bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spectrum of different categories of Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders diagnosed at Children Hospital
Authors: Iftikhar Aisha , Nazar Mobeen , Chaudry Adeela , Qaisar Ahmad
Published: January 2025

Objective: To determine the frequency and spectrum of different categories of Primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDD).
Methodology: This was a prospective, observational analytical study, conducted in the Pediatric Medicine Department, University of Child Health Sciences (UCHS) from January 2021 to January 2023.We recruited 81 patients, initially suspected based on Jeffrey Modell Foundation(JMF) warning signs, followed by detailed evaluation. Descriptive statistics were applied.
Results: Male patients exceeded female (47: 31). Median age of presentation was 17 months. Median diagnostic delay was 10.5 months. Need of I/V antibiotics was the most frequent JMF warning sign (88.5%). Consanguinity, previous hospital admissions, family history and sibling death were present in 80%, 78%, 54%, 37% of cases respectively. The most conspicuous clinical feature was persistent or recurrent thrush (51%). Patients were categorized into six main groups: B-Cell defect (29.5%), SCID (24.4%), CID (14.1%), T-Cell defect (12.8 %), Phagocytic defect (11.5%) and NK deficiency (7.7%). Main bulk of patients 37 (47.4 %) were in age-group up to one year. Most common site of infection was recurrent pneumonia (76%) and the least was septic arthritis (5.1%).
Conclusion: PIDD should no longer be considered a rarity. B-Cell defect is the most common while earliest to diagnose are SCID and LAD. International health authorities should advocate EQUITABLE utilization of genetic testing across the globe.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.2.9511
How to cite this: Iftikhar A, Nazar M, Chaudry A, Qaisar A. Spectrum of different categories of Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders diagnosed at Children Hospital. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(2):569-574. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.2.9511
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
PARP inhibitors in the treatment of Pancreatic Cancer - A Review of literature
Authors: Niewiadomska Jagoda , Grela Wiktor , Furtak Daria , Tulej Dawid , Głogowska Paulina , Dziedzic Alicja , Gniaź Natalia , Marciniuk Dominika , Marko Natalia , Górska Aleksandra
Published: January 2025

Introduction
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers. It occurs in men  more often than women. The primary therapy for these cancers is surgery; chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or immunotherapy are also used.  More and better treatments are being sought for this disease. The use of PARP inhibitors in the treatment of pancreatic cancer has shown good results, so in this article we have done a review of the results of various studies on this topic. In this review, the results of studies on the use of various PARP inhibitors in pancreatic cancer of different hormonal status are presented.
Purpose
This article aims to give you an overview of the trials that have looked at the effects of different PARP inhibitors in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. PARP inhibitors are a relatively new cancer therapy with good results, so it is important to pay attention. 
 
State of Knowledge
In this article, I used the PubMed database and considered papers from the last 10 years, but most of the information in this review comes from papers published after 2020. I have also taken into account the recommendations of the FDA and the European Medicines Agency on the use of PARP inhibitors.
Conclusions
PARP inhibitors have shown significant effects on pancreatic cancer outcomes. The differences in outcomes depending on the type of cancer, the PARP inhibitor used, and the previous therapies used in a given patient tell us how important it is to individualize therapy in oncology. The findings of the studies presented in this review also point to the need for further research that could focus on identifying patients who may best benefit from treatment with PARP inhibitors, as well as studying synergistic effects in combination with other forms of therapy, such as immunotherapy or chemotherapy. The changes in treatment outcomes that these drugs can bring underscore the importance of exploring new therapeutic strategies in oncology.
Visual Imagery in Modern Mind-Body Practices: Biophotonic Information Transfer through Water-Mediated Neural Resonance
Authors: Babelyuk Valeriy , Popovych Igor , Smoleńska Olga , Michalska Anna , Muszkieta Radosław , Hagner-Derengowska Magdalena , Dobrovolsky Yuriy , Dubkova Galyna , Korolyshyn Tetyana , Zukow Walery
Published: January 2025

Background. Recent research has demonstrated intriguing relationships between martial arts practice, particularly Kyokushin Karate Katas (KKK), biophotonic emissions, and changes in water properties. This emerging field connects traditional mind-body practices with modern biophysical measurements.
Purpose. To analyze and synthesize current evidence regarding the mechanisms of information transfer between practitioners of Kyokushin Karate and water, focusing on biophotonic emissions, neurophysiological changes, and subsequent effects on recipients of treated water.
Methods. We reviewed primary research focusing on: (1) biophotonic emissions during martial arts practice, (2) water structure modifications through mental practices, and (3) neurophysiological effects of treated water. Key papers from 2010-2024 were analyzed, with particular attention to the pioneering work of Babelyuk et al. (2024, 2025) and related studies in biophoton research.
Results. Evidence suggests that KKK practice induces measurable changes in practitioners' biophotonic emissions, particularly from brain regions and fingertips. These changes correlate with specific EEG patterns and entropy measures. Water exposed to practitioners during KKK shows altered properties, including modified light emission characteristics and structural changes. Recipients consuming treated water demonstrate neurophysiological changes, even under double-blind conditions.
Conclusions. The reviewed research suggests a potentially viable mechanism for information transfer from practitioner to water through biophotonic emissions, with subsequent biological effects on recipients. These findings bridge traditional Eastern practices with Western biophysical measurements, opening new avenues for understanding mind-body interactions.
Lost Time in Crowdsourcing Contests
Authors: Lee Ho Cheung Brian , Mishra Anant
Published: January 2025

Crowdsourcing contests are a popular way to seek innovative business solutions, but the availability of multiple contests can cause “lost time,” the delay between a contest’s start and a solver’s first visit. This study examines how lost time affects solvers’ submission behavior and its impact on matching inefficacy, measured by solver disqualification, which occurs when a solver fails to meet the seeker’s baseline submission criteria. Using mediation analysis, we show that lost time can increase matching inefficacy because solvers spend less time on their initial submissions and submit fewer solutions. Interestingly, we identify latecomer disadvantage as an important mechanism driving solvers’ behavioral responses to lost time, suggesting that simply increasing contest duration does not eliminate the issue. Instead, modifying submission behaviors through incentive structures—such as early bird bonuses—and continuous feedback may help alleviate the negative effects of lost time. Additionally, offering grace periods to late entrants can counterbalance the disadvantage of joining later. These strategies, informed by our findings, can enhance solver engagement and improve the effectiveness of crowdsourcing platforms in achieving desirable outcomes.
Machine Data: Market and Analytics
Authors: Calzolari Giacomo , Cheysson Anatole , Rovatti Riccardo
Published: January 2025

Machine data (MD), that is, data generated by machines, are increasingly gaining importance, potentially surpassing the value of the extensively discussed personal data. We present a theoretical analysis of the MD market, addressing challenges such as data fragmentation, ambiguous property rights, and the public-good nature of MD. We consider machine users producing data and data aggregators providing MD analytics services (e.g., with digital twins for real-time simulation and optimization). By analyzing machine learning algorithms, we identify critical properties for the value of MD analytics, Scale, Scope, and Synergy. We leverage these properties to explore market scenarios, including anonymous and secret contracting, competition among MD producers, and multiple competing aggregators. We identify significant inefficiencies and market failures, highlighting the need for nuanced policy interventions.

This paper was accepted by Joshua Gans, business strategy.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.00674 .
Choice Overload and the Long Tail: Consideration Sets and Purchases in Online Platforms
Authors: Aparicio Diego , Prelec Drazen , Zhu Weiming
Published: January 2025

Problem definition: This paper examines frictions in the shopping funnel using empirical clickstream data from an online travel platform. We analyze (a) customers’ heterogeneous search and purchase behaviors and (b) their reactions to changes in assortment size. We then develop a consider-then-choose model to generalize our findings. Methodology/results: We characterize the online customer journey as a two-stage consider-then-choose framework. In the consider stage, we analyze the consideration set formation and show that heterogeneity—familiarity with the assortment—amplifies the number of options; in the purchase stage, it drives preferences for niche versus popular choices. A real-world high-stakes field experiment reveals that shrinking the menu produces mixed results: highlighting the market for the long-tail for some customers and reflecting choice overload for others. Finally, we build a psychologically rich consider-then-choose model with (a) heterogeneous preferences for product features and (b) heterogeneous search costs moderated by search fatigue, theoretically characterizing the impact on consideration sets and conversion rates. Managerial implications: Identifying frictions in the shopping funnel is critical for online platforms, especially when pain points hurt click-through or conversion rates. Which options matter to which users? What is the right assortment size? Although online platforms can offer virtually unlimited assortments, managers may assume frictionless environments—which is not always the case. Our findings offer insights into improving the customer journey by considering heterogeneous preferences and boundedly rational heuristics.

Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2021.0318 .
Community-Engaged School District Design: A Stream-Based Approach
Authors: Ozel Aysu , Smilowitz Karen , Goldstein Lila K. S.
Published: January 2025

School district design decisions are a crucial part of public education systems, and operations research has played an important role in informing such decisions since the landmark United States Supreme Court decision on school desegregation in 1954. Design processes today place significant importance on comprehensive community engagement to create equitable and effective enrollment policies reflective of community needs and values. In “Community-Engaged School District Design: A Stream-Based Approach,” Ozel, Smilowitz, and Goldstein revisit the school district design problem with a focus on codesigning with community partners. The authors introduce a new compact formulation that makes multiple interrelated assignment decisions simultaneously with composite decision variables, called “streams.” This formulation is computationally efficient and easily reconfigurable for evolving problem specifications that are endemic to community codesign. These features were essential in the district redesign process in an Illinois public school district, described in the paper, allowing the community to iteratively develop proposals to address inequities in access to education and improve the student assignment process.
Super-Resolution Reconstruction of UAV Images for Maize Tassel Detection
Authors: Yu Lei , Zhu Deli , Xu Zhao , Fu Haibin
Published: January 2025

Highlights

High resolution images are found to play an important role in observing maize growth and detecting maize tassels.

Our super-resolution model (IESRGAN) produces higher-quality images compared to other SR models.

IESRGAN largely improves the detection accuracy of maize tassels, increasing by 8.77%~25.71% in different tests.

Abstract. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology provides essential technical support for maize (Zea mays) cultivation in smart agriculture. To address the challenge of low resolution in UAV maize images due to factors such as flight altitude and instrument parameters, which impact the accurate monitoring and assessment of maize crop growth and further tassel detection tasks, this study proposes an improved enhanced super-resolution generative adversarial network for super-resolution reconstruction of UAV maize images. Firstly, Iterative Attention Feature Fusion is introduced in the generation network, effectively integrating the features of maize and restoring high-frequency details in maize images. Subsequently, the Iterative Attention Feature Fusion is optimized by removing batch normalization and replacing the ReLU activation function with the PReLU activation function, thereby enhancing the model's representation capability. Furthermore, to address the complex features and structures of tassels in maize images, the VGG discriminator network is replaced with a Unet network, thereby improving the model's ability to handle image details and textures. Finally, the model was validated and analyzed on different maize image datasets. Experimental results show that compared with other mainstream super-resolution models, the reconstructed images of our model proposed exhibit higher quality and clarity; for maize tassel detection, the average accuracy of tassel detection in the images reconstructed by our model compared with the low-resolution images was increased by 8.77%~25.71%. This provides a more accurate and clear UAV monitoring method for maize agricultural production and provides more reliable image data support for related decisions and applications. Keywords: Generative adversarial network, Maize image, Super-resolution, Tassel detection, UAV.
Synthesis and Characterization of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles from Coal Fly Ash Waste and their Application for the Removal of Methyl Red Dye from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Virendra Kumar Yadav  , Nisha Choudhary  , Pankaj Kumar  , M. H. Fulekar
Published: January 2025

Coal fly ash is a major global challenge for human health and the environment. Tremendous efforts have been made to develop value-added materials from coal fly ash (CFA). One such attempt was made in this work to recover crude iron fraction from the CFA by the wet magnetic separation method; the extracted crude iron and concentrated HCl were subjected to sonication and heating to obtain iron leachate. In the first step, iron extracted from CFA was mixed with concentrated HCl, sonicated for 2 hours, and heated at 60 ℃. Then, the acidic iron-rich leachate was utilized as a precursor material for forming iron oxides by using NaOH precipitation methods. Then the iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were analyzed using XRD, FT-IR, and FE-SEM techniques. The spherical to cuboidal shape of IONPs of size 80-500 nm was revealed by FE-SEM. The IR showed typical bands at 444, 601, 1101, 1406, 1742, 2007, and 3127 cm-1, while XRD revealed peaks at 31.020° and 44.830° and a small intensity peak at 34.710°, indicating the formation of IONPs. Further, the synthesized IONPs were evaluated for the remediation of methyl red (MR) dye from the simulated wastewater. The adsorption efficiency of MR dye was about 64.75%. Such techniques for utilizing industrial waste for synthesizing value-added materials like IONPs and their application for removing dyes from wastewater make the entire process economical.
Experimental Investigation of Mechanical, Viscoelastic, and Dielectric behavior in Blended Hybrid Epoxy Composites Made with Coffee Bean Filler
Authors: D. Rama Devi  , B. Saritha
Published: January 2025

The study aims to understand the interplay between fillers and epoxy matrix in hybrid composite materials. The impact of coffee bean powder on the dielectric, tensile, flexural, impact, and dynamic properties of epoxy resin containing Vachellia nilotica (VN) is investigated in this work. The hand layup method was used to create the composite samples, which included various volume fractions of coffee beans (3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 v/v%) as a particulate filler. The VN content was maintained at a constant concentration of 15 v/v%. Additionally, experiments were conducted to ascertain the mechanical, viscoelastic, and dielectric characteristics of the hybrid composites. The findings clearly show that among the varying volume fractions, the one containing 9 v/v% coffee bean has substantially superior mechanical and dielectric properties. Additionally, it was observed that the epoxy composite with a filler percentage of 9 v/v% had better glass transition temperature and storage modulus. The TGA test revealed that the addition of coffee beans to the VN hybrid increased the composite’s thermal strength. Further, the dielectric test findings demonstrated that the coffee bean filler increased the resin’s dielectric strength. The tensile fracture of the composite was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy through assessing structural morphology.
Tunable Optical and Sensing Properties of CdO and CdO-In2O3 thin Films for NH3 Detection
Authors: M. N. Jasim  , A. K. Sameer
Published: January 2025

The composition, surface properties, optical characteristics, and sensing capabilities of the films were analyzed using XRD, AFM, and UV-Vis spectroscopy techniques. An average crystallite size of 76-93 nanometers was confirmed by x-ray diffraction studies of CdO and In2O3 composite nano films phases. The addition of In2O3 increased the energy band gap from 3.2 to 3.6 eV according to UV-Vis absorption spectrum, which is expected due to changes in crystallite size. AFM analysis of the thin films indicated homogeneous surfaces, and average particle size in the nanoscale range of 51.5 nm, depending on the mixing ratio. At an NH3 gas concentration of 46 ppm, the composite films of CdO and In2O3 showed the highest sensitivity to NH3 gas (91.4%) at room temperature.
High-Efficiency Microfluidic Channels for Enhanced Nanoparticle Behavior in Sustainable Fluids
Authors: G. Vijayakumari  , R. Mariyappan  , S. D. Vijayakumar  , R. Praveenkumar
Published: January 2025

In this study, it focuses specifically on the microfluidic channel. And the way of approaching the pattern through literature. The pattern provides the mixing in an enhanced manner. To meet the requirement of efficient mixing part of simulation that it influenced through iteration. The provision of 3D design that entails the simulation of such patterned mesh. To get the integrated pattern towards the single mold that facilitates the channel for fluid flow that tenses toward mixing. It can be studied through simulation and iteration. The study includes iterative literature and simulation to make it fine tune channel design and target better mixing conditions. Specifically on nanoparticles such as neem to impact it. Through the 3D design and simulation, a structure of mesh pattern was developed, which acts as origin for mold that promotes or facilitates the effective flow of fluid. That induces turbulence and improves mixing within the microchannel; it enables particle distribution. The iteration process plays a crucial role in improving the entire efficiency, with every iteration bringing channel closer to desired performance. These findings are the instrument for experiments studies on channel design. This work delves into the optimization of microfluidic channels for nanoparticle synthesis, focusing on advanced design patterns to improve mixing efficiency. Using Neem extract and silver nitrate at varying concentrations, the study explores how the microfluidic device facilitates effective nanoparticle synthesis. The iterative design and simulation processes play a crucial role in achieving the desired mixing conditions. The findings offer valuable insights for future experimental studies and applications in nanoparticle synthesis. The focus lies in optimizing the microfluidic channels to mix better, especially for nanoparticle synthesis using Neem extract and silver nitrate. Focus on iterative design, simulation, and 3D modeling to improve microfluidic performance. Develop sophisticated mesh patterns in the microfluidic channels to cause turbulence and enhance fluid mixing. Use of 3D design and simulation to optimize the design of channel structure to produce the best flow of fluid and homogeneous particle distribution. The objective is to fill the gap that exists between computational design and the actual applications to improve the efficiency of microfluidic systems in real nanoparticle synthesis.
Investigation of Screen Mesh Wick Heat Conduit using Aluminum Oxide Nanofluid with Deionized Water as the Base Working Fluid
Authors: C. Senthilkumar  , J. Yogaraja  , T. Srinivasa Rao  , L. Karthick
Published: January 2025

This investigation was focused on analyzing heat conduits' heat energy transport characteristics using deionized water and aluminum oxide nanofluid as the working media. By varying the angle of inclination of the heat conduit from 0 to 90° and adjusting the heat load from 40 to 200W, comparisons were made between deionized water (base fluid) and water-soluble Al2O3 nanofluid. Performance evaluation parameters included thermal efficiency, heat resistance, and heat transfer coefficient. Compared to the base fluid, the use of the nanofluid improved the thermal performance of the screen mesh wick heat conduit, as evidenced by the experimental findings. The heat transfer coefficient increased from 5.68 to 21.7% due to the enhanced heat load and changed orientation due to gravitational effects. Furthermore, the overall thermal resistance decreased from 6.85 to 17.7% with the rise in heat load and orientation. Incorporating nanoparticles and altering the orientation not only expanded the operational range but also enhanced the overall thermal efficiency of the heat conduit when compared to the base fluid.
Effects on Activation Energy and Emissions of Diesel Fuel by the Addition of Biodiesel, Di-tert-butyl Peroxide as an Additive and Hydrogen as Gaseous Fuel in a Diesel Engine
Authors: Sunil Mahto  , Ashish Kumar Saha
Published: January 2025

Biofuels along with fossil fuels are vital energy resources, and their production and use have grown significantly worldwide. This study focuses on the effect of activating energy on diesel fuel emissions by adding biodiesel (Karanja oil), Di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) as an additive, and hydrogen as a gaseous fuel in a diesel engine. Activation energy is determined using the mathematical relation of cetane number and experimental data from various fuel property measurements. With the addition of 1% DTBP as a catalyst or additive in pure diesel, a diminishment in the energy activation was observed to be 0.90% with a decrease in the nitrogen oxide (NOx), unburnt hydrocarbon (HC), carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions, decreasing the vibration in the diesel engine.
pH-Tuned Synthesis of Samarium-Doped MoO₃/SiO₂ Nanocomposite for Enhanced Electrochemical Performance
Authors: L. Jayanthi  , P. Janardhanan  , J. Manikandan  , C. Sivaraj  , M. Elango
Published: January 2025

Molybdenum trioxide has emerged as a promising material for various applications due to its semiconducting nature, layered structure, and high redox activity. In this study, we report the preparation, characterization, and electrochemical performance of samarium-doped MoO3/SiO2 synthesized via a wet-chemical approach at different pH levels. A comprehensive investigation was carried out to understand the structural, morphological, optical, and electrochemical properties using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results reveal the impact of pH and samarium doping on the crystallinity, particle morphology, optical bandgap, and charge storage properties of MoO3. This study highlights the potential of tailored MoO3-based materials for applications in catalysis, energy storage, and environmental remediation.
Front Nanogratings Decorated Ultrathin Film Amorphous Si Solar Cell Performances
Authors: R. S. Dubey  , Ch. Rajyalakshmi  , J. Mounika Naga Ramya  , S. Saravanan  , K. Padma Pavani  , G. V. S. S. Sarma
Published: January 2025

Solar cells provide a renewable, clean energy source, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing environmental impact. They offer economic savings, energy independence, and flexibility for various applications. In this work, the nanophotonic and nanoplasmonic grating structures are integrated in the front side of the active (amorphous Si) layer. The transverse electric and transverse magnetic field distributions were demonstrated by varying the incident wavelengths at a normal incidence angle. Furthermore, improved current densities of distinct ultrathin amorphous Si (a-Si) solar cells decorated with nanogratings (SiO2, Ag, and Si3N4) were explored. The obtained results indicated that the optimized SiO2 nanogratings and Si3N4 film acted as anti-reflection coating (ARC) layers with air medium (AM 1.5) and showed a remarkable current density of 16.25 mA/cm2 in ultrathin a-Si solar cells with a thickness of 180 nm.
Diffraction optical elements with super-long-period grating film for laser beam forming
Authors: Kim Younghun , Lee Yongjae , Kim Eun-Kyu , Yang Jin-Kyu
Published: January 2025

Periodic structures called gratings cause the diffraction of light. In optics, this property is mainly used in spectroscopy, for example, to measure the emission and absorption of light. In this study, we propose a super-long-period (SLP) transmission grating that can change the beam shape without altering its spectral properties, and we analyze its characteristics. From the numerical simulations, as the grating period increases, the number of diffraction orders increases, and the diffraction efficiency takes on a pseudo-Gaussian shape. Therefore, the diffraction angle varies continuously, and the diffraction efficiency gradually changes near the zeroth order. These diffraction properties of the SLP grating allow for the transformation of a point laser beam into a line-shaped beam without spectral change. We fabricated a SLP grating film with a 100-µm-period rounded triangular shape and demonstrated its capability to transform a point source into a super-wide, ultra-fine, and uniform line beam at a desired distance. This beam shaping was achieved using a combination of the SLP grating film, a focusable lens, and a cylindrical lens. In addition, we successfully constructed a uniform two-dimensional array pattern beam using two orthogonal SLP gratings, as well as wide uniform illumination using a thin LiDAR light source with a VCSEL array. We expect that the SLP grating film will be suitable for various applications, such as LiDAR, security screening, and three-dimensional depth scanning systems.
Absolute interferometric shift-flip method for measuring X-ray mirrors
Authors: Wang Jiezhuo , Zhou Guang , Lei Weizheng , Dong Xiaohao , Wang Jie
Published: January 2025

The absolute interferometric shift-flip method is proposed to perform absolute measurements for measuring X-ray mirrors. The shift-flip method includes the primary position, two shifts, and one flip, determining four interferometric relative measurements. According to four measurements, the surface shape matrix corresponding to the point-by-point is obtained. The optimized least squares method is further used to reconstruct the absolute surface shapes of the interferometer reference (REF) mirror and the measured X-ray mirror surface under test (SUT). With well-organized measurement procedures, the positional alignment ensures that the measurement area after the flipped X-ray mirror is the same as the initial benchmark position. We implemented absolute testing experiments using a Fizeau interferometer and an X-ray mirror and then verified the validity of the proposed method using a self-check method. The experimental results show that the proposed method effectively obtains the absolute surface shape of the X-ray mirror.
Multi-milliwatt average power two-color air-plasma terahertz source at 100 kHz repetition rate
Authors: Löscher Robin , Schroeder Malte C. , Vogel Tim , Omar Alan , Hasso Adam , Hoberg Claudius , Havenith Martina , Saraceno Clara J.
Published: January 2025

Ultrafast THz transients with large spectral bandwidths are commonly generated in the two-color air-plasma scheme, typically driven by high-pulse-energy laser sources, operating at low repetition rates up to a few kHz. The low repetition rate of these sources is a strong limiting factor to reaching high dynamic ranges in measurements involving long integration times or multi-dimensional scans. The advent of high-power Yb-based laser sources in combination with nonlinear temporal compression schemes opens the door to air-plasma THz sources at significantly higher repetition rates up to hundreds of kHz and beyond. In this study, we investigate for the first time repetition rate scaling in the two-color filament plasma scheme at repetition rates ranging from 1 kHz up to 100 kHz. We study the influence of repetition rate on THz yield and observe a correlation between the decrease of the optical-to-THz conversion efficiency and the gas density depletion in the filamentation region that we measure using interferometry. The experimentally observed optical-to-THz conversion efficiencies are in approximate agreement with a simple one-dimensional photocurrent model we developed. These findings set the foundation for future repetition rate scaling experiments towards the MHz region, using the broadband and affordable two-color air-plasma scheme. At 100 kHz, we generate THz radiation with a maximum average power of 2.8 mW and peak electric fields reaching 165 kV/cm. Using electro-optic sampling, we detect frequencies up to 23 THz, showing the broadband nature of the source. This source is a promising alternative both for future linear and nonlinear ultra-broadband spectroscopic investigations at greatly accelerated measurement times.
Analytic theory of X-ray wideband multilayer coated diffraction gratings
Authors: Wen Shengyou , Kozhevnikov Igor V. , Huang Qiushi , Huang Siyi , Zhang Zhe , Hu Haixiang , Zhang Zhong , Wang Zhanshan
Published: January 2025

An analytic theory of X-ray (E∼0.04-4 keV) diffraction from wideband multilayer coated gratings is developed. It is found that the wideband blazed gratings can operate in the single-order regime when only one diffraction wave is effectively excited. The diffraction efficiency achieves the reflectivity of conventional depth-graded multilayer mirrors in a wide spectral range. The physical reasons and the conditions of the single-order regime of wideband multilayer grating operation are discussed. A simple and clear design procedure is developed to suppress undesirable diffraction orders. The way to achieve a high diffraction efficiency plateau of 25% throughout the E = 2-3 keV interval is demonstrated.
Joint probabilistic shaping and pre-equalization for hollow-core fiber transmission using end-to-end learning
Authors: Xu Qi , Gao Ran , Wang Fei , Cheng Zhaohui , Cui Yi , Li Zhipei , Guo Dong , Chang Huan , Zhu Lei , Zhang Qi , Pan Xiaolong , Shen Shikui , Wang Guangquan , Chang Yanbiao , Wu Zheyu , Xin Xiangjun
Published: January 2025

In this Letter, we propose a novel, to the best of our knowledge, end-to-end (E2E) learning scheme leveraging a time-frequency decoupling network (TFDnet) for joint probabilistic shaping (PS) and pre-equalization in hollow-core fiber (HCF)-based wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) systems. The TFDnet emulator effectively models HCF transmission channels by decoupling signal impairments into high-frequency, linear, and nonlinear distortions. Furthermore, a TFDnet emulator-based E2E strategy for joint PS and pre-equalization is presented with the aim of compensating the signal impairment for the HCF-based WDM systems. An experiment is conducted on a 30-channel HCF-based WDM system over a 10 km HCF. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed TFDnet-based joint PS and pre-equalization scheme achieves the same bit-error rate (BER) performance with optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) improvements of 1.0 dB and 1.6 dB compared to conditional generative adversarial network (CGAN)-based and traditional joint PS and pre-equalization scheme, respectively, under a 20% hard-decision forward error correction (HD-FEC) threshold. These results highlight the potential of the proposed scheme for ultrahigh-capacity HCF communication systems.
Effect of temperature on Brillouin scattering in gas-filled hollow-core fibers
Authors: Huang Xiaohui , Qi Yun , Pang Meng , Yang Fan
Published: January 2025

Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in gas-filled hollow-core fibers (HCFs) provides high gain and narrow linewidth, making it a promising platform for advanced photonic applications. While Brillouin gain is known to depend quadratically on pressure and linewidth inversely on pressure, the combined effect of pressure and temperature – through their influence on gas density—has not been fully explored. In this study, we demonstrate that lowering the gas temperature from 373.15 K to 233.15 K at a pressure of 100 bars (using nitrogen) leads to a six-fold increase in Brillouin gain and a twofold reduction in linewidth. We systematically investigate the temperature dependence of key Brillouin parameters, including gain, frequency shift, linewidth, acoustic velocity, and temperature sensitivity, in nitrogen and carbon dioxide gases. The results reveal distinct temperature-dependent behaviors, aligning well with theoretical predictions, and provide new insights, to the best of our knowledge, into optimizing SBS performance in gas-filled hollow-core fibers.
Non-iterative far-field synthetic aperture imaging via space-domain Kramers–Kronig relations
Authors: Li Sheng , Wang Bowen , Guan Haitao , Shen Qian , Chen Qian , Zuo Chao
Published: January 2025

Non-interferometric synthetic aperture imaging (SAI) shows significant potential in Earth observation, astronomy, and remote sensing. However, these methods often involve time-consuming processes for wave field acquisition and iterative image reconstruction. In this Letter, we present a non-iterative far-field synthetic aperture imaging method, macroscopic space-domain Kramers–Kronig relations synthetic aperture imaging (MSKR-SAI). Unlike traditional macroscopic Fourier ptychography (FP), MSKR-SAI bypasses redundant iterations and requirements for highly overlapping images, reducing reconstruction time from 4.97 s to 0.17 s—a 26-fold speedup. By utilizing only six sub-aperture intensity images, MSKR-SAI reconstructs complex amplitude information and synthesizes the aperture in a fully determinist manner. Simulations and experimental results show a twofold resolution improvement with accurate detail recovery and minimal artifacts. Furthermore, MSKR-SAI maintains robustness even when the Kramers–Kronig relations are not strictly met. The combination of non-iterative reconstruction, noise resilience, and computational efficiency positions MSKR-SAI as a promising method for high-resolution, artifact-free far-field imaging.
Performance improvement of an upconversion device through optimized carrier injection balance
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Hu Yuanhong , Chen Lixiang , Jiang Haijun , Wang Zhoudao , Lei Yanlian
Published: January 2025

Enhancing carrier injection balance in near-infrared (NIR) to visible upconversion devices (UCDs) is crucial for improving efficiency and stability. This study presents the incorporation of an insulating polymer (polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)) between an aluminum cathode and an electron transport layer to reduce excess electrons in a light-emitting layer, thus balancing electrode-injected electrons and NIR-generated holes. The optimized device achieved a fivefold increase in maximum luminance and upconversion efficiency compared to the control. Additionally, it demonstrated a fast optical response, a broad optical modulation range, and significant potential for bioimaging applications, achieving a maximum resolution of 1693 dpi. This approach provides an effective solution for enhancing carrier injection balance in UCDs.
Accelerating Brillouin fiber sensing via destructive-interference-enabled precise raw data acquisition and nonredundant image denoising
Authors: Li Zonglei , Zhou Yin , Hu Jianqi , Yao Jianping , Yan Lianshan
Published: January 2025

Distributed Brillouin fiber sensing, based on the linear relationship between Brillouin frequency shift (BFS) and physical quantities applied to sensing fibers, has found numerous applications in the past few decades. Recently, various advanced image denoising methods have been used for performance enhancements in Brillouin fiber sensors. Yet, even though these methods do significantly remove noises contained in raw data, the BFS measurement uncertainty is not reduced–the newly introduced image denoising appears redundant with the conventional signal processing. Here, in order to truly make Brillouin fiber sensing benefit from image denoising, we directly map BFS from the image-denoised data via the slope-assisted analysis of the Brillouin phase-gain ratio. As such, noise reduction resulting from image denoising fully translates into measurement uncertainty reduction. In order to further optimize the performance of image-denoising-enhanced Brillouin fiber sensing, we improve the quality of the raw Brillouin gain and phase data by designing an advanced coherent detection scheme called a microwave-photonic interferometer, which converts some amplitude and phase noises into common-mode noises and further eliminates them through destructive interference. A more than 20-fold sensing speed acceleration compared to the state-of-the-art is experimentally achieved. This remarkable performance enhancement is obtained by only optimizing the signal detection and processing unit, without modifying Brillouin scattering between pump and probe waves. Our method seamlessly connects Brillouin fiber sensing with advanced image denoising methods developed for computer vision and artificial intelligence, and makes image-denoising-enhanced Brillouin fiber sensing outperform the state-of-the art significantly.
A study on the determination of the factors affecting the happiness levels of older individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkish society
Authors: Çomaklı Duvar Nurşen , Kabakuş Ahmet Kamil , İyit Neslihan , Alkan Ömer
Published: January 2025

This study aims to determine the factors affecting the happiness levels of older individuals in Türkiye during the COVID-19 pandemic. The microdata set from the 2020 Life Satisfaction Survey conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute was utilized, involving 1,863 individuals aged 60 and above. The relationship between happiness levels and various factors was investigated using the chi-square independence test, and the factors affecting happiness were further analyzed through generalized ordered logistic regression. According to the generalized ordered logistic regression model, participants in the 60–64 age group are 10.1% less likely to report happiness compared to those aged 65 and older. Men are 4.3% less likely than women to report happiness. Furthermore, individuals with no formal education and those with primary school education have a 14.4% and 9.4% higher likelihood of happiness, respectively, compared to university graduates. The literature on happiness demonstrates the relationship between different factors and happiness. This study determined that such factors as gender, age, educational status, source of happiness, health satisfaction, hope scale, and homeownership have an impact on the happiness levels of older individuals. The amount of societal support provided to older individuals can be an indicator of their level of happiness.
Child diarrhea in Cambodia: A descriptive analysis of temporal and geospatial trends and logistic regression-based examination of factors associated with diarrhea in children under five years
Authors: Um Samnang , Phan Channnarong , Sakha Sok , Dany Leng
Published: January 2025

Diarrhea is a global public health problem that is the third leading cause of death in under five years, with an estimated 1.7 billion cases in 2023 and 1.8 million deaths from diarrhea diseases every year. To better understand child diarrhea in Cambodia, we examined to describe temporal and geospatial trends of diarrhea and used multiple logistic regression to analyze its association with individual and household characteristics and diarrhea among children aged 0–59 months using combined data from the Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey for 2005 to 2022. This study included 29,742 weighted children aged 0–59 months; there were 7,220 in 2005, 7,758 in 2010, 7,010 in 2014, and 7,754 in 2022, respectively. The prevalence of diarrhea among children aged 0–59 months decreased from 19.7% in 2005 to 6.2% in 2022. The highest prevalence of childhood diarrhea was observed in Kampong Cham (30.1%), in Mondul Kiri/Ratanak Kiri (24.6%), Battambang/Pailin (20.9%), and Mondul Kiri/Ratanak Kiri (12.9%) for the years 2005, 2010, 2014 and 2022. After adjusting for other variables, factors independently associated with a protective effect against childhood diarrhea included mothers aged 25–34 years (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.48–0.96), 35–49 years (AOR = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.42–0.87), completed higher education (AOR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.41–0.91), and employed (AOR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.72–0.96). Children were less likely to have diarrhea if they were older than 36 months, belonged to the richest households (AOR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.55–0.86), or lived in coastal region (AOR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.41–0.69). Conversely, children born to mothers who smoke had increased odds of diarrhea (AOR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.25–2.08), had barrier access to healthcare services (AOR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.07–1.35), or children aged 6–23 months. Diarrhea remains highly prevalent among children in Cambodia. Public health interventions and policies to alleviate diarrhea should be prioritized to address these factors across geographical.
Vis-NIRS as an auxiliary tool in the classification of bovine carcasses
Authors: Pereira Gabriela Zardo , Pereira Gabriel de Morais , Gomes Rodrigo da Costa , Feijó Gelson Luís Dias , Surita Lucy Mery Antonia , Pereira Marília Williani Filgueira , Menezes Gilberto Romeiro de Oliveira , Cara Jaqueline Rodrigues Ferreira , Ítavo Luis Carlos Vinhas , Silva Saulo da Luz e , Amin Melissa , Gomes Marina de Nadai Bonin
Published: January 2025

This work aimed to evaluate the use of Visible and Near-infrared Spectroscopy (Vis-NIRS) as a tool in the classification of bovine carcasses. A total of 133 animals (77 females, 29 males surgically castrated and 27 males immunologically castrated) were used. Vis-NIRS spectra were collected in a chilling room 24 h postmortem directly on the hanging carcasses over the longissimus thoracis between the surface of the 5th and 6th ribs. The data were evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA) and the partial least squares regression (PLSR) method. For the prediction of sex, the best model was the Standard Normal Variate (SNV) because it presented a relatively high coefficient of determination for prediction, presenting a percentage of correctness of 75.51% and an error of 24.49%. Regarding age, none of the models were able to differentiate the samples through Vis-NIRS. The findings confirm that Vis-NIRS prediction models are a valuable tool for differentiating carcasses based on sex. To further enhance the precision of these predictions, we recommend using Vis-NIRS equipment with the full infrared wavelength range to collect and predict sex and age in intact beef samples.
Postural instability and gait disturbance are associated with abnormal stereopsis in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Lee Jungyeun , Kang Sung Hoon , Koh Seong-Beom
Published: January 2025

Background

Visual dysfunction, including abnormal stereopsis, is a significant non-motor symptom in Parkinson’s disease (PD) that can reduce quality of life and appears early in the disease. Abnormal stereopsis is associated with worsening of bradykinesia and freezing of gait, though the exact pathways linking stereopsis to motor symptoms remain unclear. Furthermore, in PD patients, the pedunculopontine nucleus and laterodorsal tegmental complex play an active role in sensorimotor control, and these areas provide cholinergic projections. Cholinergic degeneration may be associated with symptoms such as abnormal stereopsis, postural instability, gait disturbances and cognitive impairment. Therefore, in this study, we hypothesized that a high postural instability and gait disturbance score would increase the risk of abnormal stereopsis in PD.

Methods

We designed a cross-sectional study and included 240 early PD patients without ophthalmologic problems other than abnormal stereopsis. To evaluate stereopsis, we used Titmus stereo test plates. Stereopsis testing was performed only once at the time of the patient’s initial PD diagnosis. We collected data from medical history taking, scales, cognitive function tests, gait analysis, and tilt table tests. To analyze the potential risk factors for abnormal stereopsis in PD, we conducted a binary logistic stepwise selection analysis.

Results

Among the total of 240 PD patients, 185 were in the normal stereopsis group and 55 were in the abnormal stereopsis group. In the analysis for risk factors related to abnormal stereopsis, the postural instability and gait difficulties (PIGD) subtype score was significantly associated with abnormal stereopsis. (95% confidence interval: 1.37–5.15).

Conclusions

In PD, particularly in PIGD subtype patients, abnormal stereopsis can lead to a decrease in the quality of sensory information, potentially interfering with feedback and adaptation processes. This, in turn, can negatively affect posture and gait, creating a vicious cycle.