bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Η ελληνική κοινότητα του Μονάχου και το ελληνικό σχολείο (Αθήναιον) κατά τον 19ο αιώνα
Authors: Καραούλας Απόστολος
Published: April 2023

Είναι γνωστό ότι η άνθιση και η εξάπλωση του εμπορίου οδήγησε σε ίδρυση ισχυρών ελληνικών εμπορικών παροικιών σε όλη την Ευρώπη. Τα καραβάνια, οι χερσαίοι εμπορικοί δρόμοι, σε ολόκληρα τα Βαλκάνια αλλά και στην Ευρώπη βρίσκονταν σε χεριά Ελλήνων. Μαζί με το εμπορικό δίκτυο που αναπτύχθηκε υφάνθηκε παράλληλα και ένα δίκτυο ελληνικών παροικιών και κοινοτήτων με εκκλησίες και σχολεία, σχεδόν σε όλα τα μεγάλα αστικά κέντρα της Ευρώπης. Όπως αναφέρει και ο Πιζάνιας (2014), σε διάστημα σαράντα ετών, από τη Συνθήκη Κιουτσούκ Καϊναρτζή έως το 1820, με την επικράτηση των Ελλήνων εμπόρων στην Ευρώπη και τη Ρωσία, παρατηρείται έντονο ενδιαφέρον για εγγραμματισμό. Το Μόναχο αποτελεί πιθανώς εξαίρεση του κανόνα, διότι η ελληνική κοινότητα δεν ιδρύθηκε ως εμπορικός σταθμός και ίσως γι’ αυτό δεν εμφανίζεται με την δυναμική των παραδουνάβιων ελληνικών κοινοτήτων. Εμφανίζει όμως έντονη φιλελληνική δράση η οποία, μεταξύ άλλων, στέκεται αφορμή να προσελκύσει νέους για σπουδές.
Clinical manifestations of neuroborreliosis in children – review of literature
Authors: Ćwik-Błotnicka Dominika , Bieńko Karolina , Białek Justyna , Borczyk Joanna , Więckowska-Deroń Marta , Leszcz Monika
Published: April 2023

Introduction: The most common tick-borne disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi is Lyme disease. It is characterized by a variety of disorders: dermatological, rheumatological, cardiological and neurological. Neuroborreliosis is defined as an involvement of the nervous system, and it is the second most common form of infection in children (10-15% of those infected).

The aim of the study: To review the available materials and presentation of the current state of knowledge on the various manifestations of neuroborreliosis in children.

Material and method: Databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar were searched. Literature was searched using the keywords: Lyme disease, neuroborreliosis, borreliosis, facial nerve paralysis, and pediatric population. The materials obtained in this way were analyzed in terms of compliance with the subject of the work.

Results: Typical clinical manifestations of neuroborreliosis in children are facial nerve palsy and meningitis. Neuroborreliosis is the cause of 50% of all cases of bilateral facial nerve palsy in children. Multiple cranial and peripheral neuritis, myelitis, cerebral vasculitis and, consequently, the formation of intracranial aneurysms are less common manifestations of infection.

Conclusions: The symptoms of neuroborreliosis are non-specific. This makes it difficult to make an accurate diagnosis. Even if no information on tick bite or erythema migrans has been obtained from the clinical history, neuroborreliosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis, especially in Lyme-endemic areas.
Litwini a litewscy Polacy, Litwa a Polska 1988-1994
Authors: Sirutavičius Vladas
Published: April 2023

Two closely-related topics are discussed in this monograph. First of all, the author analyses the interaction of two ethnic groups – Lithuanians and Lithuania’s Poles – in the years 1988–1994. Most attention is dedicated to the Lithuanian-Polish ethnic conflict, or more precisely – the goal of Polish activists and organisations to establish national-territorial autonomy. The government of the Lithuanian SSR and later the Republic of Lithuania strictly rejected any efforts made by Poles to establish national-territorial autonomy. In essence, this kind of demand was viewed as a threat to the country’s territorial unity and its national sovereignty. Thus, this study seeks to explain what factors influenced the ethnic conflict between Lithuanians and Lithuania’s Poles, and also analyses the ethnic policy of the Lithuanian government (more specifically, of two political regimes – the LSSR and the Republic of Lithuania). The second topic discussed in this monograph is inter-state relations between Lithuania and Poland. In this study, the author seeks to answer the question of what factors determined the dynamics of relations between the two neighbouring states. Keeping in mind the fact that until March 1990 relations between the Lithuanian SSR and the People’s Republic of Poland were formal, as the nature of their relations was pre-determined and regulated by Moscow, most attention is given to the period following the reinstatement of Lithuania’s statehood. The author tries to explain the circumstances behind the signing of two of the most important inter-state agreements: the Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good-Neighbourly Cooperation (1992) and the Treaty on Friendly Relations and Good-Neighbourly Cooperation (1994). In negotiations on the regulation of inter-state relations, agreement could not be reached on two matters: the guarantee of national minority rights and the so-called assessment of the past. Poland’s negotiators were particularly insistent on the first matter, seeking to include as many regulations that extended minority rights as possible into the agreements, while Lithuanian diplomats focused more on the second matter, demanding recognition in one form or another of Żeligowski’s aggression against Lithuania. Chapters TABLE OF CONTENTS
Successful thrombolytic therapy using ultraslow low-dose infusion during pregnancy for mitral mechanical valve thrombosis: a case series and review of the literature
Authors: Bigdelu Leila , Maadarani Ossama , Yadolh Asal , Bitar Zouheir , Azadi Nadia
Published: April 2023

According to the modified World Health Organization (WHO) classification, pregnant women with mechanical valves face a very high risk of complications (Risk Category III). Mechanical valve thrombosis is a serious complication that significantly increases during pregnancy due to multiple mechanisms. Thrombolytic therapy has recently been used as a first-line treatment for mechanical valve thrombosis during pregnancy. However, the consensus regarding the optimal treatment strategy, type, dose and route of administration was unclear. We present three cases of mechanical mitral valve thrombosis during pregnancy treated successfully with repeated doses of ultraslow infusion of low-dose tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) alteplase. We also present a review of the literature on this subject.
Spiritual/religious coping strategies and religiosity of patients living with cancer in palliative care
Authors: Meneguin Silmara , Pollo Camila Fernandes , Matos Ticiane Dionízio de Sousa , Segalla Amanda Vitória Zorzi , Generoso Fary Jaqueline Fortaleza , de Oliveira Cesar
Published: April 2023

Background:

The palliative care provided to cancer patients should also contemplate the psychological and spiritual dimensions of care.

Aims:

This study aimed to compare religiosity and spiritual/religious coping (SRC) of cancer patients in palliative care with a group of healthy volunteers and determine whether sociodemographic characteristics affected this association.

Methods:

This was a case-control study conducted with 86 patients living with cancer from an outpatient palliative care clinic of the São Paulo State University (UNESP) medical school, Botucatu, Brazil and 86 healthy volunteers. The brief Spiritual/Religious Coping Scale (SRCOPE) and the Duke University Religion (DUREL) Index were used as a brief measure of ‘religiosity’.

Results:

All 172 participants reported to be religious and, overall, made very little use of SRC strategies. DUREL scores were negatively associated with religious practice (P<0.01) and positive SRC (P<0.01). Age was associated with non-organisational religious activities and intrinsic religiosity (P<0.01); and income was associated with intrinsic religiosity (P<0.04). Positive SRC was negatively associated with the palliative group (P=0.03) and DUREL index (P<0.01). Negative SRC was positively associated with the palliative group (P=0.04) and negatively associated with education level (P=0.03) and practice of religion (P<0.01).

Conclusion:

All participants reported to be religious; however, their use of SRC strategies was very low. Positive religious coping was the most prevalent score. Negative religious coping was more common in the palliative care group compared to healthy volunteers. There is an association between religious coping and religiosity in palliative cancer care patients.
Communicative musicality and the mobile interview: a case-based psychosocial approach
Authors: Roy Alastair , Froggett Lynn
Published: April 2023

Psychosocial interview-based methodologies have been heavily reliant on what has been long been thought of as a talk-led encounter. Interest in walking as a research method has been driven by the ways in which it alters the research relationship through the kinetic and relational affordances of moving side by side while walking, which also brings place and space into the encounter. However, a walking interview is also an event that occurs in time and, in this article, we explore this temporality through an exploration of the fluctuations of tempo and rhythmicity in a mobile interview group. We draw on theories of communicative musicality, which have focused mainly on parent–infant exchanges, to explore often unconscious dimensions of group communication. We argue that mobile interviews work simultaneously through the temporal/musical and the visual/spatial registers and we develop this theme with reference to a case example taken from a study of the everyday lives of young men accessing an organisation for homeless people. The walking interview allowed for a shared reimagining of a young man’s biography as he escorted us through the scenes, settings and phases of his everyday life. We use this example to consider how the rhythmical aspects of walking together support the communicative musicality of the interview group. Our analysis provides a window onto the unspoken aspects of the interview process which significantly affect our interpretation.
Racial democracy crisis and the emergence of critical race and feminist theories in Brazilian criminology
Authors: Duarte Evandro Charles Piza , Alves Dina , Freitas Felipe da Silva
Published: April 2023

This article aims to understand the emergence of the academic field of critical studies on racism, and its intersectionality with gender and class in the last three decades, in Brazilian criminology. It identifies the core elements of a specific grammar on epistemological perspectives, academic agendas, and political solutions. At the same time, it points to the participation of new subjects, subjectivities, and relations of academic production and dissemination. It also explores the impact of the post-Durban Conference Era (2001) – the crisis of the ideology of racial democracy – on scientific production on inequality and the negative effects of the criminal justice system. It proposes an explanation for the changes in academic production stemming from the transformations of Brazilian public universities.

We claim the importance of this epistemological and methodological renewal to address the inequalities of the criminal justice system: the incorporation of new concepts and perspectives such as genocide, whiteness, epistemicide, intersectionality, and necropolitics; the emphasis on the production of Black intellectuals, historically ignored by the academy, who thematised dimensions of racial violence from their experience and political struggle; the emergence of new research networks throughout Brazil and new profiles of researchers, an effect of racial diversity resulting from affirmative action in higher education; more dialogue between academic research and the demands of social movements; new social movements that actively used the media to confront police and prison violence.
El dominio de la escritura en el género de investigación: de la redacción guiada a la publicación reconocida
Authors: Pujol Dahme Ana Maria
Published: April 2023

La alfabetización está inexorablemente vinculada a la práctica de cualquier disciplina académica. La habilidad para usar de forma adecuada el registro lingüístico y las convenciones retóricas del género de investigación es importante para lograr el éxito académico y el desarrollo profesional en la carrera de los investigadores. Por eso, cuando los estudiantes se integran en una comunidad de práctica investigadora tienen que llegar a dominar no solo las características léxico-gramaticales … propias del lenguaje académico, sino también las convenciones discursivas particulares de cada comunidad disciplinar. Esta investigación tiene dos objetivos generales. En primer lugar, la creación de un corpus de trabajos académicos de investigación escritos en catalán, de bachillerato y máster universitario, en las disciplinas de biología e historia. Este corpus llamado TARBUC (Treballs Acadèmics de Recerca de Batxillerat i Universitat en Català) está digitalizado y disponible para la comunidad investigadora. En segundo lugar, caracterizar a partir de este corpus el desarrollo de la escritura académica en momentos diferentes de la historia educativa de los estudiantes. Para ello se presentan dos estudios. En el estudio 1, se compara transversalmente un corpus de trabajos de investigación de bachillerato y de final de máster universitario en las disciplinas de biología e historia, ambos escritos en catalán. En el estudio 2, se compara longitudinalmente trabajos de investigación de final del máster universitario, en catalán, y de artículos publicados en inglés en la disciplina de biología. En concreto, se caracteriza el registro y el meta-discurso. Se analiza el registro por medio de las siguientes características léxico-gramaticales: (i) la diversidad léxica, (ii) la densidad léxica, (iii) la complejidad sintáctica. Respecto al meta-discurso, se examina la función meta-discursiva interaccional a través de los marcadores lingüísticos, que señalan, por una parte, la voz textual del escritor para involucrarse con su texto, la postura (stance), y, por otra, los que utiliza el escritor para involucrar al lector, la afiliación (engagement). Las implicaciones de estos resultados se discuten en términos lingüísticos, cognitivos y socioculturales y sugieren que la capacidad de desplegar el registro lingüístico y las convenciones retóricas, de forma adecuada a una comunidad discursiva específica, es en sí mismo un proceso prolongado.
Epidemics: Una actividad didáctica gamificada basada en un simulador de gestión sanitaria de epidemias
Authors: Domènech-Casal Jordi
Published: April 2023

El contexto COVID-19 y la formación científica para la ciudadanía en general requieren el desarrollo de conceptos y habilidades científicas, y su articulación con aspectos sociales y éticos, para la toma de decisiones en contextos controvertidos. Su uso pedagógico en el aula requiere adaptaciones de esos contextos como actividades escolares. Se propone una actividad mediante la metodología de estudios de caso basada en un simulador de epidemias. La actividad se aplicó durante el curso 2020-2021 con 62 estudiantes de 14-15 años (3.º ESO). El alumnado analizó distintos casos mediante tarjetas representando poblaciones y patógenos distintos y diseñó su campaña de control de la epidemia en base a un número limitado de medidas de contención y control en relación con la gestión sanitaria (aislamiento, vacunación, financiación de hospitales…). Con la ayuda de un simulador diseñado ad hoc, el alumnado testeó distintas soluciones a los casos, promoviéndose así discusiones acerca de conceptos relevantes como “inmunidad de grupo” o “inmunización”. Se analiza la experiencia de aplicación y se describen sus utilidades y limitaciones, como orientación para otras actividades de temática o enfoque similar.
Abriendo caminos para la educación literaria: Literatura infantil y lectura dialógica
Authors: Ortiz Ballesteros Antonia María
Published: April 2023

Reseña de López Valero, A., Encabo Fernández, E., Jerez Martínez, I. y Hernández Delgado, L. (2021).  Literatura infantil y lectura dialógica. La formación de educadores desde la investigación. Octaedro.
Cànon i didàctica: Els clàssics en les col·leccions en català per a lectors infantils i juvenils
Authors: Camps Arbós Josep
Published: April 2023

L’article proposa una revisió de les col·leccions de literatura infantil i juvenil que publiquen textos d’autors clàssics. L’anàlisi se circumscriu a deu col·leccions de l’àmbit català; de cadascuna, se’n comenten aspectes diversos com el destinatari, l’edició del text (adaptat o íntegre) i la presència o l’absència d’activitats didàctiques. L’article es completa amb una reflexió sobre el cànon literari de les obres clàssiques i la seva pervivència en les col·leccions de literatura infantil i juvenil.
interacción adulto-estudiante y su influjo en el desarrollo del input lingüístico y las capacidades humanas
Authors: Uribe Hincapié Richard Alonso , Díaz Valencia Sara Victoria , López Orozco María Camila
Published: April 2023

El presente texto busca identificar la influencia de la interacción adulto-estudiante en el input lingüístico como base y mediación fundamental de los procesos de aprendizaje de la lengua y en el desarrollo de las capacidades humanas como sustentos de las relaciones y los procesos de construcción social. Para ello, se presentan algunas perspectivas conceptuales acerca del input lingüístico, se precisa la lectura en voz alta como factor fundamental en la interacción adulto-niño, se exponen evidencias acerca de la influencia del input en el proceso de aprendizaje del estudiantado, y se describen las posibilidades de formación y transformación de la interacción cuando esta se piensa en términos del desarrollo de las capacidades humanas. Este análisis corresponde a la fase pretest del proyecto de investigación La interacción espontánea del adulto con el niño y la interacción apoyada en la propuesta del recurso Espacio de lectura (2020-2021).
Nonlinear absorption of 2D materials and their application in optical neural networks
Authors: Teng Caihong , He Weijie , Du Wen , Wu Jiang , Wang Zhiming
Published: April 2023

In recent years, optical neural network (ONN) research has blossomed due to the outstanding advantage of energy consumption and computing property. Regrettably, nonlinear processing in the optical domain remains a huge challenge. The optical characteristics of 2D material, particularly related to saturable absorption (SA), have enabled nonlinear operation. Here, we discuss the SA models with various categories and their application in ONNs. A feedforward artificial neural network was built for handwritten digit recognition to illustrate the feasibility of SA features as nonlinear mapping. For comparison, ONNs without the assistance of the activation function were used as a benchmark to examine the capability of the nonlinear models. A simulation shows that the accuracy of digit classification ranged from 86% to 95%, depending on the nonlinearity of the mediums. This work offers an optical nonlinear unit selection guideline to explore ONNS.
In situ observation of phase-locking growth of LIPSS promoted by random deposits or pre-formed nano/microstructures on a SiC single crystal
Authors: Song Juan , Wang Hongjian , Huang Xinxiang , Huang Lijing , Jiang Yan , Yin Weiyi , Yao Qian , Dai Ye
Published: April 2023

In recent years, real-time microscopic imaging of laser-induced periodic surface structure (LIPSS) formation during laser micromachining was found to be favorable for investigating the physical origin of the LIPSS on various materials. In this paper, an ultraviolet-oblique-illumination high-resolution microscopic imaging setup, combined with a focal spot enlarging technique, was used for observing the initiation, development, and maturation of the LIPSS. The research focuses on the influence of random surface deposits, laser-etched microtrench, and pre-existing ripples on laser-induced LIPSS under pulse-by-pulse irradiation. Compared to the flat region on the SiC surface, both random surface deposits and the microtrench promote the phase-locking growth of the LIPSS, but in different ways. The finite-difference time-domain method shows that random surface deposits may promote the LIPSS growth through the action of the interference field of incident light with its scattered light on deposits. A microtrench covered with high-spatial-frequency LIPSS may assist LIPSS growth by absorption enhancement-induced easier transferring of the incident periodic field. Finally, phase-locking growth of the LIPSS was found to be the result of the light-trapping effect of high-refractive-index sidewalls of the LIPSS valley. Our results showed that local morphologies were very important in LIPSS formation.
Active control of terahertz waves based on hybrid VO2 periodic corrugated waveguides
Authors: Liu Huan , Chen Wen , Ma Jing , Zhang Shi-Yang , He Hai-Ling , Fan Ya-Xian , Tao Zhi-Yong
Published: April 2023

We describe a method for the active control of terahertz (THz) waves using hybrid vanadium dioxide (VO2) periodic corrugated waveguide. Unlike liquid crystals, graphene and semiconductors and other active materials, VO2 exhibits a unique insulator-metal transition characteristic by the electric fields, optical, and thermal pumps, resulting in five orders of magnitude changes in its conductivity. Our waveguide consists of two gold coated plates with the VO2-embedded periodic grooves, which are placed in parallel with the grooves face to face. Simulations show that this waveguide can realize mode switching by changing the conductivity of the embedded VO2 pads, whose mechanism is attributed to the local resonance induced by defect mode. Such a VO2-embedded hybrid THz waveguide is favorable in practical applications such as THz modulators, sensors and optical switches, and provides an innovative technique for manipulating THz waves.
Data-driven estimation, tracking, and system identification of deterministic and stochastic optical spot dynamics
Authors: Haber Aleksandar , Krainak Michael
Published: April 2023

Stabilization, disturbance rejection, and control of optical beams and optical spots are ubiquitous problems that are crucial for the development of optical systems for ground and space telescopes, free-space optical communication terminals, precise beam steering systems, and other types of optical systems. High-performance disturbance rejection and control of optical spots require the development of disturbance estimation and data-driven Kalman filter methods. Motivated by this, we propose a unified and experimentally verified data-driven framework for optical-spot disturbance modeling and tuning of covariance matrices of Kalman filters. Our approach is based on covariance estimation, nonlinear optimization, and subspace identification methods. Also, we use spectral factorization methods to emulate optical-spot disturbances with a desired power spectral density in an optical laboratory environment. We test the effectiveness of the proposed approaches on an experimental setup consisting of a piezo tip-tilt mirror, piezo linear actuator, and a CMOS camera.
Turbulence-resilient detection of the rotational Doppler effect with cylindrical vector beams
Authors: Wang Jingyi , Su Xingyu , Liu Tong , Hong Ling , Guo Haoxu , Qiu Xiaodong , Ren Yuan , Chen Lixiang
Published: April 2023

Recent years have witnessed a growing research interest in the rotational Doppler effect associated with orbital angular momentum of light, emerging as a powerful tool to detect rotating bodies in remote sensing. However, this method, when exposed to the turbulence in a realistic environment, has some severe limitations, leading to the unrecognizable rotational Doppler signals overwhelmed in background noise. Here we put forward a concise yet efficient method that enables the turbulence-resilient detection of the rotational Doppler effect with cylindrical vector beams. Specifically, by adopting the polarization-encoded dual-channel detection system, the low-frequency noises caused by turbulence can be individually extracted and subtracted, and thus mitigate the effect of turbulence. We demonstrate our scheme by conducting proof-of-principle experiments, whose results manifest the feasibility of a practical sensor to detect the rotating bodies in non-laboratory conditions.
Electrically tuned coupling of lithium niobate microresonators
Authors: Jia Di , Zhang Ru , Yang Chen , Hao Zhenzhong , Yu Xuanyi , Gao Feng , Bo Fang , Zhang Guoquan , Xu Jingjun
Published: April 2023

Microresonators coupled with integrated waveguides operate stably but usually lack tunability for an optimal coupling state. In this Letter, we demonstrate a racetrack resonator with an electrically modulated coupling on an X-cut lithium niobate (LN) platform by introducing a Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) with two balanced directional couplers (DCs) to realize light exchange. This device provides a wide-range coupling regulation, from under-coupling and critical coupling to deep over-coupling. Importantly, it has a fixed resonance frequency when the DC splitting ratio is 3 dB. The measured optical responses of the resonator exhibit a high extinction ratio, exceeding 23 dB, and an effective half-wave voltage length Vπ·L of 0.77 V·cm, suitable for CMOS compatibility. Microresonators with tunable coupling and a stable resonance frequency are expected to find application in nonlinear optical devices on LN-integrated optical platforms.
Ultra-fast 3D imaging by a big codewords space division multiplexing binary coding
Authors: Wu Haitao , Cao Yiping , Dai Yongbo , Zhang Hechen
Published: April 2023

Patternless binary coding strategies have been a challenge for ultra-fast 3D imaging with structured light. This Letter proposes a big codewords space division multiplexing binary coding method. From the third to the multiple order, a special spatial binary coding instead of the Gray code is created for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, to achieve an ultra-wide unambiguous range with only one auxiliary pattern. Advantageously, a connection domain segmentation technique with anomaly detection is proposed to achieve decoding of the fringe order, which cleverly avoids the misalignment problem. Additionally, a center of gravity method is applied to compensate for the codewords of the residual connected domain. The robustness and effectiveness of the proposed method for complex, isolated, and non-uniform reflectivity objects, as well as the ultra-fast 3D imaging of dynamic measurements, are experimentally verified.
Uniform all-solid chalcogenide Bragg fiber with wide photonic bandgap via extrusion
Authors: Yang Keyu , Sun Weilu , Sheng Junkai , Peng Qianqian , Wang Yuze , Jiao Kai , Wang Xiange , Liang Xiaolin , Bai Shengchuang , Wang Rongpin , Liu Yongxing , Liu Zijun , Zhang Peiqing , Nie Qiuhua , Wang Xunsi
Published: April 2023

As the Bragg fiber can guide light by tuning the structure parameters of claddings, it is possible to improve the ability of laser-power transmission in the mid-infrared with effective omnidirectional reflection, but it usually suffers from the disturbance of the air core and functional bandgap. Here, the structural parameters of three pairs of periodic cladding layers were optimized by the plane wave expansion method, and the thickness of each layer is 3.36 µm, consisting of Ge20As20Se15Te45 and As2S3 glasses with a refractive index contrast of Δn = 0.8. The simulation results showed that a wide bandgap of 1.2 µm can be realized in the fiber after structural optimization. Then, a fiber preform was prepared via an improved stacked extrusion based on seven thickness-compensated glass plates. The experimental results show that the all-solid Bragg fiber has three pairs of uniform periodic cladding and an extra-large core. The superior optical fiber structure can also be well maintained in the whole fiber length, and the average ratio of each cladding thickness to the fiber diameter is kept nearly at 3:100. Finally, the fiber loss at 1.55 µm and 2.94 µm is 12 dB/m and 18 dB/m, respectively. In all, such a well-structured all-solid chalcogenide Bragg fiber would pave a new way to develop high-quality laser transmission or optical sensors in mid-infrared.
Reconfigurable broadband metasurface with switchable functionalities in the visible range
Authors: Karim Md. Ehsanul , Choudhury Sajid Muhaimin
Published: April 2023

In this article, we propose a broadband reconfigurable multifunctional meta-structure for the first time in the visible range. This device can be reconfigured between an achromatic metalens and a broadband absorber by switching the state of the phase change material (VO2). Our designed VO2 based novel multistage meta-atoms helped us overcome the inherent limitation of small optical contrast between PCM states in the visible regime, which hinders the realization of reconfigurable multifunctional devices in this band. We have used the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique to characterize the designed multifunctional device. The structure showed a maximum switching ratio of 21.1dB between the on and off states in the operating band of 678nm to 795nm, the highest among previously reported broadband metalens-absorber systems in any design band. A small focal length shift within ±5% in the on state within this spectral band verifies the achromatic focusing characteristics of our reconfigurable meta-device. Our device proves the feasibility of reconfigurable metasurfaces with switchable functionalities in the visible band and has the prospects to bring about a revolution in next-generation integrated photonic platforms.
Quantum Networks: Emerging Research Areas, Challenges, and Opportunities
Authors: Belghachi Mohammed
Published: April 2023

Quantum networks are a rapidly evolving technology that utilizes the principles of quantum mechanics to facilitate secure communication, distributed quantum computing, and highly sensitive sensor networks. Quantum networks are constructed using diverse components, such as quantum information sources, quantum memories, quantum repeaters, and quantum detectors. These networks leverage the distinctive features of quantum mechanics, such as superposition and entanglement, to attain superior performance benefits. Despite the numerous challenges that impede the development of quantum networks, such as the requirement for more efficient and dependable components, considerable advancements have been achieved in recent years through the utilization of simulations and experimental platforms. With the growing need for enhanced security and faster computing, the potential for quantum networks appears promising in the future. The potential of these innovations to revolutionize various fields and facilitate novel breakthroughs and discoveries is noteworthy. In this paper, we review the current state of the art in quantum networks, including key concepts and technologies such as quantum key distribution, quantum repeaters, and quantum routing. We also discuss some of the key challenges in quantum networks, including scalability, noise, and interoperability, and highlight some of the key research directions in this field. Finally, we discuss some of the potential applications of quantum networks, including secure communication, quantum computing, and quantum sensing. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current status and future directions of quantum networks and will be of interest to researchers, engineers, and policymakers working in this field.
The dynamic architecture of Map1- and NatB-ribosome complexes coordinates the sequential modifications of nascent polypeptide chains
Authors: Knorr Alexandra G. , Mackens-Kiani Timur , Musial Joanna , Berninghausen Otto , Becker Thomas , Beatrix Birgitta , Beckmann Roland
Published: April 2023

Cotranslational modification of the nascent polypeptide chain is one of the first events during the birth of a new protein. In eukaryotes, methionine aminopeptidases (MetAPs) cleave off the starter methionine, whereas N-acetyl-transferases (NATs) catalyze N-terminal acetylation. MetAPs and NATs compete with other cotranslationally acting chaperones, such as ribosome-associated complex (RAC), protein targeting and translocation factors (SRP and Sec61) for binding sites at the ribosomal tunnel exit. Yet, whereas well-resolved structures for ribosome-bound RAC, SRP and Sec61, are available, structural information on the mode of ribosome interaction of eukaryotic MetAPs or of the five cotranslationally active NATs is only available for NatA. Here, we present cryo-EM structures of yeast Map1 and NatB bound to ribosome-nascent chain complexes. Map1 is mainly associated with the dynamic rRNA expansion segment ES27a, thereby kept at an ideal position below the tunnel exit to act on the emerging substrate nascent chain. For NatB, we observe two copies of the NatB complex. NatB-1 binds directly below the tunnel exit, again involving ES27a, and NatB-2 is located below the second universal adapter site (eL31 and uL22). The binding mode of the two NatB complexes on the ribosome differs but overlaps with that of NatA and Map1, implying that NatB binds exclusively to the tunnel exit. We further observe that ES27a adopts distinct conformations when bound to NatA, NatB, or Map1, together suggesting a contribution to the coordination of a sequential activity of these factors on the emerging nascent chain at the ribosomal exit tunnel.
Optimal placebo-treatment comparisons in trials with an incomplete within-subject design and heterogeneous costs and variances
Authors: Moerbeek Mirjam
Published: April 2023

The aim of a clinical trial is to compare placebo to one or more treatments. The within-subject design is known to be more efficient than the between-subject design. However, in some trials that implement a within-subject design it is not possible to evaluate the placebo and all treatments within each subject. The design then becomes an incomplete within-subject design. An important question is how many subjects should be allocated to each combination of placebo and treatments. This paper studies optimal allocations of subjects in trials with a placebo and two treatments under heterogenous costs and variances. Two optimality criteria that consider the placebo-treatment contrasts simultaneously are considered, and the design is derived under a budgetary constraint. More subjects are allocated to those combinations with higher variances and lower costs. The optimal allocation is compared to the uniform allocation, which allocates equal number of subjects to each placebo and treatment combination, and to the complete within-subject design, where placebo and all treatments are available in each subject. The methodology is illustrated on the basis of an example on consultation time in primary care. A Shiny app is available to facilitate use of the methodology.
Business credit network characteristics and impact on green economy efficiency: Evidence from the Greater Bay Area around Hangzhou Bay of China
Authors: Chen Haisheng , Chen Shuang , Wang Di , Shen Manhong
Published: April 2023

In regions where the development of formal finance is relatively lagging behind, commercial credit has partially replaced the role of formal finance and facilitated the development of the private economy and even the country, thus making commercial credit an important entry point for understanding and promoting sustainable economic development. Taking the Hangzhou Bay Greater Bay Area as a case study, based on the City Business Credit Environment Index (CEI) from 2015 to 2019, we examine the characteristics of business credit networks using social network analysis and discuss the impact of business credit on urban green economy efficiency heterogeneity by drawing on spatial econometrics. The study confirms that the structure of business credit networks in the Hangzhou Bay Greater Bay Area tends to be dense, the network density and number of connections show growth, the spatial network structure is taking shape, and the strength of spatial connections among cities has increased. Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Jiaxing and Shanghai are at the centre of the network and play a radiation-driven role. The business credit network in the Hangzhou Bay Greater Bay Area is characterised by self-stability and has evolved from a multi-centre to a single centre. Business credit is negatively correlated with the efficiency of the green economy in the Hangzhou Bay Area, which is a departure from the Chinese "financial development paradox". In terms of heterogeneity, the relationship remains consistent for port cities and open coastal cities in general, while the effect is less pronounced for cities above sub-provincial level. The study concludes that, with the high-quality economic development of the Hangzhou Bay Greater Bay Area, the Chinese "financial development paradox" does not exist in the region at this stage, which also highlights the need to accelerate the construction of a Chinese-style modernisation theory and practice system.
Two’s company, three species is a crowd? A webcam-based study of the behavioural effects of mixed-species groupings in the wild and in the zoo
Authors: Des Pallieres Claire Gauquelin , Rose Paul E.
Published: April 2023

Mixed species exhibits in zoos are used to create larger, more stimulating environments to support naturalistic interactions between species. In the wild, mixed species groups are observed as having lower rates of vigilance, presumably due to reduced predation risk through ’detection’ and ’dilution’ effects. This effect appears to be highly variable depending on factors such as food availability or degree of threat. This study aimed to collect data on mixed-species associations and consequent vigilance rates in the wild, collecting equivalent data from a large mixed-species zoo enclosure to compare the findings between free-ranging and captive populations. The study additionally investigated whether large mixed-species enclosures support natural associations and behaviours, by comparing the behaviour of captive animals with wild counterparts. The study used livestream video feeds from 10 national parks in South Africa and Kenya to observe free-ranging species, and a camera at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s mixed species African exhibit. Scan and continuous sampling protocols were used simultaneously to record behavioural states as well as the rate of scanning (vigilance) events. GLMMs were run to test whether vigilance of a focal species varied according to the number of animals present, the density of animals in the group, and the diversity of species. In the wild, vigilance decreased with increasing number of animals in the surroundings but in captivity the group size had no impact. The results suggest that in the wild, these species benefit from increased perceived safety in larger groups, regardless of the species making up that group. No effect was noted in the zoo because of a reduced need for animals to show heightened vigilance to the same degree as in the wild. Similarities were observed in associations between species/mixed species group compositions, and in behaviour budgets. These findings provide a preliminary evaluation of how the impact of mixed species groupings may translate from the wild to the zoo, based on the associations and behaviour across a variety of African ungulates.
Designing mobile application messages to impact route choice: A survey and simulation study
Authors: Mayr Christina Maria , Templeton Anne , Köster Gerta
Published: April 2023

Crowd congestion is a common issue at train stations around major sports events, and puts passengers at risk and lowers service quality. Guiding arriving fans along less traveled routes may alleviate congestion. Smartphone apps provide a medium to deliver route suggestions but the messages they provide are pivotal to adherence. We explore how message design affects pedestrians’ willingness to follow route instructions. We present an online survey conducted with two groups: football fans, and students and faculty associates. We vary the presence of top down views of the route choices at train station Münchner Freiheit in Munich, real-time information on congestion, and appeals to team spirit. We compute a distribution of route choices that suggests that congestion may be reduced with the right combination of message components for each target group. We then use a computer simulation to investigate the congestion situation. Our results suggest that lowest congestion is achieved when people base their decisions on real-time information. The social identity approach is highlighted in our study as having a possible influence on message design. Moreover, it indicates that the implementation of such apps in real-life applications can improve safety. Our methodology can be applied to other scenarios to test the suitability of apps and message designs.
Indications of food insecurity in the content of telephone calls to a community referral system
Authors: Sharareh Nasser , Wang Ching-Yu , S. Wallace Andrea , Butler Jorie
Published: April 2023

Background

Food insecurity is a social determinant of health that impacts more than 10% of U.S. households every year. Many unexpected events make food-insecure people and those with unmet food needs seek information and help from both formal (e.g., community organizations) and informal (e.g., family/friends) resources. Food-related information seeking through telephone calls to a community referral system—211 network—has been used as a proxy for food insecurity but the context of these calls has not been characterized and the validity of this proxy measure is unknown.

Objective

To investigate the content of food-related telephone calls to 211 and explore the indications of food insecurity during these calls.

Methods

We conducted a secondary qualitative analysis on the transcripts of food-related calls to Utah’s 211. From February to March 2022, 25 calls were sampled based on the location of callers to ensure the representation of rural residents. 13 calls from metropolitan and 12 calls from nonmetropolitan ZIP Codes were included. Using a purposive sampling approach, we also made sure that the sample varied with regard to race and ethnicity. Calls were transcribed and de-identified by our community partner—Utah’s 211 and were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach by our research team.

Results

Three themes emerged from the qualitative analysis including referral to 211, reasons for food-related calls, and reasons for unmet food needs. Results highlight the complex social environment around 211 food-related callers, lack of knowledge about available food resources, and indications of food insecurity in calls.

Conclusion

Information seeking for food-related resources through 211 is a problem-solving source for people living in a complex social environment. Indications of food insecurity through these calls validate the use of these calls as a proxy measure for food insecurity. Interventions should be designed to increase awareness about the available resources and address the co-existing social needs with food insecurity.
Government subsidies and innovation in new energy vehicle companies: An empirical study of new energy vehicle listed companies based on Shanghai and Shenzhen A-shares
Authors: Sun Jianguo , Tian Mingfu , Zhang Weitong , Ning Jingyi
Published: April 2023

The panel data of 50 new energy vehicle enterprises in Shanghai and Shenzhen A-shares from 2012 to 2021 are selected to empirically analyze the impact of government subsidies on the innovation of new energy vehicle enterprises and to further discuss the differences between such an impact in different forms and regions. The study finds that, first, government subsidies have a certain promotion effect on the innovation of new energy vehicle enterprises, and an inverted U-shaped relationship exists thereof. Second, at the enterprise level, government subsidies have a significant effect on the innovation of non-state enterprises, downstream vehicle enterprises, and enterprises with lower establishment years, and the inverted-U trend is evident. Third, at the regional level, government subsidies have a more significant effect on the innovation of enterprises in non-eastern regions and low-environmental regulation regions, and the inverted-U-shaped relationship trend is more apparent. The study establishes the nonlinear relationship between government subsidies and the innovation of new energy vehicle enterprises through empirical research, which expands the theory of enterprise innovation and has a certain guiding significance for improving the innovation capability of new energy vehicle enterprises in the future.
Discharge against medical advice in Special Care Newborn Unit in Chattogram, Bangladesh: Prevalence, causes and predictors
Authors: Hasan Syeda Humaida , Das Jagadish Chandra , Nahar Kamrun , Chowdhury Muhammad Jabed Bin Amin , Zahur Tamanna , Faisal Mohammad Abu , Choudhury Zabeen , Chowdhury Dhiman
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Discharge against medical advice (DAMA) is an unexpected event for patients and healthcare personnel. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of DAMA in neonates along with characteristics of neonates who got DAMA and, causes and predictors of DAMA.

Methods and findings

This case-control study was carried out in Special Care Newborn Unit (SCANU) at Chittagong Medical College Hospital from July 2017 to December 2017. Clinical and demographic characteristics of neonates with DAMA were compared with that of discharged neonates. The causes of DAMA were identified by a semi-structured questionnaire. Predictors of DAMA were determined using a logistic regression model with a 95% confidence interval. A total of 6167 neonates were admitted and 1588 got DAMA. Most of the DAMA neonates were male (61.3%), term (74.7%), outborn (69.8%), delivered vaginally (65.7%), and had standard weight at admission (54.3%). A significant relationship (p < 0.001) was found between the variables of residence, place of delivery, mode of delivery, gestational age, weight at admission, and day and time of outcome with the type of discharge. False perceptions of wellbeing (28.7%), inadequate facilities for mothers (14.5%), and financial problems (14.1%) were the prevalent causes behind DAMA. Predictors of DAMA were preterm gestation (AOR 1.3, 95% CI 1.07–1.7, p = 0.013), vaginal delivery (AOR 1.56, 95% CI 1.31–1.86, p < 0.001), timing of outcome after office hours (AOR 477.15, 95% CI 236–964.6, p < 0.001), and weekends (AOR 2.55, 95% CI 2.06–3.17, p < 0.001). Neonates suffering from sepsis (AOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.7, p< 0.001), Respiratory Distress Syndrome (AOR 3.1, 95% CI 1.9–5.2, p< 0.001), prematurity without other complications (AOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.45–3.1, p < 0.001) or who were referred from north-western districts (AOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.13–1.95, p = 0.004) had higher odds for DAMA.

Conclusions

Identification of predictors and reasons behind DAMA may provide opportunities to improve the hospital environment and service related issues so that such vulnerable neonates can complete their treatment. We should ensure better communication with parents, provide provision for mothers’ corner, especially for outborn neonates, maintain a standard ratio of neonates and healthcare providers, and adopt specific DAMA policy by the hospital authority.