bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethnobotanical study of Acanthaceae family in Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand
Authors: SAENSOUK PIYAPORN , RAGSASILP AREERAT , THAWARA NICHA , BOONMA THAWATPHONG , APPAMARAKA SOMBAT , SENGTHONG ANOUSONE , DAOVISAN HANVEDES , DWI SETYAWAN AHMAD , SAENSOUK SURAPON
Published: November 2024

Abstract. Saensouk P, Ragsasilp A, Thawara N, Boonma T, Appamaraka S, Sengthong A, Daovisan H, Setyawan AD, Saensouk S. 2024. Ethnobotanical study of Acanthaceae family in Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand. Biodiversitas 25: 2570-2582. Traditional botanical knowledge plays a crucial role in the cultural and medicinal practices of indigenous communities, yet it is increasingly at risk of being lost. This study aims to document and analyze the use of Acanthaceae species by villagers in two villages in Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand to preserve this knowledge and support sustainable resource management. Data on traditional botanical knowledge of Acanthaceae from villagers were collected using semi-structured interviews. The data were then analyzed by using Use Value (UV), Cultural Importance Index (CI), and Informant Agreement Ratio (IAR). The study found nine species with two variations belonging to seven genera in the Acanthaceae family that are used by villagers, namely Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees, Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson, Barleria prionitis L., Justicia adhatoda L., J. gendarussa Burm.f. (Kra Duk Kai Khaw), J. gendarussa Burm.f. (Kra Duk Kai Dum), Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz, Ruellia tuberosa L., and Ru. simplex C.Wright. They can be classified into four groups based on their uses: foods, medicine, religious plant and other uses. Species with the highest Use Value (UV) and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) was Rh. nasutus (L.) Kurz which is used in many respects. The highest IAR value of 0.79 was Thunbergia laurifolia Lindl. followed by An. paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees (0.70) and Rh. nasutus (L.) Kurz (0.33), indicating the agreement among informants mentioned the plant species for particular disease. This study emphasizes the importance of transmission of traditional knowledge to prevent it from disappearing in the future and to inform natural resource management of local people for conservation and sustainable development.
Antifungal activity of Bacillus sp. against Fusarium sp. on intensive farmed striped catfish in Vinh Long Province, Vietnam
Authors: THI QUACH VAN CAO , TRAN THANH , TAT TRUONG QUOC , CHAU TAN PHAT
Published: November 2024

Abstract. Thi QVC, Tran T, Tat TQ, Chau TP. 2024. Antifungal activity of Bacillus sp. against Fusarium sp. on intensive farmed striped catfish in Vinh Long Province, Vietnam. Biodiversitas 25: 2602-2611. Fungal diseases often appear and cause significant losses in aquaculture in Vietnam and many other countries around the world. Therefore, the study's objective was to identify and assess Bacillus's inhibitory action against Fusarium sp., which causes swollen swim bladder disease in striped catfish, in order to minimize the usage of antibiotics, which may be harmful to both human health and the environment. As a result, 34 strains of Bacillus were obtained from samples of sludge, pond water, and the intestines of intensively farmed Pangasius in Vinh Long Province of the Mekong Delta. Inhibitory activity of the fungal spores of isolated Bacillus isolates was performed using the diffusion well method. The findings revealed that twenty out of thirty-four bacterial strains exhibited spore inhibitory activity after 3 days of incubation at 30°C. Among them, six out of twenty bacterial strains had the strongest spore inhibitory activity, with inhibition diameters ranging from 15-23 mm. Additionally, six bacterial strains with strong spore inhibitory activity also secreted extracellular enzymes such as amylase, chitinase, cellulase, and protease. Sequencing results showed that strain BC11 had a 99.37% similarity to the reference Bacillus on GenBank. The findings of the study serve as the foundation for additional research into the production of probiotics to manage pathogenic fungus in striped catfish, which could provide a different approach to lowering the need for antibiotics in the future.
Chemical content of agarwood-producing trees from Buru Island, Maluku, Indonesia
Authors: UAR NINGSIE INDAHSUARY , KARLINASARI LINA , Z. SIREGAR ISKANDAR , PERTIWI SETYO
Published: November 2024

Abstract. Uar NI, Karlinasari L, Siregar IZ, Pertiwi S. 2024. Chemical content of agarwood-producing trees from Buru Island, Maluku, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 2629-2636. Agarwood or gaharu is a plant that grows abundantly and naturally throughout almost all of Indonesia, including Buru Island and Moluccas. The exploration of agarwood-producing plants has been motivated by the superior quality of agarwood, which is closely linked to its chemical composition. This study aimed to determine the chemical components and resin contents of cultivated and natural agarwood-producing trees on Buru Island. The research was carried out in three areas, considered the centers of agarwood production on Buru Island: Airbuaya, Fenaleisela, and Batabual. The identification of tree species was carried out as an initial stage to identify the tree species that produce agarwood. The quality of agarwood was determined by reference to the Indonesian standard, resin content analysis, and chemical component identification results evaluated through GC-MS laboratory testing. The results showed that agarwood-forming compounds were present in cultivated and natural plants. Aquilaria filaria is the agarwood-producing tree found at the research location. The chemical components of agarwood from three locations contained sesquiterpene alcohol, chromone, and acid compounds, with the resin content in natural forests showing higher values than in cultivated plants. The quality of agarwood depends on its constituent compounds and chemical content. Based on the research results, the agarwood plants on Buru Island, a testament to the richness of Indonesia's natural resources, have the potential to be developed to a greater extent so that, with good management, they can contribute significantly to the development of local communities.
The privilege of being exploited? Overtime work in global factories of market socialist China and Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Minh T.N. , Luong Ngoc , Tian Yueran , Lin Jake
Published: November 2024

Despite policy interventions to limit overtime work, workers in China’s and Vietnam’s global factories often articulate a preference for working overtime, even viewing it as a form of welfare. Based on comparative social policy and ethnographic analyses, this article examines how political economic and social policy processes interact with temporal mechanisms of labour governance employed by the factories to produce this preference. At the point of production, capitalist employers construct overtime hours as scarce goods to be distributed among worthy workers, the withholding of which is seen as a form of punishment or discipline. At the point of reproduction, the workers struggle with an increasingly commodified context through land restructuring and the quasi-privatisation of public goods and services that compels them to prioritise their immediate household needs. At the social policy making level, there are unresolvable contradictions between the goals of commodifying and decommodifying labour and the failure to account for the temporal disjuncture between factory work and the workers’ social reproductive context. The contradictions give rise to institutional frameworks simultaneously protecting labour via laws and social policies and cheapening it for the sake of capital expansion via policies to regulate population mobility and labour markets. In short, the workers’ preference for overtime work results from a combination of employers’ construction of overtime hours as a scarcity, the disembedding of labour power from the time and place of its social reproduction, and social policy contexts that facilitate the commodification of labour.
Fast lithographic source optimization adopting a certain interval contour sampling compressive sensing
Authors: Li Zhen , Li Yanqiu , Yang He , Yuan Miao , Zhang Zhiwei , Huang Weichen , Li Zhao Xuan
Published: November 2024

Fast source optimization (SO) is an urgent need for 14-5 nm node integrated lithography online technology. Our earlier contour sample-Bayesian compressed sensing SO (CCS-BCS-SO) method has good image fidelity but is slow. In this paper, we propose what we believe to be a new certain interval contour sampling fast iterative shrinkage-thresholding algorithm compressed sensing SO (CICS-FISTA-SO) method. The fast iterative shrinkage-thresholding algorithm (FISTA) is accelerated by using the famous gradient acceleration strategy Nesterov acceleration technology to achieve both fast SO and high-fidelity imaging. The CICS-FISTA-SO method samples the image pixels on the contour region more evenly, preserves the image information more, and significantly reduces the computational complexity. To our best knowledge, FISTA technology is for the first time applied to resolution enhancement technology in a lithography system to ensure fast high-fidelity modes. The proposed CICS-FISTA-SO framework expresses the SO process as a series of reweighted l1-norm problems, which can obtain a pattern of high image fidelity with fewer sampling measurements. The CICS-FISTA-SO method is 2.23 times faster than the CCS-BCS-SO method. In addition, the average mode error of the CICS-FISTA-SO method is 3.5% lower than that of the CCS-BCS-SO method. The results show that CICS-FISTA-SO can realize fast SO and high-fidelity imaging better than CCS-BCS-SO.
All-optical metro-access integration network bidirectional transmission enabled by coherent digital subcarrier multiplexing
Authors: Hu Yongzhu , Yan An , Zhao Junhao , Xing Sizhe , Shen Chao , Li Ziwei , Zhou Yingjun , Shi Jianyang , He Zhixue , Chi Nan , Zhang Junwen
Published: November 2024

The ever-increasing demand for improved speeds, expanded bandwidth, and reduced latency in emerging applications has not only driven the recent advanced algorithm breakthroughs but also fostered closer integration of metro and access networks. This work proposes a novel all-optical metro-access integration network (MAIN) enabled by coherent digital subcarrier multiplexing technology. This specially designed architecture can effectively eliminate the latency and jitters caused by the optical–electrical–optical conversion in the conventional scheme and save wavelength resources at the same time. For experimental validation, we successfully demonstrate 400G bidirectional coherent transmission within our proposed architecture, involving three nodes in the metro network and the access network as an example. Also, the related problems during the transmission are extensively discussed with the experimental results. Finally, we reach an aggregation rate of 4×100Gbps using a DP-16QAM signal. By integrating a SOA into the transmitter of the ONU, a power budget of 32.6 dB with a 29 dB dynamic range is achieved. In addition, the experimental results also show that the proposed all-optical MAIN architecture can be smoothly combined with the TFDM scheme to further enhance the flexibility, which also paves the way for further research on the next-generation coherent metro and access network.
External optical feedback effects in electrically pumped semiconductor nano-laser arrays
Authors: Fan Yuanlong , Zhang Jing , Shore K. Alan
Published: November 2024

Detailed simulations have been undertaken of the dynamical response of linear and triangular arrays of nano-lasers to external optical feedback from a common external mirror. Careful attention is given to forms of dynamics that arise in such devices when experimentally accessible parameters such as the optical feedback strength, laser bias current, and external cavity length are changed – including for the latter on wavelength scales. In addition, the role played by the strength of the coupling between the nano-lasers is indicated. A salient feature of nano-lasers is the possibility of enhanced spontaneous emission via the Purcell effect and its impact on obtainable dynamics is illustrated. In general, the elements of the arrays display a combination of stable, periodic, quasi-periodic, and chaotic behaviour. Prospects for significant generalizations of the analysis undertaken here are briefly addressed.
1 µJ erbium-doped Q-switched fiber laser based on Ag@C core-shell nanoparticles
Authors: Kang Zhe , Wang Fang
Published: November 2024

Nowadays, pulsed fiber lasers at different wavebands have been realized by using plasmon nanomaterials as saturable absorbers (SAs). However, the performance improvement of pulsed lasers is limited by the low damage threshold of these SAs. Compared to traditional plasmon nanomaterials, core-shell nanomaterials present better chemical stability and photothermal properties. In this work, we propose and demonstrate Ag@C core-shell nanomaterials used as SA for pulsed laser generation. The Ag@C nanomaterials powder was mixed with sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) water solution to form the Ag@C SA film. By inserting the Ag@C SA into an erbium-doped laser cavity, stable passively Q-switched laser at 1560 nm was achieved for a pump power threshold of 103 mW. The shortest pulse duration of 1.3 µs and the highest repetition rate of 30.3 kHz were obtained at the pump power of 430 mW. The maximum single pulse energy could reach 891 nJ. Our results indicate that the Ag@C core-shell nanomaterial is a type of versatile SA material for constructing high-energy pulsed lasers.
Ultracompact and broadband Si3N4 Y-branch splitter using an inverse design method
Authors: Song Chifeng , Zhang Zhihan , Wang Haoran , Chen Jianan , Zhang Keyang , Li Liu , Lin Tong , Chen Shihua , Lu Junpeng , Ni Zhenhua
Published: November 2024

An effective inverse design method is used to demonstrate an ultracompact and broadband silicon nitride Y-branch 3-dB power splitter. Its topology is determined by a continuously varying function inspired by the universal approximation theorem for neural networks. The proposed model ensures an adiabatic mode transition in an extremely compact area. Our designs are validated on a commercial foundry photonic platform with 248 nm deep UV lithography. Experimental results demonstrate that the fabricated device features an excess loss of less than 0.15 dB (0.17 dB) at 1550 nm wavelength and splitting imbalance of about 0.4 dB (1.47 dB) from 1480 nm to 1640 nm for the TE (TM) mode, covering S+C+L+U band. The device footprint is only 2.3 µm × 5.2 µm, an order of magnitude smaller than typical silicon nitride power splitters.
Blind aberration correction for light field photography
Authors: Cheng Kai , Pan Long , Lai Zhitong , Jiang Min , Xu Ya , Qi Ji , Feng Xiaohua
Published: November 2024

Aberration correction is critical for obtaining sharp images but remains a challenging task. Owing to its ability to record both spatial and angular information of light rays, light field imaging is a powerful method to measure and correct optical aberrations. However, current methods need extensive calibrations to obtain prior information about the camera, which is restrictive in real-world applications. In this work, we propose a two-stage blind aberration correction method for light field imaging, which leverages self-supervised learning for general blind aberration correction and low-rank approximation to exploit the specific correlations of light fields to further abate aberrations. We demonstrated experimentally the superiority of our method over current state-of-the-art.
Grazing incidence nanogap resonance in the prism-gap-ferromagnet magneto-plasmonic Otto configuration
Authors: Varlamov Pavel , Barros Akira , Swaminathan Aditya , Lomonosov Alexey , Raynaud Michele , Temnov Vasily V.
Published: November 2024

In this Letter, we calculate the optical and magneto-optical reflectivity in a dielectric/gap/ferromagnet excited by a p-polarized monochromatic optical beam through the prism (Otto configuration) as a function of the angle of incidence θ and the gap thickness d. Besides the well-known surface plasmon polariton (SPP resonance at d ∼ λ), we find a new, to the best of our knowledge, resonance with a nanometric gap d ∼ 10 nm at a large θ ∼ 80°. Both resonances display pronounced resonant behavior in the transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect (T-MOKE).
Photon-counting single-pixel camera based on a fast spinning coding disk
Authors: Zhao Zi-Qing , Zhang Yue-Xi , Song Jia-Qi , Li Ming-Fei , Wu Ling-An
Published: November 2024

Spinning coding masks, recognized for their fast modulation rate and cost-effectiveness, are now often used in real-time single-pixel imaging (SPI). However, in the photon-counting regime, they encounter difficulties in synchronization between the coding mask patterns and the photon detector, unlike digital micromirror devices. To address this issue, we propose a scheme that assumes a constant disk rotation speed throughout each cycle and models photon detection as a non-homogeneous Poisson process (NHPP). This effectively resolves synchronization problems and compensates for speed fluctuations. To validate this method, we designed and fabricated a single-pixel camera prototype that can capture images under an illumination of less than one photon per pixel, with a modulation rate of approximately 100 kHz and an imaging speed of 28 frames per second. The camera is compact, lightweight, and low cost and should find many practical applications for imaging under extremely low-light conditions.
Soft biocompatible polymer optical fiber tapers for implantable neural devices
Authors: Meneghetti Marcello , Wang Jiachen , Sui Kunyang , Berg Rune W. , Markos Christos
Published: November 2024

Optical fibers are between the most common implantable devices for delivering light in the nervous system for optogenetics and infrared neural stimulation applications. Tapered optical fibers, in particular, can offer homogeneous light delivery to a large volume and spatially resolved illumination compared to standard flat-cleaved fibers while being minimally invasive. However, the use of tapers for neural applications has up to now been limited to silica optical fibers, whose large Young’s modulus can cause detrimental foreign body response in chronic settings. Here, we present the fabrication and optimization of tapered fiber implants based on polymer optical fibers (POFs). After numerically determining the optimal materials and taper geometry, we fabricated two types of POFs by thermal fiber drawing. The fabrication of the taper was achieved by chemical etching of the fibers, for which several solvents previously reported in literature have been tested. The influence of different parameters on the etching process and on the quality of the obtained tapers was also investigated. The large illumination volume of the produced high-quality taper-based implants was finally tested in vitro in a brain phantom.
Lensless efficient snapshot hyperspectral imaging using dynamic phase modulation
Authors: Zhang Chong , Liu Xianglei , Wang Lizhi , Ma Shining , Zheng Yuanjin , Liu Yue , Huang Hua , Wang Yongtian , Song Weitao
Published: November 2024

Snapshot hyperspectral imaging based on a diffractive optical element (DOE) is increasingly featured in recent progress in deep optics. Despite remarkable advances in spatial and spectral resolutions, the limitations of current photolithography technology have prevented the fabricated DOE from being designed at ideal heights and with high diffraction efficiency, diminishing the effectiveness of coded imaging and reconstruction accuracy in some bands. Here, we propose, to our knowledge, a new lensless efficient snapshot hyperspectral imaging (LESHI) system that utilizes a liquid-crystal-on-silicon spatial light modulator (LCoS-SLM) to replace the traditionally fabricated DOE, resulting in high modulation levels and reconstruction accuracy. Beyond the single-lens imaging model, the system can leverage the switch ability of LCoS-SLM to implement distributed diffractive optics (DDO) imaging and enhance diffraction efficiency across the full visible spectrum. Using the proposed method, we develop a proof-of-concept prototype with an image resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, an effective spatial resolution of 41.74 μm, and a spectral resolution of 10 nm, while improving the average diffraction efficiency from 0.75 to 0.91 over the visible wavelength range (400–700 nm). Additionally, LESHI allows the focal length to be adjusted from 50 mm to 100 mm without the need for additional optical components, providing a cost-effective and time-saving solution for real-time on-site debugging. LESHI is the first imaging modality, to the best of our knowledge, to use dynamic diffractive optics and snapshot hyperspectral imaging, offering a completely new approach to computational spectral imaging and deep optics.
Reconstructing the last common ancestor of all eukaryotes
Authors: Richards Thomas A. , Eme Laura , Archibald John M. , Leonard Guy , Coelho Susana M. , de Mendoza Alex , Dessimoz Christophe , Dolezal Pavel , Fritz-Laylin Lillian K. , Gabaldón Toni , Hampl Vladimír , Kops Geert J. P. L. , Leger Michelle M. , Lopez-Garcia Purificacion , McInerney James O. , Moreira David , Muñoz-Gómez Sergio A. , Richter Daniel J. , Ruiz-Trillo Iñaki , Santoro Alyson E. , Sebé-Pedrós Arnau , Snel Berend , Stairs Courtney W. , Tromer Eelco C. , van Hooff Jolien J. E. , Wickstead Bill , Williams Tom A. , Roger Andrew J. , Dacks Joel B. , Wideman Jeremy G.
Published: November 2024

Understanding the origin of eukaryotic cells is one of the most difficult problems in all of biology. A key challenge relevant to the question of eukaryogenesis is reconstructing the gene repertoire of the last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA). As data sets grow, sketching an accurate genomics-informed picture of early eukaryotic cellular complexity requires provision of analytical resources and a commitment to data sharing. Here, we summarise progress towards understanding the biology of LECA and outline a community approach to inferring its wider gene repertoire. Once assembled, a robust LECA gene set will be a useful tool for evaluating alternative hypotheses about the origin of eukaryotes and understanding the evolution of traits in all descendant lineages, with relevance in diverse fields such as cell biology, microbial ecology, biotechnology, agriculture, and medicine. In this Consensus View, we put forth the status quo and an agreed path forward to reconstruct LECA’s gene content.
scGRN-Entropy: Inferring cell differentiation trajectories using single-cell data and gene regulation network-based transfer entropy
Authors: Sun Rui , Cao Wenjie , Li ShengXuan , Jiang Jian , Shi Yazhou , Zhang Bengong
Published: November 2024

Research on cell differentiation facilitates a deeper understanding of the fundamental processes of life, elucidates the intrinsic mechanisms underlying diseases such as cancer, and advances the development of therapeutics and precision medicine. Existing methods for inferring cell differentiation trajectories from single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data primarily rely on static gene expression data to measure distances between cells and subsequently infer pseudotime trajectories. In this work, we introduce a novel method, scGRN-Entropy, for inferring cell differentiation trajectories and pseudotime from scRNA-seq data. Unlike existing approaches, scGRN-Entropy improves inference accuracy by incorporating dynamic changes in gene regulatory networks (GRN). In scGRN-Entropy, an undirected graph representing state transitions between cells is constructed by integrating both static relationships in gene expression space and dynamic relationships in the GRN space. The edges of the undirected graph are then refined using pseudotime inferred based on cell entropy in the GRN space. Finally, the Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) algorithm is applied to derive the cell differentiation trajectory. We validate the accuracy of scGRN-Entropy on eight different real scRNA-seq datasets, demonstrating its superior performance in inferring cell differentiation trajectories through comparative analysis with existing state-of-the-art methods.
“She held my hand and advised me”: Young migrants’ experiences of individual peer support to access health and social services in two small towns in southwestern Uganda
Authors: Tumwesige Edward , Kawuma Rachel , Asiimwe Allen , Nabimanya Patricia , Nakate Stella , Bernays Sarah , Seeley Janet
Published: November 2024

We describe how a pilot intervention called "Lending a Hand" was implemented to mitigate some of the risks associated with migration among young recent migrants (14–24 years) in two small towns in south-western Uganda. The design of the intervention was informed by the `protection-risk framework’, with key protection components of the intervention (positive role models/ “good” social network, safer environment, health and social support) affording support to young migrants to counter risks in their new environment. As part of the intervention (November 2021-January 2023), peer supporters were recruited and trained to provide practical assistance, emotional support, and guidance to young recent migrants. We conducted qualitative in-depth interviews with 20 young migrants (11 males and 9 females). They were purposively selected to participate in two in-depth interviews each to explore their experiences with peer support. Young migrants were eligible to participate if they were aged between 14 and 24 years and in their first year as a migrant in the town. Data were analysed thematically, and three themes on the role of peer supporters were identified based on the protection-components drawn from the protection-risk framework: facilitating access to health services, offering responsive and person-centred support and fostering a social support system, friendship and mentorship. We found that peer supporters improved young migrants’ access to health and social support. They facilitated access to healthcare services, provided information and counselling services and offered responsive and person-centred support. Peer supporters in the Lending a Hand intervention played a valuable role in addressing healthcare challenges faced by young migrants. This experience offers lessons for the integration of formal peer support into interventions targeting young migrants to access health and social support services.
Population growth poses a significant threat to forest ecosystems: A case study from the Hindukush-Himalayas of Pakistan
Authors: Alam Naveed , Ullah Zahid , Ahmad Bilal , Ali Ahmad , Syed Kashmala
Published: November 2024

Human population growth and the accompanying increase in anthropogenic activities pose a significant threat to forest ecosystems by reducing the natural services these ecosystems provide. Malam Jabba, located in the District Swat of Pakistan’s Hindukush-Himalayan temperate zone, is known for its ecotourism, skiing, timber-producing tree species, medicinal plants, and unique biodiversity. However, a large portion of Swat Valley’s population depends on the Malam Jabba forests for timber and fuelwood. This study investigates how deforestation rates have increased in response to the growing human population in Malam Jabba, District Swat. To monitor forest cover changes, we used remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) tools. Vegetation analysis was conducted using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) based on multi-temporal satellite imagery from 1980, 2000, and 2020. Using a decay model, we calculated the deforestation rate from 1980 to 2020 and projected future rates using MATLAB, based on anticipated population growth. Our results show that over the last two decades, the average annual deforestation rate rose from 0.7% to 1.93%, coinciding with a population increase from 1.2 million to 2.3 million at a growth rate of 9% per year. Projections indicate that the deforestation rate will increase to 2.5% annually over the next 20 years, given the predicted 11.6% yearly population growth. Population growth in District Swat has severely endangered nearby forest ecosystems, and further increases in human activity, such as unsustainable tourism, fuel and timber collection, and urbanization, will likely exacerbate this trend. Based on our findings, we recommend: (i) the implementation of reforestation programs and sustainable forest resource use; (ii) the development of a long-term forest management plan that maintains equilibrium between forest density and population pressure; and (iii) prioritizing areas with extreme human impact for in-situ conservation efforts.
Cortical encoding of phonetic onsets of both attended and ignored speech in hearing impaired individuals
Authors: Carta Sara , Aličković Emina , Zaar Johannes , Valdés Alejandro López , Di Liberto Giovanni M.
Published: November 2024

Hearing impairment alters the sound input received by the human auditory system, reducing speech comprehension in noisy multi-talker auditory scenes. Despite such difficulties, neural signals were shown to encode the attended speech envelope more reliably than the envelope of ignored sounds, reflecting the intention of listeners with hearing impairment (HI). This result raises an important question: What speech-processing stage could reflect the difficulty in attentional selection, if not envelope tracking? Here, we use scalp electroencephalography (EEG) to test the hypothesis that the neural encoding of phonological information (i.e., phonetic boundaries and phonological categories) is affected by HI. In a cocktail-party scenario, such phonological difficulty might be reflected in an overrepresentation of phonological information for both attended and ignored speech sounds, with detrimental effects on the ability to effectively focus on the speaker of interest. To investigate this question, we carried out a re-analysis of an existing dataset where EEG signals were recorded as participants with HI, fitted with hearing aids, attended to one speaker (target) while ignoring a competing speaker (masker) and spatialised multi-talker background noise. Multivariate temporal response function (TRF) analyses indicated a stronger phonological information encoding for target than masker speech streams. Follow-up analyses aimed at disentangling the encoding of phonological categories and phonetic boundaries (phoneme onsets) revealed that neural signals encoded the phoneme onsets for both target and masker streams, in contrast with previously published findings with normal hearing (NH) participants and in line with our hypothesis that speech comprehension difficulties emerge due to a robust phonological encoding of both target and masker. Finally, the neural encoding of phoneme-onsets was stronger for the masker speech, pointing to a possible neural basis for the higher distractibility experienced by individuals with HI.
The relationship between short video usage and academic achievement among elementary school students: The mediating effect of attention and the moderating effect of parental short video usage
Authors: Gong Qiong , Tao Ting
Published: November 2024

Short videos have gained widespread popularity among elementary school students in China. As a form of entertainment media, their usage has steadily increased among adolescents in recent years. This phenomenon has sparked extensive discussions in society, especially against Chinese parents’ high concern for their children’s academic performance. Therefore, this study collected 1052 valid questionnaires from elementary school students, attempting to explore the possibility that their short video usage might negatively impact their academic performance. Besides, the mechanism of this relationship was also examined from the perspective of children’s attention and environmental factors of parents’ short video usage. The research findings indicate that the more elementary school students use short videos, the lower their academic performance, with attention mediating in this relationship. The longer the parental short video usage duration, the exacerbating effect it has on elementary school students’ negative impact on attention caused by short video usage due to its positive moderating effect. This study provides crucial insights for parents, educators, and short video platforms, offering valuable references for formulating more scientifically and logically grounded educational strategies.
Improving HIV testing, linkage, and retention in care among South African men through U = U messaging: A study protocol for two sequential hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation randomized controlled trials
Authors: Medina-Marino Andrew , Sibanda Nkosiyapha , Putt Mary , Joseph Davey Dvora , Smith Phillip , Thirumurthy Harsha , Bekker Linda-Gail , Buttenheim Alison
Published: November 2024

Background

Increasing HIV testing and treatment coverage among people living with HIV (PLHIV) is essential for achieving global HIV epidemic control. However, compared to women, cis-gender heterosexual men living with HIV are significantly less likely to know their HIV status, initiate anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and achieve viral suppression. This is particularly true in South Africa, where men are also at increased risk of mortality resulting from AIDS-related illnesses. While there is growing knowledge of Treatment as Prevention or the concept Undetectable = Untransmittable (U = U) among PLHIV in Western and high-income countries, the reach and penetration of the U = U message in sub-Saharan Africa remains limited, and few studies have evaluated the impact of accessible and relatable U = U messages on ART initiation and adherence. To address these gaps, rigorous evaluations of interventions that incorporate U = U messages are needed, especially among men in high prevalence settings.

Methods

Building on our U = U messages that we previously developed for men using behavioral economics insights and a human-centered design, we will conduct two sequential hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation trials to evaluate the impact of U = U messages on men’s uptake of community-based HIV testing and ART initiation (Trial 1), and retention in care and achievement of viral suppression (Trial 2). For trial 1, a cluster randomized trial will be implemented with HIV testing service site-days (each day at one testing site) randomized to U = U or standard-of-care (SoC) messages inviting men to test for HIV. For trial 2, an individual-level randomized control trial will be implemented, with men initiating ART at six government clinics randomized to receive U = U counselling or SoC treatment adherence messaging. We will incorporate a multi-method evaluation to inform future implementation of U = U messaging interventions. The study will be conducted in the Buffalo City Metro Health District of the Eastern Cape Province and in the Cape Town Metro Health District in the Western Cape Province in South Africa.

Discussion

These trials are the first to rigorously evaluate the impact of U = U messaging on HIV testing uptake, ART initiation and achievement of viral suppression among African men. If effective, these messaging interventions can shape global HIV testing, treatment and adherence counselling guidelines and practices.
Comparison of haemoglobin concentration measurements using HemoCue-301 and Sysmex XN-Series 1500: A survey among anaemic Gambian infants aged 6–12 months
Authors: Bah Mamadou , Verhoef Hans , Camara Abdou , Ngom Morris Nden , Jallow Demba , Bajo Kebba , Bah Foday , Pleij Maarten , Klappe Maaike , Saidykhan Alasana , Okoh Emmanuel , Bah Abdoulie , Cerami Carla
Published: November 2024

Background

In low-income countries, point-of-care photometers are used in the screening and management of anaemia in individuals, but also in the assessment of population iron status when evaluating efficacy of intervention studies or public health interventions.

Aims

We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of a commonly used photometer, HemoCue-301, in determining haemoglobin concentration among anaemic children aged 6–12 months in a field setting in rural Africa.

Methods

This report concerns a secondary analysis of data from Gambian infants being screened for an ongoing randomized controlled trial. In those found to be anaemic by HemoCue-301, haemoglobin concentration was measured by Sysmex XN-1500, an automated haematology analyser that was used as a reference. Passing-Bablok regression analysis was used to estimate the regression constant (systematic deviation between two measurement methods that remain consistent across the range of measurements) and proportional bias (systematic deviation between two measurement methods that change in magnitude relative to the value being measured).

Results

Analysis was based on 227 participants. There was strong evidence of absolute bias among moderately anaemic participants (haemoglobin concentration at 8.0g/dL) (absolute bias: 1.12g/dL; 95% CI: 0.91 to 1.37g/dL; proportional bias: 14.0%; 95% CI: 11.4% to 17.1%) in haemoglobin concentrations measured by HemoCue-301 compared to those measured by Sysmex XN-Series1500. Bias was marginal at haemoglobin concentration of 11.0g/dL (absolute bias: -0.08g/dL; 95% CI: -0.18 to 0.07g/dL; proportional bias: -7.3%; 95% CI: -6.5% to 0.6%).

Conclusion

Haemoglobin measurements by HemoCue-301 seem substantially biased in participants with haemoglobin less than 8.0g/dL.
Inter- and intraspecific responses of coral colonies to thermal anomalies on Palmyra Atoll, central Pacific
Authors: Khen Adi , Fox Michael D. , Johnson Maggie D. , Wall Christopher B. , Smith Jennifer E.
Published: November 2024

Long-term monitoring of individual coral colonies is important for understanding variability between and within species over time in the context of thermal stress. Here, we analyze an 11-year time series of permanent benthic photoquadrats taken on Palmyra Atoll, central Pacific, from 2009 to 2019 to track the growth (i.e., increase in live planar area), pigmentation or lack thereof (“discoloration”), partial or whole-colony mortality, survival, and regrowth of 314 individual coral colonies of nine focal species from two reef habitat types. During this period, thermal anomalies occurred on Palmyra in conjunction with El Niño-Southern Oscillation events in both 2009 and 2015, of which the latter heatwave was longer-lasting and more thermally-severe. We found that coral responses varied by habitat, within and among species, and/or according to the degree of accumulated thermal stress. Nearly all species, particularly Stylophora pistillata and Pocillopora damicornis, responded more negatively to the 2015 heatwave in terms of colony-specific discoloration and reduction in live planar area. While discoloration was more prominent at the shallower reef terrace compared to the fore reef for this subset of colonies, the reef terrace exhibited greater stability of community-wide coral cover. Colony fate was associated with severity of discoloration at the time of warming: one year following the 2009 heatwave, more severely discolored colonies were more likely to grow, yet following the second heatwave in 2015, colonies were more likely to experience shrinkage or mortality. However, colonies that were more severely discolored in 2009 were not necessarily more discolored in 2015, suggesting that colony-specific factors may be more influential in governing responses to thermal stress.
Association between long COVID and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use by patients with acute-phase COVID-19: A nationwide Korea National Health Insurance Service cohort study
Authors: Lee Ye-Seul , Kim Heejun , Kwon Sunoh , Kim Tae-Hun
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Long coronavirus disease (COVID) poses a significant burden following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Debate persists regarding the impact of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) administration during acute-phase COVID-19 on the development of long COVID. Hence, this study aimed to assess the potential association between NSAID use and long COVID using data from patients with COVID-19 in Korea’s National Health Insurance Service.

Methods

This nested case-control study defined the study cohort as patients diagnosed with COVID-19 for the first time between 2020 and 2021. The primary exposure investigated was NSAID prescriptions within 14 days of the initial COVID-19 diagnosis. We used propensity score matching to create three control patients matched to each patient in the NSAID exposure group. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated after the adjustment for demographics, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and existing comorbidities.

Results

Among the 225,458 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, we analyzed data from 254 with long COVID. The adjusted OR (aOR) for NSAID exposure during acute-phase COVID-19 was higher in long COVID cases versus controls (aOR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.00–3.19), suggesting a potential relationship. However, a sensitivity analysis revealed that the increased odds of NSAID exposure in the acute phase became statistically non-significant (aOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 0.90–2.99) when COVID-19 self-quarantine duration was included as a covariate. Additionally, acetaminophen exposure was not significantly associated (aOR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.75–1.68), while antiviral drugs demonstrated a stronger association (aOR, 3.75; 95% CI, 1.66–8.48).

Conclusion

Although this study suggests a possible link between NSAID use in the acute COVID-19 infection stage and a higher risk of long COVID as well as both NSAID and acetaminophen use during the chronic COVID-19 period and a lower risk of long COVID, the association was not statistically significant. Further research is needed to determine the causal relationship between the various treatment options for acute COVID-19 and the development of long COVID.
The impact of sustainable development on the relevance of accounting information and financial activities: Evidence from Thailand
Authors: Moolkham Mongkhol
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the impact of sustainable development on the relevance of accounting information and financial activities of companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). The results reveal that earnings per share and book value per share have a positive effect on market value, implying that higher earnings signal strong financial performance, thereby attracting more investor interest. Short-term and long-term debt financing have a negative effect on market value, suggesting that debt financing leads to increased financial risk. Current asset and fixed asset investments have a positive effect on market value by signaling confidence in operational performance. Dividend payouts have a positive effect on market value, demonstrating a commitment to returning value to investors, resulting in a stronger firm reputation and investor perception. However, firms that adhere to sustainable development guidelines face more complex dynamics. The results show that both earnings per share and book value per share have a negative effect on market value, suggesting that while they report high earnings per share and book value per share, these financial metrics cannot alleviate investor skepticism regarding sustainability as a cost of the firm. Short-term debt financing has a positive effect on market value because it provides a flexible and efficient way to fund sustainable investments without diluting equity or incurring long-term debt obligations, while the implications of long-term debt financing and current asset investments are insignificant. Furthermore, the significant positive effect of fixed asset investment underscores the potential long-term benefits of sustainability, despite high initial costs. Lastly, the non-significant negative impact of dividend payouts on market value suggests that the overall effect may also depend on various factors. These results support the idea of efficient market theory, which posits that investors may have negative reactions to what they perceive as financial burdens, diminishing the importance of positive financial metrics and altering market value. This study recommends that policymakers should carefully design regulations and incentives to support sustainable investments. Such approaches may include establishing specific funds, tax incentives, subsidies, and soft loans. Additionally, policymakers need to promote transparency and consistent reporting on the long-term financial benefits of sustainability, which can help reduce investor skepticism and foster a more positive market response. Finally, firms should clearly communicate their long-term sustainability efforts and benefits to investors and various stakeholders, leading to a positive interpretation of the firm’s commitment to sustainable development.
Nocturnal playback experiments: The response of two European species of birds to singing of foreign male at night
Authors: Buda Kinga , Buda Jakub , Budka Michał
Published: November 2024

Recent studies have shown that nocturnal singing in diurnal birds is a common phenomenon, however, the understanding of the mechanisms, functions and consequences of this behaviour has been lacking. We focused on the night singing of two diurnal songbirds–the yellowhammer and the common chaffinch that are widely distributed in Europe. We conducted day and night playback experiments, during which we broadcast songs of an unfamiliar male to the territory holder at two different stages of the breeding season, to examine whether the night singing in species which normally do not sing at night elicits responses from their conspecifics. We hypothesized that if nocturnal singing had no function, birds would ignore the night-time playback and respond only to the daytime intrusion. Otherwise, a response to the night-time playback would suggest that night singing may increase reproductive success but is limited by ecological factors. We found that, in contrast to the diurnal experiment, neither species responded vocally to the nocturnal playback. In yellowhammers, the probability of flights was higher during and after the playback than before it. This pattern was similar both during the day and night and did not differ between the stages of the season. For the common chaffinches, the probability of flight was low at night and constant across treatments, in contrast to the day when we observed more flights during the playback stage than before and after it. The playback of either species’ songs at night caused the approach of predators, which was not observed during the day. The observed discrepancy in the probability of flights between the species suggests that nocturnal singing is a functional trait that affects other individuals in a specific context. Nocturnal singing does not seem to be a simple behaviour that extends during the day; it is a complex mechanism potentially dependent on specific conditions related to intraspecific communication, predatory pressure, local female access, or species’ evolutionary history. We emphasise that those ecological and evolutionary factors need to be taken into account to understand this phenomenon widely.