bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Internet Addiction and Psychological Factors in Eariy Adolescents
Authors: Ju Se Jin
Published: September 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent to which gender and psychological factors predict the severity of internet use addiction in early adolescence. Methods: A total of 345, 5th and 6th grade elementary school students were recruited for evaluation of their experiences using the internet. Severity of addiction, behavioral characteristics, level of self-efficacy and self-control, and dysfunctional attitudes were compared with sex and level of internet addiction. One-way AN OVA was used to explore gender differences in relationship to the severity of internet addiction and a number of variables. Results: This study found that subjects who had previously used the internet were predominantly male. Gender differences were also found in the severity of internet use. Lower self-control, lower self-efficacy and high dysfunctional attitudes were associated with more severe addiction among males, but not among females.Conclusion: As a result, special strategies accounting for gender differences must be implemented to prevent young adolescents with risk factors from becoming addicted to internet use.
Child Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life Based on Their Parents' Support and Past History
Authors: Kim Yoon Jung , Cha Hye Gyeong , Kim Chung Aie , Park Yoon Ja , Kim Hye Jin , Seo Jong Jin , Kwon Hye Jin
Published: September 2024

Purpose: This study was done to evaluate the child cancer survivors' quality of life on the basis of their own and their parents' reports. Methods: This is a descriptive research whereby a structured questionaire was given, upon agreement, to 76 parents and 76 adolescents who were diagnosed as completely cured and remained under follow-up observation as outpatients. The tools adopted in this study included PedsQL™ 4.0 developed by Varni et al. (1999) and a Korean version as revised by Choi(2004). The data collected was subjected to SPSS. Results: No difference was identified between the quality of life perceived by adolescents and that perceived by their parents (p=.50). The quality of life of adolescents by general characteristics and past history was found to differ, depending upon their current academic status (p=.03), diagnosis, treatment type, time-off treatment and late effects (p=.00, p=.04, p=.01, p=.00). A positive correlation was identified between adolescents' quality of life and time-off treatment and late effects (r=.3O, p=.01). A positive correlation was also identified between adolescents' quality of life and mothers' support (r=.34, p=.00). Conclusion: It is essential that individual nursing intervention models be developed in consideration of the adolescents' diagnosis of cancer, treatment type, time-off treatment and late effects.
Validation of the Anxiety about Aging Scale
Authors: Kim Sook Nam , Choi Soon Ock , Shin Kyung II , Lee Jung Hee
Published: September 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was aimed to evaluate reliability and validity of the Anxiety about Aging Scale(Lasher & Faulkender, 1993). Methods: The subjects were 750 adults living in Busan and Kyoung Nam province, and data was collected from September to November 2006. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, reliability test on SPSS 14.0 for Windows and the LISREL 8.71 Program. Results: By means of internal consistency of the 20 items, 3 items were deleted. Through exploratory factor analysis of 17 items, 4 factors were extracted. These factors were labeled as 'fear of losses', 'fear of old people*, 'physical appearance', and 'psychological concerns'. Through LISREL of the 17 items, all items were included and finally Cronbach's alpha of the 17 items was .833. The correlation coefficient of the trait-anxiety scale was .494. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the AAS(Anxiety about Aging Scale) is valid and reliable to assess a degree of aging anxiety. Studies on aging anxiety of different groups and subjects are needed for reverification.
Experiences of Volunteers in a Community Mental Health Center
Authors: Min So-Young
Published: September 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of volunteers in a community mental health center using a phenomenological study. Methods: Data was collected through an in-depth interview from December 2007 to July 2008. Individual interviews were conducted on the subjective experiences of 9 volunteers. Data was analyzed through Colaizzi's method（1978） in which meaningful statements were extracted. Results: Four categories emerged from nine theme clusters. The Four categories were:'Understanding of the community mental health service*, 'Getting rid of prejudices about the mentally ill*, 'Self maturity', and 'Recognition of Volunteering'. Conclusion: These results indicate that volunteering in a community mental health center could help people's perception towards mental health disorders to be less prejudiced and could help others to become more interested in community services for people with a serious mental illness. The implications and suggestions of this study are discussed.
The Influence of Resilience, Hope, Marital Intimacy, and Family Support on Quality of Life for Middle-Aged Women
Authors: Koo Bon Jin
Published: September 2024

Purpose: This study was done to examine whether resilience, hope, marital intimacy, and family support had a positive impact on quality of life for middle-aged women. Methods: Two hundred and thirty six middle-aged women were recruited from July to August, 2007. The instruments were the Resilience measurement instrument, Hope measurement instrument, Marital Intimacy measurement instrument, Family Support measurement instrument, and Quality of Life measurement instrument. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression using the SPSS/WIN program. Results: Resilience, hope, marital intimacy, and family support explained 69.12% of the total variance in quality of life for middle-aged women. Middle-aged women with higher levels of resilience, higher levels of hope, higher levels of marital intimacy, and higher levels of family support experienced a higher quality of life. Conclusion: This finding suggests that resilience, hope, marital intimacy, and family support have a positive impact on quality of life for middle-aged women. There is a need for an effective strategy to improve the quality of life and to increase resilience, hope, marital intimacy, and family support for middle-aged women.
A Study on Self-Care Activity, Self-Care Agency, and Mental Health for Patients with Chronic Schizophrenia
Authors: Hyun Mi-Yeul , Kim Jeong-Hee
Published: September 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the degree of self-care activity, self-care agency, and mental health for patients with chronic schizophrenia. Methods: The subjects were 120 chronic schizophrenics living in a rural mental health care facility. Convenient samples were interviewed by the researcher and two trained nursing students using a structured questionnaire. The instruments for data collection were the Self-Care Activity Scale by Yu (1991), Mental Health Related Self-Care Agency Scale by West & Isenberg (1997), and Symptom Check List-90-Revision (SCL-90-R) by Derogatis, Rickels, & Rock (1976). The collected data was analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test. ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation coefficient wrth the SPSS/WIN program. Results: First, the mean score of self-care activity was 3.06 ± 0.68. The highest was a dressing subscale and the lowest was a leisure time subscale. The mean score of self-care agency was 3.19 ± 0.64 and mental health was 1.99 ± 0.73. Second, the patients who practiced religion had a higher score of self-care activity. Third, there was a significant relationship among self-care activity, self-care agency, and mental health. Conclusion: These results suggest that self-care activity can be increased in patients with chronic mental illness by increasing self-care agency and mental health. This information should be used to construct self-care activity promoting programs.
Content Analysis of the Experiences of Smoking and Smoking Cessation in Schizophrenic Patients
Authors: Seo Ji-Min , Jun Seong-Sook , Byun Eun-Kyung , Kim Tae-Sook , Lee Choon-Yi
Published: September 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was conducted to identify the perceptions and experiences of smoking and smoking cessation in schizophrenic patients. Methods: Data was collected from 19 patients with schizophrenia by a personal interview and was analyzed using the content analysis method. Results: The analyzed domains were pros of smoking, cons of smoking, motivation of smoking cessation, pros of smoking cessation, and cons of smoking cessation. 191 statements were selected from data and those were categorized into 29 categories. Pros of smoking were categorized into calming and controlling mood, relief from boredom, feeling of entertainment, and relief from symptoms. Cons of smoking were categorized into negative effects on physical health, negative effects on mental health, and economic burden. Motivations of smoking cessation were categorized into ‘concerns for physical health proWems, Improving mental health. and decreasing economic burden. Pros of smoking cessation were categorized into improvement of physical health, inxyovemerrt of mental health, economic advantaget and , deanliness , Cons of smoking cessation were categorized into emotional proWems, boredom, withdrawal symptoms, and 'difficulties in social interactions.Conclusion: Smoking cessation programs for patients with schizophrenia should be included in the interventions for relieving depression, anxiety, boredom and negative symptoms.
The Coping Process of Anger in People with Hypertension
Authors: Lee Kyoung Soon
Published: September 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to generate a grounded substantive theory of the anger coping process of hypertensive patients in Korea. Methods: For this study, the grounded theory method was utilized. The sample was comprised of 9 hypertensive patients. Results: According to the data analysis, the coping process of anger in people with hypertension was unintentional expression of anger recognition of raised blood pressure anxiety and fear suppression of anger expression deliberative expression of anger or unintentional expression of anger as a circle.The core category was named a controlling of one's mind. Conclusion: In conclusion, finding excellent coping strategies are needed to express their own anger efficiently and healthily. And also help people find alternatives to express their own anger.
A Structural Model of Impulsive Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents
Authors: Sohn Jung Nam
Published: September 2024

Purpose: This study was designed to construct a structural model of impulsive suicidal ideation in adolescents. Methods: The subjects consisted of 601 adolescents. Data was collected by questionnaires from July 1 st, 2008 to July 24th, 2008. Data analysis was done with SPSSA/VIN 10.0 for descriptive statistics and a PC-LISREL 8.53 program for Covariance structural analysis. Results: According to the modified model, depression was found to have the most significant direct effect on suicidal ideation. Hopelessness, use of alcohol, and anger expression were also found to have a significant direct effect on suicidal ideation. Life stress, hopelessness, social support, abuse experience, anger expression, and impulsiveness were found to have a significant indirect effect on suicidal ideation. The variables of this modified model explained 48% of the variance in suicidal ideation. Conclusion: These results suggest that adolescents' suicidal ideation can be decreased by managing depression, hopelessness, life stress, drinking, and impulsiveness and increasing social support and anger management. Based on the outcomes of this study, it is necessary to develop educational contents for a gatekeeper and prevention program for suicide.
The equine neonatal cardiovascular system
Authors: Ribonnet Caroline
Published: September 2024

Fetal circulation, which allows for transport of oxygen and nutrition from the placenta, transitions at birth to neonatal circulation, where the lungs are no longer bypassed. Because of this change and the immaturity of the neonate's body systems, neonatal cardiovascular physiology is different from adult physiology, and this must be considered during the physical examination and assessment of the foal. The foal's cardiovascular system is more sensitive to the effects of sedation and systemic disease, and these can initially be overlooked but have an important clinical impact. An array of congenital cardiac anomalies are described in foals with a range of clinical consequences, although these are rare. This article summarises key features in foals to help detect, diagnose, treat and prognosticate cardiovascular pathology in foals.
Molecular diagnostic approaches in detecting rearranged during transfection oncogene mutations in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2
Authors: Gopinath Sambasivam , Ramaiyan Velmurugan
Published: September 2024

Different types of neuroendocrine cancer, including medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) and thyroid C-cell hyperplasia, are part of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2). A proto-oncogene mutation of the rearranged during transfection (RET ) gene changes the way that receptor tyrosine kinases work. Multiple endocrine neoplasia, a pathological condition, involves these kinases. When the RET protooncogene changes, it can cause endocrine adenomas and hyperplasia to happen at the same time or one after the other. Pheochromocytoma, medullary thyroid carcinoma, and hyperparathyroidism, alone or in combination, are present in MEN2A patients. Some patients may also have skin lichen amyloidosis or Hirschsprung's disease. Patients with MEN2A often present with MTC. MTC is aggressive and has the worst prognosis, as most patients exhibit lymph node metastasis. MTC is one of the important causes of death in patients with MEN2A. RET mutation analysis aids in identifying MEN2A symptoms and monitoring levels of calcium, thyroid hormones, calcitonin, normetanephrine, fractionated metanephrines, and parathyroid hormone. The earlier diagnosis of MTC significantly improves survival and prompts better management of MEN2A. In this editorial, we will discuss the significance of molecular diagnostic approaches in detecting RET oncogene mutations in MEN2A.
Recipient artery dissection during extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery: Two case reports
Authors: Lee Yong-Jun , Park Wan , Joo Sung-Pil
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND

Superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass is a valuable treatment for preventing ischemia and hemorrhage in occlusive cerebrovascular disease. Anastomosis site dissection is rarely reported among the various bypass-related complications.

CASE SUMMARY

In this case report, we describe two patients, who were 63- and 59-years-old with middle cerebral artery occlusion treated by STA-MCA bypass. During bypass surgery, the recipient M4 artery intima was dissected. We sacrificed the dissecting portion, and no complications occurred during the follow-up period. Postoperative brain imaging revealed improved brain perfusion. We report rare cases of recipient artery dissection located in the extracranial to intracranial bypass site, and we suggest atherosclerotic changes in the recipient artery and insufficient puncture as the causes.

CONCLUSION

Appropriate recipient artery selection is critical, and if dissection occurs, it is essential to sacrifice the dissecting portion quickly.
The permanent global crisis of working-class social reproduction: ten propositions
Authors: Cammack Paul , Gimenez Martha E.
Published: September 2024

The maintenance and reproduction of the working class remains a necessary condition for the reproduction of capital. But the capitalist may safely leave this to the labourer’s drives for self-preservation and propagation. (Marx [1867] 1976: 718)

The capitalist mode of production gives rise to a crisis of working-class social reproduction from the outset, and continually exacerbates that crisis in the course of its development. Far from being in principle a crisis for the capitalist mode of production itself, then, crises of working-class social reproduction are the empirical effects of changes in the capitalist economy, reflecting capitalist power over the fate of the propertyless population. The inherent characteristics of the capitalist mode of production – competition between individual capitals, uninterrupted scientific and technological revolution, an ever-increasing division of labour on local to global scales, the constant process of ‘creative destruction’ as obsolete capitalist enterprises die and new ones are born, the universalisation of commodity production, concomitant to proletarianisation and the creation of a permanent ‘reserve army of labour’, and the tendency for capital to invade and take over any form of production more ‘primitive’ than itself – all continually disrupt areas of social and economic activity within capitalist social formations and those which capitalism has not fully penetrated yet. The effect of state government policies and governance on the part of international organisations is to induce or exploit crises of working-class social reproduction in order to further the hegemony of capital over their own territory and the world market as a whole.
A Babel of Nature: The English-Language Sources of Zheng Junli’s “Tan biaoyan” (On Acting, 1936)
Authors: Jiang Hanyang
Published: September 2024

Abstract: Zheng Junli (1911–1969) was a left-wing stage director, actor, and moviemaker in modern China. Known as one of the first translators of Stanislavsky’s writings into Chinese, he worked in tandem with his colleagues to produce a translation of An Actor Prepares (1936), the English-language recension of Stanislavsky’s acting manual, resulting in Yanyuan ziwo xiuyang (An Actor’s Self-Cultivation, 1943). This article examines how Zheng made of Stanislavsky’s ideas on acting before setting out to translate An Actor Prepares . It focuses on a 1936 manuscript “Tan biaoyan” (On Acting) by Zheng that chronicles the emergence of “natural acting” on the British and French stages from the mid-sixteenth to the late nineteenth centuries. A large portion of “On Acting” is in fact a patchwork of translated excerpts from different English-language texts, among which are The Theatre by the American cultural critic Sheldon Cheney (1886–1980), The Drama by the English actor-manager Henry Irving (1838–1905), and the English version of The Art of Actor by the French comedian Constant Coquelin (1841–1909). The three primary source texts had proposed different conceptions of naturalness that were juxtaposed against each other in Zheng’s manuscript, hence giving rise to a Babel of Nature. I argue that the layered message that “On Acting” conveys is analogous to Stanislavsky’s precepts enunciated in An Actor Prepares : the ultimate aim of acting is to create artistic truth rooted in (human) nature, and to this end an actor must study and live the part. For Zheng and his fellows in the mid-1930s, natural acting was a shorthand for the expressive revelation of character’s interiority.
Rejection and Recognition: Raul Hilberg and the Institute for Contemporary History
Authors: Schlott René
Published: September 2024

Abstract: In 2017, the publication history of Raul Hilberg's The Destruction of the European Jews provoked controversy. Two expert reports emerged in which historians at the Institute for Contemporary History (IfZ) had advised against translating the work into German. Important questions left unanswered by the debate in 2017 are addressed in the present documentation on the basis of new archival finds from the archives of the publishing houses C.H.Beck and Droemer Knaur. This documentation also includes previously unknown correspondence from the papers of IfZ staff member Ino Arndt. The author of a previously disclosed expert report about Hilberg's work from 1980, Arndt wrote to the publishing house Darmstädter Blätter about a possible translation of Hilberg's book, pointing to the costs connected with such a project. Thus, there are now three known recommendations from the IfZ against publishing a German translation of Hilberg. At the same time, other sources show that Hilberg's work enjoyed appreciation and recognition among the staff of the IfZ. The relationship between Hilberg and the Munich Institute must, therefore, be regarded as ambivalent.
Terrorism in Latin America: The Intersection of State and Non-State Violence in Argentina and Peru
Authors: Harding Robert C.
Published: September 2024

Abstract: Within Latin America during the 20th century, the practice of terrorism manifested itself in the form of state and non-state actors alike. The voracity with which both pursued their goals to subjugate the other occasionally created a causality relationship that exacerbated the societal chaos. In Argentina and Peru, their respective governments pursued increasingly harsh and repressive methods to subdue non-state terrorist groups. However, in Argentina, growing authoritarianism and state violence, particularly during the Dirty War, instigated increasingly reactionary non-state terror responses from well-organized groups, such as the Montoneros. By contrast, Peru saw the rise of unremitting revolutionary terrorism by non-state actors such as Shining Path that drove the Fujimori government into acts of state terrorism. These two diametrically opposed models serve to demonstrate the complexities of understanding the causes of terrorism in the region.
Connectivity analysis and user access design of ground-to-air ultraviolet communication networks
Authors: Sun Lei , Gong Chen , Xu Zhengyuan
Published: September 2024

Considering the scattering feature in the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum that can support communication for mobile unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), we deploy UAVs equipped with UV communication. Specifically, we focus on ground-to-air UV networks where the UAV collects data from the ground nodes. Assuming that the ground nodes are distributed in two dimensions, we analyze the air-ground connectivity probability. The influence of the transmitter divergence angle on the connectivity probability is investigated. Then, we analyze the probability that there exists interference from multiple nodes. To guarantee reliable communication under such interference, we further propose a handshaking-based UAV access protocol. By solving the coloring problem, we determine the time slot allocation for handshaking and propose a greedy channel allocation method to maximize the average system throughput. Numerical results show the performance gain of the proposed protocol over existing works.
Raman amplifier design and launch power optimization in multi-band optical systems
Authors: Souza André , Costa Nelson , Pedro João , Pires João
Published: September 2024

We propose an innovative optimization framework using a multi-objective genetic algorithm to simultaneously optimize the launch power profile and design Raman amplifiers. Its flexibility allows us to find better solutions and reduce the number of Raman pumps. Moreover, we utilize the framework to compare the potential of four multi-band transmission systems leveraging hybrid fiber amplification. Simulation results highlight that complementing a C + L-band system with the S-band leads to higher total system capacity than using the E-band or interleaving data channels and Raman pumps.
Detailed comparison of recent—and dissimilar—effective-medium models incorporating dependent scattering
Authors: Nahmad-Rohen Alexander , García-Valenzuela Augusto
Published: September 2024

We compare the predictions of two recently derived effective-medium models for the effective refractive index of a turbid suspension of particles. The two formulas are notoriously dissimilar; both are based on the quasi-crystalline approximation, but the approximations used beyond this point are entirely different. Nevertheless, for dilute suspensions both reduce to the well-established van de Hulst formula. The dissimilarities between the formulas are evident for dense suspensions, where dependent-scattering effects are important. When they might coincide is, therefore, not clear. The purpose of this work is to explore the range of particle parameters and volume fractions for which both models are applicable. Our results show that, rather surprisingly, the models produce very similar curves of the real and imaginary parts of the effective refractive index for volume fractions up to 0.4 and for particles comparable to, and larger than, the wavelength, as well as for a fairly large range of refractive-index contrasts between the particles and the surrounding medium. These results significantly increase our confidence in the validity of both models.
Fluid detection based on liquid crystals-controlled tunable layered hyperstructures for second harmonic generation
Authors: Li Xiang , Yang Cheng , Guo Chu-Ming , Sui Jun-Yang , Li Bing-Xiang , Zhang Hai-Feng
Published: September 2024

A detection device composed of multi-layer nonlinear hyperstructures and liquid crystals is proposed in this paper to achieve second harmonic generation. Introducing defect layers leads to sharp transmission peaks within the electromagnetic band gap. In the initial state and full bias states of the liquid crystals, the detection ranges of the transmission peaks of second harmonic resonance (exceeding 0.9) for refractive index are 1.27∼1.30 refractive index unit (RIU) and 1.30∼1.33 RIU, respectively, with sensitivities of 40.71 THz/RIU and 38.44 THz/RIU. The generation of defect results in localized electromagnetic wave energy, enhancing the second harmonic generation conversion efficiency. At this point, in the initial state and full bias states of the liquid crystals, the second harmonic generation conversion efficiency can be detected with sensitivities of 39 THz/RIU and 44.72 THz/RIU, respectively, within the range of 1.4491∼1.4758 RIU and 1.3337∼1.3395 RIU, enabling fluid detection based on second harmonic mode for various types of oils and model aqueous solutions, including their constituent components. With its non-contact, label-free, and high-sensitivity detection capabilities, this method holds significant value in electromagnetic detection and component recognition.
Large-mode-area Nd-doped anti-resonant phosphate fiber for high-power single-mode 900 nm laser generation
Authors: Fu Shijie , Xu Haichen , Tian Hao , Sheng Quan , Xia Wenxin , Zhang Lu , Yao Zhidong , Shi Wei , Yao Jianquan
Published: September 2024

In this work, we propose an Nd-doped double-layer anti-resonant phosphate fiber with a core diameter of 50 µm for high-power single-mode 900 nm laser generation. Double-layer interlaced anti-resonant elements were designed here to enhance the fundamental mode confinement capability of the large-mode-area Nd-doped fiber core. Moreover, a double-layer F-P etalon formed between the anti-resonant elements and the inner cladding was analyzed for the first time for fiber loss manipulation. Single-mode operation in the 890–907 nm band with confinement loss lower than 0.1 dB/m can be achieved from the designed fiber. More importantly, high confinement loss larger than 100 dB/m is achieved for all the fiber modes around 1060 nm for four-level gain competition suppression in 900 nm Nd-doped fiber laser generation. A 900 nm fiber amplifier simulation based on the designed Nd-doped phosphate fiber shows that the parasitic lasing or even amplified spontaneous emission around 1060 nm can be effectively suppressed and a high-efficiency hundred-watt laser at 900 nm can be anticipated.
1.8-µm pitch, 47-ps jitter SPAD array in a 130 nm SiGe BiCMOS process
Authors: Liu Feng , Charbon Edoardo
Published: September 2024

We introduce the world’s first SPAD family design in 130 nm SiGe BiCMOS process. At 1.8 µm, we achieved the smallest pitch on record thanks to guard-ring sharing techniques, while keeping a relatively high fill factor of 24.2%. 4×4 SPAD arrays with two parallel selective readout circuits were designed to explore crosstalk and scalability. The SPAD family has a minimum breakdown voltage of 11 V, a maximum PDP of 40.6%, and a typical timing jitter of 47 ps FWHM. The development of silicon SPADs in SiGe process paves the way to Ge-on-Si SPADs for SWIR applications, and to cryogenic optical interfaces for quantum applications.
Single image sub-pixel rendering using a residual network for flat panel display
Authors: Chen Junchang , Zheng Xifeng , Liu Fengxia , Huang Deju , Li Jingxu , Chen Yufeng , Mao Xinyue , Chen Yu
Published: September 2024

The increase in pixel density exacerbates the process difficulty and manufacturing cost of flat panel displays, especially for Micro-LED displays. To alleviate this problem, this paper proposes a novel single-image subpixel rendering method using a residual network for RGBG square-arranged flat panel subpixel displays. The proposed method uses a residual network to achieve nonlinear mapping from the original image to the rendered image and designs a perceptual error loss function based on the contrast sensitivity function (CSF) of the human eye to find an optimal balance between luminance resolution and chromatic aliasing. The experimental results show that the proposed method has significant advantages in rendering subpixel images, effectively controlling color errors while maintaining image clarity. Compared with existing subpixel rendering algorithms, the proposed method outperforms several evaluation metrics, including the zoomed peak-signal-to-noise-ratio (PSNRz) and perceptual error measuring (PEM), demonstrating its significant potential to improve visual quality.
Design and inversion study of a 1.6 µm high resolution non-modulated laser heterodyne radiometer (NM-LHR)
Authors: Huang Jun , Meng Yuan , Huang Yinbo , Lu Xingji , Wu Pengfei , Cao Zhensong , Zhu Wenyue
Published: September 2024

Laser heterodyne detection boasts exceptional advantages such as high spectral resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). It excels at capturing spectral line broadening information of upper atmospheric molecules, which presents substantial research value in the realms of greenhouse gas profile measurement and the assessment of laser propagation effects in the atmosphere. This paper delves into the investigation of the processing method for heterodyne signals, adopting a non-modulated signal processing method to construct a near-infrared non-modulated laser heterodyne radiometer. This innovative design significantly enhanced the response speed and SNR. The radiometer achieved a spectral resolution of 0.006 cm-1 and an SNR of 300. This facilitated the acquisition of vertical profile distribution and column concentration of CH4 by measuring the absorption spectrum. Comparative tests revealed compelling advantages of the non-modulated device. The modulated device collected data 6 times in 6 minutes, yielding an SNR of 58. In contrast, the non-modulated device demonstrated superior efficiency by collecting data 6000 times in 2 minutes, resulting in a remarkable SNR of 103. In the process of inversion, the influence of the solar spectrum was coupled to improve the accuracy of inversion results. The inversion results of the CH4 column concentration from the laser heterodyne radiometer were compared with those from the Fourier transform spectrometer (EM27/SUN), with average concentrations of 1.946 ppmv and 1.930 ppmv, and exhibited an overall deviation of approximately 0.8%. The non-modulated laser heterodyne radiometer provides a new reference for the rapid, accurate and high spectral resolution measurements of greenhouse gas concentration.
Reconfigurable mode converter based on a Sb2Se3 phase change material and inverse design
Authors: Zhou Shengru , Ma Hansi , Zhang Zhaojian , Li Haitang , Deng Yuehua , Li Shaoqi , He Honglin , Zhao Fen , Yu Yang , Zhang Zhenfu , Chen Huan , Yang Junbo
Published: September 2024

In this paper, we combine the inverse design with a silicon-Sb2Se3 hybrid platform to design an on-chip mode converter that converts basic modes to higher-order modes. Firstly, we present a 1 × 2 mode converter with dimensions of 4.8 × 2.7 µm2 that enables TE0 mode input, TE0 or TE1 output in the C-band (1530 nm to 1565 nm) with an insertion loss (IL) of less than 0.8 dB and a crosstalk (CT) of less than -13 dB. Secondly, the device is extended to a 1 × 3 switchable three-mode converter. Using two controllable phase change regions as drivers, it can flexibly control the switching from TE0 mode input to three modes of TE0, TE1, or TE2 outputs, which enables mode switching and signal routing. The device can be switched between three modes and has broad application potential in broadband optical signal processing for mode division multiplexing systems, as well as optical interconnections. Finally, the device is extended to a 1 × 2 controllable (mode and power) beam splitter, which can control the power ratio between output modes. By modulating the crystallinity of Sb2Se3, the simulation achieves a multilevel switching of 36 levels (> 5-bit). These devices pave the way for high integration densities in future photonic chips.
Distributed salinity sensor based on optical frequency domain reflectometry with polyimide coated single mode fiber
Authors: Liang Chao Ping , Song Zhuo , Chen Hong Dong , Zou Dong Jiang , Huang Chuan Yang , Tang Jian , Lu Hang Lin , Hu Jun Hui
Published: September 2024

A distributed optical fiber sensor for salinity sensing is proposed and analyzed. The sensor uses a single mode fiber coated with polyimide and is based on optical frequency domain reflectometry. By applying the polyimide solution to the surface of the fiber, a layer of polyimide film is formed by heating. As the polyimide coating is very sensitive to changes in the salinity of the external solution, the polyimide film will expand or shrink as the external concentration changes. This converts the value of salt concentration into the frequency shift in the spectrum through cross-correlation. To characterize the sensor, four polyimide-coated sensors with different average coating thicknesses of 126 µm, 170 µm, 192 µm and 249 µm were fabricated. The sensitivities of -21.71 GHz/(mol/L), -28.55 GHz/(mol/L), -29.97 GHz/(mol/L) and -42.78 GHz/(mol/L) were achieved when the salinity was measured from 0 mol/L to 3.09 mol/L, respectively. The sensitivity and response time of polyimide fibers with different diameters were measured. The minimum salinity measurement uncertainty of the sensor is 0.05 mol/L. The sensor has high sensitivity and has promising applications in observing ocean parameters and ion chemical sensing.
Oscillations in an artificial neural network convert competing inputs into a temporal code
Authors: Duecker Katharina , Idiart Marco , van Gerven Marcel , Jensen Ole
Published: September 2024

The field of computer vision has long drawn inspiration from neuroscientific studies of the human and non-human primate visual system. The development of convolutional neural networks (CNNs), for example, was informed by the properties of simple and complex cells in early visual cortex. However, the computational relevance of oscillatory dynamics experimentally observed in the visual system are typically not considered in artificial neural networks (ANNs). Computational models of neocortical dynamics, on the other hand, rarely take inspiration from computer vision. Here, we combine methods from computational neuroscience and machine learning to implement multiplexing in a simple ANN using oscillatory dynamics. We first trained the network to classify individually presented letters. Post-training, we added temporal dynamics to the hidden layer, introducing refraction in the hidden units as well as pulsed inhibition mimicking neuronal alpha oscillations. Without these dynamics, the trained network correctly classified individual letters but produced a mixed output when presented with two letters simultaneously, indicating a bottleneck problem. When introducing refraction and oscillatory inhibition, the output nodes corresponding to the two stimuli activate sequentially, ordered along the phase of the inhibitory oscillations. Our model implements the idea that inhibitory oscillations segregate competing inputs in time. The results of our simulations pave the way for applications in deeper network architectures and more complicated machine learning problems.
Direct targets of MEF2C are enriched for genes associated with schizophrenia and cognitive function and are involved in neuron development and mitochondrial function
Authors: Ali Deema , Laighneach Aodán , Corley Emma , Patlola Saahithh Redddi , Mahoney Rebecca , Holleran Laurena , McKernan Declan P. , Kelly John P. , Corvin Aiden P. , Hallahan Brian , McDonald Colm , Donohoe Gary , Morris Derek W.
Published: September 2024

Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2C (MEF2C) is a transcription factor that plays a crucial role in neurogenesis and synapse development. Genetic studies have identified MEF2C as a gene that influences cognition and risk for neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SCZ). Here, we investigated the involvement of MEF2C in these phenotypes using human-derived neural stem cells (NSCs) and glutamatergic induced neurons (iNs), which represented early and late neurodevelopmental stages. For these cellular models, MEF2C function had previously been disrupted, either by direct or indirect mutation, and gene expression assayed using RNA-seq. We integrated these RNA-seq data with MEF2C ChIP-seq data to identify dysregulated direct target genes of MEF2C in the NSCs and iNs models. Several MEF2C direct target gene-sets were enriched for SNP-based heritability for intelligence, educational attainment and SCZ, as well as being enriched for genes containing rare de novo mutations reported in ASD and/or developmental disorders. These gene-sets are enriched in both excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the prenatal and adult brain and are involved in a wide range of biological processes including neuron generation, differentiation and development, as well as mitochondrial function and energy production. We observed a trans expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) effect of a single SNP at MEF2C (rs6893807, which is associated with IQ) on the expression of a target gene, BNIP3L. BNIP3L is a prioritized risk gene from the largest genome-wide association study of SCZ and has a function in mitophagy in mitochondria. Overall, our analysis reveals that either direct or indirect disruption of MEF2C dysregulates sets of genes that contain multiple alleles associated with SCZ risk and cognitive function and implicates neuron development and mitochondrial function in the etiology of these phenotypes.
Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of plants consumed by western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in Gabon
Authors: Yinda Leresche Even Doneilly Oyaba , Onanga Richard , Obiang Cédric Sima , Begouabe Herman , Akomo-Okoue Etienne François , Obame-Nkoghe Judicaël , Mitola Roland , Ondo Joseph-Privat , Atome Guy-Roger Ndong , Engonga Louis-Clément Obame , Ibrahim  , Setchell Joanna M. , Godreuil Sylvain
Published: September 2024

Zoopharmacognosy is the study of the self-medication behaviors of non-human animals that use plant, animal or soil items as remedies. Recent studies have shown that some of the plants employed by animals may also be used for the same therapeutic purposes in humans. The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Ceiba pentandra, Myrianthus arboreus, Ficus subspecies (ssp.) and Milicia excelsa bark crude extracts (BCE), plants consumed by western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in Moukalaba-Doudou National Park (MDNP) and used in traditional medicine, and then to characterize their phytochemical compounds. DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl), phosphomolybdenum complex and β-carotene bleaching methods were used to assess antioxidant activity. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the diffusion method, while minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were assessed using the microdilution method. The highest level of total phenolics was found in Myrianthus arboreus aqueous extract [385.83 ± 3.99 mg [gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g]. Total flavonoid (134.46 ± 3.39) mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/100 g of extract] were highest in Milicia excelsa, tannin [(272.44 ± 3.39) mg tannic acid equivalent (TAE)/100 g of extract] in Myrianthus arboreus and proanthocyanidin [(404.33 ± 3.39) mg apple procyanidins equivalent (APE)/100 g of extract] in Ceiba pentandra. Ficus ssp. (IC50 1.34 ±3.36 μg/mL; AAI 18.57 ± 0.203) ethanolic BCE and Milicia excelsa (IC50 2.07 ± 3.37 μg/mL; AAI 12.03 ± 0.711) showed the strongest antioxidant activity. Myrianthus arboreus ethanolic BCE (73.25 ± 5.29) and Milicia excelsa aqueous BCE (38.67 ± 0.27) showed the strongest percentage of total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Ceiba pentandra ethanolic BCE (152.06 ± 19.11 mg AAE/g) and Ficus ssp aqueous BCE (124.33 ± 39.05 mg AAE/g) showed strongest relative antioxidant activity (RAA). The plant BCE showed antimicrobial activity against multidrug resistant (MDR) E. coli (DECs) isolates, with MICs varying from 1.56 to 50 mg/mL and inhibition diameters ranging from 7.34 ± 0.57 to 13.67 ± 0.57mm. Several families of compounds were found, including total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins and proanthocyanidins were found in the plant BCEs. The plant BCEs showed antioxidant activities with free radical scavenging and antimicrobial activities against 10 MDR E. coli (DECs) isolates, and could be a promising novel source for new drug discovery.
Knowledge and intentions to use fertility preservation among urban Chinese cancer patients: A study from Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Louis S. , Cochon Kim L. , Li Tin C. , Chung Jacqueline P. W. , Kim Jean H.
Published: September 2024

Objective

To assess the knowledge levels and fertility preservation (FP) intentions of urban Chinese cancer patients.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on Hong Kong Chinese male and female cancer patients aged 18–54 years (N = 325) who were recruited by a local non-governmental organization for cancer patients between July 2020 to January 2021. Patients completed a self-administered questionnaire on knowledge, perceptions, and intentions to use FP services/seek FP-related information. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the correlates of intention to seek additional FP information and intention to undergo FP treatments.

Results

Although cancer patients demonstrated a good knowledge of the available FP treatment options, they were less knowledgeable about the legal restrictions of these procedures. Only one in seven cancer patients first became aware of FP through a health provider and the majority of cancer patients felt they did not have adequate knowledge about FP to make informed FP decisions at the current time. Yet, over one-third of cancer patients would consider FP options even if their cancer or cancer treatment had < 5% chance of causing infertility, and 13.4% of females and 14.6% of males would delay their cancer treatment by ≥ 3 months to undergo FP procedures. However, for both sexes, the main perceived barrier to obtaining FP was its financial cost. Patients with older-aged spouses were less likely to seek FP treatments or seek more information about FP.

Conclusion

There is an unmet need for more FP information and FP services for reproductive-aged cancer patients in East Asian populations. Greater integration of FP services into cancer treatment requires a reduction of cost barriers, greater provision of timely FP information, and improved referral systems.
Effects of low dose computed tomography (LDCT) on lung cancer screening on incidence and mortality in regions with high tuberculosis prevalence: A systematic review
Authors: Pires Debora Castanheira , Arueira Chaves Luisa , Dantas Cardoso Carlos Henrique , Faria Lara Vinhal , Rodrigues Campos Silvio , Sobreira da Silva Mario Jorge , Sequeira Valerio Tayna , Rodrigues Campos Mônica , Emmerick Isabel Cristina Martins
Published: September 2024

Background

Lung cancer screening (LCS) using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is a strategy for early-stage diagnosis. The implementation of LDCT screening in countries with a high prevalence/incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to identify whether LCS using LDCT increases early-stage diagnosis and decreases mortality, as well as the false-positive rate, in regions with a high prevalence of TB.

Methods/Design

Studies were identified by searching BVS, PUBMED, EMBASE, and SCOPUS. RCT and cohort studies (CS) that show the effects of LDCT in LC screening on mortality and secondary outcomes were eligible. Two independent reviewers evaluated eligibility and a third judged disagreements. We used the Systematic Review Data Repository (SRDR+) to extract the metadata and record decisions. The analyses were stratified by study design and incidence of TB. We used the Cochrane "Risk of bias" assessment tool.

Results

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) were used. Thirty-seven papers were included, referring to 22 studies (10 RCTs and 12 cohorts). Few studies were from regions with a high incidence of TB (One RCT and four cohorts). Nonetheless, the evidence is compatible with European and USA studies. RCTs and CS also had consistent results. There is an increase in early-stage (I-II) diagnoses and reduced LC mortality in the LCDT arm compared to the control. Although false-positive rates varied, they stayed within the 20 to 30% range.

Discussion

This is the first meta-analysis of LDCT for LCS focused on its benefits in regions with an increased incidence/prevalence of TB. Although the specificity of Lung-RADS was higher in participants without TB sequelae than in those with TB sequelae, our findings point out that the difference does not invalidate implementing LDCT LCS in these regions.

Trial registration

Systematic review registration Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42022309581.
B chromosome and its non-Mendelian inheritance in Atractylodes lancea
Authors: Hara Kazuya , Kikuchi Shinji , Inoue Misaki , Tsusaka Takahiro , Sakurai Miki , Tanabe Hideyuki , Shirasawa Kenta , Isobe Sachiko
Published: September 2024

Supernumerary B chromosomes contribute to intraspecific karyotypic variation. B chromosomes have been detected in more than 2000 organisms; they possess unique and diverse features, including non-Mendelian inheritance. Here, we report one or more B chromosomes in the gynodioecious plant Atractylodes lancea. Among 54 A. lancea lines, 0–2 B chromosomes were detected in both hermaphroditic and female plants, with the B chromosomes appearing as DAPI-bright regions within the nuclei. Genomic in situ hybridization revealed that the B chromosomes had no conserved A chromosome DNA sequences, confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization probed with independently dissected B chromosomes. In male meiosis, the B chromosome did not pair with an A chromosome and was therefore eliminated; accordingly, only 20.1% and 18.6% of these univalent B chromosomes remained at the end of meiosis for the 1B lines of KY17-148 and KY17-118, respectively. However, we also found that B chromosomes were transmitted from male parents in 40.8%–44.2% and 47.2% of the next generation; although these transmission rates from male parents were not essentially different from Mendelian inheritance (0.5), the transmission of gametes carrying B chromosomes increased through fertilization or seed development. B chromosomes were transmitted from three of four 1B female parents to 64.3%–92.6% of the next generation, suggesting B chromosome accumulation. We propose that the B chromosome of A. lancea has a specific sequence and persists via non-Mendelian inheritance from female parents. Overall, A. lancea, with its unique characteristics, is a promising model for understanding the structure, evolution, and mechanism of non-Mendelian inheritance of B chromosomes.