bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Translanguaging
Authors: Βασιλοπούλου Ελένη
Published: March 2022

Οι τελευταίες δεκαετίες χαρακτηρίζονται από τη συνεχή κινητικότητα των πληθυσμών, των οποίων οι γλωσσικές πρακτικές σχετίζονται με τη διγλωσσία και την πολυμορφία των γλωσσών και των πολιτισμών. Με βάση αυτή την παρατήρηση, η παρούσα διατριβή διερωτάται για τη φύση αυτών των πρακτικών και την ιεράρχηση των γλωσσών και των πολιτισμών στο σχολικό πλαίσιο. Οι δεσμοί εξουσίας, τους οποίους υφαίνουν οι γλώσσες και οι πολιτισμοί, μελετώνται από μια "επιστημονική σύγκρουση" μεταξύ των στρουκτουραλιστών γλωσσολόγων και των κοινωνιογλωσσολόγων. Από τη μία πλευρά, η μελέτη των γλωσσών ως αυτόνομων συστημάτων και, από την άλλη, η αντίληψη των γλωσσών ως σύνολο ρεπερτορίων, μας οδηγούν στην επιστημολογική μελέτη του translanguaging από το 1980 έως σήμερα. Αφού μελετήσουμε την έννοια και τη σχέση του translanguaging με βασικές έννοιες της διδακτικής των γλωσσών και των πολιτισμών, όπως οι μονογλωσσικές και πολυγλωσσικές προσεγγίσεις, η εναλλαγή γλωσσικών κωδίκων και η διαμεσολάβηση, προτείνουμε μια νέα θεωρία και έρευνα του translanguaging, που συνδέονται με τις μικρές λογοτεχνικές φόρμες. Η έρευνά μας εντάσσεται σε δύο περιόδους παρατήρησης και έρευνας-δράσης στην τάξη σε δημοτικά σχολεία στη Γαλλία και στην Ελλάδα. Δύο ειδικές σχεδιασμένες σχάρες παρατήρησης και λογοτεχνικές σύντομες φόρμες που ενσωματώθηκαν σε μαθήματα που προτάθηκαν για τη μελέτη του translanguaging αποτελούν τα ερευνητικά εργαλεία αυτής της διατριβής. Με βάση αυτή την προσέγγιση, προτείνουμε μια νέα οπτική του translanguaging που θέτει μια ολιστική προσέγγιση των γλωσσών και των πολιτισμών στο επίκεντρο της διδασκαλίας.
Η έννοια της οικονομίας στον "Οικονομικό" του Ξενοφώντος
Authors: Αλμπανίδου Ανθία
Published: March 2022

Στόχος της διατριβής είναι να αναδειχθεί η συμβολή του Ξενοφώντος στην εξέλιξη της Οικονομικής Επιστήμης και ειδικότερα στους κλάδους της Οικιακής Οικονομίας, της Διοίκησης ανθρώπινου δυναμικού και διαχείρισης έργου. Στο πρώτο κεφάλαιο εξετάζεται η ζωή της γυναίκας στην Αθηναϊκή κοινωνία και αναδεικνύονται οι βασιλικές της ικανότητες στην άσκηση εξουσίας και στη διαχείριση του «οίκου», με την καθοδήγηση του συζύγου. Οι συστάσεις για ορθή επιλογή της «οικονόμου», για αξιολόγηση του προσωπικού και παρακίνηση προς εργασία μέσω κινήτρων, παραπέμπουν στις σύγχρονες θεωρίες Οικονομίας και Διοίκησης. Στο δεύτερο κεφάλαιο, αφού καταγράφονται οι απαγορεύσεις και τα ελάχιστα δικαιώματα, οι λόγοι διαμόρφωσης της αγοραστικής τιμής και οι δυνατότητες απελευθέρωσης των δούλων, γίνεται σαφές πως η οικονομική ζωή του οίκου στηριζόταν στην εκμετάλλευση της ανθρώπινης εργασίας. Στο τρίτο κεφάλαιο, αφού γίνεται αναφορά σε προγενέστερες πηγές σχετικά με την καλλιέργεια της γης, αναδεικνύεται η γεωργία ως τέχνη βασιλική, σύμφωνα με το εγκώμιο του Ξενοφώντος. Υπογραμμίζεται η ανάγκη για ορθολογική διαχείριση των φυσικών πόρων, για εξοικονόμηση πόρων, ενέργειας και χρήματος, αύξηση της παραγωγικότητας και βελτίωση της ποιότητας των προϊόντων. Στο τέταρτο κεφάλαιο καταγράφονται οι συνθήκες που καθόρισαν την ανάπτυξη του πρωτογενή τομέα της οικονομίας. Αναλύεται το καθεστώς της εγγείου ιδιοκτησίας, οι μεταρρυθμίσεις του Σόλωνος για την αντιμετώπιση της αγροτικής κρίσης και η διαίρεση των πολιτών σε τέσσερις τάξεις βάσει του πλούτου. Προβάλλεται έτσι το αξιόλογο κράτος πρόνοιας και η περίνοια των προγόνων μας στη διαμόρφωση της οικονομικής τους πολιτικής. Στο πέμπτο κεφάλαιο αναλύονται οι οικονομικές ιδέες του Ξενοφώντος. Διερευνάται η έννοια της Οικονομίας, ο ορισμός του αγαθού και το πρόβλημα των περιορισμένων οικονομικών. Εξετάζονται οι θεωρίες του πλούτου, του ελλάσσονος μέσου και του καταμερισμού των έργων. Συμπερασματικά, καταγράφονται οι απόψεις του Ξενοφώντος και του Αριστοτέλη για την οικονομία που αποτέλεσαν το έναυσμα για τη διατύπωση των οικονομικών θεωριών του Adam Smith και την ανάπτυξη της οικονομικής επιστήμης.
Effects of exercise on thyroid hormones in children and adolescents with thyroid function disorders: A Systematic Review
Authors: Rajashekar Bindya , Singh Vijay Pratap , Singh Chauhan Namrata
Published: March 2022

Background: Exercise leads to changes in hormonal concentration and metabolites which impacts growth and development; during physical activity, energy metabolism is influenced by hormones associated with pubertal development, and characterization of its response to exercise is essential. Therefore, we aimed to identify the effects of exercise on thyroid hormones in children and adolescents with thyroid function disorders.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Embase based on the search strategy, and the articles were screened based on inclusion criteria, for which two independent reviewers conducted data extraction. The eligible studies were methodologically assessed using a modified Downs and Black’s checklist. The extracted data were summarized according to study population, intervention, type and duration, outcome measures, and results.

Results: The total number of screened articles was 1,710, out of which six papers were included for review. Studies included children and adolescents with hypothyroidism, intellectual disabilities, and obesity who received exercise or physical activity as an intervention. The outcomes included thyroid hormones T3, T4, and TSH. Studies were generally of low quality. The findings of the studies throw some light on the benefits of exercise or physical activity.

Conclusions: Structured physical activity and exercise followed for a more extended period showed some thyroid function changes in this population. The intensity of change was directly proportional to exercise intensity. However, this review does not provide sufficient evidence stating that exercise results in changes of thyroid function returning to normal, which requires further higher-quality studies to strengthen the review’s findings.
In Institutions We Trust? Trust in Government and the Allocation of Entrepreneurial Intentions
Authors: Eesley Charles , Lee Yong Suk
Published: March 2022

Whether entrepreneurship generates economic growth depends on the institutional environment due to its impact on the mix of productive and unproductive entrepreneurship in the economy. The incentive structure embedded in each society affects whether talented people become entrepreneurs and potentially, the extent to which they engage in more productive forms of entrepreneurship. We examine how trust in institutions affects the entrepreneurial intentions of potentially productive entrepreneurs. We utilize the unique event surrounding the impeachment of South Korea’s previous president. The event improved people’s trust in the government because it was ultimately the people’s protests and demands that led to the impeachment of the president for influence peddling and extracting personal rents from businesses. By surveying the same individuals before and after the impeachment ruling, we identify people’s changes in trust in government and various institutions. We find that increased trust in institutions increases one’s intent to start a business within five years. Moreover, we show that the relationship between trust in institutions and entrepreneurial intention is significantly stronger for engineering majors from top universities.

Supplemental Material: The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2022.1583 .
Discovery of underground shelters occupied by the Chacoan Marsh Rat after massive wildfires in Pantanal, Brazil
Authors: Fernandes Semedo Thiago Borges , Simões Libardi Gustavo , Strüssmann Christine , Berlinck Christian Niel , Tomas Walfrido Moraes , Terra Garbino Guilherme Siniciato
Published: March 2022

Las sequías e incendios forestales que afectaron el Pantanal, la mayor llanura inundada de Sudamérica, en 2020 impactaron fuertemente la biota, cuya resiliencia a estos tipos de eventos extremos todavía es desconocida.  Durante muestreos posteriores a los incendios en sitios impactados, encontramos tres cuevas habitadas por la rata colorada chaqueña, Holochilus chacarius.  Además, encontramos a un bagre calíctido (Hoplosternum sp.) y a un cangrejo tricodactílido (Dilocarcinus pagei) cohabitando una de las cuevas con H. chacarius.  Reportamos, por primera vez, el uso de una cueva inundada por la rata colorada.  Discutimos la importancia de dichas estructuras para la supervivencia posterior al incendio y si pueden servir como refugio para H. chacarius y otras especies a eventos extremos de incendios y sequía, a la luz de estudios previos con otros taxones.
Rotation angle measurement method based on self-mixing interference of
a fiber laser
Authors: Zhao Yan , Zhang Yonghang , Zhang Haiwei , Xue Lifang , Ren Minjia , Miao Yinping
Published: March 2022

A rotation angle measurement method based on self-mixing interference (SMI) of a fiber
laser is proposed. The rotation angle can be calculated indirectly by
the displacement measured by SMI. In the experiment, a linear cavity
fiber laser with simple structure and high flexibility is used as the
optical source for measuring the deflection angle. To improve the
measurement accuracy, the SMI signal is filtered by the variational
mode decomposition (VMD) algorithm. The filtered SMI signal is
normalized by Hilbert transform. The even-power algorithm is used to
subdivide the interference fringes, so as to improve the measurement
resolution. The experimental result shows that the measurement error
of angular shift is less than 1% in the range of 10°.
Pyroelectric detector-based method for low uncertainty spectral irradiance and radiance responsivity calibrations in the infrared using tunable lasers
Authors: Alberding Brian G. , Woodward John T. , Shaw Ping-Shine , Hanssen Leonard M. , Cooksey Catherine C. , Rice Joseph P.
Published: March 2022

The standard uncertainty of detector-based radiance and irradiance
responsivity calibrations in the short-wave infrared (SWIR)
traditionally has been limited to around 1% or higher by the poor
spatial uniformity of detectors used to transfer the scale from
radiant power. Pyroelectric detectors offer a solution that avoids the
spatial uniformity uncertainty but also introduces additional
complications due to alternating current (AC) measurement techniques.
Herein, a new, to the best of our knowledge, method for low
uncertainty irradiance responsivity calibrations in the SWIR is
presented. An absolute spectral irradiance responsivity scale was
placed on two pyroelectric detectors (PED) at wavelengths

λ

from 500 to 3400 nm. The total
combined uncertainty (

k
=

1

) was

≈

0.28

%

(

>

1000

nm

), 0.44% (900 nm), and 0.36% (

≈

950

nm

and

<

900

nm

) for PED #1 and 0.34% (

>

1000

nm

), 0.48% (900 nm), and 0.42% (

≈

950

nm

and

<

900

nm

) for PED #2. This was done by
utilizing a demodulation technique to digitally analyze the
time-dependent AC waveforms, which obviates the use of lock-in
amplifiers and avoids associated additional uncertainty
components.
Generalised adaptive optics method for high-NA aberration-free refocusing in refractive-index-mismatched media
Authors: Cui Jiahe , Antonello Jacopo , Kirkpatrick Andrew R. , Salter Patrick S. , Booth Martin J.
Published: March 2022

Phase aberrations are introduced when focusing by a high-numerical aperture (NA) objective lens into refractive-index-mismatched (RIM) media. The axial focus position in these media can be adjusted through either optical remote-focusing or mechanical stage translation. Despite the wide interest in remote-focusing, no generalised control algorithm using Zernike polynomials has been presented that performs independent remote-focusing and RIM correction in combination with mechanical stage translation. In this work, we thoroughly review derivations that model high-NA defocus and RIM aberration. We show through both numerical simulation and experimental results that optical remote-focusing using an adaptive device and mechanical stage translation are not optically equivalent processes, such that one cannot fully compensate for the other without additional aberration compensation. We further establish new orthogonal modes formulated using conventional Zernike modes and discuss its device programming to control high-NA remote-focusing and RIM correction as independent primary modes in combination with mechanical stage translation for aberration-free refocusing. Numerical simulations are performed, and control algorithms are validated experimentally by fabricating graphitic features in diamond using direct laser writing.
Non-invasive surface profile measurement using a unitary transformation subspace approach in digital holography
Authors: Ramaiah Jagadesh , Vishnoi Ankur , Gannavarpu Rajshekhar
Published: March 2022

Fast and accurate measurements of surface profiles is of vital importance in the field of non-destructive material testing. In the article, we propose the application of a robust phase retrieval method in digital holographic microscopy for nanoscale surface profile measurement. The proposed method is based on a parameter estimation strategy using a unitary transformation procedure applied over a windowed region of the numerically reconstructed wavefield signal. The proposed method is suitable for phase extraction even in the presence of noise and non-uniform amplitude variations. The applicability of the proposed method is demonstrated using both simulation and experimental results.
Neural network gradient-index mapping: erratum
Authors: Ohno Hiroshi , Usui Takashi
Published: March 2022

This erratum corrects a typographical error in Eq. (13) of our paper [ OSA Continuum 4, 2543 (2021)10.1364/OSAC.437395].
New dual method for elastica regularization
Authors: Song Jintao , Pan Huizhu , Ding Jieyu , Wei Weibo , Pan Zhenkuan
Published: March 2022

The Euler’s elastica energy regularizer has been widely used in image processing and computer vision tasks. However, finding a fast and simple solver for the term remains challenging. In this paper, we propose a new dual method to simplify the solution. Classical fast solutions transform the complex optimization problem into simpler subproblems, but introduce many parameters and split operators in the process. Hence, we propose a new dual algorithm to maintain the constraint exactly, while using only one dual parameter to transform the problem into its alternate optimization form. The proposed dual method can be easily applied to level-set-based segmentation models that contain the Euler’s elastic term. Lastly, we demonstrate the performance of the proposed method on both synthetic and real images in tasks image processing tasks, i.e. denoising, inpainting, and segmentation, as well as compare to the Augmented Lagrangian method (ALM) on the aforementioned tasks.
Long-term outcomes of patients with cirrhosis presenting with bleeding gastric varices
Authors: Nakazawa Manabu , Imai Yukinori , Sugawara Kayoko , Uchida Yoshihito , Saitoh Yoichi , Fujii Yohei , Uchiya Hiroshi , Ando Satsuki , Nakayama Nobuaki , Tomiya Tomoaki , Mochida Satoshi
Published: March 2022

Aim

To establish a therapeutic strategy for cirrhosis patients with gastric variceal bleeding.

Methods

The outcomes of 137 patients with bleeding gastric varices were evaluated.

Results

The bleeding source was gastroesophageal varices (GOV) in 86 patients, and gastric fundal varices (FV) in 51 patients. The Child-Turcotte-Pugh classes were A, B, and C in 26, 79, and 32 patients, respectively; 34 patients (24.8%) had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), of which 11 also had complicating portal venous tumor thrombosis (PVTT). Patients with GOV were treated by endoscopic variceal ligation or endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) with ethanolamine oleate, while those with FV were treated by EIS with cyanoacrylate; 29 patients with FV also underwent additional balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO). Hemostasis was successfully achieved in 136 patients (99.3%), and the cumulative 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year rebleeding rates were 18.1%, 30.8%, and 30.8%, respectively, in the patients with GOV, and 2.2%, 12.5% and 12.5%, respectively, in the patients with FV. The overall 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 79.7%, 71.5% and 64.4%, respectively, in the patients with GOV, and 91.0%, 76.9% and 59.5%, respectively, in the patients with FV. Multivariable analysis identified PVTT and alcoholic cirrhosis as a significant risk factor associated with rebleeding, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and PVTT as significant factors associated with survival.

Conclusions

Endoscopic therapies with or without BRTO appeared to be useful therapeutic strategies to prevent rebleeding in patients with gastric variceal bleeding, and favorable outcomes were obtained, except in patients with underlying HCC associated with PVTT and/or severe liver damage.
Myasthenia gravis complement activity is independent of autoantibody titer and disease severity
Authors: Fichtner Miriam L. , Hoarty Michelle D. , Vadysirisack Douangsone D. , Munro-Sheldon Bailey , Nowak Richard J. , O’Connor Kevin C.
Published: March 2022

Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) autoantibodies, found in patients with autoimmune myasthenia gravis (MG), can directly contribute to disease pathology through activation of the classical complement pathway. Activation of the complement pathway in autoimmune diseases can lead to a secondary complement deficiency resulting in reduced complement activity, due to consumption, during episodes of disease activity. It is not clear whether complement activity in MG patients associates with measurements of disease activity or the titer of circulating pathogenic AChR autoantibodies. To explore such associations, as a means to identify a candidate biomarker, we measured complement activity in AChR MG samples (N = 51) using a CH50 hemolysis assay, then tested associations between these values and both clinical status and AChR autoantibody titer. The majority of the study subjects (88.2%) had complement activity within the range defined by healthy controls, while six patients (11.8%) showed reduced activity. No significant association between complement activity and disease status or AChR autoantibody titer was observed.
Assessment of prevalence of Giardia lamblia infection and its associated factors among government elementary school children from Sidama zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia
Authors: Hajare Sunil Tulshiram , Chekol Yeinewub , Chauhan Nitin Mahendra
Published: March 2022

Giardiasis is a protozoan disease caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia. Around 200 million people are infected worldwide annually while, 500,000 deaths were reported each year. The infection rates were between 2–5% in the developed nations and 20–30% in the developing countries. The parasite is associated with poverty, poor sanitation, lack of clean and safe drinking water supply, and poor personal hygiene. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence rate and associated risk factors of G. lamblia infection among the elementary school children at Loka Abaya town, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2018 to July 2019. A total number of 422 students were selected by using simple random sampling. Structured and semi-structured questionnaire was used to identify known risk factors such as environmental, socio-demographic, and behavioural. Stool specimens were collected from the study subjects and examined using direct smear method, microscopically. A bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done. P value less than 0.05 at 95% of the confidence interval was considered statistically significant. The overall prevalence rates of G. lamblia infection were 27.1%. Rural school from Aregeda [AOR: 9.997, P = 0.005], age group of 6–9 years [AOR: 2.305, P = 0.019], consuming tap water [AOR: 0.011, P = 0.006], hand washing habit after defecation with water only [AOR = 0.313, P = 0.040], use of soap and water [AOR: 0.046, P = 0.000] were the factors which are found to be associated with the parasite infection when compared to urban school. As such, the prevalence of G. lamblia infection was found to be high in the studied area among school children. Thus, scaling-up of access to safe water, toilets, education, and health facilities are required to possibly eradicate this predicament.
Perception of the use of a telephone interpreting service during primary care consultations: A qualitative study with allophone migrants
Authors: Jaiteh Maïmouna , Cormi Clément , Hannetel Louise , Mir Jean-Paul , Leaune Edouard , Sanchez Stéphane
Published: March 2022

Objectives

The language barrier prevents allophone migrant patients from accessing healthcare when arriving in a country, and interpreters are often needed to help them to be understood. This study aimed to understand perceptions and experiences of allophone migrant patients who used a telephone-interpreting service during primary care consultations.

Study design

A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was undertaken between September 2019 and January 2020. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis framework.

Setting

Allophone migrant patients from an accommodation centre for asylum-seekers who used a telephone-interpreting service during primary care consultations with a general practitioner.

Participants

A purposive sample of allophone migrant patients (n = 10).

Results

From the semi-structured interviews, we identified three themes: (1) multi-level difficulties of being an allophone migrant in the primary care pathway (i.e., before, during, and after the consultation); (2) the key role of the interpreter in the doctor-patient relationship, participating in improving the patient’s management by establishing a climate of trust between the two; and (3) advantages and limitations of the TIS. However, even if a telephone-interpreting service is very helpful, allowing quick access to interpreters speaking the allophone patient’s native language, certain situations would require the interpreter to see the patient to better guide the doctor during the consultation.

Conclusion

Telephone-interpreting services enable improving communication and comprehension between allophone migrant patients and doctors. Nevertheless, the interpreter may sometimes need to physically see the patient to better guide the doctor. To do so, interpreting services using videoconferencing deserve wider development.
Perioperative magnetic resonance imaging in breast cancer care: Distinct adoption trajectories among physician patient-sharing networks
Authors: Xu Xiao , Soulos Pamela R. , Herrin Jeph , Wang Shi-Yi , Pollack Craig Evan , Killelea Brigid K. , Forman Howard P. , Gross Cary P.
Published: March 2022

Background

Despite no proven benefit in clinical outcomes, perioperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was rapidly adopted into breast cancer care in the 2000’s, offering a prime opportunity for assessing factors influencing overutilization of unproven technology.

Objectives

To examine variation among physician patient-sharing networks in their trajectory of adopting perioperative MRI for breast cancer surgery and compare the characteristics of patients, providers, and mastectomy use in physician networks that had different adoption trajectories.

Methods and findings

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database in 2004–2009, we identified 147 physician patient-sharing networks (caring for 26,886 patients with stage I-III breast cancer). After adjusting for patient clinical risk factors, we calculated risk-adjusted rate of perioperative MRI use for each physician network in 2004–2005, 2006–2007, and 2008–2009, respectively. Based on the risk-adjusted rate, we identified three distinct trajectories of adopting perioperative MRI among physician networks: 1) low adoption (risk-adjusted rate of perioperative MRI increased from 2.8% in 2004–2005 to 14.8% in 2008–2009), 2) medium adoption (8.8% to 45.1%), and 3) high adoption (33.0% to 71.7%). Physician networks in the higher adoption trajectory tended to have a larger proportion of cancer specialists, more patients with high income, and fewer patients who were Black. After adjusting for patients’ clinical risk factors, the proportion of patients undergoing mastectomy decreased from 41.1% in 2004–2005 to 38.5% in 2008–2009 among those in physician networks with low MRI adoption, but increased from 27.0% to 31.4% among those in physician networks with high MRI adoption (p = 0.03 for the interaction term between trajectory group and time).

Conclusions

Physician patient-sharing networks varied in their trajectory of adopting perioperative MRI. These distinct trajectories were associated with the composition of patients and providers in the networks, and had important implications for patterns of mastectomy use.
BC-DUnet-based segmentation of fine cracks in bridges under a complex background
Authors: Liu Tao , Zhang Liangji , Zhou Guoxiong , Cai Weiwei , Cai Chuang , Li Liujun
Published: March 2022

Crack is the external expression form of potential safety risks in bridge construction. Currently, automatic detection and segmentation of bridge cracks remains the top priority of civil engineers. With the development of image segmentation techniques based on convolutional neural networks, new opportunities emerge in bridge crack detection. Traditional bridge crack detection methods are vulnerable to complex background and small cracks, which is difficult to achieve effective segmentation. This study presents a bridge crack segmentation method based on a densely connected U-Net network (BC-DUnet) with a background elimination module and cross-attention mechanism. First, a dense connected feature extraction model (DCFEM) integrating the advantages of DenseNet is proposed, which can effectively enhance the main feature information of small cracks. Second, the background elimination module (BEM) is proposed, which can filter the excess information by assigning different weights to retain the main feature information of the crack. Finally, a cross-attention mechanism (CAM) is proposed to enhance the capture of long-term dependent information and further improve the pixel-level representation of the model. Finally, 98.18% of the Pixel Accuracy was obtained by comparing experiments with traditional networks such as FCN and Unet, and the IOU value was increased by 14.12% and 4.04% over FCN and Unet, respectively. In our non-traditional networks such as HU-ResNet and F U N-4s, SAM-DUnet has better and higher accuracy and generalization is not prone to overfitting. The BC-DUnet network proposed here can eliminate the influence of complex background on the segmentation accuracy of bridge cracks, improve the detection efficiency of bridge cracks, reduce the detection cost, and have practical application value.
Quality of care in a differentiated HIV service delivery intervention in Tanzania: A mixed-methods study
Authors: Okere Nwanneka Ebelechukwu , Meta Judith , Maokola Werner , Martelli Giulia , van Praag Eric , Naniche Denise , Gomez Gabriela B. , Pozniak Anton , Rinke de Wit Tobias , de Klerk Josien , Hermans Sabine
Published: March 2022

Background

Differentiated service delivery (DSD) offers benefits to people living with HIV (improved access, peer support), and the health system (clinic decongestion, efficient service delivery). ART clubs, 15–30 clients who usually meet within the community, are one of the most common DSD options. However, evidence about the quality of care (QoC) delivered in ART clubs is still limited.

Materials and methods

We conducted a concurrent triangulation mixed-methods study as part of the Test & Treat project in northwest Tanzania. We surveyed QoC among stable clients and health care workers (HCW) comparing between clinics and clubs. Using a Donabedian framework we structured the analysis into three levels of assessment: structure (staff, equipment, supplies, venue), processes (time-spent, screenings, information, HCW-attitude), and outcomes (viral load, CD4 count, retention, self-worth).

Results

We surveyed 629 clients (40% in club) and conducted eight focus group discussions, while 24 HCW (25% in club) were surveyed and 22 individual interviews were conducted. Quantitative results revealed that in terms of structure, clubs fared better than clinics except for perceived adequacy of service delivery venue (94.4% vs 50.0%, p = 0.013). For processes, time spent receiving care was significantly more in clinics than clubs (119.9 vs 49.9 minutes). Regarding outcomes, retention was higher in the clubs (97.6% vs 100%), while the proportion of clients with recent viral load <50 copies/ml was higher in clinics (100% vs 94.4%). Qualitative results indicated that quality care was perceived similarly among clients in clinics and clubs but for different reasons. Clinics were generally perceived as places with expertise and clubs as efficient places with peer support and empathy. In describing QoC, HCW emphasized structure-related attributes while clients focused on processes. Outcomes-related themes such as improved client health status, self-worth, and confidentiality were similarly perceived across clients and HCW.

Conclusion

We found better structure and process of care in clubs than clinics with comparable outcomes. While QoC was perceived similarly in clinics and clubs, its meaning was understood differently between clients. DSD catered to the individual needs of clients, either technical care in the clinic or proximate and social care in the club. Our findings highlight that both clinic and DSD care are required as many elements of QoC were individually perceived.
Changes in gut microbiota composition with age and correlations with gut inflammation in rats
Authors: Meng Chen , Feng Siyuan , Hao Zikai , Dong Chen , Liu Hong
Published: March 2022

Increasing evidences indicate that gut microbiota composition is associated with multiple inflammatory diseases. However, little is known about how gut microbiota changes with age and correlations with gut inflammation at sexual maturity stage of healthy individuals. Elucidating the dynamic changes of gut microbiota in healthy individuals at the sexual maturity stage and correlations with gut inflammation can provide clues for early risk assessment of gut diseases at the sexual maturity stage. Here, the shift in gut bacteria and its relationship with gut inflammation at the sexual maturity stage were explored. Sprague–Dawley rats at the sexual maturity stage were used in this study. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed to decipher gut bacteria shifts from the 7th week to the 9th week, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure gut inflammation and gut barrier permeability. We found an increase in bacterial richness with age and a decrease in bacterial diversity with age. The gut bacteria were primarily dominated by the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroides and the genus Prevotella. The relative abundance of Firmicutes increased with age, and the relative abundance of Bacteroides decreased with age. There was a positive correlation between body weight and the Firmicutes:Bacteroides ratio. More and more gut microbiota participated in the host gut inflammation and barrier permeability regulation with age. Ruminococcus was the only gut bacteria participated in gut inflammation and barrier permeability regulation both in the 7th week and the 15th week. These results provide a better understanding of the relationship between gut bacteria and gut inflammation in sexually mature rats and show that Ruminococcus may be a potential indicator for early risk assessment of gut inflammation.
Persistence on oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among female sex workers in eThekwini, South Africa, 2016–2020
Authors: Rao Amrita , Mhlophe Hlengiwe , Comins Carly , Young Katherine , Mcingana Mfezi , Lesko Catherine , Mulumba Ntambue , Baral Stefan , Hausler Harry , Schwartz Sheree
Published: March 2022

Background

Despite the established efficacy of PrEP to prevent HIV and the advantages of a user-controlled method, PrEP uptake and persistence by women in both trials and demonstration projects has been suboptimal. We utilized real-world data from an HIV service provider to describe persistence on oral PrEP among female sex workers (FSW) in eThekwini, South Africa.

Methods

We examined time from PrEP initiation to discontinuation among all FSW initiating PrEP at TB HIV Care in eThekwini between 2016–2020. We used a discrete time-to-event data setup and stacked cumulative incidence function plots, displaying the competing risks of 1) not returning for PrEP, 2) client discontinuation, and 3) provider discontinuation. We calculated hazard ratios using complementary log-log regression and sub-hazard ratios using competing risks regression.

Results

The number of initiations increased each year from 155 (9.3%, n = 155/1659) in 2016 to 1224 (27.5%, n = 1224/4446) in 2020. Persistence 1-month after initiation was 53% (95% CI: 51%-55%). Younger women were more likely to discontinue PrEP by not returning compared with those 25 years and older. Risk of discontinuation through non-return declined for those initiating in later years. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, a greater number of initiations and sustained persistence were observed in 2020.

Conclusions

Low levels of PrEP persistence were observed, consistent with data among underserved women elsewhere. Encouragingly, the proportion of women persisting increased over time, even as the number of women newly initiating PrEP and staff workload increased. Further research is needed to understand which implementation strategies the program may have enacted to facilitate these improvements and what further changes may be necessary.
Abelmoschus esculentus subfractions ameliorate hepatic lipogenesis and lipid uptake via regulating dipeptidyl peptidase-4—With improving insulin resistance
Authors: Peng Chiung-Huei , Ker Yaw-Bee , Li Hsin-Hua , Tsou Sing-Hua , Lin Chih-Li , Huang Chien-Ning
Published: March 2022

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is recognized as the liver component of metabolic syndrome. The regulation of hepatic lipid should be emphasized to prevent accompanying illness. As AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) regulate lipid metabolism, CD36 and fatty acid synthase (FAS) promote lipid uptake and lipogenesis respectively, while acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) is an indicator of negative feedback. The increase of IRS-1 phosphorylation at the residue ser307 (p-ser307-IRS-1) and decrease of p-ser473-Akt (p-Akt) are viewed as the insulin resistance markers, and our previous reports suggested dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) mediates insulin resistance, the crucial factor of metabolic syndrome. Abelmoschus esculentus (AE) fruit is well-known for its antidiabetic utility. We had isolated several AE subfractions by successive steps, and found that F1 and F2 were especially valid in suppressing DPP-4 signaling. Since little is known if AE works on NAFLD, now we first attempt to investigate whether AE is useful to attenuate hepatic lipogenesis and lipid uptake in liver cells, along with improving the metabolic targets. We demonstrated that AE subfractions attenuated the hepatic lipid accumulation induced by free fatty acids. Treatment of AE alleviated FAS and returned the level of p-ser79-ACC (p-ACC). Although F1 was more effective on AMPK, F2 seemed more stable to attenuate SREBP-1. Moreover, as fatty acids stimulated the expression of CD36, F2 showed a superior effect to down-regulate the lipid uptake. Both AE subfractions reduced the generation of ROS, decreased the level of p-ser307-IRS-1, and restored the expression of p-Akt. Moreover, treatment of DPP-4 inhibitor linagliptin revealed that, AE could prevent the hepatic lipogenesis, oxidative burden, and the related insulin resistance via downregulating DPP-4. In conclusion, the present investigation revealed that AE, especially F2, is potential to be developed as adjuvant to prevent NAFLD.
The mismatched nucleotides encoded in vaccinia virus flip-and-flop hairpin telomeres serve an essential role in virion maturation
Authors: Shenouda Mira M. , Noyce Ryan S. , Lee Stephen Z. , Wang Jun Li , Lin Yi-Chan , Favis Nicole A. , Desaulniers Megan A. , Evans David H.
Published: March 2022

Poxvirus genomes consist of a linear duplex DNA that ends in short inverted and complementary hairpin structures. These elements also encode loops and mismatches that likely serve a role in genome packaging and perhaps replication. We constructed mutant vaccinia viruses (VACV) where the native hairpins were replaced by altered forms and tested effects on replication, assembly, and virulence. Our studies showed that structure, not sequence, likely determines function as one can replace an Orthopoxvirus (VACV) hairpin with one copied from a Leporipoxvirus with no effect on growth. Some loops can be deleted from VACV hairpins with little effect, but VACV bearing too few mismatches grew poorly and we couldn’t recover viruses lacking all mismatches. Further studies were conducted using a mutant bearing only one of six mismatches found in wild-type hairpins (SΔ1Δ3–6). This virus grew to ~20-fold lower titers, but neither DNA synthesis nor telomere resolution was affected. However, the mutant exhibited a particle-to-PFU ratio 10-20-fold higher than wild-type viruses and p4b/4b core protein processing was compromised, indicating an assembly defect. Electron microscopy showed that SΔ1Δ3–6 mutant development was blocked at the immature virus (IV) stage, which phenocopies known effects of I1L mutants. Competitive DNA binding assays showed that recombinant I1 protein had less affinity for the SΔ1Δ3–6 hairpin than the wild-type hairpin. The SΔ1Δ3–6 mutant was also attenuated when administered to SCID-NCR mice by tail scarification. Mice inoculated with viruses bearing wild-type hairpins exhibited a median survival of 30–37 days, while mice infected with SΔ1Δ3–6 virus survived >70 days. Persistent infections favor genetic reversion and genome sequencing detected one example where a small duplication near the hairpin tip likely created a new loop. These observations show that mismatches serve a critical role in genome packaging and provide new insights into how VACV “flip and flop” telomeres are arranged.
Exame Nacional de Desempenho de Estudantes (Enade): Tendências da produção científica brasileira (2004-2018)
Authors: Fernandes Alex de Oliveira , Gomes Suzana dos Santos
Published: March 2022

O presente artigo é resultado de uma pesquisa que investiga o Exame Nacional de Desempenho dos Estudantes (Enade), com o intuito de apreender os conhecimentos legitimados pela avaliação e as implicações pedagógicas do exame na definição de qualidade. Nesse trabalho, destacam-se o mapeamento e análise das tendências temáticas da produção científica brasileira em torno do Enade, referente ao período de 2004 a 2018 em teses e dissertações disponíveis no Catálogo de Teses e Dissertações da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes). Quanto à metodologia, optou-se pela pesquisa bibliográfica e documental de abordagem quantitativa e qualitativa. Na sistematização da produção sobre o Enade, priorizou-se as seguintes categorias: área do conhecimento, cronologia da produção científica, procedência institucional, distribuição regional, eixos e tendências temáticas. O estudo evidencia que as avaliações estão impondo um modelo de formação profissional, induzindo uma pedagogia pautada nas competências e um currículo ajustado às demandas da economia. Observa-se ainda, um movimento de mudança na Educação Superior, nos últimos anos, impulsionado pelas políticas de avaliação, mais especificamente o Enade, que se configura como um exame estratégico na instauração de uma ordem político-pedagógica nas instituições de Educação Superior.
Educação superior na América Latina em tempos de crise
Authors: Gomes Suzana dos Santos , Melo Savana Diniz Gomes , Zurita Felipe
Published: March 2022

A Educação Superior enfrenta novos desafios na contemporaneidade. A Universidade formada pela diversidade de concepções e perspectivas vem sofrendo inúmeras reformas e pressões que colocam em questão sua identidade histórica, suas finalidades e o sentido do trabalho docente.  As soluções e diretrizes presentes nas políticas educacionais em curso nas esferas global e nacional são empreendidas como uma das respostas para superação da crise econômica e estão orientadas por uma perspectiva mercadológica e neoliberal que funda um novo paradigma para a universidade. Coerente com essa perspectiva, este artigo apresenta o dossiê Educação Superior na América Latina em Tempos de Crise e aborda algumas das temáticas relevantes desse campo de estudos no Brasil, Chile e Peru, entre eles, políticas educacionais; educação a distância; financiamento; avaliação; trabalho e carreira docente e internacionalização. Cada um deles, à seu modo, põe em questão formas tradicionais e conservadoras de organizar a Educação Superior no país estudado, dando sinais para as análises do tema em outros países da região. Os artigos que compõe o dossiê evidenciam que a Educação Superior está imersa em um cenário complexo, de rápidas mudanças, que trazem repercussões para o futuro da universidade e do trabalho docente.
Jak se podemílají oči
Authors: Štěpánková Jana
Published: March 2022

Článek pojednává o popisu typu zranění slovesem podemlít způsobeného proudem vody v české lidové písni Holka modrooká.
Utility of Clinical Exome Sequencing in Dystonia: A Single-Center Study From India
Authors: Holla Vikram Venkappayya , Neeraja Koti , Stezin Albert , Prasad Shweta , Surisetti Bharat Kumar , Netravathi Manjunath , Kamble Nitish , Yadav Ravi , Pal Pramod Kumar
Published: March 2022

Objective With the use of next-generation sequencing in clinical practice, several genetic etiologies of dystonia have been identified. This study aimed to ascertain the utility of clinical exome sequencing (CES) in dystonia and factors suggestive of a genetic etiology.Methods This study was a retrospective chart review of patients with dystonia who had undergone CES for the evaluation of dystonia.Results Forty-eight patients (35 males, 46 families) with dystonia were studied, with a mean age at onset of 16.0 ± 14.1 (1–58) years. A pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant was found in 20 patients (41.7%) among which 14 patients (29.2%) carried a novel variant. CES was more likely to detect a genetic diagnosis in patients with an early age at onset, i.e., ≤ 20 years.Conclusion CES is a useful tool in the diagnostic evaluation of dystonia, with a yield of close to 40%. Patients with an earlier age at onset have a higher likelihood of having dystonia due to a genetic cause than those with a later age at onset.
New records of marine macroalgae for the Azores
Authors: Neto Ana I. , Cacabelos Eva , Prestes Afonso C. L. , Díaz-Tapia Pilar , Moreu Ignacio
Published: March 2022

The present study adds 19 species (15 Rhodophyta, one Chlorophyta and three Ochrophyta) to the Azorean marine macroalgal flora, increasing the current total of species recorded in this region to 521 (349 Rhodophyta, 76 Chlorophyta and 96 Ochrophyta), and showing that this isolated island group supports a relatively rich marine macroalgal flora. Some species fall within their known overall distributional range, whereas other found here represent a northern or southern extension to their known distribution in the Atlantic. Three species (Antithamnionella elegans, Gymnophycus hapsiphorus and Scytosiphon dotyi) are probable introductions to the Azores, whereas Melanothamnus pseudoforcipatus has an uncertain status. Six of the newly reported species were found as components of the intertidal algal turf samples, which justifies the need for continuing to examine turf samples as new discoveries can be anticipated.
Trip generation modeling for a selected sector in Baghdad city using the artificial neural network
Authors: Lafta Safa Ali , Ismael Mohammed Qadir
Published: March 2022

This study is planned with the aim of constructing models that can be used to forecast trip production in the Al-Karada region in Baghdad city incorporating the socioeconomic features, through the use of various statistical approaches to the modeling of trip generation, such as artificial neural network (ANN) and multiple linear regression (MLR). The research region was split into 11 zones to accomplish the study aim. Forms were issued based on the needed sample size of 1,170. Only 1,050 forms with responses were received, giving a response rate of 89.74% for the research region. The collected data were processed using the ANN technique in MATLAB v20. The same database was utilized to develop the model of multiple linear regression (MLR) with the stepwise regression technique in the SPSS v25 software. The results indicate that the model of trip generation is related to family size and composition, gender, students’ number in the family, workers’ number in the family, and car ownership. The ANN prediction model is more accurate than the MLR predicted model: the average accuracy (AA) was 83.72% in the ANN model but only 72.46% in the MLR model.
Technical description of the radiological safety system for X-ray absorption spectroscopy experiments on radioactive samples at the Rossendorf Beamline
Authors: Funke H. , Bernhard G. , Claussner J. , Jansen K. , Matz W. , Nitsche H. , Oehme W. , Reich T. , Röllig D.
Published: March 2022

The Rossendorf Beamline at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility is equipped with a unique radiochemistry experimental station. This dedicated station has been designed to perform environmentally relevant experiments on radionuclides, in particular actinides, using synchrotron based X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. The technical concepts and the layout of this experimental station, where radioactive solids and liquids with activities of up to 185 MBq can be studied, are presented. The radiological safety of experimenters, equipment, and of the environment are ensured by the specially developed radiochemistry safety system. The multibarrier concept, the ventilation and air monitoring systems, the radiological protection system, and special software components for recording and visualisation of the safety status are described in detail.
Most significant ageing problems actually experienced and mitigating solutions implemented for WWER primary equipment
Authors: Banyuk G. F. , Dragunov Yu. G. , Piminov V. A. , Ryzhov S. B. , Kurakov Yu. A.
Published: March 2022

The present paper deals with the consideration of cases of degradation of the basic equipment (reactor pressure vessels and steam generators') of WWER-440 and WWER-1000 reactor plants, the degradation mitigation measures on the equipment of operating reactor plants as well on equipment being manufactured for newly designed reactor plants.
Plant life management: an integral part of operation and maintenance policy
Authors: Faidy C. , Hutin J.-P.
Published: March 2022

Electricité de France is now operating 58 PWR nuclear power plants that produce 75 % of electricity in France. Besides maintaining safety and availability on a routine basis, it is outmost important to protect the investment. That is the reason why EDF is devoting important resources to implement ageing management concern as an integral part of operation and maintenance programs (for example through appropriate data collection and analysis, specific repair and replacement projects and important anticipation efforts, taking in account the high level of standardisation of the units). A particular organisation has been set up to continuously observe and analyse all activities so as to make sure that ageing concern is correctly taken in account in strategies and that no decisions are susceptible to impair plant lifetime. This “lifetime program” is paying attention to technical issues associated with main components but is also dealing with issues related to economics and industry situation.