bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Postconvalescent SARS-CoV-2 IgG and Neutralizing Antibodies are Elevated in Individuals with Poor Metabolic Health
Authors: Racine-Brzostek Sabrina E , Yang He S , Jack Gwendolyne A , Chen Zhengming , Chadburn Amy , Ketas Thomas J , Francomano Erik , Klasse P J , Moore John P , McDonough Kathleen A , Girardin Roxanne C , Dupuis Alan P , Payne Anne F , Ma Lucy X , Sweeney Jacob , Zhong Elaine , Yee Jim , Cushing Melissa M , Zhao Zhen
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Comorbidities making up metabolic syndrome (MetS), such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and chronic cardiovascular disease can lead to increased risk of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) with a higher morbidity and mortality. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are higher in severely or critically ill COVID-19 patients, but studies have not focused on levels in convalescent patients with MetS, which this study aimed to assess.

Methods

This retrospective study focused on adult convalescent outpatients with SARS-CoV-2 positive serology during the COVID-19 pandemic at NewYork Presbyterian/Weill Cornell. Data collected for descriptive and correlative analysis included SARS-COV-2 immunoglobin G (IgG) levels and history of MetS comorbidities from April 17, 2020 to May 20, 2020. Additional data, including SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels, body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and lipid levels were collected and analyzed for a second cohort from May 21, 2020 to June 21, 2020. SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies were measured in a subset of the study cohort.

Results

SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels were significantly higher in convalescent individuals with MetS comorbidities. When adjusted for age, sex, race, and time duration from symptom onset to testing, increased SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels remained significantly associated with obesity (P < 0.0001). SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels were significantly higher in patients with HbA1c ≥6.5% compared to those with HbA1c <5.7% (P = 0.0197) and remained significant on multivariable analysis (P = 0.0104). A positive correlation was noted between BMI and antibody levels [95% confidence interval: 0.37 (0.20-0.52) P < 0.0001]. Neutralizing antibody titers were higher in COVID-19 individuals with BMI ≥ 30 (P = 0.0055).

Conclusion

Postconvalescent SARS-CoV-2 IgG and neutralizing antibodies are elevated in obese patients, and a positive correlation exists between BMI and antibody levels.
Feedback control of the Gpr161-Gαs-PKA axis contributes to basal Hedgehog repression in zebrafish
Authors: Tschaikner Philipp M. , Regele Dominik , Röck Ruth , Salvenmoser Willi , Meyer Dirk , Bouvier Michel , Geley Stephan , Stefan Eduard , Aanstad Pia
Published: February 2021

Hedgehog (Hh) ligands act as morphogens to direct patterning and proliferation during embryonic development. Protein kinase A (PKA) is a central negative regulator of Hh signalling, and in the absence of Hh ligands, PKA activity prevents inappropriate expression of Hh target genes. The orphan G-protein-coupled receptor Gpr161 contributes to the basal Hh repression machinery by activating PKA. Gpr161 acts as an A-kinase-anchoring protein, and is itself phosphorylated by PKA, but the functional significance of PKA phosphorylation of Gpr161 in the context of Hh signalling remains unknown. Here, we show that loss of Gpr161 in zebrafish leads to constitutive activation of medium and low, but not maximal, levels of Hh target gene expression. Furthermore, we find that PKA phosphorylation-deficient forms of Gpr161, which we show directly couple to Gαs, display an increased sensitivity to Shh, resulting in excess high-level Hh signalling. Our results suggest that PKA feedback-mediated phosphorylation of Gpr161 may provide a mechanism for fine-tuning Gpr161 ciliary localisation and PKA activity.
Roles of developmentally regulated KIF2A alternative isoforms in cortical neuron migration and differentiation
Authors: Akkaya Cansu , Atak Dila , Kamacioglu Altug , Akarlar Busra Aytul , Guner Gokhan , Bayam Efil , Taskin Ali Cihan , Ozlu Nurhan , Ince-Dunn Gulayse
Published: February 2021

KIF2A is a kinesin motor protein with essential roles in neural progenitor division and axonal pruning during brain development. However, how different KIF2A alternative isoforms function during development of the cerebral cortex is not known. Here, we focus on three Kif2a isoforms expressed in the developing cortex. We show that Kif2a is essential for dendritic arborization in mice and that the functions of all three isoforms are sufficient for this process. Interestingly, only two of the isoforms can sustain radial migration of cortical neurons; a third isoform, lacking a key N-terminal region, is ineffective. By proximity-based interactome mapping for individual isoforms, we identify previously known KIF2A interactors, proteins localized to the mitotic spindle poles and, unexpectedly, also translation factors, ribonucleoproteins and proteins that are targeted to organelles, prominently to the mitochondria. In addition, we show that a KIF2A mutation, which causes brain malformations in humans, has extensive changes to its proximity-based interactome, with depletion of mitochondrial proteins identified in the wild-type KIF2A interactome. Our data raises new insights about the importance of alternative splice variants during brain development.
Who Benefits When Firms Game Corrective Policies?
Authors: Reynaert Mathias , Sallee James M.
Published: February 2021

Firms sometimes comply with externality-correcting policies by gaming the measure that determines policy. This harms buyers by eroding information, but it benefits them when cost savings are passed through into prices. We develop a model that highlights this tension and use it to analyze gaming of automobile carbon emission ratings in the EU. We document startling increases in gaming using novel data. We then analyze the effects of gaming in calibrated simulations. Over a wide range of parameters, we find that pass-through substantially outweighs information distortions; on net, buyers benefit from gaming, even when they are fooled by it. (JEL H23, L51, L62, Q53, Q54, Q58)
Unemployment Insurance Taxes and Labor Demand: Quasi-Experimental Evidence from Administrative Data
Authors: Johnston Andrew C.
Published: February 2021

To finance unemployment insurance, states raise payroll tax rates on employers who engage in layoffs. Tax rates are, therefore, highest for firms after downturns, potentially hampering labor-market recovery. Using full-population, administrative records from Florida, I estimate the effect of these tax increases on firm behavior leveraging a regression kink design in the tax schedule. Tax hikes reduce hiring and employment substantially, with no effect on layoffs or wages. The results imply unanticipated costs of the financing regime which reduce the optimal benefit by a quarter and account for 12 percent of the unemployment in the wake of the Great Recession. (JEL D22, E24, H25, H32, H71, J23, J65)
Are the early childhood antecedents of men’s external locus of control similar to those of their female partners?
Authors: Golding Jean , Iles-Caven Yasmin , Ellis Genette , Gregory Steven , Nowicki Stephen
Published: February 2021

Background:The concept of locus of control of reinforcement was introduced by Julian Rotter and has been the focus of intense research for nearly half a century.  Surprisingly little research has been directed at clarifying antecedents of locus of control (LOC) orientations in adult men apart from a few small studies. We previously identified a number of independent antecedents associated with women’s LOC, including features of their parents and early childhood. This raised the question as to whether these factors were also associated with the development of LOC in men.

Methods:To identify antecedents of LOC orientations in a representative population of women we previously analysed information concerning characteristics of their parents and their own childhood experiences using pregnant women taking part in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).  Here we use the same design to determine whether their male partners have similar antecedents of LOC orientation. As previously, we use a hypothesis-free exposome technique using all available information on the parents and childhood of the individuals.

Results:We show that men had many of the same antecedent characteristics as the women – in particular, their mother’s year of birth and father’s social group, being exposed to cigarette smoke prenatally, starting to smoke regularly before the age of 11, and having a friend die were all associated with being external. Associations of internality common to both were warm maternal care, being breast fed, being born in an area other than that where they currently live, attending boarding school and having a parent admitted to hospital.

Conclusions:In general, the antecedents of male external and internal personalities have many similarities to those of women, thus providing some features to inform the possible theoretical background as to how LOC might develop over time.
Choosing Commercial Real Estate for Business According to the Technology of the Hierarchy Analysis Method
Authors: Polyakov V. , Fomicheva Irina , Yudina O.
Published: February 2021

The problem of choosing commercial real estate for business depending on the market situation is considered on the example of a city (region). A method for analyzing hierarchies is proposed, which serves to justify decision-making in conditions of cer-tainty and multi-criteria. The stages of the hierarchy analysis method are considered. criteria for evaluating commercial real estate have been developed. The technology of constructing pairwise comparison matrices is shown. Conclusions from the matrix anal-ysis are presented.
The Influence of the GRP Structure on the Nature of the Relationship Labor Productivity in the Region with Scientific, Technical and Informational Factors of Development
Authors: Basovskiy Leonid , Averina Tatyana
Published: February 2021

The article is devoted to the search for a criterion for grouping the regions of the Russian Federation, which allows to obtain adequate estimates of the correlation relationship between labor productivity and production, investment, information and innovation factors of economic development. Estimates based on the aggregate of data for all regions do not reflect a reliable relationship between the main and factor indicators. Conducting analytical procedures separately for regions with a share of the extractive industry in GRP of less than and more than 10% improved the correlation indicators. The conclusions are related to the development of programs for the long-term development of regions.
Formation of Strategy for Sustainable Development of Entrepreneurial Structures of Pharmaceutical Industry
Authors: Zverev A. , Kuznetsova O. , Mishina M.
Published: February 2021

The article reflects the significance and peculiarities of the functioning of the entrepreneurial structure of the pharmaceutical industry, which are closely connected with the health system and play one of the key roles in the national economy of any state, influencing the future of the nation. The authors assessed the modern problems of the development of the domestic pharmaceutical industry, studied expert opinions on sustainable development options, and on this basis proposed a set of measures to optimize the economic development of Russian commercial pharmaceutical structures within the framework of the concept of a four-dimensional approach to ensuring sustainable development.
Distribuição de Megaloptera (Insecta) no estado de Minas Gerais, sudeste do Brasil
Authors: Pereira de Gouvêa Taiguara , Clemente Mateus Aparecido , Souza Marcos Magalhães de
Published: February 2021

A ordem Megaloptera é representada no Brasil por cerca de 26 espécies pertencentes a duas famílias, entretanto, há poucos estudos de inventários sobre essa ordem de insetos no país. Diante disso, o presente estudo teve como objetivo de realizar um levantamento da fauna de Megaloptera em três Unidades de Conservação (UC) e atualizar o número de espécies para o Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. O estudo foi conduzido na Área de Proteção Ambiental do Rio Machado, na Área de Proteção Ambiental Fernão Dias e no Parque Nacional das Sempre Vivas no período de setembro de 2018 a Janeiro de 2020. Foram coletadas duas espécies de Corydalidae, Corydalus diasi e Chloronia sp1., totalizando nove a diversidade de espécies de Megaloptera em Minas Gerais. Os estudos no Estado geralmente se concentram em áreas de Mata Atlântica e Cerrado, entretanto esta ordem é ainda subamostrada em Minas Gerais, o que justifica novos estudos para melhor compreensão da diversidade e distribuição, sobretudo em Unidades de Conservação, o que é necessário para traçar estratégias futuras de conservação para essa ordem.
Ghost Penalties in Nonconvex Constrained Optimization: Diminishing Stepsizes and Iteration Complexity
Authors: Facchinei Francisco , Kungurtsev Vyacheslav , Lampariello Lorenzo , Scutari Gesualdo
Published: February 2021

We consider nonconvex constrained optimization problems and propose a new approach to the convergence analysis based on penalty functions. We make use of classical penalty functions in an unconventional way, in that penalty functions only enter in the theoretical analysis of convergence while the algorithm itself is penalty free. Based on this idea, we are able to establish several new results, including the first general analysis for diminishing stepsize methods in nonconvex, constrained optimization, showing convergence to generalized stationary points, and a complexity study for sequential quadratic programming–type algorithms.
A Two-Sided Incentive Program for Coordinating the Influenza Vaccine Supply Chain
Authors: Arifoğlu Kenan , Tang Christopher S.
Published: February 2021

Problem definition: The U.S. influenza (flu) vaccine supply chain is decentralized and experiences frequent supply and demand mismatches caused by two key factors: (1) the vaccine production process (yield) is highly uncertain; and (2) individuals are self-interested and do not completely take into account positive and negative externalities that they impose on others. To improve matching of supply and demand, we counteract these factors by developing an ex ante budget-neutral incentive program. Academic/practical relevance: We establish the sources of inefficiency in the flu vaccine supply chain. To eliminate the inefficiency, we develop a two-sided incentive program that policymakers can implement to finance vaccines under an ex ante balanced budget. Methodology: We model the flu vaccine supply chain as a decentralized system consisting of self-interested individuals on the demand side, and a profit-maximizing manufacturer with uncertain yield on the supply side. We use backward induction to characterize the subgame-perfect equilibrium of the sequential game that models the interactions between individuals and the manufacturer. Results: We develop a two-sided incentive program that proposes “vaccination incentives” to be given to individuals on the demand side, and “a menu of transfer payments” between the social planner and manufacturer on the supply side. When the realized vaccine supply is high (or low), our incentive program provides positive (negative) vaccination incentives for individuals to stimulate (or curb) the demand and eliminate positive (or negative) externalities by making vaccination more affordable (or costly). When social benefits from vaccination are significantly high, our incentive program uses a menu of transfer payments to penalize (or subsidize) the manufacturer for low (or high) yield realizations so that it produces the socially optimal quantity. We show that our incentive program can attain the social optimum, maintain an ex ante balanced budget (i.e., budget-neutral in expectation), and distribute the maximum social welfare between individuals and the manufacturer arbitrarily. Managerial implications: Vaccination incentives to individuals can ensure their access to the vaccine, but they are not enough to entice the manufacturer to ensure vaccine availability. A menu of contracts contingent on realized yield provides necessary incentives to the manufacturer and assures the availability.
A Service System with Packing Constraints: Greedy Randomized Algorithm Achieving Sublinear in Scale Optimality Gap
Authors: Stolyar Alexander L. , Zhong Yuan
Published: February 2021

A service system with multiple types of arriving customers is considered. There is an infinite number of homogeneous servers. Multiple customers can be placed for simultaneous service into one server, subject to general packing constraints. The service times of different customers are independent even if they are served simultaneously by the same server; the service time distribution depends on the customer type. Each new arriving customer is placed for service immediately into either an occupied server, that is, one already serving other customers, as long as packing constraints are not violated or into an empty server. After service completion, each customer leaves its server and the system. The basic objective is to minimize the number of occupied servers in steady state. We study a greedy random (GRAND) placement (packing) algorithm, introduced in our previous work. This is a simple online algorithm that places each arriving customer uniformly at random into either one of the already occupied servers that can still fit the customer or one of the so-called zero servers, which are empty servers designated to be available to new arrivals. In our previous work, a version of the algorithm, labeled GRAND(aZ), is considered, in which the number of zero servers is aZ with Z being the current total number of customers in the system and positive a being an algorithm parameter. GRAND(aZ) is shown in our previous work to be asymptotically optimal in the following sense: (a) the steady-state optimality gap grows linearly in the system scale r (the mean total number of customers in service), that is, as c(a)r for some positive c(a), and (b) c(a) vanishes as a goes to zero. In this paper, we consider the GRAND(Z p ) algorithm, in which the number of zero servers is Z p , where p < 1 is a fixed parameter, sufficiently close to 1. We prove the asymptotic optimality of GRAND(Z p ) in the sense that the steady-state optimality gap is sublinear in the system scale r. This is a stronger form of asymptotic optimality than that of GRAND(aZ).
Understanding Mordel: obtaining informed consent for trisomy screening
Authors: Wile Emyr Owain , Einion-Waller Alys
Published: February 2021

The landmark decision of Montgomery has established that the patient's right to self-determination and autonomy underpins the doctrine of informed consent. The case of Mordel threw into question the process of obtaining informed consent and whether it was being sufficiently secured in the context of Down's syndrome screening. This case conveyed a paradigm shift to the role of the midwife and sonographers when obtaining consent for screening and the requisite legal standard of care they owe to expectant parents. However, many key issues remain unanswered from the decision in Mordel, in particular, what steps must healthcare professionals take to discharge their duty of care in the process of securing informed consent from expectant parents for screening.
A research midwife in a pandemic
Authors: Perry Alison Gabrielle
Published: February 2021

As we go into further lockdown in England, research midwife Alison Perry reflects on the place of research at the frontline of the pandemic
Compassion and kindness
Authors: Winter George F
Published: February 2021

Can midwives be taught how to be kind and compassionate? George F Winter investigates
Raising awareness in a digital age
Authors: Hutton Elizabeth
Published: February 2021

Despite the pandemic, Kicks Count is committed to providing key information to mums-to-be on baby movements
Advanced clinical practice: is it worth the bureaucracy?
Authors: Scott Vikki-Jo
Published: February 2021

Vikki-Jo Scott discusses some of the barriers that prevent advanced clinical practitioners from achieving their full potential and how these difficulties can be overcome
Development of an educational program using ultrasonography in vascular access for nurse practitioner students
Authors: Kaganovskaya Marcel , Wuerz Lorelle
Published: February 2021

HIGHLIGHTS

Ultrasonography is an important tool for vascular access practice. Ultrasound should be used for vascular access assessment and insertion. Ultrasonography should be incorporated into formal nursing education curriculum and simulation training.

Background:

This study analyzed nurse practitioner students' knowledge of ultrasound-guided vascular access after the implementation of an educational and simulation course.

Methods:

Nurses' knowledge of ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous catheter placement was analyzed using a ten-item questionnaire both before and after course. A sample of bachelor's degree-prepared nurses voluntarily participated in this study. Ultrasonography simulation was carried out with two handheld ultrasound devices and two ultrasound blocks.

Results:

The findings demonstrated that there is a statistically significant increased comprehension of ultrasoundguided vascular access after simulation courses.

Conclusion:

This study illuminates the need for formal education both in academic curriculum and through simulation to improve ultrasound-guided vascular access knowledge for patient care.
Maximising the opportunity of a self-administration outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy pathway
Authors: Bodycot Jake , Mashonganyika Linda , Kucziw Nicola , Ingham Chanelle , Bhukera Samira , White Helena A
Published: February 2021

Background:

The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) service has expanded rapidly with more nurse-led direction.

Aims:

A retrospective study between 1 July 2014 and 31 December 2019 was undertaken to assess the impact of OPAT expansion on beds released for further utilisation, clinical outcomes, adverse vascular access device (VAD) outcome, and self- and family-administered parenteral antimicrobial therapy.

Method:

Data were extracted from the OPAT Patient Management System and from a patient questionnaire survey.

Findings:

1084 completed patient episodes were recorded in 958 patients, rising from 39 episodes in 2014 to 265 in 2019. The number of beds released for further utilisation correspondingly rose from 828 in 2014 to 8462 in 2019. The proportion of patients/family members trained to self-administer rose from 25% to 75%, with clinical cure/improvement of infection remaining high at between 84.6% and 92.8% of patients annually. Serious adverse VAD events remained low throughout. The patient response was generally positive.

Conclusion:

Nurse empowerment within OPAT can lead to significant improvements and patient benefits, while maintaining clinical outcomes.
The patient experience of peripheral intravenous therapy: development of a patient survey, initial findings, and next steps
Authors: Cuthbertson Lena , Ashton Sarah
Published: February 2021

Peripheral intravenous cannulation (PIVC) is one of the most commonly performed invasive procedures in healthcare and can be a stressful experience for patients. Co-creating a patient journey map of intravenous therapy (IVT) together with patients highlighted the need to better understand patient experiences of IVT and informed the development of a patient-reported experience measure of intravenous therapy (IVT). The British Columbia (BC) Lower Mainland IVT Working Group, the BC Office of Patient-Centred Measurement and the provincial supplier of IVT products, hypothesized patient feedback about their IVT experiences would garner new insights to improve both patient experiences and outcomes related to IVT. Leveraging BC's province-wide, coordinated, scientifically rigorous patient-centred measurement program (BCPCM), a module of eight questions were developed, tested and fielded with the 2018 BC Emergency Department patient survey (n=14 076). Weekly monitoring of patient responses, through the BCPCM's web-based Dynamic Analysis and Reporting Tool (the DART), showed key themes and opportunities for improvement, leading to a test of change that introduced a patient information card (Why do I need an IV, What will happen when I get an IV, Tell a nurse if the following happens). This paper outlines the development of the IVT patient experience survey, and presents initial findings and the next steps to take action on the results. Additional data collection is now underway to solicit patient feedback of IVT across BC in outpatient cancer care and acute care hospital settings.
Antibacterial activities of the essential oil and hydroethanolic extract from Aeollanthus heliotropioides Oliv
Authors: Ngo-Mback Madeleine Nina Love , Ngo Mback Madeleinen Nina Love , Nguimatsia François , Kenmogne Sidonie Beatrice , Kouamouo Jonas , Nzenti Tchuitio Léa Larissa , Melogmo Dongmo Yannick Kevin , Jazet Dongmo Pierre Michel
Published: February 2021

To contribute to control bacterial infections, we proposed evaluating the antibacterial activities and modes of action of Aeollanthus heliotropioides essential oil and its hydroethanolic extract. Solvent extracts and essential oil were obtained from the aromatic plant's aerial parts by hydroethanolic maceration and hydro-distillation. The analyses of the chemical composition were performed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The microdilution method evaluated the in vitro antibacterial potential of the essential oil and solvent extracts. The Inhibition of biofilms formation was carried out using a colorimetric biofilm microdilution assay with crystal violet as a dye. The effect of extract and essential oil on the release of nucleic acids was performed using a spectrophotometric method. The time-kill kinetic assay was assessed for hydroethanolic extracts and essential oil. The extraction yield was 0.1%, and the major compounds identified in the essential oil were linalool (43.47%) and cis-α-farnesene (42.67%). The phytochemical screening revealed flavonoids, saponins, phenols, triterpenes, catechin tannins, and quinones. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) ranged from 2.08 mg/mL to 10 mg/mL. Concerning the modes of action, the essential oil showed its bactericidal effect at 2 hours. The reduction of Escherichia coli biofilms formation was found at 0.21 mg/mL. The essential oil treatments resulted in a release of nucleic acids at a concentration of 2.1 mg/mL. These results justify using the essential oil and hydroethanolic extracts of Aeollanthus heliotropioides as a potential source of molecules with antibacterial activity.
Socratic Dialogues on a Complex Body–Soul Relation in Plato’s Phaedo and Olga Tokarczuk’s Flights
Authors: Bendrat Anna
Published: February 2021

Este artículo plantea la posibilidad de leer la novela Flights de Olga Tokarczuk en el contexto del método dialéctico de Platón. La filosofía platónica sobre la relación cuerpo-alma que se expone en el Fedro sirve de base para plantear la discusión sobre el pensamiento metafísico de Toakrczuk alrededor de experiencias extracorpóreas (amputación o miembros fantasma) y su proyección en la concepción humana de la naturaleza del alma.
Lectura SMART o cómo enseñar a leer literatura con colecciones y ediciones digitales (Mnemosine y Ciberia)
Authors: Romero López Dolores
Published: February 2021

En respuesta a los nuevos hábitos de lectura y escritura que están surgiendo a raíz de la edición digital este artículo expone las principales características que los expertos consideran que deben valorarse en la lectura académica y propone dos bibliotecas digitales (Mnemosine y Ciberia) como apoyo para el desarrollo de la lectura orgánica de textos digitalizados, interactivos y nativos digitales. Otro de los objetivos es exponer y valorar los resultados de investigación nuestras colecciones interactivas que pretenden editar, enriquecer y compartir en formato digital libros con el fin de enriquecer didácticamente los usos del pasado. Fruto de esta experiencia de edición interactiva ofreceremos unas reflexiones teóricas. Los beneficios que la lectura digital aporta al individuo a nivel cognitivo siguen los cinco principios de la lectura inteligente: (1) Simplicidad (2) Motivación (3) Accesibilidad (4) Reciclaje y (5) Transferencia a la comunidad global para permitir nuevas relecturas del legado cultural. Este modelo de lectura SMART que proponemos puede alcanzar un gran desarrollo si se vinculan contenidos entre distintos libros interactivos que fomenten tanto el aprendizaje significativo como la conciencia literaria.
El texto literario hecho datos: F. M. Dostoievski en el marco de las Humanidades digitales y los enfoques cuantitativos
Authors: Barros García Benamí Barros
Published: February 2021

El discurso en las obras de F. M. Dostoievski lleva más de 150 años atrayendo la atención de numerosos especialistas, cada vez procedentes de ámbitos más dispares. Con la consolidación de las Humanidades digitales (HD) como espacio necesariamente interdisciplinar se han conseguido interesantes avances y no menos sugestivas propuestas que parecen arrojar luz sobre la interpretación de ciertas cuestiones narratológicas de las obras de este autor. En el presente estudio abordaremos el estado actual de la imbricación de las HD y los Estudios literarios y mostraremos el potencial del análisis cuantitativo, las técnicas de visualización y el análisis de redes para el estudio de textos literarios y, en particular, de la obra literaria de Dostoievski.
Influence of noise-reduction techniques in sparse-data sample rotation tomographic imaging
Authors: Balasubramani Vinoth , Montresor Silvio , Tu Han-Yen , Huang Chung-Hsuan , Picart Pascal , Cheng Chau-Jern
Published: February 2021

Data acquisition and processing is a critical issue for high-speed applications, especially in three-dimensional live cell imaging and analysis. This paper focuses on sparse-data sample rotation tomographic reconstruction and analysis with several noise-reduction techniques. For the sample rotation experiments, a live Candida rugosa sample is used and controlled by holographic optical tweezers, and the transmitted complex wavefronts of the sample are recorded with digital holographic microscopy. Three different cases of sample rotation tomography were reconstructed for dense angle with a step rotation at every 2°, and for sparse angles with step rotation at every 5° and 10°. The three cases of tomographic reconstruction performance are analyzed with consideration for data processing using four noise-reduction techniques. The experimental results demonstrate potential capability in retaining the tomographic image quality, even at the sparse angle reconstructions, with the help of noise-reduction techniques.
Three-periodic 1D photonic crystals for designing the photonic optical devices operating in the infrared regime
Authors: Panyaev Ivan S. , Sannikov Dmitry G. , Dadoenkova Nataliya N. , Dadoenkova Yuliya S.
Published: February 2021

We investigate theoretically and numerically one-dimensional three-periodic photonic crystals of the structure

[

(

S
i
O

2

/

T
i
O

2

)
N

(

A
l

2

O

3

/

Z
r
O

2

)
M

]
K

, formed by dielectric oxides

S
i
O

2

,

T
i
O

2

,

A
l

2

O

3

, and

Z
r
O

2

(

N

and

M

are the number of subperiods, and

K

is the number of superperiods). We study the transmission spectra, energy and power fluxes of TE- and TM-polarized electromagnetic waves for a photonic crystal, characterized by the sharp PBG edges, and narrow and pronounced peaks of defect modes. The angular distance (difference in the incidence angles) between the transmission peaks of different polarizations is shown to be about 1.5°, which is 5 times more than in the ternary photonic crystals. The results can be useful for designing highly efficient optical devices operating in the infrared regime on the side-surface of the photonic crystal, such as polarization-sensitive couplers and angle sensors for optical fiber systems.
High-power ASE-free fast wavelength-switchable external cavity diode laser
Authors: Mine Sota , Kawase Kodo , Murate Kosuke
Published: February 2021

We developed a high-power amplified spontaneous emission (ASE)-free fast wavelength-switchable external cavity diode laser (ECDL) using a digital micromirror device (DMD) as the wavelength selector. Generally, with a conventional fast wavelength-switchable ECDL with a DMD, the output power is limited by the damage threshold of the DMD. However, with our ECDL, a high-power output was realized by optimizing the beam focus on the DMD. In addition, an ASE-free stable output was realized through the introduction of a ring cavity. As a result, we successfully developed a fast wavelength-switchable ECDL realizing a high-power ASE-free output of over 300 mW.
Analysis of a SiGe Mach–Zehnder modulator for 400G data communication
Authors: Mishra Darpan , Sonkar Ramesh Kumar
Published: February 2021

In this paper, the performance of a silicon (Si) Mach–Zehnder modulator (MZM) is enhanced by implanting germanium (Ge) on Si, forming a graded Si–Ge (SiGe) core. A process simulation study is done, and the effect of substrate temperature, implantation energy, and pre-amorphization on the Ge composition and developed in-plane stress is observed. The dependence of active dopant concentration and defect-cluster formation on the annealing conditions is discussed. A comparison of the process simulated SiGe phase shifter with a Si phase shifter shows

2.27
×

higher phase shift at

−

5

V

for 1550 nm wavelength of operation. A dual-arm drive with quadrature operation is investigated for both SiGe and Si MZMs. A traveling-wave electrode is used to enhance the modulation bandwidth. The SiGe MZM achieves better performance in terms of modulation bandwidth, modulation speed, fiber transmission length, energy per bit, and dispersion tolerance compared to the Si MZM. The dual-arm driven SiGe MZM can achieve 62 Gbps error-free 2 km fiber transmission with energy per bit of 1.92 pJ/bit and 3 dB bandwidth of 62.8 GHz at

−

2.5

V

bias using

3

V

p
p

on–off keying modulation.
Optronic convolutional neural networks of multi-layers with different functions executed in optics for image classification
Authors: Gu Ziyu , Gao Yesheng , Liu Xingzhao
Published: February 2021

Although deeper convolutional neural networks (CNNs) generally obtain better performance on classification tasks, they incur higher computation costs. To address this problem, this study proposes the optronic convolutional neural network (OPCNN) in which all computation operations are executed in optics, and data transmission and control are executed in electronics. In OPCNN, we implement convolutional layers with multi input images by the lenslet 4f system, downsampling layers by optical-strided convolution and obtaining nonlinear activation by adjusting the camera’s curve and fully connected layers by optical dot product. The OPCNN demonstrates good performance on the classification tasks in simulations and experiments and achieves better performance than other current optical convolutional neural networks by comparison due to the more complex architecture. The scalability of OPCNN contributes to building deeper networks when facing complicated datasets.
Phase-shifted Bragg gratings in a foundry silicon nitride platform
Authors: Husko Chad , Ducharme Andrew , Fahrenkopf Nicholas M. , Guest Jeffrey R.
Published: February 2021

Bragg gratings are key optical elements for applications in communications, sensing, and lasers. Phase-shifted Bragg gratings are a special case where the simple periodic structure is altered to allow a narrow spectral passband within the optical bandgap. Here, we demonstrate phase-shifted silicon nitride gratings fabricated using 193 nm deep ultraviolet lithography (DUV) on the AIM Photonics 300 mm silicon photonics foundry line. We measure the grating properties and verify the results with a transfer-matrix method (TMM) model. The standard grating expressions for extracting the coupling coefficient κ and bandwidth do not apply and are updated to account for the phase shift. These results inform future designs for on-chip grating filters and distributed feedback (DFB) lasers.
Finding branched pathways in metabolic network via atom group tracking
Authors: Huang Yiran , Xie Yusi , Zhong Cheng , Zhou Fengfeng
Published: February 2021

Finding non-standard or new metabolic pathways has important applications in metabolic engineering, synthetic biology and the analysis and reconstruction of metabolic networks. Branched metabolic pathways dominate in metabolic networks and depict a more comprehensive picture of metabolism compared to linear pathways. Although progress has been developed to find branched metabolic pathways, few efforts have been made in identifying branched metabolic pathways via atom group tracking. In this paper, we present a pathfinding method called BPFinder for finding branched metabolic pathways by atom group tracking, which aims to guide the synthetic design of metabolic pathways. BPFinder enumerates linear metabolic pathways by tracking the movements of atom groups in metabolic network and merges the linear atom group conserving pathways into branched pathways. Two merging rules based on the structure of conserved atom groups are proposed to accurately merge the branched compounds of linear pathways to identify branched pathways. Furthermore, the integrated information of compound similarity, thermodynamic feasibility and conserved atom groups is also used to rank the pathfinding results for feasible branched pathways. Experimental results show that BPFinder is more capable of recovering known branched metabolic pathways as compared to other existing methods, and is able to return biologically relevant branched pathways and discover alternative branched pathways of biochemical interest. The online server of BPFinder is available at http://114.215.129.245:8080/atomic/. The program, source code and data can be downloaded from https://github.com/hyr0771/BPFinder.
Fixation probabilities in graph-structured populations under weak selection
Authors: Allen Benjamin , Sample Christine , Steinhagen Patricia , Shapiro Julia , King Matthew , Hedspeth Timothy , Goncalves Megan
Published: February 2021

A population’s spatial structure affects the rate of genetic change and the outcome of natural selection. These effects can be modeled mathematically using the Birth-death process on graphs. Individuals occupy the vertices of a weighted graph, and reproduce into neighboring vertices based on fitness. A key quantity is the probability that a mutant type will sweep to fixation, as a function of the mutant’s fitness. Graphs that increase the fixation probability of beneficial mutations, and decrease that of deleterious mutations, are said to amplify selection. However, fixation probabilities are difficult to compute for an arbitrary graph. Here we derive an expression for the fixation probability, of a weakly-selected mutation, in terms of the time for two lineages to coalesce. This expression enables weak-selection fixation probabilities to be computed, for an arbitrary weighted graph, in polynomial time. Applying this method, we explore the range of possible effects of graph structure on natural selection, genetic drift, and the balance between the two. Using exhaustive analysis of small graphs and a genetic search algorithm, we identify families of graphs with striking effects on fixation probability, and we analyze these families mathematically. Our work reveals the nuanced effects of graph structure on natural selection and neutral drift. In particular, we show how these notions depend critically on the process by which mutations arise.
The Snail transcription factor CES-1 regulates glutamatergic behavior in C. elegans
Authors: Park Lidia , Luth Eric S. , Jones Kelsey , Hofer Julia , Nguyen Irene , Watters Katherine E. , Juo Peter
Published: February 2021

Regulation of AMPA-type glutamate receptor (AMPAR) expression and function alters synaptic strength and is a major mechanism underlying synaptic plasticity. Although transcription is required for some forms of synaptic plasticity, the transcription factors that regulate AMPA receptor expression and signaling are incompletely understood. Here, we identify the Snail family transcription factorces-1in an RNAi screen for conserved transcription factors that regulate glutamatergic behavior inC.elegans.ces-1was originally discovered as a selective cell death regulator of neuro-secretory motor neuron (NSM) and I2 interneuron sister cells inC.elegans, and has almost exclusively been studied in the NSM cell lineage. We found thatces-1loss-of-function mutants have defects in two glutamatergic behaviors dependent on theC.elegansAMPA receptor GLR-1, the mechanosensory nose-touch response and spontaneous locomotion reversals. In contrast,ces-1gain-of-function mutants exhibit increased spontaneous reversals, and these are dependent onglr-1consistent with these genes acting in the same pathway.ces-1mutants have wild type cholinergic neuromuscular junction function, suggesting that they do not have a general defect in synaptic transmission or muscle function. The effect ofces-1mutation on glutamatergic behaviors is not due to ectopic cell death of ASH sensory neurons or GLR-1-expressing neurons that mediate one or both of these behaviors, nor due to an indirect effect on NSM sister cell deaths. Rescue experiments suggest thatces-1may act, in part, in GLR-1-expressing neurons to regulate glutamatergic behaviors. Interestingly,ces-1mutants suppress the increased reversal frequencies stimulated by a constitutively-active form of GLR-1. However, expression ofglr-1mRNA or GFP-tagged GLR-1 was not decreased inces-1mutants suggesting thatces-1likely promotes GLR-1 function. This study identifies a novel role forces-1in regulating glutamatergic behavior that appears to be independent of its canonical role in regulating cell death in the NSM cell lineage.
Exposure to asylum seekers and changing support for the radical right: A natural experiment in the Netherlands
Authors: Tolsma Jochem , Laméris Joran , Savelkoul Michael
Published: February 2021

As a result of the 2015 refugee crisis, a substantial number of voters experienced a sudden and unexpected influx of asylum seekers in their neighbourhood in the Netherlands. We examined whether and why local exposure to asylum seekers leads to more support for the radical right (i.e. PVV). Our analyses are based on a longitudinal individual-level panel dataset including more than 19,000 respondents (1VOP) who were interviewed just before and shortly after the height of the refugee crisis. We enriched this dataset with detailed information about where asylum seekers were housed from the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers. Our empirical study resembles a natural experiment, because some residents experienced an increase in exposure to asylum seekers but similar residents did not. PVV support increased during the refugee crisis and especially among residents who became more exposed to asylum seekers in their neighbourhood.
Quantitative analysis of spontaneous sociality in children’s group behavior during nursery activity
Authors: Ichikawa Jun , Fujii Keisuke , Nagai Takayuki , Omori Takashi , Oka Natsuki
Published: February 2021

Sociality is the tendency to spontaneously interact with others to establish and maintain relationships. Some approaches, including questionnaires, tests, controlled experiments, and qualitative field research, cannot capture complex social interactions, such as in children during nursery activities, because of problems with ecological validity and the labor cost of analysis. Here, we introduced a new methodology for the quantitative analysis of spontaneous social movement and investigated children’s group behavior using position data. We periodically visited a nursery and recorded videos of eurhythmics, in which children move in tune with music, in different classes. The results revealed that children in the six-year-old class approached others in a short period of time (within one second) and established group behavior like that in a game of tag. It can be interpreted that such social behavior may include actions related to the cognition of anticipating others’ behaviors in a complex situation. Although only a small amount of data could be acquired, this study suggests one of the characteristics of social behaviors in the classroom considering an ecological approach.
Interdependencies between acoustic and high-speed videoendoscopy parameters
Authors: Schlegel Patrick , Kist Andreas M. , Kunduk Melda , Dürr Stephan , Döllinger Michael , Schützenberger Anne
Published: February 2021

In voice research, uncovering relations between the oscillating vocal folds, being the sound source of phonation, and the resulting perceived acoustic signal are of great interest. This is especially the case in the context of voice disorders, such as functional dysphonia (FD). We investigated 250 high-speed videoendoscopy (HSV) recordings with simultaneously recorded acoustic signals (124 healthy females, 60 FD females, 44 healthy males, 22 FD males). 35 glottal area waveform (GAW) parameters and 14 acoustic parameters were calculated for each recording. Linear and non-linear relations between GAW and acoustic parameters were investigated using Pearson correlation coefficients (PCC) and distance correlation coefficients (DCC). Further, norm values for parameters obtained from 250 ms long sustained phonation data (vowel /i/) were provided. 26 PCCs in females (5.3%) and 8 in males (1.6%) were found to be statistically significant (|corr.| ≥ 0.3). Only minor differences were found between PCCs and DCCs, indicating presence of weak non-linear dependencies between parameters. Fundamental frequency was involved in the majority of all relevant PCCs between GAW and acoustic parameters (19 in females and 7 in males). The most distinct difference between correlations in females and males was found for the parameterPeriod Variability Index. The study shows only weak relations between investigated acoustic and GAW-parameters. This indicates that the reduction of the complex 3D glottal dynamics to the 1D-GAW may erase laryngeal dynamic characteristics that are reflected within the acoustic signal. Hence, other GAW parameters, 2D-, 3D-laryngeal dynamics and vocal tract parameters should be further investigated towards potential correlations to the acoustic signal.
Comparing immigration status and health patterns between Latinos and Asians: Evidence from the Survey of Income and Program Participation
Authors: Ro Annie , Van Hook Jennifer
Published: February 2021

Undocumented status is widely recognized as an important social determinant of health. While undocumented immigrants have lower levels of health care access, they do not have consistently poorer physical health than the US-born or other immigrant groups. Furthermore, heterogeneity by race/ethnicity has been largely ignored in this growing literature. This paper used the 2001, 2004, 2008 panels of the restricted Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), one of the only representative surveys equipped to adequately identify Asian undocumented immigrants, to compare health patterns between Asians and Latinos by immigration status. We examined three general measures of health/health access: self-rated health, disability, and current health insurance. Latino undocumented immigrants displayed some advantages in self-rated health and disability but had lower insurance coverage compared to US-born Latinos. In contrast, Asian undocumented immigrants did not differ from US-born Asians in any of the three outcomes. While undocumented status has been proposed as a fundamental cause of disease, we found no evidence that Latino and Asian undocumented immigrants consistently fare worse in health access or physical health outcomes than immigrants in other status categories. Different racial groups also appeared to have unique patterns between immigration status and health outcomes from one another.