bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-Wide Association Study of Grain Quality Traits in Rice Detected Genomic Regions of High-Quality Rice for Increasing Rice Consumption
Authors: Alkahtani Jawaher
Published: July 2022

This review describes the current status of genome-wide association study (GWAS) of the major cereal crop in rice (Oryza sativa L.) concentrate on the rice quality traits that related to the consumers demand. These rice quality traits that also become major concern in the rice industry and determine the rice consumption value, including grain length, grain width, grain length to width ratio, grain weight, amylose content, protein content, as well as gelatinization temperature. One of the primary objective in the rice breeding program is to increase rice grain quality based on the consumption demands. Rice grain quality preferences influenced by countries and cultures. genome-wide association study has an important role in increasing the rice quality based on the consumers demand because this method identified many crucial genomic regions of important traits. genome-wide association study has many advantages correlated with reducing genotyping cost and research time, increasing mapping resolution and larger allele number. Meanwhile, genome-wide association study has two main limitations related to population size and the number of markers. There are many software packages for data analysis in genome-wide association study. The most commonly software that was used in genome-wide association study especially in these crops is TASSEL because frequently updated. Recently, many research papers concentrated on genome-wide association study in rice quality traits. A total of 121, 138, 81, 60, 18, 6, and 5 QTLs for grain length, grain width, grain length to width ratio, grain weight, amylose content, protein content, and gelatinization temperature; respectively have been identified by genome-wide association study in different rice populations for almost twelve years (2010 until 2022). genome-wide association study analysis accelerated identification of genetic regions, candidate genes within these genomic regions and their metabolomic analysis correlated to the rice quality traits. Developing high-quality rice varieties that meet consumer preferences and increasing global population demands can be accelerated by genome-wide association study.
Potential of Bio Hydrogen Production from Dark Fermentation of Sewage Waste Water – A Review
Authors: R. Thiruchelvi R. Thiruchelvi , Kumari N. Kabila , Rajnish K. N.
Published: July 2022

Nowadays, energy is the basic need for social life. Bioenergy is the powerful renewable substitution of fossil fuels. Hydrogen is a clean fluid that can be easily provided with the help of certain biomass. Hydrogen production can be produced by various techniques such as electrolysis, steam-methane reforming process, and biological process. The majority of the countries produced biohydrogen as bioenergy because it is carbon-free fuel and it is eco-friendly and it does not contribute to ozone depletion or greenhouse emissions. Waste (sewage water, industrial waste, domestic waste) can be used as an alternative source. Hydrogen production from the various biological process, such as dark fermentation some of the bacteria (Enterobacter and clostridium) involved in hydrogen production are yield very high energy. In this article, we can discuss the advanced techniques, parameters affecting biohydrogen production during the fermentation process, limitations, and importance.
Water Quality and Heavy Metal Load in Water and Sediments of Behlol Nullah, a Tributary of River Tawi, Jammu (J & K), India
Authors: Sharma Arti , Bandhana Bandhana
Published: July 2022

Behlol nullah is an important tributary of river Tawi and its water quality is the major cause of concern because it receives untreated sewage as well as industrial waste from Gangyal and Bari Brahamana industrial complexes. A current effort is underway to examine the water quality and heavy metal load in the water and sediments. With various anthropogenic activities in mind, this water body has been divided into three stations namely Station-I, Station II and Station III, where Station I receives industrial effluents directly from Gangyal industrial area through Gadigarh nullah, Station II is situated downstream about 400 metres away from the site where industrial waste is directly drained into the nullah and station III is located at chatha around 6.6 kilometres away from station II and this station is devoid of any anthropogenic impacts. Standard procedures were used to analyse physicochemical parameters such as air temperature, water temperature, pH, DO, FCO2, Carbonates, Bicarbonates, Chlorides, Calcium, Magnesium, BOD, Nitrates, Phosphates and Sulphates in both water and sediments. Based on WQI score, the results of this investigation revealed variances in water quality. AAS was used to assess the level of pollution in the water and sediments of Behlol nullah for the heavy metals Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb. Heavy metal concentrations in sediments were found to be greater than in water, with the sequence of Fe>Zn>Cu>Pb in water and Fe>Cu>Zn>Pb in sediments. However, Fe was found to be highest in both water and sediments at all the study sites, and some heavy metal concentrations was found to be beyond the WHO- recommended tolerable level, indicating that this water body needs immediate attention.
Soberanía y desdemocratización en el Estado contemporáneo: un análisis de la gobernanza económica en la Unión Europea
Authors: Azkune Torres Jon
Published: July 2022

Mediante el siguiente artículo analizaremos la tendencia cada vez mayor hacia la desdemocratización en el Estado contemporáneo en general y en la Unión Europea en particular. Para ello, nos preguntamos en un primer momento, por qué a pesar de las continuas llamadas a la ciudadanía activa y la participación, la desconfianza hacia las instituciones y el statu quo no hacen más que aumentar. Para explicar este fenómeno nos valdremos del método de la articulación del enfoque estratégico y relacional por el que comenzaremos con un análisis a un nivel abstracto-simple ofreciendo paso a paso nuevos planos de análisis que nos conduzcan a un nivel más concreto-complejo. Abordaremos cuestiones como la democracia y la soberanía, la gubernamentalidad neoliberal y las transformaciones acaecidas en el seno del Estado para explicar el reforzamiento del ejecutivo, el fortalecimiento de las instancias privadas y el auge de la gobernanza, los arbitrajes comerciales y las agencias de ráting. Nuestra conclusión es que en la mayoría de los casos las llamadas a la participación forman parte de la “grilla de inteligiblidad” de la gubernamentalidad neoliberal, y que en la práctica el poder de la ciudadanía para que los poderes políticos actúen de forma obedencial se ha reducido y el de los actores privados se ha fortalecido.
Un estudio sobre las características didácticas, de contenido y narrativas de los productos audiovisuales disponibles en YouTube Kids
Authors: Martín Gómez Sebastián , Vidal Esteve María Isabel , López Gómez Silvia
Published: July 2022

Este artículo analiza las características de una selección de productos audiovisuales dirigidos a niños de 0 a 4 años alojados en la plataforma YouTube Kids.
Por un lado, se analiza la propia plataforma; su estructura, diseño, usabilidad e interactividad. Por otro lado, se analizan los recursos más populares en cada una de las categorías establecidas en la propia plataforma, a saber: programas, música, aprendizaje y exploración. 
Se evaluaron un total de 29 videos, mediante una herramienta de análisis desarrollada ad-hoc, que se estructura en las siguientes áreas de análisis: didáctica, de contenido y narrativa. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la plataforma se basa en una estructura similar a la de YouTube, pero adaptada a los niños, con poca descripción de los contenidos y excluyendo funciones como: valoración de vídeos, comentarios de las familias u observación del número de visualizaciones, entre otras. otros.
En cuanto a los materiales audiovisuales, la mayoría de los vídeos son de larga duración y están enfocados desde una perspectiva lúdica más que pedagógica, haciendo que su consumo se centre principalmente en el ámbito doméstico y familiar. 
 
Palabras clave
YouTube Kids, productos audiovisuales, material didáctico digital, educación infantil, videos.
Eficacia de la formación docente en diseño universal para el aprendizaje: Una revisión sistemática de literatura (2000-2020)
Authors: Sánchez-Serrano José Manuel
Published: July 2022

A lo largo de las últimas dos décadas el diseño universal para el aprendizaje (DUA) se ha ido configurando como uno de los enfoques más prometedores para orientar la atención a la diversidad del alumnado. Este modelo, que justifica sus principios a partir de diferentes investigaciones sobre neuroaprendizaje, ha sido adoptado por la legislación española en materia educativa como marco de referencia para optimizar la respuesta educativa a las diferentes formas de aprender de los estudiantes por parte del profesorado. La incorporación de los principios del DUA a la práctica docente puede resultar compleja si no se posee un adecuado conocimiento de sus fundamentos teóricos y de su marco de pautas y puntos de verificación. En este sentido, la formación docente en DUA va a desempeñar un rol fundamental. Resulta preciso garantizar, pues, que dicha formación sobre DUA es efectiva en el desarrollo de competencias docentes para la atención a la diversidad. El objetivo de este trabajo es explorar la evidencia empírica existente sobre la eficacia que ha demostrado tener la formación docente en materia de DUA. La metodología consistió en una revisión sistemática de literatura para conocer qué tipo de investigaciones basadas en intervenciones formativas sobre DUA se han desarrollado y qué resultados se han obtenido. Durante todo el proceso se siguieron las orientaciones del PRISMA Statement. De los 507 registros identificados inicialmente en diferentes bases de datos (ERIC, Scopus, PsycInfo® o ProQuest Central, entre otras), 27 cumplieron los criterios de elegibilidad y fueron incluidos en la revisión. La síntesis y discusión de resultados se enfoca a describir la información referida a diferentes variables de interés, como el tipo de formación en DUA que se proporcionó, el contexto en que se desarrolló, los contenidos incluidos, el perfil de los docentes participantes o los hallazgos obtenidos. Las conclusiones apuntan a que la formación en DUA resulta eficaz para el desarrollo de la capacidad para incorporar los principios y pautas de dicho marco en la práctica, así como para el desarrollo de percepciones positivas por parte de los docentes sobre el potencial y beneficios del DUA.
Metodologías activas y diseño universal para el aprendizaje
Authors: Márquez Ordoñez Antonio , García Pérez José Blas
Published: July 2022

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a model that, based on the results of educational practice and research, learning theories, technologies and advances in neuroscience, combines an inclusive view and approach to teaching with proposals for its application in practice1. The universal design for learning (UDL) is not a methodology. This article begins with this statement, in which it will try to address how the change of perspective proposed by UDL can affect the implementation of all kinds of methodologies so that a space for participation is generated for all students. It attempts to focus on how the different guidelines and verification points of the UDL become an effective help guide for teachers in making decisions about the implementation of universal strategies, in the different active methodologies that are desired. use, to generate learning sequences where participation and progress for all is possible.
El multiculturalismo y los desafíos de la educación en Colombia
Authors: Muñoz Gómez Liliana Paola , Saiz Sáenz Martha Leonor
Published: July 2022

El presente artículo de revisión muestra algunos aportes del multiculturalismo y los desafíos en torno a la educación en Colombia a través de investigaciones desarrolladas en el territorio nacional e internacional. Se presenta el desarrollo metodológico, enfocándose en la búsqueda de documentos publicados entre 2015-2020 en revistas de alto impacto y repositorios virtuales por medio de la metodología de revisión sistemática de literatura y criterios de inclusión y exclusión. Finalmente, se plantean recomendaciones donde se reconoce la necesidad de articular la multiculturalidad con los niveles de gobierno.
Simulation and analysis of supercontinuum generation in the waveband up to 25  µm
Authors: Gao Weiqing , Dai Wenwen , Zheng Ziqi , Chen Kai , Chu Yiqi , Luo Qiaoxia , Wang Xian , Zhang Kai , Huang Song , Zhou Yong , Fang Wentan , Chen Xiaolin , Ma Xiaohui , Liao Meisong
Published: July 2022

The ultra-wideband supercontinuum generation (SCG) in a Te-based chalcogenide (ChG) photonic crystal fiber (PCF) is simulated in the mid-infrared (MIR) waveband. The PCF core and cladding materials are

G
e

20

A
s

20

S
e

15

T
e

45

and

G
e

20

A
s

20

S
e

17

T
e

43

, respectively. The supercontinuum (SC) broadening affected by the core diameter and fiber absorption is considered. The selected PCFs at different pumping wavelengths can demonstrate the generation of ultra-wideband MIR supercontinuum according to the simulated results. We consider SC broadening with and without fiber absorption. A SC range from 3 to 25 µm is demonstrated by simulation in a PCF with a core diameter of 8 µm and a pump wavelength of 6 µm considering the fiber absorption. With the increase of the peak power and the pulse width and the decrease of the core diameter, the degree of coherence gradually degraded. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the possibility of SCG up to the waveband of 25 µm in fiber. Our results highlight the potential of a novel Te-based chalcogenide multi-material PCF for SCG. We also provide a way to generate the SCs to longer wavebands than 20 µm in fiber, especially up to the far-infrared waveband.
Determination of the effective focal length and cardinal points for a coaxial system of thick lenses
Authors: Elagha Hassan A.
Published: July 2022

In this work, an analytical method is
proposed to determine the
effective focal length and the
six cardinal points for a system of coaxial thick lenses. The
technique is different from both the Gaussian and matrix methods. We
can apply it without the need to
calculate the power and the
principal points of the individual lenses of the system. The method is
based on a proposed formula for the focal length of a whole system of
coaxial thick lenses. This formula is derived in detail in the present
work. The proposed method represents a simpler alternative to the
Gaussian reduction method. Several numerical examples are solved in
this work using the method. In these examples, we have easily
calculated the effective focal length and the six cardinal points for
coaxial systems of two, three, and five thick lenses in the most
general case of different refractive indices.
Relative frequency response measurement of Mach-Zehnder modulators utilizing dual-carrier modulation and low-frequency detection
Authors: Zhang Yujia , Lyu Weiqiang , Zhang Yaowen , He Yutong , Jing Chao , Zhang Shangjian , Zhang Zhiyao , Liu Yong
Published: July 2022

A self-calibrated approach is proposed to measure the relative frequency response of Mach-Zehnder modulators (MZMs) based on dual-carrier modulation and low-frequency detection. In this scheme, a dual-carrier is generated by combining a continuous-wave light from a distributed feedback laser diode with its frequency-shifted replica. Through modulating the dual-carrier by a frequency-scanned single-tone microwave signal via the MZM under test biased at its minimum transmission point, a fixed low-frequency heterodyne signal carrying the electro-optic modulation response information is generated after photodetection, from which the relative frequency response of the MZM can be obtained. In the experiment, the relative frequency response of a commercial MZM is measured by using the proposed method, where the result fits in with those obtained by using the conventional optical spectrum analysis method and the microwave network analysis method. The proposed method features self-calibration, high frequency resolution, low-frequency detection, and usage of only a single frequency-scanned microwave source, which is favorable for characterizing the microwave performance of MZMs in backbone optical communication and microwave photonic systems.
Temporal characterization of a two-color laser field using tunneling ionization
Authors: Shin J. , Ivanov I. , Cho W. , Shrestha R. , Kim K. T.
Published: July 2022

The superposition of a fundamental laser pulse and its second harmonic can form an asymmetric laser field that is useful in many applications. The temporal characterization of the two-color laser field becomes necessary. However, the temporal characterization of the two-color laser pulse is a challenging task due to its broad bandwidth and a spectral gap between the two frequency components. Here we demonstrate the temporal characterization of the two-color laser field using multiple ionization yield measurements near the laser focus. This new approach enables the complete temporal characterization of the two-color laser field, including the relative phase between the two frequency components.
Topological flowers and spider webs in 3D vector fields
Authors: Pang Xiaoyan , Nyamdorj Bujinlkham , Zhao Xinying
Published: July 2022

Topological structures currently are of special interest in the integration of singular optics and topological photonics. In this article, the topological flowers and spider webs, which got less attention comparing to the lemon-, star- structures of the same category, are investigated in 3D vector fields. We show that by strongly focusing higher-order singular beams, both the spin density (SD) vectors and the polarization states of the transverse fields on the focal plane exhibit flowers and spider webs structures in topology with 2|m − 1| folds/sectors (m is the beam order), and the topological structures of the SD vectors are demonstrated to have a 90°/|m − 1| rotation. On the other hand, the topological theory also needs to be developed according to the rapid growth of topological photonics. Here, by defining a ‘relative topological charge’, we have observed and analyzed the topological reactions of the loops (composed of SD singularities) rather than the ‘point-type’ singularities in conventional reactions. More specially, the ‘radial index’ and ‘azimuthal index’ are proposed to characterize the topological features of the flowers and spider webs, and have been verified that the ‘radial index’ is peculiar to 3D vector fields and proportional to 1/|m − 1| in general. Our work provides a way to describe the topological behaviors of groups of singularities and supplies new parameters for measuring the topological patterns in 3D vector fields, which will rich the topological theory and may have applications in topological photonics.
Modified photoresins with tunable refractive index for 3D printed micro-optics
Authors: Ketchum R. S. , Alcaraz P. E. , Blanche P.-A.
Published: July 2022

Modern two-photon lithography (TPL) technologies provide convenient methods for 3D printing sub-micron featured structures in photopolymers. TPL is a valuable tool for rapid prototyping of micro-optics, photonic metamaterials, and nanostructures. The ability to tune the optical properties of the resin materials used for TPL greatly expands the capabilities of 3D printing these types of components. Here we couple a sol-gel method of synthesizing and functionalizing titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles to modify off-the-shelf commercial resins designed for TPL to tune the refractive index of the 3D printable resin. The range of refractive indices expands up to 1.66 at 633 nm which is higher than commercially available, unmodified resins at that wavelength.
Sensor fusion in ptychography
Authors: Maathuis Kira , Seifert Jacob , Mosk Allard P.
Published: July 2022

Ptychography is a lensless, computational imaging method that utilises diffraction patterns to determine the amplitude and phase of an object. In transmission ptychography, the diffraction patterns are recorded by a detector positioned along the optical axis downstream of the object. The light scattered at the highest diffraction angle carries information about the finest structures of the object. We present a setup to simultaneously capture a signal near the optical axis and a signal scattered at high diffraction angles. Moreover, we present an algorithm based on a shifted angular spectrum method and automatic differentiation that utilises this recorded signal. By jointly reconstructing the object from the resulting low and high diffraction angle images, the resolution of the reconstructed image is improved remarkably. The effective numerical aperture of the compound sensor is determined by the maximum diffraction angle captured by the off axis sensor.
AC-PCoA: Adjustment for confounding factors using principal coordinate analysis
Authors: Wang Yu , Sun Fengzhu , Lin Wei , Zhang Shuqin
Published: July 2022

Confounding factors exist widely in various biological data owing to technical variations, population structures and experimental conditions. Such factors may mask the true signals and lead to spurious associations in the respective biological data, making it necessary to adjust confounding factors accordingly. However, existing confounder correction methods were mainly developed based on the original data or the pairwise Euclidean distance, either one of which is inadequate for analyzing different types of data, such as sequencing data.

In this work, we proposed a method called Adjustment for Confounding factors using Principal Coordinate Analysis, or AC-PCoA, which reduces data dimension and extracts the information from different distance measures using principal coordinate analysis, and adjusts confounding factors across multiple datasets by minimizing the associations between lower-dimensional representations and confounding variables. Application of the proposed method was further extended to classification and prediction. We demonstrated the efficacy of AC-PCoA on three simulated datasets and five real datasets. Compared to the existing methods, AC-PCoA shows better results in visualization, statistical testing, clustering, and classification.
Fides: Reliable trust-region optimization for parameter estimation of ordinary differential equation models
Authors: Fröhlich Fabian , Sorger Peter K.
Published: July 2022

Ordinary differential equation (ODE) models are widely used to study biochemical reactions in cellular networks since they effectively describe the temporal evolution of these networks using mass action kinetics. The parameters of these models are rarely knowna prioriand must instead be estimated by calibration using experimental data. Optimization-based calibration of ODE models on is often challenging, even for low-dimensional problems. Multiple hypotheses have been advanced to explain why biochemical model calibration is challenging, including non-identifiability of model parameters, but there are few comprehensive studies that test these hypotheses, likely because tools for performing such studies are also lacking. Nonetheless, reliable model calibration is essential for uncertainty analysis, model comparison, and biological interpretation.

We implemented an established trust-region method as a modular Python framework (fides) to enable systematic comparison of different approaches to ODE model calibration involving a variety of Hessian approximation schemes. We evaluatedfideson a recently developed corpus of biologically realistic benchmark problems for which real experimental data are available. Unexpectedly, we observed high variability in optimizer performance among different implementations of the same mathematical instructions (algorithms). Analysis of possible sources of poor optimizer performance identified limitations in the widely used Gauss-Newton, BFGS and SR1 Hessian approximation schemes. We addressed these drawbacks with a novel hybrid Hessian approximation scheme that enhances optimizer performance and outperforms existing hybrid approaches. When applied to the corpus of test models, we found thatfideswas on average more reliable and efficient than existing methods using a variety of criteria. We expectfidesto be broadly useful for ODE constrained optimization problems in biochemical models and to be a foundation for future methods development.
Socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on new mothers and associations with psychosocial wellbeing: Findings from the UK COVID-19 New Mum online observational study (May 2020-June 2021)
Authors: Rougeaux Emeline , Dib Sarah , Vázquez-Vázquez Adriana , Fewtrell Mary S. , Wells Jonathan C. K.
Published: July 2022

Studies have reported unequal socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions in the UK, despite support packages. It is unclear how women with young children, a vulnerable group economically and psychosocially, havebeen impacted by income and employment pandemic changes, and how this is associated with psychosocial wellbeing. Using the UK COVID-19 New Mum online survey of women with children <12 months (28thMay 2020-26thJune 2021; N = 3430), which asked about pandemic impact on their i.ability to pay for rent, food, and essentials expenses separately, ii. employment (and/or partner’s), and iii.past week mood, feelings and activities, we explored associations of i. & maternal age, household structure and income, i. & ii., and i. & iii. using logistic (odd ratios), multivariate (relative risk ratios/RRR), and linear (coefficients) regression respectively, and associated p-values. Overall, 30–40% of women reported any impact on ability to pay for expenses. Household earning <£20,000/yr had 6/4/7 times the odds of reporting an impact on food/rent/essentials (vs. > = £45,000/yr; p<0.001). Expenses impacts were associated with greater risk of partner business stopped/shut down (RRR:27.6/9.8/14.5 for rent/food/essentials [p<0.001 vs. no impact on employment]) or being made unemployed (RRR:15.2/9.5/13.5 [p<0.001]). A greater expenses impact was associated with higher (unhealthy) maternal psychosocial wellbeing score (coef:0.9/1.4/1.3 for moderate-major impact on rent/food/essentials vs. no impact [p<0.001]). The pandemic increased financial insecurity and associated poorer psychosocial wellbeing in new mothers. This is concerning given their pre-existing greater risk of poorer mental health and the implications for breastfeeding and child health and development. These findings reflect highlight the need for the UK government to assess shortfalls of implemented pandemic support policies and the provision of catch-up and better support for vulnerable groups such as new mothers, to avoid increasing socio-economic inequalities and the burden of poor maternal mental health and subsequent negative impacts on child wellbeing.
Temples and bats in a homogeneous agriculture landscape: Importance of microhabitat availability, disturbance and land use for bat conservation
Authors: Ganesh T. , Saravanan A. , Mathivanan M.
Published: July 2022

Cave-dwelling bats widely use anthropogenic structures such as temples in south Asia as roosting and nursery sites. Such roosts are constantly under threat, even more so after the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the importance of such roosts, there is no detailed understanding of what makes temples favorable for bats and the critical factors for their persistence. Here we relate temple microhabitat characteristics and land use around ancient temples (>400 years) to bat species richness and abundance in the Tamiraparani river basin of south India. Temples were selected for sampling along the river basin based on logistics and permission to access them. We counted bats at the roost in the mornings and late afternoons from inside the temples. Temple characteristics such as dark rooms, walkways, crevices, towers, and disturbances to the roosts were recorded. Based on European Space Agency land use classifications, we recorded land use such as crops, trees, scrub, grassland, urban areas, and water availability within a 5 km radius of the temple. Generalized Linear Mixed Models were used to relate the counts in temples with microhabitats and land use. We sampled 59 temples repeatedly across 5 years which yielded a sample of 246 survey events. The total number of bats counted was 20,211, of which Hipposideros speoris was the most common (9,715), followed by Rousettus leschenaultii (5,306), Taphozous melanopogon (3,196), Megaderma lyra (1,497), Tadarida aegyptiaca (303), Pipistrellus sp. (144) and Rhinopoma hardwickii (50). About 39% of the total bats occurred in dark rooms and 51% along walkways. Species richness and total abundance were related to the availability of dark rooms and the number of buildings in the temple. Land use elements only had a weak effect, but scrub and grassland, even though they were few, are critical for bats. We conclude that retaining undisturbed dark rooms with small exits in temples and other dimly lit areas and having natural areas around temples are vital for bat conservation.
Investigation of the effectiveness of CFRP strengthening of concrete made with recycled waste PET fine plastic aggregate
Authors: Qaidi Shaker , Al-Kamaki Yaman S. S. , Al-Mahaidi Riadh , Mohammed Ahmed S. , Ahmed Hemn Unis , Zaid Osama , Althoey Fadi , Ahmad Jawad , Isleem Haytham F. , Bennetts Ian
Published: July 2022

In recent decades, several studies have considered the use of plastic waste as a partial substitute for aggregate in green concrete. Such concrete has been limited to non-structural applications due to its low strength. This raises whether such concrete can be enhanced for use in some structural applications. This paper reports an attempt to develop a structural-grade concrete containing plastic waste aggregate with high proportions of substitution and confined with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) fabrics. Experimental research was conducted involving the casting and testing 54 plain and confined concrete cylinders. A concrete mixture was designed in which the fine aggregate was partially replaced by polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste plastic at ratios of 0%, 25%, and 50%, and with different w/c ratios of 0.40, 0.45, and 0.55. The results show that confinement has a substantial positive effect on the compressive behavior of PET concrete. The enhancement efficiency increases by 8–190%, with higher enhancement levels for higher substitution ratios. Adding one layer of CFRP fabric raises the ultimate strength of samples that have lost compressive strength to a level close to that of unconfined samples not containing PET. This confinement is accompanied by an increase in the slope of the stress-strain curve and greater axial and lateral strain values at failure. For the specimens confined by CFRP fabric, PET aggregate can be used as a partial substitute for sand at a replacement ratio of up to 50% by volume for structural applications. This paper also considers the ability of existing models to predict the strength of confined-PET concrete circular cross-sections by comparing model predictions with experimental results. The strength of confined PET concrete elements can’t be accurately predicted by any of the models that are already out there. It’s important to come up with a new model for these elements.
To Zoom or not to Zoom: A longitudinal study of UK population’s activities during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Li Lan , Sullivan Ava , Musah Anwar , Stavrianaki Katerina , Wood Caroline E. , Baker Philip , Kostkova Patty
Published: July 2022

This longitudinal study determines the frequency and way of people doing activities from Spring 2020 to Summer 2021 during different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. Six online surveys were carried out between April 2020 and July 2021. 4,992 participants were engaged in the cross-sectional study and 203 participants who provided repeat responses were included in the subset sample of prospective cohort analysis. Primary outcomes measured were the frequency and the mode of doing the activities (online or in-person) across sixteen selected activity groups, as defined by the UK National Time Use Survey. The results show that cultural activities, spending time with others, and travelling, were the activities with the largest proportions of frequency and mode changes. The most significant changes occurred from March to June 2020, a period that included the first lockdown. Survey results from this period show a significant decrease among most of the sixteen measured activities. From March to October 2020, a period which spans the first lockdown and its subsequent ease of restrictions, showed the most significant shift from accessing activities in-person to online. Despite ‘Freedom Day’, the July 19th 2021 date in which all restrictions were abolished, it was found that people do cultural activities and group activities at a significantly lower frequency than before the pandemic. In addition, despite a lack of restrictions after this date, more than half of participants access many activities, such as spending time with others, shopping, work and studying, online or hybrid. This study provides an invaluable insight into understanding how people in the UK changed their lifestyle, including what activities they do, and how they accessed those activities in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health policy implemented to address the pandemic. These results may serve as unique evidence for policymakers.
Cultural similarity and impartiality on voting bias: The case of FIFA’s World’s Best Male Football Player Award
Authors: Johnson Michael R. , McCarthy Ian P.
Published: July 2022

Previous studies on voting bias in competitive awards have not fully considered the role of cultural similarity. Using data for the Best FIFA Men’s Player Award, we evaluate the extent of voting bias in this Award using three cultural similarity factors (cultural distance, cultural clusters, and collectivism), six established in-group factors (nationality, club, league, geography, ethnicity, religion, and language) and the impartiality of the voter’s country. Using statistical and econometric methods, we find that voter-player cultural similarity is positively associated with voting bias and find no evidence of impartiality when it comes to cultural or national ties. We also find that media voters are less biased than captain voters and coach voters, and that coaches are less biased than captains.
The role of patients in the governance of a sustainable healthcare system: A scoping review
Authors: Aggarwal Monica , Gill Sukhraj , Siddiquei Adeel , Kokorelias Kristina , DiDiodato Giulio
Published: July 2022

Patients, healthcare providers and insurers need a governance framework to establish the ‘rules of use’ to deliver more responsible use of services. The objective of this review was to provide an overview of frameworks and analyze the definitions of patient accountability to identify themes and potential gaps in the literature. Fifteen bibliographic databases were searched until July 2021. This included: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Web of Science, HealthSTAR, Scopus, ABI/INFORM Global, Cochrane Library, ERIC, International Bibliography of the Social Sciences, Sociological Abstracts, Worldwide Political Science Abstracts and International Political Science Abstracts. Searches were also completed in Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria included articles focused on accountability of patients, and exclusions included articles that were not available, not written in English, with missing information, and commentaries or editorials. In total, 85530 unique abstracts were identified, and 27 articles were included based on the inclusion criteria. The results showed that patient accountability is rarely used and poorly defined. Most studies focused on what patients should be held to account for and agreed that patients should be responsible for behaviours that may contribute to adverse health outcomes. Some studies promoted a punitive approach as a mechanism of enforcement. Most studies argued for positive incentives or written agreements and contracts. While many studies recognized the value of patient accountability frameworks, there was a concern that these frameworks could further exacerbate existing socioeconomic disparities and contribute to poor health-related behaviours and outcomes (e.g., stigmatizing marginalized groups). Shared models of accountability between patients and healthcare providers or patients and communities were preferred. Before committing to a patient accountability framework for improving patient health and sustaining a healthcare system, the concept must be acceptable and reasonable to patients, providers, and society as a whole.
Increase in short telomeres during the third trimester in human placenta
Authors: Edelson Paula K. , Sawyer Michala R. , Gray Kathryn J. , Cantonwine David E. , McElrath Thomas F. , Phillippe Mark
Published: July 2022

An increase in telomere shortening in gestational tissues has been proposed as a mechanism involved in the timing for the initiation of parturition. An increase in very short telomeres with increasing gestational age has been observed in mice; this study sought to explore this phenomenon in human pregnancies. Specifically, this study addressed the hypothesis that prior to labor, the quantity of very short telomeres (<3 kilobase (kb) lengths) increases in human placental tissue as term gestation approaches. The primary outcome was the quantity of very short telomeres present in placental tissue. Quantitative measurements of very short telomeres were performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) adaptation of the telomere restriction fragment technique. Placental tissue from 69 pregnant individuals were included. Mean gestational age was 39.1 weeks (term) and 36.2 weeks (preterm). For term versus preterm placentas, the observed increase in very short telomeres were as follows: 500 bp telomeres increased by 1.67-fold (p < 0.03); 1 kb telomeres increased 1.67-fold (p < 0.08); and 3 kb telomeres increased 5.20-fold (p < 0.001). This study confirms a significant increase in very short telomeres in human placental tissue at term; thereby supporting the hypothesis that telomere shortening at term contributes to the mechanism that determine the length of pregnancy thereby leading to onset of parturition.
Employability skills for MICE management in the context of ICTs
Authors: Liu Xiao , Seevers Randy , Lin Hongyi
Published: July 2022

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) applications have become a vital part for MICE industry. MICE higher education is expected to provide their graduates with essential management knowledge and ICTs operational skills to meet the industry demands on the rise. This empirical study investigates the perceptions of employability skills for MICE management in the context of ICTs. Based on the questionnaire (n = 95), an initial 16 employability skills are proposed and the underlying dimensions are explored. The skills of communication, innovation, organizing and coordinating, market promotion, planning, project implementing, crisis management, proficiency in English and operation management are perceived as of great importance. Four categories of employability skills are analysed: Core Generic skills (CGS), Communicative Expression Skills (CES), Practical Hands-on Skills (PHS) and MICE Professional Skills (MPS). This study is crucial as it helps to identify the level of importance and dimension of employability skills for MICE management. For both academia and industry, the results of this study are useful to provide critical skills for multi-skilled and competitive employees for their future success.
Machine learning-based estimation of riverine nutrient concentrations and associated uncertainties caused by sampling frequencies
Authors: Chen Shengyue , Zhang Zhenyu , Lin Juanjuan , Huang Jinliang
Published: July 2022

Accurate and sufficient water quality data is essential for watershed management and sustainability. Machine learning models have shown great potentials for estimating water quality with the development of online sensors. However, accurate estimation is challenging because of uncertainties related to models used and data input. In this study, random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and back-propagation neural network (BPNN) models are developed with three sampling frequency datasets (i.e., 4-hourly, daily, and weekly) and five conventional indicators (i.e., water temperature (WT), hydrogen ion concentration (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), and turbidity (TUR)) as surrogates to individually estimate riverine total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) in a small-scale coastal watershed. The results show that the RF model outperforms the SVM and BPNN machine learning models in terms of estimative performance, which explains much of the variation in TP (79 ± 1.3%), TN (84 ± 0.9%), and NH4+-N (75 ± 1.3%), when using the 4-hourly sampling frequency dataset. The higher sampling frequency would help the RF obtain a significantly better performance for the three nutrient estimation measures (4-hourly > daily > weekly) for R2 and NSE values. WT, EC, and TUR were the three key input indicators for nutrient estimations in RF. Our study highlights the importance of high-frequency data as input to machine learning model development. The RF model is shown to be viable for riverine nutrient estimation in small-scale watersheds of important local water security.
Assessment of the consistency of health and demographic surveillance and household survey data: A demonstration at two HDSS sites in The Gambia
Authors: Jasseh Momodou , Rerimoi Anne J. , Reniers Georges , Timæus Ian M.
Published: July 2022

Objective

To assess whether an adapted Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) like cross-sectional household survey with full pregnancy histories can demonstrate the validity of health and demographic surveillance (HDSS) data by producing similar population structural characteristics and childhood mortality indicators at two HDSS sites in The Gambia–Farafenni and Basse.

Methods

A DHS-type survey was conducted of 2,580 households in the Farafenni HDSS, and 2,907 in the Basse HDSS. Household members were listed and pregnancy histories obtained for all women aged 15–49. HDSS datasets were extracted for the same households including residency episodes for all current and former members and compared with the survey data. Neonatal (0–28 days), infant (<1 year), child (1–4 years) and under-5 (< 5 years) mortality rates were derived from each source by site and five-year periods from 2001–2015 and by calendar year between 2011 and 2015 using Kaplan–Meier failure probabilities. Survey-HDSS rate ratios were determined using the Mantel-Haenszel method.

Results

The selected households in Farafenni comprised a total population of 27,646 in the HDSS, compared to 26,109 captured in the household survey, implying higher coverage of 94.4% (95% CI: 94.1–94.7; p<0.0001) against a hypothesised proportion of 90% in the HDSS. All population subgroups were equally covered by the HDSS except for the Wollof ethnic group. In Basse, the total HDSS population was 49,287, compared to 43,538 enumerated in the survey, representing an undercount of the HDSS by the survey with a coverage of 88.3% (95% CI: 88.0–88.6; p = 1). All sub-population groups were also under-represented by the survey. Except for the neonatal mortality rate for Farafenni, the childhood mortality indicators derived from pregnancy histories and HDSS data compare reasonably well by 5-year periods from 2001–2015. Annual estimates from the two data sources for the most recent quinquennium, 2011–2015, were similar in both sites, except for an excessively high neonatal mortality rate for Farafenni in 2015.

Conclusion

Overall, the adapted DHS-type survey has reasonably represented the Farafenni HDSS database using population size and structure; and both databases using childhood mortality indicators. If the hypothetical proportion is lowered to 85%, the survey would adequately validate both HDSS databases in all considered aspects. The adapted DHS-type sample household survey therefore has potential for validation of HDSS data.
Influenza A virus polymerase acidic protein E23G/K substitutions weaken key baloxavir drug-binding contacts with minimal impact on replication and transmission
Authors: Jones Jeremy C. , Zagribelnyy Bogdan , Pascua Philippe Noriel Q. , Bezrukov Dmitry S. , Barman Subrata , Okda Faten , Webby Richard J. , Ivanenkov Yan A. , Govorkova Elena A.
Published: July 2022

Baloxavir marboxil (BXM) is approved for treating uncomplicated influenza. The active metabolite baloxavir acid (BXA) inhibits cap-dependent endonuclease activity of the influenza virus polymerase acidic protein (PA), which is necessary for viral transcription. Treatment-emergent E23G or E23K (E23G/K) PA substitutions have been implicated in reduced BXA susceptibility, but their effect on virus fitness and transmissibility, their synergism with other BXA resistance markers, and the mechanisms of resistance have been insufficiently studied. Accordingly, we generated point mutants of circulating seasonal influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses carrying E23G/K substitutions. Both substitutions caused 2- to 13-fold increases in the BXA EC50. EC50s were higher with E23K than with E23G and increased dramatically (138- to 446-fold) when these substitutions were combined with PA I38T, the dominant BXA resistance marker. E23G/K-substituted viruses exhibited slightly impaired replication in MDCK and Calu-3 cells, which was more pronounced with E23K. In ferret transmission experiments, all viruses transmitted to direct-contact and airborne-transmission animals, with only E23K+I38T viruses failing to infect 100% of animals by airborne transmission. E23G/K genotypes were predominantly stable during transmission events and through five passages in vitro. Thermostable PA–BXA interactions were weakened by E23G/K substitutions and further weakened when combined with I38T. In silico modeling indicated this was caused by E23G/K altering the placement of functionally important Tyr24 in the endonuclease domain, potentially decreasing BXA binding but at some cost to the virus. These data implicate E23G/K, alone or combined with I38T, as important markers of reduced BXM susceptibility, and such mutants could emerge and/or transmit among humans.