bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The interconnected global emergencies of climate change, food security and health: a call to action by the Science for Africa Foundation
Authors: Kariuki Thomas , Omumbo Judith , Ciugu Kabura , Marincola Elizabeth
Published: January 2023

The evidence is clear that climate change is the greatest challenge facing mankind today. Africa is disproportionately burdened by multiple direct and cascading impacts of the climate crisis. Global investments for climate change adaptation, however, have not prioritized Africa adequately and there is a significant knowledge gap in understanding the context and science of climate change and sustainable solutions for the continent’s adaptation. Solutions for adaptation and resilience are made complex by an urgent need for accelerated economic growth, rapid population expansion and urbanization, habitat and biodiversity loss and dwindling financing.  There are also challenges in matching policies, wavering commitments and actions with good science that focuses on sustainable lives, livelihoods and ecosystem preservation.

The solutions must come from where the impacts are felt. The Science for Africa Foundation supports African researchers and institutions to lead in the science that addresses African priority development areas and has set climate change as a strategic priority. This call to action, by the SFA Foundation, outlines key areas that its strategy addresses through programs that support African scientific excellence, leadership and the best of Africa’s research to understand the science of climate change and its impacts; collate and assess evidence for policy; grow high level technical capacity on the continent; and create innovative priority actions for Africa.
Trichotillomania – therapeutic possibilities
Authors: Nemeczek Sylwia , Merkisz Konrad , Walczak Klaudia , Walczak Patrycja , Zdun Sylwia , Grzybowski Jakub , Marciniak Agnieszka , Grzywna Natalia , Jaskuła Karolina , Orłowski Władysław
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Trichotillomania is a mental disorder in which the patient persistently and recurrently pulls out his own hair, which results in varying degrees of hair loss. This causes considerable suffering and impairs quality of life, but patients rarely seek specialist help. It affects 0.5–3% of the general population, but data may be underestimated due to low reporting.
Aim of the study: The aim of our study is to summarize the current state of knowledge on the treatment of trichotillomania.
Materials and methods: The literature available in the PubMed and Google Scholar database was reviewed using the following keywords: "trichotillomania", "trichophagia", "trichobeozar", "trichotillomania treatment".
Results: Treatment of TTM is difficult and involves many methods. The division of therapeutic methods focuses mainly on psychotherapy and pharmacological treatment. The greatest effectiveness is attributed to cognitive-behavioral therapy, especially habit reversal training. Medications can help reduce symptoms, especially in the presence of other disorders, e.g. depression, anxiety disorders.
Conclusions: Trichotillomania contributes to significant suffering and negatively affects functioning in social and professional life. The basis of its treatment is psychotherapy, but there are many reports on the effectiveness of selected drugs (SSRIs, clomipramine, antipsychotics, N-acetylcysteine, naltrexone, lamotrigine, bupropion, dronabinol, inositol), but they require further research on a larger group of patients.
Promoting kidney health in cardiovascular disease: part two
Authors: Murphy Fiona , Byrne Gobnait
Published: January 2023

Self-management is key to the management of many different chronic conditions. For patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease, the aim of treatment is to enhance quality of life through self-management. It is vital that patients and their care partners/family members are provided with the necessary knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their health, wellbeing and life goals. For patients with both CKD and cardiovascular disease, living well requires good family support and a dedicated interdisciplinary team. Nurses have a key role to play here. The conceptual framework of living well with kidney disease and its principles can be applied to patients with both CKD and cardiovascular disease. This framework relates to various self-care themes, including participation in life, patient empowerment and engagement, patient activation, patient-centred care and a strengths-based approach. These themes will be discussed, along with suggested strategies, highlighting that patients should be able to live well with their chronic conditions in conjunction with ongoing support.
Clinical Study of Intratemporal Facial Nerve Palsy - The Causes and Outcome
Authors: Viswanatha B. , Vijayashree M. S. , Priyadarshini V. , Rasika R.
Published: January 2023

Paralysis of the seventh cranial nerve, the facial nerve, is usually immediately obvious. It results in weakness of the musculature of the face, impacting verbal communication, social interaction with respect to facial expression, oral competence, taste and most importantly, protection of the cornea, ocular globe and vision. Palsy of the facial nerve in its intratemporal course leads to ipsilateral lower motor neuron facial palsy. 
Objectives:
1. To study 100 cases of facial nerve palsy due to pathology in the intratemporal course of the nerve.
2. To identify the frequent causes, course of palsy, treatment modality and recovery during a period of 3 months follow-up. Materials &
Methods:
100 patents with facial nerve palsy with an intratemporal pathology were analysed. Detailed history was taken. Patients were subjected to complete clinical evaluation of ear and cranial nerves, radiological evaluation was also done to confirm the diagnosis. Patients were treated appropriately. The facial nerve function was graded again during follow up after 3 months. 
Results:
46% patients were diagnosed with Bells palsy, 26% with chronic suppurative otitis media/cholesteatoma, 17% with trauma leading to palsy and 4% patients had tumours that lead to the palsy. Males were more affected (58%) than females. 39% patients were in the age bracket of 21 to 30 years. 25% of cases had Grade 3 palsy at presentation, 40% of cases had Grade 4, 13% had grade 5 and 8% had grade 6 palsy. After 3 months 82% cases showed complete recovery following appropriate treatment.
Understanding Social Determinants for Children in Difficult Circumstances: An Indian Perspective
Authors: Ganguly Bani Bandana , Kadam Nitin N.
Published: January 2023

Background: Socioeconomic factors play an important role in predicting the health of people of a nation. Inequity in income and distribution of materials and services, and social exclusion make a nation hollow from within. Benefits of national facilities and supply do not reach many communities of uneducated and low-profile population. Recognition of social determinants of children’s health, and acting upon the issues through legislation and policies would promise to build a healthy nation with people of standard health. Method: Information has been collected from the literature available on social determinants and child health, and key challenging areas have been identified for opportunities of intervention. Result: Persistent poverty and lack of education pose significant negative impact in segregation and marginalization in society, schools and workplaces. Children of such underprivileged class are either deprived of food, education and parents’ care, or leave home for sheltering on street in quest of facilities for meeting their daily needs. In such inadequate circumstances, these children often become victims of violence, crime and abuse. Girls are trafficked and sold for prostitution. Though such children develop a strong survival spirit, their health is seriously affected by extremes of societal and environmental conditions. Conclusion: Improvement in income and education can control intergenerational inequity in life-course and professional achievements. Integration of social pediatrics for measuring the impact of social determinants, which is already prevalent in many developed countries, would be important to lower the extent of illness. This present report describes societal factors affecting children’s health in India, government policies conceived and their success-to-date in curbing the figures of child morbidity and mortality.
Effect of Magnetic Field on Rheological Properties of Cellulose Ether Solutions
Authors: Vshivkov Sergey A. , Rusinova Elena V. , Galyas Andrei G.
Published: January 2023

Application of a magnetic field is shown to be accompanied by an increase in the viscosity of hydroxyethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose solutions and sodiumcarboxymethyl cellulose solutions in 2 - 4 times. The concentration dependences of solution viscosity in the presence of a magnetic field are described by curves with maxima.
Poly (Ethylene Glycol) / Gelatin Composite Hydrogels for Drug Delivery
Authors: Ayhan Fatma , Demirci Sabiha , Ayhan Hakan
Published: January 2023

Hydrogels are three dimentional, hydrophilic, and polymeric networks that have been designed and fabricated to fulfill the needs of the pharmaceutical and medical fields. Many biomedical applications including controlled drug delivery have developed based on hydrogel technologies. Various composite hydrogels including synthetic and natural materials can be produced to create controllable systems in drug delivery applications. In this study, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-DA) based composite hydrogels were prepared by photopolymerization method and 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMPA) was used as photoinitiator. Macromer mixtures were prepared by mixing 30 % PEG-DA and 0.5 % DMPA. Photocuring was achieved by cross-linking with 3 % ethylene glycol diacrylate (EGDMA) after addition of drug and gelatin solutions under mild conditions. The effect of gelatin concentration and molecular weight on the gentamicin release was studied with 75, 100, 225, and 300 bloom gelatin for 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 w/w ratios. Drug release kinetics from loaded composite hydrogels were tested by spectrophotometric method in phosphate (pH 7.4) and citrate buffer (pH 1.2) representing small intestine and stomach media, respectively. New biopolymer containing composite hydrogels enhanced drug release rates for all compositions and gentamicin release was found to be adversely effected by concentration and molecular weight. Hydrogels were morphologically characterized by SEM images which indicated the presence of pinholes like structures with smaller sizes for larger molecular weights.
Biodegradable Polymer Materials In Medicine
Authors: Abbasov Iftikhar B.
Published: January 2023

This paper provides an overview of the current state of research in the field of the use of biodegradable polymers for medical purposes. The relevance of the research topic is noted, current trends in the development of biodegradable polymers, the creation of polymer protective coatings, polymers with shape memory effect for medical devices for various applications are described. The classification of modern biodegradable polymers, features of synthetic and natural biopolymers is presented, their advantages and disadvantages are indicated. Biodegradable polymers for drug encapsulation and delivery, the possibility of creating nanostructured polymers for pharmaceuticals are presented. The prospects for the future development of the use of biodegradable polymers in medicine are analyzed and described.
Trace Metals and 210Po Activity Concentrations in Macroalgae (Cystoseira Crinita and Halopteris Scoparia) and Seagrass (Cymodocea Nodosa) in Izmir Bay, Aegean Turkish Coast
Authors: Akakçe Nurdan , Görgün Aysun Uğur , Kizilkaya Inci Tüney , Atay Nevra Öztürk
Published: January 2023

Two types of macroalgae (Cystoseira crinita and Halopteris scoparia) and seagrass (Cymodocea nodosa) have been evaluated for their bioavailability as biomonitors of trace metals and 210Po in Izmir Bay during the period of October 2017-July 2018. The levels of Al, Fe, Zn, Mn and Pb in the samples were determined using energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The activity concentrations of 210Po were measured by alpha spectrometry and the results have shown that C. nodosa were found to accumulate the maximum 210Po concentration in the winter. Besides, macroalgae (C.crinita and H. scoparia) were also found to accumulate 210Po at different levels in the same area. Additionaly, the investigated trace metals were determined in H. scoparia and C. nodosa in the winter. A seasonal fluctuations in trace metals and 210Po concentrations were observed in the study.
Control of Nonlinear Dynamics of Quantum Dot Laser with External Optical Feedback
Authors: Al Husseini H.
Published: January 2023

We examine the nonlinear dynamics of a semiconductor quantum-dot (QD) laser subject to external optical feedback by using dimensionless equations numerical model. In our QD laser model we employ dynamic for ground and excited state processes, additionally between the QDs and the wetting layer (WL). This enables us to tune the output of external cavity modes QDs by changing the bias current, delayed time and feedback strength to investigate how they affect the stability properties of the QD laser. Our results show that high bias current and small ?-factor value lead to lower sensitivity of the laser towards optical feedback.
Applications of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Cancer Detection and Treatment
Authors: Chauhan Ram Prakash , Dharmani Aneesh
Published: January 2023

Cancer detection and treatment has been a challenge for medical science till the years. The ability of cancer cells to multiply quickly and invade other parts of the body by process of metastasis further complicates the situation. Hence prognosis of cancer and its proper treatment also becomes difficult, as invading cells are not easy to detect at initial stages of spreading of infection. This limitation of not being able to detect invading tumor cells can be overcome by applying nanotechnology based approaches. Nanomaterials being very small in size have remarkable properties which are absent in their bulk counterparts. These properties possessed by materials at the nanoscale make them very useful for cancer theranostics. Further nanomaterials are having large number of surface atoms, as well as high surface activity because of high surface area to volume ratio; therefore their surface functionalisation can be done so as to make them useful for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. This could prove to be very promising in the early detection and treatment of cancer.
Restoring the Art of Healing: A Transcultural Psychiatry Case Report
Authors: Pordeus Vitor
Published: January 2023

This paper reflects part of the 5 years experience in theatre and mental health developed by the Centre for Culture, Science and Health of the Office of Public Health, Rio de Janeiro. One selected Psychiatric Hospital Case is reported, and a short discussion about health and culture interplays under the proposed theoretical framework. It highlights historical experiences showing the importance of cultural and symbolic practices in mental and general health such as those studied by the Brazilian Psychiatrist Nise da Silveira and the contemporary paradigmatic shift of Biology and Health Sciences.
Designing Modified Graphene Oxide-epoxy Coatings for Enhancing the Corrosion Resistant Performance of Mild Steel in Sodium Chloride Solution
Authors: Thamaraiselvi N. , D. Nalini D. Nalini
Published: January 2023

An eco-friendly, graphene oxide-based nanofiller was synthesised for epoxy resin coating. The behaviour of nanofiller on mild steel against corrosion was evaluated in this study. Graphene oxide synthesised by Hummer's method was treated with an ethanol extract of Boerhaavia diffusa (BD) plant leaves. GCMS was used to identify the phytochemicals present in BD. Grapheneoxide treated with BD (GO-BD) and GO were examined by FT-IR and FE-SEM. The corrosion behaviour of the neat epoxy , epoxy containing GO, and GO-BD was determined by electrochemical studies in 3.5 wt% sodium chloride solution. Surface changes of the coated substrates were analysed by a peel-off test, a salt spray test, and a static water contact angle measurement. Results showed that the modified graphene oxide sheets act as excellent filler for epoxy coated mild steel panels in a 3.5 wt% sodium chloride medium.
HPLC Purification of Bio-Actives of Cleome Viscosa and their Anticancer Activity Against Breast Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Sharma Hirdesh , Shrivastav Archana
Published: January 2023

Cleome viscosa, often known as Jakhya, is a common weed that may be found in farms, gardens, and a variety of other areas. Because of its significant anti-disease effect, the plant and its parts have been employed in traditional medicine.
Aim: Current study aim to purify the bioactive having potent antioxidant activity and anticancer activity against BT-474 cell lines.
Methods: Cleome viscosa leaf methanolic extracts were purified through preparative HPLC and the isolated compounds were checked against MCF10A (normal cell line) and BT-474 (breast cancer cell line).
Results: HPLC isolated components from methanolic leaves extract included atropine, nevirapine, gallic acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, and kaempferitrin. Compounds were more efficient in terms of DPPH. Kaempferitrin inhibited DPPH by 94%. Atropine, vanillic acid, and kaempferitrin were shown to be cytotoxic to BT474 cell lines, with IC50 values of 18.87, 1.316, and 46.42 µg/ml, respectively. Incubating with their IC50 concentrations caused no morphological harm to the cell. Only the number of cells decreased significantly as incubation time increased.
Conclusion: Cleome viscosa purified compounds showed good antioxidant and anticancer activity. The compounds were found to be effective against BT474 breast cancer cell line.
Rheological Behavior of Fruit and Vegetable Purees and Tomato Sauce
Authors: Stanciu Ioana
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this article is to determine the rheological behavior of fruit and vegetable purees as well as tomato sauces at a temperature of 250C and to find in the literature a rheological model that describes their behavior. Fruit and vegetable purees as well as tomato sauces have a non-Newtonian behavior. These were studied with the Brookfield DV-III Ultra reovascometer at 250C. The Herschel-Bulkley model was found for products with pseudoplastic behavior, while the law of power and the Bingham model for the others. The clarified and desiccated fruit juices as well as the carrot juice showed a Newtonian behavior.
Instantaneous measurement of surface roughness spectra using white-light scattering projected on a spectrometer
Authors: Buet Xavier , Zerrad Myriam , Lequime Michel , Soriano Gabriel , Godeme Jean-Jacques , Fadili Jalal , Amra Claude
Published: January 2023

Following on from previous studies on motionless scatterometers based on the use of white light, we propose a new, to the best of our knowledge, experiment of white-light scattering that should overtake the previous ones in most situations. The setup is very simple as it requires only a broadband illumination source and a spectrometer to analyze light scattering at a unique direction. After introducing the principle of the instrument, roughness spectra are extracted for different samples, and the consistency of results is validated at the intersection of bandwidths. The technique will be of great use for samples that cannot be moved.
Rotation axis calibration of a 3D scanning system based on dual-turntable angle cancellation
Authors: Song Limei , Liu Zhenning , Li Yunpeng , Guo Qinghua , He Jinshen , Zhang Jipeng
Published: January 2023

Rotation axis calibration is crucial for high-precision automatic point
cloud stitching in turntable-based 3D scanning systems. To achieve a
360° sampling with a 2D calibrator in rotation axis calibration, this
paper proposes a dual-turntable angle cancellation (DTAC) method. DTAC
introduces an auxiliary turntable to keep a proper relative angle
between the 3D sensor and the calibrator during the calibration
process. The auxiliary turntable rotates at the same and opposite
angle as the main turntable and cancels the increment of the relative
angle. By projecting the feature points on the planar calibrator from
real-world space to virtual calibration space, the projected points
all share the same rotation axis of the main turntable. Further, a
layered circle center extraction (LCCE) algorithm is applied to deal
with outlier data points. The algorithm uses a two-step robust
estimation strategy combining RANSAC circle fitting with a median
noise filter for circle center selection. The standard ball
reconstruction experiment shows that the 3D system calibrated by the
method achieves a mean absolute error of 0.022 mm and root mean
square error of 0.025 mm within the measurement distance of
60–70 cm. Point cloud stitching experiments of different types
of objects show that our method outperforms other state-of-the-art
methods in stitching accuracy. The DTAC method and LCCE algorithm can
improve turntable-based 3D scanning systems.
Electro-optical synaptic characteristics of ferroelectric liquid crystals for artificial intelligence
Authors: Yu Jeong-Seon , Kim Jong-Hyun
Published: January 2023

We propose electro-optical synaptic devices using surface-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystals. Typical synaptic characteristics were observed for varying pulse time intervals, numbers of pulses, and signal voltages. Plasticity only occurred when pulses were applied at intervals shorter than the response time of the ferroelectric liquid crystal. Moreover, the plasticity increased with a higher pulse voltage and number of pulses. This demonstrates the importance of repeated learning. The synaptic weights required to make connections through learning in an artificial neural network can be determined by tuning the pulse signal. We discuss the high-speed computational potential of optical neuromorphic devices using liquid crystals.
Three-wavelength digital photoelasticity
Authors: Wang Shuaichao , Gao Xiali , Zhu Pengfei , He Xiaoliang , Jiang Zhilong , Kong Yan , Wang Shouyu , Liu Cheng
Published: January 2023

A three-wavelength photoelasticity method is proposed to simplify the optical setup and speed up data acquisition. By recording six intensity images with circularly polarized illuminations of three close wavelengths, the phase retardation and corresponding inner stress can be computed accurately with a correspondingly developed computational algorithm. Since the mechanical rotations of wave plates and polarizers required by classic photoelasticity techniques are avoided, the data acquisition of this proposed method is very speedy, and measurement of a dynamic sample can be achieved with a very simple and compact optical setup. Besides theoretical analyses, numerical and experimental evidences are also used to confirm the feasibility of this suggested three-wavelength digital photoelasticity method.
Quality inspection of cube beam splitters by a white light interferometric approach
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Qiao Xiaoyue , Han Sen , Liu Shijie , Su Rong
Published: January 2023

Beam splitters have a wide range of applications as a key component in optical systems. Adopting beam splitters with geometric defects in an optical system, e.g., an interferometric measurement system, may cause additional optical path difference and degrade the measurement accuracy. The quality inspection of beam splitters is essential to meet the accuracy requirements for modern optical systems. Most of the current quality inspection methods rely on inefficient and inaccurate manual observation. Therefore, for commonly used cube beam splitters (CBSs), we propose a digital method to quantify the geometric quality based on the white light interferometric principle. A Fourier domain analysis is used to calculate the CBS misalignment error and perpendicularity error. This method is verified by inspecting six different CBS samples. The experimental results show that all samples have varying degrees of misalignment and perpendicularity errors. The maximum perpendicularity error is 0.93°, and three of the six samples have misalignment errors larger than 50 µm. Nanometer level precision of the misalignment measurement can be achieved.
Theoretical model and optimization of diffractive optical elements with aspheric substrates in ophthalmology
Authors: Dong Bo , Yang Ying , Liu Yue , Yang Chao , Xue Changxi
Published: January 2023

Diffractive optical elements (DOEs), which can produce arbitrary light distribution, are widely applied in ophthalmic lens design with spheric substrates. However, diffraction substrates tend to be designed as aspheric surfaces to eliminate aberrations. In this case, the diffraction theory of plane substrates is no longer accurate, which affects the diffraction performance. Therefore, a diffraction theory of aspheric diffraction substrates is proposed in this paper. Using the range of common parameters for aspheric substrates in ophthalmology, the influence of the substrate diopter and the aspheric surface parameters on the period radius and phase delay is analyzed. Then, through a design example of a diffraction intraocular lens (IOL), an optimization equation is proposed and discussed. The results show that the diffraction theory of aspheric substrates and the optimization equation model can analyze and reduce the effect of aspheric diffraction substrates. This research can be used in DOE design with aspheric substrates in ophthalmology.
Optical design and precision analysis of a single-line-array pendulum sweep high-resolution mapping camera
Authors: Cui Yazhen , Liu Chunyu , Liu Shuai , Xu Minglin , Xie Peng
Published: January 2023

With the improvement of the satellite resolution, it is urgent to develop the single-line-array mapping camera. However, the camera accuracy is influenced by the satellite attitude’s rapid maneuvering during the imaging process. In our study, a coaxial four-mirror optical system with a field bias with a focal length of 7050 mm, F-number of 10.8, field of view of 1.2°, and spectral range of 450–800 nm is designed. By combining mathematical modeling and ray tracing, the offset of the camera interior orientation elements caused by the misalignment of the secondary mirror is derived. The simulation results show that the maximum relative error does not exceed 2.119%. Besides, a desensitization design method based on the magnification parameter control method is proposed, and the results show that the sensitivity of camera interior orientation elements to the secondary mirror is reduced, indicating the effectiveness of the system desensitization design, which is of great significance for the improvement of camera accuracy.
Reliable and cost effective all-optical wireless architecture for a broadband access network
Authors: Singh Priyanka , Bohara Vivek Ashok , Srivastava Anand
Published: January 2023

The conventional fiber-wireless (FiWi) network integrates a fiber-based back-end with a wireless-fidelity (WiFi)-based front-end in passive optical network architecture. Free-space optics (FSO) has recently been explored as a cost-effective alternative to optical fiber. Moreover, light fidelity (LiFi) is also emerging as a complementary technology to WiFi for indoor communication due to its ease of deployment and large unlicensed spectrum. This paper explores the benefits and trade-offs of integrating the FSO-based back-end with the LiFi-based front-end for an active optical network (AON). We have simulated multiple possible integration architectures of the FSO/fiber-based back-end with the LiFi/WiFi-based front-end. Moreover, to further improve system performance, we explore link aggregation, wherein users can receive data concurrently from both WiFi and LiFi access points. We evaluate and compare these proposed architectures in terms of average throughput, deployment cost, cost-per-bit, fairness, and reliability against conventional FiWi architecture. In addition, we present an analytical framework to estimate the outage probability of the hybrid FSO-LiFi architecture in which the FSO-based back-end network in AON architecture is integrated with a LiFi-based front-end. The obtained simulation results demonstrate the potential of this proposed hybrid architecture over conventional FiWi architecture.
ADMIRE: collaborative data-driven and model-driven intelligent routing engine for traffic grooming in multi-layer X-Haul networks
Authors: Zhang Jiawei , Chen Zhuo , Zhang Bojun , Wang Ruikun , Ma Huangxu , Ji Yuefeng
Published: January 2023

X-Haul aims to provide a unified transport network for integrating mobile fronthaul/midhaul/backhaul. Its architecture is inherited from the IP-over-WDM paradigm, in which the upper layer is an electrical packet-switched network and the bottom layer is an optical circuit-switched network. Traffic grooming in X-Haul poses a big challenge, as the mobile traffic load has shown. As a multi-layer routing problem, traffic grooming has been well studied through some classic mathematical models, such as the auxiliary graph (AG). Recently, a new approach based on machine learning has been attracting much attention for its network routing decision making. According to previous studies, either of the two approaches has its limitations, but the combination of the two may achieve profit maximization. To this end, we propose and demonstrate, for the first time, to our knowledge, a collaborative data-driven (using machine learning) and model-driven (using experiential knowledge) intelligent routing engine (ADMIRE) for traffic grooming in an X-Haul testbed with a real mobile dataset. The principle of ADMIRE is to exploit the capability of machine learning for an accurate AG model in a dynamic network environment. We compare ADMIRE with a traditional model-driven approach (i.e., the AG), and the evaluation results show that ADMIRE can achieve good performance and a strong generalization ability. In addition, we also verify the influence of data correlation on ADMIRE.
Exploring the relationship among traffic, topology, and throughput: towards a traffic-optimal optical network topology design
Authors: Luo Ruijie , Matzner Robin , Ottino Alessandro , Zervas Georgios , Bayvel Polina
Published: January 2023

The design of optical networks for maximum throughput under diverse traffic demands is a long-standing NP-hard problem. In this paper, by parameterizing the relationship between the network topology and traffic demand, a polynomial-time objective function, the demand weighted cost (DWC), is introduced and evaluated for different scale networks and diverse traffic scenarios. It is shown that the proposed DWC is highly correlated to network throughput, while speeding up the topology evaluation process by some five to six orders of magnitude. The DWC was then applied as the optimization target with three different topology optimization algorithms (DWC-selection, genetic algorithm, and our hierarchical topology design), achieving 90% and 460% throughput increases, on average, for small-scale (14-node) and large-scale (100-node) topology designs, respectively. The proposed methods have the potential of maximizing throughput in the design of future optical network topologies.
Human-vision-inspired cluster identification for single-molecule localization microscopy
Authors: Chen Lei , Liu Qian , Chou Keng C.
Published: January 2023

Single-molecule localization microscopy has enabled scientists to visualize cellular structures at the nanometer scale. However, researchers are facing great challenges in analyzing images presented by point clouds. Existing algorithms for cluster identification are coordinate-based analyses requiring users to input cutoff thresholds based on the distance or density of the point cloud. These thresholds are often one’s best guess with repeated visual inspections, making the cluster assignment user-dependent. Here, we present a cluster identification algorithm mimicking the modulation transfer function of human vision. This approach does not require any input parameters and produces visually satisfactory cluster assignments. We tested this algorithm by identifying the clusters of the fusion proteins of the Nipah virus on its host cells. This algorithm was further extended to analyze three-dimensional point clouds using virus-like particles as an example.
Thermal oscillation in the hybrid Si3N4 − TiO2 microring
Authors: Wang Zheng-Yu , Wang Pi-Yu , Wan Shuai , Wang Zi , Song Qinghai , Guo Guang-Can , Dong Chun-Hua
Published: January 2023

The hybrid microcavity composed of different materials shows unique thermal-optical properties such as resonance frequency shift and small thermal noise fluctuations with the temperature variation. Here, we have fabricated the hybrid Si3N4 − TiO2 microring, which decreases the effective thermo-optical coefficients (TOC) from 23.2pm/K to 11.05pm/K due to the opposite TOC of these two materials. In this hybrid microring, we experimentally study the thermal dynamic with different input powers and scanning speeds. The distorted transmission and thermal oscillation are observed, which results from the non-uniform scanning speed and the different thermal relaxation times of the Si3N4 and the TiO2. We calibrate the distorted transmission spectrum for the resonance measurement at the reverse scanning direction and explain the thermal oscillation with a thermal-optical coupled model. Finally, we analyse the thermal oscillation condition and give the diagram about the oscillation region, which has significant guidance for the occurrence and avoidance of the thermal oscillation in practical applications.
Automatic depth map retrieval from digital holograms using a deep learning approach
Authors: Madali Nabil , Gilles Antonin , Gioia Patrick , Morin Luce
Published: January 2023

Information extraction from computer-generated holograms using learning-based methods is a topic that has not received much research attention. In this article, we propose and study two learning-based methods to extract the depth information from a hologram and compare their performance with that of classical depth from focus (DFF) methods. We discuss the main characteristics of a hologram and how these characteristics can affect model training. The obtained results show that it is possible to extract depth information from a hologram if the problem formulation is well-posed. The proposed methods are faster and more accurate than state-of-the-art DFF methods.
Paper-folding-based terahertz anti-resonant cavity
Authors: Zhao Jiayu , Yan Jiaao , Han Yongpeng , Lao Li , Peng Yan , Zhu Yiming
Published: January 2023

Recently, the concept of core-anti-resonant reflection (CARR) has been proposed, greatly expanding the options of cladding materials and morphologies for Fabry–Perot-type (F–P) cavities. For instance, a single-layer tube made of A4 paper can be a precision resonator in the terahertz (THz) band, which seemed counterintuitive before. More importantly, thanks to the involvement of paper-like materials as the cavity plates, it is possible to equip the CARR cavity with the currently popular origami functionality. Following this clue, in this work we combined a simple octagonal paper tube with different origami patterns and realized the programmable adjustment for the distance between two parallel surfaces of the tubular cavity. Accordingly, the combination of the CARR cavity and the origami property offers a new degree of freedom and flexibility to vary the cavity distance, tune the resonant frequency, and explore related applications. For applied examples, we carried out pressure sensing with this foldable structure and achieved a high sensitivity (S = 57.9 kPa-1). Meanwhile, the origami cavity could also act as a THz polarization converter, and the output polarization state of the cavity mode was easily modulated from the original linear to circular polarizations with different chiralities. In future works, besides the pressure-driven method used here, heat and magnetism, etc., can further be employed to tune the CARR cavity, benefiting from four dimensional (4D) or soft-magneto origami materials as the cavity wall.
Temperature-dependent cross section spectra for thulium-doped fiber lasers
Authors: Jiříčková Bára , Grábner Martin , Jauregui Cesar , Aubrecht Jan , Schreiber Ondřej , Peterka Pavel
Published: January 2023

An investigation on the temperature dependence of spectroscopic parameters of trivalent thulium ions is important for the design of high-power, thulium-doped fiber lasers and amplifiers. In this Letter, the thulium absorption/emission cross sections are determined in the spectral range 700–2200 nm and in the temperature range from −196°C to 300°C. The spectra are obtained from the absorption and emission measurements of a thulium-doped fiber and from measured thulium concentration profiles. Attempts were made to estimate the temperature dependence of the spectra where the measurements are not accessible. Firstly, the spectra are fitted to a multi-Gaussian model with temperature dependent parameters. Secondly, a physically motivated model of the cross section spectra is proposed and analyzed.
Polar coordinate Fourier single-pixel imaging
Authors: Wang Guan , Deng Huaxia , Ma Mengchao , Zhong Xiang
Published: January 2023

Traditional single-pixel imaging uses Fourier patterns to modulate objects in the Cartesian coordinate system. The Cartesian Fourier pattern of single-pixel imaging is inappropriate to display in a circular field of view. However, a circular field of view is a widespread form of display in computed optical imaging. Here, circular patterns are adopted to adapt to the circular visual area. The circular patterns are displayed in polar coordinates and derived from two-dimensional Fourier transform in polar coordinates. The proposed circular patterns have improved imaging efficiency significantly from 63.66% to 100%. The proposed polar coordinate Fourier single-pixel imaging is expected to be applied in circular field-of-view imaging and foveated imaging.
Refractometric sensitivity of Bloch surface waves: perturbation theory calculation and experimental validation
Authors: Dias Bernardo Santos , de Almeida José M. M. M. , Coelho Luís C. C.
Published: January 2023

The sensitivity of one-dimensional Bloch surface wave (BSW) sensors to external refractive index variations using Kretschmann’s configuration is calculated analytically by employing first-order perturbation theory for both TE and TM modes. This approach is then validated by comparison with both transfer matrix method simulations and experimental results for a chosen photonic crystal structure. Experimental sensitivities of (8.4±0.2)×102 and (8.4±0.4)×102 nm/RIU were obtained for the TE and TM BSW modes, corresponding to errors of 0.02% and 4%, respectively, when comparing with the perturbation theory approach. These results provide interesting insights into photonic crystal design for Bloch surface wave sensing by casting light into the important parameters related with sensor performance.
Single-modulator, direct frequency comb spectroscopy via serrodyne modulation
Authors: Long D. A. , Bresler S. M. , Bao Y. , Reschovsky B. J. , Hodges J. T. , Lawall J. R. , LeBrun T. W. , Gorman J. J.
Published: January 2023

Traditional electro-optic frequency comb spectrometers rely upon the
use of an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) to provide a differential
frequency shift between probe and local oscillator (LO) legs of the
interferometer. Here we show that these modulators can be replaced by
an electro-optic phase modulator (EOM) which is driven by a sawtooth
waveform to induce serrodyne modulation. This approach enables direct
frequency comb spectroscopy to be performed with a single dual-drive
Mach–Zehnder modulator (DD-MZM), allowing for lower
differential phase noise. Further, this method allows for simpler
production of integrated photonic comb spectrometers on the chip
scale.
Controllable EIT-like mode splitting in a chiral microcavity
Authors: Zhao Guolin , Zhu Jiefu , Hou Jiankun , Chen Yao , Lin Jintian , Cheng Ya , Chen Xianfeng , Zheng Yuanlin , Wan Wenjie
Published: January 2023

Two coupled resonance modes can lead to exotic transmission spectra due to internal interference processes. Examples include electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in atoms and mode splitting in optics. The ability to control individual modes plays a crucial role in controlling such transmission spectra for practical applications. Here we experimentally demonstrate a controllable EIT-like mode splitting in a single microcavity using a double-port excitation. The mode splitting caused by internal coupling between two counter-propagating resonances can be effectively controlled by varying the power of the two inputs, as well as their relative phase. Moreover, the presence of asymmetric scattering in the microcavity leads to chiral behaviors in the mode splitting in the two propagating directions, manifesting itself in terms of a Fano-like resonance mode. These results may offer a compact platform for a tunable device in all-optical information processing.
Distinct features of the host-parasite interactions between nonadherent and adherent Trichomonas vaginalis isolates
Authors: Hsu Hong-Ming , Yang Yen-Yu , Huang Yu-Hsin , Chu Chien-Hsin , Tu Ting-Jui , Wu Yen-Ting , Chiang Chu-Jen , Yang Shi-Bing , Hsu Daniel K. , Liu Fu-Tong , Tai Jung-Hsiang
Published: January 2023

Cytoadherence of Trichomonas vaginalis to human vaginal epithelial cells (hVECs) was previously shown to involve surface lipoglycans and several reputed adhesins on the parasite. Herein, we report some new observations on the host-parasite interactions of adherent versus nonadherent T. vaginalis isolates to hVECs. The binding of the TH17 adherent isolate to hVECs exhibited an initial discrete phase followed by an aggregation phase inhibited by lactose. T. vaginalis infection immediately induced surface expression of galectin-1 and -3, with extracellular amounts in the spent medium initially decreasing and then increasing thereafter over the next 60 min. Extracellular galectin-1 and -3 were detected on the parasite surface but only the TH17 adherent isolate could uptake galectin-3 via the lysosomes. Only the adherent isolate could morphologically transform from the round-up flagellate with numerous transient protrusions into a flat amoeboid form on contact with the solid surface. Cytochalasin D challenge revealed that actin organization was essential to parasite morphogenesis and cytoadherence. Real-time microscopy showed that parasite exploring and anchoring on hVECs via the axostyle may be required for initial cytoadherence. Together, the parasite cytoskeleton behaviors may collaborate with cell surface adhesion molecules for cytoadherence. The nonadherent isolate migrated faster than the adherent isolate, with motility transiently increasing in the presence of hVECs. Meanwhile, differential histone acetylation was detected between the two isolates. Also, TH17 without Mycoplasma symbiosis suggests that symbiont might not determine TH17 innate cytoadherence. Our findings regarding distinctive host-parasite interactions of the isolates may provide novel insights into T. vaginalis infection.
Improvement of Antialveolar echinococcosis efficacy of novel Albendazole-Bile acids Derivatives with Enhanced Oral Bioavailability
Authors: Hu Chunhui , Qin Meng , Zhang Fabin , Gao Ruixue , Gan Xuehui , Du Tao
Published: January 2023

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a chronic and fatal infectious parasitic disease, which has not been well-researched. Current recommended therapies for AE by the World Health Organization include complete removal of the infected tissue followed by two years of albendazole (ABZ), administered orally, which is the only effective first-line anti-AE drug. Unfortunately, in most cases, complete resection of AE lesions is impossible, requiring ABZ administration for even longer periods. Only one-third of patients experienced complete remission or cure with such treatments, primarily due to ABZ’s low solubility and low bioavailability. To improve ABZ bioavailability, albendazole bile acid derivative (ABZ-BA) has been designed and synthesized. Its structure was identified by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. Its physicochemical properties were evaluated by wide-angle X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and polarizing microscopy; it was compared with ABZ to assess its solubilization mechanism at the molecular level. To avoid the effects of bile acid on the efficacy of albendazole, the inhibitory effect of ABZ-BA on protoscolex (PSCs)s was observed in vitro. The inhibitory effect of ABZ-BA on PSCs was evaluated by survival rate, ultrastructural changes, and the expression of key cytokines during PSC apoptosis. The results showed that ABZ-BA with 4-amino-1-butanol as a linker was successfully prepared. Physicochemical characterization demonstrated that the molecular arrangement of ABZ-BA presents a short-range disordered amorphous state, which changes the drug morphology compared with crystalline ABZ. The equilibrium solubility of ABZ-BA was 4-fold higher than ABZ in vitro. ABZ-BA relative bioavailability (Frel) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was 26-fold higher than ABZ in vivo. The inhibitory effect of ABZ-BA on PSCs was identical to that of ABZ, indicating that adding bile acid did not affect the efficacy of anti-echinococcosis. In the pharmacodynamics study, it was found that the ABZ-BA group had 2.7-fold greater than that of Albenda after 1 month of oral administration. The relative bioavailability of ABZ-BA is significantly better than ABZ due to the transformation of the physical state from a crystalline state to an amorphous state. Furthermore, sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) expressed in the apical small intestine has a synergistic effect through the effective transport of bile acids. Therefore, we concluded that the NC formulation could potentially be developed to improve anti-AE drug therapy.
Cultural adaptation of the person-centered maternity care scale at governmental health facilities in Cambodia
Authors: Naito Yuko Takahashi , Fukuzawa Rieko , Afulani Patience A. , Kim Rattana , Aiga Hirotsugu
Published: January 2023

Background

In Cambodia, the importance of valuing women’s childbirth experiences in improving quality of care has been understudied. This is largely because of absence of reliable Khmer tools for measuring women’s intrapartum care experiences. Generally, cross-cultural development of those tools often involves translation from a source language into a target language. Yet, few earlier studies considered Cambodian cultural context. Thus, we developed the Cambodian version of the Person-Centered Maternity Care (PCMC) scale, by culturally adapting its original to Cambodian context for ensuring cultural equivalence and content validity.

Methods

Three rounds of cognitive interviewing with 20 early postpartum women were conducted at two governmental health facilities in Cambodia. Cognitive interviewing was composed of structured questionnaire pretesting and qualitative probing. The issues identified in the process of transcribing and translating audio-recorded cognitive interviews were iteratively discussed among study team members, and further analyzed.

Results

A total of 14 issues related to cultural adaptations were identified in the 31 translated questions for the Cambodian version of the PCMC scale. Our study identified three key findings: (i) discrepancies between the WHO recommendations on intrapartum care and Cambodian field realities; (ii) discrepancies in recognition on PCMC between national experts and local women; and (iii) challenges in correctly collecting and interpreting less-educated women’s views on intrapartum care.

Conclusion

Not only women’s verbal data but also their non-verbal data and cultural contexts should be comprehensively counted, when reflecting Cambodian women’s intrapartum practice realities in the translated version. This is the first study that attempted to develop the tool for measuring Cambodian women’s experiences during childbirth, by addressing cross-cultural issues.