bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic and precise long-distance ranging using a free-running dual-comb laser
Authors: Camenzind Sandro L. , Fricke Jacob F. , Kellner Jost , Willenberg Benjamin , Pupeikis Justinas , Phillips Christopher R. , Keller Ursula
Published: August 2022

Long-distance ranging is a crucial tool for both industrial and scientific applications. Laser-based distance metrology offers unprecedented precision making it the ideal approach for many deployments. In particular, dual-comb ranging is favorable due to its inherently high precision and sampling rate. To make high-performance long-range dual-comb LiDAR more accessible by reducing both cost and complexity, here we demonstrate a fiber-based dual-comb LiDAR frontend combined with a free-running diode-pumped solid-state dual-comb laser that allows for sub-µm measurement precision while offering a theoretical ambiguity range of more than 200 km. Our system simultaneously measures distance with the role of each comb interchanged, thereby enabling Vernier-based determination of the number of ambiguity ranges. As a proof-of-principle experiment, we measure the distance to a moving target over more than 10 m with sub-µm precision and high update rate, corresponding to a relative precision of 10−7. For a static target at a similar distance, we achieve an instantaneous precision of 0.29 µm with an update time of 1.50 ms. With a longer averaging time of 200 ms, we reach a precision of around 33 nm, which corresponds to a relative precision of about 3·10−9 with a time-of-flight-based approach.
Temporal contrast improvement through cascaded second-order nonlinear processes in a thin BBO crystal
Authors: Wang Xianzhi , Wang Zhaohua , Zhang Xu , Li Jiawen , Li Jiajun , Wei Zhiyi
Published: August 2022

We demonstrate temporal contrast improvement through cascaded second-order nonlinear processes in a 340-µm BBO crystal. The process was initiated by second harmonic (SH) generation, followed by difference frequency generation (DFG) between the SH and the short wavelength part of the fundamental wave (FW). The idler of DFG was selected by a spectral filter, and an output pulse energy of 573 µJ was obtained at 1 kHz with excellent spatial profile and a power fluctuation as low as 0.076% (rms) in 14 hours. The temporal contrast was improved by more than 2 orders of magnitude to approximately 1011, which could be further enhanced with different spectral filters. The excellent stability, energy scalability, and contrast enhancement ability make this simple and robust method very suitable to be integrated into the pulse cleaning system in many different ultra-intense laser facilities.
Function switchable broadband wave plate based on the Au–VO2 hybrid metasurface
Authors: Guo Lijun , Zhang Kun , Zhang Xingrun , Chen Bingyu , Kong Weijin
Published: August 2022

In recent years, the integration of active materials into a metasurface to achieve tunable devices has attracted much attention. Here, we design an Au–VO2 hybrid metasurface, which can switch between quarter-wave plate and half-wave plate due to the phase transition of VO2. At 298 K, the proposed structure acts as a quarter-wave plate in the 0.87–1.2 THz band, achieving the mutual conversion between linear polarization and circular polarization. Raising the temperature to 358 K, it works as a broadband half-wave plate in the range of 0.65–1.45 THz, with the reflective chirality preservation of circular polarization and the cross-polarization conversion of linear polarization. In the above cases, the response efficiencies are both above 90%. The switchable multifunction results from the tunable geometric phase of the metasurface, where the elaborately designed Au and VO2 blocks separately bring the phase of π/2. Furthermore, the electric field and current density distributions are employed to explain the physical mechanisms leading to the different functions. Such an active broadband metasurface is expected to find applications in tunable and multifunction devices manipulating the polarization and phase of terahertz waves.
Bandwidth enhancement with DAC-enabled pre-equalization and real-valued precoding for a FBMC-VLC
Authors: Chen Ming , Cai Yuxin , Zhou Jie , Zhou Hui , Liu Yi , Chen Qinghui
Published: August 2022

Modulation bandwidth limitation is one of the major drawbacks in light-emitting diode (LED)-based visible light communication (VLC) systems. Various advanced physical-layer modulation formats with digital/analog pre-equalization or adaptive modulation techniques are usually employed to improve the transmission rate of VLC systems. In this Letter, we use a radio frequency (RF) digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to directly realize signal pre-equalization without additional digital or analog signal processing. In addition, low-complexity real-valued precoding techniques are applied to reduce the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) and equalize the subcarrier signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The proposed hybrid scheme is experimentally investigated in a spectral-efficient filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC)-based VLC transmission system. The results exhibit that the PAPR can be reduced by more than 3 dB at the complementary cumulative distribution function of 1 × 10−4 with the real-valued precoding techniques. By using the proposed hybrid scheme, the modulation bandwidth can be increased to 515 MHz for 16QAM-FBMC with a bit error rate below 3.8 × 10−3 after 2.3-m free-space transmission. The net bit rate is improved by more than 45% compared with the conventional FBMC-VLC.
Analysis of differences and commonalities in wildlife hunting across the Africa-Europe South-North gradient
Authors: Bachmann Mona Estrella , Kulik Lars , Gatiso Tsegaye , Nielsen Martin Reinhardt , Haase Dagmar , Heurich Marco , Buchadas Ana , Bösch Lukas , Eirdosh Dustin , Freytag Andreas , Geldmann Jonas , Ghoddousi Arash , Hicks Thurston Cleveland , Ordaz-Németh Isabel , Qin Siyu , Sop Tenekwetche , van Beeck Calkoen Suzanne , Wesche Karsten , Kühl Hjalmar S.
Published: August 2022

Hunting and its impacts on wildlife are typically studied regionally, with a particular focus on the Global South. Hunting can, however, also undermine rewilding efforts or threaten wildlife in the Global North. Little is known about how hunting manifests under varying socioeconomic and ecological contexts across the Global South and North. Herein, we examined differences and commonalities in hunting characteristics across an exemplary Global South-North gradient approximated by the Human Development Index (HDI) using face-to-face interviews with 114 protected area (PA) managers in 25 African and European countries. Generally, we observed that hunting ranges from the illegal, economically motivated, and unsustainable hunting of herbivores in the South to the legal, socially and ecologically motivated hunting of ungulates within parks and the illegal hunting of mainly predators outside parks in the North. Commonalities across this Africa-Europe South-North gradient included increased conflict-related killings in human-dominated landscapes and decreased illegal hunting with beneficial community conditions, such as mutual trust resulting from community involvement in PA management. Nevertheless, local conditions cannot outweigh the strong effect of the HDI on unsustainable hunting. Our findings highlight regional challenges that require collaborative, integrative efforts in wildlife conservation across actors, while identified commonalities may outline universal mechanisms for achieving this goal.
Detailed measurements and simulations of electric field distribution of two TMS coils cleared for obsessive compulsive disorder in the brain and in specific regions associated with OCD
Authors: Tzirini Marietta , Roth Yiftach , Harmelech Tal , Zibman Samuel , Pell Gaby S. , Kimiskidis Vasilios K. , Tendler Aron , Zangen Abraham , Samaras Theodoros
Published: August 2022

The FDA cleared deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (Deep TMS) with the H7 coil for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) treatment, following a double-blinded placebo-controlled multicenter trial. Two years later the FDA cleared TMS with the D-B80 coil on the basis of substantial equivalence. In order to investigate the induced electric field characteristics of the two coils, these were placed at the treatment position for OCD over the prefrontal cortex of a head phantom, and the field distribution was measured. Additionally, numerical simulations were performed in eight Population Head Model repository models with two sets of conductivity values and three Virtual Population anatomical head models and their homogeneous versions. The H7 was found to induce significantly higher maximal electric fields (p<0.0001, t = 11.08) and to stimulate two to five times larger volumes in the brain (p<0.0001, t = 6.71). The rate of decay of electric field with distance is significantly slower for the H7 coil (p < 0.0001, Wilcoxon matched-pairs test). The field at the scalp is 306% of the field at a 3 cm depth with the D-B80, and 155% with the H7 coil. The H7 induces significantly higher intensities in broader volumes within the brain and in specific brain regions known to be implicated in OCD (dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA)) compared to the D-B80. Significant field ≥ 80 V/m is induced by the H7 (D-B80) in 15% (1%) of the dACC, 78% (29%) of the pre-SMA, 50% (20%) of the dlPFC, 30% (12%) of the OFC and 15% (1%) of the IFG. Considering the substantial differences between the two coils, the clinical efficacy in OCD should be tested and verified separately for each coil.
Practice of preventive measures and vaccine hesitance for COVID 19 among households in The Gambia, 2021: Study protocol
Authors: Sanneh Bakary , Sanneh Sainey , Lareef-Jah Sharmila , Darboe Buba , Dibba Lamin L. , Manjang Lamin F. , Bah Yorro , Suso Jalimory , Sagnia Phebian Ina Grant , Njai Modou , Sambou Sana M.
Published: August 2022

The first imported confirmed case of COVID 19 was reported in The Gambia on 16th of March 2020 which led to the implementation of relevant public health interventions to prevent further importation and spread of the virus. However, by 8th November 2021, the country had registered cumulatively 9.980 COVID-19 confirmed infection and 341 deaths. The country has developed and implemented Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Action Plan since the declaration by WHO that COVID-19 outbreak was a global public health threat and its subsequent proclamation that outbreak was a pandemic. Despite these efforts to sensitize the communities, some Gambians are in denial and/or misinformed of the existence of infection in the country. It is also evident that social distancing and other restrictions have not been adequately implemented by the citizenry. Less 14% of The Gambian population have been vaccinated, and there is evidence of gross vaccine hesitancy and disbelief. There is urgent need to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practices among Gambians about preventive practices especially regarding accepting vaccination to control COVID 19. The proposed study will enrol 1200 households from seven Local Government Areas (LGAs). The findings of this study will inform the messaging and health promotion activities that will be used to better inform the population to ensure compliance and practice of preventive approaches (e.g., use of mask, vaccination)necessary to reduce the negative impact of COVID 19 outbreak in The Gambia. This will thus quicken the recovery process and the return to new normal life.
Factors influencing the elderly’s behavioural intention to use smart home technologies in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Maswadi Kholoud , Ghani Norjihan Abdul , Hamid Suraya
Published: August 2022

In recent years, smart home technologies have offered opportunities for elderly people to manage their daily health-related activities. Despite the advancement in smart home technology (SHT), the level of end-user acceptance among elderly people is still low. This study proposes an SHT framework by examining the determinants of elderly behavioural intention (BI) to use smart home technologies by extending the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. This study uses the quantitative approach to survey about 486 elderly people in Saudi Arabia, and it applies the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) technique to perform the data analysis. Findings reveal that culture influence and technology awareness are significant factors in determining the BI to use SHT among elderly people. The study also finds that attitude mediates the relationships between performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and behavioural intention. We find that region and education moderate the relationships between culture influence, technology awareness, and behavioural intention. This study theoretically extends the UTAUT theory by including external constructs: culture influence, technology awareness, attitude, education, and region.
Design of a novel multi-epitope vaccine candidate against hepatitis C virus using structural and nonstructural proteins: An immunoinformatics approach
Authors: Behmard Esmaeil , Abdulabbas Hussein T. , Abdalkareem Jasim Saade , Najafipour Sohrab , Ghasemian Abdolmajid , Farjadfar Akbar , Barzegari Ebrahim , Kouhpayeh Amin , Abdolmaleki Parviz
Published: August 2022

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects the liver and causes chronic infection. Several mutations in the viral genome have been associated with drug resistance development. Currently, there is no approved vaccine against the HCV. The employment of computational biology is the primary and crucial step for vaccine design or antiviral therapy which can substantially reduce the duration and cost of studies. Therefore, in this study, we designed a multi-epitope vaccine using various immunoinformatics tools to elicit the efficient human immune responses against the HCV. Initially, various potential (antigenic, immunogenic, non-toxic and non-allergenic) epitope segments were extracted from viral structural and non-structural protein sequences using multiple screening methods. The selected epitopes were linked to each other properly. Then, toll-like receptors (TLRs) 3 and 4 agonists (50S ribosomal protein L7/L12 and human β-defensin 2, respectively) were added to the N-terminus of the final vaccine sequence to increase its immunogenicity. The 3D structure of the vaccine was modeled. Molecular dynamics simulations studies verified the high stability of final free vaccines and in complex with TLR3 and TLR4. These constructs were also antigenic, non-allergenic, nontoxic and immunogenic. Although the designed vaccine traits were promising as a potential candidate against the HCV infection, experimental studies and clinical trials are required to verify the protective traits and safety of the designed vaccine.
Identifying putative ventilation-perfusion distributions in COVID-19 pneumonia
Authors: Xu Haopeng , Petousi Nayia , Robbins Peter A.
Published: August 2022

Busana et al. (doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00871.2020) published 5 patients with COVID-19 in whom the fraction of non-aerated lung tissue had been quantified by computed tomography. They assumed that shunt flow fraction was proportional to the non-aerated lung fraction, and, by randomly generating 106 different bimodal distributions for the ventilation-perfusion (V˙/Q˙) ratios in the lung, specified as sets of paired values {V˙i,Q˙i}, sought to identify as solutions those that generated the observed arterial partial pressures of CO2 and O2 (PaCO2 and PaO2). Our study sought to develop a direct method of calculation to replace the approach of randomly generating different distributions, and so provide more accurate solutions that were within the measurement error of the blood-gas data. For the one patient in whom Busana et al. did not find solutions, we demonstrated that the assumed shunt flow fraction led to a non-shunt blood flow that was too low to support the required gas exchange. For the other four patients, we found precise solutions (prediction error < 1x10-3 mmHg for both PaCO2 and PaO2), with distributions qualitatively similar to those of Busana et al. These distributions were extremely wide and unlikely to be physically realisable, because they predict the maintenance of very large concentration gradients in regions of the lung where convection is slow. We consider that these wide distributions arise because the assumed value for shunt flow is too low in these patients, and we discuss possible reasons why the assumption relating to shunt flow fraction may break down in COVID-19 pneumonia.
Smartphone overuse, depression & anxiety in medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Santander-Hernández Flor M. , Peralta C. Ichiro , Guevara-Morales Miguel A. , Díaz-Vélez Cristian , Valladares-Garrido Mario J.
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Medical students have made particular use of smartphones during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although higher smartphone overuse has been observed, its effect on mental disorders is unclear. This study aimed to assess the association between smartphone overuse and mental disorders in Peruvian medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 370 students aged between 16 and 41 years (median age: 20) in three universities from July to October 2020. A survey including Smartphone Dependence and Addiction Scale, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 was applied. Prevalence ratios were estimated using generalized linear models.

Results

Smartphone overuse was a common feature among students (n = 291, 79%). Depressive symptoms were present in 290 (78%) students and anxiety symptoms in 255 (69%). Adjusted for confounders, addictive/dependent smartphone use was significantly associated with presence of depressive symptoms (PR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.20–1.38 for dependent use; PR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.12–1.50 for addictive use). Also, addictive/dependent smartphone use was significantly associated with presence of anxiety symptoms (PR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.14–2.23 for dependent use; PR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.07–2.41 for addictive use).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that medical students exposed to smartphone overuse are vulnerable to mental disorders. Overuse may reflect an inappropriate way of finding emotional relief, which may significantly affect quality of life and academic performance. Findings would assist faculties to establish effective measures for prevention of smartphone overuse.
Long-term follow-up of the radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules: the value of additional treatment
Authors: Kim Hyun Jin , Baek Jung Hwan , Cho Woojin , Sim Jung Suk
Published: August 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of additional radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment for benign thyroid nodules.Methods: Electronic medical records at a single institution from September 2008 to August 2016 were searched, and consecutive patients treated with RFA due to benign thyroid nodules with cosmetic or symptomatic problems were enrolled. All patients were followed up for at least 30 months. The nodules were divided into three groups: group 1 included nodules that met the criteria for additional treatment and underwent additional treatment, group 2 included nodules that met the criteria but did not undergo additional treatment, and group 3 included nodules that did not meet the criteria. The ablation results were compared among the three groups in terms of the initial ablation ratio (IAR) and volume reduction ratio (VRR).Results: Ninety nodules from 88 patients were included in the study. At the last follow-up, group 1 showed a significantly smaller nodule volume and larger VRR (2.5 mL and 84.6%, respectively) than group 2 (8.1 mL and 39.8%, respectively, P<0.001), but did not present a significant difference from group 3 (0.9 mL, P=0.347, and 92.8%, P=0.238). The IAR was significantly higher in group 3 (94.5%) than in the other two groups (group 1, 81.1%; group 2, 82.8%; P<0.001).Conclusion: Multiple treatment sessions achieve greater VRR. Therefore, additional treatment could be considered for patients who meet the corresponding criteria.
Efectos de los aceites esenciales de Eucalyptus globulus y de Mentha x piperita sobre áfi dos de alfalfa
Authors: Bizet Turovsky J. A. , Descamps L. R. , Sánchez Chopa C.
Published: August 2022

A pesar de los beneﬁcios a corto plazo que se obtienen al utilizar insecticidas sintéticos convencionales para el control de plagas agrícolas, su uso continuo puede generar varios problemas a largo plazo. Esta situación lleva a una búsqueda permanente de métodos alternativos de control. En el presente trabajo se analizó la actividad insecticida y el efecto sobre la reproducción de los aceites esenciales de Eucalyptus globulus y de Mentha x piperita en áﬁdos plaga de alfalfa. La actividad insecticida de los aceites esenciales se evaluó a través de ensayos de inmersión propuestos por la FAO y por exposición a hojas tratadas. Ambos aceites esenciales producen toxicidad por inmersión y por contacto. El efecto subletal de los aceites esenciales fue evaluado utilizando el método de inmersión de hoja. Ambos aceites disminuyeron la progenie en las especies de áﬁdos evaluadas.
Revised model of social change and acceleration: the case of Iranian society in the 1960s and 1970s
Authors: Poornik Hassan
Published: August 2022

This article aims to address the processes of social changes in terms of the theory of social acceleration. It begins with an outline of the theory of social acceleration and discusses how an investigation into the driving forces of social acceleration can be used to explain the dynamics of social stability and change. It criticizes the acceleration theory because its focus is merely on high-industrialized western societies as well as the neglect of normative and religious aspects in the processes of social acceleration and change. This article proposes a revised model of social acceleration and applies it to Iranian society. It identifies the main features of acceleration-cycle formed in Iranian society in the 1960s and 1970s to answer the question of why the cycle of acceleration could not establish a self-propelling acceleratory formation as a prime requirement for preserving social stability.
Transidiomatic favela: language resources and embodied resistance in Brazilian and South African peripheries
Authors: Silva Daniel
Published: August 2022

This article draws on a transidiomatic interaction between South Africa and Brazil activists to investigate the emergence of “hybrids” (Latour 1993. We have never been modern. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press) of body, language, and politics, while simultaneously looking to the contextual objectification of communicative resources. The interaction took place during the 2013 Circulando, an annual event promoted by the NGO Raízes em Movimento in the Complexo do Alemão favelas in Rio de Janeiro. As both Brazil and South Africa were on the route of mega sporting events and the neoliberal transformation of the city into business, activists from both peripheries produced comparable views of their struggle against forced removals ahead of the FIFA World Cup. In this ethnographic case, translanguaging as hybrid embodied practice occurs alongside other semiotic moves, such as circumscribing specific pragmatic functions. The empirical and epistemic findings may be of relevance for translanguaging research. Specifically, activists’ engagement with “non-modern” modes of hybridization (e.g., their contextual mingling of language resources, technologies and the body) and “modern” forms of objectification, such as the circumscription of specific “genres of listening” (Marsilli-Vargas 2022. Genres of listening: An ethnography of psychoanalysis in Buenos Aires. Durham: Duke University Press) suggest that it is not fruitful seeing as separate in our data the dynamics of hybridization and objectification, or the dynamics of transglossia and uniformization.
Serous body fluid evaluation using the new automated haematology analyser Mindray BC-6800Plus
Authors: Boldú Laura , Laguna Javier , Casanova Alexandra , García Saray , Molina Angel , Merino Anna
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Cellular analysis of body fluids (BF) has clinical relevance in several medical conditions. The objective of this study is twofold: (1) evaluate the analytical performance of the BF mode of Mindray BC-6800 Plus compared to manual counts under microscopy and (2) analyse if the high-fluorescent cell counts provided by the analyser (HF-BF) are useful to detect malignancy.

Methods

A total of 285 BF was analysed: 250 corresponding to patients without neoplasia and 35 to patients with malignant diseases. Manual differential counts were performed in BF with ≥250 cells/μL. Percentages and absolute counts were obtained on the BC-6800Plus for total nucleated cells (TC-BF), mononuclear, polymorphonuclear and HF-BF. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U-test, Spearman’s correlation, Passing-Bablok regression, Bland-Altman graph and ROC curve.

Results

To compare manual and automatic total cell counts, samples were divided in three groups: <250, 250–1,000 and >1,000 cells/μL. Correlation was good in all cases (r=0.72, 0.73 and 0.92, respectively) without significant differences between both methods (p=0.65, 0.39 and 0.30, respectively). The concordance between methods showed values of 90%. Considering malignant samples, median HF-BF values showed significant higher values (102 cells/μL) with respect to non-malignant (4 cells/μL) (p<0.001). The cut-off value of 8.5 HF-BF/μL was able to discriminate samples containing malignant cells showing sensitivity and specificity values of 89 and 71%, respectively. Considering both, HF-BF and TC-BF values, sensitivity and specificity values were 100 and 53%, respectively.

Conclusions

This study reveals that the Mindray BC-6800Plus offers an accurate and acceptable performance, showing results consistent with the manual method. It is recommended to consider both HF-BF and TC-BF values for the screening of the microscopic evaluation to ensure the detection of all malignant samples.
A Boundary Integral Formulation and a Topological Energy-Based Method for an Inverse 3D Multiple Scattering Problem with Sound-Soft, Sound-Hard, Penetrable, and Absorbing Objects
Authors: Le Louër Frédérique , Rapún María-Luisa
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we study numerical methods for simulating acoustic scattering by multiple three-dimensional objects of different nature (penetrable, sound-soft, sound-hard and absorbing targets) simultaneously present in the background media.
We derive and analyze a boundary integral system of equations that arises when the solution of the problem is represented via single-layer potentials.
We give abstract necessary and sufficient conditions for convergence of Petrov–Galerkin discretizations and show that spectral methods satisfy these conditions.
Superalgebraic convergence order of the discrete method for smooth objects is illustrated in some test cases.
After that, we tackle the inverse problem of finding the shape of objects of different unknown nature from measurements of the total field at a set of receptors.
We propose a numerical algorithm based on the computation of the topological energy of a weighted multifrequency least squares cost functional and present some numerical examples to illustrate its capabilities.
A Gaussian Method for the Square Root of Accretive Operators
Authors: Denich Eleonora , Novati Paolo
Published: August 2022

We consider the approximation of the inverse square root of regularly accretive operators in Hilbert spaces.
The approximation is of rational type and comes from the use of the Gauss–Legendre rule applied to a special integral formulation of the fractional power.
We derive sharp error estimates, based on the use of the numerical range, and provide some numerical experiments.
For practical purposes, the finite-dimensional case is also considered.
In this setting, the convergence is shown to be of exponential type.
The method is also tested for the computation of a generic fractional power.
Building carbon neutrality goals break down strategies for sustainable energy development
Authors: Gan Shiyuan , Zhang Wei
Published: August 2022

“Carbon neutrality” refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions directly or indirectly produced by a country, business, product, activity or individual over a period of time. Through afforestation, energy saving and emission reduction, etc., to offset the carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions generated by itself, to achieve positive and negative offset, to achieve relative “zero emissions”, which belongs to the same term as “carbon peaking” in energy saving and emission reduction. “Carbon” means carbon dioxide, and “neutralization” means a positive and negative balance. The carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emitted is offset by afforestation, energy saving and emission reduction, which is called “carbon neutrality”. Goal decomposition is the process of gradually completing the overall goal according to multiple fields to form a goal system. Target decomposition should be carried out according to the principle of integration and integration. That is, the overall goal is decomposed into sub-goals of different levels and departments, and the synthesis of each sub-goal reflects the overall goal and ensures the realization of the overall goal. This paper aims to study the decomposition of building carbon neutrality goals to sustainable energy development strategies, combining energy conservation and emission reduction with the building industry to reduce environmental pollution and energy waste. Based on the theory of sustainable development, combined with the development characteristics of China’s new energy industry, this paper makes a theoretical analysis of the sustainable development of the new energy industry from the three systems of economy, society and ecology. Using the new growth theory and the dissipative structure theory, the restricting effect of the depletion of basic energy on economic development and the influence on the alternation of industrial structure are discussed. The experimental results of this paper show that the building energy consumption intensity will reach 1.43tC/10,000 yuan, 1.25tC/10,000 yuan in the ideal scenario, and 1.1tC/10,000 yuan in the low-carbon scenario.
Adapting visualizations and interfaces to the user
Authors: Chiossi Francesco , Zagermann Johannes , Karolus Jakob , Rodrigues Nils , Balestrucci Priscilla , Weiskopf Daniel , Ehinger Benedikt , Feuchtner Tiare , Reiterer Harald , Chuang Lewis L. , Ernst Marc , Bulling Andreas , Mayer Sven , Schmidt Albrecht
Published: August 2022

Adaptive visualization and interfaces pervade our everyday tasks to improve interaction from the point of view of user performance and experience. This approach allows using several user inputs, whether physiological, behavioral, qualitative, or multimodal combinations, to enhance the interaction. Due to the multitude of approaches, we outline the current research trends of inputs used to adapt visualizations and user interfaces. Moreover, we discuss methodological approaches used in mixed reality, physiological computing, visual analytics, and proficiency-aware systems. With this work, we provide an overview of the current research in adaptive systems.
A device and an app for the diagnosis and self-management of tinnitus
Authors: Vittorini Pierpaolo , Chamoso Pablo , De la Prieta Fernando
Published: August 2022

Tinnitus is an annoying ringing in the ears, in varying shades and intensities. Tinnitus can affect a person’s overall health and social well-being (e.g., sleep problems, trouble concentrating, anxiety, depression and inability to work). The diagnostic procedure of tinnitus usually consists of three steps: an audiological examination, psychoacoustic measurement, and a disability evaluation. All steps are performed by physicians, who use specialised hardware/software and administer questionnaires. This paper presents a system, to be used by patients, for the diagnosis and self-management of tinnitus. The system is made up of an app and a device. The app is responsible for executing – through the device – a part of the required audiological and psychoacoustic examinations, as well as administering questionnaires that evaluate disability. The paper reviews the quality of the automated audiometric reporting and the user experience provided by the app. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to support the findings. The results show that automated reporting is comparable with that of physicians and that user experience was improved by re-designing and re-developing the acufenometry of the app. As for the user experience, two experts in Human-Computer Interaction evaluated the first version of the app: their agreement was good (Cohen’s K = 0.639) and the average rating of the app was 1.43/2. Also patients evaluated the app in its initial version: the satisfactory tasks (audiometry and questionnaires) were rated as 4.31/5 and 4.65/5. The unsatisfactory task (acufenometry) was improved and the average rating increased from 2.86/5 to 3.96/5 (p = 0.0005). Finally, the general usability of the app was increased from the initial value of 73.6/100 to 85.4/100 (p = 0.0003). The strengths of the project are twofold. Firstly, the automated reporting feature, which – to the best of our knowledge – is the first attempt in this area. Secondly, the overall app usability, which was evaluated and improved during its development. In summary, the conclusion drawn from the conducted project is that the system works as expected, and despite some weaknesses, also the replication of the device would not be expensive, and it can be used in different scenarios.
Five themes for ecostylistics
Authors: Goatly Andrew
Published: August 2022

Fundamentally, meaning is organized along two dimensions, similarity and contiguity, corresponding to two areas of the brain primarily responsible for language processing, Wernicke’s area and Broca’s area, respectively. Modern culture has tended to overemphasize the similarity dimension through money/commodification in capitalism, and mathematics in science, with disastrous ecological consequences. Ecostylistics can celebrate and analyze themes and linguistic patterns of poetry and novels which challenge this overemphasis. Five such themes are suggested in this article. To counter overemphasis on similarity (1) individuation. To celebrate Broca’s area’s contiguity dimension (2) dynamic process, and (3) interrelatedness and communication with the natural world. However, concentration on local contiguities of time, manifest in the contemporary English-speaking novel, distracts from the global contiguities of (4) long-term ecological change. (5) The two dimensions are also manifest in metaphor, which challenges conventional similarity-based classification, and narrative, which expands the contiguity dimension beyond the clause. These themes are illustrated by poetic examples from Wordsworth and Edward Thomas, and detailed analysis of the following texts: Gerard Manley Hopkins’ “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” and “Nature is a Heraclitean Fire”; Edward Thomas’s “The Word”, Alice Oswald’s “Sonnet” and “Birdsong for Two Voices”, and, returning to a text whose analysis by Michael Halliday was seminal for Stylistics, William Golding’s The Inheritors. Transitivity analysis within the framework of Systemic Functional Grammar is used throughout, and connections are made with quantum physics, Daoism, and other process philosophies.
Effect of stacking sequence on tensile properties of glass, hemp and kenaf hybrid composites
Authors: Jaafar Mohd Azrul , Abdullah Shahrul Azam , Jumahat Aidah , Muslim Mohamad Asrofi , Sapiai Napisah , Teng Loy Raymond Siew
Published: August 2022

Natural fibre reinforced polymer composites have the potential to be utilized at various applications due to their non-hazardous effect to the environment, biodegradable properties as well as enhanced mechanical characteristics. Nevertheless, mechanical properties of these composites are complicated to understand and predicted due to complex interaction between matrix and different type of fibres, fibres architecture and fibres arrangement. Therefore, this paper aims to study the effect of various types of fibres; kenaf mat, hemp mat and Glass Chopped Strand Mat as a core, core thickness; 1, 2 and 4 layers, and fibre arrangements; kenaf mat, hemp mat and Glass Chopped Strand Mat arranged in middle layer (core) or outer layer (skin) on tensile properties of hybrid composites. The hybrid composite specimens were prepared through combinations of hand lay-up and vacuum methods in which both methods are commonly employed techniques in industry. There are four types of fibre arrangement systems involved: (2:1:2), (2:2:2), (2:4:2) and (1:4:1). As expected, the glass fibres hybrid composites had the highest tensile performance compared to other hybrid composites. The fibre arrangement (2-1-2) was the best option for all types of fibres, while the use of 4 layers of kenaf mat, hemp mat and Glass Chopped Strand Mat as core material reduced the tensile properties. In comparison of (2-2-2) and (1-4-1), kenaf mat and Glass Chopped Strand Mat performed better as a core, while hemp mat performed better as skin.
The effects of manipulative rhetoric in Kevin Spacey’s “Let Me Be Frank” YouTube video
Authors: Sorlin Sandrine
Published: August 2022

This article focuses on Kevin Spacey’s manipulative rhetoric in the YouTube video he posted on Christmas Eve in 2018 when he was facing a felony sexual assault charge in Nantucket District Court in USA. Drawing upon the notion of “double deixis” used for the second-person pronoun, this article questions the extent to which Spacey’s use of the first-person pronoun could be called “doubly deictic”. The findings show that Spacey’s strategic use of deixis allows him to blur identities and conflate fictional and real worlds. Not only is he using deixis in a way that hampers easy interpretation and complicates cognitive projection but he assigns his audience an awkward double positioning (as fans and citizens). The article also tries to elucidate the complex effects of Spacey’s manipulation on viewers. It suggests an addition to the notion of “double consciousness” that malfunctions here, as a “third consciousness” seems to be imposed onto the audience. This may explain why certain viewers are likely to experience some “cognitive dissonance” while watching this video that the media has defined as “creepy”.
Advances in therapeutic nanodrug delivery systems for infectious lung diseases: a review
Authors: Sheng Gang , Tian Na , Duan Huijuan , Sun Zhaogang , Chu Hongqian
Published: August 2022

Infectious lung diseases are inflammatory diseases of the lungs caused by infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses or fungi. Oral or intravenous administration of antibiotics is the most common method of treatment, but some drugs have poor release stability, high systemic toxicity and susceptibility to drug resistance. Nanodrug delivery systems are promising alternatives for the treatment of infectious lung diseases, because they provide the advantages of enhancing the stability and solubility of delivered drugs, increasing pulmonary accumulation, decreasing systemic toxicity and ameliorating drug resistance. This review provides a brief overview of recent advances in approaches and ideas in pulmonary drug delivery methods. We believe that nano-based therapeutic strategies offer great potential to broaden the scope of treatment of infectious lung diseases and enhance therapeutic efficacy.
Cortical Ripples during NREM Sleep and Waking in Humans
Authors: Dickey Charles W. , Verzhbinsky Ilya A. , Jiang Xi , Rosen Burke Q. , Kajfez Sophie , Eskandar Emad N. , Gonzalez-Martinez Jorge , Cash Sydney S. , Halgren Eric
Published: August 2022

Hippocampal ripples index the reconstruction of spatiotemporal neuronal firing patterns essential for the consolidation of memories in the cortex during non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM). Recently, cortical ripples in humans have been shown to enfold the replay of neuron firing patterns during cued recall. Here, using intracranial recordings from 18 patients (12 female), we show that cortical ripples also occur during NREM in humans, with similar density, oscillation frequency (∼90 Hz), duration, and amplitude to waking. Ripples occurred in all cortical regions with similar characteristics, unrelated to putative hippocampal connectivity, and were less dense and robust in higher association areas. Putative pyramidal and interneuron spiking phase-locked to cortical ripples during NREM, with phase delays consistent with ripple generation through pyramidal–interneuron feedback. Cortical ripples were smaller in amplitude than hippocampal ripples but were similar in density, frequency, and duration. Cortical ripples during NREM typically occurred just before the upstate peak, often during spindles. Upstates and spindles have previously been associated with memory consolidation, and we found that cortical ripples grouped cofiring between units within the window of spike timing-dependent plasticity. Thus, human NREM cortical ripples are as follows: ubiquitous and stereotyped with a tightly focused oscillation frequency; similar to hippocampal ripples; associated with upstates and spindles; and associated with unit cofiring. These properties are consistent with cortical ripples possibly contributing to memory consolidation and other functions during NREM in humans.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTIn rodents, hippocampal ripples organize replay during sleep to promote memory consolidation in the cortex, where ripples also occur. However, evidence for cortical ripples in human sleep is limited, and their anatomic distribution and physiological properties are unexplored. Here, using human intracranial recordings, we demonstrate that ripples occur throughout the cortex during waking and sleep with highly stereotyped characteristics. During sleep, cortical ripples tend to occur during spindles on the down-to-upstate transition, and thus participate in a sequence of sleep waves that is important for consolidation. Furthermore, cortical ripples organize single-unit spiking with timing optimal to facilitate plasticity. Therefore, cortical ripples in humans possess essential physiological properties to support memory and other cognitive functions.
A Combination of Forward Chaining and Certainty Factor Methods for Early Detection of Fever : Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, Malaria and Typhoid
Authors: Fitri Zilvanhisna Emka , Ramadania Elsa Manora , Wibowo Nugroho Setyo , Lesmana I Putu Dody , Imron Arizal Mujibtamala Nanda
Published: August 2022

Abstract. Purpose: Dengue Hemorrhagic and Malaria fevers are the most common arthropod-borne diseases caused by mosquito bites and they also have similar signs and symptoms. Based on the problems, the researcher makes an expert system that aims to help people early detect fever diseases. This system is expected to help and support the infectious disease prevention and control program by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia.Methods: This study uses an expert system with a combination of Forward Chaining and Certainty Factor to detect the symptoms of fever. Forward Chaining is a technique that begins with gathering information related to known facts, then combining rules to produce conclusions. The certainty Factor method is used to define a measure of certainty against a fact or rule and to describe the level of expert confidence in dealing with problems. There are 32 symptoms of the disease consisting of dengue fever, malaria and typhoid, it was obtained based on the literature and interviews with internal medicine specialist with 20 case datasets.Result: Based on 20 test data, obtained one data that does not match the test results and the desired target so that the system accuracy obtained is 95%. In addition, the combination of Forward Chaining and Certainty factor has better accuracy when compared to expert systems in previous studies.Novelty: Forward Chaining to find three rules and assigning weights to the Certainty Factor that has been set by the expert makes the combination of the two methods produce better accuracy.
Chili Classification Using Shape and Color Features Based on Image Processing
Authors: Sihombing Yobel Fernanda , Septiarini Anindita , Kridalaksana Awang Harsa , Puspitasari Novianti
Published: August 2022

Abstract. Purpose: Chili is an agricultural product that has several varieties and is in great demand. It can be consumed directly or processed first.  This study aims to classify the types of chili using color and shape features. The types of chili are divided into five classes: cayenne pepper, green chili, big green chili, big red chili, and curly chili. The chili classification method was evaluated using three parameters: precision, recall, and accuracy.Methods: This study applied the K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) method with the Euclidean and Manhattan distance calculation algorithm and used two feature types: color and shape. The color features were extracted based on RGB color space by obtaining the mean and standard deviation values. Meanwhile, the shape features used aspect ratio, area, and boundary.Result: The evaluation results of the classification method were able to achieve the precision, recall, and accuracy values of 1.0, which means that all test data were classified correctly. The evaluation was applied with 210 training images and 90 test images based on the test results.Novelty: This study extracted two types of features: color and shape. Those features fed the KNN method by applying the Euclidean and Manhattan distance calculation algorithm; hence, the optimal results were achieved.
Interdisciplinary Quality Improvement Project Increases Vitamin D Supplementation in Infants
Authors: Diminick Noah P. , Fey Jamie M. , Bourque Jonathan , Crosby Patricia , Fox Leah , Tsai-Leonard Diana , Morin Heidi , Cyr Kathleen , Hewitt William , McElwain Lorraine L.
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND

American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines recommend 400 IU of vitamin D supplementation daily for certain infants <1 year of age. We aimed to increase the proportion of reported appropriate vitamin D supplementation for infants born at our institution and those who followed up in our resident clinic through 6 months from 49% to 80% over 24 months.

METHODS

Our interdisciplinary quality improvement effort included vitamin D medication delivery before nursery discharge and family and staff education. The process measure was the percentage of families discharged from birth hospitalization with vitamin D and teaching. The outcome measure was the percentage of families reporting appropriate vitamin D supplementation at 2-, 4-, and 6-month well child visits. The balancing measure was the percentage of infants discharged from the nursery by 2 pm. Data were displayed on Statistical Process Control p charts and established rules for detecting special causes were applied.

RESULTS

Baseline and improvement data were collected for 587 hospital discharges and 220 outpatient encounters. The percentage of families discharged with vitamin D increased from 24.8% to 98% from 2016 to 2018. Percent of families reporting appropriate vitamin D supplementation at well child visits increased from 49% to 89% from 2016 to 2018. Overall, the percentage of discharges by 2 pm remained stable at 60%.

CONCLUSION

Bedside medication delivery and education in the newborn nursery improved reported vitamin D supplementation rates in the first 6 months of life. The intervention did not delay newborn hospital discharge.