bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Freedom in the Book of Acts: Release from Prison, Bold Speech and Release from Satanic Bondage
Authors: Stenschke Christoph W.
Published: December 2024

Abstract: Even though the book of Acts does not speak of freedom from the law and as an essential characteristic of Spirit-empowered Christian existence as Paul does, the concept and matter of freedom occur several times in three different contexts. (1) Acts reports several times that its protagonists (the apostles or Paul and Silas) are freed from the prisons of their opponents and thus can continue with their ministry. In this way, they are divinely vindicated. Even though the last quarter of the narrative gives a detailed account of Paul's arrest and imprisonment, it becomes clear that even then Paul preserved his inner freedom and proved himself a faithful witness of Jesus. (2) Moreover, the protagonists are repeatedly attested to uttering frank speech, and their speeches are presented in summary. Equipped by the Holy Spirit, they fulfilled their mission and boldly proclaimed the gospel even in dangerous situations, not mincing words. In this they serve as exempla for the readers. (3) Acts makes it clear that people are under the power of Satan from which they must be liberated. From this point of view, freedom is an important concept in Lukan soteriology. Both Jesus and the earliest Christian mission are characterised by this liberation ministry (Acts 10:38; 26:18). The necessity of this liberation accounts for Paul's controversial ministry particularly among non-Jews. In closing, aspects of the contemporary significance of the multi-layered concept of freedom in Acts are briefly discussed.
Caelum Nullius: Outer Space and the Colonial Logic of Property Rights
Authors: Ray Emily , Parson Sean
Published: December 2024

Abstract: Reimagining outer space as enclosed and privatized reinforces liberal property rights as universal and necessary to space programs. New space policies mark a return to terra nullius and a narrow conception of land-use that determines property rights. The liberal and colonial logic of property rights affirms hegemonic narratives of space as a limitless environment with no prior property claims. We analyze outer-space policies and the relationships between state and capital. We draw from Anker on Lockean freedom and Nichols on constructing property through theft. We argue that corporate colonization of space reinscribes the logic of settler-colonialism in space exploration.
Source optimization method employing dynamic polarization aberration model for high-NA EUVL
Authors: Li Zhaoxuan , Yuan Miao , Li Zhen , Yang He , Huang Weichen , Li Yanqiu
Published: December 2024

Scanning technology is widely used in current lithography. During scanning, any point on the wafer scanning through the field of view (FOV) is successively affected by varying levels of polarization aberrations (PAs) that depend on the position within the FOV. However, current computational lithography studies for extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) neglect this effect of the “dynamic PA” caused by scanning. Consequently, the optimization results cannot meet the actual imaging requirements, leading to a decline in image quality for the lithographic projection objective, particularly in high numerical aperture (NA) EUVL systems. This paper establishes a dynamic PA model for NA0.55 EUVL and proposes a source optimization method employing this model to increase image quality. The model samples the FOV points in the scanning direction at equal intervals based on the characteristics of the EUVL pulsed lasers. Then, it calculated the images at different sampling points and the iterative exposure of the resist, considering the impact of PA from each sampling point. The optimization strategy of source parameters based on this model is realized. Experimental results demonstrate that this SO method effectively reduces pattern errors by 15.5%–28.2%, and the process window is expanded by 15.0%–22.2%.
Super-resolution microscopy based on the inherent fluctuations of dye molecules
Authors: Krupinski-Ptaszek Alexander , Makowski Adrian , Mielnicka Aleksandra , Pawłowska Monika , Tenne Ron , Lapkiewicz Radek
Published: December 2024

Fluorescence microscopy is a critical tool across various disciplines, from materials science to biomedical research, yet it is limited by the diffraction limit of resolution. Advanced super-resolution techniques such as localization microscopy and stimulated-emission-depletion microscopy often demand considerable resources. These methods depend heavily on elaborate sample-staining, complex optical systems, or prolonged acquisition periods, and their application in 3D and multicolor imaging presents significant experimental challenges. In the current work, we provide a complete demonstration of a widely accessible super-resolution imaging approach capable of 3D and multicolor imaging based on super-resolution optical fluctuation imaging (SOFI). We replace the confocal pinhole with an array of single-photon avalanche diodes and use the microsecond-scale fluctuations of dye molecules as a contrast mechanism. This contrast is transformed into a super-resolved image using a robust and deterministic algorithm. Our technique utilizes natural fluctuations inherent to organic dyes, thereby it does not require engineering of the blinking statistics. Our robust, versatile super-resolution method opens the way to next-generation multimodal imaging and facilitates on-demand super-resolution within a confocal architecture.
Volumetric imaging of trabecular meshwork dynamic motion using 600 kHz swept source optical coherence tomography
Authors: Gong Zhaoyu , Shi Yaping , Liu Jian , Zhang Yi , Johnstone Murray A. , Wang Ruikang K.
Published: December 2024

The motion of the trabecular meshwork (TM) facilitates the aqueous drainage from the anterior chamber to the venous system, thereby maintaining normal intraocular pressure. As such, characterizing the TM motion is valuable for assessing the functionality of the aqueous outflow system, as demonstrated by previous phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography (OCT) studies. Current methods typically acquire motion from a single cross-sectional plane along the circumference of the anterior chamber. While effective, the lateral scan pattern only intersects one spatial location on the TM at a time, significantly limiting examination throughput. In this study, we introduce the first volumetric imaging approach for assessing TM motion. Rather than monitoring a single cross-sectional plane, our method employs repeated volumetric scans, allowing for simultaneous observation of a continuous TM band spanning two millimeters. We also show that the field of view could be further expanded by stitching multiple scans. To ensure robust data processing, we developed a customized volume registration algorithm to correct motion artifacts and an automated segmentation algorithm to identify the TM boundary based on the correlation of OCT phase dynamics with heartbeats. Imaging results from a healthy subject confirmed the feasibility of our approach, revealing considerable variation in TM motions at different spatial locations through the stitching process. This proposed methodology offers unprecedented capabilities and examination throughput in the biomechanical imaging of the TM, providing significant scientific insights and diagnostic value for identifying abnormalities in aqueous outflow.
High-speed secure stream cipher using synchronized chaos and the RC4 algorithm for optical communications
Authors: Xue Chenpeng , Zheng Likai , Wang Xu , Zhu Beibei , Zhang Zuxing , Hong Yanhua
Published: December 2024

A high-security, high-speed stream cipher for physical-layer-secure optical communication, based on optical-carrier-induced private chaos synchronization and RC4 algorithm, is proposed and numerically demonstrated. The high security and speed are achieved by combining physical true random numbers generated from synchronized chaos, used as the key for random DNA coding, with the RC4 pseudo-random numbers. Moreover, no third-party signal is required as the optical carrier itself serves as the common drive for chaos synchronization in semiconductor lasers. To ensure privacy, phase encryption with confidential dispersion components is deployed at the communicating parties to encrypt the driving signals. A secure stream cipher exceeding 100 Gb/s, leveraging approximately 4 Gb/s physical random numbers to achieve a rate 32 times higher, has been numerically demonstrated. Additionally, it is also noted that pseudo-random numbers generated from different seeds can be encoded using the same physical true random numbers to create parallel stream ciphers, making this approach well-suited for wavelength-division-multiplexed and space-division-multiplexed high-speed optical communications.
Spectral broadening of μJ-level pulses around 8 μm in a Germanium-based multi-pass scheme
Authors: Gucci Francesco , Baserga Alessandro , Moretti Luca , Gatti Davide , Corti Matteo , Manzoni Cristian , Cerullo Giulio , Marangoni Marco , Vesco Guglielmo
Published: December 2024

A 2.6-fold spectral broadening of mid-infrared femtosecond μJ-level pulses has been achieved using an unfolded multi-pass configuration of germanium plates and zinc selenide lenses. This method maintains a throughput higher than 60% while preserving the spatial quality and the temporal duration of the input beam. Numerical simulations match the experimental results and show the potential to tailor the parameters of the cell to obtain different spectra.
Lessons about physiological relevance learned from large-scale meta-analysis of co-expression networks in brain organoids
Authors: Tanaka Yoshiaki
Published: December 2024

Integrative analysis of publicly available scRNA-seq data facilitates deeper understanding of biological phenomena with strong statistical power and high resolution. A new study in this issue of PLOS Biology examined the fidelity of various brain organoid protocols in reference to human primary developing brain by gene co-expression relationships with million-scale collection of public scRNA-seq data sets.
The effectiveness of putative wearable repellent technologies to protect against mosquito biting and Aedes-borne diseases, and their economic impact
Authors: Jones Robert T. , Tytheridge Scott J. , Vegvari Carolin , Meredith Hannah R. , Pretorius Elizabeth A. , Ant Thomas H. , Logan James G.
Published: December 2024

Viruses transmitted by mosquitoes threaten the health of millions of people worldwide. There is an urgent need for new tools for personal protection to ensure that vulnerable individuals are protected from infectious bites when outdoors. Here, we test the efficacy of wash-in and spray-on repellents against Aedes aegypti. When applied as a treatment on clothing as well as skin, the novel repellent compound delta-undecalactone provided up to 100% protection initially, and over 50% bite prevention for more than 7 hours. Mathematical modelling indicated that if such a repellent, with 100% initial efficacy, were to be applied twice daily by 80% of the population, more than 30% of Zika virus infections could be averted in an outbreak scenario with a basic reproduction number R0 = 2.2. In a less severe outbreak (R0 = 1.6), the same repellent regimen could avert 96% of infections. If there was much lower uptake, with only 40% of people using the repellent twice per day, just 4% of Zika cases would be averted (outbreak R0 = 2.2). Similar results were found in other scenarios tested for dengue and chikungunya outbreaks. Our model can be extrapolated to other repellents and guide future product development, and provides support to the concept that effective repellents that are used regularly and appropriately could be cost-effective interventions to prevent ill health from arboviral diseases.
Prevalence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria among people with acid-fast positive presumptive tuberculosis in Mali
Authors: Cisse Aissata Boubakar , Dean Anna S. , Van Deun Armand , Keysers Jelle , De Rijk Willem-Bram , Gumusboga Mourad , Samake Hawa , Arama Seydou , Diarra Bassirou , Djilla Ibrahim , Coulibaly Fatoumata N. , Simpara Hawa , Berthe Mamadou , Ouattara Khadidia , Toloba Yacouba , Guindo Ibrehima , de Jong Bouke , Rigouts Leen
Published: December 2024

Background

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental agents that can cause opportunistic pulmonary disease in humans and animals, often misdiagnosed as tuberculosis (TB). In this study, we describe the cases of NTM identified during the first national anti-TB drug resistance survey conducted in Mali and explore associated risk factors.

Methods

Sputum was collected from people presenting for pulmonary TB diagnosis from April to December 2019, regardless of age. Microscopy-positive patients were enrolled and tested using the Xpert MTB/RIF assay. A patient who tested negative for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) was tested for the presence of mycobacteria by amplification of the IS6110 and 16SrRNA (16S) genes through double quantitative real-time PCR, followed by nested PCR and Sanger sequencing of the IS6110-negative samples for NTM species identification.

Results

1,418 sputum smear-positive patients were enrolled, including 1,199 new cases, 211 previously treated cases, and 8 whose previous treatment history was unknown. Based on the results of Xpert MTB/RIF assay and in-house PCR methods, 1,331 (93.9%) patients were positive for MTBC, 48 (3.4%) for NTM, and no species identification was possible for 39 (2.7%). Advanced age of 65 and over with an OR 8.8 (95% CI 2.3–33.2 and p = 0.001) and previous TB treatment with an OR 3.4 (95% CI 1.2–9.6 and p = 0.016) were the risk factors statistically associated with NTM detection. M. avium complex (MAC) was the predominant NTM species, detected in 20 cases.

Conclusion

Detection of NTM in people presumed to have TB is an ongoing challenge, confounding correct TB diagnosis. Concomitant use of microscopy and GeneXpert testing among at-risk individuals could improve patient management.
Goal-directed fluid therapy on the postoperative complications of laparoscopic hepatobiliary or pancreatic surgery: An interventional comparative study
Authors: Koo Bon-Wook , Oh Ah-Young , Na Hyo-Seok , Han Jiwon , Kim Hyeong geun
Published: December 2024

Background

Intraoperative fluid balance significantly affects patients’ outcomes. Goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) has reduced the incidence of major postoperative complications by 20% for 30 days after open abdominal surgery. Little is known about GDFT during laparoscopic surgery.

Aim

We investigated whether GDFT affects the postoperative outcomes in laparoscopic hepatobiliary or pancreatic surgery compared with conventional fluid management.

Methods

This interventional comparative study with a historical control group was performed in the tertiary care center. Patients were allocated to one of two groups. The GDFT (n = 147) was recruited prospectively and the conventional group (n = 228) retrospectively. In the GDFT group, fluid management was guided by the stroke volume (SV) and cardiac index (CI), whereas it had been performed based on vital signs in the conventional group. Propensity score (PS) matching was performed to reduce selection bias (n = 147 in each group). Postoperative complications were evaluated as primary outcome measures.

Results

The amount of crystalloid used during surgery was less in the GDFT group than in the conventional group (5.1 ± 1.1 vs 6.3 ± 1.8 ml/kg/h, respectively; P <0.001), whereas the amount of colloid was comparable between the two groups. The overall proportion of patients who experienced any adverse events was 57.8% in the GDFT group and 70.1% in the conventional group (P = 0.038), of which the occurrence of pleural effusion was significantly lower in the GDFT group than in the conventional group (9.5% vs. 19.7%; P = 0.024). During the postoperative period, the proportion of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) was lower in the GDFT group than that in the conventional group after PS matching (4.1% vs 10.2%; P = 0.049).

Conclusions

GDFT based on SV and CI resulted in a lower net fluid balance than conventional fluid therapy. The overall complication rate in laparoscopic hepatobiliary or pancreatic surgery decreased after GDFT, and the frequency of pleural effusion was the most affected.
Biodiversity and distribution of zoobenthos in the ecological water replenishment area of the Yellow River estuary coastal wetland revealed by eDNA metabarcoding
Authors: Xie Gang , Lan Jie , Liang Jinhui , Wang Qidong , Cao Xiaoqiang , Wang Yanlong , Ren Chongyang , Liu Huaqing , Zhang Jian
Published: December 2024

The coastal wetland of the Yellow River Estuary, one of China’s largest wetlands, is essential for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services. Ecological water replenishment, a typical wetland restoration measure in the Yellow River Delta, has significantly impacted the habitat of zoobenthos, which are critical indicators of ecosystem health and water quality. However, the community characteristics of zoobenthos in this coastal wetland are poorly understood. This study utilized eDNA metabarcoding to assess the diversity and community structure of zoobenthos in the ecological water replenishment area of Yellow River Estuary Coastal Wetland. Zoobenthos from 174 families were identified, with 307 species recognized at the generic level, significantly more than those identified through traditional morpho-taxonomic approaches. Salinity emerged as a crucial factor in shaping these ecosystems. Contrary to expectations, in this study, brackish water exhibited the lowest species richness compared to freshwater and seawater, which may be attributed to local environmental stressors and fluctuating salinity conditions in the Yellow River Estuary. Environmental factors such as salinity, organic matter, and nutrient elements significantly influence the composition and distribution of zoobenthos. Specifically, cations, particularly Mg2⁺ and Ca2⁺, have a more substantial impact on zoobenthos than anions. Our results provide crucial information on zoobenthic biodiversity within ecological water replenishment areas, offering insights into the ecological dynamics and environmental factors shaping zoobenthos communities under ecological management.
APEX-based proximity labeling in Plasmodium identifies a membrane protein with dual functions during mosquito infection
Authors: Kehrer Jessica , Pietsch Emma , Ricken Dominik , Strauss Léanne , Heinze Julia M. , Gilberger Tim , Frischknecht Friedrich
Published: December 2024

Transmission of the malaria parasite Plasmodium to mosquitoes necessitates gamete egress from red blood cells to allow zygote formation and ookinete motility to enable penetration of the midgut epithelium. Both processes are dependent on the secretion of proteins from distinct sets of specialized vesicles. Inhibiting some of these proteins has shown potential for blocking parasite transmission to the mosquito. To identify new transmission blocking vaccine candidates, we aimed to define the microneme content from ookinetes of the rodent model organism Plasmodium berghei using APEX2-mediated rapid proximity-dependent biotinylation. Besides known proteins of ookinete micronemes, this identified over 50 novel candidates and sharpened the list of a previous survey based on subcellular fractionation. Functional analysis of a first candidate uncovered a dual role for this membrane protein in male gametogenesis and ookinete midgut traversal. Mutation of a putative trafficking motif in the C-terminus affected ookinete to oocyst transition but not gamete formation. This suggests the existence of distinct functional and transport requirements for Plasmodium proteins in different parasite stages.
Herd-level seroprevalence, molecular prevalence, and trends of Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) in cattle worldwide: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Konputtar Adithep , Nam Nguyen Hoai , Rerkyusuke Sarinya , Thamrongyoswittayakul Chaiyapas , Seesupa Suvaluk , Yossapol Montira , Sukon Peerapol
Published: December 2024

Background and Aim: Cattle are the reservoir host of Coxiella burnetii, a causative agent of Q fever. Pooling herd-level prevalence data from individual studies would help determine the global prevalence of C. burnetii in cattle herds. This study aimed to estimate the global herd-level seroprevalence and molecular prevalence of C. burnetii in cattle, explore sources of heterogeneity, and determine trends and cumulative evidence of the pooled prevalence over time.

Materials and Methods: Relevant studies were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science and then screened for possible inclusion. A random-effects model was used for all meta-analyses. Subgroup meta-analysis and meta-regression were used to explore some sources of heterogeneity associated with the pooled prevalence and to determine the trends of C. burnetii in cattle herds over the study years (1961–2020). A cumulative meta-analysis was used to determine the cumulative evidence of the pooled prevalence over the publication years.

Results: Of the 1541 citations, 86 studies with 38,057 cattle herds from 42 countries on six continents were included in the meta-analysis. The global herd-level seroprevalence of C. burnetii in cattle was estimated to be 44.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 37.9%–51.1%), with high heterogeneity among the included studies. The herd-level seroprevalence was significantly higher in dairy than in beef cattle herds (49.0% [95% CI: 41.9%–56.2%] vs. 14.5% [95% CI: 5.8%–32.1%], respectively). The global herd-level molecular prevalence of C. burnetii in cattle was estimated to be 32.3% (95% CI: 25.3%–40.01%), with high heterogeneity among the included studies. Herd-level molecular prevalence was significantly different among continents. The herd-level molecular prevalence ranged from 12.8% (95% CI: 7.1%–21.9%) in Asia to 70.0% (95% CI: 36.3%–90.5%) in North America. Regarding trends, the herd-level seroprevalence of C. burnetii in cattle did not change significantly over the study years.

Conclusion: The global herd-level seroprevalence and herd-level molecular prevalence of C. burnetii in cattle were high, estimated at 44% and 32%, respectively. The herd-level seroprevalence trend did not significantly change over time. This result indicates that cattle remain a major reservoir host for C. burnetii and pose a potential risk to human health.

Keywords: cattle, Coxiella burnetii, herd, prevalence, Q fever.
Evaluating energy flow, trophic structure, and network indices of a tropical reservoir ecosystem in Southern India
Authors: Khan M. Feroz , Panikkar Preetha , Mol S. Sibina , Ramya V.L. , Das B.K. , Sarkar U.K. , Vijayakumar M.E.
Published: December 2024

The foodweb of the Karapuzha reservoir ecosystem was constructed using modelling software Ecopath with Ecosim. This reservoir has a high biomass of primary producers that can support a fairly large fish biomass. Ecotrophic efficiency values of zoobenthos show that these primary consumers are heavily consumed. Hence at higher trophic levels flows are very low. The overall estimated fish biomass in the reservoir was 23.01 metric tonnes, with the carps having higher biomasses than other fish species. The trophic structure reveals that the reservoir can be split into four trophic levels. Flow from trophic levels I to II was 1123 t km−2 whereas flows from level II into level III was just 257.8 t km−2. Analysis of Lindeman's spine indicates that the foodweb of the Karapuzha reservoir is primarily a grazing food chain. The ascendancy of the Karapuzha reservoir is estimated at 24.5 percent, indicating a high overall maturity. This suggests that Karapuzha is immune to disturbance and a reasonably mature environment, although with a vulnerable foodweb. The large biomass of zooplankton and the TPP / TR value of 1.77 show that it is a healthy ecosystem but for overfishing, which is an area of concern. Stocking this reservoir with major carps (Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala) will help to properly use the primary production and also enhance energy flows. This will also help to improve the livelihood of the local tribal community who depend on fish catch from this reservoir.
Ações de políticas linguísticas de internacionalização na UFPel
Authors: Selbach Helena Vitalina , Löff Machado Lucas , Sigales-Gonçalves Jael Sânera
Published: December 2024

Este trabalho tem como objetivo relatar e discutir as experiências da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel) na implementação de políticas linguísticas (PL) localmente construídas voltadas à formação de professores, ao ensino de línguas adicionais e à discussão da PL da Universidade. O estudo foca em cinco iniciativas que compõem o cenário de internacionalização da instituição, incluindo: 1) a Rede ANDIFES Idiomas sem Fronteiras (IsF), que atua tanto na formação de professores de línguas quanto na oferta de cursos de línguas para a comunidade acadêmica; 2) a ação de mobilidade acadêmica à Alemanha como processo formativo de professores do curso de licenciatura em Alemão-Português, proporcionando experiências internacionais in loco; 3) a disciplina "Ensino de Português como Língua Adicional (PLA) na graduação, voltada para a formação de professores na área; 4) o projeto de pesquisa "Letramentos Acadêmicos em Português como Língua Adicional na UFPel: mapeamento de práticas e necessidades" e 5) o projeto de extensão “Direitos linguísticos, Universidade e Políticas Públicas”. Os resultados, a partir da análise das ações em curso e da reflexão sobre como as PL se materializam em práticas concretas no contexto universitário, apontam para a importância de abordagens localmente construídas na promoção da internacionalização, destacando o papel fundamental das línguas nesse processo. A perspectiva transversal das línguas presentes nos repertórios locais e emergência de espaços, nos quais há coexistência ou promoção do usos de mais línguas, torna-se uma ferramenta valiosa na construção de respostas a questões complexas existentes em espaços pós-coloniais e regionalmente tão distintos. Conclui-se que a articulação entre a PL institucional e as línguas adicionais nas mais diferentes ações de ensino, pesquisa e extensão - que viabilizam a formação docente - são essenciais frente aos desafios que emergem na implementação de iniciativas locais plurilíngues de internacionalização no ensino superior.
CARGA MENTAL DE TRABALHO E ESTRESSE OCUPACIONAL EM SERVIDORES DE UNIVERSIDADE PÚBLICA: ANÁLISE A PARTIR DE EQUAÇÕES ESTRUTURAIS
Authors: Lima Mauren Pimentel , Vásquez Paula Andrea Ceballo , Greco Patrícia Bitencourt Toscani , Dalmolin Graziele de Lima , Fernandes Heloísa Garcia Claro , Lanes Taís Carpes , Andolhe Rafaela , Lopes Luis Felipe Dias
Published: December 2024

Objetivo: Avaliar a relação entre estresse ocupacional e carga mental de trabalho em servidores públicos, utilizando as subescalas e itens da Escala de Carga Mental Subjetiva de Trabalho (ESCAM) e da Escala de Estresse no Trabalho (JSS) como instrumentos de medida. Método: Estudo transversal, realizado no período de abril a novembro de 2022, com 450 servidores públicos de uma instituição de ensino superior federal do Rio Grande do Sul. A amostragem foi por conveniência. As relações entre carga mental e estresse ocupacional foram analisadas estatisticamente por meio da técnica de Modelagem de Equações Estruturais com estimativa de Mínimos Quadrados Parciais (PLS-SEM) com algoritmo do software SmartPLS® versão 4.0.9.9. Resultados: Houve predomínio de participantes do sexo feminino (65,30%), com idade entre 30 e 40 anos (32,40%), casado (70%). Destes, apresentavam níveis adequados de carga mental (91,78%). Quanto ao estresse ocupacional da amostra, os níveis foram elevados para as as demandas (53,11%), controle (97,78%) e apoio social no trabalho (95,78%). A avaliação sistemática do modelo revelou adequada consistência interna e validade. Implicações: Conclui-se que o modelo demanda-controle e apoio social no trabalho mostrou-se um forte preditor para avaliação da percepção da carga mental subjetiva no trabalho, compondo um modelo robusto e contribuindo para a produção de conhecimento na área da saúde do trabalhador.
GEORREFERENCIAMENTO E MORBIDADES COBERTAS PELA ATENÇÃO DOMICILIAR NO TERRITÓRIO MAIS POPULOSO DO DISTRITO FEDERAL
Authors: Silva Danielle Brasil Barros da , Alencar Luana Karolyne da Silva , Soares Luis André Oliveira , Andrade Talita Lemos , Martins Emerson Fachin
Published: December 2024

Na periferia urbana, visitas domiciliares exercem influência no reconhecimento da qualidade e na recomendação de serviços, repercutindo no sucesso de prestação da assistência em saúde – notadamente na atenção domiciliar. Objetivo: Levantar a prevalência de doenças assistidas pelo Programa de Internação Domiciliar (PID) e o sucesso para agendar visitas que pudessem revelar obstáculos de comunicação dentre os cadastros ativos na assistência. Método: Estudo observacional georreferenciado, do tipo transversal e descritivo, em cadastrados no PID. Resultados: As visitas revelaram prevalência de comorbidades relacionadas às doenças do aparelho circulatório e do sistema nervoso, principalmente georreferenciadas em áreas centrais urbanas, com menor chance de sucesso no agendamento para a região administrativa mais rural (39%). De maneira geral, encontramos uma taxa de insucesso no agendamento de visitas de 48% dos cadastros ativos acionados por telefone. Conclusão: Maior chance de sucesso no agendamento estava georreferenciada em áreas menos periféricas, onde encontramos usuários com comorbidades crônicas. Os insucessos estavam principalmente associados a erros no cadastro.
Speech Act Theory: The Philosophical Controversy
Authors: Salih Salah M. , Othamn Arazoo R.
Published: December 2024

This article is intended to critically assess speech act theory from a philosophical perspective. The theory of speech acts has undeniably enriched meaning theory and provided a fresh view for research in the fields of philosophy of language, meaning, pragmatics, and other related areas, thereby further deepening people's understanding of meaning. Speech act theoretic research has to some extent assumed that the theory is firmly grounded and thus mainly focused on evaluating the theory in terms of its development and taxonomies, exploring its application to literature, comparing/relating it with/to other pragmatic notions such as politeness, implicature, inference, etc., or validating its usefulness in language teaching contexts. Speech act theory, however, is not without its share of flaws, such as the inclination to disregard the intrinsic meaning of language components and also the status of the perlocutionary act, terminological confusion, the blurred constative/performative distinction, and the distinction between locutionary and illocutionary acts, the performative hypothesis and circumstances under which felicity conditions apply.
Pulse crops as effective living mulches: An eco-conscious weed management approach
Authors: Rajakumar D , Sabarinathan KG , Gomathy M , Ejilane J , Ananthi K , Vasantharaj P
Published: December 2024

The evolution of weed management strategies from basic cultural techniques to novel, integrated approaches reflects technological advancements that promise further improvements in weed management strategies, fostering more efficient and eco-friendly farming practices. Using legume crops as living mulches for weed suppression has gained considerable attention in agricultural systems. This method involves strategically planting leguminous cover crops as intercrops to inhibit weed growth and improve soil health, potentially boosting crop yields through reduced weed pressure and enhanced nutrient availability. The successful implementation of living mulches requires careful selection of crop species, optimal planting density, and appropriate management practices. Choosing compatible legumes, optimizing planting geometry and employing suitable termination methods are essential for maximizing the weed-suppressing and soil-enhancing benefits of living mulches. The efficacy of intercropping systems in controlling weeds largely depends on intercrop components' growth rate and duration. Weed management strategies rely on understanding plant interactions, including the competitive ability of main crops at various growth stages to inhibit weed expansion. While intercropping shows promise for enhancing crop dominance over weeds, weed control efficiency varies among different intercrops due to factors affecting the intercrop-weed relationship. Smallholder farmers find this practice appealing for improving labour productivity and land use through intensification and resource utilization for maximum yield. Research on developing genotypes suitable for weed suppression and studies on combined herbicide applications and optimal dosage determination for effective control of mixed weed flora is necessary. The shift towards integrating pulse crops as a cornerstone in weed management strategies presents a promising avenue for research and application. The comparative analysis underscored in this review showcases the capacity of legumes to offer a viable alternative to synthetic herbicides and mechanical controls, paving the way for their increased adoption in diverse farming systems.
Comparative study on agricultural extracts for brood management in Indian bees (Apis cerana indica) in tropical ecosystems
Authors: Kavimugilan S , Kalyanasundaram A , Jaya Prabhavathi S , Ambethgar V
Published: December 2024

The performance of worker bees fed with different agricultural extracts such as nectar and pollen substitutes compared to the naturally fed workers was determined on (Apis cerana indica Fab.) was evaluated using a randomized block design (RBD). The results revealed that the worker bee fed with nectar and pollen substitutes was significantly superior to the naturally fed workers. The maximum consumption of nectar substitutes was 199.7, and 199.5 ml out of 200 ml were observed in T8 (black gram flour + sugar syrup) and T2 (soybean flour + sugar syrup). The maximum consumption (84.5 g) of pollen substitutes, maximum population (35.66/5 cm2), the maximum length of a worker bee (9.73 mm) and the maximum egg-laying capacity (103.5/5 cm2) were observed in T8 (black gram flour + sugar syrup). The minimum population of 29.08/5 cm2 and the minimum egg-laying activity (83.33/5 cm2) was observed in T1 (naturally fed colony), and the minimum length of worker bee of 9.63 mm was observed in T7 (soybean flour + tender coconut). These findings suggest that black gram flour and sugar syrup can significantly enhance colony productivity during dearth periods.
Synthesis and characterization of nano phosphorus fertilizer from rock phosphate
Authors: Jayabharathi J , Rahale C Sharmila , Prasanthrajan M , Balachandar D , Saranya N , Raju M
Published: December 2024

Phosphorus is a vital macronutrient required for the growth and development of plants. The major concern regarding phosphorus (P) is low availability. Fertilizers are generally supplied to increase the crop growth. Rock phosphate(RP) is mainly used as the precursor for synthesizing phosphatic fertilizers. The applied phosphatic fertilizers are usually fixed in the soil and the excess fertilizers result in eutrophication and pollute the water bodies. To address these challenges nanofertilizer technology was created. In the present study, nano phosphorus fertilizer was developed using P-solubilizing bacteria (Bacillus megaterium) from RP. The nano RP was characterized using particle size analysis (PSA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The size of nano RP using a particle size analyzer was ~450 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.803. The FTIR spectra of RP show the presence of phosphate minerals, whereas some peaks of RP were altered after bios olubilization of RP. The XRD pattern indicated the presence of apatite and calcite and the number of peaks of nano RP was 13, while RP has 25 diffraction peaks. The scanning electron microscope image of nano RP indicated the reduction in the crystalinity of RP.
Medialne relacje z kampanii wyborczej do Parlamentu Europejskiego w polskich mediach. Analiza agendy tematycznej i stronniczości mediów
Authors: Klepka Rafał , Nowak Paweł
Published: December 2024

W artykule przedstawiono wnioski z badań nad agendą tematyczną i stronniczością polityczną polskich telewizyjnych serwisów informacyjnych nadawanych w okresie kampanii wyborczej do Parlamentu Europejskiego w Polsce w 2024 roku. Autorzy zaprezentowali wyniki analizy zawartości trzech najpopularniejszych polskich telewizyjnych serwisów informacyjnych: „19.30” nadawanego przez TVP, „Wydarzeń” Polsatu i „Faktów” telewizji TVN, emitowanych w okresie miesiąca poprzedzającego dzień wyborów do Parlamentu Europejskiego. Zebrane dane posłużyły do scharakteryzowania agendy zagadnień prezentowanych w przekazach telewizyjnych oraz do obliczenia miernika – Indeksu Stronniczości Politycznej Mediów, który pozwala na porównanie skali stronniczości różnych materiałów medialnych. Zaprezentowane wyniki pozwalają ocenić, która audycja informacyjna była najbardziej, a która najmniej stronnicza oraz wskazać, jak wyglądała agenda tematów europejskich w trakcie kampanii wyborczej w różnych serwisach informacyjnych nadawanych w wybranych polskich stacjach telewizyjnych.
Quelques considérations sur les relations dans les séries synony-miques sur l'exemple des adjectifs français et polonais
Authors: Tkaczyk Magdalena
Published: December 2024

The article presents a brief overview of the results of research on synonymity including different views and various ways of defining the problem. The author then goes on to emphasize the important role of context in the description of the analyzed items. She also includes the notion of connotation closely connected with the chosen material. The present article describes typical relations between French and Polish synonymous adjectives series.
Язык как орудие дегуманизации в языковом пространстве вооруженного конфликта в Украине
Authors: Bortnowska Paulina
Published: December 2024

The armed conflict in Ukraine, continuing in its culminating form since 24.02.2022, exists in two dimensions – on the battlefield and in the information space. In this second dimension, the main role is played by language, used as a potent weapon, one of the prominent functions of which is that of dehumanization. By violating the norms of constructive public communication, the creators of this discourse – journalists, opinion leaders, activists, politicians – activate the destructive potential of language. The dehumanizing discourse of the armed conflict in Ukraine, however, has not yet received a vigorous linguistic elaboration. The aim of this article is to raise this complex and important issue. By giving various examples of acts of linguistic dehumanization observed in the widely understood linguistic space of the armed conflict in Ukraine, the author identifies the main directions of dehumanization discourse within the Russian-Ukrainian linguo-cultural space. The author’s provided examples of dehumanizing statements facilitate the identification of both explicit and subtle dehumanization techniques prevalent within this discourse. At the same time, public figures are actively involved in the retransmission of dehumanizing content, which significantly affects the dynamics of this discourse and increases the range of its potential active and passive participants.
Assessment of Invariant Moments of Fornix in Brain Structural MR Images to Differentiate Mild Cognitive Impairment from Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Ali Ahsan , Agastinose Ronickom Jac Fredo , Swaminathan Ramakrishnan
Published: December 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder that primarily affects elderly individuals. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents an intermediate stage between normal cognitive functioning and the onset of AD. During this transition state, various subanatomic structures of the brain, including fornix, undergo pathological changes. In this study, an attempt has been made to analyse the structural variations in the fornix region of MCI and AD using invariant moments. For this purpose, T1- weighted brain structural magnetic resonance (sMR) images are obtained from a public database. The pre-processing of the raw images is conducted in FreeSurfer, and the fornix region is segmented using the reaction-diffusion level set (RDLS) method. Further, seven Hu’s invariant moments are extracted from the segmented fornix region, and statistical analysis is carried out using student t-test and Wilcoxon’s rank sum test to identify the significant features that could differentiate between the MCI and AD conditions. The results demonstrate that the combination of FreeSurfer and RDLS technique effectively pre-processes the brain sMR images and accurately delineates the fornix region. Statistical results revealed that six out of seven invariant moments are significant (p<0.001). It is observed that the mean values of all the moments in MCI are lower than AD, suggesting a higher degree of structural variation in AD compared to MCI. Considering the potential of fornix alterations in predicting the early stages of AD, the proposed approach holds considerable clinical relevance for further investigation.
An open-source software for the simulation of fixational eye movements
Authors: Allgeier Stephan , Anzlinger Fabian , Bohn Sebastian , Mikut Ralf , Neumann Oliver , Reichert Klaus-Martin , Stachs Oliver , Sperlich Karsten
Published: December 2024

Laser-scanning confocal microscopy of the human cornea acquires in vivoimages of corneal tissues with cellular resolution, which offers diagnostic potential for a variety of diseases. However, involuntary fixational eye movements induce motion artefacts that pose a challenge for accurate morphometric analysis and particularly for preceding image data fusion steps. Different image registration algorithms promise to eliminate such artefacts, but objective, quantitative evaluation of the registration results is difficult because of the lack of ground truth data. Simulation approaches offer a possibility to close this gap. Existing open-source software for the simulation of fixational eye movements is currently limited to creating drift movement. The present contribution proposes complementary models for microsaccade and tremor components to provide complete simulated fixational eye movement paths. In addition, it reports results from an extensive examination of different model parameter combinations. It is shown that the microsaccade model is capable of reproducing intermicrosaccade intervals that closely resemble experimental data. A software implementation is provided as open-source Python modules.
ER-WGAN: Prediction of Cell Painted Endoplasmic Reticulum from Brightfield Images
Authors: Anthiyur Aravindan Abhinav , Palanisamy Rohini
Published: December 2024

Prediction of cell painting facilitates highthroughput screening of cellular biology and disease mechanisms, accelerating the discovery of novel therapeutic targets or drugs. This study explores the prediction of cell painted Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) images from transmitted light brightfield images employing deep learning techniques. A conditional Generative Adversarial Network (cGAN) based framework incorporating Wasserstein loss and Gradient Penalty with a modified UNet++ based generator and a patch discriminator is used to predict cell-painting images from brightfield images captured at varying focal planes. Evaluation of the GAN network reveals promising results with a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.20, Multi-Scale Structural Similarity Index (MS-SSIM) of 0.80, and Peak Signal-to- Noise Ratio (PSNR) of 56.52. The results showcase the effectiveness of the proposed approach in accurately predicting the ER cell painting channel from transmitted light microscopy. Consequently, the study proposes the ER-WGAN network for predicting cell painting using brightfield images.
Comparison of proximal and distal BCG measurements for blood pressure estimation
Authors: Becker Niels , Strotmann Niko , Abusaleh Islam , Kurka Yannick , Wiede Christian , Seidl Karsten
Published: December 2024

This paper presents a comparison of the blood pressure estimation based on Ballistocardiography (BCG) measurements, acquired at two different body locations. The first BCG signal being the proximally measured BCG at the carotid artery, the second being the distally measured BCG at the foot. Parallel to the BCG measurement, the reference blood pressure is measured. Visual inspection of both BCG signals shows a decreased signal quality for the distal measurement. Moreover, in order to estimate the blood pressure based on BCG derived features for beat-to-beat intervals two neural networks are deployed. It is shown that Mean Absolut Error (MAE) is twice as large for the distal blood pressure estimation as for the proximal estimation and that the estimated pressure values of the proximal model show less variation when comparing the reference pressure and estimated pressure visually.
Dry resist laser patterning of flexible neural probes with fluidic functionality
Authors: Bucherer Andreas , Klein Eric , Paul Oliver , Ruther Patrick
Published: December 2024

Optogenetics enables insights into the development of neural diseases. Custom-designed neural probes are necessary to access targeted brain regions. Multifunctional and mechanically flexible probes with minimal footprint, comprising fluidic channels for drug delivery, light sources for optical stimulation, and micro electrodes for electro-physiological readout are beneficial due to reduced tissue trauma and consequently increased long-term stability. This study introduces a mechanically compliant neural probe that provides microfluidic channels and electrodes arranged close to fluidic outlet ports. The key challenge is to open the fluidic inlet and outlet ports avoiding potential channel clogging. A novel laserbased patterning process is demonstrated using a 248 nm KrF excimer laser. It offers high design flexibility in positioning the fluidic ports along the fluidic channels, as well their contamination-free opening under dry conditions. The laser patterning process applies reflective metal layers inside the fluidic channels, confining the laser ablation to the channel cover, thus minimizing potential damage of the channel substrate. Based on its high reflectivity and correspondingly low absorption and transmission at the applied laser wavelength, aluminium is determined to be the best choice for this protective layer.
Identification of Mind Awareness from EDA signals using Wavelet based ResNet50 model
Authors: Chappidi Sriram Kalyan , Palanisamy Rohini
Published: December 2024

The analysis of spontaneous mind wandering is crucial for comprehending an individual mental state and holds the potential to enhance performance and productivity. This paper proposes a framework using Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) based ResNet model to analyze Electrodermal Activity (EDA) signals for mind wandering detection. In this analysis, EDA signals are sourced from an openly accessible database and preprocessed for artifact and noise removal. Time-frequency analysis generates CWT spectrogram images, which are classified using a modified ResNet50 model that is custom built to classify the spectrogram images corresponding the mind wandering and awareness. Hyperparameter tuning is carried to obtain the optimal network parameters that provides the best accuracy. Results indicate that batch size of 32, learning rate 1e-5 provides better results. This hyperparameter tuned model achieved an accuracy of 64% in differentiating between the two classes. This paper proposes an adapted ResNet50 model that could be employed in wearable devices as a potential application of knowing the mind awareness of an individual.