bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Nexus Between Military Spending and Income Inequality in Brics Nations
Authors: Thomas Udimal , Talent Zwane , Mduduzi Biyase , Hinaunye Eita
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: There are contradicting views regarding the casual nexus between a country's military spending and its nation's income inequality. Military spending is a critical component of government budget and can simply crowd out transfer payments, needed to improve income inequality. However, these payments can also stimulate a demand that can enhance the income prospects of the low-income earners. So, the association between military spending and income inequality is a vital question. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between military spending and income inequality for BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). We used panel data extracted from different sources such as World Bank's World Development Indicators and Penn World Tables. This is the first study that disaggregate the data and compute the results for the full sample (all BRICS countries taken together) and for sub-samples for countries with military expenditure of about 2% of GDP (India, china and Russia) and countries with military expenditure of less than 1% of GDP (that is, South Africa and Brazil). Thus, to unravel the influence of military spending on income inequality, pool mean group (PMG) or panel autoregressive distributed lag (PARDL) approach was applied for the period from 1990–2017 for BRICS nations. Overall, the empirical result for the pooled sample established an inverse relationship between military expenditure and income inequality. A percentage change in military expenditure result in income inequality reduction within the BRICS community. The estimated coefficient of GDP per capita, show that a percentage increase in GDP per capita in the long run will lead to about -0.209756 reduction in the level of income inequality and statistically significant at 1% level. When data was disaggregated to reflect the BRICS countries whose military expenditure was about 2% of the national budget (i.e. Russia, China and India), the study found that military expenditure had a negative influence on income inequality in the long run equation. Based on the outcome of this empirical work, we recommend for policy makers should focus more on the policies which can improve economic activities within the BRICS nations and ultimately reduce income inequality.
Determining the Income Elasticity of Health Expenditure in Sub Sharan
Authors: Ekpenyong Imoh
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: The present study adds to the existing literature by grouping countries in sub-Saharan Africa into two broad health systems (public and private). A country's health system is classified as predominantly public if the average share of public health expenditure for the period under study is greater than the average share of private health expenditure; it is classified as predominantly private if the reverse is the case. The aim is to derive the income elasticities of health expenditure in other to unravel countries in the sub region where health provision is likely to be a necessary good. To capture the dynamic nature of the relationship, the study's methodology relies on several econometric procedures (pooled mean group, mean group, and common correlated error mean group estimators). Other variables included in the model are official development assistance, the price level, population above 65 and migrant remittances. The unit root test performed showed that most of the variables in the study are not stationary at level; however, they are cointegrated in the long run, justifying the choice of the estimation techniques. The empirical results reveals that the short run income elasticity of health expenditure in sub-Saharan Africa is 0.36 and in the long run, the value becomes 1.18 with a speed of adjustment of 0.41. This suggest that 41% of the short run disequilibrium is dissipated in the current period. Other variables that were included in the model as controls were not statistically significant. In the reduced model that has only income as regressor, the short run and long run income elasticities in the overall sample continues to remain significant, however, the income elasticity in the predominantly public health system is greater than the elasticity in the predominantly private health system. This suggests that health is more of a development issue in a predominantly private health system in sub–Saharan Africa. An implication of the present study is that citizens of sub-Saharan African countries that rely more on private financing of health expenditure are likely to be exposed to catastrophic health financing. Hence, policymakers can avert this by encouraging more public financing of healthcare provision.
Curved OLED-based NLOS optical camera communications links
Authors: Teli Shivani Rajendra , Matus Vicente , Aguiar Carmen Lidia , Perez-Jimenez Rafael , Ghassemlooy Zabih , Zvanovec Stanislav
Published: October 2023

In this paper, for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, we experimentally demonstrate the use of a curved organic light emitting diode (OLED) as a transmitter (Tx) in the non-line-of-sight (NLOS) optical camera communication (OCC) link for an indoor environment using a camera as a receiver. The proposed NLOS-OCC scheme is evaluated for the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the reception success rates Rrs under key photographic and communication parameters, including exposure times texp and gain values G
v
, as well as the transmission frequency f
s
and the distance L. The SNR analysis is performed using a binary classification procedure based on a Gaussian mixture model for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, for OLED-based NLOS-OCC links. We also derive and demonstrate that the effect of G
v
on the SNR with respect to L is minimal based on the pixel illumination model. The initial analysis suggests that, for a wall reflector-based NLOS-OCC link that is 2 m long, the SNR and Rrs increase by 1 dB and 4% (83–87%) for f
s
of 600 Hz, with an increase in texp of 1000–1500 µs and G
v
of 25–45 dB.
Heat and force coupling analysis during precision glass molding of free-form optical elements
Authors: Zhang Zeguang , Liu Yue , Xue Changxi
Published: October 2023

As an effective method for mass production of glass lenses, precision glass molding (PGM) technology has been mature in aspherical lens technology. However, glass molding of complex surfaces such as free-form optical elements is still in its infancy. For mass-produced glass lenses, the energy consumption is mainly concentrated on the heating stage, and the cost is also a key concern. In this paper, an XY polynomial free-form optical element is simulated by the finite element method. In view of the long heating and molding time, finite element models were established, respectively, at the optimum molding temperature and a temperature point before the optimum temperature. The stress distribution and variation trend of the two methods were analyzed, and the single cycle time of the two methods was compared. The results showed that, under the premise of the maximum stress increase of 3.91 MPa, this method reduces the heating and molding time from 1000 to 910 s, which has significant advantages in terms of time and cost.
Confocal microscopy based on dual blur depth measurement
Authors: Yuan Tao , Jiang Wei , Ye Yiqing , Hai Yongjie , Yi Dingrong
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we propose a confocal microscopy based on dual blur depth measurement (DBCM). The first blur is defocus blur, and the second blur is artificial convolutional blur. First, the DBCM blurs the defocus image using a known Gaussian kernel and calculates the edge gradient ratio between it and the re-blurred image. Then, the axial measurement of edge positions is based on a calibration measurement curve. Finally, depth information is inferred from the edges using the original image. Experiments show that the DBCM can achieve depth measurement in a single image. In a 10×/0.25 objective, the error measured for a step sample of 4.7397 µm is 0.23 µm. The relative error rate is 4.8%.
Spectral peak recovery in parametrically amplified THz-repetition-rate bursts
Authors: Stummer Vinzenz , Flöry Tobias , Schneller Matthias , Kaksis Edgar , Zeiler Markus , Pugžlys Audrius , Baltuška Andrius
Published: October 2023

Multi-photon resonant spectroscopies require tunable narrowband excitation to deliver spectral selectivity and, simultaneously, high temporal intensity to drive a nonlinear-optical process. These contradictory requirements are achievable with bursts of ultrashort pulses, which provides both high intensity and tunable narrowband peaks in the frequency domain arising from spectral interference. However, femtosecond pulse bursts need special attention during their amplification [Optica 7, 1758 (2020)10.1364/OPTICA.403184], which requires spectral peak suppression to increase the energy safely extractable from a chirped-pulse amplifier (CPA). Here, we present a method combining safe laser CPA, relying on spectral scrambling, with a parametric frequency converter that automatically restores the desired spectral peak structure and delivers narrow linewidths for bursts of ultrashort pulses at microjoule energies. The shown results pave the way to new high-energy ultrafast laser sources with controllable spectral selectivity.
Negative cavity photon spectral function in an optomechanical system with two parametrically-driven mechanical modes
Authors: Motazedifard Ali , Dalafi A. , Naderi M. H.
Published: October 2023

We propose an experimentally feasible optomechanical scheme to realize a negative cavity photon spectral function (CPSF) which is equivalent to a negative absorption. The system under consideration is an optomechanical system consisting of two mechanical (phononic) modes which are linearly coupled to a common cavity mode via the radiation pressure while parametrically driven through the coherent time-modulation of their spring coefficients. Using the equations of motion for the cavity retarded Green’s function obtained in the framework of the generalized linear response theory, we show that in the red-detuned and weak-coupling regimes a frequency-dependent effective cavity damping rate (ECDR) corresponding to a negative CPSF can be realized by controlling the cooperativities and modulation parameters while the system still remains in the stable regime. Nevertheless, such a negativity which acts as an optomechanical gain never occurs in a standard (an unmodulated bare) cavity optomechanical system. Besides, we find that the presence of two modulated mechanical degrees of freedom provides more controllability over the magnitude and bandwidth of the negativity of CPSF, in comparison to the setup with a single modulated mechanical oscillator. Interestingly, the introduced negativity may open a new platform to realize an extraordinary (modified) optomechanically induced transparency (in which the input signal is amplified in the output) leading to a perfect tunable optomechanical filter with switchable bandwidth which can be used as an optical transistor.
Curved fiber compound eye camera inspired by the Strepsiptera vision
Authors: Li Hanyu , Zhang Hongxia , Liu Xu , Jia Dagong , Liu Tiegen
Published: October 2023

The Strepsiptera vision possesses intriguing features of a large field of view (FOV) and relatively high resolution compared to normal compound eyes. However, it presents a significant challenge of the mismatch between the curved compound eyelet lens array and the planar image sensor to image in a large FOV for artificial compound eyes (ACE). We propose what we believe to be a novel curved fiber compound eye camera (CFCEC) here, which employs coherent fiber bundles as the optical relay system to transmit sub-images curvilinearly. A total of 106 eyelets are arranged based on a scheme similar to the Goldberg polyhedron, with the advantages of uniform interval and minor edge blindness. Then, a prototype of the CFCEC is fabricated and assembled. A series of experiments are conducted to assess the FOV, contrast, resolution, and overlap rate of FOV of the prototype. The results prove that the CFCEC has a total FOV of up to 160°×160° and a total overlap rate of FOV of approximately 65%, demonstrating the promising potential of the CFCEC in various applications, such as panoramic surveillance, 3D detection, and motion tracking.
Thermal, spectroscopy and optimized ∼3 µm CW laser properties for Ho,Pr:YAP crystal
Authors: Qiao Yang , Sun Dunlu , Zhang Huili , Luo Jianqiao , Quan Cong , Dong Kunpeng , Chen Yuwei , Wang Zhentao , Li Hongyuan , Cheng Maojie
Published: October 2023

We demonstrate the thermal, spectroscopy and laser properties of Ho,Pr doped YAP crystal grown successfully by Cz method. The thermal expansion coefficient, thermal conductivity, absorption and emission spectra of Ho,Pr:YAP crystal are investigated in detail. Additionally, the level lifetimes suggest that Pr3+ is a suitable deactivating ion for Ho:YAP crystal. Particularly, the actual laser performance is optimized by doping active ion Ho with high concentrations and introducing deactivated Pr3+, resulting in decreased laser threshold, increased laser output power and slope efficiency. A 3.01 µm laser with output power of 502 mW, slope efficiency of 6.3% and beam quality factors of 1.42/1.43 is achieved in the Ho,Pr:YAP crystal, as far as we know this is the highest ∼3 µm CW laser power realized in Ho3+ doped oxide crystals.
Incremental shape measurement with fiber Bragg gratings in a multi-core fiber for three-dimensional paths
Authors: Zhang Yibo , Jin Jing , Zhu Yunhong
Published: October 2023

A multi-core fiber (MCF) provides a compact solution for three-dimensional (3D) shape measurement. In this Letter, an incremental shape measurement method for 3D paths is proposed, using an MCF based on fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs). A few FBG sets can iteratively provide plenty of strain information about the 3D path during navigation. The overall continuities of the curvature and torsion are improved based on intensive strain calculations. Meanwhile, the transformation matrix algorithm is used to reconstruct the shape of 3D paths. Dynamic measurement experiments of a seven-core fiber with two FBG sets are carried out to verify the incremental shape measurement method. This method shows a great performance of the different paths, with a maximum incremental position error of 4.68%.
Quartic solitons of a mode-locked laser distributed model
Authors: Malheiro D. , Facão M. , Carvalho M. I.
Published: October 2023

Dissipative quartic solitons have gained interest in the field of mode-locked lasers for their energy–width scaling which allows the generation of ultrashort pulses with high energies. Pursuing the characterization of such pulses, here we found soliton solutions of a distributed model for mode-locked lasers in the presence of either positive or negative fourth-order dispersion (4OD). We studied the impact the laser parameters may have on the profiles, range of existence, and energy–width relation of the output pulses. The most energetic and narrowest solutions occur for negative 4OD, with the energy having an inverse cubic dependence with the width in most cases. Our simulations showed that the spectral filtering has the biggest contribution in the generation of short (widths as low as 39 fs) and very energetic (391 nJ) optical pulses.
High fidelity laser beam shaping using liquid crystal on silicon spatial light modulators as diffractive neural networks
Authors: Buske Paul , Hofmann Oskar , Völl Annika , Stollenwerk Jochen , Holly Carlo
Published: October 2023

Spatial light modulators (SLMs) based on liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) are powerful tools for laser beam shaping as they can be used to dynamically create almost arbitrary intensity distributions. However, laser beam shaping with LCoS-SLMs often suffers from beam shaping artifacts in part caused by unconsidered properties of the LCoS devices: Astigmatism that stems from the non-normal incidence of the laser beam on the SLM and the effect commonly referred to as the '0-th diffraction order' that is caused by both the crosstalk between neighboring pixels and the direct reflection at the cover glass of the SLM. We here present a method to consider and compensate for these inherent properties of LCoS devices by treating the SLM as a diffractive neural network.
Ultrasensitive tunable terahertz lithium niobate metasurface sensing based on bound states in the continuum
Authors: Yu Xinyao , Li Fanghao , Lang Tingting , Qin Jianyuan , Ma Xiao
Published: October 2023

Lithium niobate’s substantial nonlinear optical and electro-optic coefficients have recently thrust it into the limelight. This study presents a thorough review of bound states in the continuum (BICs) in lithium niobate metasurfaces, also suggesting their potential for sensing applications. We propose an all-dielectric tunable metasurface that offers high Q factor resonances in the terahertz range, triggered by symmetry-protected BICs. With exceptional sensitivity to changes in the refractive index of the surrounding medium, the metasurface can reach a sensitivity as high as 947 GHz/RIU. This paves the way for ultrasensitive tunable terahertz sensors, offering an exciting path for further research.
Flexible top-illuminated organic photodetector using an ultrathin-metal-based transparent electrode
Authors: Wang Yuanhe , Li Xinyi , Liu Shihao , Zhang Letian , Xie Wenfa
Published: October 2023

Top-illuminated structure facilitates the integration of organic photodetectors (OPDs) into high-resolution flexible wearable light detection systems by allowing the OPDs to be deposited on the bottom readout circuit. However, constructing this structure poses a challenge as it demands metallic electrodes with both high optical transparency and high electrical conductivity. But to achieve practical sheet resistances, most semitransparent metallic electrodes tend to reflect a large portion of incident light instead of allowing it to be absorbed by the photoactive layer of the OPDs. This, in turn, results in reduced photocurrent generation. To address this issue, a semiconducting germanium (Ge) film is introduced into a sliver (Ag) film, effectively reducing its reflectivity by lessening scattering. The Ge film also changes how the Ag film grows, further reducing its absorption by lowering the critical thickness needed for forming a continuous film. This approach yields a 10 nm metallic electrode with a transmittance of 70%, a reflectivity of 12%, and a sheet resistance of 35.5 Ω/□. Using this metallic electrode, flexible OPDs exhibit a high photo-to-dark current ratio of 2.9×104 and improved mechanical properties. This finding highlights the benefits of the top-illuminated structure, which effectively reduces losses caused by waveguided modes of the incident light.
Assessment of bilirubin levels in patients with cirrhosis via forehead, sclera and lower eyelid smartphone images
Authors: Nixon-Hill Miranda , Mookerjee Rajeshwar P. , Leung Terence S.
Published: October 2023

One of the key biomarkers evaluating liver disease progression is an elevated bilirubin level. Here we apply smartphone imaging to non-invasive assessment of bilirubin in patients with cirrhosis. Image data was processed using two different approaches to remove variation introduced by ambient conditions and different imaging devices—a per-image calibration using a color chart in each image, and a two-step process using pairs of flash/ no-flash images to account for ambient light in combination with a one-time calibration. For the first time, results from the forehead, sclera (white of the eye) and lower eyelid were compared. The correlation coefficients between the total serum bilirubin and the predicted bilirubin via the forehead, sclera and lower eyelid were 0.79, 0.89 and 0.86 (all with p<0.001, n = 66), respectively. Given the simpler image capture for the sclera, the recommended imaging site for this patient cohort is the sclera.
The cross-cultural validation of the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale among persons affected by leprosy or podoconiosis in Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Aycheh Moges Wubie , van’t Noordende Anna T. , Moges Nurilign Abebe , Schippers Alice P.
Published: October 2023

Background

The Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale has been developed and validated in different languages in different countries. However, this scale has not been validated in the Ethiopian Amharic language context. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the cross-cultural validity of the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale, among Ethiopian families of persons affected by leprosy and podoconiosis.

Methodology

We explored the semantic equivalence, internal consistency, reproducibility, floor and ceiling effects, and interpretability of the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale in Amharic. A cross-sectional study was conducted after the translation and back-translation of the instrument. A total of 302 adult persons affected by leprosy or podoconiosis was asked about their level of satisfaction with their family life, using the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale. In addition, 50 participants were re-interviewed two weeks after the initial assessment to test the reproducibility of the scale. Participants were recruited in the East Gojjam zone of Northwest Ethiopia.

Results

The findings of this study showed that the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale had high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha of 0.913) and reproducibility (intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.857). The standard error of measurement was 3.01, which is 2.4% of the total score range. The smallest detectable change was 8.34. Confirmatory factor analysis showed adequate factor loadings and model fit indices like the original scale. The composite reliability and average variance extracted from the scale were acceptable. No floor and ceiling effects were found.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that the Amharic version of the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale has adequate cultural validity to assess the family quality of life in Ethiopian families of persons affected by leprosy and podoconiosis.
Ten years follow-up of the largest oral Chagas disease outbreak: Cardiological prospective cohort study
Authors: Ruiz-Guevara Raiza , Alarcón de Noya Belkisyolé , Mendoza Iván , Rojas Cielo , Machado Iván , Díaz-Bello Zoraida , Muñoz-Calderón Arturo , Castro Julio , Noya Oscar
Published: October 2023

Background

Chagas disease (ChD) is the most important endemy in Latin America. Some patients, develop chronic Chagasic cardiopathy (CCC) years after the acute phase. It is unknown if patients infected by the oral route have higher risk of developing early CCC.

Methods and findings

A prospective cohort study was conducted to assess morbidity and mortality during 10 years observation in 106 people simultaneously infected and treated in the largest known orally transmitted ChD outbreak in 2007. A preschooler died during the acute phase, but thereafter was no mortality associated to ChD. All acute phase findings improved in the first-year post-treatment. Each person was evaluated 8.7 times clinically, 6.4 by electrocardiogram (ECG)/Holter, and 1.7 by echocardiogram. Based on prevalence, the number of people who had any abnormalities (excluding repolarization abnormalities and atrial tachycardia which decreased) was higher than 2007, since they were found at least once between 2008–2017. However, when we evaluated incidence, except for clinical bradycardia and dizziness, it was observed that the number of new cases of all clinical and ECG findings decreased at the end of the follow-up. Between 2008–2017 there was not incidence of low voltage complex, 2nd degree AV block, long QT interval, left bundle branch block or left ventricular dysfunction that allowed the diagnosis of CCC. Total improvement prevailed over the persistence of all clinical and ECG/Holter findings, except for sinus bradycardia. Incomplete right bundle branch block, sinus bradycardia and/or T-wave inversion were diagnosed persistently in 9 children. The second treatment did not have significant influence on the incidence of clinical or ECG/Holter findings.

Conclusions

At the end of the 10-year follow-up, there were not clinical or ECG/Holter criteria for classifying patients with CCC. The incidence of arrhythmias and repolarization abnormalities decreased. However, special attention should be paid on findings that not revert as sinus bradycardia, or those diagnosed persistently in all ECG as sinus bradycardia, incomplete right bundle branch block or T-wave inversion. Early diagnosis and treatment may have contributed to the rapid improvement of these patients. In ChD follow-up studies prevalence overestimates the real dimension of abnormalities, the incidence looks as a better indicator.
MAF1 is a predictive biomarker in HER2 positive breast cancer
Authors: Cabarcas-Petroski Stephanie , Olshefsky Gabriella , Schramm Laura
Published: October 2023

RNA polymerase III transcription is pivotal in regulating cellular growth and frequently deregulated in various cancers. MAF1 negatively regulates RNA polymerase III transcription. Currently, it is unclear if MAF1 is universally deregulated in human cancers. Recently, MAF1 expression has been demonstrated to be altered in colorectal and liver carcinomas and Luminal B breast cancers. In this study, we analyzed clinical breast cancer datasets to determine if MAF1 alterations correlate with clinical outcomes in HER2-positive breast cancer. Using various bioinformatics tools, we screened breast cancer datasets for alterations in MAF1 expression. We report that MAF1 is amplified in 39% of all breast cancer sub-types, and the observed amplification co-occurs with MYC. MAF1 amplification correlated with increased methylation of the MAF1 promoter and MAF1 protein expression is significantly decreased in luminal, HER2-positive, and TNBC breast cancer subtypes. MAF1 protein expression is also significantly reduced in stage 2 and 3 breast cancer compared to normal and significantly decreased in all breast cancer patients, regardless of race and age. In SKBR3 and BT474 breast cancer cell lines treated with anti-HER2 therapies, MAF1 mRNA expression is significantly increased. In HER2-positive breast cancer patients, MAF1 expression significantly increases and correlates with five years of relapse-free survival in response to trastuzumab treatment, suggesting MAF1 is a predictive biomarker in breast cancer. These data suggest a role for MAF1 alterations in HER2-positive breast cancer. More extensive studies are warranted to determine if MAF1 serves as a predictive and prognostic biomarker in breast cancer.
COVID-19 prevention and rehabilitation related knowledge and practices among Egyptian post-COVID-19 patients
Authors: Salem Marwa Rashad , Hegazy Nelly , Abd El Fatah Shaimaa A. M. , Shahib Alaaelrahman Essam Mahmoud , Hejazi Ahmad Mohamad
Published: October 2023

Background

Even with the mild form of COVID-19, people need to practice the proper preventive measures to achieve health, safety and control spread of infection. Few studies assessed sound disinfection and rehabilitative knowledge. This study aims to assess the self-reported, knowledge of specific disinfection measures among post-recovery COVID-19 patients and identifying the most requested knowledge items regarding the prevention and post COVID rehabilitation measures.

Methods

This is an exploratory cross-sectional study using an electronically open survey. A pre-tested e-questionnaire was employed for data assembling. The sample size was calculated and a total of 417 people completed the questionnaire. Knowledge score was calculated for preventive and disinfection measures during and after COVID 19 infection. It comprised three sections: socio-demographics, study participants’ knowledge regarding precautions, disinfection, and rehabilitation measures, as well as sources of knowledge about COVID-19.

Results

All participants infected with COVID-19 (82%) reported self-isolation for ten days after confirming the infection, with only 18% required hospitalization. Regarding the information needed by the participants, the highest requests were for the rehabilitation information after COVID-19 and preventive measures. Females under 30 years old and those with a college education or higher were significantly more likely to request rehabilitation information after COVID-19 (P-value 0.05). Nevertheless, males were significantly more interested in information regarding preventive measures; They were over 30 years old and had education below university (P-value 0.05). Participants (above 30 years old) had significantly higher knowledge of preventive and disinfection measures during and after COVID-19 infection (P = 0.030).

Conclusion

After the COVID-19 experience, most participants demonstrated a great desire for rehabilitation information and proper preventive measures. This paves the way for delivering self-management and rehabilitation knowledge and emphasizing the significance of various prevention modalities.
Subcutaneous Delivery of Diagnostics and RNAi to Primary and Metatstatic Tumors via Actively-targeted sub-50 nm (s50) Capsules.
Authors: Korman Viccie L , Nacusi Lucas , Pretti Alex J , Tobolt Diane L , Robertson J. David , Unger Gretchen
Published: October 2023

Purpose: To investigate targeting and efficacy of s50 capsules for delivery of biotherapeutics to primary and distant tumors by subcutaneous (SQ) injection.

Methods s50 capsules comprised of a tumor-targeting Tenfibgen (TBG) shell and bearing either Dysprosium (TBGDy) or a mixture of RNAi oligonucleotides against Casein Kinase 2 (CK2) α and α′ kinase subunits (GS-10), were synthesized by dispersion atomization (Fig.1). Two metastatic head and neck cancer (HNC) xenograft models, FaDu and SCC-47, were flank-injected into nude mice to test s50 targeting and efficacy. Specific targeting was assayed by delivering TBGDy via IV or SQ administration and measuring biodistribution. Mice were dissected and Dy content was quantitated in blood and tissues by neutron activation analysis for the isotope Dy163m. Capsule localization in tissue was documented by direct far-red fluorescence of Dy and indirect immunofluorescence of a Fab fragment “spiked” into the capsule shell. GS-10 efficacy in xenograft models was assayed by measuring growth inhibition via primary tumor weights and CK2 mRNA transcript levels by qPCR. GS-10 efficacy on distant brain and lung tumors was determined by cytokeratin-14 (K-14) expression.

Results: Biodistribution studies showed higher Dy concentration in tumor than liver for SQ routes (Fig. 2). Dy accumulation in primary tumors peaked at 48hrs post-SQ administration and was comparable to 4hrs post-IV administration (28% vs. 16% ID/g). Dy colocalizationn with capsule shell was confirmed by confocal microscopy supporting interpretation of Dy163m as capsule signal (Fig. 3). In the 30-day FaDu efficacy study, a 100 ug/kg daily (tumor-remote) SQ dose, decreased K-14, 47 and 79% in brains and lungs, respectively (n=5). In the 21-day SCC-47 model, significant growth inhibition of was observed in primary tumor weights relative to diluent and sugar capsule treatment respectively (92.8, 89.8%). CK2 RNA levels were reduced relative to sugar capsule-treated tumors (α, α′: 25.4%, 24.4%, n=3) while further anti-CK2 transcript activity by translational blockade, and CK2 protein downregulation was found by microscopy.

Conclusion: Subcutaneous administration of s50-delivered RNAi is a viable strategy for treatment of metastatic cancer.
Association of glycated hemoglobin with risk of pancreatic cancer in high-risk individuals based on genetic and family history.
Authors: Wu Bechien U , Chen Qiaoling , Moon Becky H , Lustigova Eva , Nielsen Erin G. , Alvarado Monica , Ahmed Syed A
Published: October 2023

Background:

Screening for pancreatic cancer (PC) is suggested for high-risk individuals (HRI). Additional risk factors may enhance early detection in this population.

Methods:

Retrospective cohort study among patients with germline variants and/or familial pancreatic cancer in an integrated healthcare system between 2003-2019. We calculated incidence rate (IR) by risk category and performed a nested case-control study to evaluate relationship between HbA1C and PC within 3 years prior to diagnosis(cases) or match date(controls). Cases were matched 1:4 by age, sex, and timing of HbA1c. Logistic regression was performed to assess independent association with PC.

Results:

We identified 5,931 HRIs: 1175(19.8%) familial PC, 45(0.8%) high-risk germline variants (STK11, CDKN2A), 4097(69.1%) had other germline variants (ATM, BRCA 1, BRCA 2, CASR, CDKN2A, CFTR, EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PALB2, PRSS1, STK11, TP53), and 614(10.4%) had both germline variants and family history. 68 (1.1%) patients developed PC; 50% were metastatic at diagnosis. High-risk variant was associated with greatest risk of PC, IR=85.1(95% CI: 36.7-197.6)/10,000 person-years, other germline variants and FDR had IR=33 (18.4, 59.3) while IR among ≥2 FDR alone was 10.7 (6.1, 18.8). HbA1c was significantly higher among cases vs. controls (median=7.0% vs. 6.4%, p=0.02). In multivariable analysis, every 1% increase in HbA1c was associated with 36% increase in odds of PC (OR=1.36, 95% CI: 1.08-1.72). Pancreatitis was independently associated with risk of PC (OR 3.93, 95% CL1.19,12.91).

Conclusion:

Risk of PC varies among high-risk individuals. HbA1c and history of pancreatitis may be useful additional markers for early detection in this patient population.
Armageddon: A History of the Location of the End of Time
Authors: Burnet Régis , Detal Pierre-Édouard
Published: October 2023

Rev 16:16 is a textbook case for any reception history analysis. Indeed, its reception has several successive tipping points, as in any reception history. In Revelation, as the text makes clear, it is a Hebrew literary name whose interpretation was not easy: from Tyconius to the most contemporary commentators, Armageddon is understood as a code name whose key remains lost. It was not until the 16th century that the name of a mountain was recognised, har Mageddo, the mountain of Magedon, linked to the fortress of Megiddo in the Jezreel plain. From Joachim of Flora onwards, the location of the eschatological battle is sought geographically. This change of lexical category marks a major interpretive revolution, for if one can locate the place on a map, then the war that takes place there becomes concrete. By virtue of geography, what belonged to myth—and thus to non-time—becomes tangible and is inscribed in a future temporality. From Alexander the Minorite to Hal Lindsey, the battle of Armageddon becomes a mirror of the geopolitics of the Latin and Anglo-American world. This ubiquity of the term over the last forty years has had a paradoxical effect: its withdrawal from geographical considerations. Thanks to the mechanism of antonomasia, the toponym tends to cover, by synecdoche, all the events of the end of time. It thus becomes the proper name of the end of time.
The Effectiveness of Software Designed to Detect AI-Generated Writing: A Comparison of 16 AI Text Detectors
Authors: Walters William H.
Published: October 2023

This study evaluates the accuracy of 16 publicly available AI text detectors in discriminating between AI-generated and human-generated writing. The evaluated documents include 42 undergraduate essays generated by ChatGPT-3.5, 42 generated by ChatGPT-4, and 42 written by students in a first-year composition course without the use of AI. Each detector’s performance was assessed with regard to its overall accuracy, its accuracy with each type of document, its decisiveness (the relative number of uncertain responses), the number of false positives (human-generated papers designated as AI by the detector), and the number of false negatives (AI-generated papers designated as human). Three detectors – Copyleaks, TurnItIn, and Originality.ai – have high accuracy with all three sets of documents. Although most of the other 13 detectors can distinguish between GPT-3.5 papers and human-generated papers with reasonably high accuracy, they are generally ineffective at distinguishing between GPT-4 papers and those written by undergraduate students. Overall, the detectors that require registration and payment are only slightly more accurate than the others.
Prevalence and concentration of aflatoxin M1 and ochratoxin A in cheese: a global systematic review and meta-analysis and probabilistic risk assessment
Authors: Mahmudiono Trias , Mazaheri Yeganeh , Sadighara Parisa , Akbarlou Zeynab , Hoseinvandtabar Somayeh , Fakhri Yadolah
Published: October 2023

Exposure to mycotoxins such as aflatoxins can endanger human health, especially infants and children. In this study, an attempt was made to retrieved studies related to the concentration of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and ochratoxin A (OTA). Search was performed in international databases such as Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for the period 1 January 2010 to 20 February 2023. Then, the pooled concentration in the defined subgroups was calculated using meta-analysis and the health risk assessment was conducted by margin of exposure (MOEs). Thirty-one scientific papers with 34 data reports (Sample size=2,277) were included in our study. The lowest and highest prevalence of AFM1 in cheese was related to El Salvador (12.18 %) and Serbia (100.00 %). The pooled prevalence of AFM1 was 49.85 %, 95 %CI (37.93–61.78 %). The lowest and highest prevalence of OTA in cheese was related to Türkiye (6.67 %) and Italy (44.21 %). The pooled prevalence of OTA was 35.64 %, 95 %CI (17.16–56.44 %). Health risk of AFM1 revealed that except Pakistan and Iran, MOE in the other countries was lower than 10,000 for adults and also except Pakistan, MOE for other countries was lower than 10,000 for children. Health risk of OTA revealed that except Greece, MOE in the other countries was higher than 10,000 for adults and also except Germany and Greece, MOE for other countries was higher than 10,000 for children. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct control plans to reduce the concentration of mycotoxins in cheese, especially AFM1.
Development of green and sustainable corrosion inhibitor for steel rebar in chloride-polluted simulated concrete pore solution using seed extract of Psoralea corylifolia (Badranj Boya)
Authors: Singh Ambrish , Ansari Kashif R. , Ali Ismat H. , Alanazi Abdullah K. , Lin Yuanhua , Al-Moubaraki Aisha H.
Published: October 2023

The present research aims to develop green and sustainable corrosion inhibitors based on plant extract. Herein, we have screened the inhibitory performance of Psoralea corylifolia (Badranj Boya) (PCS) seeds in chloride-polluted simulated concrete pore solution (SCPS) for the protection of steel rebar. Electrochemical experiments manifest that PCS can restrain reactions of the cathode and anode of steel rebar. The results reveal that the inhibitory performance magnitude is 95.1 % at 75 mg/L dosing amount after 72 h dipping time. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Atomic force microscopy (AFM) examination support the creation of an inhibitive layer of PCS over the steel rebar surface. Furthermore, adsorbed PCS over the steel rebar was justified via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Finally, PCS is a green and long-term efficient corrosion inhibitor for concrete structures.
Blood Flow Restriction Walking for Older Adults: A Brief Review
Authors: Ghayomzadeh Morteza , Hackett Daniel A.
Published: October 2023

Walking is a low-impact form of physical activity feasible, acceptable, and safe for load-compromised individuals, such as older adults. Options available to increase the potency of this exercise to promote training adaptations are generally limited to manipulation of speed, gradient, and duration. However, emerging studies have suggested that blood flow restriction (BFR) combined with walking is a method that can accentuate training-induced adaptations compared with walking alone. This narrative review aimed to examine the effectiveness and safety of BFR walking in older adults according to the existing literature. Of the limited evidence available on this topic, it appears that BFR walking compared with walking alone can induce significant increases in muscular hypertrophy and strength. Therefore, implementing BFR walking may be a feasible and safe option for older adults to enhance the effectiveness of their walking interventions, at least from a musculoskeletal perspective.
Seed priming: what's next?
Authors: Afzal Irfan
Published: October 2023

Seed priming is a pragmatic enhancement technology to improve seed performance used from ancient to modern times. Priming accelerates and synchronises the germination of seeds across a wider range of temperatures, giving rapid and uniform stand establishment of crop plants, particularly
for low vigour and dormant seeds. Further investigation is necessary to extend the utilisation of low-cost and effective priming agents to a broader spectrum of species and to enhance availability. Seed priming is a cost-effective solution for small farmers as it reduces production costs and
leads to uniform picking and harvesting, thus adding value in terms of quality. It is essential to scale up these approaches at both farmer and industry levels, particularly in developing countries. The benefits of priming are attributed to various putative molecular mechanisms such as epigenetic
control of priming, germination, and dormancy-related attributes. However, in different species and cultivars, it remains elusive and there is a paucity of studies on the long-term benefits of re-drying after priming. This in-depth review summarises aspects of priming techniques in a modern
context.
Insects and their antibiotic-producing bacteria
Authors: Hutchings Matthew I , Wilkinson Barrie
Published: October 2023

Many, if not all, plants and animals form mutually beneficial symbioses (mutualisms) with microbes and a subset of these mutualisms are defensive, in which the host provides food and housing in return for defence against disease. These symbioses typically involve antibiotic-producing bacteria, the best known of which are filamentous actinomycetes in the genera Streptomyces and Pseudonocardia and unicellular species in the genus Pseudomonas. Such mutualisms are likely to be widespread in nature, but they are best characterised in insects, which provide experimentally tractable models for studying symbiosis and microbiome formation because they typically host less complex microbial communities. Here, we examine the mutualisms formed between insects and antibiotic-producing bacteria using well-characterised examples, including digger wasps and their endosymbiotic Streptomyces species, attine ants and their mutualist Pseudonocardia species and Paederus beetles with their pederin-producing Pseudomonas species. We also discuss how searching such symbiotic niches can give insights into the evolution and functions of microbial specialised metabolites and provide new platforms for antibiotic discovery.
Selected phenolic compounds in the modulation of biochemical pathways involved in aging
Authors: Spagnuolo Ludovica , Lelli Diana , Lattanzi Greta , Dugo Laura , Pedone Claudio , De Gara Laura
Published: October 2023

Graphical abstract

The use of phenolic compounds, derived by plants, has recently emerged as a promising approach to prolong the lifespan by modulating metabolic pathways involved in aging. Phenolic compounds possess a broad spectrum of biochemical and pharmacological effects beneficial to human health such as modulating cellular senescence processes by interacting with molecular targets that regulate aging-related pathways. Phenolic compounds represent the major phytochemicals in our diet and possess several biological activities such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects; protection against aging-related diseases (cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases) with potential therapeutic applications and this could suggest that these compounds could be used as anti-aging nutraceutical support. In this review, we have considered the possible effects of some phenolic compounds in different aging pathways, to provide an overview of recent knowledge on their anti-aging mechanism of action.
Multi-attribute hierarchical clustering for product family division of customized wooden doors
Authors: Zhang Na , Xu Wei , Tan Yong
Published: October 2023

To improve the production system for customized wooden doors and to gain research and development efficiency, this paper proposed the feasibility of using hierarchical clustering algorithms to cluster a company’s customized wooden door products and its application to rational product family architecture. The particular use of multi-attribute feature data to locate products and the integration of image data into the database can make the original hierarchical clustering more compatible and adaptable for application to customized wooden doors. The preprocessed data was analyzed by clustering to obtain the clustering results and similarity relationships. Hierarchical clustering results were uneven and not entirely interpreted. However, the internal order structure of clusters and the clustering process could be clearly observed, and the distance hierarchical relationship between the products could be obtained, which was beneficial to the division of the product architecture. The results illustrated that processing using hierarchical clustering of multi-attribute data is feasible for optimizing customized wooden door product systems. In addition, the product architecture, product coding rules, and front-end development process were established to improve standardization and research and development efficiency. There is still great potential for developing the custom wooden door category in custom furniture companies.
Analysis of Law Enforcement Problems Related to Crime of Environmental Degradation Caused by Corporations in Indonesia
Authors: Hamzani Achmad Irwan , Taufik Moh. , Mukhidin Mukhidin , Khasanah Nur
Published: October 2023

Corporations are part of industrialization that destroys the environment. Air pollution has damaged the environment. Criminal action against corporations for destroying the environment must provide a sense of justice. This study intends to examine the obstacles in handling corporate crime, which cause environmental damage, and how to deal with a corporate crime based on the value of justice. In this research, a philosophical approach was taken, namely the study of a case in terms of the ideal in the future. The study results found that there were obstacles in handling criminal cases of environmental destruction, such as those related to regional policies on investment, strong backing, and compensation, which then eliminated criminal cases. The Environmental Law regulates corporations' handling of criminal acts of environmental destruction. Accountability, in this case, is carried out by the business entity and the person in charge of the business entity. A crime can be applied to the management and owner of a corporation as a business entity. An offence is needed for corporations destroying the environment based on justice.
Mining of Cryptocurrencies: Analysis of Law Enforcement Practice and Problem Solving in Legal Regulation
Authors: Muradyan Svetlana , Mikhaylenko Natalia , Skachko Anna , Ivanova Yulia , Rogachev Elisei , Alimamedov Elmir
Published: October 2023

Despite the enormous popularity of mining worldwide, which entirely objective reasons have caused, there remains a dissonance in States' approaches to its legal regulation. One of the reasons is that the legal regulation of blockchain technologies in different countries goes completely different ways. In fact, mining is a process of generating cryptocurrencies, as a result of which a new suitable block of transactions is added to the blockchain, and coins are issued. Therefore, to regulate such a process as mining, the legislator needs to create a holistic legal framework regulating the turnover of digital assets in the state.