bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diffraction-free orbital angular momentum holography
Authors: Lin Dajun , Majumder Apratim , Lu Ping , Menon Rajesh
Published: January 2025

Holography offers significant potential for applications in information storage, encryption, beam-shaping, all-optical artificial intelligence, and three-dimensional displays. However, conventional holograms suffer from rapid image diffraction outside the target plane, resulting in low fidelity and detection challenges. Existing methods for generating diffraction-free beams are typically complex, inefficient, and lack Fourier transform capabilities. We propose a novel approach using an extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) flat lens to create diffraction-free holographic displays. We utilized an inverse-designed extended-depth-of-focus (EDOF) lens that achieves a depth-of-focus of 20 mm (>30,000 λ), which is 14 × greater than that of an equivalent conventional lens. This allows any incident field to be Fourier transformed and remain largely diffraction invariant over an extended depth-of-field, termed the extended spatial-frequency domain (ESFD). We further implement orbital angular momentum (OAM) as an information carrier, demonstrating diffraction-free OAM-encoded holographic images selectable by varying incident OAM modes with topological charges from −8 to 8 on a single device. We experimentally confirm that the diffraction-free OAM beam is able to self-heal in the presence of an occluder. Furthermore, we show that these beams preserve their information content after propagating through 80mm of dense fog, whereas conventional beams completely lose this information due to extreme scattering (attenuation factor of 20×). Our approach shows promising potential for high-security optical encryption, optical tweezers, and advanced optical communication systems.
Efficient customized eye modeling method to reproduce the two-dimensional distribution of peripheral refraction
Authors: Li Qing , Hao Jiangdong , Lan Weizhong , Fang Fengzhou
Published: January 2025

Customized eye models reproducing a realistic distribution of the peripheral refraction of a wide visual field are crucial for fundamental investigations and optical applications for myopia control. Traditional optimization-based eye modeling methods have encountered limitations owing to their inefficiency. Based on the generalized Coddington’s equations, a new method of building the customized eye model with high efficiency is proposed in this study, which is capable of reproducing the two-dimensional distribution of peripheral refraction while maintaining the biometric parameters measurable on each eye. A complete measurement procedure and eye modeling method have been established and verified on individual eyes with clinical-accessible instruments. Results revealed that high accuracy in the prediction has been successfully achieved among cases of emmetropia, myopia, and astigmatism.
Observation of dynamics of harmonic order self-adaptation in optoacoustically mode-locked fiber laser
Authors: Wang X. , Wang B. , He W. , Zhang X. , Huang Q. , Lin H. , Huang Z. , Jiang X. , Pang M.
Published: January 2025

High-harmonic mode-locking based on strong optoacoustic interactions in solid-core photonic crystal fiber (PCF) has been an established mechanism to achieve a stable GHz repetition rate in a conventional soliton fiber laser, in which a uniform pulse sequence is self-locked to the acoustic core-resonance of the PCF with a specific harmonic order. However, due to the finite bandwidth of the acoustic core-resonance, there may be multiple choices of harmonic order within the resonance bandwidth that could lead to uncertainties in the resultant harmonic order. In this work, we report observations of dynamic self-adaptation of the pulses in the laser cavity towards a stable harmonic order when the cavity is initially set at a neighboring less stable harmonic order. We observed that self-adaptation can occur spontaneously towards either higher or lower harmonic order depending on the initial condition. We observed rich dynamics during the self-adaptation process namely transient pulse sliding, random pulse collisions, and pulse drop-outs. This work provides experimental insight into the robustness of the self-locked repetition rate in optoacoustic mode-locking, and we believe will be useful in understanding and controlling harmonically mode-locked lasers.
Monolithically integrated passive photonic silicon chip for nano-g level acceleration tri-axial detection
Authors: Hong Minzhi , Sima Chaotan , Sun Yu , Xu Jiakang , Li Kuangqi , Zhang Long , Wang Lihua , Ming Zhiwen , Lu Ping
Published: January 2025

This paper proposes a nano-g level monolithically integrated tri-axial passive photonic accelerometer chip using uniform silicon-based micromachining with a low-frequency band. The silicon sensing units are designed with compact gradient-type and asymmetric S-type spring beams, allowing superior sensitivity in low-frequency band and tri-axial consistency. The spring-mass structures behave with uniform 460 μm thickness, significantly simplifying the silicon micromachining and improving process yield. A fiber-based Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) is utilized to retrieve the acceleration signal by demodulating optical phase change. In the operating bandwidth of 1 to 80 Hz, the sensitivity of the X-axial and Y-axial sensing units surpasses 43.6 dB with linear responses, while the Z-axial unit exhibits a sensitivity of over 42.8 dB. The average minimum detectable accelerations (MDAs) of the tri-axis directions are measured to be 21.80 ng/Hz1/2, 24.77 ng/Hz1/2, and 32.47 ng/Hz1/2, with the transverse crosstalk below 1.32%, 1.43%, and 2.07%, respectively. These results show that the proposed tri-axial photonic accelerometer is a perspective for detecting low-frequency acceleration vector signals.
Ultraviolet-green dual-band lasing action from GaN/CsPbBr3 hybrid microcavity
Authors: Feng Yunyue , Qin Feifei , Zhu Gangyi , Yuan Long , Lu Junfeng , Hameed Mohamed Farhat O. , Dai Jun
Published: January 2025

Micro-nano lasers are highly desirable in intergrated optoelectronic devices for their compact size, efficient energy conversion, and rapid modulation speed. In this work, GaN/CsPbBr3 hybrid microcavities are realized by growing square CsPbBr3 microplate on a substrate of floating GaN microdisk. The growth conditions can be used to control the size of square CsPbBr3 microplates. Additionally, multi-mode laser output can be achieved in the ultraviolet-green bands using square CsPbBr3/circular GaN hybrid microcavities. Further, single-mode lasing is realized by utilizing a quasi-semicircular chaotic GaN microdisk integrating with a square CsPbBr3 microplate with a small size. In the optical pumping lasing process, it is found that the lasing modes of GaN and CsPbBr3 have an opposite shift. The redshift of GaN lasing and CsPbBr3 blueshift of lasing can be attributed to their different temperature-dependent refractive index. In addition, wavelength-tunable GaN/CsPbClxBr3-x lasing is obtained around the green emission band by the halide anion exchange method. This study provides a new strategy to realize dual-band microlasers.
Reconfigurable metasurface polarization rotator utilizing a phase-shifter-loaded truncated patch
Authors: Gong Kailuo , Wang Xiaoyi , Chen Junzai , Lu Xiaojie , Yang Guo-Min , Song Tong Mei
Published: January 2025

This paper introduces a reconfigurable metasurface polarization rotator based on the linear to circular polarization decomposition concept. The design employs a simple truncated square patch configuration to accomplish linear-to-circular polarization decomposition. Following this, a phase shifter introduces an extra phase shift to one of the circularly polarized waves. This additional phase can be modified dynamically via external digital control. Subsequently, the waves are recombined into a new linearly polarized wave with a rotated orientation, which is reflected back into free space. A metasurface with 9×9 elements is designed and fabricated, which achieves 2-bit real-time linear polarization rotation. The proposed design is theoretically analyzed, and its performance is verified through full-wave simulating and experimental results.
Graphene-assisted electromagnetically induced transparency-like terahertz bio-sensor for ultrasensitive detection using optics-enhanced sensing
Authors: Wang YaRu , Yao HaiYun , Liang LanJu , Yan Xin , Wang ZiQun , Hu XiaoFei , Li ZhenHua , Li YuanPing , Lv YiYing , Yang Qi Li
Published: January 2025

In recent years, biosensors based on terahertz metamaterials have emerged as a prominent area of research. However, studies focusing on enhancing biosensing performance through optical pumping to improve sensitivity are scarce. This paper proposes a graphene-based electromagnetically induced transparency-like (EIT-like) optics-enhanced terahertz metamaterials biosensor. Using this biosensing platform, we successfully detected glycine through amplitude modulation, achieving a limit of detection (LOD) of 1 pg/mL. Additionally, we developed an optics-enhanced sensing method where the conductivity of graphene is reduced, resulting in a significant increase in the amplitude of the device's transmission spectrum as optics-enhanced. Experimental results demonstrate that the change in the transmission amplitude at varying concentrations exhibits a quasi-linear relationship as the optical-energy-density is varied from 0 µJ/cm2 to 119.7 µJ/cm2. For a low concentration of glycine (32 pg/mL), the optics-enhanced sensing peak amplitude rate of change (AR) reached a maximum of 857.5% at an optical-energy-density of 119.7 µJ/cm2. Furthermore, the graphene-based terahertz metasurfaces biosensor (Gra + Ms) successfully detected a glycine concentration of 1 pg/mL, which would have been undetectable in the absence of optics. These findings suggest that the sensitivity of the Gra + Ms sensor is significantly enhanced under the optical pumping, allowing for more precise detection of low glycine concentrations. This study offers a promising new direction for the practical application of terahertz metamaterials in biosensing.
Nonlinear differential interference contrast imaging
Authors: Lin Fei , Hong Ling , Zhang Yu , Li Yongyao , Zhang Li , Qiu Xiaodong
Published: January 2025

Differential interference contrast (DIC) imaging is essential in both biological research and medical diagnostics. Despite considerable progress in theoretical and experimental frameworks, limited by the inefficient cameras, achieving direct DIC imaging with infrared (IR) illumination remains a formidable challenge. However, infrared DIC imaging is urgent for diverse fields. Here, we creatively leverage the walk-off effect, a limitation in nonlinear optics, to solve this obstacle and present the nonlinear DIC imaging. The critical component of our scheme is a nonlinear beam displacer (NBD) made up of two quadrature-cascaded type I nonlinear crystals. When the infrared beam carrying object information passes through the proposed NBD, it undergoes nonlinear coupling with the pump beam and then generates two orthogonally polarized visible beams with a slight spatial displacement dominated by the walk-off effect. Accordingly, by selecting polarization, the lateral shear interference for realizing DIC imaging can be realized, and thus the phase discontinuities of the object can be visualized with infrared illumination. Our finding brings DIC imaging technology into the realm of upconversion infrared imaging, paving the way for infrared phase microscopy imaging.
Analytical model for transient evolution of an EIT-AT spectrum with Rydberg atoms
Authors: Li Fang
Published: January 2025

An analytical model of an electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and Autler–Townes (AT) splitting spectrum with a four-level Rydberg atom was presented, and equations were derived to explain the dependence of the transient absorption for a probe laser on light and microwave (MW) fields. The analytical solution of absorption for the probe laser Im[χ(t)] shows that it depends on the spontaneous decay rate from level |2〉 to level |1〉, Rabi frequencies of the control and MW fields. For 87Rb atoms, a stronger control laser shortens the steady-state time window and a stronger MW field will lead to a higher oscillation frequency shown in analytical and numerical results. The time-dependent EIT-AT splitting spectrum is also investigated, and the stable splitting distance shows a linear dependence on the continuous MW E-field strength.
Realization of tunable non-Hermitian zero-index photonic crystals
Authors: Song Yaoqieyu , Pan Wenyan , Li Shengjie , Zhang Sheng , Chen Jia-He , Chen Yiyin , Luo Jie , Hang Zhi Hong
Published: January 2025

In this work, we present a novel method for designing non-Hermitian zero-index photonic crystals using dielectric materials with tunable parameters. By adding non-Hermitian elements, either gain or loss, Dirac dispersion in the complex frequency domain can be achieved onto the original double-zero-index photonic crystals with accidental degeneracy. Our effective medium theory shows that the composite structure can maintain the near-zero value of the real parts of the effective permittivity ε and permeability μ while their imaginary parts can be designed. Multiple geometrical parameters in the added components can provide a large range of tunability of the imaginary parts of our proposal of non-Hermitian zero-index photonic crystals, which makes it a perfect platform for future non-Hermitian optics applications. With the adjustability of the imaginary part of the effective parameters, we achieve a wide tunability of the surface impedance of the non-Hermitian zero-index photonic crystals designed, and two applications are thus demonstrated. An arbitrary impedance matching is realized by both numerical simulations and microwave experiments so that the impedance mismatch between any two materials can be mitigated by our design. The emergence of a Zak phase will induce interface states between two non-Hermitian zero-index photonic crystals with different surface impedances, which also verifies our successful strategy to engineer material surface impedance. The research offers a general approach to constructing non-Hermitian zero-index materials, paving the road for material realization of non-Hermitian optics devices.
Participatory research towards the control of snakebite envenoming and other illnesses in a riverine community of the Western Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Santos Alícia Patrine Cacau , Silva Evellyn Antonieta Rondon Tomé , Gama Hiran Sátiro Souza da , Cordeiro Jady Shayenne Mota , Oliveira Ana Paula Silva , Araújo Jéssica Albuquerque , Dávila Rafaela Nunes , Amazonas Júnior Hélio Afonso , Farias Altair Seabra , Sachett Jacqueline Almeida Gonçalves , Machado Vinícius Azevedo , Monteiro Wuelton Marcelo , Murta Felipe Leão Gomes
Published: January 2025

Background

Riverine communities face various health problems, which involve geographical and cultural barriers to accessing care, in addition to a lack of financial investments in services aimed at these communities, resulting in a process of invisibility for the population living in these regions. In this scenario, the significant burden of snakebite envenoming (SBE) highlights the need for participatory research to address ways to minimize this situation. Thus, this study aimed to describe the priority health problems identified by this population and the ranking of SBEs in that context, mapping solutions according to the local reality.

Methodology/Principal findings

This study was conducted in Limeira, a riverine community located in Tabatinga, in the extreme Western Brazilian Amazonia, on the borders with Peru and Colombia. The research lasted approximately one year, from 2021 to 2022.It is a participatory study that followed three steps: baseline assessment of the community, community assembly, and final data analysis.

The study included a total of 42 participants in the sociodemographic survey, which served as the basis for the subsequent stages of data collection. Of these 42 individuals, 32 participated in the qualitative interviews, and 20 took part in the community assembly. Participants emphasized snakebite envenoming as a significant health issue, though not the only one, and reported frequent encounters with snakes, underscoring its severity as a concern. The qualitative analysis identified three main themes: Snakebites in the Community, which focused on personal experiences with snakes; Common Health Problems, which addressed other health issues faced by community members; and Community Defining Solutions, which discussed strategies and solutions proposed by the community to address these challenges.

Conclusions/Significance

Improvements in health care delivery to populations living in Amazonian communities are possible with the judicious use of tested integrated interventions, particularly when the community identifies various concurrent health problems. SBE control programs in remote areas of the Brazilian Amazon should be planned with a multidisciplinary and intercultural approach, preferably integrated with broader interventions that address the population’s needs for a range of health issues.
Comparison of actionable alterations in cancers with kinase fusion, mutation, and copy number alteration
Authors: Suzuki Shinsuke , Akahane Toshiaki , Tanimoto Akihide , Higashi Michiyo , Kitazono Ikumi , Kirishima Mari , Nishigaki Masakazu , Ikeda Toshiro , Kanemitsu Shuichi , Nakazawa Junichi , Akahane Erina , Nishihara Hiroshi , Uozumi Kimiharu , Yoshimitsu Makoto , Ishitsuka Kenji , Ueno Shin-ichi
Published: January 2025

Kinase-related gene fusion and point mutations play pivotal roles as drivers in cancer, necessitating optimized, targeted therapy against these alterations. The efficacy of molecularly targeted therapeutics varies depending on the specific alteration, with great success reported for such therapeutics in the treatment of cancer with kinase fusion proteins. However, the involvement of actionable alterations in solid tumors, especially regarding kinase fusions, remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to compare the number of actionable alterations in patients with tyrosine or serine/threonine kinase domain fusions, mutations, and copy number alterations (CNAs). We analyzed 613 patients with 40 solid cancer types who visited our division between June 2020 and April 2024. Furthermore, to detect alterations involving multiple-fusion calling, we performed comprehensive genomic sequencing using FoundationOne® companion diagnostic (F1CDx) and FoundationOne® Liquid companion diagnostic (F1LCDx). Patient characteristics and genomic profiles were analyzed to assess the frequency and distribution of actionable alterations across different cancer types. Notably, 44 of the 613 patients had fusions involving kinases, transcriptional regulators, or tumor suppressors. F1CDx and F1LCDx detected 13 cases with kinase-domain fusions. We identified 117 patients with kinase-domain mutations and 58 with kinase-domain CNAs. The number of actionable alterations in patients with kinase-domain fusion, mutation, or CNA (median [interquartile range; IQR]) was 2 (1–3), 5 (3–7), and 6 (4–8), respectively. Patients with kinase fusion had significantly fewer actionable alterations than those with kinase-domain mutations and CNAs. However, those with fusion involving tumor suppressors tended to have more actionable alterations (median [IQR]; 4 [2–9]). Cancers with kinase fusions exhibited fewer actionable alterations than those with kinase mutations and CNAs. These findings underscore the importance of detecting kinase alterations and indicate the pivotal role of kinase fusions as strong drivers of cancer development, highlighting their potential as prime targets for molecular therapeutics.
Insights into stem Batomorphii: A new holomorphic ray (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii) from the upper Jurassic of Germany
Authors: Türtscher Julia , Jambura Patrick L. , Spindler Frederik , Kriwet Jürgen
Published: January 2025

The Late Jurassic fossil deposits of southern Germany, collectively known as the ’Solnhofen Archipelago’, are one of the world’s most important sources of Mesozoic vertebrates. Complete skeletons of cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes), whose skeletal remains are rare in the fossil record and therefore all the more valuable, are represented, among others, by exceptionally well-preserved rays (superorder Batomorphii). Despite their potential for research in several areas, including taxonomy, morphology, ecology, and phylogeny, the number of studies on these chondrichthyans is still very limited. Here, we identify a previously unknown ray, †Apolithabatis seioma gen. et sp. nov., which represents the first record of a ray species from the upper Kimmeridgian of Painten, Germany, and thus the oldest Late Jurassic ray taxon from Germany based on skeletal remains. This new batomorph is characterised by a unique body shape and a combination of skeletal features that distinguish it readily from all other known Late Jurassic rays. Two different morphometric approaches confirm differences in body shape and proportions to all known Late Jurassic conspecifics. We thus extend the recent taxonomic revision of these rays and include all described holomorphic specimens in a phylogenetic framework using strict cladistic principles. The phylogenetic analysis reveals all Late Jurassic batomorphs to represent a monophyletic group, for which we introduce the new order Apolithabatiformes, which is sister to all other batomorphs representing a stem group. While the phylogenetic relationships within Apolithabatiformes ord. nov. remain largely unresolved, †Apolithabatis gen. nov. is placed as the sister to †Aellopobatis. This highlights that, despite considerable progress in our understanding of the diversity and phylogeny of early rays, difficulties remain in establishing robust relationships within batomorphs. We therefore emphasise the importance of comprehensive studies of completely preserved fossil cartilaginous fishes to obtain a better understanding of chondrichthyan evolution and their systematics in deep time.
Atmospheric pressure plasma jet for respiratory face masks decontamination and re-use: Considerations on microbiological efficacy, material impact and product lifecycle
Authors: Scaccabarozzi Diletta , Ponti Jessica , Gioria Sabrina , Mehn Dora , Sinkko Taija , Ardente Fulvio , Fumagalli Francesco
Published: January 2025

Disposable filtering face piece respirators (FFRs) are not approved for reuse as standard of care. However, lessons learnt from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, FFRs decontamination and reuse may be needed as crisis capacity strategy to ensure availability in medical facilities. We studied a decontamination methodology based on atmospheric pressure plasma technology, which allows for rapid, contact-free decontamination without utilisation of harmful chemicals, and suitable to access small pores and microscopic filters openings. Promising performances in terms of bioburden reduction (Log6) were achieved while imparting mainly transient chemical surface modifications to the masks filtering layers. The plasma decontamination process proposed was also considered in terms of the environmental impact of re-use technology for FFR medical devices in order to understand its sustainability. This study assessed the feasibility of an atmospheric pressure plasma approach for the decontamination of disposable filtering face piece respirators (FFR) or respiratory masks commonly used in hospital settings.
Evaluating Machine Learning and Deep Learning models for predicting Wind Turbine power output from environmental factors
Authors: Abdelsattar Montaser , A. Ismeil Mohamed , Menoufi Karim , AbdelMoety Ahmed , Emad-Eldeen Ahmed
Published: January 2025

This study presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) models for predicting Wind Turbine (WT) power output based on environmental variables such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction. Along with Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), the following ML models were looked at: Linear Regression (LR), Support Vector Regressor (SVR), Random Forest (RF), Extra Trees (ET), Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost), Categorical Boosting (CatBoost), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM). Using a dataset of 40,000 observations, the models were assessed based on R-squared, Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). ET achieved the highest performance among ML models, with an R-squared value of 0.7231 and a RMSE of 0.1512. Among DL models, ANN demonstrated the best performance, achieving an R-squared value of 0.7248 and a RMSE of 0.1516. The results show that DL models, especially ANN, did slightly better than the best ML models. This means that they are better at modeling non-linear dependencies in multivariate data. Preprocessing techniques, including feature scaling and parameter tuning, improved model performance by enhancing data consistency and optimizing hyperparameters. When compared to previous benchmarks, the performance of both ANN and ET demonstrates significant predictive accuracy gains in WT power output forecasting. This study’s novelty lies in directly comparing a diverse range of ML and DL algorithms while highlighting the potential of advanced computational approaches for renewable energy optimization.
Characteristics influencing COVID-19 testing and vaccination among Spanish-speaking Latine persons in North Carolina
Authors: Aguilar-Palma Sandy K. , McCoy Thomas P. , Mann-Jackson Lilli , Alonzo Jorge , Jibriel Mohammed Sheikh Eldin , Johnson Dorcas Mabiala , Locklear Tony , Tanner Amanda E. , Hall Mark A. , Bertoni Alain G. , Sucaldito Ana D. , Russell Laurie P. , Rhodes Scott D.
Published: January 2025

Background

Latine populations in the United States continue to be disproportionately affected by COVID-19 with high rates of infection and mortality. Our community-based participatory research partnership examined factors associated with COVID-19 testing and vaccination within a particularly hidden, underserved, and vulnerable population: Spanish-speaking Latines.

Methods

In 2023, native Spanish-speaking Latine interviewers conducted phone-based structured individual assessments with 180 Spanish-speaking, predominantly immigrant Latines across North Carolina. We used univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses to examine associations between participant characteristics and COVID-19 testing and vaccination.

Results

Participant mean age was 41.7 (SD = 13), and 77.2% of the sample reported being cisgender women. Most participants reported immigrating from Latin American countries (89.9%), being uninsured (66.1%), and lacking US immigration documentation (51.1%). While most reported ever being COVID-19 tested (83.3%) and ever being vaccinated against COVID-19 (84.4%), only 24% were up to date with vaccination. Nearly half of the sample reported one or more barriers to COVID-19 testing, and over one-quarter reported one or more barriers to COVID-19 vaccination. Higher educational attainment was significantly associated with ever being tested (P = .031). Fewer concerns about the vaccine, including fewer worries about side effects and having more confidence in vaccine effectiveness and safety, was associated with ever being vaccinated (P < .001).

Conclusions

Spanish-speaking Latines face barriers to getting tested and vaccinated against COVID-19. Although ever testing and ever vaccination rates were high, being up to date with recommended vaccinations was low. Educational attainment and concerns about the vaccine were associated with COVID-19 testing and vaccination, respectively. Our findings suggest the need for culturally congruent strategies to address the challenges facing Spanish-speaking Latines in the United States.
Anti-oxidation enhancement, inflammation alleviation, and microbial composition optimization of using tussah (Antheraea pernyi) silk fibroin peptides for hyperglycaemia remission
Authors: Mi Rui , Li Xuejun , Li Yajie , Du Xingfan
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the positive effects on anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and microbial composition optimization of diabetic mice using tussah (Antheraea pernyi) silk fibroin peptides (TSFP), providing the theoretical foundation for making the use of silk resources of A. pernyi and incorporating as a supplement into the hypoglycemic foods.

Method

The animal model of diabetes was established successfully. Alloxan-induced diabetic mice were orally administered using TSFP, and the hypoglycaemic effects in vivo were systematically investigated.

Results

The results indicated that TSFP could significantly reduce the fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels and suppress the mRNA expression of glycometabolism genes of diabetic mice. In addition, the TSFP could ameliorate the lipid dysbolism and contribute to a higher anti-oxidation capacity. Moreover, TSFP could alleviate pathological damages and hinder inflammatory processes of diabetic mice. Besides, the supplementation of TSFP presented a greater ability to shape and optimize the gut microbial composition by enriching the profitable bacteria and inhibiting the pathogenic microorganisms. Correlation analysis also revealed that the abundances of functional bacteria in the TSFP-treated groups exhibited better correlations with serum parameters, which would be of positive significance for blood glucose regulation and inflammation remission.

Conclusions

These results collectively corroborated the feasibility and superiority of using TSFP for hyperglycaemia remission via anti-oxidation enhancement, inflammation alleviation, and microbial composition optimization, contributing to a safely feasible and biologically efficient strategy for improving anti-diabetic effects.
Pakistan's Export Opportunities in the UK and EU in the Post-Brexit Era
Authors: Secretariat Commonwealth
Published: January 2025

The United Kingdom withdrawal from the European Union Single Market will have implications for Pakistan’s exports. The UK has largely adopted the same trading regimes as the EU and, as a result, Pakistan was included in the UK Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Enhanced Framework (equivalent to the EU GSP+ – its Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance). The objective of this assignment is to analyse the situation and advise the Government of Pakistan on developing trade policies to meet the evolving post-Brexit UK import regime, to ensure it maintains its market access and position.
Socioeconomic drivers of Polish seniors' tourism choices
Authors: Markiewicz-Patkowska Julita , Forlicz Maria , Karpiński Adam , Tabari Saloomeh
Published: January 2025

The aim of the paper is to determine which socio-economic determinants influence seniors’ choice of tourism organizers. The study distinguished five basic types of tourism organizers: local travel agencies, senior clubs, parishes, nationwide travel agencies and foreign travel agencies. To answer the question of what the impact of selected socio-economic factors on seniors’ choice is, a survey among 1000 seniors living in the Lower Silesia region in Poland was conducted. Descriptive statistics were calculated, chi-square and Mann -Whitney U tests were performed, and binary logit models were created showing how socioeconomic variables affect the probability of using specified tourism organizer. The results show that seniors most often travel with senior clubs and least often with international travel agencies. The main factors affecting the choice of tourism organisers are income, education, age, professional status and family situation. Higher income is connected to the higher probability of travelling with a parish/ pilgrimage office or nationwide travel agency. Instead, those with lower income travel with senior clubs. Women often choose senior clubs, while men choose parish/pilgrimage offices as frequently as senior clubs. The percentage of those who use nationwide travel agencies decreases with age. However, the relationship is reverse for senior clubs.
Characteristics of sustainable leadership in international comparison
Authors: Bencsik Andrea , Belas Jaroslav
Published: January 2025

Sustainability today ranks as one of the most important requirements for the operation of organisations. There is a wealth of research on the subject, but few studies have addressed the requirements of sustainability management. This study fills this gap. It aims to examine the reported practices of SME managers in three nations to assess their preparedness as regards sustainability leadership expectations. In-depth interviews with Hungarian (36), Polish (32) and Slovakian (30) SME managers were conducted using the Voyant Tools method. Among the web-based statistical analysis and visualisation software tools, Document Terms, Word Clouds, WordTree, Trends, Context, StreamGraph, ScatterPlot (t-SNE analysis, Correspondence Analysis), Correlations, and Significance were used. Ethical style, long-term planning, and elements of culture (trust, knowledge sharing, teamwork) that best qualify sustainability leadership were examined. The results show that SME managers still conduct their leadership in the spirit of traditional thinking, in a democratic style according to their assessment. Although they think about the long term, they lack vision. Building trust, a prerequisite for knowledge sharing and teamwork, appears to be difficult. Overall, the requirements of sustainable leadership are applied at different levels but are not yet common practice in any of the nations examined.
Evaluating the sustained development of socio-economic systems
Authors: Ginevičius Romualdas
Published: January 2025

The conventional approach to assessing the developmental level of any socioeconomic system (SES) is to consider only its state in a given year. However, this approach does not adequately reflect the dynamic and complex nature of SES, which are inherently unstable due to their inertia. In other words, the development indicators at any point in time (year) of the considered period (CP) largely depend on the results of the development that occurred in the previous periods. This makes it difficult to adequately quantify the development of SES over a specific period. This paper presents a novel methodology for obtaining the SES sustained development index by combining the values of two parameters – intensity and uniformity. Since the former must take into account the totality of both positive and negative changes that occurred during the CP, correlation regression analysis is used to calculate the values. The latter is reflected by the value relationships of actual changes in individual periods of CP with SES development taking place without any deviations. Given that the importance of intensity and uniformity for sustained development is not the same, multi-criteria method is used to combine the values in a representative manner.
Between historical seeds and future needs – addressing silver economy in Israeli kibbutzim
Authors: Lis Piotr , Tobiasz-Lis Paulina , Perez Avi , Tanaś Justyna , Trojanek Maria
Published: January 2025

The Kibbutz, an iconic element of Israeli culture with deep historical roots, plays a vital role in the nation's narrative. With the global shift towards an ageing population, the significance of the silver economy, emphasising the economic role and potential of the elderly, has risen to the forefront. The study's main aim is to explore and understand the dynamics of the silver economy within the unique collaborative setting of Israeli kibbutzim. This study applied the Cultural Web Framework to analyse the elements influencing these communities as of 2023 comprehensively. The Israeli kibbutzim, characterized by their unique communal lifestyle and social organization, offer an exceptional setting for exploring the integration of older adults and their influence on the community's economic and social dimensions. A multi-modal approach in collecting and analysing data has been applied using literature, documents and statistics concerning 266 kibbutzim inhabited by 193,5 thousand people. By randomly selecting a diverse range of 54 kibbutzim for the in-depth research framed by the Cultural Web concept, the study aimed to shed light on the shared services provided for the elderly, their participation in community life and decision-making processes, and the overall attitude of the kibbutz towards its older members. The analysis was enhanced through the use of MAXQDA software, which facilitated the efficient import and examination of standardised and open-ended responses. This allowed for a comprehensive application of various analysis methods, such as content analysis and mixed methods approaches, to extract meaningful insights from the data. This research is particularly significant, considering the ongoing transformation of kibbutzim within Israel from traditional collaborative forms to more individualised structures and how these adaptations affect their senior inhabitants. Comprehending these dynamics provides crucial insights for fostering inclusive and supportive communities that leverage the capabilities of their ageing members. This contributes to wider conversations surrounding ageing, community well-being, and sustainable social frameworks within the context of the silver economy.
Social integration of internally displaced persons in Ukraine: Perceptions from IDPs vs. the host population
Authors: Mishchuk Halyna , Samoliuk Natalia , Krol Vita , Vasa Laszlo
Published: January 2025

he social integration of internally displaced persons in Ukraine is analysed based on 5 dimensions of social integration: economic, political and religious, social, socio-psychological, and integration into cultural and sports life. The study was conducted using a nationally representative sociological survey of internally displaced persons (500 respondents) and the population of host communities (850 respondents). Differences in the perception of integration are investigated based on comparing the assessments of internally displaced persons and the population of the host communities. The highest integration is obtained in the socio-psychological, political and religious dimensions. The lowest level is in integration into community life. An important empirical result is the lower scores of the population compared to IDPs in almost all 21 criteria for integration. This is an indirect sign of significant social distance and lower readiness of the population of host communities, compared to IDPs themselves, to seek opportunities for interaction. The cluster analysis reveals the links between the most significant factors for successful integration: mutual respect between IDPs and local residents, tolerance, active engagement in local policy-making, and support for country defence. The most crucial obstacles to successful integration according to IDPs’ judgements are lower possibilities compared to the local population in participation in projects aimed at local communities’ development (65,3%), entrepreneurship development (60% of responses), and participation in decision-making regarding the community development (55,9%). The findings are important for developing policies to reduce the social exclusion of IDPs in areas where integration is below average.
Impact of the increase in social benefits on paid employment of mothers of children with disabilities: Evidence from Poland
Authors: Kozłowski Arkadiusz , Komorowska Olga
Published: January 2025

This study examines the impact of the increase in social benefits on the workforce participation of mothers rearing children with disabilities. Since 2010, social policy in Poland has changed, leading to more generous payments from the state to families with children. Based on a large national probability sample from the Household Budget Survey of 2010, 2019, and 2021, the employment rates are examined using population estimates, a measure of information value, and logistic regression. The results reveal that mothers of children with disabilities are much less likely to take up employment than mothers of typically developing children. Over time, this difference has widened. A mother’s education is the most informative predictor of her employment status. Moreover, its predictive power increases, as the less educated tend to quit their jobs and those with tertiary education work more often.
Macroeconomic determinants of marriage and divorces in Azerbaijan
Authors: Adilkhanova Maryam , Aliyev Khatai
Published: January 2025

This research aims to identify how macroeconomic performance affects the marriage and divorce trends in Azerbaijan. Authors take economic growth, unemployment, and inflation rate indicators as primary measures of overall macroeconomic performance for 2000-2022 and employ ARDL methodology to examine the existence of long-run associations. Research results are in line with previous findings in the literature, confirming the significant long-term impact of inflation and unemployment rate on the divorce rate in Azerbaijan. Though the economic growth rate has no significant impact on the divorce rate, the research shows a positive impact on marriages and a decreasing influence on divorces in the country. Higher inflation and unemployment rates push the divorce rate upward. The unemployment rate has a particularly significant negative influence on the number of marriages in the case of Azerbaijan. Because the upward trend in the divorce rate is a hot topic in public discourse and perceived to be a social problem in the country, the research has substantial policy implications perspective.
The comparative analysis of B Corp Impact Report results in higher education organizations
Authors: Lacmanović Sabina , Škare Marinko
Published: January 2025

This study conducts a comparative analysis of B Corp Impact Report results for 15 currently certified higher education institutions (HEIs) to assess their performance in five stakeholder-focused impact areas, identify key improvement opportunities, and determine their commitment to socio-economic objectives and initiatives. The research employs an exploratory case-based analysis using secondary data, including B Impact Assessment (BIA) reports, disclosure materials, impact/sustainability reports, website data, and media reports. The overall BIA scores of the analyzed HEIs range from 80.7 to 117.4, with an average of 94.56. The highest impact is observed in the customers and workers areas, followed by community, governance, and environment. HEIs are primarily committed to objectives and initiatives related to students, employees, the community, and the environment. Disclosure materials reveal improvement opportunities associated with institutional program leadership and systems, faculty qualifications, program information accuracy, and labor issues. The analysis provides valuable insights into the measurement, reporting, initiatives, and organization of benefit-oriented for-profit HEIs, which could serve as benchmarks for for-profit and non-profit education sectors. The study contributes to the academically unexplored area of B Impact reporting in the higher education industry. It offers a foundation for future primary research exploring motivations, benefits, management, progress, and effects of B Impact measuring and reporting in HEIs.
Formation of household opinions and the situation in the labour market in Poland
Authors: Jankiewicz Jacek , Trojanek Radoslaw
Published: January 2025

Consumer sentiment and opinion indicators are fundamentally driven by respondents' economic circumstances and financial status. The volatility of these variables is hypothesised to correlate significantly with labour market dynamics, particularly unemployment rates. This study investigates these relationships by analysing quantitative and qualitative labour market indicators. The methodological approach incorporates consumer survey metrics, business tendency indicators for projected employment, and macroeconomic variables. The findings reveal a distinct dichotomy in how respondents evaluate macroeconomic conditions versus their household circumstances. For macroeconomic assessments, the data necessitated transformation into annual relative increments, whereas household-specific evaluations demonstrated stronger correlations with economic trend-cycle data. Labour market conditions emerged as the predominant factor influencing household sentiment, with particularly robust correlations between macroeconomic indicators and consumers' savings potential and feasibility assessments. Among the macroeconomic variables examined, the highest predictive validity was exhibited by consumer assessments regarding durable goods purchasing rationale, savings capacity, and the aggregate consumer confidence indicator (CCI).
Determinants of economic growth in Asian countries
Authors: Trinh Linh
Published: January 2025

Asia consists of 50 countries with the largest population and continental economy in the world in terms of both nominal GDP and PPP. Despite the extensive literature on the determinants of economic growth, research on this topic in Asian countries remains limited. This article evaluates the determinants of economic growth in Asian countries over the past two decades. The System Generalized Method of Moments (SGMM) proposed by Arellano and Bond (1991) is used in the research sample of 32 Asian countries from 2003-2022. Data for the analysis are taken from the Global Development Index (WDI) compiled by the World Bank. Research results indicate that economic growth in Asian countries is determined by the following factors: foreign direct investment (FDI), labor ratio (LAR), public expenditure (GCE), inflation rate (INF), and economic openness (OPEN). These research findings have significant implications for those involved in reforming macroeconomic policies with the objective of stimulating economic growth in Asian countries in the future.
Forecasting of macroeconomic stability post-pandemic recovery: The case of European countries
Authors: Kuzior Aleksandra , Vysochyna Alina , Augustyniak Wojciech , Remsei Sándor
Published: January 2025

The unfolding of the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed "bottlenecks" not only in the healthcare system, which was unable to cope with a significant influx of patients and quickly eliminate the spread of coronavirus infection, but also the vulnerability of the socioeconomic systems of countries all over the world. The research aims to determine country-specific trend patterns of volatility of the integral level of macroeconomic stability and its components and forecast their values for the medium term to determine the dynamics of post-pandemic recovery. The implementation of the research objectives involves the implementation of the following steps: 1) determining outliers in data series that characterise the dynamics of the components of macroeconomic stability in the context of each of the 10 studied countries; 2) eliminating outliers; 3) determining the highest-quality functional form of the dependence of the change in the corresponding individual macroeconomic indicator over time; 4) forecasting the change in individual indicators and the integral level of macroeconomic stability for the medium term (2023-2025); 5) determining the deviations of the forecast values of the above indicators from their pre-pandemic level (2019) and end-of-pandemic level (2022); 6) qualitative interpretation of the forecasting results.