bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geographies of Un/-settlement: Unsettling Europe from the Black Mediterranean
Authors: Torino Giulia
Published: April 2023

This article questions the meaning and scope of “settling” in the context of racial capitalism and its structural displacements, from a perspective situated in the mobile and transborder geographies of labor and inhabitation that are proliferating at the crossroads of old and new Southern questions, between Southern Europe and Northern Africa. With an epistemic focus on what scholars have started to address as the “Black Mediterranean” and an empirical focus on Italy’s agro-industrial encampments, the article explores the emergence of a geography of unsettlement at the core of Europe. This condition, it argues, renders migrant spaces largely uninhabitable and highlights how borders impact not only labor regimes but also the politics of dwelling. At the same time, the article employs the notion of “unsettling” to inquire into the possibility for alternative notions of place that can overcome the necropolitics of the hold. While drawing new connections among cutting-edge debates that are reassessing Europeanness, trans-Mediterranean movement, and the labor-migration nexus, the article ultimately suggests that un/-settlement is a spatial poiesis of social life in the Mediterranean that is absorbed by and yet also manages to contravene the dualities of temporariness/ permanence, formality/informality, mobile/anchored, and settled/unsettled at the heart of the modern idea of Europe.
The Responsibilities of Caribbean Intellectuals
Authors: Kamugisha Aaron
Published: April 2023

BIn this essay, I reflect on the radical Caribbean intellectual tradition's contribution to the idea of the Global South. Within this immense potential terrain of exploration, I investigate the question of the contemporary responsibilities of the Caribbean intellectual, using this as a means through which some of the most discerning anticolonial traditions of the region can be proffered towards theorizing a global South perspective on the future of humanity.
The role of crinophagy in quality control of the regulated secretory pathway
Authors: Szenci Győző , Csizmadia Tamás , Juhász Gábor
Published: April 2023

In specialized secretory cells that produce and release biologically active substances in a regulated fashion, tight control of both the quantity and quality of secretory material is of paramount importance. During crinophagy, abnormal, excess or obsolete secretory granules directly fuse with lysosomes to yield crinosomes, in which the delivered secretory material is degraded. Crinophagy maintains the proper intracellular pool of secretory granules, and it is enhanced when secretory material accumulates because of compromised secretion. Recent studies highlight that it can even degrade newly formed, nascent secretory granules that shed from the trans-Golgi network. This implies that crinophagy provides a quality control checkpoint acting at the formation of secretory vesicles, and this degradation mechanism might survey secretory granules throughout their maturation. Of note, a plethora of human disorders is associated with defective lysosomal clearance of secretory material via crinophagy or similar pathways, including macro- or micro-autophagic degradation of secretory granules (referred to here as macro- and micro-secretophagy, respectively). In our Review, we summarize key recent advances in this field and discuss potential links with disease.
Sedentary Time Is Independently Related to Adipose Tissue Insulin Resistance in Adults With or at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: ENGIN BUKET , WILLIS SCOTT A. , MALAIKAH SUNDUS , SARGEANT JACK A. , BIDDLE GREGORY J. H. , RAZIEH CAMERON , ARGYRIDOU STAVROULA , EDWARDSON CHARLOTTE L. , JELLEYMAN CHARLOTTE , STENSEL DAVID J. , HENSON JOSEPH , ROWLANDS ALEX V. , DAVIES MELANIE J. , YATES THOMAS , KING JAMES A.
Published: April 2023

Introduction

This cross-sectional study examined associations of device-measured sedentary time and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with adipose tissue insulin resistance in people with or at high risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Method

Data were combined from six previous experimental studies (within our group) involving patients with T2DM or primary risk factors (median (interquartile range) age, 66.2 (66.0–70.8) yr; body mass index (BMI), 31.1 (28.0–34.4) kg·m−2; 62% male; n = 179). Adipose tissue insulin resistance was calculated as the product of fasted circulating insulin and nonesterified fatty acids (ADIPO-IR), whereas sedentary time and MVPA were determined from wrist-worn accelerometery. Generalized linear models examined associations of sedentary time and MVPA with ADIPO-IR with interaction terms added to explore the moderating influence of ethnicity (White European vs South Asian), BMI, age, and sex.

Results

In finally adjusted models, sedentary time was positively associated with ADIPO-IR, with every 30 min of sedentary time associated with a 1.80-unit (95% confidence interval, 0.51–3.06; P = 0.006) higher ADIPO-IR. This relationship strengthened as BMI increased (β = 3.48 (95% confidence interval, 1.50–5.46), P = 0.005 in the upper BMI tertile (≥33.2 kg·m−2)). MVPA was unrelated to ADIPO-IR. These results were consistent in sensitivity analyses that excluded participants taking statins and/or metformin (n = 126) and when separated into the participants with T2DM (n = 32) and those at high risk (n = 147).

Conclusions

Sedentary time is positively related to adipose tissue insulin sensitivity in people with or at high risk of T2DM. This relationship strengthens as BMI increases and may help explain established relationships between greater sedentary time, ectopic lipid, and hyperglycemia.
Archäozoologische Untersuchung der Tierknochen aus Gruben der spätlatènezeitlichen Siedlung Basel-Gasfabrik, Grabung 1989/5
Authors: Stopp Barbara
Published: April 2023

Der Beitrag behandelt das Tierknochenmaterial, das aus den 14 Gruben der Grabung 1989/5 stammt. Die stratigraphisch untersuchten Gruben zeigen in erster Linie, wie unterschiedlich in der Zusammensetzung die Schichtpakete einer Grube ausfallen können. Allerdings lässt sich durch diese Unterschiede der Verfüllvorgang der Gruben gut beobachten. Den sechs so analysierten Gruben gemeinsam ist, dass das zuletzt eingebrachte Material immer - und meist auch deutlich - schlechter erhalten ist als dasjenige der unteren Verfüllschichten. Aber auch diese unteren Verfüllungen bilden keine Einheit. Berücksichtigt man alle Untersuchungen, kommt man zu mindestens drei verschiedenen Herkunftsorten für das in die Gruben eingebrachte Material. Dies lässt sich für alle Gruben beobachten, wenn auch nicht immer gleich eindeutig.
Steinartefakte
Authors: Rentzel Philippe
Published: April 2023

Im Folgenden werden die Ergebnisse der geologischen Untersuchung der Steinartefakte der Grabung 1989/5 kurz kommentiert. Auf einen Beschrieb der modernen Objekte sowie der Silices wird verzichtet.
Commentaires sur les déchets métallurgiques de Basel-Gasfabrik, fouilles de 1989/5
Authors: Serneels Vincent
Published: April 2023

Les fouilles de 1989/5 à Bâle-Gasfabrik ont livré une petite quantité de déchets métallurgiques. Les différents débris mis au jour dans la fosse 255 sont probablement directement liés à un atelier de forgeage du fer. Aucune autre activité métallurgique n’est attestée. La présence d’un bloc-tuyère en argile cuite est particulièrement intéressante, car cette pièce s’inscrit dans une série bien attestée pour la période de La Tène en Suisse. Les autres déchets, retrouvés isolés un peu partout sur le site, pourraient résulter de rejets provenant du même atelier. La quantité de déchets est minime, ce qui implique une activité peu importante; ils sont variés, ce qui parle plutôt en faveur d’une activité non standardisée.
Identification of the lipids on an archaeological vessel from Basel-Gasfabrik, a Celtic site on the border of the River Rhine
Authors: Spangenberg Jorge E.
Published: April 2023

The black carbon (BC) from an archaeological ceramic from the Basel-Gasfabrik site was studied for the isotopic and molecular compositions of the individual fatty acids.

The isotopic composition of the main fatty acids extracted from the organic residue of the Basel-Gasfabrik archaeological ceramicsuggests that the fat(s) used in this vessel were of animal origin (ovine/porcine).
Register 1-6 zum Fundkatalog
Authors: Deschler-Erb Eckhard
Published: April 2023

Register 1: FundkomplexlisteRegister 2: Gruben und PfostengrubenRegister 3: Ausgewertete FundkomplexeRegister 4: Akeramische FundeRegister 5: KeramiklisteRegister 6: Skelettfunde
Grab und Krone der Königin Anna († 1281) im Basler Münster
Authors: Meier Thomas
Published: April 2023

Die Ausführungen von Thomas Meier zum prominentesten Grab des Münsters - jenes der Habsburger Königin Anna und ihres Söhnchens Karl - runden die Darstellung des Basler Münsters als Bestattungsort und die Analyse der in diesem Kontext überlieferten Funde ab.
Sie verstarb 1281 in Wien und wurde mit feierlichem Kondukt nach Basel überführt und dort im Münster beigesetzt. Der heutige Standort des Grabmals im nördlichen Chorumgang geht auf dem Umbau des Münsters nach dem Erdbeben von 1356 zurück. Bei einer Graböffnung im Jahr 1510 wurde die Funeralkrone Annas entnommen und dem Münsterschatz einverleibt. Sie befindet sich heute im Berliner Kunstgewerbemuseum.
Zusammenstellung der im Basler Münster bestatteten Personen nach sakraltopografischen Kriterien
Authors: Ochsner Christine
Published: April 2023

Ergänzt wird der Katalog der Gräber und Grabinventare durch eine Übersicht über die im Münster bestatteten Personen, die nach ihrem Bestattungsort (Anhang 1a) bzw. nach Namen geordnet (Anhang 1b) aufgeführt werden.
Namentlich überliefert sind 262 innerhalb des Münsters bestattete Personen.
Zusammenstellung von Funden aus Bischofsgräbern (bis 1520)
Authors: Ochsner Christine
Published: April 2023

Anhang 2 umfasst eine Zusammenstellung sämtlicher vorreformatorischer Bischofsgräber mit Grabbeigaben in Europa (bis 1520).
LA REPONSABILIDAD DE CRECER EN EL CONFLICTO
Authors: Useche Acevedo Laura Daniela
Published: April 2023

Pese al acuerdo sobre la proscripción del reclutamiento de menores, representado principalmente en su carácter de crímen de guerra, no es claro si quienes cumplen la mayoría de edad al interior del grupo armado son sujetos de protección o deben responder ante la justicia penal por los crímenes cometidos, así como el alcance de esta responsabilidad. Al interior de la Corte Penal Internacional la dualidad de criterios se hace evidente cuando, por un lado, se condena únicamente por reclutamiento de menores a Thomas Lubanga, pero a la vez se juzga de manera plena a Dominic Ongwen por los crímenes cometidos siendo mayor de edad sin tener en cuenta su temprano reclutamiento.

De la misma manera, en el escenario colombiano existen posturas a favor y en contra de la responsabilidad, aunque la justicia se ha decantado por una eventual responsabilidad por hechos cometidos durante la minoría de edad pero responsabilidad plena para aquellos perpetrados siendo mayor. Así, la Jurisdicción Especial para la Paz se enfrenta a un escenario en el que deberá conciliar argumentos contradictorios y hacer uso efectivo de sus características únicas con el fin de lograr verdadera justicia para todas las víctimas del conflicto colombiano.
¿Todos los caminos conducen a La Haya? Reflexiones de política criminal tras 17 años de examen preliminar en Colombia
Authors: Martinez Acosta Damaris Eliana
Published: April 2023

Este ensayo constituye un diagnóstico alrededor de la decisión adoptada por la Fiscalía de la Corte Penal Internacional de cerrar el examen preliminar más extenso de su historia.  Así, plantea consideraciones sobre la política criminal de este organismo y las repercusiones y expectativas de tal determinación de acuerdo con el contexto colombiano. Para ello, parte por caracterizar el examen preliminar adelantado por 17 años; luego, valora la incidencia de su cierre; y finalmente, estudia las condiciones actuales de la situación de derechos humanos en Colombia y la capacidad institucional para hacerle frente de cara al papel de la Fiscalía de la Corte.  De esta manera identifica las siguientes reflexiones: (i) la necesidad de delimitar las etapas de los exámenes preliminares; (ii) que la decisión de cerrar el examen preliminar en Colombia tuvo (y tendrá) más efectos políticos que prácticos en virtud de la complementariedad positiva; y (iii) los crímenes cometidos luego de la firma del Acuerdo Final de Paz entre el gobierno colombiano y las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP) constituyen una preocupación latente a la luz de los fines que persigue el Estatuto de Roma.
Evaluation of Child Development Knowledge Among Medical Students
Authors: GÜVEN BAYSAL Şenay , DOĞAN Derya , ARSLAN Feyzullah Necati , KORTAY CANALOĞLU Sinem
Published: April 2023

Objective: With the developments in the world, a significant decrease in the death rates of chronic or fatal diseases causes the problems that affect the development of children to be seen more frequently. Physicians must be aware of the basic developmental stages and information of children during medical education for early diagnosis and intervention. This study aimed to determine the knowledge of medical students about child development.

Material and Methods: A total of 482 3rd and 4th-year medical faculty students who did not take the Developmental Pediatrics lecture in the Department of Pediatrics of İnönü University Faculty of Medicine between 2018 and 2019 were included in the study. Our study included socio-demographic information and questions on “Caregiver Knowledge of Child Development Inventory”.

Results: 227 (47.09%) 3rd year and 255 (52.90%) 4th-year students were included in the study. The mean Caregiver Knowledge of Child Development Inventory total score was 14.44±5.89 for 3rd-year students and 16.10 ± 5.90 for 4th-year students. More than 50% of the third and fourth year students answered 5 of the 10 questions in the developmental skills component section correctly. It was observed that the developmental skills and stimulation component knowledge of the third and fourth year medical students were not sufficient. It was also understood that the general pediatrics courses given in the third year did not increase the knowledge of the fourth year students about child development.

Conclusion: Evaluating the child development knowledge of medical students is important for interventions and studies to ensure that medical students are familiar with and detect developmental delays in infancy and early childhood.
Decision Making in Acetabulum Fractures – When to Operate and When Not to?
Authors: Kanakeshwar Raja Bhaskara , Perumal Ramesh , Kamal C Arun , Dheenadhayalan J
Published: April 2023

The complexity of acetabulum fractures has always been challenging to the operating surgeon. In the past 50 years, following pioneering work by LeTournel and Judet, there is better clarity to the treating surgeon regarding the management of these fractures. 3D computerized tomography imaging has helped surgeons understand the fracture better andit remains the investigation of choice. Roof-arc angle measurements and the percentage of the fracture involving the superior dome are important determinants in deciding whether to operate or treat conservatively. Nonoperative management is mainly for undisplaced fractures and patients not fit for surgery. Fluoroscopy under anesthesia to check for hip joint stability and percutaneous screw fixation are new upcoming management modalities. The approaches described by LeTournel and Judet – Kocher-Langenbeck, Ilioinguinal, Iliofemoral, and extended Iliofemoral – remain the “gold standard” for appropriate fractures, but the availability of newer alternative approaches have expanded over time thereby facilitating surgeons to operate better. Keywords: Acetabulum fracture, 3D computerized tomography, roof-arc angle, Kocher-Langenbeck approach.
Iliofemoral Approach to Acetabulum
Authors: Gupta Ravi , Soni Ashwani
Published: April 2023

Surgical approach to acetabulum fractures depend on the type of fracture and fracture displacement along with surgical preference of the surgeon. Ilio-femoral approach is one of the most important approaches for acetabular fractures. It allows access to anterior column as well as anterior wall fractures. This symposium article details the surgical technique as well as indications and shortcomings of this approach. Keywords: Ilio-femoral appraoch, acetabulum fractures, anterior column fractures.
Definitive Management of Pelvic Fractures
Authors: Trikha Vivek , Das Saubhik
Published: April 2023

Pelvic fractures constitute one of the most severe orthopedic injuries causing significant mortality and morbidity. It poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to orthopedic surgeons. Once the patient is resuscitated and stabilized, definitive reconstruction of pelvic fracture is planned. Management depends on patient’s physiologic status, fracture characteristics, and associated injuries. Early fixation has proven to be beneficial. Our paper focuses on definitive management of pelvic fracture, with emphasis on surgical approach, fixation methods and principles. Keywords: Complication, definitive management, functional outcome, pelvic fracture.
Digastric Trochantric Flip Osteotomy When and How to do it in Acetabular Fractures ?
Authors: Makker Harish
Published: April 2023

There comes a time in acetabular fractures-posterior wall and or posterior column fractures when simple Kocher-Langenbeck Approach seems handicapped and you need to have some extension, as in cases of cranial extension of posterior wall fractures and /or need to retrieve loose segments from acetabular joint when with all efforts made by traction, space seems wanting. Kocher-Langenbeck Approach used for posterior and posterior column injuries and also for some T type fractures, gives very little access to intra articular injuries despite a good traction. Gluteus medius tenotomy and Trochantric osteotomy was done earlier [still being done by some ] but of late Digastric Flip Osteotomy is gaining popularity as it is less traumatic and helps saving blood supply and ,thus reduce chances of AVN. The femur head is dislocated anteriorly or posteriorly, without much difficulty and internal status of the joint is observed without having to worry about devascularization of acetabular wall leading to further complications. So to enumerate the need for Digastric Flip Osteotomy in acetabular fractures are- 1.-intra-articular fragments, 2. Impaction of fragments 3. Posterior wall comminution free fragments, 4. Superior acetabular rim or dome fractures, 5. Assessment of the reduction of the anterior Column, and finally 6. Intra-articular assessment of placement of a long screw inserted into the anterior column. Keywords: Digastric flip osteotomy posterior wall, posterior column, intra articular fragments, head dislocation.
«Juana d’Amèrica»: la traducció de la poesia de Joana d’Ibarbourou a la Xina
Authors: Zhimeng Bai , Castañar Rubio Guillem
Published: April 2023

Després de l’inici del programa de reformes conegut Reforma i Obertura el 1978, i juntament amb la necessitat de reconstruir la literatura per a una nova època, a la Xina es va despertar un gran interès per la poesia llatinoamericana. Amb l’ajuda de versions traduïdes, es van introduir al país nombrosos poetes i les seves obres. Joana d’Ibarbourou, personatge de reputació mundial conegut com a «Joana d’Amèrica» i unes de les figures d’indubtable importància de l’àmbit literari llatinoamericà, va entrar en el camp de visió dels lectors xinesos mitjançant la traducció de les seves composicions, recopilades en diverses antologies. Aquest treball, centrat de la traducció de la poesia d’Ibarbourou a la Xina, analitza una sèrie de qüestions relacionades amb aquest tema: els poemes de l’autora inclosos a les antologies, el període de publicació d’aquestes, així com els traductors i les estratègies adoptades en el procés de traducció. Descobrim que la introducció d’obres traduïdes d’aquesta poeta a la Xina ha aconseguit un cert nivell de desenvolupament i que les versions són de bona qualitat. Tot i això, per la xifra baixa de poemes traduïts, es conclou que encara queda molt espai per recórrer.
Dislocació i escriptura topogràfica a I is a Long-Memoried Woman de Grace Nichols
Authors: Galettini Azucena
Published: April 2023

I és a Long-Memoried Woman (1983), primer poemari de l’autora guyanesa Grace Nichols, li va valer el Commonwealth Poetry Prize, el reconeixement de la crítica i la va posicionar com una de les noves veus del Carib a la diàspora. En aquest treball s’explora l’estat dislocat en què viu la protagonista d’aquest llibre, esclavitzada i arrencada de la seva Àfrica natal, i com s’evidencia i esmena aquest a través de la relació amb el nou espai que s’habita. Per això, s’analitza com Nichols construeix una mirada paisatgística que s’expressa en una «escriptura topogràfica» on llenguatge i paisatge es fonen.
Early Cretaceous coastal lake Konservat-Lagerstätte of La Pedrera de Meià (Southern Pyrenees)
Authors: Gil-Delgado Alejandro , Delclòs Xavier , Sellés Albert , Galobart Àngel , Oms Oriol
Published: April 2023

A state of the art of the Barremian Konservat-Lagerstätte of la Pedrera de Meià site (Southern Pyrenees) is compiled here including the acquisition of new geological data. The relevance of this site, together with the nearby la Cabroa site, is due to its paleobiotic richness and the fact that 113 holotypes and paratypes of flora and fauna have already been defined. Since its discovery at the end of the 19th century and its exploitation as a lithographic limestone quarry, the site has been the object of paleontological interest by national and foreign research teams that are summarized here (including the catalogue of 223 publications). A survey of the existing type specimens in collections all over Europe is also provided, being France and Germany, the countries where more fossils are hosted other than Spain. The geological frame of this site is also reviewed, by revisiting unpublished geological mappings (mainly that of Krusat, 1966) and integrating it in a comprehensive map that includes 4 revisited outcrops of lithographic limestone which could be potential paleontological sites. The available stratigraphic sections did allow the precise location of paleontological data and findings and environmental proxies. The stratigraphic sections obtained have a thickness of about 50m and contain a minimum of 40.000 limestone layers, being an approximation of the years represented in the la Pedrera de Meià site, and the time expanded of the lake during the Barremian.
Un viaje con regreso, la repatriación de los soldados de la Guerra de Cuba en Málaga.
Authors: CIFUENTES José Luis
Published: April 2023

Tras el Protocolo de Paz del 12 de agosto de 1898
Humidity-insensitive optical fibers for distributed sensing applications
Authors: Neves Tiago F. P. , Scherino Lorenzo , Bernard Rémy , Bouet Monika , Pastre Aymeric , Magalhães Regina , Martin-Lopez Sonia , Martins Hugo F. , Petagna Paolo , Thévenaz Luc
Published: April 2023

Humidity is a critical environmental factor in various applications,
and its temperature dependence must be considered when developing
thermo-hygrometer fiber sensors. The optical fibers that constitute
the sensor must have a temperature reference, which should be
resistant to humidity to avoid cross-sensitivities. This paper
presents two innovative optical fibers insensitive to humidity over
temperatures ranging from −20∘C to 55°C. To the best of our
knowledge, the novel standard size optical fibers coated with acrylate
and silicone are tested under controlled conditions using an
optical time-domain reflectometer sensor based on
Rayleigh scattering. The sensor achieves meter-range resolution over
kilometers of length with a response time of few minutes.
Coherent OTDR with large dynamic range based on double-sideband linear frequency modulation pulse
Authors: Wang Yuyao , Zheng Hua , Wu Huan , Huang Dongmei , Yu Changyuan , Lu Chao
Published: April 2023

Rayleigh scattering-based distributed optical fiber sensors with long sensing distance and large dynamic range are highly desired for application scenarios such as vehicle tracking, structure health monitoring, and geological survey. To enlarge the dynamic range, we propose a coherent optical time domain reflectometry (COTDR) based on double-sideband linear frequency modulation (LFM) pulse. By utilizing I/Q demodulation, both the positive and negative frequency band of the Rayleigh backscattering (RBS) signal can be properly demodulated. Consequently, the dynamic range is doubled without increasing the bandwidth of signal generator, photodetector (PD), and oscilloscope. In the experiment, the chirped pulse with 10 μs pulse width and 498 MHz frequency sweeping range is launched into the sensing fiber. Single-shot strain measurement is achieved over 5 km single-mode fiber with a spatial resolution of 2.5 m and a strain sensitivity of 7.5 pε/Hz. A vibration signal with 3.09 με peak-to-peak amplitude (corresponding to 461 MHz frequency shift) is successfully measured with the double-sideband spectrum, which cannot be properly recovered with the single-sideband spectrum.
Millimeter-scale active area superconducting microstrip single-photon detector fabricated by ultraviolet photolithography
Authors: Xu Guang-zhao , Zhang Wei-jun , You Li-xing , Wang Yu-ze , Xiong Jia-min , Fan Dong-Hui , Wu Ling , Yu Hui-qin , Li Hao , Wang Zhen
Published: April 2023

The effective and convenient detection of single photons via advanced detectors with a large active area is becoming significant for quantum and classical applications. This work demonstrates the fabrication of a superconducting microstrip single-photon detector (SMSPD) with a millimeter-scale active area via the use of ultraviolet (UV) photolithography. The performances of NbN SMSPDs with different active areas and strip widths are characterized. SMSPDs fabricated by UV photolithography and electron beam lithography with small active areas are also compared from the aspects of the switching current density and line edge roughness. Furthermore, an SMSPD with an active area of 1 mm × 1 mm is obtained via UV photolithography, and during operation at 0.85 K, it exhibits near-saturated internal detection efficiency at wavelengths up to 800 nm. At a wavelength of 1550 nm, the detector exhibits a system detection efficiency of ∼5% (7%) and a timing jitter of 102 (144) ps, when illuminated with a light spot of ∼18 (600) µm in diameter, respectively.
White-light channeled imaging polarimeter using Savart plates and a polarization Sagnac interferometer
Authors: Chen Jun , Li Xiaotian , Jirigalantu Jiri , Li Fuguan , Chu Qihang , Sun Yuqi , Bayan Heshig
Published: April 2023

A Stokes white-light channeled imaging polarimeter using Savart plates and a polarization Sagnac interferometer (IPSPPSI) is presented, which provides an effective solution to the problem of channel aliasing in broadband polarimeters. The expression for the light intensity distribution and a method to reconstruct polarization information are derived, and an example design for an IPSPPSI is given. The results reveal that a complete measurement of the Stokes parameters in broad band can be achieved with a snapshot on a single detector. The use of dispersive elements like gratings suppresses broadband carrier frequency dispersion so the channels in the frequency domain do not affect each other, ensuring the integrity of information coupled across the channels. Furthermore, the IPSPPSI has a compact structure and does not employ moving parts or require image registration. It shows great application potential in remote sensing, biological detection, and other fields.
Study on the radiation and self-absorption characteristics of plasma under various background gases
Authors: Wang Junxiao , Liu Zhenrong , Zhu Liping , Song Zhen , Zhang Yan , Zhang Lei , Zhang Wanfei , Wang Gang , Ye Zefu , Zhu Zhujun , Yin Wangbao , Jia Suotang
Published: April 2023

The self-absorption effect is a primary factor responsible for the decline in the precision of quantitative analysis techniques using plasma emission spectroscopy, such as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). In this study, based on the thermal ablation and hydrodynamics models, the radiation characteristics and self-absorption of laser-induced plasmas under different background gases were theoretically simulated and experimentally verified to investigate ways of weakening the self-absorption effect in plasma. The results reveal that the plasma temperature and density increase with higher molecular weight and pressure of the background gas, leading to stronger species emission line intensity. To reduce the self-absorption effect in the later stages of plasma evolution, we can decrease the gas pressure or substitute the background gas with a lower molecular weight. As the excitation energy of the species increases, the impact of the background gas type on the spectral line intensity becomes more pronounced. Moreover, we accurately calculated the optically thin moments under various conditions using theoretical models, which are consistent with the experimental results. From the temporal evolution of the doublet intensity ratio of species, it is deduced that the optically thin moment appears later with higher molecular weight and pressure of the background gas and lower upper energy of the species. This theoretical research is essential in selecting the appropriate background gas type and pressure and doublets in self-absorption-free LIBS (SAF-LIBS) experiments to weaken the self-absorption effect.
Electronically reconfigurable transmitarray for fully independent beam manipulation in two divided frequency bands
Authors: Guo Zexu , Zhou Yulong , Yang Huanhuan , Li Sijia , Li Tong , Tian Jianghao , Cao Xiangyu
Published: April 2023

Electronically reconfigurable transmitarray (ERTA) combines the advantages of optic theory and coding metasurface mechanism with the characteristic of low-loss spatial feed and real-time beam manipulation. Designing a dual-band ERTA is challenging due to multiple factors, including large mutual coupling generated by dual-band operation and separate phase control in each band. In this paper, a dual-band ERTA is demonstrated with the capability of fully independent beam manipulation in two divided bands. This dual-band ERTA is constructed by two kinds of orthogonally polarized reconfigurable elements which share the aperture in an interleaved way. The low coupling is achieved by utilizing polarization isolation and a backed cavity connected to the ground. To separately control the 1-bit phase in each band, a hierarchical bias method is elaborately presented. As proof of concept, a dual-band ERTA prototype composed of 15 × 15 upper-band elements and 16 × 16 lower-band elements is designed, fabricated, and measured. Experimental results verify that fully independent beam manipulation with orthogonal polarization is implemented in 8.2-8.8 GHz and 11.1-11.4 GHz. The proposed dual-band ERTA may be a suitable candidate for space-based synthetic aperture radar imaging.
Learning-based adaptive under-sampling for Fourier single-pixel imaging
Authors: Huang Wenxin , Wang Fei , Zhang Xiangyu , Jin Ying , Situ Guohai
Published: April 2023

In this Letter, we present a learning-based method for efficient Fourier single-pixel imaging (FSI). Based on the auto-encoder, the proposed adaptive under-sampling technique (AuSamNet) manages to optimize a sampling mask and a deep neural network at the same time to achieve both under-sampling of the object image’s Fourier spectrum and high-quality reconstruction from the under-sampled measurements. It is thus helpful in determining the best encoding and decoding scheme for FSI. Simulation and experiments demonstrate that AuSamNet can reconstruct high-quality natural color images even when the sampling ratio is as low as 7.5%. The proposed adaptive under-sampling strategy can be used for other computational imaging modalities, such as tomography and ptychography. We have released our source code.
Polarization-insensitive optical coherence tomography based on partly depolarized light
Authors: Baumann Bernhard , Wöhrer Adelheid
Published: April 2023

Polarization-related image artifacts are frequently observed in optical coherence tomography (OCT) data. As most modern OCT layouts rely on polarized light sources, only the co-polarized component of the light scattered from within a sample can be detected after interference with the reference beam. Cross-polarized sample light does not interfere with the reference beam and thus produces artifacts ranging from a reduction to the full absence of OCT signals. Here we present a simple yet effective technique to prevent polarization artifacts. By partly depolarizing the light source at the interferometer entrance, we achieve OCT signals regardless of the sample polarization state. We demonstrate the performance of our approach in a defined retarder as well as in birefringent dura mater tissue. This simple and cost-effective technique can be applied to obviate cross-polarization artifacts in virtually any OCT layout.
100-mJ, 100-W cryogenically cooled Yb:YLF laser
Authors: Pergament Mikhail , Kellert Martin , Demirbas Umit , Thesinga Jelto , Reuter Simon , Liu Yizhou , Hua Yi , Kilinc Muharrem , Yakovlev Alexey , Kärtner Franz X.
Published: April 2023

We present a diode-pumped Yb:YLF laser system generating 100-mJ sub-ps pulses at a 1-kHz repetition rate (100 W average power) by chirped-pulse amplification. The laser consists of a cryogenically cooled 78 K, regenerative, eight-pass booster amplifier seeded by an all-fiber front end. The output pulses are compressed to 980 fs in a single-grating Treacy compressor with a throughput of 89%. The laser will be applied to multi-cycle THz generation and pumping of high average power parametric amplifiers.
Low-noise, 2-W average power, 112-fs Kerr-lens mode-locked Ho:CALGO laser at 2.1 µm
Authors: Yao Weichao , Wang Yicheng , Ahmed Shahwar , Hoffmann Martin , van Delden Marcel , Musch Thomas , Saraceno Clara J.
Published: April 2023

We report on an in-band pumped soft-aperture Kerr-lens mode-locked Ho3+-doped CaGdAlO4 (Ho:CALGO) bulk laser at 2.1 µm, generating 2 W of average power with 112 fs pulses at 91-MHz repetition rate. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest average power from a 100-fs class mode-locked laser based on a Tm3+ or Ho3+ doped bulk material. We show that the laser has excellent noise properties, with an integrated relative intensity noise of 0.02% and a timing jitter of 950 fs (rms phase noise 0.543 mrad) in the integration interval from 10 Hz to 10 MHz of offset frequency. The demonstrated combination of high average power, short pulses, and low noise makes this an outstanding laser source for many applications at 2.1 µm.
Integration of cross-scale milli/microlenses by ion beam etching and femtosecond laser modification
Authors: Qi Jin-Yong , Zhao Zhi-Yan , Liu Zi-Jian , Wang Bao-Xu , Liu Xue-Qing
Published: April 2023

Integrated cross-scale milli/microlenses offer irreplaceable functions in modern integrated optics with the advantage of reducing the size of the optical system to millimeters or microns. However, the technologies for fabricating millimeter-scale lenses and microlenses are always incompatible, which makes the successful fabrication of cross-scale milli/microlenses with a controlled morphology challenging. Here, ion beam etching is proposed as a means to fabricate smooth millimeter-scale lenses on various hard materials. In addition, by combining femtosecond laser modification and ion beam etching, an integrated cross-scale concave milli/microlens (27,000 microlenses on a lens with a diameter of 2.5 mm) is demonstrated on fused silica, and can be used as the template for a compound eye. The results provide a new, to the best of our knowledge, route for the flexible fabrication of cross-scale optical components for modern integrated optical systems.
Stabilized Free Space Optical Frequency Transfer Using Digitally Enhanced Heterodyne Interferometry
Authors: McSorley Shawn , Gozzard David , Karpathakis Skevos , Dix-Matthews Benjamin , Schediwy Sascha
Published: April 2023

Free-space continuous-wave laser interferometry using folded links has applications in precision measurement for velocimetry, vibrometry, optical communications, and verification of frequency transfer for metrology. However, prompt reflections from the transceiver optics degrade the performance of these systems, especially when the power of the returning signal is equal to or less than the power of the prompt reflections. We demonstrate phase stabilized free-space continuous-wave optical frequency transfer that exploits the auto-correlation properties of pseudo-random binary sequences to filter out prompt reflections. We show that this system significantly improves the stability and robustness of optical frequency transfer over a 750 m turbulent free-space channel, achieving a best fractional frequency stability of 8e-20 Hz/Hz at an integration time of 512 seconds, and cycle-slip-free periods up to 162 minutes.
MIMO Based GFDM with Channel Coding and Adaptive Decision Feedback Equalizer in Underwater Wireless Optical communication
Authors: R Hema , A Ananthi
Published: April 2023

Underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) technology was adopted recently to address the underwater communications' need for fast throughput and huge data transmission. In this system, Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) transmission with the Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM) is implemented in UWOC System. Recently, the next-generation technology is made possible by using GFDM in MIMO systems. It combines the advantages of faster data rates with little out-of-band (OOB) emission and strong incoherent demodulation capacity. By employing Forward Error Correction (FEC) codes for channel encoding and decoding, including BCH and RS codes, to enhance system performance. Also, in order to provide efficient channel estimation, various equalizer methods such as Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE), Zero Forcing (ZF) and NLMS decision feedback equalizers has been adopted at receiver side. Since the UWOC channel is mostly affected by turbulence, the channel’s temporal and geographical dispersion under various conditions have been investigated. In this work, Channel impulse response is obtained via Monte Carlo (MC) simulation while accounting for the absorption and scattering effects. The simulation results shows that BER performance of NLMS equalizer technique attain better performance in different code rates and the RS coding achieved the best BER of ~10-5 at less than 20dB itself. The pointing errors in UOC may occur due to uncertainties and environmental disturbances which could not be accurately assessed and controlled by optical alignment techniques. Hence, the BER performance of BCH coded and RS coded GFDM method with different pointing error have been analyzed and spatial diversity significantly reduces fading impairments. Additionally, the effect of turbulence is evaluated under various turbulence conditions.
The National COVID-19 Epi Model (NCEM): Estimating cases, admissions and deaths for the first wave of COVID-19 in South Africa
Authors: Silal Sheetal Prakash , Pulliam Juliet R. C. , Meyer-Rath Gesine , Jamieson Lise , Nichols Brooke E. , Norman Jared , Hounsell Rachel , Mayet Saadiyah , Kagoro Frank , Moultrie Harry
Published: April 2023

In March 2020 the South African COVID-19 Modelling Consortium was formed to support government planning for COVID-19 cases and related healthcare. Models were developed jointly by local disease modelling groups to estimate cases, resource needs and deaths due to COVID-19. The National COVID-19 Epi Model (NCEM) while initially developed as a deterministic compartmental model of SARS-Cov-2 transmission in the nine provinces of South Africa, was adapted several times over the course of the first wave of infection in response to emerging local data and changing needs of government. By the end of the first wave, the NCEM had developed into a stochastic, spatially-explicit compartmental transmission model to estimate the total and reported incidence of COVID-19 across the 52 districts of South Africa. The model adopted a generalised Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Removed structure that accounted for the clinical profile of SARS-COV-2 (asymptomatic, mild, severe and critical cases) and avenues of treatment access (outpatient, and hospitalisation in non-ICU and ICU wards). Between end-March and early September 2020, the model was updated 11 times with four key releases to generate new sets of projections and scenario analyses to be shared with planners in the national and provincial Departments of Health, the National Treasury and other partners. Updates to model structure included finer spatial granularity, limited access to treatment, and the inclusion of behavioural heterogeneity in relation to the adoption of Public Health and Social Measures. These updates were made in response to local data and knowledge and the changing needs of the planners. The NCEM attempted to incorporate a high level of local data to contextualise the model appropriately to address South Africa’s population and health system characteristics that played a vital role in producing and updating estimates of resource needs, demonstrating the importance of harnessing and developing local modelling capacity.
Effectiveness of suvorexant versus benzodiazepine receptor agonist sleep drugs in reducing the risk of hip fracture: Findings from a regional population-based cohort study
Authors: Yoshioka Ryozo , Yamamoto Seiichiro , Nakatani Eiji
Published: April 2023

Sleep drugs are often necessary to treat insomnia in older patients. Benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRAs) are primarily used for insomnia in these patients, but there are concerns regarding their association with delirium and bone fractures. Among sleep drugs, orexin receptor antagonists such as suvorexant have a lower risk of delirium than BZRAs, but their effectiveness in preventing hip fractures is unknown. Hip fracture is a life-threatening trauma in advanced-age patients and a social problem. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between suvorexant and hip fracture. The Shizuoka Kokuho Database was used to compare the time to hip fracture in patients who had been newly taking suvorexant and other sleep drugs such as benzodiazepines since November 2014. A proportional hazards model for hip fracture as an outcome was used to estimate the hazard ratio. Propensity scores were estimated using a logistic regression model, and the confounding factors were age, sex, several comorbidities, and each oral medication. The suvorexant group comprised 6860 patients (110 with hip fracture), and the BZRA group (benzodiazepines and Z-drugs) comprised 50,203 patients (1487 with hip fracture). In the matched cohort (6855:6855 patients), 259 and 249 patients in the suvorexant and BZRA group developed hip fractures during the observational period, respectively. The hazard ratio of the suvorexant group compared with the BZRA group was 1.48 (95% confidence interval, 1.20–1.82). In the subgroup analysis, patients in the suvorexant group had a higher risk of hip fracture if they were aged >75 years, had no diabetes, had no neurological disease, had no renal failure, had liver disease, had hypertension, were not taking alpha 1 blockers, and were not taking oral steroids. Among people in the Japanese regional population who use sleep drugs, patients taking suvorexant can be at higher risk of hip fracture than patients taking BZRAs.
Health worker perspectives on access to antenatal care in rural plains Nepal during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Thapaliya Bibhu , Yadav Samata Kumari , Bhattarai Sanju , Giri Santosh , Sapkota Suprich , Arjyal Abriti , Harris-Fry Helen , Saville Naomi , Hillman Sara , Baral Sushil , Morrison Joanna
Published: April 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic affected access to antenatal care in low and middle-income countries where anaemia in pregnancy is prevalent. We analyse how health workers provided antenatal care and the factors affecting access to antenatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kapilvastu district in the western plains of Nepal. We used qualitative and quantitative methodologies, conducting eight semi-structured interviews with health workers who provided antenatal care during the pandemic, and a questionnaire containing open and closed questions with 52 female community health volunteers. Antenatal care was severely disrupted during the pandemic. Health workers had to find ways to provide care with insufficient personal protective equipment and guidance whilst facing extreme levels of stigmatisation which prevented them from providing outreach services. Pregnant women were fearful or unable to visit health institutions during the pandemic because of COVID-19 control measures. Pre-pandemic and during the pandemic health workers tried to contact pregnant and postpartum women and families over the phone, but this was challenging because of limited access to phones, and required pregnant women to make at least one antenatal care visit to give their phone number. The pandemic prevented new pregnancies from being registered, and therefore the possibilities to provide services over the phone for these pregnancies were limited. To reach the most marginalised during a pandemic or other health emergency, health volunteers and households need to exchange phone numbers, enabling proactive monitoring and care-seeking. Strengthening procurement and coordination between the municipal, provincial, and federal levels of government is needed to ensure adequacy of antenatal supplies, such as iron folic acid tablets, in health emergencies. Community engagement is important to ensure women and families are aware of the need to access antenatal care and iron folic acid, and to address stigmatisation of health workers.
Subsidies versus intellectual property rights when innovators operate in two markets
Authors: Skliaustyte Egle , Weber Matthias
Published: April 2023

Intellectual property rights are monopoly rights, which have undesirable welfare properties. Therefore, several studies suggest using rewards as incentives for innovation instead. However, these studies have thus far had little effect on actual policy, possibly because such rewards may be difficult to implement in practice. We suggest a new way of providing incentives to originators, which is easier to implement. Our suggestion can be used if there is an additional market in which originators operate, where copying is not easily possible. In this case, intellectual property rights in one market can be replaced by subsidies in the other market. Taking the music industry as example, copyrights in the records market could be replaced by subsidies in the market for live performances. We develop a partial equilibrium model that can be used to analyze in which cases the replacement of intellectual property rights in one market with subsidies in another market is welfare improving and better for the originator. A numerical application example suggests that the subsidy scheme may indeed be better in the music industry. The subsidy scheme can be implemented as a voluntary option, which would even be possible without changing the legal framework of intellectual property rights.