bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in Skeletal Muscle Mass in the First 3 Months Following Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery: A Prospective Study
Authors: Xu Xinyi , Liu Wei-Hong , Yates Patsy
Published: September 2024

Background

Surgical resection is the primary treatment for gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, but postoperative skeletal muscle loss (SML) is common and linked to poor prognosis. This study aims to identify patterns of muscle change, examine its association with quality of life (QoL), and explore predictors of SML in the first 3 months.

Patients and Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted on patients newly diagnosed with GI cancer and undergoing surgery in China between September 2021 and May 2022. Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and QoL were assessed at admission, 7 days, 1 month, and 3 months post-surgery. Demographic, clinical data, and biomarkers were collected. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputation. Data were analyzed using growth mixture modelling, bivariate analyses, and logistic regression.

Results

A total of 483 patients completed baseline assessment. Of the 242 patients with complete muscle assessments, 92% experienced SML. Three distinct patterns of muscle change were identified: 57% had normal preoperative SMM with mild postoperative SML, 16% had low preoperative SMM with moderate SML, and 27% had normal preoperative mass but severe postoperative SML. Moderate/severe SML was associated with more postoperative complications, poorer health, and higher symptom burden. Independent predictors included advanced age, preoperative sarcopenia, advanced cancer stage, and low prognostic nutrition index (PNI ≤ 45). The results did not change when using imputed values.

Conclusions

Although SML is prevalent, patterns of muscle change are heterogeneous among patients. Advanced age, preoperative sarcopenia, advanced cancer stage, and cancer-related inflammation are predictors for moderate/severe SML, highlighting the need for early detection and management.
Impact of ChatCPT on Scientific Writing
Authors: Özer Mahmut
Published: September 2024

This paper discusses the profound impact of generative AI (GAI) technologies, like ChatGPT, on academic writing and research. GAI tools have revolutionized content creation, offering capabilities such as text generation, grammar improvement, and literature scanning. However, the letter raises ethical concerns, particularly regarding the use of GAI in the peer review process and its potential to introduce plagiarism and bias. It emphasizes that while GAI can enhance productivity, it cannot be considered a co-author due to its inability to assume responsibility for the content. The letter calls for clear acknowledgment of GAI's contributions in academic work while upholding the essential role of human oversight to maintain integrity and ethical standards in research and publishing.
The Exorbitant Privilege of US Extraterritorial Sanctions
Authors: Deligöz Halil
Published: September 2024

US extraterritorial sanctions, also called secondary sanctions, are inherently controversial due to the use of the exorbitant privilege of encroaching not only on the target state but also on third states’ jurisdictions and national interests. After surveying the state of the art in the debate on extraterritorial sanctions with a particular focus on the financial industry, this article refers to the major balancing powers’ policies for dealing with the US use of an exorbitant privilege and concludes that, even though the effectiveness of unilateral secondary sanctions has been apparent as demonstrated in the case of the Iran sanctions, the US practices stand out as being increasingly incongruent in the international system, especially in the slow process of distancing from the US-led unipolarity and its manifestations. Thus, the future of secondary sanctions depends on one hand on the US preserving its diminishing credibility and coordination and on the other hand on third countries’ collective actions for voicing to protect their national interests.
Communitarianism: A Corrective or an Alternative?
Authors: Uysal Ömer Faruk
Published: September 2024

Communitarian thought could be a noteworthy alternative to the prevailing moral-political realities established by liberal assumptions and presuppositions, as its interpretations on issues it broaches in the realms of being, knowledge, and value indicate. However, it is not entirely accurate to say that communitarianism is examined as an alternative to liberal thought in the literature. The role assigned to it is more so to serve as a corrective that moderates the extremes of liberal thought. This article aims to reinterpret communitarianism not as a corrective of liberalism, but as an alternative thought system to it. The main contention of the article is that, just like liberalism, communitarianism can indeed be read as a standalone political philosophy. This claim is sought to be grounded in the article by the existence of a unique philosophical foundation from which the criticisms of communitarian thinkers toward liberalism also emerge and are nourished - in other words, the fundamental premises and assumptions that make the communitarian critique “communitarian”. In this context, rather than focusing on the critiques of communitarians against liberalism, the article offers an examination that reveals the ontological, epistemological, and axiological foundations of communitarian thought.
İmparatorluktan Yeni Dünyaya: Arjantin’in “Ruso” Göçmenleri
Authors: Tekin Segâh , Haşimoğlu Murad
Published: September 2024

Rusya coğrafyası 19. yüzyıldan itibaren küresel göç eğilimleri ile uyumlu olarak dışarıya göç vermiştir. Diğer taraftan, 19. yüzyılın başlarında bağımsızlıklarına kavuşan Latin Amerika ülkeleri, aralarında Osmanlı, Rus ve Avusturya- Macaristan imparatorlukları gibi çok uluslu Avrasya devletlerinin de yer aldığı dünyanın farklı ülkelerinden göç dalgaları almaya başlamışlardır. Rusya İmparatorluğu’ndan Latin Amerika’ya yönelik göç hareketi 1850’lerde başlamış ve 1917’de imparatorluğun yıkılışına dek sürmüştür. Farklı etnik ve dini kökenlere sahip olmalarına rağmen Rusya vatandaşı oldukları için resmi kayıtlara “Ruso” olarak geçen ilk göçmenlerin temel hedef ülkesi Arjantin olmuştur. Ruso göçmenlerin göç ve uyum süreçlerine odaklanan bu çalışma kapsamında, yeni hayatlarının toplumsal, ekonomik, dini ve kültürel özelliklerini incelenmektedir. Çalışma, ilk dönem Ruso göçmenlerin nihai olarak bir emek diasporasının üyeleri haline geldiklerini ve Rusya’dan gelen göçmenler içinde etnik ve dini açıdan en heterojen grup olmalarına karşın en azından ilk nesil için hayatlarında Rusya ile bağların varlığını koruduğunu, Rusça ve Rus kültürünün etkisini sürdürdüğünü ortaya koymaktadır.
Exploring antioxidant potential of agricultural by-products: a systematic review
Authors: Santoso Imam , Suprayogi Suprayogi , Sulianto Akhmad Adi , Widyastuti Endrika , Choirun Annisa’U , Lestari Khairunnisa , A’yuniah Syairil , Kusumaningtyas Octavia Widyastuti
Published: September 2024

Background Agricultural waste sourced from various activities that occur along the agricultural supply chain including post-harvest, processing, and consumption processes, can pose a threat to ecosystem balance and community welfare. Data shows that agricultural by-products have the potential to be utilized because they contain antioxidant compounds. This systematic review study aims to identify and assess the antioxidant activity of agricultural by-products through various extraction methods. Methods This systematic review collected literature in the last 10 years (2013–2023) from Google Scholar, Semantic, and Scopus-indexed articles with the help of Publish or Perish. Using the help of boolean operators (AND) and (OR) in searching using keywords. The steps applied adapt the PRISMA method (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses), including identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion. Results Literature collection data shows that the dominant processing method used is the solvent extraction method to determine the antioxidant value of various agricultural waste by-products. Followed by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) methods. A wide range of antioxidant activity values were found depending on the type of agricultural waste and processing technique. One potential utilization of agricultural wastes rich in antioxidant content is as additives in formulations in the cosmetic industry. Conclusion Agricultural waste by-products have high potential of antioxidant content, depending on the type of waste and extraction method. The dominant agricultural waste used is by-products from the fruit group. The utilization of agricultural waste that is rich in antioxidants has the potential to be utilized in the cosmetic industry.
In Vitro Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitory Effect of Etlingera Elatior Ethanol Extract Growing in Gayo Highland, Aceh Province, Indonesia
Authors: Zumaidar Zumaidar , Asmilia Nuzul , Saudah Saudah , Husnah Milda
Published: September 2024

Background The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing overtime, potentially leading to various severe health complications and mortality. Despite therapeutic agents have currently been developed, unexpected adverse effects are inevitable. Hence, safe and effective medications such as those of plant origin are critical to prevent unexpected complication in DM sufferers. Etlingera elatior has been widely used as spice and traditional medicine to treat diabetes in Aceh Province, Indonesia. However, study regarding α-glucosidase inhibitory effect of E. elatior growing in Gayo highlands, Aceh, Indonesia, is completely lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory effect of E. elatior ethanol extracts (EEEE) growing in Gayo highlands, Aceh Province, Indonesia. Methods Antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH procedure, whereas α-glucosidase inhibition assay was carried out using spectrophotometric method. Data analysis was performed using One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), followed by Duncan’s multiple range test at α=0.05. Results Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC), and total tannin (TTC) content in all E. elatior plant parts, in which the highest TPC was found in the stem (158.38 GAE/g), whereas the highest TFC and TTC was obtained in the rhizome extracts. The extract of fruit showed the strongest antioxidant activities, followed by the stem and leaf, with IC50 of 2.381 μg/mL, 6.966 μg/mL, and 19.365 μg/mL, respectively. All E. elatior extracts revealed a significant inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase at the concentration of 500 μg/mL, in which the stem extract showed the most effective α-glucosidase inhibitory effect with IC50 value of 5.15 μg/mL, suggesting its promising potential as antidiabetic agent. Conclusions This study highlights E. elatior potency as a novel source of antioxidant and natural antidiabetic compounds that are useful for the prevention and treatment of diabetes.
Posterior palatal seal recording: fact and reasons among Iraqi dentists
Authors: Abass Shorouq M. , Khalaf Bayan S. , Jassim Tameem K. , Al-Khafaji Aseel M.
Published: September 2024

Abstract* Backgrounds The retention of the maxillary complete denture may be influenced by adequate recording in the patient’s mouth, marking, and carving of the post-dam on the maxillary cast. Failure to do so may lead to loss of retention. Successful denture construction with patient’s comfort could be achieved by effective methods of recording, marking, and carving of the post-dam. The aim of the study was to assess Iraqi dentists in their knowledge and application of the post-dam in maxillary complete dentures. Methods Questionnaires were distributed randomly through online Google Forms and 118 Iraqi dentists with different academic degree participated in the study. A multinomial logistic regression model was also used to assess the nominal outcome variables. Results A High percentage of 90.7% of Iraqi dentists with different academic degree stated that they had the knowledge about the vibrating lines and their location and 84.7% stated that they mark the post-dam on the master cast, while 15.3% stated that the dental technician marks it. More the half (52.5%) of the participants carved the post-dam, while 47.5% of the participants stated that the dental technician did it. For participants not marking the post-dam, 30.5% of the participants stated they depend on the dental technician in marking and/or carve the post-dam, while the fear of denture failure and loss of retention was observed in 25.4% of the participants, followed by 24.6% of participants forgetting to carve, 10.2% of participants had no information about carving, and 9.3% participants found it was difficult to carve. Conclusions Within the limitations of the study, most Iraqi dentists with different academic degree stated that they had the knowledge on the location of vibrating lines. However, recording and carving the post-dam was influenced by the dentist’s personal preference and their dependency on the dental technician.
Feasibility Study of Community-Based Training for Musculoskeletal Health Promotion
Authors: Prawiradilaga Rizky Suganda , Bendtsen Magnus , Esrup Simon , Jørgensen Niklas Rye , Yulianto Fajar Awalia , Helge Eva Wulff
Published: September 2024

Background: To minimize fracture risk, multimodal training regimens are recommended. However, their effectiveness in community settings remains uncertain. This study evaluated the feasibility of 19-weeks of multimodal training in a local community center with emphasis on musculoskeletal health in postmenopausal women. Methods: In a controlled trial, 28 postmenopausal women (53-68-years-old) were assigned to a multimodal training group (MMT, n=15) or a control group (CON, n=13). The training consisted of high- and odd-impact, resistance and balance-coordination training 1-2 hours weekly. The outcomes were attendance rate, regional and total bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), bone turnover markers (BTM), body composition, functional muscle strength and power, and dynamic balance. All were determined at baseline and after 19 weeks of training. BTM was assessed after three weeks. Results: Overall, 22(79%) participants (MMT, n=9; CON, n=13) completed the study, and the mean attendance rate for MMT was 65.5% of the maximum sessions (2) offered. Only right trochanter BMD increased (p<0.05) by 1.0±1.1% in MMT, which was higher(p<0.05) than CON. While whole-body BMC was not changed at 19 weeks from baseline in MMT, it decreased (p<0.05) in CON resulting in a significant difference (p<0.05) in whole-body BMC delta values between the two groups. Compared to baseline, body fat percentage(%BF), fat mass(FM), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT)-mass and -volume were decreased (p<0.01) in MMT, and were larger (p<0.05) than CON. No significant changes were observed in BTM, muscle strength and power, and dynamic balance after 19 weeks. Conclusions: Nineteen weeks of multimodal training 1-2 hours per week in a local community had a health-enhancing effect on %BF, FM, and VAT, whereas the musculoskeletal health impact was modest. We hypothesize that the reason might be too low training volume and frequency and supposedly too low musculoskeletal training intensity for some participants. Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05164679 (21/12/2021).
Single-blinded, stratified, dose ranging trial to assess pharmacokinetics and identify optimal dose of vitamin B12 in pregnancy in Tanzania
Authors: Lweno Omar , Reynolds Victoria S. , Barberio Matthew D. , Klatt Kevin C. , Mugusi Sabina , Gopalakrishnan Mathangi , Lukmanji Zohra , Al-beity Fadhlun M. Alwy , Ahmadzia Homa K. , Arcot Amrita , Gallagher Kelly , Martin Leigh A. , Rahnavard Ali , Gernand Alison D. , Langevin Brooke , Masanja Honorati , Smith Emily R.
Published: September 2024

Background Vitamin B12 is an essential cofactor for two enzymes that have critical functions in pregnancy, both for maternal health and fetal development. However, the optimal supplemental dosage and its correlation with vitamin B12 status during pregnancy remain inadequately understood due to limited data. Methods This is a single-blinded, stratified, dose-ranging trial of vitamin B12 supplementation that will be conducted at the Ifakara Health Institute Bagamoyo Clinical Trial Unit in Bagamoyo, Tanzania. We will enroll 40 pregnant participants (gestational age 25–28 weeks) and 10 non-pregnant participants, stratified based on baseline vitamin B12 status (sufficient and insufficient). Pregnant participants are sequentially assigned to one of three doses: 2.6, 10, and 50 µg for four weeks. At the highest dose, pregnant participants are randomized to receive 50 µg once a day (Q24H) or 25 µg twice a day (Q12H). The two lower doses (2.6 and 10 µg) are given Q24H. Non-pregnant participants will receive 2.6 µg Q24H. The trial includes a four week in-patient phase for daily assessment and controlled feeding, with pregnant participants assessed once postpartum. Primary endpoints include serum B12 concentrations, holotranscobalamin concentrations, and their ratio after four weeks of daily supplementation. Discussion This study aims to deepen our understanding of nutrient requirements in pregnancy by generating high-quality, high-dimensional data. We will answer questions about how pre-supplementation vitamin B12 status and dosage impact vitamin B12 saturable absorption and steady-state over the course of four weeks. Limitations include our inability to assess pharmacokinetic changes across gestation, the impact of vitamin B12 status or supplementation on pregnancy and fetal/newborn health, comparing vitamin B12 effects between pregnant and non-pregnant individuals above the recommended dietary allowance (2.6 µg), and comparing Q12H and Q24H dosing at 50 µg. This is the first controlled feeding study to be conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. Registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05426395, 16/06/2022).
The genome sequence of the lesser worm flesh fly, Sarcophaga (Sarcophaga) subvicina Rohdendorf, 1937
Authors: Falk Steven ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective, Mulley John F. ,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: September 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Sarcophaga subvicina (the lesser worm flesh fly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Sarcophagidae). The genome sequence is 71 megabases in span. Most of the assembly (95.91%) is scaffolded into six chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the X sex chromosome assembled. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.7 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 16,793 protein coding genes.
The genome sequence of the Yellow-legged Mining Bee, Andrena flavipes Panzer, 1799
Authors: Boyes Clare ,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: September 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Andrena flavipes (the Yellow-legged Mining Bee; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Andrenidae). The genome sequence spans 307.60 megabases. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 4 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 21.27 kilobases in length.
Od wrogości do partnerstwa. Stosunki turecko-rosyjskie w latach 2002-2016
Authors: Musiał Mateusz
Published: September 2024

The article presents an analysis of relations between Russia and Türkiye in the years 2002-2016, emphasising the dynamic changes that transpired in this period. The historical background is an introduction to the issue, highlighting the complex nature of Turkish-Russian relations in the past. In the 1990s, Türkiye and Russia experienced difficult times related to economic crises and regional conflicts, which complicated their relations. In the new millennium, especially after the Second Persian Gulf War, relations began to gradually improve. Initiatives such as signing and implementing joint agreements and economic projects, undertaken by the leaders of both countries, Presidents Recep Erdoğan and Vladimir Putin, played an important part in undertaking bilateral industrial, military, and economic co-operation. In this key period, Türkiye and Russia simultaneously competed with each other in many fields, thus presenting conflicts within the overarching alignment. That presented a discrepancy between strategic interests, particularly expressed in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and the events of the Arab Spring, which then introduced elements of tension in relations. A significant moment in relations between Türkiye and Russia was the incident of the downing of a Russian Su-24 fighter by Türkiye in 2015, which resulted in the freezing of relations and Russia imposing sanctions on this country. The author notes that the normalisation of relations with Moscow was necessary for Türkiye to achieve its goals in Syria, especially in the context of the fight against Kurdish forces supported by the United States. The final section of the article focuses on the impact of internal and external political changes on the development of relations between Türkiye and Russia in the 21st century and identifies dynamic factors that rebalanced the geopolitical constellation and influenced a new realignment of interests and the necessity of reinforcing the bilateral partnership.
Optimal Computing Budget Allocation for Data-Driven Ranking and Selection
Authors: Wang Yuhao , Zhou Enlu
Published: September 2024

In a fixed-budget ranking and selection (R&S) problem, one aims to identify the best design among a finite number of candidates by efficiently allocating the given computing budget to evaluate design performance. Classical methods for R&S usually assume the distribution of the randomness in the system is exactly known. In this paper, we consider the practical scenario where the true distribution is unknown but can be estimated from streaming input data that arrive in batches over time. We formulate the R&S problem in this dynamic setting as a multistage problem where we adopt the Bayesian approach to estimate the distribution, and we formulate a stagewise optimization problem to allocate the computing budget. We characterize the optimality conditions for the stagewise problem by applying the large deviations theory to maximize the decay rate of the probability of false selection. Based on the optimality conditions and combined with the updating of distribution estimates, we design two sequential budget allocation procedures for R&S under streaming input data. We theoretically guarantee the consistency and asymptotic optimality of the proposed procedures. We demonstrate the practical efficiency through numerical experiments in comparison with the equal allocation policy and an extension of the optimal computing budget allocation algorithm.

Funding: The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research [Grant FA9550-22-1-0244], the National Science Foundation [Grant NSF-DMS2053489], and the NSF AI Institute for Advances in Optimization under [Grant NSF-2112533].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoo.2024.0035 .
Occupational therapy interventions provided for service users while in seclusion within a medium secure mental health unit: a service evaluation
Authors: Link Wendy , Bowser Anita , Donovan-Hall Maggie
Published: September 2024

Background/Aims

Service users who have spent time in seclusion describe it as a negative experience, viewing it as punishment. Although occupational therapists work within these settings, there is limited research and documentation of interventions aimed at reducing occupational deprivation in seclusion. A service evaluation was conducted at a medium secure adult mental health unit to better understand the current practices of occupational therapists working in seclusion.

Methods

A bespoke tool was developed to capture occupational therapy interventions within a 12-month timeline.

Results

Data showed that there were 31 interventions provided across 300 days of seclusion for 16 patients. Therapy lasted between 5 and 45 minutes involving a range of adapted interventions and resources appropriate for positive risk taking.

Conclusions

Despite creative and adaptive interventions identified, provision of occupational therapy appeared sporadic and restricted by a 5-day service. This illustrates the need for specialist training and guidelines to support an integrated and consistent approach.
Management of Congenital Radioulnar Synostosis Fracture Following Road Traffic Accident: A Rare Case Report
Authors:   Department of Orthopaedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India., Raghute Sumit , Roy Mainak ,   Department of Orthopaedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India., Sah Saurabh ,   Department of Orthopaedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India., Dwidmuthe Samir ,   Department of Orthopaedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India., Das Deepanjan ,   Department of Orthopaedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Congenital radioulnar synostosis (CRUS) is a rare condition characterized by the fusion of the radius and ulna bones in the forearm, resulting in limited forearm rotational movement. Case Report: We present a unique case of a 26-year-old male who suffered a forearm injury following a road traffic accident. Initial evaluation revealed a malformed proximal radius and distal radioulnar joint, and the presence of radioulnar synostosis, along with a fracture at the junction of the radius and ulna. Open reduction internal fixation was performed, followed by structured rehabilitation. At 6-month follow-up, significant improvement in forearm motion was observed, enabling the patient to perform daily activities independently. Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of comprehensive evaluation in traumatic injuries and understanding the anatomy and function of the forearm complex. It also highlights the efficacy of surgical intervention and rehabilitation in restoring function and quality of life for patients with this rare condition. This report contributes to the limited literature on managing fractures in the context of CRUS and emphasizes the need for further research in this area. Keywords: Radioulnar synostosis, fracture fixation, road traffic accident, surgical intervention.
Revealing the propagation dynamic of a Laguerre-Gaussian beam with two Bohm-like theories
Authors: Huang Peng-Fei , Xiao Ya , Dong Shan-Chuan , Gu Yong-Jian
Published: September 2024

By employing x-Bohm theory and p-Bohm theory, we construct the position and momentum trajectories of single-mode and superposed-mode Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beams. The dependence of divergence velocity and rotation velocity on the initial position and propagation distance is quantified, indicating that LG beams exhibit subluminal effects, even in free space. Additionally, we clarify the formation of the petal-shaped intensity distribution of the superposed-mode LG beam in terms of motion trajectory, where the particle-like trajectory and wave-like interference are “simultaneously” observed. Our work provides an intuitive way to visualize the propagation characteristics of LG beams and deepen the comprehension of Bohm-like theory.
Power-aided probabilistic shaping parameter optimization for long-haul optical fiber transmission
Authors: Zhao Yi , Zhang Qi , Li Xinying , Xin Xiangjun , Wang Fu , Gao Ran , Tian Feng , Tian Qinghua , Wang Yongjun , Yang Leijing , Wang Xishuo , Jiang Jinkun
Published: September 2024

A power-aided probabilistic shaping (PS) parameter optimization scheme is proposed to localize the optimal transmitting setup and maximize the transmission capacity in long-haul optical fiber transmission. Using a neural network and genetic algorithm (NNGA), the proposed scheme can select the optimal transmission parameter set, including the launching optical power (LOP) and three PS characteristics. We built a testbed using MATLAB and VPI to validate the proposed scheme. The proposed scheme was demonstrated in a dual-polarization coherent transmission system. The results show that the proposed scheme improves the generalized mutual information (GMI) by 0.3035 bits/symbol/pol and normalized GMI by 0.1022 in a 1000 km G.654E fiber transmission at 420-Gbit/s, compared to a traditional MB-based PS technique. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) achieves a gain of 1.003 dB, which validates the outperformance of the proposed scheme.
Development of a carboxymethyl chitosan functionalized slide for small molecule detection using oblique-incidence reflectivity difference technology
Authors: Xu Mengjing , Shi Boyang , Li Haofeng , Mai Xiaohan , Mi Lan , Ma Jiong , Zhu Xiangdong , Wang Guowei , Fei Yiyan
Published: September 2024

Label-free optical biosensors have become powerful tools in the study of biomolecular interactions without the need for labels. High throughput and low detection limit are desirable for rapid and accurate biomolecule detection. The oblique-incidence reflectivity difference (OI-RD) technique is capable of detecting thousands of biomolecular interactions in a high-throughput mode, specifically for biomolecules larger than 1000 Da. In order to enhance the detection capability of OI-RD for small molecules (typically < 500 Da), we have developed a three-dimensional biochip that utilized carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) functionalized slides. By investigating various factors such as sonication time, protein immobilization time, CMCS molecular weight, and glutaraldehyde (GA) functionalization time, we have achieved a detection limit of 6.8 pM for avidin (68 kDa). Furthermore, accurate detection of D-biotin with a molecular weight of 244 Da has also been achieved. This paper presents an effective solution for achieving both high throughput and low detection limits using the OI-RD technique in the field of biomolecular interaction detection.
ECM-YOLO: a real-time detection method of steel surface defects based on multiscale convolution
Authors: Yan Chunman , Xu Ee
Published: September 2024

Steel surface defects, characterized by multiple types, varied scales, and overlapping occurrences, directly impact the quality, performance, and reliability of industrial products. Proposing a high-precision and high-speed steel surface defect detection algorithm is crucial for ensuring product quality. In this regard, this paper introduces ECM-YOLO, a detection network based on YOLOv8n. First, addressing the insufficient information capture of the C2f module, the C2f enhanced multiscale convolution processing (C2f_EMSCP) module is proposed, enhancing global and local feature capture capabilities through multiscale convolutions. Second, to further enhance the network’s robustness and focus on critical information, the channel prior convolutional attention (CPCA) mechanism is integrated between the backbone and neck networks to facilitate more efficient information transmission. Last, a novel, to the best of our knowledge, detection head, i.e., multiscale simple and efficient anchor matching head (MultiSEAMHead), is proposed to mitigate accuracy issues arising from overlaps between different types of defects. Experimental results demonstrate that ECM-YOLO achieves mAPs of 78.9% and 68.2% on the NEU-DET and GC 10-DET data sets, respectively, outperforming YOLOv8n by 2.5% and 4.4%. Moreover, ECM-YOLO excels in model parameters, computational efficiency, and inference speed compared with other models. These findings highlight the applicability of ECM-YOLO for real-time defect detection in industrial settings.
Design and fabrication of a sub-3 dB grating coupler on an X-cut thin-film lithium niobate platform
Authors: Fang Shaobo , Hong Bingzhou , Lv Liming , Shen Ruoyu , Zhao Haibin , Chu Wei , Cai Haiwen , Huang Weiping
Published: September 2024

Thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) based integrated photonic devices have been intensively investigated due to their promising properties, enabling various on-chip applications. Grating couplers (GCs) are wildly used for their flexibility and high alignment tolerance for fiber-to-chip coupling. However, achieving high coupling efficiency (CE) in TFLN GCs often requires the use of reflectors, hybrid materials, or extremely narrow linewidths of the grating arrays, which significantly increases the fabrication difficulty. Therefore, there is a demand for high-CE GCs on TFLN with simple structure and easy fabrication processes. In this paper, combining process capabilities, we demonstrate a highly efficient apodized GC by linearly optimizing the period length and the fill factor on a 600-nm-thick TFLN platform. Without any reflector or hybrid material, we achieve a remarkable coupling loss of −2.97 dB at 1555 nm on the 600-nm-thick X-cut TFLN platform with only a single lithography and etching step. Our work sets a new benchmark for CE among GCs on the 600-nm-thick TFLN platform.
Holographic multi-photon 3D laser nanoprinting – at the speed of light: opinion
Authors: Somers Paul , Koch Sebastian , Kiefer Pascal , Meretska Maryna L. , Wegener Martin
Published: September 2024

In this opinion article, we discuss the possibility of printing three-dimensional macroscopic architectures with nanometer feature size by irradiating a light-sensitive ink with a single, spatiotemporally shaped, short laser pulse. We argue that the peak print rate of this approach may reach 1020-1021 voxels s-1, surpassing the present state-of-the-art of about 108 voxels s-1 by a very large margin.
Photonics and AI: Industry Perspectives
Authors: Lanford Hannah , Sender Rachel , Wills Stewart
Published: September 2024

OPN talked with six companies about some of the opportunities AI could open for the optics and photonics industry——in silicon photonics and beyond.
GPU-Accelerated Photonic Simulations
Authors: Minkov Momchil , Sun Peng , Lee Ben , Yu Zongfu , Fan Shanhui
Published: September 2024

Hardware advances are enabling simulations of Maxwell's equations at unprecedented speed and scale.
Gestational weight gain at the national, regional, and income group levels based on 234 national household surveys from 70 low-income and middle-income countries
Authors: Costa Janaína Calu , Wang Dongqing , Wang Molin , Liu Enju , Partap Uttara , Cliffer Ilana , Fawzi Wafaie W.
Published: September 2024

Gestational weight gain (GWG) estimates enable the identification of populations of women at risk for adverse outcomes. We described GWG distribution in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Demographic and Health Surveys and other national surveys were used to calculate the average GWG by regressing the weight of pregnant women (15–49 years) at the time of the interview on their gestational age, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. A mixed-effects hierarchical model was built with survey-specific GWG as the dependent variable and restricted cubic splines for survey year, super-region, and country-level covariates (total fertility rate, gross domestic product, and average female body mass index) to predict the national, regional, and income level average GWG in 2020. Uncertainty ranges (UR) were obtained using bootstrap. Estimates were compared with the Institute of Medicine’s GWG recommendations for women with normal weight (11.5kg) and underweight (12.5kg). Survey data were available for 70 LMICs (234 data points, 1991–2022). Predicted country-specific GWG for 2020 ranged from 2.6 to 13.5kg. Ten countries presented estimates above the recommendation for women with underweight; nine of which were from Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia; apart from one, these were upper-middle income. Regional GWG was estimated at 5.4kg (95%UR 3.1,7.7) in Sub-Saharan Africa; 6.2kg (95%UR 3.4,9.0) in North Africa and the Middle East; 8.6kg (95%UR 6.0,11.3) in South Asia; 9.3kg (95%UR 6.2,12.3) in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania; 10.0kg (95%UR 7.1,12.9) in Latin America and the Caribbean; and 13.0kg (95%UR 9.0,16.9) in Central and Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. A gradient was observed across income: 5.3kg (95%UR 2.7,7.9) for low-income, 7.6kg (95%UR 5.2,10.1) for lower-middle-income, and 9.8kg (95%UR 7.1,12.5) for upper-middle-income countries. No income group achieved the minimum recommended weight gain. GWG was estimated to be insufficient in almost all LMICs. Improved data and monitoring are crucial for impactful interventions.
Predicting blood lead in Uruguayan children: Individual- vs neighborhood-level ensemble learners
Authors: Frndak Seth , Queirolo Elena I. , Mañay Nelly , Yu Guan , Ahmed Zia , Barg Gabriel , Colder Craig , Kordas Katarzyna
Published: September 2024

Predicting childhood blood lead levels (BLLs) has had mixed success, and it is unclear if individual- or neighborhood-level variables are most predictive. An ensemble machine learning (ML) approach to identify the most relevant predictors of BLL ≥2μg/dL in urban children was implemented. A cross-sectional sample of 603 children (~7 years of age) recruited between 2009–2019 from Montevideo, Uruguay participated in the study. 77 individual- and 32 neighborhood-level variables were used to predict BLLs ≥2μg/dL. Three ensemble learners were created: one with individual-level predictors (Ensemble-I), one with neighborhood-level predictors (Ensemble-N), and one with both (Ensemble-All). Each ensemble learner comprised four base classifiers with 50% training, 25% validation, and 25% test datasets. Predictive performance of the three ensemble models was compared using area under the curve (AUC) for the receiver operating characteristic (ROC), precision, sensitivity, and specificity on the test dataset. Ensemble-I (AUC: 0.75, precision: 0.56, sensitivity: 0.79, specificity: 0.65) performed similarly to Ensemble-All (AUC: 0.75, precision: 0.63, sensitivity: 0.79, specificity: 0.69). Ensemble-N (AUC: 0.51, precision: 0.0, sensitivity: 0.0, specificity: 0.50) severely underperformed. Year of enrollment was most important in Ensemble-I and Ensemble-All, followed by household water Pb. Three neighborhood-level variables were among the top 10 important predictors in Ensemble-All (density of bus routes, dwellings with stream/other water source and distance to nearest river). The individual-level only model performed best, although precision was improved when both neighborhood and individual-level variables were included. Future predictive models of lead exposure should consider proximal predictors (i.e., household characteristics).
Factors associated with the ability of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sexual unions to negotiate for safer sex. An analysis of data from the 2018 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS)
Authors: Zulu Teebeny , Musukuma Mwiche , Jacobs Choolwe , Musonda Patrick
Published: September 2024

The ability of AGYW to negotiate for safer sex is key in the fight against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). We determined the prevalence of safer sex negotiation among AGYW in sexual unions aged 15–24 and its associated factors in Zambia. Of 1879 respondents, 78.0% (1466) had the ability to negotiate for safer sex (ANSS). While adjusting for other variables in the model, condom use at last sex with the most recent partner (AOR 4.08, 95% CI 1.74–9.60, p = 0.001), experiencing any sexual violence by husband or partner (AOR 1.74, 95% CI 1.17–2.59, p = 0.006), listening to the radio at least once a week (AOR 2.03, 95% CI 1.32–3.13, p = 0.001), secondary or higher education (AOR1.77, 95% CI 1.04–2.99, p = 0.034), being in the richest wealth quintile (AOR 2.70, 95% CI 1.30–5.60, p = 0.008), and living in Eastern Province (AOR 2.75, 95% CI 1.53–4.93 p = 0.001), Northwestern (AOR 2.31, 95% CI 1.15–4.65, p = 0.019) and Southern (AOR 3.11, 95% CI 1.58–6.09, p = 0.001) was associated with a significant increase in the odds of ANSS among AGYW aged 15–24 years in sexual unions. On the other hand, being in Muchinga province (AOR 0.48, 95% CI 0.28–0.81, p = 0.006) decreased the odds of ANSS. In conclusion, safer sex negotiation is crucial in combating HIV; hence, tailor-made interventions that promote condom use, frequency of listening to health programmes on the radio, education, and wealth acquisition should be implemented to build and sustain safer sex negotiation, particularly among AGYW in sexual unions.
The impacts of COVID-19 on older adults in Uganda and Ethiopia: Perspectives from non-governmental organization staff and volunteers
Authors: Dhillon Satveer , Luginaah Isaac , Elliott Susan J. , Nagawa Justine , Niwagaba Ronah Agaba
Published: September 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on older adults, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). To support older adults during this time, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) coordinated programs to help provide for basic needs related to food and water security and healthcare. This research explores the attitudes, perceptions and experiences of NGO staff and volunteers who provided support to older adults in SSA in rural East Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. In-depth interviews (n = 28) were conducted with NGO staff and volunteers in Uganda and Ethiopia between September and December of 2022. Overall, NGO staff and volunteers reported high levels of knowledge surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and stated that one positive of the COVID-19 pandemic was the improved hygiene practices. However, the NGO staff and volunteers also reported that the pandemic and the associated public health measures exacerbated pre-existing social inequalities, such as increasing pre-existing levels of food insecurity. The exacerbation of pre-existing social inequalities may be one reason for the increased reliance on NGO services. The learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health measures can be utilized to create targeted strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of future public health crises on vulnerable populations.
Measurement method research of Chinese texts’ difficulty based on two-characters continuations
Authors: Zhou Dongjie , Zheng Tianqing
Published: September 2024

Two-characters continuation, which is a string with two characters emerging in linear sequence, can break through the encapsulation and independence of long solidified language chunks (words and phrases). In this way, two-characters continuation can measure the information of not only static language units (words and phrases) but also their combination in the text. Therefore, two-characters continuation is used as a measurement unit for investigating Chinese text’s difficulty, to enhance the accuracy of measuring text’s difficulty. Three different measurement methods of text’s difficulty are proposed, which are respectively based on "continuation index of character", "new and stable two-characters continuation" and "emerging tendency of two-characters continuation". The results show that compared to other two methods, the measurement method of text’s difficulty based on new and stable two-characters continuations has better effectiveness, whose accuracies for measuring text’s difficulty with 6 levels, 3 levels and 2 levels difficulties can reach 36.4%, 64.6% and 79.6%, respectively. In addition, compared to Jiang and Wu’s research works, the above measurement method also shows a better effectiveness.
ACG Clinical Guideline: Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection
Authors: Chey William D. , Howden Colin W. , Moss Steven F. , Morgan Douglas R. , Greer Katarina B. , Grover Shilpa , Shah Shailja C.
Published: September 2024

Helicobacter pyloriis a prevalent, global infectious disease that causes dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer. The American College of Gastroenterology commissioned this clinical practice guideline (CPG) to inform the evidence-based management of patients withH. pyloriinfection in North America. This CPG used Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology to systematically analyze 11 Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome questions and generate recommendations. Where evidence was insufficient or the topic did not lend itself to GRADE, expert consensus was used to create 6 key concepts. For treatment-naive patients withH. pyloriinfection, bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT) for 14 days is the preferred regimen when antibiotic susceptibility is unknown. Rifabutin triple therapy or potassium-competitive acid blocker dual therapy for 14 days is a suitable empiric alternative in patients without penicillin allergy. In treatment-experienced patients with persistentH. pyloriinfection, “optimized” BQT for 14 days is preferred for those who have not been treated with optimized BQT previously and for whom antibiotic susceptibility is unknown. In patients previously treated with optimized BQT, rifabutin triple therapy for 14 days is a suitable empiric alternative. Salvage regimens containing clarithromycin or levofloxacin should only be used if antibiotic susceptibility is confirmed. The CPG also addresses who to test, the need for universal post-treatment test-of-cure, and the current evidence regarding antibiotic susceptibility testing and its role in guiding the choice of initial and salvage treatment. The CPG concludes with a discussion of proposed research priorities to address knowledge gaps and inform future management recommendations in patients withH. pyloriinfection from North America.