IR) can effectively dry rice; however, the effects of IR on germination need to be determined. We compared the effects of natural air drying and three IR-drying intensities (2.15, 2.83, and 10.84 kW/m2) on rice germination for two rice cultivars, XL745 (hybrid) and CL152 (pureline). Although lower for CL152 than for XL745, the probability of germination was lowest after IR-drying at 10.84 kW/m2 for both cultivars. The probability of shoot or root growth was also lowest for kernels treated at 10.84 kW/m2; however, cultivar was the only factor included in the best model for predicting shoot and root length, suggesting that the range of IR intensity tested does not affect shoot or root length. Treatment of rice with an initial moisture content of 20% w.b. with an IR intensity of 10.84 kW/m2 for 7 s reaching a temperature of 60°C is not recommended for use on rice that will be used for seed grain; lower IR intensities appear more appropriate. Keywords: Germination, Hybrid rice, Infrared drying, Pureline rice.
IoT Health Data in Electronic Health Records (EHR): Security and Privacy Issues in Era of 6G
Authors: Koren Ana , Prasad Ramjee
Published: February 2022

Millions of wearable devices with embedded sensors (e.g., fitness trackers) are present in daily lives of its users, with the number growing continuously, especially with the approaching 6G communication technology. These devices are helping their users in monitoring daily activities and promoting positive health habits. Potential integration of such collected data into central medical system would lead to more personalized healthcare and an improved patient-physician experience. However, this process is met with several challenges, as medical data is of a highly sensitive nature. This paper focuses on the security and privacy issues for such a process. After providing a comprehensive list of security and privacy threats relevant to data collection and its handling within a Central Health Information system, the paper addresses the challenges of designing a secure system and offeres recommendations, solutions and guidelines for identified pre-6G and 6G security and privacy issues.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Optical Information
Processing: introduction to the feature issue
Authors: Iftekharuddin Khan , Preza Chrysanthe , Awwal Abdul Ahad S. , Zelinski Michael E.
Published: February 2022

This special feature issue covers the intersection of topical areas in artificial
intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) and optics. The papers broadly
span the current state-of-the-art advances in areas including image
recognition, signal and image processing, machine inspection/vision
and automotive as well as areas of traditional optical sensing,
interferometry and imaging.
Image-to-image translation of label-free molecular vibrational images for a histopathological review using the UNet+/seg-cGAN model
Authors: He Yunjie , Li Jiasong , Shen Steven , Liu Kai , Wong Kelvin K. , He Tiancheng , Wong Stephen T. C.
Published: February 2022

Translating images generated by label-free microscopy imaging, such as
Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS), into more familiar
clinical presentations of histopathological images will help the
adoption of real-time, spectrally resolved label-free imaging in
clinical diagnosis. Generative adversarial networks (GAN) have made
great progress in image generation and translation, but have been
criticized for lacking precision. In particular, GAN has often
misinterpreted image information and identified incorrect content
categories during image translation of microscopy scans. To alleviate
this problem, we developed a new Pix2pix GAN model that simultaneously
learns classifying contents in the images from a segmentation dataset
during the image translation training. Our model integrates
UNet+ with seg-cGAN, conditional generative adversarial
networks with partial regularization of segmentation. Technical
innovations of the UNet+/seg-cGAN model include: (1) replacing
UNet with UNet+ as the Pix2pix cGAN’s generator to
enhance pattern extraction and richness of the gradient, and (2)
applying the partial regularization strategy to train a part of the
generator network as the segmentation sub-model on a separate
segmentation dataset, thus enabling the model to identify correct
content categories during image translation. The quality of
histopathological-like images generated based on label-free CARS
images has been improved significantly.
Noninvasive assessment of liver function reserve with fluorescent dosimetry of indocyanine green
Authors: Wu Pei-Chun , Guo Lun-Zhang , Yu Shan , Zeng Ning , Liu Yu-Cheng , Yu Jia , Zhang Zhiming , Lu Ke , Sun Liangyu , Wang Chunfei , Chang Yu-Han , Lu Yin-Lin , Shen Yu-Fang , Tai Sheng , Chuang Yueh-Hsun , Ho Ja-An Annie , Huang Kai-Wen , Wu Yao-Ming , Liu Tzu-Ming
Published: February 2022

Using in vivo multiphoton fluorescent dosimetry, we demonstrate that the clearance dynamics of Indocyanine Green (ICG) in the blood can quickly reveal liver function reserve. In normal rats, the ICG retention rate was below 10% at the 15-minute post-administration; While in the rat with severe hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the 15-minute retention rate is over 40% due to poor liver metabolism. With a 785 nm CW laser, the fluorescence dosimeter can evaluate the liver function reserve at a 1/10 clinical dosage of ICG without any blood sampling. In the future, this low-dosage ICG 15-minute retention dosimetry can be applied for the preoperative assessment of hepatectomy or timely perioperative examination.
Robust Fourier ptychographic microscopy via a physics-based defocusing strategy for calibrating angle-varied LED illumination
Authors: Zheng Chuanjian , Zhang Shaohui , Zhou Guocheng , Hu Yao , Hao Qun
Published: February 2022

Fourier ptychographic microscopy (FPM) is a recently developed computational imaging technique for wide-field, high-resolution microscopy with a high space-bandwidth product. It integrates the concepts of synthetic aperture and phase retrieval to surpass the resolution limit imposed by the employed objective lens. In the FPM framework, the position of each sub-spectrum needs to be accurately known to ensure the success of the phase retrieval process. Different from the conventional methods with mechanical adjustment or data-driven optimization strategies, here we report a physics-based defocusing strategy for correcting large-scale positional deviation of the LED illumination in FPM. Based on a subpixel image registration process with a defocused object, we can directly infer the illumination parameters including the lateral offsets of the light source, the in-plane rotation angle of the LED array, and the distance between the sample and the LED board. The feasibility and effectiveness of our method are validated with both simulations and experiments. We show that the reported strategy can obtain high-quality reconstructions of both the complex object and pupil function even the LED array is randomly placed under the sample with both unknown lateral offsets and rotations. As such, it enables the development of robust FPM systems by reducing the requirements on fine mechanical adjustment and data-driven correction in the construction process.
Enhanced field of view multiplexing super-resolution incorporating geometric super-resolution by time multiplexing sub-pixeling
Authors: Laufer Maor , Zalevsky Zeev
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we show an enhancement of a super-resolution field of view multiplexing approach that, in addition to overcoming the diffraction related resolution limitation while sacrificing the field of view, also allows generating geometric super-resolution by creating sub-pixel shifts versus time. Thus, the proposed approach is both field of view as well as time multiplexing super-resolution, and it overcomes the resolution limits of both the diffraction and geometric limitation of spatial sampling caused by the stringent size of a camera’s pixels.
Proposal for a quantum random number generator using coherent light and a non-classical observable
Authors: Gerry Christopher C. , Birrittella Richard J. , Alsing Paul M. , Hossameldin Amr , Eaton Miller , Pfister Olivier
Published: February 2022

The prototype quantum random number (random bit) generator (QRNG)
consists of one photon at a time falling on a 50:50 beam splitter
followed by random detection in one or the other output beams due to
the irreducible probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics. Due to the
difficulties in producing single photons on demand, in practice,
pulses of weak coherent (laser) light are used. In this paper, we take
a different approach, one that uses moderate coherent light. It is
shown that a QRNG can be implemented by performing photon-number
parity measurements. For moderate coherent light, the probabilities of
obtaining even or odd parity in photon counts are 0.5 each. Photon
counting with single-photon resolution can be performed through use of
a cascade of beam splitters and single-photon detectors, as was done
recently in a photon-number parity-based interferometry experiment
involving coherent light. We highlight the point that unlike most
quantum-based random number generators, our proposal does not require
the use of classical de-biasing algorithms or post-processing of the
generated bit sequence.
Exploiting a strong coupling regime of organic pentamer surface plasmon resonance based on the Otto configuration for creatinine detection
Authors: Ahmad Khushaini Muhammad Asif , Azeman Nur Hidayah , Mat Salleh Muhamad , Tg Abdul Aziz Tg Hasnan , A Bakar Ahmad Ashrif , De La Rue Richard M. , Md Zain Ahmad Rifqi
Published: February 2022

The sandwiched material-analyte layer in the surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-Otto configuration emulates an optical cavity and, coupled with large optical nonlinearity material, the rate of light escaping from the system is reduced, allowing the formation of a strong coupling regime. Here, we report an organic pentamer SPR sensor using the Otto configuration to induce a strong coupling regime for creatinine detection. Prior to that, the SPR sensor chip was modified with an organic pentamer, 1,4-bis[2-(5-thiophene-2-yl)-1-benzothiopene]-2,5-dioctyloxybenzene (BOBzBT2). To improve the experimental calibration curve, a normalisation approach based on the strong coupling-induced second dip was also developed. By using this procedure, the performance of the sensor improved to 0.11 mg/dL and 0.36 mg/dL for the detection and quantification limits, respectively.
Shortcut to adiabaticity in a silicon polarization splitter rotator using multi-wavelength adiabaticity engineering
Authors: Chung Hung-Ching , Lu Guan-Xun , Tseng Shuo-Yen
Published: February 2022

We introduce adiabaticity engineering in coupled waveguide devices to achieve shortcuts to adiabaticity in multi-wavelength systems. By engineering the adiabaticity distribution using a single control parameter, we obtain large operating bandwidth in a compact device. Multi-wavelength adiabaticity engineering is applied to the design of silicon polarization splitter-rotators. The total length of the designed polarization splitter-rotator is 141 μm, and simulations show that the device exhibits extinction ratios above 28 dB and 16 dB for the TE0 and TM0 modes, respectively, with a bandwidth of 300 nm (from 1.4 μm to 1.7 μm). The fabrication tolerance of the designed device is also simulated.
Improvement of nonreciprocal unconventional photon blockade by two asymmetrical arranged atoms embedded in a cavity
Authors: Xia Xiuwen , Zhang Xinqin , Xu Jingping , Li Haozhen , Fu Zeyun , Yang Yaping
Published: February 2022

We improve the nonreciprocal unconventional photon blockade (UCPB) in an asymmetrical single-mode cavity with two asymmetrical arranged two-level atoms (TLAs) where cavity and atom spatial symmetry breakings are involved in. In order to get direction-dependent UCPB in asymmetrical system, we deduce two restrictions of frequency and intensity through the steady solution of the cavity QED system analytically. The former restriction is exactly the same as that of a single-atom case, and the latter restriction combined with both spatial asymmetries. Controllable UCPB in this model shows an improving nonreciprocal UCPB with wider operating regime which is promoted by two asymmetrical arranged atoms. The most innovation of this work is that the contributions of two spatial symmetry breakings are figured out clearly and they play different roles in nonreciprocal UCPB. The cavity spatial symmetry breaking and weak nonlinearity are essential to quantum nonreciprocity, while the atoms spatial symmetry is not and it only can promote such nonreciprocal UCPB. Our findings show a prospective access to manipulate quantum nonreciprocity by a couple of atoms.
Determination of induced birefringence in a fiber-optic resonator from the frequency difference between main and additional resonance peaks
Authors: Gilev D. G. , Valiushina P. M. , Maksimenko V. A. , Krishtop V. V.
Published: February 2022

When radiation propagates in an optical ring resonator, apart from the main peaks, additional peaks are observed. It is known that the strain of optical fiber induces birefringence. Assuming that an additional peak is associated with the main peak, we proposed a model describing the relative position of the main and additional resonance peaks. The model predicts induced birefringence based on the frequency difference between the main and additional peaks. For experimental verification, we fabricated an optical ring resonator, measured the difference between the main and additional peaks and obtained the birefringence value. This value was –(3.42 ± 0.51)·10−7, consistent with values obtained in other studies.
Public human microbiome data are dominated by highly developed countries
Authors: Abdill Richard J. , Adamowicz Elizabeth M. , Blekhman Ran
Published: February 2022

The importance of sampling from globally representative populations has been well established in human genomics. In human microbiome research, however, we lack a full understanding of the global distribution of sampling in research studies. This information is crucial to better understand global patterns of microbiome-associated diseases and to extend the health benefits of this research to all populations. Here, we analyze the country of origin of all 444,829 human microbiome samples that are available from the world’s 3 largest genomic data repositories, including the Sequence Read Archive (SRA). The samples are from 2,592 studies of 19 body sites, including 220,017 samples of the gut microbiome. We show that more than 71% of samples with a known origin come from Europe, the United States, and Canada, including 46.8% from the US alone, despite the country representing only 4.3% of the global population. We also find that central and southern Asia is the most underrepresented region: Countries such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh account for more than a quarter of the world population but make up only 1.8% of human microbiome samples. These results demonstrate a critical need to ensure more global representation of participants in microbiome studies.
Eating habit patterns may predict maximum occlusal force: A preliminary study
Authors: Okada Masahiro , Okada Kosuke , Kakehashi Masayuki
Published: February 2022

Masticatory function is thought to be related to various eating habits, but it is difficult to evaluate overall masticatory function by assessing complex eating habits. Maximum occlusal force is an important indicator of masticatory function that is affected by age and sex. This preliminary study focused on the maximum occlusal force of young women and their eating habits, excluding food and nutritional factors, and investigated whether individual eating habits and eating habit patterns predict maximum occlusal force. We measured the maximum occlusal force for the whole dentition of 53 healthy young women before they ate lunch. The participants also completed a 12-item questionnaire about their eating habits. Scores were determined from the relationship between each item and increased maximum occlusal force. We found a significant but weak relationship between maximum occlusal force and some questions. The total questionnaire scores for the participants’ eating habits showed an almost normal distribution (mean ± standard deviation: 22.7 ± 2.6, median: 23.0, mode: 23.0, range of total scores: 17–28). The accuracy of the linear regression between the total scores for eating habits and maximum occlusal force was high but not perfect (β: standardized regression coefficient = 0.527, P < 0.001). Although further research is needed, our findings confirm that eating habit patterns are significantly associated with maximum occlusal force and may help predict occlusal force. Our results provide important information about eating patterns in humans.
The variable presence of Leptospira in the environment; an epidemiological explanation based on serial analysis of water samples
Authors: Warnasekara Janith , Srimantha Shalka , Senavirathna Indika , Kappagoda Chamila , Farika Nirmani , Nawinna Achala , Agampodi Suneth
Published: February 2022

Human leptospirosis involves the classic epidemiological triad (agent, host and environment); hence the investigations should include the knowledge on Leptospira within the animals and the environment. The objectives of this study are to explore the abundance of Leptospira in different climate zones of Sri Lanka and to describe the presence of Leptospira in the same water source at serial time points. First, water and soil samples were collected from different parts of Sri Lanka (Component-1); second, water sampling continued only in the dry zone (Component-2). Finally, serial water sampling from ten open wells was performed at five different time points (Component-3). Quantitative PCR of water and metagenomic sequencing of soil were performed to detect Leptospira. Three replicates for each sample were used for PCR testing, and positive result of two or more replicates was defined as ‘strongly positive,’ and one positive replicate was defined as positive. In the water and soil sample analysis in the whole country (Component-1), two out of 12 water sites were positive, and both were situated in the wet zone. Very small quantities of the genus Leptospira were detected by 16 amplicon analysis of soil in all 11 sites. In the dry zone water sample analysis (Component-2), only samples from 6 out of 26 sites were positive, of which one site was strongly positive. In the serial sample analysis (Component-3), Six, five, four, five, and six wells were positive in serial measurements. All wells were positive for at least one time point, while only one well was positive for all five time points. Proximity to the tank and greater distances from the main road were associated with strong positive results for Leptospira (P<0.05). The presence of Leptospira was not consistent, indicating the variable abundance of Leptospira in the natural environment. This intermittent nature of positivity could be explained by the repetitive contamination by animal urine.
Body self-esteem is related to subjective well-being, severity of depressive symptoms, BMI, glycated hemoglobin levels, and diabetes-related distress in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Kokoszka Andrzej , Pacura Agata , Kostecka Barbara , Lloyd Cathy E. , Sartorius Norman
Published: February 2022

Background

There are limited data on the role of body image in patients with type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to compare body self-esteem in this group with norms for the general Polish population and to investigate the relationship between body self-esteem and the psychological and clinical characteristics of the course of diabetes.

Methods

A group of 100 consecutive adult patients with type 2 diabetes (49 women and 51 men) aged 35 to 66 years were assessed using the Body Esteem Scale (BES), World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), Problem Areas in Diabetes Scale (PAID), and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D).

Results

In comparison to norms for the general population, women with type 2 diabetes had lower body self-esteem only in the dimension of Physical Condition (M = 30.71; SD = 7.11 versus M = 32.96; SD = 5.69; P = 0.003), whereas men in the dimensions of Physical Condition (M = 42.43; SD = 9.43 versus M = 48.30; SD = 8.42; P <0.001) and Upper Body Strength (M = 32.16; SD = 6.60 versus M = 33.97; SD = 5.86; P = 0.015). There were moderate or weak positive correlations between the overall BES score and/or its dimensions and subjective well-being, and negative correlations between the overall BES score and/or its dimension and the severity of depression symptoms, level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), and diabetes-related distress among women. Among men, BES scores were positively correlated with well-being, and negatively, with BMI and diabetes-related distress. A correlation of r = 0.39 between BES scores and HbA1c levels was relatively high compared with values for other psychosocial factors. Both in women and men, a high Physical Condition score was a significant predictor of better well-being, less severe depression, and milder diabetes-related distress. Among men, it was also a significant predictor of lower BMI, whereas among women, BMI was predicted by Weight Concern.

Conclusions

Persons with diabetes seem to have lower body self-esteem than the general population, which is significantly associated with clinical and psychological characteristics of the diabetes course. The observed differences and relationships are gender-specific.
Persistence of Schistosoma haematobium transmission among school children and its implication for the control of urogenital schistosomiasis in Lindi, Tanzania
Authors: Mushi Vivian , Zacharia Abdallah , Shao Magdalena , Mubi Marycelina , Tarimo Donath
Published: February 2022

Background

Despite twelve rounds of school-based preventive chemotherapy for schistosomiasis in endemic areas of Tanzania such as Mtama district, Lindi: the burden of Schistosoma haematobium infection has remained highly conceivable due to re-infections. The factors associated with continuity of S.haematobium transmission in Mtama district, Lindi have not been fully established. This study investigated the burden and factors contributing to the ongoing transmission of S.haematobium infection in the endemic district of Mtama, Lindi.

Methods

A quantitative cross-sectional survey was carried out among 649 school-age children in the Mtama district to determine the burden and factors associated with continuity of S.haematobium infection transmission. A single urine specimen was obtained from each pupil and tested for macro- and microhaematuria, presence of S.haematobium ova, as well intensity of infection; this was complemented with a survey of Bulinus spp snail intermediate hosts and their infectivity. A structured questionnaire was employed to gather information on individual and environmental risk factors for S.haematobium transmission. Summary statistics were computed for individual variables; while a univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between risk factors with S.haematobium infection.

Results

Prevalence of S.haematobium infection by macro- and microhaematuria was 13.1% and 46.2% respectively. The prevalence of S.haematobium ova was 52.7%; intensity of infection was light in 53.1%, and heavy in 46.9%. Snail intermediate hosts were Bulinus globosus and B.nasutus, whose infectivity was 2.2% and 1.3%, respectively. Among the assessed risk factors, long residency (10–13 years) in the area was a significant risk factor for the continuity of S.haematobium transmission (AOR: 21.79, 95% CI: 1.37–346.4).

Conclusions

The observed 52.7% prevalence of S.haematobium infection represents unacceptably high prevalence after 12 rounds of preventive chemotherapy. Therefore, an urgent need for the implementation of integrated multiple control interventions in the Mtama district; is considered to be imperative.
Every rung counts–A retrospective analysis of global sanitation progress across the service-level ladder under the MDGs
Authors: Zimmerman Julia , Sheridan Charlotte , Cumming Oliver , Elliott Mark
Published: February 2022

The household sanitation target during the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) period used a binary “Improved”/”Unimproved” metric to evaluate progress. The “Unimproved” category was divided into three service levels: Shared Sanitation (facilities acceptable), Unimproved Facilities, and Open Defecation (no facility). Despite these data being publicly available, no analysis of country-level progress across these sanitation service levels during the MDGs has been published. We propose that retrospective analysis of progress across service levels can illuminate the diverse approaches used to address particular urban and rural sanitation deficits, and may provide insight to national and global actors in their ongoing efforts to address household sanitation. Additionally, we propose that a Sanitation Ladder Score, weighted to ascribe full, partial, and no credit to use of improved, shared and unimproved, and open defecation, respectively, is essential for concise communication of progress. Our analysis required gap-filling of data missing from the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) dataset; our final dataset consists of 190 countries representing 99.8% of global population. 149 countries achieved greater progress on the Sanitation Ladder Score than on the MDG metric. Using the four JMP progress categories, 144 countries fell into the same progress category and 41 achieved a higher category of Ladder Score progress. Countries with large gains in shared sanitation tended to have much greater progress on the Sanitation Ladder Score than on the MDG metric. A more detailed analysis is reported for six countries, with insight from the literature into their approaches. This Sanitation Ladder Score could be modified to incorporate the new “Safely Managed” service level tracked under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and likewise could be modified for other SDG targets for which multiple levels of service/achievement are reported. We encourage others to build upon our analysis; our complete dataset is freely available online (https://melliott.people.ua.edu/data.html).
Informal Status Among Adolescents: A Literature Review
Authors: Bocskor Ákos
Published: February 2022

The paper provides an overview of the literature related to peer status and popularity. First, it reviews the theoretical and measurement issues related to the concept of popularity, then a review of the empirical findings with regards to the most important behavioral and personality correlates of status and popularity are presented. The correlates currently inspected are the following: athleticism, aggression, prosocial and risk behavior, academic engagement and performance, leadersip abilities, and other personality traits (e.g. the Big Five). While most of the literature comes from developmental psychology and the quantitative field, the author intends to balance, as much as possible, the sociological, psychological and evolutionary perspectives, as well as the quantitative and qualitative literature. The paper also briefly discusses the effect of peer norms and ethnic and gender differences.
Pelatihan Bahasa Inggris untuk Guru PAUD di Desa Srimulyo, Kecamatan Piyungan, Kabupaten Bantul
Authors: Sudirman Anselmus , Widyarin Theresia Laksmi , Maulana Wisnu Ayub
Published: February 2022

Pelatihan Bahasa Inggris ditujukan untuk para guru PAUD yang mengajar di PAUD DusunNgijo agar mereka memperoleh gambaran tentang tahapan perkembangan anak sejak lahir sampai limatahun dan beberapa tonggak penting lainnya dalam proses belajar dan mengajar Bahasa Inggris. Selain itu,setiap anak berbeda dan berkembang, dan tugas guru PAUD adalah menerima setiap perbedaan anakanak dan mendukung perkembangannya.Pelatihan ini menjadi kerangka kerja untuk memahamikebutuhan anak, bagaimana otak anak berkembang, dan pentingnya interaksi dalam proses belajarmengajar, pentingnya bermain dalam perkembangan dan pembelajaran anak, konsep keterikatan dantimbal balik, dan pentingnya pendidikan anak usia dini. Para guru PAUD menjadi bagian penting daripembelajaran dan perkembangan anak-anak melalui panduan perilaku positif, terutama untuk anak-anakbalita. Pelatihan ini membutuhkan waktu sekitar 1, 5 jam dengan 5 pertemuan selama 2 minggu, dan diisidengan kegiatan-kegiatan diskusi, simulasi mengajar, bagaimana berkreativitas, menonton video pendek,dan mengadakan kuis dan memberikan penilaian.Dalam kegiatan Abdimas ini pemecahan masalah terkaitdengan kemampuan para guru PAUD dalam mengajar Bahasa Inggris untuk anak-anak balita dilakukanmelalui pelatihan selama 2 pertemuan dalam 2 minggu dengan alokasi waktu 2 jam per pertemuan.Pemecahan masalah dalam pelatihan ini mementingkan keterlibatan bersama antara para guru PAUD didusun Ngijo, Desa Srimulyo, Kecamatan Piyungan, Kabupaten Bantul dengan para instruktur ataupemateri pelatihan. Kegiatan-kegiatan pelatihan erat kaitan dengan pemakaian media pembelajaranBahasa Inggris sehingga para guru PAUD belajar meningkatkan kemampuan mengajar Bahasa Inggris,bagaimana mengelola kelas, memberikan kuis dan mengevaluasinya. Hal ini menjadi bagian penting daripemecahan masalah dengan menggunakan teknik simulasi, dan total physical response.
PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT MELALUI PEMANFAATAN PRODUK SAMPINGAN BIOGAS (BIO-SLURRY) DI DUSUN SOMODARAN DESA PURWOMARTANI
Authors: Farihah Tutik
Published: February 2022

Kondisi perekonomian Dusun Somodaran desa Purwomartani terbagi menjadi beberapa sektor dengan sektor utama adalah pertanian, perkebunan, perikanan, peternakan dan industri. Potensi peternakan dapat dilihat dari terdapatnya kandang sapi yang dikelola secara bersama dengan jumlah sapi berkisar 15-20 ekor. Dengan jumlah rata-rata kotoran 15-20 kilogram per sapi perhari, maka jumlah kotoran sapi dalam satu bulan dapat mencapai 9000 -12,000 kilogram atau 108 - 144 ton dalam satu tahun untuk satu kandang sapi bersama. Jumlah ini akan menjadi sumber pencemaran (bau, air) apabila tidak mampu memanfaatkan secara baik namun akan menjadi ladang emas apabila dapat termanfaatkan secara baik. Oleh karena itu, dibutuhkan penelitian yang berbasis pada permasalahan pemanfaatan hasil samping biogas. Dalam penelitian ini terdapat tiga tahapan yakni: identifikasi dan analisis asset.pelatihan pembuatan produk-produk bio slurry, survei untuk mengetahui pengaruh pendampingan terhadap pemahaman kemanfaatan bio-slurry berdasarkaan Analisis Cluster. Berdasarkan analisa cluster pemahaman masyarakat dusun Somodaran diperoleh tiga clusster masyarakat dengan lebih dari 50 % responden berada pada cluster 2 yakni cluster yang memiliki pemahaman secara detail dalam pelaksanaan pembuatan kemanfaatan biogas.
IMPLEMENTASI TEKNOLOGI BLACK SOLDIER FLY LARVAE (BSFL) UNTUK PENGOLAHAN SAMPAH ORGANIK DI DESA SUSUKAN, BANYUMAS
Authors: Ginanti Amalia , Kusuma Trio Yonathan Teja
Published: February 2022

Sampah merupakan sesuatu yang belum termanfaatkan, terutama sampah organik. Oleh karena itu perlu digunakan teknologi yang mampu mengolah sampah organik dan menjadikan sampah menjadi bernilai guna. Upaya yang sedang dilakukan di Desa Susukan adalah dengan menggunakan teknologi Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) atau Larva (Maggot) lalat tentara hitam. Larva BSF dengan kemampuannya mereduksi sampah organik dimanfaatkan untuk mengubah sampah organik sehingga lebih bernilai guna. Tujuan dari kegiatan pengabdian pada masyarakat ini adalah: (1) Mengadakan fasilitas budi daya Larva BSF di desa Susukan (2) Meningkatkan pengetahuan masyarakat desa tentang kegunaan lalat BSF, (3) Memberi ketrampilan tentang teknologi pengolaan sampah organik rumah tangga menggunakan larva BSF, (4) Meningkatkan pengetahuan dan ketrampilan masyarakat tentang pemanfaatan larva BSF sebagai pakan ikan/ternak/unggas,. Metode yang digunakan adalah transfer teknolog i melalui, pelatihan, sosialisasi dan pendampingan. Hasil kegiatan ini adalah masyarakat mengetahui ilmu tentang pengolahan sampah menggunakan larva BSF, ketrampilan masyarakat mengenai pengolahan sampah organik mengggunaan BSF meningkat, masyarakat bisa memberi pakan hewan ternaknya menggunakan maggot. Kegiatan ini telah menarik minat dari masyarakat di sekitarnya, sehingga setelah sesi sosialisasi banyak warga yang datang ke tempat budi daya maggot untuk belajar dan mengambil bibit maggot
JEMAAH MAHASISWA SALAFI DI MASJID POGUNG YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Sirait Arbi Mulya
Published: February 2022

This paper aims to describe the religious attitudes of salafi students who emerge and develop through religious and social activities in the Pogung Dalangan Mosque and the Pogung Raya Mosque, and so the extent of the functions and roles of the mosque in facilitating religious activities. In the final section, their social life and their responses to several developing issues are presented. To get the data in this paper, the writer uses interview, questionnaire and observation methods. The total sample in this study amounted to twenty-seven salafi students. This research uses the theory of religiosity and the sociology of religion theory. Based on the results of research conducted it can be concluded that in terms of beliefs, the principles used by this community are basically the same as Muslims in general, only in terms of expression, they are more strict and consistent as far as they understand. In the aspect of worship, this community only truly carries out religious activities that are based on religious norms, without opening up opportunities for cultural integration. They always try to maintain their religious originality to avoid things that threaten religion. Salafi students also do not provide positive response to western thought such as democracy, pluralism and gender equality. They assume that these thoughts cannot be compared with the teachings of Islam.
Value-Action Gap in Climate Change Indonesians
Authors: Rahmani Ardhi Arsala , Wijaya Muhammad Ery , Hirawan Fajar B.
Published: February 2022

The problem of climate change is defined by continued sea-level rise, melting of the ice caps, and increasing global temperatures. However, despite increasing informational awareness towards these facts by government and grassroots advocacy in many countries, emissions as the leading determinant of climate change continue to rise, with the growing consumption and activities being major emitters. In behavioral studies, this gap between perceived concerns and reflected actions is called the ‘value-action gap’ (VAG). This research evaluates the existence of a VAG among the Indonesians as increasingly significant emitters. Therefore, this researchaims to determines whether relationships exist between climate change knowledge, reported concerns, and exhibited actions taken to mitigate climate change. The research proposes the hypotheses that concerns and awareness of climate change are high among the studied population, but do not influence high climate behavior. The research gathers three class variables through a quantitative sampling, namely climate change knowledge, climate change concerns, and climate change behaviors. The gap is then calculated as a subtraction score between the latter two variables. Moreover, discrepancies between the actions taken and reported concerns are assessed, showcasing policy implications going forward.The findings of this research based on the sample suggest that varying income groups of urbanite households hold significant knowledge of climate change and have reported concerns towards the issue, and that the two as variables are linked to each other.