bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Black phosphorus photoconductive terahertz antenna: 3D modeling and experimental reference comparison
Authors: Batista Jose Santos , Churchill Hugh O. H. , El-Shenawee Magda 
Published: March 2021

This paper presents a 3D model of a terahertz photoconductive antenna
(PCA) using black phosphorus, an emerging 2D anisotropic material, as
the semiconductor layer. This work aims at understanding the potential
of black phosphorus (BP) to advance the signal generation and
bandwidth of conventional terahertz (THz) PCAs. The COMSOL
Multiphysics package, based on the finite element method, is utilized
to model the 3D BP PCA emitter using four modules: the frequency
domain RF module to solve Maxwell’s equations, the semiconductor
module to calculate the photocurrent, the heat transfer in solids
module to calculate the temperature variations, and the transient RF
module to calculate the THz radiated electric field pulse. The
proposed 3D model is computationally intensive where the PCA device
includes thin layers of thicknesses ranging from nano- to microscale.
The symmetry of the configuration was exploited by applying the
perfect electric and magnetic boundary conditions to reduce the
computational domain to only one quarter of the device in the RF
module. The results showed that the temperature variation due to the
conduction of current induced by the bias voltage increased by only
0.162 K. In addition, the electromagnetic power dissipation in the
semiconductor due to the femtosecond laser source showed an increase
in temperature by 0.441 K. The results show that the temperature
variations caused the peak of the photocurrent to increase by

∼

3.4

%

and

∼

10

%

, respectively, under a maximum bias
voltage of 1 V and average laser power of 1 mW. While simulating the
active area of the antenna provided accurate results for the optical
and semiconductor responses, simulating the thermal effect on the
photocurrent requires a larger computational domain to avoid false
rise in temperature. Finally, the simulated THz signal generation
electric field pulse exhibits a trend in increasing the bandwidth of
the proposed BP PCA compared with the measured pulse of a reference
commercial LT-GaAs PCA. Enhancing signal generation and bandwidth will
improve THz imaging and spectroscopy for biomedical and material
characterization applications.
Increased oxidative stress in elderly leprosy patients is related to age but not to bacillary load
Authors: da Silva Pedro Henrique Lopes , de Castro Katherine Kelda Gomes , Mendes Mayara Abud , Calvo Thyago Leal , Leal Júlia Monteiro Pereira , Hacker Mariana de Andréa Vilas-Boas , Nery José Augusto da Costa , Sarno Euzenir Nunes , Lourenço Roberto Alves , Moraes Milton Ozório , Lara Flávio Alves , Esquenazi Danuza 
Published: March 2021

Background
Leprosy continues to be a public health problem in Brazil. Furthermore, detection rates in elderly people have increased, particularly those of multibacillary (L-Lep) patients, who are responsible for transmitting M. leprae. Part of the decline in physiological function during aging is due to increased oxidative damage and change in T cell subpopulations, which are critical in defense against the disease. It is not still clear how age-related changes like those related to oxidation affect elderly people with leprosy. The aim of this work was to verify whether the elderly leprosy patients have higher ROS production and how it can impact the evolution of leprosy.

Methodology/Principal findings
87 leprosy patients, grouped according to age range and clinical form of leprosy, and 25 healthy volunteers were analyzed. Gene expression analysis of antioxidant and oxidative burst enzymes were performed in whole blood using Biomark’s microfluidic-based qPCR. The same genes were evaluated in skin lesion samples by RT-qPCR. The presence of oxidative damage markers (carbonylated proteins and 4-hydroxynonenal) was analyzed by a DNPH colorimetric assay and immunofluorescence. Carbonylated protein content was significantly higher in elderly compared to young patients. One year after multidrug therapy (MDT) discharge and M. leprae clearance, oxidative damage increased in young L-Lep patients but not in elderly ones. Both elderly T and L-Lep patients present higher 4-HNE in cutaneous lesions than the young, mainly surrounding memory CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, young L-Lep demonstrated greater ability to neutralize ROS compared to elderly L-Lep patients, who presented lower gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, mainly glutathione peroxidase.

Conclusions/Significance
We conclude that elderly patients present exacerbated oxidative damage both in blood and in skin lesions and that age-related changes can be an important factor in leprosy immunopathogenesis. Ultimately, elderly patients could benefit from co-supplementation of antioxidants concomitant to MDT, to avoid worsening of the disease.
The cost-effectiveness of scaling-up rapid point-of-care testing for early infant diagnosis of HIV in southern Zambia
Authors: De Broucker Gatien , Salvatore Phillip P. , Mutembo Simon , Moyo Nkumbula , Mutanga Jane N. , Thuma Philip E. , Moss William J. , Sutcliffe Catherine G. 
Published: March 2021

Introduction
Early infant diagnosis (EID) and treatment can prevent much of the HIV-related morbidity and mortality experienced by children but is challenging to implement in sub-Saharan Africa. Point-of-care (PoC) testing would decentralize testing and increase access to rapid diagnosis. The objective of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of PoC testing in Southern Province, Zambia.

Methods
A decision tree model was developed to compare health outcomes and costs between the standard of care (SoC) and PoC testing using GeneXpert and m-PIMA platforms. The primary health outcome was antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiation within 60 days of sample collection. Additional outcomes included ART initiation by 12 months of age and death prior to ART initiation. Costs included both capital and recurrent costs. Health outcomes and costs were combined to create incremental cost effectiveness ratios (ICERs).

Results
The proportion of children initiating ART within 60 days increased from 27.8% with SoC to 79.8–82.8% with PoC testing depending on the algorithm and platform. The proportion of children initiating ART by 12 months of age increased from 50.9% with SoC to 84.0–86.5% with PoC testing. The proportion of HIV-infected children dying prior to ART initiation decreased from 18.1% with SoC to 3.8–4.6% with PoC testing. Total program costs were similar for the SoC and GeneXpert but higher for m-PIMA. ICERs for PoC testing were favorable, ranging from $23–1,609 for ART initiation within 60 days, $37–2,491 for ART initiation by 12 months of age, and $90–6,188 for deaths prior to ART initiation. Factors impacting the costs of PoC testing, including the lifespan of the testing instruments and integrated utilization of PoC platforms, had the biggest impact on the ICERs. Integrating utilization across programs decreased costs for the EID program, such that PoC testing was cost-saving in some situations.

Conclusion
PoC testing has the potential to improve linkage to care and ART initiation for HIV-infected infants and should be considered for implementation within EID programs to achieve equity in access to HIV services and reduce HIV-related pediatric morbidity and mortality.
Health professionals practice and associated factors towards precautionary measures for COVID-19 pandemic in public health facilities of Gamo zone, southern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Mersha Abera , Shibiru Shitaye , Girma Meseret , Ayele Gistane , Bante Agegnehu , Kassa Mekidim , Abebe Sintayehu , Shewangizaw Misgun 
Published: March 2021

IntroductionCoronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease, which caused by a novel coronavirus. The disease disrupts health systems and resulting in social, political, and economic crises. Health professionals are in front of this pandemic and always work in a high-risk environment. The best prevention for COVID-19 is avoiding exposure to the virus. Some studies reported health professional’s practice of precautionary measures for COVID-19. Nevertheless, a few have identified factors affecting. As such, this study aimed to fill those research gaps in the study setting.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 428 health professionals involved from the public health facilities of the Gamo zone, southern Ethiopia. A simple random sampling method employed, and the data collected by the interviewer-administered Open Data Kit survey tool and observational checklist. The data analyzed in Stata version 15, and a binary logistic regression model used to identify factors. In this study, a statistically significant association declared at P< 0.05.ResultsIn this study, 35.3% (95%CI: 30.7%, 39.8%) of health professionals’ had a good practice on precautionary measures for the COVID-19 pandemic. Use hand sanitizer or wash hands continuously with soap and water (68.9%), cover nose and mouth with a tissue during sneezing or coughing (67.3%), and use facemask in crowds (56.8%) were the most common practice reported by study participants. Marital status, being married (AOR = 1.84, 95%CI: 1.06, 3.18), good knowledge on the COVID-19 pandemic (AOR = 2.02, 95%CI: 1.02, 3.18), and positive attitude towards precautionary measures for the COVID-19 were factors showed significant association with the practice.ConclusionsThe magnitude of good practice of precautionary measures for the COVID-19 pandemic among health professionals was low. As such, different interventions to improve the knowledge and attitude of health professionals in the health care system are highly needed to boost the practice and to advance service delivery.
Hasil Belajar Matematika dan Keaktifan Peserta Didik Kelas VII SMP Negeri 8 Salatiga dengan Model RME Tahun Pelajaran 2018/2019
Authors: Windasari Ririn , Istiqlal Muhammad 
Published: March 2021

Hasil belajar dan keaktifan menjadi salah satu tolok ukur keberhasilan pembelajaran di kelas. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui peningkatan hasil belajar dan keaktifan peserta didik pada mata pelajaran matematika materi penyajian data dengan model pembelajaran RME kelas VII F SMP Negeri 8 Salatiga. Jenis penelitian ini adalah jenis Penelitian Tindakan Kelas. Subjek penelitian ini adalah peserta didik kelas VII F semester genap tahun ajaran 2018/2019 berjumlah 29 peserta didik. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan observasi, tes hasil belajar, angket, dan dokumentasi. Analisis data menggunakan deskriptif kualitatif dan kuantitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penerapan model pembelajaran RME dapat meningkatkan hasil belajar dan keaktifan peserta didik pada materi penyajian data kelas VII. Hal ini dapat dilihat dari nilai rata-rata hasil belajar siklus I sebesar 54,06 dan persentase ketuntasan sebesar 24,13%, kemudian meningkat pada siklus II menjadi 80,06 dengan persentase ketuntasan sebesar 89,65%. Rata-rata keaktifan peserta didik siklus I dan II indikator 1 interaksi dari 44,36% menjadi 78,62%, indikator 2 kerjasama dengan teman sekelompok dari 41,76% menjadi 71,64%, indikator 3 mengerjakan soal dan tugas dari 40,61% menjadi 72,79%, indikator 4 motivasi dalam mengikuti pelajaran dari 43,55% menjadi 70,24%. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa penerapan model RME dapat meningkatkan hasil belajar dan keaktifan peserta didik dalam pembelajaran matematika materi penyajian data di kelas VII F SMP Negeri 8 Salatiga.
Population Coding of Natural Electrosensory Stimuli by Midbrain Neurons
Authors: Metzen Michael G. , Chacron Maurice J. 
Published: March 2021

Natural stimuli display spatiotemporal characteristics that typically vary over orders of magnitude, and their encoding by sensory neurons remains poorly understood. We investigated population coding of highly heterogeneous natural electrocommunication stimuli inApteronotus leptorhynchusof either sex. Neuronal activities were positively correlated with one another in the absence of stimulation, and correlation magnitude decayed with increasing distance between recording sites. Under stimulation, we found that correlations between trial-averaged neuronal responses (i.e., signal correlations) were positive and higher in magnitude for neurons located close to another, but that correlations between the trial-to-trial variability (i.e., noise correlations) were independent of physical distance. Overall, signal and noise correlations were independent of stimulus waveform as well as of one another. To investigate how neuronal populations encoded natural electrocommunication stimuli, we considered a nonlinear decoder for which the activities were combined. Decoding performance was best for a timescale of 6 ms, indicating that midbrain neurons transmit information via precise spike timing. A simple summation of neuronal activities (equally weighted sum) revealed that noise correlations limited decoding performance by introducing redundancy. Using an evolution algorithm to optimize performance when considering instead unequally weighted sums of neuronal activities revealed much greater performance values, indicating that midbrain neuron populations transmit information that reliably enable discrimination between different stimulus waveforms. Interestingly, we found that different weight combinations gave rise to similar discriminability, suggesting robustness. Our results have important implications for understanding how natural stimuli are integrated by downstream brain areas to give rise to behavioral responses.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWe show that midbrain electrosensory neurons display correlations between their activities and that these can significantly impact performance of decoders. While noise correlations limited discrimination performance by introducing redundancy, considering unequally weighted sums of neuronal activities gave rise to much improved performance and mitigated the deleterious effects of noise correlations. Further analysis revealed that increased discriminability was achieved by making trial-averaged responses more separable, as well as by reducing trial-to-trial variability by eliminating noise correlations. We further found that multiple combinations of weights could give rise to similar discrimination performances, which suggests that such combinatorial codes could be achieved in the brain. We conclude that the activities of midbrain neuronal populations can be used to reliably discriminate between highly heterogeneous stimulus waveforms.
Nonpharmacological Interventions for Pediatric Migraine: A Network Meta-analysis
Authors: Koechlin Helen , Kossowsky Joe , Lam Thanh Lan , Barthel Johannes , Gaab Jens , Berde Charles B. , Schwarzer Guido , Linde Klaus , Meissner Karin , Locher Cosima 
Published: March 2021

CONTEXT:Migraine is a common neurologic disorder in children and adolescents. However, a comparison of multiple nonpharmacological treatments is lacking.OBJECTIVE:To examine whether nonpharmacological treatments are more effective than waiting list and whether there are differences between interventions regarding efficacy.DATA SOURCES:Systematic review and network meta-analysis of studies in Medline, Cochrane, Embase, and PsycINFO published through August 5, 2019.STUDY SELECTION:Randomized controlled trials of nonpharmacological treatments in children and adolescents diagnosed with episodic migraine.DATA EXTRACTION:Effect sizes, calculated as standardized mean differences (SMDs) for the primary outcome efficacy, were assessed in a random-effects model.RESULTS:Twelve studies (N = 576) were included. When interventions were classified into groups on the basis of similarity of treatment components, self-administered treatments, biofeedback, relaxation, psychological treatments, and psychological placebos were significantly more effective than waiting list with effect sizes ranging between SMD = 1.14 (95% confidence interval, 0.09 to 2.19) for long-term psychological placebos to SMD = 1.44 (95% confidence interval, 0.26 to 2.62) for short-term self-administered treatments. However, when all interventions were examined individually (ie, 1 node per intervention), none were significantly more effective compared with waiting list, mainly because of lack of statistical power.LIMITATIONS:Because of our focus on pediatric migraine, only a small number of studies could be included.CONCLUSIONS:Our findings reveal that components of nonpharmacological interventions are effective in treating pediatric migraine. Some effects have to be interpreted carefully because they are based on small studies. Future researchers should identify factors associated with individual responses in large, multicentered studies.
La managerialización de las relaciones estatales en Argentina (2015- 2019): ¿Cambiemos logró cambiarnos?
Authors: Farias María Laura 
Published: March 2021

Producto de su reciente surgimiento, analizaremos la inserción directa de los principales articuladores del management en cargos de alta dirección pública en el Estado argentino y su impacto en la dinámica organizacional. La asunción de Mauricio Macri supuso la designación de altos funcionarios que provenían de la dirección de grandes empresas y que buscaron instrumentar una transformación de la naturaleza estatal (concebida como ineficiente y burocrática), hacia una más afín a los criterios manageriales de agilidad, modernidad y eficacia. Estudiando la inserción de estos managers en la estructura estatal, analizaremos los modos en que su participación en la gestión pública influyó en sus concepciones respecto del Estado y sus trabajadores, así como también en su percepción sobre la subjetividad estatal y “lo público”. Para este propósito, nos basamos en un abordaje cualitativo a través de entrevistas y análisis de materiales documentales que nos permitirá conocer cómo se perciben las características del Estado y sus empleados, arrojando también reno- vadas concepciones por parte de los entrevistados. Por último, analizaremos las ideas previas de los managers al Estado, así como los preconceptos con los que estos sujetos concebían a los trabaja- dores estatales, para conocer cómo su paso por el Estado ha atravesado esas conceptualizaciones.
Contexto institucional de la responsabilidad social hotelera en la Eurorregión: un análisis factorial
Authors: Sánchez-Fernández María Dolores 
Published: March 2021

Contexto institucional de la responsabilidad social hotelera en la Eurorregión: un análisis factorial. En este trabajo estudiamos el contexto institucional en el ámbito de la responsabilidad social corporativa (RSC). Nuestro objeto de estudio son los hoteles de tres, cuatro y cinco estrellas ubicados en la Eurorregión Galicia y Norte de Portugal. El marco teórico en que nos apoyamos es la Teoría Institucional, la cual tiene su base en los tres principales pilares institucionales coercitivo, normativo y cognitivo (Scott, 1995). En esta investigación pretendemos averiguar cual de las tres presiones institucionales propuestas por Deephouse (1996) ejerce mayor presión en este entorno. Para alcanzar el objetivo propuesto fue desarrollado un estudio cuantitativo en el que se utilizó un cuestionario para la recogida de datos. Este cuestionario se elaboró en base a la configuración de diferentes escalas ya validadas previamente (Deephouse, 1996; Fernández, 2001; Kostova y Roth, 2002; Vargas-Sánchez y Riquel-Ligero, 2012; Gallardo, et al 2013; Llamas-Sánchez, et al 2013). Con el fin de verificar el peso que ejerce cada una de las presiones aplicamos la metodología de Análisis Factorial por rotación Varimax a las variables propuestas en nuestro modelo. Tras la aplicación de las pruebas de unidimensionalidad de escala obtuvimos los diferentes factores que constituyen nuestro modelo de investigación propuesto. Con todo ello conseguimos reducir la información contenida en un conjunto de variables menor al planteado inicialmente, con la mínima pérdida de información. Como principal resultado de esta investigación sobresale que la presión coercitiva y la presión normativa son las presiones que más influyen en el contexto institucional de la Eurorregión de nuestro objeto de estudio.
Liability for Violating Standards in Shia Jurisprudence and Iranian Law
Authors: Chitsazian Morteza 
Published: March 2021

Standards are of critical importance for protecting public health and ensuring the integrity of transactions and the consistency of the quality of goods and services. Violation of standards can do significant harm to individuals and the society as a whole. Since people are entitled to the right of consuming goods with adequate safety and quality, standards themselves can be considered a civil right. The issue of damages and compensation in relation to the violation of standards has been addressed in Iranian law as well as Shia jurisprudence. In Shia jurisprudence, causing harm to others makes a person liable to coercive action and compensation. According to Article 1 of the Iranian Civil Liability Law, anyone who has intentionally or unintentionally caused material or moral damage to another person’s life, health, property, liberty, dignity, business reputation or any other right that the other person is entitled to by law is liable for compensation for the damages caused by his action. In this article, we examine the jurisprudential arguments that support the necessity of enforcing standards and the liabilities that arise from violation of standards in Iranian law. In this regard, Quran verses and hadiths call for accuracy and consistency in all matters, honesty in work, and respect for laws. The Shia jurisprudential principles that call for the observance of standards include La-zarar (no-harm), Tasbib (causation), and Ghorur (deception). Therefore, there is a strong foundation in Shia jurisprudence for enforcing standards. However, Iranian law requires stronger laws with harsher punishment for violators to prevent negligence in complying with standards.
Debris-Flow and Debris-Flood Susceptibility Mapping for Geohazard Risk Prioritization
Authors: Sturzenegger Matthieu , Holm Kris , Lau Carie-Ann , Jakob Matthias 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACT
Regional-scale assessments for debris-flow and debris-flood propagation and avulsion on fans can be challenging. Geomorphological mapping based on aerial or satellite imagery requires substantial field verification effort. Surface evidence of past events may be obfuscated by development or obscured by repeat erosion or debris inundation, and trenching may be required to record the sedimentary architecture and date past events. This paper evaluates a methodology for debris-flow and debris-flood susceptibility mapping at regional scale based on a combination of digital elevation model (DEM) metrics to identify potential debris source zones and flow propagation modeling using the Flow-R code that is calibrated through comparison to mapped alluvial fans. The DEM metrics enable semi-automated identification and preliminary, process-based classification of streams prone to debris flow and debris flood. Flow-R is a susceptibility mapping tool that models potential flow inundation based on a combination of spreading and runout algorithms considering DEM topography and empirical propagation parameters. The methodology is first evaluated at locations where debris-flow and debris-flood hazards have been previously assessed based on field mapping and detailed numerical modeling. It is then applied over a 125,000 km2 area in southern British Columbia, Canada. The motivation for the application of this methodology is that it represents an objective and repeatable approach to susceptibility mapping, which can be integrated in a debris-flow and debris-flood risk prioritization framework at regional scale to support risk management decisions.