bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Μορφοπλασία και γενεσιουργές ηχοδομές στα έργα για σόλο πιάνο του Ντίνου Κωνσταντινίδη
Authors: Κτιστάκη Ευφροσύνη
Published: September 2022

Η παρούσα διατριβή πραγματεύεται το έργο του συνθέτη Ντίνου Κωνσταντινίδη, με έμφαση στην πιανιστική του παραγωγή. Ένα από τα ζητήματα που φιλοδοξεί να διερευνήσει είναι η συχνότητα χρήσης και η σημασία που δίνει ο συνθέτης στα δάνεια μουσικά στοιχεία από την ελληνική παράδοση, καθώς και η αξιοποίηση αυτών μέσα από τις φόρμες της συμφωνικής μουσικής του δυτικού κόσμου. Παράλληλα, εξετάζεται κατά πόσον η συγκεκριμένη μελέτη περίπτωσης, δηλαδή τα έργα για σόλο πιάνο και η πιανιστική του γραφή εν γένει, αποτυπώνουν, και σε ποιο βαθμό, το προσωπικό ιδίωμα και τη γραμμή σκέψεως του συνθέτη. Οι αναλυτικές προσεγγίσεις που ακολουθήθηκαν επικεντρώθηκαν ταυτόχρονα στην ανάδειξη της λογικής και εν τέλει στον τρόπο πραγματοποίησης μιας ηχητικής διεύρυνσης της αμιγούς πιανιστικής γραφής, ενώ διερευνήθηκαν και τα κριτήρια επιλογής αυτής της διαδικασίας. Με άλλα λόγια, μέσα από τα σολιστικά πιανιστικά έργα επιδιώκεται η ανίχνευση συγκεκαλυμμένων ίσως μορφοπλαστικών ‘δυνάμεων’, που κυβερνούν την αρμονική παράμετρο, την ενορχήστρωση και την ανάπτυξη της αρχιτεκτονικής της μεγάλης μορφής. Τέλος, από τις πιανιστικές συνθέσεις του Ντίνου Κωνσταντινίδη, αλλά και σε άμεση σύνδεση με άλλες πτυχές της δημιουργικής του γραφής, επιχειρείται να δοθεί μια απάντηση σχετικά με τους συμβολισμούς και τον προγραμματικό χαρακτήρα της μουσικής του, όπως αυτός αντανακλάται στους τίτλους των έργων του. Βαθύτερος στόχος στην παρούσα διατριβή αποτελεί η κατανόηση των ισορροπιών ανάμεσα στη μορφή και το περιεχόμενο της μουσικής του συνθέτη, η προσέγγιση των οποίων πραγματοποιήθηκε τόσο μέσα από την θεωρητική-αναλυτική μελέτη όσο και μέσα από την εκτέλεση-ερμηνεία από τη γράφουσα του πιανιστικού του ρεπερτορίου (βλ. στο Παράρτημα 2. «Πραγματοποιηθείσες καλλιτεχνικές εμφανίσεις»).
Indoor air quality at the Arab governmental girls’ schools
Authors: Elsharkawy Mahmoud Fathy , Aljassim Mohammed Tawfiq , Alsaif Abdulmalik Salman , Alsulaiman Sana Abdullah
Published: September 2022

Background: A proper and adequate school environment is important for an effective learning process and maintaining the health of the students as they spend most of their time in schools. The physical school environment includes the physical structures; presence of chemicals and biological agents; and the surrounding environment, including air, water, and materials.

This study aimed to evaluate the indoor air quality (IAQ) in governmental girls’ schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Methods: Seventeen girls’ schools were randomly selected in the Eastern Province of KSA. The indoor levels of PM10 and PM2.5, volatile organic compounds, CO, NO2, and CO2 were measured at different sites inside each school during four months of the year 2020. In addition, a pre-designed questionnaire was used to evaluate the safety preparedness in the same selected schools.

Results: Levels of the six air pollutants were higher inside schools adjacent to roads with moderate traffic activity than schools with low and very low traffic activity. However, the mean level of CO2 inside the selected schools was higher than its outdoor level, suggesting the predominance of an indoor source of CO2. Levels of all measured air pollutants inside governmental constructed school buildings were higher than those inside the rental type.

Conclusion: The average levels of air pollutants inside the selected schools were much lower than their air quality guidelines (AQGs), while some CO2 and NO2 levels exceeded their AQGs at some schools.
A flexible open-source processing workflow for multiplexed fluorescence imaging based on cycles
Authors: Potier Guillaume , Doméné Aurélie , Paul-Gilloteaux Perrine
Published: September 2022

Background

Multiplexing tissue imaging is developing as a complement for single cell analysis, bringing the spatial information of cells in tissue in addition to multiple parameters measurements. More and more commercial or home-made systems are available. These techniques allow the imaging of tens of fluorescent reporters, where the spectral overlap is solved by imaging by cycles the fluorophores using microfluidics to change the reporters between each cycle.

Methods

For several systems, the acquisition system coupled to the microfluidic system is a wide field microscope, and the acquisition process is done by mosaicking to cover a large field of view, relying on image processing to obtain the data set to be analysed in intensity. The processed data set allows the identification of different populations, quite similarly to cytometry analysis, but with spatial information in addition. To obtain the final image for analysis from the raw acquisitions, several preprocessing steps are needed for inter-cycle registration, tissue autofluorescence correction or mosaicking. We propose a workflow for this preprocessing, implemented as an open source software (as a library, command line tool and standalone).

Results

We exemplify the workflow on the commercial system PhenoCycler® (formerly named CODEX®) and provide a reduced size data set for testing.

Conclusions

We compare our processor with the commercially provided processor and show that we solve some problems also reported by other users.
GDSC SMLM: Single-molecule localisation microscopy software for ImageJ
Authors: Etheridge Thomas J. , Carr Antony M. , Herbert Alex D.
Published: September 2022

Single-molecule localisation microscopy (SMLM) uses software to extract super-resolved positions from microscope images of fluorescent molecules. These localisations can then be used to render super-resolution images or analysed to extract information about molecular behaviour. The GDSC SMLM software provides a set of tools for analysing SMLM data in a single cross-platform environment. The software identifies fluorescent molecules in raw microscope images and localises their positions using stages of spot detection, spot fitting and spot rejection. The resulting localisation data set can then be visualised, cropped and filtered. A suite of downstream analysis tools enable the user to perform single-particle tracking, cluster analysis and drift correction. In addition, GDSC SMLM also provides utility tools that enable modelling of EM-CCD and sCMOS cameras as well as point spread functions (PSFs) for data simulation. The software is written in Java and runs as a collection of plugins for the ImageJ software.
The problem of the formation of human capital in Russia by the education system
Authors: Basovskiy Leonid , Basovskaya Elena
Published: September 2022

The purpose of the work was to assess the trends in the formation of human capi-tal in Russia by the education system. Trends in returns to education in contemporary Russia assessed by constructing econometric models of education premiums. We used data from the Russian Monitoring of the Health and Economic Situation of the Popula-tion (HSE RLMS) and data from the Survey of Wages by Occupation (OSS) of Rosstat. The obtained characteristics of the models showed that the main trend of change is a decrease in the level of return from higher, secondary vocational and secondary (full) education. Forecasting carried out using the characteristics of the obtained models. It has been established that secondary vocational and secondary (general) education will cease to bring any return, will cease to form the human capital of modern Russia in 2022-2024, higher education will cease to bring any return, will cease to form human capital modern Russia in 2040-2050. The problem of the education system losing the function of forming human capital is due to the problems of economics and education management.
The Role of the Municipal Level of Public Authority in Ensuring the Sustainability of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in Modern Conditions
Authors: Domnina I. , Maevskaya L. , Odincova A.
Published: September 2022

Recently, great importance has been attached to the development of local self-government, which makes it relevant to study the assessment of the role of municipal institutions, especially during the period of sanctions. In the course of the research, the potential economic opportunities of municipal institutions are identified, the conditions conducive to their economic independence are determined, the remaining inter-budgetary problems of regions and municipalities are shown. Given the role of local government in supporting the development of small businesses, the article considers the proposed anti-sanction measures to help SME, an assessment of their effectiveness is given and specific measures are proposed that correspond to the capabilities of municipal institutions.
Features of microcredit of small and medium-sized businesses at the regional level
Authors: Dvoretskaya Yu. , Kuznetsova O.
Published: September 2022

Representatives of small and medium-sized businesses make a significant contribution to the regional economy, thereby ensuring the rhythmic development of the national economy. The state systematically carries out various measures to support small and medium-sized businesses, including implementing concessional microcredit programs. The purpose of the study was to assess the scale and quality of the implementation of the «Program of concessional lending to small and medium-sized businesses» at the regional level – in the Bryansk region. The authors analyzed the dynamics and structure of the portfolio of concessional loans issued to small and medium-sized economic entities in 2019-2022. state microfinance organizations. Factors affecting the effectiveness of lending technologies and support for small and medium-sized businesses in the Bryansk region were analyzed, weaknesses were identified and ways to optimize the process of preferential lending to small and medium-sized businesses were proposed. The recommended measures should be implemented at both the national and regional levels. It is proposed to allow microfinance companies to engage in other activities (production, trade) to increase the ability to issue preferential loans due to profits received from additional activities (national level). Regions should improve the awareness of entrepreneurs and receive feedback on concessional microcredit programs.
Mieszczanie, szlachta, duchowieństwo, klasztory. Formy naturalizacji miejskiej w późnym średniowieczu
Authors: Speich Heinrich
Published: September 2022

„Burgrecht” to naturalizacja miejska (przeprowadzona zgodnie z określonymi pisemnie warunkami) na obszarze górnoniemieckim, określana również jako „Gedingbürgerschaft”, „Satzbürgerschaft” lub „Paktbürgerschaft”. Szlachta i klasztory wykorzystywały w późnym średniowieczu dynamicznie prawa miejskie jako podstawę swojej działalności na wsi oraz do rozwiązywania konfliktów, miasta zaś do tworzenia patrycjatu miejskiego przy uwzględnieniu tych „instytucjonalnych” nowych obywateli oraz do poszerzenia zasięgu władzy. Ze względu na długi czas trwania często pojawiały się konflikty dotyczące treści i interpretacji tych przepisów prawnych. Tłumaczenie Renata Skowrońska
Biedni jako bezpaństwowcy, niepoddani oraz bezdomni. O problemie grup żebraków, oszustów i włóczęgów na terenach południowoniemieckich w nowożytności
Authors: Wüst Wolfgang
Published: September 2022

W okresie nowożytnym nie wszyscy mieli prawo do obywatelstwa. W XVII i XVIII wieku poprzez powiązanie prawa krajowego oraz prawa dotyczącego ubogich szukano pomysłów administracyjnych oraz policyjnych na ochronę zasobów własnych przez zadeklarowanie grasujacych grup żebraków jako niebędących poddanymi, obcych i bezpaństwowych. Wyróżniono w rezultacie żebraków uprawnionych i nieuprawnionych, „pracowitych” i „leniwych”, zdrowych i chorych, przy czym po ścisłej selekcji tylko nieliczni mogli mieć nadzieję na objęcie prawem krajowym oraz wsparcie finansowe przez jałmużnę. Wczesnonowożytne państwa reagowały coraz bardziej „srogo”, broniąc się przed grupami żebraków napływających do kraju z zewnątrz. Tłumaczenie Renata Skowrońska
Trans-/posthumanizm a etyka chronienia osób – między możliwością i powinnością
Authors: Chrost Sławomir
Published: September 2022

Niniejszy artykuł jest próbą namysłu nad antropologią i etyką w kontekście rozwijających się modyfikacji bio- i technologicznych, którym poddawany jest człowiek.
Punktem wyjścia do dyskusji są pojęcia trans- i posthumanizmu oraz etyki opartej na koncepcji człowieka – osoby ludzkiej. Autor próbuje znaleźć odpowiedź na pytanie: Czy pojęcie natury ludzkiej, które przyjmujemy, dopuszcza, aby człowiek był konstruowany, tj. manipulowany w ramach określonych granic? Odpowiadając na to pytanie, autor proponuje następującą konstatację: transhumanizm, a w szczególności posthumanizm (ze względu na ontologię), zrywa z klasyczną koncepcją człowieka-osoby, równocześnie odrzucając etykę chronienia osób. W miejsce etyki chronienia osób trans/post/humanizm stosuje etykę sytuacyjną i utylitarystyczną. Z punku widzenia etyki chronienia osób niedopuszczalne są jakiekolwiek zmiany jakościowe (dotyczące przyczyny formalnej osoby ludzkiej). Można natomiast dopuszczać możliwość zmian ilościowych (dotyczących przyczyny materialnej osoby ludzkiej), jeśli takie prowadziłyby do ochrony relacji osobowych i ich podmiotów.
Etyka a pedagogika. Myśl pedagogiczna Jacka Woronieckiego w odniesieniu do współczesnej edukacji
Authors: Szymczyk Katarzyna
Published: September 2022

W artykule zaprezentowano rozważania nad dorobkiem pedagogicznym Jacka Woronieckiego. Odwołano się do prac autora, w których etykę i aspekt moralny uczynił podstawowym przejawem szeroko rozumianej działalności edukacyjno-wychowawczej. Kierowany troską o właściwy poziom moralny człowieka we wszelkich przejawach jego życia, zbudował katalog refleksji i podpowiedzi, z których możemy czerpać niezależnie od aktualnych uwarunkowań. Przemyślenia z nich płynące, skłaniające czytelnika do budowania moralnie prawidłowych relacji między osobą wychowawcy i wychowanka, czynią z podmiotowości człowieka podstawowy paradygmat edukacji, tak istotny i niezbywalny również w dzisiejszych realiach.
Przedmiotem dociekań niniejszego artykułu uczyniono zatem kwestię aktualności poglądów Woronieckiego w odniesieniu do współczesnej przestrzeni oddziaływań edukacyjnych. Wskazano tu na podnoszony przez myśliciela istotny aspekt integralności etyki z pedagogiką, stanowiący filar jego pedagogiki, a ściślej aretologii, będącej syntezą humanizmu greckiej paidei oraz chrześcijańskiej pedagogiki. Osobne miejsce poświęcono epistemologicznym odniesieniom idei paedagogiae perennis wskazującej na nierozłączność poznawczą filozofii i pedagogiki oraz – w wymiarze praktyki pedagogicznej – wychowania i edukacji. Biorąc pod uwagę konieczność nieustannych poszukiwań przez współczesnych pedagogów nowych edukacyjnych ścieżek, obierania nieraz trudnych kierunków w swojej praktyce zawodowej, klasyczna myśl Woronieckiego w świecie zrelatywizowanych wartości może się okazać ścieżką wiodącą „człowieka do moralnej dojrzałości”. Dorobek Woronieckiego posiada w tym zakresie ogromny, ponadczasowy walor pedagogiczny.
Etyka w edukacyjnym science-fiction w dobie transhumanizmu i posthumanizmu
Authors: Skupień Andrzej
Published: September 2022

Edukacja jest ciągłym procesem przygotowywania młodych ludzi do wejścia w dorosłość, podczas którego wyposaża się ich w niezbędne narzędzia i wiedzę, aby mogli poradzić sobie w przyszłości zarówno na rynku pracy, jak i w życiu osobistym oraz w funkcjonowaniu w społeczeństwie. Jest to również na swój sposób proces „udoskonalania człowieka”. Niniejszy artykuł ma na celu przybliżenie modnych dzisiaj i szeroko komentowanych koncepcji filozoficznych transhumanizmu i posthumanizmu. Najpierw zostanie zatem przedstawionych kilka najbardziej znanych i popularnych wizji dotyczących przyszłości, które zostały zaprezentowane przez wizjonerów przełomu XIX i XX wieku, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem tych, które na swój sposób się już spełniły. W dalszej części artykułu zostaną ukazane koncepcje filozofii transhumanizmu i posthumanizmu, wraz z przedstawieniem najważniejszych różnic. W ostatniej części wskazane zostaną wyzwania edukacyjne postulowane przez aktywistów tych ruchów filozoficznych, a na koniec – główne problemy etyczne, jakie rodzą się w świecie futurystycznych wizjonerów.
Dynamic Programming for the Time-Dependent Traveling Salesman Problem with Time Windows
Authors: Lera-Romero Gonzalo , Miranda Bront Juan José , Soulignac Francisco J.
Published: September 2022

The time-dependent traveling salesman problem with time windows (TDTSPTW) is a variant of the well-known traveling salesman problem with time windows, in which travel times are not assumed to be constant. The TDTSPTW accounts for the effects of congestion at the planning level, being particularly suited for distribution problems in large cities. In this paper we develop a labeling-based algorithm for the TDTSPTW that incorporates partial dominance and generalizes several state-of-the-art components from the time-independent related literature. We propose a framework general enough to be applied to the TDTSPTW and its variant without time windows, with the objective of minimizing the duration or the makespan. As part of the framework, we introduce a new state-space relaxation specifically designed for the time-dependent context. Extensive computational experiments show the effectiveness of the overall approach and the impact of the new relaxation, outperforming several recent algorithms proposed for these variants on more than 9,000 benchmark instances. In addition, we frame the minimum tour duration problem within the time-dependent literature and include it as a benchmark for our algorithm, obtaining improved computation times and 31 new optimal solutions.

Summary of Contribution: In this paper, we study the time-dependent traveling salesman problem with time windows (TDTSPTW), a difficult single-vehicle routing problem that incorporates more realistic travel time functions than its classic time-independent counterpart. As a result, the TDTSPTW is harder to solve, as it requires more complex models and algorithms. Using state-of-the-art optimization techniques, we propose an efficient solution approach for the TDTSPTW and some related variants that outperforms the previous approaches in the literature. Our paper emphasizes the importance of algorithmic design and efficient implementations to tackle relevant practical combinatorial optimization problems—in particular, for time-dependent problems. Moreover, the resulting algorithm fosters a new research direction regarding exact algorithms for time-dependent problems using dynamic programming and relaxation techniques.

History: Accepted by Andrea Lodi, Area Editor for Design & Analysis of Algorithms—Discrete.

Funding: This research has been funded by Fondo para la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (FONCyT) [Grants PICT-2016-2677 and PICT-2018-2961] from the Ministry of Science, Argentina, and by the Google Latin America Research Award (LARA) 2019.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2022.1236 .
Estrogen receptor alpha expression in fattening pig’s testes by the timing of the first injection for immunocastration
Authors:   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand, Srisuwatanasagul Sayamon , Jantautsa Siriluck ,   Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand, Manee-in Sukanya ,   Department of Clinical Sciences and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand, Srisuwatanasagul Kongkiat ,   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand, Yodsheewan Rungrueang ,   Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand, Archawakulathep Amornthep ,   Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand, Yamsakul Panuwat ,   Department of Food Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand, Roongsitthichai Atthaporn ,   Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this study was to examine the expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) in the testicular tissues of male fattening pigs injected with the first gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine (Improvac™, Zoetis, Thailand) for immunocastration 6 weeks earlier than the standard protocol. All pigs (n=24) were divided into three groups on the criterion of immunocastration protocol: A (n=8) was injected with GnRH vaccine at 15 and 19 weeks old, B (n=8) received GnRH vaccine at 9 and 19 weeks old, and C (n=8) remained untreated. Expression of ERα was investigated using an immunohistochemistry, appraised by an image analysis application (3DHISTECH, Budapest, Hungary), and reported as a H-score. The results revealed that testicular histoarchitecture of the immunocastrated pigs was less developed than that of the intact pigs. ERα was localized both in the seminiferous tubules and interstitial areas of all groups. ERα H-score of the C pigs was lowest (5.49±4.17) among groups and significantly lower than that of both A and B groups (P<0.05). However, the H-score of ERα between A and B groups was not different from each other (21.41±12.61 vs 23.91±11.47, P>0.05). In summary, the first injection of GnRH vaccine either at 9 or 15 weeks of age contributed to a similar result of testicular ERα expression.
Evaluation of fertility, hatchability, and growth performance of indigenous, sasso and their F1 cross chicken genotypes in Southern Ethiopia
Authors:   Department of Animal science, College of Agricultural science, Wachemo University, Ethiopia, Bekele Berhanu , Melesse Aberra ,   School of Animal and Range Science, College of Agriculture, Hawassa University, Ethiopia, Esatu Wondmeneh ,   International livestock research institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Dessie Tadelle ,   International livestock research institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Published: September 2022

Three chicken genotypes were involved in the study with the objectives of evaluating fertility, hatchability, and growth performance of three chicken genotypes. For the experiment, 1550 (600 of indigenous, 450 of Sasso, 500 of crossed) eggs were labelled and incubated. The data were analyzed using SAS. Relatively higher proportion of fertility was observed for the eggs collected from Sasso (89.6%) followed by crossed eggs (72.8%). Correspondingly, hatchability was higher for Sasso. Body weight was increased from 27.9 to 321.7 g for indigenous, 36.8 to 431.2 g for Sasso, and 32.4 to 353.4 g for crossbred from week0 to week7. Agroecology by genotype had a significant (p<0.05) influence on the growth performance of the chickens during week11 and week15. The interaction between agroecology and sex was significantly influenced growth rate of the chickens in all weeks of their age, except the chickens at their 11th weeks of age. Genotype by sex interaction had highly significant effect in the growth performance of the chickens at their 11th, 15th, and 20th weeks age. The chickens’ growth has been influenced by the interaction among agroecology, genotype, and sex. Higher proportion of indigenous (22%) and Sasso (24%) birds were died in highland in between W7-13, however higher proportion of crossbred birds were lost in lowland for same week interval. Considering the most parametes of chickens, midland agroecology is more promising for their production. This is because, better feed resources, climatic condition, and awareness of farmers how to manage their birds.
Dietary organic trace mineral supplement affects steroid hormone, antioxidant enzyme concentrations, and reproductive performances in dairy cows
Authors:   Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Roi Et Rajabhat University, Roi Et 45120, Thailand, Khanthusaeng Vilaivan , Bunma Thanya ,   Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand, Kanjanaruch Chutikun ,   Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand, Thammasiri Jiratti ,   Department of Animal Production Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Kalasin University, Kalasin 46000, Thailand, Navanukraw Chainarong ,   Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand,   Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center for Sustainable Economy (ABRCSE), Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand,   Center of Excellence on Agricultural Biotechnology: (AG-BIO/PERDO-CHE), Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Published: September 2022

Supplementation of organic trace mineral (OTM) may affect reproductive functions in several aspects and has been studied, but very rare is reported in dairy cows. To determine the effects of dietary OTM supplement during pre- and postpartum with timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol on steroid hormones, antioxidant enzymes, and reproductive performances in dairy cows. Prepartum Holstein cows (n = 60) were randomly assigned to received either a control diet or OTM supplemented for 42 days. Both groups were fed the same total mixed ration, but were supplemented with 5 g/head/d OTM (Bioplex®) in the treatment group. Blood and follicular fluid samples were collected to determine progesterone (P4), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and estradiol (E2) concentrations. Cows fed OTM had better placental expulsion period, milk yield, and reproductive performance parameters (day to first ovulation and estrus, percentage of first estrus and size of preovulatory follicle) than control cows (P < 0.05). Cows fed OTM affected (P < 0.05) the serum concentration of P4 on days 12, 15, 18, 21, and 42 after TAI. Follicular fluid concentrations of E2 in large follicle in OTM cows were greater than control cows (336.3 and 376.9 ng/mL; P < 0.05). Cows supplemented with OTM had greater serum SOD and GSH-Px activities than control cows (15.5 vs. 10.6 U/mL and 12.1 vs. 9.9 U/mL; P < 0.05). In conclusion, supplements with OTM improved uterine and placental health, steroid hormones concentrations, and antioxidant enzyme activities but did not improve conception rate in dairy cows.
Deciding the Better Dose- A Prospective Randomized Double Blind Study of Two Different Doses of Perineural Dexmedetomidine in Axillary Brachial Block
Authors: Chiplonkar Sheetal Y , Kate Jalpa A , Vadranapu Dinesh B , Toal Pratibha
Published: September 2022

Background: Axillary brachial plexus block is generally regarded as the safest and reliable technique for forearm and hand surgeries. Dexmedetomidine, a potent alpha (α)-2-adrenergic receptor agonist when used as an additive in any peripheral nerve block can improve quality of block and postoperative analgesia, though uncertainity prevails regarding the dose in patients undergoing hand and forearm surgeries. Methods: In this prospective, randomized, comparative, double blind study, 80 patients were included. Each participant fulfilling the inclusion criteria then received axillary brachial plexus block using 15cc 2% lignocaine with adrenaline (1:200000)and 0.5% bupivacaine 5cc mixed with dexmedetomidine either 0.5 µg /kg (group A) or 1 µg /kg ( group B)in 2cc normal saline. Duration of post-operative analgesia was the primary outcome. Result: Duration of analgesia was significantly prolonged in group B (493.77±115.62 min) compared to group A (434.62±45.18 min, P <0.01). Conclusion: Between the two doses of dexmedetomidine, block characteristics and analgesia obtained were better with higher dose (1 µg/kg) but chances of side effects like bradycardia increased. Hence 0.5 µg/kg can be a better dose with improved block characteristics yet negligible side effects. Keywords: Brachial plexus block, Dexmedetomidine Perineural, Peripheral nerve stimulator, Ultrasonography
Organic-walled tentaculids of Late Devonian (Frasnian) deposits of the Appalachian and Michigan Basins, Laurussia (NY, MI, OH)
Authors: Meehan Kimberly C. , Boyle James T.
Published: September 2022

This is the first report of organic-walled tentaculid remains from Givetian through Frasnian age deposits of the Michigan and Appalachian Basins in western Laurussia. This adds to the geographic scope of similar finds that have been described from the Frasnian through the Famennian in eastern Laurussia. However, those previous specimens were retrieved through palynological preparations and more closely resemble sheath structures rather than the full forms found herein, which were retrieved through complete maceration with ammonium surfactants.
Geochemistry of Khandadharpahar-Thakuranipahar metabasites from the western Singhbhum Craton, eastern India: implications for subduction-zone tectonics and mantle-wedge metasomatism
Authors: Rajani Rajanikanta
Published: September 2022

The identification of new rock types in the volcano-sedimentary sequences of the Singhbhum Craton has attractedmuch attention in recent years. The present study deals on newly identified Nb-Enriched Basalts (NEB) from theKhandadharpahar-Kadakala-Thakuranipahar (KKT) section, western Singhbhum Craton, which is comparablein composition to basalts-basaltic andesites and calk-alkaline in character. These metabasites have a porphyritictexture with phenocrysts of pyroxene and plagioclase, as well as a groundmass that has metamorphosed to thegreenschist facies. High Nb contents (7.5-22.8ppm) combined with high (Nb/Th)PM (0.28-0.59), (Nb/La)PM (0.40-0.69) and Nb/U (11.7-34.4) ratios, compared to arc basalts ((Nb/Th)PM= 0.10-1.19; (Nb/La)PMn 0.17-0.99, Nb/U<10), characterized them as NEB. Negative Nb, Zr, Hf and Ti anomalies, and Nb/Th vs La/Nb and Th/Nb vs. La/Sm relationships, collectively indicate typical arc volcanics. The available geochemical parameters suggest a genesisof KKT metabasites through i) slab melt migration from the downgoing oceanic crust, ii) low-degree melting ofthe garnet-bearing peridotite in the mantle wedge metasomatized by the slab melts, iii) slab melt - peridotiteinteraction triggering increasing Nb concentrations and iv) NEB generation in an arc-related environment. Thediscovery of KKT NEB sheds new information on Paleoproterozoic subduction-zone processes and crustal growthin the Singhbhum craton.
Analysis and design of a wide-field and large-numerical-aperture compact imaging spectrometer with a freeform surface
Authors: Zhang Jialun , Zheng Yuquan , Lin Chao , Ji Zhenhua , Han Yanxue , Shi Yi
Published: September 2022

Wide-field-of-view (FoV) Offner
imaging spectrometers with freeform surfaces have been studied
extensively in recent years. However, a design result with a large
numerical aperture (NA) cannot be simultaneously obtained with this
layout. We present the concept of a limited system in the tangential
direction. Based on this insight, we present a new design method, to
the best of our knowledge, based on the decenter anamorphic stop,
which can achieve large NA in compact wide-FoV Offner imaging
spectrometers with freeform surfaces. Compared to conventional imaging
spectrometers with the same parameters, the light-gathering capacity
of the decenter anamorphic stop-based imaging spectrometer is
increased by more than 40%. In addition, based on the presented
method, we design a compact imaging spectrometer with a wide FoV and
large NA. The designed imaging spectrometer with a freeform surface
has excellent performance. Finally, we fabricate and measure the
freeform mirror. The surface irregularity of the freeform mirror is
better than

1

/

30

λ

(

λ
=

632.8

n
m

). The result shows that the Offner
imaging spectrometer with a freeform surface can be fabricated and
will play a significant role in the fields of aeronautical and
astronautical remote sensing.
Role of powder handling on resulting impurities in ZnSe-doped As-S-Se composite materials
Authors: Kostogiannes Alexandros , Sharma Rashi , Howe Andrew , Chazot Matthieu , Kang Myungkoo , Cook Justin , Schepler Kenneth , Richardson Kathleen A.
Published: September 2022

Optical composite materials made by powder processing routes can suffer from unwanted absorption loss introduced through powder handling. This can be due to impurities that are introduced during different stages of a powder processing protocol such as mixing, sieving, or grinding. The present work has evaluated the prevalence of impurities imparted to powders used to create an optical composite comprised of an As-S-Se chalcogenide base glass and ZnSe powders. The goal of this study was to identify a suitable powder handling protocol that demonstrates control of the starting particle sizes of the refractive index matched glass matrix and dopant ZnSe to acceptable levels and minimizes adverse impurities that can create loss in a glass-ceramic composite preform and envisioned fiber preforms, and fibers formed from them. Employing a heat treatment step under vacuum prior to re-melting glass powders was shown to reduce the concentration of key impurities, OH-, S-H, and Se-H, by 45.0%, 31.1% and 21.2%, respectively, as compared to re-melted material made from powders without specialized handling.
Decay time extension of terahertz electromagnetic waves emitted from coherent longitudinal optical phonons in GaAs epitaxial layers with the use of fast atom bombardment
Authors: Takeuchi Hideo , Omuku Yuto , Onoda Ryota , Nakaoka Toshihiro , Utsumi Jun , Kawasaki Shigeo , Koyama Masatoshi
Published: September 2022

We succeeded in extending the decay time of terahertz electromagnetic waves from coherent longitudinal optical (LO) phonons in GaAs epitaxial layers with the use of fast atom bombardment, a treatment method for introducing defects and/or disorders at the surface. The decay time becomes long, up to 4.81 ± 0.15 ps, with the bombardment time of 4.0 min. This value is 2.4-times larger than the decay time of 2.04 ± 0.04 ps of the reference sample (untreated sample). We attribute the origin of the present phenomenon to the fact that the reduction of the photogenerated carrier scattering effect on the coherent LO phonon, which is caused by the presence of the surface defects and disorders formed by the fast atom bombardment, results in the extending of the decay time of the terahertz wave from the coherent LO phonon.
Review of the neglected tropical diseases programme implementation during 2012–2019 in the WHO-Eastern Mediterranean Region
Authors: Warusavithana Supriya , Atta Hoda , Osman Mona , Hutin Yvan
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The 2012–2020 WHO NTD roadmap set targets for control, elimination, and eradication of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). It recommends 5 strategies, out of which preventive chemotherapy (PC) and intensified disease management were key to achieve targets. WHO estimated that globally, between 2012 and 2019, the number of persons affected by NTDs decreased from nearly 2.1 to 1.7 billion people. We analysed the situation of NTDs in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) in 2020 to assess the progress with the 2012–2020 roadmap and to identify gaps.

Methods

We reviewed data repositories of national data sources for 2012 to 2019 including the Global Indicator Data Platform for Sustainable Development Goals, the Global Health Observatory data repository, the WHO PC databank, and the EMR data repository. We allocated countries a Red-Amber-Green (RAG) rating based on standardized criteria, on progress and current situation of each of 11 priority NTDs.

Results

All 22 countries in EMR were affected by 1 or more autochthonous or imported NTDs. In 2019, WHO estimated that in EMR, 78 million people required interventions for NTDs, a 38% decline compared with 2012. Twelve of 22 countries needed priority public health action (i.e., red) for 1 or more NTD. Of these, Sudan needed priority public health action for 6 NTDs and Yemen for 5. Eleven countries also needed priority public health action for cutaneous leishmaniasis, and 5 countries for rabies and trachoma. Visceral leishmaniasis is on the increase in Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, and Yemen.

Conclusion

Since the first roadmap of NTDs in 2012, the EMR has made a substantial progress. Nevertheless, many challenges remain in the prevention and control of NTDs. EMR needs a regional approach to control NTDs in countries most affected and a coordinated strategy to stop the continuing increase of cutaneous leishmaniasis and a possible resurgence of visceral leishmaniasis.
The effectiveness of eHealth self-management interventions in patients with chronic heart failure: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Siru , Li Jili , Qu Zhan , Li Runyi , Liu Jialin
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to design a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of self-management interventions in patients with chronic heart failure.

Methods

The protocol is developed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The protocol has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021246973). Base on the population, intervention, comparator, and outcome (PICO) framework, our research questions are: 1) What are the effects of eHealth self-management interventions on patients with chronic heart failure? 2) What factors of interventions might affect outcomes? The process includes: 1) search strategy and inclusion criteria; 2) data extraction; 3) risk of bias assessment and 4) data analysis. Searching process and data extraction will be guided by Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We will use Cochrane Risk of Bias tool to assess the risk of bias. The data analysis will be performed using Metafor package in R.

Conclusions

This systemic review will synthesize the current evidence and identify gaps. Findings in the meta-analysis will provide guidance for designing a more effective self-management intervention for patients with chronic heart failure in future.
Prevalence and predictors of HIV and sexually transmitted infections among vulnerable women engaged in sex work: Findings from the Kyaterekera Project in Southern Uganda
Authors: Kiyingi Joshua , Nabunya Proscovia , Bahar Ozge Sensoy , Mayo-Wilson Larissa Jennings , Tozan Yesim , Nabayinda Josephine , Namuwonge Flavia , Nsubuga Edward , Kizito Samuel , Nattabi Jennifer , Nakabuye Fatuma , Kagayi Joseph , Mwebembezi Abel , Witte Susan S. , Ssewamala Fred M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Women engaged in sex work (WESW) have an elevated risk of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STI). Estimates are three times higher than the general population. Understanding the predictors of HIV and STI among WESW is crucial in developing more focused HIV and STI prevention interventions among this population. The study examined the prevalence and predictors of HIV and STI among WESW in the Southern part of Uganda.

Methodology

Baseline data from the Kyaterekera study involving 542 WESW (ages 18–55) recruited from 19 HIV hotspots in the greater Masaka region in Uganda was utilized. HIV and STI prevalence was estimated using blood and vaginal fluid samples bioassay. Hierarchical regression models were used to determine the predictors of HIV and STI among WESW.

Results

Of the total sample, 41% (n = 220) were found to be HIV positive; and 10.5% (n = 57) tested positive for at least one of the three STI (Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis and Trichomonas vaginalis) regardless of their HIV status. Older age (b = 0.09, 95%CI = 0.06, 0.13, p≤0.001), lower levels of education (b = -0.79, 95%CI = -1.46, -0.11, p≤0.05), fewer numbers of children in the household (b = -0.18, 95%CI = -0.36, -0.01), p≤0.05), location (i.e., fishing village (b = 0.51, 95%CI = 0.16, 0.85, p≤0.01) or small town (b = -0.60, 95%CI = -0.92, -0.28, p≤0.001)), drug use (b = 0.58, 95%CI = 0.076, 1.08, p≤0.05) and financial self-efficacy (b = 0.05, 95%CI = -0.10, 0.00, p≤0.05), were associated with the risk of HIV infections among WESW. Domestic violence attitudes (b = -0.24, 95%CI = -0.42, -0.07, p≤0.01) and financial distress (b = -0.07, 95%CI = -0.14, -0.004, p≤0.05) were associated with the risk of STI infection among WESW.

Conclusion

Study findings show a high prevalence of HIV among WESW compared to the general women population. Individual and family level, behavioural and economic factors were associated with increased HIV and STI infection among WESW. Therefore, there is a need for WESW focused HIV and STI risk reduction and economic empowerment interventions to reduce these burdens.
Distinct mechanisms underlie H2O2 sensing in C. elegans head and tail
Authors: Quintin Sophie , Aspert Théo , Ye Tao , Charvin Gilles
Published: September 2022

Environmental oxidative stress threatens cellular integrity and should therefore be avoided by living organisms. Yet, relatively little is known about environmental oxidative stress perception. Here, using microfluidics, we showed that like I2 pharyngeal neurons, the tail phasmid PHA neurons function as oxidative stress sensing neurons in C. elegans, but display different responses to H2O2 and light. We uncovered that different but related receptors, GUR-3 and LITE-1, mediate H2O2 signaling in I2 and PHA neurons. Still, the peroxiredoxin PRDX-2 is essential for both, and might promote H2O2-mediated receptor activation. Our work demonstrates that C. elegans can sense a broad range of oxidative stressors using partially distinct H2O2 signaling pathways in head and tail sensillae, and paves the way for further understanding of how the integration of these inputs translates into the appropriate behavior.
Hybrid asset localization using light fidelity and Bluetooth Low Energy
Authors: Albraheem Lamya , Alshathri Haifa , Alsheddi Raghad , Alotaibi Ruba , Alkharashi Ghaida
Published: September 2022

Recently, there has been increasing interest in the field of indoor localization. This field of research can facilitate building and asset management. Although there are different technologies that can be used for localization, there are many limitations that need to be improved, and therefore there is a need to explore new technologies and alternatives that can improve indoor localization. It has been proven that visible light can be used to transfer data. A German physicist, Harald Haas, introduced the term “Li-Fi”, which stands for “light fidelity”, as a new technology that uses light as a medium to deliver data. Accordingly, in this study, we have proposed a hybrid asset localization system using Li-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). This system utilizes light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and BLE tags to detect the locations of assets in a smart building with the support of crowdsourcing technology. The system can make the management, maintenance, and localization process of equipment inside the buildings more easier. To achieve the required, the paper provides a comparison between different applications that have been developed for indoor localization using Li-Fi technology in order to highlight the limitations that need more improvement. The proposed system consists of a web-based administrator panel that allows the administrator to manage maps, assets, tags, LED lamps, and maintenance requests, as well as a mobile application that enables the user to locate, search and view asset information. In addition, the mobile application performs the process of crowdsourcing to update the assets’ locations. We experimentally explore the system’s functionalities and the results show that the system can accurately localize assets, and can detect Li-Fi signals from 55 lx and above within a range of 1.5 m. In addition, the BLE stickers can be detected up to 7 meters away, however, the crowdsourcing process to update the asset location is performed if the distance between the mobile application and the asset is less than or equal 1 m which gives accurate results.
Can short PROMs support valid factor-based sub-scores? Example of COMQ-12 in chronic otitis media
Authors: Bukurov Bojana , Haggard Mark , Spencer Helen , Arsovic Nenad , Sipetic Grujicic Sandra
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Interpretable factor solutions for questionnaire instruments are typically taken as justification for use of factor-based sub-scores. They can indeed articulate content and construct validities of a total and components but do not guarantee criterion validity for clinical application. Our previous documentation of basic psychometric characteristics for a 12-item patient-reported outcome measure in adult chronic otitis media (COMQ-12) justified next appraising criterion validity of sub-scores.

Methods

On 246 cases at 1st clinic visit, we compared various classes of factor solution, concentrating on the best-fitting 3-factor ones as widely supported. Clinical data offered two independent measures as external criteria: binaural hearing (audiometric thresholds measured via audiometry) for evaluating ‘Hearing’ sub-score, and oto-microscopic findings for the ‘Ear discharge symptoms’ sub-score. As criterion for the total, and for semi-generic ‘Activities/healthcare’ sub-score, the generic Short Form-36 item set offered a widely used multi-item criterion measure.

Results

Factor model fit and parsimony again favoured a 3-factor solution for COMQ-12; however insufficient item support and the dominant 1st principal component of variation made sub-scoring problematic. The best solution was bi-factor, from which only the weighted total score met the declared convergent validity standard of r = 0.50. Two of the more specific sub-scores (‘Ear discharge symptoms’ and ‘Hearing’) correlated poorly with clinical findings and weighted binaural hearing thresholds.

Conclusion

The COMQ-12 total is acceptably content-valid for general clinical purposes, but the small item set, reflecting excessive pressure for brevity in clinical application, does not well support three criterion-valid factor-based scores. This distinction should be made explicit, and profile sub-scoring discouraged until good convergent and furthermore divergent criterion validities are shown.
Image quality of abdominal ultrasonography after esophagogastroduodenoscopy is preserved by using carbon dioxide insufflation: A non-inferiority test in the same subject
Authors: Suda Tsuyoshi , Shirota Yukihiro , Takimoto Hiroaki , Tsukada Yasunori , Takishita Kensaku , Nadamura Takahiro , Miyazawa Masaki , Hodo Yuji , Wakabayashi Tokio
Published: September 2022

Because bowel gas deteriorates the image quality of abdominal ultrasonography (AUS), it is common to perform AUS prior to esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). This one-way order limits the availability of examination appointments. To evaluate whether EGD using insufflation of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is rapidly absorbed by the gastrointestinal mucosa, preserves the image quality of AUS performed subsequently, we designed a non-inferiority test in which each subject underwent AUS, EGD with CO2 insufflation, and a second AUS, in that order. All saved AUS moving images were randomized and imaging quality was evaluated at 16 organs using a four-point Likert-like scale that divides the depiction rate by 25%. Sample size was calculated to be 26 using the following: non-inferiority margin of –0.40 corresponding to depiction rate of –10%, difference of means of 0.40, common standard deviation of 1.25, power of 90%, and 1-sided α-level of 0.025. We enrolled 30 subjects. The mean and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the image quality score of all 16 organs at pre- and post-EGD AUS in the 30 subjects were 3.54 [3.48–3.60] and 3.46 [3.39–3.52], respectively. The difference in the means was 0.08 of the scores, corresponding to a 2% depiction rate. The effect size was 0.172. The image quality of post-EGD AUS was not inferior, as demonstrated by the 97.5% CI of the difference, which did not cross the non-inferiority margin of –0.40. In conclusion, the use of CO2 for insufflation in EGD does not cause much deterioration in the image quality of AUS performed subsequently. Therefore, it is permissible to perform EGD prior to AUS, which is expected to improve the efficiency of examination setup.