bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revisiting longitudinal qualitative studies in social work: considerations for design and methodological insights
Authors: de-Toro Ximena , Rubilar Gabriela , Saracostti Mahia
Published: May 2024

This paper undertakes an analysis and discussion of the methodological challenges and insights derived from three longitudinal qualitative studies, all conducted in Chile during the COVID-19 pandemic and subject to comprehensive theoretical-methodological reflection processes centred on their respective designs. This analysis makes a significant contribution to interdisciplinary discussions within social research, with a particular emphasis on longitudinal trajectories.

First, we present a comparative analysis of three studies in social work, utilising Saldaña’s questions addressing changes and learning in longitudinal studies. The first study explores the labour trajectories of researchers, the second focuses on the educational trajectories of students, and the last examines therapeutic alliance trajectories between social workers and families within the child protection system.

Following this, we delve into the methodological decisions made by the research group during the execution of these longitudinal studies. This encompasses an examination of participant involvement, temporal definitions of the adopted designs, and the most suitable methodological tools for analysing change processes over time. The outcomes of this comparative analysis reveal the distinctive characteristics of the three longitudinal studies, providing insights into how the time dimension is explored within them. We highlight key criteria essential for consideration in longitudinal qualitative research, particularly regarding participants and methodology.

In conclusion, we advocate for an expanded reflection within the realm of longitudinal qualitative methodology, encompassing aspects such as design choices, approaches to data analysis, integration of technology in information processing, and strategies for maintaining participant engagement.
Intergenerational transmission of social memory: a narrative review1
Authors: Rojas-Granada Cristian
Published: May 2024

Societies employ mechanisms to pass on their knowledge through generations. The intergenerational transmission of social memory has become a relatively recent field, gaining increased interest over the past four decades. This article provides a narrative review of the literature on this topic. Findings reveal that memory transmission is influenced by factors that either facilitate or hinder discussions about the past within the family environment. These factors include silence, emotion, the contingency of daily communication and social-level memory characteristics. While official memory often prevails over family memory, the richness of family narratives lies in their ability to offer unique perspectives that may contradict official accounts. The study concludes that family memories may be at a higher risk of fading into social silence and oblivion. Intergenerational memory thrives when there is a plurality of memories within the broader society, emphasising the importance of diverse perspectives in preserving collective memory.
High-accuracy optical vector network analyzer for optical notch and bandpass responses
Authors: Chen Zenghui , Luo Yonggang , Zou Hongwei , Liu Zhisheng , Li Dan
Published: May 2024

A high-accuracy optical vector network analyzer (OVNA) based on optical carrier-suppressed double sideband (CS-DSB) modulation is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The ±1st-order sideband signals are generated by CS-DSB modulation and then pass through the symmetric optical device under test (DUT). The band-stop or band-pass responses can be realized by detecting and processing the double frequency of the driven RF signal. Compared with the conventional symmetrical DSB-based OVNA, the measurement accuracy is improved by eliminating the errors caused by the even-order sidebands, and the complexity is reduced as the proposed method with only one step measurement can avoid the complex postprocessing. In addition, the optical carrier is aligned to the center frequency of the DUT by employing the Pound–Drever–Hall (PDH) technique, which provides stable measurement. At the same time, the limitation that the band-pass responses cannot be measured by the traditional single-sideband (SSB)-based OVNA is overcome. Additionally, accurate magnitude and phase responses of the DUT near the optical carrier can be also achieved since the proposed OVNA is optical filter-immune. The proposed method is theoretically analyzed and verified by experiment. A Fabry–Perot (FP) interferometer serves as the symmetric DUT; the band-stop responses in a frequency range of 6 GHz are obtained with a resolution of 1.2 MHz; and the band-pass responses with the range from 0 to 13 GHz offsetting the optical carrier are also obtained. The measurement time can reach up to 30 min with high stability. The proposed OVNA offers enhanced accuracy and a stable approach for applications in photonic systems and other innovations.
High-quality on-chip entangled photon source with broad tunable range based on coupling compensation
Authors: Fan Pengtao , Wang Xilan , Hao Ran
Published: May 2024

This paper introduces a tunable and high-quality photon source that utilizes evanescent-wave coupling phase matching. By adjusting the coupling gap, the signal light can be tuned from 1307 nm to 1493.9 nm, and the idler light can be tuned from 1612.8 nm to 1907 nm. Throughout the entire tuning range, the purity of the photon pairs remains above 92%. In specific tuning ranges (signal photons from 1307 nm to 1421.7 nm and idler photons from 1706.4 nm to 1907 nm), the purity exceeds 99% and the full width at half-maximum of the generated photon spectra is less than 1.85 nm. The photon source is designed using a silicon–organic hybrid waveguide, which effectively minimizes the impact of two-photon absorption and achieves a 15 dB enhancement in four-wave mixing conversion efficiency compared to a strip waveguide. This design may promote efficient and precise generation of high-quality photons at desired frequencies, offering promising potential for various applications in quantum technologies.
High-accuracy attitude angle measurement system using laser collimation
Authors: Pan Ning , Zhao Qin , Wu Yanpeng , Yuan Li , Bai Jian
Published: May 2024

We propose a high-precision attitude angle measurement system utilizing laser collimation to rectify environmental errors that significantly impact the precision of high-accuracy star sensors. Environmental factors, primarily temperature variations, can induce shifts in the optical axis of star sensors deployed in orbit, leading to errors in attitude angle measurements. Leveraging the conventional star sensor architecture, we have augmented the system with an additional laser path and a four-quadrant detector (4QD) positioned in the image plane. This setup converts angular deviations of the optical axis into positional shifts of the laser spot, facilitating the measurement of environmental errors. Both simulations and experimental findings demonstrate that the laser collimation system effectively mitigates environmental errors, thereby enhancing the attitude accuracy of the star sensors.
Three-dimensional surface reconstruction from reflectance direction fields with orthogonal multicolor filters
Authors: Ohno Hiroshi
Published: May 2024

A three-dimensional (3D) freeform surface reconstruction method is proposed, specifically designed to handle complex surfaces, even those with steep inclinations. This method utilizes a one-shot color mapping imaging system to obtain reflectance direction fields using a stripe multicolor filter positioned in two orthogonal orientations. This imaging system can capture reflectance directions that are identifiable by corresponding colors. The multicolor filter consists of multiple stripe regions, each with a different transmission spectrum. Theoretically, an equation that describes the relationship between reflectance direction fields and the reflective 3D surface can be derived based on geometrical optics. By solving this equation using a deep neural network (DNN) as a gradient descent method without any training data, the 3D surface can be accurately reconstructed, even for surfaces with steep inclinations. The effectiveness of this method is validated through numerical demonstrations on several 3D surfaces, including complex ones with concave and convex areas, as well as steep inclinations.
High-efficiency all-optical switching based on broadband coherent perfect absorption in an atom-cavity system
Authors: Wang Liyong , Zhao Yinxue , Di Ke , Du Jiajia
Published: May 2024

We propose an ultrahigh-efficiency and broadband all-optical switching scheme based on coherent perfect absorption (CPA) in linear and nonlinear excitation regimes in a cavity quantum electrodynamics (CQED) system. Two separate atomic transitions are excited simultaneously by two signal fields coupled from two ends of an optical cavity under the collective strong coupling condition. Three polariton eigenstates are produced which can be tuned freely by varying system parameters. The output field intensities of multiple channels are zero when the CPA criterion is satisfied. However, destructive quantum interference can be induced by a free-space weak control laser when it is tuned to be resonant to the polariton state. As a consequence, the CQED system acts as a coherent perfect light absorber/transmitter as the control field is turned on/off the polariton resonances. In particular, the proposed scheme may be used to realize broadband multi-throw all-optical switching in the nonlinear excitation regime. The proposed scheme is useful for constructing all-optical routing, all-optical communication networks and various all-optical logic elements.
Experimental evaluation of wearable LED strip and side-emitting fiber for optical camera communications systems
Authors: Niarchou Eleni , Eollos-Jarosikova Klara , Matus Vicente , Perez-Jimenez Rafael , Zvanovec Stanislav , Komanec Matej , Rabadan Jose
Published: May 2024

This paper presents an experimental evaluation of two types of light-emitting diode (LED)-based distributed transmitters, namely an LED strip and an LED-coupled side-emitting optical fiber, in both laboratory and wearable optical camera communication (OCC) systems. We study the system performance in terms of success of reception (SoR) with regard to the transmission distance. The best value of SoR is achieved when the camera is facing directly to the transmitter (T
x
) from a close distance of 1 m. Additionally, we compare the power consumption, the signal-to-noise ratio performance (SNR) and all the obtained values under optimal conditions are better than the forward error correction (FEC) limit in OCC systems.
Defect-induced discrete breather in dissipative optical lattices with weak nonlinearity
Authors: Bai Xiao-Dong , Xu Tianhong , Zhao Yujia , Li Tengbo , Ji Guopeng , Zhao Jincui
Published: May 2024

It is widely believed that the discrete breather (DB) can only be created when the nonlinearity is strong in nonlinear systems. However, we here establish that this belief is incorrect. In this work, we systemically investigate the generation of DBs induced by coupling of the defects and nonlinearity for Bose-Einstein condensates in dissipative optical lattices. The results show that, only in a clean lattice is strong nonlinearity a necessary condition for generating of DB; whereas, if the lattice has a defect, the DBs can also be discovered even in weak nonlinearity, and its generation turns out to be controllable. In addition, we further reveal a critical interval of the defect in weak nonlinearity, within which DBs can be found, while outside DBs do not exist. Furthermore, we also explore the impact of multiple defects on the generation of DBs, and analyze the underlying physical mechanisms of these interesting phenomena. The results not only have the potential to be used for more precise engineering in the DB experiments, but also suggest that the DB may be ubiquitous since the defects and dissipation are unavoidable in real physics.
Integrated, bright broadband, two-colour parametric down-conversion source
Authors: Pollmann René , Roeder Franz , Quiring Victor , Ricken Raimund , Eigner Christof , Brecht Benjamin , Silberhorn Christine
Published: May 2024

Broadband quantum light is a vital resource for quantum metrology and spectroscopy applications such as quantum optical coherence tomography or entangled two photon absorption. For entangled two photon absorption in particular, very high photon flux combined with high time-frequency entanglement is crucial for observing a signal. So far these conditions could be met by using high power lasers driving degenerate, type 0 bulk-crystal spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC) sources. This naturally limits the available wavelength ranges and precludes deterministic splitting of the generated output photons. In this work we demonstrate an integrated two-colour SPDC source utilising a group-velocity matched lithium niobate waveguide, reaching both exceptional brightness 1.52⋅106pairssmWGHz and large bandwidth (7.8 THz FWHM) while pumped with a few mW of continuous wave (CW) laser light. By converting a narrow band pump to broadband pulses the created photon pairs show correlation times of Δτ ≈ 120 fs while maintaining the narrow bandwidth Δω
p
 ≪ 1 MHz of the CW pump light, yielding strong time-frequency entanglement. Furthermore our process can be adapted to a wide range of central wavelengths.
Microwave fractional Hilbert transformer implemented in a dispersion-tailored few-mode fiber
Authors: Nazemosadat Elham , Gasulla Ivana
Published: May 2024

We experimentally demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, a microwave fractional Hilbert transformer in a few-mode fiber using a transversal filtering approach. The filter taps are provided by a tunable true-time delay line that is realized by exploiting the spatial dimension of a dispersion-engineered double-clad step-index few-mode fiber. Both the fractional order and operational bandwidth of the fractional Hilbert transformer can be continuously tuned by adjusting the tap coefficients and varying the operational optical wavelength, respectively. The magnitude and phase response for different fractional orders, ranging from 0.17 to 1.00 that correspond to phase shifts of 15° to 90°, are measured. Operational bandwidths of 7.4 to 10.6 GHz are demonstrated for a classical Hilbert transformer. Real-time temporal fractional Hilbert transform of a Gaussian-like pulse is also performed. Our results are in good agreement with theory, validating the viability of our approach for implementation of microwave fractional Hilbert transformers.
Metasurface-based optical system for miniaturization of atomic magnetometers
Authors: Li Jinyi , Zheng Juncheng , Pan Sicheng , Li Kan , Yu Huiyao , Zheng Wenqiang
Published: May 2024

Recent research has focused on miniaturizing atomic devices like magnetometers and gyroscopes for quantum precision measurements, leading to energy savings and broader application. This paper presents the design and validation of metasurface-based optical elements for atomic magnetometers’ optical paths. These include highly efficient half-wave plates, polarizers, circular polarization generators, polarization-preserving reflectors, and polarizing beam splitters. These components, compatible with semiconductor manufacturing, offer a promising solution for creating ultra-thin, compact atomic devices.
Wavelength detection of serial WDM ultra-short fiber Bragg grating sensor networks based on a CCD interrogator using deep belief networks and sparrow search algorithm
Authors: Jiao Dian , Xin Jingtao , Ren Jianan , Liao Jingjing , Xu Chunfeng , Zhu Lianqing
Published: May 2024

In this paper, in order to make fiber Bragg grating spectra easier to overlap, it is proposed to use ultra-short fiber Bragg grating to build a sensor network, and for serial wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor networks using charge-coupled device (CCD) interrogator as data acquisition devices, an efficient method for measuring strain sensor signals is presented, which combines a deep belief network (DBN) with the sparrow search algorithm (SSA). The FBG sensor network uses serial WDM connectivity, negating the need for optical switches and reducing latency of the whole sensor system. The application of a low-precision, low-resolution CCD interrogator as the data acquisition device enhances the model's generalizability and facilitates its implementation in real-world projects. DBN, a generative graphical model in machine learning, for learning features from overlapping spectra of FBGs and build the center wavelength detection model. SSA is a swarm intelligence algorithm, for optimizing the hyperparameters of the DBN model. Experimental results show that even using spectral data collected by a CCD interrogator, the DBN-SSA model can achieve good demodulation accuracy and speed, with an optimal root mean square error of 1.68pm and a single inference time of 1.4 ms. In summary, the demodulation system offers a dependable and effective solution for FBG sensor networks with limited data precision.
On the maximization of entropy in the process of thermalization of highly multimode nonlinear beams
Authors: Mangini Fabio , Ferraro Mario , Gemechu Wasyhun A. , Sun Yifan , Gervaziev Mikhail , Kharenko Denis , Babin Sergey , Couderc Vincent , Wabnitz Stefan
Published: May 2024

We present a direct experimental confirmation of the maximization of entropy which accompanies the thermalization of a highly multimode light beam, upon its nonlinear propagation in standard graded-index (GRIN) optical fibers.
Loss-tailoring single-mode high-power supersymmetric lasers
Authors: Wang Lichang , Wang Yufei , Dong Fengxin , Fu Ting , Li Mengna , Zhang Kang , Gong Kai , Zhou Xuyan , Zhang Jianxin
Published: May 2024

Diode lasers with high beam quality and high power have many promising applications. However, high beam quality is always in conflict with high power. In this Letter, we theoretically and experimentally confirm the mode instability property of supersymmetric structures at higher operating currents. Meanwhile, we propose a loss-tailoring diode laser based on a supersymmetric structure, which enables the higher-order lateral modes to obtain higher losses, raises the excitation threshold of the higher-order lateral modes, and achieves a stable fundamental-lateral-mode output at higher current operation. The device obtained a quasi-single-lobe lateral far-field distribution with the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 7.58° at 350 mA under room temperature, which is a 65% reduction compared to the traditional Fabry–Perot (FP) diode lasers. Moreover, the M2 of 2.181@350 mA has an improvement of about 37% over traditional FP and supersymmetric structure lasers.
Optimization of Cr/Sc-based multilayer mirrors for water window soft x-rays
Authors: Meltchakov Evgueni , Capitanio Blandine , de Rossi Sébastien , Papagiannouli Irène , Mercère Pascal , Delmotte Franck
Published: May 2024

The development of efficient multilayer mirrors for the water window (a spectral region between absorption edges of carbon and oxygen, from 284 to 543 eV) remains a challenge. As the best candidate, the Cr/Sc multilayer provides maximum theoretical reflectivity of about 60% at near-normal incidence around the Sc L2,3 absorption edge (397 eV). However, the maximum measured peak reflectance published so far just slightly exceeds 20%. We report on a new (to the best of our knowledge) approach to design more efficient Cr/Sc-based multilayer coatings using the process of nitridation of chromium during deposition and adding boron carbide as a third material in the multilayer structure. We discuss our strategy of optimization of the CrN/B4C/Sc multilayer system based on experimental studies. The peak reflectance as high as 32% at 396 eV was measured with this type of coating, which is of main interest for various water window applications such as x-ray microscopy.
Secure transmission in a W-band RoF system based on delta-sigma modulation
Authors: Xiao Yaoqiang , Zhou Chunxi , Jiang Linrong , An Zhaoyu , Li Yuqing
Published: May 2024

In this Letter, a delta-sigma modulation (DSM) encryption technique in a W-band RoF system is proposed. By performing DSM with different over-sample ratios (OSRs) on the OFDM signal based on the controlled keys generated by the chaotic system at the transmitter and performing constellation masking to disturb the transmitting signal for encryption, a high-order QAM-OFDM-DSM encrypted signal is achieved. In order to further improve the security of the system, bit bidirectional diffusion scrambling is used to resist chosen-plaintext attacks. After experimental verification, under the same transmission power, the encrypted DSM signal can achieve better security than single OSR of DSM signals through a 50-km standard single-mode fiber (SSMF) and a 3-m wireless channel, with the gain of sensitivity increased by ∼1 dBm. From the reliability of the system, the encrypted signal of the proposed scheme can be recovered, which meets a hard decision-forward error correction (HD-FEC) threshold of 3.8 × 10−3.
Single-frequency orbital angular momentum switchable modes from a microchip laser
Authors: Li Chen , Hua Ziyu , Wang Qing , Li Lang , Zhang Zhichao , Hai Lan , Tan Yidong , Gao Chunqing , Fu Shiyao
Published: May 2024

We demonstrate the direct generation of single-frequency switchable orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes in a 1 µm wavelength range using a Nd:YVO4 microchip laser. The 808 nm laser diode pump beam is shaped into annular through an axicon associated with a lens. By adjusting the diameter and power of the annular pump beam, various OAM modes with different mode volumes can oscillate inside the Nd:YVO4 microchip. Moreover, a single-frequency output is also available due to the short cavity of the microchip. In the proof-of-principle experiment, single-frequency twofold multiplexed OAM modes | ± 1> and | ± 2> are generated, with experimentally measured fidelity higher than 96%. This work presents a compact and versatile single-frequency OAM source and will inspire multiple advanced scenarios ranging from classical to quantum photonics.
GHz repetition rate mid-infrared frequency comb spectroscopy of fast chemical reactions
Authors: Hoghooghi Nazanin , Chang Peter , Egbert Scott , Burch Matt , Shaik Rizwan , Diddams Scott A. , Lynch Patrick , Rieker Gregory B.
Published: May 2024

Molecular diagnostics are a primary tool of modern chemistry, enabling
researchers to map chemical reaction pathways and rates to better
design and control chemical systems. Many chemical reactions are
complex, involving multiple species and reaction pathways occurring on
µs or shorter timescales. Existing diagnostic approaches provide a
subset of chemical and thermodynamic information. Here we optimize
across many diagnostic objectives by introducing a high-speed and
broadband, mid-infrared dual-frequency-comb absorption spectrometer.
The optical bandwidth of >1000cm−1 covers absorption fingerprints of
many species with spectral resolution <0.03cm−1 to accurately discern their absolute
quantities. Key to this advance are 1 GHz pulse repetition rate
mode-locked frequency combs covering the 3–5 µm region that enable a
spectral acquisition rate of 290cm−1 per 17.5 µs per detector for in situ tracking of fast chemical process
dynamics. We demonstrate this system to quantify the abundances and
temperatures of each species in the complete reactants-to-products
breakdown of 1,3,5-trioxane, which exhibits a formaldehyde
decomposition pathway that is critical to modern low-temperature
combustion systems. By maximizing the number of observed species and
improving the accuracy of temperature and concentration measurements,
this spectrometer provides a pathway for modern chemistry approaches
such as combining chemical models with machine learning to constrain
or predict complex reaction mechanisms and rates.
Perceptions of yellow fever emergency mass vaccinations among vulnerable groups in Uganda: A qualitative study
Authors: Huebl Lena , Nnyombi Aloysious , Kihumuro Aban , Lukwago Denis , Walakira Eddy , Kutalek Ruth
Published: May 2024

Background

Yellow fever (YF), a mosquito-borne viral hemorrhagic fever, is endemic in Uganda and causes frequent outbreaks. A total of 1.6 million people were vaccinated during emergency mass immunization campaigns in 2011 and 2016. This study explored local perceptions of YF emergency mass immunization among vulnerable groups to inform future vaccination campaigns.

Methodology

In this qualitative study, we conducted 43 semi-structured interviews, 4 focus group discussions, and 10 expert interviews with 76 participants. Data were collected in six affected districts with emergency mass vaccination. We included vulnerable groups (people ≥ 65 years and pregnant women) who are typically excluded from YF vaccination except during mass immunization. Data analysis was conducted using grounded theory. Inductive coding was utilized, progressing through open, axial, and selective coding.

Principal findings

Participants relied on community sources for information about the YF mass vaccination. Information was disseminated door-to-door, in community spaces, during religious gatherings, and on the radio. However, most respondents had no knowledge of the vaccine, and it was unclear to them whether a booster dose was required. In addition, the simultaneous presidential election during the mass vaccination campaign led to suspicion and resistance to vaccination. The lack of reliable and trustworthy information and the politicization of vaccination campaigns reinforced mistrust of YF vaccines.

Conclusions/significance

People in remote areas affected by YF outbreaks rely on community sources of information. We therefore recommend improving health education, communication, and engagement through respected and trusted community members. Vaccination campaigns can never be seen as detached from political systems and power relations.
Incentive-compatible mechanism for manufacturing carbon emission supervision under carbon control policies in China
Authors: Liang Peipei , Lv Youqing , Zhao Yajuan
Published: May 2024

Enhance performance in manufacturing carbon emission (MCE) reduction has become a widespread consensus and a necessary part, which cannot be achieved without the joint participation of manufacturing enterprises and supervisory departments. Accordingly, how to coordinate the interests of both sides and design a reasonable incentive-compatible mechanism becomes an urgent task at present. Considering the two subsidy funding channels of peer funds and government finance, this study applies the evolutionary game model to analyze feasible schemes for designing incentive-compatible mechanism of MCE supervision, discusses and simulates the realistic scenarios and influencing factors of incentive-compatible mechanism under the non-subsidized and subsidized schemes. The results show that MCE supervision is in an incentive-incompatible state under the non-subsidized incentive scheme, while in a constrained incentive-compatible state under the subsidized incentive scheme. With the increase of peer funds and penalty coefficient or the decrease of subsidy coefficient, the period of MCE supervision to reach an incentive-compatible state becomes shorter. However, a lower peer fund and penalty coefficient or a higher subsidy coefficient will contribute to a state of incentive-incompatible or a periodic cycle state of "incentive-compatible → incentive-incompatible →incentive-compatible→…" in the MCE supervision.
Research on consumers’ purchase intention of cultural and creative products—Metaphor design based on traditional cultural symbols
Authors: Liu Lili , Zhao Hongxia
Published: May 2024

Chinese traditional cultural symbols possess great aesthetic and cultural value, and are widely utilized in product design. In this study, we explore the relationship between metaphor design based on traditional cultural symbols, customer experience and cultural identity, and further estimate how these three variables stimulate consumers’ perceived value to generate consumers’ purchase intention. Based on existing traditional cultural literature and Stimulus-organism-response theory (SOR), we proposed a theoretical research model to characterize the relationship among metaphor design based on traditional cultural symbols, customer experience, cultural identity, perceived value and consumers’ purchase intention. A research survey was conducted and 262 questionnaires were collected in total with 241 valid. We used Smart PLS graph version 3.0 for data analysis. Results indicate that the cognition of metaphor design based on traditional cultural symbols and customer experience has a direct and significant impact on the emotional value thereby, eliciting consumers’ purchase intention, metaphor design based on traditional cultural symbols is directly and indirectly (i.e., through customer experience or perceived value) positively associated with consumers’ purchase intention, also customer experience is directly and indirectly (i.e., through perceived value) associated with consumer purchase intention, cultural identity mediates the indirect effect of customer experience and perceived value on purchase intention, the moderating role of cultural identity between customer experience and perceived value is not significant. Our findings help to expand the existing literature on consumer purchase intentions by rationally using traditional cultural symbols in the product metaphor design.
Prospective effects of mindfulness on anxiety and depressive symptoms may be spurious: Simulated reanalysis of a meta-analytic cross-lagged panel analysis
Authors: Sorjonen Kimmo , Melin Bo
Published: May 2024

A recent meta-analysis claimed decreasing prospective effects of acting with awareness and non-reacting, two facets of dispositional mindfulness, on subsequent anxiety and depressive symptoms. However, the meta-analytic cross-lagged effects were estimated while adjusting for a prior measurement of the outcome variable and it is known that such adjusted cross-lagged effects may be spurious due to correlations with residuals and regression to the mean. We fitted competing models on simulations of the same meta-analytic data and found that prospective effects of the mindfulness facets on anxiety and depressive symptoms probably were spurious. It is important for researchers to be aware of limitations of adjusted cross-lagged effects, meta-analytically estimated or not, in order not to overinterpret findings.
Catch yield and selectivity of a modified scallop dredge to reduce seabed impact
Authors: Fenton Mairi , Szostek Claire L. , Delargy Adam , Johnson Andrew F. , Kaiser Michel J. , Hinz Hilmar , Hold Natalie , Sciberras Marija
Published: May 2024

Global scallop fisheries are economically important but are associated with environmental impacts to seabed communities resulting from the direct physical contact of the fishing gear with the seabed. Gear modifications attempting to reduce this contact must be economically feasible such that the catch numbers for the target species is maintained or increased. This study investigated the outcome of reducing seabed contact on retained catch of scallops and bycatch by the addition of skids to the bottom of the collecting bag of scallop dredges. We used a paired control experimental design to investigate the impact of the gear modification in different habitat types. The modified skid dredge generally caught more marketable scallops per unit area fished compared with the standard dredge (+5%). However, the skid dredge also retained more bycatch (+11%) and more undersize scallops (+16%). The performance of the two dredges was habitat specific which indicates the importance of adjusting management measures in relation to habitat type. To realize the potential environmental benefits associated with the improvement in catchability of this gear modification, further gear modification is required to reduce the catch of undersize scallops and bycatch. Furthermore we advocate that technical gear innovations in scallop dredging need to be part of a comprehensive and effective fisheries management system.
Immortalized hepatocyte-like cells: A competent hepatocyte model for studying clinical HCV isolate infection
Authors: Pewkliang Yongyut , Thongsri Piyanoot , Suthivanich Phichaya , Thongbaiphet Nipa , Keatkla Jiraporn , Pasomsub Ekawat , Anurathapan Usanarat , Borwornpinyo Suparerk , Wongkajornsilp Adisak , Hongeng Suradej , Sa-ngiamsuntorn Khanit
Published: May 2024

More than 58 million individuals worldwide are inflicted with chronic HCV. The disease carries a high risk of end stage liver disease, i.e., cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) have revolutionized therapy, the emergence of drug-resistant strains has become a growing concern. Conventional cellular models, Huh7 and its derivatives were very permissive to only HCVcc (JFH-1), but not HCV clinical isolates. The lack of suitable host cells had hindered comprehensive research on patient-derived HCV. Here, we established a novel hepatocyte model for HCV culture to host clinically pan-genotype HCV strains. The immortalized hepatocyte-like cell line (imHC) derived from human mesenchymal stem cell carries HCV receptors and essential host factors. The imHC outperformed Huh7 as a host for HCV (JFH-1) and sustained the entire HCV life cycle of pan-genotypic clinical isolates. We analyzed the alteration of host markers (i.e., hepatic markers, cellular innate immune response, and cell apoptosis) in response to HCV infection. The imHC model uncovered the underlying mechanisms governing the action of IFN-α and the activation of sofosbuvir. The insights from HCV-cell culture model hold promise for understanding disease pathogenesis and novel anti-HCV development.
Association between executive functions and COMT Val108/158Met polymorphism among healthy younger and older adults: A preliminary study
Authors: Apa Zoltan , Gilsoul Jessica , Dideberg Vinciane , Collette Fabienne
Published: May 2024

Background and objectives

Genetic variability in the dopaminergic system could contribute to age-related impairments in executive control. In this study, we examined whether genetic polymorphism for catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT Val158Met) is related to performance on updating, shifting and inhibition tasks.

Methods

We administered a battery of executive tasks assessing updating, shifting and inhibition functions to 45 older and 55 younger healthy participants, and created composite z-scores associated to each function. Six groups were created based on genetic alleles (Val/Val, Val/Met, Met/Met) derived from the COMT gene and age (younger, older). Age and genotype effects were assessed with t-test and ANOVA (p<0.05).

Results

A lower performance was observed in the older group for the three executive processes, and more particularly for inhibition. Moreover, older participants homozygous for the Val allele have a lower performance on the inhibition composite in comparison to younger Val/Val.

Conclusions

These results confirm presence of executive performance decrease in healthy aging. With regard to genetic effect, older participants seem particularly disadvantaged when they have a lower baseline dopamine level (i.e., Val/Val homozygous) that is magnified by aging, and when the executive measure emphasize the need of stable representations (as in inhibition task requiring to maintain active the instruction to not perform an automated process).
Improving measurement of functional status among older adults in primary care: A pilot study
Authors: Brown Rebecca T. , Zamora Kara , Rizzo Anael , Spar Malena J. , Fung Kathy Z. , Santiago Lea , Campbell Annie , Nicosia Francesca M.
Published: May 2024

Despite its importance for clinical care and outcomes among older adults, functional status–the ability to perform basic activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs (IADLs)–is seldom routinely measured in primary care settings. The objective of this study was to pilot test a person-centered, interprofessional intervention to improve identification and management of functional impairment among older adults in Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care practices. The four-component intervention included (1) an interprofessional educational session; (2) routine, standardized functional status measurement among patients aged ≥75; (3) annual screening by nurses using a standardized instrument and follow-up assessment by primary care providers; and (4) electronic tools and templates to facilitate increased identification and improved management of functional impairment. Surveys, semi-structured interviews, and electronic health record data were used to measure implementation outcomes (appropriateness, acceptability and satisfaction, feasibility, fidelity, adoption/reach, sustainability). We analyzed qualitative interviews using rapid qualitative analysis. During the study period, all 959 eligible patients were screened (100% reach), of whom 7.3% (n = 58) reported difficulty or needing help with ≥1 ADL and 11.8% (n = 113) reported difficulty or needing help with ≥1 IADL. In a chart review among a subset of 50 patients with functional impairment, 78% percent of clinician notes for the visit when screening was completed had content related to function, and 48% of patients had referrals ordered to address impairments (e.g., physical therapy) within 1 week. Clinicians highly rated the quality of the educational session and reported increased ability to measure and communicate about function. Clinicians and patients reported that the intervention was appropriate, acceptable, and feasible to complete, even during the COVID pandemic. These findings suggest that this intervention is a promising approach to improve identification and management of functional impairment for older patients in primary care. Broader implementation and evaluation of this intervention is currently underway.
Baseline characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine non-responders in a large population-based sample
Authors: Yaseen Ashraf , DeSantis Stacia M. , Sabharwal Rachit , Talebi Yashar , Swartz Michael D. , Zhang Shiming , Leon Novelo Luis , Pinzon-Gomez Cesar L. , Messiah Sarah E. , Valerio-Shewmaker Melissa , Kohl Harold W. , Ross Jessica , Lakey David , Shuford Jennifer A. , Pont Stephen J. , Boerwinkle Eric
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Studies indicate that individuals with chronic conditions and specific baseline characteristics may not mount a robust humoral antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. In this paper, we used data from the Texas Coronavirus Antibody REsponse Survey (Texas CARES), a longitudinal state-wide seroprevalence program that has enrolled more than 90,000 participants, to evaluate the role of chronic diseases as the potential risk factors of non-response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in a large epidemiologic cohort.

Methods

A participant needed to complete an online survey and a blood draw to test for SARS-CoV-2 circulating plasma antibodies at four-time points spaced at least three months apart. Chronic disease predictors of vaccine non-response are evaluated using logistic regression with non-response as the outcome and each chronic disease + age as the predictors.

Results

As of April 24, 2023, 18,240 participants met the inclusion criteria; 0.58% (N = 105) of these are non-responders. Adjusting for age, our results show that participants with self-reported immunocompromised status, kidney disease, cancer, and “other” non-specified comorbidity were 15.43, 5.11, 2.59, and 3.13 times more likely to fail to mount a complete response to a vaccine, respectively. Furthermore, having two or more chronic diseases doubled the prevalence of non-response.

Conclusion

Consistent with smaller targeted studies, a large epidemiologic cohort bears the same conclusion and demonstrates immunocompromised, cancer, kidney disease, and the number of diseases are associated with vaccine non-response. This study suggests that those individuals, with chronic diseases with the potential to affect their immune system response, may need increased doses or repeated doses of COVID-19 vaccines to develop a protective antibody level.
Systematic evaluation of integration between China’s digital economy and sports industry: Two-stage grey relational analysis and vector autoregressive model
Authors: Sun Xu , Su Lide , Zhou Bo , Bu Te , Zhang Yang
Published: May 2024

Objectives

The development of the digital economy constitutes a key component of China’s endeavors to advance towards “Digital China.” The sports industry functions as a new catalyst for high-quality economic growth. This study systematically evaluated the integration between these two sectors.

Methods

First, we conducted two levels of grey relational analysis to assess their integration between 2016 and 2021. Second, we conducted a VAR analysis to determine whether their integration between 2009 and 2021 represents a causal relationship.

Results

At the macro level, the grey relational analysis reveals that the sports industry (grade = 0.770) ranked second among China’s eight key economic sectors in terms of digital economy integration. At the meso level, a wide variation (ranging from 0.606 to 0.789) existed in the grade of integration between the digital economy and the sub-sectors of the sports industry. According to the VAR model, the digital economy does not Granger cause (p = 0.344) the growth of the sports industry.

Conclusions

This study yielded two added values to the existing literature: First, there exists a sectoral imbalance in the digitization process; second, the explosive growth of the sports industry was not primarily caused by the digital economy. Accordingly, the “sports + digital” complex is still in the first wave of technological integration. We propose three policy recommendations, namely, sectoral synergistic development, overtaking via esports IP, and new economy and new regulation. Collectively, these findings provide updated insights for the digital transformation towards “building a leading sports nation” and “Digital China.”
Authorship, activism and creative struggles: Peter Watkins’ The Journey revisited
Authors: Stjernholm Emil
Published: May 2024

Based on research in the archive of the Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society in Stockholm, this article sheds light on the complex production history behind Peter Watkins’ fourteen-and-a-half-hour documentary Resan (The Journey) (1987). Set in a dozen countries around the world, the film presents a complex web of thematic tropes about global peace, consistently highlighting the connection between the local, national and international. The way in which the film subverts documentary form – in terms of both scope and aesthetic strategies – raises questions concerning the institutional conditions within which it was made. Although Watkins’ authorial position between avant-garde and documentary film culture has been investigated in-depth, particularly from a textual point of view, little attention has been afforded the creative struggles permeating the production and circulation history behind this epic documentary. Bridging the gap between the scholarly fields of media activism, useful cinema and documentary film, this study zooms in on the Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society, Scandinavia’s largest peace movement, and their fundraising drive for this film. In doing so, the article provides new information about the negotations that shaped the relationship between Watkins, the activists and the organization that made this film possible.
DUX4, the rockstar of embryonic genome activation?
Authors: Nykänen Sonja , Vuoristo Sanna
Published: May 2024

During the initial days of development, the embryo gradually shifts from reliance on maternally provided RNAs and proteins to regulation of its own development. This transition is marked by embryonic genome activation (EGA). While the factors driving human EGA remain poorly characterized, accumulating evidence suggests that double homeobox 4 (DUX4) is an important regulator of this process. Despite advances in single-cell methods which have allowed studies in early human embryos, fundamental questions regarding the function and regulation of DUX4 persist. Here, we review current knowledge of DUX4 with a focus on EGA in humans.
La representación simbólica del género en los discursos de las candidatas de derecha en Argentina: los valores de la familia y lo femenino
Authors: Bedin Paula
Published: May 2024

Este artículo analiza la representación simbólica del género en los discursos de campaña de las candidatas a la Vicepresidencia de la Nación Argentina en las elecciones de 2015 y 2019 por espacios políticos de centroderecha y derecha: Gabriela Michetti, Liliana Negre de Alonso y Cynthia Hotton. En sus discursos las candidatas elaboran retratos de sí mismas, del electorado y de sus adversarios políticos al evocar simbólicamente “los valores" de la familia heterosexual y de la "ética del cuidado". Estas presentaciones simbólicas "oficiales" de los valores se encuentran completamente articuladas con el subtexto simbólico. Por este motivo, en ambas dimensiones se refuerzan desigualdades y representaciones binarias del género. Asimismo, al detectar una brecha dentro de las presentaciones simbólicas oficiales, entre la evocación de los valores de la ética del cuidado y los retratos polarizantes y estigmatizantes de los adversarios políticos, el artículo contribuye a reflexionar sobre el proceso de consolidación de los discursos antigénero.
Rata de dos patas: análisis de insultos en el español de España en el siglo XXI
Authors: Méndez Santos María del Carmen , Duñabeitia Landaburu Jon Andoni , Pérez Bernabeu Aarón
Published: May 2024

Esta investigación analiza los insultos más frecuentemente recuperados en una prueba de disponibilidad léxica en el español actual de España. El objetivo es ofrecer un estudio desde una perspectiva cultural, cognitiva y lingüística e informar de ello a profesionales de la lengua. Para ello se elaboró un cuestionario digital donde los informantes debían escribir los tres primeros insultos que más frecuentemente usan. Se documentaron 1108 insultos diferentes. Posteriormente analizamos dicho listado de insultos fonética, morfológica, semántica, léxica y pragmáticamente. Asimismo, prestamos atención a aspectos culturales y sociales. Las principales conclusiones de este trabajo son que los insultos más usados son gilipollas, imbécil, cabrón/a, subnormal, hijoputa, tonto/a, idiota, puto/a, capullo/a, payaso/a. Se puede señalar al respecto que no hay apenas diferencias entre las respuestas de hombres y mujeres. Sobre la edad podemos indicar que la juventud usa más gilipollas y las personas más mayores, cabrón/a. En cuanto al origen geográfico se perciben variantes diatópicas de un mismo concepto. Desde el punto de vista fonético, el modo de articulación y la tensión articulatoria parecen mostrar una preferencia por oclusivas y fricativas que ofrecen mayor amenaza sonora. Morfológicamente los insultos apenas presentan productividad mediante la prefijación y triunfa principalmente la composición. Semánticamente destaca que las resemantizaciones, las extensiones de significado y las metáforas son los mecanismos más productivos. Hablando concretamente, parece que los temas culturalmente más ofensivos son las conductas socialmente reprobables y la ofensa a la capacidad mental. Socialmente se atestigua que ciertos comportamientos sexuales son más reprochados a mujeres que a hombres. Desde el punto de vista pragmático documentamos diferentes mecanismos atenuadores e intensificadores.