bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frailty Measured by the Risk Analysis Index Predicts Nonhome Discharge and Mortality After Resection in Refractory Epilepsy: Analysis of 1236 Patients From a Prospective Surgical Registry, 2012 to 2020
Authors: Estes Emily M. , Rumalla Kavelin , Kazim Syed Faraz , Kassicieh Alexander J. , Segura Aaron C. , Kogan Michael , Spader Heather S. , Botros James A. , Schmidt Meic H. , Sheehan Jason P. , McKee Rohini G. , Shin Hae Won , Bowers Christian A.
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND:

Risk stratification of epilepsy surgery patients remains difficult. The Risk Analysis Index (RAI) is a frailty measurement that augments preoperative risk stratification.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate RAI's discriminative threshold for nonhome discharge disposition (NHD) and mortality (or discharge to hospice within 30 days of operation) in epilepsy surgery patients.

METHODS:

Patients were queried from the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2012-2020) using diagnosis/procedure codes. Linear-by-linear trend tests assessed RAI's relationship with NHD and mortality. Discriminatory accuracy was assessed by C-statistics (95% CI) in receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

RESULTS:

Epilepsy resections (N = 1236) were grouped into temporal lobe (60.4%, N = 747) and nontemporal lobe (39.6%, N = 489) procedures. Patients were stratified by RAI tier: 76.5% robust (RAI 0-20), 16.2% normal (RAI 21-30), 6.6% frail (RAI 31-40), and 0.8% severely frail (RAI 41 and above). The NHD rate was 18.0% (N = 222) and positively associated with increasing RAI tier: 12.5% robust, 34.0% normal, 38.3% frail, and 50.0% severely frail (P< .001). RAI had robust predictive discrimination for NHD in overall cohort (C-statistic 0.71), temporal lobe (C-statistic 0.70), and nontemporal lobe (C-statistic 0.71) cohorts. The mortality rate was 2.7% (N = 33) and significantly associated with RAI frailty: 1.1% robust, 8.0% normal, 6.2% frail, and 20.0% severely frail (P< .001). RAI had excellent predictive discrimination for mortality in overall cohort (C-statistic 0.78), temporal lobe (C-statistic 0.80), and nontemporal lobe (C-statistic 0.74) cohorts.

CONCLUSION:

The RAI frailty score predicts mortality and NHD after epilepsy surgery. This is accomplished with a user-friendly calculator: https://nsgyfrailtyoutcomeslab.shinyapps.io/epilepsy/.
Endothelial deletion of Wt1 disrupts coronary angiogenesis and myocardium development
Authors: Ramiro-Pareta Marina , Müller-Sánchez Claudia , Portella-Fortuny Rosa , Soler-Botija Carolina , Torres-Cano Alejo , Esteve-Codina Anna , Bayés-Genís Antoni , Reina Manuel , Soriano Francesc X. , Montanez Eloi , Martínez-Estrada Ofelia M.
Published: February 2023

Wt1 encodes a zinc finger protein that is crucial for epicardium development. Although WT1 is also expressed in coronary endothelial cells (ECs), the abnormal heart development observed in Wt1 knockout mice is mainly attributed to its functions in the epicardium. Here, we have generated an inducible endothelial-specific Wt1 knockout mouse model (Wt1KOΔEC). Deletion of Wt1 in ECs during coronary plexus formation impaired coronary blood vessels and myocardium development. RNA-Seq analysis of coronary ECs from Wt1KOΔEC mice demonstrated that deletion of Wt1 exerted a major impact on the molecular signature of coronary ECs and modified the expression of several genes that are dynamically modulated over the course of coronary EC development. Many of these differentially expressed genes are involved in cell proliferation, migration and differentiation of coronary ECs; consequently, the aforementioned processes were affected in Wt1KOΔEC mice. The requirement of WT1 in coronary ECs goes beyond the initial formation of the coronary plexus, as its later deletion results in defects in coronary artery formation. Through the characterization of these Wt1KOΔEC mouse models, we show that the deletion of Wt1 in ECs disrupts physiological blood vessel formation.
Making motors work – potential applications in biocomputing and synthetic biology
Authors: Furuta Ken'ya
Published: February 2023

Biomolecular motors exhibit outstanding functions, including efficient motion and force generation, as well as autonomous operation. In this Essay, I discuss how biomolecular motors can be engineered to be used in artificial systems and what future applications such systems might have.
Surgical Oncologists and Nurses in Breast Cancer Care are Ready to Provide Pre-Test Genetic Counseling
Authors: Bokkers K. , Bleiker E. M. A. , Aalfs C. M. , van Dalen T. , Velthuizen M. E. , Duijveman P. , Sijmons R. H. , Koole W. , Schoenmaeckers E. J. P. , Ausems M. G. E. M.
Published: February 2023

Background

Pre-test genetic counseling for patients with breast cancer is increasingly being provided by nongenetic healthcare professionals. We evaluated the attitudes, knowledge, and self-efficacy of surgeons, oncologists, and nurses regarding mainstream genetic testing and the feasibility to incorporate pre-test genetic counseling into routine care.

Methods

We offered an online training to healthcare professionals from 13 hospitals and implemented a mainstream genetic testing pathway in 11/13 (85%) hospitals. Questionnaires were sent before (T0) and 6 months after (T1) completing the training. Those who did not complete the training received a questionnaire to assess their motivations.

Results

In 11 hospitals, 80 (65%) healthcare professionals completed the training, of whom 70 (88%) completed both questionnaires. The attitudes, (perceived) knowledge and self-efficacy of healthcare professionals were high both at baseline and 6 months after completing the training. After 6 months, their perceived knowledge about the advantages and disadvantages of a genetic test and implications for family members had significantly improved (p = 0.012 andp = 0.021, respectively). For the majority (89%), the time investment for pre-test genetic counseling was less than 15 min per patient and as expected or better. Healthcare professionals considered the total time investment feasible to incorporate mainstream genetic testing into their daily practice. The main barrier to complete the training was lack of time. The online training was considered useful, with a rating of 8/10.

Conclusion

Surgical oncologists and nurses in breast cancer care feel well-equipped and motivated to provide pre-test genetic counseling after completion of an online training module.
Assessing the implementation of COVID-19 structured reporting templates for chest radiography: a scoping review
Authors: O'Reilly Peter A , Lewis Sarah , Reed Warren
Published: February 2023

Objective:

One of the common modalities used in imaging COVID-19 positive patients is chest radiography (CXR), and serves as a valuable imaging method to diagnose and monitor a patients’ condition. Structured reporting templates are regularly used for the assessment of COVID-19 CXRs and are supported by international radiological societies. This review has investigated the use of structured templates for reporting COVID-19 CXRs.

Methods:

A scoping review was conducted on literature published between 2020 and 2022 using Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and manual searches. An essential criterion for the inclusion of the articles was the use of reporting methods employing either a structured quantitative or qualitative reporting method. Thematic analyses of both reporting designs were then undertaken to evaluate utility and implementation.

Results:

Fifty articles were found with the quantitative reporting method used in 47 articles whilst 3 articles were found employing a qualitative design. Two quantitative reporting tools (Brixia and RALE) were used in 33 studies, with other studies using variations of these methods. Brixia and RALE both use a posteroanterior or supine CXR divided into sections, Brixia with six and RALE with four sections. Each section is scaled numerically depending on the level of infection. The qualitative templates relied on selecting the best descriptor of the presence of COVID-19 radiological appearances. Grey literature from 10 international professional radiology societies were also included in this review. The majority of the radiology societies recommend a qualitative template for reporting COVID-19 CXRs.

Conclusion:

Most studies employed quantitative reporting methods which contrasted with the structured qualitative reporting template advocated by most radiological societies. The reasons for this are not entirely clear. There is also a lack of research literature on both the implementation of the templates or comparing both template types, indicating that the use of structured radiology reporting types may be an underdeveloped clinical strategy and research methodology.

Advances in knowledge:

This scoping review is unique in that it has undertaken an examination of the utility of the quantitative and qualitative structured reporting templates for COVID-19 CXRs. Moreover, through this review, the material examined has allowed a comparison of both instruments, clearly showing the favoured style of structured reporting by clinicians. At the time of the database interrogation, there were no studies found had undertaken such examinations of both reporting instruments. Moreover, due to the enduring influence of COVID-19 on global health, this scoping review is timely in examining the most innovative structured reporting tools that could be used in the reporting of COVID-19 CXRs. This report could assist clinicians in decision-making regarding templated COVID-19 reports.
Nanopore sequencing of internal 2′-PO4modifications installed by RNA repair
Authors: White Laura K. , Strugar Saylor M. , MacFadden Andrea , Hesselberth Jay R.
Published: February 2023

Ligation by plant and fungal RNA ligases yields an internal 2′-phosphate group on each RNA ligation product. In budding yeast, this covalent mark occurs at the splice junction of two targets of ligation: intron-containing tRNAs and the messenger RNAHAC1. The repertoire of RNA molecules repaired by RNA ligation has not been explored due to a lack of unbiased approaches for identifying RNA ligation products. Here, we define several unique signals produced by 2′-phosphorylated RNAs during nanopore sequencing. A 2′-phosphate at the splice junction ofHAC1mRNA inhibits 5′ → 3′ degradation, enabling detection of decay intermediates in yeast RNA repair mutants by nanopore sequencing. During direct RNA sequencing, intact 2′-phosphorylated RNAs onHAC1and tRNAs produce diagnostic changes in nanopore current properties and base calling features, including stalls produced as the modified RNA translocates through the nanopore motor protein. These approaches enable directed studies to identify novel RNA repair events in other contexts.
Molecular basis for GIGYF–TNRC6 complex assembly
Authors: Sobti Meghna , Mead Benjamin J. , Stewart Alastair G. , Igreja Cátia , Christie Mary
Published: February 2023

The GIGYF proteins interact with 4EHP and RNA-associated proteins to elicit transcript-specific translational repression. However, the mechanism by which the GIGYF1/2–4EHP complex is recruited to its target transcripts remain unclear. Here, we report the crystal structures of the GYF domains from GIGYF1 and GIGYF2 in complex with proline-rich sequences from the miRISC-binding proteins TNRC6C and TNRC6A, respectively. The TNRC6 proline-rich motifs bind to a conserved array of aromatic residues on the surface of the GIGYF1/2 GYF domains, thereby bridging 4EHP to Argonaute–miRNA complexes. Our structures also reveal a phenylalanine residue conserved from yeast to human GYF domains that contributes to GIGYF2 thermostability. The molecular details we outline here are likely to be conserved between GIGYF1/2 and other RNA-binding proteins to elicit 4EHP-mediated repression in different biological contexts.
Quality parameters for RNA preparations from biopsies of ulcerated human skin
Authors: Giraldo-Parra Lina , Ramirez Lady Giovanna , Navas Adriana , Gómez María Adelaida
Published: February 2023

Background: Obtaining high quality RNA from skin biopsies is complex due the physical composition and high content of nucleases of this tissue. This becomes particularly challenging when using compromised skin samples with necrotic, inflammed or damaged areas, such as those from patients suffering skin conditions, which affect more than 900 million people annually. We evaluated the impact of the biopsy size and tissue preservation method on the quality and quantity of RNA extracts.

Methods: Skin lesion biopsies were obtained from patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Biopsy specimens of 2 mm (n = 10) and 3 mm (n = 59) were preserved in Allprotect® reagent, and 4 mm biopsies in OCT (n = 54). Quality parameters were evaluated using Nanodrop and Bioanalyzer. The informativeness of the extracted samples for downstream analyses was evaluated using RT-qPCR and RNA-Seq.

Results: The success rate, based on quality parameters of RNA extraction from tissue biopsies stored in OCT and 2 mm biopsies stored in Allprotect®, was 56% (30/54) and 30% (3/10), respectively. For 3 mm skin biopsies stored in Allprotect® was 93% (55/59). RNA preparations from 3 mm-Allprotect® biopsies had an average RIN of 7.2 ± 0.7, and their integrity was not impacted by sample storage time (up to 200 days at -20°C). RNA products were appropriate for qRT-PCR and RNA-seq. Based on these results, we propose a standardized method for RNA extraction from disrupted skin samples. This protocol was validated with lesion biopsies from CL patients (n = 30), having a success rate of 100%.

Conclusions: Our results indicate that a biopsy size of 3 mm in diameter and preservation in Allprotect® for up to 200 days at -20°C, are best to obtain high quality RNA preparations from ulcerated skin lesion biopsy samples.
Ensuring Cloud Data Security Using the Soldier Ant Algorithm
Authors: Dawson John Kwao , Ayawli Ben Beklisi Kwame , Agyemang Sylvester , Baah Philemon , Akyeramfo-Sam Samuel
Published: February 2023

Cloud computing is evolving as a firsthand archetype of large-scale distributed computing which adds more power to internet technologies. It is a framework aiming at convenient and on-request network access to an organized and shared pool of resources. Security of data transmitted and stored by a third party happens to be the greatest challenge for organizations embracing the technology. In this work, a proposed hybrid algorithm dubbed the Soldier Ant Algorithm (SAA) a blend of the Diffie-Hellman algorithm and Delta Encoding technique (Newton Forward and Backward Interpolation). The motivation obtained is the integration of algorithms for cryptography purposes. The integration makes the proposed SAA algorithm symmetric and also makes the Diffie-Hellman algorithm withstand security threats such as man-in-the-middle attacks. The proposed algorithm establishes a secured connection between the cloud client and the cloud service provider and at the same time secures the data sent to the cloud. A comparative analysis was performed against RSA and ElGamal and indicated that the proposed algorithms’ encryption and decryption time were lower even though it is linear (O(n)).
Lubelski obrzęd kolędowania zimowego wobec kosmologii ludowej. Analiza semiotyczno-strukturalna i diachroniczna
Authors: Jarmakowski Mikołaj
Published: February 2023

Przedmiotem badań podjętych w artykule jest lubelska tradycja Święta Godowego, w szczególności kolędowania, analizowana diachronicznie w ramach tartusko-moskiewskiej teorii semiotycznej. Poprzez wyróżnienie podstawowych struktur symboli realizowanych w ramach Godów oraz zestawienia – na przykładzie semiotyzacji przestrzeni obrzędu – tekstualnej i akcjonalnej warstwy święta podjęto próbę dotarcia do grupy jego najstarszych pokładów symbolicznych, ujętych jako fragment partycypującego w kosmologii ludowej osnownego „tekstu Święta Godowego”. Wnioskiem wyciągniętym z tych rozważań jest związek Godów z dawnym mitem solarnym i kosmogonicznym, będących częścią odtwarzanej semiosfery horyzontu bałtosłowiańskiego.
Bajka ludowa na Kujawach. Od bajarza przez archiwum do antologii
Authors: Smyk Katarzyna
Published: February 2023

Recenzja publikacji: Bajka ludowa na Kujawach (Antologia tekstów z lat 1955–1966), wybór, wstęp i opracowanie Violetta Wróblewska, Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika, Toruń 2022.
Marketing para instituciones de educación superior. Cómo crear valor extraordinario en la atracción de nuevos estudiantes
Authors: Echeverry Cañas Lina María
Published: February 2023

En el marketing educativo, los desafíos son constantes e impredecibles, porque han evolucionado las necesidades de formación según los intereses de las personas, la aceleración de la tecnología y el despertar de nuevas habilidades que requiere el mercado laboral. De ahí que las instituciones de educación superior, al tener que centrar sus esfuerzos en un trabajo colaborativo entre las unidades académicas y las áreas responsables de la atracción de aspirantes, tal vez precisen de una guía dirigida a los profesionales que lideran áreas de marketing, reclutamiento, promoción y admisiones, que son las responsables de la estrategia de atracción y retención de aspirantes en las instituciones de educación superior. Y este es el propósito de este libro escrito desde la experiencia y el aprendizaje en el territorio del marketing educativo, pues propone acciones precisas para cautivar audiencias en un entorno altamente competitivo, comprende elementos relevantes para la construcción de un plan de marketing que motivará la definición de las estrategias dirigidas a procesos de prospección y admisión, y que, por su carácter especializado, comparte conocimientos pertinentes al sector educativo que no se suelen tratar en los libros del marketing convencional.
Transición a la paz y responsabilidades de un pasado violento
Authors: de Gamboa Tapias Camila
Published: February 2023

Cuando la sociedad en su conjunto ha sufrido conflictos violentos, es preciso que las comunidades políticas asuman ciertas responsabilidades, a fin de lograr una transición política que logre una paz duradera y, en especial, una paz justa. De ahí que este libro, Transición a la paz y responsabilidades de un pasado violento, fundamentado en concepciones filosóficas, jurídicas y políticas propias de las democracias liberales y de la justicia transicional, se apoye e inspire en el conflicto colombiano, desde mis reflexiones y mis preocupaciones en mi condición de mujer y de ciudadana colombiana. Así, también esta obra analiza diferentes aspectos de los modelos de justicia transicional que se han gestado en Colombia y que iniciaron con la visión política y las negociaciones de paz en el Gobierno de Álvaro Uribe Vélez con las Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia, hasta llegar al modelo de justicia transicional del Acuerdo de La Habana con las FARC-EP, diseñado durante el Gobierno de Juan Manuel Santos, y que sigue rigiendo.
A Complex Adaptive Systems Perspective of Software Reuse in the Digital Age: An Agenda for IS Research
Authors: Vial Gregory
Published: February 2023

Most software on which we rely to help us organize our professional and personal lives is based on the reuse of other pieces of software that are created and maintained by groups of software developers that work independently from one another. Oftentimes, these groups simply publish their software in the form of self-contained packages available on dedicated repositories, facilitating the widespread diffusion of their work. Whereas the production and publication of software packages fosters unprecedented levels of digital innovation, there are also drawbacks associated with software reuse (e.g., as was publicly discussed in 2021 with the discovery of the Log4Shell vulnerability). Building on previous research, our work explores the implications associated with the unprecedented scale and uncoordinated nature of packaged software reuse. We use complex adaptive systems as a generative lens to help us conceptualize the phenomenon and identify promising avenues for research and practice on this topic. Our work, therefore, draws attention to the importance of the packaged software reuse phenomenon as well as the need for research to help increase our understanding of its nature and implications considering its prevalence in software development practice and the overall importance of software in our everyday lives.
When Images Backfire: The Effect of Customer-Generated Images on Product Rating Dynamics
Authors: Guan Yue , Tan Yong , Wei Qiang , Chen Guoqing
Published: February 2023

Customer-generated images (CGIs) are images posted by customers on e-commerce platforms, and they usually appear in the review sections together with review text and ratings provided by customers having purchase experiences. Despite their prevalent adoption by e-commerce platforms, the effect of CGIs on customers’ postpurchase satisfaction remains unclear. We find that CGIs lead to a decline in subsequent ratings compared with product ratings not exposed to CGIs. Furthermore, high CGI review ratings and high aesthetic quality exacerbate the negative effect, whereas reviewers’ face disclosure in CGIs can alleviate the negative effect. Through cross-product analyses, we find that the negative effect is more prominent for experience goods (e.g., women’s dresses) than for search goods (e.g., lightning cables). Results from a laboratory experiment show that participants experience significantly higher expectation and negative disconfirmation when reading CGI reviews with high ratings, whereas the uncertainty reduction effect is insignificant, which collectively explains the decline of subsequent product ratings from a theoretical perspective. These findings suggest that platforms and retailers should be aware of the potential negative effect of CGIs on the rating dynamics and take appropriate measures to circumvent it.
Remission of hereditary angioedema attacks associated with starting teriflunomide in a patient with multiple sclerosis
Authors: López Ana , Fernández Romero Diego
Published: February 2023

Background: Hereditary angioedema is a rare hereditary and potentially life-threatening disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of cutaneous and submucosal swelling. In spite of the advances made in terms of pathophysiology, underlying mechanisms are not fully clear and this, in turn, hinders the development of effective therapies. Currently, on demand treatment is considered first-class, with few cost-effective, long-term prophylactic options. Case presentation: Here we describe the case of a 34-year-old man diagnosed with hereditary angioedema at the age of 10, who used to suffer several angioedema attacks per month. He was given prophylactic treatment with antifibrinolytic agents and androgens without improvement. Moreover, he was treated with plasma-derived C1-INH concentrate or icatibant for on-demand treatment of moderate and severe angioedema attacks. At the age of 33, after suffering sudden vision loss and lower limb paresthesia, he was studied and diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Teriflunomide was administered at a dosage of 14 mg/day. Angioedema attacks disappeared 40 days after starting treatment. Conclusion: Thus, we suggest considering the pathophysiologic mechanisms on which teriflunomide could be active and consider this drug carefully as an option for prophylaxis purposes. Yet, its effectiveness on this condition should be further studied.
Japanese encephalitis virus triggered overlapping Miller Fischer syndrome with Bickerstaff encephalitis in a young Filipino crruise line worker
Authors: Hussain Hussain , Garcia Efrain , Angly Sohair , Aviles-Caraballo Jesus , Pages-Vega Hirania , Martinez Joseph , Saadoon Zahraa , Mendez Luis , Fadel Aya
Published: February 2023

Japanese encephalitis virus is an RNA flavivirus and one of the rare pathogens that can cause encephalitis. The main vector is the Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquito. The virus is very close in pathophysiology and structure to the West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis viruses. It is endemic in Asia and Western Pacific areas, mostly during the summer; only a few cases have been reported outside those regions. We present the case of a young Filipino cruise line male worker with signs and symptoms of Japanese encephalitis concomitantly with Miller Fisher syndrome and Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis. The patient developed obtundation, ataxia, areflexia, flaccid paralysis, and ophthalmoplegia, which were preceded by a few days of constitutional symptoms (fever, malaise, fatigue and anorexia). Physical examination showed various stages of erythema nodosum on the lower extremities. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid was positive for anti-GQ1b, West Nile IgG and Japanese encephalitis IgM. Despite the neurological complications and bradyarrhythmia occurring during hospitalization, the patient recovered completely under our regimen.
A review of the potential impact of professional nurse advocates in reducing stress and burnout in district nursing
Authors: Miles Beverley
Published: February 2023

Background: Stress and burnout has been leading to increased levels of absences, errors and complaints in district nursing. This problem appears to be worsening, necessitating the need for change and introducing new interventions to reverse this trend. The Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA) role is relatively new within nursing and their assitance in such instances could be of benefit to district nursing. Aim: This article aims to explore the potential role of PNAs in district nursing and whether their introduction to community settings could help reduce levels of stress, burnout and absenteeism. Method: The literature is explored with relation to the field of district nursing practice and consideration is given to why burnout is occurring, how PNAs could work to reduce this (using A-EQUIP model), and barriers that could exist. Findings: Burnout in district nursing is a significant problem that can affect quality of patient care. There is clear indication that PNAs, if used effectively, could reduce stress and burnout, and consequently lead to improved attendance, retention and quality of patient care. Conclusion: There is evidence for the potential benefits of PNAs within district nursing in terms of reducing burnout and improving patient care.
Evaluating the use of reflective cafés in Specialist Community Practitioner and Specialist Community Public Health Nurse programmes
Authors: Boyle Caroline , Logan Sarah , Lavery Joanna
Published: February 2023

Background: Specialist Community Practitioner (SCP) and Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) students are required to evidence their competency by the use of reflective practice as part of the NMC proficiencies. A reflective café trilogy comprising of three reflective teaching sessions was developed and introduced into a university programme to support and encourage alternative methods for deeper reflection within this student group. Aim: It was important for educators to evaluate if a reflective café met the student’s needs and understand the usefulness of a ‘reflective café’ as a technique to support the process of reflecting on practice. Methods: Evaluation was undertaken using an online questionnaire. Findings: Students evaluated if the reflective café was useful for their own development and identified that the number of sessions met their developmental needs. Conclusion: The potential to develop alternative methods to reflect was recognised and the team plan to develop other reflective processes to support students in the future.
Power Exchange
Authors: Millard Frank
Published: February 2023

After a false start the resurgence of battery swapping as a concept and a technology seems assured. It may not be the literal or metaphorical one-size-fits-all solution it once promised to be, but instead a solution that will fit evolving requirements
From Racetrack to Road
Authors: Evans Benedict
Published: February 2023

Nissan e.dams' managing director, Tommaso Volpe, spoke with Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Technology at the London ePrix about the team's journey through Formula E's eighth season, the ongoing preparations for Gen3, and the wider impact of the spec racing championship
A Model System
Authors: Sampson Ben
Published: February 2023

Electric vehicles aren't only growing in popularity on our roads --they're taking to the skies, too. But, as they do so, there is increasing focus on ensuring eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft are deployed safely and effectively
In for the Long H2aul
Authors: Roper Jack
Published: February 2023

The use of hydrogen as an aviation fuel will be pioneered in smaller aircraft before it is used in commercial airliners
Counting Frames
Authors: Sampson Ben
Published: February 2023

Engineers combine advanced tracking systems to capture data about high-speed airborne events
Car of the Year
Authors: Rover Range
Published: February 2023

Which new vehicles impressed most with their dynamics setups? The finalists spanned a range of vehicle types and price points, with only a sliver between the top three places - also spanning the highest and lowest-priced vehicles in the shortlist
Inside Job
Authors: Bashford Rachel
Published: February 2023

With its ability to look inside components without damaging them, nondestructive testing plays a vital role in consumer electronics development. CET&D look at what the future holds for this ingenuous testing method.
“It was Very Much the Wild West Out there. Everybody was Claiming to have HDR but Nobody Really had a Standard.”
Authors: Willis Paul
Published: February 2023

Developing standards for displays requires collaboration but never a compromise on quality, says Roland Wooster, of the Video Electronics Standards Association.
On The Mend
Authors: Willis Paul
Published: February 2023

Tech companies are under growing pressure to make their devices more repairable. CET&D looks at how the push for repairability could revolutionize electronics design and certification
Dual-wavelength laser source by spectral beam combining of two Nd:YAG pulse lasers
Authors: Zhu Zhanda , Wu Weichong , Wang Luda , Hui Yongling , Lei Hong , Li Qiang
Published: February 2023

We present a dual-wavelength laser source obtained by spectral beam
combining of two solid-state Nd:YAG pulsed lasers. The central
wavelengths were locked at 1061.5 and 1064.6 nm. The output
energy was the sum of the energy of the individually locked Nd:YAG
lasers. The beam quality M2 of the combined beam is 2.8×2.2, which is nearly the same as that of
a single Nd:YAG laser beam. This work should be helpful to provide an
effective dual-wavelength laser source for applications.
First-order statistics of intensity and phase in Laguerre–Gauss speckles
Authors: Fernandez Pedro A. Alvarez , Acevedo Cristian Hernando , Guzman-Sepulveda Jose R. , Dogariu Aristide
Published: February 2023

Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) beams are characterized by an azimuthal index or topological charge (m), associated with the orbital angular momentum, and by a radial index (p), which represents the number of the rings in the intensity distribution. We present a detailed, systematic study of the first-order phase statistics of the speckle fields created when LG beams of different order interact with random phase screens with different optical roughness. The phase properties of the LG speckle fields are studied in both the Fresnel and the Fraunhofer regimes using the equiprobability density ellipse formalism such that analytical expressions can be derived for the phase statistics.
Polarized light diffuse reflectance FT-NIR MEMS spectrometer enabling the detection of powder samples through a thin plastic layer
Authors: Eltagoury Yomna M. , Sabry Yasser M. , Khalil Diaa
Published: February 2023

Polarized scattered light Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is used for measuring the absorbance of highly scattering materials overcoming the multiple scattering effect. It has been reported for in vivo for biomedical applications and in-field for agricultural and for environmental monitoring. In this paper, we report a polarized light microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based FTIR in the extended near infrared (NIR) that utilizes a bistate polarizer in a diffuse reflectance measurement setup. The spectrometer is capable of distinguishing between single backscattering from the uppermost layer and multiple scattering from the deep layers. The spectrometer has a spectral resolution of 64cm−1 (about 16 nm at a wavelength of 1550 nm) and operates in the spectral range of 4347cm−1 to 7692cm−1 (1300 nm to 2300 nm). The technique implies de-embedding of the MEMS spectrometer polarization response by normalizing its effect; this is applied on three different samples: milk powder, sugar, and flour in plastic bags. The technique is examined on different scattering size particles. The scattering particles diameter’s range is expected to vary from 10 µm to 400 µm. The absorbance spectra of the samples are extracted and compared to the direct diffuse reflectance measurements of the samples, showing good agreement. By using the proposed technique, the calculated error for the flour was decreased from 43.2% to 2.9% at 1935 nm wavelength. The wavelength error dependence is also reduced.
Frequency-domain compression imaging for extending the field of view of infrared thermometers
Authors: Huang Yi , Chang Jun , Wu Chuhan , Cao Jiajing , Hu Yaoyao , Zhang Jianping
Published: February 2023

We propose a computational imaging technique for expanding the field of view of infrared thermometers. The contradiction between the field of view and the focal length has always been a chief problem for researchers, especially in infrared optical systems. Large-area infrared detectors are expensive and technically arduous to be manufactured, which enormously limits the performance of the infrared optical system. On the other hand, the extensive use of infrared thermometers in COVID-19 has created a considerable demand for infrared optical systems. Therefore, improving the performance of infrared optical systems and increasing the utilization of infrared detectors is vital. This work proposes a multi-channel frequency-domain compression imaging method based on point spread function (PSF) engineering. Compared with conventional compressed sensing, the submitted method images once without an intermediate image plane. Furthermore, phase encoding is used without loss of illumination of the image surface. These facts can significantly reduce the volume of the optical system and improve the energy efficiency of the compressed imaging system. Therefore, its application in COVID-19 is of great value. We design a dual-channel frequency-domain compression imaging system to verify the proposed method's feasibility. Then, the wavefront coded PSF and optical transfer function (OTF) are used, and the two-step iterative shrinkage/thresholding (TWIST) algorithm is used to restore the image to get the final result. This compression imaging method provides a new idea for the large field of view monitoring systems, especially in infrared optical systems.
FPGA-based burst-error performance analysis and optimization of regular and irregular SD-LDPC codes for 50G-PON and beyond
Authors: Yang Mingwei , Pan Ziwen , Djordjevic Ivan B.
Published: February 2023

We evaluate the burst-error performance of the regular low-density parity-check (LDPC) code and the irregular LDPC code that has been considered for ITU-T’s 50G-PON standard via experimental measurements in FPGA. By using intra codeword interleaving and parity-check matrix rearrangement, we demonstrate that the BER performance can be improved under ∼44-ns-duration burst errors for 50-Gb/s upstream signals.
Geometric pattern evolution of photonic graphene in coherent atomic medium
Authors: Zhang Hengfei , Yuan Jinpeng , Xiao Liantuan , Jia Suotang , Wang Lirong
Published: February 2023

The photonic graphene in atoms not only has the typical photonic band structures but also exhibits controllable optical properties that are difficult to achieve in the natural graphene. Here, the evolution process of discrete diffraction patterns of a photonic graphene, which is constructed through a three-beam interference, is demonstrated experimentally in a 5S1/2 − 5P3/2 − 5D5/2 85Rb atomic vapor. The input probe beam experiences a periodic refractive index modulation when traveling through the atomic vapor, and the evolution of output patterns with honeycomb, hybrid-hexagonal, and hexagonal geometric profiles is obtained by controlling the experimental parameters of two-photon detuning and the power of the coupling field. Moreover, the Talbot images of such three kinds of periodic structure patterns at different propagating planes are observed experimentally. This work provides an ideal platform to investigate manipulation the propagation of light in artificial photonic lattices with tunable periodically varying refractive index.
Polarization-modulated broadband achromatic bifunctional metasurface in the visible light
Authors: Qian Ziheng , Tian Shengnan , Zhou Wei , Wang Junwei , Guo Hanming , Zhuang Songlin
Published: February 2023

Achromatic bifunctional metasurface is of great significance in optical path miniaturization among advanced integrated optical systems. However, the reported achromatic metalenses mostly utilize a phase compensate scheme, which uses geometric phase to realize the functionality and uses transmission phase to compensate the chromatic aberration. In the phase compensation scheme, all the modulation freedoms of a nanofin are driven at the same time. This makes most of the broadband achromatic metalenses restricted to realizing single function. Also, the phase compensate scheme is always addressed with circularly polarized (CP) incidence, leading to a limitation in efficiency and optical path miniaturization. Moreover, for a bifunctional or multifunctional achromatic metalens, not all the nanofins will work at the same time. Owing to this, achromatic metalenses using a phase compensate scheme are usually of low focusing efficiencies. To this end, based on the pure transmission phase in the x-/y- axis provided by the birefringent nanofins structure, we proposed an all-dielectric polarization-modulated broadband achromatic bifunctional metalens (BABM) in the visible light. Applying two independent phases on one metalens at the same time, the proposed BABM realizes achromatism in a bifunctional metasurface. Releasing the freedom of nanofin’s angular orientation, the proposed BABM breaks the dependence on CP incidence. As an achromatic bifunctional metalens, all the nanofins on the proposed BABM can work at the same time. Simulation results show that the designed BABM is capable of achromatically focusing the incident beam to a single focal spot and an optical vortex (OV) under the illumination of x- and y-polarization, respectively. In the designed waveband 500 nm (green) to 630 nm (red), the focal planes stay unchanged at the sampled wavelengths. Simulation results prove that the proposed metalens not only realized bifunctional achromatically, but also breaks the dependence of CP incidence. The proposed metalens has a numerical aperture of 0.34 and efficiencies of 33.6% and 34.6%. The proposed metalens has advantages of being flexible, single layer, convenient in manufacturing, and optical path miniaturization friendly, and will open a new page in advanced integrated optical systems.
Design of a centimeter-scale achromatic hybrid metalens with polarization insensitivity in the visible
Authors: Hu Tie , Wang Shengqi , Wei Yunxuan , Wen Liqinng , Feng Xing , Yang Zhenyu , Zheng Jinkun , Zhao Ming
Published: February 2023

Achromatic metalenses formed using previous design methods face a compromise between diameter, numerical aperture, and working wave band. To address this problem, the authors coat the refractive lens with a dispersive metasurface and numerically demonstrate a centimeter-scale hybrid metalens for the visible band of 440–700 nm. By revisiting the generalized Snell law, a universal design of a chromatic aberration correction metasurface is proposed for a plano–convex lens with arbitrary surface curvatures. A highly precise semi-vector method is also presented for large-scale metasurface simulation. Benefiting from this, the reported hybrid metalens is carefully evaluated and exhibits 81% chromatic aberration suppression, polarization insensitivity, and broadband imaging capacity.
Sub-Mbps key-rate continuous-variable quantum key distribution with local local oscillator over 100-km fiber
Authors: Pi Yaodi , Wang Heng , Pan Yan , Shao Yun , Li Yang , Yang Jie , Zhang Yichen , Huang Wei , Xu Bingjie
Published: February 2023

We experimentally demonstrated a sub-Mbps key rate Gaussian-modulated
coherent-state (GMCS) continuous-variable quantum key distribution
(CV-QKD) over a 100-km transmission distance. To efficiently control
the excess noise, the quantum signal and the pilot tone are
co-transmitted in the fiber channel based on wideband frequency and
polarization multiplexing methods. Furthermore, a high-accuracy
data-assisted time domain equalization algorithm is carefully designed
to compensate the phase noise and polarization variation in low
signal-to-noise ratio. The asymptotic secure key rate (SKR) of the
demonstrated CV-QKD is experimentally calculated to be 7.55 Mbps, 1.87
Mbps, and 0.51 Mbps over a transmission distance of 50 km,
75 km, and 100 km, respectively. The experimentally
demonstrated that the CV-QKD system significantly improves the
transmission distance and SKR compared to the state-of-art GMCS CV-QKD
experimental results, and shows the potential for long-distance and
high-speed secure quantum key distribution.
Low-threshold dual-wavelength CW mid-IR laser from shared intracavity quasi-phase-matched OPO
Authors: Chen Bao-Te , Tsai Shin-Lin , Wang Xiang , Liang Hsing-Chih , Cho Chun-Yu
Published: February 2023

A low-threshold continuous wave dual-wavelength mid-infrared laser is demonstrated by using an intracavity optical parametric oscillator (OPO) with a dual-wavelength pump wave. To realize a high-quality dual-wavelength pump wave, a composite Nd:YVO4/Nd:GdVO4 gain medium is applied for a linear polarized state and synchronization output. With the quasi-phase-matching OPO process, it is found that the dual-wavelength pump wave shares equal signal wave oscillation and leads to a lower OPO threshold. Finally, a diode threshold pumped power of barely 2 W can be achieved for the balanced intensity dual-wavelength watt-level mid-IR laser.
Assessment of sub-micron subsurface damage in glass
Authors: Xu Jing , Chen Gong , Qiao Jie , Lambropoulos John
Published: February 2023

We present a new experimental method for assessing sub-micron level subsurface damage (SSD) on optical glass. The method correlates surface characteristics such as fracture toughness and Young’s modulus via nanoindentation with penetration depth into the tested surfaces, at different overall penetration depths as revealed by magnetorheological finishing (MRF) spotting techniques. Our results on ground surfaces suggest that low surface roughness does not necessarily imply the absence of SSD. We also compared SSD on surfaces processed by deterministic microgrinding and femtosecond (fs) laser polishing. The fs-laser polished surfaces revealed no detectable SSD, thus establishing the feasibility of fs-laser polishing for precision optical manufacturing.
Limits of realizing irradiance distributions with shift-invariant illumination systems and finite étendue sources
Authors: Heemels Alexander , Adam Aurele , Urbach H.
Published: February 2023

When redistributing the light emitted by a source into a prescribed irradiance distribution, it is not guaranteed that, given the source and optical constraints, the desired irradiance distribution can be achieved. We analyze the problem by assuming an optical black box that is shift-invariant, meaning that a change in source position does not change the shape of the irradiance distribution, only its position. The irradiance distribution we can obtain is then governed by deconvolution. Using positive definite functions and Bochner's theorem, we provide conditions such that the irradiance distribution can be realized for finite étendue sources. We also analyze the problem using optimization, showing that the result heavily depends on the chosen source distribution.
Correcting for Spatial-Spectral Crosstalk and Chromatic Aberrations in Broadband
Line-Scan Spectral-Domain OCT images
Authors: HAN LE , Bizheva Kostadinka
Published: February 2023

Digital correction of optical aberrations allows for high-resolution imaging across the full depth range in optical coherence tomography (OCT). Many digital aberration correction (DAC) methods have been proposed in the past to evaluate and correct monochromatic wavefront phase errors in OCT images. However, other factors that deteriorate the image quality have not been fully investigated. Here we present a novel approach to digital recovery of the spatial resolution in images acquired with a broadband Line-Scan Spectral-Domain OCT system (LS-SD-OCT), which addresses 2main factors that limit the effectiveness of DAC for restoring diffraction-limited resolution in LS-SD-OCT images: spatial-spectral crosstalk and chromatic aberrations. In the proposed approach, spatial-spectral crosstalk and chromatic aberrations were effectively suppressed by registration of monochromatic sub-band tomograms that were digitally corrected for aberrations. The new method was validated by imaging a standard resolution target, a microspheres phantom, and different biological tissues. LS SD-OCT technology combined with the proposed novel image reconstruction method could be a valuable research tool for various biomedical and clinical applications.
Extended parental provisioning and variation in vertebrate brain sizes
Authors: van Schaik Carel P. , Song Zitan , Schuppli Caroline , Drobniak Szymon M. , Heldstab Sandra A. , Griesser Michael
Published: February 2023

Large brains provide adaptive cognitive benefits but require unusually high, near-constant energy inputs and become fully functional well after their growth is completed. Consequently, young of most larger-brained endotherms should not be able to independently support the growth and development of their own brains. This paradox is solved if the evolution of extended parental provisioning facilitated brain size evolution. Comparative studies indeed show that extended parental provisioning coevolved with brain size and that it may improve immature survival. The major role of extended parental provisioning supports the idea that the ability to sustain the costs of brains limited brain size evolution.