bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To animation βίντεο «Let's make a tost!» ως διδακτικό εργαλείο ευαισθητοποίησης για την παιδική παχυσαρκία
Authors: Βαφειάδου Νιόβη , Πρωτοπαπά Μαρία , Χρονοπούλου Βασιλική-Αγγελική , Σοφός Αλιβίζος (Λοΐζος)
Published: April 2023

Το εκπαιδευτικό βίντεο ‘Let’s make a tost!’ έχει ως κεντρικό θέμα την παιδική παχυσαρκία, μια μάστιγα της σύγχρονης εποχής, και δημιουργήθηκε στα πλαίσια του διατμηματικού μεταπτυχιακού προγράμματος ‘Εκπαιδευτικός Σχεδιασμός Διαδικτυακής (Online) Εκπαίδευσης’. Η ταινία μικρού μήκους σε στυλ animation, περιγράφει τα αίτια του φαινομένου όπως, η καθιστική ζωή, η κακή διατροφή, και άλλα, τα οποία οδηγούν στη διαρκή αύξηση της παχυσαρκίας ήδη από την πρώιμη παιδική ηλικία. Παράλληλα δίνονται από το μέσο της ταινίας και μετά και οι λύσεις του προβλήματος. Ακολουθούν δραστηριότητες, βασισμένες στην ταινία, για την εμπέδωση και αξιολόγηση των πληροφοριών σχετικά με την παιδική παχυσαρκία, τα αίτια, τις συνέπειες και τους τρόπους αντιμετώπισής της. Ο τρόπος παραγωγής του animation και των στοιχείων που περιλαμβάνονται στην αφήγηση καθώς και η μέθοδος και το λογισμικό επεξεργασίας του βίντεο παρατίθενται στη συνέχεια. Εν κατακλείδι, παραθέτουμε τα προβλήματα που παρουσιάστηκαν και ιδέες για μελλοντική ανάπτυξη του θέματος ή βελτιστοποίηση του παρόντος υλικού, στα πλαίσια του προγράμματος.
Συμμετοχή στο Φεστιβάλ Αλληλεγγύης Παραμυθιών
Authors: Καρασαββίδου Ελένη
Published: April 2023

Συμμετοχή στο Φεστιβάλ Αλληλεγγύης ΠαραμυθιώνΟ Γιόμο και το Ποτάμι
Social influence and external feedback control in humans
Authors: Weiß Martin , Gollwitzer Mario , Hewig Johannes
Published: April 2023

This article aims to describe social influence by elucidating the cognitive, affective, and motivational processes that occur when an individual experiences an attempt at being influenced. We hypothesized that these processes are part of a feedback loop system in an individual. This loop involves the situation (input), a goal state (reference), a comparator, a selection mechanism, a feedback predictor, and an action (output). Each element can become the target of social influence, and different types of social influence can be classified and explained by how these elements are targeted. For instance, attempting to persuade another person with strong arguments targets the goal state of the affected individual, while coercion targets the selection mechanism, and violence targets the action. In summary, this article aims to categorize, order, and explain phenomena in social influence research using a feedback loop framework focusing on the influenced individual.
Pregnancy and birth complications associations with long-term adverse maternal mental health outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Bodunde Elizabeth O , Buckley Daire , O'Neill Eimear , Maher Gillian M. , Matvienko-Sikar Karen , O'Connor Karen , McCarthy Fergus P. , Khashan Ali S.
Published: April 2023

Background: Existing studies have established an association between pregnancy, birth complications, and mental health in the first few weeks postpartum. However, there is no clear understanding of whether pregnancy and birth complications increase the risk of adverse maternal mental outcomes in the longer term. Research on maternal adverse mental health outcomes following pregnancy and birth complications beyond 12 months postpartum is scarce, and findings are inconsistent.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis will examine the available evidence on the association between pregnancy and birth complications and long-term adverse maternal mental health outcomes.

Methods and analysis: We will include cohort, cross-sectional, and case-control studies in which a diagnosis of pregnancy and/or birth complication (preeclampsia, pregnancy loss, caesarean section, preterm birth, perineal laceration, neonatal intensive care unit admission, major obstetric haemorrhage, and birth injury/trauma) was reported and maternal mental disorders (depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, psychosis, and schizophrenia) after 12 months postpartum were the outcomes. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science will be conducted following a detailed search strategy until August 2022. Three authors will independently review titles and abstracts of all eligible studies, extract data using pre-defined standardised data extraction and assess the quality of each study using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We will use random-effects meta-analysis for each exposure and outcome variable to calculate overall pooled estimates using the generic inverse variance method. This systematic review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Ethical consideration: The proposed systematic review and meta-analysis is based on published data; ethics approval is not required. The results will be presented at scientific meetings and publish in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO registration: CRD42022359017
Breaking the Sample Size Barrier in Model-Based Reinforcement Learning with a Generative Model
Authors: Li Gen , Wei Yuting , Chi Yuejie , Chen Yuxin
Published: April 2023

This paper studies a central issue in modern reinforcement learning, the sample efficiency, and makes progress toward solving an idealistic scenario that assumes access to a generative model or a simulator. Despite a large number of prior works tackling this problem, a complete picture of the trade-offs between sample complexity and statistical accuracy has yet to be determined. In particular, all prior results suffer from a severe sample size barrier in the sense that their claimed statistical guarantees hold only when the sample size exceeds some enormous threshold. The current paper overcomes this barrier and fully settles this problem; more specifically, we establish the minimax optimality of the model-based approach for any given target accuracy level. To the best of our knowledge, this work delivers the first minimax-optimal guarantees that accommodate the entire range of sample sizes (beyond which finding a meaningful policy is information theoretically infeasible).
“You Talk and Try to Think, Together” – A Case Study of a Student Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder Participating in Philosophical Dialogues
Authors: Gardelli Viktor , Backman Ylva , Gardelli åsa , Franklin Anders
Published: April 2023

AbstractWe present results from a single case study based on semi-structured interviews with a student (a boy in school year 3) diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and his school staff after participating in a short and small-scale intervention carried out in a socio-economically disadvantaged Swedish elementary school in 2019. The student participated in a seven week long long intervention with a total of 12 philosophical dialogues (ranging from 45 to 60 minutes). Two facilitators, both with years of facilitation experience and teacher degree and at least BA in philosophy, facilitated the majority of the dialogues, mainly followed a ”routine” procedure. The student was interviewed in direct connection to the end of the intervention about his experiences from the dialogues and his perceptions about wether and how the dialogues had influenced him. The student’s two teachers, who had participated in the dialogues as participants, were interviewed as a pair, also in direct connection to the end of the intervention, while the school principal was interviewed two years after the study. These staff interviews concerned the staff’s experiences of the influence of the dialogues on the students within the intervention as well as transfer effects to other contexts in school. The data from the study include detailed elaborations from a student perspective of different effects on the student’s communicative and cognitive development, which are in several respects supported also by staff reports. The results show that the student was able, interested, and willing to participate in philosophical dialogues, and our data point to several positive outcomes for the student in the communicative and cognitive domains.
From coding to clinical nurse specialist: how a review of coding practice enabled hysteroscopy nurse development
Authors: Harris William , Skuse Kate , Sharp Cathryn , Molyneux Matthew , Crouch Naomi
Published: April 2023

Clinical coding, the method by which departments are reimbursed for providing services to patients, is widely mispractised within the NHS. Improving clinical coding accuracy therefore offers an opportunity to increase departmental income, guide efficient resource allocation and enable staff development. The authors audited the clinical coding in outpatient hysteroscopy clinics at their institution and found that coding errors were both prevalent and correctable. By implementing simple changes in coding procedure, and without any additional administrative cost, they significantly improved coding accuracy and achieved an increase in total annual tariffs. Although not applicable in a block contract, this will become highly relevant in a restoration of the Payment by Results tariff system. Nurse development is a key objective of the NHS Long Term Plan but can be hindered by staff costs, which require departmental funding. In the authors' institution, improved clinical coding accuracy directly led to a departmental restructuring, funded the development of a new hysteroscopy nurse development and improved care delivery. Coding errors are not unique to the authors' trust, yet simple amendments led to meaningful changes. Therefore, careful auditing and implemented change are needed to raise national clinical coding standards, to enable clinical restructuring, staff development, and provide more efficient, patient-centred care.
Patient safety in the NHS: after Francis
Authors: Tingle John
Published: April 2023

John Tingle, Lecturer in Law, Birmingham Law School, University of Birmingham, discusses several recently published patient safety reports
Diagnostic Classifiers for Explaining a Neural Model with Hierarchical Attention for Aspect-based Sentiment Classification
Authors: Geed Kunal , Frasincar Flavius , Trusca Maria Mihaela
Published: April 2023

The current models proposed for aspect-based sentiment classification (ABSC) are mainly developed with the purpose of providing high rates of accuracy, regardless of the inner working which is usually difficult to understand. Considering the state-of-art model LCR-Rot-hop++ for ABSC, we use diagnostic classifiers to gain insights into the encoded information of each layer. Starting from a set of various hypotheses, we test how sentiment-related information is captured by different layers of the model. Given the model architecture, information about the related words to the target is easily extracted. Also, the model is able to detect to some extent information about the sentiments of the words and, in particular, sentiments of the words related to the target. However, the model is less effective in extracting the aspect mentions associated with a word and the general structure of the sentence.
Chronic osteomyelitis in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina: Long-term health consequences of warfare
Authors: Ryken Katherine O. , Becirbegovic Semin , Gavrankopetanovic Ismet , Marsh Lawrence , Schweizer Marin
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Chronic osteomyelitis (COM) is a severely debilitating disease, causing both physical and psychological repercussions for patients. It is particularly common in austere environments and areas of armed conflict. 1,2,3 The most common cause across all age groups is neglected penetrating wounds.4 Often overlooked, COM is one of the many lasting health effects of warfare. Deep infections of the bone following penetrating and blast injuries are common in regions plagued by conflict and cause major physical and social disability. Materials & Methods: Patient records at the University of Sarajevo Clinical Center Department of Orthopedics & Traumatology were analyzed retrospectively between 2003 and 2013 of patients hospitalized with diagnosed COM. Results: 155 patients were hospitalized at UCCS for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis between 2003-2013. Mean age of patients at the time of hospitalization was 56 years. The most common medical comorbidity of patients was diabetes mellitus type 2. Unemployment among patients was 46.1%. The most common cause of COM in this cohort was intentional injury associated with the war between the years of 1992-1995 (46.2%). These were caused by sniper or gunshot wounds (25.4%), landmines or unexploded ordnance (37.7%), and mortar shell explosions (28.8%). The mean hospital stay among patients with COM at UCCS was 31.10 days, although this varied widely depending upon the severity of symptoms and the type of treatment required. Conclusion: The health burden of chronic osteomyelitis persists for many years beyond the original. Chronic pain and disability contribute to a lifetime of repeated treatments, hospital stays, and high rates of unemployment. This study describes the current burden of COM upon the population of Sarajevo, as well as serving as a foreboding prediction of what can be expected in war zones for many years in the future. Keywords: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sarajevo, chronic osteomyelitis, war injuries, orthopedics, infectious disease, social medicine.
A Comparative Study of Conservative and Surgical Management of Displaced Midshaft Clavicle Fracture
Authors: Ranjan Niraj , Agarwal Arvind , Garg Atul
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Since long, closed midshaft clavicle fractures, whether undisplaced or displaced, have been treated conservatively with figure of “8” bandage and sling. However, in the past few decades, management trends show an uprise in surgical management of displaced midshaft clavicle fracture with rigid internal fixation providing early pain relief and avoiding deformity, non-union (NU), and sequelae. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 patients with displaced midshaft clavicle fracture were included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to the non-operative and operative group with 30 patients in each group. Non-operative management was performed with clavicle brace (figure of 8 bandage) while open reduction internal fixation with plate fixation was the preferred operative treatment. Patients were followed up at 2, 4, and 6 weeks and then at 3, 6, and 12 months. Outcome analysis included standard clinical follow-up, the constant shoulder (CS) score and the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score, and plain radiographs. Statistical analysis was done using Student’s “t” test and SPSS software. The results were considered to be significant at P < 0.05. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in functional outcome between the two groups at 3-month follow-up (CS; P = 0.0469 and DASH; P = 0.0406), though no such difference was recorded at 1-year follow-up (CS; P = 0.2731 and DASH; P = 0.4915). It implies that the patients in operative group improved functionally and returned to normal activities earlier than the non-operative group. Even patient satisfaction regarding shoulder appearance (cosmesis) was more in the operative group (100%) than in non-operative group (60%). The complications were more in the non-operative group (23), such as symptomatic malunion in 2 cases (8%), NU in 5 cases (20%), shortening in 3 cases (12%), and muscle wasting in 2 cases (8%), whereas only four complications were recorded in the operative group, of which two were implant related. Conclusion: Surgical management of displaced midshaft clavicle fracture has definite short-term benefits with respect to functional outcome, early return to preinjury activities, and a lower rate of malunion and NU. Furthermore, due to difficulties of non-operative treatment including pain and instability at fracture site, tightness of clavicle brace, difficulties in self-hygiene, and high percentage of NU, especially in high-energy fractures; operative treatment is a good option in displaced midshaft clavicle fracture, especially in active adult patients. Keywords: Clavicle fracture, Conservative management, Surgical management.
Bilateral femoral neck fracture in pregnancy- outcome of conservative versus operative treatment: A case report
Authors: Das Hemjit , Sunder. S Shyam
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Transient osteoporosis of pregnancy is usually benign in nature. Rarely serious complication like fragility fracture of neck of femur can occur. Usually idiopathic in nature and self-limiting. So far only 12 such cases and bilateral in only 2 patients have been reported in literature. Since, X-rays are usually avoided in pregnancy this condition is usually missed leading to late diagnosis. Case report: A 26-year-old primigravida was referred to our institute on her 7th month of gestation with bilateral hip pain and limp. She developed bilateral hip pain on her 5th month of gestation which was progressive in nature. Her radiograph showed bilateral femoral neck fracture. To avoid radiation hazard to the fetus fracture fixation was delayed till caesarean section on her 38th week of gestation. Closed reduction and internal fixation with three CC screws was done for left femur neck fracture. Fixation was planned for right side fracture simultaneously but since the patient did not consent for bilateral surgery she was asked to review after one month for right femur neck fracture fixation. The patient who lost to follow-up showed up after 6 months walking comfortably. Radiological examination showed that in the nonoperated side the fracture united in Varus with shortening of 0.5 cm. Conclusion: Musculoskeletal problems during pregnancy should not be overlooked. MRI should be used for early diagnosis whenever feasible. Fracture Neck of femur in pregnancy in-spite of delayed diagnosis and treatment has a better prognosis even with conservative treatment. Keywords: transient osteoporosis, pregnancy, femoral neck fracture, spontaneous healing.
Galeazzi fracture associated with an ipsilateral fracture of ulna diaphysis and olecrane. A rare lesional association. About a case and review of literature
Authors: Kolima Akloa Komlavi Ehlissou , Batarabadja Bakriga , Kanfitine Kombate Noufanangue , Gamal Ayouba , Yaovi Akpoto Menssavi , Yannick Dellanh Yaovi , Hodabalo Towoezim Tchaa , Grégoirei Abalo Anani
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Tripolar lesions of the thoracic limb are rare. We report a rare a Galéazzi fracture associated with an ipsilateral fracture of ulna and olecranon in a 45-year-old patient. Surgical management has been delayed due to limited resources of the patient. Case presentation: It was a 45-year-old man admitted in our emergency after a fallen on bicycle. He presented a fracture of olecranon, shaft bone fracture of radius and ulnar, and distal radio-ulnar disjunction. The assessment at 18 months has found a consolidation of fractures. The elbow and wrist regained joint range, but we noted a limitation of prono-supination related to radioulnar synostosis. This limitation had no impact on the professional and sporting activities of the patient. Conclusion: Apart the difficulties to describe mechanism responsible of this complex lesion, the functional prognosis of the limb depends on a correct diagnosis and adequate management. At the last follow-up, the patient was satisfied with the result obtained. Longer term follow-up will allow us to determine the issue of this complex lesion in this patient. For the moment patient is not complained so wejust wait and see. Keywords: Galeazzi fracture, distal radioulnar disjunction, fractures, forearm, olecranon.
Doctor and Nurse Replacement
Authors:   Phoenix Pulmonary and Critical Care Research and Education Foundation, Gilbert, AZ USA, Robbins Richard
Published: April 2023

No abstract available. Article truncated after 150 words. Medscape recently commented on the case of Natasha Valle from Clarksville, Tennessee (1). Pregnant and scared she went to the local Tennova Healthcare hospital because she was bleeding. She didn't know much about miscarriage, but this seemed like one. In the emergency room, she was examined then sent home. She went back when her cramping became excruciating. Then home again. It ultimately took three trips to the ER on three consecutive days, generating three separate bills, before she saw a doctor who looked at her bloodwork and confirmed her fears. The hospital declined to discuss Valle's care, but 17 months before her three-day ordeal, Tennova had outsourced its emergency rooms to American Physician Partners, a medical staffing company owned by private equity investors. APP employs fewer doctors in its ERs as one of its cost-saving initiatives to increase earnings, according to a confidential company document obtained by Kaiser Health News …
Workers’ contentions over unpaid labour time in food delivery and domestic work platforms in Belgium
Authors: Franke Milena , Pulignano Valeria , Marà Claudia
Published: April 2023

This article examines how platform workers providing food delivery and domestic services in Belgium engage in contentions over unpaid labour time. Drawing on theories of organisational misbehaviour around the ‘wage–effort’ bargain, we explore how workers reclaim some control over their income by contesting their exposure to unpaid labour time. Based on a qualitative analysis of two labour platforms, the article illustrates how platforms’ systems of time control expose workers to unpaid labour time through work extensification (that is, food delivery) and work intensification (that is, domestic work). It also indicates how workers contest platforms’ control over unpaid labour time by developing various practices around platforms’ systems of control. Food delivery couriers increase their income by cutting down on unpaid idle time, while domestic workers try to improve their access to clients, jobs and pay which sometimes entails intentionally prolonging their unpaid labour time. Thus, we argue that examining workers’ contentions over unpaid labour time contributes to a better understanding of how workers can develop a sense of agency in a context of exploitative platform work by actively navigating and purposefully using their exposure to unpaid labour time to regain control over their income.
Las competiciones de juicio simulado desde la perspectiva del coach: a propósito de la primera edición de la Moot Court AEDEUR
Authors: Reguart Segarra Núria
Published: April 2023

Una de las principales tareas pendientes de los actuales planes de estudios del Grado en Derecho en la inmensa mayoría de universidades españolas es precisamente la falta de puesta en práctica de las habilidades básicas que el alumnado deberá dominar una vez dé comienzo a su carrera profesional. La participación en competiciones de juicio simulado se plantea como una herramienta efectiva para suplir esta acusada carencia, debida, en gran medida, a la preceptiva limitación de créditos. Este artículo parte de la experiencia educativa del equipo de la Universitat Jaume I en la primera edición de la Moot Court AEDEUR, proyectada desde el punto de vista del entrenador, para analizar la metodología docente empleada en la preparación de cada una de las fases de la competición y corroborar su efectividad en la adquisición de las competencias esperadas en cada una de ellas. De este modo, se podrá concluir que la participación en competiciones de juicio simulado complementa adecuadamente la formación general como juristas del estudiantado del Grado en Derecho, al prepararlos eficazmente para situaciones cotidianas de la práctica profesional.
Ultracompact programmable inverse-designed nanophotonic devices based on digital subwavelength structures
Authors: Yang Sikang , Huang Yawen , He Pengxiang , Liu Deming , Zhang Minming
Published: April 2023

Inverse design is a powerful approach to achieve ultracompact nanophotonic devices. Here, we propose an ultracompact programmable near-infrared nanophotonic device platform to dynamically implement inverse-designed near-infrared devices with different functions by programming the state of the phase-change material filled in each pixel. By tuning PCM block by block, the subwavelength condition for inverse-designed ultracompact devices is satisfied with large tuning pixel size. Based on the inverse-design device platform with a footprint of 6.4µm×8µm, we design and theoretically demonstrate four power splitters with different split ratios and one mode multiplexer working in the near-infrared band. The average excess losses for the power splitters with ratios of 0:1,1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 are less than 0.82, 0.65, 0.82, and 1.03 dB over a wavelength span of 100 nm, respectively. Meanwhile, the insertion losses of the mode multiplexer are 1.4 and 2.5 dB for TE0 and TE1 mode, respectively, and the average crosstalk is less than −20 and −19dB, respectively. The five different devices could be configured online in a nonvolatile way by heating phase change materials with an off-chip laser, which may significantly enhance the flexibility of on-chip optical interconnections.
Method to construct the initial structure of optical systems based on full-field aberration correction
Authors: Chen Xianxing , Zhang Xu , Su Zhiqiang , Yu Jie , Wang Liping
Published: April 2023

To meet full-field image quality requirements for extremely low
aberration optical systems, an initial structure construction method
for reflective optical systems based on full-field aberration
correction is proposed. The aberration of the full field is used as
the main evaluation criterion in this method. A multi-field evaluation
function is established using the aberration values of multiple
characteristic field points to represent the full-field imaging
quality, and spatial ray tracing is introduced to constrain the
optical system structure. Multi-objective optimization of the
evaluation function is performed using a combinatorial nondominated
sorting and metaheuristics algorithm; an initial optical system with a
reasonable structure and corrected third-order aberrations over the
full field is subsequently obtained. After optimization, an extreme
ultraviolet lithography objective with a numerical aperture of 0.33
and root-mean-square wavefront error of 0.128 nm (1/105λ,λ=13.5nm) is obtained.
Gain-induced Kerr beam cleaning in a femtosecond fiber amplifier
Authors: Haig Henry , Bender Nicholas , Chen Yi-Hao , Dhar Anirban , Choudhury Nilotpal , Sen Ranjan , Christodoulides Demetrios N. , Wise Frank
Published: April 2023

Kerr beam cleaning is a nonlinear phenomenon in graded-index multimode fiber where power flows toward the fundamental mode, generating bell-shaped output beams. Here we study beam cleaning of femtosecond pulses accompanied by gain in a multimode fiber amplifier. Mode-resolved energy measurements and numerical simulations showed that the amplifier generates beams with high fundamental mode content (greater than 30% of the overall pulse energy) for a wide range of amplification levels. Control experiments using stretched pulses that evolve without strong Kerr nonlinear effects showed a degrading beam profile, in contrast to nonlinear beam cleaning. Temporal measurements showed that seed pulse parameters have a strong effect on the amplified pulse quality. These results may influence the design of future high-performance fiber lasers and amplifiers.
Variational mode decomposition-based abnormal wheel-rail relationship detection in distributed acoustic sensing
Authors: Wang Honghai , Wang Yufeng , Huang Long-Ting , Gui Xin , Fu Xuelei , Li Zhengying
Published: April 2023

The distributed acoustic sensing system can obtain the vibration signal caused by the vibration of the train. By analyzing these wheel-rail vibration signals, an abnormal wheel-rail relationship identification scheme is proposed. The variational mode decomposition is employed for signal decomposition, thereby obtaining intrinsic mode functions with prominent abnormal fluctuations. The kurtosis value of each intrinsic mode function is calculated, which is compared with the threshold value for the identification of trains with abnormal wheel-rail relationship. And the extreme point of the abnormal intrinsic mode function is used to locate the bogie with an abnormal wheel-rail relationship. Experimental demonstration verifies that the proposed scheme can identify the train and locate the bogie with an abnormal wheel-rail relationship.
Controllable multi-stable-state operation in an AOM actively Q-switched all-fiber laser system
Authors: Chen Xuechun , Wang Nan , He Chaojian , Yu Haijuan , Zou Shuzhen , Zuo Jiexi , Xu Shuang , Ning Chaoyu , Li Xinyao , Lin Xuechun
Published: April 2023

This paper presents a comprehensive experimental study of multi-stable-state output characteristics in an all-fiber laser with an acoustic-optical modulator (AOM) as the Q-switcher. For the first time, in this structure, the partitioning of the pulsed output characteristics is explored, dividing the operating status of the laser system into four zones. The output characteristics, the application prospects, and the parameter setting rules for working in stable zones are presented. In the second stable zone, a peak power of 4.68 kW with 24 ns was obtained at 10 kHz. This is the narrowest pulse duration achieved with an AOM actively Q-switched all-fiber linear structure. The pulse narrowing is attributed to the rapid release of signal power and pulse tail truncated by AOM shutdown.
Dynamics of optical vortices in van der Waals materials
Authors: Kurman Yaniv , Dahan Raphael , Herzig Shenfux Hanan , Rosolen Gilles , Janzen Eli , Edgar James H. , Koppens Frank H. L. , Kaminer Ido
Published: April 2023

Quantized vortices are topological defects found in different two-dimensional geometries, from liquid crystals to ferromagnets, famously involved in spontaneous symmetry breaking and phase transitions. Their optical counterparts appear in planar geometries as a universal wave phenomenon, possessing topologically protected orbital angular momentum (OAM). So far, the spatiotemporal dynamics of optical vortices, including vortex-pair creation and annihilation, has been observed only in Bose–Einstein condensates. Here we observe optical vortices in van der Waals materials and measure their dynamics, including events of pair creation and annihilation. Vortices of opposite OAM are involved in pair creation/annihilation events, and their relative signs determine the surrounding field profile throughout their motion. The vortices are made of phonon polaritons in hexagonal boron nitride, which we directly probe using free electrons in an ultrafast transmission electron microscope. Our findings promote future investigations of vortex phenomena in van der Waals platforms, toward their use for chiral plasmonics, quantum simulators, and control over selection rules in light–matter interactions.
Surpassing the classical limit of the microwave photonic frequency fading effect by quantum microwave photonics
Authors: Jin Yaqing , Yang Ye , Hong Huibo , Xiang Xiao , Quan Run'ai , Liu Tao , Zhu Ninghua , Li Ming , Zhang Shougang , Dong Ruifang
Published: April 2023

With energy–time entangled biphoton sources as the optical carrier and time-correlated single-photon detection for high-speed radio frequency (RF) signal recovery, the method of quantum microwave photonics (QMWP) has presented the unprecedented potential of nonlocal RF signal encoding and efficient RF signal distilling from the dispersion interference associated with ultrashort pulse carriers. In this paper, its capability in microwave signal processing and prospective superiority are further demonstrated. Both QMWP RF phase shifting and transversal filtering functionality, which are the fundamental building blocks of microwave signal processing, are realized. Besides good immunity to the dispersion-induced frequency fading effect associated with the broadband carrier in classical MWP, a native two-dimensional parallel microwave signal processor is provided. These results well demonstrate the superiority of QMWP over classical MWP and open the door to new application fields of MWP involving encrypted processing.
Efficient coding of natural scenes improves neural system identification
Authors: Qiu Yongrong , Klindt David A. , Szatko Klaudia P. , Gonschorek Dominic , Hoefling Larissa , Schubert Timm , Busse Laura , Bethge Matthias , Euler Thomas
Published: April 2023

Neural system identification aims at learning the response function of neurons to arbitrary stimuli using experimentally recorded data, but typically does not leverage normative principles such as efficient coding of natural environments. Visual systems, however, have evolved to efficiently process input from the natural environment. Here, we present a normative network regularization for system identification models by incorporating, as a regularizer, the efficient coding hypothesis, which states that neural response properties of sensory representations are strongly shaped by the need to preserve most of the stimulus information with limited resources. Using this approach, we explored if a system identification model can be improved by sharing its convolutional filters with those of an autoencoder which aims to efficiently encode natural stimuli. To this end, we built a hybrid model to predict the responses of retinal neurons to noise stimuli. This approach did not only yield a higher performance than the “stand-alone” system identification model, it also produced more biologically plausible filters, meaning that they more closely resembled neural representation in early visual systems. We found these results applied to retinal responses to different artificial stimuli and across model architectures. Moreover, our normatively regularized model performed particularly well in predicting responses of direction-of-motion sensitive retinal neurons. The benefit of natural scene statistics became marginal, however, for predicting the responses to natural movies. In summary, our results indicate that efficiently encoding environmental inputs can improve system identification models, at least for noise stimuli, and point to the benefit of probing the visual system with naturalistic stimuli.
Shape-driven deep neural networks for fast acquisition of aortic 3D pressure and velocity flow fields
Authors: Pajaziti Endrit , Montalt-Tordera Javier , Capelli Claudio , Sivera Raphaël , Sauvage Emilie , Quail Michael , Schievano Silvia , Muthurangu Vivek
Published: April 2023

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can be used to simulate vascular haemodynamics and analyse potential treatment options. CFD has shown to be beneficial in improving patient outcomes. However, the implementation of CFD for routine clinical use is yet to be realised. Barriers for CFD include high computational resources, specialist experience needed for designing simulation set-ups, and long processing times. The aim of this study was to explore the use of machine learning (ML) to replicate conventional aortic CFD with automatic and fast regression models. Data used to train/test the model consisted of 3,000 CFD simulations performed on synthetically generated 3D aortic shapes. These subjects were generated from a statistical shape model (SSM) built on real patient-specific aortas (N = 67). Inference performed on 200 test shapes resulted in average errors of 6.01% ±3.12 SD and 3.99% ±0.93 SD for pressure and velocity, respectively. Our ML-based models performed CFD in ∼0.075 seconds (4,000x faster than the solver). This proof-of-concept study shows that results from conventional vascular CFD can be reproduced using ML at a much faster rate, in an automatic process, and with reasonable accuracy.
Seroprevalence of high incidence congenital infections among pregnant women in Coatepeque, Guatemala and surrounding areas, 2017–2018
Authors: Hicks Victoria J. , Sánchez César , López María Reneé , Gottschlich Anna , Grajeda Laura M. , Balish Amanda , Gómez Ana , Nuñez Nevis , Juárez Julio , López Beatriz , Freitas-Ning Mariangeli , Cordón-Rosales Celia , Sagastume Manuel , McCracken John P. , Espinosa-Bode Andrés , Cadena Loren , Lo Terrence Q.
Published: April 2023

Maternal infections during pregnancy can potentially cause birth defects and severe adverse effects in infants. From 2017 to 2018, we investigated the seroprevalence of five antibodies among 436 mother-infant pairs enrolled in a pregnancy cohort study in Coatepeque, Guatemala. Upon enrollment (< 20 weeks gestational age) and shortly after delivery, we measured the prevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies againstToxoplasma gondii(T.gondii), rubella, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in mothers and newborns and used rapid tests to detect HIV and syphilis (Treponema pallidum) in mothers. The mean cohort age was 24.5 years. MaternalT.gondiiIgM and IgG seropositivity was 1.9% and 69.7%, respectively. No women were positive for HIV, syphilis, or rubella IgM. Maternal rubella IgG seropositivity was 80.8% and significantly increased with age. Maternal CMV IgM and IgG seropositivity were 2.3% and 99.5%, respectively. Of the 323 women tested at both timepoints, IgM reactivation occurred in one woman forT.gondiiinfection and in eight for CMV. No newborn was seropositive for CMV IgM or rubella IgM. One newborn was seropositive forT.gondiiIgM. CongenitalT.gondiiand CMV infections are important public health issues for pregnant women, newborns, and healthcare providers in Coatepeque and Guatemala.
Short report: A trend analysis of attitudes towards early diagnosis of dementia in Germany
Authors: Zülke Andrea E. , Luppa Melanie , Luck Tobias , Riedel-Heller Steffi G.
Published: April 2023

Background

Early detection of dementia provides numerous benefits for those living with dementia and their relatives and healthcare systems at large. Methods available for early diagnosis have improved significantly over the past years. Therefore, we examined whether support for offering an early diagnosis of dementia and willingness to pursue a respective early diagnosis have changed in Germany over the last decade.

Method

We compared findings from two representative telephone surveys conducted among older adults in Germany (≥ 60 years of age) in 2011 and 2022, assessing support for offering an early diagnosis of dementia and willingness to pursue a respective early diagnosis in a sample of n = 879 individuals (mean age: 72.9, range: 60–98 years, % female: 58.8). Group comparisons using Chi2- and t-tests and multivariable regression analyses were conducted, regressing support of an early diagnosis of dementia and willingness to pursue a respective early diagnosis on age, gender, education, employment status, belief in preventability of dementia and time of survey.

Results

Support for offering an early diagnosis of dementia was high both in 2011 (90.7%) and 2022 (79.2%), but declined over time (OR: .39; 95% CI: .25; .63). Willingness to pursue an early diagnosis of dementia declined from 70.7% to 60.1% in the same period (OR: .62; 95% CI: .45; .86). Belief in preventability of dementia was linked to support for offering an early diagnosis (OR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.25; 2.83) and willingness to pursue an early diagnosis of dementia (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.12; 2.07). Older participants less often supported offering an early diagnosis of dementia (OR: .97, 95% CI: .95; .99).

Conclusion

Support for offering an early diagnosis of dementia and willingness to pursue a respective diagnosis is high in the older German public, but lower than reported previously. Improving knowledge on modifiable risk factors and better understanding of individual motives underlying endorsement or refusal of an early diagnosis may increase acceptance in the general public.
Variation in the serotonin transporter genotype is associated with maternal restraint and rejection of infants: A nonhuman primate (Macaca mulatta) model
Authors: Wood Elizabeth K. , Baron Zachary , Kruger Ryno , Halter Colt , Gabrielle Natalia , Neville Leslie , Smith Ellie , Marett Leah , Johnson Miranda , Del Rosso Laura , Capitanio John P. , Higley J. Dee
Published: April 2023

Studies show that maternal behaviors are mediated by the bivariate serotonin transporter (5-HTT) genotype, although the findings are mixed, with some studies showing that mothers with thesallele exhibit increased maternal sensitivity, while other studies show that mothers with thesallele show decreased maternal sensitivity. Nonhuman primate studies offer increased control over extraneous variables and may contribute to a better understanding of the effects of the5-HTTgenotype on maternal sensitivity. This study assesses the influence of5-HTTgenotype variation on maternal sensitivity in parenting in 125 rhesus macaque mothers(Macaca mulatta) during the first three-months of their infants’ lives, an age well before typical infants undergo weaning. Mothers were genotyped for the5-HTTgenotype and maternal behaviors were collected, including neglectfulness, sensitivity, and premature rejections during undisturbed social interactions. Results showed that mothers homozygous for thesallele rejected their infants the most and restrained their infants the least, an indication that mothers with thesallele are more likely to neglect their infants’ psychological and physical needs. These findings suggest that, at an age when an infant’s needs are based on warmth, security, and protection, mothers with ansallele exhibit less sensitive maternal behaviors. High rates of rejections and low rates of restraints are behaviors that typically characterize premature weaning and are inappropriate for their infant’s young age. This study is an important step in understanding the etiology of variability in maternal warmth and care, and further suggests that maternal5-HTTgenotype should be examined in studies assessing genetic influences on variation in maternal sensitivity, and ultimately, mother-infant attachment quality.
When performance is not enough—A multidisciplinary view on clinical decision support
Authors: Roller Roland , Burchardt Aljoscha , Samhammer David , Ronicke Simon , Duettmann Wiebke , Schmeier Sven , Möller Sebastian , Dabrock Peter , Budde Klemens , Mayrdorfer Manuel , Osmanodja Bilgin
Published: April 2023

Scientific publications about the application of machine learning models in healthcare often focus on improving performance metrics. However, beyond often short-lived improvements, many additional aspects need to be taken into consideration to make sustainable progress. What does it take to implement a clinical decision support system, what makes it usable for the domain experts, and what brings it eventually into practical usage? So far, there has been little research to answer these questions. This work presents a multidisciplinary view of machine learning in medical decision support systems and covers information technology, medical, as well as ethical aspects. The target audience is computer scientists, who plan to do research in a clinical context. The paper starts from a relatively straightforward risk prediction system in the subspecialty nephrology that was evaluated on historic patient data both intrinsically and based on a reader study with medical doctors. Although the results were quite promising, the focus of this article is not on the model itself or potential performance improvements. Instead, we want to let other researchers participate in the lessons we have learned and the insights we have gained when implementing and evaluating our system in a clinical setting within a highly interdisciplinary pilot project in the cooperation of computer scientists, medical doctors, ethicists, and legal experts.
Assessment of Nit-Occlud atrial septal defect occluder device healing process using micro-computed tomography imaging
Authors: Perdreau Elodie , Jalal Zakaria , Walton Richard D. , Sigler Matthias , Cochet Hubert , Naulin Jérôme , Quesson Bruno , Bernus Olivier , Thambo Jean-Benoît
Published: April 2023

After percutaneous implantation of a cardiac occluder, a complex healing process leads to the device coverage within several months. An incomplete device coverage increases the risk of device related complications such as thrombosis or endocarditis. We aimed to assess the device coverage process of atrial septal defect (ASD) occluders in a chronic sheep model using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). After percutaneous creation of an ASD, 8 ewes were implanted with a 16-mm Nit-Occlud ASD-R occluder (PFM medical, Cologne, Germany) and were followed for 1 month (N = 3) and 3 months (N = 5). After heart explant, the device coverage was assessed using micro-CT (resolution of 41.7 μm) and was compared to histological analysis. The micro-CT image reconstruction was performed in 2D and 3D allowing measurement of the coverage thickness and surface for each device. Macroscopic assessment of devices showed that the coverage was complete for the left-side disk in all cases. Yet incomplete coverage of the right-side disk was observed in 5 of the 8 cases. 2D and 3D micro-CT analysis allowed an accurate evaluation of device coverage of each disk and was overall well correlated to histology sections. Surface calculation from micro-CT images of the 8 cases showed that the median surface of coverage was 93±8% for the left-side disk and 55±31% for the right-side disk. The assessment of tissue reactions, including endothelialisation, after implantation of an ASD occluder can rely on in vitro micro-CT analysis. The translation to clinical practice is challenging but the potential for individual follow-up is shown, to avoid thrombotic or infective complications.
An improved defocusing adaptive style transfer method based on a stroke pyramid
Authors: Cao Jianfang , Chen Zeyu , Jin Mengyan , Tian Yun
Published: April 2023

Image style transfer aims to assign a specified artist’s style to a real image. However, most existing methods cannot generate textures of various thicknesses due to the rich semantic information of the input image. The image loses some semantic information through style transfer with a uniform stroke size. To address the above problems, we propose an improved multi-stroke defocus adaptive style transfer framework based on a stroke pyramid, which mainly fuses various stroke sizes in the image spatial dimension to enhance the image content interpretability. We expand the receptive field of each branch and then fuse the features generated by the multiple branches based on defocus degree. Finally, we add an additional loss term to enhance the structural features of the generated image. The proposed model is trained using the Common Objects in Context (COCO) and Synthetic Depth of Field (SYNDOF) datasets, and the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity index (SSIM) are used to evaluate the overall quality of the output image and its structural similarity with the content image, respectively. To validate the feasibility of the proposed algorithm, we compare the average PSNR and SSIM values of the output of the modified model and those of the original model. The experimental results show that the modified model improves the PSNR and SSIM values of the outputs by 1.43 and 0.12 on average, respectively. Compared with the single-stroke style transfer method, the framework proposed in this study improves the readability of the output images with more abundant visual expression.