bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Qualitative Study of the Work Systems and Culture Around End-of-Day Intraoperative Anesthesia Handoffs in a Tertiary Care Center
Authors: Samost-Williams Aubrey , Bernstein Samantha L. , Thomas A. Taylor , Piersa Anastasia P. , Hawkins Jessica E. , Pian-Smith May C. M.
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND:

Intraoperative handoffs have been implicated as a contributing factor in many perioperative adverse events. Despite conflicting data around their impact on perioperative outcomes, they remain a vulnerable point in the perioperative system with significant attention focused on improving them. This study aimed to understand the processes in place surrounding the point of information transfer in intraoperative handoffs.

METHODS:

We used semistructured interviews with anesthesia clinicians to understand the processes and systems surrounding intraoperative handoffs. Interview data were coded deductively using the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety model as a framework, with subthemes developed inductively.

RESULTS:

Clinicians do a significant amount of work before and after the point of information transfer to ensure a smooth handoff and safe patient care. Despite not having standardization of handoffs, most clinicians have a typical handoff organization and largely agree on content that should be included. However, there is variability based on clinician and patient characteristics, including clinician discipline and patient acuity. These handoffs are additionally impacted by the overall culture in the operating room, including the teamwork and hierarchies present among the surgical and anesthesia teams. Finally, the broader operating room logistics, including scheduling practices for surgical cases and anesthesia teams, impact the quality of intraoperative handoffs and the ability of clinicians to prepare for these handoffs.

CONCLUSIONS:

Handoffs involve processes beyond the point of information transfer and are embedded in the systems and culture of the operating rooms. These considerations are important when seeking to improve the quality of intraoperative handoffs.
Reconciling Witchcraft and Ho_ṛ Cosmopolitanism
Authors: Bleie Tone
Published: November 2023

In examining the deep (pre)history of transnational Santals, this chapter engages ethnoarchaeology, ethnolinguistics, cognitive science, and genetics to apply the Santals' long-sustained theory of transmigratory cosmopolitanism to contemporary studies of Indigenous cosmopolitanisms. The Santals utilize mindscapes, witchcraft, memory, social archaeology of institutions, and Indigenous cosmopolitanism to inform Santal understandings of borderlands across temporal and spatial chasms. By drawing on these transhistorical and transgeographical practices, this chapter pursues an understanding of the borderlands of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh informed not by their relationship to states but by their relationship to transnational Indigenous cosmopolitanism. Thus, this chapter poses a comprehensive understanding of territory and physical boundaries, emphasizing the epistemological value of Indigenous configurations of fluid histories and spaces.
Friendships and Broken Friendships
Authors: MacDonald David B.
Published: November 2023

This chapter argues that the behavior of Anglo settler states and Indigenous Peoples within a logic of sovereignty is discordant with prevailing international relations theory instead of engaging bonds of relational friendship. Where mainstream international relations theory prioritizes a territorial space, this chapter finds that both settler states and Indigenous Peoples pull instead from cooperative communities to securitize. For Indigenous Peoples, transnational and domestic solidarity movements fight against imposed borders and transnational disempowerment, and for settler states, allies work together to enhance settler power against Indigenous Peoples. The chapter notes that the behavior of neither settler states nor Indigenous Peoples fits into Realist, Liberal, or Constructivist frameworks, exposing a gap filled by this chapter's emphasis on friendship relations.
South Asia's Fractured Frontier
Authors: Nepram Binalakshmi
Published: November 2023

This chapter argues that ongoing armed violence and narcotrafficking in Northeast India can be better understood by analyzing the continued colonization of Indigenous lands through exploitation and militarization. Fractured by colonial borders and state intrusion, Indigenous Peoples in Northeast India now face increased narcotrafficking, small arms proliferation, and civil violence at voraciously increasing rates. Resistance to this dynamic violence has been carried out by various Indigenous women's groups seeking to mobilize to contain pervasive violence in the region. This chapter puts forth that this small region—home to hundreds of Indigenous groups—has hosted the development of many multifaceted resistance efforts featuring Indigenous women and youth resisting both present civil violence and the ongoing violent colonial presence in their territory.
Environmental Violence, Cross-Border Traffic in Banned Pesticides, and Impacts on the Indigenous Peoples of Rio Yaqui, Sonora, Mexico
Authors: Carmen Andrea
Published: November 2023

This chapter focuses on the Yaqui resistance to unregulated pesticide spraying and the transportation of toxic pesticides in Mexico, resulting in devastating health effects for Yaqui women and children. Though the North American Free Trade Agreement bans some toxic pesticides in the United States, the same pesticides are transported across the border to Mexico, as documented by Yaqui women advocating against this practice in international spaces. Ultimately, this chapter examines the impacts of these practices on Yaqui women and children and highlights the Yaqui response to devastating racialized environmental violence that violates tenets of international human rights on the international stage.
The A´i Cofán Nationality of Ecuador
Authors: Ruiz Toa Maldonado
Published: November 2023

This chapter profiles the A´i Cofán People, whose traditional territories straddle the Colombia-Ecuador border, and their experience of colonization, natural resource extraction and exploitation on their land, the severing of their territory by the imposed land border, Colombian armed conflict, and neglect on behalf of state governments. This chapter demonstrates and explores the coping mechanisms that were developed in these communities to resist and survive these devastating phenomena. This chapter explains that the complex realities of living in borderlands are not limited to this space. The experiential relationship between the A´i Cofán People and the Colombia-Ecuador border is representative of similar experiences faced by other cross-border Indigenous Peoples in Ecuador.
Haudenosaunee Passports and Decolonizing Borders
Authors: Lightfoot Sheryl
Published: November 2023

This chapter argues that the Haudenosaunee Confederacy's use of their own passports poses a quiet but powerful challenge to extant state power in the realm of passports. In doing so, this chapter argues that the Haudenosaunee passport is instrumentally reshaping the concept of self-determination to be accommodational of a plurality of sovereignties, distinct from the Westphalian concepts of sovereignty and territoriality. Rather, this chapter asserts that by refusing both Canadian and United States passports in favor of their own, the transnational Haudenosaunee Confederacy is reshaping notions of sovereignty and self-determination to be fluid and responsive to ongoing negotiation between peoples and states. In doing so, plural sovereignties are more easily accommodated in practice, and this chapter contends that this practical reality will have significant theoretical implications for international relations.
Living life with an electric touch
Authors: Caputi Angel Ariel
Published: November 2023

The electric organ discharges (EODs) produced by weakly electric fish have long been a source of scientific intrigue and inspiration. The study of these species has contributed to our understanding of the organization of fixed action patterns, as well as enriching general imaging theory by unveiling the dual impact of an agent's actions on the environment and its own sensory system during the imaging process. This Centenary Review firstly compares how weakly electric fish generate species- and sex-specific stereotyped electric fields by considering: (1) peripheral mechanisms, including the geometry, channel repertoire and innervation of the electrogenic units; (2) the organization of the electric organs (EOs); and (3) neural coordination mechanisms. Secondly, the Review discusses the threefold function of the fish-centered electric fields: (1) to generate electric signals that encode the material, geometry and distance of nearby objects, serving as a short-range sensory modality or ‘electric touch’; (2) to mark emitter identity and location; and (3) to convey social messages encoded in stereotypical modulations of the electric field that might be considered as species-specific communication symbols. Finally, this Review considers a range of potential research directions that are likely to be productive in the future.
Intracellular negative feedback mechanisms in blubber and muscle moderate acute stress responses in fasting seals
Authors: Avalos Jessica G. , Piotrowski Elizabeth R. , Northey Allison D. , Crocker Daniel E. , Khudyakov Jane I.
Published: November 2023

Animals may limit the cost of stress responses during key life history stages such as breeding and molting by reducing tissue sensitivity to energy-mobilizing stress hormones (e.g. cortisol). We measured expression of genes encoding glucocorticoid receptor (GR, NR3C1), GR inhibitor (FKBP5) and cortisol-inactivating enzyme (HSD11B2) in blubber and muscle of northern elephant seals before and after stress axis stimulation by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) early and late in a fasting period associated with molting. ACTH elevated cortisol levels for >24 h and increased FKBP5 and HSD11B2 expression while downregulating NR3C1 expression in blubber and muscle, suggesting robust intracellular negative feedback in peripheral tissues. This feedback was maintained over prolonged fasting, despite differences in baseline cortisol and gene expression levels between early and late molt, suggesting that fasting-adapted animals use multiple tissue-specific, intracellular negative feedback mechanisms to modulate downstream impacts of acute stress responses during key life history stages.
Which outcome measurement instruments are used to measure core infant feeding outcomes in children up to 1 year of age? A scoping review protocol
Authors: Matvienko-Sikar Karen , Adair Linda , Bell Lucinda K , Birken Catherine S , Brown Vicki , Dahly Darren , Doherty Ann S , Golley Rebecca , Leahy-Warren Patricia , McBride Marian , McCarthy Elizabeth , Murphy Andrew W , Redsell Sarah , Terwee Caroline B
Published: November 2023

Background How, what, and when infants are fed plays a role in the aetiology of childhood obesity. Heterogeneity in how infant feeding outcomes are measured in trials of interventions to prevent childhood obesity limits evidence syntheses and understanding of intervention effectiveness. An infant feeding core outcome set (COS) was previously developed to standardised outcome measurement and reporting. The COS represents what to measure; determining how best to measure these outcomes is the next essential step to improve intervention evaluations. The aim of this scoping review is therefore to identify what outcome measurement instruments have been used in trials, and how they have been used, to measure the core infant feeding outcomes. Methods A scoping review will be conducted. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, OpenGrey and GreyNet will be searched from inception. Papers are eligible for inclusion if they report trials involving primary data collection that measure and report at least one core infant feeding outcome in infants ≤one year of age. Following searching and screening, eligible studies will be categorised into the following four overarching categories for data extraction, synthesis and write-up: caregiver-related outcomes; diet-related outcomes; feeding environment outcomes; child weight outcomes. Data will be narratively described and presented in tabular format, with findings presented in four separate review papers delineated by the four overarching categories. Discussion This scoping review forms part of the Standardised measurement for Childhood Obesity Prevention (SCOPE) study (www.eiascope.com). Evidence from this scoping review on what measurement instruments are used, and how they are used, represents an essential first step in developing recommendations and guidance about how best to measure core infant feeding outcomes for childhood obesity prevention. This can improve evidence syntheses and understanding of what infant feeding interventions are most effective for childhood obesity prevention.
mHealth clinical decision-making tools for maternal and perinatal health care in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review protocol
Authors: Olomi Gaudensia A. , Cansdale Lottie G. , Woodworth Simon , Manongi Rachel , Mlay Pendo , Yeates Karen , West Nicola , Hirst Jane E. , Redman Christopher , Mahande Michael J. , Mmbaga Blandina T. , Khashan Ali S.
Published: November 2023

Background Mobile health (mHealth) tools are increasingly being used in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to improve the quality of health services. mHealth clinical decision-making tools have several established roles in maternal and perinatal healthcare including health surveillance, data collection and access to guidelines. The adoption of mHealth clinical decision-making tools in low-resource environments like SSA, as well as the lessons learnt from using them, have not yet been determined. As new mHealth technologies are quickly being evaluated and deployed in resource-poor settings, it is crucial to thoroughly analyse what has been accomplished in order to inform implementers and policy makers on the effectiveness of technology in evidence-based practice. Objective This study aims to synthesize the available evidence 1) on the use of mHealth clinical decision-making tools for maternal and perinatal care in SSA, and 2) whether these tools lead to improvements in the quality of maternal and perinatal care in SSA. Methods A systematic review of the literature will be performed to identify publications describing the use mHealth tools for maternal and perinatal clinical decision-making in SSA. PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Global Health and Web of Science will be searched for relevant articles following a predetermined search strategy with no date restrictions. A limited grey literature search will also be carried out. Two independent reviewers will screen the articles. Pre-determined data items will be extracted, and data synthesis carried out using a descriptive approach. Appraisal will be done using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation Health Systems (AGREE-HS) instrument. Conclusions This systematic review protocol for identifying and appraising mHealth clinical decision-making tools in maternal and perinatal care may help to establish best practice for developing and scaling up, thus help to improve care in SSA. Registration PROSPERO (CRD42023452760; 19 August 2023).:
Everyday work of the merchants of the Orenburg Province in the post-reform period (1865-1914)
Authors: Abdrahmanov Konstantin
Published: November 2023

The monograph is devoted to the analysis of various spheres of everyday work of Orenburg provincial merchants of the second half of the XIX — early XX century. The study made it possible to understand that the business behavior of merchants, the degree of comfort of their work and the change in the number of the merchant class depended on a variety of objective and subjective factors.
It is addressed to historians, economists, art historians, cultural scientists, as well as to a wide range of readers interested in the history of the development of domestic entrepreneurship.
Complications of total elbow arthroplasty
Authors: Cha Soo Min , Ga In Ho , Kim Yong Hwan , Shin Hyun Dae
Published: November 2023

The indications for total elbow arthroplasty have been expanded beyond severe arthritis to include acute comminuted fractures. Advances in implant manufacturing and surgical techniques in recent decades have led to increasingly better results. Semiconstrained implants are most commonly used, followed by conversion-type and unlinked implants. However, the results are still worse than those of arthroplasty in the knee or hip joint, and various complications such as aseptic loosening, infection, bushing wear, and periprosthetic fractures still occur. As aging adults are increasingly indicated for surgery, we inevitably face complications that are not easy to control. In this review, we discuss intraoperative and late complications, their prevention, and treatment options.
CRENÇAS E PRÁTICAS PEDAGÓGICAS DE PROFESSORAS APOIO: UM ESTUDO EM UM MUNICÍPIO DE MINAS GERAIS
Authors: Resende Silva Denise , Carvalho-Freitas Maria Nivalda
Published: November 2023

A inclusão tem trazido desafios para a prática e para a produção de conhecimento na educação. Por exemplo, a necessidade de se compreender as crenças sobre a deficiência, práticas pedagógicas adotadas, a construção de uma educação verdadeiramente inclusiva e o desenho universal da aprendizagem (DUA). OBJETIVO/MÉTODO: Esta pesquisa visa compreender possíveis relações entre as crenças das professoras de apoio sobre a deficiência e as práticas pedagógicas por elas adotadas. A pesquisa teve duas etapas. A primeira, quantitativa, organizou, em 3 agrupamentos, as 58 professoras de apoio segundo suas crenças sobre a deficiência. Na segunda, qualitativa, analisou-se o conteúdo de 32 cadernos de registro do trabalho das professoras, e levou a 4 grupos, categorizados conforme práticas pedagógicas adotadas. CONCLUSÕES: Relacionando as crenças e as práticas pedagógicas pôde ser verificado que a concepção de deficiência/crença das professoras-apoio, influencia o modo de organizar o processo educacional inclusivo favorecendo-o ou tornando-o quase impossível.
INTEGRAÇÃO DA FÍSICA E CULTURA NO ENSINO: PERSPECTIVAS E PROJEÇÕES NA BUSCA PELA ETNOFÍSICA
Authors: Veraszto Estéfano Vizconde , Carneiro Felipe Guimarães
Published: November 2023

A Etnofísica tem sido negligenciada no contexto educacional, levando à falta de abordagens humanizadoras e à escassez de investigações sobre os processos de ensino-aprendizagem. No entanto, estudos e pesquisas têm explorado práticas pedagógicas alternativas, buscando uma abordagem diferenciada para o ensino de Física. A Etnofísica visa integrar conhecimentos tradicionais e populares à Física, promovendo discussões e reflexões sobre a relação entre essa ciência e a cultura. Neste trabalho, adotou-se um ensaio teórico para argumentar a relevância da Etnofísica na compreensão da Física e na valorização dos saberes culturais dos estudantes, fornecendo subsídios para o desenvolvimento de práticas pedagógicas que estimulem o diálogo, a análise crítica e a multidisciplinaridade na sala de aula. Como resultado, exploramos e discutimos a literatura existente, preenchendo uma lacuna de pesquisa e estabelecendo uma base conceitual para futuras investigações empíricas.
NOTAS PRELIMINARES SOBRE O ENALTECIMENTO DO PATRIMÔNIO HISTÓRICO BAIANO POR INTELECTUAIS VINCULADOS AO INSTITUTO GEOGRÁFICO E HISTÓRICO DA BAHIA (1910-1940)
Authors: Carmo Sura Souza , Cezarinho Filipe Arnaldo
Published: November 2023

O artigo tem por objetivo apresentar um estudo preliminar da proeminência dos intelectuais vinculados ao Instituto Geográfico e Histórico da Bahia na promoção e preservação do patrimônio histórico baiano. Por meio de publicações saudosistas e de enaltecimento do antigo poder político econômico baiano é possível vislumbrar como o patrimônio foi utilizado para fortalecer um discurso que buscava inserir novamente a Bahia no cenário político nacional em um período de estagnação econômica e desprestígio no meio político. É possível caracterizar os intelectuais que valorizaram o patrimônio baiano como vinculados a elite agrária, ocupantes de cargos públicos no governo do estado ou na igreja, ou seja, membros de uma elite econômica, política e religiosa em decadência nas primeiras décadas da república. A metodologia utilizada foi a análise qualitativa de publicações de intelectuais baianos vinculados a agremiação no período analisado.  Dessa forma, a valorização do patrimônio pelos intelectuais do IGHB, mais do que uma preocupação com os vestígios materiais do passado, foi uma forma de manter em destaque uma opulência senhorial do período colonial que estava se tronando apenas uma memória entre a elite local.

Palavras-chave: Patrimônio; Representação; Bahia; Intelectuais.
Measurement of thickness and refractive index of transparent material synchronously based on chromatic confocal sensor
Authors: Yunquan Wu , Suping Chang , Wenhan Zeng , Xiangqian Jiang , Wenlong Lu
Published: November 2023

A defined refractive index is essential to measure the thickness of transparent materials with a chromatic confocal sensor (CCS). To overcome this limitation, a new measuring model is proposed by configuring a motor to drive the CCS for movement and placing a reflector behind the sample. This innovative approach enables the measurement of thickness and refractive index of transparent material synchronously through geometric calculations based on peak signals from different surfaces. Experimental results show that the model can achieve an average thickness measurement deviation of ±0.4µm and an average refractive index measurement deviation of ±0.005, making it highly suitable for industrial applications in thin film manufacturing sectors such as new energy vehicles, flexible displays, biomedicine, and more.
Micro-DRIFTS for small area hyper-black spectroscopy
Authors: McArdle Patrick , Yung Christopher , Tomlin Nathan , Lehman John , Stephens Michelle
Published: November 2023

We have developed a low-cost micro-diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopic (micro-DRIFTS) setup for measuring the reflectance of small area diffuse samples. The system performance is characterized and then demonstrated on small area vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) samples. We find that our system can measure samples with a spatial resolution of approximately 140 µm with sensitivities of 10s of ppm in the 2 µm – 18 µm spectral window. Our uncertainty budget is presented along with how our measured reflectance can be equated to directional-hemispherical reflectance.
Formation of photonic band gaps by direct destructive interference
Authors: Zhu Pengbo , Chen Runkai , Yang Xiangbo , Fan Yanglong , Lian Huada , Wang Zhen-Yu
Published: November 2023

We study a photonic band gap (PBG) material consisting of multiple waveguides. The multiconnected waveguides provide different paths for direct wave interference within the material. Using coaxial cables as waveguides, we are able to tune the PBG of the material. Using direct destructive interference between different paths of the waveguides, we experimentally observe a kind of PBG which is quite different from the traditional PBG that is caused by scattering in dielectrics with inhomogeneous refractive indices. Particularly, this newly observed PBG has an extremely strong wave attenuation, making electromagnetic (EM) waves in the PBG cannot even pass through one unit cell under certain conditions. We also systematically investigate the transmission of EM waves in our PBG materials and discuss the mechanism of band gap formation. Our results provide a new insight to develop new band gap materials for photons and phonons.
Water-durability and high-performance all-fiber humidity sensor using methyldiethanolamine-photopolymer-PDMS structure
Authors: Yu Jinjian , Liu Piliang , Zhang Yaxun , Sun Qianran , Zhang Yu , Liu Zhihai , Yuan Libo , Tang Xiaoyun
Published: November 2023

In the context of optical fiber humidity sensing, the long-term stability of sensors in high humidity and dew environments such as bathrooms or marine climates remains a challenge, especially since many humidity sensitive materials are water soluble. In this study, we use methyldiethanolamine, pentaerythritol triacrylate and Eosin Y to form a liquid-solid structure humidity sensitive component, the outermost layer is coated with PDMS passivating layer to ensure the stability and durability of the humidity sensor under the conditions of dew and high humidity. The liquid microcavity of the sensor consists of methyldiethanolamine-pentaerythritol triacrylate composite solution, and the sensitivity is several times higher than that of the liquid-free cavity sensor. The sensitivity of the sensor to temperature is verified (0.43 nm/°C and 0.30 nm/°C, respectively) and temperature crosstalk is compensated using a matrix. The compact structure allows for ultra-fast response (602 ms) and recovery time (349 ms). Our work provides a promising platform for efficient and practical humidity and other gas monitoring systems.
Efficient computation of heat distribution of processed workpiece with coupling to bottom water vapor in water-jet guided laser machining
Authors: Zhu Jianxin , Lin Wencheng
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we present a novel approach for calculating the heat distribution within a processed workpiece subjected to laser irradiation while accounting for the influence of bottom water vapor. A comprehensive mathematical model is introduced and numerical techniques using difference approximation are employed. Initially, the three-dimensional heat equation, originally defined in the rectangular coordinate system, is transformed into a corresponding model within the cylindrical coordinate system, incorporating a nonlinear boundary condition to account for coupling effects. Subsequently, leveraging the axial symmetry of the heat distribution, the three-dimensional model is simplified into a two-dimensional one. This simplified model is solved using the alternating direction implicit scheme coupled with the Crank-Nicolson method. Moreover, we develop a high-precision numerical treatment for the nonlinear boundary condition within the cylindrical coordinate system. To validate our methodology, simulation experiments are conducted on three distinct samples. Our comparative results demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed approach in the context of water-jet guided laser processing.
Pupil calibration for pyramid wavefront sensors based on a wavefront corrector
Authors: Yan Zhaojun , Yang Huizhen , Chen Lin , Zang Xiangdong , Chen Peng , Zhang Zhiguang
Published: November 2023

The pyramid wavefront sensor (PWS) presents numerous advantages, such as high energy utilization, exceptional spatial resolution, and adjustability. Precise calibration of the pupil's position and size in advance is essential for accurately extracting wavefront slope information from the captured pupil image by the PWS. What we believe to be a novel calibration method is proposed using a wavefront corrector to enhance the sharpness of the pupil images in the PWS. An experimental setup using a crystal spatial light modulator (SLM) is established to validate this method. Both physical experiments and simulated results demonstrate that our proposed method can achieve accurate calibration of the pupil image with an error within 4 pixels for pupil size and not exceeding 3 pixels for position, meeting practical application requirements. The proposed PWS calibration method exhibits excellent repeatability and robustness, making it directly applicable in astronomical adaptive optics systems.
All-optical modulation by continuous wave light using two-color excited-state absorption at visible wavelengths
Authors: Hong Jinhyeok , Ju Heongkyu
Published: November 2023

We demonstrated all-optical modulation with a nonlinear medium, i.e., indigo carmine, an aromatic conjugated structure with delocalized π-electrons, using non-high power continuous wave light for pump and probe of different visible wavelengths. Pump-induced probe transmission increase occurred through absorption saturation of probe light by pump-induced linear and nonlinear absorption including two-color excited-state absorption (ESA). The two-color ESA occurred only when both pump light and probe light co-propagated through a medium, leading to nearly pump power-independent increase in probe transmission for appropriately chosen wavelengths of pump and probe light, given the optical transition structure of electronic energy levels in the medium.
Optical vortex coronagraphy for high-contrast imaging of femtosecond laser filaments
Authors: Liang Qingqing , Zhang Qiyuan , Wang Ming , Mou Yanfei , Zhang Enliang , Cheng Qingqing , Swartzlander Grover A. , Liu Yi
Published: November 2023

A high-contrast imaging technique for phase objects based on the optical vortex coronagraph (OVC) is proposed. This method offers the unique advantage of background-free imaging due to the introduction of azimuthal phase in the Fourier plane. We employed the OVC method to detect femtosecond laser-induced air plasma and compared it with the classic diffractometry and fluorescent imaging methods. We achieved a phase sensitivity of ∼0.035 waves that surpassed the capabilities of the other two methods. The combination of this highly sensitive imaging technique with the pump–probe method holds promise for applications in ultrafast imaging of laser–material interactions.
High-performance etchless lithium niobate layer electro-optic modulator enabled by quasi-BICs
Authors: Liu Guiqiang , Zong Shu , Liu Xiaoshan , Chen Juan , Liu Zhengqi
Published: November 2023

A facile strategy is proposed for a high-performance electro-optic modulator with an etchless lithium niobate (LN) layer assisted by the silicon resonator metasurface, which pioneers the way to engineer an ultra-sharp spectral line shape via the excitation of quasi-bound states in the continuum (BICs). Meanwhile, strong out-of-plane electric/magnetic fields within the proximity area to the electro-optic layer lead to ultra-sensitive modulations. As a result, only a slight voltage change of 0.2 V is needed to fully shift the resonances and then realize switching modulation between the “off” and “on” states. The findings pave new, to the best of our knowledge, insights in reconfiguration of spatial optical fields and offer prospects for functional optoelectronic devices.
Double-clad ytterbium-doped tapered fiber with circular birefringence as a gain medium for structured light
Authors: Zalesskaia Iuliia , Lei Yuhao , Kazansky Peter G. , Wondraczek Katrin , Gumenyuk Regina , Filippov Valery
Published: November 2023

Amplifying radially and azimuthally polarized beams is a significant challenge due to the instability of the complex beam shape and polarization in inhomogeneous environment. In this Letter, we demonstrated experimentally an efficient approach to directly amplify cylindrical-vector beams with axially symmetric polarization and doughnut-shaped intensity profile in a picosecond MOPA system based on a double-clad ytterbium-doped tapered fiber. To prevent polarization and beam shape distortion during amplification, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, we proposed using the spun architecture of the tapered fiber. In contrast to an isotropic fiber architecture, a spun configuration possessing nearly circular polarization eigenstates supports stable wavefront propagation. Applying this technique, we amplified the cylindrical-vector beam with 10 ps pulses up to 22 W of the average power at a central wavelength of 1030 nm and a repetition rate of 15 MHz, maintaining both mode and polarization stability.
Fast data fitting scheme for compressive multispectral fluorescence lifetime imaging
Authors: Ghezzi Alberto , Farina Andrea , Vurro Vito , Bassi Andrea , Valentini Gianluca , D’Andrea Cosimo
Published: November 2023

A single-pixel camera combined with compressive sensing techniques is a promising fluorescence microscope scheme for acquiring a multidimensional dataset (space, spectrum, and lifetime) and for reducing the measurement time with respect to conventional microscope schemes. However, upon completing the acquisition, a computational step is necessary for image reconstruction and data analysis, which can be time-consuming, potentially canceling out the beneficial effect of compressive sensing. In this work, we propose and experimentally validate a fast-fit workflow based on global analysis and multiple linear fits, which significantly reduces the computation time from tens of minutes to less than 1 s. Moreover, as the method is interlaced with the measurement flow, it can be applied in parallel with the acquisitions.
Flexible broadband metamaterial absorber in long-wave infrared with visible transparency fabricated by laser direct writing
Authors: Xu Haifeng , Cheng Jierong , Huang Qian , Luo Ming , Li Diannan , Zhu Dazhao , Zhan Gangyao , Zheng Qiaoyun , Zhang Yu , Shao Jingzhu , Wu Chongzhao
Published: November 2023

Absorption of the long-wave infrared from human beings and the surroundings is a key step to infrared imaging and sensing. Here we demonstrate a flexible and transparent broadband infrared absorber using the photoresist-assisted metamaterials fabricated by one-step laser direct writing. The photoresist is patterned by the laser as an insulator layer as well as a mask to build the complementary bilayer metamaterials without lithography. The average absorptivity is 94.5% from 8 to 14 μm in experiment due to the broadband destructive interference of the reflected beam explained by the Fabry–Perot cavity model. The proposed absorber is applicable to various substrates with additional merits of polarization insensitivity and large angle tolerance, which offers a promising solution for thermal detection and management.
Tailoring light intensity along caustic trajectories
Authors: Amaya Dafne , Baum Lorena , Martínez-Matos Óscar , Vaveliuk Pablo
Published: November 2023

A current challenge in a caustic beam design is to tailor the intensity distribution along the curved trajectory. To address this matter, we present a robust theoretical framework that relates the propagated complex wave field amplitude with the input spectral signal encoded onto a spatial light modulator which is suitable for fold-type monotonic trajectories as well as for cusp-type nonmonotonic trajectories. Specifically, we derive a general closed-form expression that relates the field amplitude along the beam trajectory with the spectral amplitude and the third derivative of the spectral phase for both monotonic and nonmonotonic curved trajectories. This proposal is suitable for direct experimental implementation in a Fourier transform scheme around the focal region, allowing straightforward beam intensity design by selecting the proper spectral amplitude and phase while preserving the beam trajectory. Experimental results from the famous cubic spectral phase support the theoretical predictions. This research lays the foundation for engineering the intensity of curved beams, which can be useful in applications where a specific modulation of the intensity is required over specific regions of the trajectory such as in optical trapping and laser micromachining.
Effect of scattering loss on optimization of waveguide enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Zhen , Ettabib Mohamed , Wilkinson James , Zervas Michalis
Published: November 2023

Waveguide enhanced Raman spectroscopy (WERS) is a promising sensing technology requiring accurate waveguide optimization to increase the pump/signal surface intensity. Traditionally, WERS has been focused on single-mode operation, which results in stringent waveguide parameter control and increased propagation losses. In this work, we have studied theoretically and experimentally the impact of planar waveguide thickness on surface scattering losses and the waveguide propagation losses. In our study, we consider radiation from a Raman-emitting dipole on a waveguide can be captured back into the waveguide in polarization and spatial modes different from the pump mode, provided the waveguide can support them. In the case of randomly-distributed dipoles, we consider the Raman gain coefficients corresponding to all possible combinations of pump and signal polarization and spatial modes. We have introduced a new generalized FOM to optimize planar waveguide-based WERS sensors under multimode excitation/collection operation and waveguide-thickness- and mode-dependent propagation losses. The FOM is shown to increase with the mode order as a result of the combination of substantial reduction in propagation loss, increased number of collecting modes, longer optimum sensing lengths, and this occurs despite the concomitant surface intensity reduction. This implies that in the case of randomly distributed dipoles, the single-mode pump excitation is not strictly required, and multimode pump excitation will give superior conversion efficiencies.
Particle swarm optimization of multilayer multi-sized metamaterial absorber for long-wave infrared polarimetric imaging
Authors: Yi Fei , Li Junyu , Li JinZhao
Published: November 2023

Infrared polarization imaging holds significant promise for enhancing target recognition in both civil and defense applications. The Division of Focal Plane (DoFP) scheme has emerged as a leading technology in the field of infrared polarization imaging due to its compact design and absence of moving parts. However, traditional DoFP solutions primarily rely on micropolarizer arrays, necessitating precise alignment with the focal plane array and leading to challenges in alignment and the introduction of optical crosstalk. Recent research has sought to augment the performance of infrared detectors and enable polarization and spectral selection by integrating metamaterial absorbers with the pixels of the detector. Nevertheless, the results reported so far exhibit shortcomings, including low polarization absorption rates and inadequate polarization extinction ratios. Furthermore, there is a need for a comprehensive figure of merit to assess the performance of polarization-selective thermal detectors systematically. In this study, we employ the particle swarm optimization algorithm to present a multilayer, multi-sized metamaterial absorber capable of achieving a remarkable polarization-selective absorption rate of up to 87.2% across the 8-14 μm spectral range. Moreover, we attain a polarization extinction ratio of 38.51. To elucidate and predict the resonant wavelengths of the structure, we propose a modified equivalent circuit model. Our analysis employs optical impedance matching to unveil the underlying mechanisms responsible for the high absorption. We also introduce a comprehensive figure of merit to assess the efficacy of infrared polarization detection through the integration of metamaterials with microbolometers. Finally, drawing on the proposed figure of merit, we suggest future directions for improving integrated metamaterial absorber designs, with the potential to advance practical mid-infrared polarization imaging technologies.
Simulation of quantum optics by coherent state decomposition
Authors: Marshall Jeffrey , Anand Namit
Published: November 2023

We introduce a framework for simulating quantum optics by decomposing
the system into a finite rank (number of terms) superposition of
coherent states. This allows us to define a resource theory, where
linear optical operations are “free” (i.e., do not increase the rank),
and the simulation complexity for an m-mode system scales quadratically in m, in stark contrast to the Hilbert space dimension. We
outline this approach explicitly in the Fock basis, relevant in
particular for Boson sampling, where the simulation time (space)
complexity for computing output amplitudes, to arbitrary accuracy,
scales as O(m2 2
n
)
[O(m2
n
)] for n photons distributed among m modes. We additionally demonstrate that linear optical
simulations with the n photons initially
in the same mode scales efficiently, as O(m2 n). This paradigm provides a practical notion of
“non-classicality,” i.e., the classical resources required for
simulation. Moreover, by making connections to the stellar rank
formalism, we show this comes from two independent contributions, the
number of single-photon additions and the amount of squeezing.
The SKMT Algorithm: A method for assessing and comparing underlying protein entanglement
Authors: Bale Arron , Rambo Robert , Prior Christopher
Published: November 2023

We present fast and simple-to-implement measures of the entanglement of protein tertiary structures which are appropriate for highly flexible structure comparison. These are performed using the SKMT algorithm, a novel method of smoothing the Cα backbone to achieve a minimal complexity curve representation of the manner in which the protein’s secondary structure elements fold to form its tertiary structure. Its subsequent complexity is characterised using measures based on the writhe and crossing number quantities heavily utilised in DNA topology studies, and which have shown promising results when applied to proteins recently. The SKMT smoothing is used to derive empirical bounds on a protein’s entanglement relative to its number of secondary structure elements. We show that large scale helical geometries dominantly account for the maximum growth in entanglement of protein monomers, and further that this large scale helical geometry is present in a large array of proteins, consistent across a number of different protein structure types and sequences. We also show how these bounds can be used to constrain the search space of protein structure prediction from small angle x-ray scattering experiments, a method highly suited to determining the likely structure of proteins in solution where crystal structure or machine learning based predictions often fail to match experimental data. Finally we develop a structural comparison metric based on the SKMT smoothing which is used in one specific case to demonstrate significant structural similarity between Rossmann fold and TIM Barrel proteins, a link which is potentially significant as attempts to engineer the latter have in the past produced the former. We provide the SWRITHE interactive python notebook to calculate these metrics.
Assessing the importance of demographic risk factors across two waves of SARS-CoV-2 using fine-scale case data
Authors: Wood Anthony J. , Sanchez Aeron R. , Bessell Paul R. , Wightman Rebecca , Kao Rowland R.
Published: November 2023

For the long term control of an infectious disease such as COVID-19, it is crucial to identify the most likely individuals to become infected and the role that differences in demographic characteristics play in the observed patterns of infection. As high-volume surveillance winds down, testing data from earlier periods are invaluable for studying risk factors for infection in detail. Observed changes in time during these periods may then inform how stable the pattern will be in the long term. To this end we analyse the distribution of cases of COVID-19 across Scotland in 2021, where the location (census areas of order 500–1,000 residents) and reporting date of cases are known. We consider over 450,000 individually recorded cases, in two infection waves triggered by different lineages: B.1.1.529 (“Omicron”) and B.1.617.2 (“Delta”). We use random forests, informed by measures of geography, demography, testing and vaccination. We show that the distributions are only adequately explained when considering multiple explanatory variables, implying that case heterogeneity arose from a combination of individual behaviour, immunity, and testing frequency. Despite differences in virus lineage, time of year, and interventions in place, we find the risk factors remained broadly consistent between the two waves. Many of the observed smaller differences could be reasonably explained by changes in control measures.
GENERALIST: A latent space based generative model for protein sequence families
Authors: Akl Hoda , Emison Brooke , Zhao Xiaochuan , Mondal Arup , Perez Alberto , Dixit Purushottam D.
Published: November 2023

Generative models of protein sequence families are an important tool in the repertoire of protein scientists and engineers alike. However, state-of-the-art generative approaches face inference, accuracy, and overfitting- related obstacles when modeling moderately sized to large proteins and/or protein families with low sequence coverage. Here, we present a simple to learn, tunable, and accurate generative model, GENERALIST: GENERAtive nonLInear tenSor-factorizaTion for protein sequences. GENERALIST accurately captures several high order summary statistics of amino acid covariation. GENERALIST also predicts conservative local optimal sequences which are likely to fold in stable 3D structure. Importantly, unlike current methods, the density of sequences in GENERALIST-modeled sequence ensembles closely resembles the corresponding natural ensembles. Finally, GENERALIST embeds protein sequences in an informative latent space. GENERALIST will be an important tool to study protein sequence variability.
TGFß/activin-dependent activation of Torso controls the timing of the metamorphic transition in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum
Authors: Chafino Sílvia , Salvia Roser , Cruz Josefa , Martín David , Franch-Marro Xavier
Published: November 2023

Understanding the mechanisms governing body size attainment during animal development is of paramount importance in biology. In insects, a crucial phase in determining body size occurs at the larva-pupa transition, marking the end of the larval growth period. Central to this process is the attainment of the threshold size (TS), a critical developmental checkpoint that must be reached before the larva can undergo metamorphosis. However, the intricate molecular mechanisms by which the TS orchestrates this transition remain poor understood. In this study, we investigate the role of the interaction between the Torso and TGFß/activin signaling pathways in regulating metamorphic timing in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Our results show that Torso signaling is required specifically during the last larval instar and that its activation is mediated not only by the prothoracicotropic hormone (Tc-Ptth) but also by Trunk (Tc-Trk), another ligand of the Tc-Torso receptor. Interestingly, we show that while Tc-Torso activation by Tc-Ptth determines the onset of metamorphosis, Tc-Trk promotes growth during the last larval stage. In addition, we found that the expression of Tc-torso correlates with the attainment of the TS and the decay of juvenile hormone (JH) levels, at the onset of the last larval instar. Notably, our data reveal that activation of TGFß/activin signaling pathway at the TS is responsible for repressing the JH synthesis and inducing Tc-torso expression, initiating metamorphosis. Altogether, these findings shed light on the pivotal involvement of the Ptth/Trunk/Torso and TGFß/activin signaling pathways as critical regulatory components orchestrating the TS-driven metamorphic initiation, offering valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying body size determination in insects.