Making sense of conflicting messages of multiracial identity: a systematic review.

Background: Ethnic-racial identity (ERI) development refers to how individuals' experiences, beliefs, and attitudes influence understanding of ethnic-racial group membership. Messages about race, from multiple ecosystems, influence identity development and how individuals come to form their ERI. There has been a shift in ERI research to focus on Multiracial populations, however, most of the research focus is on Black/white biracial and general, non-specified Multiracial populations. The ERI development process and experience for persons of other Multiracial backgrounds (e.g., AfroLatinx or AsianBlack) is not as extensively studied. This systematic literature review aims to elucidate the existing conceptualization of Multiracial ERI development for non-Black/white biracial and general Multiracial populations in the United States. Methods: A comprehensive search strategy was employed across multiple academic databases to identify relevant studies based on explicit inclusion criteria. The initial search resulted in 1,846 articles, but when only Black/white biracial and non-specified general Multiracial studies were eliminated from this review, only 18 articles met the criteria for inclusion. Results: Common themes emerged from the reviewed literature, including the importance of spaces, conflicting social messages directed at Multiracial individuals, and coping responses used by Multiracial individuals when faced with challenges by family members and peers regarding their multiracial identity. Discussion: The findings underscore the need for a more nuanced exploration of ERI development among diverse Multiracial populations. Understanding the unique strengths, experiences, and challenges of different Multiracial populations beyond the Black-white biracial paradigm is essential for understanding ERI development across and between different Multiracial populations in today's world.

All-fiber few-mode interference for complex azimuthal pattern generation.

We report on an all-fiber setup capable of generating complex intensity patterns using interference of few guided modes. Comprised by a few-mode fiber (FMF) spliced to a multimodal interference (MMI) fiber device, the setup allows for obtaining different output patterns upon adjusting the phases and intensities of the modes propagating in the FMF. We analyze the output patterns obtained when exciting two family modes in the MMI device using different phase and intensity conditions for the FMF modal base. Using this simple experimental arrangement we are able to produce complex intensity patterns with radial and azimuthal symmetry. Moreover, our results suggest that this approach provides a means to generate beams with orbital angular momentum (OAM).

The Enigma of Autoimmunity: A Case of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis in a Patient Diagnosed With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare complication of measles characterized by progressive neurological deterioration. The onset usually occurs about seven to 10 years after the measles infection. Aside from an earlier age of measles infection, factors that may influence the susceptibility for its development is unknown. There is a paucity of data regarding the course of SSPE in the presence of concomitant autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report a case of a 19-year-old female who presented with new onset recurrent generalized tonic-clonic seizures, malar rash, and cutaneous erythematous, maculopapular eruptions. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) serologic examination yielded positive results favoring the diagnosis of SLE. Further in the course of illness, the patient developed generalized myoclonic jerks and progressive decline in language, cognitive, and motor functions. Subsequent investigation showed an elevated anti-measles antibody titer in the cerebrospinal fluid, and periodic generalized, bilaterally synchronous, and symmetric high voltage slow-wave complexes in the EEG. These findings and the typical evolution of neurologic manifestations fulfilled two major and one minor Dyken's criteria for the diagnosis of SSPE. It is postulated that some autoimmune-mediated responses may contribute to the evolution of SSPE. Autoimmune complexes in SLE induce downregulation of T-cell responses which accelerate the loss of antibodies formed against other diseases such as the measles virus that may lead to increased susceptibility to infection. SSPE is hypothesized to result from the downregulation of host-immune responses which leads to incomplete measles viral clearance. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first published case of SSPE with active SLE.

Genetic diversity in 10 populations of domestic Turkeys by using microsatellites markers.

The domestic turkey is a native breed in danger of extinction due to the introduction of new breeds specializing in meat production and yield. Turkeys have lost some prominence in urban areas, and only certain breeds of turkeys are preserved in rural areas. Wild and domestic turkeys are different; rural or indigenous turkeys, with black plumage, were domesticated from Mexican turkeys and have been reproduced throughout Latin America. Some of them were taken to Europe in the 16th century and later arrived in North America, where they crossed with another wild species, from which the bronze turkey emerged: the ancestor of all commercial turkeys. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the genetic diversity in 10 populations of domestic turkeys worldwide by using breeds from Europe: Spain and Italy; America: Mexico, United States and Brazil; and the Near East: Iran and Egypt. A total of 522 blood samples of both sexes were collected from domestic turkey populations. Thirty-four microsatellites were used to obtain genetic parameters, and genetic diversity was evaluated. All microsatellites used were polymorphic, and a total of 427 alleles were detected across the 34 markers investigated. In this study, a mean number of 13.44 alleles was found. The four most diverse breeds were from the Andalusia, Mexico, United States, and wild populations, which had the highest mean heterozygosity expected (0.619, 0.612, 0.650, and 0.773) and heterozygosity observed (0.422, 0.521, 0.429, and 0.627), respectively. The MNT348 marker deviated from the HWE in all populations. Our study has shown that the populations close to the species origin are more diverse than those resulting from posterior expansions. Mexican birds were the most diverse, followed by the Spanish populations because Spain imported a large number of turkeys coming from America. Such information can be complementary to other genotypic data required to validate the evolutionary relationships among turkey populations.

Oscillatory entrainment to our early social or physical environment and the emergence of volitional control.

An individual's early interactions with their environment are thought to be largely passive; through the early years, the capacity for volitional control develops. Here, we consider: how is the emergence of volitional control characterised by changes in the entrainment observed between internal activity (behaviour, physiology and brain activity) and the sights and sounds in our everyday environment (physical and social)? We differentiate between contingent responsiveness (entrainment driven by evoked responses to external events) and oscillatory entrainment (driven by internal oscillators becoming temporally aligned with external oscillators). We conclude that ample evidence suggests that children show behavioural, physiological and neural entrainment to their physical and social environment, irrespective of volitional attention control; however, evidence for oscillatory entrainment beyond contingent responsiveness is currently lacking. Evidence for how oscillatory entrainment changes over developmental time is also lacking. Finally, we suggest a mechanism through which periodic environmental rhythms might facilitate both sensory processing and the development of volitional control even in the absence of oscillatory entrainment.

Effect of oils on the transmission properties of a terahertz photonic crystal.

The transmission properties of a photonic crystal immersed in several different oils have been characterized using terahertz time domain spectroscopy in the spectral range of 0.3-1.5 THz. As in previous works, oil samples can be distinguished using terahertz transmission measurements. When the same oils are introduced into a photonic crystal, we find that the effective refractive index of the photonic crystal is sensitive to the properties of the oils and shows differences not seen in bulk measurements. These effects are described in detail and have potential applications in both the sensing of very small volumes of oils and in the fine control of the refractive indices of photonic crystals.

Microbubble end-capped fiber-optic Fabry-Perot sensors.

We report on a simple fabrication technique for Fabry-Perot (FP) sensors formed by a microbubble within a polymer drop deposited on the tip of an optical fiber. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) drops are deposited on the tips of standard single-mode fibers incorporating a layer of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs). A microbubble inside this polymer end-cap, aligned along the fiber core, can be readily generated on launching light from a laser diode through the fiber, owing to the photothermal effect produced in the CNP layer. This approach allows for the fabrication of microbubble end-capped FP sensors with reproducible performance, showing temperature sensitivities as large as 790 pm/°C, larger than those reported for regular polymer end-capped devices. We further show that these microbubble FP sensors may also prove useful for displacement measurements, with a sensitivity of ∼5.4 nm/µm.

Tunable microring resonators using light-activated functional polymer coatings.

We demonstrate tunable microring resonators (TMRs) based on light-activated functional polymer coatings deposited on glass optical fibers. TMRs were fabricated using two layers of polydimethylsiloxane-based compounds: one incorporating an azobenzene dye and one using a fluorescent ytterbium and erbium-doped sodium yttrium fluoride powder. The latter yields a photoluminescent composite producing green up-conversion emission under infrared pumping. This visible emission triggers photoinduced birefringence effects in the azobenzene layer, thereby modifying the spectral features of the TMR devices. The shift in the resonance peaks as a function of pump power is linear, yielding a tuning range of 1.3 nm. Aside from the observed photoinduced effects, we also discuss the photothermal effects involved in the tuning mechanism.

Self-Views and Positive Psychology Constructs Among Second Language Learners in Japan, Taiwan, and the United States.

The present study is the first to empirically test a hierarchical, positive-oriented model of the self and its relationship to second language (L2) achievement motivation, and compare it in three different cultural contexts of Japan, the United States, and Taiwan. Based on the L2 self-model (Lake, 2016), three levels of constructs were developed: Global Self (i.e., Flourishing, Curiosity, and Hope); Positive L2 domain self (i.e., interested-in-L2 self, harmonious passion for L2 learning, and mastery L2 goal orientation); and L2 Motivational Variables (i.e., reading, speaking and listening self-efficacy). A total of 667 students participated in this study, including 181 first-year college students in Japan, 159 high school students in Taiwan, and 327 community college students in the United States. All the participants were learning L2 in school. Results showed that the measures of positive global self, L2 domain self, and L2 motivational self all had a stronger relationship within their respective levels, and progressively weaker relationships as level of generality/specificity became more distal. Furthermore, the relationships among measures varied in the differing cultural contexts with the Japan-based student participants relatively lower on all measures. Implications for teacher educators in the L2 context have been discussed.

Free-ranging wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Switzerland: casual observations and model-based projections during open and closed season for hunting.

INTRODUCTION: Wild boar (i.e., Sus scrofa) are susceptible to a range of diseases that can be transmitted to domestic pigs. Assessing the potential risk of transmission-related events involves identifying where wild boar occur in Switzerland and where they still can colonize. It also involves identifying zones where piggeries are dense. In the work presented here, the distribution of wild boar in Switzerland was projected from grid data as probabilities of presence using an approach based on statistical modeling, separately for closed and open season for hunting. The predicted probabilities of wild boar presence were related to the density of piggeries in the six agricultural zones. The resulting maps show how the potential risk of transmission-related events, as a proxy for disease transmission, is distributed in Switzerland. Wild boar presence data consisted of hunting data and casual observations recorded from September 2011 to February 2018 at the coordinate level. They were obtained from all 16 Swiss cantons maintaining a license hunting system plus Solothurn (for 2017) and Zurich, as well as from info fauna. The probability of wild boar occurrence was high (> 0.7) in Jura, the valleys of the Southern Alps, the Rhone Valley down the river from Martigny, and the Rhine Valley down the river from Bündner Herrschaft; it was fair (0.5-0.7) in the Swiss Plateau. These regions broadly overlap agricultural zones with a high density of piggeries. Patches of perennially suitable, but currently not colonized habitat were found in the cantons of Berne, Obwalden, Uri, Schwyz, Glarus, and Grisons. The probability of wild boar occurrence across the entire study area, including the Alps, increased by 12% during closed season for hunting. The results were discussed with reference to similar studies.

INTRODUCTION: Le sanglier (Sus scrofa) est sensible à plusieurs maladies qui peuvent être transmises au cochon domestique. Afin d'estimer le risque potentiel de transmission, il est important d'identifier les zones occupées par le sanglier en Suisse ainsi que celles qu'il pourrait encore coloniser. De plus, cela implique également de pouvoir situer les secteurs où les élevages de cochons sont les plus abondant. Dans le présent travail, la distribution du sanglier a été projetée selon une grille à l'échelle de la Suisse à partir des présences confirmées en utilisant des méthodes statistiques, ceci en considérant la période d'ouverture de chasse d'une part et la période de fermeture d'autre part. Les probabilités de présence calculées ont été misent en relation avec la densité des porcheries dans les différentes zones agricoles. Les cartes résultant de cet exercice montrent comment le risque potentiel de transmission de maladies est distribué en Suisse. La base de données utilisée contenait des informations sur les sangliers tirés lors de la chasse, ainsi que des observations occasionnelles, rapportées à l'échelle de la coordonnée entre Septembre 2011 et Février 2018. Ces données ont étés obtenues de l'ensemble des 16 cantons maintenant un système de chasse à patente, plus Soleure (2017) et Zurich, et des données disponibles sur info fauna. La probabilité de trouver des sanglier est élevée (> 0.7) dans le Jura, les vallées du sud des Alpes, la vallée du Rhône en aval de Martigny et la vallée du Rhin en aval de Bündner Herrschaft. Elle est modérée (0.5­0.7) pour le Plateau Suisse. Ces régions correspondent à peu près aux zones agricoles possédant les plus grandes densités de porcheries. Des secteurs offrant des conditions favorables toute l'année, mais encore inoccupés par le sanglier ont été trouvés dans les cantons de Berne, Obwald, Uri, Schwyz, Glaris et les Grisons. Sur l'ensemble de la zone d'étude, la probabilité de présence des sangliers était supérieur de 12% en dehors de la période de chasse. Les résultats ont été discutés en les comparant à des études similaires.

Role of Bilingualism and Biculturalism as Assets in Positive Psychology: Conceptual Dynamic GEAR Model.

Are bilingualism and/or biculturalism good for a person's positive well being? A growing number of studies have shown different positive outcomes of being exposed to two cultures or speaking two languages respectively, but the benefits of being both bilingual and bicultural have rarely been investigated theoretically or empirically. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the main beneficial outcomes of bilingualism and biculturalism, and to integrate these benefits into a new conceptual framework: Positive Bilingualism and Biculturalism GEAR model. The GEAR model suggests that the beneficial outcomes of bilingualism and biculturalism can be systematically classified into four positive dimensions (psychological Growth; cognitive Exploration; linguistic Awareness; and social Reinforcement), in which there are dynamic interactions among these four dimensions. The hypothetical GEAR model provides an intricate theoretical approach to understand the potential benefits to an individual of experiencing more than one language and one culture in their life. The proposed model in this research offers a systematic framework for conducting future research to examine whether bilingualism and biculturalism accrue benefits to the individual.

The Flowering of Positive Psychology in Foreign Language Teaching and Acquisition Research.

The present contribution offers an overview of a new area of research in the field of foreign language acquisition, which was triggered by the introduction of Positive Psychology (PP) (MacIntyre and Gregersen, 2012). For many years, a cognitive perspective had dominated research in applied linguistics. Around the turn of the millennium researchers became increasingly interested in the role of emotions in foreign language learning and teaching, beyond established concepts like foreign language anxiety and constructs like motivation and attitudes toward the foreign language. As a result, a more nuanced understanding of the role of positive and negative learner and teacher emotions emerged, underpinned by solid empirical research using a wide range of epistemological and methodological approaches. PP interventions have been carried out in schools and universities to strengthen learners and teachers' experiences of flow, hope, courage, well-being, optimism, creativity, happiness, grit, resilience, strengths, and laughter with the aim of enhancing learners' linguistic progress. This paper distinguishes the early period in the field that started with MacIntyre and Gregersen (2012), like a snowdrop after winter, and that was followed by a number of early studies in relatively peripheral journals. We argue that 2016 is the starting point of the current period, characterized by gradual recognition in applied linguistics, growing popularity of PP, and an exponential increase in publications in more mainstream journals. This second period could be compared to a luxuriant English garden in full bloom.

Quantum nanoconstrictions fabricated by cryo-etching in encapsulated graphene.

We report on a novel implementation of the cryo-etching method, which enabled us to fabricate low-roughness hBN-encapsulated graphene nanoconstrictions with unprecedented control of the structure edges; the typical edge roughness is on the order of a few nanometers. We characterized the system by atomic force microscopy and used the measured parameters of the edge geometry in numerical simulations of the system conductance, which agree quantitatively with our low temperature transport measurements. The quality of our devices is confirmed by the observation of well defined quantized 2e2/h conductance steps at zero magnetic field. To the best of our knowledge, such an observation reports the clearest conductance quantization in physically etched graphene nanoconstrictions. The fabrication of such high quality systems and the scalability of the cryo-etching method opens a novel promising possibility of producing more complex truly-ballistic devices based on graphene.

Blood parasites infecting the Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin), a unique neotropical folivorous bird.

The Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) is the only extant member of the order Opisthocomiformes. This unique South American bird lives in the riparian lowland vegetation characteristic of the Amazon and Orinoco basins. Hoatzins nest in communal social units close to water bodies; they are strictly folivores being the only bird with pregastric fermentation in the crop. Because of the complex logistics involved in capturing this bird, there is a knowledge gap on its parasites. This study documents two distant lineages of haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium spp.) in a juvenile and two adults sampled in the Cojedes state, Venezuela. Although negative by microscopy, the parasite identification was possible by using molecular methods. We estimated the phylogenetic relationships on the parasite cytochrome b (cytb, 480 bp) gene and the mitochondrial DNA. We found one of the parasites lineages in two individuals (nestling and adult), and the corresponding fragment of cytb was identical to a one found in Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) from Brazil. The other lineage, found in an adult, has an identity of 469 out of 478 bp (98%) with Plasmodium sp. GAL-2012 (isolate THAMB08) from Brazil. Although a morphological description of these parasites was not possible, this is the first molecular study focusing on Hoatzin haemosporidian parasites and the first documentation of Plasmodium infections in the Hoatzin from Venezuela. Furthermore, we reported microfilaria in two adults as well as hematological parameters for six individuals. Information on hematological parameters could contribute to establishing the necessary baseline to detect underlying conditions, such as infections, in this bird species.

Experiences and perceptions of former medical students on the neurology curriculum: A reminiscing focus group discussion / The Health Sciences Journal

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this focus group discussion was to explore the experiences and perceptionsof former medical students with the undergraduate neurology curriculum.METHODS: Perceptual patterns were derived from transcriptions of the discussion of the participants in afocus group discussion involving faculty, residents and postgraduate interns. Data were analyzed usinglatent content analysis and constant comparison techniques.RESULTS: Shared experiences in clinical clerkship were mostly negative. The difficult initial patient encounterswere suggested to be minimized through hierarchal modeling, modification of the subject contents andearly clinical exposures. An environment created to be conducive to learning and neuroscience subjectssuited for the primary physician will equip the medical graduates better. The perceived pressures forcedthe participants to find ways to cope. Neuroanatomy helped much in the clinics. The group suggestedmore clinical correlates and the use of drawings to aid the graduates attain the competency in neurologyfor a primary physician.CONCLUSION: The participants' experiences were largely negative and were brought about by a varied formof pressures. Contributing factors were identified and suggestions to improve learning and retentionwere given.

Scaling photonic lanterns for space-division multiplexing.

We present a new technique allowing the fabrication of large modal count photonic lanterns for space-division multiplexing applications. We demonstrate mode-selective photonic lanterns supporting 10 and 15 spatial channels by using graded-index fibres and microstructured templates. These templates are a versatile approach to position the graded-index fibres in the required geometry for efficient mode sampling and conversion. Thus, providing an effective scalable method for large number of spatial modes in a repeatable manner. Further, we demonstrate the efficiency and functionality of our photonic lanterns for optical communications. Our results show low insertion and mode dependent losses, as well as enhanced mode selectivity when spliced to few mode transmission fibres. These photonic lantern mode multiplexers are an enabling technology for future ultra-high capacity optical transmission systems.

Optical trapping and micromanipulation with a photonic lantern-mode multiplexer.

We demonstrate a simple approach based on a photonic lantern spatial-mode multiplexer and a few-mode fiber for optical and manipulation of multiple microspheres. Selective generation of linearly polarized (LP) fiber modes provides light patterns useful for trapping one or multiple microparticles. Furthermore, rotation of the particles can be achieved by switching between degenerate LP modes, as well as through polarization rotation of the input light. Our results show that emerging fiber optic devices such as photonic lanterns can provide a versatile and compact means for developing optical fiber traps.

Comparison of gizzard and intestinal microbiota of wild neotropical birds.

Gut bacterial communities have been shown to be influenced by diet, host phylogeny and anatomy, but most of these studies have been done in captive animals. Here we compare the bacterial communities in the digestive tract of wild birds. We characterized the gizzard and intestinal microbiota among 8 wild Neotropical bird species, granivorous or frugivorous species of the orders Columbiformes and Passeriformes. We sequenced the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene in 94 collected samples from 32 wild birds from 5 localities, and compared bacterial communities by foraging guild, organ, locality and bird taxonomy. 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing data were examined using QIIME with linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) and metabolic pathways were predicted using PICRUSt algorism. We identified 8 bacterial phyla, dominated by Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. Beta diversity analyses indicated significant separation of gut communities by bird orders (Columbiformes vs. Passerifomes) and between bird species (p<0.01). In lower intestine, PICRUSt shows a predominance of carbohydrate metabolism in granivorous birds and xenobiotics biodegradation pathways in frugivorous birds. Gizzard microbiota was significantly richer in granivorous, in relation to frugivorous birds (Chao 1; non-parametric t-test, p<0.05), suggesting a microbial gizzard function, beyond grinding food. The results suggest that the most important factor separating the bacterial community structure was bird taxonomy, followed by foraging guild. However, variation between localities is also likely to be important, but this could not been assessed with our study design.