bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Discrete Trial and Natural Environment Teaching on Adaptive Behavior in Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Yanchik Amelia , Vietze Peter , Lax Leah Esther
Published: June 2024

The literature has yet to review the differential effects of Natural Environment Teaching (NET) and Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT) on adaptive skills. A sample of 142 children diagnosed with ASD between the ages of 16 and 35 months received either DTT, NET, or both interventions (NET+ DTT). The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID) Adaptive Subscale and the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) Barriers Assessment were used as baseline and posttest measures. Children who received NET and NET+DTT conditions showed significant improvements compared to the DTT condition indicating that the addition of NET leads to increased adaptive skills and decreased barrier behaviors in participants. DTT may also play a necessary foundational role for children with more significant delays. These results provide support for the use of a combination of teaching strategies in community-based early intervention and refine protocols for teaching adaptive skills to toddlers with ASD.
Color class and structure-related observable fluorescence response in arctic macroalgae as coastal underwater lidar substrates
Authors: Huot Matthieu , Rehm Eric , Piché Michel , Archambault Philippe
Published: June 2024

In the context of underwater marine biological remote sensing surveys, we consider the fluorescence response of macroalgal and kelp targets to underwater fluorescence laser serial and lidar imaging applications. An investigation of absorption and fluorescence emission via excitation–emission (EEM) spectra of Arctic macroalgal substrates is presented via naturally and artificially generated structural scenarios. Fluorescence was found to increase with algal structure thickness for the kelp Alaria esculenta, both when its output is tested with or without structural modification (increase thickness) of the kelp thallus. Several trials involving other species of all three color classes showed fluorescence output decreased after a thickness increase via layering or structure reconfiguration: a process we suggest is due to fluorescence re-absorption sometimes occurring within and between the rearranged algal structures.
Single-shot dual-wavelength telecentric in-line-and-off-axis hybrid digital holography with non-prior reconstruction
Authors: Zhao Wanting , Zhong Zhi , Liu Lei , Chen Xiaolei , Ling Linben , Liu Bin , Shan Mingguang
Published: June 2024

Dual-wavelength in-line-and-off-axis hybrid digital holography (iohDH) can achieve high-resolution holographic dynamic imaging. However, it requires the prediction of the diffraction distance and the complex amplitude of the reference beam, which is time consuming and results in complications and accuracy limitations. While telecentric imaging technique can obtain nondiffractive images without predicting the diffraction distance, it also can even eliminate spherical aberration and astigmatic aberration. Therefore, a dual-wavelength telecentric iohDH is proposed to realize non-prior high-resolution reconstruction in a single shot. Employing the dual-wavelength telecentric iohDH, our approach acquires the focused in-line-and-off-axis hologram using a color camera in a single shot. In this case, we perform wavelength conversion on the phase and low-frequency information about the off-axis hologram as constraints for in-line iteration. Then, the in-line amplitude constraints are performed in the spatial and frequency domains until the algorithm converges. Compared to the state-of-the-art dual-wavelength iohDH, our approach can streamline the reconstructed processes without demanding a priori information of the diffraction distance and the complex amplitude of the reference beam. More importantly, our approach enables higher quality and efficient reconstruction under the telecentric system. We verified our approach using simulations and experiments, and the results indicate that our approach can allow the amplitude and phase reconstruction with high resolution in a single shot.
Stochastic minibatch approach to the ptychographic iterative engine
Authors: Tripathi Ashish , Wendy Di Zichao , Jiang Zhang , Wild Stefan M.
Published: June 2024

The ptychographic iterative engine (PIE) is a widely used algorithm that enables phase retrieval at nanometer-scale resolution over a wide range of imaging experiment configurations. By analyzing diffraction intensities from multiple scanning locations where a probing wavefield interacts with a sample, the algorithm solves a difficult optimization problem with constraints derived from the experimental geometry as well as sample properties. The effectiveness at which this optimization problem is solved is highly dependent on the ordering in which we use the measured diffraction intensities in the algorithm, and random ordering is widely used due to the limited ability to escape from stagnation in poor-quality local solutions. In this study, we introduce an extension to the PIE algorithm that uses ideas popularized in recent machine learning training methods, in this case minibatch stochastic gradient descent. Our results demonstrate that these new techniques significantly improve the convergence properties of the PIE numerical optimization problem.
Miniaturized spectrometers based on graded photonic crystal films
Authors: Yang Tao , Aizaz Ahmed Mian , Zhang Gongyuan , Shi Yaqi , Chen Yinpeng , Cui Hao , Sun Yijun , Yu Hui , Zhang Yiming , Lv Zunfu , Hu Bing , Yang Zongyin , Che Lufeng
Published: June 2024

Miniaturized spectrometers have become increasingly important in modern analytical and diagnostic applications due to their compact size, portability, and versatility. Despite the surge in innovative designs for miniaturized spectrometers, significant challenges persist, particularly concerning manufacturing cost and efficiency when devices become smaller. Here we introduce an ultracompact spectrometer design that is both cost-effective and highly efficient. The core dispersion element of this new design is a graded photonic crystal film, which is engineered by applying gradient stress during its fabrication. The film shows bandstop transmission spectral profiles, akin to a notch filter, enhancing light throughput compared to conventional narrowband filters. The spectral analysis, with a resolution of 5 nm and operating within the wavelength range of 450-650 nm, is conducted by reconstructing the spectrum from a series of such notch transmission profiles along the graded photonic crystal film, utilizing a sophisticated algorithm. This approach not only reduces manufacturing costs but also significantly improves the sensitivity (with a light throughput efficiency of 71.05%) and overall performance of the limitations of current technology, opening up new avenues for applications in diverse fields.
A pitfall in autocorrelation measurements of laser radiation
Authors: Fiehler Torben , Saraceno Clara , Steinmeyer Gunter , Wittrock Ulrich
Published: June 2024

Spectrally broad laser radiation from continuous wave (cw) lasers can exhibit second-order autocorrelation traces virtually indistinguishable from those of mode-locked lasers. Consequently, based only on autocorrelations, one might erroneously conclude that a cw laser is mode-locked. Such misinterpretations can be avoided by carefully characterizing radio frequency transients and spectra. However, optoelectronics are often too slow for lasers with an axial mode spacing in the multi-GHz range. Carefully evaluated autocorrelations then remain the last resort for validating mode locking. We compare autocorrelation measurements and calculations of a mode-locked titanium-sapphire (Ti:Sa) laser and a spectrally broad monolithic cw Ti:Sa laser to illustrate the ambiguity of optical autocorrelation.
Scaling narrowband THz generation to large apertures in LiNbO₃ and KTP
Authors: Matlis Nicholas , Olgun Halil , Rentschler Christian , Ravi Koustuban , Taira Takunori , Ishizuki Hideki , Kaertner Franz
Published: June 2024

Millijoule-scale pulses of multicycle terahertz (MC-THz) are increasingly being pursued as drivers for applications requiring high-fields and high spectral brightness. An attractive approach for generating high peak-power MC-THz pulses is nonlinear optical down-conversion of laser pulses in periodically-poled crystals. A principal limitation to the yield, however, is the small (sub-centimeter) apertures of commercially-available crystals which restrict the amount of laser energy that can be used. Here, we explore MC-THz generation by down conversion in two types of large-aperture media for which periodic poling has been achieved in different ways: (1) extension of traditional, voltage-based poling of bulk material to larger (centimeter) scales; and (2) manual poling by assembly of large aperture sub-millimeter thick wafers in alternating orientations. We explore the dependence of efficiency on laser peak fluence and crystal length for both types of media and extend upon previous work with the wafer approach by increasing the number of wafers in the stack, implementing cryogenic cooling and testing an alternate material: potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP). Driving with up to 0.2 J, half-picosecond laser pulses, we obtain conversion efficiencies of up to 0.14%, resulting in ~1% bandwidth MC-THz pulses of up to 207 μJ.
Non-Sequential Raytracing Modeling of Newton's Ring Reveals Large Errors in Analytical Studies
Authors: Sun Haiyin
Published: June 2024

OpticStudio non-sequential raytracing is performed to model Newton’s ring. The results are accurate and significantly different from the analytical study results obtained previously with some approximations, and will have an impact on lens fabrication shop procedure.
Optical frequency comb significantly spanned to broadband by an optomechanical resonance
Authors: Gu Xin , Zhang Jinlian , Ding Shulin , Jiang Xiaoshun , He Bing , Lin Qing
Published: June 2024

An optical frequency comb, as a spectrum made of discrete and equally spaced spectral lines, is a light source with essential applications in modern technology. Cavity optomechanical systems were found to be a feasible candidate for realizing an on-chip frequency comb with low repetition rate. However, it was difficult to increase the comb line numbers of this type of frequency combs because the mechanical oscillation amplitude of such a system, which determines the frequency comb bandwidth, cannot quickly increase with pump laser power. Here, we develop a new approach to generate a broadband optomechanical frequency comb by employing a different mechanism to enhance the mechanical oscillation. Two pump tones with their frequency difference matching the mechanical frequency will drive the system into a self-organized nonlinear resonance and thus tremendously transfer the energy to the mechanical resonator. As a result, more than 10,000 or even more comb lines become available under the pump laser power of the order of milliwatts. A unique feature of the self-organized resonance is the mechanical frequency locking so that, within a certain range of the frequency difference between two drive tones, the distance between comb teeth can be locked by the two drive tones and becomes independent of any change of pump power. This property guarantees a stable repetition rate of the generated frequency comb.
Clinical and parasitological features of Leishmania infection among gold miners in the Oiapoque basin, an international Brazil-French Guiana border
Authors: Mosquera Atehortua Pamela , Figueira da Silva Amanda , Mafra Lohaine , Almeida-da-Silveira Samyra , De Mello Cintia Xavier , Gomes Albuquerque Hermano , André Boaventura de Carvalho Lucas , Hureau-Mutricy Louise , Douine Maylis , Maria Da-Cruz Alda , C. Suárez-Mutis Martha , Gomes-Silva Adriano
Published: June 2024

Gold miners working illegally in mines live in poor health conditions related to their strenuous work and precarious housing. Therefore, they are at higher risk for infectious diseases. American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) appears to be of great concern to the population living in the Guiana Shield region. Our aim was to describe their demographic characteristics, the clinical features of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), and the frequency of Leishmania infection in people working in illegal gold mines in French Guiana. A cross-sectional study was carried out from October to December 2019 in Oiapoque city, Amapá, Brazil. Indeed, many gold miners working in French Guiana are originally from Brazil, and from Oiapoque in particular. A total of 105 participants from 31 different mining sites in French Guiana were recruited. Suspected Leishmania infection was confirmed by the following: detection of kDNA in blood or the lesion site; detection of specific antibodies; or detection of IFN-γ release after blood incubation with leishmanial antigens (IGRA-Leish). Nine active CL cases, 38 healed ATL (hATL) and 58 cases with no history of ATL (noATL), were identified. Only half of the treated hATL (50.0%; n = 14) reported having been assisted by a health care unit and the others treated themselves. PCR-kDNA for Leishmania was positive in the blood of 100% of CL cases. Curiously, blood PCR-kDNA was positive in 13% of hATL patients and in 15.5% of noATL patients. The IGRA-Leish was positive in 60.5% of hATL and in 37.9% of noATL. In addition to scars suggestive of CL, 71% of hATL had laboratory evidence of Leishmania infection. Restriction fragment polymorphism (RFLP) of the hsp70 gene identified a sympatric circulation of L. (V.) guyanensis (n = 4), L. (V.) braziliensis (n = 1), L. (L.) amazonensis (n = 2), L. (V.) shawi (n = 1) and L. (V.) naiffi/shawi (n = 1). Taking the laboratory techniques and the clinical evaluations together, 76% (n = 80) of the 105 participants had evidence of Leishmania infection. These results suggests that illegal gold miners working in French Guiana are at high risk for infection with different species of Leishmania, but their illegal condition and remoteness make it difficult for them to access health services.
Increased lipogenesis and lipidosis of gallbladder epithelium in dogs with gallbladder mucocele formation
Authors: Gookin Jody L. , Jewell Dennis E. , Aicher Kathleen M. , Seiler Gabriela S. , Cullen John M. , Mathews Kyle G.
Published: June 2024

Background

Gallbladder disease in people is frequently associated with disorders of lipid metabolism and metabolic syndrome. A recently emergent gallbladder disease of dogs, referred to as mucocele formation, is characterized by secretion of abnormal mucus by the gallbladder epithelium and is similarly associated with hyperlipidemia, endocrinopathy, and metabolic dysfunction. The cause of gallbladder mucocele formation in dogs is unknown.

Methods

A prospective case-controlled study was conducted to gain insight into disease pathogenesis by characterization of plasma lipid abnormalities in 18 dogs with gallbladder mucocele formation and 18 age and breed matched control dogs using direct infusion mass spectrometry for complex plasma lipid analysis. This analysis was complemented by histochemical and ultrastructural examination of gallbladder mucosa from dogs with gallbladder mucocele formation and control dogs for evidence of altered lipid homeostasis of the gallbladder epithelium.

Results

Gallbladder mucocele formation in dogs carried a unique lipidomic signature of increased lipogenesis impacting 50% of lipid classes, 36% of esterified fatty acid species, and 11% of complex lipid species. Broad enrichment of complex lipids with palmitoleic acid (16:1) and decreased abundance within complex lipids of presumptive omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic (20:5) and docosahexaenoic (22:6) was significant. Severe lipidosis of gallbladder epithelium pinpoints the gallbladder as involved causally or consequently in abnormal lipid metabolism.

Conclusion

Our study supports a primary increase in lipogenesis in dogs with mucocele formation and abnormal gallbladder lipid metabolism in disease pathogenesis.
Perioperative platelet reactivity over time in patients undergoing vascular surgery: An observational pilot study
Authors: Brand Kanters A. R. T. , Roozendaal N. C. , Parr N. M. J. , Pasterkamp G. , Urbanus R. T. , Korporaal S. J. A. , de Borst Gert J.
Published: June 2024

Background

Despite Antiplatelet therapy (APT), cardiovascular patients undergoing revascularisation remain at high risk for thrombotic events. Individual response to APT varies substantially, resulting in insufficient protection from thrombotic events due to high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) in ≤40% of patients. Individual variation in platelet response impairs APT guidance on a single patient level. Unfortunately, little is known about individual platelet response to APT over time, timing for accurate residual platelet reactivity measurement, or the optimal test to monitor residual platelet reactivity.

Aims

To investigate residual platelet reactivity variability over time in individual patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) treated with clopidogrel.

Methods

Platelet reactivity was determined in patients undergoing CEA in a prospective, single-centre, observational study using the VerifyNow (change in turbidity from ADP-induced binding to fibrinogen-coated beads), the VASP assay (quantification of phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein), and a flow-cytometry-based assay (PACT) at four perioperative time points. Genotyping identified slow (CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*3) and fast (CYP2C19*17) metabolisers.

Results

Between December 2017 and November 2019, 50 patients undergoing CEA were included. Platelet reactivity measured with the VerifyNow (p = < .001) and VASP (p = .029) changed over time, while the PACT did not. The VerifyNow identified patients changing HTRP status after surgery. The VASP identified patients changing HTPR status after eight weeks (p = .018). CYP2C19 genotyping identified 13 slow metabolisers.

Conclusion

In patients undergoing CEA, perioperative platelet reactivity measurements fluctuate over time with little agreement between platelet reactivity assays. Consequently, HTPR status of individual patients measured with the VerifyNow and VASP assay changed over time. Therefore, generally used perioperative platelet reactivity measurements seem unreliable for adjusting perioperative APT strategy.
A real-world test of artificial intelligence infiltration of a university examinations system: A “Turing Test” case study
Authors: Scarfe Peter , Watcham Kelly , Clarke Alasdair , Roesch Etienne
Published: June 2024

The recent rise in artificial intelligence systems, such as ChatGPT, poses a fundamental problem for the educational sector. In universities and schools, many forms of assessment, such as coursework, are completed without invigilation. Therefore, students could hand in work as their own which is in fact completed by AI. Since the COVID pandemic, the sector has additionally accelerated its reliance on unsupervised ‘take home exams’. If students cheat using AI and this is undetected, the integrity of the way in which students are assessed is threatened. We report a rigorous, blind study in which we injected 100% AI written submissions into the examinations system in five undergraduate modules, across all years of study, for a BSc degree in Psychology at a reputable UK university. We found that 94% of our AI submissions were undetected. The grades awarded to our AI submissions were on average half a grade boundary higher than that achieved by real students. Across modules there was an 83.4% chance that the AI submissions on a module would outperform a random selection of the same number of real student submissions.
Combination effect of optical defocus and low dose atropine in myopia control: Study protocol for a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Chun Rachel Ka Man , Hon Ying , Law Tsz Kin , Wong Kryshell Yu Qi , To Chi Ho , Shih Kendrick C. , Leung Christopher Kai Shun , Tse Dennis Yan Yin
Published: June 2024

Background

Myopia, characterized by excessive axial elongation of the eyeball, increases risks of having sight-threatening diseases and impose a financial burden to healthcare system. Although myopic control interventions showed their effectiveness in slowing progression, the efficacy varies between individuals and does not completely halt progression. The study aims to investigate the efficacy of combining 0.01% atropine administered twice daily with optical defocus for myopia control in schoolchildren.

Methods and design

This is a prospective, parallel-group, single-blinded, randomized, active-control trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06358755). Myopic schoolchildren with no previous myopic control interventions aged between 7 to 12 years will be recruited. They will be randomly allocated into two groups (n = 56 per group) after baseline measurement. Both groups will receive 0.01% atropine twice per day for 18 months (one drop in the morning and the other drop at night before bedtime). Defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses will be prescribed in atropine plus optical defocus (ATD) treatment group while single vision spectacle lenses will be given in atropine only (AT) group. Cycloplegic refraction and axial lengths will be monitored every 6 months over 18-month study period. The primary outcomes are changes in cycloplegic refraction and axial lengths relative to the baseline over the study period.

Discussion

The result will examine the combination effect of low dose atropine and myopic defocus on myopia control in a randomized controlled study. The findings will also explore the potential benefits of applying 0.01% atropine twice per day on myopic control and its potential side effects.
Facial mimicry interference reduces working memory accuracy for facial emotion expressions
Authors: Holmer Emil , Rönnberg Jerker , Asutay Erkin , Tirado Carlos , Ekberg Mattias
Published: June 2024

Facial mimicry, the tendency to imitate facial expressions of other individuals, has been shown to play a critical role in the processing of emotion expressions. At the same time, there is evidence suggesting that its role might change when the cognitive demands of the situation increase. In such situations, understanding another person is dependent on working memory. However, whether facial mimicry influences working memory representations for facial emotion expressions is not fully understood. In the present study, we experimentally interfered with facial mimicry by using established behavioral procedures, and investigated how this interference influenced working memory recall for facial emotion expressions. Healthy, young adults (N = 36) performed an emotion expression n-back paradigm with two levels of working memory load, low (1-back) and high (2-back), and three levels of mimicry interference: high, low, and no interference. Results showed that, after controlling for block order and individual differences in the perceived valence and arousal of the stimuli, the high level of mimicry interference impaired accuracy when working memory load was low (1-back) but, unexpectedly, not when load was high (2-back). Working memory load had a detrimental effect on performance in all three mimicry conditions. We conclude that facial mimicry might support working memory for emotion expressions when task load is low, but that the supporting effect possibly is reduced when the task becomes more cognitively challenging.
Neurocognitive profile in HIV subjects on INSTI-regimen- one year follow up: Is there room for optimism?
Authors: Brkić-Jovanović Nina , Karaman Mina , Andrić Vanja , Marić Daniela , Brkić Snežana , Bugarski-Ignjatović Vojislava
Published: June 2024

The introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has successfully changed the clinical course of people with HIV, leading to a significant decline in the incidence of HIV-related neurocognitive disorders. Integrase strand transferase inhibitors (INSTI) are recommended and preferred first-line ART for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in ART-naïve subjects. This type of therapy regimen is expected to have higher CNS penetration, which may bring more cognitive stability or even make significant cognitive improvement in people with HIV. The study aimed to follow up on neurocognitive performance in HIV subjects on two types of INSTI therapy regimens at two-time points, one year apart. The study sample consisted of 61 ART naïve male participants, of which 32 were prescribed raltegravir (RAL) and 29 dolutegravir (DTG). There was no significant difference between subsamples according to the main sociodemographic (age, education level) and clinical characteristics (duration of therapy, nadir CD4 cells level, CD4 cells count, CD8 cells, CD4/CD8 ratio). For neurocognitive assessment, six measures were used: general cognitive ability (MoCA test), verbal fluency (total sum score for phonemic and category fluency), verbal working memory (digit span forward), cognitive capacity (digit span backwards), sustained attention (Color Trail Test 1), and divided attention (Color Trail Test 2). In both therapy groups (RAL and DTG), there was no significant decrease in neurocognitive achievement on all used measures over a one-year follow-up in both therapy groups. A statistically significant interactive effect of time and type of therapy was found on the measure of divided attention—DTG group showed slight improvement, whereas RAL group showed slight decrease in performance. During the one-year follow-up of persons on INSTI-based regimen, no significant changes in cognitive achievement were recorded, which suggests that the existing therapy can have a potentially positive effect on the maintenance of neurocognitive achievement.
Potent immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a multi-pathogen vaccination targeting Ebola, Sudan, Marburg and Lassa viruse
Authors: Flaxman Amy , Sebastian Sarah , Appelberg Sofia , Cha Kuan M. , Ulaszewska Marta , Purushotham Jyothi , Gilbride Ciaran , Sharpe Hannah , Spencer Alexandra J. , Bibi Sagida , Wright Daniel , Schmidt Isabel , Dowall Stuart , Easterbrook Linda , Findlay-Wilson Stephen , Gilbert Sarah , Mirazimi Ali , Lambe Teresa
Published: June 2024

Viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHF) pose a significant threat to human health. In recent years, VHF outbreaks caused by Ebola, Marburg and Lassa viruses have caused substantial morbidity and mortality in West and Central Africa. In 2022, an Ebola disease outbreak in Uganda caused by Sudan virus resulted in 164 cases with 55 deaths. In 2023, a Marburg disease outbreak was confirmed in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania resulting in over 49 confirmed or suspected cases; 41 of which were fatal. There are no clearly defined correlates of protection against these VHF, impeding targeted vaccine development. Any vaccine developed should therefore induce strong and preferably long-lasting humoral and cellular immunity against these viruses. Ideally this immunity should also cross-protect against viral variants, which are known to circulate in animal reservoirs and cause human disease. We have utilized two viral vectored vaccine platforms, an adenovirus (ChAdOx1) and Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA), to develop a multi-pathogen vaccine regime against three filoviruses (Ebola virus, Sudan virus, Marburg virus) and an arenavirus (Lassa virus). These platform technologies have consistently demonstrated the capability to induce robust cellular and humoral antigen-specific immunity in humans, most recently in the rollout of the licensed ChAdOx1-nCoV19/AZD1222. Here, we show that our multi-pathogen vaccines elicit strong cellular and humoral immunity, induce a diverse range of chemokines and cytokines, and most importantly, confers protection after lethal Ebola virus, Sudan virus and Marburg virus challenges in a small animal model.
Characterising plasmacytoid and myeloid AXL+ SIGLEC-6+ dendritic cell functions and their interactions with HIV
Authors: Warner van Dijk Freja A. , Tong Orion , O’Neil Thomas R. , Bertram Kirstie M. , Hu Kevin , Baharlou Heeva , Vine Erica E. , Jenns Kate , Gosselink Martijn P. , Toh James W. , Papadopoulos Tim , Barnouti Laith , Jenkins Gregory J. , Sandercoe Gavin , Haniffa Muzlifah , Sandgren Kerrie J. , Harman Andrew N. , Cunningham Anthony L. , Nasr Najla
Published: June 2024

AXL+ Siglec-6+ dendritic cells (ASDC) are novel myeloid DCs which can be subdivided into CD11c+ and CD123+ expressing subsets. We showed for the first time that these two ASDC subsets are present in inflamed human anogenital tissues where HIV transmission occurs. Their presence in inflamed tissues was supported by single cell RNA analysis of public databases of such tissues including psoriasis diseased skin and colorectal cancer. Almost all previous studies have examined ASDCs as a combined population. Our data revealed that the two ASDC subsets differ markedly in their functions when compared with each other and to pDCs. Relative to their cell functions, both subsets of blood ASDCs but not pDCs expressed co-stimulatory and maturation markers which were more prevalent on CD11c+ ASDCs, thus inducing more T cell proliferation and activation than their CD123+ counterparts. There was also a significant polarisation of naïve T cells by both ASDC subsets toward Th2, Th9, Th22, Th17 and Treg but less toward a Th1 phenotype. Furthermore, we investigated the expression of chemokine receptors that facilitate ASDCs and pDCs migration from blood to inflamed tissues, their HIV binding receptors, and their interactions with HIV and CD4 T cells. For HIV infection, within 2 hours of HIV exposure, CD11c+ ASDCs showed a trend in more viral transfer to T cells than CD123+ ASDCs and pDCs for first phase transfer. However, for second phase transfer, CD123+ ASDCs showed a trend in transferring more HIV than CD11c+ ASDCs and there was no viral transfer from pDCs. As anogenital inflammation is a prerequisite for HIV transmission, strategies to inhibit ASDC recruitment into inflamed tissues and their ability to transmit HIV to CD4 T cells should be considered.
Associated Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in Older Women Living Alone - Focusing on Obesity -
Authors:   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis, Choi Hye Young , Kim Eun Ha
Published: June 2024

This study analyzed socio-demographic and health–related influencing factors associated with metabolic
syndrome(MetS), focucing on obesity in older women living alone. Methods: The subjects were 606 older
women living alone and data set was obtained from the Eighth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey (ⅦI-1, ⅦI-2). Multi-logistic regression analysis were conducted to identify factors associated with
metabolic syndrome. Results: The influencing factors of MetS were educational level (OR=1.95, CI=1.01-3.78),
occupational status (OR=0.53, CI=0.31-0.91) and obesity (OR=5.70, CI=3.04-10.70) explained 26.0% of the
variance in MetS. In final model, obesity factor explained an additional 10.2% of the variance in MetS. Therefore,
obesity management of the older women living alone should be educated so that the subjects themselves
can recognize that it is essential to lower the incidence of metabolic syndrome.
Observation of Water Surface Evaporation in Agricultural Reservoirs
Authors:   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis, Jeon Min Soo , Lee Ki Won , Kim Da Ye , Maeng Seung Jin , Park In Seong , Lee Jong Jin
Published: June 2024

Monitoring natural evaporation is difficult because of the need for accurate and continuous data. Free surface
evaporation is estimated using an empirical formula because of the absence of a standardized monitoring
method. The evaporation monitoring system has been used to monitor the volume of water surface
evaporation from reservoirs from June to September when the evaporation rate is high. The difference
between the actual and estimated volume of water surface evaporation has been estimated by comparing
the monitoring results with the values calculated by using the empirical formula. It appears that the estimated
volume of water surface evaporation from two basins was less in comparison to the actual monitoring
results. This shows that the empirical formula does not accurately reflect the effect of winds which is
a major limitation of the empirical formula. Thus, this study suggests ways to monitor water surface
evaporation volume and investigates the mechanism of water surface evaporation by comparing observed
data with the results of the empirical formula.
Produções textuais de presos comuns (século XX)
Authors: Borges Viviane Trindade
Published: June 2024

A escrita prisional proporciona um espaço real e conceitual através do qual se pode refletir sobre uma variedade extraordinária de aspectos sobre a vida na prisão. Para além dos conteúdos dos textos, estas fontes permitem a problematização das condições em que foram produzidos e das práticas institucionais que possibilitaram o surgimento destes arquivos. A pesquisa que aqui apresento arrola e analisa as produções textuais de presos comuns em acervos de diferentes países das Américas e da Europa, focando em um caso específico localizado no Brasil. No intuito de apresentar alguns resultados iniciais, pretendo neste artigo centrar em acervos brasileiros e na produção escrita em diferentes períodos do século XX. Os textos foramcolhidos devido às perspectivas que oferecem sobre duas questões-chave: Como as produções textuais dos presos foram compreendidas e usadas pelas instituições prisionais? Como a escrita prisional pode ser entendida como um contra-discurso contraditório e complexo, que busca protestar e/ou denunciar os abusos sofridos no cárcere, mas que em alguns casos corrobora as práticas institucionais e teorias criminológicas? Para isso analisarei o caso de Oscar, um detento da Penitenciária de Florianópolis (Santa Catarina) e noções ligadas a prática homossexual na prisão incitadas pelos seus escritos.
Military Decision Support with Actor and Critic Reinforcement Learning Agents
Authors: Ma Jungmok
Published: June 2024

While the recent advanced military operational concept requires an intelligent support of command and control, Reinforcement Learning (RL) has not been actively studied in the military domain. This study points out the limitations of RL for military applications from literature review and aims at improving the understanding of RL for military decision support under the limitations. Most of all, the black box characteristic of Deep RL makes the internal process difficult to understand in addition to complex simulation tools. A scalable weapon selection RL framework is built which can be solved either by a tabular form or a neural network form. The transition of the Deep Q-Network (DQN) solution to the tabular form makes it easier to compare the result to the Q-learning solution. Furthermore, rather than using one or two RL models selectively as before, RL models are divided as an actor and a critic, and systematically compared. A random agent, Q-learning and DQN agents as a critic, a Policy Gradient (PG) agent as an actor, Trust Region Policy Optimization (TRPO) and Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) agents as an actor-critic approach are designed, trained, and tested. The performance results show that the trained DQN and PPO agents are the best decision supporter candidates for the weapon selection RL framework.
Micro Tool Fabrications through Electrochemical Spark Machining Process
Authors: Mandal Niladri , Kumar Nitesh , Das Alok Kumar
Published: June 2024

This article investigates the feasibility of producing an in-situ micro tool rod using micro-electrochemical spark machining (µ-ECSM) technology. The study included the examination of both electrical factors (such as voltage and duty factor) and non-electrical factors (such as electrolyte concentration and spindle speed) as the input parameters for the machining process. The responses measured in the study were the reduction in tool diameter and the surface roughness of the micro tool produced. The potassium hydroxide solution is used as a working fluid. The results indicate that voltage is the most crucial factor that influences micro tool fabrication. The utmost reduction in tool diameter, measuring 279.5 µm, occurred when utilizing machining parameters of 35V, 30%, 4 wt.%, and 600 rpm. Meanwhile, the lowest surface roughness for the micro tool was 3.42 µm, achieved with machining parameters of 35V, 10%, 4 wt.%, and 600 rpm. Additionally, the impact of machining settings on the micro tool electrode is covered.
Development of Micromechanics Based Constitutive Model for Alumina Using Unified Mechanics Theory Role of Microcracks in Damage
Authors: B Brahmadathan V , C Lakshmana Rao
Published: June 2024

Ceramic materials used in mechanical applications show variations in their properties due to the difference in the presence of cracks and various defects. The micro-crack length, orientation, geometry and wing crack formation and propagation within the ceramic material define the strength of the ceramic material. In this study, a micro-mechanics-based model that accounts for micro-cracks is developed. Unlike other micromechanics-based models, the current model defines failure based on entropy. Entropy generated with various micro-crack lengths, orientations and wing crack extensions is calculated using the energy approach.The Unified Mechanics Theory (UMT) is used to define the damage in the ceramic material, which can include all possible failure mechanisms. A representative volume element (RVE) with a pre-existing flaw is simulated to generate stress-strain curves. The effect of different initial crack lengths and orientations on alumina peak strength is also investigated.
Studying the Interaction of Waves to Determine the Impact Response of a Layered Elastic Medium
Authors: Singh Satyendra Pratap , Singh Harpreet , Mahajan Puneet
Published: June 2024

When an impactor strikes a layered target, both the impactor and the target experience waves. The waves produced travel and engage in interactions with other waves as well as the interfaces in the impactor-target system. For the impact problems on a layered medium with periodic properties and layered elastic media of Goupillaud-type (each layer has the same wave travel time), researchers have presented an analytical solution for stress variation with position and time within the target. However, the solution for an elastic media not satisfying the above conditions is not available in the literature. The present study fills this gap and finds the behaviour of a generalized layered medium to an impact problem. The response of the material at any position inside the layered medium is found by solving the interaction between waves, interfaces, and boundaries. The mass, momentum balance and constitutive relationship are solved to get the exact analytical expressions for particle velocity and stress for each possible wave interaction happening in the impactor and the layered medium. The expressions are utilized in a computer program to study the impact behaviour of a layered media. The code tracks each wave as it travels through the system and identifies those interactions that occur in the shortest time, uses the stress and velocity expression for that interaction, and updates the state of the material. When stress produced at the impact surface is tensile in nature, the impactor and target can be separated. The work can be applied to both finite and semi-infinite impactors and targets, and the layered medium does not necessarily have to be a periodic layered media or a Goupillaud-type medium.
High Strain Rate Modeling of CFRP Composite Under Compressive Loading
Authors: Chaurasia Bipin Kumar , Kumar Deepak
Published: June 2024

An in-depth understanding of how carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP) respond to intense strain rates is essential, particularly in non-linear deformation and dynamic loading situations. The researchers undertook a computational study to examine the behavior of CFRP composites when exposed to high strain rates under compressive loading. Specifically, they employed Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar models for cohesive interfacial simulations, continuum shell analysis, and laminated composites oriented at 0° at a strain rate equivalent to 900 s-1. The Finite Element model utilized a custom Hashin damage model and a vectorized user material (VUMAT) sub-routine to identify degradation damage within the CFRP composite model. The quasi-isotropic composite demonstrated a significant enhancement in dynamic strength compared to static values, attributed to its intense sensitivity to strain. As confirmed by experimental test results, numerical simulations accurately predicted stress (σ)-strain (ε) and strain rate (ἐ) curves. Additionally, it was observed that the relationship between damage behavior varied depending on the element type used.
Offene Fragen zur Weiterentwicklung regionalstatistischer Informationssysteme
Authors: Schneppe Friedrich
Published: June 2024

Trotz des erfreulichen Leistungsstandes vieler regionalstatistischer Informationssysteme können diese nur mit großen Anstrengungen so weiterentwickelt werden, daß sie den für die nahe Zukunft erkennbaren Anforderungen gewachsen sind: alle wichtigen Regionaldaten leicht auffindbar und leicht auswertbar machen, allen wichtigen Benutzergruppen gezielte Dienste anbieten. Die erste Fragengruppe nach richtigen Konzepten (hinsichtlich Ausbau der Datenbasen und der Datenabgabeformen, der regionalen Bezugssysteme, der Datenbestands- und Dateninhaltskataloge, Abbau der aufgetretenen Nutzungshemmnisse, Kooperation und Arbeitsteilung zwischen den regionalstatistischen Informationssystemen) ist umfangreich, aber es liegen genügend brauchbare Antworten und Vorschläge vor. Die Antworten auf die zweite Fragengruppe, ob denn die Realisierung dieser Konzepte entschlossen und schnell genug angepackt wird, müssen häufig als völlig offen gelten.
Mögliche Strategien zur Beeinflussung des Strukturwandels in Verdichtungsräumen
Authors: Zimmermann Horst
Published: June 2024

Verdichtungsräume als neueres Objekt der Regionalpolitik sind keine homogene Kategorie, sondern müssen zumindest in altindustrielle Ballungsgebiete und moderne Wachstumsregionen gruppiert werden. Eine Politik in altindustriellen Ballungsgebieten entspringt vorwiegend dem regionalen Ausgleichsziel, eine Politik in modernen Wachstumsregionen dagegen vorwiegend dem gesamtwirtschaftlichen Wachstumsziel. Soweit gesamtwirtschaftliches Wachstum nicht mehr als gesichert angesehen wird, sondern gefördert werden soll, besteht zwischen der Förderung der beiden Typen von Verdichtungsräumen ein Zielkonflikt und damit Konkurrenz bei der Verwendung der verfügbaren öffentlichen Ressourcen.Eine einseitige Förderung moderner Wachstumsregionen ist oft nicht erforderlich und kann auch zu Überlastung, etwa unter Umweltzielen, führen. Eine massierte Förderung der altindustrialisierten Verdichtungsräume wiederum würde zu einem weitgehenden Anknüpfen an alte Strukturen führen: einseitige Branchenstruktur und häufig Großbetriebsstruktur. Daher wird eine mittlere Strategie vorgeschlagen, mit der die Neugründungen und Erweiterungen in jeder Region gefördert, die Bestandspflege auch im mittelständischen Bereich verstärkt, insbesondere neue Technologien unterstützt und für höher qualifizierte Arbeitskräfte die erforderliche Attraktivität der Wohnregionen gesichert werden. Damit werden in allen Regionen Wachstumsansätze gefördert, und die Anreize werden dort vermehrt aufgenommen werden, wo der regionale Nährboden für Wachstum besonders günstig ist. Wenn altindustrialisierte Verdichtungsräume von einer solchen Strategie in besonderem Maße partizipieren sollen, kann man ihnen eine Vorabquote der entsprechenden Mittel zuordnen, ohne aber die Anknüpfungspunkte der Maßnahmen zu ändern.
Modified Atkins Diet in Adolescents and Adults with Drug Resistant Epilepsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Manral Mala , Tripathi Shashank , Rawat Dimple , Tripathi Manjari
Published: June 2024

Epilepsy is one of the common neurological diseases which affects 65-70 million people worldwide. Modified Atkins diet (MAD) as a therapy is used as one of the treatments to reduce the seizures occurrence in epileptic patients. The purpose of this purpose is to review all evidence regarding the efficacy of the MAD from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in adolescents and adults with drug resistant epilepsy (DRE). The total of three databases were searched (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library) till 31 January 2023. Only RCTs with MAD as a one of the treatment arms were included in meta-analysis. The proportion of reduction of seizures in patients with epilepsy and relative risk to identify the relationship between MAD (as risk) to decrease the epileptic seizure was used as outcomes. The Jadad score with three domains was used to estimate the quality of RCTs included for meta-analysis. Only three RCTs were included following the stringent inclusion criteria in current meta-analysis. The pooled proportion from 142 patients going through MAD therapy shows the reduction in epileptic seizure ≥50%, by the random effect model was 0.23 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10 to 0.37). Our meta-analysis underlines a significant efficacy of MAD compared to the control group in seizure reduction ≥50%, The pooled relative risk was 6.47 (95% CI, 1.60 to 26.14; p-value <0.05). MAD therapy was efficacious and had better compliance for seizure reduction in subjects with DRE.
Additive Anticonvulsive Effects of Sumatriptan and Morphine on Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Clonic Seizures in Mice
Authors: Gholizadeh Ramtin , Eslami Faezeh , Dejban Pegah , Ghasemi Mehdi , Rahimi Nastaran , Dehpour Ahmad Reza
Published: June 2024

Background and Purpose: Sumatriptan protects the brain from damage and enhance the anti-seizure effect of morphine. There is evidence that nitric oxide (NO) may mediate these effects of both drugs. In the present study, we investigated the effects of sumatriptan (0.1-20 mg/kg, intraperitoneal [i.p.]) and morphine (0.1-20 mg/kg, i.p.) alone or in combination on seizure thresholds in an in vivo model of seizure in mice. Using various NO synthase inhibitors as well as the NO precursor, we assessed possible involvement of NO signaling in these effects.Methods: Clonic seizures were induced in male Naval Medical Research Institute mice by intravenous administration of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ).Results: Acute sumatriptan administration exerted anti-convulsive effects at 0.5 (p<0.01) and 1 mg/kg (p<0.05), but pro-convulsive effects at 20 mg/kg (p<0.05). Morphine had anti-convulsive effects at 0.5 (p<0.05) and 1 mg/kg (p<0.001), but exerted pro-convulsive effect at 20 mg/kg (p<0.05). Combination treatment with sub-effective doses of sumatriptan (0.1 mg/kg) and morphine (0.1 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.05) exerted an anti-convulsive effect. Co-administration of the NO precursor L-arginine (60 mg/kg) with sub-effective doses of sumatriptan and morphine significantly (p<0.05) increased seizure threshold compared with sumatriptan alone, but not sumatriptan+morphine group. While concomitant administration of either the non-selective NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (5 mg/kg) or the selective inducible NOS inhibitor aminoguanidine (50 mg/kg) with combined sub-effective doses of morphine and sumatriptan produced significant anticonvulsive effects, concomitant administration with the selective neuronal NOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (30 mg/kg) inhibited this effect.Conclusions: Our data suggest a possible role for the NO signaling in the anticonvulsive effects of combined sumatriptan and morphine on the PTZ-induced clonic seizures in mice.