bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic and therapeutic odyssey of two patients with compound heterozygous leptin receptor deficiency
Authors: Zorn Stefanie , von Schnurbein Julia , Kohlsdorf Katja , Denzer Christian , Wabitsch Martin
Published: November 2020

Background

Rare genetic variations in the leptin-melanocortin signalling pathway can severely impair appetite regulation and cause extreme obesity in early childhood.

Case presentation

Our case reports describe the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in a girl as well as in a non-related boy of non-consanguineous, German parents with severe early-onset obesity, pronounced hyperphagia, and permanent food-seeking behaviour. Excessive weight gain within the first year of life initiated extensive diagnostics without finding a causal diagnosis. Furthermore, a wide range of intensive, interdisciplinary, and behavioural therapies for weight control were unsuccessful. Prior to bariatric surgery, the 18-year-old girl and the 14-year-old boy reached a BMI of 67.7 kg/m2 and 55.2 kg/m2, respectively. However, even surgical outcomes were unsatisfactory. A subsequently initiated genetic analysis including sequencing of the leptin receptor gene revealed compound heterozygous variants as a cause of the severe early-onset obesity in both patients (c.2598-3_2607delTAGAATGAAAAAG and c.2227 T>C; c.1874G>A and c.2051A>C). Both patients were enrolled in the clinical study RM-493-015 and treated with melanocortin receptor agonist setmelanotide. Currently, they are still on setmelanotide treatment in the extension trial RM-493-022.

Conclusion

Our case report illustrates the urgent necessity of early genetic diagnostics in children with severe early-onset obesity to avoid frustrating and potentially damaging therapies. Thus, genetic examination should precede bariatric surgery. In the future, several pharmacological therapies will be available for some forms of monogenetic obesity.
Unmasking a wild man: scientific analysis of Bertoldo di Giovanni’s Shield Bearer in The Frick Collection
Authors: Basso Elena , Pozzi Federica , Day Julia , Borsch Linda
Published: November 2020

Bertoldo di Giovanni (ca. 1440–1491) was the primary sculptor and medal worker for Lorenzo the Magnificent (1449–1492). Despite being one of the most prominent Italian Renaissance artists working in Florence, little is known about his workshop and practice. The Frick Collection, New York, owns a Shield Bearer, one of a small number of bronze statuettes attributed to Bertoldo predominantly based on stylistic grounds. This article presents the results obtained from the scientific analysis of The Frick statuette, including a detailed technical characterization of the casting alloy, gilding, solder, organic coatings, and other later alterations. An array of analytical techniques was employed, including X-radiography, micro- and portable X-ray fluorescence (μXRF and pXRF) spectroscopies, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), Raman and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies, and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). This work supported a larger technical study of Bertoldo’s statuettes and reliefs related to an exhibition organized by The Frick, which brought together a select group of medals, as well as eleven bronzes ascribed to the artist, including the museum’s statuette. Close collaboration between conservators, curators, and scientists was critical throughout the study of the Shield Bearer, which also included extensive visual examination of the object in order to understand details of manufacture, identify sampling sites, and interpret the collected data. This study confirmed that The Frick figure was cast from the same brass alloy as a second very similar Shield Bearer in the Liechtenstein Collection, Vienna, suggesting that the two are a pendant pair that was likely cast simultaneously. In addition, analysis supported the assertion that the copper base on The Frick sculpture is original and assisted in identifying later alterations in both works. This focused research has expanded the current knowledge of the sculptor’s materials and methods, enabling scholars to better contextualize his artistic production within the framework of Italian Renaissance sculpture.
The anti-scarring effect of corneal stromal stem cell therapy is mediated by transforming growth factor β3
Authors: Weng Lin , Funderburgh James L. , Khandaker Irona , Geary Moira L. , Yang Tianbing , Basu Rohan , Funderburgh Martha L. , Du Yiqin , Yam Gary Hin-Fai
Published: November 2020

Background

Corneal stromal stem cells (CSSC) reduce corneal inflammation, prevent fibrotic scarring, and regenerate transparent stromal tissue in injured corneas. These effects rely on factors produced by CSSC to block the fibrotic gene expression. This study investigated the mechanism of the scar-free regeneration effect.

Methods

Primary human CSSC (hCSSC) from donor corneal rims were cultivated to passage 3 and co-cultured with mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells induced to M1 pro-inflammatory phenotype by treatment with interferon-γ and lipopolysaccharides, or to M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype by interleukin-4, in a Transwell system. The time-course expression of human transforming growth factor β3 (hTGFβ3) and hTGFβ1 were examined by immunofluorescence and qPCR. TGFβ3 knockdown for > 70% in hCSSC [hCSSC-TGFβ3(si)] was achieved by small interfering RNA transfection. Naïve CSSC and hCSSC-TGFβ3(si) were transplanted in a fibrin gel to mouse corneas, respectively, after wounding by stromal ablation. Corneal clarity and the expression of mouse inflammatory and fibrosis genes were examined.

Results

hTGFβ3 was upregulated by hCSSC when co-cultured with RAW cells under M1 condition. Transplantation of hCSSC to wounded mouse corneas showed significant upregulation of hTGFβ3 at days 1 and 3 post-injury, along with the reduced expression of mouse inflammatory genes (CD80, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 5, lipocalin 2, plasminogen activator urokinase receptor, pro-platelet basic protein, and secreted phosphoprotein 1). By day 14, hCSSC treatment significantly reduced the expression of fibrotic and scar tissue genes (fibronectin, hyaluronan synthase 2, Secreted protein acidic and cysteine rich, tenascin C, collagen 3a1 and α-smooth muscle actin), and the injured corneas remained clear. However, hCSSC-TGFβ3(si) lost these anti-inflammatory and anti-scarring functions, and the wounded corneas showed intense scarring.

Conclusion

This study has demonstrated that the corneal regenerative effect of hCSSC is mediated by TGFβ3, inducing a scar-free tissue response.
Naming the untouchable – environmental sequences and niche partitioning as taxonomical evidence in fungi
Authors: Kalsoom Khan Faheema , Kluting Kerri , Tångrot Jeanette , Urbina Hector , Ammunet Tea , Eshghi Sahraei Shadi , Rydén Martin , Ryberg Martin , Rosling Anna
Published: November 2020

Due to their submerged and cryptic lifestyle, the vast majority of fungal species are difficult to observe and describe morphologically, and many remain known to science only from sequences detected in environmental samples. The lack of practices to delimit and name most fungal species is a staggering limitation to communication and interpretation of ecology and evolution in kingdom Fungi. Here, we use environmental sequence data as taxonomical evidence and combine phylogenetic and ecological data to generate and test species hypotheses in the class Archaeorhizomycetes (Taphrinomycotina, Ascomycota). Based on environmental amplicon sequencing from a well-studied Swedish pine forest podzol soil, we generate 68 distinct species hypotheses of Archaeorhizomycetes, of which two correspond to the only described species in the class. Nine of the species hypotheses represent 78% of the sequenced Archaeorhizomycetes community, and are supported by long read data that form the backbone for delimiting species hypothesis based on phylogenetic branch lengths.

Soil fungal communities are shaped by environmental filtering and competitive exclusion so that closely related species are less likely to co-occur in a niche if adaptive traits are evolutionarily conserved. In soil profiles, distinct vertical horizons represent a testable niche dimension, and we found significantly differential distribution across samples for a well-supported pair of sister species hypotheses. Based on the combination of phylogenetic and ecological evidence, we identify two novel species for which we provide molecular diagnostics and propose names. While environmental sequences cannot be automatically translated to species, they can be used to generate phylogenetically distinct species hypotheses that can be further tested using sequences as ecological evidence. We conclude that in the case of abundantly and frequently observed species, environmental sequences can support species recognition in the absences of physical specimens, while rare taxa remain uncaptured at our sampling and sequencing intensity.
La Real Pragmática en la Real Audiencia de Quito: Raza, clase y género hacia fines de la Colonia
Authors: Torres Alicia
Published: November 2020

Este artículo analiza los litigios presentados en las cortes de la Audiencia de Quito entre fines del siglo XVIII e inicios del XIX que se acogieron a la Pragmática Sanción expedida en 1776, una legislación sobre el consentimiento de los padres para el matrimonio de los hijos e hijas menores de 25 años que buscaba impedir los matrimonios desiguales. Argumenta que las relaciones entre hombres y mujeres de la Real Audiencia de Quito durante el siglo XVIII fueron marcadamente desiguales, fruto de una estructura social jerárquica basada en diferencias relacionadas con el estatus, la clase, la raza y el género. Sin embargo, esta estructura social jerarquizada fue también porosa y cambiante. Los criterios de desigualdad no fueron definidos por la Corona y esta indefinición permitió que el disenso de los padres apelara a categorías que incluyeron la clase, la raza, la calidad y el estatus, las cuales se construían en la vida cotidiana, en la práctica diaria. De esta manera, se demuestra que la identidad de las personas se definió a lo largo de las querellas. Los hombres y mujeres desafiaron las formas aceptables de construir las relaciones de pareja. Desafiaron, por lo tanto, el intento de la Corona por limitar su capacidad de elección y, al hacerlo, dieron cuenta de cómo se construía la autoridad imperial en el Quito del siglo XVIII: en el aquí y en el ahora.
A systematic review of criminal recidivism rates worldwide: 3-year update
Authors: Yukhnenko Denis , Sridhar Shivpriya , Fazel Seena
Published: November 2020

Background: Comparing recidivism rates between countries may provide useful information about the relative effectiveness of different criminal justice policies. A previous 2015 review identified criminal recidivism data for 18 countries and found little consistency in outcome definitions and time periods. We aimed to update recidivism rates in prisoners internationally.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of criminal recidivism rates in prisoners and followed PRISMA guidelines. Using five bibliographic indexes, we carried out non-country-specific and targeted searches for 50 countries with the largest total prison populations. We included reports and studies of released prisoners that reported re-arrest, reconviction and reincarceration rates. Meta-analysis was not possible due to multiple sources of heterogeneity.

Results: We identified criminal recidivism information for 23 countries. Of the 50 countries with the largest prison populations, 10 reported recidivism rates for prisoners. The most commonly reported outcome was the 2-year reconviction rate. We were able to examine reconviction between different time periods for 11 countries and found that most reported small changes in official recidivism rates. Overall, for 2-year follow-up period, reported re-arrest rates were between 26% and 60%, reconviction rates ranged from 20% to 63%, and reimprisonment rates varied from 14 to 45%.

Conclusions: Although some countries have made efforts to improve reporting, recidivism rates are not comparable between countries. Criminal justice agencies should consider using reporting guidelines described here to update their data.
All thresholds of maternal hyperglycaemia from the WHO 2013 criteria for gestational diabetes identify women with a higher genetic risk for type 2 diabetes
Authors: Hughes Alice E. , Hayes M. Geoffrey , Egan Aoife M. , Patel Kashyap A. , Scholtens Denise M. , Lowe Lynn P. , Lowe Jr William L. , Dunne Fidelma P. , Hattersley Andrew T. , Freathy Rachel M.
Published: November 2020

Background: Using genetic scores for fasting plasma glucose (FPG GS) and type 2 diabetes (T2D GS), we investigated whether the fasting, 1-hour and 2-hour glucose thresholds from the WHO 2013 criteria for gestational diabetes (GDM) have different implications for genetic susceptibility to raised fasting glucose and type 2 diabetes in women from the Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) and Atlantic Diabetes in Pregnancy (DIP) studies.

Methods: Cases were divided into three subgroups: (i) FPG ≥5.1 mmol/L only, n=222; (ii) 1-hour glucose post 75 g oral glucose load ≥10 mmol/L only, n=154 (iii) 2-hour glucose ≥8.5 mmol/L only, n=73; and (iv) both FPG ≥5.1 mmol/L and either of a 1-hour glucose ≥10 mmol/L or 2-hour glucose ≥8.5 mmol/L, n=172. We compared the FPG and T2D GS of these groups with controls (n=3,091) in HAPO and DIP separately.

Results: In HAPO and DIP, the mean FPG GS in women with a FPG ≥5.1 mmol/L, either on its own or with 1-hour glucose ≥10 mmol/L or 2-hour glucose ≥8.5 mmol/L, was higher than controls (all P <0.01). Mean T2D GS in women with a raised FPG alone or with either a raised 1-hour or 2-hour glucose was higher than controls (all P <0.05). GDM defined by 1-hour or 2-hour hyperglycaemia only was also associated with a higher T2D GS than controls (all P <0.05).

Conclusions: The different diagnostic categories that are part of the WHO 2013 criteria for GDM identify women with a genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes as well as a risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
The Young Lives Matter study protocol: A case-control study of the determinants of suicide attempts in young people in India
Authors: Balaji Madhumitha , Vijayakumar Lakshmi , Phillips Michael , Panse Smita , Santre Manjeet , Pathare Soumitra , Patel Vikram
Published: November 2020

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people in India. Over 40% of all suicides occur in people between 15 and 29 years of age. Suicide attempts are estimated to be 15 times more common than suicides and substantially increase the risk of subsequent death. However, there has been little systematic study of the determinants for suicide attempts in young people, which makes it difficult to design contextually appropriate and comprehensive suicide prevention strategies for this population. The proposed case-control study seeks to address this knowledge gap by studying a range of risk and protective factors for suicide attempts in young people in India. Field work will be in Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital (YCMH) hospital, in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune, India. Cases will be 15-29-year-old individuals admitted to the hospital with self-inflicted non-lethal injuries and poisoning. They will be matched for age and gender with those presenting at the General Medicine outpatient department with other health complaints. In each group, 150 persons will be recruited from YCMH from October 2019 to September 2022 and will undergo a comprehensive semi-structured interview. The primary exposure variable is negative life events over the past 12 months. Secondary exposure variables considered include: demographic characteristics, psychological factors, addictive behaviours, personal resources, adverse experiences over their lifetime, social support, suicidal behaviours in the family and social environment, and exposure to suicide-related information. Data will be analysed using conditional logistic regression. Following completion of the study, workshops will be held with young people, mental health professionals and policy makers to develop a theory of change that will be used to promote suicide prevention. Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications, reports to young people and mental health organisations, and news articles. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at Sangath.
On-Time Last-Mile Delivery: Order Assignment with Travel-Time Predictors
Authors: Liu Sheng , He Long , Max Shen Zuo-Jun
Published: November 2020

We study how delivery data can be applied to improve the on-time performance of last-mile delivery services. Motivated by the delivery operations and data of a food delivery service provider, we discuss a framework that integrates travel-time predictors with order-assignment optimization. Such integration enables us to capture the driver’s routing behavior in practice as the driver’s decision-making process is often unobservable or intricate to model. Focusing on the order-assignment problem as an example, we discuss the classes of tractable predictors and prediction models that are highly compatible with the existing stochastic and robust optimization tools. We further provide reformulations of the integrated models, which can be efficiently solved with the proposed branch-and-price algorithm. Moreover, we propose two simple heuristics for the multiperiod order-assignment problem, and they are built upon single-period solutions. Using the delivery data, our numerical experiments on a real-world application not only demonstrate the superior performance of our proposed order-assignment models with travel-time predictors, but also highlight the importance of learning behavioral aspects from operational data. We find that a large sample size does not necessarily compensate for the misspecification of the driver’s routing behavior.

This paper was accepted by Hamid Nazerzadeh, big data analytics.
Focal lesions of the liver: imaging appearances and management
Authors: James Anitha
Published: November 2020

With the increasing use of cross-sectional imaging, the detection of incidental liver lesions has become more common. Accurate and reliable characterisation of these is vital for optimal patient care. Owing to the great improvements in medical imaging technology in recent years, particularly magnetic resonance imaging, it is now possible to characterise a significant proportion of these non-invasively. This is of paramount importance in improving patient safety and reducing costs by avoiding unnecessary biopsies. This article gives a synopsis of the different imaging modalities for liver. It depicts the salient imaging features of the common benign and malignant focal liver lesions on different imaging modalities, with emphasis on magnetic resonance imaging. It demonstrates the pseudolesions, variants, mimics and pitfalls that occur in liver imaging. The tailored magnetic resonance imaging protocols including abbreviated ones, the contrast agents and the pathway for managing incidental liver lesions in the author's institution are covered.
Development and Validation of UV-Spectrophotometric Method for Estimation of Doxofylline in Bulk and Tablets
Authors: Paul Subrata , Karim Mia Abdul , Sarker Sabarni , Biswas Sheta , Bal Puja , Rani Dey Trisha , Kumar Pal Tarun
Published: November 2020

Doxofylline is a xanthine derivative and it has its application as a bronchodilator in different pulmonary conditions like asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). The research was conducted with the objective to develop and validate a simple, easy, rapid and cost-effective UV-Spectrophotometric method to estimate the amount of doxofylline in bulk and tablets. The validating parameters and methodology were selected and performed according to ICH and USP guidelines. In the accuracy study, the mean % recovery was within the limit (100.20%) with %RSD 0.77. The mean of % assay and %RSD of intra-assay precision study was found 99.81 and 0.79 respectively with only 0.57% variation between two analysts in intermediate precision study. The linearity study demonstrated the value of the correlation coefficient is 0.9999 whereas the robustness studies showed a slight but negligible variation of absorbance while changing different operating parameters. In system suitability study, the %RSD was found less than 2.00%. According to the specificity study, there were no placebo and diluent effect on the absorbance measurements.
Synthesis, Characterisation and Antibacterial Activity of Some Indole Derivatives and Their Inclusion Complexes with β-Cyclodextrin
Authors: Kumar Rajeev , Kumar Sanjay , Bala Madhu
Published: November 2020

The condensation product of isatin with semicarbazide(IstscabH), thiosemicarbazide (IsttscabH) and thiocarbohydrazide (BisttcabH) form inclusion complexes with β-cyclodextrin (β-cydx=C42H70O35), in 1:1 molar ratio having composition [β-cydx-IstscabH/IsttscabH] and [(β-cydx-BisttcabH)]. The inclusion complexes have been charactised from the studies of IR, UV, NMR and molecular weight determination.The inclusion products are thermally more stable than β-cyclodextrin (240°C). The IR, UV and NMR spectra of isatin derivatives are affected on forming inclusion complexes with β-cyclodextrin ring. The inclusion products as well as isatin derivatives show ionic nature at room temperature in DMF solution. The antibacterial activity of inclusion products are larger than simple Schiff bases.
Assessment of Salts Effect in Sugar-aqueous System
Authors: Kumari Om , Mohan Braj , Kumar Vikesh , Kumar Sailendra
Published: November 2020

In the present study, the preferential salvation of salts in sugar-aqueous systems has been considered. It is carried out by using conductometric observation of analytical grade sugar and plantation white sugar aqueous system with salts viz. CaCl2, MgCl2, KCl, NaCl. It shows that the conductivity is in a linear relationship with the electrolytes and non-sugar present in both analytical grade sugar and plantation white sugar over a range of 5 to 25 W/V percent. The optimum range of concentration found to be for both the sugars is about 20%. Encouraging results could be obtained in the determination of sugars i.e. non-electrolytes and electrolytes in aqueous sugar solution products. The present study shows valid technological interest to understand the Maillard reaction due to the adoption of MgCl2 salt in place of sulphite. These sugars–salts complexes are responsible for the formation of molasses which leads to substantial loss of sugar of around ten percent of the total sugar present in cane.
How government sees couples on Universal Credit: a critical gender perspective
Authors: Bennett Fran
Published: November 2020

Universal Credit is a fundamental reform of the UK’s social security system. It is also seen as embodying a traditional view of the family. Drawing on principles for gender analysis of ‘welfare reform’, this article critically examines how couples claiming Universal Credit are conceptualised by the UK government, in relation to equality impact assessments of the proposals; guidance for, and data and studies about, claimants; policy debates; and research by or for government. It demonstrates a failure to interrogate the concept of the unitary household or the two-way influence of gender roles, relationships and inequalities within couples and ‘welfare reform’.
Twin crises deepen Gulf states’ policy competition and independence
Authors: Young Karen E.
Published: November 2020

A crisis often presents an opportunity for policy shift and a time to get ahead of the competition. But for the Gulf Arab states, the twin crises of the Covid-19 pandemic and the collapse of oil prices in 2020 have accelerated trends already underway to differentiate their economic policies and force more aggressive responses to demands for job creation and market liberalization. The Covid-19 pandemic has called upon states to intervene and support domestic economies, making the competing priorities of shrinking public sector payrolls and stimulating domestic demand all the more difficult. What emerges are trade-offs that reveal leadership priorities, targeted support, and important distinctions within the ever-weakening body of the GCC on a range of policies from immigration, labor markets, fiscal programs and taxes, to monetary policy.
Optimized design of the light source for an indoor visible light communication system based on an improved bat algorithm
Authors: Huang Li , Wang Ping , Wang Jingyu , Chi Sihui , Niu Shuqiang , Nan Xi , Che Hui
Published: November 2020

Aiming at the problem of uneven distribution of receiving illuminance
and optical power on the receiving plane of the visible light
communication (VLC) system, this paper proposes a light source
optimization method based on an improved bat algorithm (IBA). Taking
the rectangular and hybrid layouts with 16 light-emitting diodes
(LEDs), as examples, we set the variance of received light power on
the receiving plane as the fitness function. By redesigning the speed
update method and local search method of the traditional bat algorithm
(BA), the IBA is used to optimize the LED half-power angle and LED
position that affect the system performance. The simulation results
show that, considering the primary reflection of the wall, the method
can reduce the received illumination and optical power fluctuation of
the receiving plane within a limited number of iterations under
different light source layout schemes.
Practical, open source, GPU-accelerated, high-fidelity phase retrieval by simultaneous propagations
Authors: Jamal Muhammad Tahir , Hansen Anders Kragh
Published: November 2020

Phase retrieval is a highly useful technique that allows the calculation of the complex electric field of a beam of spatially coherent radiation based only on recordings of intensity profiles with a camera. In this work, we demonstrate what we believe, to the best of our knowledge, is a new technique for single-beam multiple-intensity phase retrieval based on simultaneous propagations that provides improved fidelity results compared to standard methods (0.9931 compared to 0.9646) and a 34 dB reduction in background noise level. The implementation is fast, open source, user friendly, and can be run on either CPUs or GPUs. It is available for download at https://gitlab.gbar.dtu.dk/biophotonics/PhaseRetrieval.
Fringe field-tunable LC refractive index interface for in-plane beam steering applications
Authors: Rushnova Irina I. , Melnikova Elena A. , Kabanova Olga S. , Tolstik Alexei L. , Muravsky Alexander A.
Published: November 2020

We report on the electrically tunable optical structure based on dual-domain nematic liquid crystal (LC) alignment for in-plane beam steering applications. The device operates due to the total internal reflection of an extraordinary beam at the LC refractive index interface that separates homeotropic and planar-aligned nematics. Patterned electrodes were used in order to switch on the refractive index interface in the bulk of a planar-aligned LC layer. An outstanding feature of the proposed device is the function of tuning the spatial position of the LC interface by means of a fringing electric field, which allowed one to implement wide range light beam microscanning, as well as to realize in-plane angular beam steering with a milliradian resolution.
Long-wave infrared multi-wavelength optical source for standoff detection of chemical warfare agents
Authors: Melkonian Jean-Michel , Armougom Julie , Raybaut Myriam , Dherbecourt Jean-Baptiste , Gorju Guillaume , Cézard Nicolas , Godard Antoine , Pašiškevičius Valdas , Coetzee Riaan , Kadlčák Jiří
Published: November 2020

We have designed and built a wavelength-tunable optical source for standoff detection of gaseous chemicals by differential absorption spectrometry in the long-wave infrared. It is based on a nanosecond 2 µm single-frequency optical parametric oscillator, whose idler wave is amplified in large aperture Rb:PPKTP crystals. The signal and idler waves are mixed in

Z
n
G
e
P

2

crystals to produce single-frequency tunable radiation in the 7.5–10.5 µm range. The source was integrated into a direct detection lidar to measure sarin and sulfur mustard inside a closed chamber, in an integrated path configuration with a noncooperative target.
Design of zoom systems composed of lenses with variable focal length
Authors: Mikš Antonín , Pokorný Petr
Published: November 2020

This paper develops a methodology for a design of zoom-systems, which are composed of thin optical components with a variable focal length (e.g., membrane lenses). The proposed procedure allows us to design not only the outer parameters of the system (focal lengths and separation of lenses), but the inner structure of individual components of the system can be calculated as well (radii of curvature, thicknesses, and refractive indices) i.e., the starting values of the mentioned parameters can be calculated and used for the next optimization.
Polarization independent and temperature tolerant AWG based on a silicon nitride platform
Authors: Guerber Sylvain , Alonso-Ramos Carlos Alberto , Le Roux Xavier , Vulliet Nathalie , Cassan Eric , Marris-Morini Delphine , Boeuf Frédéric , Vivien Laurent
Published: November 2020

A polarization tolerant optical receiver is a key building block for the development of wavelength division multiplexing based high-speed optical data links. However, the design of a polarization independent demultiplexer is not trivial. In this Letter, we report on the realization of a polarization tolerant arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) on a 300-mm silicon nitride (SiN) photonic platform. By introducing a series of individual polarization rotators in the middle of the waveguide array, the polarization dependence of the AWG has been substantially reduced. Insertion losses below 2.2 dB and a crosstalk level better than

−

29

d
B

has been obtained for transverse electric and transverse magnetic polarizations on a four-channel coarse AWG. The AWG temperature sensitivity has also been evaluated. Thanks to the low thermo-optical coefficient of SiN, a thermal shift below 12 pm/°C has been demonstrated.
Testing structural identifiability by a simple scaling method
Authors: Castro Mario , de Boer Rob J.
Published: November 2020

Successful mathematical modeling of biological processes relies on the expertise of the modeler to capture the essential mechanisms in the process at hand and on the ability to extract useful information from empirical data. A model is said to be structurally unidentifiable, if different quantitative sets of parameters provide the same observable outcome. This is typical (but not exclusive) of partially observed problems in which only a few variables can be experimentally measured. Most of the available methods to test the structural identifiability of a model are either too complex mathematically for the general practitioner to be applied, or require involved calculations or numerical computation for complex non-linear models. In this work, we present a new analytical method to test structural identifiability of models based on ordinary differential equations, based on the invariance of the equations under the scaling transformation of its parameters. The method is based on rigorous mathematical results but it is easy and quick to apply, even to test the identifiability of sophisticated highly non-linear models. We illustrate our method by example and compare its performance with other existing methods in the literature.
A recurrent neural network framework for flexible and adaptive decision making based on sequence learning
Authors: Zhang Zhewei , Cheng Huzi , Yang Tianming
Published: November 2020

The brain makes flexible and adaptive responses in a complicated and ever-changing environment for an organism’s survival. To achieve this, the brain needs to understand the contingencies between its sensory inputs, actions, and rewards. This is analogous to the statistical inference that has been extensively studied in the natural language processing field, where recent developments of recurrent neural networks have found many successes. We wonder whether these neural networks, the gated recurrent unit (GRU) networks in particular, reflect how the brain solves the contingency problem. Therefore, we build a GRU network framework inspired by the statistical learning approach of NLP and test it with four exemplar behavior tasks previously used in empirical studies. The network models are trained to predict future events based on past events, both comprising sensory, action, and reward events. We show the networks can successfully reproduce animal and human behavior. The networks generalize the training, perform Bayesian inference in novel conditions, and adapt their choices when event contingencies vary. Importantly, units in the network encode task variables and exhibit activity patterns that match previous neurophysiology findings. Our results suggest that the neural network approach based on statistical sequence learning may reflect the brain’s computational principle underlying flexible and adaptive behaviors and serve as a useful approach to understand the brain.
Serious limitations of the current strategy to control Soil-Transmitted Helminths and added value of Ivermectin/Albendazole mass administration: A population-based observational study in Cameroon
Authors: Djune-Yemeli Linda , Nana-Djeunga Hugues C. , Lenou-Nanga Cédric G. , Donfo-Azafack Cyrille , Domche André , Fossuo-Thotchum Floribert , Niamsi-Emalio Yannick , Ntoumi Francine , Kamgno Joseph
Published: November 2020

Background

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections remain a public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. School-based mass drug administration (MDA) using the anthelminthic drug Mebendazole/Albendazole have succeeded in controlling morbidity associated to these diseases but failed to interrupt their transmission. In areas were filarial diseases are co-endemic, another anthelminthic drug (Ivermectin) is distributed to almost the entire population, following the community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) strategy. Since Ivermectin is a broad spectrum anthelmintic known to be effective against STH, we conducted cross-sectional surveys in two health districts with very contrasting histories of Ivermectin/Albendazole-based PC in order to investigate whether CDTI might have contributed in STH transmission interruption.

Methodology

Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in two health districts with similar socio-environmental patterns but with very contrasting CDTI histories (Akonolinga health district where CDTI was yet to be implemented vs. Yabassi health district where CDTI has been ongoing for two decades). Stool samples were collected from all volunteers aged >2 years old and analyzed using the Kato-Katz technique. Infections by different STH species were compared between Akonolinga and Yabassi health districts to decipher the impact of Ivermectin/Albendazole-based MDA on STH transmission.

Principal findings

A total of 610 and 584 participants aged 2–90 years old were enrolled in Akonolinga and Yabassi health districts, respectively. Two STH species (Ascaris lumbricoidesandTrichuris trichiura) were found, with prevalence significantly higher in Akonolinga health district (43.3%; 95% CI: 38.1–46.6) compared to Yabassi health district (2.5%; 95% CI: 1.1–5.1) (chi-square: 90.8; df: 1; p < 0.001).

Conclusion/significance

These findings (i) suggest that Mebendazole- or Albendazole-based MDA alone distributed only to at-risk populations might not be enough to eliminate STH, (ii) support the collateral impact of Ivermectin/Albendazole MDA onA.lumbricoidesandT.trichiurainfections, and (iii) suggest that Ivermectin/Albendazole-based PC could accelerate STH transmission interruption.
A voluntary use of insecticide treated nets can stop the vector transmission of Chagas disease
Authors: Han Cheol Yong , Issa Habeeb , Rychtář Jan , Taylor Dewey , Umana Nancy
Published: November 2020

One of the stated goals of the London Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases is the interruption of domiciliary transmissions of Chagas disease in the region of the Americas. We used a game-theoretic approach to assess the voluntary use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) in the prevention of the spread of infection through vector bites. Our results show that individuals behave rationally and weigh the risks of insect bites against the cost of the ITNs. The optimal voluntary use of ITNs results in predicted incidence rates that closely track the real incidence rates in Latin America. This means that ITNs are effective and could be used to control the spread of the disease by relying on individual decisions rather than centralized policies. Our model shows that to completely eradicate the vector transmission through the voluntary individual use of ITNs, the cost of ITNs should be as low as possible.
La simbologia dei volatilia in Plutarco
Authors: Guarino Gabriella
Published: November 2020

The animal’s multifunctionality in Plutarch is irrefutable: the animal can be object of pseudo-scientific and ethological studies; it can be a symbol, a metaphor, the similitude’s object, an instrumentum used to refute the ideas and to persuade the reader, a filo-animalistic object. Interesting is the zoological repertoire’s re-use. In other words, the zoological repertoire is reused with a different meaning from its origin and is forced to take those characteristics fixed by the author. In this article I focus on the description of some birds that have their name (in the greek language) starting with the letter alpha, such as the eagle, the cormorant and the nightingale.
Il Non posse suaviter vivi secundum Epicurum: alcune note testuali
Authors: Postiglione Simona
Published: November 2020

This article is based on some text annotations related to parts of the first chapters of the anti-epicurean polemic work Non posse suaviter vivi secundum Epicurum, written by Plutarch. Far from proposing a conclusive inference about some of the controversial interpretations made out of Plutarch’s work, this article aims - on the contrary - to present some observations of the text for contributing to further discussions on this matter.
Teaching digital literature: Alice Inanimada em Portugal
Authors: Machado Ana Maria , Albuquerque e Aguilar Ana
Published: November 2020

This article seeks to describe the development of the project “Inanimate Alice: translating digital literature in an educational context”, of the Centre for Portuguese Literature at the University of Coimbra. We will address the different stages of the project and the processes involved, namely, the translation of the first five episodes of the series, the translation and the creation of pedagogical materials adapted to the Portuguese curriculum, the applied research with episodes 1 and 2 of Alice Inanimada in two Portuguese schools, the data collection and analysis relating to the experience and reception of the work by students and teachers, and the teacher training course created to respond to the challenges of teaching a digital literary work, in partnership with the Portuguese National Reading Plan – PNL2027, thereby filling a gap in this area, in Portugal. In addition to a reflection on all the research stages, we will present the plans for the future of the project.
Respostas leitoras à literatura infantil digital, recursos sonoros e mediação
Authors: Moraes Giselly Lima de , Muniz Dinéa Maria Sobral
Published: November 2020

Os recursos sonoros presentes na literatura infantil digital modificam a experiência leitora por introduzir novas possibilidades interpretativas e interativas. Este trabalho trata das respostas leitoras de seis crianças à trilha sonora de appbooks de literatura infantil, analisadas a partir de uma experiência prática em uma escola pública da Catalunha. A atividade de mediação envolveu a realização de oficinas literárias, com o objetivo de identificar aspectos da relação transacional entre obra e leitor. Essas análises apontaram indícios do papel mediador dos recursos sonoros na construção de uma interação de caráter tanto estético, ou seja, sensível, pessoal e afetivo, como eferente, de caráter mais reflexivo, com a literatura digital.
Ensino multimodal do português: uma proposta pedagógica a partir da obra experimental-digital de Rui Torres
Authors: Guerreiro Dias Sandra
Published: November 2020

A mudança de paradigma da cultura impressa para a cultura mediática digital pressupõe a adequação de um modelo pedagógico de formação linguística que contemple os desafios e a especificidade de uma materialidade comunicativa e linguística sustentada numa nova ecologia dos meios. Neste artigo, apresenta-se uma proposta pedagógica para as unidades curriculares de iniciação à linguística e aos estudos literários (Português I e II), lecionadas no âmbito do curso de Licenciatura em Ensino Básico, no Instituto Politécnico de Beja.  Parte-se dos referenciais da Direção-Geral da Educação em articulação com princípios de análise dos Estudos Literários Digitais. A proposta tem como base a obra literária digital de Rui Torres, um dos autores recentemente integrados no Plano Nacional de Leitura (PNL).
Enseñar literatura digital y memoria histórica en el aula ELE a partir de ‘El poema que cruzó el Atlántico’ (2019) de María Mencía
Authors: Martín-Villarreal Juan Pedro
Published: November 2020

Este artículo presenta una propuesta didáctica para la enseñanza de la literatura digital y el tratamiento del tema de la memoria histórica en el aula universitaria de español para extranjeros a partir de la lectura de la obra digital El poema que cruzó el Atlántico (2019), de la escritora hispano-británica María Mencía. Esta experiencia didáctica pretende incluir de manera integral la enseñanza de la literatura digital como una parte más de la literatura actual además de señalar los problemas a los que estudiantes que han sido habitualmente considerados “nativos digitales” se enfrentan ante la lectura crítica de un texto digital para el que requieren de unas competencias en alfabetización digital que generalmente no se ofrecen en los currículos universitarios actuales. A su vez, se presentan los resultados de la aplicación de la propuesta, así como los beneficios del uso de obras de literatura digital en el aula ELE por el aprovechamiento de su carácter lúdico, interactivo e intermedial.
La educación se incrustó en el proceso evolutivo y florecieron los humanos
Authors: García Carrasco Joaquín , Donoso González Macarena
Published: November 2020

Introducción:  el horizonte de nuestro tema relaciona la evolución humana y la acción educativa. Hipótesis: educación es un término prácticamente ausente en los escritos de paleoantropología. Sin embargo, hoy hay programas de investigación donde la cultura adquirió la categoría de motor de la evolución humana. El término cultura esconde que la mediación y cooperación intersubjetiva –que conforman la enseñanza- son los mecanismos principales de la cultura acumulativa. La cultura caracterizó el género Homo, dentro del cual evolucionó Homo sapiens; el escenario de esa cooperación cultural es precisamente el motor social del proceso educativo. Procedimiento: para el argumento utilizaremos argumentos de la paleoantropología y nos uniremos a los puntos de vista más recientes, proponiendo educación como concepto para identificar el mecanismo fundamental de los procesos culturales.
Educación, justicia social y multiculturalismo: teoría y práctica en el aula
Authors: Guichot-Reina Virginia
Published: November 2020

Pasados casi cincuenta años desde que apareciera el término “educación multicultural” en Estados Unidos, este trabajo va destinado a mostrar, tras la revisión de la literatura más reciente aparecida en revistas internacionales y editoriales de prestigio, la actual tendencia a vincularla a la consecución de la justicia social, conllevando cuestionamientos acerca del poder y el privilegio y una rebelión contra la opresión que sufren diferentes grupos sociales dentro del sistema hegemónico establecido, e incluimos un ejemplo de implementación en el aula que consideramos muy clarificador. Estos planteamientos impulsan un nuevo tipo de docente que, otorgando un gran valor al diálogo y a la participación del alumnado, le da oportunidades en sus clases para comprometerse con luchas contra la discriminación, unir los valores éticos con acciones políticas, y aplicar ideas de justicia, autonomía y reciprocidad.  Concluimos haciendo hincapié en la necesidad de desarrollar este enfoque de la educación dirigido a una transformación social en aras de valores como el respeto activo, la libertad, la equidad y la justicia social y que reconoce la diversidad humana como normalidad; más aun teniendo presente el aumento drástico de la desigualdad económica, social y cultural a nivel mundial que suele provocar sentimientos de humillación y de falta de respeto en los grupos desfavorecidos, caldo de cultivo para impedir una convivencia pacífica democrática.
La presencia pedagógica en la construcción de la relación educativa. El caso de una maestra de Educación Primaria
Authors: Martín-Alonso Diego , Blanco Nieves , Sierra Eduardo
Published: November 2020

La experiencia de relación no se deja definir plenamente –en un sentido positivista– porque su naturaleza es inefable, por lo que resulta aventurado pensar la relación sólo desde un punto de vista analítico. Aunque ese trabajo descriptivo y de conceptualización es imprescindible, también es necesaria una mirada integral a la experiencia de relación y las cualidades que hacen que esta sea educativa. Este es el propósito del texto: pensar de una manera integral, holística, sobre el lugar simbólico y físico del docente en la relación educativa. Esta tarea la realizamos a través de la noción de presencia y pensando con la experiencia de dos alumnas de educación primara a las que hemos acompañado durante dos cursos escolares. Siguiendo las propuestas de la fenomenología hermenéutica, los procesos de investigación han sido la observación de cerca y las conversaciones hermenéuticas. A partir de este trabajo de campo, iniciamos un diálogo con estudios sobre la presencia, la pedagogía de la presencia y la narración de experiencias concretas que hemos vivido junto a las alumnas; de modo que este diálogo nos permita vislumbrar algunos aspectos estructurales de la relación educativa. En concreto en las experiencias que hemos estudiado hemos identificado tres gestos que nombramos como: invitar, estar y retirarse. Estos gestos nos ayudan a pensar en las cualidades del oficio docente y la relación educativa, anclados en las características de este acontecimiento particular y conscientes de su singularidad, evitando la tentación de pretender generalizarlas o extrapolarlas a otras relaciones educativas.
Distance teaching and teaching ‘as’ distance. A critical reading of online teaching instruments during and after the pandemic
Authors: Gobbi Annachiara , Rovea Federico
Published: November 2020

This paper intends to read through a critical lens the digitalization of schooling caused by the COVID-19 epidemic. The emergency has forced European governments to close the schools and consequently, all the schooling activities have been transferred online. Referring to some works of Giorgio Agamben, Paul Virilio and Walter Benjamin the authors propose some critical remarks on the transformation of schooling space and schooling time that characterizes the practice of distance learning. This transformation pertains not only to accidental aspects of schooling but affects the very identity of the schooling experience. In a completely digitalized school, time is characterized by instantaneousness: time as duration is replaced by the “time of exposure”, as stated by Paul Virilio. In addition, the school completely dematerialized, is reduced to the two-dimensional space of the screen. The article aims to show that instantaneous time and dematerialized space make the experience of “crossing” difficult. Therefore, following some remarks by Jan Masschelein and Gert Biesta, it is maintained that the experience of “crossing” endangered by the digitalization of schooling is essential to an authentic experience of schooling. It is not intended to refuse the digital innovations as such but to “put them on the table”, in order to suspend their immediate use and analyze them critically.