bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro analysis of quercetin-like compounds from mistletoe Dendrophthoe pentandra (L.) Miq as a potential antiviral agent for Newcastle disease
Authors: Mochamad Lazuardi , Malarvili Selvaraja , Jasmine Khairat , Lim Vuanghao
Published: May 2024

Background Recent evidence suggests that some flavonoid compounds obtained from crude methanol extract of mistletoe leaves (Dendrophthoe pentandra L. Miq), also known as Benalu Duku (BD), have antimicrobial effects. Thus, the plant has the potential to eliminate viruses that may cause outbreaks in chicken farms. This study aimed to prove the in vitro ability of flavonoid compounds, namely quercetin-like compounds (QLCs), to eliminate field viruses, specifically the Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Methods This research was performed in two stages. An in vitro test was used with a post-test of the control groups designed at a significance of 0.05. BD leaves (5 kg) were extracted using a maceration method with methanol and then separated into hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol fractions. The final extracted products were separated using semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to obtain QLCs. The QLCs were identified and compared with quercetin using HPLC, proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The activity of QLCs was tested in vitro against the NDV at a virulence titter of 10−5 Tissue Culture Infectious Dose 50% (TCID50) in chicken kidney cell culture. Results Solutions of 0.05% (w/v) QLCs were discovered to have antiviral activity against NDVs, with an average cytopathogenic effect antigenicity at a 10−5 dilution (p<0.05). Conclusions QLCs from flavonoids from the leaves of BD have in vitro antiviral bioactivity against NDV at a virulence titter of 10-5 Tissue Culture Infectious Dose 50% (TCID50) in chicken kidney cell culture. QLCs may have the potential to be developed as medicinal compounds for the treatment of other human or animal viral infections.
Case Report: Chest Pain as an Uncommon Presentation for Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis in a Female Patient Using SGLT2 inhibitor
Authors: M. Abbas Shahd , Jamal A.bagi Fajr , Abdalkarim Asmaa , Sabir Balla Nematalla , Abdelrahman Amro , Y Fadul Khalid
Published: May 2024

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are well-recognised antidiabetic medications among clinicians due to its highly protective effects on cardiovascular and renal systems on diabetic patients. However, one of its uncommonly reported side effects is the development of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EuDKA) which is characterized by mild hyperglycemia, ketosis and acidosis. Chest pain as a clinical presentation of EuDKA has been rarely reported in the literature. We present a case of a 46-year-old female with a past medical history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, and hypertriglyceridemia presented to the hospital with central chest pain that radiates to the back and is associated with mild shortness of breath and one bout of vomiting. She had been taking dapagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, for four years. She was found to have a blood glucose level of 7 mmol\L, high anion gap metabolic acidosis and ketonuria. Toxicology screening was unremarkable. She was diagnosed as a case of SGLT2-induced EuDKA and was treated with fluid, insulin and potassium chloride (KCL). Her hospital course went smoothly. Dapagloflzi was discontinued, and she was discharged home on oral metformin and subcutaneous insulin. This study highlights the rare occurance of chest pain as a presentation of EuDKA, an uncommon side effect of the widely used SGLT2 inhibitors. Chest pain in patients using SGLT2 Inhibitors should raise the clinician’s suspicion for possible EuDKA.
The first complete mitochondrional genome of Anopheles gibbinsi using a skimming sequencing approach.
Authors: Ali Renee , Gebhardt Mary E. , Lupiya James Sichivula , Muleba Mbanga , Norris Douglas E.
Published: May 2024

Mosquitoes belonging to the genus Anopheles are the only vectors of human malaria. Anopheles gibbinsi has been linked to malaria transmission in Kenya, with recent collections in Zambia reporting the mosquito species exhibiting zoophilic and exophilic behavioral patterns with occasional contact with humans. Given the paucity of genetic data, and challenges to identification and molecular taxonomy of the mosquitoes belonging to the Anopheles genus; we report the first complete mitochondrial genome of An. gibbinsi using a genome skimming approach. An Illumina Novaseq 6000 platform was used for sequencing, the length of the mitochondrial genome was 15401 bp, with 78.5% AT content comprised of 37 genes. Phylogenetic analysis by maximum likelihood using concatenation of the 13 protein coding genes demonstrated that An. marshallii was the closest relative based on existing sequence data. This study demonstrates that the skimming approach is an inexpensive and efficient approach for mosquito species identification and concurrent taxonomic rectification, which may be a useful alternative for generating reference sequence data for evolutionary studies among the Culicidae.
Spatial complexity of the cerebral cortex pial surface: quantitative assessment by two-dimensional fractal analysis of MRI brain scans
Authors: Maryenko Nataliia , Stepanenko Oleksandr
Published: May 2024

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the spatial complexity of the cerebral pial surface through two-dimensional fractal analysis of the external linear contour of cerebral hemispheres and to investigate the correlation between the parameters determined using Euclidean and fractal geometries.
Magnetic resonance brain images were obtained from 100 individuals (44 males and 56 females, aged 18–86 years). Five magnetic resonance images were selected from the MRI dataset of each brain, comprising four tomographic sections in the coronal plane and one section in the axial plane. Fractal dimension values of the linear contour of the pial surface of cerebral hemispheres were measured using the two-dimensional box counting method. Morphometric parameters based on Euclidean geometry were also determined (perimeter, area and their derivative values).
In this study, the obtained fractal dimension values were shown to be sensitive to the tortuosity of the linear contour of cerebral hemispheres, which depends on the number of gyri and sulci and the complexity of their shape. Therefore, the fractal dimension can be considered as an objective quantitative parameter characterizing the spatial complexity of the pial surface of cerebral hemispheres. The present study revealed that the Euclidean geometry-based morphometric parameters most strongly associated with the fractal dimension of the cerebral linear contour were the perimeter and the parameters calculated from perimeter values, including the perimeter-to-area ratio, shape factor, and two-dimensional gyrification index. Fractal dimension values did not exhibit strong correlations with age.
The data obtained in this study can be utilized for anatomical and anthropological studies. Furthermore, they hold practical applications in clinical contexts for diagnostic purposes, such as the diagnosis of congenital cerebral malformations and postnatal cerebral maldevelopment.
STUDY OF ALBUMIN, C-REACTIVE PROTEIN AND CALPROTECTIN AS NON-INVASIVE INDICATORS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND DIFFERENTIATION OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE
Authors: Ali Aamer M. , Abed Hayder H. , Nayif Eman Mobder , Salman Hamzah Abdulrahman
Published: May 2024

Background. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is defined as an “inflammatory conditions of the colon and small intestine”. The main forms of IBD are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. The study aims to evaluate fecal calprotectin with albumin and C-reactive protein as non-invasive indicators of (IBD), mainly in patients with digestive symptoms, who are offered for endoscopic-assessment.
Methods. The study includes 104 participants, who are divided into the control, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis groups. Gender, age, BMI, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as fecal calprotectin are measured.
Results. The results show a significant increase in C-reactive protein and calprotectin (26.77 ± 1.485 mg/l and 419.8 ± 16.99 µg/mg, respectively) in patients with ulcerative colitis, compared to the control group, which shows a mean value of 6.567 ± 1.802 mg/l and 92.98 ± 10.94 µg/mg for C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin, respectively. The highest value of the CRP result in patients with Crohn’s disease is 40.82 ± 2.191 mg/l and the highest significant difference in calprotectin value is 296.2 ± 17.87 µg/mg, related to the control.
Conclusion. The results show high and significant differences in serum C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin in the patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease compared to the healthy people in the control group. In addition, the results show a significant difference in serum C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin between the ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease groups. The results of the study suggest the use of these tests as non-invasive indicators to assess the diagnosis and its differentiation.
LEVEL OF ANXIETY OF YOUNG WOMEN WITH DIFFERENT BODY WEIGHT
Authors: Tyatenkova Nataliya N. , Bragina Aleksandra M. , Spivak Alexey S.
Published: May 2024

Background. One of the basic characteristics of the emotional sphere of a person is the level of anxiety. Disturbances of psycho-emotional state are regarded as predictors of overweight and obesity. At the same time, excessive accumulation of fat mass has an unfavorable effect on the psychosomatic status of patients.
Purpose. To evaluate the level of situational and personal anxiety of young women 17-25 years old with different body weight.
Materials and methods. 276 young women aged from 17 to 25 years were examined and divided into 3 groups. The first group included young women with body weight deficit, the second group included young women with normal body weight, and the third group included young women with excessive body weight and obesity. Body weight was estimated by the value of the ratio of body weight to the square of body length. The Spielberger-Hanin test was used to assess the level of anxiety. The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki of the World Medical Association. Statistical analysis was performed using the application package Statistica 10.0 and Microsoft Excel 2010.
Results. Deviations of body weight from normal values were revealed in 31.2% of girls. A low level of personal anxiety was characteristic of 2.9% of respondents, and a high level - of 52.2%.
The median of personal anxiety in the group with normal body weight was assessed as moderate, girls with deficit and excess body weight - as high. The prevalence of a high level of situational anxiety was significantly higher in the underweight and overweight groups.
Conclusion. A high level of situational anxiety of young women is associated with overweight and obesity.
Difficulties in diagnosing eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Authors: Artamonova D.
Published: May 2024

The publication considers a clinical case of eosinophilic granulomatosis in an elderly man. Clinical observation, the development of symptoms of the disease, the diagnostic process, the selection of therapy, and the dynamics after treatment courses are demonstrated.
Monte Carlo Fictitious Play for Finding Pure Nash Equilibria in Identical Interest Games
Authors: Kiatsupaibul Seksan , Pedrielli Giulia , Ryan Christopher Thomas , Smith Robert L. , Zabinsky Zelda B.
Published: May 2024

This paper addresses the broader topic of using game theoretical learning mechanisms to efficiently and effectively identify relevant (e.g., optimal and non-mixed) solutions to large scale optimization problems. The longer-term goal is for the proposed MCFP-variants to become established methods for finding pure Nash equilibria and global optima of large-scale problems.
The Role of Lookahead and Approximate Policy Evaluation in Reinforcement Learning with Linear Value Function Approximation
Authors: Winnicki Anna , Lubars Joseph , Livesay Michael , Srikant R.
Published: May 2024

Role of Lookahead in Modified Policy Iteration with Linear Value Function Approximation

In many applications of reinforcement learning, the underlying system dynamics are known, but computing the optimal policy is still difficult because the size of the state space can be enormously large. For example, Shannon famously estimated the number of states in chess to be approximately 10120. To handle such enormous state space sizes, policy iteration algorithms make two major approximations; it is assumed that the value function lies in a lower-dimensional space and that only a few steps of a trajectory (called rollout) are used to evaluate a policy. Using a counterexample, we show that approximations can lead to the divergence of policy iteration. We show that sufficient lookahead in the policy improvement step mitigates this divergence and leads to algorithms with bounded errors. We also show that these errors can be controlled by appropriately choosing an appropriate amount of lookahead and rollout.
Bridging the Chasm Between Intentions and Behaviors: Developing and Testing a Construal Level Theory of Internal Whistle-Blowing
Authors: Vadera Abhijeet K. , Tenbrunsel Ann E. , Diekmann Kristina A.
Published: May 2024

The recent wave of corporate scandals has necessitated a more systematic investigation of internal whistle-blowing as a potential way to prevent wrongdoing. Our understanding of whistle-blowing, however, has been hampered by a deep chasm that exists between employees’ intent to blow the whistle and their whistle-blowing behaviors. We argue that to fully bridge this gap, we need to consider employees’ cognitive states at the time of whistle-blowing intentions versus behaviors and to link these cognitive states to the ethical systems within the organization’s ethical infrastructure to understand which systems are more effective in cultivating whistle-blowing intentions and which systems help translate those intentions into behaviors. Across one multisource field study and one multiwave experiment, we found support for our arguments that top management values-based communication systems, which are more high construal (abstract), affect whistle-blowing intentions whereas ethical accountability systems and ethical retaliatory systems, which are more low construal (concrete), moderate the relationship between whistle-blowing intentions and behaviors. By linking ethical systems within the organization’s ethical infrastructure to the two stages (intentions and behaviors) of the whistle-blowing process and the accompanying cognitive states, we develop and empirically test a construal level theory of internal whistle-blowing.

Funding: This work was supported by the Ministry of Education, Singapore, under its Academic Research Fund Grant Calls [MOE 2019-T2-1-192 and MSS16B012].
Keeping patients safe through medication review and management in the community
Authors: Idris Muhammad Usamah Bin Mohamed , Jamil Nursa'adah Binte , Yi Xu , Su-Fee Lim , Yuh Ang Shin , Aloweni Fazila , Towle Rachel Marie
Published: May 2024

Background:

There are numerous publications on inpatient medication errors. However, little focus is given to medication errors that occur at home.

Aims:

To describe and analyse the types of medication errors among community-dwelling patients following their discharge from an acute care hospital in Singapore.

Method:

This is a retrospective review of a ‘good catch’ reporting system from December 2018 to March 2022. Medication-related errors were extracted and analysed.

Findings:

A total of 73 reported medication-related error incidents were reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 78 years old (SD=9). Most patients managed their medications independently at home (45.2%, n=33). The majority of medications involved were cardiovascular medications (51.5%, n=50). Incorrect dosing (41.1%, n=39) was the most common medication error reported. Poor understanding of medication usage (35.6%, n=26) and lack of awareness of medication changes after discharge (24.7%, n=18) were the primary causes of the errors.

Conclusion:

This study's findings provide valuable insights into reducing medication errors at home. More attention must be given to post-discharge care, especially to preventable medication errors. Medication administration and management education can be emphasised using teach-back methods.
The politicization of militarization
Authors: McCarthy Bethany , Stokes Adam , Jackson Jonathan
Published: May 2024

The role of the military is often clear: identify, engage, and destroy the enemy. This is true of all conflicts throughout human history, with armies varying in complexity and scale. This function is distinct from that of policing, which aims to produce a structure to manage communities and provide public safety. The gap between these two paradigms has been rapidly reducing since 9/11, with the global threat of terrorism becoming a tool to justify increasing spending on securitization. This article speculates and debates this transition, demonstrating the key areas of discussion of targeted recruitment of military personnel or the challenge that such an approach has on the ideals of British policing. The piece hopes to examine current and historic discourse to examine whether this is a sleepwalk to authoritarian approaches or directed recruitment is simply an attempt to capture skills and talent to improve policing standards.
Colorectal Cancer Screening in Free Clinics: A Systematic Review
Authors: Deshpande Saarang R. , Wieland Lillian , Wang Zhuoyang , Kamath Suneel
Published: May 2024

Abstract: Objective. There are significant inequities in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and outcomes. Via literature review, we assessed CRC screening rates for the vulnerable populations served by free clinics. Methods. A systematic review was conducted for publications on CRC screening in free clinics. Outcomes included CRC screening characteristics, population demographics, and limitations. A methodological quality assessment was completed. Results. Out of 63 references, six studies were included, representing 8,844 participants. Black or Hispanic participants were the plurality in all but one study. All participants were uninsured. Median CRC screening rate was 48.4% (range 6.6–78.9%). Screening methods included colonoscopy, fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and fecal immunochemical test. Clinics offering only one screening method had a mean screening rate of 7.2% while those with multiple methods had a screening rate of 65.4%. Conclusion. Access to multiple CRC screening modalities correlates with higher screening rates in free clinics. More work is needed to increase CRC screening in free clinics.
Health Insurance Coverage Predicts Health Care Use among Latine Immigrants in Two Policy Contexts
Authors: Morrissey Taryn , Castleberry Neko Michelle , McHale Duncan , Sol Catalina , Dondero Molly , Yamanis Thespina
Published: May 2024

Abstract: This study analyzed electronic health record (EHR) data from 2016 through 2019 from a federally qualified health center (FQHC) serving predominantly low-income Latine immigrants in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area to examine how changes in health insurance coverage relate to changes in health care use. Federally qualified health center clients were insured for an average of 59% to 63% of their annual visits, but about one-third had no coverage throughout the year. Findings from descriptive regression and within-client fixed effects models indicate that in years with higher proportions of insured visits, clients averaged more medical visits and interpreter services but fewer mental health and care coordination visits. Latine immigrant clients in D.C., a city with a universal health insurance option, had health insurance coverage for 89% of their visits, and averaged more medical and fewer coordination visits relative to those in a neighboring county in a state without a universal insurance option.
The Use of Health Equity Impact Assessments to Modify Evidence Based Strategies within Local Health Departments in North Carolina
Authors: Belton Imani J. , Yates Lindsey , Magee Erin , Cilenti Dorothy , Tucker Christine
Published: May 2024

Abstract: Background. Health equity impact assessments (HEIAs) inform the reduction of health inequities by evaluating programs or policies that affect target populations. Local health departments (LHD) receiving funding through the Improving Community Outcomes for Maternal and Child Health (ICO4MCH) Program conducted HEIAs for evidence-based strategies (EBSs). This paper describes the impact of HEIAs on the implementation of EBSs and highlights lessons learned during implementation of HEIA modifications. Methods. We conducted a content analysis using data from the HEIA Modification Tracker and focus groups to identify themes and lessons learned. Results. Fifteen HEIAs were conducted by five LHDs between 2016 and 2020. The most common modifications to EBS implementation were 1) increasing education and training for community members and 2) altering messaging mediums and language to reach intended audiences. Discussion. Health equity impact assessments serve as a systematic and tangible way to center health equity, reflect on past processes, and inform improvements.
Exploring Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Youths' E-Cigarette Resistance Strategies: Implications for Tobacco Product Use Prevention
Authors: Okamoto Scott K. , Subica Andrew M. , An Katlyn J. , Okamura Kelsie H. , Song Sarah D. , Saladino Paula Angela , Carson Adabelle B. , Stephens Tea A. , Marshall Sarah Momilani , Chin Steven Keone , Wills Thomas A. , Kaholokula Joseph Keawe'aimoku , Pokhrel Pallav
Published: May 2024

Abstract: This study examined the e-cigarette and vaping resistance strategies used by Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) youths in rural Hawai'i. Focus groups ( N = 17) were conducted in eight geographically dispersed elementary, middle/intermediate, and multilevel schools in low-income communities on Hawai'i Island. Sixty-nine youths (67% NHPI, Mage = 12.5 years) participated in this study. The resistance strategies discussed across the greatest number of groups were "refuse" (saying no), "explain" (providing reasons for vaping refusal), "avoid" (avoiding people or places where e-cigarettes were used), and "leave" (walking away from a situation where e-cigarettes were being used). Participants described the challenges in using these strategies within contexts characterized by widespread peer and family vaping and strong social demands to use e-cigarettes. The findings suggest the need for multi-level interventions based on youths' resistance strategies to meaningfully reduce youth vaping use in rural and/or NHPI communities.
Marking Time in an Artisan Community
Authors: Shuman Amy
Published: May 2024

Abstract: This account of the marble carving artisans of Pietrasanta, Italy, explores familiar assumptions about artisan time through an exploration of multiple, intersecting temporalities including geologic, historical, political, cultural, and technological time. Artisan practices are often relegated to the past, are understood to coexist more or less uncomfortably with the present, and are not even imagined as existing in the future. Like all chronotopes, situated in place and time, artisan narratives are ideologically motivated, whether marked as time standing still, as outmoded relics of an earlier era, as nostalgic perpetuations of the past, or as legacies perpetuated in the present.
Childhood Interests: what they are and why it matters
Authors: Bester Johan C. , Blustein Jeffrey
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT: This paper examines the concept and moral significance of “childhood interests.” This concept is important in medical decision-making for children and more broadly in the field of pediatric ethics. The authors argue that childhood interests are identifiable components of childhood well-being that carry moral weight. Parents have a special role in protecting and promoting these interests and special obligations to do so. These parental obligations are grounded by the independent interests of the child, as well as the good of society more generally. Because parents have these child-rearing obligations, they must also have the authority and wide discretion necessary to fulfill them. However, while parental discretion is wide, it is not unlimited, for it must be used to safeguard and advance childhood interests.
Designing solar control coatings
Authors: Willey Ronald R.
Published: May 2024

A solar control coating for window glass endeavors to transmit as much daylight as possible for the human eye and reflect as much solar heat as possible. A silver film that is thick enough to reflect the solar energy in the infrared can be divided into two or three sub-layers and combined with dielectric layers to anti-reflect (AR) the visible light. The combination of a metal and dielectric layer–pair acts as a two-layer AR coating at the wavelengths of the visible spectrum and maximizes the potential transmittance of the metal layer. The longer wavelengths in the infrared are reflected because they are outside of the AR band.
Efficient generation of broadband photon pairs in shallow-etched lithium niobate nanowaveguides
Authors: Fang Xiao-Xu , Wang Leiran , Lu He
Published: May 2024

We design and fabricate shallow-etched periodically poled lithium niobate waveguides to realize highly efficient broadband spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) on nanophotonic chips. The shallow-etched waveguide can tolerate the non-uniformities of waveguide width induced by fabrication imperfections, enabling the generation of photon pairs with high count rate and bandwidth. We demonstrate photon-pair generation with a high brightness of 11.7 GHz/mW and bandwidth of 22 THz in a 5.7-mm-long PPLN waveguide. The generated photon pairs exhibit a strong temporal correlation with a coincidence-to-accidental ratio of up to 16262±850. Our results confirm the feasibility of shallow etching in the fabrication of an efficient SPDC device on the platform of lithium niobate on an insulator, and benefit quantum information processing with a broadband photon source.
Photoluminescence probing of light absorption centers at silica laser damage
Authors: Rho Yoonsoo , Daeumer Matthias A. , Miller Christopher F. , Mah Christopher M. , Laurence Ted A. , Carr Christopher W. , Yoo Jae Hyuck
Published: May 2024

We use photoluminescence (PL) imaging to study damage growth precursors within laser damage sites on the surface of silica. Damage site evolution is induced by multiple shots of UV nanosecond pulsed laser at various energy densities and monitored throughout the early stages of growth. Wide-field PL imaging rapidly locates microscopic light absorption centers within the silica damage site. Our quantitative analysis shows that damage sites with strong local PL intensity show a higher probability of growth upon subsequent laser pulses. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) paired with a study of PL spectrum shows that the strong PL intensity appears from the subsurface fractures with high defect density, which provides a local light absorption center leading to significant damage growth. We believe that this result offers an efficient optical damage mitigation strategy by providing a rapid and non-destructive optical inspection approach.
Stacking spectral lines with multiplexed Bragg gratings in an acousto-optical tunable filter
Authors: Fagginger Auer F. J. , Keller C. U.
Published: May 2024

Volume Bragg gratings are a useful tool for spectral manipulation in a variety of settings. In a previous paper [ Astron. & Astrophys. to be published, (2024)] we simulated an astronomical instrument that detects molecules on exoplanets by optically creating matched filters using multiplexed Bragg gratings, which optically stack spectral lines. Here, we confirm that we can freely modify and multiplex Bragg gratings, with an acousto-optical tunable filter (AOTF) and that we can stack spectral features in a lab setup using a commercially available AOTF. We find that we are able to multiplex an additional grating or modify an existing grating without altering other multiplexed gratings, so long as the bandpasses do not overlap. We can also successfully stack emission and absorption lines, producing comparable results when optically overlaying spectral lines and computationally summing images of separate lines.
Effect of absorption of laser light in mirrors on Fabry-Pérot based refractometry
Authors: Zakrisson Johan , Silander Isak , Kussike André , Rubin Tom , Zelan Martin , Axner Ove
Published: May 2024

This work models and experimentally assesses the influence of absorption of laser light in mirrors in Fabry-Pérot based refractometers used for realization of pressure. Model parameters are assessed by experimental characterizations. Characterizations of two refractometers agree well with the predictions of the model. It is shown that, when pressures are assessed in the viscous region, the absorption of laser light in mirrors will give rise to a small alteration in the proportional response and a pressure-independent offset, where the latter is significant for He but considerably smaller for Ar and N2.
Joint reconstruction algorithm: combining synchrotron radiation with conventional X-ray computed tomography for improved imaging
Authors: Cao Pengxin , Zhang Shiang , Zhao Jun , Sun Jianqi
Published: May 2024

Synchrotron radiation (SR) is an excellent light source for micro-CT (micro-computed tomography) applications due to its monochromaticity and high brightness, which are crucial for achieving high-resolution imaging. However, when scanning larger objects, the limited field of view (FOV) of SR will lead to data truncation, limiting its utilization efficiency. To address this limitation, this paper proposed a method to integrate conventional X-ray CT data to supplement the truncated SR data for joint reconstruction to improve imaging. We first employ a polynomial transformation to match the image gray levels from the two distinct light sources and then resample these to form joint data. Subsequently, the method derives noise images from the noise characteristics of the projection data to construct image weight constraint that accurately reflects different data quality from two sources. The flexibility of the image weight constraint also allows for its combination with various denoisers to further enhance the reconstruction quality. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can leverage the strengths of both imaging modalities to facilitate larger scale and high-resolution imaging.
Low-cost and efficient all group-IV visible/shortwave infrared dual-band photodetector
Authors: Lin Guangyang , Zhu Yiming , Ding Haokun , Chen Guowei , Yang Tianwei , Jiang Li , Wang Rui , Shentu Xiaowei , Li Cheng
Published: May 2024

Low-cost broadband photodetectors (PDs) based on group-IV materials are highly demanded. Herein, a vertical all group-IV graphene-i-n (Gr-i-n) structure based on sputtering-grown undoped Ge0.92Sn0.08/Ge multiple quantum wells (MQWs) on n-Ge substrate was proposed to realize efficient visible/shortwave infrared (VIS/SWIR) dual-band photoresponse. Harnessing Gr-germanium tin (GeSn)/Ge MQWs van der Waals heterojunctions, an extended surface depletion region was established, facilitating separation and transportation of photogenerated carriers at VIS wavelengths. Consequently, remarkable VIS/SWIR dual-band response ranging from 400 to 2000 nm with a rapid response time of 23 μs was achieved. Compared to the PD without Gr, the external quantum efficiency at 420, 660, and 1520 nm was effectively enhanced by 10.2-, 5.2-, and 1.2-fold, reaching 40, 42, and 50%, respectively. This research paves the way for the advancement of all group-IV VIS/SWIR broadband PDs and presents what we believe to be a novel approach to the design of low-cost broadband PDs.
Design and fabrication of a porous prism film for display backlight applications
Authors: Su Fang-Hsuan , Horng Ray-Hua , Wuu Dong-Sing
Published: May 2024

This study demonstrates a fabrication method of a porous brightness enhancement film (pBEF) that offers brightness enhancement, light diffusion, color shift reduction, and improved thermal stability. During the ultraviolet imprinting and solvent evaporation processes, the nano/submicron-sized air pores are generated within the polymer prism structure, and micropatterns spontaneously form on the prism surface. The inner pores ranging from 30 to 450 nm can effectively scatter light to mitigate color shift, which is caused by multiple internal reflections within the prism structure. The micropatterns have multiple rings formed one around another with 5–15-µm diameter on the prism surface improve visual quality. Moreover, the obtained functions are achieved in a single film solution, obviating the need for using multiple materials, and the fabrication process is relatively simple and fast as it is conducted under ambient conditions. When the pBEF is integrated into a liquid-crystal display backlight, it provides the brightness enhancement performance and comparable viewing angle distribution of a regular BEF combined with an additional diffuser (two films) and increases brightness by ∼8% compared to a bead prism (particle-based BEF). Additionally, it reduces the redshift (Δxy) from 0.1605 to 0.1415. Furthermore, the pBEF exhibits a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the regular BEF.
Identifying bias in models that detect vocal fold paralysis from audio recordings using explainable machine learning and clinician ratings
Authors: Low Daniel M. , Rao Vishwanatha , Randolph Gregory , Song Phillip C. , Ghosh Satrajit S.
Published: May 2024

Detecting voice disorders from voice recordings could allow for frequent, remote, and low-cost screening before costly clinical visits and a more invasive laryngoscopy examination. Our goals were to detect unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) from voice recordings using machine learning, to identify which acoustic variables were important for prediction to increase trust, and to determine model performance relative to clinician performance. Patients with confirmed UVFP through endoscopic examination (N = 77) and controls with normal voices matched for age and sex (N = 77) were included. Voice samples were elicited by reading the Rainbow Passage and sustaining phonation of the vowel "a". Four machine learning models of differing complexity were used. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) was used to identify important features. The highest median bootstrapped ROC AUC score was 0.87 and beat clinician’s performance (range: 0.74–0.81) based on the recordings. Recording durations were different between UVFP recordings and controls due to how that data was originally processed when storing, which we can show can classify both groups. And counterintuitively, many UVFP recordings had higher intensity than controls, when UVFP patients tend to have weaker voices, revealing a dataset-specific bias which we mitigate in an additional analysis. We demonstrate that recording biases in audio duration and intensity created dataset-specific differences between patients and controls, which models used to improve classification. Furthermore, clinician’s ratings provide further evidence that patients were over-projecting their voices and being recorded at a higher amplitude signal than controls. Interestingly, after matching audio duration and removing variables associated with intensity in order to mitigate the biases, the models were able to achieve a similar high performance. We provide a set of recommendations to avoid bias when building and evaluating machine learning models for screening in laryngology.
Digital mental health and peer support: Building a Theory of Change informed by stakeholders’ perspectives
Authors: Thomson Meigan , Henderson Gregor , Rogers Tim , Locke Benjamin , Vines John , MacBeth Angus
Published: May 2024

Digital Mental Health and Peer support has the potential to bridge gaps in support through its scalability and accessibility. Despite the increasing use of these platforms, there remains a lack of understanding of how they operate in real life, from initial engagement to longer-term impact. We aimed to explore the key inputs, processes, user interactions, assumptions, barriers, facilitators, outcomes, and impacts associated with the use of DMH and peer support platforms by developing a Theory of Change with stakeholders. Stakeholders (n = 77) contributed to the formulation of the Theory of Change through a series of online workshops, focus groups, interviews, and open-ended survey feedback. Workshops were structured to capture information related to aspects of the Theory of Change and to allow stakeholders to provide feedback to improve the diagram. A thematic framework approach was used to analyze transcripts to enable comparisons of factors reported by members, commissioners, and platform staff. Stakeholders identified a variety of factors contributing to initial inputs, processes, outcomes, and impact. Engagement emerged as the most significant barrier to the use of platforms. Motivations for use included filling in gaps in available support, connecting with others and upskilling. Different member types determined how users would interact with the platform which could influence the social response of others. Outcomes were largely positive including provision of a safe online space, improvement in wellbeing, and feeling connected to others. Stakeholders noted impact was harder to identify due to the preventative nature of these platforms but suggested this related to the knowledge of available support, reduction in waiting for support and in referrals, and increasing engagement and uptake of the platforms. Stakeholders identified assumptions regarding internet access as a significant barrier. The Theory of Change illustrated three distinct pathways in digital mental health and peer support. Further research is needed to improve engagement and factors influencing engagement, the member experience and how impact is measured.
Brain age monotonicity and functional connectivity differences of healthy subjects
Authors: Sorooshyari Siamak K.
Published: May 2024

Alterations in the brain’s connectivity or the interactions among brain regions have been studied with the aid of resting state (rs)fMRI data attained from large numbers of healthy subjects of various demographics. This has been instrumental in providing insight into how a phenotype as fundamental as age affects the brain. Although machine learning (ML) techniques have already been deployed in such studies, novel questions are investigated in this work. We study whether young brains develop properties that progressively resemble those of aged brains, and if the aging dynamics of older brains provide information about the aging trajectory in young subjects. The degree of a prospective monotonic relationship will be quantified, and hypotheses of brain aging trajectories will be tested via ML. Furthermore, the degree of functional connectivity across the age spectrum of three datasets will be compared at a population level and across sexes. The findings scrutinize similarities and differences among the male and female subjects at greater detail than previously performed.
ADAMTSL2 is a potential prognostic biomarker and immunotherapeutic target for colorectal cancer: Bioinformatic analysis and experimental verification
Authors: Huang Zhe , Hu Xu , Wei Yiqiu , Lai Yousheng , Qi Jiaming , Pang Jinglin , Huang Kang , Li Huagui , Cai Pengzhu
Published: May 2024

The ADAMTS Like 2 (ADAMTSL2) mutation has been identified to be associated with different human genetic diseases. The role of ADAMTSL2 is unclear in colorectal cancer (CRC). The study investigated the expression of ADAMTSL2 in both pan cancer and CRC, using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to assess its diagnostic value. The study examined the correlation between ADAMTSL2 expression levels and clinical characteristics, as well as prognosis in CRC. The study explored potential regulatory networks involving ADAMTSL2, including its association with immune infiltration, immune checkpoint genes, tumor mutational burden (TMB) / microsatellite instability (MSI), tumor stemness index (mRNAsi), and drug sensitivity in CRC. ADAMTSL2 expression was validated using GSE71187 and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). ADAMTSL2 was aberrantly expressed in pan cancer and CRC. An increased level of ADAMTSL2 expression in patients with CRC was significantly associated with the pathologic N stage (p< 0.001), pathologic stage (p< 0.001), age (p< 0.001), histological type (p< 0.001), and neoplasm type (p= 0.001). The high expression of ADAMTSL2 in patients with CRC was found to be significantly associated with a poorer overall survival (OS) (HR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.18–2.38;p= 0.004), progression-free survival (PFS) (HR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.14–2.11;p= 0.005) and disease-specific survival (DSS) (HR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.16–2.89;p= 0.010). The expression of ADAMTSL2 in patients with CRC (p= 0.009) was identified as an independent prognostic determinant. ADAMTSL2 was associated with extracellular matrix receptor (ECM-receptor) interaction, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling pathway, and more. ADAMTSL2 expression was correlated with immune infiltration, immune checkpoint genes, TMB / MSI and mRNAsi in CRC. ADAMTSL2 expression was significantly and negatively correlated with 1-BET-762, Trametinib, and WZ3105 in CRC. ADAMTSL2 was significantly upregulated in CRC cell lines. The high expression of ADAMTSL2 is significantly correlated with lower OS and immune infiltration of CRC. ADAMTSL2 may be a potential prognostic biomarker and immunotherapeutic target for CRC patients.
Assessment of the environmental impacts of conflict-driven Internally Displaced Persons: A sentinel-2 satellite based analysis of land use/cover changes in the Kas locality, Darfur, Sudan
Authors: Ahmed Abdalrahman , Rotich Brian , Czimber Kornel
Published: May 2024

Internal displacement of populations due to armed conflicts can substantially impact a region’s Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) and the efforts towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The objective of this study was to determine the effects of conflict-driven Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on vegetation cover and environmental sustainability in the Kas locality of Darfur, Sudan. Supervised classification and change analysis were performed on Sentinel-2 satellite images for the years 2016 and 2022 using QGIS software. The Sentinel-2 Level 2A data were analysed using the Random Forest (RF) Machine Learning (ML) classifier. Five land cover types were successfully classified (agricultural land, vegetation cover, built-up area, sand, and bareland) with overall accuracies of more than 86% and Kappa coefficients greater than 0.74. The results revealed a 35.33% (-10.20 km2) decline in vegetation cover area over the six-year study period, equivalent to an average annual loss rate of -5.89% (-1.70 km2) of vegetation cover. In contrast, agricultural land and built-up areas increased by 17.53% (98.12 km2) and 60.53% (5.29 km2) respectively between the two study years. The trends of the changes among different LULC classes suggest potential influences of human activities especially the IDPs, natural processes, and a combination of both in the study area. This study highlights the impacts of IDPs on natural resources and land cover patterns in a conflict-affected region. It also offers pertinent data that can support decision-makers in restoring the affected areas and preventing further environmental degradation for sustainability.
The Wellbeing of Rural K-12 Educators: Applying PERMA in Rural Schools during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ingman Benjamin , Anderson Elizabeth , Grant Sandra , Belansky Elaine
Published: May 2024

Objective: In this paper we describe the status of wellbeing for school personnel in the 2021-22 school year through the PERMA framework and the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic adversely impacted dimensions of wellbeing. Methods: We administered the workplace wellbeing survey (a quantitative instrument based on PERMA) to school staff members in a rural/frontier region of a western state of the United States. Overall, 777 persons completed it, including 463 teachers from 23 school districts. Results: PERMA constructs of meaning and accomplishment were higher than other constructs and may serve as an anchor for wellbeing in education. Teachers showed lower levels of positive emotion, engagement, and accomplishment, when compared to nonteachers in schools. When compared with non-Hispanic personnel, Hispanic personnel had lower levels of wellbeing in the domain of relationships and reported a more severe adverse impact from the COVID-19 pandemic on both social and physical wellbeing. Conclusions: Adopting a more nuanced view of educator wellbeing, as defined by more than the mere absence of burnout and attrition is critical to fostering educational practices that promote the flourishing of school personnel.
Od přístupu bez omezení po tužku a papír: posteditace strojového překladu v překladatelsky zaměřeném studiu
Authors: Svoboda Tomáš , Schwarz Šimon
Published: May 2024

In many institutes that prepare future translators, the rapid development of machine translation (MT) technology led to it being reflected in translator training. The effort to adapt translation programmes or courses to this development most commonly manifests itself in the introduction of new content features into the curriculum, specifically machine translation post-editing (MTPE). Regardless of any formal integration of these processes into translator training, students are aware of the available MT technology and use it even in seminars focused on traditional (i.e., human) translation, not MTPE. As a result, instructors face the question of whether they will tolerate such practices or attempt to contain them. In light of this development, a survey was carried out at different translator-training institutes within the European Master’s in Translation network in the Autumn of 2022 to map the way they implement MTPE. The research was concerned with both actual instruction and exams in translation courses as well as with final exams at the end of a study programme. This article assesses quantitative data (i.e. the respondents’ answers to survey questions) and reviews the comments of respondents regarding the use of MTPE in their institutes (qualitative approach). Furthermore, some outcomes of discussions to this effect, which took place at the Institute of Translation Studies, Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague, are incorporated here, too. The survey results show that most translation seminars cover MTPE to a limited extent only. During actual instruction the most common way to track MT use is the requirement that students supply a commentary together with their translations. In it, students demonstrate if their strategy was a reflected one, if they used MT and, if so, to what extent. When it comes to examinations, the attitude towards MT was generally a liberal one. Thus it involves no ban being imposed on MT usage and/or students are not discouraged from using it in slightly over 50% of recorded cases, combined. If, however, MT is explicitly banned in the course, the ban is more likely to be enforced during exams rather than in actual instruction during seminars. The article concludes with an outlook of future developments predicting a continued proliferation of translation technology in translation training, including a more pronounced blending of MT use and MTPE in dedicated classes.