bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low driving voltage lithium niobate metasurface electro-optical modulator operating in free space
Authors: Hoblos Ayman , Courjal Nadége , Bernal Maria P. , Baida Fadi I.
Published: December 2022

A simple configuration of only λ/9 thick 2D metallic grating embedded within an electro-optic (EO) material (lithium niobate for instance) is proposed and theoretically studied to act as an EO modulator. On the one hand, this grating is used as an interdigitated comb to apply a very high and spatially periodic modification of the electrostatic field. On the other hand, the grating is designed to exhibit a Fano-like resonance in the NIR spectral range. This resonance is used to confine the electromagnetic field inside the EO material leading to an intrinsic enhancement of the EO effect. Extensive numerical simulations are performed to optimize the geometry in agreement with technological fabrication constraints. We achieved a local field factor of 24.5 leading to a local index modification Δn as large as 1 for 1 V applied voltage. This allows a modulation sensitivity of 14.35 nm/V (2000 times larger than state of the art) together with a resonance depth of 60% and a driving voltage of only 75 mV opening the way to the fabrication of ultra-thin low driving voltage EO devices.
Long-period D-fiber grating based robust and efficient bidirectional coupler for whispering gallery mode excitation
Authors: Chai Jing , Shi Leilei , Guo Nan , Jin Liyang , Li Jiali , Bai Miaoxin , Wei Da , Huang Wei , Liu Min , Zhu Tao
Published: December 2022

A robust and efficient bidirectional coupler for whispering gallery mode (WGM) excitation based on a long-period grating (LPG) inscribed in D-fiber is theoretically and experimentally demonstrated. The LPG coupling the fundamental core mode to the forward propagating cladding modes according to the phase-matching condition not only enhances the evanescent field of the fiber but also selectively excites the WGM in a wavelength band of interest. Experimental results show that a maximum resonance contrast as high as 10.5 dB and a quality factor (Q-factor) on the order of 104 can be achieved in an LPG coupled spherical silica WGM resonator with a diameter of 242 µm, where the LPG with a pitch of 680 µm is fabricated by arc-discharging in a side-polished D-fiber with a maximum polishing depth of 56 µm. In addition to high robustness and efficiency, such an LPG-based WGM coupler also demonstrates bidirectionality, i.e., it is independent of the injection direction of the input light, which provides a reliable and flexible fiber coupler for the WGM resonator based practical applications.
Wavefront measurement of a large aperture high image quality off-axis Fresnel lens
Authors: Luo Qian , Gao Guohan , Liu Dun , Du Junfeng , Fan Bin
Published: December 2022

Large aperture off-axis Fresnel lens will play an important role in the future 10 m scale aperture transmission space telescope system. Improving diffraction efficiency and wavefront image quality is always the goal of engineering applications. A 4-level off-axis fresnel lens with Ф350 mm effective aperture was fabricated through overlay etching technique by laser direct writing system. The wavefront aberration characteristics of the off-axis Fresnel lens at 632.8 nm wavelength are analyzed and discussed in detail, and the large aperture off-axis Fresnel lenses wavefront aberration measurement scheme, including a high-precision plane reflector, measured LAOFL, CGH, interferometer and laser tracker to compensate for certain low-order aberrations caused by LAOFL imperfect imaging, is proposed. Wavefront aberration of 0.020 λ(1/50 λ) RMS was achieved. This work presented the best results to our knowledge among the same field with similar aperture in open publications and provided a strong foundation for the future 10 m scale aperture transmission space telescope system.
High-efficiency mid-infrared on-chip silicon grating couplers for perfectly vertical coupling
Authors: Liu Yuheng , Xia Lipeng , Li Ting , Sun Yuhan , Zhou Peiji , Shen Li , Zou Yi
Published: December 2022

We present, to our knowledge, the first experimental demonstration of two on-chip gratings for perfectly vertical coupling at wavelengths of 3350 nm and 3550 nm, respectively. An anti-backreflection unit containing a fully etched trench and a subwavelength pillar is introduced in each grating period, together with a binary-approximated blazed unit, interleaving fully and shallow-etched slots in 500-nm thick silicon film. Both gratings show a strong ability to eliminate backreflection and provide predicted directionality of around 80%. The physical theoretical analysis is applied during further apodization for mitigating the computation of the optimization algorithm, improving the efficiency and optimization reliability, and increasing the fabrication robustness. The measured coupling efficiencies (CEs) of the gratings are −5.58 dB and −4.34 dB at wavelengths of 3350 nm and 3550 nm, with a 3-dB bandwidth of at least 87 nm and 210 nm, respectively.
Observation of modulation instability Kerr frequency combs in a fiber Fabry–Pérot resonator
Authors: Bunel Thomas , Conforti Matteo , Ziani Zoheir , Lumeau Julien , Moreau Antonin , Fernandez Arnaud , Llopis Olivier , Roul Julien , Perego Auro M. , Wong Kenneth K. Y. , Mussot Arnaud
Published: December 2022

We report the experimental observation of a modulation instability induced Kerr frequency comb in an all fiber Fabry–Pérot resonator. We fully characterized, in intensity and phase, the frequency comb using a commercial 10 MHz resolution heterodyne detection system to reveal more than 125 comb teeth within each of the modulation instability sidelobes. Moreover, we were able to reveal the fine temporal structure in phase and intensity of the output Turing patterns. The experimental results are generally in good agreement with numerical simulations.
Visualizing ultrafast weak-field-induced rotational revivals of air molecules at room temperature
Authors: Lian Zhenzhong , Luo Sizuo , Qi Hongxia , Chen Zhou , Shu Chuan-Cun , Hu Zhan
Published: December 2022

The ability to observe quantum coherence and interference is crucial for understanding quantum effects in nonlinear optical spectroscopy and is of fundamental interest in quantum mechanics. Here, we present an experimental study combined with theoretical analysis and numerical simulations to identify the underlying process behind the rotational revivals induced by a pair of time-delayed ultrafast femtosecond laser pulses for air molecules under ambient conditions. Our time-resolved two-dimensional alignment measurements confirm that one-step non-resonant Raman transitions from initial states of mixed molecules play a dominant role, showing a signature of weak-field-induced rotational revivals. Furthermore, we demonstrate that such rotational revival spectra can simultaneously measure the entire pure rotational Raman spectra and observe the quantum interference between two transition pathways from a given initial state. This work provides a powerful tool to observe, control, and identify the rotational dynamics of mixed molecular samples under weak-field excitations.
Rewriting the history of leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka: An untold story since 1904
Authors: Nuwangi Hasara , Weerakoon Kosala Gayan , Agampodi Thilini Chanchala , Price Helen Philippa , Dikomitis Lisa , Agampodi Suneth Buddhika
Published: December 2022

Leishmaniasis is widely considered a disease that emerged in Sri Lanka in the 1990s. However, a comprehensive case report from 1904 suggests that the presence of Leishmaniasis was well demonstrated in Sri Lanka long before that. The Annual Administration Reports of Ceylon/Sri Lanka from 1895 to 1970 and the Ceylon Blue Book from 1821 to 1937 are official historical documents that provide an annual performance, progress, goals achieved, and finances of Sri Lanka during that time. Both these documents are available in the National Archives. The Ceylon Administrative Report of 1904 reports a full record of observation of Leishman-Donovan bodies in Sri Lanka for the first time. These reports contain a total of 33,438 cases of leishmaniasis in the years 1928 to 1938, 1953, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, and 1961 to 1962. Up to 1938, the term “cutaneous leishmaniasis” was used, and after 1938, the term “leishmaniasis” was used in these reports. “Kala-azar” was also mentioned in 11 administrative reports between 1900 and 1947. In 1947, an extensive vector study has been carried out where they reported kala-azar cases. This well-documented government health information clearly shows that the history of leishmaniasis is almost the same as the global history in which the first case with Leishman-Donovan bodies were reported in 1903.
Theory-based immunisation health education intervention in improving child immunisation uptake among antenatal mothers attending federal medical centre in Nigeria: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Galadima Abubakar Nasiru , Mohd Zulkefli Nor Afiah , Said Salmiah Md , Ahmad Norliza , Garba Saleh Ngaski
Published: December 2022

Background

Childhood immunisation coverage is very low in Nigeria (31%) with Zamfara State being amongst the states with the poorest coverage (<10%). Lack of maternal knowledge, attitude, outcome expectations, self-efficacy, cultural beliefs and assumptions of religious regulations of antenatal mothers towards childhood immunisation are the contributory factors to poor childhood immunisation uptake. This study aims is to develop, implement and evaluate the effects of an immunisation health educational intervention with application of Social Cognitive Theory on pregnant women to improve knowledge, attitude, outcome expectations, self-efficacy, cultural beliefs and assumptions on religious regulations regarding childhood immunization uptake in Federal Medical Centre Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria.

Methodology

The study will be a single-blind parallel-group randomised controlled trial, where baseline data will be collected from 392 estimated antenatal mothers, after that they will be evenly randomised using randomly generated permuted block sizes (each containing two intervention and two control assignments). The study participants will be antenatal mothers of ages 18 years and above who are in third trimesters and attending Federal Medical Centre Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria; during the study period and fulfilled all the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The intervention group will undergo five-health education sessions on immunisation, which will be strictly guided by Social Cognitive Theory-based intervention module: while the control group will receive usual care (standard care). Follow-up data will be collected using the same questionnaire at 6-weeks post-delivery, 10-weeks post-delivery and 14-weeks post-delivery. The generalized linear mixed model will be carried-out to determine the overall effect of the intervention after controlling for 14 potential confounding variables. An intention to treat analysis will also be carried-out. Childhood immunisation uptake is the primary outcome while the secondary outcomes are: improved knowledge scores, attitude scores, outcomes expectation, self-efficacy scores, cultural beliefs scores and assumptions on religious regulations scores.

Discussion

The study will be a randomised controlled trial, that focuses on the effects of an immunisation health educational intervention with application of Social Cognitive Theory on pregnant women to improve knowledge, attitude, outcome expectations, self-efficacy, cultural beliefs and assumptions on religious regulations regarding childhood immunisation uptake in Federal Medical Centre Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria.

Trial registration

Pan African Clinical Trial Registry PACTR202006722055635. Protocol registered on 09 June 2020.
Triggering of lymphocytes by CD28, 4-1BB, and PD-1 checkpoints to enhance the immune response capacities
Authors: Kaviani Elina , Hosseini Ahmad , Mahmoudi Maymand Elham , Ramzi Mani , Ghaderi Abbas , Ramezani Amin
Published: December 2022

Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) usually become exhausted and dysfunctional owing to chronic contact with tumor cells and overexpression of multiple inhibitor receptors. Activation of TILs by targeting the inhibitory and stimulatory checkpoints has emerged as one of the most promising immunotherapy prospectively. We investigated whether triggering of CD28, 4-1BB, and PD-1 checkpoints simultaneously or alone could enhance the immune response capacity of lymphocytes. In this regard, anti-PD-1, CD80-Fc, and 4-1BBL-Fc proteins were designed and produced in CHO-K1 cells as an expression host. Following confirmation of the Fc fusion proteins’ ability to bind to native targets expressed on engineered CHO-K1 cells (CHO-K1/hPD-1, CHO-K1/hCD28, CHO-K1/hCTLA4, and CHO-K1/h4-1BB), the effects of each protein, on its own and in various combinations, were assessed in vitro on T cell proliferation, cytotoxicity, and cytokines secretion using the Mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assay, 7-AAD/CFSE cell-mediated cytotoxicity assay, and a LEGENDplex™ Human Th Cytokine Panel, respectively. MLR results demonstrated that T cell proliferation in the presence of the combinations of anti-PD-1/CD80-Fc, CD80-Fc/4-1BBL-Fc, and anti-PD-1/CD80-Fc/4-1BBL-Fc proteins was significantly higher than in the untreated condition (1.83-, 1.91-, and 2.02-fold respectively). Furthermore, anti-PD-1 (17%), 4-1BBL-Fc (19.2%), anti-PD-1/CD80-Fc (18.6%), anti-PD-1/4-1BBL-Fc (21%), CD80-Fc/4-1BBL-Fc (18.5%), and anti-PD-1/CD80-Fc/4-1BBL-Fc (17.3%) significantly enhanced cytotoxicity activity compared to untreated condition (7.8%). However, concerning the cytokine production, CD80-Fc and 4-1BBL-Fc alone or in combination significantly increased the secretion of IFN‐γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 compared with the untreated conditions. In conclusion, this research establishes that the various combinations of produced anti-PD-1, CD80-Fc, and 4-1BBL-Fc proteins can noticeably induce the immune response in vitro. Each of these combinations may be effective in killing or destroying cancer cells depending on the type and stage of cancer.
Variability in the discharge of the Mississippi River and tributaries from 1817 to 2020
Authors: Turner R. Eugene
Published: December 2022

There are conflicting predictions of climate change effects and landuse on the discharge of the Mississippi River–the largest river in North America. Are discharges becoming higher or lower, and if they did change, then when? To address these uncertainties I compiled a two-hundred-year long dataset of the annual average, minimum, and maximum discharges at five stations draining the Mississippi River watershed: at Clinton, IA, Herman, MO, St. Louis, MO, Louisville, KY, and Vicksburg, MS. A spline/Lowess analysis tested for trends and inflection points. All three discharge metrics increased, and the minimum annual discharge increased faster than either the annual maximum discharge or annual average discharge. A regression analysis of variations in average discharges from 1950 to 2020 at these five locations demonstrates correlations to the air pressure differentials represented in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) Index for January, February and March. The longest data set, for the Mississippi River at Vicksburg, demonstrates a similar direct relationship with the NAO Index from 1826 to 1969. After 1969, however, the relationship between discharge and the NAO Index is insignificant even though the range of Index values overlap for the two intervals. A breakpoint and rise in discharge ca. 1970 is consistent with well-documented land cover and land use changes occurring then that resulted in reduced evapotranspiration as homogenous cropping systems were established, and a higher percent of precipitation was routed into groundwater and baseflow. The Bonnet Carré Spillway at New Orleans, LA, is being opened more frequently to reduce flood threats as the river’s stage increasingly reaches the threshold for opening it. Significant water quality impairments in the coastal zone will appear or be sustained with these openings. These data may be useful for climate change assessments through modeling or synthetic assessments in combination with other data sets.
Impacts of a social and behavior change communication program implemented at scale on infant and young feeding practices in Nigeria: Results of a cluster-randomized evaluation
Authors: Flax Valerie L. , Fagbemi Mariam , Schnefke Courtney H. , Kawu Auwalu A. , Edwards Susan , Unangst Jennifer , Bose Sujata
Published: December 2022

Background

Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices are important for child survival and healthy growth, but IYCF practices remain suboptimal in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to measure the impact of Alive & Thrive’s IYCF social and behavior change communication intervention on early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, and minimum dietary diversity in Kaduna and Lagos States.

Methods

Local government areas were randomly allocated to intervention or comparison. Cross-sectional surveys of households with children aged 0–23 months were conducted [N = 6,266 baseline (2017), N = 7,320 endline (2020)]. Logistic regression was used to calculate difference-in-differences estimates (DDEs) of impact on IYCF practices and to assess within group changes from baseline to endline. Associations between intervention exposures and IYCF practices were tested in both study groups combined.

Results

In Kaduna, a positive differential effect of the intervention was found for exclusive breastfeeding (adjusted DDE 8.9 pp, P<0.099). Increases in both study groups from baseline to endline were observed in Kaduna for early initiation of breastfeeding (intervention 12.2 pp, P = 0.010; comparison 6.4 pp, P = 0.118) and minimum dietary diversity (intervention 20.0 pp, P<0.001; comparison 19.7 pp, P<0.001), which eliminated differential effects. In Lagos, no differential intervention impacts were found on IYCF practices because changes in early initiation of breastfeeding from baseline to endline were small in both study groups and increases in both study groups from baseline to endline were observed for exclusive breastfeeding (intervention 8.9 pp, P = 0.05; comparison 6.6 pp, P<0.001) and minimum dietary diversity (intervention 18.9 pp, P<0.001; comparison 24.3 pp, P<0.001). Odds of all three IYCF practices increased with exposure to facility-based interpersonal communication in both states and with community mobilization or mass media exposure in Kaduna.

Conclusions

This evaluation found weak impacts of the Alive & Thrive intervention on IYCF practices in the difference-in-differences analysis because of suspected intervention spillover to the comparison group. Substantial within group increases in IYCF practices from baseline to endline are likely attributable to the intervention, which was the major IYCF promotion activity in both states. This is supported by the association between intervention exposures and IYCF practices.

Trial registration

The study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02975063).
Effects of various treatments for preventing oral mucositis in cancer patients: A network meta-analysis
Authors: Peng Tzu-Rong , Tsai Fang-Pei , Wu Ta-Wei
Published: December 2022

Background

Oral mucositis (OM) is a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with cancers. The prevention or treatment of OM in cancer patients is crucial in the treatment of cancer.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for the randomized control trials (RCTs) of interventions for preventing and treating OM. Network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) from both direct and indirect evidence. The prespecified primary efficacy outcome was the treatment effect of moderate to severe oral mucositis with 12 interventions. The outcome was moderate to a severe grade of OM.

Results

This study included 55 RCTs with 3,552 participants. The results showed that honey significantly lowered the risk of chemo/radiotherapy-induced moderate to severe oral mucositis than placebo (OR: 0.01, 95%CI 0.00 to 0.45), followed by lignocaine (OR: 0.07, 95%CI 0.00 to 0.95). The surface under cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values for honey were 0.95, followed by lignocaine (SUCRA, 0.81) and benzydamine (SUCRA, 0.78).

Conclusions

The honey is effective for patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis.
Whole blood RNA-seq demonstrates an increased host immune response in individuals with cystic fibrosis who develop nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease
Authors: Prieto Miguel Dario , Jang Jiah , Franciosi Alessandro N. , Av-Gay Yossef , Bach Horacio , Tebbutt Scott J. , Quon Bradley S.
Published: December 2022

Background

Individuals with cystic fibrosis have an elevated lifetime risk of colonization, infection, and disease caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria. A prior study involving non-cystic fibrosis individuals reported a gene expression signature associated with susceptibility to nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). In this study, we determined whether people living with cystic fibrosis who progress to NTM-PD have a gene expression pattern similar to the one seen in the non-cystic fibrosis population.

Methods

We evaluated whole blood transcriptomics using bulk RNA-seq in a cohort of cystic fibrosis patients with samples collected closest in timing to the first isolation of nontuberculous mycobacteria. The study population included patients who did (n = 12) and did not (n = 30) develop NTM-PD following the first mycobacterial growth. Progression to NTM-PD was defined by a consensus of two expert clinicians based on reviewing clinical, microbiological, and radiological information. Differential gene expression was determined by DESeq2.

Results

No differences in demographics or composition of white blood cell populations between groups were identified at baseline. Out of 213 genes associated with NTM-PD in the non-CF population, only two were significantly different in our cystic fibrosis NTM-PD cohort. Gene set enrichment analysis of the differential expression results showed that CF individuals who developed NTM-PD had higher expression levels of genes involved in the interferon (α and γ), tumor necrosis factor, and IL6-STAT3-JAK pathways.

Conclusion

In contrast to the non-cystic fibrosis population, the gene expression signature of patients with cystic fibrosis who develop NTM-PD is characterized by increased innate immune responses.
Prevalence, correlates of undernutrition and intestinal parasitic infection among children below 5 years living in the forest community of Ndelele, East Region of Cameroon: A cross-sectional assessment
Authors: Asa Bertha Fru , Shintouo Cabirou Mounchili , Shey Robert Adamu , Afoumbom Mildred Tita , Siekeh Nadia , Yoah Adolf , Kah Emmanuel , Ickowitz Amy , Tata Caleb Yengo , Asongalem Emmanuel , Ghogomu Stephen Mbigha
Published: December 2022

In low- and middle-income countries, undernutrition often co-exists with intestinal parasites, especially Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH) infections in children. The collective impact of both conditions result in undernutrition and can exacerbate the general poor health status of children. A cross-sectional survey of 422 mother-child (12–59 months old) pairs from 14 villages in the District of Ndelele, East Region of Cameroon, was carried out to assess the magnitude and correlates of undernutrition and intestinal parasites. Socio-demographic data were collected from mothers and anthropometric data were collected from children. Parasitological assessment was performed using a combination of direct microscopy flotation, sedimentation and centrifugation techniques. Correlates of undernutrition and intestinal parasites were identified using multinomial logistic regression at individual and household levels. 83.77% of the children assessed for undernutrition were undernourished and 66.82% were positive for one or more intestinal parasites. It was not uncommon for the study participants to be concurrently infected with two or more intestinal parasites. The most common intestinal parasitic infections detected in the study wereA.lumbricoides,E.histolytica/disparandHookworminfection. Multinomial logistic regression using Nutritional status as outcome showed that, children who were not exclusively breastfed were 106% (RR = 2.06; C.I = 1.12–3.80) more likely to be underweight compared to those who were exclusively breastfed. The household size of 4 to 6 persons also significantly impacted wasting (p-value = 0.007) at 7% (RR = 1.07, C.I = 0.49–2.32). Analysis by a logistic regression model with STH infection as outcome revealed that, Fingernail cleanness (p-value = 0.044; AOR = 1.75; CI = 1.09–2.78) and household size (p-value = 0.038; AOR = 0.55; CI = 0.32–0.92) were positively associated with intestinal parasite infection at the 5% significant level. This study reveals that intestinal helminthic parasitic infections (STH) and undernutrition are serious health problems in children below five in the study area. To address this dire situation, concerted efforts are needed to improve sanitation, hygiene education access, community deworming programs, and improve diets.
What is the value and impact of the adaptation process on quality indicators for local use? A scoping review
Authors: Zhu Siyi , Wu Tao , Leese Jenny , Li Linda C. , He Chengqi , Yang Lin
Published: December 2022

Background

Quality indicators (QIs) are designed for improving quality of care, but the development of QIs is resource intensive and time consuming.

Objective

To describe and identify the impact and potential attributes of the adaptation process for the local use of existing QIs.

Data sources

EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL and grey literature were searched.

Study selection

Literatures operationalizing or implementing QIs that were developed in a different jurisdiction from the place where the QIs were included.

Results

Of 7704 citations identified, 10 out of 33 articles were included. Our results revealed a lack of definition and conceptualization for an adaptation process in which an existing set of QIs was applied. Four out of ten studies involved a consensus process (e.g., Delphi or RAND process) to determine the suitability of QIs for local use. QIs for chronic conditions in primary and secondary settings were mostly used for adaptation. Of the ones that underwent a consensus process, 56.3 to 85.7% of original QIs were considered valid for local use, and 2 to 21.8% of proposed QIs were newly added. Four attributes should be considered in the adaptation: 1) identifying areas/conditions; 2) a consensus process; 3) proposing adapted QIs; 4) operationalization and evaluation.

Conclusion

The existing QIs, although serving as a good starting point, were not adequately adapted before for use in a different jurisdiction from their origin. Adaptation of QIs under a systematic approach is critical for informing future research planning for QIs adaptation and potentially establishing a new pathway for healthcare improvement.
Large private shareholders, industrial policies and industrial loans of city commercial banks: Evidence from China
Authors: Liu Jie , Zhang Qiaoyun , Xiao Chao
Published: December 2022

We show that large private shareholders have an information advantage about their industry; this can alleviate the information asymmetry suffered by banks, and consequently, increase bank lending to these shareholders’ industry. Using a sample of Chinese city commercial banks, we show that an increase in the large private shareholders’ shareholding of banks increases bank lending to these shareholders’ industry. Importantly, using Chinese local government industrial policy as a moderator, we find that industrial policies have a positive and significant moderating effect on the relationship between large private shareholders and banks’ industry-specific lending. This relationship strengthens when local industrial policy supports these shareholders’ industry. This helps explain why banks prefer the industries to which their large private shareholders belong to and how industrial policy affects bank credit allocation.
Properties of rabies virus phosphoprotein and nucleoprotein biocondensates formed in vitro and in cellulo
Authors: Nevers Quentin , Scrima Nathalie , Glon Damien , Le Bars Romain , Decombe Alice , Garnier Nathalie , Ouldali Malika , Lagaudrière-Gesbert Cécile , Blondel Danielle , Albertini Aurélie , Gaudin Yves
Published: December 2022

Rabies virus (RABV) transcription and replication take place within viral factories having liquid properties, called Negri bodies (NBs), that are formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). The co-expression of RABV nucleoprotein (N) and phosphoprotein (P) in mammalian cells is sufficient to induce the formation of cytoplasmic biocondensates having properties that are like those of NBs. This cellular minimal system was previously used to identify P domains that are essential for biocondensates formation. Here, we constructed fluorescent versions of N and analyzed by FRAP their dynamics inside the biocondensates formed in this minimal system as well as in NBs of RABV-infected cells using FRAP. The behavior of N appears to be different of P as there was no fluorescence recovery of N proteins after photobleaching. We also identified arginine residues as well as two exposed loops of N involved in condensates formation. Corresponding N mutants exhibited distinct phenotypes in infected cells ranging from co-localization with NBs to exclusion from them associated with a dominant-negative effect on infection. We also demonstrated that in vitro, in crowded environments, purified P as well as purified N0-P complex (in which N is RNA-free) form liquid condensates. We identified P domains required for LLPS in this acellular system. P condensates were shown to associate with liposomes, concentrate RNA, and undergo a liquid-gel transition upon ageing. Conversely, N0-P droplets were disrupted upon incubation with RNA. Taken together, our data emphasize the central role of P in NBs formation and reveal some physicochemical features of P and N0-P droplets relevant for explaining NBs properties such as their envelopment by cellular membranes at late stages of infection and nucleocapsids ejections from the viral factories.
Osteoarthritis and Frailty: Associations, Relevance, and Counter Solutions
Authors: Marks Ray
Published: December 2022

Background Many older adults, including those who have acquired painful disabling osteoarthritis of one or more joints may be frail rather than obese as is often reported. Those older adults who are frail may acquire osteoarthritis in turn if they encounter excess joint stresses and injury. Aims This report sought to examine what has been published to date on both of these debilitating health states, namely osteoarthritis and frailty. Methods Reviewed were relevant articles published in ACADEMIC SEARCH COMPLETE, PUBMED, WEB OF SCIENCE, SCOPUS and GOOGLE SCHOLAR regardless of time period but that focused on osteoarthritis and frailty related topics. The focus was on ascertaining how these two conditions might interact among community-dwelling older adults and whether more should be done specifically to mitigate any potentially preventable ‘frailty’ induced negative health impact among this group. Results Older adults with osteoarthritis living in the community may suffer from both osteoarthritis and frailty. Those that do are at high risk for disability and injury and should be targeted more effectively. Conclusion Timely and concerted efforts are needed to offset frailty correlates as well as excess osteoarthritis disability among community dwelling older adults.
Produção de hortaliças pela agricultura familiar de Alta Floresta, Amazônia Matogrossense
Authors: Nespoli Andre , Cochev Jakeline Santos , Neves Sandra Mara Alves da Silva , Seabra Júnior Santino
Published: December 2022

A agricultura familiar é caracterizada pelo trabalho dos componentes da família, cujos meios de produção pertencem a estes, sendo um segmento coletivo em que se relacionam os fatores físicos, sociais, culturais e econômicos. Objetivou neste estudo investigar a produção de hortaliças em Alta Floresta/MT, visando Ã  geração de subsídios que contribuam na discussão de políticas públicas em âmbito municipal. Realizou-se a coleta de dados através de questionário semiestruturado, em que foram aplicadas técnicas de estatística descritiva e mapas para análise. Constatou-se que no município é cultivado 14 espécies de hortaliças, sendo que a alface esta presente em 34 estabelecimentos. As tecnologias aplicadas são o sistema de cobertura e de irrigação. As propriedades estão localizadas em sua maioria (28) no espaço periurbano e rural municipal. A comercialização é realizada diretamente em feiras, mercados e restaurantes. As associações e cooperativa são importantes na integração social e econômica dos agricultores, fortalecendo a dinâmica e sensibilização ambiental nas comunidades. Concluiu-se que se faz necessário a elaboração de políticas públicas, a nível municipal, no intuito de apoiar o desenvolvimento do sistema produtivo de hortaliças.
A apropriação econômica do território pela Cooperativa Agrária Agroindustrial, em Entre Rios, no município de Guarapuava (PR)
Authors: Kaminski Marisa do Belem Pereira , Fajardo Sergio
Published: December 2022

A pesquisa apresenta a apropriação econômica do território por parte da Cooperativa

Agrária Agroindustrial, instalada no distrito de Entre Rios, município de Guarapuava,

na mesorregião Centro-Sul do Paraná. Partiu-se do pressuposto de que essa apropriação

incorpora estratégias territoriais e processos relacionais conformando as territorialidades

da Cooperativa Agrária. Na busca por respostas, o presente trabalho foi embasado nas

concepções de Haesbaert (2004), que trata das múltiplas territorialidades em suas

formas política, econômica e cultural influenciando a produção do território, e

principalmente em Saquet (2002, 2003), que destaca entre essas dimensões o aspecto

econômico. A Agrária, fundada por suábios do Danúbio (povos de língua e cultura

alemãs), é uma das cooperativas paranaenses fundadas por imigrantes. Tais cooperativas

tiveram inspiração no associativismo europeu do século XIX, com suas peculiaridades

organizacionais envolvendo a coesão do grupo na relação com o trabalho e na questão

da identidade etnico-cultural. Contudo, ao se apropriar economicamente do território, a

Agrária articulou estratégias territoriais voltadas à produção para grandes mercados, e

em seus processos relacionais gerou conflitos internos. Esse modo de agir cotidiano da

cooperativa está no bojo das formas de organização, apropriação e dominação do

espaço, e as dimensões econômicas afetam direta e localmente o distrito de Entre Rios.
Resistência e conflitos sociais na Amazônia paraense: a luta contra o empreendimento Hidrelétrico de Belo Monte
Authors: Herrera José Antonio , Moreira Rodolfo Pragana
Published: December 2022

O território Transamazônica-Xingu sofre constantes transformações devido à chegada de novos sujeitos territoriais e empreendimentos que preconizam o lucro e o crescimento econômico, caracterizando, o movimento do capital no território. Essa situação tem gerado problemas no uso dos recursos naturais e mudanças nos modos de vida. Novas dinâmicas no território têm provocado transformações socioeconômicas, produtivas e ambientais que configuram espaços de conflitos, choques culturais e de interesses, com a sobreposição de grupos econômicos externos em relação aos hábitos, costumes e perspectivas dos sujeitos locais. O movimento do capital "normalmente ignora o espaço vivido das comunidades locais e busca refuncionalizá-lo em função da acumulação capitalista"1. Partindo desta premissa, tem no escopo do texto elementos e compreensão de fatos que explicitam as alterações nas dinâmicas e a resistência de grupos locais ao empreendimento hidrelétrico de Belo Monte. Para tanto, foram feitas entrevistas com lideranças dos movimentos sociais e lideres de comunidades impactadas, além do acompanhamento de ações dos movimentos que reivindicam a promoção e garantia dos valores democráticos. Na análise feita ao longo do texto, não há uma defesa do localismo, mas uma reflexão crítica acerca dos interesses que não ponderam as relações estabelecidas historicamente nos locais, gerando, consequentemente os conflitos sociais no território.
Política de desenvolvimento territorial rural no Brasil: limites da concepção de ruralidade e de territórios rurais
Authors: Coelho Neto Agripino Souza
Published: December 2022

O propósito imediato deste texto é realizar uma reflexão preliminar sobre o conteúdo da política territorial do Ministério do Desenvolvimento Agrário (MDA), mais especificamente, no que concerne a definição dos "territórios rurais" como categoria que permitiu propor as delimitações espaciais de operação do Programa Nacional de Desenvolvimento Sustentável dos Territórios Rurais (PNDSTR). Para cumprir esta empreitada nos debruçamos na realização de uma sistematização do debate sobre a noção de ruralidade no campo das humanidades, considerando sua centralidade para subsidiar a tarefa proposta. Em linhas gerais, a análise do conteúdo dos documentos oficiais aponta uma secundarização da discussão sobre a ruralidade, o negligenciamento das leituras que propugnam a conformação de novas ruralidades no território brasileiro e o limite da metodologia de delimitação dos "territórios rurais".
Programa de aquisição de alimentos (PAA): uma análise comparativa nos estados de Rondônia e Acre
Authors: Valnier Adilson , Ricci Fabio
Published: December 2022

A agricultura familiar brasileira, nos últimos anos, passou a ter um maior destaque com a criação de várias políticas públicas voltadas especificamente a esse setor. Neste artigo, destacamos o Programa de Aquisição de Alimentos - PAA. Por meio desse programa, o Governo Federal passou a adquirir produtos diretamente dos agricultores familiares. O presente estudo teve como objetivo identificar os recursos financeiros aplicados e as modalidades do programa mais utilizadas nos estados de Rondônia e Acre, no período de 2003 a 2008, comparando com os recursos financeiros aplicados e as modalidades utilizadas pelo PAA. A metodologia utilizada foi a bibliográfica documental, realizada por meio de um levantamento documental dos registros feitos pelos órgãos que operacionalizam o programa, com análise qualiquantitativa dos dados. Os resultados demonstram que, apesar do aumento quantitativo de recursos e no número de agricultores familiares beneficiados, os recursos direcionados para os estados de Rondônia e Acre, comparados com os demais estados e regiões do país, foram proporcionalmente baixos ou aquém da necessidade, considerando as características da agricultura familiar dos dois Estados.
A representação política dos movimentos sociais – um estudo no colegiado territorial do Mato Grande (RN)
Authors: Moura Joana Tereza Vaz de
Published: December 2022

Este artigo tem como principal objetivo compreender a representação política dos

movimentos sociais a partir do contexto do desenvolvimento territorial, particularmente

após a criação dos colegiados territoriais, espaços de articulação entre a sociedade civil

e o Estado. Procura-se apontar como a criação dos colegiados territoriais pode

influenciar na criação de novas maneiras de intervenção e de relacionamento com os

demais membros do movimento, além da busca de novos caminhos e meios de

legitimação política. O eixo teórico da análise fundamenta-se na abordagem relacional.

A partir de uma pesquisa no Colegiado Territorial do Mato Grande, Rio Grande do

Norte, Brasil, percebe-se que os movimentos sociais ainda estão se adequando a essa

nova problemática e ao novo espaço (Colegiado), na medida em que recriam estratégias

e reformulam interesses pautados nessas novas perspectivas de espacialidade.
Dendeicultura e descampesinização na Amazônia paraense
Authors: Nahum João Santos , Bastos Cleison dos Santos
Published: December 2022

A dendeicultura na Amazônia paraense constitui um dos momentos mais enigmáticos de reprodução do capital no espaço agrário, posto que reedita fatos e discursos típicos do ufanismo da década de 1970, que proclamavam a Amazônia como fronteira agrícola, produtora de alimentos e assim atraía o capital financeiro de bancos e mesmo multinacionais para o meio rural. Indicamos alguns componentes dessa nova situação geográfica que se desenha no espaço agrário amazônico. Expomos, em largos traços, uma tendência que visualizamos no horizonte regional onde o evento da dendeicultura aporta, quais sejam, a descamponeização, isto é, a formação de um campo sem camponeses, posto que estes se metamorfoseiam, paulatinamente, em trabalhadores para o capital, seja como assalariados das empresas ou mesmo associando-se aos projetos de agricultura familiar. Para tanto, sustentamo-nos em dados de pesquisas sobre e na microrregião de Tomé-Açu, composta pelos municípios de Acará, Concórdia do Pará, Moju, Tailândia e Tomé-Açu, realizada pelo Grupo de Pesquisa Dinâmicas Territoriais do Espaço Agrário na Amazônia, o qual coordenamos.
Runoff and erosion in different (agro) climatological zones of Latin America and proposals for soil and water conservation scenarios
Authors: Gabriels Donald , Lobo Deyanira , Schiettecatte Wouter , Cisneros Pedro
Published: December 2022

Steeplands, when cleared from forests, are susceptible to erosion by rainfall and are prone to

land degradation and desertification processes.

The dominant factors affecting those erosion processes and hence the resulting runoff and soil

losses are the aggressiveness of the rainfall during the successive plant growth stages, the soil

cover-management, but also the topography (slope length and slope steepness). Depending on

the type of (agro) climatological zone, the runoff water should either be limited and controlled

(excess of water) or should be enhanced and collected from the slope on the downslope

cropping area if water is short (negative soil water balance).

Examples are given of practical applications in Ecuador where alternative soil conservation

scenarios are proposed in maize cultivation in small fields on steep slopes. Adding peas and

barley in the rotation of maize and beans resulted only in a slight decrease of the soil losses.

Subdividing the fields into smaller parcels proved to give the best reduction in soil loss.

Because the average slope steepness is high, erosion control measures such as contour

ploughing and strip cropping have only small effects. Erosion and its effect on productivity of a sorghum -livestock farming system are assessed on

four different areas in Venezuela with different levels of erosion. A Productivity Index (PI)

and an Erosion Risk Index (ERI) were used to classify the lands for soil conservation

priorities and for alternative land uses. Intensive agriculture can be applied on slightly eroded

soil, whereas severely eroded soil can be used with special crops or agro-forestry. Semiintensive

agriculture is possible on moderately eroded soil.

Reforestation of drylands in Chili requires understanding of the infiltration/runoff process in

order to determine dimensions of water harvesting systems. Infiltration processes in semi-arid

regions of Chile were evaluated, using rainfall experiments and constant-head infiltration

measurements. Correlations between infiltration parameters and locally variable

characteristics as soil structure, field slope and stoniness were investigated for six different

sites, aiming at improving the design and positioning of runoff collecting systems.
A CONSTRUÇÃO DE UMA CENTRALIDADE URBANA SETE LAGOAS (MG)
Authors: Nogueira Marly
Published: December 2022

A cidade de Sete Lagoas é uma típica cidade média de Minas Gerais e apesar de estar tão próxima

da terceira maior região metropolitana do Brasil, desenvolveu uma respeitável autonomia em

relação à metrópole belo-horizontina. Partindo de indagações tais como Ã quelas que se referem

aos objetivos, Ã  gênese e à dinâmica dos processos socioespaciais que explicam a atual inserção

de Sete Lagoas na rede urbana mineira, é que se desenvolveu esse trabalho. A posição geográfica

de contato de duas grandes regiões fisionômicas e socioespaciais mineiras - as Gerais (o Sertão)

e as Minas pode, certamente, constituir e explicar, numa primeira aproximação, a posição de

relativa centralidade urbana conquistada por Sete Lagoas em sua região. Entretanto, outros

fatores tais como os agentes sociais e suas estratégias e o modo como tais agentes se aproveitaram

dessa posição geográfica para forjar aquela autonomia, são cruciais para tornar inteligível a

socioespacialidade e a inserção de Sete lagoas na rede urbana mineira, na atualidade. O estudo

desses processos constitui o escopo desse trabalho. Trata-se de uma tentativa de continuar trilhando

uma tradição da Geografia Urbana brasileira - o estudo da cidade e sua hinterlândia , tendo em

vista o relativo abandono que tal temática sofreu nos estudos urbanos brasileiros.
Optimal Step Size Technique for Frequency Domain and Partition Block Adaptive Filters for PEM based Acoustic Feedback Cancellation
Authors: Siva Prasad Sripathi , Rama Rao CB
Published: December 2022

The adaptive filtering approach has been commonly used to perform acoustic feedback cancellation (AFC) in digital hearing-aids due to its reliable performance and feasibility. Because the loudspeaker and microphone are close together in hearing aids, the corresponding signals are highly correlated, resulting in biased estimation if adaptive filters are used. This problem can be addressed with the help of the decorrelation prefilter by incorporating the Prediction Error Method (PEM) technique into AFC. Frequency-Domain Adaptive Filters (FDAF) are preferable over the time-domain implementation to achieve better performance in terms of convergence and computational complexity. In addition, Partition-Block Frequency-Domain Adaptive Filters (PBFDAF) offers low processing delay. However, because of their fixed step-size, there is a trade-off between initial convergence and steady-state misalignment in the widely used frequency-domain algorithms. While Variable Step-Size (VSS) algorithms can help with this issue, VSS techniques for frequency-domain algorithms have not been extensively studied in the context of PEM-AFC. Hence, in this paper, we presented an Optimal Step-Size (OSS) technique for both the FDAF-PEM_AFC and PBFDAF-PEM_AFC algorithms to simultaneously accomplish fast convergence and minimal steady-state error. A Feedback Path Change Detector (FPCD) was also incorporated into the proposed algorithms to address the problem of convergence in non-stationary feedback paths. The results of simulations show that the proposed algorithms are clearly superior, and they are encouraging.
Learners’ perceptions of using Moodle Books in online ESP courses
Authors: Boloña Maria del Carmen , Allen Christopher
Published: December 2022

This paper examines learners’ perceptions of using Moodle books in the
online course module Contemporary society: conflicts and consensus at Casa
Grande University, Ecuador. It describes how learners perceived the use of
Moodle books in 48-hour English content based courses. Courses were designed
for final year students with a B2 English proficiency level according to the
Common European Framework of Foreign languages (CEFR). The learners used
Moodle books to access content organized and programmed in six thematic
units according to the course learning objectives. Learners used content to
access reading material and complete tasks planned synchronously and
asynchronously. Learners responded to a post course survey in courses that
ran from 2020 to 2021. The purpose of the survey was to know how learners
perceived the organization, functionality, and effectiveness of Moodle books
when accessing hyper-texted content, multimedia resources, and digital tools
for content management, communication, and interaction in online courses for
English for Specific Purposes (ESP).