bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robust and adaptive star identification algorithm based on linear assignment for multiple large field of view visual imaging systems
Authors: Dai Guangyi , Liu Qilin , Deng Lei , Sun Peng , Yan Bixi , Wang Jun , Dong Mingli
Published: March 2024

The integration of the visual imaging system and the self-attitude determination system in on-orbit space projects necessitates robust star identification algorithms. However, disturbances in the on-orbit environment pose a challenge to the accuracy and efficiency of star identification algorithms. This paper introduces a novel star identification algorithm, to the best of our knowledge, designed for multiple large field of view (FOV) visual imaging systems, providing stability in the presence of the noise types, including position noise, lost-star noise, and fake-star noise. We employ the dynamic simulated star images generation method to construct simulated star image libraries suitable for various cameras with different FOV angles. Our algorithm comprises two parts: the star edge matching for coarse matching of interstellar angular distances based on linear assignment, and the star point registration for precise matching of star vectors. This innovative combination of local edge generation and global matching approach achieves an impressive 97.83% identification accuracy, maintaining this performance even with a standard deviation of one pixel in image plane errors and up to five missing stars. A comprehensive approach involving both simulated and empirical experiments was employed to validate the algorithm’s effectiveness. This integration of the visual imaging system and the self-attitude determination system offers potential benefits such as reduced space equipment weight, simplified satellite launch processes, and decreased maintenance costs.
Quantitative blood glucose detection influenced by various factors based on the fusion of photoacoustic temporal spectroscopy with deep convolutional neural networks
Authors: Xiong Chengxin , Ren Zhong , Liu Tao
Published: March 2024

In order to efficiently and accurately monitor blood glucose concentration (BGC) synthetically influenced by various factors, quantitative blood glucose in vitro detection was studied using photoacoustic temporal spectroscopy (PTS) combined with a fusion deep neural network (fDNN). Meanwhile, a photoacoustic detection system influenced by five factors was set up, and 625 time-resolved photoacoustic signals of rabbit blood were collected under different influencing factors.In view of the sequence property for temporal signals, a dimension convolutional neural network (1DCNN) was established to extract features containing BGC. Through the parameters optimization and adjusting, the mean square error (MSE) of BGC was 0.51001 mmol/L for 125 testing sets. Then, due to the long-term dependence on temporal signals, a long short-term memory (LSTM) module was connected to enhance the prediction accuracy of BGC. With the optimal LSTM layers, the MSE of BGC decreased to 0.32104 mmol/L. To further improve prediction accuracy, a self-attention mechanism (SAM) module was coupled into and formed an fDNN model, i.e., 1DCNN-SAM-LSTM. The fDNN model not only combines the advantages of temporal expansion of 1DCNN and data long-term memory of LSTM, but also focuses on the learning of more important features of BGC. Comparison results show that the fDNN model outperforms the other six models. The determination coefficient of BGC for the testing set was 0.990, and the MSE reached 0.1432 mmol/L. Results demonstrate that PTS combined with 1DCNN-SAM-LSTM ensures higher accuracy of BGC under the synthetical influence of various factors, as well as greatly enhances the detection efficiency.
Nonlinear ray tracing in focused fields, part 2. Tracing the flux: tutorial
Authors: Yu Qin , Hennelly Bryan M.
Published: March 2024

In this three-part paper series, we develop a method to trace the lines of flux through a three-dimensional wavefield by following a direction that is governed by the derivative of the phase at each point, a process that is best described as flux tracing but which we interchangeably name “nonlinear ray tracing.” In the first part we focused on the high-speed calculation of focused three-dimensional complex wavefields in the paraxial approximation for TEM00 and TEM01 laser modes. The algorithms developed in the first paper are first used to generate the three-dimensional grid of samples of the complex wavefield in the focal region. In this second part, we focus on tracing a flux through this three-dimensional point cloud. For a given “ray” at an arbitrary position in the 3D volume, interpolation of the three-dimensional samples is applied to determine the derivative of the phase (normal to the direction of propagation) at the ray position, which is then used to direct the ray as it “propagates” forward in a straight line over a short distance to a subsequent plane; the process is repeated between consecutive planes. The initial origin of the ray can be chosen arbitrarily at any point, and the ray can then be traced through the volume with appropriate interpolation. Results are demonstrated for focused wavefields in the absence of aberrations, corresponding to the cases highlighted in the first paper. Some of the most interesting results relate to focused Laguerre-Gaussian beams, for which the rays are found to spiral at different rates of curvature. In the third paper we extend the application of this algorithm to the investigation of lens aberration.
Fluorescence molecular tomography based on an online maximum a posteriori estimation algorithm
Authors: Cheng Xia , Sun Siyu , Xiao Yinglong , Li Wenjing , Li Jintao , Yu Jingjing , Guo Hongbo
Published: March 2024

Fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) is a non-invasive, radiation-free, and highly sensitive optical molecular imaging technique for early tumor detection. However, inadequate measurement information along with significant scattering of near-infrared light within the tissue leads to high ill-posedness in the inverse problem of FMT. To improve the quality and efficiency of FMT reconstruction, we build a reconstruction model based on log-sum regularization and introduce an online maximum a posteriori estimation (OPE) algorithm to solve the non-convex optimization problem. The OPE algorithm approximates a stationary point by evaluating the gradient of the objective function at each iteration, and its notable strength lies in the remarkable speed of convergence. The results of simulations and experiments demonstrate that the OPE algorithm ensures good reconstruction quality and exhibits outstanding performance in terms of reconstruction efficiency.
Multi-line-of-sight Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensing based on image segmentation and K-means sorting
Authors: Zhang Yiqun , Gao Zeyu , Jin Ruiyan , Zhao Wang , Zhu Licheng , Ye Hongwei , Zhang Ying , Yang Ping , Wang Shuai
Published: March 2024

Multi-line-of-sight wavefront sensing, crucial for next-generation astronomy and laser applications, often increases system complexity by adding sensors. This research introduces, to the best of our knowledge, a novel method for multi-line-of-sight Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensing by using a single sensor, addressing challenges in centroid estimation and classification under atmospheric turbulence. This method contrasts with existing techniques that rely on multiple sensors, thereby reducing system complexity. Innovations include combining edge detection and peak extraction for precise centroid calculation, improved k-means clustering for robust centroid classification, and a centroid filling algorithm for subapertures with light loss. The method’s effectiveness was confirmed through simulations for a five-line-of-sight system and experimental setup for two-line and three-line-of-sight systems, demonstrating its potential in real atmospheric aberration correction conditions. Experimental findings indicate that, when implemented in a closed-loop configuration, the method significantly reduces wavefront residuals from 1 λ to 0.1 λ under authentic atmospheric turbulence conditions. Correspondingly, the quality of the far-field spot is enhanced by a factor of 2 to 4. These outcomes collectively highlight the method’s robust capability in enhancing optical system performance in environments characterized by genuine atmospheric turbulence.
Photonic-assisted high-order vector millimeter-wave signal generation enabled by DSM
Authors: Tan Acai , Wang Yanyi , Li Zhengxuan , Song Yingxiong , Yu Jianjun
Published: March 2024

We propose an optical dual-single-sideband (dual-SSB) modulated 16384-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) photonic vector millimeter-wave (mm-wave) signal generation scheme based on delta-sigma modulation (DSM). With the aid of the DSM, the severe nonlinear distortion of envelope detection for high-order QAM modulation signals in wireless communication can be effectively resolved. For the validation of our proposed scheme, we experimentally demonstrate the generation of a 40 GHz 16384-QAM orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) photonic vector mm-wave signal and transmission over a 25-km standard single-mode fiber (SSMF), and a 1-m wireless link with the bit error ratio (BER) reaches the hard-decision forward-error-correction (HD-FEC) threshold of 3.8 × 10−3.
Widely tunable S-band ring-cavity Tm3+-doped fluorotellurite fiber laser
Authors: Cui Linghao , Jia Zhixu , Wang Junjie , Zhang Chuanze , Tian Feng , Meng Fanchao , Ohishi Yasutake , Qin Weiping , Qin Guanshi
Published: March 2024

Tm3+-doped fluorotellurite fibers (TDFTFs) are fabricated by using a rod-in-tube method. A 2.1 m long TDFTF is used as the gain medium, in which both ends of the TDFTF are connected to a short piece of a silica fiber by direct fusion splicing. By inserting the above TDFTF and a tunable optical bandpass filter into a ring cavity and employing a 1400/1570 nm dual-wavelength pumping technique, tunable lasing from 1460 to 1526 nm is obtained, which almost covers the whole S-band. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of tunable Tm3+-doped fiber laser with a tunable range almost covering the whole S-band. Furthermore, by removing the tunable optical bandpass filter from the ring cavity, free-running multi-wavelength lasers at 1500 and 1901 nm are achieved. Our results show that TDFTFs are promising gain media for constructing S-band fiber lasers.
Dysregulation of LINC00324 promotes poor prognosis in patients with glioma
Authors: Jin Xin , Zhu Jiandong , Yu Haoyun , Shi Shengjun , Shen Kecheng , Gu Jingyu , Yin Ziqian , Yu Zhengquan , Wu Jiang
Published: March 2024

Background

LINC00324 is a long-stranded non-coding RNA, which is aberrantly expressed in various cancers and is associated with poor prognosis and clinical features. It involves multiple oncogenic molecular pathways affecting cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. However, the expression, function, and mechanism of LINC00324 in glioma have not been reported.

Material and methods

We assessed the expression of LINC00324 of LINC00324 in glioma patients based on data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) to identify pathways involved in LINC00324-related glioma pathogenesis.

Results

Based on our findings, we observed differential expression of LINC00324 between tumor and normal tissues in glioma patients. Our analysis of overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) indicated that glioma patients with high LINC00324 expression had a poorer prognosis compared to those with low LINC00324 expression. By integrating clinical data and genetic signatures from TCGA patients, we developed a nomogram to predict OS and DSS in glioma patients. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that several pathways, including JAK/STAT3 signaling, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, STAT5 signaling, NF-κB activation, and apoptosis, were differentially enriched in glioma samples with high LINC00324 expression. Furthermore, we observed significant correlations between LINC00324 expression, immune infiltration levels, and expression of immune checkpoint-related genes (HAVCR2: r = 0.627, P = 1.54e-77; CD40: r = 0.604, P = 1.36e-70; ITGB2: r = 0.612, P = 6.33e-7; CX3CL1: r = -0.307, P = 9.24e-17). These findings highlight the potential significance of LINC00324 in glioma progression and suggest avenues for further research and potential therapeutic targets.

Conclusion

Indeed, our results confirm that the LINC00324 signature holds promise as a prognostic predictor in glioma patients. This finding opens up new possibilities for understanding the disease and may offer valuable insights for the development of targeted therapies.
Color polymorphism and mating trends in a population of the alpine leaf beetle Oreina gloriosa
Authors: Roggero Angela , Alù Daniele , Laini Alex , Rolando Antonio , Palestrini Claudia
Published: March 2024

The bright colors of Alpine leaf beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) are thought to act as aposematic signals against predation. Within the European Alps, at least six species display a basal color of either blue or green, likely configuring a classic case of müllerian mimicry. In this context, intra-population color polymorphism is paradoxical as the existence of numerous color morphs might hamper the establishment of a search image in visual predators. Assortative mating may be one of the main factors contributing to the maintenance of polymorphic populations. Due to the marked iridescence of these leaf beetles, the perceived color may change as the viewing or illumination angle changes. The present study, conducted over three years, involved intensive sampling of a population of Oreina gloriosa from the Italian Alps and applied colorimetry and a decision tree method to identify the color morphs in an objective manner. The tertiary sex ratio of the population was biased in favor of males, suggesting that viviparous females hide to give birth. Seven color morphs were identified, and their frequencies varied significantly over the course of the study. Three different analyses of mating (JMating, QInfomating, and Montecarlo simulations) recognized a general trend for random mating which coexists with some instances of positive and negative assortative mating. This could help explain the pre-eminence of one morph (which would be favored because of positive selection due to positive assortative mating) in parallel with the persistence of six other morphs (maintained due to negative assortative mating).
Low vitamin D levels accelerates muscle mass loss in patients with chronic liver disease
Authors: Okubo Tomomi , Atsukawa Masanori , Tsubota Akihito , Ono Hiroki , Kawano Tadamichi , Yoshida Yuji , Arai Taeang , Hayama Korenobou , Itokawa Norio , Kondo Chisa , Iwakiri Katsuhiko
Published: March 2024

Sarcopenia frequently and progressively occurs in patients with chronic liver disease. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between vitamin D levels and muscle mass loss. A total of 166 patients with chronic liver disease were enrolled in this study. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis at baseline and after 1 year. The rate of change in SMI from baseline after 1 year was calculated: ΔSMI (%) = [(1-year SMI − baseline SMI) / baseline SMI] × 100. Muscle mass loss was defined as ΔSMI ≤ −2%. The median 25-hydroxyvitamin D was 15.2 (11.2–19.3) ng/mL. The median SMI were 6.8 (5.9–7.8) kg/m2 at baseline and 6.7 (5.9–7.6) kg/m2 after 1 year. The median ΔSMI was −1.23% (−2.21% to 1.61%). Multivariate analysis identified low 25-hydroxyvitamin D as an independent factor associated with muscle mass loss. The optimal cut-off value of 25-hydroxyvitamin D to predict muscle mass loss was 12.7 ng/mL. Muscle mass loss was found in 56.4% v.s. 18.0% of patients with 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 12.7 vs. ≥ 12.7 ng/mL, respectively (p = 9.01 × 10−7); with the highest incidence in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Specifically, patients with NAFLD and 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 12.7 ng/mL had a significantly higher incidence of muscle mass loss than those with ≥ 12.7 ng/mL (p = 1.23 × 10−3). Low vitamin D levels are associated with muscle mass loss after 1 year in patients with chronic liver disease, especially NAFLD.
The impact of epidemic infectious diseases on the relationship between subjective well-being and social class identity in older adults: The mediating role of Self-rated health
Authors: Feng Qianxi , Li Yan , Wan Miao , Li Wei
Published: March 2024

Background

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between subjective well-being, social class identity, and Self-rated health among older persons,. Focusing on the mediating role of health and the impact of epidemic infectious diseases on these relationships.

Methods

Based on the 2018 and 2021 China General Social Survey (CGSS) databases, the data were screened, and processed. Using Stata17, we employed ordered probit regression to examine the relationships among variables and Bootstrap methods to assess mediation effects, and the CGSS data for 2018 and 2021 were compared and analyzed.

Results

Our results revealed that factors such as social class identity, health status, and personal income significantly positively impact older persons’ subjective well-being (P<0.01). Notably, there was a partial mediating effect of health status between the subjective well-being of the elderly and social class identity. And findings showed that when older adults were affected by epidemic diseases, their subjective well-being, social class identity, and Self-rated health remained significantly positively correlated. Subjective well-being, social class identity. What is more noteworthy is that when affected by epidemic infectious diseases, older adults’ subjective well-being, social class identity, and Self-rated health remained significantly positively correlated. The mediating role of self-rated health in older adults’ subjective well-being and social class identity increased from 9.6% to 12.4%.

Conclusions

In the face of epidemic infectious diseases, we need to pay more attention to the Self-rated health of the elderly, and the Chinese government should take effective measures to improve their health level, which will in turn improve the subjective well-being of the elderly and realize the goal of healthy aging.
Intersections and the becomings of disabled and queer subjectivities in Margarita with a Straw
Authors: Kausar Heena , Haneef M. Shuaib Mohamed
Published: March 2024

This article aims to explore the affective capacities of the non-lesbian and lesbian, non-disabled and disabled, moving and fleeting bodies of Laila Kapoor, who suffers from cerebral palsy, in the 2014 Hindi film Margarita with a Straw. The study examines the ontology of Laila’s disabled and sexualized body that is entangled in an assemblage of relations of other human (characters Dhruv, Nima, Jared and Khanum) and non-human (architectural space, wheelchair, laptop, voice aggregator and music) bodies in the film. Drawing on the concept of assemblage, this article examines the affective flows, desire and becomings of disabled and queer bodies within Margarita with a Straw. It demonstrates how the discursive, material, post-human subjectivity of disabled and queer bodies in the film manifests the potential to destabilize the notion of what a body is by continuously negating the social disavowal of bodies through new emergent potentials, capacities and assemblages.
Liarmouth: A Feel-Bad Romance, John Waters (2022)
Authors: Stith Kelly
Published: March 2024

Review of: Liarmouth: A Feel-Bad Romance, John Waters (2022)

New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 256 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-37418-572-5, h/bk, $26.00

ISBN 978-1-25086-723-0, p/bk, $18.00
Male Femininities, Dana Berkowitz, Elroi J. Windsor and C. Winter Han (eds) (2023)
Authors: Allan Jonathan A.
Published: March 2024

Review of: Male Femininities, Dana Berkowitz, Elroi J. Windsor and C. Winter Han (eds) (2023)

New York: New York University Press, 408 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-47983-961-2, h/bk, $99.00

ISBN 978-1-47980-878-6, p/bk, $35.00
The L Word: Generation Q (2019–23), USA: MLR Originals and Showtime Networks
Authors: Silverman Rachel E.
Published: March 2024

Review of: The L Word: Generation Q (2019–23), USA: MLR Originals and Showtime Networks
El difícil camino hacia el privilegio y el honor: Diego Caballero “El Mariscal” en la Sevilla de la primera mitad del siglo XVI
Authors: Fernández Chaves Manuel Francisco
Published: March 2024

En este trabajo se estudia el proceso de reconocimiento social y obtención de privilegio por parte de uno de los mercaderes conversos más importantes de la primera expansión castellana en el Atlántico: Diego Caballero. El saldo final de éxito social y económico de este y otros muchos conversos que aparece en la historiografía no se obtuvo sino merced a una larga y compleja lucha en la que se activaron múltiples resortes políticos y de influencia en la corte y en Sevilla, y su consecución no impediría su puesta en cuestión por diferentes grupos sociales y políticos. Se estudia aquí este proceso en el que la exención fiscal y la asunción del título de caballero, así como la obtención de una veinticuatría fueron las piedras de toque de este antagonismo entre conversos y cristianos viejos. Hasta el momento se desconocía este proceso, inédito al haberse perdido las actas capitulares de Sevilla para la mayor parte del reinado de Carlos I, por lo que la caracterización de los apoyos a este converso y sus enemigos sociales se ha reconstruido a través de fuentes judiciales. Su historia nos avisa del intrincado camino hacia el éxito social recorrido por los conversos en la España del siglo XVI, del que aún quedan muchos asuntos que investigar.
Enfermos, muertos y resucitados en Los Milagros de Guadalupe: cuerpos, sentidos y emociones al servicio del sensorium devocional (siglos XV y XVI)
Authors: Rodríguez Gerardo Fabián , Miranda Lidia Raquel
Published: March 2024

En el Archivo del Real Monasterio de Guadalupe (Extremadura) se conservan nueve códices de milagros atribuidos a Santa María de Guadalupe, conocidos como Los Milagros de Guadalupe, que contienen cerca de mil novecientos relatos que abarcan el dilatado lapso entre principios del siglo XV y casi mediados del siglo XVIII. Los relatos de devotos peregrinos, que ponen de relieve su piedad y votos a Santa María de Guadalupe, son recogidos por los monjes jerónimos, anónimos copistas encargados de expurgar de dichas vivencias toda connotación herética. El artículo analiza algunos relatos de esa colección referidos al tránsito entre la vida, la muerte y la resurrección, tema tradicional desde el cristianismo de los orígenes en el que la representación del cuerpo, los sentidos y las emociones constituye la base de un planteamiento espiritual que contribuye a acentuar el sentido devocional en la práctica religiosa. En ese marco, el trabajo registra los indicios textuales –en los planos retórico, literario y teológico– que revelan los intentos de los redactores de la colección por ceñir el sensorium devocional a la ortodoxia cristiana, es decir por orientarlo hacia el hagiosensorium. En relación con la representación de enfermos, muertos y resucitados, se presta especial atención a los contextos milagrosos en que dichos personajes aparecen y a la secuencia promesa realizada-gracia recibida-promesa cumplida, modelo de intercambio de dones y agradecimientos que, en términos generales, se reconoce en todas las fuentes examinadas.
La mediación obispal en el Libro de las tres razones. Actualización juanmanuelina del discurso providencial del Llibre dels feits
Authors: Asiss-González Federico
Published: March 2024

El nacimiento profético del infante Don Manuel emerge como un relato crucial dentro del Libro de las tres razones o de las armas, obra escrita por su hijo, Don Juan Manuel. Esta narrativa no solo arroja luz sobre la vida del infante, sino que también modela la trayectoria del linaje de los Manuel en el paisaje político de mediados del siglo XIV en Castilla. No obstante, a diferencia de otros relatos en la historiografía castellana, este relato en particular, introducido por Don Juan Manuel al inicio de la primera razón y desarrollado a lo largo del texto, carece de un paralelo directo dentro de la cronística castellana. Por nuestra parte, consideramos que don Juan Manuel se inspiró en el Llibre dels feits, la obra autobiográfica de Jaime I de Aragón. Sin embargo, no son historias idénticas, sino que Don Juan Manuel realizó modificaciones sobre el relato aragonés que le permitieron integrar sin problemas la profecía en el contexto castellano, persuadiendo a la audiencia para que aceptara los eventos como verdaderos. Así, el marco estructural de la primera razón impuso una nueva disposición sobre el relato base, facilitando la introducción de personajes adicionales, incluyendo al ángel, al rey santo Fernando III y al obispo Ramón de Losana. Dentro de la narrativa de Don Juan Manuel, el papel de la figura episcopal adquiere una importancia primordial en la legitimación del relato, una dimensión ausente en el relato jacobino. En este análisis comparativo, nos proponemos indagar en las motivaciones detrás de la inclusión de Don Juan Manuel del obispo Ramón de Losana y las acciones específicas atribuidas a él, distinguiéndolo de su modelo aragonés. Al hacerlo, Don Juan Manuel permitió interpretaciones alternativas y proyecciones de la profecía mesiánica que se alineaban con sus propios intereses.
Barrio Barrio, J. A. (2022). El diezmo en la ciudad de Orihuela en la Edad Media. Los conflictos en torno a la percepción del tributo, en un territorio eclesiástico fronterizo. Cáceres: Universidad de Extremadura. 156 pp. ISBN: 978-84-9127-168-0
Authors: Robles Delgado Alberto
Published: March 2024

Reseña: Barrio Barrio, J. A. (2022). El diezmo en la ciudad de Orihuela en la Edad Media. Los conflictos en torno a la percepción del tributo, en un territorio eclesiástico fronterizo. Cáceres: Universidad de Extremadura. 156 pp. ISBN: 978-84-9127-168-0.
Investigación y transferencia del conocimiento en Ciencias de la Educación: Una cuestión de justicia social
Authors: Sotelino-Losada Alexandre , Santos-Rego Miguel A. , Lorenzo-Moledo Mar
Published: March 2024

La literatura existente parece avalar a la Universidad como un núcleo de desarrollo en sus comunidades o entornos circundantes, pero el binomio investigación y transferencia está cada vez más cuestionado en diferentes foros académicos -y también fuera del ámbito de la educación superior- en cierta medida porque no se ha visto, o no se ha difundido suficientemente, la aplicabilidad de los resultados obtenidos en Facultades, centros de investigación o institutos. El objetivo de este trabajo pasa por constatar que la investigación educativa debe tener sus anclajes en intereses socioeducativos y dotarse de suficientes estrategias que permitan su transferencia efectiva en y para la comunidad. Para ello, hacemos una revisión y análisis de cómo se ha entendido en la literatura científica la segunda y tercera misión de la Universidad en las últimas décadas, para así hacer una propuesta en el marco de los desafíos sociales, ambientales o estructurales que se plantean en un futuro inminente. Finalmente, lo que nos ocupa -y preocupa- es establecer nuevas vías que conecten academia y sociedad a partir de puntos de encuentro recíproco, es decir, donde ambas partes participen del proceso, aunque con roles diferentes. En definitiva, de lo que se trata es de promover una cultura científica más aplicada, es decir, que lo que investigamos tenga repercusión sobre el colectivo diana y este así lo identifique. Por tanto, debemos evidenciar que las ciencias en general, y la pedagogía en particular, son una vía para la consecución de la justicia social partiendo de la investigación como un cimiento que permite avanzar con solidez y consistencia epistemológica.
Evidence-based teaching: effective teaching practices in primary school classrooms
Authors: Carter Emma , Molina Ezequiel , Pushparatnam Adelle , Rimm-Kaufman Sara , Tsapali Maria , Wong Keri Ka-Yee
Published: March 2024

Understanding and measuring effective teaching practices in low- and middle-income countries is a complex process that requires a contextualised knowledge of teaching quality, as well as adaptable instruments that can reliably capture teachers’ varied classroom behaviours. One approach developed with these purposes in mind is Teach Primary, a classroom observation framework designed and revised in 2021 by the World Bank. This framework captures the time teachers spend on learning and the quality of teaching practices which help to enhance pupils’ cognitive and socio-emotional skills, as well as aspects of the physical environment which may influence teaching quality. Using the Teach Primary framework, this article examines evidence regarding effective instructional practices in primary school classrooms, with highlighted examples from low- and middle-income countries. It also sheds light on the criticality of instrument contextualisation, given variations in how practices can be valued and implemented in different settings and how structural quality factors can influence teachers’ use of strategies. Challenges and limitations relating to the use of the Teach Primary framework are discussed, along with implications for teacher education and evaluation.
Impact Of Green Financing and Financial Factors on Islamic Banks' Performance in Indonesia: a Regression Analysis
Authors: Ahmad Febriyanto  , Lea Fathra Azha Nabiela  , Fadilla Nur Agisti
Published: March 2024

Kinerja keuangan pada sektor perbankan akan memperlihatkan kondisi keuangan pada setiap periode. Kinerja keuangan secara khusus juga dapat menampilkan kemampuan sektor perbankan dalam menghasilkan laba. Hal serupa juga berlaku pada sektor perbankan syariah di Indonesia. Pada dasarnya terdapat beragam faktor yang kemudian dapat mempengaruhi kinerja keuangan sekto perbankan. Selaras dengan hal tersebut, penelitian ini bermaksud untuk menyelidiki pengaruh antara variabel green financing, capital adequacy ratio, islamic income ratio, dan profit sharing ratio terhadap kinerja keuangan perbankan syariah di Indonesia. Adapun sampel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini diambil menggunakan teknik purposive sampling. Dengan melakukan pembatasan pada jenis perbankan syariah yang telah menerbitkan sustainability report dan financial report dalam periode 2020 hingga 2021. Sehingga terdapat 10 perbankan syariah yang kemudian dijadikan sampel dalam penelitian ini. Selanjutnya, dalam peneliti juga mengadopsi classic assumsion dan multiple linear regresion. Dimana setiap pengujian memanfaatkan software SPSS 22. Adapun hasil classic assumsion pada penelitian ini mengungkapkan bahwa data terdistribusi normal, tidak terdapat heterokedastisitas, tidak terdapat autokorelasi, dan tidak terdapat gejala multikolinearitas. Adapun hasil uji hipotesis menunjukkan bahwa variabel green financing, capital adequacy ratio, dan islamic income ratio tidak berpengaruh terhadap financial perfomance. Sedangkan variabel profit sharing ratio menunjukkan pengaruh negatif terhadap financial perfomance pada perbankan syariah.
Analisis Potensi Ekonomi Pesantren Berbasis Kewirausahaan melalui Media Wakaf Produktif untuk Pemberdayaan Umat di Masa Pandemi Covid-19
Authors: Annes Nisrina Khoirunnisa  , Muhammad Hanif Ibrahim  , Alifia Nur Zaida
Published: March 2024

Pandemi Covid-19 memiliki dampak yang signiikan terhadap ekonomi di dunia. berbagai kebijakan diberlakukan guna mengatasi penyebaran Covid-19, seperti physical distancing, social distancing, pemakaian masker, hingga pembatasan sosial berskala besar (PSBB). Terjadinya penurunan aktivitas manusia, para pelaku usaha khususnya usaha mikro, kecil dan menengah tidak sedikit yang mengalami gulung tikar disebabkan melemahnya laju ekonomi. Hal ini disebabkan salah satunya adalah lumpuhnya kegiatan usaha masyarakat. Tujuan penelitian ini yakni mengidentifikasi niat santri/santriwati dalam pengembangan wakaf produktif di lingkungan pesantren selanjutnya wajaf produktif tersebut salah satunya digunakan sebagai pemberdayaan ekonomi umat. Metode  yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yakni pendekatan statistik dengan mengadopsi model Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Metode pengumpulan data dalam penelitian ini yakni menggunakan kuesioner dengan teknik puposive sampling yang ditujukan kepada seluruh santri dan santriwati di Yogyakarta. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa religiosity dan knowledge menunjukkan hasil yang signifikan terhadap attitude serta attitude dan perceived behavioral control selanjutnya memengaruhi intention untuk berwakaf secara signifikan. Namun, subjective norm menunjukkan hasil yang tidak signifikan terhadap intention berwakaf di kalangan santri/santriwati. Oleh karena hasil tersebut, maka pegembangan wakaf dikalangan pesantren harus ditingkatkan untuk selanjutnya dimanfaatkan untuk pengembangan ekonomi Umat.
Multiple regression analysis: effects of math anxiety and self-regulated learning on learning outcomes
Authors: Priharvian Syifa Maharani , Diana Safina Putri , Dewanti Sintha Sih
Published: March 2024

Student learning outcomes are not only influenced by cognitive factors but also affective factors. This study used a research design to investigate the influence of math anxiety and self-regulated learning on student learning outcomes. The population of this study was all secondary schools in Yogyakarta. The sample used consisted of 187 female students and 127 male students in grades X, XI, and XII. Data were obtained through student learning outcomes and the distribution of affective scales to students to obtain data on math anxiety and self-regulated learning. The analysis concluded that math anxiety and self-regulated learning influence student learning outcomes. The effect of math anxiety and self-regulated learning on female students is 86.7% and on male students is 15.8%. There is a model to calculate the effect obtained based on the analysis, namely Ŷ = -9,077 + 0,455 X1 + 0,826 X2 for female students and Ŷ = 0,815 X1+ 0,480 X2 for male students.
Sola Scriptura and the Evolutionary Argument Against Naturalism
Authors: Stacey Gregory , McNabb Tyler
Published: March 2024

Inspired by Plantinga’s Evolutionary Argument Against Naturalism (EAAN), we develop an argument—the “Scriptural Argument Against Dogmatic Protestantism” (SAADP)—that Protestants who accept the doctrine of sola scriptura cannot reasonably hold that Catholic and Eastern churches are in doctrinal error. If sola scriptura is true and Catholic and Eastern Churches have fallen into error, it is improbable that any Protestant can reliably form true beliefs about controversial points of Christian doctrine, including sola scriptura or suggestions that Catholic and Eastern Christians are in error. We evaluate potential responses to SADDP, considering how SAADP should affect ecumenical doctrinal debates.
Promoting equity in study abroad: A focus on first-generation and students of color in the USA
Authors: Tracy-Ventura Nicole , Washington Adrienne Ronee , Mikheeva Iuliia
Published: March 2024

Education abroad is considered a high-impact practice with short-term benefits such as intellectual development and higher retention and university graduation rates, along with more long-term benefits such as personal and professional development. Thus, it is important to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to study abroad; however, research shows that this is not the case. For example, in the United States, the majority of study abroad participants are white (68% according to Institute of International Education [IIE], 2022), and the racial and ethnic diversity of study abroad participants is well below the percentage of undergraduate students of color overall. First-generation college students also make up a small proportion of the students who study abroad, with some coming from racial and ethnic minoritized backgrounds as well. This lack of diversity in study abroad should be a major concern for institutions of higher education. To address this issue at our own university, we surveyed 137 first-generation and students of color to gather data on their interests, opinions, and reservations about study abroad. Results demonstrate that they are overwhelmingly positive about study abroad but are concerned about cost, fitting it into their degree plan, and not knowing languages other than English. Additionally, 81% reported that they did not know where to start or how to get involved in study abroad. These results suggest that a more equity-minded approach with targeted interventions is needed to increase study abroad participation among first-generation and students of color.
Are enjoyment, anxiety and attitudes/motivation different in English foreign language classes compared to LOTE classes?
Authors: Dewaele Jean-Marc , Saito Kazuya
Published: March 2024

The current study focuses on the effect of the target language on learner emotions and attitudes/motivation. More specifically, it investigates whether the status and prestige of English results in more positive learner emotions and attitudes/motivation compared to less prestigious languages other than English (LOTE). Statistical analyses of a database of 360 students in an English-speaking university in Kuwait enrolled in English, German, Spanish and French as foreign language classes revealed that the LOTE learners (who also knew English) reported significantly more foreign language enjoyment (FLE), equal levels of foreign language classroom anxiety (FLCA) and – surprisingly – lower levels of attitudes/motivation than their peers studying English. Due to confounding variables, it is impossible to establish the cause of the difference with certainty, but this outcome does show that a stronger motivation to study English does not necessarily translate into more enjoyment in class. In other words, while FLE and attitudes/motivation typically correlate, they are independent concepts.
Elder Biaoqing: investigating the indexicalities of memes on Chinese social media
Authors: Lu Ying , Kroon Sjaak
Published: March 2024

This paper adopts a digital ethnographic approach to analyze concrete communicative practices with Elder Biaoqing, a type of graphic semiotic resources comparable to emojis and memes, typically designed for and used by older people on Chinese social media. Following Silverstein’s theorizing, it reveals the emergence of multiple indexicalities of Elder Biaoqing that are a result of several social factors: the growth of an older population online, people’s reflections on their communicative needs engendered by specific social facts, and people’s ethno-metapragmatics. The study of Elder Biaoqing reveals users’ agency in creating semiotic resources, the inequality between digital natives and digital migrants, and age anxiety in Chinese society. The findings invite a re-imagination of social facts – the existence of an online–offline nexus and a re-thinking of theories for sociocultural research in a digital era – ontological perspectives on multimodal resources and digital infrastructures, developments of the theoretical perspective of indexicality, and a total-semiotic-fact approach to digitally mediated social interaction.
A semiotic view of symbol and identity in the film Farewell My Concubine
Authors: Zhu Wenxi
Published: March 2024

Adapted by Li Bihua and Lu Wei and directed by Chen Kaige, Farewell My Concubine was first released in mainland China and Hong Kong in 1993. It gained strong momentum and went on to break the box office for mainland Chinese literary films in the USA. Against the background of traditional Peking Opera culture, the film spans nearly half a century and follows the love–hate relationship between Cheng Dieyi, played by Leslie Cheung, and Duan Xiaolou, played by Zhang Fengyi. It shows the changes in human nature and the rise and fall of classical art in the city of Beiping in different eras. Taking “symbols” as the entry point, this paper analyses and explores the characteristics of the cultural symbols and metaphors that accompany the main narrative line of the film so as to further trace and understand the multiple interpretations that “anti-identity construction” brings to the film, as well as the ethical implications reflected in the symbols.
On the syntax and semantics of sluicing in Mandarin Chinese
Authors: Wang Chengdong , Yuan Yudi
Published: March 2024

This article investigates the syntax of sluicing in Mandarin Chinese, including the syntactic constraints on predicates that might appear in sluicing, the reclassification of wh-phrases, the syntactic status of shi ‘be’ and you ‘have,’ and the syntactic derivation of typical sluicing and pseudo-sluicing. This article argues that there are both pseudo-sluicing and typical sluicing in Chinese, with each involving different structures and derivations and requiring different analysis.
Rational intuition: a study on semiotic subjectivity
Authors: Zhang Jie , Yao Tingting
Published: March 2024

Although scientific research usually emphasizes objectivity unaffected by any form of subjectivity, semiotic inquiries have to consider the role of subjectivity. In fact, social development, art, and literature always follow certain rules of objectivity, but these rules seem to be inescapably linked to the subjectivity of human beings. How can we avoid the subjectivity of research, or research biases caused by subjectivity, to ensure the objectivity of scientific research to the greatest possible extent? This paper answers the question through the cultural semiotics of jingshen, which is grounded in Chinese cultural traditions, especially the philosophies of Lao Tseu and Chuang Tzu. This line of inquiry seeks to identify objectivity in the constant transformation between the subject’s states of self and selflessness, while striving to avoid inductive and deductive biases caused by the “conceit” of rationality and to eliminate the constraints of specific concepts and images formed by existing knowledge as well as possible consequential “Verborgenheit.” The purpose is to achieve a state of “rational intuition,” returning to the natural mode of human existence and forging for semiotics a rationality-based path to the intuitive understanding of meaning.
Real-time semantic segmentation based on BiSeNetV2 for wild road
Authors: Chen Honghuan , Lan Xiaoke
Published: March 2024

State-of-the-art segmentation models have shown great performance in structured road segmentation. However, these models are not suitable for the wild roads, which are highly unstructured. To tackle the problem of real-time semantic segmentation of wild roads, we propose a Multi-Information Concatenate Network based on BiSeNetV2 and construct a segmentation dataset Dalle Molle institute for artificial intelligence feature segmentation (IDSIAFS) based on Dalle Molle institute for artificial intelligence. The proposed model removes structural redundancy and optimizes the semantic branch based on BiSeNetV2. Moreover, the Dual-Path Semantic Inference Layer (TPSIL) reduces computation by designing the channel dimension of the semantic branch feature map and aggregates feature maps of different depths. Finally, the segmentation results are achieved by fusing both shallow detail information and deep semantic information. Experiments on the IDSIAFS dataset demonstrate that our proposed model achieves an 89.5% Intersection over Union. The comparative experiments on Cityscapes and India driving dataset benchmarks show that proposed model achieves good inference accuracy and faster inference speed.
Novel robot arm concept for lightweighting high-performance machinery
Authors: John Kevin , Fletcher Simon , Furness Thomas , Longstaff Andrew P , Needham Paul
Published: March 2024

To improve the efficiency of robots, a novel sustainable design of a robotic arm is proposed that can address the thermal, vibration, energy usage and dynamic stiffness issues. The proposed design utilises easy-to-produce carbon fibre tubes including some that are commercially available, for the robot link instead of traditional materials, which can be heavy and carbon intensive. The design involves arranging several carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) tubes in a specific array inside an epoxy resin substrate. Based on this design, a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was implemented demonstrating the relatively low mass and high stiffness characteristics. Design optimisation was then performed using custom generated MATLAB®code to reduce the computation time. The proposed design for a one-meter-long robot link with a diameter of 108 mm offers a stiffness of 0.75 N/μm. A structural steel link, with the same stiffness, is 33 % heavier than the concept design. The design maintains thermal stability with about a third of the thermal deformation seen in structural steel.
Impact of birth weight to placental weight ratio and other perinatal risk factors on left ventricular dimensions in newborns: a prospective cohort analysis
Authors: Gad Ashraf , Malouche Dhafer , Chhabra Manoj , Hoang Danthanh , Suk Debbie , Ron Nitin , Dygulska Beata , Gudavalli Madhu B. , Nadroo Ali M. , Narula Pramod , Elmakaty Ibrahim
Published: March 2024

Objectives

To investigate the association between birth weight to placental weight (BW/PW) ratio, and echocardiographic left ventricle (LV) morphology at birth, while accounting for other relevant perinatal factors.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted on neonates at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital from 2014 to 2018, categorized by their BW/PW percentile. Missing data were imputed with principal component analysis. Chi-squared and one-way analysis of variance were used to compare BW/PW groups and the best regression model was selected using a genetic and backward stepwise algorithm.

Results

We analyzed 827 neonates in three BW/PW groups: small (n=16), normal (n=488), and large (n=323). Placental thickness and smallest diameter were positively correlated with several LV parameters, including inter-ventricular septal thickness during diastole (IVSd) (p=0.002, p<0.001) and systole (IVSs) (p=0.001, p<0.001), LV posterior wall thickness at end of diastole (LVPWd) (p=0.003, p<0.001) and systole (LVPWs) (p<0.001, p<0.001), LV mass (p=0.017, p<0.001), and LV mass/volume (p=0.011, p<0.001). The BW/PW ratio correlated with an increased shortening fraction (estimate=0.29, 95 % CI 0.03–0.55, p=0.027). PW correlated with IVSs (p=0.019), while the longest placental diameter was linked to a decrease in LV internal dimension during diastole (LVIDd) (estimate=−0.07, p=0.039), LV mass (estimate=−0.11, p=0.024), and LV mass/volume (estimate=−0.55, p=0.005).

Conclusions

This study found that several placental factors, including the BW/PW ratio, can independently affect LV dimension and morphology, highlighting the importance of fetal growth and placental health in the physiological adaptation of the fetal heart. More research is needed to establish causation and inform newborn prevention strategies.