bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discontinuous, biphasic, ontogenetic shifts in the metabolic allometry of aquatic animals?
Authors: Packard Gary C.
Published: March 2024

Several investigations in recent years have reported patterns of discontinuous, biphasic, loglinear variation in the metabolic allometry of aquatic animals. These putative shifts in pattern of allometry have been attributed to changes in the primary site for gas exchange from cutaneous to branchial as animals undergo ontogenetic changes in size, shape, and surface area. Because of the important implications of the earlier research with regard to both physiology and evolution, I re-examined data that purportedly support claims of discontinuous, biphasic allometry in oxygen consumption versus body size of American eels (Anguilla rostrata) and spiny lobsters (Sagmariasus verreauxi). I used ANCOVA to fit three different statistical models to each set of logarithmic transformations and then assessed the fits by Akaike's Information Criterion. The observations for both species were described better by a single straight line fitted to the full distribution than by a biphasic model. Eels, lobsters, and other aquatic animals undergo changes in shape and surface area as they grow, but such changes are not necessarily accompanied by changes in the pattern of metabolic allometry.
Interactions between U and V sex chromosomes during the life cycle of Ectocarpus
Authors: Vigneau Jeromine , Martinho Claudia , Godfroy Olivier , Zheng Min , Haas Fabian B. , Borg Michael , Coelho Susana M.
Published: March 2024

In many animals and flowering plants, sex determination occurs in the diploid phase of the life cycle with XX/XY or ZW/ZZ sex chromosomes. However, in early diverging plants and most macroalgae, sex is determined by female (U) or male (V) sex chromosomes in a haploid phase called the gametophyte. Once the U and V chromosomes unite at fertilization to produce a diploid sporophyte, sex determination no longer occurs, raising key questions about the fate of the U and V sex chromosomes in the sporophyte phase. Here, we investigate genetic and molecular interactions of the UV sex chromosomes in both the haploid and diploid phases of the brown alga Ectocarpus. We reveal extensive developmental regulation of sex chromosome genes across its life cycle and implicate the TALE-HD transcription factor OUROBOROS in suppressing sex determination in the diploid phase. Small RNAs may also play a role in the repression of a female sex-linked gene, and transition to the diploid sporophyte coincides with major reconfiguration of histone H3K79me2, suggesting a more intricate role for this histone mark in Ectocarpus development than previously appreciated.
Web/Mobile system innovation: An efficient revolution in warehouse management.
Authors: ZAVALETA SAENZ CAROLINA LUCIA , Romero Ruiz Alexis , Pacheco Alex
Published: March 2024

In today’s society, the amount of data available in many area has made it more important than ever to use effective technological tools for accurate and clear analysis and presentation of information. Therefore, the main objective of the research is to implement a Web/mobile system to improve inventory management in a private company. It has been developed under an agile extreme programming XP methodology, taking into account the following phases, which are carried out four structural activities planning, design, coding and testing. In addition, the following technologies were chosen: such as with programming languages PHP, with markup language PHP, MySql v. 10.0 as database system MySql v. 10.0, and cascading style sheets CSS for visual customisation. Therefore, the results showl a 13% improvement in the efficiency of the percentage of spools to be located (PSL, a 28% a better control of the index of percentage of inventoried coils (IC) and an 1,1% difference in efficiency of the Productivity per user (PU) index. With the implementation of a web-based web/mobile inventory management system to improve inventory control and mobile to better control of a company inventory management, using as a reference the most agile methodology to diversify the cases and functionalities contained in the system.
Predictors of hypertension among diabetic patients in the Ejisu municipality of Ghana
Authors: Brenyah Florence , Apprey Charles , K. Agbenorhevi Jacob , C. Mills-Robertson Felix
Published: March 2024

Introduction The co-existence of hypertension with diabetes mellitus among diabetic patients is a setback to public health. About 40-75% of diabetic patients present with hypertension. The co-existence of hypertension and diabetes can accelerate complications such as stroke, myocardial infarction, nephropathy, and mortality. Available data indicate the devastating effects of hypertension and diabetes on individuals, families, and the economy as catastrophic. Therefore, knowing the predictors of hypertension among diabetic patients would inform the lifestyle and management of the two conditions. Objective The study focused on predictors of hypertension among diabetic patients in the Ejisu Municipality of Ghana. Methods The study employed a quantitative approach with a sample size of 120. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, family history, 24-hour dietary recall, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin, total lipid profile, and anthropometrics. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Results Out of 120 respondents, 85% were females with 77.5% above 50 years of age. A majority (66.7%) had a family history of diabetes with 76.7% having hypertension as a comorbidity. Fasting blood glucose was found to be 8.519 times more likely to present with hypertension. Systolic blood pressure, carbohydrate, and sodium intakes were 6.1%, 2.9%, and 0.1% respectively. However, diabetic patients with high HbA1c were 97% less likely not to present with hypertension. Conclusion Hypertension was found to be the most common comorbidity among diabetic patients in Ghana. Glycaemic control, systolic blood pressure, and dietary factors specifically carbohydrate and sodium intake were significant predictors of hypertension among the study participants.
Practices, issues and possibilities at the interface between geriatrics and palliative care (InGaP): An exploratory study and knotworking
Authors: Borgstrom Erica , Schiff Rebekah , Khan Shaheen A , Hindley Esther , Thayabaran Darmiga , Savage Emily , Gough Nicholas , Holti Richard
Published: March 2024

Introduction With the recognition of the need for palliative care for people with non-malignant conditions, there is an increasing emphasis on interdisciplinary working between geriatric and palliative care teams. This interdisciplinary work has evolved organically; more needs to be known about current working practices. This is of policy and clinical interest as the older patient population continues to grow. Methods An exploratory qualitative interview study was undertaken of end-of-life care for older in-patients in a large London NHS Trust. 30 semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with staff from palliative care and geriatric medical and nursing teams, two with patients and five with carers. Questions covered: examples and perceptions of collaboration and patient/carer perceptions of clarity as to who was providing care. Interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed focusing on: examples of successful collaboration; areas of tension, duplication or confusion about responsibilities; and suggestions for future practice. Results Participants were positive about collaboration. Examples of what works well include: the referral process to the palliative care team; inter-team communication and use of face-to-face handovers; unity between the teams when communicating with patients and families. Areas for potential development include: embedding palliative care within ward multidisciplinary team meetings; continual on-ward education given rotation of staff; and improving collaboration between palliative care, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. It is unclear whether patients’ and carers’ lack of awareness of the different teams has a detrimental effect on their care or needs. Conclusions There is evidence of strong collaborative working between the teams; however, this study highlights potential areas for improvement. An exploration of these relationships in other settings is required to determine if the same themes arise with a view to inform national guidelines and policy to improve care towards the end of life.
Using VES and GIS-Based DRASTIC Analysis to Evaluate Groundwater Aquifer Contamination Vulnerability in Owerri, Southeastern Nigeria
Authors: Okoli Emeka , Akaolisa Casmir Chukwuemeka Zanders , Ubechu Bridget Odochi , Agbasi Okechukwu Ebuka , Szafarczyk Anna
Published: March 2024

This study assesses groundwater vulnerability in Owerri, Nigeria, using Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) and Geographic Information System (GIS)-based DRASTIC modeling. The research methodology includes literature review, field survey, geological feature mapping, hydrogeological assessment, geo-electrical sounding, and data interpretation. Owerri, a rapidly developing city with flat topography and a growing population, uses the DRASTIC model to construct a groundwater vulnerability map. The model evaluates the risk of groundwater contamination using seven critical criteria, including depth to water table, net recharge, aquifer media, soil media, topography, vadose zone impact, and hydraulic conductivity. Each parameter was given a weight and rating, and the DRASTIC Index (DI) was calculated by summing the products of the weights and ratings for each factor. The results of the vulnerability assessment indicated that approximately 49% of the study area falls into the high vulnerability category, around 45% is classified as moderate vulnerability, and the remaining 6% is labeled as low vulnerability. The study reveals moderate to high vulnerability zones in Owerri, Nigeria, due to factors like lower slope terrain, permeable aquifer media, and vadose zone impact. The use of VES and GIS-based DRASTIC mapping techniques provides insights into groundwater vulnerability, aiding in sustainable resource management and environmental protection. The findings emphasize the importance of understanding potential risks and the need for effective management strategies to safeguard clean water supplies. Further research and mitigation efforts should focus on highly vulnerable areas.
Effects of Market Size and Competition in Two-Sided Markets: Evidence from Online Dating
Authors: Fong Jessica
Published: March 2024

The paper investigates network effects in online dating, focusing on how market and competition size influence user behavior and matching decisions.
Optimal Investment Strategy for α-Robust Utility Maximization Problem
Authors: Yang Zhou , Li Danping , Zeng Yan , Liu Guanting
Published: March 2024

In reality, investors are uncertain about the dynamics of risky asset returns. Therefore, investors prefer to make robust investment decisions. In this paper, we propose an α-robust utility maximization problem under uncertain parameters. The investor is allowed to invest in a financial market consisting of a risk-free asset and a risky asset. The uncertainty about the expected return rate is parameterized by a nonempty set. Different from most existing literature on robust utility maximization problems where investors are generally assumed to be extremely ambiguity averse because they tend to consider only expected utility in the worst-case scenario, we pay attention to the investors who are not only ambiguity averse but also ambiguity seeking. Under power utility, we provide the implicit function representations for the precommitted strategy, equilibrium strategy of the open-loop type, and equilibrium strategy of the closed-loop type. Some properties about the optimal trading strategies, the best-case and worst-case parameters under three different kinds of strategies, are provided.

Funding: This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 12071147, 12171169, 12271171, 12371470, 71721001, 71931004, 72371256], the Shanghai Philosophy Social Science Planning Office Project [Grant 2022ZJB005], Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities [Grant 2022QKT001], the Excellent Young Team Project Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province of China [Grant 2023B1515040001], the Philosophy and Social Science Programming Foundation of Guangdong Province [Grant GD22CYJ17], the Nature Science Foundation of Guangdong Province of China [Grant 2022A1515011472], and the 111 Project [Grant B14019].
Product Service Outsourcing: Impact of Environment Uncertainty and Partial Observability
Authors: Wang Yimin , Li Mei , Ma Ning , Zhang Heng
Published: March 2024

Problem definition: Product service plays a crucial role for brands to retain customers and spur revenue growth. It is, however, often outsourced to a third-party provider, driven by cost savings and the ability to focus on core businesses. Although there is a large body of literature studying service outsourcing, the impact of service environment uncertainty (i.e., changing customer needs and shifting resource requirements) has received sparse attention in the past but is becoming a major concern because of increased market turbulence. This research explores how environment uncertainty in service provision influences a brand’s intent to outsource, and, if the brand decides to outsource, how it can retain the potential cost advantages offered by a third-party provider. Methodology/results: This research develops a normative model to explore key drivers that impact service outsourcing outcomes under environment uncertainty and partial observability. We find that environment uncertainty can accelerate a brand’s propensity to outsource, and a brand typically benefits from outsourcing initially. Yet, we show that such benefits can dissipate over time because of partial observability. Monitoring efforts help to mitigate the adverse impact of environment uncertainty and partial observability, but cannot attain anticipated outsourcing benefits unless monitoring is costless. In contrast, nudging service providers to self-report the cost of resources is effective even if the monitoring cost is high. Managerial implications: Brands should carefully consider environment uncertainty, partial observability, and monitoring ability when deciding whether to outsource product services to third-party providers. A heuristic monitoring policy can be effective when the monitoring cost is very high or very low but can perform poorly when the monitoring cost is in the intermediate range. Thus, outsourcing is more attractive when environment uncertainty is significant, but the value of outsourcing can only be realized when (a) partial observability is insignificant, (b) monitoring is inexpensive, or (c) provider self-reporting can be nudged. If none of the conditions hold, then the brand can suffer significant losses from the anticipated benefits of product service outsourcing.

Funding: This research is partially supported by the first author's 2022 Dean’s Excellence Summer Research Grant from W. P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2022.0222 .
Design of Patient Visit Itineraries in Tandem Systems
Authors: Liu Nan , Wan Guohua , Wang Shan
Published: March 2024

Problem definition: Multistage service is common in healthcare. One widely adopted approach to manage patient visits in multistage service is to provide patients with visit itineraries that specify personalized appointment time for each patient at each service stage. We study how to design such visit itineraries. Methodology/results: We develop the first optimization modeling framework to provide each patient with a personalized visit itinerary in a tandem (healthcare) service system. Due to interdependencies among stages, our model loses those elegant properties (e.g., L-convexity and submodularity) often utilized to solve the classic single-stage models. To address these challenges, we develop two original reformulations. One is directly amenable to off-the-shelf optimization software, and the other is a concave minimization problem over a polyhedron shown to have neat structural properties, based on which we develop efficient solution algorithms. In addition to these exact solution approaches, we propose an approximation approach with a provable optimality bound and numerically validated performance to serve as an easy-to-implement heuristic. A case study populated by data from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute shows that our approach makes a remarkable 28% cost reduction over practice on average. Managerial implications: Common approaches used in practice are based on simple adjustments to schedules generated by single-stage models, often assuming deterministic service times. Whereas such approaches are intuitive and take advantage of existing knowledge of single-stage models, they can lead to significant loss of operational efficiency in managing multistage services. A well-designed patient visit itinerary that carefully addresses the interdependencies among stages can significantly improve patient experience and provider utilization.

History: This paper was selected for Fast Track in the M&SOM Journal from the 2022 MSOM Healthcare SIG Conference.

Funding: The work of the last two authors was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 71931008 and 72001220].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2023.0134 .
Exercise and physical activity after stoma surgery: EXPASS recommendations
Authors: Russell Sarah , Archer Kerry , Osborne Wendy
Published: March 2024

Background:

No formal published recommendations exist about exercise and physical activity after stoma surgery and there is no consensus on advice among health professionals. Numerous difficulties after stoma surgery cause physical activity and exercise levels to decrease. Health professionals can feel ill equipped to advise, leaving patients confused and unsupported.

Aim:

Formal recommendations for exercise and physical activity are to be established.

Method:

An expert panel is working under the auspices of the Association of Stoma Care Nurses (ASCN) UK to review existing literature, explore clinical practice and develop formal Delphi consensus recommendations. The document will be aimed at health professionals but will also be available to individuals undergoing surgery.

Conclusion:

The formal document will be published by the end of 2024 through ASCN UK. The scope of the EXPASS recommendations will cover adults (aged ≥16 years) with any stoma. It will offer peer-reviewed Delphi guidance on physical activity and exercise before and immediately after surgery as well as for long-term living with a stoma. After peer review, the document will provide clarification, consensus and practical recommendations based on the expert panel's evidence, research and clinical opinion.
E. Gas Production Rates
Authors: Milton Wege J. , Falconer R. M. , Gimblet Ernest , Simmons James , Arrington Louis , Hopkins W. B. , Davis Ralph E.
Published: March 2024

Studies of the rates at which gas can be expected to be produced from a well, a field, or a group of fields are made commonly and for several purposes. Such studies generally are referred to as “availability” or “deliverability” studies.

Availability studies are made to approximate the time period during which a given supply of gas can be expected to meet gas deliveries at various rates. Such studies are made commonly for pipeline companies seeking certificates of public convenience and necessity from the FPC. Availability studies also assist pipeline companies in planning future gas-acquisition programs. They may be used in connection with financing projects. When gas-producing properties are being valued for a sale or purchase, it is desirable that future production rates be predicted because they will have a direct bearing on the rates at which income will be derived from the property. Studies of gathering-system pressures which will be required to maintain various rates of production enable operators to compute gathering-system costs, including compression costs, and to select the optimum rate of production related to the costs thereof.
Ecological Disquisitions on Six Paintings by Edouard Jean
Authors: Benson LeGrace
Published: March 2024

Abstract: Capois artist Edouard Jean (1953–) created this group of paintings especially for a Haitian Studies Association conference, held in Cap-Haïtien in 2016, with the environment as its central theme. Jean is among the artists who were students and then colleagues of Philomé Obin, founder of the “School of the North History Painters.” Many of Jean’s works depict scenes of Haitian history, and he has been observed walking about with a rolled-up copy of a paperback book on Haitian history sticking out from his back pocket. His history paintings always include keenly observed and finely executed flowers and trees, and he has created many works where these are the subject. When he heard of the conference on the environment, he wanted to make a set of works that would tell some of the story, often distressing, that he was observing around him. With the collaboration of his main collector, Laetitia Schuett, Jean has made the paintings available for this special issue of the journal.
Three-dimensional modeling of electric-field enhancement in multilayer dielectric gratings arising from inadvertent flaws
Authors: Huang Hu , Hoffman Brittany N. , Demos Stavros G.
Published: March 2024

Pulse-compression gratings for high-power, short-pulse laser systems are exposed to high electric fields that are further enhanced locally due to their 2D nanostructured surface. This makes them vulnerable to laser-induced damage. The present work considers the effect on electric-field modulation caused by an array of commonly found inadvertent flaws in gratings including fabrication defects, contamination particles, and laser-induced–damage initiation. These defects affect the laser-damage performance characteristics of the grating. To understand the local field-enhancement distribution due these imperfections, 3D modeling of the electric-field distribution is performed with a sufficiently high resolution of 1/74 of the laser wavelength (λ) while considering a volume of ≈489 λ3. The results provide estimates for the ensuing electric-field intensification and projected reduction of the laser-damage thresholds, as well as the anticipated pattern of damage growth initiation.
High-speed and high-precision measurement of biaxial in-plane displacements: tens of nanometers principle error suppression in microprobe sensors
Authors: Dong Yisi , Zhang Jinran , Fu Haijin , Zhang Chen , Li Wenwen , Luo Wenrui , Yang Ruitao , Yang Hongxing , Hu Pengcheng
Published: March 2024

When the microprobe sensor is faced with the demand of high-speed biaxial displacement measurement, due to the characteristics of phase generated carrier (PGC) technology, accompanying optical intensity modulation (AOIM) and unfavorable phase modulation depth (PMD) will bring about the tens of nanometer cyclic nonlinear errors, further hindering high-speed and high-precision measurement. Herein, a light source intensity stabilization system based on semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) feedback control is achieved to eliminate the error caused by AOIM in the presence of high-frequency and large-amplitude laser modulation. Based on this, the reasons for large nonlinear errors in biaxial measurements and the inability to ensure the stability of the accuracy of multiple measurement axes are methodically examined, and an effective nonlinear error elimination methodology based on the normalized amplitude correction of active temperature scanning is proposed. The continuity and linearity of the temperature scanning are also discussed. The performed experiments show that the above approach is capable of reducing the displacement demodulation error from the nanometer scale to the sub-nanometer scale. Further, the nonlinear error is reduced to within 0.1 nm for both measurement axes and the performance becomes consistent. The dual-axis measurement resolution of the microprobe sensor reaches 0.4 nm and the measurement speed is better than 1.2 m/s with the standard deviation of lower than 0.5 nm.
Ultra-sensitive pressure sensor with low-temperature crosstalk based on the Vernier effect and helical structure
Authors: Wang Sunde , Wang Tianshu , Li Baoqun , Li Deqi , Du Silun , Wu Tianjiao , Liu Dongmei
Published: March 2024

What we believe to be a novel high-sensitivity fiber-optic pressure sensor based on the vernier effect and helical structure is proposed and experimentally verified. The sensor utilizes the superposition of higher-order mode Mach-Zehnder interference and Sagnac fundamental mode polarization interference in a single fiber ring to achieve the vernier effect. In addition, a non-invasive encapsulation structure was fabricated to convert the rise and fall of the pressure value into the change in the twist angle of the optical fiber. This approach reduces the interference of the detecting medium on the sensor signal while simultaneously increasing the sensitivity of the pressure sensor. According to experimental data, the detection sensitivity of the sensor can reach −67277 nm/MPa, which is 65 times higher than the sensitivity of the conventional vernier effect pressure sensor. It also solves the issue of temperature interference with the Vernier-effect structured fiber optic sensor. The sensor has a measured temperature cross-sensitivity of 0.000065 kPa/°C, which is significantly lower than that of comparable sensors. This makes the sensor highly sensitive and ideal for low crosstalk pressure measurement.
Spiral cone fiber SPR sensor for detecting ginsenoside Rg1
Authors: Wei Yong , Shi Chengling , Zhang Yonghui , Liu Chunlan , Liu Chunbiao , Shi Chen , Wang Xingkai , Tang Yixiong , Zhang Ziqiang , Liu Zhihai
Published: March 2024

The conical fiber SPR sensor is easy to manufacture and has been used in biochemical detection research, but it has the problem of structural fragility. This article proposes a spiral cone fiber SPR sensor, which introduces a spiral structure on the 76µm fiber coarse cone, achieving good coupling of the core mode into the cladding mode, and improving the physical strength and practicality of the cone-shaped fiber SPR sensor. By modifying the target protein on the surface of the sensor gold film, specific detection of ginsenoside Rg1, an active ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine ginseng, was achieved. The detection sensitivity was 0.138 nm/(µm/ml) and the detection limit was 0.22µm/ml. The proposed spiral cone fiber SPR sensor provides a new scheme for the specific detection of active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine, which is structurally stable and physically strong.
Multipole solitons and vortex solitons in nonlocal nonlinear media
Authors: Wang S. F.
Published: March 2024

The nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) under nonlocal nonlinear media (NNM) is described and the approximate analytical solutions of the vector multipole solitons and vortex optical soliton clusters are obtained via the variational method. The results show that the structure of the optical solitons is determined by modulation depth and topological charge. In the propagation process, the spatial soliton has an observable rotation property. Under certain conditions, the rotating space modulated vortex optical solitons degenerate into circular symmetric vortex optical solitons. The results can be extended to other physical systems.
Adaptive imaging through dense dynamic scattering media using transfer learning
Authors: Fu Zhenfeng , Wang Fei , Tang Zhiwei , Bian Yaoming , Situ Guohai
Published: March 2024

Imaging through scattering media is a long-standing challenge in optical imaging, holding substantial importance in fields like biology, transportation, and remote sensing. Recent advancements in learning-based methods allow accurate and rapid imaging through optically thick scattering media. However, the practical application of data-driven deep learning faces substantial hurdles due to its inherent limitations in generalization, especially in scenarios such as imaging through highly non-static scattering media. Here we utilize the concept of transfer learning toward adaptive imaging through dense dynamic scattering media. Our approach specifically involves using a known segment of the imaging target to fine-tune the pre-trained de-scattering model. Since the training data of downstream tasks used for transfer learning can be acquired simultaneously with the current test data, our method can achieve clear imaging under varying scattering conditions. Experiment results show that the proposed approach (with transfer learning) is capable of providing more than 5dB improvements when optical thickness varies from 11.6 to 13.1 compared with the conventional deep learning approach (without transfer learning). Our method holds promise for applications in video surveillance and beacon guidance under dense dynamic scattering conditions.
Ternary logic in the optical controlled-SWAP gate based on Laguerre-Gaussian modes of light
Authors: Litwin Przemysław , Wroński Jakub , Markowski Konrad , Lopez-Mago Dorilian , Masajada Jan , Szatkowski Mateusz
Published: March 2024

The need set by a computational industry to increase processing power, while simultaneously reducing the energy consumption of data centers, became a challenge for modern computational systems. In this work, we propose an optical communication solution, that could serve as a building block for future computing systems, due to its versatility. The solution arises from Landauer’s principle and utilizes reversible logic, manifested as an optical logical gate with structured light, here represented as Laguerre-Gaussian modes. We introduced a phase-shift-based encoding technique and incorporated multi-valued logic in the form of a ternary numeral system to determine the similarity between two images through the free space communication protocol.
Dual-band frequency reconfigurable metasurface antenna for millimeter wave joint communication and radar sensing systems
Authors: Liu Xiaocha , Wang Xiaoyi , Yang Guo-Min , Xiang Dang , Zheng Li-Rong
Published: March 2024

This paper introduces an innovative, compact, and high-gain metasurface antenna, covering both the 24 GHz millimeter wave (mmWave) radar band and the 5 G n257 and n258 bands. The proposed metasurface antenna consists of a wideband stacked patch antenna and a dual-layer metasurface to focus its radiation beams for multiple mmWave bands. The operating frequency can be slightly shifted by altering the distance between the feeder and the metasurface. The distribution of the metasurface unit cells is designed based on a simplified phase compensation formula. The dimension of the fabricated feeder is 6 mm × 6 mm, and the metasurface occupies a 65 mm × 65 mm radome area. Experimental results demonstrate a wide bandwidth from 23.5 GHz to 29.1 GHz for the feeder, and impressive maximum gains of 19.7 dBi and 19.5 dBi for the lower band and higher band of the metasurface antenna are achieved simultaneously. The frequency reconfiguration ability was characterized by a 750 MHz frequency shift with every 1 mm distance adjustment. The compact size and high gain performance of the proposed design underscore its potential for practical applications in millimeter wave joint communication and radar sensing systems.
Modulated-symbol domain matched filtering scheme for photonic-assisted integrated sensing and communication system based on a single OFDM waveform
Authors: Yin Lede , He Jing
Published: March 2024

In this Letter, a modulated-symbol domain matched filtering scheme based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is proposed for the photonic-assisted W-band integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) system. The photonic-assisted ISAC system based on a single OFDM waveform is experimentally demonstrated. By using the single OFDM waveform, it can improve the spectrum efficiency and achieve dual functionalities of communication and radar detection simultaneously. The optical heterodyne scheme is used to generate the W-band OFDM signal for the ISAC system. The experimental results show that the data rate of OFDM is up to 4.56 Gbit/s; meanwhile, it can achieve the radar ranging with a ranging resolution of 1.88 cm and a ranging error of millimeter level in the OFDM-ISAC system.
Isochemical crystallization in condensed borate LaMgB5O10 glass-ceramics doped with optical probe Eu3+
Authors: Bondzior Bartosz
Published: March 2024

The isochemical glass-ceramics doped with Eu3+ were prepared by the heat treatment of lanthanum magnesium borate glass. The crystalline phase was chemically identical to a glass matrix and consisted of condensed borate LaMgB5O10. The isochemical crystallization process begins with the formation of rings by BO4 groups. The emergence of ordered crystalline phase gives rise to intense charge transfer absorption of Eu3+, allowing the efficient luminescence under UV. The analysis of Judd–Ofelt parameters and comparison to purely crystalline samples obtained by solid-state synthesis reveal a switch of parameter relations from Ω2 > Ω4 for glass to Ω2 < Ω4 for crystals but also a maximum value of Ω6 for glass-ceramic sample, which indicates enhanced structural rigidity and results in superior luminescence output. The quantum yield measurements confirmed higher luminescence efficiency for glass-ceramics compared to both pure glass and pure crystalline samples.
Broadband coherent modulation imaging with no knowledge of the illumination spectrum distribution: publisher’s note
Authors: Lin Huixiang , Xu Wenhui , Zhao Jiangtao , Zhang Fucai
Published: March 2024

This publisher’s note contains a correction to Opt. Lett. 48, 3977 (2023)10.1364/OL.495706.
High-quality single InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot growth on a silicon substrate for quantum photonic applications
Authors: Limame Imad , Ludewig Peter , Shih Ching-Wen , Hohn Marcel , Palekar Chirag C. , Stolz Wolfgang , Reitzenstein Stephan
Published: March 2024

Developing non-classical light sources for use in quantum information technology is a primary goal of quantum nanophotonics. Significant progress has been made in this area using quantum dots grown on III/V semiconductor substrates. However, it is crucial to develop quantum light sources based on silicon wafers to facilitate large-scale integration of electronic circuits and quantum photonic structures. We present a method for the direct heteroepitaxial growth of high-quality InGaAs quantum dots on silicon, which enables the fabrication of scalable and cost-effective quantum photonics devices that are compatible with silicon technology. To achieve high-quality GaAs heterostructures, we apply an intermediate GaP buffer and defect-reducing layers on a silicon substrate. The epitaxially grown quantum dots exhibit optical and quantum-optical properties similar to reference ones based on conventional GaAs substrates. The distributed Bragg reflector used as a backside mirror enables us to achieve bright emission with up to (18 ± 1)% photon extraction efficiency. Additionally, the quantum dots exhibit strong multi-photon suppression with g(2)(τ) = (3.7 ± 0.2) × 10−2 and high photon indistinguishability V = (66 ± 19)% under non-resonant excitation. These results indicate the high potential of our heteroepitaxy approach in the field of silicon-compatible quantum nanophotonics. Our approach can pave the way for future chips that combine electronic and quantum photonic functionality.
Communication between the stem cell niche and an adjacent differentiation niche through miRNA and EGFR signaling orchestrates exit from the stem cell state in the Drosophila ovary
Authors: Chen Jiani , Li Chaosqun , Sheng Yifeng , Zhang Junwei , Pang Lan , Dong Zhi , Wu Zhiwei , Lu Yueqi , Liu Zhiguo , Zhang Qichao , Guan Xueying , Chen Xuexin , Huang Jianhua
Published: March 2024

The signaling environment, or niche, often governs the initial difference in behavior of an adult stem cell and a derivative that initiates a path towards differentiation. The transition between an instructive stem cell niche and differentiation niche must generally have single-cell resolution, suggesting that multiple mechanisms might be necessary to sharpen the transition. Here, we examined theDrosophilaovary and found that Cap cells, which are key constituents of the germline stem cell (GSC) niche, express a conserved microRNA (miR-124). Surprisingly, loss of miR-124 activity in Cap cells leads to a defect in differentiation of GSC derivatives. We present evidence that the direct functional target of miR-124 in Cap cells is the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and that failure to limit EGFR expression leads to the ectopic expression of a key anti-differentiation BMP signal in neighboring somatic escort cells (ECs), which constitute a differentiation niche. We further found that Notch signaling connects EFGR activity in Cap cells to BMP expression in ECs. We deduce that the stem cell niche communicates with the differentiation niche through a mechanism that begins with the selective expression of a specific microRNA and culminates in the suppression of the major anti-differentiation signal in neighboring cells, with the functionally important overall role of sharpening the spatial distinction between self-renewal and differentiation environments.
Spatiotemporal trends and variability of rainfall across agro-ecologies in East Guji Zone, Southeast Ethiopia
Authors: Sahilu Menbere , Tekalign Solomon , Mohammed Yimer , Sishaw Tegegne , Kedir Haji , Asfaw Solomon
Published: March 2024

Distribution and trends of rainfall reveal spatial and temporal variability that have a paramount effect on the life and livelihood of small-holder farmers. This study aimed to analyze spatial variability and temporal trends of rainfall distribution across the three Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZs) of East Guji. Time series gridded daily rainfall data (1990–2020) were collected from the Ethiopian Meteorological Institution. Different descriptive statistics, trend tests: Man Kendal and Sen’s slope estimator, Inverse Distance Weighted Index and Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI) was used in the study. The finding demonstrated that altitude and rainfall decrease as one advances from the western (highland) to the eastern (lowland) direction in the study area where the highest rainfall was recorded in Solemo (highland) and the least in Negele (lowland).The study showed that as altitude increases annual rainfall also increases and rainfall variability decreases. Similarly the mean length of the growing season declines as one advance from the highlands to the lowlands. The PCI of the lowlands, midlands, and highlands AEZs was 19%, 17%, and 12% respectively. The PCI showed that those highlands had moderately concentrated rainfall but both lowlands, and midlands, had an irregular distribution of rainfall. The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicated that highland areas had moderate variability in rainfall in all seasons except winter. In contrast, the low and midlands had shown high variability of rainfall (>30%) in all seasons. From a seasonal perspective, both CV and PCI revealed that the winter season showed more variability than others. Moreover, a significant increasing trend of annual rainfall was observed in the highlands AEZs (Bore 15.3mm/year and Solemo14.6mm/year), lowland AEZs (Chembe 10.9mm/year, Dawa 8mm/year and Bitata 7.8mm/year) as well as midland AEZs (Kercha 14.5mm/year) at a significant level of 5%. Therefore, strategies should be designed to use additional water resources for irrigation; and provide short-cycle grown and drought-resistant crops in the rest of the midlands and lowlands AEZs.
Reciprocal regulation of enterococcal cephalosporin resistance by products of the autoregulated yvcJ-glmR-yvcL operon enhances fitness during cephalosporin exposure
Authors: Djorić Dušanka , Atkinson Samantha N. , Kristich Christopher J.
Published: March 2024

Enterococci are commensal members of the gastrointestinal tract and also major nosocomial pathogens. They possess both intrinsic and acquired resistance to many antibiotics, including intrinsic resistance to cephalosporins that target bacterial cell wall synthesis. These antimicrobial resistance traits make enterococcal infections challenging to treat. Moreover, prior therapy with antibiotics, including broad-spectrum cephalosporins, promotes enterococcal proliferation in the gut, resulting in dissemination to other sites of the body and subsequent infection. As a result, a better understanding of mechanisms of cephalosporin resistance is needed to enable development of new therapies to treat or prevent enterococcal infections. We previously reported that flow of metabolites through the peptidoglycan biosynthesis pathway is one determinant of enterococcal cephalosporin resistance. One factor that has been implicated in regulating flow of metabolites into cell wall biosynthesis pathways of other Gram-positive bacteria is GlmR. In enterococci, GlmR is encoded as the middle gene of a predicted 3-gene operon along with YvcJ and YvcL, whose functions are poorly understood. Here we use genetics and biochemistry to investigate the function of the enterococcal yvcJ-glmR-yvcL gene cluster. Our results reveal that YvcL is a DNA-binding protein that regulates expression of the yvcJ-glmR-yvcL operon in response to cell wall stress. YvcJ and GlmR bind UDP-GlcNAc and reciprocally regulate cephalosporin resistance in E. faecalis, and binding of UDP-GlcNAc by YvcJ appears essential for its activity. Reciprocal regulation by YvcJ/GlmR is essential for fitness during exposure to cephalosporin stress. Additionally, our results indicate that enterococcal GlmR likely acts by a different mechanism than the previously studied GlmR of Bacillus subtilis, suggesting that the YvcJ/GlmR regulatory module has evolved unique targets in different species of bacteria.
DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion protein-regulated LINC00473 promotes tumor growth and alters mitochondrial fitness in fibrolamellar carcinoma
Authors: Ma Rosanna K. , Tsai Pei-Yin , Farghli Alaa R. , Shumway Alexandria , Kanke Matt , Gordan John D. , Gujral Taranjit S. , Vakili Khashayar , Nukaya Manabu , Noetzli Leila , Ronnekleiv-Kelly Sean , Broom Wendy , Barrow Joeva , Sethupathy Praveen
Published: March 2024

Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is a rare liver cancer that disproportionately affects adolescents and young adults. Currently, no standard of care is available and there remains a dire need for new therapeutics. Most patients harbor the fusion oncogene DNAJB1-PRKACA (DP fusion), but clinical inhibitors are not yet developed and it is critical to identify downstream mediators of FLC pathogenesis. Here, we identify long noncoding RNA LINC00473 among the most highly upregulated genes in FLC tumors and determine that it is strongly suppressed by RNAi-mediated inhibition of the DP fusion in FLC tumor epithelial cells. We show by loss- and gain-of-function studies that LINC00473 suppresses apoptosis, increases the expression of FLC marker genes, and promotes FLC growth in cell-based and in vivo disease models. Mechanistically, LINC00473 plays an important role in promoting glycolysis and altering mitochondrial activity. Specifically, LINC00473 knockdown leads to increased spare respiratory capacity, which indicates mitochondrial fitness. Overall, we propose that LINC00473 could be a viable target for this devastating disease.
Validation of the Emergency Department-Paediatric Early Warning Score (ED-PEWS) for use in low- and middle-income countries: A multicentre observational study
Authors: Kemps Naomi , Holband Natanael , Boeddha Navin P. , Faal Abdoulie , Juliana Amadu E. , Kavishe Godfrey A. , Keitel Kristina , van ‘t Kruys Kevin H. , Ledger Elizabeth V. , Moll Henriëtte A. , Prentice Andrew M. , Secka Fatou , Tan Rainer , Usuf Effua , Unger Stefan A. , Zachariasse Joany M. ,   on behalf of VITaLs (VItal signs and Triage in Low- and middle income countries) study group
Published: March 2024

Early recognition of children at risk of serious illness is essential in preventing morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aimed to validate the Emergency Department-Paediatric Early Warning Score (ED-PEWS) for use in acute care settings in LMICs. This observational study is based on previously collected clinical data from consecutive children attending four diverse settings in LMICs. Inclusion criteria and study periods (2010–2021) varied. We simulated the ED-PEWS, consisting of patient age, consciousness, work of breathing, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, heart rate, and capillary refill time, based on the first available parameters. Discrimination was assessed by the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity (previously defined cut-offs < 6 and ≥ 15). The outcome measure was for each setting a composite marker of high urgency. 41,917 visits from Gambia rural, 501 visits from Gambia urban, 2,608 visits from Suriname, and 1,682 visits from Tanzania were included. The proportion of high urgency was variable (range 4.6% to 24.9%). Performance ranged from AUC 0.80 (95%CI 0.70–0.89) in Gambia urban to 0.62 (95%CI 0.55–0.67) in Tanzania. The low-urgency cut-off showed a high sensitivity in all settings ranging from 0.83 (95%CI 0.81–0.84) to 1.00 (95%CI 0.97–1.00). The high-urgency cut-off showed a specificity ranging from 0.71 (95%CI 0.66–0.75) to 0.97 (95%CI 0.97–0.97). The ED-PEWS has a moderate to good performance for the recognition of high urgency children in these LMIC settings. The performance appears to have potential in improving the identification of high urgency children in LMICs.
Assessing the influence of COVID-19 lockdown measures on cognition and behavior in school age children in Arba Minch Health and Demographic Surveillance site, Southern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Gutema Befikadu Tariku , Tariku Eshetu Zerihun , Melketsedik Zeleke Aschalew , Levecke Bruno , De Henauw Stefaan , Abubakar Amina , Abbeddou Souheila
Published: March 2024

Ethiopian schools were closed for nearly 40 weeks as a measure to control the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of the study was to evaluate the role of COVID-19 pandemic’s restrictive measures on cognition and behavioral difficulties of schoolchildren in Arba Minch Health and Demographic Surveillance Site. Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted in November 2019 (pre-COVID-19-lockdown) and November 2020 (post-COVID-19 lockdown). Data were collected both at the school and homes of the children. Cognitive development of the children was assessed using digit span, Raven’s coloured progressive matrices (RCPM) and Visual search using cancellation task. Behavioral difficulties score of the children was assessed using Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to compare between the cognition outcomes and behavioral difficulties score pre- and post-COVID-19-lockdown. In a sub-group of children who provided data in both surveys, the difference in cognitive and behavioral outcomes was tested using a mixed effect model. Compared to the pre-COVID-19-lockdown, schoolchildren post-COVID-19-lockdown scored lower in the standardized performance index for the visual search task, which measures attention (0.27 SD, 95% confidence intervals (95%CI): −0.40, −0.13). However, they scored higher by 0.26 SD (95%CI: 0.13, 0.40) and 0.36 SD (95%CI: 0.22, 0.49) in digit span and RCPM, respectively, measuring working memory and non-verbal intelligence. There was no significant difference in total difficulties score between pre- and post-COVID-19-lockdown (0.01 SD, 95%CI: -0.12, 0.15). The subgroup analysis showed a significant increase in digit span among children post-COVID-19-lockdown while the other domains did not show a significant change. Factors contributing to the improvement of children’s cognitive domains while away from the school environment should be explored and utilized to enhance child development. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04137354 on October 14, 2019.