bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The genome sequence of the hairy spider weevil, Barypeithes pellucidus (Boheman, 1834)
Authors: Telfer Mark G. , Crowley Liam M. , Barclay Maxwell V. L. , Bickerstaff James ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: October 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Barypeithes pellucidus (the hairy spider weevil; Arthropoda; Insecta; Coleoptera; Curculionidae). The genome sequence has a total length of 743.70 megabases. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 11 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 20.18 kilobases in length.
Sleep duration, sleep disturbances and skeletal muscle mass change over time: A population-based longitudinal analysis in Peru
Authors: Agurto-García Renzo A. , Nuñez-del-Arco Enrique S. , Carrillo-Larco Rodrigo M. , Miranda J. Jaime , Bernabe-Ortiz Antonio
Published: October 2024

Background The skeletal muscle has mainly a structural function and plays a role in human’s metabolism. Besides, the association between sleep quality and muscle mass, in the form of sarcopenia, has been reported. This study aimed to assess whether changes of skeletal muscle mass (SMM) over time are associated with baseline sleep duration and disturbances in a resource-constrained adult Peruvian population. Materials and Methods Secondary analysis using information of a population-based intervention. The outcome was SMM assessed using bioimpedance and the second version of the Lee’s formula. The exposures were baseline self-reported sleep duration (normal, short and long sleepers) and disturbances (sleep difficulties and awakening at nights). Crude and adjusted linear mixed models were used to assess the associations of interest, and coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervales (95% CI) were reported. Results Data from 2,310 individuals at baseline, mean age 43.4 (SD: 17.2), and 1,163 (50.4%) females were analyzed. Sleep duration was 7.8 (SD: 1.3) hours/day, with 15.3% short sleepers and 11.6% long sleepers, whereas 24.2% reported sleep difficulties and 25.1% awakening at nights. In multivariable model, SMM among short and long sleepers did not vary significantly over time using the Lee’s formula; however, SMM was lower at the end of follow-up for long sleepers using bioimpedance (-0.26 kg; 95% CI: -0.47 to -0.06). Sleep disturbances were associated with a gradual SMM reduction: 0.36 kg using bioimpedance and 0.25 kg using the formula at the end of follow-up. Conclusions Using bioimpedance and formula estimations, sleep disturbances were associated with a reduction of SMM over a period of 2.4 years. Regarding sleep duration, no SMM changes over time were seen in short sleepers, but findings were discordant in long sleepers: a reduction of SMM using bioimpedance, but no change using the formula.
Predição de Processos com Dados não Estruturados Heterogêneos
Authors: Santoro Flavia Maria , De Oliveira Matheus Augusto , Revoredo Kate Cerqueira , Moreira da Costa Rosa Maria E.
Published: October 2024

Devido ao volume de informações e ao grande número de atividades do dia-a-dia dentro das organizações, o interesse na área de Gestão de Processos de Negócios ou Business Process Management (BPM) apresentou um crescimento notável e, portanto, cresce a necessidade de documentação, controle e otimização de processos e fluxos de trabalho existentes. Neste contexto, o monitoramento de processos ou Business Process Monitoring ganha atenção prevendo algumas características específicas de uma instância do processo em execução com base no histórico da execução do processo (log) e nos dados associados aos seus eventos. Essas previsões podem tornar as decisões de um analista de negócios mais assertivas, já que prever uma certa característica de uma instância em execução em um ponto específico do fluxo de trabalho com certo grau de confiança permite a atenuação de um problema antes que ele aconteça. Desta forma, as ações deixam de ser reativas e se tornam proativas, já que não precisamos esperar que a execução termine para observar o resultado e reagir. Por outro lado, decidir sobre o conjunto de características a considerar para a previsão é uma tarefa difícil. Neste artigo, avaliamos o impacto de características não estruturadas para predição do processo em uma empresa de prestação de serviços em TI.
Relacionando requisitos de software e competências de recursos humanos através de modelos organizacionais: uma abordagem visando o alinhamento organizacional
Authors: Sousa Henrique Prado de Sá , Almentero Eduardo Kinder , Leite Julio Cesar Sampaio do Prado
Published: October 2024

O alinhamento organizacional é uma qualidade relacionada ao desempenho organizacional. Muitas ações são implementadas para auxiliar no alinhamento, especialmente quando voltado para o alcance de estratégias, entretanto, alcançá-lo prossegue sendo uma tarefa difícil. Os recursos humanos, por serem componentes transversais em uma organização, são elementos chave para o sucesso do alinhamento porque atuam em tarefas e tomam decisões importantes para a organização. Por sua vez, a TI oferece suporte computacional para a realização de processos. Portanto há uma intercessão entre estas áreas nas tarefas cotidianas e seu alinhamento pode ser benéfico quando orientados para os objetivos da organização. As organizações possuem requisitos que podem ser satisfeitos por pessoas e/ou tecnologia. As falhas de alinhamento na estrutura de RH podem ser mitigadas pela TI ampliando as possibilidades de sucesso da organização. Neste artigo, investigamos as relações entre requisitos humanos e de software para melhor prospectar as formas de alinhamento das duas áreas. Para isso, elicitamos requisitos de software usando como insumo um exemplo de modelo organizacional, incrementado com a modelagem de competências humanas que são requeridas aos atores organizacionais. Posteriormente cruzamos as informações de competências humanas com os requisitos de software para identificar e avaliar as correlações visando encontrar elementos relevantes para auxiliar na decisão em ações de TI e de RH.
Modelando, com o Método ERi*c, um Aplicativo para Gerenciamento da Fila de um Restaurante
Authors: Oliveira Antonio de Padua Albuquerque , Aquino Carolina Dos Santos , Melo Marcio Presley Farias
Published: October 2024

Este artigo propõe-se a mostrar a aplicação do método ERi*c (Engenharia de Requisitos Intencional) na modelagem dos requisitos de um sistema que visa gerenciar a fila de espera de um restaurante. O método ERi*c é uma colaboração à Engenharia de Requisitos Orientada a Metas (GORE). Uma importante particularidade do método está na capacidade de reduzir a complexidade dos modelos iStar (i*), utilizados para a criação de modelos intencionais. Para demonstração, foram aplicadas todas as seis etapas que compõem o método ERi*c ao estudo de caso proposto. Este artigo atua como projeto de conclusão de curso para obtenção de grau de bacharel em Ciência da Computação.
Classificação de Regiões Singulares em Imagens de Impressão Digital por Meio de Redes Neurais Convolucionais
Authors: Silva Paulo Ricardo , Batista Leonardo Vidal , Primo João Janduy
Published: October 2024

O reconhecimento por impressão digital é uma das abordagens biométricas mais utilizadas, visto que sua alta precisão e seu baixo custo tornam os sistemas mais acessíveis. No entanto, o reconhecimento por impressões digitais ainda é um problema em aberto, uma vez que erros de falsa aceitação e falsa rejeição ainda são encontrados nos algoritmos de comparação de impressões digitais. O processo de comparação de impressão digital utiliza como atributo discriminante informações locais como minúcias, porém, devido a problemas como ruído na captura ou desgaste nas impressões digitais, este atributo nem sempre é suficiente para a realização desta tarefa. Portanto, singularidades do tipo laço e delta podem contribuir nesta etapa para reduzir a taxa de erro. Este trabalho propõe um método para classificar singularidades em imagens de impressão digital, que baseia-se em redes neurais convolucionais. Para avaliar a efetividade do algoritmo proposto, foi utilizada a base de dados FVC2002-1 sobre a qual o modelo alcançou acurácia de 100%.
Log´ıstica Reversa: Modelagem Baseada em Lógica Fuzzy para o E-commerce
Authors: Castro Maria Clicia Stelling de , Vasconcelos Sampaio Eduardo
Published: October 2024

Os processos de toda a cadeia produtiva tem um impacto direto no meio ambiente, na sociedade e na economia. A log´ıstica reversa est´a relacionada ao retorno, reciclagem, descarte de res´ıduos de produtos entre outras ações. Este artigo apresenta alguns problemas do processo log´ıstico reverso brasileiro e prop˜oe um modelo computacional do problema implementado atrav´es da biblioteca fuzzy no Mathlab. Os resultados mostram que ´e poss´ıvel obter uma log´ıstica reversa mesmo que obtenha um lucro reduzido.
Correction algorithm for misalignment and magnification difference of focused and defocused images in phase diversity image reconstruction
Authors: Li Shuqi , Bao Hua , Bian Qing , Zhang Ying , Gao Guoqing , Luo Daiyin , Jiang Ning , Rao Changhui
Published: October 2024

Phase diversity (PD) technology typically requires additional optical channels to capture images with known aberrations. In real applications, defocus aberration is widely used, and a typical method is to add an imaging camera with known optical path differences from the focal plane. However, the method of introducing defocus aberration through optical path differences can lead to misalignment and different magnifications of focused and defocused images, resulting in a significant decrease in the reconstruction accuracy of the PD algorithm. In this paper, we analyze the sources of magnification difference and misalignment and propose the method based on image coordinate transformation. For simulation experiments of 400 groups, the PV values of magnification and misalignment calculation errors are 0.0008 and 1.34 pixels, which verify the accuracy of our method for image correction. For the actual extended target images, by using our method of PD technology, we achieve a reconstruction result of 1.043 times the diffraction limit, and the experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and reliability of our method.
Highly efficient Y3-xBaxAl5-xSixO12:Cr3+ near-infrared phosphor for plant growth
Authors: Zhang Tao , Long Linfang , Song Biqing , Liu Fangsong , Liu Yunzheng , Ma Daoyuan , Xia Libin
Published: October 2024

Near-infrared (NIR) phosphors enhance the growth of plants due to their superior penetration. However, relatively high thermal quenching and low quantum efficiency restrict the development of NIR phosphors. In this study, Y3-xBaxAl5-xSixO12:Cr3+ phosphors (YBAS:Cr3+) with varying concentrations of Ba2+-Si4+ and Cr3+ were studied. The results demonstrate high-purity phases are obtained with doping Ba2+-Si4+ and Cr3+. The Ba2+-Si4+ doping enhances crystallinity and near-spherical particles are synthesized. The theoretical calculations indicate a significant reduction in bandgap with doping Ba2+-Si4+, resulting in impurity levels appearing in the valence band region. The state density calculation shows that the band formation is contributed by all elements. The optimal Ba2+-Si4+ doping concentration is 0.05 mol and the Cr3+ doping content is 0.09 mol. The critical distance (R
c
) is 16.62 Å. Dipole–dipole interactions and radiation reabsorptions are main concentration quenching mechanisms. Lattice distortions occur with the introduction of Ba2+-Si4+ and the value (D
r
) is 0.052. The YBAS:0.09Cr3+ phosphor shows a crystal field strength with a Dq/B value of 2.76. The phosphor exhibits a high quantum efficiency (73.42%), superior thermal quenching resistance (∼70% initial intensity at 150°C), and a suitable fluorescence lifetime (130.04 µs). A near-infrared pc-LED with YBAS:0.09Cr3+ phosphor displays a high output power of 167.12 mW and a moderate conversion efficiency of 3.82%.
Analysis of composite wavelength multilayer dielectric film damage based on the field-thermal effect
Authors: Wang Zhen , Zhang Rongzhu , Chen Mei
Published: October 2024

Taking SiO2/HfO2 multilayer dielectric films as the
research object, when the total laser energy is the same, the effects
of different laser parameters on film damage under 1064 nm and
355 nm composite wavelength pulse irradiation are analyzed. The
results show that different energy ratios lead to exponential
differences in the electron number density inside the film, but they
are far from reaching the field damage threshold. Comprehensive
analysis shows that film damage is mainly affected by thermal melt and
stress. The greater the difference between an energy ratio of 1ω and 3ω, the greater the thermal stress in
the film, the higher the stress peak, and the more obvious the damage
effect of thermal stress on the film. Under the condition of 50%1ω, the thermal effect in the film is
minimal, which can ensure that the film is not damaged as much as
possible. The model method used in this paper only takes the current
film system as an example for specific research and can be extended to
all film systems for analysis.
Nanoscale dual-axis accelerometer based on a cross-shaped MIM waveguide structure
Authors: Zhang Xinyi , Tian He , Song Jiaqi
Published: October 2024

This paper details the design and simulation of a dual-axis accelerometer based on the cross-shaped MIM waveguide structure, in which mass blocks are set in the middle of metal sheets inside the resonant cavities as acceleration-sensitive elements. To maintain the balance between the sensitivity and accuracy of the accelerometer, the optimal surface plasmon resonances (SPRs) are discussed to determine the relationship between resonance wavelength and acceleration. Firstly, the performances of two single-axis accelerometers are evaluated within the range of -20 g to 20 g, and the fitting results indicate that the wavelengths of specific SPRs are linearly related to the acceleration. The maximum sensitivities of the x-axis and y-axis accelerometers are 0.15 nm/g and 0.31 nm/g, respectively. After that, a dual-axis accelerometer is designed based on the structural features of the two single-axis accelerometers, achieving the maximum acceleration sensitivity Sa and FOM of 0.16 nm/g and 0.0015g-1 along the x-axis, and 0.30 nm/g and 0.0077g-1 along the y-axis. As a result, this design implements high-precision independent dual-axis acceleration sensing and presents substantial potential for application in diverse nano-scale acceleration sensing fields.
All-optical reconfigurable optical neural network chip based on wavelength division multiplexing
Authors: Liao Shasha , Tang Liang , Huang Yixiang , Liu Yejun , Liu Li
Published: October 2024

Optical computing has become an important way to achieve low power consumption and high computation speed. Optical neural network (ONN) is one of the key branches of optical computing due to its wide range of applications. However, the integrated ONN schemes proposed in previous works have some disadvantages, such as fixed network structure, complex matrix-vector multiplication (MVM) unit, and few all-optical nonlinear activation function (NAF) methods. Moreover, for the most compact MVM schemes based on wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), it is infeasible to employ intrinsic nonlinear effects to implement NAF, which brings frequent O-E-O conversion in ONN chips. Besides, it is also hard to realize a reconfigurable ONN with coherent MVMs, while it is much easier to implement in WDM schemes. We propose for the first time an all-optical silicon-based ONN chip based on WDM by adopting a new adjustment mechanism: optical gradient force (OGF). The proposed scheme is reconfigurable with tunable layers, variable neurons per layer, and adjustable NAF curves. In the task of classification of the MNIST dataset, our chip can realize an accuracy of 85.13% with 4 full-connected layers and only 50 neurons in total. In addition, we analyze the influence of the OGF-based NAF under fabrication errors and propose a calibration method. Compared to the previous works, our scheme has the two-fold advantages of compactness and reconfiguration, and it paves the way for the all-optical ONN based on WDM and opens the path to unblocking the bottleneck of integrated large-dimension ONNs.
Research on the generation mechanism of surface and subsurface damage in loose abrasive lapping of RB-SiC ceramics
Authors: Li Lingzhong , Bai Yang , Qi Erhui , Hu Haixiang , Wang Yiren , Li Fukun , Wang Xiaokun , Zhang Xuejun
Published: October 2024

Reaction-bonded silicon carbide ceramics (RB-SiC) are extensively utilized in aerospace, space optics, and other fields due to their superior physical and chemical properties. Loose abrasive lapping plays a crucial role in the optical manufacturing of large-diameter RB-SiC mirrors. Previous research predominantly focused on grinding processes and overlooked the removal mechanism during lapping and their impact on surface and subsurface damage. In this study, a three-body brittle fracture removal model was established to explore the removal mechanisms of RB-SiC. Additionally, experiments were carried out to investigate the influence of abrasive particle size on the surface and subsurface damage. Experimental results confirm the theoretical model and indicate that for RB-SiC, different particle sizes correspond to distinct removal mechanisms, causing abrupt changes in surface roughness, while the layer under SiC acts as a buffer against the propagation of subsurface damage. These findings help optimize the manufacturing process, improve lapping efficiency, and enhance mirror performance.
Singular photon spin Hall effect in chiral–graphene heterostructures and its application in chirality detection
Authors: Liang Junhang , Liang Chengkang , Zeng Zhimin , He Cao , Guo Liang , Deng Dongmei , Wang Guanghui , Zhang Li
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we consider the singular photonic spin Hall effect (PSHE) in a chiral–graphene–chiral (CGC) heterostructure in the THz band. We investigate the impact of a chiral medium on reflectance spectra and the modulation of the Fermi energy on the surface conductivity of graphene. Our study shows that placing a chiral medium on both sides of a monolayer of graphene results in an enhanced transverse shift (TS) compared to placing a non-chiral medium. Moreover, the direction of the TS of the PSHE can be altered by adjusting the sign of the chirality parameter and the Fermi energy of graphene. Finally, we establish a quantitative relationship between the PSHE and the chirality parameter and the Fermi energy of graphene. By dynamically modulating the PSHE in graphene, it is possible to flexibly detect chirality parameters. This work opens up new avenues for chiral molecular detection and graphene–PSHE dynamic modulation.
17 fs environmentally stable erbium-doped all-fiber 23.76 MHz oscillator with extra-cavity nonlinearity and dispersion management
Authors: Ismaeel Almikdad , Krylov Alexander
Published: October 2024

We demonstrate generation of both 17 fs ultrashort pulses and 862 nm spanning supercontinuum (SC) directly from an erbium-doped fiber (EDF) oscillator, utilizing extra-cavity management of nonlinearity and second-order dispersion using a combination of commercially available SMF-28 and specially developed homemade fiber with anomalous dispersion and enhanced nonlinearity. The simple but accurately designed fiber ring laser, passively mode-locked by nonlinear polarization evolution, offers a self-starting pulse generation with a dechirped duration of 51.8 fs as well as a 19.4 mW average power, 0.81 nJ pulse energy, and 13.9 kW peak power at a 23.76 MHz repetition rate and 1560 nm central wavelength. The increased extra-cavity nonlinearity enabled supercontinuum generation with visible light components corresponding to the second-harmonic generation (SHG). Implementation of a thermally stabilized case and environmental isolation resulted in highly stable self-started mode-locking operation, with a relative intensity noise of −140 dBc/Hz (at 1 MHz) and only 0.2% instability of average power during a 6 h free-running measurement.
Particle delivery in generalized optical vortex conveyor belts with a uniform orbital flow
Authors: Gao Wenyu , Zhou Yuan , Li Xing , Zhang Yanan , Zhang Qiang , Li Manman , Yu Xianghua , Yan Shaohui , Xu Xiaohao , Yao Baoli
Published: October 2024

Perfect optical vortex (POV) beams offer a phase-gradient route to convey small particles along a tunable circular path or belt. The prevailing generalized POV method can be used to reshape the conveyor belt, but it usually deteriorates the orbital energy flow of field, leading to unstable conveying speed or even creating unwanted optical traps that prevent transportation. Here, we demonstrate optical conveyor belts with customized profiles and a uniform orbital flow over the whole transporting region by integrating isometric uniform sampling and random phases into the generalized POV generation algorithm. Smooth delivery of metallic particles, inaccessible to conventional generalized POV methods, is achieved at an almost even speed. We also demonstrate a dual-belt conveyor for delivering large metal microparticles, which experience repulsive intensity-gradient forces and thus are unable to be manipulated by a single belt. Our results present a unique addition to the toolbox of optical manipulation and would facilitate the development of small-scale drug delivery microsystems.
The art of seeing the elephant in the room: 2D embeddings of single-cell data do make sense
Authors: Lause Jan , Berens Philipp , Kobak Dmitry
Published: October 2024

A recent paper claimed that t-SNE and UMAP embeddings of single-cell datasets are “specious” and fail to capture true biological structure. The authors argued that such embeddings are as arbitrary and as misleading as forcing the data into an elephant shape. Here we show that this conclusion was based on inadequate and limited metrics of embedding quality. More appropriate metrics quantifying neighborhood and class preservation reveal the elephant in the room: while t-SNE and UMAP embeddings of single-cell data do not preserve high-dimensional distances, they can nevertheless provide biologically relevant information.
Daytime land surface temperature and its limits as a proxy for surface air temperature in a subtropical, seasonally wet region
Authors: Muse Nkosi , Clement Amy , Mach Katharine J.
Published: October 2024

Land surface temperatures (LSTs) captured via satellite remote sensing are widely used as a proxy for the surface air temperatures (SATs) experienced outdoors, a key component of human heat exposure. However, LST’s accuracy in capturing SAT can vary through space and time across climate types and geographies and has been less explored in subtropical, seasonally wet regions (where summer precipitation exceeds 570 mm). Utilizing daytime (11 AM/12 PM local time, ET/EST) Landsat 8 remote sensing data, this study derived LST and evaluated its spatiotemporal patterns, as well as its relationship with SAT retrieved from local weather stations, using the case of Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA. Over 2013–2022, a surface urban heat island effect is distinctly present (mean SUHII = 3.43°C)—most intense during spring months rather than summer months (mean spring SUHII = 4.09°C). As such, LST peaks in May/June as opposed to July/August for many other parts of the northern hemisphere. In contrast, Miami-Dade SAT is greatest in August, and the strength of its relationship with LST varies by season. LST and SAT are most correlated in winter (R = 0.91) and spring (R = 0.59) months and least correlated during the wetter fall (R = 0.40) months. The relationship between LST and SAT during the summer is statistically insignificant. In this subtropical region with a seasonally wet climate, LST effectively reflects the spatial heterogeneity of the urban thermal landscape, consistent with the literature across urban regions globally. However, because the strength of the LST-SAT relationship considerably weakens during wet season months, LST data therefore have limits as a proxy for the heat exposure people experience outdoors annually, as they may not accurately represent the magnitude of localized potential heat risks. These findings underscore important considerations in using LST data to identify urban heat exposures and inform potential adaptive responses in seasonally wet, subtropical-to-tropical regions.
Automated image transcription for perinatal blood pressure monitoring using mobile health technology
Authors: Katebi Nasim , Bremer Whitney , Nguyen Tony , Phan Daniel , Jeff Jamila , Armstrong Kirkland , Phabian-Millbrook Paula , Platner Marissa , Carroll Kimberly , Shoai Banafsheh , Rohloff Peter , Boulet Sheree L. , Franklin Cheryl G. , Clifford Gari D.
Published: October 2024

This paper introduces a novel approach to address the challenges associated with transferring blood pressure (BP) data obtained from oscillometric devices used in self-measured BP monitoring systems to integrate this data into medical health records or a proxy database accessible by clinicians, particularly in low literacy populations. To this end, we developed an automated image transcription technique to effectively transcribe readings from BP devices, ultimately enhancing the accessibility and usability of BP data for monitoring and managing BP during pregnancy and the postpartum period, particularly in low-resource settings and low-literate populations. In the designed study, the photos of the BP devices were captured as part of perinatal mobile health (mHealth) monitoring programs, conducted in four studies across two countries. The Guatemala Set 1 and Guatemala Set 2 datasets include the data captured by a cohort of 49 lay midwives from 1697 and 584 pregnant women carrying singletons in the second and third trimesters in rural Guatemala during routine screening. Additionally, we designed an mHealth system in Georgia for postpartum women to monitor and report their BP at home with 23 and 49 African American participants contributing to the Georgia I3 and Georgia IMPROVE projects, respectively. We developed a deep learning-based model which operates in two steps: LCD localization using the You Only Look Once (YOLO) object detection model and digit recognition using a convolutional neural network-based model capable of recognizing multiple digits. We applied color correction and thresholding techniques to minimize the impact of reflection and artifacts. Three experiments were conducted based on the devices used for training the digit recognition model. Overall, our results demonstrate that the device-specific model with transfer learning and the device independent model outperformed the device-specific model without transfer learning. The mean absolute error (MAE) of image transcription on held-out test datasets using the device-independent digit recognition were 1.2 and 0.8 mmHg for systolic and diastolic BP in the Georgia IMPROVE and 0.9 and 0.5 mmHg in Guatemala Set 2 datasets. The MAE, far below the FDA recommendation of 5 mmHg, makes the proposed automatic image transcription model suitable for general use when used with appropriate low-error BP devices.
Public-engagement strategies of the South Asian COVID-19 Task Force: The role of racialized healthcare workers in COVID-19 mitigation in Ontario
Authors: Samina Pushpita , Chakraborty Chandrima , Grewal Rajdeep , Kaura Tajinder
Published: October 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic began in late 2019 and its uneven impact across different communities globally was quickly evident. In Canada, South Asian communities were disproportionately affected. In response, the South Asian COVID-19 Task Force (SACTF) emerged, seeking to address the unique challenges faced by the South Asian community. The embedded single case study design was employed to explore the role of SACTF in COVID-19 mitigation in Ontario. Informed by critical race theory and a public engagement conceptual framework published by the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (2010), we analyzed how contexts guided the goals, processes, and outcomes of SACTF activities. We conducted one-on-one semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with SACTF’s Board of Directors and analyzed SACTF-produced knowledge dissemination materials and media coverage of SACTF spanning March 2020 to February 2022. SACTF’s success in educating and advocating for South Asians offers important insights into the gaps in public health communication and the inequities in healthcare delivery. It emphasizes the importance of tailoring emergency responses to community-specific needs and the role of racialized healthcare workers in facilitating trust-building within minority communities. By incorporating insights of racialized healthcare workers in health system decision-making, both public engagement and community health outcomes can be improved. This study contributes to a nuanced understanding of community-centric pandemic responses and demonstrates the need for diverse representation in decision-making processes for long-term health system resilience. Both healthcare knowledge and lived experiences made SACTF alert to how pandemics unfold differently and have differential effects on racialized populations. SACTF’s responses offer practical recommendations for future pandemic preparedness and emergency responses, emphasizing the role of advocacy groups in addressing public health gaps and serving as crucial allies for communities and governments.
A murine experimental model of the pulmonary thrombotic effect induced by the venom of the snake Bothrops lanceolatus
Authors: Rucavado Alexandra , Camacho Erika , Escalante Teresa , Lomonte Bruno , Fernández Julián , Solano Daniela , Quirós-Gutiérrez Isabel , Ramírez-Vargas Gabriel , Vargas Karol , Argüello Ivette , Navarro Alejandro , Abarca Carlos , Segura Álvaro , Florentin Jonathan , Kallel Hatem , Resiere Dabor , Neviere Remi , Gutiérrez José María
Published: October 2024

Background

The venom of Bothrops lanceolatus, a viperid species endemic to the Lesser Antillean Island of Martinique, induces thrombosis in a number of patients. Previous clinical observations indicate that thrombotic events are more common in patients bitten by juvenile specimens. There is a need to develop an experimental model of this effect in order to study the mechanisms involved.

Methodology/Principal findings

The venoms of juvenile and adult specimens of B. lanceolatus were compared by (a) describing their proteome, (b) assessing their ability to induce thrombosis in a mouse model, and (c) evaluating their in vitro procoagulant activity and in vivo hemostasis alterations. Venom proteomes of juvenile and adult specimens were highly similar, albeit showing some differences. When injected by the intraperitoneal (i.p.) route, the venom of juvenile specimens induced the formation of abundant thrombi in the pulmonary vasculature, whereas this effect was less frequent in the case of adult venom. Thrombosis was not abrogated by the metalloproteinase inhibitor Batimastat. Both venoms showed a weak in vitro procoagulant effect on citrated mouse plasma and bovine fibrinogen. When administered intravenously (i.v.) venoms did not affect classical clotting tests (prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time) but caused a partial drop in fibrinogen concentration. The venom of juvenile specimens induced partial alterations in some rotational thromboelastometry parameters after i.v. injection. When venoms were administered i.p., only minor alterations in classical clotting tests were observed with juvenile venom, and no changes occurred for either venom in rotational thromboelastometry parameters. Both juvenile and adult venoms induced a marked thrombocytopenia after i.p. injection.

Conclusions/Significance

An experimental model of the thrombotic effect induced by B. lanceolatus venom was developed. This effect is more pronounced in the case of venom of juvenile specimens, despite the observation that juvenile and adult venom proteomes are similar. Adult and juvenile venoms do not induce a consumption coagulopathy characteristic of other Bothrops sp venoms. Both venoms induce a conspicuous thrombocytopenia. This experimental model reproduces the main clinical findings described in these envenomings and should be useful to understand the mechanisms of the thrombotic effect.
Energy demanding RNA and protein metabolism drive dysfunctionality of HIV-specific T cell changes during chronic HIV infection
Authors: van Pul Lisa , Stunnenberg Melissa , Kroeze Stefanie , van Dort Karel A. , Boeser-Nunnink Brigitte D. M. , Harskamp Agnes M. , Geijtenbeek Teunis B. H. , Kootstra Neeltje A.
Published: October 2024

Antiretroviral treatment of HIV infected individuals cannot eliminate the HIV reservoir and immune control of HIV is rarely seen upon treatment interruption. In long-term non-progressors (LTNP), an effective CD8 T cell response is thought to contribute to be immune control of HIV. Here we studied the transcriptional profile of virus specific CD8 T cells during the asymptomatic phase of disease, to gain molecular insights in CD8 T cell functionality in HIV progressors and different groups of LTNP: HLA-B*57 LTNP, non-HLA-B*57 LTNP and individuals carrying the MAVS minor genotype (rs7262903/rs7269320). Principal component analysis revealed distinct overall transcriptional profiles between the groups. The transcription profile of HIV-specific CD8 T cells of LTNP groups was associated with increased cytokine/IL-12 signaling and protein/RNA metabolism pathways, indicating an increased CD8 T cell functionality. Although the transcription profile of CMV-specific CD8 T cells differed from that of HIV-specific CD8 T cells, with mainly an upregulation of gene expression in progressors, similar affected pathways were identified. Moreover, CMV-specific CD8 T cells from progressors showed increased expression of genes related to effector functions and suggests recent antigen exposure. Our data shows that changes in cytokine signaling and the energy demanding RNA and protein metabolism are related to CD8 T cell dysfunction, which may indicate that mitochondrial dysfunction is an important driver of T cell dysfunctionality during chronic HIV infection. Indeed, improvement of mitochondrial function by IL-12 and mitoTempo treatment, enhanced in vitro IFNγ release by PBMC from PWH upon HIV gag and CMV pp65 peptide stimulation. Our study provides new insights into the molecular pathways associated with CD8 T cell mediated immune control of chronic HIV infection which is important for the design of novel treatment strategies to restore or improve the HIV-specific immune response.
Caregivers’ and nurses’ perceptions of the Smart Discharges Program for children with sepsis in Uganda: A qualitative study
Authors: Behan Justine , Kabajaasi Olive , Derksen Brooklyn , Sendegye George , Kugumikiriza Brenda , Komugisha Clare , Sundararajan Radhika , Jacob Shevin T. , Kenya-Mugisha Nathan , Wiens Matthew O.
Published: October 2024

Sepsis arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. Among children hospitalized with suspected sepsis in low-income country settings, mortality rates following discharge are high, similar to mortality rates in hospital. The Smart Discharges Program uses a mobile health (mHealth) platform to identify children at high risk of post-discharge mortality to receive enhanced post-discharge care. This study sought to explore the perceptions and experiences of the caregivers and nurses of children enrolled into the Smart Discharges Program and the program’s effect on post-discharge care. We conducted an exploratory qualitative study, which included in-person focus group discussions (FGDs) with 30 caregivers of pediatric patients enrolled in the Smart Discharges Program and individual, semi-structured interviews with eight Smart Discharges Program nurses. The study was carried out at four hospitals in Uganda in 2019. Following thematic analysis, three key themes pertaining to the Smart Discharges program were identified: (1) Facilitators and barriers to follow-up care after discharge; (2) Changed caregiver behavior following discharge; and (3) Increased involvement of male caregivers. Facilitators included telephone/text message reminders, positive nurse-patient relationship, and the complementary aspects of the program. Barriers included resource constraints and negative experiences during post-discharge care seeking. With regards to behavior, when provided with relevant and well-timed information, caregivers reported increased knowledge about post-discharge care and improvements in their ability to care for their child. Enrolment in the Smart Discharges Program also increased male caregiver involvement, increased provision of resources and improved communication within the family and with the healthcare system. The Smart Discharges approach is an impactful strategy to improve pediatric post-discharge care, and similar approaches should be considered to improve the hospital to home transition in similar low-income country settings.
Younger and rural children are more likely to be hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infections
Authors: Cantu Rebecca M. , Sanders Sara C. , Turner Grace A. , Snowden Jessica N. , Ingold Ashton , Hartzell Susanna , House Suzanne , Frederick Dana , Chalwadi Uday K. , Siegel Eric R. , Kennedy Joshua L.
Published: October 2024

Purpose

To identify characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection that are associated with hospitalization in children initially evaluated in a Pediatric Emergency Department (ED).

Methods

We identified cases of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients seen in the Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) ED or hospitalized between May 27, 2020, and April 28, 2022, using ICD-10 codes within the Pediatric Hospital Information System (PHIS) Database. We compared infection waves for differences in patient characteristics and used logistic regressions to examine which features led to a higher chance of hospitalization.

Findings

We included 681 pre-Delta cases, 673 Delta cases, and 970 Omicron cases. Almost 17% of patients were admitted to the hospital. Compared to Omicron-infected children, pre-Delta and Delta-infected children were twice as likely hospitalized (OR = 2.2 and 2.0, respectively; p<0.0001). Infants under one year were >3 times as likely to be hospitalized than children ages 5–14 years regardless of wave (OR = 3.42; 95%CI = 2.36–4.94). Rural children were almost three times as likely than urban children to be hospitalized across all waves (OR = 2.73; 95%CI = 1.97–3.78). Finally, those with a complex condition had nearly a 15-fold increase in odds of admission (OR = 14.6; 95%CI = 10.6–20.0).

Conclusions

Children diagnosed during the pre-Delta or Delta waves were more likely to be hospitalized than those diagnosed during the Omicron wave. Younger and rural patients were more likely to be hospitalized regardless of the wave. We suspect lower vaccination rates and larger distances from medical care influenced higher hospitalization rates.
Numerical format and public perception of foreign immigration growth rates
Authors: Dickson Maria Michela , Espa Giuseppe , Micciolo Rocco , Savadori Lucia
Published: October 2024

The study aimed to explore whether the 1-in-X bias is also present in relation to immigration growth rates. We tested this research question on a representative sample of adult residents in Trento, Italy, between March and April 2019. Participants were presented with data comparing the foreign immigrant-to-resident population ratio in Italy for 2001 (1 in 40) and 2011 (1 in 15), using two distinct formats—1-in-X and percentages. They were then asked to express the perceived increase. Baseline measures of several individual-level factors, including cultural worldviews, perceptions of immigration, numeracy, science literacy, and economic literacy, were also collected to explore the potential role of individual differences in influencing the effect of the 1-in-X format on the perceived increase in immigrants. The results confirmed the existence of the 1-in-X bias, demonstrating that the immigration growth rate in the 1-in-X format was perceived as higher than in the percentage format, even after controlling for the effects of the idiosyncratic variables. The results of this study provide insight into how different numerical formats can influence public perceptions of immigration growth rates, offering suggestions to policymakers, communicators, and stakeholders about how the presentation of information can shape public opinion.
Compromisso social da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia a partir das ações de extensão e o impacto nos ODS
Authors: Oliveira Henrique Carvalho , Borsatto Jaluza Maria Lima Silva
Published: October 2024

O presente estudo tem por objetivo verificar como as ações de extensão da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU) se alinham aos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) e ao compromisso social na promoção do desenvolvimento sustentável. Para isso, a partir de uma análise documental, realizou-se uma análise descritiva da evolução das ações de extensão da UFU no período de 2010 a 2023, e verificou-se o alinhamento delas em relação aos ODS. Os resultados demonstraram um aumento de 348% nas ações de extensão comparando os anos de 2010 e 2023, sendo as modalidades mais realizadas: projetos, eventos, cursos/oficinas, programas e prestação de serviços, com destaque para a área temática de educação com maior número de ações. Considerando o alinhamento aos ODS, destacam-se o ODS 4 (Educação de Qualidade), seguido do ODS 3 (Saúde e Bem-Estar) e o ODS 10 (Redução de desigualdades). Esses resultados confirmam o compromisso social da universidade na promoção do desenvolvimento regional sustentável, a partir das ações extensionistas alinhadas aos Objetivos da Agenda 2030 da ONU. Além disso, a estrutura de registro, mapeamento e monitoramento das atividades de extensão apresentadas neste estudo pode servir de modelo para outras Instituições de Ensino Superior, auxiliando na adoção de práticas sustentáveis por meio da educação.
ANALYSIS OF LOCATION QUOTIENT AND SHIFT SHARE IN RIAU PROVINCE
Authors: Ariyanto Anto , Harmaidi Desma , Khairunnas Khairunnas , Yasid Hamdan
Published: October 2024

Sustainable economic growth is an absolute requirement for the economic development of a region, both on a regional and national scale. The government should develop sectors that are capable of providing a multiplier on other sectors. This is also very much needed by the Province of Riau. This study aims to identify and analyze the leading sectors that have competitive competitiveness and to determine the priority of the base sector as information material and considerations especially for the Provincial Government of Riau in the development of economic development in the future. This study uses secondary data in the form of Riau Province sectoral GDP and Indonesia's sectoral GDP based on constant 2010 prices. The type of data collected is in the form of a time series from 2015 to 2021 obtained from the Central Bureau of Statistics of Riau Province and the Indonesian Central Bureau of Statistics. The data is then analyzed with a quantitative descriptive approach using the Location Quotient (LQ). Based on the LQ method, there are 3 leading sectors in Riau Province, namely Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Mining and Quarrying and Processing Industry. The three sectors have an LQ above 1, which means that these sectors are the base sectors. The three PDRB sectors from 2015–2021 have continued to increase except for the mining and quarrying sector which has continued to decline every year but is still the basis sector for economic growth in Riau.
AGRIBUSINESS CLINIC PLANNING STRATEGY IN JOMBANG REGENCY
Authors: Suci Ririn Kurnia , Sumarji Sumarji , Supriyono Supriyono , Daroini Ahsin
Published: October 2024

Agribusiness clinics are institutions that act as suppliers of agricultural technology innovations so that they are more easily disseminated to farmers and business owners as end users. The concept of clinical agribusiness has been present in Jombang Regency in 2008 as part of Primatani. Currently, the Department of Agriculture has re-launched the agribusiness clinic as the main program in agricultural development in Jombang in 2022. The purpose of this research is to describe the transformation from the old agribusiness clinic concept to a new agribusiness clinic concept, find external and internal environmental support systems in implementing agribusiness clinics in Jombang, and knowing the right strategic planning in the implementation of agribusiness clinics in Jombang Regency. This research is ascriptive qualitative research (level of explanation). Data analysis used is qualitative analysis to describe the transformation of the old concept of agrobusiness clinic to new a concept. Analysis of EFE, IFE, SWOT matrix, IE matrix, and QSPM to determine external and internal environmental system support for clinical agribusiness implementation in Jombang and to find out the right agribusiness planning strategy clinic activities in Jombang. The results of this study are the agribusiness clinic in Jombang has undergone a transformation from the old concept in 2008 to a new concept in 2022. The new concept is the development of the old concept which has undergone adjustments due to changes affecting the agricultural sector. The main external environment support system in the implementation of agribusiness clinics in Jombang Regency the need for healthy and quality agricultural products is increasing. While the main support system of the internal environment is the existence of an extension institution at the district level, namely UPT Implementing Agricultural Extension, and efforts to increase the capacity of farmers and extension workers. The right planning strategy for implementing an agribusiness clinic in Jombang is an Strategy which means utilizing strengths to gain opportunities, namely through strengthening the duties and functions of BPP as the center for implementing agribusiness clinics.
IMPROVING THE WORK PERFORMANCE OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION WORKERS THROUGH INCREASING CAPACITY, WILLINGNESS, AND OPPORTUNITY
Authors: Indriyani Yufina Risti , Yurisinthae Erlinda , Dolorosa Eva
Published: October 2024

The implementation of development is inseparable from the agricultural sector, which is closely related to extension activities. The performance of extension workers plays a role in determining the success of extension activities. Performance measurement is needed so the organization can make the right decisions for further development.  This research aims to determine the factors that affect the performance of agricultural extension workers in Kubu Raya Regency using the Work Performance Theory. Primary data were collected through questionnaires and interviews of respondents with survey methods to identify and analyze the performance of agricultural extension workers using PLS-SEM. The determination of respondents used the census method with the subject of research of 62 agricultural extension workers in Kubu Raya Regency as the second largest rice production center in West Kalimantan. The analysis showed that the exogenous latent variables positively and significantly influence work performance. The research found factors that affect the performance of agricultural extension workers in Kubu Raya Regency include: work experience, knowledge, age, motivation, task characteristics, attitude towards work, perception of the role of extension workers, actions of coworkers, the need for information, compensation, working conditions, organizational policies and time. The efforts can be made to improve performance, such as Training of Trainers, basic and technical training, placing extension workers on their competencies, giving rewards, utilizing of Cyber Extension websites, and strengthening the role and function of BPP.