bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Submacular integration of hESC-RPE monolayer xenografts in a surgical non-human primate model
Authors: Liu Zengping , Ilmarinen Tanja , Tan Gavin S. W. , Hongisto Heidi , Wong Edmund Y. M. , Tsai Andrew S. H. , Al-Nawaiseh Sami , Holder Graham E. , Su Xinyi , Barathi Veluchamy Amutha , Skottman Heli , Stanzel Boris V.
Published: July 2021

Background

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provide a promising cell source for retinal cell replacement therapy but often lack standardized cell production and live-cell shipment logistics as well as rigorous analyses of surgical procedures for cell transplantation in the delicate macula area. We have previously established a xeno- and feeder cell-free production system for hPSC differentiated retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, and herein, a novel immunosuppressed non-human primate (NHP) model with a disrupted ocular immune privilege is presented for transplanting human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived RPE on a scaffold, and the safety and submacular graft integration are assessed. Furthermore, the feasibility of intercontinental shipment of live hESC-RPE is examined.

Methods

Cynomolgus monkeys were systemically immunosuppressed and implanted with a hESC-RPE monolayer on a permeable polyester-terephthalate (PET) scaffold. Microscope-integrated intraoperative optical coherence tomography (miOCT)-guided surgery, postoperative follow-up incorporated scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, spectral domain (SD-) OCT, and full-field electroretinography (ERG) were used as outcome measures. In addition, histology was performed after a 28-day follow-up.

Results

Intercontinental cell shipment, which took >30 h from the manufacturing to the transplantation site, did not alter the hESC-RPE quality. The submacular hESC-RPE xenotransplantation was performed in 11 macaques. The miOCT typically revealed foveal disruption. ERG showed amplitude and peak time preservation in cases with favorable surgical outcomes. Histology confirmed photoreceptor preservation above the grafts and in vivo phagocytosis by hESC-RPE, albeit evidence of cytoplasmic redistribution of opsin in photoreceptors and glia hypertrophy. The immunosuppression protocol efficiently suppressed retinal T cell infiltration and microglia activation.

Conclusion

These results suggest both structural and functional submacular integrations of hESC-RPE xenografts. It is anticipated that surgical technique refinement will further improve the engraftment of macular cell therapeutics with significant translational relevance to improve future clinical trials.
Single-channel speech enhancement based on joint constrained dictionary learning
Authors: Sun Linhui , Bu Yunyi , Li Pingan , Wu Zihao
Published: July 2021

To improve the performance of speech enhancement in a complex noise environment, a joint constrained dictionary learning method for single-channel speech enhancement is proposed, which solves the “cross projection” problem of signals in the joint dictionary. In the method, the new optimization function not only constrains the sparse representation of the noisy signal in the joint dictionary, and controls the projection error of the speech signal and noise signal on the corresponding sub-dictionary, but also minimizes the cross projection error and the correlation between the sub-dictionaries. In addition, the adjustment factors are introduced to balance the weight of constraint terms to obtain the joint dictionary more discriminatively. When the method is applied to the single-channel speech enhancement, speech components of the noisy signal can be more projected onto the clean speech sub-dictionary of the joint dictionary without being affected by the noise sub-dictionary, which makes the quality and intelligibility of the enhanced speech higher. The experimental results verify that our algorithm has better performance than the speech enhancement algorithm based on discriminative dictionary learning under white noise and colored noise environments in time domain waveform, spectrogram, global signal-to-noise ratio, subjective evaluation of speech quality, and logarithmic spectrum distance.
Capturing of solitons collisions and reflections in nonlinear Schrödinger type equations by a conservative scheme based on MOL
Authors: Mousa Mohamed M. , Agarwal Praveen , Alsharari Fahad , Momani Shaher
Published: July 2021

In this work, we develop an efficient numerical scheme based on the method of lines (MOL) to investigate the interesting phenomenon of collisions and reflections of optical solitons. The established scheme is of second order in space and of fourth order in time with an explicit nature. We deduce stability restrictions using the von Neumann stability analysis. We consider a $(2+ 1)$
(
2
+
1
)
-dimensional system of a coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equation as a general model of nonlinear Schrödinger-type equations. We consider several numerical experiments to demonstrate the robustness of the scheme in capturing many scenarios of collisions and reflections of the optical solitons related to nonlinear Schrödinger-type equations. We verify the scheme accuracy through computing the conserved invariants and comparing the present results with some existing ones in the literature.
Magma reservoir beneath Azumayama Volcano, NE Japan, as inferred from a three-dimensional electrical resistivity model explored by means of magnetotelluric method
Authors: Ichiki Masahiro , Kaida Toshiki , Nakayama Takashi , Miura Satoshi , Yamamoto Mare , Morita Yuichi , Uyeshima Makoto
Published: July 2021

An electrical resistivity model beneath Azumayama Volcano, NE Japan, is explored using magnetotelluric method to probe the magma/hydrothermal fluid distribution. Azumayama is one of the most concerning active volcanoes capable of producing a potential eruption triggered by the 2011 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake. The three-dimensional resistivity model reveals a conductive magma reservoir (< 3 Ωm) at depths of 3–15 km below sea level (bsl). The 67% and 90% confidence intervals of resistivity are 0.2–5 Ωm and 0.02–70 Ωm, respectively, for the magma reservoir. We assumed dacitic melt + rock at a shallow depth of 4 km bsl and andesitic melt + rock at a greater depth of 9 km bsl. The confidence interval of resistivity cannot be explained by using dacitic melt + rock condition at a depth of 4 km bsl. This suggests that very conductive hydrothermal fluids coexist with dacitic melt and rock in the shallow part of the magma reservoir. For the depth of 9 km bsl, the 67% confidence interval of resistivity is interpreted as water-saturated (8.0 weight %) andesitic melt–mafic rock complex with melt volume fractions greater than 4 volume %, while the shear wave velocity requires the fluid and/or melt volume fraction of 6–7 volume % at that depth. Considering the fluid and/or melt volume fraction of 6–7 volume %, the conductive hydrous phase is likewise required to explain the wide range of the 67% confidence interval of resistivity. The Mogi inflation source determined from geodetic data lies on the resistive side near the top boundary of the conductive magma reservoir at a depth of 2.7 or 3.7 km bsl. Assuming that the resistivity of the inflation source region is above the upper bound of the confidence interval of resistivity for the conductive magma reservoir and that the source region is composed of hydrothermal fluid + rock, the resistivity of the source region is explained by a hydrothermal fluid volume fraction below 5 volume %, which is the percolation threshold porosity in an effusive eruption. This indicates that the percolation threshold characterizes the inflation source region.
Dietary heterocyclic aromatic amine intake and cancer risk: epidemiological evidence from Japanese studies
Authors: Iwasaki Motoki , Tsugane Shoichiro
Published: July 2021

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs), which are formed from the reaction of creatine or creatinine, amino acids, and sugars in meat and fish cooked at high temperatures, have been shown to be mutagenic in bacterial assays and carcinogenic in animal models. Following advances in the dietary assessment of HAA intake in epidemiological studies - including development of a validated meat-cooking module and a specialized food composition database - a number of epidemiological studies have specifically examined the association of HAA intake and cancer risk, most of which were conducted in Western countries. Given that dietary habits and cooking methods differ across countries, however, epidemiological investigation of dietary HAA intake requires a population-specific assessment method. Here, we developed a practical method for assessing dietary HAA intake among Japanese using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and evaluated its validity for use in epidemiological studies by comparison with 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4,5-b] pyridine (PhIP) levels in human hair. The Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study reported that daily intake of HAAs among Japanese was relatively low, and that more than 50% of total intake in mainland Japan was derived from fish. Only four case-control studies in Japan have been reported so far, for colorectal, stomach and prostate cancer, and colorectal adenoma. A statistically significant positive association was found between 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo [4,5-f] quinoline (MeIQ) and the risk of colorectal adenoma and between individual and total HAAs and the risk of prostate cancer. In contrast, no association was observed for colorectal or stomach cancer, or for colorectal adenoma among men. We also found that the limited and inconsistent findings among epidemiological studies are due to the difficulty in assessing exposure levels of HAAs. In addition to further evidence from prospective cohort studies in Japanese based on dietary HAA intake estimated by FFQs, studies using other methods to assess HAA exposure, such as biomarkers, are highly anticipated.
Feelings of worthlessness links depressive symptoms and parental stress: A network analysis during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Skjerdingstad Nora , Johnson Miriam Sinkerud , Johnson Sverre Urnes , Hoffart Asle , Ebrahimi Omid V.
Published: July 2021

Background

The prevalent co-occurrence between parental stress and depression has been established prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. However, no studies to date have identified the connections through which these symptom domains interact with each other to emerge into a complex and detrimental mental health state, along with the plausible mechanistic variables that may play key roles in maintaining parental stress and depression. The aim of this research is to uncover these interactions in a period where parents experience heightened demands and stress because of the strict social distancing protocols.

Methods

Network analysis is utilized to examine parental stress and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in a large cross-sectional study (N = 2,868) of parents. Two graphical Gaussian graphical network models were estimated, one in which only parental stress and depression symptoms were included, and another in which several mechanistic variables were added.

Results

Expected influence and bridge expected influence revealed that feeling worthless was the most influential node in the symptoms network and bridged the two psychological states. Among the mechanistic variables, worry and rumination was specifically relevant in the depressive cluster of symptoms, and self-criticism was connected to both constructs.

Conclusion

The study displays that the co-occurrence of parental stress and depression has specific pathways, was manifested through feelings of worthlessness, and has specific patterns of connection to important mechanisms of psychopathology. The results are of utility when aiming to avoid the constellation of co-occurring parental stress and depressive symptoms during the pandemic.
External Magnetic Field-Enhanced Supercapacitor Performance of Cobalt Oxide/Magnetic Graphene Composites
Authors: Ahmed Mahmoud M M , Imae Toyoko , Ohshima Hiroyuki , Ariga Katsuhiko , Shrestha Lok Kumar
Published: July 2021

The effect of an external magnetic field on the supercapacitor performance of cobalt oxide/magnetic graphene composites has been investigated. The composites were prepared via the hydrothermal reaction of cobalt nitrate with iron oxide-incorporated magnetic graphene. Cobalt oxide nanoparticles were deposited on the graphene sheets and contributed to enhancing the electrochemical capacitance, since the cobalt oxide could work as pseudocapacitance material different from the graphene sheet with the electric double-layer capacitance effect. Further enhancement was observed upon applying the external magnetic field, which was increased via a home-made electric circuit. The specific capacitances of the composite materials under the external magnetic field of 1191 Gauss were found to be a maximum of 11 times higher than those without the magnetic field. It was also suggested that the increase in specific capacitance under the magnetic field follows the power law of the magnetic field due to a magnetohydrodynamic effect. These results demonstrate the importance of the external magnetic field to develop new technologies on energy-related applications of magnetic materials.
Design Strategies and Recent Results for Near-Infrared-Emissive Materials Based on Element-Block π-Conjugated Polymers
Authors: Gon Masayuki , Ito Shunichiro , Tanaka Kazuo , Chujo Yoshiki
Published: July 2021

The significance of NIR light-absorbing and/or emitting materials is growing day by day in industrial applications as well as research fields because of intrinsic versatility of NIR light. The unique properties of NIR light, such as invisibility to human eyes, high permeability and transmissibility, are readily applicable to novel functional devices for detection sensors, optical communications, imaging probes and photomedical therapy. However, there are several problems to be overcome especially for obtaining efficient NIR-emissive materials, and therefore development of new skeletons which can present efficient NIR emission is still challenging. Herein, we demonstrate molecular design strategies and recent results for preparing the NIR-emissive materials based on element-block π-conjugated polymers. By focusing on the isolated lowest molecular orbital (LUMO), selective perturbation of one frontier molecular orbital (FMO) is accomplished, leading to narrow-energy-gap materials without expanding π-conjugated systems. As another example, it is shown that hypervalent bonds of main group elements are also effective for narrowing energy gap to generate emission in the NIR region. It can be said that the combination of the inherent element features with π-conjugated polymeric systems is expected to be one solution to overcome these problems. On the basis of this strategy, we obtained a variety of π-conjugated polymers showing light-absorption and/or emission in the NIR region with versatile functions. Our approaches presented in these recent studies could be new tactics for developing next-generation optical materials with NIR-light absorption and/or emission.
Unit Sales and Price Effects of Preannounced Consumption Tax Reforms: Micro-level Evidence from European VAT
Authors: Buettner Thiess , Madzharova Boryana
Published: July 2021

We study the effects of consumption tax changes on prices and unit sales of durables utilizing micro-level product data. The results show that tax rate changes are fully shifted into prices. An anticipated tax rate change causes a temporary shift in unit sales shortly before implementation, which is more than offset by adjustments upon and after implementation. If the tax rate increases by 1 percentage point, unit sales rise by 2.5 percent on average in the last month before implementation. The permanent effect is a drop in sales by 2 percent below their original level, implying relatively strong intertemporal substitution effects. (JEL H25, H31, E62, H24, D12, E21)
Preferred Pharmacy Networks and Drug Costs
Authors: Starc Amanda , Swanson Ashley
Published: July 2021

Selective contracting is an increasingly popular tool for reducing health care costs, but any savings must be weighed against consumer surplus losses from restricted access. Recently, many prescription drug plans (PDPs) utilize preferred pharmacy networks to reduce drug prices. Our results suggest that Medicare Part D plans with preferred pharmacy networks pay lower retail drug prices, while subsidized enrollees’ insensitivity to preferred pharmacy cost-sharing discounts reduces these savings. We then estimate pharmacy demand models to quantify the costs and benefits of preferred pharmacy networks, finding that the average enrollee benefits from preferred pharmacy contracting due to reduced out-of-pocket (OOP) costs at preferred pharmacies. (JEL G22, H51, I13, I18, L65, L81)
Political Alignment, Attitudes Toward Government, and Tax Evasion
Authors: Cullen Julie Berry , Turner Nicholas , Washington Ebonya
Published: July 2021

We ask whether attitudes toward government play a causal role in the evasion of US personal income taxes. As turnover elections move voters in partisan counties into and out of alignment with the party of the president, we find with alignment (i) taxpayers report more easily evaded forms of income; (ii) suspect EITC claims decrease; and (iii) audits triggered and audits found to owe additional tax decrease. Coupled with evidence that alignment leads to more favorable views on taxation and spending, our results provide real world evidence that a positive outlook on government lowers tax evasion. (JEL D72, H24, H26, H31)
Medical Applications of Nuclear physics at the School of Medicine of the University of Ioannina (in greek)
Authors: Καλέφ-Εζρά Τζων
Published: July 2021

N/A
The model of therapy in the Personality Disorder and Neurosis Unit
Authors: Niezgoda Ewa , Wieczorek Aleksandra , Biernacka Edyta , Synówka Katarzyna
Published: July 2021

Prawidłowe postępowanie dotyczące osób z zburzeniami osobowości oraz profilaktyka występowania tych zaburzeń stanowią ogromne wyzwania zarówno dla klinicystów, jak i dla osób odpowiedzialnych za organizację opieki zdrowotnej. Wydaje się, że świadomość społeczna istnienia zaburzeń osobowości w ostatnich latach rośnie, jednak w dalszym ciągu, szczególnie w Polsce, pozostają one problemem ukrytym. W systemie opieki zdrowotnej nadal niedoceniana jest skala zjawiska oraz różnorodne koszty ponoszone z tego tytułu. Konsekwencją braku dostatecznej świadomości zjawiska na poziomie podstawowych regulacji prawnych mających wpływ na politykę społeczną i zdrowotną jest brak możliwości rozwijania skutecznych form leczenia i pomocy osobom z zaburzeniami osobowości. Zagadnieniom tym poświęcony został obszerny artykuł, który dokładnie omawiał trudności dotyczące organizacji i leczenia zaburzeń osobowości w Polsce[1,2]. W niniejszym tekście, celem wprowadzenia, przypomniane zostaną postulowane tam rozwiązania, poparte doświadczeniem niektórych ośrodków europejski oraz przeprowadzonymi badaniami naukowymi a następnie zaprezentowany model leczenia zaburzeń osobowości wypracowany przez zespół Oddziału Leczenia Osobowości i Nerwic krakowskiego Szpitala Klinicznego im. Dr. Józefa Babińskiego, zwanego dalej OLZON. Model ten stanowić może swoisty wzorzec dla utworzenia systemu specjalistycznej opieki nad osobami z głębokimi zaburzeniami osobowości w naszym kraju.
Parent involvement in anxiety disorder therapy in children and adolescents
Authors: Lelek Agnieszka , Adamczyk-Banach Magdalena
Published: July 2021

Celem niniejszego artykułu jest przedstawienie terapii rodzinnej jako skutecznej i adekwatnej metody leczenia zaburzeń lękowych u dzieci i młodzieży. Biorąc pod uwagę znaczne ich rozpowszechnienie w populacji pacjentów zgłaszających się do specjalistów zajmujących się ochroną zdrowia psychicznego, rozwijanie efektywnych metod terapeutycznych do pracy z lękiem u dzieci i młodzieży wydaje się być bardzo pożądane. W pierwszej części artykułu przedstawiona została charakterystyka zaburzeń lękowych u dzieci i młodzieży. Następnie opisano tradycyjne modele konceptualizacji lęku u dzieci. Przedstawiono także dominujące metody terapii, z uwzględnieniem faktu ich niewystarczającej koncentracji na czynnikach rodzinnych, które — bazując na aktualnych koncepcjach teoretycznych i danych empirycznych — należy uznać za bardzo istotne w kontekście trudności emocjonalnych u dzieci i młodzieży. W kolejnej części artykułu zaprezentowane zostały badania wskazujące na zasadność, a wręcz konieczność włączania rodziców w leczenie lęku u ich dzieci, a także programy terapeutyczne uwzględniające interwencje rodzinne. W podsumowaniu znajdują się wnioski, refleksje, jak również proponowane kierunki dalszych dociekań badawczych w obszarze terapii rodzinnej skoncentrowanej na leczeniu zaburzeń lękowych u dzieci i młodzieży.
Belastungen von Kindern, Jugendlichen und Eltern in der Corona-Pandemie
Authors: Bujard Martin , von den Driesch Ellen , Kerstin Ruckdeschel , Laß Inga , Thönnissen Carolin , Schumann Almut , Schneider Norbert
Published: July 2021

Die Studie beschäftigt sich mit den psychosozialen Belastungen von Eltern, Kindern und Jugendlichen während der Lockdown-Phasen in Deutschland seit Beginn der Corona-Pandemie. Der Fokus liegt hierbei auf den Auswirkungen der Kontaktbeschränkungen und Schulschließungen auf den mentalen und psychischen Gesundheitszustand. Vor allem für Kinder und Jugendliche sind in dieser Zeit viele alltagssichernde Strukturen weggebrochen, welche langfristige Konsequenzen für ihr persönliches Wohlbefinden und ihre Entwicklung nach sich ziehen könnten. Die zugrundeliegenden Daten sind zum einen Metadaten, welche den aktuellen Forschungsstand zu diesem Thema wiedergeben. Zudem erfolgen auch eigene Analysen mit längsschnittlichen und repräsentativen Daten des deutschen Beziehungs- und Familienpanels pairfam und deren COVID-19-Zusatzbefragung. Diese Befunde dienen dazu einen Überblick über die Lage von Eltern, Kindern und Jugendlichen zu geben, um letztlich adäquate politische und gesellschaftliche Maßnahmen und Handlungsempfehlungen ableiten zu können.
On the Relationship between Fertility, Development and Gender Equality: A Comparison of Western and MENA Countries
Authors: Buyukkececi Zafer , Engelhardt Henriette
Published: July 2021

The changing macro-level relationship between fertility and development (i.e., the standard of living, health and education) from negative to positive for the most advanced economies has received considerable attention recently. Using aggregate data, we compare the relationship between fertility and development in Western countries with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where fertility rates are higher than in other regions with identical levels of development. To understand the drivers of this association, we further link fertility to the components of development as well as female labour force participation separately. Our findings show that fertility and development were positively associated for only a short period in Western countries and that the relationship turned negative again in recent years. Recent data also show that there is no significant relationship between fertility and development in MENA countries. These findings indicate that the well-acknowledged theories of fertility and development do not apply in every context.
Causal Modelling in Fertility Research: A Review of the Literature and an Application to a Parental Leave Policy Reform
Authors: Kreyenfeld Michaela
Published: July 2021

This paper reviews empirical studies that have examined the causal determinants of fertility behaviour. In particular, we compare the approaches adopted in the different disciplines to improve our understanding of how birth dynamics are influenced by changes in female employment and changes in family policies. The wide array of panel data that have become available in recent years provide great potential for advanced causal modelling in this field. Event history modelling has been a dominant approach in sociology and demography. However, researchers are increasingly turning to other methods to unravel causal effects, such as fixed-effects modelling, the regression discontinuity approach, and statistical matching. We summarise selected studies, and discuss the advantages and the shortcomings of the different approaches. In an empirical section, we analyse the impact of the German 2007 policy reform on birth behaviour to illustrate the difficulties involved in isolating policy effects. The final chapter concludes by underscoring that even simple modelling strategies may be beneficial for improving our understanding of how policy effects shape demographic behaviour, and for laying the groundwork for more fine-grained causal investigations.

* This article belongs to a special issue on “Identification of causal mechanisms in demographic research: The contribution of panel data”.
El rol de la cultura en la diplomacia iberoamericana. Análisis de las Declaraciones de las Cumbres Iberoamericanas de Jefes de Estado y de Gobierno (1991-2018)
Authors: Henríquez Ian , Sánchez Espiga Rut
Published: July 2021

El presente trabajo indaga sobre el papel de la cultura en la diplomacia. Para la diplomacia es indispensable el diálogo, el cual, para ser fructífero, no puede prescindir de la cultura. En el caso de Iberoamérica, la cultura se muestra como una clara oportunidad de vinculación estable y paz duradera.
Una geografía del terror para la fase final de los años de plomo: las víctimas de las Fuerzas y Cuerpos de Seguridad del Estado en el País Vasco (1982-1994).
Authors: Mota-Zurdo David
Published: July 2021

Este artículo es un análisis cuantitativo de las víctimas, miembros de las Fuerzas y Cuerpos de Seguridad del Estado, que fueron asesinadas por ETA y grupos afines en el País Vasco entre 1982 y 1994. Partiendo de una óptica territorial, se pone un especial énfasis en la procedencia de las víctimas, en su lugar de asesinato y en el cuerpo policial al que pertenecieron, pues la finalidad es elaborar una radiografía del impacto que tuvieron las acciones terroristas contra las Fuerzas y Cuerpos de Seguridad del Estado en Euskadi. Sin hacer un análisis pormenorizado de cada víctima, en esta investigación se estudian y comparan los datos de aquellas que fueron guardias civiles, policías y militares utilizando una metodología descriptiva y un enfoque positivista. El objetivo del artículo, que es comprobar qué cuerpo policial y militar fue el más azotado por la violencia terrorista y subrayar aquellos municipios, comarcas y provincias vascas más mortíferos, se cumple tras concluir que Gipuzkoa fue el principal lugar de fallecimiento de los miembros de FCSE, siendo los castellanoleoneses, y no los andaluces, los más afectados por el terrorismo.
Análisis de los factores determinantes del resultado exportador en las empresas españolas del sector calzado.
Authors: González-Ferriz Fernando
Published: July 2021

Esta investigación pretende profundizar en el comportamiento de las empresas exportadoras del sector calzado, uno de los más importantes en el levante español, que genera valor añadido a través de la moda. El testimonio de los directivos de una muestra de empresas representativas, mostrará las fortalezas y debilidades de sus procesos de internacionalización, prestando especial importancia a variables como la estrategia de marketing internacional o la propia función directiva. Por otra parte, el análisis descriptivo de los principales condicionantes del resultado exportador, mostrará que los directivos del sector están bien formados, que el entorno y las características de la empresa van a condicionar la estrategia de marketing y que ésta incorpora elementos relacionales y ciertos aspectos de las nuevas tecnologías. Todo ello repercute en la evolución hacia un entorno basado en los servicios y en el estudio del mercado con el fin de identificar de la mejor forma posible las necesidades del cliente. Finalmente, desde el punto de vista académico, se analizará la contribución de teorías como el enfoque de los recursos, las capacidades dinámicas o la teoría de la contingencia.
Turismo y sostenibilidad ambiental y social a través del etnomarketing en Isla Grande (Archipiélago de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, Colombia).
Authors: Villarreal-Gómez Alejandro , Mouthón-Ramos Paola , Jurado-Almonte José Manuel
Published: July 2021

Isla Grande (Archipiélago de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, Colombia) tiene varias particularidades que justifican su investigación. Destaca su riqueza ambiental y de arrecifes coralinos, por lo que ha sido considerado como uno de los parques naturales nacionales más importantes en el Caribe colombiano. A esto se une que sus habitantes son afrodescendientes y que la propiedad del territorio es de carácter colectivo. Ello conlleva un particular proceso de organización local autónomo para establecer un modelo de gestión territorial y de desarrollo local. El turismo se ha convertido en una oportunidad, pero también constituye una amenaza para el medio natural. De esta manera, se ha querido planificar y gestionar esta actividad sobre la base del ecoturismo y el etnomarketing. En esta investigación hay un compromiso de la Universidad de Cartagena de Indias con la sostenibilidad ambiental de este singular territorio. Se ha trabajado con encuestas y entrevistas a nativos, turistas y empresarios. También, ha sido importante la observación directa y la realización de talleres participativos para conocer y diagnosticar la actividad turística. Ello ha permitido, entre otras investigaciones, formular un plan de marketing en el que se promocionen y se den a conocer las potencialidades ecoturísticas de la isla, los saberes ancestrales de los nativos, entre otros aspectos, y contribuir, de la mano de los actores locales, a su sostenibilidad ambiental.
Effects of multicomponent interventions on biochemical markers in obese youth: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Borfe Leticia , Guerra Paulo Henrique , Reuter Cézane Priscila , Brand Caroline , Gil José Francisco López , Brazo-Sayavera Javier , Gaya Anelise Reis
Published: July 2021

Physical exercise is effective in modulating circulating inflammatory markers of obesity. However, little is known about the effects of interventions with physical exercise programs accompanied by nutritional and/or psychological guidance, configuring themselves as multicomponent programs. Thus, the aim of this review is to systematically evaluate the evidence related to the effects of multicomponent weight-loss interventions in modulating circulating inflammatory markers in children and adolescents. Therefore, the following databases will be searched to identify all relevant articles: PubMed, SciELO, Lilacs, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus, SPORT Discus. Randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies of children and adolescents (6 to 18 years old) will be included. Eligible interventions will target weight-related behaviors (including diet, physical activity, behavior modification and/or combinations thereof). Two independent reviewers will select studies using Rayyan QCRI software and extract the data to a standard form. The main outcomes of the review will be the circulating values of leptin, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- α) in a quantitative way. To assess the methodological quality (or risk of bias) of individual studies, Effective Public Health Practice Project assessment tool will be used. The meta-analysis will be performed using the Review Manager software.
The Secret to Finding a Match: A Field Experiment on Choice Capacity Design in an Online Dating Platform
Authors: Jung Jaehwuen , Lim Hyungsoo , Lee Dongwon , Kim Chul
Published: July 2021

Online matching platforms require new approaches to market design because firms can now control many aspects of the search and interaction process through various IT-enabled features. Although choice capacity—the number of candidates a user can view and select—is a key design feature of online matching platforms, its effect on engagement and matching outcomes remains unclear. We examine the effect of different choice capacities on market performance by conducting a randomized field experiment in collaboration with an online dating platform. Specifically, we design four treatment groups with different choice capacities in which users can only interact with other users in the same group and randomly assign the users to the treatment groups. We find that providing more choice capacity to male and female users has different effects on choice behaviors and matching outcomes. Although increasing the choice capacity of male users yields the highest engagement, increasing the choice capacity of female users is the most effective method to increase matching outcomes. We empirically demonstrate four mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of different choice capacity designs and generalize our findings by discussing how choice capacity can be designed to increase engagement and matching outcomes.
A Theory of Interior Peaks: Activity Sequencing and Selection for Service Design
Authors: Li Yifu , Dai Tinglong , Qi Xiangtong
Published: July 2021

Problem definition: Putting customer experience at the heart of service design has become a governing principle of today’s “experience economy.” Echoing this principle, our paper addresses a service designer’s problem of how to select and sequence activities in designing a service package. Academic/practical relevance: Empirical literature shows an ideal sequence often entails an interior peak; that is, the peak (i.e., highest-utility) activity is placed neither at the beginning nor the end of the package. Theoretic literature, by contrast, advocates placing the peak activity either at the beginning or at the end. Our paper bridges this gap by developing a theory accounting for interior peaks. It also provides managerial implications for activity sequencing and selection. Methodology: We model the activity sequencing and selection problem as a nonlinear optimization problem and reformulate its objective as an additive function to generate structural insights. Results: We show that heterogeneity in memory decay explains the phenomenon of interior peaks. The optimal sequence is in either an “IU” or “UI” shape. An interior peak is optimal when the memory decay rate of the peak activity is neither too high nor too low. Managerial implications: Our research sheds light on service sequencing by weighing the phenomenon of interior peaks. In the presence of an interior peak, we show it is optimal to schedule a low point immediately before or after the peak activity, creating a contrast in customer experience. In addition, interior peaks arise partly because the peak activity is more memorable than others. Guided by this logic, as the peak activity becomes even more memorable, one might be tempted to move it to an earlier slot; we show that, counterintuitively, moving it to a later slot can be optimal. Our research also provides implications for activity selection by showing the optimal portfolio may consist of activities with the highest- and lowest-utility values but not those with medium values.
On the Optimal Control of Parallel Processing Networks with Resource Collaboration and Multitasking
Authors: Özkan Erhun
Published: July 2021

We study scheduling control of parallel processing networks in which some resources need to simultaneously collaborate to perform some activities and some resources multitask. Resource collaboration and multitasking give rise to synchronization constraints in resource scheduling when the resources are not divisible, that is, when the resources cannot be split. The synchronization constraints affect the system performance significantly. For example, because of those constraints, the system capacity can be strictly less than the capacity of the bottleneck resource. Furthermore, the resource scheduling decisions are not trivial under those constraints. For example, not all static prioritization policies retain the maximum system capacity, and the ones that retain the maximum system capacity do not necessarily minimize the delay (or, in general, the holding cost). We study optimal scheduling control of a class of parallel networks and propose a dynamic prioritization policy that retains the maximum system capacity and is asymptotically optimal in diffusion scale and a conventional heavy-traffic regime with respect to the expected discounted total holding cost objective.
Investigating writing difficulties in essay writing: Tertiary students’ perspectives
Authors: Bulqiyah Suhaimah , Mahbub Moh. Arif , Nugraheni Dyah Ayu
Published: July 2021

This study is primarily designed for investigating the tertiary students’ perspectives on the writing difficulties of essays. This study was conducted in explanatory research in which quantitative and qualitative data were obtained from the web-based questionnaire and semi-structured interview, then analyzed separately. 21 undergraduate students have enrolled in the survey and 6 of them were invited to the interview section. This research reveals tertiary students' problems in essay writing course are categorized into: affective problems which raise from students’ and lecturers’ attitude while teaching and learning Essay Writing Course, cognitive problems that considered as the difficulties in the areas of writing viewpoint, transferring language, and the process of writing, and linguistic problems in the area of lexico-grammar, vocabulary, and the structure of the essay. Due to the findings, those aspects of academic writing should be serious attention for both EFL students and teachers to overcome the problems. The findings of this study have implications for EFL writing course designers as basic data of material improvement and for researchers particularly in the realms of language and education.
Which children in England see the health visiting team and how often?
Authors: Woodman Jenny , Harron Katie , Hancock Dave
Published: July 2021

In June 2021, Public Health England published its first set of statistics describing additional health visiting contacts. What do these statistics tell us about patterns of health visiting contacts at a national level?
Flexible working in practice: can it be a win–win?
Authors: Crowe Carolyne
Published: July 2021

Flexible working comes in many different forms, from flexible roles, responsibilities, altered hours, or adaptable working environments. Flexibility is a key contributor in building an engaged and sustainable workforce. This article poses questions to consider about how to work in a flexible and sustainable way to benefit you, your team, the patients under your care and your practice both during and in the recovery phase following the pandemic.
Análisis de la competencia digital docente y uso de recursos TIC tras un proceso de intervención universitario, basado en la implementación de una metodología innovadora de gamificación
Authors: Cifuentes Sara Cebrián , Ros Ros Concepción , Fernández Piqueras Rocío , Guerrero Valverde Empar
Published: July 2021

INTRODUCCIÓN. La inclusión de la competencia digital en los currículos de formación de los estudiantes universitarios se hace necesaria por los cambios experimentados en la sociedad, debido a la digitalización de todos sus ámbitos. El alumnado debe adquirir las capacidades y habilidades necesarias para utilizar los recursos tecnológicos que le permita desenvolverse con soltura dentro de la era digital. Para favorecer su desarrollo, las universidades implementan metodologías activas donde el estudiante se convierte en protagonista del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje. Entre estas propuestas metodológicas se encuentra la gamificación. MÉTODO. En este trabajo se presentan los resultados obtenidos acerca del desarrollo de la competencia digital docente, atendiendo a sus cinco dimensiones, en el estudiantado del Grado de Educación Social (ES) y del Grado de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte (CAFD), utilizando un proyecto gamificado como estrategia metodológica. Se ha llevado a cabo una investigación cuantitativade carácter cuasiexperimental con medidas repetidas pretest-postest sin grupo de control. La muestra está compuesta por 86 estudiantes (48 de ES y 38 de CAFD). El 44.9% son hombres y el 55.1% son mujeres, los participantes pertenecen al grupo de edad de 18 a 25 años. RESULTADOS. Los resultados muestran que, después de la intervención a través de la implementación de la gamificación, aumentan todos los valores en las cinco dimensiones de la competencia digital docente (alfabetización digital, comunicación, colaboración, creación de contenidos, seguridad y resolución de problemas), de manera considerable. DISCUSIÓN. El estudio permite concluir que cuando se promueve el desarrollo de competencias digitales mediante estrategias de aprendizaje activo como la gamificacion, los resultados son favorables en todos sus ítems, independientemente de la titulación y sexo.
Refraction of space-time wave packets: I. theoretical principles
Authors: Yessenov Murat , Bhaduri Basanta , Abouraddy Ayman F.
Published: July 2021

Space-time (ST) wave packets are pulsed optical beams endowed with precise spatio-temporal structure by virtue of which they exhibit unique and useful characteristics such as propagation invariance and tunable group velocity. We study in detail here, and in two accompanying papers, the refraction of ST wave packets at planar interfaces between non-dispersive, homogeneous, and isotropic dielectrics. We formulate a law of refraction that determines the change in the ST wave-packet group velocity across such an interface as a consequence of a newly identified optical refractive invariant that we call the “spectral curvature”. Because the spectral curvature vanishes in conventional optical fields where the spatial and temporal degrees of freedom are separable, these phenomena have not been observed to date. We derive the laws of refraction for baseband,

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wave, and sideband ST wave packets that reveal fascinating refractive phenomena, especially for the former class of wave packets. We predict theoretically, and confirm experimentally in the accompanying papers, refractive phenomena such as group-velocity invariance (ST wave packets whose group velocity does not change across the interface), anomalous refraction (group-velocity increase in higher-index media), group-velocity inversion (change in the sign of the group velocity upon refraction but not its magnitude), and the dependence of the group velocity of the refracted ST wave packet on the angle of incidence.
Fourier-basis structured illumination imaging with an array of integrated optical phased arrays
Authors: Dostart Nathan , Zhang Bohan , Brand Michael , Feldkhun Daniel , Popović Miloš , Wagner Kelvin
Published: July 2021

Active imaging and structured illumination originated in “bulk” optical systems: free-space beams controlled with lenses, spatial light modulators, gratings, and mirrors to structure the optical diffraction and direct the beams onto the target. Recently, optical phased arrays have been developed with the goal of replacing traditional bulk active imaging systems with integrated optical systems. In this paper, we demonstrate the first array of optical phased arrays forming a composite aperture. This composite aperture is used to implement a Fourier-based structured-illumination imaging system, where moving fringe patterns are projected on a target and a single integrating detector is used to reconstruct the spatial structure of the target from the time variation of the back-scattered light. We experimentally demonstrate proof-of-concept Fourier-basis imaging in 1D using a six-element array of optical phased arrays, which interfere pairwise to sample up to 11 different spatial Fourier components, and reconstruct a 1D delta-function target. This concept addresses a key complexity constraint in scaling up integrated photonic apertures by requiring onlyNelements in a sparse array to produce an image withN2resolvable spots.
Small difference between the nonlinear refractions of normal and deuterated solvents measurable by nonlinear ellipse rotation
Authors: Fernandes J. C. , Barbano E. C. , Siqueira J. P. , Misoguti L.
Published: July 2021

In this work, we have measured the nonlinear refractions of six different normal and deuterated solvents: water, DMSO, methanol, acetone, toluene, and chloroform using a nonlinear ellipse rotation (NER) signal with femtosecond laser pulses. High-precision, self-referenced NER measurements could detect small differences between the refractive nonlinearities of normal and deuterated solvents. We observed that the replacement of hydrogen with deuterium atoms slightly reduces the magnitude of the nonlinearity. Basically, the reduction is related to the amount of hydrogen and the replacement by deuterium atoms in the molecules; in this way, toluene (chloroform) presents the major (minor) difference. By measuring the nonlinear refraction as a function of the pulse width, we also could observe that the refractive nonlinearity increases as the pulse gets longer. Using a simple empirical model, we could discriminate the ultrafast electronic and delayed orientational refractive nonlinearities of these six pairs of solvents.
Interference and frequency-to-time mapping based high anti-jamming and anti-interception frequency hopping receiving
Authors: Sun Yiwei , Wang Sitong , Chen Jianping , Wu Guiling
Published: July 2021

We have proposed an interference and frequency-to-time mapping based high anti-jamming and anti-interception frequency hopping receiving scheme. By changing the delay difference between the interference arms through high-speed switchable delay lines and using electrooptical sampling, fast and large-range frequency hopping signals can be received. Benefited from the high shaping resolution for using the interference as the spectral shaping method, more receiving passbands in high frequency bands can be available to enhance the anti-jamming and anti-interception performance. By fast pulse shaping through switchable delay lines, the bandwidth of the electric end, the sampling rate, and the number of frequencies in the frequency hopping pattern are decoupled, and the bandwidth of the electric end can be reduced to improve the receiving selectivity. In experiments, the signal hopping from 15.2 GHz to 35.4 GHz with the switching time up to that of the used optical switch is received. Utilizing a switchable delay line in the interference arm with the tuning step of 2.5 ps, eight available receiving passbands within 25 GHz to 42 GHz are generated. The receiving selectivity is also improved from 18.3 to 43.7 in terms of Q factor by decreasing the electric end′s bandwidth in experiments.
Efficient coupling between an integrated photonic waveguide and an optical fiber
Authors: Liu Ning , Zhang Jianfa , Zhu Zhihong , Xu Wei , Liu Ken
Published: July 2021

Because on-chip integration of light sources cannot be realized effectively now, integrated nanophotonic chips must couple external light to the integrated photonic waveguide with high efficiency. Realizing high efficiency coupling requires a low-loss coupling structure. In this paper, the factors allowing high efficiency coupling to be realized are analyzed theoretically and the coupling between a lensed fiber and a tapered silicon nitride (Si3N4) waveguide is realized experimentally. Because the coupling efficiency of this structure is not ideal in the experiment, a scheme of direct alignment between the lensed fiber and a cantilever waveguide is proposed. Although the scheme offers a very high coupling efficiency in theory, because of the warpage of the waveguide they cannot be directly aligned experimentally. Finally, this paper advances a scheme for the tapered fiber to be directly overlapped onto the Si3N4/SiO2 cantilever. It is found that the coupler maintains an ideal coupling efficiency for wavelength from 1530 nm to 1600 nm, laying a foundation for the integration of nano-photonic devices and optical fibers.