bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental demonstration of a nanobeam Fano laser
Authors: Dong Gaoneng , Xiong Meng , Dimopoulos Evangelos , Sakanas Aurimas , Semenova Elizaveta , Yvind Kresten , Yu Yi , Mørk Jesper
Published: January 2024

Microscopic single-mode lasers with low power consumption, large modulation bandwidth, and ultra-narrow linewidth are essential for numerous applications, such as on-chip photonic networks. A recently demonstrated microlaser using an optical Fano resonance between a discrete mode and a continuum of modes to form one of the mirrors, i.e., the so-called Fano laser, holds great promise for meeting these requirements. Here, we suggest and experimentally demonstrate what we believe is a new configuration of the Fano laser based on a nanobeam geometry. Compared to the conventional two-dimensional photonic crystal geometry, the nanobeam structure makes it easier to engineer the phase-matching condition that facilitates the realization of a bound-state-in-the-continuum (BIC). We investigate the laser threshold in two scenarios based on the new nanobeam geometry. In the first, classical case, the gain is spatially located in the part of the cavity that supports a continuum of modes. In the second case, instead, the gain is located in the region that supports a discrete mode. We find that the laser threshold for the second case can be significantly reduced compared to the conventional Fano laser. These results pave the way for the practical realization of high-performance microlasers.
Optimal design of the computational flat diffractive optical system
Authors: Wang Zhe , Piao Mingxu , Xie Na , Zhao Yuanming , Zhang Chengran , Ma Dechao , Yang Dongyi
Published: January 2024

A design method of the computational flat diffractive computational flat diffractive optical system is presented to simplify the optical system structure and achieve high image quality. The aberration expression of the flat diffractive optical element (FDOE) is derived, and then computational imaging methods are used to eliminate the influence of off-axis aberration on image quality, so the field of view is expanded. Based on theoretical analysis, the FDOE is designed, and the field of view has been expanded from 2° to 5°. The results show that the detail resolution of the edge field of view is enhanced after restoration, and the modulation transfer function (MTF) of different subareas calculated using the slanted-edge method improved by an average of 0.17. The diffraction efficiency of the FDOE is greater than 95.75%. This method realizes the miniaturization and lightweight of the optical system, and provides new ideas for the integration of optical systems.
Optofluidic tunable filters using ionic liquid electrolyte capacitors
Authors: Zhu Yujiao , Lam Man Ying , Wang Ning , Zhang Xuming
Published: January 2024

Tunable optical filter is a basic component for most optical systems. This study reports a unique design of Fabry-Pérot (FP) tunable filter by using an ionic liquid solution. The tunable filter consists of two neighboring regions: capacitor region and FP region. The former is in the form of electrolyte capacitor and the latter remains transparent as an FP cavity for light transmission. When the capacitor region is applied with a bias voltage, it attracts the ions from the FP region and thus reduces the ion concentration of the FP region, resulting in a change of the refractive index and eventually a shift of transmission peak of the FP cavity. Among four electrolyte solutions studied, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM-PF6) exhibits the best overall performance, such as low insertion loss (3.2 dB), large side mode suppression ratio (23 dB) and high stability (drift <0.2 nm). Additionally, a wavelength tuning of 0.17 nm/V is achieved over 0–17 V, providing a tunable range of 3 nm. This device features low bias voltage, no mechanical movement, easy fabrication and seamless integration with microfluidics systems, and may find potential applications in spectral analyzers and lab-on-a-chip biosensing systems.
Branch-cut algorithm with second-order residues in phase unwrapping
Authors: Fang Meiqi
Published: January 2024

This Letter presents a novel, to the best of our knowledge, branch-cut algorithm for unwrapping phase maps acquired through fringe projection systems. The algorithm exposes second-order residues with vortex phase structures, computed from the original wrapped phase distribution using a second-order derivative that considers the wrap cycle. Remarkably, it reveals a consistent vorticity direction associated with these vortex structures, significantly facilitating branch-cut connections between residues, regardless of whether they carry the same or opposite charges. This innovative approach challenges a longstanding misconception in conventional branch-cut methods, which traditionally connected matched residues only when they had opposite charges. As a result, the algorithm provides a highly accurate methodology for explaining how phase behavior relates to surface characteristics. Its effectiveness is demonstrated through both computer simulations and practical experiments.
Demonstration of spectrum narrowing mitigation based on recurrent neural networks for ultra-dense WDM networks
Authors: Shiraki Ryuta , Mori Yojiro , Hasegawa Hiroshi
Published: January 2024

Traversing each WSS in ultra-dense WDM networks narrows the signal spectra. Simulations and experiments demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, spectrum narrowing mitigation based on RNN. Numerical simulations show that the RNN-based demodulation with impairment-aware optical path control significantly enlarges the transmission distance. Transmission experiments in the extended C-band successfully confirm an extension of the transmissible distance of 16QAM signals by over 500 km.
Phosphorus-doped fiber for flat octave spanning supercontinuum generation
Authors: Zhang Yang , Xu Jiangming , Liang Junrui , Ke Yanzhao , Ma Xiaoya , He Junhong , Ye Jun , Pan Zhiyong , Leng Jinyong , Zhou Pu
Published: January 2024

In a fiber supercontinuum (SC) source, the Raman scattering effect plays a significant role in extending the spectrum into a longer wavelength. Here, by using a phosphorus-doped fiber with a broad Raman gain spectrum as the nonlinear medium, we demonstrate flat SC generation spanning from 850 to 2150 nm. Within the wavelength range of 1.1–2.0 µm, the spectral power density fluctuation is less than 7 dB. Compared to a similar SC source based on a germanium-doped fiber with narrower Raman gain spectrum, the wavelength span is 300 nm broader, and the spectral power density fluctuation is 5 dB lower. This work demonstrates the phosphorus-doped fiber’s great advantage in spectrally flat SC generation, which is of great significance in many applications such as optical coherence tomography, absorption spectroscopy, and telecommunication.
Parallel edge extraction operators on chip speed up photonic convolutional neural networks
Authors: Ouyang Hao , Zhao Zeyu , Tao Zilong , You Jie , Cheng Xiang’ai , Jiang Tian
Published: January 2024

We experimentally establish a 3 × 3 cross-shaped micro-ring resonator (MRR) array-based photonic multiplexing architecture relying on silicon photonics to achieve parallel edge extraction operations in images for photonic convolution neural networks. The main mathematical operations involved are convolution. Precisely, a faster convolutional calculation speed of up to four times is achieved by extracting four feature maps simultaneously with the same photonic hardware’s structure and power consumption, where a maximum computility of 0.742 TOPS at an energy cost of 48.6 mW and a convolution accuracy of 95.1% is achieved in an MRR array chip. In particular, our experimental results reveal that this system using parallel edge extraction operators instead of universal operators can improve the imaging recognition accuracy for CIFAR-10 dataset by 6.2% within the same computing time, reaching a maximum of 78.7%. This work presents high scalability and efficiency of parallel edge extraction chips, furnishing a novel, to the best of our knowledge, approach to boost photonic computing speed.
Thermally mediated transmission-mode deflection of terahertz waves by lamellar metagratings containing a phase-change material
Authors: Serebryannikov Andriy E. , Lakhtakia Akhlesh , Ozbay Ekmel
Published: January 2024

The planewave-response characteristics of simple lamellar metagratings exhibiting thermally mediated transmission-mode deflection (blazing) were numerically investigated, the unit cell of each metagrating containing a phase-change material chosen to be indium antimonide (InSb). Thermal control arises from the use of InSb in its insulator phase and the vicinity of the vacuum state. Metagratings of type A comprise parallel rods of InSb on silicon-dioxide substrate, whereas the substrate is also made of InSb in metagratings of type B. Both types exhibit thermally controllable deflection and asymmetric transmission, which occur when the real part of the relative permittivity of InSb is high. Narrowband features in the sub-diffraction regime may appear in a wide frequency range which involves the vicinity of the vacuum state, the real part of the relative permittivity of InSb being low then.
Virtual neural network-guided optimization of non-invasive brain stimulation in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Luppi Janne J. , Stam Cornelis J. , Scheltens Philip , de Haan Willem
Published: January 2024

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique with potential for counteracting disrupted brain network activity in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) to improve cognition. However, the results of tDCS studies in AD have been variable due to different methodological choices such as electrode placement. To address this, a virtual brain network model of AD was used to explore tDCS optimization. We compared a large, representative set of virtual tDCS intervention setups, to identify the theoretically optimized tDCS electrode positions for restoring functional network features disrupted in AD. We simulated 20 tDCS setups using a computational dynamic network model of 78 neural masses coupled according to human structural topology. AD network damage was simulated using an activity-dependent degeneration algorithm. Current flow modeling was used to estimate tDCS-targeted cortical regions for different electrode positions, and excitability of the pyramidal neurons of the corresponding neural masses was modulated to simulate tDCS. Outcome measures were relative power spectral density (alpha bands, 8–10 Hz and 10–13 Hz), total spectral power, posterior alpha peak frequency, and connectivity measures phase lag index (PLI) and amplitude envelope correlation (AEC). Virtual tDCS performance varied, with optimized strategies improving all outcome measures, while others caused further deterioration. The best performing setup involved right parietal anodal stimulation, with a contralateral supraorbital cathode. A clear correlation between the network role of stimulated regions and tDCS success was not observed. This modeling-informed approach can guide and perhaps accelerate tDCS therapy development and enhance our understanding of tDCS effects. Follow-up studies will compare the general predictions to personalized virtual models and validate them with tDCS-magnetoencephalography (MEG) in a clinical AD patient cohort.
Uncovering the effects of model initialization on deep model generalization: A study with adult and pediatric chest X-ray images
Authors: Rajaraman Sivaramakrishnan , Zamzmi Ghada , Yang Feng , Liang Zhaohui , Xue Zhiyun , Antani Sameer
Published: January 2024

Model initialization techniques are vital for improving the performance and reliability of deep learning models in medical computer vision applications. While much literature exists on non-medical images, the impacts on medical images, particularly chest X-rays (CXRs) are less understood. Addressing this gap, our study explores three deep model initialization techniques: Cold-start, Warm-start, and Shrink and Perturb start, focusing on adult and pediatric populations. We specifically focus on scenarios with periodically arriving data for training, thereby embracing the real-world scenarios of ongoing data influx and the need for model updates. We evaluate these models for generalizability against external adult and pediatric CXR datasets. We also propose novel ensemble methods: F-score-weighted Sequential Least-Squares Quadratic Programming (F-SLSQP) and Attention-Guided Ensembles with Learnable Fuzzy Softmax to aggregate weight parameters from multiple models to capitalize on their collective knowledge and complementary representations. We perform statistical significance tests with 95% confidence intervals and p-values to analyze model performance. Our evaluations indicate models initialized with ImageNet-pretrained weights demonstrate superior generalizability over randomly initialized counterparts, contradicting some findings for non-medical images. Notably, ImageNet-pretrained models exhibit consistent performance during internal and external testing across different training scenarios. Weight-level ensembles of these models show significantly higher recall (p<0.05) during testing compared to individual models. Thus, our study accentuates the benefits of ImageNet-pretrained weight initialization, especially when used with weight-level ensembles, for creating robust and generalizable deep learning solutions.
Iterative evaluation of mobile computer-assisted digital chest x-ray screening for TB improves efficiency, yield, and outcomes in Nigeria
Authors: Eneogu Rupert A. , Mitchell Ellen M. H. , Ogbudebe Chidubem , Aboki Danjuma , Anyebe Victor , Dimkpa Chimezie B. , Egbule Daniel , Nsa Bassey , van der Grinten Emmy , Soyinka Festus O. , Abdur-Razzaq Hussein , Useni Sani , Lawanson Adebola , Onyemaechi Simeon , Ubochioma Emperor , Scholten Jerod , Verhoef Johan , Nwadike Peter , Chukwueme Nkemdilim , Nongo Debby , Gidado Mustapha
Published: January 2024

Wellness on Wheels (WoW) is a model of mobile systematic tuberculosis (TB) screening of high-risk populations combining digital chest radiography with computer-aided automated detection (CAD) and chronic cough screening to identify presumptive TB clients in communities, health facilities, and prisons in Nigeria. The model evolves to address technical, political, and sustainability challenges. Screening methods were iteratively refined to balance TB yield and feasibility across heterogeneous populations. Performance metrics were compared over time. Screening volumes, risk mix, number needed to screen (NNS), number needed to test (NNT), sample loss, TB treatment initiation and outcomes. Efforts to mitigate losses along the diagnostic cascade were tracked. Persons with high CAD4TB score (≥80), who tested negative on a single spot GeneXpert were followed-up to assess TB status at six months. An experimental calibration method achieved a viable CAD threshold for testing. High risk groups and key stakeholders were engaged. Operations evolved in real time to fix problems. Incremental improvements in mean client volumes (128 to 140/day), target group inclusion (92% to 93%), on-site testing (84% to 86%), TB treatment initiation (87% to 91%), and TB treatment success (71% to 85%) were recorded. Attention to those as highest risk boosted efficiency (the NNT declined from 8.2 ± SD8.2 to 7.6 ± SD7.7). Clinical diagnosis was added after follow-up among those with ≥ 80 CAD scores and initially spot -sputum negative found 11 additional TB cases (6.3%) after 121 person-years of follow-up. Iterative adaptation in response to performance metrics foster feasible, acceptable, and efficient TB case-finding in Nigeria. High CAD scores can identify subclinical TB and those at risk of progression to bacteriologically-confirmed TB disease in the near term.
The commercial promotion of electronic cigarettes on social media and its influence on positive perceptions of vaping and vaping behaviours in Anglophone countries: A scoping review
Authors: Chacon L. , Mitchell G. , Golder S.
Published: January 2024

There is ongoing scientific and policy debate about the role e-cigarettes play in tobacco control, with concerns centring around unknown long-term effects, and the potential industry co-option of harm reduction efforts, including marketing to youths. There is substantial evidence of the influence of conventional cigarette promotion on smoking behaviours in Anglophone countries, and the popularity of social networking sites, as well as the lack of marketing regulations on the commercial promotion of electronic cigarettes online, suggest an urgent need to explore this topic further. This scoping review aims to map the existing evidence related to the influence of e-cigarette commercial promotion on social media on positive perceptions of vaping and vaping behaviours in core Anglophone countries. Searches were conducted in CENTRAL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), Embase, Epistemonikos, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Science Citation Index, on the 21st of July 2022. From 1,385 studies, 11 articles were included in the final review, using diverse study designs, including focus groups, content analysis, cross-sectional studies, and experiments. The studies were primarily based in the U.S. and evidenced the association between the commercial promotion of e-cigarettes on social media with positive perceptions of vaping and vaping behaviours, particularly among young people, addressing diverse themes including celebrities’ sponsorship, e-liquid appeal (including flavours and nicotine levels), users’ engagement with ads, and other marketing strategies. Further, social networking sites commercially promoting e-cigarettes might increase positive attitudes towards vaping and vaping behaviours, particularly among youths. Future research should be conducted in broader settings, incorporate larger and diverse sample sizes, ensure research transparency, cover multiple social networking sites, emphasize ecological validity, and foment longitudinal studies.
Fasciola spp. in Southeast Asia: A systematic review
Authors: Hoang Quang Vinh , Levecke Bruno , Do Trung Dung , Devleesschauwer Brecht , Vu Thi Lam Binh , Goossens Kathy , Polman Katja , Callens Steven , Dorny Pierre , Dermauw Veronique
Published: January 2024

Background

Fasciolosis is an emerging public health threat in a number of regions worldwide. To date, we lack an overview of both its occurrence and distribution in Southeast Asia across all actors involved in the life cycle, which impedes the development of disease control measures. Therefore, our objective was to collect recent information on the distribution and the prevalence ofFasciolaspp. and the associated risk factors for infection in humans, animals, snails and plant carriers in Southeast Asia.

Methodology

Bibliographic and grey literature databases as well as reference lists of important review articles were searched for relevant records published between January 1st, 2000, and June 30th, 2022. The systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for reporting systematic reviews. A total of 3,887 records were retrieved, of which 100 were included in the final analysis.

Principal findings

The studies focused mainly on one host species (96.0%), withFasciolaspp. infection in animals being the most studied (72.0%), followed by humans (21.0%). Based on the used inclusion and exclusion criteria, reports were retrieved describing the presence ofFasciolaspp. infection in seven out of 11 countries in Southeast Asia. Depending on the diagnostic tool applied, the prevalence ofFasciolaspp. infection ranged between 0.3% and 66.7% in humans, between 0% and 97.8% in animals, and between 0% and 66.2% in snails. There were no studies reporting the presence of metacercariae on plant carriers.

Conclusions/Significance

Our study reconfirms thatFasciolaspp. infections are widespread and highly prevalent in Southeast Asia, but it remains difficult to accurately assess the true occurrence ofFasciolaspp. in absence of well-designed surveys covering all hosts. As next steps we propose to assess the occurrence of the infection across all actors involved in the transmission, to identify associated risk factors and to estimate the burden of the disease to support national and international decision makers.
Between the center and periphery: Commodification, formalisation, and infrastructuralisation of grassroots innovation
Authors: Fu Pengfei , Zang Zhipeng
Published: January 2024

The question of whether China can become a creative nation has been a topic of much debate in academic circles. The Chinese government has expressed its belief that China can develop a unique form of creativity to move the country from the periphery to the center of the global creative ecosystem. This perspective has led to a series of state-led trials and experiments, including the adoption of cultural and creative industries, creative clusters and cities, and the recent maker movement. This paper utilizes the center-periphery theory to analyze the emergence, development, and evolution of China’s maker movement, aiming to revisit the creativity issues in contemporary China. Based on three years of ethnographic research, the paper unpacks the maker movement at three interrelated levels: individual, organizational, and urban. Empirical data indicates that the transformation of China’s maker movement is characterized by commodification, formalization, and infrastructuralization processes. The tension between growth and development, and stability and control has turned the once grassroots maker movement into a contested creative hybrid. This paper challenges the conventional view that China is resistant to change and incapable of creativity due to institutional and ideological influences. It demonstrates how an alternative mode of creativity can emerge outside global creative centers and proposes a new perspective on China’s potential to become a creative nation.
An online experiment that presents challenges for translating rest-related gains in visual detail memory from the laboratory to naturalistic settings
Authors: Leetham Emmi , Watermeyer Tamlyn , Craig Michael
Published: January 2024

New memories are labile and consolidate over time. Contemporary findings demonstrate that, like sleep, awake quiescence supports consolidation: people remember more new memories if they experience a brief period of post-encoding quiet rest than sensory processing. Furthermore, it was recently demonstrated that the quality of new memories can also be enhanced significantly by awake quiescence. This phenomenon offers great applied potential, for example, in education and eyewitness testimony settings. However, the translation of rest-related gains from the laboratory to everyday life remains poorly characterised and findings are mixed. Here, we report follow-on evidence demonstrating that rest-related gains in visual detail memory may be more challenging to achieve in naturalistic than laboratory-based settings. In contrast to established laboratory findings, using an online version of an established consolidation paradigm, we observed no memory benefit of post-encoding quiescence, relative to an engaging perceptual task, in the retention of detailed visual memories as measured through a lure discrimination task. This null finding could not be explained by intentional rehearsal in those who rested or between-group differences in participants’ demographics or mental state, including fatigue and mood. Crucially, post-experimental reports indicated that those in the rest group experienced challenges in initiating and maintaining a state of quiescence, which may account for our null finding. Based on these findings, we propose three areas of focus for future work should rest-related gains in memory be translated from the lab to field: (1) to establish the specific environmental and individual conditions that are conducive and detrimental to awake consolidation, (2) to understand the barriers to initiating and maintaining a state of quiescence in naturalistic settings, and (3) to examine how knowledge of quiescence and its cognitive benefits can encourage the initiation and maintenance of states that are conductive to awake consolidation.
Chemobiosis reveals tardigrade tun formation is dependent on reversible cysteine oxidation
Authors: Smythers Amanda L. , Joseph Kara M. , O’Dell Hayden M. , Clark Trace A. , Crislip Jessica R. , Flinn Brendin B. , Daughtridge Meredith H. , Stair Evan R. , Mubarek Saher N. , Lewis Hailey C. , Salas Abel A. , Hnilica Megan E. , Kolling Derrick R. J. , Hicks Leslie M.
Published: January 2024

Tardigrades, commonly known as ‘waterbears’, are eight-legged microscopic invertebrates renowned for their ability to withstand extreme stressors, including high osmotic pressure, freezing temperatures, and complete desiccation. Limb retraction and substantial decreases to their internal water stores results in the tun state, greatly increasing their ability to survive. Emergence from the tun state and/or activity regain follows stress removal, where resumption of life cycle occurs as if stasis never occurred. However, the mechanism(s) through which tardigrades initiate tun formation is yet to be uncovered. Herein, we use chemobiosis to demonstrate that tardigrade tun formation is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). We further reveal that tuns are dependent on reversible cysteine oxidation, and that this reversible cysteine oxidation is facilitated by the release of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). We provide the first empirical evidence of chemobiosis and map the initiation and survival of tardigrades via osmobiosis, chemobiosis, and cryobiosis. In vivo electron paramagnetic spectrometry suggests an intracellular release of reactive oxygen species following stress induction; when this release is quenched through the application of exogenous antioxidants, the tardigrades can no longer survive osmotic stress. Together, this work suggests a conserved dependence of reversible cysteine oxidation across distinct tardigrade cryptobioses.
Who feels like they belong? Personality and belonging in college
Authors: Stubblebine Alexandria M. , Gopalan Maithreyi , Brady Shannon T.
Published: January 2024

Having a secure sense of belonging at school supports students’ academic achievement and well-being. However, little research has examined how students’ personalities relate to their feelings of school belonging. We address this gap in the literature by leveraging data from a large sample of first-year college students (N = 4,753) from a diverse set of North American colleges and universities (N = 12). We found that both extraversion and agreeableness were positively associated with belonging, while neuroticism was negatively associated with belonging. In an exploratory analysis, we examined differences between large and small schools. Students who were more extraverted, less neurotic, and less open were more likely to attend large schools. Additionally, the association between extraversion and belonging was stronger for students at large schools. These findings advance our understanding of who comes to feel like they belong at college and how school context may influence these relationships. We emphasize the need for continued research on the relationship between personality and belonging. Additionally, we highlight the implications of these results for higher education institutions.
Intersecting paths: Corporate and green innovation in Chinese firms—A penal cointegration analysis
Authors: Liu ZhongJi , Hou Dan , Zahid R. M. Ammar
Published: January 2024

In today’s dynamic and competitive business landscape, innovation is paramount for companies striving to maintain a competitive edge. Among various innovation strategies, corporate green innovation has gained prominence as an efficient means of achieving sustainable growth. In response to the pressing need for sustainable development, this study investigates the bidirectional cointegration link between green innovation and overall corporate innovation in a panel dataset of Chinese-listed enterprises.As China emphasizes principles like "greening" and "innovation" for twenty-first-century development, this research aligns with the nation’s goal of fostering sustainable industry growth through "green innovation”. It employs panel cointegration tests, including the Westerlund test, dynamic panel ordinary least square (DOLS), and the panel vector error correction model (VECM), using data from Chinese A-listed firms spanning from 2008 to 2020. The study reveals a robust long-term, bidirectional relationship between corporate innovation and green innovation. Notably, it demonstrates that green innovation causally impacts corporate innovation in both the short and long term. This research also conducts subsample analysis, ensuring the robustness of the main findings across both non-polluted and polluted industries. These findings provide valuable insights into how corporate innovation factors influence corporate green innovation. Consequently, they offer valuable insights for policymakers and organizations, aiding in the formulation of policies that promote environmentally friendly innovation while elevating corporate innovation standards.
Convergence and divergence in mortality: A global study from 1990 to 2030
Authors: Atance David , Claramunt M. Mercè , Varea Xavier , Aburto Jose Manuel
Published: January 2024

An empirical question that has motivated demographers is whether there is convergence or divergence in mortality/longevity around the world. The epidemiological transition is the starting point for studying a global process of mortality convergence. This manuscript aims to provide an update on the concept of mortality convergence/divergence. We perform a comprehensive examination of nine different mortality indicators from a global perspective using clustering methods in the period 1990-2030. In addition, we include analyses of projections to provide insights into prospective trajectories of convergence clubs, a dimension unexplored in previous work. The results indicate that mortality convergence clubs of 194 countries by sex resemble the configuration of continents. These five clubs show a common steady upward trend in longevity indicators, accompanied by a progressive reduction in disparities between sexes and between groups of countries. Furthermore, this paper shows insights into the historical evolution of the convergence clubs in the period 1990-2020 and expands their scope to include projections of their expected future evolution in 2030.
The incredible shrinking puffin: Decreasing size and increasing proportional bill size of Atlantic puffins nesting at Machias Seal Island
Authors: Major Heather L. , Rivers Joy E. , Carvey Quinn B. , Diamond Antony W.
Published: January 2024

Climate change imposes physiological constraints on organisms particularly through changing thermoregulatory requirements. Bergmann’s and Allen’s rules suggest that body size and the size of thermoregulatory structures differ between warm and cold locations, where body size decreases with temperature and thermoregulatory structures increase. However, phenotypic plastic responses to malnutrition during development can result in the same patterns while lacking fitness benefits. The Gulf of Maine (GOM), located at the southern end of the Labrador current, is warming faster than most of the world’s oceans, and many of the marine species that occupy these waters exist at the southern edge of their distributions including Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica; hereafter “puffin”). Monitoring of puffins in the GOM, at Machias Seal Island (MSI), has continued annually since 1995. We asked whether changes in adult puffin body size and the proportional size of bill to body have changed with observed rapid ocean warming. We found that the size of fledgling puffins is negatively related to sea surface temperature anomalies (warm conditions = small fledgers), adult puffin size is related to fledgling size (small fledgers = small adults), and adult puffins have decreased in size in recent years in response to malnutrition during development. We found an increase in the proportional size of bill to wing chord, likely in response to some mix of malnutrition during development and increasing air temperatures. Although studies have assessed clinal variation in seabird morphology with temperature, this is the first study addressing changes in seabird morphology in relation to ocean warming. Our results suggest that puffins nesting in the GOM have morphological plasticity that may help them acclimate to ocean warming.
Dislodgement resistance and structural changes of tricalcium silicate-based cements after exposure to different chelating agents
Authors: Ulusoy Özgür İlke , Ballal Nidambur Vasudev , Narkedamalli Rajkumar , Ulusoy Nuran , Shetty Krishna Prasad , Luke Alexander Maniangat
Published: January 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the dislodgement resistance and structural changes of different mineral trioxide aggregate cements (MTA) like Pro-Root MTA, Ortho MTA, and Retro MTA after exposure to sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), NaOCl-Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 1-hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-bisphosphonate (Dual Rinse HEDP), and NaOCl-Maleic acid (MA). The root canal spaces of 150 dentine slices were obturated using tricalcium silicate cements and divided into 3 groups (n = 50): Group1: ProRoot MTA, Group2: Retro MTA, and Group3: Ortho MTA. The samples in each group were further subdivided into four experimental (n = 10) and one control groups (n = 10): 2.5% NaOCl-17% EDTA, Dual Rinse HEDP, 2.5% NaOCl-7% Maleic acid, 2.5% NaOCl, distilled water (control). The dislodgement resistance and structural changes of cements were measured. Use of DR HEDP resulted in higher dislodgement resistance compared to17% EDTA and 7% MA in the samples obturated with Ortho MTA and Pro-Root MTA (p<0.001). In Retro MTA group, samples treated with DR HEDP and 17% EDTA had higher dislodgment resistance compared to 7% MA (p<0.001). On microstructural and elemental analysis of all the three MTA cements, samples treated with 17% EDTA and 7% MA were more amorphous and granular when compared to DR HEDP, which was pettle shaped. Calcium level was decreased more in samples treated with 17% EDTA and 7% MA when compared to DR HEDP.
Visual acuity improvement in children with albinism beyond the first decade of life
Authors: Yahalom Claudia , Navarrete Ana , Juster Atara , Galbinur Ayan , Blumenfeld Anat , Hendler Karen
Published: January 2024

Purpose

To determine if visual maturation continues beyond the first decade of life in children with albinism and whether this is related to albinism type, presence of nystagmus, eye muscle surgery or refractive errors.

Design

Case series based on retrospective study of children with confirmed genetic diagnosis of albinism.

Methods

Clinical data were obtained from medical files of children examined during school years, including albinism type, visual acuity, eye muscle surgery, nystagmus, and others on different visits (Visit 1: ages 7–9; Visit 2: ages: 10–12; Visit 3: ages 13–16; Visit 4: ages >16).

Results

Seventy-five children with albinism were included in the study. Patients were divided into different groups according to the albinism type including OCA1A: 17; OCA1B: 28; OCA2: 26; HPS: 3; OCA4: 1. Follow-up ranged from 3–13 years. Progressive visual acuity improvement was seen in all three main groups. T-test paired samples showed a statistically significant improvement when comparing vision from Visit 1 and Visit 3 in both OCA1A and OCA2 groups, with a mean vision improvement of 2 lines. There was no correlation between visual improvement and refractive error, eye muscle surgery or nystagmus.

Conclusion

An improved visual performance was seen in a large percentage of children with albinism during the second decade of life. The reason for this late improvement in vision is not clear but may be related to late foveal maturation or improvement in nystagmus with time. This information is useful for clinicians of these patients and when counseling parents.
The GLI code controls HNF1A levels during foregut differentiation
Authors: Unger Lucas , Mathisen Andreas F. , Chera Simona , Legøy Thomas Aga , Ghila Luiza
Published: January 2024

Differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells towards pancreatic islet endocrine cells is a complex process, involving the stepwise modulation of key developmental pathways, such as the Hedgehog signaling inhibition during early differentiation stages. In tandem with this active inhibition, key transcription factors for the islet endocrine cell fate, such as HNF1A, show specific changes in their expression patterns. Here we designed a pilot study aimed at investigating the potential interconnection between HH-signaling inhibition and the increase in the HNF1A expression during early regeneration, by inducing changes in the GLI code. This unveiled a link between the two, where GLI3-R mediated Hedgehog target genes inhibition is apparently required for HNF1A efficient expression.
TikTok como plataforma educativa: Análisis de las percepciones de los usuarios sobre los contenidos científicos
Authors: Micaletto-Belda Juan-Pablo , Morejón-Llamas Noemí , Martín-Ramallal Pablo
Published: January 2024

Esta investigación se centra en observar, describir y evaluar los contenidos sobre ciencia que están siendo retransmitidos en TikTok. Además, se lleva a cabo un estudio de percepciones para conocer las opiniones de los integrantes de esta comunidad por estas publicaciones. El objetivo es averiguar qué áreas y disciplinas de la ciencia tienen cabida en este ecosistema y en qué grado son consumidas. Con una perspectiva inductiva se ha elaborado una metodología mixta, materializada en una ficha de análisis y un cuestionario de elaboración propia. Se han analizado 1612 vídeos y encuestado a 497 personas. Los resultados muestran que los contenidos vinculados con las Ciencias Naturales y Exactas predominan en este ecosistema, seguidos por los vídeos sobre Ciencias Sociales, Ciencias de la Salud, Artes y Humanidades e Ingenierías y Arquitectura. Se detectan algunas diferencias de género en cuanto a la producción científica. La Física, la Biología, la Química y la Informática son las áreas que poseen más difusión entre los hombres. Las mujeres destacan en Biología, Física, Química y Astronomía. El estudio de percepciones muestra que un porcentaje relevante de los encuestados está interesado en materias de carácter científico y tecnológico y consideran que TikTok es una herramienta de utilidad para adquirir conocimientos. No obstante, se duda de su fiabilidad. Como conclusión, TikTok tiene el potencial para convertirse en una herramienta de aprendizaje con proyección social y cultural. Sin embargo, no deja de ser una plataforma enfocada de entretenimiento en la que también emergen contenidos sin valor epistemológico.
Multiple positive solutions for a fractional Kirchhoff type equation
with logarithmic and singular nonlinearities
Authors: Lei Jun
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we study the following fractional Kirchhoff type equation

{

(

a
+
b

∫

R

N

∫

R

N

|

u
(
x
)
−

u
(
y
)

|

p

|

x
−

y

|

N
+
p
s

d
x
d
y

)

(
−

Δ

)
p
s

u
=

|

u

|

q
−

2

u
ln
⁡

|

u

|

2

+

λ

u
γ

,

i
n

 
Ω

,

u
>
0
,

i
n

 
Ω

,

u
=
0
,

i
n

 

R

N

∖

Ω

,

where
Ω

⊂

R

N

is a bounded domain with Lipschitz boundary,
0
<
s
<
1
<
p
,
0
<
γ

<
1
,
a
>
0
,
b
≥

0

,
N
>
p
s
,
2
p
<
q
<
q
+
2
<

p
s
∗

,

p
s
∗

=

N
p

N
−

p
s

is the fractional critical exponent,
λ

>
0
is a real parameter. By using the critical point theory for nonsmooth functionals and analytic techniques, the existence and multiplicity of positive solutions are obtained.
Structural stability for scalar reaction-diffusion equations
Authors: Lee Jihoon , Pires Leonardo
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we prove the structural stability for a family of
scalar reaction-diffusion equations. Our arguments consist of using
invariant manifold theorem to reduce the problem to a finite dimension and
then, we use the structural stability of Morse–Smale flows in a finite
dimension to obtain the corresponding result in infinite dimension. As a
consequence, we obtain the optimal rate of convergence of the attractors
and estimate the Gromov–Hausdorff distance of the attractors using
continuous $\varepsilon$-isometries.
Global bifurcation curves of nonlocal elliptic equations with
oscillatory nonlinear term
Authors: Shibata Tetsutaro
Published: January 2024

We study the one-dimensional nonlocal elliptic equation of Kirchhoff type with oscillatory nonlinear term. We establish the precise asymptotic formulas for the bifurcation curves
λ

(
α

)
as
α

→

∞

and
α

→

0
, where
α

:=
‖

u
λ

‖

∞

and

u
λ

is the solution associated with
λ

. We show that the second term of
λ

(
α

)
is oscillatory as
α

→

∞

.
Do invisível ao insensível na escola: trajetórias de amarguras e sofrimentos de alunos sem voz
Authors: Plessim Vinicius Kapicius
Published: January 2024

O artigo tem como objetivo estudar a posição em que os discentes ocupam dentro da escola nas percepções de seus professores. Através de doze entrevistas realizadas, com educadores que lecionam na Escola Municipal Expedicionário Aquino de Araújo, instituição localizada no município de Duque de Caxias, na Baixada Fluminense, procuramos compreender as diferentes leituras que esta categoria profissional realizou sobre os seus estudantes. Levantamos a hipótese de que o discurso pelo fracasso na escola do estudante se pauta em prerrogativas pedagógicas e se esquecem de investigar as naturezas comportamentais dos discentes em suas origens sociais. O estudo procura dar voz a estes professores, esquecidos e silenciados em face de um trabalho marcado pela precarização e as constantes agressões sofridas. Como um exercício de escuta, nas falas dos depoentes tornou-se possível trazer questões como: a violência escolar, a relação família e escola, e por último, a posição ocupada pelo magistério no trabalho.
Formação em música na relação com o cotidiano: fragmentos dos últimos dez anos de pesquisas a partir de memorial
Authors: Louro Ana Lúcia
Published: January 2024

Este relato é um recorte do memorial apresentado a minha instituição, como requisito parcial à promoção a professor titular. Nele destaco a segunda linha de pesquisa desenvolvida em meu grupo de pesquisa e seus desdobramentos nos últimos dez anos.  Aponta a organização das publicações e orientações dentro dos subitens: Metodologia do ensino de Música no ensino superior (Disciplinas complementares de Graduação, Diálogos com os conhecimentos e experiências dos alunos, diários de aula e relatos autobiográficos); Diálogos extensionistas e olhando para o mundo da vida (Religiosidade Cristã e Instrumentistas- o caso dos acordeonistas). Ao final do texto reflito sobre a espiral do grupo de pesquisa junto a alguns apontamentos de Passeggi (2208) e Abrahão (2012). Considero estar dialogando com processos de socialização e trajetórias de formação. Memórias, narrativas, subjetividade e experiências em espaços educativos formais e informais relatados nas diferentes pesquisas.  Espero contribuir para o debate sobre o papel da Educação Musical como atividade eminentemente humana nestes tempos pós-Pandemia. Assim como descrever algumas circunstâncias da música, e de seu ensino, no cotidiano.
PESQUISA (AUTO)BIOGRÁFICA, EDUCAÇÃO MUSICAL E COTIDIANO
Authors: Torres Maria Cecilia de Araujo Rodrigues
Published: January 2024

Apresento neste resumo memórias, narrativas e experiências que foram compondo a minha história na/com a pesquisa (auto) biográfica, no diálogo com teorias do cotidiano e o campo da Educação Musical no Brasil nos últimos vinte anos, amalgamadas com leituras, discussões e as participações nos CIPAs. Ressalto desafios e possibilidades que essa abordagem de pesquisa foi me apresentando no decorrer destas quase duas décadas. Busquei ir tramando um tecido ou caminho constituído pelos títulos dos CIPAS dos quais participei, entrelaçados aos títulos das comunicações que apresentei na perspectiva de dialogar com os grupos de alunos e professores com os quais estava trabalhando naquela época, seja como docente formadora em Curso de licenciatura em Música, como professora formadora em cursos de formação continuada em música ou como docente convidada em disciplinas de Pesquisa em Música. As experiências vivenciadas nestes diferentes espaços de formação, somadas as oportunidades de participar nas bancas de mestrados e doutorados de pesquisas com a abordagem (auto)biográfica oportunizaram um conhecimento de múltiplas temáticas com narrativas e memórias, assim como de poder acompanhar a ampliação da pesquisa (auto)biográfica no campo da educação musical.
Ações de extensão e a construção de espaços não formais de educação
Authors: Silva Jusciane da Costa e , Medeiros Subênia Karine de , Castro Késia Kelly Vieira de
Published: January 2024

O papel da divulgação científica para que a população tenha conhecimento sobre o quanto a Ciência está presente no cotidiano é importante e necessário para a formação de uma sociedade mais consciente. Uma alternativa de construção desses espaços é a realização de ações que divulguem a Ciência, dispostas nos mais diversos lugares, além dos muros das Universidades e das instituições formais de ensino. Locais como parques, praças e teatros, ocupados com uma programação diversificada, que tragam diálogos sobre Ciência. O projeto Ciência no Parque, idealizado e executado por docentes e discentes da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), tem como objetivo popularizar o conhecimento sobre Ciência, por meio de metodologias mais interativas, realizando eventos científicos em espaços públicos da cidade de Mossoró/RN. Com potencial reconhecido pela comunidade acadêmica e pela sociedade, novos desafios foram surgindo e houve a necessidade de formação específica de equipes que pudessem atender demandas que fortalecessem a divulgação científica na região, assim, surgiram os grupos de ciência básica, o Brincando Quimicamente e o Física Divertida. Ao participar de vários eventos, os grupos realizaram exposições de experimentos interativos e de baixo custo, relacionados à química, física e robótica, unindo conhecimento, ludicidade e diversão.
Neurociências para o Ensino Médio
Authors: Viana Daniela Andressa Ferreira , Santana Maxwell Barbosa de
Published: January 2024

As Neurociências são campos de conhecimento que procuram compreender os diferentes processos mentais e as bases subjacentes do Sistema Nervoso. Atualmente, ganharam maior enfoque por auxiliar na compreensão e na potencialização dos mecanismos de aprendizagem em diferentes níveis acadêmicos. Nesse sentido, o indivíduo jovem, na faixa de escolarização do Ensino Médio, é um ator ainda vulnerável na capacidade de tomar decisões que podem ser decorrentes da falta de conhecimento dos fenômenos que as Neurociências permitem elucidar. Assim, este projeto buscou levar para os jovens do Ensino Médio de uma escola pública do município de Santarém/Pará o conhecimento teórico e prático acerca de aplicações e conceitos das Neurociências. Para conhecer os diversos temas desta área, em cada semana abordou-se uma temática diferente que relacionava a integração do funcionamento do cérebro e do corpo. A experiência de introdução de conceitos de funcionamento do par “cérebro-mente” para esses jovens tornou a disseminação das Neurociências uma forma efetiva para popularizar essa área da ciência e os motivou a aprenderem e compreenderem a realidade dela, uma vez que a temática mescla diversas áreas do conhecimento.