bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acquisition of consonant clusters and remediation of cluster reduction in Egyptian children
Authors: Saleh Marwa Mahmoud , El-Hamshary Ahmed Ashraf S. , Farag Eman Talaat Fekry , Boshnaq Maha Hussein
Published: January 2023

Background

Consonant clusters are a feature of many world languages. The acquisition of consonant clusters is one of the latest occurring aspects of speech acquisition in normally developing children. Difficulty producing consonant clusters has been found to contribute to high levels of unintelligibility in children with phonological impairment.

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study that was applied on 150 typically developing (TD) Egyptian Arabic children, with an age range of 30 to 48 months, using the Egyptian Monosyllabic Consonant Cluster Test (EMCCT). The children were divided into 3 groups, each group with an age range of 6 months. The objective was to determine the age of suppression of cluster reduction and to evaluate two different phonological therapies (minimal contrast and auditory bombardment) in children who have not acquired consonant clusters (less than 90% correct production).

Results

Age of suppression of cluster reduction in Egyptian children was found to be between 3 years 6 months and 4 years. There was a gradual decrease in frequency of occurrence of cluster reduction from 74% (2 years 6 months–3 years) to 46% (3 years–3 years 6 months) to 10% (3 years 6 months–4 years). There was significant statistical association between consonant clusters of obstruents + sonorants (stops + sonorants and fricatives + sonorants) between the different age groups (p value < 0.001). Both techniques of therapy showed significant improvement of post-therapy score. There was no significant difference between total intervention duration in both techniques; however, there was significant association between cumulative intervention intensity and minimal contrast therapy (p value < 0.001).

Conclusion

The Egyptian Monosyllabic Consonant Cluster Test (EMCCT) is a valid and reliable assessment tool for identification of percentage of occurrence of cluster reduction process. Both minimal contrast and auditory bombardment approaches are applicable for cluster reduction remediation.
Volumetric Growth and Growth Curve Analysis of Residual Intracranial Meningioma
Authors: Gillespie Conor S. , Richardson George E. , Mustafa Mohammad A. , Taweel Basel A. , Bakhsh Ali , Kumar Siddhant , Keshwara Sumirat M. , Islim Abdurrahman I. , Mehta Shaveta , Millward Christopher P. , Brodbelt Andrew R. , Mills Samantha J. , Jenkinson Michael D.
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND:

After meningioma surgery, approximately 1 in 3 patients will have residual tumor that requires ongoing imaging surveillance. The precise volumetric growth rates of these tumors are unknown.

OBJECTIVE:

To identify the volumetric growth rates of residual meningioma, growth trajectory, and factors associated with progression.

METHODS:

Patients with residual meningioma identified at a tertiary neurosurgery center between 2004 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Tumor volume was measured using manual segmentation, after surgery and at every follow-up MRI scan. Growth rates were ascertained using a linear mixed-effects model and nonlinear regression analysis of growth trajectories. Progression was defined according to the Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria (40% volume increase).

RESULTS:

There were 236 patients with residual meningioma. One hundred and thirty-two patients (56.0%) progressed according to the RANO criteria, with 86 patients being conservatively managed (65.2%) after progression. Thirteen patients (5.5%) developed clinical progression. Over a median follow-up of 5.3 years (interquartile range, 3.5–8.6 years), the absolute growth rate was 0.11 cm3 per year and the relative growth rate 4.3% per year. Factors associated with residual meningioma progression in multivariable Cox regression analysis were skull base location (hazard ratio [HR] 1.60, 95% CI 1.02–2.50) and increasing Ki-67 index (HR 3.43, 95% CI 1.19–9.90). Most meningioma exhibited exponential and logistic growth patterns (median R2 value 0.84, 95% CI 0.60–0.90).

CONCLUSION:

Absolute and relative growth rates of residual meningioma are low, but most meet the RANO criteria for progression. Location and Ki-67 index can be used to stratify adjuvant treatment and surveillance paradigms.
Evaluation of diagnostic methods for the Detection of Bovine Coronavirus and Rotavirus in feces of diarrheic calves
Authors: Hamedian-Asl Mohammad , Zakian Amir , Azimpour Saeid , Davoodi Farshid , Kahroba Human
Published: January 2023

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), immunochromatographic (ICG), and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods for the detection of rotavirus (RV) and bovine coronavirus (BCV). Feces samples were collected from 90 diarrhoeic calves (male and female) up to one month of age and the immune response against RV and BCV infection was assessed by using ELISA (Ag and Ab), ICG, and RT-PCR. To determine the performance and accuracy of each diagnostic method in comparison to the diagnostic gold standard (RT-PCR) method, different statistical tests including receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), concordance correlation were used. Results shown the prevalence of RV and BCV and RV+BCV according to RT-PCR were equal to 8.89 (95% CI: 6.64-10.07), 14.44 (95% CI: 11.23-6.90), and 2.22 (95% CI: 0.89-3.72), respectively. The best agreement and the highest sensitivity and specificity were obtained between the RT-PCR and AgELISA (100% and 94.3%), and then AbELISA (100% and 94.3%) was the second-best test and also the ICG test (95% and 94.3%) was less accurate method in comparison to ELISA methods for identifying RV and BCV, but a good correlation and concordance between ICG diagnostic techniques and RT-PCR were observed. To put it in a nutshell, our results suggest that the ICG assay may improve the ability to diagnose calves RV and BCV infections accurately and quickly. Promoting rapid IGG kit with higher accuracy in early diagnosis of the cause of diarrhoea plays an important role in its therapeutic regimes, management protocols, and control procedures, but ELISA is preferred due to more precise results.
Investigation of cytokine levels in calves with sepsis
Authors: Guzelbektes H , Sen I , Aydogdu U , Er C , Coşkun Alparslan
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to detect changes in clinical parameters, biochemical and serum cytokine levels in calves with sepsis. In the study, 34 calves diagnosed with sepsis according to clinical and laboratory results and 7 calves deemed to be healthy according to clinical and laboratory results were used. The blood sample was taken from vena jugularis for determination of hematological, biochemical, and cytokine levels. Significant changes were observed in the clinical parameters of calves with sepsis. Serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and INF-γ were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in calves with sepsis compared to the control group. Also, a significant increase (p < 0.05) in serum BUN, creatinine, CK, and CK-MB levels and a significant decrease in TP level (p < 0.05) were determined in calves with sepsis compared to the control group.In conclusion, it was concluded that varying degrees of tissue/organ damage developed in calves with sepsis and cytokines played an important role in the development of inflammatory damage during sepsis.
Epidemiology and therapeutic efficacy of a synthetic pyrethroid against Haematopinus tuberculatus (Phthiraptera: Haematopinidae) in Bubalus bubalis
Authors: Sajid Muhammad Sohail , Iqbal Asif , Rizwan Hafiz Muhammad , Naz Saima , Maqbool Mahvish , Malik Muhammad Abdullah , Jawad-ul-Hassan Muhammad
Published: January 2023

Lice (Insecta: Pthiraptera) are common ectoparasite of buffalos (Bubalis bubalis) causing huge economic loss. An epidemiological survey was conducted in selected tehsils (administrative division) of Faisalabad district to determine the prevalence of lice infestation and the efficacy of cypermethrin (CYP) against lice infestation in buffalos. To determine the efficacy of CYP, 40 lice-infested buffaloes were divided into two groups i.e. drug-treated group and control group (each group contains 20 animals). Cypermethrin drug was used as pour-on at day 0 and lice counts were conducted on days 0, 7, 21, 35, 49, and 63 from predilection sites of each animal. Only one species of sucking louse Haematopinus tuberculatus was found in buffalo population of Faisalabad district. The overall prevalence of lice infestation was 37.76%. The variable like age and sex showed significant (P<0.05) variation of lice infestation while breed showed insignificant variation. Among extrinsic factors, seasons, floor pattern, and feeding system showed significant association (P<0.05) with lice infestation, while animal keeping as free or tethered and tehsils showed an insignificant association. On day 7, 100% effective results were obtained while 99.6% at day 21 and 100% from day 35 till day 63. No clinical adverse reaction was observed during this trial and cypermethrin was found efficacious. Based on these results it can be concluded that cypermethrin is an effective drug against lice infestation.
Effects of Flooring Types on Growth Performance, Behaviour and Health of Dairy Calves
Authors: Yanar M , Diler A , Ozdemir VF , Aydin R , Koçyiğit R , Gul MH
Published: January 2023

In this study, perforated rubber mats (PRM), concrete floor bedded with long wheat straw (CLS and concrete floor bedded with wheat straw (CS) were compared as flooring types for dairy calves. Growth, feed efficiency ratio, gains in body measurements, some behavioural activities as well as faecal scores, bedding scores and calf’s cleanliness scores of the dairy calves were evaluated for 6 months. Overall growth rate differed significantly due to types of floor, and total weight gains of the dairy calves in PRM group was 7.0% and 16.0% higher than those of calves in CLS and CS groups respectively. However, differences with regard to the amount of dry matter of milk, concentrate as well as total dry matter of the feeds consumed per kg of weight gain during pre-weaning and post-weaning periods among the PRM, CS and CLS groups were not statistically significant. When, gains in linear body measurements were evaluated, total gains in height at withers, body length, chest depth and heart girth of the calves in PRM group were superior to those in CLS and CS groups. The calves in PRM group had high growth rate along with high percentage of time spent for lying behaviour which is one the most significant activities among the behaviours of the calves. The calves kept on PRM group exhibited 52.6% and 45.5% higher percentage of time spent for lying behaviour than those in CS and CLS groups respectively. Data regarding the bedding scores and calf's cleanliness scores also revealed that the PRM flooring was the cleanest and driest one compared to the other flooring types, and the calves in the PRM group were cleaner than those in CLS and CS groups. Calves in PRM group exhibited significantly (P<0.01) lover faecal consistency scores than those in CLS and CS groups. In conclusion, based upon growth rate, feed efficiency ratio, behavioural parameters as well as the bedding scores, calf's cleanliness scores and faecal consistency scores, PRM is preferable to CLS and CS floorings for individual dairy calves' pens.
Evaluation of the Effects of Different Natural Dietary Feed Additives on Performance and Intestinal Histomorphology in Quails
Authors: Yesilbag D , Abdullahoglu E , Urkmez E , Acar A , Asmaz D , Kara M
Published: January 2023

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of a commercial probiotic and a commercial essential oil blend and their mixture, as a natural feed additive, on growth parameters live weight (LW), live weight gain (LWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass yield (CY) and small intestinal histomorphology of quails. A total of 200 1-day-old Japanese (Coturnix coturnix japonica) quails, including both males and females, were divided into four groups containing 50 quails and treated as follows: (1) a control treatment without medication (2) 18 g ton-1 probiotic;  (3) 300 g ton-1  essential oil blend  and (4) 18 g ton-1  probiotic plus 300 g ton-1 essential oil blend. The results of the research show that the additives added to quail diets do not have a significant effect (P > 0.05) on the performance parameters of LW, LWG, FI and FCR. However, significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in the CY, which is one of the performance parameters. A probiotic addition of 18 g ton -1 (treatment 1) to the quail diet resulted in a significant increase (P < 0.05) in carcass yield. Moreover, the addition of natural feed additives such as probiotics, essential oil blends and mixture to quail diets caused significant (P < 0.001) increases in villus heights and crypt depth in the duodenum and ileum segments. In addition, significant (P < 0.05) enlargements were found in the villus surface area in the experimental groups compared to the control group. In conclusion, in this study, it was determined that the addition of feed additives, which are developed as an alternative to antibiotics to the quail diet did not have a negative effect on performance and caused significant differences in the effective parameters in the evaluation of intestinal health.
Effects of different heat processing methods of rapeseed on ruminal and post-ruminal nutrient disappearance
Authors: Paya H , Taghizadeh A , Hosseinkhani A , Mohammadzadeh H , Janmohammadi H , Moghaddam G
Published: January 2023

Due to improving the nutritive value of oilseeds and changing their digestion site in ruminants, processing, including heat treatment, seems necessary. The present research was conducted to evaluate the effect of applying heat processing such as roasting, microwaving and autoclaving on nutritive values; the amount and rate of degradability in rumen, and the disappearance of rapeseed nutrients in rumen, post-rumen and total tract. This evaluation was performed using mobile nylon bags techniques; three-step method of digestion and protein CNCPS fraction. A completely randomized design was used to investigate the effect of applying heat processing, and SAS software was used to analyze the data. The field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope was used to monitored the effect of heat treatment on surface of rapeseed. The application of heat processing in this research (roasting, microwaving and autoclaving) had no significant effect on the chemical composition of rapeseed. The results obtained from mobile nylon bags method and three-step digestion method showed that raw rapeseed has the highest disappearance of DM and CP in rumen and therefore has a significant difference with processed seeds (P<0.05). Also, the disappearance of DM and CP of processed rapeseed in intestines was significantly higher than raw seed (P<0.05), and this was higher than other processing for autoclaved rapeseed. According to the results obtained from CNCPS protein fractionation, applying heat processing altering protein fractionation (P<0.05). Applying microwave processing has created cracks in the surface of the rapeseed wall, and this condition was not observed in the wall surface of other heated seeds. In general, it can be said that in addition to increasing the digestibility of rapeseed in the entire gastrointestinal tract, applying heat processing reduces its degradability in the rumen and has increased the disappearance of nutrients in the intestine, that it can be stated the digestion site is altered from rumen to intestine, which can prevent the loss of protein sources in ruminant feed.
Effects of different temperatures on the quality characteristics of turkey sausage and changes during storage time
Authors: Sezer YÇ
Published: January 2023

This research aims to establish the effects of different heat treatment temperatures applied to turkey sausages on the physicochemical, microbiological, and textural features of the product and biogenic amine formation during heat treatment and storage. To this end, three different internal temperatures were applied to turkey sausages fermented for 3 days at 23oC and relative humidity (85%±1). The product’s lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Micrococcus/Staphylococcus growth, pH, residual nitrite, 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and biogenic amine (tyramine, histamine, putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine and spermine) formation were analyzed during heat treatment and storage (18 oC, 20 days). Different internal temperature applications affected LAB growth, residual nitrite, and biogenic amine formation (P<0.05). While LAB, Micrococcus/Staphylococcus growth and residual nitrite values decreased significantly during storage (P<0.05), the amounts of biogenic amines, other than spermidine, increased. Furthermore, no difference was detected in pH and TBARS values (P> 0.05). The interaction of different internal temperature applications and storage times affected only LAB and biogenic amine amounts. As a result of the study, increasing internal temperature applications caused significant changes in the quality characteristics of turkey sausage during the storage period. Although the LAB values decreased with the increase in the internal temperatures, the biogenic amine amounts during storage increased with increasing internal temperature application. Therefore, heat treatment at 62oC for 5 min is the most suitable method to be used for turkey sausage.
Biometric radiographic features between foot lesions and long toe under-run heel in donkeys
Authors: El-Marakby AI , Abdelgalil AI , Mostafa MB , Soliman AS
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe present study aimed to document the relationship between biometric foot measurements and different radiographic lesions in a group of donkeys' feet with long toe under-run heel. The common radiographic foot lesions were pedal osteitis complex in 26 (86.6%) and navicular bone reaction in 8 (26.7%).  Osteophyte reaction was identified at proximal phalanx in 8 (26.7%) and middle phalanx in 10 (33.3%). Pastern and coffin joints osteoarthritis were found in 4 (13.3%) and 9 (30%) respectively. Palmar soft tissue calcification and eminence of 2nd phalanx were reported in 5 (16.6%) and 1 (3.3%) respectively. The dorsal hoof wall angle (DHWA) was positive significantly correlated with the axis of the distal phalanx, distal phalanx and proximal palmar cortex angles, the heel angle, and distal phalanx solar border angle. The increased dorsal hoof wall length (DHWL) was positive strongly correlated with dorsal coronary band height, medial wall length, lateral wall length, lateral coronary band distance, medial coronary band distance, lateral distal phalanx to bottom distance, and medial distal phalanx to bottom distance. The dorsal hoof wall and heel angles reflected increased stress on the hoof capsule, distal interphalangeal joint, navicular bone, and palmar soft tissue structures. The low heel, the distal phalanx solar border angle and under development of the palmar section of the hoof  indicated distal phalanx was slightly slippage dorsally, increased tension on the DDFT, navicular bone, and pedal osteitis complex in long toe under-run heels. This study demonstrated a relationship between biometric foot measurements and the presence of radiographic foot lesions detected in long toe under-run heel in donkeys.
The Effect of Organic Copper Levels in Breeding Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) Diets on Performance, Egg Quality, Incubation Parameters and Blood Parameters
Authors: Cufadar Y , Curabay B , Gökmen SA , Bahtiyarca Y , Sevim B
Published: January 2023

This study was conducted to determine the effect of different levels of organic copper (organic Cu) supplementation on performance, egg quality, serum parameters and incubation characteristics in Japanese quail diets. 120 Japanese breeder quails of 7 weeks old were used in the study and lasted 84 days. Four diets containing different levels of organic copper (0, 75, 150 and 225 mg/kg) were used in the study. The study was a random design consisting of 20 subgroups with 5 replicates, and 4 females and 2 males were used in each subgroup. As a result of this study, final body weight and body weight gain in Japanese quails was significantly lower in the 75 and 150 mg/kg organic copper groups than in the groups containing 0 and 225 mg/kg copper (p<0.01; p<0.05). Egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not affected by dietary copper levels (p>0.05). Eggshell thickness and eggshell ratio were significantly higher in the groups containing 150 and 225 mg/kg organic copper than the control and 75 mg/kg organic copper groups (p<0.05). Serum cholesterol level was significantly lower in 75 and 150 mg/kg copper groups compared to other groups (p<0.05). Serum albumin, globulin and total protein levels were significantly lower in the 75 and 150 mg/kg copper groups compared to the control group (p<0.01). Serum albumin and total protein concentrations were significantly higher in the 75 and 150 mg/kg copper groups than the other groups (p<0.01). The highest serum calcium (Ca) level was in the group containing 225 mg/kg copper (p<0.01). In the study, incubation parameters were not significantly affected by different copper levels in the diet. The results of the study showed that adding 150 mg/kg of organic Cu to quail diets can be effective in improving eggshell quality.
Une question transnationale : les « Nous » arméniens.
Authors: Dardy Claudine
Published: January 2023

À quel « nous » arménien renvoyait le conflit, il n’était pas réductible à un pays, une nation, un État, une République ?
Les identités sociales et culturelles ukrainiennes : la nation unie et le carrefour des attitudes complexes (l’espace particulier du Sud de l’Ukraine et de la ville d’Odessa).
Authors: Lychkovska-Nebot Oksana
Published: January 2023

Le but de notre étude est d’analyser les caractéristiques des pratiques d’identification et des mythes identitaires ukrainiens et révéler les particularités du sud de l’Ukraine et d’Odessa.
Sepsis decreases lung SVEP1 expression in a murine model
Authors: Kurita Takeo , Oami Takehiko , Fujimura Lisa , Sakamoto Akemi , Sato-Nishiuchi Ryoko , Sekiguchi Kiyotoshi , Hatano Masahiko , Nakada Taka-aki
Published: January 2023

Background: Genome-wide association studies have identified sushi, von Willebrand factor type A, EGF, and pentraxin domain-containing 1 (SVEP1) polymorphism as a genetic risk factor for sepsis, as well as acute coronary syndrome. However, research on the role of SVEP1 in systemic inflammation, such as surgical invasion and sepsis, remains insufficient. Therefore, we investigated SVEP1 gene expression and protein levels after surgical invasion and sepsis in mice.

Methods: We compared the gene expression and protein levels of SVEP1 between the control (no surgery), sham operation model, and sepsis model with cecal ligation and puncture in mice. Samples were collected at 2, 6, and 24 h after surgery.

Results: The lungs had high gene expression and protein production of SVEP1 at baseline. Sham operation and sepsis decreased SVEP1 gene expression in the lungs immediately after stimulation. Furthermore, sepsis significantly downregulated the gene expression compared with sham operation. Flow cytometric analysis showed that mice with sepsis had a significantly decreased percentage of CD31high / SVEP1high and lymphatic vessel endothelial receptor 1 (LYVE-1)high / SVEP1high cells and an increased percentage of CD45.2high / SVEP1high cells.

Conclusions: Sepsis decreased SVEP1 gene expression in the lungs. Mice with sepsis had a decreased percentage of SVEP1high vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells and an increased percentage of SVEP1high hematopoietic cells.
Planar cell polarity proteins determine basal cell height in the later stage embryonic mouse epidermis'
Authors: Hobbs Carl , Formstone Caroline J.
Published: January 2023

Background: Complex organ formation requires the coordinated morphogenesis of adjacent tissue layers. Here, we report a role for the planar cell polarity (PCP) proteins Fz6 and Celsr1 in generating squamous basal cells in the later stage embryonic epidermis of the mouse is reported, which may impact upon the shape of overlying suprabasal cells.

Methods: The depth of the epidermis and basal layer as well as cell proliferation index was scored from immunostained wax sections taken from different mouse embryos mutant in planar cell polarity signalling and their wild-type littermates. Orientation of epidermal cell division in Celsr1 Crash/Crash mutants was determined from thick frozen immunostained sections. Immunostained wax sections of wild-type skin explants cultured using the Lumox method enabled any changes in epidermal and basal layer depth to be measured following the release of surface tension upon dissection of skin away from the whole embryo.  

Results: Increased numbers of columnar and cuboidal basal epidermal cells were observed in fz6-/- mutant and Celsr1 mouse mutant Crash/Crash which correlated with visibly more rounded suprabasal cells and a thicker epidermis.

Conclusions: Altogether these data support tissue intrinsic roles for PCP proteins in ‘outside-in’ (radial) skin architecture.
The genome sequence of the segmented worm, Sthenelais limicola (Ehlers, 1864)
Authors: Darbyshire Teresa , Brennan Mitchell , McTierney Sean ,   Marine Biological Association Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: January 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual Sthenelais limicola (the segmented worm; Annelida; Polychaeta; Phyllodocida; Sigalionidae). The genome sequence is 1,131 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into nine chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.7 kilobases in length.
REGISTRO DE LA DISIDENCIA TRANS. FOTÓGRAFA ARIELA MUÑOZ.
Authors: Oliva Patricia
Published: January 2023

La carrera artística de Ariela Muñoz se mueve entre la captura de momentos muy íntimos hasta una cobertura masiva como sucedió con la campaña Incurables2 , con la que logra empapelar las paredes públicas de la ciudad. Entre la búsqueda de su propia identidad y el gran aporte realizado a través de sus exposiciones, sus colecciones fotográficas registran personas trans y manifestaciones de una diversidad sexual con un sentido de la estética muy cuidado y sutil. Sus series fotográficas son realmente impresionantes. Ariela representa una de esas grandes artistas que componen el archivo de arte diverso3 costarricense. Podríamos decir que es una artista invisibilizada a la que no se le ha reconocido lo suficiente, cuya propuesta artística es parte importante del devenir identitario diverso y de la lucha por la defensa de los derechos LGBTI+ en Costa Rica.
UN ESTUDIO SOBRE LA INTERRELACIÓN ENTRE LA NÁUTICA CASTELLANA Y LA INDÍGENA EN EL PRIMER REMONTAJE DEL RÍO MAGDALENA (1525-1538).
Authors: Nieva Sanz Daniel Miguel
Published: January 2023

Durante el proceso de conquista de América, los ríos jugaron un papel importante y exigente, que limitó las prestaciones de las naves castellanas y demandó a sus tripulaciones un rápido aprendizaje del conocimiento náutico indígena; adaptación coyuntural imprescindible en el contexto fluvial. El presente estudio plantea un análisis náutico bidireccional sobre la navegación del río Magdalena, a partir de los antecedentes y del desarrollo de la expedición de Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada entre 1536-1538.
TRANSCRIBIR AMÉRICA. APROXIMACIÓN A UNA NUEVA PERSPECTIVA CRÍTICA DEL “DESCUBRIMIENTO” DEL NUEVO MUNDO.
Authors: Roy Hélène
Published: January 2023

Estudios recientes postulan que la escritura fue la principal (aunque no la única) modalidad de producción del conocimiento empírico que Europa elaboró a partir de la colonización de las Indias y la formación de modelos de gobierno distante, invitando a (re)plantear la cuestión de la representación de la realidad americana desde la perspectiva de una “transcripción”. Partiendo de un estado crítico de la cuestión, este artículo propone pistas de reflexión para analizar la manera como diversos actores coloniales se apropiaron, adaptaron e usaron las prácticas de escritura en el Imperio hispánico (América y Asia) entre los siglos XV y XVIII. Se trata asimismo de detallar un método de análisis del archivo colonial delineando los contornos de un proyecto colectivo.
Safe and Secure
Authors: Bennett Steve
Published: January 2023

How technology is key to managing the B2B supply chain.
Freight Expectations
Authors: Wadlow Tom
Published: January 2023

Rail freight in the US is already acknowledged as a more sustainable alternative to shipping goods via truck, but the sector is determined to go further, with battery and hydrogen fuel cell technologies touted as potential routes to decarbonization
Advice Center
Authors: Norman Helen
Published: January 2023

Dr Bernd Pitschak (BP), managing director of fuel cells Europe for Cummins, speaks to Electric & Hybrid Rail Technology (EHRT) about the key considerations for implementing a hydrogen rail system
Put to the Test
Authors: Norman Helen
Published: January 2023

Nitesh Satheesh, tech staff engineer at Microchip Technology, explores how the use of silicon carbide in power electronics is placing new demands on testing requirements
The Great Modal Shift
Authors: Roper Jack
Published: January 2023

Support to reduce and eventually eliminate the number of short haul flights in Europe and replace them with more environmentally-friendly rail connections is growing as countries look to take bolder steps to avert climate disaster
Ready for Action
Authors: Pitschak Bernd
Published: January 2023

Cummins presents some of the key reasons why hydrogen has an important role to play in the decarbonization of the rail sector
Demonstration of a hybrid A-RoF/VLC system for beyond 5G applications
Authors: Andrade Tomás P. V. , Carneiro de Souza Letícia , Lima Eduardo Saia , Cerqueira Sodré Arismar
Published: January 2023

This work reports the implementation of a fiber-optics and visible
light communication (VLC)-based flexible optical distribution network
for beyond the fifth generation of mobile networks (B5G) applications.
The proposed hybrid architecture is composed of a 12.5-km single-mode
fiber fronthaul based on the analog radio-over-fiber (A-RoF)
technology, followed by a red, green, and blue (RGB)-based VLC link of
1.2 m. As a proof of concept, we experimentally demonstrate a
successful deployment of a 5G hybrid A-RoF/VLC system without using
pre-/post-equalization, digital pre-distortion, or individual filters
for each color, by means of using a dichroic cube filter at the
receiver side. The system performance is evaluated in terms of the
root mean square error vector magnitude (EVMRMS), in accordance with the 3rd
Generation Partnership Project requirements, and as a function of the
light-emitting diodes’ injected electrical power and signal
bandwidth.
OPGW positioning and early warning method based on a Brillouin distributed optical fiber sensor and machine learning
Authors: Xia Meng , Tang Xiaohui , Wang Ying , Li Can , Wei Yong , Zhang Jiaju , Jiang Taofei , Dong Yongkang
Published: January 2023

A method of optical fiber composite overhead ground wire (OPGW) positioning based on a Brillouin distributed optical fiber sensor and machine learning is proposed. A distributed Brillouin optical time-domain reflectometry (BOTDR) and Brillouin optical time-domain analyzer (BOTDA) are designed, where the ranges of BOTDR and the BOTDA are 110 km and 125 km, respectively. An unsupervised machine learning method density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) is proposed to automatically identify the splicing point based on the Brillouin frequency shift (BFS) difference of adjacent sections. An adaptive parameter selection method based on k-distance is adapted to overcome the parameter sensitivity. The validity of the proposed DBSCAN algorithm is greater than 96%, which is evaluated by three commonly external validation indices with five typical BFS curves. According to the clustering results of different fiber cores and the tower schedule of the OPGW, the connecting towers are distinguished, which is proved as a 100% recognition rate. According to the identification results of different fiber cores of both the OPGW cables and tower schedule, the connecting towers can be distinguished, and the distributed strain information is extracted directly from the BFS to strain. The abnormal region is positioned and warned according to the distributed strain measurements. The method proposed herein significantly improves the efficiency of fault positioning and early warning, which means a higher operational reliability of the OPGW cables.
Multi-objective optimization of custom compound prism arrays for multiplexed optical imaging
Authors: Price Liam J. , Tatz Julia , Sutin Jason , Spring Bryan Q.
Published: January 2023

Compound prism arrays are a powerful, yet underutilized, solution for producing high transmission and customized chromatic dispersion profiles over broad bandwidths, the quality of which is unobtainable with commercially available prisms or diffraction gratings. However, the computational complexity associated with designing these prism arrays presents a barrier to the widespread adoption of their use. Here we introduce customizable prism designer software that facilitates high-speed optimization of compound arrays guided by target specifications for chromatic dispersion linearity and detector geometry. Information theory is utilized such that target parameters can be easily modified through user input to efficiently simulate a broad range of possible prism array designs. We demonstrate the capabilities of the designer software to simulate new prism array designs for multiplexed, hyperspectral microscopy that achieve chromatic dispersion linearity and a 70-90% light transmission over a significant portion of the visible wavelength range (500–820 nm). The designer software is applicable to many optical spectroscopy and spectral microscopy applications—with varying requirements for spectral resolution, light ray deviation, and physical size—that are photon-starved and for which the enhanced transmission of refraction versus diffraction warrants custom optical designs.
Wideband multimode optical parametric oscillation in a Kerr microresonator
Authors: Ng Vincent , Azeem Farhan , Trainor Luke S. , Schwefel Harald G. L. , Coen Stéphane , Erkintalo Miro , Murdoch Stuart G.
Published: January 2023

Parametric oscillation in Kerr microresonators provides an attractive pathway for the generation of new optical frequencies in a low-power, small-footprint device. The frequency shift of the newly generated parametric sidebands is set by the phasematching of the underlying four-wave-mixing process, with the generation of large frequency shift sidebands typically placing exacting requirements on a resonator’s dispersion profile. In practice, this limits the range of viable pump wavelengths, and ultimately the range of output frequencies. In this paper, we consider a multimode four-wave-mixing process in which the pump and sidebands propagate in different mode families of the resonator. We show that this multimode configuration yields a considerable relaxation in the phasematching requirements needed to generate large frequency shift parametric sidebands, allowing their formation even in resonators with strong second-order dispersion. Experimentally we use a magnesium-fluoride micro-disk resonator to demonstrate this multimode phasematching. By accessing different pump and sideband modes, four distinct multimode parametric processes generating frequency shifts between 118 and 216 THz are reported. The resulting separation between the two sidebands is almost three octaves.
High-efficiency mid-infrared InGaAs/InP arrayed waveguide gratings
Authors: Karnik Tushar Sanjay , Dao Khoi Phuong , Du Qingyang , Diehl Laurent , Pflügl Christian , Vakhshoori Daryoosh , Hu Juejun
Published: January 2023

Photonic integrated circuits and mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers have attracted significant attention over the years because of the numerous applications enabled by these compact semiconductor chips. In this paper, we demonstrate low loss passive waveguides and highly efficient arrayed waveguide gratings that can be used, for example, to beam combine infrared (IR) laser arrays. The waveguide structure used consists of an In0.53Ga0.47As core and InP cladding layers. This material system was chosen because of its compatibility with future monolithic integration with quantum cascade lasers. Different photonic circuits were fabricated using standard semiconductor processes, and experiments conducted with these chips demonstrated low-loss waveguides with an estimated propagation loss of ∼ 1.2 dB/cm as well as micro-ring resonators with an intrinsic Q-factor of 174,000. Arrayed waveguide gratings operating in the 5.15–5.34 µm range feature low insertion loss and non-uniformity of ∼ 0.9 dB and ∼ 0.6 dB, respectively. The demonstration of the present photonic circuits paves the path toward monolithic fabrication of compact infrared light sources with advanced functionalities beneficial to many chemical sensing and high-power applications.
Dynamics of pulsating solitons derived from asymmetrical dispersive waves
Authors: Liu Congcong , He Jiangyong , Wang Pan , Xing Dengke , Li Jin , Chang Kun , Zhou Fengkai , Ma Yuansheng , Liu Yange , Wang Zhi
Published: January 2023

Pulsating soliton (PS) as a local structure of nonlinear systems has induced substantial interest in nonlinear photonics and ultrafast lasers. However, the interaction mechanism between PSs has not been fully studied. Here, the vital role of the asymmetric dispersive wave (DW) in PSs interaction is investigated for the first time. Based on the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation (CQGLE), we find that the asynchronous pulsating soliton molecule (PSM) composed of strong PSs and weak PSs will produce frequency shift due to the asymmetric DW, and the state of the PS can be transferred through the DW during the collision between PSs and PSM. Moreover, we firstly characterize the PS with asymmetric DW in experiment, and observe the drift of PSM, which agree with our simulation that the asymmetric DW can cause the frequency shift of PSMs. Our results provide new insights into the multi soliton interaction of nonlinear systems.
Antireflection microstructures fabricated on the surface of a LiGaSe2 nonlinear crystal
Authors: Teslenko Andrei A. , Bushunov Andrey A. , Isaenko Lyudmila. I. , Shklyaev Alexander , Goloshumova Alina , Lobanov Sergei I. , Lazarev Vladimir A. , Tarabrin Mikhail K.
Published: January 2023

LiGaSe2 is a propitious material for nonlinear parametric conversion in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) range. Its refractive index of n = 2.25 in the 2–12 µm wavelength range results in significant losses due to Fresnel reflection. However, the conventional method of increasing the transmittance with antireflection coatings (ARCs) significantly reduces the damage threshold of the material. Fabrication of the antireflection microstructures (ARMs) is an alternative approach for increasing the surface transmittance. In this work, ARMs were fabricated on the surface of a LiGaSe2 crystal using a single-pulse femtosecond laser ablation method. An average transmittance of 97.2% in the 2–8 µm spectral range and the maximum transmittance of 98.6% at 4.1 µm were achieved.
Coherent optical neuron control based on reinforcement learning
Authors: Zhang Jun , Yan Qiuquan , Liu Hengzhu , Tang Yuhua , Zhou Tong , Jiang Tian
Published: January 2023

Optical neural networks take optical neurons as the cornerstone to achieve complex functions. The coherent optical neuron has become one of the mainstream implementations because it can effectively perform natural and even complex number calculations. However, its state variability and requirement for reliability and effectiveness render traditional control methods no longer applicable. In this Letter, deep reinforcement coherent optical neuron control (DRCON) is proposed, and its effectiveness is experimentally demonstrated. Compared with the standard stochastic gradient descent, the average convergence rate of DRCON is 33% faster, while the effective number of bits increases from less than 2 bits to 5.5 bits. DRCON is a promising first step for large-scale optical neural network control.
Automated morphological phenotyping using learned shape descriptors and functional maps: A novel approach to geometric morphometrics
Authors: Thomas Oshane O. , Shen Hongyu , Raaum Ryan L. , Harcourt-Smith William E. H. , Polk John D. , Hasegawa-Johnson Mark
Published: January 2023

The methods of geometric morphometrics are commonly used to quantify morphology in a broad range of biological sciences. The application of these methods to large datasets is constrained by manual landmark placement limiting the number of landmarks and introducing observer bias. To move the field forward, we need to automate morphological phenotyping in ways that capture comprehensive representations of morphological variation with minimal observer bias. Here, we present Morphological Variation Quantifier (morphVQ), a shape analysis pipeline for quantifying, analyzing, and exploring shape variation in the functional domain. morphVQ uses descriptor learning to estimate the functional correspondence between whole triangular meshes in lieu of landmark configurations. With functional maps between pairs of specimens in a dataset we can analyze and explore shape variation. morphVQ uses Consistent ZoomOut refinement to improve these functional maps and produce a new representation of shape variation, area-based and conformal (angular) latent shape space differences (LSSDs). We compare this new representation of shape variation to shape variables obtained via manual digitization and auto3DGM, an existing approach to automated morphological phenotyping. We find that LSSDs compare favorably to modern 3DGM and auto3DGM while being more computationally efficient. By characterizing whole surfaces, our method incorporates more morphological detail in shape analysis. We can classify known biological groupings, such as Genus affiliation with comparable accuracy. The shape spaces produced by our method are similar to those produced by modern 3DGM and to auto3DGM, and distinctiveness functions derived from LSSDs show us how shape variation differs between groups. morphVQ can capture shape in an automated fashion while avoiding the limitations of manually digitized landmarks, and thus represents a novel and computationally efficient addition to the geometric morphometrics toolkit.
Surround suppression in mouse auditory cortex underlies auditory edge detection
Authors: Gilday Omri David , Praegel Benedikt , Maor Ido , Cohen Tav , Nelken Israel , Mizrahi Adi
Published: January 2023

Surround suppression (SS) is a fundamental property of sensory processing throughout the brain. In the auditory system, the early processing stream encodes sounds using a one dimensional physical space—frequency. Previous studies in the auditory system have shown SS to manifest as bandwidth tuning around the preferred frequency. We asked whether bandwidth tuning can be found around frequencies away from the preferred frequency. We exploited the simplicity of spectral representation of sounds to study SS by manipulating both sound frequency and bandwidth. We recorded single unit spiking activity from the auditory cortex (ACx) of awake mice in response to an array of broadband stimuli with varying central frequencies and bandwidths. Our recordings revealed that a significant portion of neuronal response profiles had a preferred bandwidth that varied in a regular way with the sound’s central frequency. To gain insight into the possible mechanism underlying these responses, we modelled neuronal activity using a variation of the “Mexican hat” function often used to model SS. The model accounted for response properties of single neurons with high accuracy. Our data and model show that these responses in ACx obey simple rules resulting from the presence of lateral inhibitory sidebands, mostly above the excitatory band of the neuron, that result in sensitivity to the location of top frequency edges, invariant to other spectral attributes. Our work offers a simple explanation for auditory edge detection and possibly other computations of spectral content in sounds.
ePOCT+ and the medAL-suite: Development of an electronic clinical decision support algorithm and digital platform for pediatric outpatients in low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Tan Rainer , Cobuccio Ludovico , Beynon Fenella , Levine Gillian A. , Vaezipour Nina , Luwanda Lameck Bonaventure , Mangu Chacha , Vonlanthen Alan , De Santis Olga , Salim Nahya , Manji Karim , Naburi Helga , Chirande Lulu , Matata Lena , Bulongeleje Method , Moshiro Robert , Miheso Andolo , Arimi Peter , Ndiaye Ousmane , Faye Moctar , Thiongane Aliou , Awasthi Shally , Sharma Kovid , Kumar Gaurav , Van De Maat Josephine , Kulinkina Alexandra , Rwandarwacu Victor , Dusengumuremyi Théophile , Nkuranga John Baptist , Rusingiza Emmanuel , Tuyisenge Lisine , Hartley Mary-Anne , Faivre Vincent , Thabard Julien , Keitel Kristina , D’Acremont Valérie
Published: January 2023

Electronic clinical decision support algorithms (CDSAs) have been developed to address high childhood mortality and inappropriate antibiotic prescription by helping clinicians adhere to guidelines. Previously identified challenges of CDSAs include their limited scope, usability, and outdated clinical content. To address these challenges we developed ePOCT+, a CDSA for the care of pediatric outpatients in low- and middle-income settings, and the medical algorithm suite (medAL-suite), a software for the creation and execution of CDSAs. Following the principles of digital development, we aim to describe the process and lessons learnt from the development of ePOCT+ and the medAL-suite. In particular, this work outlines the systematic integrative development process in the design and implementation of these tools required to meet the needs of clinicians to improve uptake and quality of care. We considered the feasibility, acceptability and reliability of clinical signs and symptoms, as well as the diagnostic and prognostic performance of predictors. To assure clinical validity, and appropriateness for the country of implementation the algorithm underwent numerous reviews by clinical experts and health authorities from the implementing countries. The digitalization process involved the creation of medAL-creator, a digital platform which allows clinicians without IT programming skills to easily create the algorithms, and medAL-reader the mobile health (mHealth) application used by clinicians during the consultation. Extensive feasibility tests were done with feedback from end-users of multiple countries to improve the clinical algorithm and medAL-reader software. We hope that the development framework used for developing ePOCT+ will help support the development of other CDSAs, and that the open-source medAL-suite will enable others to easily and independently implement them. Further clinical validation studies are underway in Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Senegal, and India.