bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generation of vector vortex beam using partially coherent light
Authors: Shikder Allarakha , Nishchal Naveen K.
Published: November 2023

In this study, we present a simple and flexible non-interferometric method to generate vector vortex beam using light emitting diode. The approach is based on dual modulation technique that creates various polarization singularity beams with a spatial light modulator.
Varifocal Near-eye Display with a Wide Field of View and Eyebox using Dihedral Corner Reflector Array
Authors: Han Jiyun , Han Woongseob , Park Jae-Hyeung
Published: November 2023

We propose a varifocal near-eye display using a focus tunable lens and dihedral corner reflector array. Our configuration can present scenes with a wide field of view and an eyebox without vergence-accommodation conflict problem.
Multichromatic Curved Light Sheets for 2D and 3D Imaging and Holography
Authors: Angelis Vinicius S. , de Sarro Jhonas O. , Dorrah Ahmed H. , Bordoloi Priyanuj , Capasso Federico , Zamboni-Rached Michel , Ambrosio Leonardo A.
Published: November 2023

Curved light sheets created from non-diffracting wave fields are explored envisioning the creation of two and three-dimensional images in homogeneous simple media. Applications include two and three-dimensional imaging, continuous-depth holography and volumetric displays, among others.
Multidimensional incoherent digital holography
Authors: Tahara Tatsuki , Kozawa Yuichi , Nakamura Tomoya , Matsuda Atsushi , Oi Ryutaro , Shimobaba Tomoyoshi
Published: November 2023

We present natural-light multidimensional digital holography. We acquire multidimensional information such as three-dimensional image, time, quantitative phase, wavelength, polarization, and variety of light (temporal coherency difference of light) by exploiting digital holography with daily-use light.
Interlaboratory evaluation of in vitro nanotoxicity testing with digital holographic microscopy
Authors: Marzi Anne , Eder Kai Moritz , Barroso Álvaro , Wågbø Ane Marit , Visnes Torkild , Schmid Ruth B. , Klinkenberg Geir , Schnekenburger Jürgen , Kemper Björn
Published: November 2023

In an interlaboratory comparison on A549 lung epithelial cells that were exposed to organic nanoparticles we evaluated the transferability and reproducibility of quantitative phase imaging with digital holographic microscopy for in vitro nanotoxicity testing.
Twin Image Reduction in Two-shot Lensless Digital Holographic Microscopy via Light Source Splitting
Authors: Arcab Piotr , Rogalski Mikołaj , Wdowiak Emilia , Trusiak Maciej
Published: November 2023

To extract the phase form in-line hologram without deteriorating influence of the twin-image, we introduce compact easily-build system using fibersplitter-deployed two point-sources and a novel reconstruction algorithm. We positively validate the proposal on cheek cells.
Lab-scale Asynchronous Radiographic System
Authors: Smilowitz Laura , Remelius Dennis , Brown Cameron , Henson Bryan
Published: November 2023

We provide an overview of the current capabilities of the Lab-scale Asynchronous Radiography System (LARS) developed for the study of dynamic events under extreme conditions such as the energy release of energetic materials undergoing thermal explosion.
Six-Pack Holography: Techniques and Applications
Authors: Shaked Natan T.
Published: November 2023

Six-pack off-axis holography allows simultaneous acquisition of six complex wavefronts, without losing in the camera spatial bandwidth consumption. I will review our latest advances in this field, including the possible optical setups and main applications.
Accurate and Fast Phase Compensation of Dynamic Samples in Digital Holographic Microscopy
Authors: Obando-Vásquez Sofía , Doblas Ana , Trujillo Carlos
Published: November 2023

We present a fast algorithm for accurate phase compensation of holographic videos of dynamic phenomena recorded in a digital holographic microscope. The proposal is tested with human sperm and red blood cell samples.
Digital holograms reconstruction with controllable magnification using a single lens processor
Authors: Vargas-Castrillon Carlos , Velez-Zea Alejandro , Barrera-Ramirez John Fredy
Published: November 2023

Based on an equivalence between the resulting intensities from free space propagation and a single lens processor (SLP), we propose using a virtual SLP to reconstruct digital Fresnel holograms with an adjustable magnification.
Fresnel diffraction with linear time complexity using Gabor frames
Authors: Blinder David , Birnbaum Tobias , Schelkens Peter
Published: November 2023

We propose a novel Fresnel diffraction algorithm with linear time complexity based on Gabor frames. The method needs no zero padding and can be used for any propagation distance.
Dynamic incoherent hologram acquisition using Michelson interferometry
Authors: Hong Keehoon , Choi Kihong , Park Joongki
Published: November 2023

We propose Michelson interferometry-based single-shot phase-shifting incoherent digital holography. Polarization-modulating optics and polarization sensor are employed to acquire four phase-shifted holograms in a single exposure, enabling dynamic in-coherent hologram acquisition without bias and conjugate noises.
Collective Multipole Resonances in Titanium Metasurfaces
Authors: Toomey James , Boldt Erik , Romero Amanda , Islam Md Sakibul , Babicheva Viktoriia
Published: November 2023

We demonstrate the generalized lattice Kerker effect in a titanium nanocuboid lattice. The periodic arrangement is shown to enhance both the electric dipole and quadrupole resonances through collective coupling.
Metasurface for complex amplitude detection based on a generalized four-step phase-shifting interferometer
Authors: Nobukawa Teruyoshi , Higashida Ryo , Miyamoto Yasuyoshi , Hagiwara Kei
Published: November 2023

This study proposed a metasurface for complex amplitude detection based on a phase-shifting interferometer. Using the proposed metasurface, four holograms with different phase shifts can be generated simultaneously, enabling single-shot detection of quantitative complex amplitude.
Scene depths from a two-polarization metalens
Authors: Brand Matt , Kuang Zeyu
Published: November 2023

We develop a regularized depth-from-polarization formulation that works with as little as two distinctly polarized images, and optimize a polarization-sorting metalens for accurate single-exposure depth estimates in this framework.
Remote Biophotonics High Frequency Acoustic Vibrations Monitoring using Rolling Shutter and Speckle Analysis
Authors: Benyamin Matan , Ozana Nisan , Zalevsky Zeev
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we present a remote optical method for sound detection using rolling shutter (RS) and speckle analysis. Findings show the ability to remotely monitor the high frequency using low framerate camera.
Uniform Speckle-Free Illumination Device for Laser Sources
Authors: Aslan Mete , Unlu M. Selim
Published: November 2023

We present a uniform laser illumination device called, laser-EUCLID. Laser-EUCLID can accept many coherent sources at different wavelengths and combines them with exquisite uniformity. The output can also be adjusted as full speckle and speckle-free.
Label-free three-dimensional human vascular imaging enabled by photoacoustic tomography and deep learning
Authors: Xia Jun
Published: November 2023

We utilized three-dimensional deep learning techniques to improve photoacoustic vascular imaging performance. The improved result demonstrated better performance in palm biometrics, breast imaging, and foot ulcer imaging.
Skew-Lens Window to Special Relativity
Authors: Soboňa Matúš , Bělín Jakub
Published: November 2023

We present an arrangement of three skew lenses that perform the Lorentz transformation of an object space. This device could be used for the visualisation of the effects, predicted by Special Relativity.
High-resolution multi-z confocal microscopy
Authors: Zhao Bingying , Koyama Minoru , Mertz Jerome
Published: November 2023

Multi-z confocal microscopy provides simultaneously optically-sectioned multi-plane imaging but has limited resolution. Here, we describe a novel multi-z microscope by introducing a diffractive optical element that recovers the full resolution of a conventional confocal microscope.
Evaluation of Human Kidney for Transplantation Using Polarization-Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Yan Feng , Wang Chen , Mutembei Bornface M. , Alhajeri Zaid A. , Zhang Qinghao , Mercyshalinie Ebenezer Raj Selvaraj , Yu Zhongxin , Chen Yu , Fung Kar-Ming , Tang Qinggong
Published: November 2023

We confirmed that human kidneys have various quality evaluations on different locations from histological scores. Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) can noninvasively provide multiple evaluations for the whole kidney for the feasibility of transplantation.
Adaptive Fiber Source for High-Speed Label-Free Multimodal Multiphoton Microscopy
Authors: Liu Kunzan , Qiu Tong , Cao Honghao , You Sixian
Published: November 2023

We propose a label-free multimodal multiphoton microscopy platform using a multimode fiber (MMF) source with adaptive optimization using a fiber shaper. Imaging results have shown the effectiveness of optimizing the MMF source and the potential of this platform as a versatile tool for bioimaging.
Polarization-Diversity Interferometric Imaging for Digital Biodetection
Authors: Aslan Mete , Celebi Iris , Unlu M. Selim
Published: November 2023

We present a new digital biomolecule detection technique based on interferometric imaging of plasmonic gold nanorod labels. Post-processing of polarization camera readout allows for effective background rejection in a single snapshot.
Focusing Spirally Polarized Beam into a Super-Oscillatory Spot
Authors: Pant Bhavesh , Meena Hemant Kumar , Singh Brijesh Kumar
Published: November 2023

The formation of a structured super-oscillatory (SO) spot by tightly focusing a spiral polarized beam is discussed. An appropriately controlled manipulation in the phase of the beam results in a SO spot, which will be helpful for enhancing the resolution for orientation determination of single molecules.
Hybrid radio-over-fiber transport system to support heterogeneous indoor mobile network environments
Authors: Moon Sang-Rok , Sung Minkyu , Kim Eonsang , Lee Joon Ki , Cho Seung-Hyun , Kim Joonyoung
Published: November 2023

The recent advances in mobile network technologies are based on pioneering higher radio frequency ranges such as millimeter wave and (sub-)terahertz bands. Most likely, the simultaneous use of multiple bands of such high frequency as well as mid/low frequency ranges should be considered to implement heterogeneous mobile environments where diverse conventional and emerging applications can coexist. This study aims to propose, demonstrate, and evaluate a radio-over-fiber (RoF)-based optical transport system that meets the aforementioned future indoor network’s requirements. In particular, we suggest a novel distributed antenna system architecture that can support next-generation mobile services such as millimeter wave 5G and terahertz 6G as well as commercial 5G systems employing low/mid bands. Following the experimental validation of the downlink and uplink transmission of radio signals, we investigate the cost reductions obtained by implementing the proposed system in comparison to conventional topologies such as point-to-point and wavelength division multiplexing-based point-to-multipoint connections.
Optical feedback noise-immune cavity-enhanced optical heterodyne molecular spectrometry for sub-Doppler-broadened detection of C2H2
Authors: Zhou Xiaobin , Zhao Gang , Li Yong , Cheng Ziwei , Jiao Kang , Zhang Bofeng , Zhang Zihao , Li Yanke , Yan Xiaojuan , Ma Weiguang , Jia Suotang
Published: November 2023

A novel, to the best of our knowledge, noise-immune cavity-enhanced optical heterodyne molecular spectrometry (NICE-OHMS) has been developed, utilizing optical feedback for laser-to-cavity locking with a common distributed-feedback diode laser. The system incorporates active control of the feedback phase and feedforward control of the laser current, allowing for consecutive laser frequency detuning by scanning a piezoelectric transducer (PZT) attached to the cavity. To enhance the fidelity of the spectroscopic signal, wavelength-modulated (wm) NICE-OHMS is implemented. Benefiting from the optical feedback, a modulation frequency of 15 kHz is achieved, surpassing the frequencies typically used in traditional NICE-OHMS setups. Then, the sub-Doppler-broadened wm-NICE-OHMS signal of acetylene at 1.53 µm is observed. A seven-fold improvement in signal to noise ratio has been demonstrated compared to NICE-OHMS alone and a limit of detection of 6.1 × 10−10cm−1 is achieved.
Atmospheric and Optical Turbulence Measurements in Maritime Environment for Improvements to LEEDR Marine Boundary Layer Characterization
Authors: Wilson Benjamin , Schmidt Jaclyn , Bose-Pillai Santasri , Fiorino Steven , Keefer Kevin , Ulgen Kayhan , Sundermeyer Miles , Lohrenz Steven
Published: November 2023

Modeled Cn2 values obtained using numerical weather and local observation data compared well with measurements from vertically stacked sonic anemometers deployed on a pier. Turbulence measurements using the DELTA system provided basis for additional comparisons.
Target Dependent Detection Range Variations Through Aerosol when using Polarimetric LiDAR
Authors: Tremblay Grégoire
Published: November 2023

Polarimetric LiDARs can reject direct backscattering making objects veiled by aerosols easier to detect. This does not guarantee an increased detection range. We show that the detection range depends on the target’s polarimetric properties.
Relationship between Turbulent Image Variance and Average Image Gradient
Authors: Potvin Guy
Published: November 2023

The linear relationship between the intensity variance of a turbulent image and the average image’s gradient squared is examined by analyzing turbulent image sequences. It is validated for weak turbulence but not for moderate turbulence.
Correction and Analysis of Turbulence Effects in Time-Lapse Images Using Optical Flow Registration
Authors: Al-Younis Wardeh , Voelz David
Published: November 2023

Optical flow processing is applied to time-lapse image sequences collected in the field for atmospheric refraction research. The pixel displacement estimates are used for turbulence mitigation and the investigation of spatial and temporal turbulence effects.
Simultaneous Realization of Multiple Optical Channels in a Turbulent Underwater Environment
Authors: Wiley J. P. , Robertson E. , Miller J. K. , Watkins R. J. , Johnson E. G.
Published: November 2023

Using a modified HOBBIT system, frequency-dependent beamlets are propagated through a turbulent underwater environment. The beat frequencies between beamlets are recovered, indicating the utilization of multiple optical channels simultaneously within the turbulent environment.
Simulation of Non-Stationary Turbulence and Optimal Sampling for Estimation of Cn2
Authors: McCrae Jack , Beason Melissa , Bose-Pillai Santasri , Fiorino Steven
Published: November 2023

Non-stationary turbulence is simulated by modulating the results from stationary simulation. Aliasing the Kolmogorov spectrum improves the results. It is demonstrated that there is an optimal number of samples to estimate the turbulence strength.
Predicting lncRNA-disease associations based on heterogeneous graph convolutional generative adversarial network
Authors: Lu Zhonghao , Zhong Hua , Tang Lin , Luo Jing , Zhou Wei , Liu Lin
Published: November 2023

There is a growing body of evidence indicating the crucial roles that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play in the development and progression of various diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders. However, accurately predicting potential lncRNA-disease associations remains a challenge, as existing methods have limitations in extracting heterogeneous association information and handling sparse and unbalanced data. To address these issues, we propose a novel computational method, called HGC-GAN, which combines heterogeneous graph convolutional neural networks (GCN) and generative adversarial networks (GAN) to predict potential lncRNA-disease associations. Specifically, we construct a lncRNA-miRNA-disease heterogeneous network by integrating multiple association data and sequence information. The GCN-based generator is then employed to aggregate neighbor information of nodes and obtain node embeddings, which are used to predict lncRNA-disease associations. Meanwhile, the GAN-based discriminator is trained to distinguish between real and fake lncRNA-disease associations generated by the generator, enabling the generator to improve its ability to generate accurate lncRNA-disease associations gradually. Our experimental results demonstrate that HGC-GAN performs better in predicting potential lncRNA-disease associations, with AUC and AUPR values of 0.9591 and 0.9606, respectively, under 10-fold cross-validation. Moreover, our case study further confirms the effectiveness of HGC-GAN in predicting potential lncRNA-disease associations, even for novel lncRNAs without any known lncRNA-disease associations. Overall, our proposed method HGC-GAN provides a promising approach to predict potential lncRNA-disease associations and may have important implications for disease diagnosis, treatment, and drug development.
A robust optimal control by grey wolf optimizer for underwater vehicle-manipulator system
Authors: Dai Yong , Wang Duo , Shen Fangyu
Published: November 2023

Underwater vehicle-manipulator system (UVMS) is a commonly used underwater operating equipment. Its control scheme has been the focus of control researchers, as it operates in the presence of lumped disturbances, including modelling uncertainties and water disturbances. To address the nonlinear control problem of the UVMS, we propose a robust optimal control approach optimized using grey wolf optimizer (GWO). In this scheme, the nonlinear dynamic model of UVMS is deduced to a linear state-space model in the case of the lumped disturbances. Then, the GWO algorithm is used to optimize the Riccati equation parameters of theH∞ controller in order to achieve theH∞ performance criterion, such as stability and disturbance rejection. The optimization is performed by evaluating the performance of the closed-loop UVMS in real-time comparison with the popular artificial intelligent algorithms, such as as ant colony algorithm (ACO), genetic algorithm (GA), and particle swarm optimization (PSO), using feedback control from the physical hardware-in-the-loop UVMS platform. This scheme can result in improvedH∞ control system performance, and it is able to ensure that UVMS has strong robustness to these lumped disturbances. Last, the validity of the proposed scheme can be established, and its performance in overcoming modeling uncertainties and external disturbances can be observed and analyzed by performing the hardware-in-the-loop experiments.
Role and effectiveness of telephone hotlines in outbreak response in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fongwen Noah T. , Nchafack Almighty , Rohan Hana , Ong Jason J. , Tucker Joseph D. , Beckmann Nadine , Hughes Gwenda , Peeling Rosanna W.
Published: November 2023

Background

In Africa, little is known about the role of telephone hotlines in outbreak response. We systematically reviewed the role and effectiveness of hotlines on outbreak response in Africa.

Method

We used the Cochrane handbook and searched five databases. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021247141). Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Global Health and Web of Science were searched from 30 June 2020 to August 2020 for studies on the use of telephone hotlines in outbreak response in Africa published between January 1995 and August 2020. The search was also repeated on 16 September 2022. Data on effectiveness (alerts generated, cases confirmed) were extracted from peer-reviewed studies. Meta-analysis of alerts generated, and proportion of cases confirmed was done using the random effects model. The quality of studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools. The heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using the Galbraith and funnel plots, respectively.

Results

Our search yielded 1251 non-duplicate citations that were assessed. 41 full texts were identified, and 21 studies were included in the narrative synthesis, while 12 were included in the meta-analysis. The hotlines were local (seven studies) or national (three studies). A combination of a local and national hotline was used in one study. The hotlines were set up for unusual respiratory events (one study), polio (one study), Ebola (10 studies), COVID-19 (two studies), malaria (one study), influenza-like illnesses (ILI) (one study) and rift valley fever in livestock (one study). Hotlines were mainly used for outbreak surveillance at the local level. A total of 332,323 alerts were generated, and 67,658 met the case definition, corresponding to an overall pooled proportion of alerts generated(sensitivity) of 38% (95%CI: 24–52%). The sensitivity was 41% (95% CI: 24–59%) for local hotlines and 26%(95%CI:5–47%) for national hotlines. Hotlines were also used for surveillance of rift valley fever in livestock (one study) vaccination promotion (one study), death reporting (five studies), rumour tracking and fighting misinformation (two studies) and community engagement (five studies). The studies were of low to moderate quality with high publication bias and heterogeneity(I2 = 99%). The heterogeneity was not explained by the sample size.

Conclusion

These data suggest that telephone hotlines can be effective in outbreak disease surveillance in Africa. Further implementation research is needed to scale up telephone hotlines in rural areas.
Prevalence of Leucocytozoon infection in domestic birds in Ghana
Authors: Agbemelo-Tsomafo Constance , Adjei Samuel , Kusi Kwadwo A. , Deitsch Kirk W. , Amoah Daniel , Obeng-Kyeremeh Richard , Sumabe Ayishetu M. , Aniweh Yaw
Published: November 2023

Leucocytozoon is a haemosporidian parasite known to cause leucocytozoonosis in domestic and wild birds in most parts of the world. It is an important pathogen, as some species can be pathogenic, especially in domestic birds. One of the factors affecting poultry health management worldwide is parasitism. However, the study of haemosporidian parasites in Ghana is still lacking. This study sought to assess the prevalence and diversity of Leucocytozoon parasites in domestic birds in Ghana. Blood samples were collected from domestic birds in Ghana’s Bono and Eastern regions to screen for Leucocytozoon parasites. Thin blood smears were prepared for microscopy and DNA was extracted from whole blood kept in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) tubes for PCR. Due to the large number of samples, real-time PCR was performed to amplify the conserved rDNA gene. Two different nested PCR protocols were performed on the positive samples obtained from real-time PCR results, to amplify a partial region of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and the amplicons were sequenced. Sequencing revealed six new lineages of Leucocytozoon sp. recovered in 976 individual domestic birds and these sequences were deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) GenBank. An overall Leucocytozoon prevalence of 11.6% was reported in all birds sampled. The most prevalent lineage LGHA146 (GenBank accession no. OM643346) (93.8%) was found infecting 3 bird species, Gallus gallus, Meleagris gallopavo, and Anas platyrhynchos. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the new lineages (GenBank accession nos. OM643342, OM643343, OM643344, OM643345, OM643346, and OM643347), reported in this study were closely related to Leucocytozoon schoutedeni. We suggest that further studies be conducted to evaluate the effect of these parasite species on the general well-being of poultry in Ghana.
Soundscapes of morality: Linking music preferences and moral values through lyrics and audio
Authors: Preniqi Vjosa , Kalimeri Kyriaki , Saitis Charalampos
Published: November 2023

Music is a fundamental element in every culture, serving as a universal means of expressing our emotions, feelings, and beliefs. This work investigates the link between our moral values and musical choices through lyrics and audio analyses. We align the psychometric scores of 1,480 participants to acoustics and lyrics features obtained from the top 5 songs of their preferred music artists from Facebook Page Likes. We employ a variety of lyric text processing techniques, including lexicon-based approaches and BERT-based embeddings, to identify each song’s narrative, moral valence, attitude, and emotions. In addition, we extract both low- and high-level audio features to comprehend the encoded information in participants’ musical choices and improve the moral inferences. We propose a Machine Learning approach and assess the predictive power of lyrical and acoustic features separately and in a multimodal framework for predicting moral values. Results indicate that lyrics and audio features from the artists people like inform us about their morality. Though the most predictive features vary per moral value, the models that utilised a combination of lyrics and audio characteristics were the most successful in predicting moral values, outperforming the models that only used basic features such as user demographics, the popularity of the artists, and the number of likes per user. Audio features boosted the accuracy in the prediction of empathy and equality compared to textual features, while the opposite happened for hierarchy and tradition, where higher prediction scores were driven by lyrical features. This demonstrates the importance of both lyrics and audio features in capturing moral values. The insights gained from our study have a broad range of potential uses, including customising the music experience to meet individual needs, music rehabilitation, or even effective communication campaign crafting.
Clustering long-term health conditions among 67728 people with multimorbidity using electronic health records in Scotland
Authors: Fagbamigbe Adeniyi Francis , Agrawal Utkarsh , Azcoaga-Lorenzo Amaya , MacKerron Briana , Özyiğit Eda Bilici , Alexander Daniel C. , Akbari Ashley , Owen Rhiannon K. , Lyons Jane , Lyons Ronan A. , Denaxas Spiros , Kirk Paul , Miller Ana Corina , Harper Gill , Dezateux Carol , Brookes Anthony , Richardson Sylvia , Nirantharakumar Krishnarajah , Guthrie Bruce , Hughes Lloyd , Kadam Umesh T. , Khunti Kamlesh , Abrams Keith R. , McCowan Colin
Published: November 2023

There is still limited understanding of how chronic conditions co-occur in patients with multimorbidity and what are the consequences for patients and the health care system. Most reported clusters of conditions have not considered the demographic characteristics of these patients during the clustering process. The study used data for all registered patients that were resident in Fife or Tayside, Scotland and aged 25 years or more on 1st January 2000 and who were followed up until 31stDecember 2018. We used linked demographic information, and secondary care electronic health records from 1stJanuary 2000. Individuals with at least two of the 31 Elixhauser Comorbidity Index conditions were identified as having multimorbidity. Market basket analysis was used to cluster the conditions for the whole population and then repeatedly stratified by age, sex and deprivation. 318,235 individuals were included in the analysis, with 67,728 (21·3%) having multimorbidity. We identified five distinct clusters of conditions in the population with multimorbidity: alcohol misuse, cancer, obesity, renal failure, and heart failure. Clusters of long-term conditions differed by age, sex and socioeconomic deprivation, with some clusters not present for specific strata and others including additional conditions. These findings highlight the importance of considering demographic factors during both clustering analysis and intervention planning for individuals with multiple long-term conditions. By taking these factors into account, the healthcare system may be better equipped to develop tailored interventions that address the needs of complex patients.
Effectiveness and safety of oral anticoagulant therapy in a real-world cohort with atrial fibrillation: The SIESTA-A study protocol
Authors: Montero-Balosa M. C. , Limón-Mora J. A. , Leal-Atienza A. , Luque-Romero L. G. , Aguado-Romeo M. J. , Isabel-Gómez R. , Molina-López M. T.
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Oral anticoagulants (OACs) are first-line drugs for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The introduction of new lines of therapy with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) has led to a decreased use of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Comparative analyses of DOACs in clinical trials are scarce and the comparator has mostly been warfarin. Their impact on health outcomes in observational studies has not always been consistent. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of DOACs and VKAs in patients with AF using Real-World Data (RWD).

Methods and analysis

Population-based retrospective cohort study using RWD from actual practice. Period: January 2012-December 2020. Inclusion criteria: patients with AF who had not taken OACs in the previous 12 months. Exclusion criteria: <40 years, with severe mitral stenosis, or valvular heart disease or aortic and/or mitral valve procedures. Data source: The Andalusian Population Health Database, Spain. Outcome measures: a) Effectiveness: ischaemic stroke, transient ischaemic attack, systemic and pulmonary embolism, and death; b) Safety: gastrointestinal and intracranial haemorrhaging; Independent variables: age, sex, comorbidities, medication and health resource use, CHA2DS2-VASC, HAS-BLED, and analytical tests. Statistical analysis: crude incidence analysis, survival models, Kaplan-Meier, Cox regression analysis adjusted for possible confounding and paired analysis by propensity score matching.
Pedestrian detection algorithm integrating large kernel attention and YOLOV5 lightweight model
Authors: Yin Yuping , Zhang Zheyu , Wei Lin , Geng Chao , Ran Haoxiang , Zhu Haodong
Published: November 2023

In the context of intelligent driving, pedestrian detection faces challenges related to low accuracy in target recognition and positioning. To address this issue, a pedestrian detection algorithm is proposed that integrates a large kernel attention mechanism with the YOLOV5 lightweight model. The algorithm aims to enhance long-term attention and dependence during image processing by fusing the large kernel attention module with the C3 module. Furthermore, it addresses the lack of long-distance relationship information in channel and spatial feature extraction and representation by introducing the Coordinate Attention mechanism. This mechanism effectively extracts local information and focused location details, thereby improving detection accuracy. To improve the positioning accuracy of obscured targets, the alpha CIOU bounding box regression loss function is employed. It helps mitigate the impact of occlusions and enhances the algorithm’s ability to precisely localize pedestrians. To evaluate the effectiveness of trained model, experiments are conducted on the BDD100K pedestrian dataset as well as the Pascal VOC dataset. Experimental results demonstrate that the improved attention fusion YOLOV5 lightweight model achieves an average accuracy of 60.3%. Specifically, the detection accuracy improves by 1.1% compared to the original YOLOV5 algorithm, and the accuracy performance index reaches 73.0%. These findings strongly indicate the proposed algorithm in significantly enhancing the accuracy of pedestrian detection in road scenes.
Determinants of anemia level among reproductive-age women in 29 Sub-Saharan African countries: A multilevel mixed-effects modelling with ordered logistic regression analysis
Authors: Mare Kusse Urmale , Aychiluhm Setognal Birara , Sabo Kebede Gemeda , Tadesse Abay Woday , Kase Bizunesh Fentahun , Ebrahim Oumer Abdulkadir , Tebeje Tsion Mulat , Mulaw Getahun Fentaw , Seifu Beminate Lemma
Published: November 2023

Background

Despite the implementation of different nutritional and non-nutritional interventions, 43% of reproductive-age women in Africa suffer from anemia. Recent evidence also shows that none of the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries are on the track to achieve the nutrition target of 50% anemia reduction by 2030. To date, information on the level of anemia and its determinants among reproductive-age women at the SSA level is limited. Thus, this study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of anemia level and its determinants in SSA countries.

Methods

We used a pooled data of 205,627 reproductive-age women from the recent demographic and health surveys of 29 SSA countries that were conducted between 2010–2021. A multilevel mixed-effects analysis with an ordered logistic regression model was fitted to identify determinants of anemia level and the deviance value was used to select the best-fitted model. First, bivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis was done and the proportional odds assumption was checked for each explanatory variable using a Brant test. Finally, in a multivariable multilevel ordinal logistic regression model, a p-value<0.05 and AOR with the corresponding 95% CI were used to identify determinants of anemia level. All analyses were done using Stata version 17 software.

Results

The pooled prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age in SSA was 40.5% [95% CI = 40.2%-40.7%], where 24.8% [95% CI: 24.6%-25.0%], 11.1% [95% CI = 10.9%-11.2%], and 0.8% [95% CI = 0.7%-0.8%] had mild, moderate, and severe anemia, respectively. The prevalence significantly varied from the lowest of 13% in Rwanda to the highest of 62% in Mali, and anemia was found as a severe public health problem (prevalence of ≥ 40%) in 18 countries. The regression result revealed that polygamous marriage, women and husband illiteracy, poor household wealth, shorter birth interval, non-attendance of antenatal care, underweight, unimproved toilet and water facilities, and low community-level women literacy were positively linked with high anemia level. Additionally, the likelihood of anemia was lower in women who were overweight and used modern contraception.

Conclusions

Overall results showed that anemia among women of reproductive age is a severe public health problem in SSA countries, affecting more than four in ten women. Thus, enhancing access to maternal health services (antenatal care and contraception) and improved sanitation facilities would supplement the existing interventions targeted to reduce anemia. Moreover, strengthening women’s education and policies regulating the prohibition of polygamous marriage are important to address the operational constraints.
Maternal exposure to SSRIs or SNRIs and the risk of congenital abnormalities in offspring: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Weiyi , Page Robin L. , Morris Theresa , Ayres Susan , Ferdinand Alva O. , Sinha Samiran
Published: November 2023

Background

The association of maternal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) with the risk of system-specific congenital malformations in offspring remains unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis to examine this association and the risk difference between these two types of inhibitors.

Methods

A literature search was performed from January 2000 to May 2023 using PubMed and Web of Science databases. Cohort and case-control studies that assess the association of maternal exposure to SSRIs or SNRIs with the risk of congenital abnormalities were eligible for the study.

Results

Twenty-one cohort studies and seven case-control studies were included in the meta-analysis. Compared to non-exposure, maternal exposure to SNRIs is associated with a higher risk of congenital cardiovascular abnormalities (pooled OR: 1.64 with 95% CI: 1.36, 1.97), anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (pooled OR: 1.63 with 95% CI: 1.21, 2.20), malformations of nervous system (pooled OR: 2.28 with 95% CI: 1.50, 3.45), anomalies of digestive system (pooled OR: 2.05 with 95% CI: 1.60, 2.64) and abdominal birth defects (pooled OR: 2.91 with 95%CI: 1.98, 4.28), while maternal exposure to SSRIs is associated with a higher risk of congenital cardiovascular abnormalities (pooled OR: 1.25 with 95%CI: 1.20, 1.30), anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (pooled OR: 1.14 with 95%CI: 1.02, 1.27), anomalies of digestive system (pooled OR: 1.11 with 95%CI: 1.01, 1.21), abdominal birth defects (pooled OR: 1.33 with 95%CI: 1.16, 1.53) and musculoskeletal malformations (pooled OR: 1.44 with 95%CI: 1.32, 1.56).

Conclusions

SSRIs and SNRIs have various teratogenic risks. Clinicians must consider risk-benefit ratios and patient history when prescribing medicines.
Study of the collaborative prevention and control mechanisms of ecological and environmental risks in China’s Yangtze River Economic Belt
Authors: Wang Yanhong , Zhou Weiran , Wang Lin , Ying Qianbing
Published: November 2023

The Yangtze River Economic Belt, as a globally important economic growth pole and population concentration area, has always received attention to its ecological and environmental issues. Currently, there is little research on the synergy among the ecological environment risk prevention and control mechanisms in this region. Strengthening research in this area has important scientific value for improving the effectiveness of ecological risk prevention and control and the sustainable development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Based on the data from 11 provinces and cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2017 to 2021, this study establishes an indicator system with benefit incentive mechanisms, risk regulatory mechanisms, and risk governance mechanisms as frameworks. By employing a composite system synergy model, this study utilizes the entropy weight method to assign weights to each indicator and calculates the orderliness and synergy of the three mechanisms separately. The results show that: (1) There are differences in the orderliness of mechanisms among the regions. The downstream area has the highest orderliness of the three mechanisms, with the middle stream area higher than the upstream area in terms of incentive mechanisms and risk governance mechanisms. (2) The orderliness of each mechanism has slight fluctuations but shows an overall upward trend, with the orderliness of regulatory mechanisms significantly higher than that of incentive mechanisms and governance mechanisms. (3) In terms of synergy, the three major mechanisms show a stable upward trend in synergy but with a relatively low degree of synergy. Based on these findings, future efforts should focus on optimizing mechanism construction and information sharing, improving incentive mechanisms, strengthening risk regulatory mechanisms, and consolidating the effectiveness of risk governance mechanisms.
‘I am big. It’s the pictures that got small’: A look at Sunset Boulevard through Marshall McLuhan’s theory of hot and cool media and personalities
Authors: Stoeva Desislava S.
Published: November 2023

Billy Wilder’s 1950 movie Sunset Boulevard has been widely analysed as a portrayal of the demise of Hollywood’s traditional values with the introduction of modern technology. This article revisits the iconic film in a new light to uncover a relationship between its plot and characters and Marshall McLuhan’s theory of hot and cool media. In the transition period after silent movies’ displacement by talking pictures, two characters get involved in an unsettling story about Old Hollywood, obsession and obsolescence. Their contrasting personalities, heavily influenced by the different environments they come from, can be seen as examples of the hot and cool personalities described by McLuhan in Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. This article demonstrates how analysing classic films in the context of media ecology theories can help us uncover a deeper meaning behind traditional plots and character archetypes.
Strike and tangle: Crowd control in the digital media environment
Authors: Bince R. L.
Published: November 2023

To better understand crowds and crowd control practices in the digital media environment, this article briefly probes two institutions that practice ‘crowd control’ online: a cybersecurity company called CrowdStrike and a social media analytics service called CrowdTangle. These two firms continue the discourses of crowd theory in the traditions of criminologist Scipio Sighele and crowd psychologist Gustave Le Bon, adjusted for the new affordances of digital technology. The digital media environment affords infrastructure for forensically individualizing and influencing mass behaviour in the styles of Foucauldian and Deleuzian discipline, control and ‘moulding’. The probe concludes by emphasizing the political stakes of increasingly sophisticated crowd control infrastructures made possible through digital media environments.
TECHNOLOGY OF OBTAINING DRY EXTRACTS FROM HERBAL MIXTURES
Authors: Farmanova Nodira Takhirovna , Nurullaeva Dilobar Hamid kizi , Zhokhova Elena Vladimirovna , Lukashov Roman Igorevich , Povydysh Mariya Nikolayevna
Published: November 2023

In modern medical practice, a special place is occupied by herbal mixtures, the range of which is constantly increasing, and the list of indications for use is expanding. However, there are a number of inconveniences for patients when using them: the presence of an additional technological stage for obtaining an aqueous extract; lack of accuracy when dosing this form and a short shelf life at home. All this makes the search for new, more rational dosage forms based on fees relevant. Such dosage forms include dry extracts, which are obtained on an industrial scale. This type of total preparations can be used as an intermediate in the preparation of finished dosage forms (tablets, capsules, etc.), which are easy to use, well dosed and have a long shelf life. Purpose: development of technology for obtaining dry extracts from herbal mixtures - urological, nephrolytic and hypoglycemic. Materials and methods. Based on the use of medicinal plants in folk and scientific medicine, various compositions of herbal mixtures have been developed. On the basis of pharmacological screening, the most effective formulations were selected, which were chosen as objects of study: "Urological collection"; "Nephrolytic collection"; "Hypoglycemic collection". When obtaining dry extracts, the methods of maceration and repercolation were used. The quality of the obtained extracts was assessed according to the following indicators: appearance, authenticity, moisture content, heavy metals, microbiological purity, quantitative content of biologically active substances (polyphenolic compounds and polysaccharides). The technological parameters of the studied phytocompositions have been established. The optimal extraction conditions were determined: raw material fineness – 2–3 mm, extractants: 50% ethyl alcohol (“Urological”) and purified water (“Hypoglycemic” and “Nephrolytic”), the optimal ratio of raw materials and extractant is 1 : 30, temperature – 70–80 °С ("Urological" and "Nephrolytic") and 90–100 °С ("Hypoglycemic"). The optimal method for obtaining dry extracts from herbal mixtures, maceration, was experimentally selected. A technology for obtaining dry extracts from herbal mixtures has been developed, in particular, the influence of extraction conditions depending on temperature, the degree of grinding of raw materials, the type of extractant, the ratio of raw materials and extractant has been studied.
ADSORPTION CAPACITY OF LEAF POWDER OF FRUIT TREES AND BERRY BUSHES ACCORDING TO SPECTROPHOTOMETRY DATA
Authors: Tovstik Evgenia Vladimirovna , Zakharov Andrey Vital'yevich
Published: November 2023

The results of the study of the adsorption of methylene blue from aqueous solutions by the powder of the leaves of fruit trees and berry bushes are presented. The adsorption capacity was determined by the method developed for activated carbon. The suitability of the spectrophotometric analysis method for determining the adsorption capacity of leaf powder was confirmed by the results of linearity and repeatability assessment. The applicability of the Langmuir, Freundlich and BET models to describe experimental adsorption isotherms of methylene blue on a powder mixture of leaves with a particle size of 0.25 mm is analyzed. By comparing the correlation coefficients, it is shown that the Langmuir and BET model describe experimental data on dye adsorption on powder better than the Freundlich model. The values of adsorption constants for the Langmuir model (KL=1.17 l/mmol) and BET (KBET=319.75 g/mmol) were obtained using the graphical method. Among the studied fruit trees, cherry leaf powder had the greatest adsorption capacity (0.532±0.017 mmol/g), among berry bushes – aronia, blackcurrant and gooseberry leaf powder (0.529±0.002; 0.472±0.011 and 0.479±0.004 mmol/g). Based on a comparative assessment of the results obtained with the value of the adsorption capacity of activated carbon (0.704 mmol/g), a conclusion was made about the suitability of the powder of the leaves of fruit trees and berry bushes for the removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF PLANTS AS A FACTOR IN ASSESSING THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF FOREST PASTURES OF THE NORTH-WESTERN CASPIAN SEA
Authors: Rybashlykova Lyudmila Petrovna , Sivceva Svetlana Nikolayevna , Mahovikova Tat'yana Fedorovna
Published: November 2023

The article presents the results of an assessment of the chemical composition and nutritional value of the most common vegetation of various life forms (trees, semi-shrubs, perennial grasses) in the forest pastures of the semi-desert zone of the Northwestern Caspian Sea. The research was carried out on forested pasture areas of the Neftekumsky district of the Stavropol Territory. The basis of the research was the laboratory-field method. The twig-leaf and herbaceous phytomass of forest pastures, in accordance with its chemical indicators of organic matter content, meets zootechnical requirements. The maximum protein content is observed in spring in the woody greenery of Ulmus pumila (at the level of 18.19%) and decreases in autumn (17.4%). In addition, it was found that the twig-leaf mass of Ulmus pumila has a relatively high feed value (0.68 f.u., 8.5 Mj, digestible protein 62.67 g/kg) than herbaceous species and is a large reserve in forest pastures during drought or absence of herbaceous vegetation before the establishment of snow cover. As a result of the research, it was also found that during the dry period (summer) in the grass-grass and grass-grass phytocenoses, there is a low protein content (less than 10%) and a high fiber content (34.0–35.13%). The nutritional value of plants in general on man–made forest pastures is 0.25–0.68 fodder units, while 1 kg of feed contains 31.0–78.48 g of digestible protein. The fat content in the analyzed plants in the territory under consideration is small (1.10–4.23%), and the content of nitrogen-free extractives is quite high (30.44–65.2%) regardless of the season of the year. According to the content of macronutrients, a deficiency of phosphorus (P) was detected according to the norms. Accordingly, with constant grazing of animals in these areas, it is necessary to additionally include feed additives containing this element in the diet for the prevention of deficiency and diseases.