bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Topical Treatment and Aesthetic Procedures in Management of Acne Vulgaris
Authors: Nowińska Bianka , Brzozowska Patrycja , Bińczyk Wiktoria , Lissak Karina , Siudek Bartosz , Dróżdż Olrgierd
Published: July 2024

Acne vulgaris is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting up to 80% of young adults and adolescents. The pathogenesis of acne is multifactorial and involves the pilosebaceous units of the skin. As a result of the disease process, skin lesions such as open and closed comedones, nodules, pustules, and papules appear on the skin. In recent years, acne has been increasingly observed in younger patients, which is associated with the earlier onset of puberty. Moreover, acne is increasingly diagnosed in individuals over 20 years of age, particularly in women, which is referred to as adult female acne (AFA). Effective and rapid implementation of treatment is crucial to prevent complications such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and acne scars, as well as to mitigate the negative psychological impact of the disease on patients. The article discusses both topical treatment and aesthetic medicine procedures in the management of acne vulgaris. Topical treatments include the use of retinoids, antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, clascoterone, dapsone, azelaic acid, and combination therapies. Aesthetic procedures such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, photodynamic therapy, blue light therapy, and laser therapies can be beneficial as adjunctive treatments. The article also addresses the issue of acne as a comorbid condition in patients seeking aesthetic medicine treatments, even if it is not the primary reason for their visit.
The Most Common Injuries in Soccer: An Analytical Review
Authors: Dąda Paweł , Pawlik Paweł , Zaroda Przemysław
Published: July 2024

Soccer, also known as football in many parts of the world, is a sport with a high incidence of injuries due to its physically demanding nature. This paper reviews the most common injuries sustained by soccer players, their causes, prevention strategies, and rehabilitation processes. Understanding these injuries can help in developing better training programs and safety measures to protect athletes.
Are they give you wings or cut you down - an analysis of the effects of energy drinks on human health
Authors: Białogłowski Konrad , Giżewska Kamila , Bochyński Karol , Dacka Michał , Dąbrowska Paulina , Żuber Michał , Molenda Katarzyna , Borodziuk Barbara , Borodziuk Filip , Ciuba Katarzyna
Published: July 2024

This work aims to study the effects of energy drink consumption on human health. In recent years, the consumption of energy drinks has increased significantly, which has sparked the interest of scientists and health experts. In Poland and a few other countries, new laws have been applied to regulate the consumption of energy drinks by minors. In this review paper, we analyze the available scientific research on the effects of energy drinks on physical and mental health. In this paper, we focus on the potential benefits and risks of consuming energy drinks, and the common and dangerous combination with alcohol. We discuss the effects of caffeine, taurine, guarana and other ingredients on the body, and their potential side effects. In addition, we consider the effects of these beverages on the cardiovascular system, cognitive ability, and possible health effects associated with excessive consumption. The conclusions of this work can help to understand the complex health effects of energy drinks and draw attention to the need for caution and moderation in their consumption. Ultimately, this work aims to provide up-to-date knowledge on this issue to assist in making informed decisions about energy drink consumption in the context of a healthy lifestyle.
Instagrammers adolescentes: creación, hiperexposición de las chicas y participación de la audiencia.
Authors: Suárez-Álvarez Rebeca , Garícia-Jiménez Antonio , López de Ayala María Cruz
Published: July 2024

Instagram impulsa la cultura digital visual a través de sus propias lenguas vernáculas en la que los instagrammers adolescentes se desenvuelven de forma natural, lo que les convierte en líderes de opinión para millones de seguidores en todo el mundo. Buscan viralizar contenidos con los que fidelizar e incrementar el compromiso de sus seguidores. Para avanzar en la comprensión del marco de producción e interrelación entre influencers y seguidores, se investigan seis instagrammers –tres chicos y tres chicas– de 13, 14 y 16 años con más de 100 mil seguidores durante 18 meses (15/10/21-15/4/23). Mediante metodología cuantitativa-descriptiva, se analizan todas las publicaciones viralizadas durante el tiempo de estudio que alcanzan 583 publicaciones con más de 4M de interacciones. Se estudian sus marcos de producción correlacionados con sus niveles de respuesta en sus seguidores. Los resultados muestran que las instagrammers adolescentes lideran la comunicación en esta red social con mayor número de seguidores, seis veces más publicaciones y 32 veces más interacciones que los chicos. El 69 % de los post los viralizan de lunes a viernes siendo los vídeos los formatos que se correlacionan con los likes que reciben de la audiencia. La exposición de estos menores instagrammers permite vislumbrar la contribución de los progenitores o sus conocimientos de programación de la plataforma, confirman la exigencia de constante viralización de contenidos para lograr la participación de sus seguidores y debería alertar de los posibles riesgos a los que pueden verse expuestos.
Spelling Development of Korean 1st Graders with and without Developmental Dyslexia
Authors: Kim Heejin , Yu Haerim , Lee Kahyun , Pae Soyeong
Published: July 2024

Objectives: This study examined the word writing abilities of Korean 1st graders with and without developmental dyslexia (DD) considering meaning accessibility and the structure of a Korean syllable. Methods: Fifteen typically developing children (TD) and fifteen children with developmental dyslexia were assigned word writing tasks in the first and second semesters of the first year. The word writing task contains ten words and ten non-words containing forty syllable-initial and syllable-medial graphemes, and twenty-two syllable-final graphemes. The analysis of the results was conducted in grapheme units, and the accuracy for each word/nonword and the error rate for each structure of a syllable was determined. Results: The DD group showed significant growth in both words/nonwords writing accuracy by the second semester, and the error rates of syllable-initial, syllable-medial, and syllable-final graphemes significantly decreased from the first to the second semester for the DD group. The TD group showed no significant difference in word/non-words writing, and there was no significant difference in error rates according to the structure of a syllable. Both the DD and TD groups showed higher error rates in final graphemes in both the first and second semesters. Conclusion: The word writing abilities of the DD group showed significant growth between the first and second semesters but still had difficulties, particularly in the final grapheme writing. The TD group developed word writing first, and nonword writing was still in development. But final grapheme writing was difficult even for TD group. Follow-up studies are needed to closely observe the developmental processes comparing with decoding level matched TD children.
Characteristics of Word-Finding Behaviors in Healthy Elderly Adults according to the Type of Spontaneous Speech Task
Authors: Park Ji Hyun , Choi Hyunjoo
Published: July 2024

Objectives: Spontaneous speech is known to be a task that can efficiently assess communication problems in the healthy elderly adults. In this study, we aimed to investigate the differences in word-finding behaviors according to three types of spontaneous speech tasks (picture description, story telling, and topic telling) in healthy elderly adults. In addition, this study aimed to investigate the differences in word-finding behaviors by gender and age group in healthy elderly adults. Methods: One hundred sixty-seven healthy elderly adults were asked to perform three tasks: picture description, story telling, and topic telling. Word-finding behaviors were analyzed using global index and word reformulations, repetitions, empty words, time fillers, insertions, and delays. Results: First, the main effects of gender and task type were significant for the number of words, with women producing more utterances in topic telling. Second, the main effects of gender and task type were significant for global index, with males showing higher global index in topic telling. Third, men produced higher rates of word reformulations and repetitions than women in the word-finding behavior. Among the word-finding behaviors, the production rates of word reformulations, empty words, insertions, and delays were significant by task type, and the difference between age groups was significant only for empty words. Conclusion: This study is significant because it examined the differences in the rate of word-finding behaviors across types of spontaneous speech tasks and also analyzed differences across gender and age groups.
Effects of Voice Therapy using Semi-Occluded Ventilation Mask and Speech Tasks on Adults with Vocal Fatigue
Authors: Shin Won Seok , Lee Seung Jin
Published: July 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the vocal changes in adults experiencing subjective vocal fatigue through a three-week intervention employing a semi-occluded ventilation mask (SOVM), which is a type of semi-occluded vocal tract exercise (SOVTE), and Korean speech materials. Methods: We implemented a three-week intervention program using an SOVM and a protocol based on Korean speech materials for 22 Korean adults (5 males and 17 females, aged 25.81 ± 7.31 years) reporting subjective vocal fatigue. The SOVM was fabricated by establishing a semi-occluded environment using a silicone plug with a central hole, which was inserted into the front opening of an air-cushion mask, typically used in medical context. Participants were also instructed to perform home training sessions twice a day until the subsequent intervention. The outcomes of multi-dimensional voice evaluations were compared pre- and post-intervention to assess vocal changes. Results: Post-intervention, significant improvements were observed in specific acoustic measurements (jitter percent, shimmer percent, noise-to-harmonic ratio, and cepstral peak prominence of vowel phonation) and the severity indices derived from those acoustic parameters. Additionally, a significant reduction in patient-reported outcome measures was noted following the intervention. Conclusion: The findings suggest that voice intervention using the SOVM and Korean speech materials has the potential to alleviate vocal fatigue and enhance vocal quality in individuals with vocal fatigue complaints.
Perception of Voice Attractiveness: Effects of Speaking Rate, Gender, and Age
Authors: Chun Eunvin , Jeong Yoora , Kim Heeyeon , Kim Nahyun , Kim Sujin , Lee Youngmee
Published: July 2024

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the speaker’s speech rate level, listener’s age, and gender on the listener’s attractiveness evaluation of the speaker’s voice. Methods: A total of 8 speaker voices (4 males and 4 females in their 20s-30s) were selected from the speech corpus provided by the National Institute of Korean Language. These voices were manipulated to be 0.8 times and 1.2 times their original speed, resulting in 24 voice files for attractiveness evaluation. Evaluators were recruited from different age groups: adolescents (14), young adults (16), and middle-aged adults (14). They were instructed to perceptually evaluate the attractiveness of the speaker’s voice. In addition, speech data from evaluators were collected to measure their actual speech rates. Results: Evaluator age groups did not show significant differences in attractiveness scores. However, across all groups, the attractiveness ratings were consistently higher for normal speech rates. Middle-aged male evaluators reported a significant decrease in attractiveness for faster speech rates. The correlation between the actual speech rate of evaluators and speakers was significant only for slower speech rates, indicating that evaluators with faster speech rates, especially males, showed lower attractiveness. Conclusion: The listener’s attractiveness evaluation may depend on the listener’s gender and age according to the speaker’s speaking rate, with middle-aged male listeners being particularly inclined to find fast speech rates unacceptable. This study underscores the significance of speech rate as an acoustic evaluation factor influencing listener attractiveness.
Characteristics of Joint Attention and Maternal Cues in Mother-Child Interactions for Toddlers with Cochlear Implants
Authors: Kim Jinju , Lee Youngmee
Published: July 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the differences in the establishment of joint attention between the cochlear implant (CI) group and the typical hearing (TH) group during mother-child interactions and to explore the relationship between the joint attention variables and language development abilities in young children with CIs. Methods: Thirteen pairs of hearing mothers and children with CIs and seventeen pairs of mothers and children with TH participated in this study. Their interactions during a 20-minute free-play task were recorded using digital cameras. Results: The frequency of joint attention attempts in the CI group was significantly higher than in the TH group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the success rate of joint attention; however, there was a considerable difference in the time ratio of joint attention and joint attention span. Children’s language scores were significantly correlated with the success rate of joint attention, the time ratio of joint attention, and joint attention span in the CI group. Conclusion: We observed the mothers’ efforts to establish joint attention with their children with CIs. These results suggest that children with CIs are more likely to have less time for joint attention during parent-child interactions. These findings can inform the development of parent-coaching programs in early auditory intervention for children with CIs.
Phonological Memory in 5 to 6 Year-Old Korean Children
Authors: Ha Seunghee , Hong Yebom , Lee Rayeon
Published: July 2024

Objectives: Phonological memory plays a crucial role in speech and language development, especially in the stages when children learn new vocabulary. This study aims to investigate phonological memory using three different tasks believed to tap into phonological memory in 5 to 6 year-old Korean children, and examine the relationships among the three tasks and between phonological memory and vocabulary skills. Methods: Forty-two typically developing Korean children aged 5-6 years completed nonword repetition (NWR), sentence repetition (SRT), and picture pointing tasks, as well as the Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary Test (REVT). Children’s correct responses were analyzed from each memory task and compared to examine whether the two age groups show different performances. Children’s responses from SRT were examined by two scoring systems including or excluding articulation errors and their error responses in SRT were analyzed in detail. Results: Significantly higher correct response ratios were observed in 6-year-olds compared to 5-year-olds in the three phonological memory tasks, excluding correct item ratios of SRT. The results from error analysis of SRT showed that 5-year-olds had a significantly higher number of additions, particularly additions of grammatical morphemes. The three phonological memory tasks showed significant correlations with each other. Also, receptive and expressive vocabularies exhibited significant correlations with the three phonological memory tasks. Conclusion: The study indicated active development of phonological memory between ages 5 and 6. We addressed the components in the speech processing model that the three phonological memory tasks tapped into, and discussed their relationship with vocabulary.
Adult Verbal Responses Facilitating Child Vocalizations
Authors: Ha Seunghee , Lee Rayeon
Published: July 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether adults in the vicinity of children respond differently to various child vocalization types within three-event sequences of “child vocalization-adult verbal response-child vocalization” occurring in everyday life. Additionally, this study examined the types of adult verbal responses that facilitate child vocalizations within the series of three-event sequential interactions between children and adults. Methods: Data was collected using the LENA (Language ENvironment Analysis) from 30 children aged 12 to 18 months and their families. Three-event sequences of interactions between children and adults were selected from twenty 5-minute recorded segments with the highest conversational turn counts. Child vocalizations before and after adult verbal responses were broadly classified into canonical babblings and non-canonical babblings, and then coded into subcategories for each babbling type. Adult verbal responses were classified into different pragmatic types. Results: Adults responded differently depending on children’s non-canonical and canonical babblings. Among pragmatic types of adult verbal responses, imitation, recast, and expansion were prominently observed following canonical babblings with more than two syllables. Adult verbal responses such as acknowledgment and recast facilitated children in producing more advanced vocalization forms. Conclusion: This study supports bi-directional relationships in interactions between children and adults and provides insights into which child-adult vocal exchanges facilitate child vocalizations and early speech-language development.
Study on Symbol Selection Ability According to AAC Symbol Types for Patients with Dementia of Alzheimer’s Type
Authors: Lee Inmi , Sohn Min Kyun , Song Rhayun , Park Seyeon , Shin Sangeun
Published: July 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to establish evidence for effective (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) AAC intervention approaches for patients with dementia of Alzheimer’s type (DAT) by examining whether the severity of dementia and the symbol type used in AAC tools affect symbol selection. Additionally, we aimed to investigate the relationship between symbol selection ability and language and cognitive abilities. Methods: Twenty-one normal elderly individuals, 17 patients diagnosed with mild DAT, and 20 patients with moderate to severe DAT were recruited. A symbol selection task was conducted using the Augmentative and Alternative Communication Symbol Assessment Tool (AAC-SAT). Participants selected target symbols on the screen consisting of graphic symbols, photos, and written words in response to auditory prompts given by the examiner. Data from the tasks were statistically analyzed for accuracy and response time, and correlation analyses were conducted for cognitive and language abilities. Results: The moderate to severe DAT group showed significantly lower accuracy and longer response times in symbol selection compared to the mild DAT group and normal elderly group. Upon examining each group separately, both mild and moderate to severe DAT groups showed no symbol type that was advantageous for symbol selection. However, the rapid response to photos observed in mild DAT group disappeared in the moderate to severe DAT group. Additionally, the symbol selection ability of DAT patients significantly deteriorated as language and cognitive abilities declined. Conclusion: Appropriate symbol types for AAC aimed at facilitating effective communication considering the language and cognitive abilities of DAT patients were suggested, and the findings of this study were compared with the claims made by previous research.
Sowing seeds in decolonial cracks for pluriversity: reflections from arts–research co-productions on sustainability themes
Authors: Krauss Judith E.
Published: July 2024

This article shares the author’s reflections on what decolonial cracks for recreating UK universities as sustainable pluriversities emerge from encounters and engagement in three arts–research co-productions relating to sustainability and justice: a training process led by a professional storyteller on converting political-ecology research into short, spoken ten-minute stories, the co-production of visual summaries and a role-playing game on sustainable value chains, and the collaboration producing an immersive audiovisual exhibition on ‘Can we fly-less?’.

This article makes an empirically based case that engaging in co-production on arts–research knowledge translation can help identify decolonial cracks to sow the seeds of pluriversity, that is, epistemically diverse institutions for public good that recognise present patterns of colonially rooted injustices and unsustainability, in UK academia. Drawing on relational, deep-listening conversations with six collaborators on the projects, three artists and three researchers, the article highlights benefits arising from the creative collaborations, such as social, transformative learning and critical introspection, and research acquiring a life beyond the page and becoming accessible to a broader audience. However, they also emphasised institutional barriers such as perverse incentives in current academic conventions, such as little or no recognition for knowledge translation, unequal starting points among permanent/precarious or salaried/non-salaried staff, and uncooperative monitoring and application systems, which render identifying these decolonial cracks and seeds necessary. With a methodology rooted in its conceptual, relational approach, the article highlights decolonial cracks in current academia, and transformative seeds to reimagine it in a more decolonial and sustainable image befitting of a pluriversity.
Optical double-image cryptosystem based on a joint transform correlator in a linear canonical domain
Authors: Mohammed Emad A. , Qasim Israa M.
Published: July 2024

In this work, we present a new optical double-image encryption method based on a joint transform correlator (JTC) and the linear canonical domain for the simultaneous authentication of two images. This new extension of the encryption system overcame the vulnerability of the method based on the JTC and the conventional 4f-optical processor in the Fourier domain. Although the simultaneous authentication process is satisfied in the Fourier domain, the data content is partially disclosed in false validation. Therefore, we introduce a quadratic phase encryption system of the linear canonical transform (LCT) domain in this method. The linear canonical transform domain adds more degrees of freedom to the security method due to the six LCT orders. In addition, the double-image encryption scheme became secure against intruder attacks, and it was difficult to recognize confidential information during the negative validation process. A cryptanalysis is performed in terms of a chosen-plaintext attack (CPA) and chosen-ciphertext attack (CCA). Numerical simulations demonstrate the feasibility, security, and effectiveness of the proposed system.
Speckle noise suppression of a reconstructed image in digital holography based on the BM3D improved convolutional neural network
Authors: Chen Yuan , Fan Yuhui , Zhang Guangming , Wang Quan , Li Sitian , Wang Zhongyang , Dong Ming
Published: July 2024

In digital holographic measurement, when light waves pass through inhomogeneous media or surfaces, speckle noise is generated, resulting in random, granular light and dark spots in the hologram, which greatly reduces the image quality. Therefore, in order to improve the image quality of holographic reconstruction, a noise reduction method based on the BM3D improved convolutional neural network (CNN) is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the similarity and important statistical information between blocks can be obtained by using BM3D. Then, the denoising convolutional neural network (DnCNN) is used to learn the relationship between the noise of a large number of samples and the noise image, and further purify the image to retain the details for a better denoising effect. Finally, a reflective off-axis digital holographic optical path system is constructed to collect the holograms of the test samples, and the reconstructed images are obtained by the Fresnel diffraction method to constitute a dataset with the simulated holographic reconstructed images to validate the proposed method in this paper, compared to the other methods, such as DnCNN, convolutional blind denoising network (CBDNet), BM3D, and Wiener filtering. The experimental results of qualitative and quantitative analyses show that the proposed method combines the advantages of traditional algorithms and deep learning, significantly enhances the robustness of the system, optimizes the denoising performance, and preserves the details of the reconstructed image to the greatest extent.
High-gain Ho:YLF sub-nanosecond system seeded by a gain-switched laser diode
Authors: Li Junhui , Yao Baoquan , Tang Jinwen , Wei Disheng , Cheng Wenhao , Zhang Runming , Duan Xiaoming , Dai Tongyv , Ju Youlun
Published: July 2024

We demonstrate a high-gain Ho:YLF sub-nanosecond laser system utilizing a gain-switched laser diode as the seed source. The 1.0 kHz pJ-level seed from the gain-switched laser diode is first amplified to 1.1 mJ by a Ho-doped fiber preamplifier with a gain of 30 dB and a regenerative amplifier (RA) with a gain of 60 dB. By adding a single-pass amplifier, the pulse energy is further extended to 7.5 mJ. A pulse duration of 518.5 ps was achieved, which is symmetrical with no tail or sub-peaks. The root mean square (RMS) stability of the output energy of the entire system over a 0.5 h period is 2.11%. This method provides a reliable and simple way to directly obtain high-energy 2.05 µm sub-nanosecond lasers.
Theoretical investigation on the effective coupling optical system between an astigmatic tapered diode laser beam and single-mode optical fibers
Authors: Zhang Deshuai , Kong Jinxia , Zhu Lingni , Wu Xia , Liu Suping , Ma Xiaoyu
Published: July 2024

In this study, we theoretically investigate the coupling efficiency of tapered diode lasers to single-mode fibers in four different coupling systems using an astigmatic beam propagation algorithm. The fast-axis lens and slow-axis lens have been used to mitigate astigmatism, which is a characteristic of the tapered diode laser and then the beam coupling into different single-mode fibers. Designers should carefully balance the pursuit of high coupling efficiency with the need to minimize astigmatism sensitivity in the design of coupling systems.
Constraining first-order pupil locations of rotationally symmetric imaging systems
Authors: Steidle Jessica A. , Howard Joseph M. , Rolland Jannick P.
Published: July 2024

We derive the constraints to control first-order pupil locations of rotationally symmetric imaging systems with up to four elements. Using the matrix method, we show that a minimum of three elements are necessary to freely specify pupil locations in all case scenarios. Driven by applying the framework to the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), we solve the equations for the special case of infinite conjugates of an afocal system. This work lays the foundation for applying the higher-order pupil aberration theory to optical design.
Exceptional points in SSH-like models with a hopping amplitude gradient
Authors: Simon David S. , Schwarze Christopher R. , Ndao Abdoulaye , Sergienko Alexander V.
Published: July 2024

The Su–Schrieffer–Heeger (SSH) system is a popular model for exploring topological insulators and topological phases in one dimension. Recent interest in exceptional points has led to re-examination of non-Hermitian generalizations of many physical models, including the SSH model. In such non-Hermitian systems, singular points called exceptional points (EPs) appear that are of interest for applications in super-resolution sensing systems and topological lasers. Here, a non-Hermitian and non-PT-symmetric variation of the SSH model is introduced, in which the hopping amplitudes are nonreciprocal and vary monotonically along the chain. It is found that, while the existence of the EPs is due to the nonreciprocal couplings, the number, position, and order of the EPs can all be altered by the addition of the hopping amplitude gradient, adding a new, to the best of our knowledge, tool for tailoring the spectrum of a non-Hermitian system.
Enhancement of measurement range of MicroLiDAR with multi-reference paths
Authors: Hayashi Neisei , Ishii Katsuhiro , Deguchi Takahiro , Nomura Ryo , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Furukawa Hideaki
Published: July 2024

The measurement range of the MicroLiDAR was enhanced with multi-reference paths. The multi-reference paths were composed of four paths with polarization maintaining optical fibers, each with different lengths. 50-mm-long measurement range was demonstrated with an oscilloscope with 15-GHz bandwidth. Reducing the time of calculation of the distance, we induced the dual entry method and demonstrated it. The stable distance measurement was demonstrated up to 50 mm.
High-security holographic display with content and copyright protection based on complex amplitude modulation
Authors: Pi Dapu , Wang Jie , Li Jingnan , Wu Jiaxing , Zhao Weirui , Wang Yongtian , Liu Juan
Published: July 2024

The computer-generated hologram provides an approach to modulate the coherent wavefront and has been widely applied in holographic displays. In the actual application, holograms need to be transmitted through the network, which results in the illegal acquisition and malicious manipulation of holographic images. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a practical method to protect the content and copyright of holographic images. In this paper, we develop a high-security holographic display method based on complex amplitude modulation. In our proposed method, the complex hologram of a holographic image is decomposed into two phase-only holograms, one of which is designed as the ciphertext, and the other is regarded as the key. As a result, the holographic image can be reconstructed only when the ciphertext and the key are paired, which boosts the security of the holographic image. Meanwhile, the copyright of the holographic image is protected via a watermark that is embedded in the ciphertext in the form of a hologram. Due to the simultaneous use of encryption and watermark technology, our proposed method could transmit holographic images at a high security level, and has great potential to be applied in holographic displays in the future.
Structured illumination microscopy with extreme ultraviolet pulses
Authors: Mincigrucci Riccardo , Paltanin Ettore , Pelli-Cresi Jacopo-Stefano , Gala Fabrizio , Pontecorvo Emanuele , Foglia Laura , Angelis Dario De , Fainozzi Danny , Gessini Alessandro , Molina Daniel S. P. , Stranik Ondreij , Wechsler Felix , Heintzmann Rainer , Rothhardt Jan , Loetgering Lars , Ruocco Giancarlo , Bencivenga Filippo , Masciovecchio Claudio
Published: July 2024

The relentless pursuit of understanding matter at ever-finer scales has pushed optical microscopy to surpass the diffraction limit and realize super-resolution microscopy, which enables visualizing structures shorter than the wavelength of the light emitted by the sample. In the present work, we harnessed extreme ultraviolet beams to create sub-μm grating structures, which were revealed by extreme ultraviolet structured illumination microscopy. We establish that the resolution extension is achievable in the extreme ultraviolet, thereby opening the door to significant resolution enhancement, mainly defined by the wavelength employed.
Variation of carrier lifetime with optical excitation power density in micro-LEDs
Authors: Wang Shuanglan , Liu Zhenghui , Zhang Chunyu , Xu Gengzhao , Ge Changlei , Zeng Zhongming , Zhang Xiaodong , Tian Pengfei
Published: July 2024

GaN-based micro-LEDs are applied to visible light communication due to their high modulation bandwidth with reduced chip size. It requires a deep understanding of recombination processes and their impact on the bandwidth, which is mainly determined by the carrier lifetime. We employed confocal time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) to characterize the variation of carrier lifetime with optical excitation power density on micro-LEDs. We observed an initial increase followed by a sudden decrease within the power density range of 96.7 kW/cm2 to 546 kW/cm2 on a blue micro-LED with a chip size of 80 µm. We attribute this phenomenon to increased optical excitation power, gradually saturating the defect-dominated non-radiative recombination centers, with radiative recombination processes gradually taking over. We compared the power density at the inflection point for different regions on the sample and the samples with different sizes and sidewall structures. The power density for the lifetime inflection point at the center of the sample is smaller than that at the edge. We also find that the value is smaller for the sample with a chip size of 40 µm which prompts fewer total defects. The power density for sudden lifetime drop on samples with inclined sidewall structures is also smaller than those with vertical sidewall structures. Furthermore, we find that the excitation power density corresponding to the highest luminous efficiency is higher than that corresponding to the sudden drop at the beginning of the lifetime. This opens up possibilities for simultaneously achieving high modulation bandwidth and high efficiency between the two inflection points.
Balloon-shaped fiber surface nanoscale axial photonic microresonator for micro-displacement measurement
Authors: Li Huibin , Zhao Chuanzhen , Tian Ke , Chi Kai , Yu Jibo , Lewis Elfed , Farrell Gerald , Wang Pengfei
Published: July 2024

In this Letter, we demonstrate a micro-displacement sensor based on a balloon-shaped fiber surface nanoscale axial photonic (SNAP) microresonator. The SNAP microresonator is fabricated by fiber bending to introduce nanoscale effective radius variations (ERVs) on the fiber surface. Displacement measurement based on the balloon-shaped SNAP microresonator is realized based on the ERV modulation resulting from the change in the bending radius of the balloon-shaped structure. An advantage of this approach is that the displacement measurement range is not limited to the axial length of the SNAP region. The experimental results show that the displacement measurement range of the balloon-shaped fiber SNAP microresonator can reach 2500 µm and that the minimum measurement resolution is 0.1 µm. This large-range, high-resolution, and low-cost micro-displacement sensor has the potential to be a promising candidate in high-precision displacement measurement applications.
Tunable dipole–dipole interactions between nanoparticles levitated by two orthogonally polarized optical traps
Authors: Li Tong , Wu Mian , He Peitong , Li Nan , Chen Zhiming , Fu Zhenhai , Gao Xiaowen , Hu Huizhu
Published: July 2024

Arrays of optically levitated nanoparticles with fully tunable light-induced dipole–dipole interactions have emerged as a platform for fundamental research and sensing applications. However, previous experiments utilized two optical traps with identical polarization, leading to an interference effect. Here, we demonstrate light-induced dipole–dipole interactions using two orthogonally polarized optical traps. Furthermore, we achieve control over the strength and polarity of the optical coupling by adjusting the polarization and propose a method to simultaneously and stably measure conservative and non-conservative coupling rates. Our results provide a new scheme for exploring entanglement and topological phases in arrays of levitated nanoparticles.
Widely tunable mid-infrared fiber-feedback optical parametric oscillator
Authors: Yu Tingting , Fang Jianan , Huang Kun , Zeng Heping
Published: July 2024

Synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) provide uniquely versatile platforms to generate ultrafast mid-infrared pulses within a spectral range beyond the access of conventional mode-locked lasers. However, conventional OPO sources based on bulk crystals have been plagued by complex optical alignment and large physical footprint. Here, we devise and implement two OPO variants based on a polarization-maintaining fiber-feedback cavity, which allow to robustly deliver sub-picosecond MIR pulses without the need of active stabilization. The first one integrates an erbium-doped fiber into the OPO cavity as the additional gain medium, which significantly reduces the pump threshold and allows stable optical pulse formation within a spectral range of 1553–1586 nm. The second one adopts a chirped poling nonlinear crystal in a passive-fiber cavity to further extend the operation spectral coverage, which facilitates broad tuning ranges of 1350–1768 nm and 2450–4450 nm for the signal and idler bands, respectively. Therefore, the presented mid-infrared OPO source is featured with high compactness, robust operation, and wide tunability, which would be attractive for subsequent applications such as infrared photonics, biomedical examination, and molecular spectroscopy.
KCTD proteins regulate morphine dependence via heterologous sensitization of adenylyl cyclase 1 in mice
Authors: Ding Zhong , Zhang Chunsheng , Yang Huicui , Chen Jiaojiao , Sun Zhiruo , Zhen Xuechu
Published: July 2024

Heterologous sensitization of adenylyl cyclase (AC) results in elevated cAMP signaling transduction that contributes to drug dependence. Inhibiting cullin3-RING ligases by blocking the neddylation of cullin3 abolishes heterologous sensitization, however, the modulating mechanism remains uncharted. Here, we report an essential role of the potassium channel tetramerization domain (KCTD) protein 2, 5, and 17, especially the dominant isoform KCTD5 in regulating heterologous sensitization of AC1 and morphine dependence via working with cullin3 and the cullin-associated and neddylation-dissociated 1 (CAND1) protein. In cellular models, we observed enhanced association of KCTD5 with Gβ and cullin3, along with elevated dissociation of Gβ from AC1 as well as of CAND1 from cullin3 in heterologous sensitization of AC1. Given binding of CAND1 inhibits the neddylation of cullin3, we further elucidated that the enhanced interaction of KCTD5 with both Gβ and cullin3 promoted the dissociation of CAND1 from cullin3, attenuated the inhibitory effect of CAND1 on cullin3 neddylation, ultimately resulted in heterologous sensitization of AC1. The paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT) plays an important role in mediating morphine dependence. Through pharmacological and biochemical approaches, we then demonstrated that KCTD5/cullin3 regulates morphine dependence via modulating heterologous sensitization of AC, likely AC1 in PVT in mice. In summary, the present study revealed the underlying mechanism of heterologous sensitization of AC1 mediated by cullin3 and discovered the role of KCTD proteins in regulating morphine dependence in mice.
The immune modules conserved across the tree of life: Towards a definition of ancestral immunity
Authors: Bernheim Aude , Cury Jean , Poirier Enzo Z.
Published: July 2024

Immune defence mechanisms exist across the tree of life in such diversity that prokaryotic antiviral responses have historically been considered unrelated to eukaryotic immunity. Mechanisms of defence in divergent eukaryotes were similarly believed to be largely clade specific. However, recent data indicate that a subset of modules (domains and proteins) from prokaryote defence systems are conserved in eukaryotes and populate many stages of innate immune pathways. In this Essay, we propose the notion of ancestral immunity, which corresponds to the set of immune modules conserved between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. After offering a typology of ancestral immunity, we speculate on the selective pressures that could have led to the differential conservation of specific immune modules across domains of life. The exploration of ancestral immunity is in its infancy and appears full of promises to illuminate immune evolution, and also to identify and decipher immune mechanisms of economic, ecological, and therapeutic importance.
Accurate model and ensemble refinement using cryo-electron microscopy maps and Bayesian inference
Authors: Hoff Samuel E. , Thomasen F. Emil , Lindorff-Larsen Kresten , Bonomi Massimiliano
Published: July 2024

Converting cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) data into high-quality structural models is a challenging problem of outstanding importance. Current refinement methods often generate unbalanced models in which physico-chemical quality is sacrificed for excellent fit to the data. Furthermore, these techniques struggle to represent the conformational heterogeneity averaged out in low-resolution regions of density maps. Here we introduce EMMIVox, a Bayesian inference approach to determine single-structure models as well as structural ensembles from cryo-EM maps. EMMIVox automatically balances experimental information with accurate physico-chemical models of the system and the surrounding environment, including waters, lipids, and ions. Explicit treatment of data correlation and noise as well as inference of accurate B-factors enable determination of structural models and ensembles with both excellent fit to the data and high stereochemical quality, thus outperforming state-of-the-art refinement techniques. EMMIVox represents a flexible approach to determine high-quality structural models that will contribute to advancing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying biological functions.
Identifying topologically associating domains using differential kernels
Authors: Maisuradze Luka , King Megan C. , Surovtsev Ivan V. , Mochrie Simon G. J. , Shattuck Mark D. , O’Hern Corey S.
Published: July 2024

Chromatin is a polymer complex of DNA and proteins that regulates gene expression. The three-dimensional (3D) structure and organization of chromatin controls DNA transcription and replication. High-throughput chromatin conformation capture techniques generate Hi-C maps that can provide insight into the 3D structure of chromatin. Hi-C maps can be represented as a symmetric matrixAij, where each element represents the average contact probability or number of contacts between chromatin lociiandj. Previous studies have detected topologically associating domains (TADs), or self-interacting regions inAijwithin which the contact probability is greater than that outside the region. Many algorithms have been developed to identify TADs within Hi-C maps. However, most TAD identification algorithms are unable to identify nested or overlapping TADs and for a given Hi-C map there is significant variation in the location and number of TADs identified by different methods. We develop a novel method to identify TADs, KerTAD, using a kernel-based technique from computer vision and image processing that is able to accurately identify nested and overlapping TADs. We benchmark this method against state-of-the-art TAD identification methods on both synthetic and experimental data sets. We find that the new method consistently has higher true positive rates (TPR) and lower false discovery rates (FDR) than all tested methods for both synthetic and manually annotated experimental Hi-C maps. The TPR for KerTAD is also largely insensitive to increasing noise and sparsity, in contrast to the other methods. We also find that KerTAD is consistent in the number and size of TADs identified across replicate experimental Hi-C maps for several organisms. Thus, KerTAD will improve automated TAD identification and enable researchers to better correlate changes in TADs to biological phenomena, such as enhancer-promoter interactions and disease states.
An assessment of the value of deep neural networks in genetic risk prediction for surgically relevant outcomes
Authors: Christensen Mathias Aagaard , Sigurdsson Arnór , Bonde Alexander , Rasmussen Simon , Ostrowski Sisse R. , Nielsen Mads , Sillesen Martin
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Postoperative complications affect up to 15% of surgical patients constituting a major part of the overall disease burden in a modern healthcare system. While several surgical risk calculators have been developed, none have so far been shown to decrease the associated mortality and morbidity. Combining deep neural networks and genomics with the already established clinical predictors may hold promise for improvement.

Methods

The UK Biobank was utilized to build linear and deep learning models for the prediction of surgery relevant outcomes. An initial GWAS for the relevant outcomes was initially conducted to select the Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms for inclusion in the models. Model performance was assessed with Receiver Operator Characteristics of the Area Under the Curve and optimum precision and recall. Feature importance was assessed with SHapley Additive exPlanations.

Results

Models were generated for atrial fibrillation, venous thromboembolism and pneumonia as genetics only, clinical features only and a combined model. For venous thromboembolism, the ROC-AUCs were 60.1% [59.6%-60.4%], 63.4% [63.2%-63.4%] and 66.6% [66.2%-66.9%] for the linear models and 51.5% [49.4%-53.4%], 63.2% [61.2%-65.0%] and 62.6% [60.7%-64.5%] for the deep learning SNP, clinical and combined models, respectively. For atrial fibrillation, the ROC-AUCs were 60.3% [60.0%-60.4%], 78.7% [78.7%-78.7%] and 80.0% [79.9%-80.0%] for the linear models and 59.4% [58.2%-60.9%], 78.8% [77.8%-79.8%] and 79.8% [78.8%-80.9%] for the deep learning SNP, clinical and combined models, respectively. For pneumonia, the ROC-AUCs were 50.1% [49.6%-50.6%], 69.2% [69.1%-69.2%] and 68.4% [68.0%-68.5%] for the linear models and 51.0% [49.7%-52.4%], 69.7% [.5%-70.8%] and 69.7% [68.6%-70.8%] for the deep learning SNP, clinical and combined models, respectively.

Conclusion

In this report we presented linear and deep learning predictive models for surgery relevant outcomes. Overall, predictability was similar between linear and deep learning models and inclusion of genetics seemed to improve accuracy.
Determination of melon seed physical parameters and calibration of discrete element simulation parameters
Authors: Wan Yuan , Zhang Bowen , Lai Qinghui , Gong Yan , Qingxu Yu , Chen Xiao
Published: July 2024

To improve the accuracy of the Hami melon discrete element model, the parameters of the Hami melon seed discrete element model were calibrated by combining practical experiments and simulation tests. The basic physical parameters of Hami melon seeds were obtained through physical experiments, including triaxial size, 100-grain mass, moisture content, density, Poisson’s ratio, Young’s modulus, shear modulus, angle of repose, suspension speed and various contact parameters. Taking the repose angle of seed simulation as an index, the parameters of each simulation model were significantly screened by the Plackett-Burman test. The results showed that the recovery coefficient, static friction coefficient and rolling friction coefficient of Hami melon seeds had significant effects on repose angle. Based on the steepest climbing test and quadratic regression orthogonal rotation combination test, it was determined that the significant order of the influence of various contact parameters on the angle of repose was static friction coefficient, collision recovery coefficient, and rolling friction coefficient. The optimal parameter combination was obtained through the mathematical regression model between the angle of repose and various contact parameters, namely, the collision recovery coefficient of Hami melon seeds was 0.518, the static friction coefficient of Hami melon seeds was 0.585 and the rolling friction coefficient of Hami melon seeds was 0.337. Under this condition, three static seed-dropping experiments and dynamic rolling accumulation experiments were carried out. The average simulated angle of repose was 31.93°, and the relative error with the actual value was only 1.71%. The average simulated rolling accumulation angle was 51.98°, and the relative error with the actual value was only 1.92%.