bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inflammatory biomarkers and frailty transitions in older adults with cancer: Findings from a national cohort study.
Authors: Zhou Weijiao , Pu Junlan , Cho Youmin
Published: May 2024

e13772

Background: Approximately 67% of cancer survivors were aged 65 or older in the U.S.; they face a heightened risk of frailty, as both cancer and anti-cancer treatment impose additional stressors on the older adults’ physiological reserves. Inflammatory biomarkers such as serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were associated with frailty. However, the role of inflammatory biomarkers on the transitions of frailty states remains unclear. This study aimed to describe transitions between frailty states and death and quantify the predictive effect of inflammatory biomarkers on transitions. Methods: We used data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) from 2017 to 2022. A total of 1,219 older cancer survivors (>67 years) were included. Frailty was assessed annually using the Fried Frailty Phenotype (exhaustion, low physical activity, shrinking, low walking speed, and weakness) to categorize participants as “non-frail,” “pre-frail,” and “frail.” Inflammatory biomarkers were obtained via dried blood spots at baseline (2017). Plasma-equivalent values of CRP and IL-6 were used. Covariates included sex, age category, race, education level, marital status, obesity, and number of comorbidities. We defined four states that included three frailty states (non-frail, pre-frail, and frail) and an absorbing state of death. The multi-state Markov models were performed to capture possible transitions between frailty states and examine the effect of CRP and IL-6 on the five main transitions between states (non-frail to pre-frail, pre-frail to non-frail, pre-frail to frail, frail to pre-frail, frail to death). Results: At baseline, 25.27% were non-frail, 52.34% were pre-frail, and 22.40% were frail. During the follow-up time of 5 years, 1,396 transitions were observed, with 950 (68.05%) progressions (or to death) and 446 (31.95%) reversals. For participants who were non-frail, they were highly likely to develop pre-frailty (transition intensity=0.63). For participants with pre-frailty, progression to frailty was a little more likely than recovery to non-frailty (0.25 vs 0.21). Once entering the frail state, the likelihood of death outweighed that of recovery (0.30 vs 0.28). A higher level of CRP or IL-6 was associated with frailty progression (non-frail to pre-frail and frail to death), while a lower level of CRP or IL-6 was associated with recovery of frailty (pre-frail to non-frail and frail to pre-frail). Conclusions: This study is the first to investigate the longitudinal relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and frailty transitions in older cancer survivors using a nationally representative survey dataset. Our findings outlined potential transitions between frailty states and death, highlighting the role of elevated serum CRP and IL-6 levels on the increased risk of frailty progression and reduced risk of frailty recovery over 5 years.
Neoadjuvant dalpiciclib, exemestane, and goserelin in premenopausal women with HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer: A prospective, multicenter, randomized two-group, non-controlled phase 2 clinical trial.
Authors: Yang Zhengjun , Wang Xin , Chen Aoxiang , Meng Ran , Zhao Ying , Liu Hong , Ge Jie , Huang Ruixue , Bai Jianping , Cao Xucheng
Published: May 2024

TPS625

Background: The combination of CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) with endocrine therapy has significantly improved progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer (BC), revolutionizing the treatment landscape. However, previous CDK4/6i neoadjuvant studies have predominantly focused on postmenopausal populations, leaving a gap in preoperative treatment for early HR-positive, HER2-negative premenopausal BC patients. Therefore, the present trial is conducted to investigate the efficacy of dalpiciclib, exemestane and goserelin as neoadjuvant therapy in premenopausal women with HR-positive, HER2-negative BC. Methods: This is a multicenter, randomized two-group, non-controlled phase 2 clinical trial. Key eligibility criteria include: Patients aged 18 years or older with no prior treatment, an ECOG performance status of 0-1, at least 1 measurable lesion, and clinical stage II-III HR-positive, HER2-negative premenopausal invasive BC. Initially, all enrolled patients will receive two cycles of treatment with docetaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (TAC). Subsequently, patients with complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) will receive an additional four cycles of TAC, whereas patients with progressive disease (PD) will undergo surgery or treatment options decided upon by the investigators. Those with stable disease (SD) will be randomly assigned 1:1 to either an experimental group receiving 16 weeks of dalpiciclib, exemestane, and goserelin (dalpiciclib: 125 mg daily for 21 days followed by 7 days off, exemestane: 25 mg daily for 28 days, goserelin: 3.6 mg every 28 days) or a standard chemotherapy group receiving four more cycles of TAC. Treatment response is assessed according to RECIST 1.1 criteria. Surgery will be performed after completion of the planned neoadjuvant treatment, followed by radiation therapy and systemic treatment according to local guidelines or the investigators' choices. The study's primary endpoint is the objective response rate (ORR) of the experimental group. Secondary endpoints include the ORR, residual cancer burden, preoperative endocrine prognostic index, event-free survival, and safety of both. Using Simon's two-stage optimal design and assuming a 40% response rate as desirable in the experimental group, at least 13 responses among a total of 43 patients were required to meet the primary endpoint. The trial will be terminated if fewer than 3 patients respond in the first stage. Considering an 80% SD rate post two neoadjuvant TAC cycles and a 10% attrition, the sample size was ultimately set at 119. The trial is actively recruiting. Clinical trial information: NCT06009627 .
Crip Spacetime
Authors: Price Margaret
Published: May 2024

In Crip Spacetime, Margaret Price intervenes in the competitive, productivity-focused realm of academia by sharing the everyday experiences of disabled academics. Drawing on more than three hundred interviews and survey responses, Price demonstrates that individual accommodations—the primary way universities address accessibility—actually impede access rather than enhance it. She argues that the pains and injustices encountered by academia’s disabled workers result in their living and working in realities different from nondisabled colleagues: a unique experience of space, time, and being that Price theorizes as “crip spacetime.” She explores how disability factors into the exclusionary practices found in universities, with multiply marginalized academics facing the greatest harms. Highlighting the knowledge that disabled academics already possess about how to achieve sustainable forms of access, Price boldly calls for the university to move away from individualized models of accommodation and toward a new system of collective accountability and care.
Osmanlı Siyaset Düşüncesinde Realizm ve Faziletler
Authors: Fırtın Erol
Published: May 2024

Bu makale, Osmanlı siyaset düşünce geleneğinde fazilet temelli kendine has ılımlı bir siyasî realizmin var olduğunu savunmaktadır. Günümüz siyasî realizm literatürü ve Osmanlı fazilet ahlâkına dayalı karşılaş- tırmalı metotla, siyasetin mahiyeti ve insanın doğasına dair realist unsurları teşhis etmeden Osmanlı siyaset düşüncesinde ahlâkî argümanların siyaseti, devlet fikrini ve kurumları nasıl inşa ettiğini anlayamayacağı- mızı iddia ediyorum. Osmanlı fazilet ahlâkı geleneğinde ahlâkın her şeyi kapsadığına dair kanının aksine siyasetin mahiyeti itibariyle tekil, değişken, ahlâktan bir ölçüde bağımsız bir gerçeklik olarak anlaşıldığını gösteriyorum. Bununla bağlantılı olarak Osmanlı siyaset düşünce geleneğinde fazilet ahlâkından gelen in- sanın acziyeti anlayışının, siyasî aktörleri ve eylemleri değerlendirmede onu realist yapan unsur olduğunu ifade ediyorum. Son olarak ahlâkın kapsamı ve siyasetin mahiyetini (gerek birbirleriyle olan ilişkileri açı- sından gerekse de birbirlerinden bağımsız olarak varlıklarını) açıklamada tümeller probleminin nasıl bir rol oynadığına işaret ediyorum. Tümeller probleminin siyaset ve ahlâk arasındaki karmaşık ilişkiye dair getirdiği analitik ayrımları ılımlı siyasî realizmin kaynağı olarak sunuyorum.
İslam Dil Felsefesinde Bağlam Duyarlı Terimlerin Ele Alınışı ve İşaret Adının Mantıksallaştırılması
Authors: Kuşlu Harun
Published: May 2024

Adudüddîn el-Îcî’nin (ö. 756/1355) er-Risâletü’l-vaz‘iyye adlı eserinin esas konusunu oluşturan müphem lafızlar meselesi müteahhir dönem İslâm düşüncesinin iki büyük ismi olan Sa‘duddîn et-Teftâzânî (ö. 792/1390) ile Sey- yid Şerîf el-Cürcânî (ö. 816/1413) arasında mantık ve dil felsefesi açısından ciddi bir ihtilaf konusuna dönüşmüştür. Tartışmanın izleri geç dönem Osmanlı filozoflarından İsmail Gelenbevî (ö. 1205/1791) ve şârihlerine kadar takip edilebilmektedir. Bu makalede ben; söz konusu tartışmayı, çağdaş dil felsefesindeki bağlam duyarlı terimler prob- lemine atıfla ele alıyorum. Yazı boyunca hem Îcî’nin risalesini izleyen literatürü kullanarak konunun dil felsefesi geleneğindeki seyrini hem de mantık eserlerine müracaatla Teftâzânî’nin bu tartışmayı nasıl bir mantık meselesine dönüştürdüğünü inceliyorum. Böylece Teftâzânî’den Gelenbevî’ye kadar bazı filozofların, bağlam duyarlı terimlerin mantıksallaşmasına yönelik katkı veya eleştirilerini göstermeyi amaçlıyorum.
Risky sexual behaviours and utilization of HIV testing services among the adolescent girls and young women aged between 15-24 years in Kibra Sub County, Nairobi County, Kenya
Authors: Mutie Onesmus Muti , Ngure Kenneth , Mokaya Aggrey Gisiora
Published: May 2024

Background HIV remains a significant global health challenge, disproportionately affecting adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). HIV testing is crucial in controlling transmission and reducing its prevalence. Understanding risky sexual behaviours among AGYW is pivotal in aligning prevention interventions. Despite global prevention efforts, testing gaps persist among AGYW, linked to risky sexual behaviour (RSB). This study explores the association between these behaviours and HIV testing utilization among AGYW (aged 15–24) in Kibra Sub County, Nairobi. Methods A cross-sectional study sampled 379 AGYW from three wards in Kibra Sub County in Nairobi County. To be an eligible participant, one must have been a resident for at least one year before the time of the study and aged between 15–24 years, employing standardized structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and statistical analyses. Results were analysed using Chi-square tests and logistic regression. Data was collected between June to July 2023. Results Overall, HIV testing prevalence was 60.7% (n=230). Those aged 20–24 were 71.3% (n=164), with secondary education were 63.5% (n=146) and married 28.7% (66) were more likely to undergo testing. Participants engaging in risky behaviours such as lack of condom use (3.96 times more likely), experiencing gender-based violence (4.65 times more likely), or contracting STIs (2.85 times more likely) had higher odds of seeking HIV testing services. Conclusions This study establishes a clear link between risky sexual behaviours and HIV testing among AGYW, with a 60.7% testing prevalence; however, gaps still exist. Efforts to enhance testing rates are vital. Interventions should align with acceptable methods, focusing on this affected community to ensure effective HIV care and prevention.
Principles of nutrition in chronic kidney disease in children - a review of the clinical trials and recommendations
Authors: Samojedny Sylwia , Krasnoborska Julia , Superson Maciej , Szmyt Katarzyna , Walczak Kamil , Wilk-Trytko Klaudia , Szymańska Katarzyna
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) require a specialized diet to manage their condition and support healthy growth and development. A proper diet for children with CKD aims to control the intake of certain nutrients, such as protein, lipid, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and vitamin D, while ensuring they receive adequate nutrition for growth and development.
Aim of the study: This article discusses the epidemiology, causes and pathomechanism of CKD in children. It also presents existing clinical trials and dietary recommendations from societies such as Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) 2024, Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) and Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce (PRNT) and identifies potential sources of selected macronutrients and micronutrients in children's diets.
Materials and methods: Comprehensive literature searches were performed across the main electronic databases of PubMed, Google Scholar, KDIGO2024, KDQQI and PRNT recommendations for studies published in the English language about dietary recommendations for children with CKD.
Results: The approach to nutrition for children with CKD is still evolving, and specific macronutrient and micronutrient ratios should be established based on the clinical condition, the child's age, and body weight. Care should be taken to ensure that the child's diet is varied, and a healthy eating style should be promoted.
Level of knowledge of prevention of blood-borne infectious diseases among Master’s degree students of nursing
Authors: Sierpińska Lidia , Skowronek Katarzyna , Jedynak Anna
Published: May 2024

Introduction. Blood-borne infections are a serious problem among medical staff, especially nursing staff, because nurses have the most frequent contact with patients. As future employees of health care, students of nursing are exposed to a number of hazardous factors. Work with patients of unknown serological status (during practical classes and apprenticeships) is associated with the risk of infection with various pathogens.  
Objective. The aim of the study was recognition of the level of knowledge concerning prevention of blood-borne infectious diseases among Master’s degree students of nursing.
Material and Methods. The study was conducted in the second half of 2022 among 104 Master’s degree students of nursing, who were educated at the Radom School in Radom, by the method of a diagnostic survey, using an author-constructed questionnaire.
Results. The majority of the examined students (96.2%) knew what diseases are transmitted through blood. More than a half of respondents (63.5%) evaluated their level of knowledge about blood-borne diseases as mediocre, and 19.2% - as low. A part of respondents (67.3%) had knowledge that trace amounts of blood are enough to cause infection with blood-borne diseases. All students in the study knew the main methods of prevention of infections transmitted via blood, and the deficit of knowledge concerned proper use of personal protection equipment (5.8%) and the observance of the procedure to be followed in the event of occupational exposure (3.8%). A large group of respondents (82.7%-100.0%) knew various risk factors of infection with blood-borne diseases. The majority of respondents (88.5%) knew that there is an effective vaccine against hepatitis B, but 43.3% of the students in the study did not know the main symptoms of infection with HBV. Students most often knew (90.4%) how to diagnose infection with HCV – anti-HCV test for the presence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus in blood; however, 26.9% of respondents were not aware that there is no vaccine against hepatitis C. The majority of the examined students (84.7%) knew early symptoms of infection with HIV, while the remainder had a deficit of knowledge in this area. A large group of respondents (82.0%-94.0%) knew various risk factors of infection with HIV.
Conclusions. Students of nursing should be motivated to expand their knowledge concerning prevention of blood-borne diseases, observance of the principles of personal protection, prevention of occupational exposure, and proper post-exposure prophylaxis.
Traducción y validación de la Escala de Autoeficacia en Lactancia Materna BSES-SF en población colombiana
Authors: Trujillo Adriana , Maldonado-Avendaño Natalia , Castro-Osorio Rubby
Published: May 2024

La autoeficacia en la lactancia materna es la confianzade la madre en su capacidad para amamantar asu hijo(a), la cual se evalúa mediante el cuestionarioBreastfeeding Self Efficacy Scale (BSES). Diversos estudioshan explorado las propiedades psicométricas delinstrumento con resultados adecuados en diferentespaíses. Este estudio presenta el proceso de traducción yvalidación de la escala en su versión breve, de 14 ítems,en una muestra de mujeres colombianas. En total, se evaluaron 243 mujeres lactantes con hijos alrededorde los cuatro meses de edad. Se analizó la consistenciay estructura interna de la escala, así como su relacióncon otras variables. La escala evidenció adecuadosindicios respecto a su consistencia interna (α = .91), seidentificó una estructura factorial de dos dimensionesque explican un 48 % de la varianza, la relación conotras variables como la autoestima (ρ = .28) y el estréspercibido (ρ = .30) fueron débiles o moderadas, y lasdiferencias en las puntuaciones respecto a la historia obstétrica y las variables sociodemográficas fueronanalizadas. Las evidencias psicométricas apoyan lautilización de la escala, tanto en el ámbito clínico comoen el investigativo para evaluar la autoeficacia en mujereslactantes colombianas.
"a antropologia da infância chegou para ficar": entrevista com david lancy
Authors: Lancy David , Medaets Chantal , Tebet Gabriela , Pires Flávia
Published: May 2024

O texto discute a consolidação do campo da antropologia da infância a partir de um diálogo com David Lancy, professor emérito de antropologia na Universidade do Estado de Utah, Estados Unidos, e uma das figuras-chave da institucionalização do campo naquele país. A partir de uma entrevista com Lancy na ocasião do lançamento da terceira edição de seu livro The Anthropology of Childhood, apresentamos as principais contribuições deste autor a um público lusófono e discutimos temas chave para os estudos da infância, como os usos da noção de agência, bebês, a variabilidade cultural das categorias de idade, além da contribuição da antropologia para as pesquisas sobre infância, parentalidade e educação. Para Lancy, a antropologia da infância dá visibilidade a compreensões alternativas, em relação à psicologia do desenvolvimento infantil, sobre a infância e sobre processos de aprendizagem, trazendo novas questões e novas perspectivas. Com base num amplo levantamento de pesquisas etnográficas, o autor afirma a significativa quantidade de registros feitos por antropólogos sobre as vidas de crianças em diferentes culturas, enfatizando as distinções  entre, de um lado, as infâncias de povos originários e tradicionais e, de um outro lado, infâncias ocidentais e urbanas, que ele sugere agrupar, seguindo uma denominação cada vez mais frequente nos Estados Unidos, como sociedades “WEIRD” [extraño], um acrônimo para  “Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic Societies”. Nesta entrevista, Lancy ressalta que os trabalhos antropológicos sobre infância em povos originários ou povos tradicionais, quando bem conduzidos, possuem o potencial de produzir um efeito de grande respeito e legitimidade às formas de pensar sobre a infância e educação desses povos.
Características clínicas de reanimações cardiopulmonares intra-hospitalares registradas em prontuário: estudo transversal
Authors: Terra Jakeliny Serafinia , Lazzari Daniele Delacanal , Ramos Francine Carpes , Becker Alex , Nascimento Eliane Regina Pereira do , Mendes Nicásio Urinque
Published: May 2024

Objetivo: identificar características clínicas das paradas cardiopulmonares e reanimações cardiopulmonares ocorridas em ambiente intra-hospitalar. Método: estudo quantitativo, prospectivo e observacional, a partir de informações de prontuários de pacientes submetidos a manobras de reanimação devido à parada cardiopulmonar entre janeiro e dezembro de 2021. Utilizou-se um instrumento baseado nas variáveis do modelo de registro Utstein. Resultados: em 12 meses foram registradas 37 paradas cardiopulmonares. A maioria ocorreu na unidade de terapia intensiva respiratória, com causa clínica mais prevalente hipóxia. 65% dos pacientes foram intubados no atendimento e 57% apresentaram ritmo atividade elétrica sem pulso. A duração da reanimação variou entre menos de cinco a mais de 20 minutos. Como desfecho imediato, 57% sobreviveram. Conclusão: dentre os registros analisados, a maior ocorrência de paradas cardiopulmonares foi na unidade de terapia intensiva respiratória, relacionada à Covid-19. Foram encontrados registros incompletos e ausência de padronização nas condutas.
Assistência pré-natal às usuárias de substâncias psicoativas: dificuldades elencadas pelos profissionais da saúde
Authors: Tavares Amanda Rosário , Ribeiro Juliane Portella
Published: May 2024

Objetivo: conhecer as dificuldades elencadas pelos profissionais de saúde na assistência pré-natal às usuárias de substâncias psicoativas. Método: estudo qualitativo, exploratório-descritivo, realizado nas mídias sociais, com profissionais da área da saúde que realizam atendimento pré-natal. A coleta de dados ocorreu de novembro de 2022 a janeiro de 2023 por meio de questionário eletrônico. Os dados foram analisados por meio da análise temática. Protocolo aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. Resultados: os profissionais destacam o déficit de conhecimento para abordar este público em específico. A abordagem superficial e condenatória do uso de substâncias pelas políticas públicas corrobora para que os profissionais se sintam preparados em parte para atender essas gestantes. Considerações finais: a capacitação dos profissionais é necessária para superar práticas condenatórias e retrógradas de cuidado que focam unicamente a abstinência; como também, o investimento na capacitação acerca da rede de atenção à saúde, buscando ampliar sua visibilidade e utilização.
Prisons and midwifery
Authors: Winter George F
Published: May 2024

George F Winter explores existing issues in the provision of midwifery care for women in prison, in relation to the United Nations' declaration regarding standards of care for prisoners
Lingulaaah
Authors: Fahey Kate
Published: May 2024

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Hair-Power Performativity: A co-experimental braiding together of speculative fabulation and critical inquiry
Authors: Sinquefield-Kangas Rachel , Ikonen Essi , Najari Boshra
Published: May 2024

This article explores the intersection of hair and power through collaborative performative storytelling, drawing inspiration from Marco Melgrati's illustration 'Cut it Out!,' a tribute to Iranian women's protest. Recognized for fostering empathy, narratives have the potential to reshape ontological perceptions and confront the limitations of conventional uses of 'data' and 'theory' in research. Our research story encompasses these elements, revealing insights not only related to hair and power but also the embodied emotions influencing the research process. Rooted in Donna Haraway's speculative fabulation, we challenge the notion of storytelling as a means to create order, highlighting how fantasy writing uniquely entangles the personal and the political. The trans-cultural dimension gained through our international collaboration (three white female authors from Finland, United States, and Iran) adds layers of tension, pulling hair/power in diverse directions and uncovering insights otherwise unattainable, thereby fostering transformative engagement with the subject matter.
Biobibliographical Studies of Georgian Writers
Authors: Ninidze Maia , Metreveli Saba , Tvalavadze Tea
Published: May 2024

Abstract: Most of the sources on which biographies rely are textual. Therefore, the biobibliographies of Georgian authors became more complete and reliable after greater attention began to be directed toward textual investigations. This article describes the methods and approaches that we and our colleagues have been using to create biobibliographies.
From Little Russia to Great Russia, from Second Rome to Third Rome: Two Sequences of Apostasy in Old Believer Eschatology
Authors: Perrie Maureen
Published: May 2024

Abstract: The article explores Russian Old Believers’ views on the arrival of the apocalypse. Commentators have traditionally assumed that they considered that the Church Councils of 1666/67 marked the fall of Moscow (the Third Rome) from true Christianity, following those of Rome and Constantinople (the Second Rome). However, equally important was the prophecy of the ‘Book of Faith’ of 1648 that an evil would befall Russia in 1666, following not only the apostasy of Rome in the year 1000 but also the Uniate schism of 1595 in Ukraine. The article examines the ways in which the scenario of the Book of Faith interacted with the Third Rome theory in Old Believer eschatology.
Optical micro/nanofiber enabled wearable accelerometer
Authors: Yu Wen , Zhang Lei
Published: May 2024

Highly sensitive and miniaturized accelerometers are of importance in many areas. Herein, an optical micro/nanofiber (MNF) enabled accelerometer is proposed. The structural parameters of the MNF accelerometer are optimized based on theoretical simulation. The accelerometer shows excellent linear relationship between displacement and force in a force range of 0–40 nN and achieves a minimum detectable acceleration of 0.15m/s2. For vibration sensing, the natural frequency of the sensor can be as high as 753 Hz; the vibrations of the tuning fork and human arm are recorded with high fidelity.
Study of the lateral shift due to atmospheric refraction: alternative analytical methods, and new results
Authors: Dettwiller L.
Published: May 2024

Atmospheric refraction modifies the apparent position of objects in the sky, and also produces a progressive lateral shift of the light rays received from these objects; in the case of a spherically symmetric atmosphere, for the first time, this shift has been numerically studied in 2022, and different analytical estimators have been compared (by Labriji et al.) for the total shift. This topic is important for the reconstruction of meteor trajectories, for the analysis of wavefront sensing in adaptative optics, etc. Always in the case of a spherically symmetric atmosphere, we show two other analytical methods to study this lateral shift, and to be able to estimate it analytically in the difficult case when the celestial object is seen near the astronomical horizon. One of these methods allows us to deduce an estimator, not only of the total shift, but also of the shift of any point of the ray. We compare properties of the total lateral shift and of the refraction angle, and also the chromatism of the total lateral shift to the chromatism of the air refractivity, for rays coming from an object seen either high enough above the astronomical horizon, or on it. In this latter case, our first method shows departures from proportionality between the chromatisms of the air refractivity, of the astronomical refraction angle, and, even more, of the total lateral shift.
Multipass Faraday rotators and isolators
Authors: Meyer Johann Gabriel , Zablah Andrea , Kapzems Kristaps , Kovalenko Nazar , Pronin Oleg
Published: May 2024

Faraday isolators are usually limited to Faraday materials with strong Verdet constants. We present a method to reach the 45° polarization rotation angle needed for optical isolators with materials exhibiting a weak Faraday effect. The Faraday effect is enhanced by passing the incident radiation multiple times through the Faraday medium while the rotation angle accumulates after each pass. Materials having excellent thermo-optical properties in the ultraviolet and mid-infrared range become available for optical isolators. Herriott-type multipass cells offer a simple and compact way to realize the desired propagation length in usual optical materials of standard sizes. A proof-of-principle experiment was carried out, demonstrating polarization rotation of a 532 nm laser beam by an angle of 45° in anti-reflection-coated fused silica surrounded by a standard neodymium ring magnet.
Metal artifact suppression in terahertz computed tomography
Authors: Wang Tianyi , Wang Chensheng , Wang Zhenhua , Zou Kaigang , Zhou Yu , Shen Sishi , Liang Bin , Zhang Mengting , Wang Xingyun , Wang Kejia , Yang Zhengang , Liu Jinsong
Published: May 2024

Metal artifact suppression in images of terahertz computed tomography is a bottleneck problem that hinders the development of this technique, and few studies have been conducted so far. In this paper, we propose a metal artifact suppression method containing 8 steps based on the idea of sinogram restoration. The method has been applied to the slice images of several metal objects and the effects before and after metal artifact suppression have been compared to verify the effectiveness of the method. And it provides a reliable reference for the subsequent solution of this problem.
Flat Optics: feature issue introduction
Authors: Dainese Paulo , Chen Wei Ting , Fan Jonathan , Lu Yu-Jung , Capasso Federico
Published: May 2024

This feature issue of Optics Express was created in conjunction with a topical meeting that took place during the 2023 Optica Imaging Congress and includes 17 state-of-the art articles. This introduction provides a summary of these articles that cover various aspects of metasurfaces from fundamental mechanisms, design methods, novel materials and processes to applications.
Low-modal-crosstalk doped-fiber amplifiers in few-mode-fiber-based systems
Authors: Huang Shuailuo , Shen Lei , Qiao Gang , Ding Yuanpeng , Gao Yuyang , Cui Jian , Zhu Baolong , Liu Siyuan , Zuo Mingqing , Zhu Jinglong , Zhang Lei , Luo Jie , He Yongqi , Chen Zhangyuan , Li Juhao
Published: May 2024

Independent light propagation through one or multiple modes is commonly considered as a basic demand for mode manipulation in few-mode fiber (FMF)- or multimode fiber (MMF)-based optical systems such as transmission links, optical fiber lasers, or distributed optical fiber sensors. However, the insertion of doped-fiber amplifiers always kills the entire effort by inducing significant modal crosstalk. In this paper, we propose the design of doped-fiber amplifiers in FMF-based systems adopting identical multiple-ring-core (MRC) index profiles for both passive and doped fibers to achieve low modal crosstalk. We develop the direct-glass-transition (DGT) modified chemical vapor deposition (MCVD) processing for precise fabrication of few-mode erbium-doped fibers (FM-EDFs) with MRC profiles of both refractive index and erbium-ion doping distribution. Then, a few-mode erbium-doped-fiber amplifier (FM-EDFA) with a maximum gain of 26.08 dB and differential modal gain (DMG) of 2.3 dB is realized based on fabricated FM-EDF matched with a transmission FMF supporting four linearly polarized (LP) modes. With the insertion of the FM-EDFA, 60 + 60 km simultaneous LP01/LP11/LP21/LP02 transmission without inter-modal multiple-input multiple-output digital signal processing (MIMO-DSP) is successfully demonstrated. The proposed design of low-modal-crosstalk doped-fiber amplifiers provides, to our knowledge, new insights into mode manipulation methods in various applications.
What does your partner want? Using a gender equality lens to assess partner support and involvement in family planning in Uganda
Authors: Olapeju Bolanle , Passaniti Anna , Odeke Paul , Hendrickson Zoé Mistrale , Nalukwago Judith , Mugabe Pallen , Bufumbo Leonard , Kimbowa Musa , Amado Fiona , Kayongo Emmanuel , Naibere Mabel , Nanyonga Nanah , Mkandawire Glory , Mugahi Richard , Bakyaita Tabley , Kabanda Richard , Storey J. Douglas
Published: May 2024

It is unclear if there are any differences in the ways men and women perceive partner support in the context of family planning. The USAID-funded Social and Behavior Change Activity (SBCA) in Uganda explored male versus female priorities in the decision-making considerations and preferred measures of partner support related to family planning. Data were from a cross -sectional nationally representative telephone survey of 1177 men and women aged 18–49 years old in sexual partnerships. Key measures included current family planning use (Are you or your partner currently doing anything to prevent or delay becoming pregnant?); family planning decision-making considerations (In your experience, which of the following are the three most important considerations as you make family planning decisions?); and preferred partner support (What level of involvement would you like to see from your partner in your family planning decisions?). Multivariable logistic regressions explored factors associated with decision-making priorities and preferred partner support, adjusting for sociodemographic confounders. Two-thirds (66%) of men and women wanted a high level of involvement from their partner, which was associated with higher odds of using family planning (aOR: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.87–3.24). Specific ways partners could be involved included accompanying them to health services (39%), permitting them to get family planning services (26%), and jointly discussing family planning options (23%). Of note, more women wanted their partner to accompany them (45%) than men (33%) while more men (29%) wanted to jointly discuss options than women (15%). Social and behavior change interventions should operationalize partner support differently for men and women. Study findings were used to implement a health campaign that explicitly encouraged partner dialogue and support across the various life stages; empowering women with knowledge and skills to have honest conversations with their partners about birth spacing and timing.
Using unstructured crowd-sourced data to evaluate urban tolerance of terrestrial native animal species within a California Mega-City
Authors: Curti Joseph N. , Barton Michelle , Flores Rhay G. , Lechner Maren , Lipman Alison , Montgomery Graham A. , Park Albert Y. , Rochel Kirstin , Tingley Morgan W.
Published: May 2024

In response to biodiversity loss and biotic community homogenization in urbanized landscapes, there are increasing efforts to conserve and increase biodiversity within urban areas. Accordingly, around the world, previously extirpated species are (re)colonizing and otherwise infiltrating urban landscapes, while other species are disappearing from these landscapes. Tracking the occurrence of traditionally urban intolerant species and loss of traditionally urban tolerant species should be a management goal of urban areas, but we generally lack tools to study this phenomenon. To address this gap, we first used species’ occurrences from iNaturalist, a large collaborative dataset of species observations, to calculate an urban association index (UAI) for 967 native animal species that occur in the city of Los Angeles. On average, the occurrence of native species was negatively associated with our composite measure of urban intensity, with the exception of snails and slugs, which instead occur more frequently in areas of increased urban intensity. Next, we assessed 8,348 0.25 x 0.25 mile grids across the City of Los Angeles to determine the average grid-level UAI scores (i.e., a summary of the UAIs present in a grid cell, which we term Community Urban Tolerance Index or CUTI). We found that areas of higher urban intensity host more urban tolerant species, but also that taxonomic groups differ in their aggregate tolerance of urban areas, and that spatial patterns of tolerance vary between groups. The framework established here has been designed to be iteratively reevaluated by city managers of Los Angeles in order to track the progress of initiatives to preserve and encourage urban biodiversity, but can be rescaled to sample different regions within the city or different cities altogether to provide a valuable tool for city managers globally.
Investigating grandmothers’ cooking: A multidisciplinary approach to foodways on an archaeological dump in Lower Casamance, Senegal
Authors: Debels Pauline , Drieu Léa , Chiquet Patricia , Studer Jacqueline , Malergue Alex , Martignac Louise , Champion Louis , Garnier Aline , Fichet Valentine , Sall Moustapha , Regert Martine , Mayor Anne
Published: May 2024

Because they hold information about cultural identity, foodways have been the focus of a variety of disciplines in archaeology. However, each approach documents different stages of culinary preparation and is constrained by the preservation specificities of each type of artefact and ecofact. Difficulties in achieving an interdisciplinary approach may explain the scarcity of such studies. In this paper, we propose a methodology that combines archaeozoological, carpological and microbotanical analysis of ecofacts retrieved in the sediment, with use-alteration, organic residue and microbotanical analysis carried out on pottery vessels, recovered during the excavation of a XXth century archaeological dump site in Lower Casamance (Senegal). The results demonstrate the strength of this multiproxy approach in reconstructing past foodways by characterising the importance of aquatic, terrestrial animals and plant products in the Diola Kassa diet. In addition, this study questions the modalities of food transformation by assessing the preparation techniques of animal and vegetal products (cutting marks, heating processes etc.) and the function of pottery vessels (transport, storage, cooking etc.). Aquatic products and rice were a significant part of the diet of the users of the dump (from archaeozoology, carpology, phytoliths and organic residue analysis) and wet cooking (boiling?), salty and acidic foods seem to have been particularly prevalent (from use-alteration). The absence of specific animal and plant parts in the archaeological record, as well as some pottery function, is also questioned. Beyond gathering the results of each approach, this study focuses on the interweaving of different research methods to depict past foodscape.
Resistance of rocky intertidal communities to oceanic climate fluctuations
Authors: Gravem Sarah A. , Poirson Brittany N. , Robinson Jonathan W. , Menge Bruce A.
Published: May 2024

A powerful way to predict how ecological communities will respond to future climate change is to test how they have responded to the climate of the past. We used climate oscillations including the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), North Pacific Gyre Oscillation, and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and variation in upwelling, air temperature, and sea temperatures to test the sensitivity of nearshore rocky intertidal communities to climate variability. Prior research shows that multiple ecological processes of key taxa (growth, recruitment, and physiology) were sensitive to environmental variation during this time frame. We also investigated the effect of the concurrent sea star wasting disease outbreak in 2013–2014. We surveyed nearly 150 taxa from 11 rocky intertidal sites in Oregon and northern California annually for up to 14-years (2006–2020) to test if community structure (i.e., the abundance of functional groups) and diversity were sensitive to past environmental variation. We found little to no evidence that these communities were sensitive to annual variation in any of the environmental measures, and that each metric was associated with < 8.6% of yearly variation in community structure. Only the years elapsed since the outbreak of sea star wasting disease had a substantial effect on community structure, but in the mid-zone only where spatially dominant mussels are a main prey of the keystone predator sea star, Pisaster ochraceus. We conclude that the established sensitivity of multiple ecological processes to annual fluctuations in climate has not yet scaled up to influence community structure. Hence, the rocky intertidal system along this coastline appears resistant to the range of oceanic climate fluctuations that occurred during the study. However, given ongoing intensification of climate change and increasing frequencies of extreme events, future responses to climate change seem likely.
Infant vocal category exploration as a foundation for speech development
Authors: Yoo Hyunjoo , Su Pumpki Lei , Ramsay Gordon , Long Helen L. , Bene Edina R. , Oller D. Kimbrough
Published: May 2024

Non-random exploration of infant speech-like vocalizations (e.g., squeals, growls, and vowel-like sounds or “vocants”) is pivotal in speech development. This type of vocal exploration, often noticed when infants produce particular vocal types in clusters, serves two crucial purposes: it establishes a foundation for speech because speech requires formation of new vocal categories, and it serves as a basis for vocal signaling of wellness and interaction with caregivers. Despite the significance of clustering, existing research has largely relied on subjective descriptions and anecdotal observations regarding early vocal category formation. In this study, we aim to address this gap by presenting the first large-scale empirical evidence of vocal category exploration and clustering throughout the first year of life. We observed infant vocalizations longitudinally using all-day home recordings from 130 typically developing infants across the entire first year of life. To identify clustering patterns, we conducted Fisher’s exact tests to compare the occurrence of squeals versus vocants, as well as growls versus vocants. We found that across the first year, infants demonstrated clear clustering patterns of squeals and growls, indicating that these categories were not randomly produced, but rather, it seemed, infants actively engaged in practice of these specific categories. The findings lend support to the concept of infants as manifesting active vocal exploration and category formation, a key foundation for vocal language.
Observing the earth from space: Does a virtual reality overview effect experience increase pro-environmental behaviour?
Authors: van Horen Femke , Meijers Marijn H. C. , Zhang Yerong , Delaney Michael , Nezami Annahita , Van Lange Paul A. M.
Published: May 2024

Astronauts (and recently businessmen) often express a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment, after observing the overwhelming beauty of Earth from space. Despite recent attention for this “overview effect”, it is unclear whether experiencing the effect directly impacts pro-environmental behaviour. Using a virtual reality experience, the current research tests in two experimental studies the direct impact of an immersive overview effect experience on both short-term and longer term subsequent pro-environmental behaviours (donating to an environmental NGO, consuming less diary and meat). Furthermore, it investigates whether the technological immersiveness of the VR experience amplifies the effect, and the mediating role of connectedness to nature. Results show no effects of the short (7 minutes) overview effect VR video on pro-environmental behaviour (Study 1). For the longer video (15 minutes, Study 2), the results showed that the most immersive experience (video featuring meditative music and voice-over) appeared to increase connection with nature and higher donation amounts to an eco-NGO, but not significantly. No effects were found for subsequent meat and dairy consumption behaviours (measured on day 2, 4, and 6). These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the specific features determining the effectiveness of the overview effect experiences on actual pro-environmental behaviour, providing important insights to businesses and educational institutions.
Emergence failure of early epidemics: A mathematical modeling approach
Authors: Breban Romulus
Published: May 2024

Epidemic or pathogen emergence is the phenomenon by which a poorly transmissible pathogen finds its evolutionary pathway to become a mutant that can cause an epidemic. Many mathematical models of pathogen emergence rely on branching processes. Here, we discuss pathogen emergence using Markov chains, for a more tractable analysis, generalizing previous work by Kendall and Bartlett about disease invasion. We discuss the probability of emergence failure for early epidemics, when the number of infected individuals is small and the number of the susceptible individuals is virtually unlimited. Our formalism addresses both directly transmitted and vector-borne diseases, in the cases where the original pathogen is 1) one step-mutation away from the epidemic strain, and 2) undergoing a long chain of neutral mutations that do not change the epidemiology. We obtain analytic results for the probabilities of emergence failure and two features transcending the transmission mechanism. First, the reproduction number of the original pathogen is determinant for the probability of pathogen emergence, more important than the mutation rate or the transmissibility of the emerged pathogen. Second, the probability of mutation within infected individuals must be sufficiently high for the pathogen undergoing neutral mutations to start an epidemic, the mutation threshold depending again on the basic reproduction number of the original pathogen. Finally, we discuss the parameterization of models of pathogen emergence, using SARS-CoV1 as an example of zoonotic emergence and HIV as an example for the emergence of drug resistance. We also discuss assumptions of our models and implications for epidemiology.
The one-minute sit-to-stand-test performance is associated with health-related quality of life in patients with pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Kronberger Christina , Willixhofer Robin , Mousavi Roya Anahita , Grzeda Mariusz Tadeusz , Litschauer Brigitte , Krall Christoph , Badr Eslam Roza
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) have an impaired functional capacity and poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The one-minute sit-to-stand test (1-min STST) can be used for the assessment of functional capacity.

Aims

Our aim was to evaluate the 1-min STST performance and its association with patient-reported HRQoL in patients with PH.

Methods

We prospectively assessed functional capacity in 98 PH patients (mean age 66 ± 15 years, 55% female) using the 1-min STST. Patients had to stand up and sit down from a chair as many times as possible within one minute. Patients’ HRQoL was evaluated with the Cambridge Pulmonary Hypertension Outcome Review (CAMPHOR) questionnaire, which consists of the three subcategories symptoms, activities and quality of life (QoL).

Results

We observed a significant correlation of the 1-min STST performance with all HRQoL subcategories assessed with the CAMPHOR questionnaire: A lower number of 1-min STST repetitions correlated with more symptoms (rs = -.398, p < .001), worse functioning (rs = -.551, p < .001) and a decreased QoL (rs = -.407, p < .001). Furthermore, in the multivariable linear regression analysis, adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), lower 1-min STST performance was an independent predictor for worse symptoms (est. β = -0.112, p = .003), activities (est. β = -0.198, p < .001) and QoL (est. β = -0.130, p < .001) assessed with the CAMPHOR questionnaire.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that regardless of age, sex, BMI and mPAP the 1-min STST performance is associated with all CAMPHOR HRQoL subcategories in patients with PH. Therefore, the 1-min STST performance might be a new option to assess functional capacity correlated to HRQoL in patients with PH.