bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomass-degrading glycoside hydrolases of archaeal origin
Authors: Suleiman Marcel , Krüger Anna , Antranikian Garabed
Published: September 2020

During the last decades, the impact of hyperthermophiles and their enzymes has been intensively investigated for implementation in various high-temperature biotechnological processes. Biocatalysts of hyperthermophiles have proven to show extremely high thermo-activities and thermo-stabilities and are identified as suitable candidates for numerous industrial processes with harsh conditions, including the process of an efficient plant biomass pretreatment and conversion. Already-characterized archaea-originated glycoside hydrolases (GHs) have shown highly impressive features and numerous enzyme characterizations indicated that these biocatalysts show maximum activities at a higher temperature range compared to bacterial ones. However, compared to bacterial biomass-degrading enzymes, the number of characterized archaeal ones remains low. To discover new promising archaeal GH candidates, it is necessary to study in detail the microbiology and enzymology of extremely high-temperature habitats, ranging from terrestrial to marine hydrothermal systems. State-of-the art technologies such as sequencing of genomes and metagenomes and automated binning of genomes out of metagenomes, combined with classical microbiological culture-dependent approaches, have been successfully performed to detect novel promising biomass-degrading hyperthermozymes. In this review, we will focus on the detection, characterization and similarities of archaeal GHs and their unique characteristics. The potential of hyperthermozymes and their impact on high-temperature industrial applications have not yet been exhausted.
Measuring and reducing biofilm in mosquito rearing containers
Authors: Hunt Catherine M. , Collins C. Matilda , Benedict Mark Q.
Published: September 2020

Background

Mosquito rearing containers contain organic-rich water that nourishes numerous bacteria, some of which are capable of forming biofilms. Biofilm is broadly an extracellular polymeric matrix (EPS) in which living bacteria occur, and the accumulation of biofilm is possible during routine stock-keeping as most of these containers are re-used. Whether biofilm has an effect on the mosquito rearing is not a question that has been investigated, nor have measures to reduce biofilm in this context been systematically studied.

Methods

We measured biofilm accumulation in standard rearing containers by staining with crystal violet and determining the OD using a spectrophotometer. We also treated rearing containers with 0.1% sodium hypochlorite to determine its effectiveness in reducing biofilm abundance. Lastly, we performed an analysis of the relationship between the occurrence of biofilm and the likelihood of microbial blooms that were associated with larval death during trials of larval diets.

Results

We observed that soaking rearing containers overnight in 0.1% sodium hypochlorite greatly reduced biofilm, but we observed no relationship between the use of containers that had not been treated with bleach and subsequent microbial blooms.

Conclusions

Larva rearing leaves detectable biofilm. While we were unable to correlate microbial blooms with the presence of biofilm, as a precaution, we recommend that plastic containers that are re-used be treated with 0.1% sodium hypochlorite occasionally.
Using field training in indigenous communities as a method of creating awareness of the one health concept among Malaysian university students: a non-experimental pre and post-test intervention study
Authors: Rashid Abdul , Lau Seng Fong
Published: September 2020

Background

This paper describes the result of workshops conducted to increase the knowledge and awareness of university students using a multidisciplinary, collaborative, multisectoral and trans-disciplinary approach concerning One Health and the indigenous people of peninsular Malaysia called the Orang Asli.

Methods

A non-experimental pre and post-test intervention study was carried out among medical, veterinary and allied health students from six public and private universities who attended workshops on One Heath in two Orang Asli communities living by the Temenggor lake in Malaysia as part of the Malaysia One Health University Network (MYOHUN) efforts in training future and present One Health workforce.

Results

There was a significant increase in various aspects of knowledge and interest concerning One Health and the Orang Asli. The mean knowledge scores of One Health (p < 0.001) and Orang Asli (p < 0.001) increased significantly post workshop. A repeated measures ANOVA with a Greenhouse-Geisser correction showed the mean scores of knowledge of One Health F (1, 166) = 127.198, p < 0.001) and Orang Asli F (1, 166) = 214.757, p < 0.001) differed statistically significantly between the two time points. The test revealed that the score differences for knowledge on One Health (mean difference = 1.796, p < 0.001) and Orang Asli (mean difference = 4.940, p < 0.001) were statistically significant. Repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant difference in the knowledge on Orang Asli between the students of different courses F (4,166) = 3.734, p-0.006. The difference in the One Health knowledge scores between the students of different courses was not statistically significant F (4,166) = 0.998, p = 0.410.

Conclusions

Emphasis on field training in relation to One health can provide university students greater levels of preparedness to combat zoonotic diseases.
Missed Diagnoses and Health Problems in Adults With Prader-Willi Syndrome: Recommendations for Screening and Treatment
Authors: Pellikaan Karlijn , Rosenberg Anna G W , Kattentidt-Mouravieva Anja A , Kersseboom Rogier , Bos-Roubos Anja G , Veen-Roelofs José M C , van Wieringen Nina , Hoekstra Franciska M E , van den Berg Sjoerd A A , van der Lely Aart Jan , de Graaff Laura C G
Published: September 2020

Context

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex hypothalamic disorder, combining hyperphagia, hypotonia, intellectual disability, and pituitary hormone deficiencies. Annual mortality of patients with PWS is high (3%). In half of the patients, the cause of death is obesity related and/or of cardiopulmonary origin. Health problems leading to this increased mortality often remain undetected due to the complexity and rareness of the syndrome.

Objective

To assess the prevalence of health problems in adults with PWS retrospectively.

Patients, Design, and Setting

We systematically screened 115 PWS adults for undiagnosed health problems. All patients visited the multidisciplinary outpatient clinic for rare endocrine syndromes at the Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands. We collected the results of medical questionnaires, interviews, physical examinations, biochemical measurements, polygraphy, polysomnography, and radiology.

Main outcome measures

Presence or absence of endocrine and nonendocrine comorbidities in relation to living situation, body mass index, genotype, and demographic factors.

Results

Seventy patients (61%) had undiagnosed health problems, while 1 in every 4 patients had multiple undiagnosed health problems simultaneously. All males and 93% of females had hypogonadism, 74% had scoliosis, 18% had hypertension, 19% had hypercholesterolemia, 17% had type 2 diabetes mellitus, and 17% had hypothyroidism. Unfavorable lifestyles were common: 22% exercised too little (according to PWS criteria) and 37% did not see a dietitian.

Conclusions

Systematic screening revealed many undiagnosed health problems in PWS adults. Based on patient characteristics, we provide an algorithm for diagnostics and treatment, with the aim to prevent early complications and reduce mortality in this vulnerable patient group.
GPR120 Regulates Pancreatic Polypeptide Secretion From Male Mouse Islets via PLC-Mediated Calcium Mobilization
Authors: Zhao Yu-Feng , Li Xiao-Cheng , Liang Xiang-Yan , Zhao Yan-Yan , Xie Rong , Zhang Li-Jun , Zhang Xiao-Chun , Chen Chen
Published: September 2020

The free fatty acid receptor G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) is expressed in pancreatic islets, but its specific cell distribution and function have not been fully established. In this study, a GPR120-IRES-EGFP knockin (KI) mouse was generated to identify GPR120-expressing cells with enhanced green fluorescence proteins (EGFP). EGFP-positive cells collected from KI mouse islets by flow cytometry had a significantly higher expression of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) evidenced by reverse transcriptase (RT)-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Single-cell RT-PCR and immunocytochemical double staining also demonstrated the coexpression of GPR120 with PP in mouse islets. The GPR120-specific agonist TUG-891 significantly increased plasma PP levels in mice. TUG-891 significantly increased PP levels in islet medium in vitro, which was markedly attenuated by GPR120 small interfering RNA treatment. TUG-891–stimulated PP secretion in islets was fully blocked by pretreatment with YM-254890 (a Gq protein inhibitor), U73122 (a phospholipase C inhibitor), or thapsigargin (an inducer of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ depletion), respectively. TUG-891 triggered the increase in intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in PP cells, which was also eliminated by YM-254890, U73122, or thapsigargin. GPR120 gene expression was significantly reduced in islets of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. TUG-891–stimulated PP secretion was also significantly diminished in vivo and in vitro in HFD-induced obese mice compared with that in normal-chow diet control mice. In summary, this study demonstrated that GPR120 is expressed in mouse islet PP cells and GPR120 activation stimulated PP secretion via the Gq/PLC-Ca2+ signaling pathway in normal-chow diet mice but with diminished effects in HFD-induced obese mice.
Deficiency and overexpression of Rtl1 in the mouse cause distinct muscle abnormalities related to Temple and Kagami-Ogata syndromes
Authors: Kitazawa Moe , Hayashi Shinichiro , Imamura Michihiro , Takeda Shin'ichi , Oishi Yumiko , Kaneko-Ishino Tomoko , Ishino Fumitoshi
Published: September 2020

Temple and Kagami-Ogata syndromes are genomic imprinting diseases caused by maternal and paternal duplication of human chromosome 14, respectively. They exhibit different postnatal muscle-related symptoms as well as prenatal placental problems. Using the mouse models for these syndromes, it has been demonstrated that retrotransposon gag like 1 [Rtl1, also known as paternally expressed 11 (Peg11)] located in the mouse orthologous imprinted region is responsible for the prenatal placental problems because it is an essential placental gene for maintenance of fetal capillary network during gestation. However, the causative imprinted gene for the postnatal muscle-related symptoms remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that Rtl1 also plays an important role in fetal/neonatal skeletal muscle development: its deletion and overproduction in mice lead to neonatal lethality associated with severe but distinct skeletal muscle defects, similar to those of Temple and Kagami-Ogata syndromes, respectively. Thus, it is strongly suggested that RTL1 is the major gene responsible for the muscle defects in addition to the placental defects in these two genomic imprinting diseases. This is the first example of an LTR retrotransposon-derived gene specific to eutherians contributing to eutherian skeletal muscle development.
Role of a versatile peptide motif controlling Hox nuclear export and autophagy in the Drosophila fat body
Authors: Duffraisse Marilyne , Paul Rachel , Carnesecchi Julie , Hudry Bruno , Banreti Agnes , Reboulet Jonathan , Ajuria Leiore , Lohmann Ingrid , Merabet Samir
Published: September 2020

Hox proteins are major regulators of embryonic development, acting in the nucleus to regulate the expression of their numerous downstream target genes. By analyzing deletion forms of the Drosophila Hox protein Ultrabithorax (Ubx), we identified the presence of an unconventional nuclear export signal (NES) that overlaps with a highly conserved motif originally described as mediating the interaction with the PBC proteins, a generic and crucial class of Hox transcriptional cofactors that act in development and cancer. We show that this unconventional NES is involved in the interaction with the major exportin protein CRM1 (also known as Embargoed in flies) in vivo and in vitro. We find that this interaction is tightly regulated in the Drosophila fat body to control the autophagy-repressive activity of Ubx during larval development. The role of the PBC interaction motif as part of an unconventional NES was also uncovered in other Drosophila and human Hox proteins, highlighting the evolutionary conservation of this novel function. Together, our results reveal the extreme molecular versatility of a unique short peptide motif for controlling the context-dependent activity of Hox proteins both at transcriptional and non-transcriptional levels.
Synchronization of human retinal pigment epithelial-1 cells in mitosis
Authors: Scott Stacey J. , Suvarna Kethan S. , D'Avino Pier Paolo
Published: September 2020

Human retinal pigment epithelial-1 (RPE-1) cells are increasingly being used as a model to study mitosis because they represent a non-transformed alternative to cancer cell lines, such as HeLa cervical adenocarcinoma cells. However, the lack of an efficient method to synchronize RPE-1 cells in mitosis precludes their application for large-scale biochemical and proteomics assays. Here, we report a protocol to synchronize RPE-1 cells based on sequential treatments with the Cdk4 and Cdk6 inhibitor PD 0332991 (palbociclib) and the microtubule-depolymerizing drug nocodazole. With this method, the vast majority (80–90%) of RPE-1 cells arrested at prometaphase and exited mitosis synchronously after release from nocodazole. Moreover, the cells fully recovered and re-entered the cell cycle after the palbociclib–nocodazole block. Finally, we show that this protocol could be successfully employed for the characterization of the protein–protein interaction network of the kinetochore protein Ndc80 by immunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectrometry. This synchronization method significantly expands the versatility and applicability of RPE-1 cells to the study of cell division and might be applied to other cell lines that do not respond to treatments with DNA synthesis inhibitors.
Mechanism of the Asymmetric Dehydrative Allylative Cyclization of Alcohols to Cyclic Ethers Catalyzed by a CpRu Complex of the Chiral Picolinic Acid-Type Ligand, Cl-Naph-PyCOOH: Is a π-Allyl Intermediate Present?
Authors: Suzuki Yusuke , Iwase Shoutaro , Ratanasak Manussada , Hasegawa Jun-ya , Tanaka Shinji , Kitamura Masato
Published: September 2020

[Ru(II)Cp((R)-Cl-Naph-PyCOOH)]PF6 ((R)-1) catalyzes the dehydrative cyclization of (E)-hept-2-ene-1,7-diol (2) to 2-vinyltetrahydro-2H-pyran (3) with a 97:3 S/R enantiomer ratio. Complex (R)-1 is in equilibrium between two diastereomers (R,RRu)-1 (AR) and (R,SRu)-1 (AS). A difference of turn over efficiency between the AS and AR cycles is thought to be the origin of the high enantioselectivity. The AS gives a major enantiomeric product (S)-3, according to the results of detailed mechanistic investigation via i) X-ray crystallographic analysis of related complexes, ii) NMR experiments using allylic alcohol 2, OH-lacking 2-mimic 4, d-labeled (S)-4-1d, enantiomerically enriched hept-6-ene-1,5-diol (6) as branched isomer of 2, and OH-lacking 6-mimic 5, iii) substrate structure/reactivity and selectivity relationships, iv) deuterium-labeling experiment, v) kinetics via calorimetric analysis, and vi) ligand structure/reactivity and selectivity relationships. AS captures 2 via hydrogen and halogen bonds. Oxidative addition in an H2Oin mode leads to a macrocyclic σ-allyl intermediate. Here, an efficient nC(7)OH/π*C(3)=C(2) trans-annular (TA) interaction facilitates an SN2′ nucleophilic addition of OH in an OHTA manner to furnish (S)-3. Contrary to the AS, AR cannot capture 2 using the halogen bond and slowly operates to give (R)-3. A conventional π-allyl-complex-involved mechanism is ruled out by a contradiction in the result of ii) and iii).
Quality-Adjusted House Price Indexes
Authors: Nowak Adam D. , Smith Patrick S.
Published: September 2020

The constant-quality assumption in repeat-sales house price indexes (HPIs) introduces a significant time-varying attribute bias. The direction, magnitude, and source of the bias varies throughout the market cycle and across metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). We mitigate the bias using a data-driven textual analysis approach that identifies and includes salient text from real estate agent remarks in the repeat-sales estimation. Absent the text, MSA-level HPIs are biased downward by as much as 7 percent during the financial crisis and upward by as much as 20 percent after the crisis. The geographic concentration of the bias magnifies its effect on local HPIs. (JEL C43, E31, R11, R31)
Bitcoin: An Axiomatic Approach and an Impossibility Theorem
Authors: Leshno Jacob D. , Strack Philipp
Published: September 2020

Bitcoin’s main innovation lies in allowing a decentralized system that relies on anonymous, profit-driven miners who can freely join the system. We formalize these properties in three axioms: anonymity of miners, no incentives for miners to consolidate, and no incentive to assuming multiple fake identities. This novel axiomatic formalization allows us to characterize what other protocols are feasible: every protocol with these properties must have the same reward scheme as Bitcoin. This implies an impossibility result for risk-averse miners. Furthermore, any protocol either gives up on some degree of decentralization or its reward scheme is equivalent to Bitcoin’s. (JEL D82, E42, O33)
Manual and semi-automated delineation of locally advanced rectal cancer subvolumes with diffusion-weighted MRI
Authors: Hearn Nathan , Bugg William , Chan Anthony , Vignarajah Dinesh , Cahill Katelyn , Atwell Daisy , Lagopoulos Jim , Min Myo
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To evaluate interobserver agreement for T  2 weighted (T  2W) and diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) contours of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC); and to evaluate manual and semi-automated delineations of restricted diffusion tumour subvolumes.

Methods

20 cases of LARC were reviewed by 2 radiation oncologists and 2 radiologists. Contours of gross tumour volume (GTV) on T  2W, DW-MRI and co-registered T  2W/DW-MRI were independently delineated and compared using Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC), mean distance to agreement (MDA) and other metrics of interobserver agreement. Restricted diffusion subvolumes within GTVs were manually delineated and compared to semi-automatically generated contours corresponding to intratumoral apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) centile values.

Results

Observers were able to delineate subvolumes of restricted diffusion with moderate agreement (DSC 0.666, MDA 1.92 mm). Semi-automated segmentation based on the 40th centile intratumoral ADC value demonstrated moderate average agreement with consensus delineations (DSC 0.581, MDA 2.44 mm), with errors noted in image registration and luminal variation between acquisitions. A small validation set of four cases with optimised planning MRI demonstrated improvement (DSC 0.669, MDA 1.91 mm).

Conclusion

Contours based on co-registered T  2W and DW-MRI could be used for delineation of biologically relevant tumour subvolumes. Semi-automated delineation based on patient-specific intratumoral ADC thresholds may standardise subvolume delineation if registration between acquisitions is sufficiently accurate.

Advances in knowledge

This is the first study to evaluate the feasibility of semi-automated diffusion-based subvolume delineation in LARC. This approach could be applied to dose escalation or ‘dose painting’ protocols to improve delineation reproducibility.
How we provided appropriate breast imaging practices in the epicentre of the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy
Authors: Pesapane Filippo , Penco Silvia , Rotili Anna , Nicosia Luca , Bozzini Anna , Trentin Chiara , Dominelli Valeria , Priolo Francesca , Farina Mariagiorgia , Marinucci Irene , Meroni Stefano , Abbate Francesca , Meneghetti Lorenza , Latronico Antuono , Pizzamiglio Maria , Cassano Enrico
Published: September 2020

Italy has one of the highest COVID-19 clinical burdens in the world and Lombardy region accounts for more than half of the deaths of the country. Since COVID-19 is a novel disease, early impactful decisions are often based on experience of referral centres.

We report the re-organisation which our institute (IEO, European Institute of Oncology), a cancer referral centre in Lombardy, went through to make our breast-imaging division pandemic-proof. Using personal-protective-equipment and innovative protocols, we provided essential breast-imaging procedures during COVID-19 pandemic without compromising cancer outcomes.

The emergency management and infection-control-measures implemented in our division protected both the patients and the staff, making this experience useful for other radiology departments dealing with the pandemic.
Acceptability and feasibility of genital self-sampling for the diagnosis of female genital schistosomiasis: a cross-sectional study in Zambia
Authors: Rutty Phiri Comfort , Sturt Amy S. , Webb Emily L. , Chola Namakau , Hayes Richard , Shanaube Kwame , Ayles Helen , Hansingo Isaiah , Bustinduy Amaya L. ,   BILHIV study team
Published: September 2020

Background: Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is a neglected and disabling gynaecological disorder that is difficult to diagnose and is part of the wider spectrum of urogenital disease caused by the waterborne parasite  Schistosoma haematobium. Over 90% of human schistosomiasis cases are found in sub-Saharan Africa with 3.8 million people infected with schistosomes in Zambia. Reported FGS prevalence ranges from 33-75% of those with urinary schistosomiasis in endemic areas, suggesting a potentially high FGS burden in Zambia alone. The Bilharzia and HIV

(BILHIV) study evaluated home self-sampling genital collection methods for the diagnosis of FGS.

Methods: Eligible participants included non-pregnant, sexually active women aged 18-31 who were previously recruited for the HPTN 071

(PopART) trial in Livingstone, Zambia. Household demographic and symptom questionnaires were administered by community workers. Participants were offered vaginal and cervical self-swabs and a urine cup. Cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) was performed in clinic by midwives. Information was collected from participants on the acceptability and feasibility of genital self-sampling.

Results: From January-August 2018, 603 women were enrolled, and 87.3% (527/603) completed clinic follow up. A high proportion of participants indicated that self-collection of specimens was “easy” or “very easy” on a 5-point Likert scale. A high proportion of women would be willing to self-collect all three specimens again in future: vaginal swab 96.7%

(583/603), cervical swab 96.5% (582/603), and urine 96.2% (580/603). Overall, 90.0% (543/603) preferred to self-collect samples at home, compared with sampling in the clinic Home-based self-sampling was preferred over provider-based sampling in the clinic due to greater privacy 65.0% (353/543), convenience 51.4% (279/543) and lack of needed transportation 17.7% (96/543).

Conclusions: Home based genital self-sampling for FGS diagnosis is highly acceptable. This scalable method may inform future efforts for community-based diagnosis of FGS
COMPETITIVIDADE DA MADEIRA SERRADA DO ESTADO DE MATO GROSSO – BRASIL
Authors: Aro Edson Rodrigues de , Batalha Mario Otavio
Published: September 2020

A produção madeireira mato-grossense possui inquestionável importância para o Brasil e o Mato Grosso; entretanto, ela ainda enfrenta problemas importantes que vêm impactando sua competitividade. O objetivo deste artigo é justamente o de identificar e avaliar os fatores de competitividade do primeiro processamento de transformação industrial da cadeia da madeira serrada em Mato Grosso como forma de propor políticas públicas e privadas voltadas ao incremento da competitividade deste sistema. A pesquisa retratada neste artigo utilizou os seguintes direcionadores de competitividade: tecnologia, insumos e infraestrutura, gestão das unidades de produção, ambiente institucional, estrutura de mercado e governança e sustentabilidade ambiental. A pesquisa revelou que os maiores problemas de competitividade da cadeia de produção agroindustrial estudada estavam ligados a questões ambientais e institucionais. Assim, grande parte das sugestões de ações de melhoria da competitividade situa-se no âmbito destes dois conjuntos de fatores.
ESTRATÉGIAS DE INOVAÇÃO SOB A PERSPECTIVA DA VISÃO BASEADA EM RECURSOS: UM ESTUDO NA EMBRAPA
Authors: Barbosa Raissa de Azevedo , Machado André Gustavo Carvalho
Published: September 2020

Este artigo objetiva analisar as características das estratégias de inovação adotadas pela EMBRAPA, sob a perspectiva da visão baseada em recursos (RBV), que têm potencial de gerar vantagem competitiva sustentável. Foram adotados estudos de casos em seis unidades da empresa. Os instrumentos utilizados para coleta de dados foram documentos, observações e entrevistas semiestruturadas; para sua análise, foram criadas diferentes categorias. Os resultados evidenciaram 13 tipologias de estratégia de inovação, sendo preponderantes as estratégias ofensivas e de parcerias. Os recursos humanos, físicos e tecnológicos foram os mais adotados para prover suporte às estratégias identificadas e oito recursos puderam ser considerados estratégicos: banco de ativos, recursos genéticos, número de unidades da EMBRAPA que lidam com produtos distintos, dispersão geográfica, qualificação dos funcionários, lançamento de tecnologias, reputação e imagem positiva da EMBRAPA. Há indícios de que os recursos e capacidades da empresa poderiam ser mais bem explorados caso houvesse maior cooperação e comunicação entre as unidades.
Indigenous knowledge of the people in Karya Usaha Hamlet (Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan, Indonesia) on the processing and diversity of plants that enhance toddler's appetite
Authors: PANJAITAN RUQIAH GANDA PUTRI , MITALIA MITALIA , Partasasmita Ruhyat
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Panjaitan RGP, Mitalia, Partasasmita R. 2020. Indigenous knowledge of the people in Karya Usaha Hamlet (Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan, Indonesia) on the processing and diversity of plants that enhance toddler's appetite. Biodiversitas 21: 4284-4290. Traditional medicines derived from plants are widely consumed daily by the people of Karya Usaha Hamlet in Indonesia. Not only it is used by adults but also children under the age of five, to increase their appetites. This information was the key to a scientific assessment as it was an effort for health resilience in the community. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the diversity of plant species that is prospective to enhance the toddler's appetite and its process. The method used in this study was a qualitative analysis using a semi-structured interview technique with several informants, which consisted of midwives, health service workers, Posyandu cadres, and people from the ethnic origin. The parts of the plants used as traditional medicinal ingredients were subjected to a qualitative phytochemical screening. The results revealed that seven species were potential as appetite enhancers for toddlers. Furthermore, sixty percent of the informants exhibited Javanese turmeric (Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb.) mainly as herbal medicine, while 25.8% and 14.2% chose the fingerroot (Boesenbergia pandurata (Roxb.) Schlecht.) and common turmeric (Curcuma domestica L.), respectively, as main herbal medicine. On the other hand, flavor enhancers on food from the diversity of plants used mostly by midwives in the village were on average of 2.19 species. Medicinal plants were generally processed by boiling and further adding honey or sugar so that children under the age of five will have a sweet flavor as they drink it.
Emission behavior of distributed Bragg-reflector ridge waveguide lasers exposed to strong optical feedback
Authors: Werner Nils , Wegemund Jan , Feise David , Paschke Katrin , Tränkle Günther
Published: September 2020

In this work, the influence of strong optical feedback on the emission behavior of distributed Bragg-reflector ridge waveguide diode lasers emitting at 1120 nm with different cavity lengths and facet reflectivities is investigated. Based on measurements of the optical output power, central emission wavelength, and spectral emission width, the different diode laser types are compared while optical feedback up to

−

8

d
B

is applied. The observed changes of the optical output power and emission wavelength as well as the occurrence of coherence collapse states give insight into the resistance against feedback of the different diode laser types.
Optics mounting and alignment for the central optical bench of the dual cavity enhanced light-shining-through-a-wall experiment ALPS II
Authors: Wei Li-Wei , Karan Kanioar , Willke Benno
Published: September 2020

Any Light Particle Search II (ALPS II) is a light-shining-through-a-wall experiment seeking axion-like particles. ALPS II will feature two 120 m long linear optical cavities that are separated by a wall and support the same photon mode. The central optical bench at the core of the experiment will be equipped with a light-tight shutter and two planar mirrors for the cavities. We show that the mounting concept for ALPS II provides sufficient angular stability and verify that a simple autocollimator assisted alignment procedure for crucial components of the ALPS II optical cavities can lead to the required overlap of the cavity eigenmodes. Furthermore, we show that mounted quadrant photodiodes added to the optical bench can have sufficient stability to maintain this overlap even without a clear line of sight between the two optical cavities.
Polarization-independent, lithium-niobate-on-insulator directional coupler based on a combined coupling-sections design
Authors: Zhang Lei , Fu Xin , Yang Lin
Published: September 2020

We have proposed a polarization-independent directional coupler (DC) by using sections with optimal coupling strength designs on the lithium-niobate-on-insulator platform. With this design, arbitrary polarization-independent coupling ratio ranging from 0% to 100% can be achieved by tuning the length of the identical coupling region. The DC exhibits ultralow excess losses (

<

0.1

d
B

) and polarization-dependent losses (

<

0.05

d
B

for the complete coupling) over a bandwidth of 100 nm. Moreover, the proposed DC is compact in size, simple in structure, and easy to fabricate.
Inverse design of a single-step-etched ultracompact silicon polarization rotator
Authors: Chang Weijie , Xu Shengyao , Cheng Mengfan , Liu Deming , Zhang Minming
Published: September 2020

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel ultracompact silicon polarization rotator based on equivalent asymmetric waveguide cross section in only single-step etching procedure for densely integrated on-chip mode-division multiplexing system. In the conventional mode hybridization scheme, the asymmetric waveguide cross section is employed to excite the hybridized modes to realize high performance polarization rotator with compact footprint and high polarization extinction ratio. However, the fabrication complexity severely restricts the potential application of asymmetric waveguide cross section. We use inverse-designed photonic-crystal-like subwavelength structure to realize an equivalent asymmetric waveguide cross section, which can be fabricated in only single-step etching process. Besides, a theory-assisted inverse design method based on a manually-set initial pattern is employed to optimize the device to improve design efficiency and device perform. The fabricated device exhibited high performance with a compact footprint of only 1.2 × 7.2 µm2, high extinction ratio (> 19 dB) and low insertion loss (< 0.7 dB) from 1530 to 1590 nm.
Fourier DiffuserScope: single-shot 3D Fourier light field microscopy with a diffuser
Authors: Linda Liu Fanglin , Kuo Grace , Antipa Nick , Yanny Kyrollos , Waller Laura
Published: September 2020

Light field microscopy (LFM) uses a microlens array (MLA) near the sensor plane of a microscope to achieve single-shot 3D imaging of a sample without any moving parts. Unfortunately, the 3D capability of LFM comes with a significant loss of lateral resolution at the focal plane. Placing the MLA near the pupil plane of the microscope, instead of the image plane, can mitigate the artifacts and provide an efficient forward model, at the expense of field-of-view (FOV). Here, we demonstrate improved resolution across a large volume with Fourier DiffuserScope, which uses a diffuser in the pupil plane to encode 3D information, then computationally reconstructs the volume by solving a sparsity-constrained inverse problem. Our diffuser consists of randomly placed microlenses with varying focal lengths; the random positions provide a larger FOV compared to a conventional MLA, and the diverse focal lengths improve the axial depth range. To predict system performance based on diffuser parameters, we, for the first time, establish a theoretical framework and design guidelines, which are verified by numerical simulations, and then build an experimental system that achieves < 3 µm lateral and 4 µm axial resolution over a 1000 × 1000 × 280 µm3 volume. Our diffuser design outperforms the MLA used in LFM, providing more uniform resolution over a larger volume, both laterally and axially.
Line-scan compressive Raman imaging with spatiospectral encoding
Authors: Scotté Camille , Sivankutty Siddharth , Bartels Randy A. , Rigneault Hervé
Published: September 2020

We report a line-scanning imaging modality of compressive Raman technology with a single-pixel detector. The spatial information along the illumination line is encoded onto one axis of a digital micromirror device, while spectral coding masks are applied along the orthogonal direction. We demonstrate imaging and classification of three different chemical species.
Compact and low-loss 1 × 3 polarization-insensitive optical power splitter using cascaded tapered silicon waveguides
Authors: Li Hongxiang , Chen Weiwei , Wang Pengjun , Dai Shixun , Liu Yuxiao , Fu Qiang , Li Jun , Li Yan , Dai Tingge , Yu Hui , Yang Jianyi
Published: September 2020

In this Letter, a

1

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3

polarization-insensitive optical power splitter based on cascaded tapered silicon waveguides is proposed and experimentally demonstrated on a silicon-on-insulator platform. By utilizing the particle swarm optimization algorithm and the finite difference time domain method, the structural parameters of the coupling regions are carefully designed to achieve polarization-insensitive property, compact size, low insertion loss, high uniformity, and broad bandwidth. The coupling length can be as short as 7.3 µm. Our measurement results show that, at 1550 nm, the insertion losses of the fabricated device operating in transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) polarizations are, respectively, 0.068 dB and 0.62 dB. Within a bandwidth from 1525 to 1575 nm, the insertion loss is lower than 0.82 dB and the uniformity is less than 1 dB for the fabricated device operating in TE polarization, while the fabricated device operating in TM polarization can have an insertion loss smaller than 1.50 dB and a uniformity lower than 1 dB from 1528 to 1582 nm.
Ultrafast green thin-disk laser exceeding 1.4  kW of average power
Authors: Röcker Christoph , Loescher André , Bienert Florian , Villeval Philippe , Lupinski Dominique , Bauer Dominik , Killi Alexander , Graf Thomas , Abdou Ahmed Marwan
Published: September 2020

We present an ultrafast laser with a near-diffraction-limited beam quality delivering more than 1.4 kW of average power in the visible spectral range. The laser is based on second harmonic generation in a lithium triborate crystal of a Yb:YAG thin-disk multipass amplifier emitting more than 2 kW of average power in the infrared.
Stitching-free 3D printing of millimeter-sized highly transparent spherical and aspherical optical components
Authors: Ristok Simon , Thiele Simon , Toulouse Andrea , Herkommer Alois M. , Giessen Harald
Published: September 2020

We demonstrate the fabrication of optical elements on the millimeter scale by stitching-free 3D printing via two-photon polymerization, using a commercial microfabrication system (Nanoscribe GmbH). Previous limitations are overcome by the use of a large writing field objective as well as a novel high transparency resist. The printed optical components are free of stitching defects due to a single step exposure and exhibit an unpreceded glass-like appearance due to the low absorption of the resist material throughout the entire visible wavelength range. We print aspherical focusing lenses, characterize and optimize their shape fidelity, and find their optical performance close to the simulated optimum. For comparison with commercially available glass lenses we also fabricate spherical half-ball lenses of different sizes. The imaging quality of the lenses is very similar, underpinning the powerfulness of our fabrication strategy.
High-birefringence waveguide Bragg gratings fabricated in a silica-on-silicon platform with displacement Talbot lithography
Authors: Luo Xi-chen , Chen Chao , Qin Li , Zhang Xing , Chen Yong-yi , Wang Biao , Liang Lei , Jia Peng , Ning Yong-qiang , Wang Li-jun
Published: September 2020

High-birefringence waveguide Bragg gratings for the C-band are fabricated in the Silica-on-Silicon platform with Displacement Talbot Lithography (DTL). Transmission and reflection spectrums of the Bragg wavelength splitting were measured and calculated. The birefringence here is up to 7.919×10−4 to 1.670×10−3, much higher than existing devices via other platforms. We illustrate the principle and advantage of DTL though theoretical analysis and numerical simulation. The birefringence of waveguide Bragg gratings here are customized with their device configuration (i.e., waveguide width and grating etched depth), enabling an effective method to construct scalable Silica-on-Silicon devices for highly linear-polarized external-cavity semiconductor lasers.
Femtosecond streaking in ambient air
Authors: Korobenko A. , Johnston K. , Kubullek M. , Arissian L. , Dube Z. , Wang T. , Kübel M. , Naumov A. Yu. , Villeneuve D. M. , Kling M. F. , Corkum P. B. , Staudte A. , Bergues B.
Published: September 2020

We demonstrate a novel method to measure the temporal electric field
evolution of ultrashort laser pulses. Our technique is based on the
detection of transient currents in air plasma. These directional
currents result from subcycle ionization of air with a short pump
pulse and the steering of the released electrons with the pulse to be
sampled. We assess the validity of our approach by comparing it with
different state-of-the-art laser-pulse characterization techniques.
Notably, our method works in ambient air and facilitates a direct
measurement of the field waveform, which can be viewed in real time on
an oscilloscope in a similar way as a radio frequency signal.
Machine Learning assisted aggregation schemes for optical cross-connect in hybrid electrical/optical data center networks
Authors: Zhao Li , Peng Shi and
Published: September 2020

Making optical circuit switching suitable for handling highly dynamic and profoundly changing traffic is a considerable challenge. This motivation drives the development of a hybrid electrical/optical network towards high bandwidth and low latency. Compared with the traditional non-aggregation scheme, we provide two machine learning assisted aggregation schemes. The first one is to design optical cross-connect switches to increase the throughput of the circuit-switched network. In this solution, the optical cross-connect serves both delay-sensitive traffic flows and delay-tolerant traffic flows. As the network throughput rises rapidly, the number of ports of the optical switch remains unchanged. The second scheme is to add small port counts, which maximizes throughput while relaxing the requirements for accurate machine learning algorithms. In this paper, we have a set of four machine learning algorithms, and only the most suitable one is selected at a time. We deploy a machine learning algorithm at edge nodes instead of a central network management system. Therefore, we can simultaneously reduce network overhead and latency. Both aggregation schemes outperform the traditional non-aggregation scheme in terms of throughput, delay, and flow completion time.
VLC-Based Car-to-Car Communication
Authors: Ardi Arnez Pramesti , Aulia Ilham Sukma , Priramadhi Rizky Ardianto , Darlis Denny
Published: September 2020

Based on data from the Indonesian Traffic Corps by September 2019, the number of car accidents was dominated by rear-hit crashes with 6,966 accidents. Most of these accidents occurred during car convoys. It needs a car-to-car communication to increase driver awareness. One of the technologies that can be applied is Visible Light Communication (VLC) and infrared communication. The transmitted data are the vehicle speed data, throttle position, and brake stepping indicator. The data are obtained by reading the Engine Control Unit (ECU) in the car. The data are packaged from the three data and sent to other cars at day and night using VLC and infrared communication. The experimental results show that in a communication system that uses VLC, data can be exchanged between cars during the day up to 2 meters and at night up to 11 meters. Otherwise, in infrared communication, vehicles can communicate during the day up to 2 meters and at night up to 0.7 meter. The test was also carried out with some conditions such as rain, smoke, passers, and other vehicle lights.
Design and Performance Analysis of Linear Array Microstrip Antennas with Mitered-Bends Feeding Network for X-Band Radar Applications
Authors: Putri Bidadariana Yunia Utami , Nugraha Eka Setia , Prakasa Anantia , Siddiq Subroto Fajar
Published: September 2020

To accurately detect objects, the radar antenna must have a high gain for the desired range. The antenna uses an array method to increase the gain. It has a unidirectional radiation pattern to meet the X-band radar implementation as a ship navigation tool. The X-band radar works at high frequencies. Thus, it will be more sensitive in detecting small particles, including rain particles. The use of a mitered-bends feeding network method by cutting the 90-degree curve is to maximize the power transmitted to reduce losses. This method spreads the bandwidth of the antenna. The antenna is designed and fabricated into a linear array of 8 elements, using the R04003C Rogers substrate with a microstrip line supply. This study limits up to 8 elements of radiation, followed by the addition of a method to expand the bandwidth of antennas. Considering material limitation and duration of antenna design. The final antenna dimensions are 142.40 mm × 42.8 mm. The measuring results show fc = 9.496 GHz, S11 = -32.64 dB, VSWR 1.05, bandwidth = 41.9 MHz (9.5159 GHz - 9.4740 GHz), and gain 8.8 dB as well as a linear polarized antenna with unidirectional pattern direction. The radar antenna tends to have a narrow beamwidth and high gain.
On some classes of generalized Schrödinger equations
Authors: Correa Leão Amanda S. S. , Morbach Joelma , Santos Andrelino V. , Santos Júnior João R.
Published: September 2020

Some classes of generalized Schrödinger stationary problems are studied. Under appropriated conditions is proved the existence of at least 1 +

∑

i
=
2

m

$\begin{array}{}
\sum_{i=2}^{m}
\end{array}$

dim V
λ
i

pairs of nontrivial solutions if a parameter involved in the equation is large enough, where V
λ
i

denotes the eigenspace associated to the i-th eigenvalue λ
i
of laplacian operator with homogeneous Dirichlet boundary condition.
Aristotle’s Disturbing Relatives
Authors: Moon Kyungnam
Published: September 2020

InCategories7, Aristotle gives two different accounts of relatives, and presents the principle of cognitive symmetry, which seems to help distinguish between relatives and some secondary substances. I suggest that the long-disputed difference between the two accounts lies in a difference in the determination of the categorial status of the object in question, and I formulate the principle of cognitive symmetry such that it plays a crucial role in making explicit how one conceptualizes the categorial status of the object. I then set out some consequences following from this understanding for certain interpretive issues, such as the unity of theCategories.
Generalised Iwasawa invariants and the growth of class numbers
Authors: Kleine Sören
Published: September 2020

We study the generalised Iwasawa invariants of

ℤ
p
d

{\mathbb{Z}_{p}^{d}}

-extensions of a fixed number field K. Based on an inequality between ranks of finitely generated torsion

ℤ
p

⁢

[

[

T
1

,
…
,

T
d

]

]

{\mathbb{Z}_{p}[\kern-2.133957pt[T_{1},\dots,T_{d}]\kern-2.133957pt]}

-modules and their corresponding elementary modules, we prove that these invariants are locally maximal with respect to a suitable topology on the set of

ℤ
p
d

{\mathbb{Z}_{p}^{d}}

-extensions of K, i.e., that the generalised Iwasawa invariants of a

ℤ
p
d

{\mathbb{Z}_{p}^{d}}

-extension

𝕂

{\mathbb{K}}

of K bound the invariants of all

ℤ
p
d

{\mathbb{Z}_{p}^{d}}

-extensions of K in an open neighbourhood of

𝕂

{\mathbb{K}}

. Moreover, we prove an asymptotic growth formula for the class numbers of the intermediate fields in certain

ℤ
p
2

{\mathbb{Z}_{p}^{2}}

-extensions, which improves former results of Cuoco and Monsky. We also briefly discuss the impact of generalised Iwasawa invariants on the global boundedness of Iwasawa λ-invariants.
Optimal sup norm bounds for newforms on GL2 with maximally ramified central character
Authors: Comtat Félicien
Published: September 2020

Recently, the problem of bounding the sup norms of

L
2

{L^{2}}

-normalized cuspidal automorphic newforms
ϕ on

GL
2

{\mathrm{GL}_{2}}

in the level aspect has received much attention.
However at the moment strong upper bounds are only available if the central character χ of ϕ is not
too highly ramified.
In this paper, we establish a uniform upper bound in the level aspect for general χ.
If the level N is a square, our result reduces to

∥
ϕ
∥

∞

≪

N

1
4

+
ϵ

,

\|\phi\|_{\infty}\ll N^{\frac{1}{4}+\epsilon},

at least under the Ramanujan Conjecture.
In particular, when χ has conductor N, this improves upon the previous best known bound

∥
ϕ
∥

∞

≪

N

1
2

+
ϵ

{\|\phi\|_{\infty}\ll N^{\frac{1}{2}+\epsilon}}

in this setup (due to [A. Saha,
Hybrid sup-norm bounds for Maass newforms of powerful level,
Algebra Number Theory 11 2017, 1009–1045])
and matches a lower bound due to [N. Templier,
Large values of modular forms,
Camb. J. Math. 2 2014, 1, 91–116], thus our result is essentially optimal in
this case.