bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On-chip generation of adjustable cylindrical vector beams
Authors: Cisowski C. , Klitis C. , Maidment P. , Sorel M. , Franke-Arnold S.
Published: August 2023

Cylindrical vector (CV) beams have sparked considerable interest due to their extraordinary vectorial properties, desirable for applications ranging from microscopy to high energy physics. Increasing demand for cost-effective, small-footprint photonics has fueled the development of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) capable of generating structured light beams in recent years. This technology however suffers from low reconfigurability, limiting the variety of CV beams that can be generated from these devices. In this article, we propose a novel design to overcome this limitation, which exploits the polarization-dependent response of annular gratings embedded into a microring resonator to generate re-configurable CV beams. We demonstrate the viability of the device in a proof-of-principle experiment including spatially resolved Stokes measurements.
Static wind imaging Michelson interferometer for the measurement of stratospheric wind fields
Authors: Zhang Chunmin , Yan Tingyu , Wang Yanqiang , Zhang Biyun , Chen Zhengyi , Chen Zeyu , Ward William , Kristoffersen Samuel
Published: August 2023

The stratospheric wind field provides significant information on the dynamics, constituent, and energy transport in the Earth's atmosphere. The measurement of the atmospheric wind field on a global basis at these heights is still lacking because few wind imaging interferometers have been developed that can measure wind in this region. In this paper, we describe an advanced compact static wind imaging Michelson interferometer (SWIMI) developed to measure the stratospheric wind field using near-infrared airglow emissions. The instrument contains a field widened and thermal compensated interferometer with a segmented reflective mirror in one arm, which replace the moving mirror in a conventional Michelson interferometer, to provide interference phase steps. The field widened, achromatic, temperature compensated scheme has been designed and manufactured. The characterization, calibration, inversion software, and test of the instrument have been completed. The capacity of two-dimensional wind, temperature, and ozone measurement of the instrument has been verified in the lab experiment and model simulation. What we believe to be the novel principle, modeling, design, and experiment demonstrated in this paper will offer a significant reference to the static, simultaneous and real-time detection and inversion of the global wind field, temperature, and ozone.
Topological photonic crystal nanowire array laser with edge states
Authors: Li Yi , Yan Xin , Zhang Xia , Ren Xiaomin
Published: August 2023

A topological photonic crystal InGaAsP/InP core-shell nanowire array laser operating in the 1550 nm wavelength band is proposed and simulated. The structure is composed of an inner topological nontrivial photonic crystal and outer topological trivial photonic crystal. For a nanowire with height of 8 µm, high quality factor of 4.7 × 104 and side-mode suppression ratio of 11 dB are obtained, approximately 32.9 and 5.5 times that of the uniform photonic crystal nanowire array, respectively. Under optical pumping, the topological nanowire array laser exhibits a threshold 27.3% lower than that of the uniform nanowire array laser, due to the smaller nanowire slit width and stronger optical confinement. Moreover, the topological NW laser exhibits high tolerence to manufacturing errors. This work may pave the way for the development of low-threshold single-mode high-robustness nanolasers.
Accessible interferometric autocorrelator for noise-like pulses based on a Fabry-Perot cavity
Authors: Hernandez-Garcia J. C. , Lozano-Hernandez T. , Jauregui-Vazquez D. , Estudillo-Ayala J. M. , Pottiez O. , Filoteo-Razo J. D. , Sierra-Hernandez J. M. , Rojas-Laguna R.
Published: August 2023

In this work, we develop experimentally a Fabry-Perot fiber optic interferometer applied to the measurement of autocorrelation of complex dynamic pulses generated by a figure-eight fiber laser. The principle is based in the superposition of multiple pulses, which requires two partially reflecting flat surfaces in parallel, resulting in a simple and compact autocorrelator design. The autocorrelation trace obtained exhibits a typical double-scaled structure for noise-like pulses (NLPs), with an ultrashort coherence spur on the order of 100 fs riding upon a broad pedestal of 120 ps. Finally, we show experimentally that the developed Fabry-Perot device is able to measure accurately the autocorrelation of NLPs, as confirmed by comparing the measurement with that of a conventional autocorrelator scheme based on a Michelson interferometer, with the additional advantages of a more compact setup and a much easier alignment procedure compared to the latter.
High-resolution reconfigurable RF signal spectral processor
Authors: Yin Zikai , Yin Feifei , Chen Guchang , Xu Haoyan , Wang Zheng , Dai Yitang , Xu Kun
Published: August 2023

Recent developments in microwave photonic filters (MPFs) offer superior properties for radio frequency (RF) signal processing, such as large instantaneous bandwidth, high resolution and multifunctional shapes. However, it is quite challenging to realize two or more characteristics simultaneously to meet the diverse needs in complex electromagnetic environment. In this paper, we propose a reconfigurable RF signal spectral processor with both large instantaneous bandwidth and high resolution. In the proposed spectral processor, sufficient taps supplied by an optical frequency comb (OFC) offer a large instantaneous bandwidth to process broadband RF signals. Flexible tap coefficients can be obtained by manipulating an optical spectral shaper (OSS), which provides excellent reconfigurability. This tap-by-tap manipulation is realized with a high resolution of hundreds of megahertz, allowing precise shape configuration of the response. In the experiment, we demonstrate a flat-top response with a wide bandwidth of 7.1 GHz. Reconfigurable features such as tunable bandwidth, adjustable center frequency and diverse shapes are also shown. In particular, the measured frequency resolution of 96.5 MHz demonstrates the ability for precise configuration.
Active-illumination extension to the Priest and Meier pBRDF
Authors: Spencer Mark , Hyde Milo , Bose-Pillai Santasri , Marciniak Michael
Published: August 2023

This paper develops a 3D vector solution for the scattering of partially coherent laser-beam illumination from statistically rough surfaces. Such a solution enables a rigorous comparison to the well-known Priest and Meier olarimetric bidirectional reflectance distribution function (pBRDF) [Opt. Eng. 41, (2002)]. Overall, the comparison shows excellent agreement for the normalized spectral density and the degree of polarization. Based on this agreement, the 3D vector solution also enables an extension to the Priest and Meier pBRDF that accounts for the effects of active illumination. In particular, the 3D vector solution enables the development of a closed-form expression for the spectral degree of coherence. This expression provides a gauge for the average speckle size based on the spatial-coherence properties of the laser source. Such an extension is of broad interest to long-range applications that deal with speckle phenomena.
Praziquantel inhibits Caenorhabditis elegans development and species-wide differences might be cct-8-dependent
Authors: Wit Janneke , Dilks Clayton M. , Zhang Gaotian , Guisbert Karen S. Kim , Zdraljevic Stefan , Guisbert Eric , Andersen Erik C.
Published: August 2023

Anthelmintic drugs are used to treat parasitic roundworm and flatworm infections in humans and other animals. Caenorhabditis elegans is an established model to investigate anthelmintics used to treat roundworms. In this study, we use C. elegans to examine the mode of action and the mechanisms of resistance against the flatworm anthelmintic drug praziquantel (PZQ), used to treat trematode and cestode infections. We found that PZQ inhibited development and that this developmental delay varies by genetic background. Interestingly, both enantiomers of PZQ are equally effective against C. elegans, but the right-handed PZQ (R-PZQ) is most effective against schistosome infections. We conducted a genome-wide association mapping with 74 wild C. elegans strains to identify a region on chromosome IV that is correlated with differential PZQ susceptibility. Five candidate genes in this region: cct-8, znf-782, Y104H12D.4, Y104H12D.2, and cox-18, might underlie this variation. The gene cct-8, a subunit of the protein folding complex TRiC, has variation that causes a putative protein coding change (G226V), which is correlated with reduced developmental delay. Gene expression analysis suggests that this variant correlates with slightly increased expression of both cct-8 and hsp-70. Acute exposure to PZQ caused increased expression of hsp-70, indicating that altered TRiC function might be involved in PZQ responses. To test if this variant affects development upon exposure to PZQ, we used CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to introduce the V226 allele into the N2 genetic background (G226) and the G226 allele into the JU775 genetic background (V226). These experiments revealed that this variant was not sufficient to explain the effects of PZQ on development. Nevertheless, this study shows that C. elegans can be used to study PZQ mode of action and resistance mechanisms. Additionally, we show that the TRiC complex requires further evaluation for PZQ responses in C. elegans.
Turning the tide on turnover: The impact of empowering leadership on the work-family spillover of managers
Authors: Khan Naseer Abbas , Bahadur Waseem , Maialeh Robin , Pravdina Natayla , Akhtar Maria
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study is to examine the direct and indirect relationships between empowering leadership (EL), work-family spillover and manager turnover intentions, and to explore the moderating impact of perceived organizational support (POS) on these relationships. The study collected data from 220 participants—middle-level managers and their immediate subordinates working in hotels and tourism-related enterprises in central China. The results highlighted a significant relationship between EL and work-family positive spillover (WFPS) and manager turnover intentions, whereas the mediating effect of work-family negative spillover (WFNS) was found to be insignificant. The results further indicated that POS exerted a significant moderating impact on the association between EL and manager turnover intentions, and a significant mediating impact on WFPS. The study also determined that neither the mediating impact of WFNS nor the relationship between EL and WFNS was affected by POS. The study provides a unique perspective on empowering leadership based on the Conservation of Resources theory, and contributes to the understanding of its effects on manager turnover intentions.
The impact of mulberry leaf extract at three different levels on reducing the glycemic index of white bread
Authors: Ding Fangli , Wang Qing , Xie Chen , Wang Meng , Zhang Lu , Gao Ming , Yang Zongling , Ma Jianrui , Shi Xiaodong , Chen Wei , Duan Shenglin , Yuan Peng , Li Yali , Ma Xishan , Wu Yimin , Liu Jia , Feng Xiaowen , Cheng Qingli , Wang Zichun , Li Xuyan , Huang Jingmei
Published: August 2023

In this study, the influences of mulberry leaf extract (MLE) addition on the physicochemical properties including the specific volume, texture and sensory features of white bread (WB) were evaluated by the sensory analysis technology. A double-blind, randomised, repeat-measure design was used to study the impact of MLE addition on the postprandial blood glucose response as well as the satiety index of WB. Results showed that the addition of MLE showed no significant effects on the physicochemical properties of WB except for the slight changes of color and bitterness. The addition of MLE significantly reduced the total blood glucose rise after ingestion of WB over 120 minutes, and reduced the GI value of WB in a dose-effect relationship. When the concentration of MLE reached 1.5 g per 100 g available carbohydrate, the GI value of WB could be reduced from 77 to 43. This study provides important information in terms of the appropriateness of MLE when added to more complex real food, the dose-dependent relationship could supply a reference for the application of MLE.
Evaluating variations in metabolic profiles during the dry period related to the time of hyperketonemia onset in dairy cows
Authors: Rodriguez Zelmar , Picasso-Risso Catalina , Gaire Tara N. , Nakagawa Kazuki , Noyes Noelle , Cramer Gerard , Caixeta Luciano
Published: August 2023

Hyperketonemia (HYK) in early lactation can have a different impact on health and productivity depending on the timing of HYK onset. While specific metabolites measured during the dry period may serve as biomarkers of HYK, the correlations between metabolites represent a challenge for the use of metabolic profiles dataset, and little has been explored on HYK. This exploratory cohort study aimed a) to characterize the correlations among metabolites measured during the late dry period in dairy cows, and b) to identify biomarkers in the late dry period associated with the onset of HYK at the first (wk1) and second (wk2) week of lactation. Individual blood samples from 440 Holstein dairy cows were collected at 21 ± 3 days before expected parturition. From each sample, 36 different metabolites were measured in serum and plasma. Hyperketonemia was diagnosed in wk1 and wk2 of lactation based on the blood concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB > 1.2 mmol/L). Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to reduce metabolites to a smaller number of uncorrelated components. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to assess the associations between principal components (PC) and HYK at wk1 only (HYK+ wk1), wk2 only (HYK+ wk2), or both weeks (HYK+ wk1-2). The incidence of HYK was 16.2% in the first week, 13.0% in the second week, and 21.2% within the first two weeks of lactation. The results of PCA highlighted 10 PCs from which two were associated with HYK+ wk1 as compared with cows without HYK during the first two weeks of lactation (non-HYK); the PC a2 led by bilirubin and non-esterified fatty acids (OR = 1.29; 95%CI: 1.02–1.68), and the PC a5 led by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) (OR = 2.77; 95%CI: 1.61–4.97). There was no evidence of an association between any PC and HYK+ wk2 (vs. non-HYK cows). Cows with elevated PC a5 (led by ALP and GGT) in the dry period were 3.18 times more likely to be HYK+ wk1 than HYK+ wk2 (OR: 3.18, 95%CI: 1.34–8.73; P = 0.013). Overall, the main hypothesis generated by our exploratory study suggests that cows with biomarkers of liver dysfunction (ALP, GGT, bilirubin) assessed by PCA at 3 weeks before calving are more likely to develop HYK during the first week of lactation compared to the second week. In addition, results suggest that cows with HYK in both of the first two weeks of lactation had an overall metabolic disbalance during the onset of the late dry period, which based on PCs, encompass biomarkers related to glucogenic and ketogenic metabolic pathways as well as liver dysfunction and fatty liver. Further research is needed to determine the underlying mechanisms associated with the different adaptations between cows that develop HYK during the first and second week of lactation.
The effect of heatwaves on the number of visits to national parks and reserves
Authors: Barnett-Itzhaki Zohar , Sar-Shalom Aviv , Cohn Liav , Chen Lior , Steinitz Ofer
Published: August 2023

Background

Climate change is leading to an increase in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves in many regions of the world. Climate change is also related to air pollution. Both heatwaves and air pollution have adverse health effects, and can also affect social behaviors, including tourism and touristic activities. The aim of this study was to examine the association between heatwaves, air pollution and visits to national parks and reserves in Israel.

Methods

Data on 68,518 visits in 51 national parks and reserves in Israel in the years 2016–2019 was crossed with temperature and air pollution data (represented by particulate matter PM10) and analyzed using statistical tests.

Results

Number of visits, as a function of temperature followed a unimodal distribution, in which more visits were reported on mild temperature days (in comparison to hot or cold days). In addition, the number of visits in sites with beaches was linearly correlated with temperature. Negative associations were found between number of visits and heatwaves, and between number of visits and exceedances in PM10 levels.

Conclusions

Heatwaves were shown to have a negative effect on the number of visits in national parks and reserves in Israel. The negative association between exceedances in air pollution and number of visits may be mediated by the positive correlation between air pollution exceedance events and heatwaves.
Exome sequencing identifies novel variants associated with non-syndromic hearing loss in the Iranian population
Authors: Vallian Broojeni Jalal , Kazemi Arezu , Rezaei Halimeh , Vallian Sadeq
Published: August 2023

Autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) is a public health concern in the Iranian population, with an incidence of 1 in 166 live births. In the present study, the whole exome sequencing (WES) method was applied to identify the mutation spectrum of NSHL patients negative forGJB2gene mutations. First, using ARMS PCR followed by Sanger sequencing of theGJB2gene, 63.15% of mutations in patients with NSHL were identified. Among the identified mutations inGJB2:p.Val43Met and p.Gly21Arg were novel. The remaining patients were subjected to WES, which identified novel mutations includingMYO15A:p.Gly39LeufsTer188,ADGRV1:p.Ser5918ValfsTer23,MYO7A: c.5856+2T>c (splicing mutation),FGF3:p.Ser156Cys. The present study emphasized the application of WES as an effective method for molecular diagnosis of NSHL patients negative forGJB2gene mutations in the Iranian population.
Wearable-based assessment of anticipatory postural adjustments during step initiation in patients with knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Oliveira Luana Karine Resende , Marques Amélia Pasqual , Igarashi Yuzo , Andrade Karen Flaviane Assis , Souza Givago Silva , Callegari Bianca
Published: August 2023

Older adults with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis (KOA) exhibit adaptive strategy for initiating walking, known as anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs). While video motion kinematics has been the traditional way of measuring APAs, it can be difficult to transport and install, making it impractical for medical settings. Inertial sensors have become a more popular method for evaluating APAs, but no prior research has used accelerometers to measure gait initiation in individuals with KOA. The study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of a wearable accelerometer device for measuring APAs older adults with and without KOA. 25 individuals with KOA and 10 healthy individuals underwent evaluation using a wearable commercially available accelerometer (MetamotionC) and a video motion capture system. Reflective markers were placed on the lumbar vertebra and calcaneus. Participants were asked to initiate a step, and the researchers measured the APAlatency and APAamplitude of each subject. APAlatency showed an very large to almost perfect correlation in both groups (CG:r = 0.82; p = 0.003 and KOA r = 0.98; p < 0.00001) between the instruments, while APAamplitude had a moderate to very large correlation (CG: r = 0.65; p = 0.04and KOA: r = 0.80; p < 0.00001). Overall, the measurements showed fair to high reliability for intraclass correlation for video and accelerometer variables. Significant group effect was found for both variables: APAlatency (F1, 66 = 7.3; p = 0.008) and APAamplitude (F1,66 = 9.5; p = 0.00). The wearable tri-axial accelerometer is a valid and reliable for assessing APAs during gait initiation in individuals with KOA, and this population exhibits lower APAs when initiating a step.
Modelling of pricing, crashing, and coordination strategies of prefabricated construction supply Chain with power structure
Authors: Jiang Wen , Shi Kanfeng , Zhang Lin , Jiang Weiling
Published: August 2023

In the prefabricated construction industry, consumers are sensitive to the construction delivery time, and different power structures are very common. This research uses methods of Stackelberg game, Nash game and supply chain coordination, introduces a manufacturer crashing strategy into a prefabricated construction supply chain and investigates the assembler pricing, manufacturer crashing, and supply chain coordination strategies under three different power structures. It finds that adopting a crashing strategy improves the supply chain’s profit, while the dynamic wholesale price contract achieves supply chain coordination. Meanwhile, when consumer time and price sensitivity are low, it is easier to achieve high profits in the supply chain under unequal power distribution. Conversely, the supply chain profit is higher in the case of a Nash game. This study innovatively introduces the thought of power structure and crashing strategy into the prefabricated construction supply chain, and provides the optimal price and delivery time under three different power structures for prefabricated construction enterprises and realizes supply chain coordination. The conclusion can provide decision suggestions for the prefabricated construction enterprises under different competitive environments.
Characterization of Proteus mirabilis and associated plasmids isolated from anaerobic dairy cattle manure digesters
Authors: Chalmers Gabhan , Anderson Rebecca E. V. , Murray Roger , Topp Edward , Boerlin Patrick
Published: August 2023

Proteus mirabilis is an opportunistic pathogen associated with a variety of human infections, including urinary tract infections. The prevalence of P. mirabilis in foods of animal origin and in the manure by-products created in animal production is not well documented. Further, the prevalence and persistence of extended-spectrum cephalosporin (ESC) resistant P. mirabilis is largely unknown. In this study, we characterized ESC-resistant P. mirabilis recovered from various stages of dairy manure anaerobic digestion. Isolates were screened by PCR for blaCTX-M, blaCMY and blaSHV, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed. Fifty-six P. mirabilis carrying CTX-M were sequenced with short and long read sequencing technologies, and the assembled chromosomes and plasmids were compared. ESC-resistant Proteus was found in four of the six manure digesters, an indication that not all digesters were colonized with resistant strains. Both CTX-M-1 and CTX-M-15 plasmids were found in P. mirabilis isolates. Transfer of plasmid DNA by conjugation was also explored, with ESC-resistance plasmids able to transfer to Escherichia coli at high frequency. We concluded that P. mirabilis can harbour and transfer ESC-resistance genes and plasmids, and may be an overlooked reservoir of antimicrobial resistance.
Agonistic antibacterial potential of Loigolactobacillus coryniformis BCH-4 metabolites against selected human pathogenic bacteria: An in vitro and in silico approach
Authors: Tariq Anam , Salman Mahwish , Mustafa Ghulam , Tawab Abdul , Naheed Shazia , Naz Hafsa , Shahid Misbah , Ali Hazrat
Published: August 2023

Lactic acid bacteria are known to produce numerous antibacterial metabolites that are active against various pathogenic microbes. In this study, bioactive metabolites from the cell free supernatant of Loigolactobacillus coryniformis BCH-4 were obtained by liquid-liquid extraction, using ethyl acetate, followed by fractionation, using silica gel column chromatography. The collected F23 fraction effectively inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus) by observing the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC). The evaluated values of MIC were 15.6 ± 0.34, 3.9 ± 0.59, and 31.2 ± 0.67 μg/mL and MBC were 15.6 ± 0.98, 7.8 ± 0.45, and 62.5 ± 0.23 μg/mL respectively, against the above-mentioned pathogenic bacteria. The concentration of F23 fraction was varying from 1000 to 1.9 μg/mL. Furthermore, the fraction also exhibited sustainable biofilm inhibition. Using the Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS), the metabolites present in the bioactive fraction (F23), were identified as phthalic acid, myristic acid, mangiferin, 16-hydroxylpalmatic acid, apigenin, and oleandomycin. By using in silico approach, docking analysis showed good interaction of identified metabolites and receptor proteins of pathogenic bacteria. The present study suggested Loigolactobacillus coryniformis BCH-4, as a promising source of natural bioactive metabolites which may receive great benefit as potential sources of drugs in the pharmacological sector.
Time trends in perinatal outcomes among HIV-positive pregnant women in Northern Tanzania: A registry-based study
Authors: Rebnord Tormod , Mmbaga Blandina Theophil , Sandøy Ingvild Fossgard , Lie Rolv Terje , Mchome Bariki , Mahande Michael Johnson , Daltveit Anne Kjersti
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Maternal HIV infection is associated with increased risk of having a preterm delivery, low birth weight baby, small for gestational age baby and stillbirth. Maternal use of combination antiretroviral treatment is also associated with preterm delivery and low birth weight, although the effects vary by the type of drugs and timing of initiation.

Objective

To examine time trends in adverse perinatal outcomes among HIV-positive compared with HIV-negative women.

Design

Registry-based cohort study.

Setting

Northern Tanzania, 2000–2018.

Study sample

Mother-baby pairs of singleton deliveries (n = 41 156).

Methods

Perinatal outcomes of HIV-positive women were compared with HIV-negative women during time periods representing shifts in prevention of mother-to-child transmission guidelines. Monotherapy was used as first-line therapy before 2007 while combination antiretroviral treatment was routinely used from 2007. Log binomial and quantile regression were used to analyze the data.

Main outcome measures

Preterm delivery, low birth weight, perinatal death, stillbirth, low Apgar score, transfer to neonatal care unit and small for gestational age.

Results

Overall, maternal HIV infection was associated with a higher risk of low birth weight and small for gestational age. Moreover, this pattern became more pronounced over time for low birth weight, the last time period being an exception. For other outcomes we found none or only a small overall association with maternal HIV infection, although a trend towards higher risk over time in HIV-positive compared with HIV-negative women was observed for preterm delivery and perinatal death. Quantile regression showed an increase in birth weight in babies born to HIV-negative women over time and a corresponding decline in birth weight in babies born to HIV-positive women.

Conclusion

Unfavourable trends in some of the selected perinatal outcomes were seen for HIV-positive compared with HIV-negative women. Potential side-effects of combination antiretroviral treatment in pregnancy should be further explored.
Blastulation time measured with time-lapse system can predict in vitro viability of bovine blastocysts
Authors: Huayhua Carmen , Rodríguez Misael , Vega Jhorjhi , Briones Mario , Rodriguez-Alvarez Lleretny , Mellisho Edwin
Published: August 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the time of blastulation monitored by time-lapse technology to predict in vitro viability of bovine blastocysts. This technology can be a powerful tool for bovine embryos selection with higher implantation capacity and competence. Also, in humans an early blastulation is associated with higher quality and pregnancy rate. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured for 20 to 22 h and then fertilized by co-incubation of COCs and spermatozoa (10,000 sperm per oocyte) for 18 h. Presumptive zygotes were placed individually in microwells, in droplets of commercial culture medium. The Primo Vision TL system (EVO+; Vitrolife) captured digital images of developing embryos every 15 minutes. The time frame from IVF to the start of blastulation (tSB) and to blastocyst development (tB) was recorded. After day 7.5, the blastocysts were in vitro culture for 48 h until day 9.5 after IVF to evaluate post hatching development. In vitro viability was evaluated at day 9.5: those with a diameter greater than 200 μm and a total cell count greater than 180 were classified as viable (value 1), while the rest were classified as non in vitro viable (value 0). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was estimated to determine the predictive power of in vitro viability through blastulation time. In addition, binary logistic regression analysis was used to generate a mathematical model with morphokinetic variables that allow the best prediction of in vitro viability. In 13 sessions, the blastocyst production rate was 46.2% (96/208). The cut-off time to discriminate early or late blastulation was 149.8 h. The post-hatching development of the embryos with early blastulation was 63.3% (31/49), being statistically superior (p = 0.001) than the late blastulation group 14.9% (7/47). Likewise, the time of blastulation showed an accuracy of 90.8% (p < 0.001) in predicting in vitro viability of bovine blastocysts. In conclusion, the selection of blastocysts based on blastulation time (< 155 h) and blastocyst diameter measured on day 7.5 after IVF (> 180 μm) maximizes the in vitro viability.
Association between gastroesophageal reflux disease and dental caries among adults in the Azar cohort population: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Mahboobi Zeinab , Jalili asl Ataollah , Sharififard Nasrin , Faramarzi Elnaz , Ghavamlaleh Younes
Published: August 2023

Background

Considering the high prevalence of dental caries in adults, it is necessary to study its risk factors to prevent the disease. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common chronic disease with an increasing incidence that may affect the quality and quantity of saliva.

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the association of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with dental caries according to the DMFT index in the Azar cohort population.

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional study was performed on data obtained from the enrollment phase of the Azar Cohort Study (ACS), conducted on 15,000 adults aged 35 to 70. Data of 905 subjects with gastroesophageal reflux disease in the ACS—without full denture—together with a control group of 1894 subjects, who were matched in terms of gender and age, were included in this study. Dental caries data and data on GERD, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, individual and nutritional habits, BMI, and toothbrushing frequency were elicited from the databank of the ACS center. A Generalized Linear Models assuming negative binomial distribution with a log-link function was used for analytical statistics to examine the effect of possible confounding variables.

Results

The DMFT index in the group with GERD was 15.09±6.18, and for the control group was 15.00±6.07. No statistical association was seen between GERD and dental caries. Among the variables included in the regression analysis, being younger and toothbrushing one or more times per day were associated with a lower DMFT index score.

Conclusion

According to the results, having GERD did not increase the risk of dental caries. However, due to the cross-sectional design of the study, the results should be interpreted cautiously. The results showed that oral hygiene is one of the most influential factors in reducing dental caries prevalence.
Predicting mid-pelvic interspinous distance in women using height and pubic arch angle
Authors: Na Eun Duc , Baek Min Jung , Moon Ji Hyun , Park Cho Won , Yoon Jin , Lee Hanna , Park So Hyeon , Jang Ji Hyon
Published: August 2023

Objective

To predict the interspinous distance (ISD) using the relationship between female height and pelvimetric measures on magnetic resonance (MR) images.

Methods

We obtained measurements of the pubic arch angle (PAA), inlet-anteroposterior (AP) distance, mid-pelvis AP distance, outlet-AP distance, ISD, and ischial tuberosity distance using 710 pelvic MR images from nonpregnant reproductive-aged (21–50 years) women from January 2014 to June 2020. Patient height was also assessed from medical records. We determined the formula for predicting ISD using multiple regression analysis.

Results

The mean ± standard deviation of the height, PAA, inlet-AP distance, mid-pelvis AP distance, outlet-AP distance, ISD, and ischial tuberosity distance were 160.0 ± 5.5 cm, 87.31 ± 6.6°, 129.7 ± 9.0 mm, 119.7 ± 8.5 mm, 111.71 ± 8.90 mm, 108.88 ± 8.0 mm, and 121.97 ± 11.8 mm, respectively. Two significant regression formulas for predicting ISD were identified as follows: ISD = 0.24973 × height − 0.06724 × inlet-AP distance + 0.12166 × outlet-AP distance + 0.29233 × ischial tuberosity distance + 0.32524 × PAA (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.9973 [adjusted R2 = 0.9973]) and ISD = 0.40935 × height + 0.49761 × PAA (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.9965 [adjusted R2 = 0.9965]).

Conclusion

ISD is the best predictor of obstructed labor. This study predicted ISD with 99% explanatory power using only the height and PAA. The PAA can be measured by transperineal ultrasound. This formula may successfully predict vaginal delivery or cephalopelvic disproportion.
The impact of green finance on the optimization of industrial structure: Evidence from China
Authors: Xiong Xing , Wang Yuxing , Liu Bin , He Wenhong , Yu Xinghou
Published: August 2023

Green finance promotes the optimization of industrial structure and continuous improvement of ecological environment by supporting the development of green industries. Based on the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2012 to 2020, this paper uses the entropy weight TOPSIS method to measure the development level of green finance and the level of industrial structure optimization in China, and constructs a panel data model to empirically test the impact of green finance on the upgrading of China’s industrial structure. The study finds that there is still an imbalance and insufficiency in the development of green finance and industrial structure optimization in China. From 2012 to 2020, the development level of green finance and the level of industrial structure optimization in China have been continuously rising, but there is obvious heterogeneity, showing an eastern>central>western spatial pattern. Empirical analysis results show that at the significance level of 1‰, the development of green finance has a significant promoting effect on the rationalization and upgrading of the industrial structure. However, there is significant heterogeneity in the impact of green finance on industrial structure optimization. In terms of regional heterogeneity, at the significance level of 1‰, the role of green finance in promoting the optimization of industrial structure in central and western China is higher than that in eastern China, and the impact of green finance on China’s industrial structure shows a spatial pattern of western>central>eastern China. In terms of industry heterogeneity, at the significance level of 1‰, green finance has a significant promoting effect on the development of green industries, and a significant inhibiting effect on the development of high-energy-consuming industries. Specifically, in the green industry, green finance has the greatest promoting effect on the communication and other electronic equipment manufacturing industry; in the high-energy-consuming industry, green finance has the greatest inhibiting effect on the black metal smelting and rolling processing industry, and the smallest impact on the petroleum, coal and other fuel processing industry. Finally, based on this, policy suggestions for green finance to support the optimization of industrial structure are proposed from two dimensions: government and financial institutions.
Digital finance and M&As: An empirical study and mechanism analysis
Authors: Jiang Ziyu , Sun Xihao , Song Yan , Ma Guojian
Published: August 2023

With the rapid growth and wide application of digital technology, enterprises have entered the digital era with both opportunities and challenges existing. Mergers and acquisitions are one of the most efficient ways to integrate resources and achieve profit growth, giving enterprises advantages in competing in the new mode of economic growth. Based on this, this research tries to explore whether the development of digital finance will contribute to the emergence of M&As activities through combining M&As data of the Chinese stock market with the digital finance inclusion index between 2012 and 2020. The results show that the development of digital finance largely influences M&As activities through lower acquirers’ financial constraints. We further replace digital finance with three sub-indexes including coverage breadth, usage depth, and digitalization level to explore the impact of different dimensions of digital finance on M&As. Results show that coverage breadth plays a more important role. In addition, heterogeneity tests reveal that the relationship between the development of digital finance and M&As activities varies significantly. The influences of digital finance on private and western and central enterprises are more significant compared with state-owned and eastern enterprises. According to the study, since the development of digital finance can be an efficient way to ease financial constraints and boost M&As activities, the government should promote the development of digital finance while companies strive to make the most use of it.
Does digital economy strengthen the income distribution effect of fiscal expenditure? Evidence from China
Authors: Yan Jie , Tu Xunhua , Zheng Jing
Published: August 2023

The exponential growth of China’s digital economy has exerted a profound influence on economic advancement and income distribution. To effectively tackle income inequality, it is essential to incorporate the analysis of digital economy development within the framework of fiscal expenditure. This study utilizes a comprehensive panel dataset encompassing 276 cities in China during the period from 2011 to 2020. Employing the fixed-effect model and instrumental variable method, the research investigates the influence of fiscal expenditure on the income gap while investigating the moderating effect of the digital economy. The key findings of the study can be summarized as follows: (1) In general, fiscal expenditure demonstrates a propensity to reduce the income gap. (2) Different categories of fiscal expenditure exhibit distinct effects on the income gap. Social security and employment expenditures do not significantly alleviate the income gap. Conversely, education expenditures and health expenditures tend to exacerbate the income gap. On the other hand, expenditures in agriculture, forestry, and water resources, as well as urban and rural affairs, effectively narrow the income gap. (3) The development of the digital economy enhances the capacity of fiscal expenditure to adjust income distribution, showcasing non-linear effects. From a fiscal expenditure classification perspective, the digital economy primarily enhances the effectiveness of income distribution adjustment for expenditures in sectors such as agriculture, forestry, water resources, and others. Based on these findings, this study proposes a set of future measures aimed at facilitating China’s efforts to reduce the income gap within the framework of the digital economy. These measures encompass expediting the integration of the digital economy with government governance and advocating for the widespread adoption of digital government affairs platforms. By implementing these measures, China can gain valuable insights into effectively addressing income inequality and promoting more equitable economic outcomes within the context of the digital economy.
Leveraging high spatiotemporal resolution data of pesticides applied to agricultural fields in California to identify toxicity reduction opportunities
Authors: Parker Nicol , Larsen Ashley , Banerjee Priyanka , Keller Arturo A.
Published: August 2023

Pesticides remain a leading environmental hazard, imperiling aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Reducing pesticide toxicity is hampered by the ability to evaluate toxicity over large extents, the spatiotemporal resolution of pesticide use data, the ability to assess cumulative toxicity, and the identification of health/economic contributions of different pesticide application sites. We introduce the Environmental Release Tool, a sub-tool of the Pesticide Mitigation Prioritization Model, to advance these four areas. Using daily pesticide use reports required for agricultural applicators in California, we quantify the applied toxicity of pesticides to fish as well as aquatic invertebrates, nonvascular plants, and vascular plants. With the tool’s ability to quantify applied toxicity for hundreds of pesticides and watersheds simultaneously, we explore the significance of accounting for cumulative applied pesticide toxicity for application sites and watersheds statewide. Our results show that 14 pesticides account for 99.9% of applied toxicity, and 16 of 432 application site types introduce 90% of toxicity for taxa investigated. We also find cumulative applied toxicity within watersheds was significantly greater (p <1.0 E-16) than the maximum impact pesticide for all taxonomic groups, with a mean-annual difference of 460–630%. While cumulative applied toxicity was significant, and sources varied in individual watersheds, the net applied toxicity can be approximated with a short list of active ingredients and site types.
Singing Through Change: Women's Voices in Midlife, Menopause, and Beyond, Nancy Bos, Joanne Bozeman and Cate Frazier-Neely (2020)
Authors: Breitzer Donna
Published: August 2023

Review of: Singing Through Change: Women's Voices in Midlife, Menopause, and Beyond, Nancy Bos, Joanne Bozeman and Cate Frazier-Neely (2020)

Suquamish, WA: Studiobos Media, 200 pp.,

ISBN 979-8-62231-764-4, p/bk, $23.99
Caffarelli–Kohn–Nirenberg inequality for biharmonic equations with inhomogeneous term and Rellich potential
Authors: Yu Yang , Zhao Yulin
Published: August 2023

In this article, multiplicity of nontrivial solutions for an inhomogeneous singular biharmonic equation with Rellich potential are studied. Firstly, a negative energy solution of the studied equations is achieved via the Ekeland's variational principle and Caffarelli–Kohn–Nirenberg inequality. Then by applying Mountain pass theorem lack of Palais–Smale conditions, the second solution with positive energy is also obtained.
Bifurcations and Turing patterns in a diffusive Gierer–Meinhardt model
Authors: Wang Yong , Guo Mengping , Jiang Weihua
Published: August 2023

In this paper, the Hopf bifurcations and Turing bifurcations of the Gierer–Meinhardt activator-inhibitor model are studied. The very interesting and complex spatially periodic solutions and patterns induced by bifurcations are analyzed from both theoretical and numerical aspects respectively. Firstly, the conditions for the existence of Hopf bifurcation and Turing bifurcation are established in turn. Then, the Turing instability region caused by diffusion is obtained. In addition, to uncover the diffusion mechanics of Turing patterns, the dynamic behaviors are studied near the Turing bifurcation by using weakly nonlinear analysis techniques, and the type of spatial pattern was predicted by the amplitude equation. And our results show that the spatial patterns in the Turing instability region change from the spot, spot-stripe to stripe in order. Finally, the results of the analysis are verified by numerical simulations.
An Emulated Clinical Trial of Deprescribing Proton Pump Inhibitors in Patients With Cirrhosis
Authors: Tapper Elliot B. , Zhao Zhe , Parikh Neehar D.
Published: August 2023

INTRODUCTION:

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are overused and carry harms in cirrhosis. Deprescribing is advocated but has not been trialed.

METHODS AND FINDINGS:

We emulated a clinical trial using Medicare data. All patients were receiving chronic PPI therapy before a compensated cirrhosis diagnosis. We compared the risk death/decompensation over 3 years between continuous users and deprescribers. We find that PPI deprescription is associated with less ascites and that cumulative PPI use is associated with more ascites and encephalopathy. Ultimately, 71% of deprescribers restart PPIs.

DISCUSSION:

PPI deprescribing has benefits but requires ongoing support and alternative therapies for gastrointestinal symptoms.
Bibliotheksverbundkataloge in Argentinien
Authors: Tausch Arno
Published: August 2023

Der Beitrag diskutiert die beiden Verbundkataloge Argentiniens, UNIRED 30A und den Konkurrenzkatalog SIUBDU. Der UNIRED 30A integriert die Bibliotheksbestände von 109 Institutionen, darunter den wichtigsten Regierungsinstitutionen, Ministerialbibliotheken, Think-Tanks, Universitäten des Landes, Banken, Institutionen der lateinamerikanischen Wissenschaftsintegration wie FLACSO, CLACSO, INTAL und die Fundación Bariloche. Der SIUBDU integriert die Bestände von 56 Institutionen, darunter CLACSO und FLACSO und führende Universitäten des Landes aus allen Regionen. Um die Katalogentwicklung der in den beiden Bibliotheksverbunden integrierten wissenschaftlichen Bibliotheken zu testen, analysierte der Autor die Präsenz der Gewinner*innen des Skytte-Preises der internationalen Politikwissenschaft für die Jahre 2021, 2022 und 2023 in diesen Verbundkatalogen. Die Analyse zeigt, dass selbst bei sehr renommierten internationalen Politikwissenschaftler*innen ihre Bibliothekspräsenz in Lateinamerika äußerst gering ist und sich im Wesentlichen vor allem auf Werke bezieht, die von Ihnen in spanischer Sprache geschrieben wurden oder übersetzt worden sind.
Förderung von Informationskompetenz in Spezialbibliotheken unter Berücksichtigung von Wissenskulturen
Authors: Penner Tatjana
Published: August 2023

Lebenslange Weiterbildung der Informationskompetenz bei Wissenschaftler*innen ist unabdingbar und steht im Einklang mit der Steigerung der Forschungsproduktivität. Trotz dieser Erkenntnisse gibt es in der Fachliteratur bisher kaum nennenswerte Konzepte zur Förderung der Informationskompetenz dieser Zielgruppe. Die an der Forschungsbibliothek des Leibniz-Instituts für Bildungsmedien | Georg-Eckert-Institut durchgeführte wissenskulturelle Analyse zeigt, dass zur Förderung von Informationskompetenz ein ganzheitliches Konzept benötigt wird, welches sich nicht ausschließlich auf Rechercheschulungen beschränkt. Vor allem müssen verstärkt virtuelle Angebote integriert werden. Die im Folgenden aufgezeigte wissenskulturelle Analyse kann als Grundlage dienen, um ein neues Konzept zur Förderung der Informationskompetenz bei Wissenschaftler*innen zu entwickeln.