bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Am I getting through? Surveying students on what messages they recall from the first day of STEM classes
Authors: Meaders Clara L. , Senn Lillian G. , Couch Brian A. , Lane A. Kelly , Stains Marilyne , Stetzer MacKenzie R. , Vinson Erin , Smith Michelle K.
Published: August 2021

Background

The first day of class helps students learn about what to expect from their instructors and courses. Messaging used by instructors, which varies in content and approach on the first day, shapes classroom social dynamics and can affect subsequent learning in a course. Prior work established the non-content Instructor Talk Framework to describe the language that instructors use to create learning environments, but little is known about the extent to which students detect those messages. In this study, we paired first day classroom observation data with results from student surveys to measure how readily students in introductory STEM courses detect non-content Instructor Talk.

Results

To learn more about the instructor and student first day experiences, we studied 11 introductory STEM courses at two different institutions. The classroom observation data were used to characterize course structure and use of non-content Instructor Talk. The data revealed that all instructors spent time discussing their instructional practices, building instructor/student relationships, and sharing strategies for success with their students. After class, we surveyed students about the messages their instructors shared during the first day of class and determined that the majority of students from within each course detected messaging that occurred at a higher frequency. For lower frequency messaging, we identified nuances in what students detected that may help instructors as they plan their first day of class.

Conclusions

For instructors who dedicate the first day of class to establishing positive learning environments, these findings provide support that students are detecting the messages. Additionally, this study highlights the importance of instructors prioritizing the messages they deem most important and giving them adequate attention to more effectively reach students. Setting a positive classroom environment on the first day may lead to long-term impacts on student motivation and course retention. These outcomes are relevant for all students, but in particular for students in introductory STEM courses which are often critical prerequisites for being in a major.
Adult sacrococcygeal teratoma excised by endoscopic surgery with a transsacral approach: a case report
Authors: Machi Ryosuke , Hiranuma Chikashi , Suzuki Hayato , Hattori Masakazu , Doden Kenji , Hashidume Yasuo
Published: August 2021

Background

Although sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is relatively common in children, it is rare in adults. The prognosis for malignant cases is poor, so prompt surgical resection is required. Transabdominal and transsacral approaches are common approaches for tumor resection. In recent years, there have been reports of tumor removal with laparoscopic assistance, but all have applied transabdominal approaches.

Case presentation

A 27-year-old woman visited our gynecology department because of abdominal pain and genital bleeding. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 3-cm-sized cystic mass in the left retrorectal area, and she was referred to our department for detailed examinations and treatment. She was diagnosed with a presacral cystic tumor and decided to undergo surgery. We used a transsacral approach to perform tumor excision. Since it was difficult to confirm the deep part of the tumor through direct visualization, we used GelPOINT® Path (a transanal access platform) and AirSEAL® System (insufflation device) to remove the tumor endoscopically. The postoperative course was uneventful with no bladder or rectal dysfunction. Histopathological examination revealed a mature teratoma.

Conclusions

When the tumor is relatively small and located in the lower sacrum, the endoscopically assisted transsacral approach can establish a stable field of view by expanding the depth of the surgical field. This method is useful considering its ability to perform excision without leaving residual tumor tissue and satisfactory safety and cosmetic results.
Percutaneous thrombectomy in the management of early rethrombosis in venous thoracic outlet syndrome: two case reports
Authors: Sýkora Ján , Zeleňák Kamil , Vorčák Martin , Krkoška Adam , Vetešková Štefánia , Sýkorová Martina , Sivák Jozef , Hlinka Ľuboš , Šinák Igor
Published: August 2021

Background

Venous thoracic outlet syndrome resulting in the upper limb deep venous thrombosis is known as Paget–Schroetter syndrome or effort thrombosis. A general treatment algorithm includes catheter-directed thrombolysis followed by surgical thoracic outlet decompression.

There are limited data regarding endovascular treatment of rethrombosis presenting early after the surgery.

Case presentation

Two cases of early rethrombosis successfully treated with percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy by two different techniques are described. In both cases, rethrombosis was diagnosed soon after thrombolysis and first rib resection with scalenectomy. After 12 months, both patients remain symptom-free, with patent subclavian veins confirmed by duplex ultrasonography.

Conclusion

Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy devices may offer a safe treatment option for patients with recurrent thrombosis after thoracic outlet surgery, even when thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated.
Deltas: a new classification expanding Bates’s concepts
Authors: Zavala Carlos , Arcuri Mariano , Di Meglio Mariano , Zorzano Agustin , Otharán Germán , Irastorza Ainara , Torresi Antonela
Published: August 2021

Deltas constitute complex depositional systems formed when a land-derived gravity-flow (carrying water and sediments) discharges into a marine or lacustrine standing body of water. However, the complexity of deltaic sedimentary environments has been oversimplified by geoscientists over the years, considering just littoral deltas as the unique possible type of delta in natural systems. Nevertheless, a rational analysis suggests that deltas can be much more complex. In fact, the characteristics of deltaic deposits will depend on a complex interplay between the bulk density of the incoming flow and the salinity of the receiving water body. This paper explores the natural conditions of deltaic sedimentation according to different density contrasts. The rational analysis of deltaic systems allows to recognize three main fields for deltaic sedimentation, corresponding to (1) hypopycnal (2) homopycnal and (3) hyperpycnal delta settings. The hypopycnal delta field represents the situation when the bulk density of the incoming flow is lower than the density of the water in the basin. According to the salinity of the receiving water body, three different types of hypopycnal littoral deltas are recognized: hypersaline littoral deltas (HSLD), marine littoral deltas (MLD), and brackish littoral deltas (BLD). The basin salinity will determine the capacity of the delta for producing effective buoyant plumes, and consequently the characteristics and extension of prodelta deposits. Homopycnal littoral deltas (HOLD) form when the density of the incoming flow is roughly similar to the density of the water in the receiving basin. This situation is typical of clean bedload-dominated rivers entering freshwater lakes. Delta front deposits are dominated by sediment avalanches. Typical fallout prodelta deposits are absent or poorly developed since no buoyant plumes are generated. Hyperpycnal deltas form when the bulk density of the incoming flow is higher than the density of the water in the receiving basin. The interaction between flow type, flow density (due to the concentration of suspended sediments) and basin salinity defines three types of deltas, corresponding to hyperpycnal littoral deltas (HLD), hyperpycnal subaqueous deltas (HSD), and hyperpycnal fan deltas (HFD). Hyperpycnal littoral deltas are low-gradient shallow-water deltas formed when dirty rivers enter into brackish or normal-salinity marine basins, typically in wave or tide-dominated epicontinental seas or brackish lakes. Hyperpycnal subaqueous deltas represent the most common type of hyperpycnal delta, with channels and lobes generated in marine and lacustrine settings during long-lasting sediment-laden river-flood discharges. Finally, hyperpycnal fan deltas are subaqueous delta systems generated on high-gradient lacustrine or marine settings by episodic high-density fluvial discharges.
Hyperspectral imaging as an emerging tool to analyze microplastics: A systematic review and recommendations for future development
Authors: Faltynkova Andrea , Johnsen Geir , Wagner Martin
Published: August 2021

A central challenge in microplastics (MP, diameter < 5 mm) research is the analysis of small plastic particles in an efficient manner. This review focuses on the recent application of infrared hyperspectral imaging (HSI) to analyze MP. We provide a narrative context for understanding technical principles of HSI followed by a systematic review and discussion of the variety of approaches to apply HSI to MP research, including instrumentation, data collection and analysis. HSI was successfully applied to analyze dry MP > 250 μm, with drastic improvements in analysis time as compared with the best available technology, such as Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy. Primary challenges we identified through the review include improving spatial resolution to detect smaller MP and development of robust models for data analysis. Parameters and practices for reporting quality assurance and quality control measures are summarized and recommendations are made for future research. We conclude that HSI is a promising technology for MP analysis but requires adaptation for this new application.
The prevalence and characteristics of misophonia in Ankara, Turkey: population-based study
Authors: Kılıç Cengiz , Öz Gökhan , Avanoğlu Kezban Burcu , Aksoy Songül
Published: August 2021

Background

Misophonia is defined as significant distress (anger, distress or disgust) when exposed to certain sounds that would not affect most people, such as lip smacking or gum chewing. Although misophonia is common, the aetiology, prevalence and effective treatments are largely unknown.

Aims

Based on our proposed diagnostic criteria, we examined the prevalence of misophonia and its relationship with clinical and demographic variables in a large representative population sample.

Method

We used a household sample (N = 541) of all residents aged >15 years, living in 300 homes randomly selected in Ankara city centre, Turkey. All participants were assessed at their homes by trained interviewers, for sociodemographic variables, misophonic sounds and related factors, using a semi-structured interview (the Misophonia Interview Schedule) developed for the current research.

Results

The current misophonia diagnosis prevalence was 12.8% (n = 69 of 541), although 427 (78.9%) participants reported at least one sound that was distressing. The mean number of misophonic sounds was 8.6 (s.d. 8.9, range 0–44); the figure was 17.6 in those with misophonia compared with 7.3 in those without misophonia. Of those with misophonia, only 5.8% contacted services for their condition. Predictors of misophonia diagnosis included younger age, family history of misophonia and previous contact with mental health services.

Conclusions

Our study showed that misophonia is common in the general population, may cause significant disruption in daily life and is undertreated. Although more evidence is needed to classify misophonia as a psychiatric disorder, our findings support others who claim that the condition belongs to the group of mental disorders.
Do Steroids Matter? A Retrospective Review of Premedication for Taxane Chemotherapy and Hypersensitivity Reactions
Authors: Lansinger Olivia M. , Biedermann Savanna , He Zihuai , Colevas A. Dimitrios
Published: August 2021

PURPOSE

Despite the widespread use of the taxanes paclitaxel and docetaxel for a variety of cancers and their well-known association with hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs), there is still significant variation in the prescribing practices of steroids for premedication. Premedication almost always includes dexamethasone, which can be associated with multiple adverse effects if taken for extended periods of time. This study reviews the pattern of steroid premedication in patients who received paclitaxel or docetaxel at Stanford Cancer Institute between January 2010 and June 2020.

METHODS

We used an electronic query of the electronic medical record followed up with a manual review of patient charts to ask whether we could find a correlation between steroid premedication dosing and the incidence or severity of HSRs with the first taxane dose. Variables considered included steroid dose and route, dose and type of taxane, clinical cancer group, sex, and race.

RESULTS

Five thousand two hundred seventeen patients were identified as having received paclitaxel or docetaxel, and 3,181 met criteria for our analysis. There were 264 (8.3%) HSRs. In adjusted multivariate analysis, we found no correlation of HSR rate or severity among any of the variables evaluated except gynecology oncology clinic patients, who had an increased risk (hazard ratio [HR] 1.34) of HSRs overall and high-grade HSRs (HR 2.34), and female patients, who had a higher rate of HSRs overall (HR 1.26), but not high-grade HSRs.

CONCLUSION

Neither dexamethasone dose nor route correlated with subsequent HSRs. Given the potential for adverse events from repeated high-dose steroids, our findings suggest that routine use of lower doses, such as a single 10 mg dose of dexamethasone, as premedication for taxanes to prevent HSRs is preferable to the current prescribing guidelines.
Selected Issues in Sport-Related Concussion (SRC | Mild Traumatic Brain Injury) for the Team Physician: A Consensus Statement
Authors: Herring Stanley , Kibler W. Ben , Putukian Margot , S. Solomon Gary , Boyajian-O’Neill Lori , Dec Katherine L. , Franks R. Robert , A. Indelicato Peter , R. LaBella Cynthia , Leddy John J. , Matuszak Jason , McDonough E. Barry , O'Connor Francis G. , Sutton Karen Michelle
Published: August 2021

Selected Issues in Sport-Related Concussion (SRC | Mild Traumatic Brain Injury) for the Team Physician: A Consensus Statement is title 22 in a series of annual consensus articles written for the practicing team physician. This document provides an overview of select medical issues important to team physicians who are responsible for athletes with sports-related concussion (SRC). This statement was developed by the Team Physician Consensus Conference (TPCC), an annual project-based alliance of six major professional associations. The goal of this TPCC statement is to assist the team physician in providing optimal medical care for the athlete with SRC.
Many Papers but Limited Policy Impact? A Bibliometric Review of Physical Activity Research
Authors: Lee Karen , Ding Ding , Grunseit Anne , Wolfenden Luke , Milat Andrew , Bauman Adrian
Published: August 2021

Scientific publications on physical activity (PA) have proliferated in recent years. Previous work has shown that descriptive studies dominate the literature with disappointingly fewer studies reporting on interventions or dissemination. This study updates trends in PA research to determine changes, if any, in publications that are more likely to contribute to facilitating research translation to scale-up interventions that might influence population levels of PA. A bibliometric review of a random sample of published PA studies (n = 4069) across three periods (2008–2009, 2013–2014, and 2017–2018) was conducted using the SCOPUS database. A four-stage coding strategy was used, including 1) identifying PA as exposure or primary outcome, 2) classifying PA studies into data-based and non–data-based studies, 3) classifying data-based PA studies into intervention and nonintervention studies, and 4) classifying intervention studies into six research translation categories. Descriptive PA studies dominated in all three time periods (52.1%–61.9%). Intervention studies increased only slightly from 14.8% to 19.2%. Within intervention studies, most focused on testing efficacy or effectiveness, and these increased over time across the time periods from 38% to 50.5%. Research relevant for scale-up such as replication and dissemination studies declined from the first to the most recent period (28.1% to 16.7%). The prevailing trend of descriptive studies and efficacy and/or effectiveness studies on a small scale continues in published PA literature, contrary to the increasing recognition of the need for scale-up and dissemination research. More dissemination research is required to translate known efficacious interventions to population-level implementation. There is a need for cultural shifts in research where real-world impact on population health should be valued more than the volume of publications.
Comprehensive Analysis of the Efficiency of the Operator - Machine System Based on Artificial Intelligence Methods
Authors: Logvinov Syergyey , Logvinov S.
Published: August 2021

Methodological approaches to the analysis of the effectiveness of complex human-machine systems (SMS) based on the use of methods of heuristic self-organization and artificial neural networks are considered. Modeling of the system taking into account a large number of factors and several output variables that characterize the MFM is based on obtaining multilayer perceptrons with the exception of factors with low sensitivity
Influence of the Peculiarities of the Development of the Education System in the Tula Region on the Formation of High-Performance Labor Resources in the Context of Modern Challenges
Authors: Pastuh T. , Zhukova N. , Shishkin Andrey
Published: August 2021

The article describes the individual components of higher education in the Tula region. The questions concerning the role of the state in the formation of the general educational vector and the degree of its influence on the training of highly qualified personnel are considered. The analysis of some statistical data characterizing the higher education system of the Tula region is carried out. The article proves the relationship between the higher education system and the prospects for the development of the labor market in the Tula region. The limitations that may affect the nature of interaction between market structures and the education system are identified. The prospects of interaction between educational and market structures for the formation of competitive labor resources in the cancers of the Tula region are formulated.
La nada, el tedio y la técnica: Reflexiones de Heidegger sobre el nihilismo.
Authors: Baltar Ernesto
Published: August 2021

En este artículo nos proponemos analizar la múltiple y ambivalente relación entre los conceptos de la nada, el tedio y la técnica en el pensamiento de Martin Heidegger. Tanto la pregunta por la nada, que va más allá del ente en su totalidad, como la pregunta por la técnica, que es una forma de acceso al ser, son cuestiones fundamentales para Heidegger que hay que plantear para hacer viable de nuevo la pregunta por el ser. La analítica existencial del tedio, que facilita el acceso al fundamento de la existencia, demarca un ámbito común donde pueden "engranar" los tres conceptos.
La línea. Apuntes sobre el nihilismo en el intercambio epistolar entre Ernst Jünger y Martin Heidegger.
Authors: Grijalba Uche Miguel
Published: August 2021

En la primera mitad de los años cincuenta del siglo pasado se dio un intercambio epistolar entre Martin Heidegger y Ernst Jünger que fue el análisis más profundo del nihilismo como diagnóstico de nuestra época. Jünger plantea la superación del nihilismo mientras que Heidegger piensa que el nihilismo es el proceso por el que la verdad del Ser se ha ocultado, olvidando su esencia. Para poder superar el nihilismo debe antes ser comprendido en su esencia como acontecimiento que pertenece a la historia del Ser, en las aperturas epocales de la metafísica.
El jánico semblante del nihilismo: Heidegger y Severino ante las encarnaciones de la Nada.
Authors: Llorente Cardo Jaime
Published: August 2021

El presente estudio se centra en la comparación crítica de la reflexión que Heidegger y Severino proponen acerca de la verdadera "esencia del nihilismo", la cual ambos localizan en el ámbito ontológico, pero mientras que para Heidegger el "nihilismo" equivale a la postura según la cual del "Ser" ya no queda nada, Severino lo identifica con la oculta convicción de que el ente es nada. En este sentido, se examinan las perspectivas que ambos filósofos asumen en referencia a cuestiones tales como la relación entre "nihilismo" y "valor" o el ambiguo papel jugado al respecto por la subjetividad.
Der Nachlass Alexander von Humboldt in der Jagiellonen-Bibliothek
Authors: Erdmann Dominik , Jaglarz Monika
Published: August 2021

Der Katalog Der Nachlass Alexander von Humboldt in der Jagiellonen-Bibliothek enthält eine eingehende Beschreibung des zweiten großen Teils der schriftlichen Hinterlassenschaft Alexander von Humboldts (1769-1859). Er war ehemals in der Preußischen Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin aufgestellt und gelangte infolge des 2. Weltkrieges nach Krakau, wo er jetzt in der Bibliothek der Jagiellonen- Universität als ein Teil der sog. “Berlinka“ aufbewahrt wird. Die Sammlung besteht aus 15 Kästen/Bänden (ca. 11 000 Dokumente), die einen reichen wissenschaftlichen Briefwechsel Humboldts, seine Arbeitsmaterialien und -unterlagen in Form von Exzerpten, Notizen, Drucken, Zeitungsausschnitten sowie Textfassungen und Reinschriften verschiedener seiner Werke enthalten. Von einem besonderen Wert ist die Handschrift des opus magnum des Naturwissenschaftlers Kosmos – Entwurf einer physischen Weltbeschreibung (1845-1862), eines der wissenschaftlichen Bestsellers des 19. Jhs. Im Nachlass Alexander von Humboldt befinden sich aber auch Materialien zum sechsten nie publizierten Band des Examen critique (1836-1839), sowie vorarbeiten und Druckfahnen zur dritten Ausgabe der berühmten Ansichten der Natur (1849) und zu den Kleineren Schriften (1853). Daneben sind in den Bänden Vorarbeiten zu unselbständig erschienenen Schriften Humboldts enthalten. Die einzelnen Bände wurden auf eine Art und Weise katalogisiert, die Einsicht in das Ordnungssystem der Materialien innerhalb der einzelnen Einheiten bietet und dem Leser zugleich eine möglichst große Menge an notwendigen Informationen liefert. Neben den üblichen Informationen zu Inhalt, Form, Datierung und Sekundärliteratur, enthalten die Katalogeinträge auch Zusammenfassungen und Inhaltsangaben einzelner Dokumente und Briefe. Der Katalog ist durch einen umfangreichen Index zu Personen-, Institutionen- u. Zeitschriften versehen, und enthält ein Briefregister aller im Nachlass Alexander von Humboldt enthaltenen Briefe von und an Humboldt. Das Vorwort liefert Informationen zum Inhalt, zur Geschichte und zur Provenienz der Sammlung.
On the Greek reflexes of the Proto-Indo-European labiovelars
Authors: Piwowarczyk Dariusz R.
Published: August 2021

The present article investigates the problem of the reflexes of the Proto-Indo-European labiovelars in Ancient Greek. There have been numerous discussions of the issue, both concerning the origin of such a set of changes and also about the precise formulation of its outcomes and possible analogical changes. The data is drawn from a variety of Greek dialects which reflect the different outcomes of the prehistoric labiovelars. It is discussed at length whether the hypothesis proposed in 1881 that the outcome of the voiced labiovelar */gw/ in Greek was /d/ before the front vowels (both /i/ and /e/ ) is supported by the attested data. It is concluded that such a view would require too many analogical changes and, therefore, that it is better to assume different outcomes before /i/ and /e/ respectively. Furthermore, it is pointed out that the overall picture of the development of labiovelars in Greek requires a new and thorough investigation of the complete material presented in the particular dialects.
Aleksander Trzaska-Chrząszczewski and the Polish Politics
Authors: Zakrzewski Maciej
Published: August 2021

The article describes life and political ideas of Aleksander Trzaska Chrząszczewski, one of the most distinctive political scientists and conservative thinkers of the interwar period in Poland. The essay contains many – earlier unknown – biographical details and Chrząszczewski’s political, international and historiosophic conceptions. In his essays Chrząszczewski criticised political system based on the democratic constitution from 1921 and political practise of authoritarian regime ruled after 1926 r. He precisely pointed out inconsistency of Pilsudski’s camp, which declared strengthening of the State as an aim of political activity and on the other hand very often ruled by informal instruments. In the international relations’ area Chrząszczewski was a follower of pro-French orientation. He observed evolution of German political system during Nazi regime and warned against rising of political and military power of Third Reich. “Przypływy i odpływy demokracji” (The Tides of Democracy), written in 1939, is still the most recognizable Chrząszczewski’s work. The Author proposed original vision of political changes stimulated by increasing or decreasing activity of masses. Chrząszczewski’s theory is one of the most interesting attempts to analyze social and political events of 1930s, that could be compared with the ones made by Jose Ortega y Gasset or Florian Znaniecki.
Is health coaching the next panacea in healthcare reform?
Authors: Best Catherine
Published: August 2021

Health coaching aims to empower patients to self-manage their long-term health conditions. Catherine Best explores the effect health coaching can have on patients and the shifts that are required to deliver it

Non-communicable diseases now account for the vast majority of deaths globally. It is recognised that personalised care is key to managing non-communicable disease and health coaching is considered an essential element. Health coaching is a developing field of practice that encourages patients to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviours that can avert the impact of chronic disease. This article explores the effect health coaching can have on patients and the shifts that are required to deliver it.
Survival of the Oak Wilt Fungus in Logs Fumigated with Sulfuryl Fluoride and Methyl Bromide
Authors: Yang Anna , Seabright Kendhl , Juzwik Jennifer , Myers Scott W. , Taylor Adam
Published: August 2021

Methyl bromide (MB) fumigation of oak (Quercus sp.) logs destined for export is required to mitigate risks associated with movement of the oak wilt fungus, Bretziella fagacearum. Alternative fumigants with efficacy against B. fagacearum are needed because of MB's ozone-depleting properties. Fumigation with sulfuryl fluoride (SF) is considered a promising substitute. Logs (1.8 m long) were obtained from Quercus trees (18.3 to 29.2 cm diameter at breast height) that were naturally infested (NI) or artificially inoculated (AI) with B. fagacearum to compare pathogen colonization and survival following fumigation with SF and MB. The logs were fumigated with SF for 72 hours with 240, 280, and 320 g/m3 or 96 hours with 128 and 240 g/m3. MB fumigations were conducted using the current treatment schedule for oak logs destined for export (240 g/m3 for 72 h). Frequencies of successful pathogen isolation before treatment were higher for AI logs than for NI logs based on isolation rates from sapwood chips. Treatments greatly reduced frequencies of viable pathogen presence, but no treatment was successful in eradicating the pathogen. Experiments were conducted on blocks (10.2 by 10.2 by 11.4 cm3) obtained from Quercus trees to investigate simulated penetration and diffusion of SF and MB into oak logs. Slow, variable fumigant diffusion never reached concentration–time products lethal to B. fagacearum. Based on these results, reliance on SF alone as a quarantine measure may require higher concentration × time products to achieve quarantine level control of the oak wilt fungus in logs.
Pulping Processes and Their Effects on Cellulose Fibers and Nanofibrillated Cellulose Properties: A Review
Authors: Iglesias Maria C. , Gomez-Maldonado Diego , Via Brian K. , Jiang Zhihua , Peresin Maria S.
Published: August 2021

Although pulping processes from wood are well-cemented technology, the emergence of bio-based nanotechnology, as well as the increase in concern about the environmental impact that these processes can have, calls for a reevaluation of the impacts that the traditional pulping methods have on the surfaces of the fibers and how variances will then affect the generation and properties of the nanocellulose materials, that will then impact the different applications that can be derived from them. Since literature tends to focus on one method and then characterize it, the aim of this review is to discuss the properties that have been reported of different fibers and nanofibers depending on the wood source, the chemical pulping method selected (kraft or sulfite methods), and the bleaching or lack of it and then compare the effects that these can have in properties such as crystallinity, chemical composition, surface charge, and functional groups present on the surface.
Development of Moulding using Sweet Sorghum Bagasse and Citric Acid: Effects of Application Method and Citric Acid Content
Authors: Widodo Eko , Kusumah Sukma Surya , Subyakto  , Umemura Kenji
Published: August 2021

The effective use of agricultural residues is desirable. In this study, the manufacturing of mouldings using sweet sorghum bagasse powder and citric acid as an adhesive was attempted. The effects of the application method and citric acid content on the bending properties and water resistance of the mouldings were investigated. Powder and liquid applications were used. The citric acid solid content based on the total weight of the mouldings was adjusted to 0, 15, 20, 25, and 30 weight percent. The dumbbell-shaped moulding was manufactured at 200°C and 4 MPa for 10 minutes. The relationship between the bending properties and citric acid content differed depending on the application method; the powder application was effective for obtaining high bending properties with a lower citric acid content. The water resistance of the moulding was greatly affected by the application method when a low citric acid content was used, and it was affected by the citric acid content when a high citric acid content was used. According to the data measured from Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, it was easy to contain unreacted citric acid in the moulding with the powder application, and an ester linkage formed easily when the liquid application was used. It was suggested that the citric acid tends to work as an adhesive in the powder application, and it tends to modify the bagasse powder in the liquid application.
Thornthwaite and mather soil water balance model adapted for estimation of real evapotranspiration of the pasture
Authors: Barros Fabiana da Costa , Martins Suelen da Costa Faria , Lyra Gustavo Bastos , Silva Leonardo Duarte Batista da , Francisco João Paulo , Abreu Marcel Carvalho de , Lyra Guilherme Bastos
Published: August 2021

Determining the real water requirement for pastures is essential for the rational use of irrigation. The aim of this work was to assess the crop coefficient and performance of the Thornthwaite and Mather soil water balance (ThM) adapted to estimate the daily actual evapotranspiration (ETa) of a pasture in relation to the Bowen ratio - energy balance method (BREB). The experiment was carried out from July 2018 to June 2019 in Cachoeiras de Macacu, Rio de Janeiro State (RJ) (22º 27’S; 42º 45’W and 30 m altitude). Micrometeorological and meteorological measurements were conducted in a micrometeorological tower installed in the pasture and also in an automatic weather station, located 1 km from the pasture area. The ThM model was evaluated using linear regression between ETa determinate from BREB and the estimates from ThM using its coefficient of determination (R²) and the modified Willmott agreement index (dm). The ThM model underestimated (between 11 and 16%) the ETa for all seasons, except for spring, which overestimated by 1%. The highest precision and accuracy of the estimates were observed in autumn (R² = 0.84 and dm = 0.68) and spring (R² = 0.83 and dm = 0.82). In summer (R² = 0.56 and dm = 0.73) and winter (R² = 0.43 and dm = 0.66), the lower performance was caused by the inability of the model to represent water extraction from the soil in dry periods.
Fast and accurate phase-unwrapping algorithm based on the transport of intensity equation: comment
Authors: Yoneda Naru , Sakai Takahiro , Nomura Takanori
Published: August 2021

In [Appl.
Opt. 56, 7079
(2017)APOPAI0003-693510.1364/AO.56.007079], an attractive phase
unwrapping algorithm based on the transport of intensity equation is
proposed. Although the effectiveness is experimentally evaluated, the
derivation of the angular spectrum based expression is ambiguous. In
this paper, the ambiguity is clarified with the Helmholtz
equation.
Unsupervised single-image dehazing using the multiple-scattering model
Authors: An Shunmin , Huang Xixia , Wang Linling , Zheng Zhangjing , Wang Le
Published: August 2021

An unsupervised single-image dehazing method using a multiple
scattering model is proposed. The method uses an undegraded
atmospheric multiple scattering model and unsupervised learning to
implement dehazing on single real-world image. The atmospheric
multiple scattering model can avoid the influence of multiple
scattering on the image and the unsupervised neural network can avoid
the intensive operation on the data set. In this method, three
unsupervised learning branches and a blur kernel estimation module
estimate the scene radiation layer, transmission layer, atmospheric
light layer, and blur kernel layer, respectively. In addition, the
unsupervised loss function is constructed by prior knowledge to
constrain the unsupervised branches. Finally, the output of the three
unsupervised branches and the blur kernel estimation module
synthesizes the haze image in a self-supervised way. A large number of
experiments show that the proposed method has good performance in
image dehazing compared with the six most advanced dehazing
methods.
3D multi-plane sharpness metric maximization with variable corrective phase screens
Authors: Banet Matthias T. , Fienup James R. , Schmidt Jason D. , Spencer Mark F.
Published: August 2021

Sharpness metric maximization is a method for reconstructing coherent
images that have been aberrated due to distributed-volume turbulence.
This method places one or more corrective phase screens in the
digital-propagation path that serve to increase overall sharpness of
the image. As such, this study uses sharpness metric maximization on
3D irradiances obtained via frequency-diverse digital holography. We
vary the number of corrective phase screens in the propagation path
and sharpen images of a realistic, extended object via multi-plane
sharpness metric maximization. The results indicate that image
reconstruction is possible when using fewer corrective screens than
aberrating screens, but that image quality increases with a greater
number of corrective screens.
Analysis of single-mode fiber-optic extrinsic Fabry–Perot interferometric sensors with planar metal mirrors
Authors: Sheng Qiwen , Liu Guigen , Uddin Nezam , Han Ming
Published: August 2021

We theoretically study the spectral characteristics and noise performance of wavelength-interrogated fiber-optic sensors based on an extrinsic Fabry–Perot (FP) interferometer (EFPI) formed by thin metal mirrors. We develop a model and use it to analyze the effect of key sensor parameters on the visibility and spectral width of the sensors, including the beam width of the incident light, metal coating film thickness, FP cavity length, and wedge angle of the two mirrors. Through Monte Carlo simulations, we obtain an empirical equation that can be used to estimate the wavelength resolution from the visibility and spectral width, which can be used as a figure-of-merit that is inherent to the sensor and independent on the system noises. The work provides a useful tool for designing, constructing, and interrogating high-resolution fiber-optic EFPI sensors.
Terahertz photoconductive antenna based on antireflection dielectric metasurfaces with embedded plasmonic nanodisks
Authors: Jiang Xiao-Qiang , Fan Wen-Hui , Song Chao , Chen Xu , Wu Qi
Published: August 2021

By taking advantage of dielectric metasurfaces and plasmonic nanostructures, a terahertz photoconductive antenna (THz-PCA) is proposed and investigated in detail. The designed dielectric metasurfaces can reduce the optical reflection down to 1.4% and accelerate the switching process (electric conductive to resistive) that broadens the THz spectrum emitted from THz-PCA. Simultaneously, the embedded plasmonic nanostructures can realize 11.2 times enhancement in local electric field without affecting the switching process and the damage threshold of the THz-PCA. Simulated results indicate that the proposed THz-PCA is 70.56 times stronger in THz radiation power than that of the traditional THz-PCA. The significant enhancement ensures the proposed THz-PCA has great prospects in promoting THz technology based on the THz-PCA.
Photon detection probability enhancement using an anti-reflection coating in CMOS-based SPADs
Authors: Kohneh Poushi Seyed Saman , Mahmoudi Hiwa , Hofbauer Michael , Steindl Bernhard , Zimmermann Horst
Published: August 2021

This work presents a simulation and experimental study of the photon detection probability (PDP) enhancement in CMOS single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) using an anti-reflection coating (ARC) above the sensitive area. It is shown how the ARC layer can improve the PDP, not only by improving the optical transmission, but also by eliminating the penetration of the standing wave into a shallow region close to the silicon surface, where the multiplication region of the SPAD is formed. Furthermore, the appropriate ARC layer thickness corresponding to maximum PDP enhancement at different wavelengths over the visible spectrum is extracted to provide insight regarding the ARC selection if different ARC thicknesses are available within the CMOS process.
Polarization-independent and angle-insensitive tunable electromagnetically induced transparency in terahertz metamaterials
Authors: Shi Xiaoyu , Tong Yuanwei , Ding Yaqiong
Published: August 2021

A metamaterial with a polarization-independent and angle-insensitive electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT)-like effect is theoretically investigated in the terahertz regime. The proposed metamaterial is composed of square rings and split isosceles triangle rings, which behave as bright elements and quasi-dark elements, respectively. An EIT-like phenomenon, which is caused by the destructive interference between different scattering paths via the bright and quasi-dark elements, is observed with a transparent window. This EIT mechanism is revealed with simulated field distributions as well as the analysis based on coupled-mode theory. Full wave simulations show that EIT-like phenomenon in the proposed metamaterial is independent of polarization and is robust to the angle of the incident light. This structure may have potential applications in terahertz detectors, sensors, and modulators.
Heterogeneous-frequency-dual-pulse chain and weak FBG array for quasi-distributed acoustic sensing with improved response bandwidth
Authors: Liang Guanhua , Niu Panpan , Jiang Junfeng , Wang Shuang , Wang Yixuan , Xia Jing , Wang Tong , Ding Zhenyang , Xu Tianhua , Liu Tiegen
Published: August 2021

By continuously injecting four groups of heterogeneous frequency dual pulses into the sensing fiber with weak fiber Bragg gratings (WFBGs), a quasi-distributed acoustic sensing method based on frequency-division multiplexing is proposed. Each group of pulses generates interference signals with different carrier frequencies after being reflected by the WFBGs. Through the discrete Fourier transform phase demodulation method, each carrier frequency interference signal is demodulated and then the phase is spliced. The feasibility of this method is theoretically analyzed, and a detection with a bandwidth of 2 kHz is realized on a 70 km sensing fiber with a spatial resolution of 10 m.
Hybrid plasmonic slot waveguide with a metallic grating for on-chip biosensing applications
Authors: Badri S. Hadi , SaeidNahaei Sanam , Kim Jong Su
Published: August 2021

Designing reliable and compact integrated biosensors with high sensitivity is crucial for lab-on-a-chip applications. We present a bandpass optical filter, as a label-free biosensor, based on a hybrid slot waveguide on the silicon-on-insulator platform. The designed hybrid waveguide consists of a narrow silicon strip, a gap, and a metallic Bragg grating with a phase-shifted cavity. The hybrid waveguide is coupled to a conventional silicon strip waveguide with a taper. The effect of geometrical parameters on the performance of the filter is investigated by 3D finite-difference time-domain simulations. The proposed hybrid waveguide has potential for sensing applications since the optical field is pulled into the gap and outside of the silicon core, thus increasing the modal overlap with the sensing region. This biosensor offers a sensitivity of 270 nm/RIU, while it only occupies a compact footprint of

1.03

µ

m

×

17.6

µ

m

.
Fast and accurate phase-unwrapping algorithm based on the transport of intensity equation: reply
Authors: Martinez-Carranza Juan , Falaggis Konstantinos , Kozacki Tomasz
Published: August 2021

In [Appl.
Opt. 56, 7079
(2017)APOPAI0003-693510.1364/AO.56.007079], a phase-unwrapping
algorithm has been reported that is based on the transport of
intensity (TIE) equation. Section 3 of that manuscript presented one
way to derive an analytical expression for the axial intensity
derivative using the paraxial angular spectrum (AS) method. In the
recent comment by Yoneda et al.
[Appl.
Opt. 60, 7500
(2021)APOPAI0003-693510.1364/AO.417146], the authors
misunderstand the utility of the angular spectrum method and conclude
that the corresponding derivation is ambiguous. In this response, we
take the opportunity to correct a typo that clarifies the calculation
of the axial derivative of the intensity.
Optimization of data acquisition operation in optical tomography based on estimation theory
Authors: Javidan Mahshad , Esfandi Hadi , Pashaie Ramin
Published: August 2021

The data acquisition process is occasionally the most time consuming and costly operation in tomography. Currently, raster scanning is still the common practice in making sequential measurements in most tomography scanners. Raster scanning is known to be slow and such scanners usually cannot catch up with the speed of changes when imaging dynamically evolving objects. In this research, we studied the possibility of using estimation theory and our prior knowledge about the sample under test to reduce the number of measurements required to achieve a given image quality. This systematic approach for optimization of the data acquisition process also provides a vision toward improving the geometry of the scanner and reducing the effect of noise, including the common state-dependent noise of detectors. The theory is developed in the article and simulations are provided to better display discussed concepts.
Deep-learning-assisted microscopy with ultraviolet surface excitation for rapid slide-free histological imaging
Authors: Chen Zhenghui , Yu Wentao , Wong Ivy H. M. , Wong Terence T. W.
Published: August 2021

Histopathological examination of tissue sections is the gold standard for disease diagnosis. However, the conventional histopathology workflow requires lengthy and laborious sample preparation to obtain thin tissue slices, causing about a one-week delay to generate an accurate diagnostic report. Recently, microscopy with ultraviolet surface excitation (MUSE), a rapid and slide-free imaging technique, has been developed to image fresh and thick tissues with specific molecular contrast. Here, we propose to apply an unsupervised generative adversarial network framework to translate colorful MUSE images into Deep-MUSE images that highly resemble hematoxylin and eosin staining, allowing easy adaptation by pathologists. By eliminating the needs of all sample processing steps (except staining), a MUSE image with subcellular resolution for a typical brain biopsy (5 mm × 5 mm) can be acquired in 5 minutes, which is further translated into a Deep-MUSE image in 40 seconds, simplifying the standard histopathology workflow dramatically and providing histological images intraoperatively.
Sech-squared Pockels solitons in the microresonator parametric down-conversion
Authors: Skryabin Dmitry V.
Published: August 2021

We present an explicit sech-squared-soliton solution associated with the optical Pockels effect, achieved through the generation of the frequency combs via parametric down-conversion in optical microresonators with quadratic nonlinearity. This soliton contrasts the parametric sech-soliton describing the half-harmonic field in the limit of the large index mismatch, and associated with the cascaded-Kerr effect. We predict differences in the spectral profiles and powers of the Pockels and cascaded-Kerr solitons, and report that the pump power threshold of the former agree with the recent experimental observations.
Compensation of inter-core skew in multi-core fibers with group velocity dispersion
Authors: Luis Ruben S. , Puttnam Benjamin J. , Rademacher Georg , Shinada Satoshi , Furukawa Hideaki
Published: August 2021

This work proposes an approach for the compensation of inter-core skew in homogeneous single-mode multi-core fiber links. We adjust the wavelengths of the transmitted spatial channels in such a way that the skew induced by group velocity counters inter-core skew. This approach is demonstrated experimentally using a 111 Gb/s spatial super channel (4 spatial channels at 27.8 Gb/s) on a 10.1 km 19-core multi-core fiber. It is shown that inter-core skew may be compensated without the need for devices such as variable optical delay lines or electronic buffers.
Reduction of mid-spatial frequency errors on aspheric and freeform optics by circular-random path polishing
Authors: Beaucamp Anthony , Takizawa Ken , Han Yanjun , Zhu Wule
Published: August 2021

Pseudo-random paths are a useful tool to reduce mid-spatial frequency errors created in the processing of optical surfaces by sub-aperture polishing tools. Several types of patterns have been proposed, including hexagonal, square and circular, but prior literature has largely focused on flat and gently curved surfaces. Here, an extension of the circular-random path to strongly curved aspheric and freeform surfaces is proposed. The main feature of the algorithm is to cover the entire surface to be polished with a uniformly distributed tool path. Aspheric condenser lenses are then polished with a regular raster and circular-random path. Analysis of the optical performance shows that the random path can reduce the amplitude of mid-spatial frequency errors and relative intensity of satellite images. These features are particularly desirable in short wavelength applications, such as mirrors for EUV and X-ray.
Laguerre-Gaussian beam generation via enhanced intracavity spherical aberration
Authors: Wang Meng , Ma Yuanyuan , Sheng Quan , He Xi , Liu Junjie , Shi Wei , Yao Jianquan , Omatsu Takashige
Published: August 2021

We demonstrate an end-pumped Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) mode-selectable Nd:YVO4 laser utilizing enhanced intracavity spherical aberration. The cavity was designed to exploit strong spherical aberration generated by an expanded beam, incident on a short-focal-length lens, which enabled oscillation of cavity modes of different order. This compact-cavity laser could operate efficiently with high-order LG mode, with the order of this mode being selectively changed by simply adjusting the distance between the short-focal-length lens and the output coupler. Scalar LG modes from LG0,±10 to up to LG0,±33 were observed in the experiment. The output power of the LG0, ±33 mode was 1.87 W under an absorbed pump power of 6.6 W.