bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tunable couplings between location-insensitive emitters mediated by an epsilon-near-zero plasmonic waveguide
Authors: Zhu Shicheng , Su Lin-Lin , Ren Jun
Published: August 2023

This work demonstrates the efficient tuning of incoherent and coherent coupling between emitters embedded in an epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) waveguide coated with a multilayer graphene. As a result, a tunable two-qubit quantum phase gate based on the ENZ waveguide is realized at the cutoff frequency. Furthermore, due to the vanishingly small permittivity of the ENZ waveguide, all incoherent coupling between any two identical emitters located in the central area of the slit approaches a maximum, enabling near-ideal bipartite and multipartite entanglement. The coherent coupling between emitters is much larger at an operating frequency far from the ENZ resonance frequency than at the cutoff frequency, and the coherent coupling and resulting energy transfer efficiency can also be effectively tuned by the Fermi level of graphene. These results demonstrate an efficiently tunable electro-optical platform for quantum devices.
Symmetric gradient-index media reconstruction
Authors: Gómez-Correa J. E. , Padilla-Ortiz A. L. , Trevino J. P. , Jaimes-Nájera A. , Lozano-Crisóstomo N. , Cornejo-Rodriguez A. , Chávez-Cerda S.
Published: August 2023

Ray tracing in gradient-index (GRIN) media has been thoroughly studied and several ray tracing methods have been proposed. Methods are based on finding the ray path given a known GRIN. In recent decades, the inverse problem, which consists of finding the GRIN distribution for a given light ray path, has been gaining attention. Given that it is not an easy task, the methods proposed in the literature vary in degrees of difficulty. In this work, an alternative method is presented to derive symmetric GRIN distributions whose implementation can be considered the simplest to date. Since it is based on invariants, which result from the symmetries of the system as stated by Fermat’s principle, it is an exact numerical method, i.e., the physical system is not approximated. The robustness of the method permits the reconstruction of the GRIN distribution from a ray propagating in three-dimensions. In order to demonstrate its operation, different known symmetric GRIN media are reconstructed using rays that propagate in two and three dimensions.
Electrically driven europium-doped GaN microdisk
Authors: Taniguchi T. , Timmerman D. , Ichikawa S. , Tatebayashi J. , Fujiwara Y.
Published: August 2023

For the practical implementation of microdisk resonators as active nanophotonic devices, it is essential that they can be electrically driven. However, it is difficult to inject current in such small-scale devices without severely degrading their optical properties. We demonstrate the successful fabrication of an electrically injected microdisk based on Eu-doped GaN, in which an SiO2 spacer is used to prevent the interaction of the metal contact with the optical resonances. The microdisk shows Eu-related emission upon electrical injection and from the observed resonance peak, a cavity quality (Q)-factor of 3400 is concluded.
Low-threshold supercontinuum generation in a homogeneous bulk material at 76 MHz pulse repetition rate
Authors: Marčiulionytė Vaida , Banys Jonas , Vengelis Julius , Grigutis Robertas , Tamošauskas Gintaras , Dubietis Audrius
Published: August 2023

We report on high average power, low threshold supercontinuum generation in a homogeneous bulk material at 76 MHz pulse repetition rate with amplified as well as unamplified pulses from a Yb:KGW oscillator. An octave-spanning supercontinuum was produced in undoped potassium gadolinium tungstate (KGW), which demonstrated robust, damage-free long-term performance with a total average pump power of 6.4 W. The supercontinuum generation was unambiguously attested by the distinctive features of the phenomenon: beam filamentation visualized via filament-induced luminescence; conical emission and its characteristic angular distribution captured by angle-resolved spectral measurements; and pulse splitting that produced the sub-pulses with well-behaved phases, as retrieved from the measurements employing a second harmonic frequency-resolved optical gating technique.
Lensless computationally defined confocal incoherent imaging with a Fresnel zone plane as coded aperture
Authors: Chen Jihui , Wang Feng , Li Yulong , Zhang Xing , Yao Ke , Guan Zanyang , Liu Xiangming
Published: August 2023

We present a Fresnel zone plate (FZP) mask-based system for single-shot lensless confocal imaging. The system uses an FZP as coded aperture, which allows each point source to cast a unique pattern onto the sensor, representing their horizontal and axial positions. This results in a 2D sensor measurement comprising a series of FZP patterns, which records the spatial intensity distribution of the incoherent illuminant. The reconstruction process is facilitated by an algorithm based on compress sensing (CS) theory and the use of the nuclear norm of gradient scanning and hologram segmentation technology for autofocusing. The simulative and experimental results of this study align well with the expectation that every layered scene can be accurately recovered at the corresponding depth, without undesirable signals from other layers. Additionally, we analyze the deviation of the reconstruction results in the experiment, which emphasizes the need to consider the thickness of the FZP for a precise forward propagation model.
FPGA implementation for 44.2368-Gbit/s PAM8 signal transmission with pruned pre-equalization
Authors: Wang Yikai , Chen Yu , Zhang Long , Xu Sicong , Wang Kaihui , Yu Jianjun
Published: August 2023

In this experiment, we demonstrated an intensity modulation and direct-detection (IM/DD) system based on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The PAM8 signals are successfully delivered at 44.2368 Gbit/s over a 45-km standard single-mode fiber (SSMF), satisfying the soft-decision forward error correction (SD-FEC) criterion of 2.4 × 10
−
2, and the net bit rate may reach 36.864 Gbit/s without the need of optical amplifiers. At the transmitter, we used a pruned pre-equalization algorithm to process the PAM8 signals, and the high-speed parallel PAM8 signals were processed at the receiver using 64 parallel constant modulus algorithm (CMA) and decision-directed least mean square (DD-LMS) equalizers. Additionally, we analyzed the bit error rate (BER) performance of the DD-LMS equalizer in FPGA simulation with various data lengths, both before and after equalization.
Mutual influence of intermodal and fundamental four-wave mixing of 1.0 µm and 1.5 µm nanosecond pulses in a dual-wavelength fiber laser
Authors: Ostapiv Aleksey Yu. , Tsypkin Victor P. , Larionov Igor A. , Tyrtyshnyy Valentin A. , Konyashkin Aleksey V.
Published: August 2023

We introduce the experimental and theoretical investigation of the mutual influence of two four-wave mixing (FWM) processes during the propagation of high-power nanosecond pulses at 1030 nm and 1562 nm wavelengths in the few-mode optical fiber. Both fundamental mode FWM (FM FWM) of laser pulses at these wavelengths, and intermodal FWM (IM FWM) of 1030 nm pulses, have common anti-Stokes components at 1003 nm wavelength. This leads to the mutual influence of FWM effects. As a result, the decrease of optical power of the fundamental mode is observed at both 1030 nm and 1562 nm wavelengths. The method for the suppression of such an adverse effect is proposed. It is based on the attenuation of the 1030 nm higher LP11 mode at the few-mode optical fiber input.
Dynamic detection of ppb-level SO2 based on a differential photoacoustic cell coupled with UV-LED
Authors: Zhao Xinyu , Qi Hongchao , Xu Yufu , Li Chenxi , Guo Min , Zhao Jikuan , Cui Dongyu , Chen Ke
Published: August 2023

We design a photoacoustic (PA) SO2 sensor based on the coupling of a differential photoacoustic cell (DPAC) and cost-effective UV-LED, which realized the dynamic monitoring of SO2 gas at the ppb level. Aiming at the limitation of UV-LED divergence, a light source combination module with high condensing efficiency was devised based on a lens through theoretical derivation and experimental analysis. The PA signal with the optimum matching of the lens was 20-times larger than the direct coupling of the UV-LED. Due to the excellent beam collimation effect of the lens assembly, the background interference was only 1 ppm. In addition, the DPAC gathered the merits of doubling the PA signal and reducing the flow noise interference. The analysis of Allan–Werle deviation showed that the detection limit of SO2 was 1.3 ppb with the averaging time of 100 s.
Cold damping of levitated optically coupled nanoparticles
Authors: Liška Vojtěch , Zemánková Tereza , Svak Vojtěch , Jákl Petr , Ježek Jan , Bránecký Martin , Simpson Stephen H. , Zemánek Pavel , Brzobohatý Oto
Published: August 2023

Methods for controlling the motion of single particles, optically
levitated in vacuum, have developed rapidly in recent years. The
technique of cold damping makes use of
feedback-controlled, electrostatic forces to increase dissipation
without introducing additional thermal fluctuations. This process has
been instrumental in the ground-state cooling of individual
electrically charged nanoparticles. Here we show that the same method
can be applied to a pair of nanoparticles, coupled by optical binding
forces. These optical binding forces are about three orders of
magnitude stronger than typical Coulombic inter-particle force and
result in a coupled motion of both nanoparticles characterized by a
pair of normal modes. We demonstrate cold damping of these normal
modes, either independently or simultaneously, to sub-Kelvin
temperatures at pressures of 5×10−3mbar. Experimental observations are
captured by a theoretical model that we use to survey the parameter
space more widely and to quantify the limits imposed by measurement
noise and time delays. Our work paves the way for the study of quantum
interactions between meso-scale particles and the exploration of
multiparticle entanglement in levitated optomechanical systems.
Double spiral resonant MEMS scanning for ultra-high-speed miniaturized optical microscopy
Authors: Li Linyang , Liang Xiao , Qin Wei , Guo Heng , Qi Weizhi , Jin Tian , Tang Jianbo , Xi Lei
Published: August 2023

Micro–electro–mechanical systems (MEMS)-based optical
scanners play a vital role in the development of miniaturized optical
imaging modalities. However, there is a longstanding challenge to
balance the temporal resolution, field of view (FOV), and systematic
fidelity. Here, we propose a double spiral scanning mechanism to
enable high-frequency resonant scanning of MEMS scanners without
sacrificing imaging quality, and offer a versatile imaging interface
for applications in different scenarios. This arrangement,
demonstrated by photoacoustic endoscopy, shows that the imaging rate
and FOV can be improved by more than 60 and two times, respectively.
The proposed method is general to address the limitations of
MEMS-based scanning microscopies and can be adapted for various
miniaturized imaging modalities, such as endoscopy, intraoperative
image-guided surgery, and wearable devices.
Ransomware attacks in the context of generative artificial intelligence—an experimental study
Authors: Teichmann Fabian
Published: August 2023

Ransomware attacks continue to be one of the biggest risks faced by both organizations and governments. In this experimental study, the author tested how criminals could use generative artificial intelligence (AI) for both the planning and implementation of ransomware attacks. It is found that criminals with very limited information technology (IT) knowledge may be enabled by chatbots using generative AI to carry out complex ransomware attacks. Furthermore, it is found that criminals with profound IT expertise but lacking other skills may be enabled by generative AI to draft more convincing phishing e‑mails. It is argued that the broad availability of generative AI could lead to an increase in both the number and the quality of ransomware attacks. Although previous studies have separately analyzed both ransomware attacks and generative AI, this article combines the two phenomena. The author uses criminological techniques and analyzes the potential use of AI from the perspective of a potential criminal. The risks identified in this article could serve as a foundation for further research in the fields of cybersecurity, IT law, and criminology.
Comparative Clustering (CompaCt) of eukaryote complexomes identifies novel interactions and sheds light on protein complex evolution
Authors: van Strien Joeri , Evers Felix , Lutikurti Madhurya , Berendsen Stijn L. , Garanto Alejandro , van Gemert Geert-Jan , Cabrera-Orefice Alfredo , Rodenburg Richard J. , Brandt Ulrich , Kooij Taco W. A. , Huynen Martijn A.
Published: August 2023

Complexome profiling allows large-scale, untargeted, and comprehensive characterization of protein complexes in a biological sample using a combined approach of separating intact protein complexes e.g., by native gel electrophoresis, followed by mass spectrometric analysis of the proteins in the resulting fractions. Over the last decade, its application has resulted in a large collection of complexome profiling datasets. While computational methods have been developed for the analysis of individual datasets, methods for large-scale comparative analysis of complexomes from multiple species are lacking. Here, we present Comparative Clustering (CompaCt), that performs fully automated integrative analysis of complexome profiling data from multiple species, enabling systematic characterization and comparison of complexomes. CompaCt implements a novel method for leveraging orthology in comparative analysis to allow systematic identification of conserved as well as taxon-specific elements of the analyzed complexomes. We applied this method to a collection of 53 complexome profiles spanning the major branches of the eukaryotes. We demonstrate the ability of CompaCt to robustly identify the composition of protein complexes, and show that integrated analysis of multiple datasets improves characterization of complexes from specific complexome profiles when compared to separate analyses. We identified novel candidate interactors and complexes in a number of species from previously analyzed datasets, like the emp24, the V-ATPase and mitochondrial ATP synthase complexes. Lastly, we demonstrate the utility of CompaCt for the automated large-scale characterization of the complexome of the mosquito Anopheles stephensi shedding light on the evolution of metazoan protein complexes. CompaCt is available from https://github.com/cmbi/compact-bio.
Ensemble inference of unobserved infections in networks using partial observations
Authors: Zhang Renquan , Tai Jilei , Pei Sen
Published: August 2023

Undetected infections fuel the dissemination of many infectious agents. However, identification of unobserved infectious individuals remains challenging due to limited observations of infections and imperfect knowledge of key transmission parameters. Here, we use an ensemble Bayesian inference method to infer unobserved infections using partial observations. The ensemble inference method can represent uncertainty in model parameters and update model states using all ensemble members collectively. We perform extensive experiments in both model-generated and real-world networks in which individuals have differential but unknown transmission rates. The ensemble method outperforms several alternative approaches for a variety of network structures and observation rates, despite that the model is mis-specified. Additionally, the computational complexity of this algorithm scales almost linearly with the number of nodes in the network and the number of observations, respectively, exhibiting the potential to apply to large-scale networks. The inference method may support decision-making under uncertainty and be adapted for use for other dynamical models in networks.
Synaptic weights that correlate with presynaptic selectivity increase decoding performance
Authors: Gallinaro Júlia V. , Scholl Benjamin , Clopath Claudia
Published: August 2023

The activity of neurons in the visual cortex is often characterized by tuning curves, which are thought to be shaped by Hebbian plasticity during development and sensory experience. This leads to the prediction that neural circuits should be organized such that neurons with similar functional preference are connected with stronger weights. In support of this idea, previous experimental and theoretical work have provided evidence for a model of the visual cortex characterized by such functional subnetworks. A recent experimental study, however, have found that the postsynaptic preferred stimulus was defined by the total number of spines activated by a given stimulus and independent of their individual strength. While this result might seem to contradict previous literature, there are many factors that define how a given synaptic input influences postsynaptic selectivity. Here, we designed a computational model in which postsynaptic functional preference is defined by the number of inputs activated by a given stimulus. Using a plasticity rule where synaptic weights tend to correlate with presynaptic selectivity, and is independent of functional-similarity between pre- and postsynaptic activity, we find that this model can be used to decode presented stimuli in a manner that is comparable to maximum likelihood inference.
Nascent evolution of recombination rate differences as a consequence of chromosomal rearrangements
Authors: Näsvall Karin , Boman Jesper , Höök Lars , Vila Roger , Wiklund Christer , Backström Niclas
Published: August 2023

Reshuffling of genetic variation occurs both by independent assortment of chromosomes and by homologous recombination. Such reshuffling can generate novel allele combinations and break linkage between advantageous and deleterious variants which increases both the potential and the efficacy of natural selection. Here we used high-density linkage maps to characterize global and regional recombination rate variation in two populations of the wood white butterfly (Leptidea sinapis) that differ considerably in their karyotype as a consequence of at least 27 chromosome fissions and fusions. The recombination data were compared to estimates of genetic diversity and measures of selection to assess the relationship between chromosomal rearrangements, crossing over, maintenance of genetic diversity and adaptation. Our data show that the recombination rate is influenced by both chromosome size and number, but that the difference in the number of crossovers between karyotypes is reduced as a consequence of a higher frequency of double crossovers in larger chromosomes. As expected from effects of selection on linked sites, we observed an overall positive association between recombination rate and genetic diversity in both populations. Our results also revealed a significant effect of chromosomal rearrangements on the rate of intergenic diversity change between populations, but limited effects on polymorphisms in coding sequence. We conclude that chromosomal rearrangements can have considerable effects on the recombination landscape and consequently influence both maintenance of genetic diversity and efficiency of selection in natural populations.
PCR diagnostics are insufficient for the detection of Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Akinlabi Olabisi C. , Dada Rotimi A. , Nwoko El-shama Q. A. , Okeke Iruka N.
Published: August 2023

Understanding the contribution of different diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli pathotypes to disease burden is critical to mapping risk and informing vaccine development. Targeting select virulence genes by PCR is the diagnostic approach of choice in high-burden, least-resourced African settings. We compared the performance of a commonly-used multiplex protocol to whole genome sequencing (WGS). PCR was applied to 3,815 E. coli isolates from 120 children with diarrhoea and 357 healthy controls. Three or more isolates per specimen were also Illumina-sequenced. Following quality assurance, ARIBA and Virulencefinder database were used to identify virulence targets. Root cause analysis of deviant PCR results was performed by examining target sensitivity using BLAST, Sanger sequencing false-positive amplicons, and identifying lineages prone to false-positivity using in-silico multilocus sequence typing and a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism phylogeny constructed using IQTree. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of PCR compared to WGS ranged from 0–77.8% while specificity ranged from 74.5–94.7% for different pathotypes. WGS identified more enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), fewer enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and none of the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli detected by PCR, painting a considerably different epidemiological picture. Use of the CVD432 target resulted in EAEC under-detection, and enteropathogenic E. coli eae primers mismatched more recently described intimin alleles common in our setting. False positive ETEC were over-represented among West Africa-predominant ST8746 complex strains. PCR precision varies with pathogen genome so primers optimized for use in one part of the world may have noticeably lower sensitivity and specificity in settings where different pathogen lineages predominate.
Impact of intensive adherence counseling on viral load suppression and mortality among people living with HIV in Kampala, Uganda: A regression discontinuity design
Authors: Izudi Jonathan , Castelnuovo Barbara , King Rachel , Cattamanchi Adithya
Published: August 2023

Intensive adherence counseling (IAC) is recommended for people living with HIV (PLHIV) with viral load (VL) ≥1,000 copies/ml after ≥6 months of anti-retroviral therapy (ART). We evaluated the effect of IAC on VL suppression and all-cause mortality among PLHIV on first-line ART with VL ≥1,000 copies/ml after ≥6 months of ART in Kampala, Uganda using regression discontinuity design, a quasi-experimental method for effect estimation when interventions depend on a cut-off. PLHIV just above VL ≥1,000 copies/ml cut-off who received ≥3 IAC sessions formed the intervention group while those just below the cut-off who received routine psychosocial support constituted the control group. Primary outcome was repeat VL suppression defined as VL <1,000 copies/ml approximately 9–12 months following initial VL assessment. Secondary outcome was all-cause mortality. We used logistic regression for causal-effect analysis, reported as odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). We performed sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of findings to varying bandwidths at the cut-off. We found 3,735 PLHIV were started on ART between Nov 2020 and Nov 2021 of whom 3,199 were included in the analysis (3,085 control, 114 intervention). Within an optimal bandwidth, there were 236 participants (222 control, 14 intervention) with similar demographic and clinical characteristics. Repeat VL suppression was lower in the intervention than in the control group (85.7% versus 98.6%, p = 0.021) while all-cause mortality was similar (0% versus 0.5%, p = 1.000). In multivariable analysis, the odds of repeat VL suppression were 91% lower in the intervention than control group (OR = 0.09; 95% CI, 0.01–0.66). Findings are robust to varying bandwidths around the cut-off. We concluded IAC is ineffective in suppressing VL among PLHIV on first-line ART in Kampala, Uganda. Findings suggest a need to investigate the IAC implementation fidelity for successful translation in practice and the reasons for VL persistence beyond the suppression threshold.
Data driven mixed effects modeling of the dual process framework of addiction among individuals with alcohol use disorder
Authors: Everett Rebecca A. , Lewis Allison L. , Kuerbis Alexis , Peace Angela , Li Jing , Morgenstern Jon
Published: August 2023

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) comprises a continuum of symptoms and associated problems that has led AUD to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality across the globe. Given the heterogeneity of AUD from mild to severe, consideration is being given to providing a spectrum of interventions that offer goal choice to match this heterogeneity, including helping individuals with AUD to moderate or control their drinking at low-risk levels. Because so much remains unknown about the factors that contribute to successful moderated drinking, we use dynamical systems modeling to identify mechanisms of behavior change. Daily alcohol consumption and daily desire (i.e., craving) are modeled using a system of delayed difference equations. Employing a mixed effects implementation of this system allows us to garner information about these mechanisms at both the population and individual levels. Use of this mixed effects framework first requires a parameter set reduction via identifiability analysis. The model calibration is then performed using Bayesian parameter estimation techniques. Finally, we demonstrate how conducting a parameter sensitivity analysis can assist in identifying optimal targets of intervention at the patient-specific level. This proof-of-concept analysis provides a foundation for future modeling to describe mechanisms of behavior change and determine potential treatment strategies in patients with AUD.
The Dysarthric Expressed Emotional Database (DEED): An audio-visual database in British English
Authors: Alhinti Lubna , Cunningham Stuart , Christensen Heidi
Published: August 2023

The Dysarthric Expressed Emotional Database (DEED) is a novel, parallel multimodal (audio-visual) database of dysarthric and typical emotional speech in British English which is a first of its kind. It is an induced (elicited) emotional database that includes speech recorded in the six basic emotions: “happiness”, “sadness”, “anger”, “surprise”, “fear”, and “disgust”. A “neutral” state has also been recorded as a baseline condition. The dysarthric speech part includes recordings from 4 speakers: one female speaker with dysarthria due to cerebral palsy and 3 speakers with dysarthria due to Parkinson’s disease (2 female and 1 male). The typical speech part includes recordings from 21 typical speakers (9 female and 12 male). This paper describes the collection of the database, covering its design, development, technical information related to the data capture, and description of the data files and presents the validation methodology. The database was validated subjectively (human performance) and objectively (automatic recognition). The achieved results demonstrated that this database will be a valuable resource for understanding emotion communication by people with dysarthria and useful in the research field of dysarthric emotion classification. The database is freely available for research purposes under a Creative Commons licence at: https://sites.google.com/sheffield.ac.uk/deed
Nuances in intensity deviant asymmetric responses as a biomarker for tinnitus
Authors: Yukhnovich Ekaterina A. , Alter Kai , Sedley William
Published: August 2023

We attempted to replicate a potential tinnitus biomarker in humans based on the Sensory Precision Integrative Model of Tinnitus called the Intensity Mismatch Asymmetry. A few advances on the design were also included, including tighter matching of participants for gender, and a control stimulus frequency of 1 kHz to investigate whether any differences between control and tinnitus groups are specific to the tinnitus frequency or domain-general. The expectation was that there would be asymmetry in the MMN responses between tinnitus and control groups at the tinnitus frequency, but not at the control frequency, where the tinnitus group would have larger, more negative responses to upward deviants than downward deviants, and the control group would have the opposite pattern or lack of a deviant direction effect. However, no significant group differences were found. There was a striking difference in response amplitude to control frequency stimuli compared to tinnitus frequency stimuli, which could be an intrinsic quality of responses to these frequencies or could reflect high frequency hearing loss in the sample. Additionally, the upward deviants elicited stronger MMN responses in both groups at tinnitus frequency, but not at the control frequency. Factors contributing to these discrepant results at the tinnitus frequency could include hyperacusis, attention, and wider contextual effects of other frequencies used in the experiment (i.e. the control frequency in other blocks).
Is the profitability of Islamic and conventional banks driven by the same factors?—A study of banking in the Middle East
Authors: Sobol Iwona , Dopierała Łukasz , Wysiński Przemysław
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the existing literature by investigating the determinants of the profitability of Islamic and conventional banks in the Middle East region and revealing the most important factors for these two types of banks. Few papers have studied the performance of Islamic banks and compared their performance with conventional banks. The results from these limited research papers are also various, mainly because the sample sizes are small, or they have analysed data only from one country. Our research used a fixed effect panel data analysis on a sample of 270 banks (111 Islamic and 159 conventional banks) from 12 Middle East countries. We used an unbalanced annual panel of data covering the period 2012–2020. The results show that bank size, equity to assets, annual GDP growth, and annual average oil price have a significant positive effect on Islamic banks’ profitability, while non-performing loans to total gross loans and cost of running operations to operating income have a significant negative effect on both bank types. The results also show that non-performing loans to total gross loans and annual GDP growth contribute more to conventional banks profitability, while oil price contributes only to Islamic banks performance. Inflation and net loans to total assets have no effect on bank profitability for either Islamic or conventional banks. Furthermore, we also found that the Islamic banking industry had a more competitive structure. Our findings have important implications for managers, policy makers, investors and other stakeholders. They can help them to make decisions regarding investments, plans, budgeting, evaluation and the management of business operations.
Construction and optimization of macromolecular structure model of Tiebei lignite
Authors: Jia Jinzhang , Xiao Lingyi , Wang Dongming , Zhao Dan , Xing Yinghuan , Wu Yumo
Published: August 2023

Mastering the molecular structure of coal is important for the effective utilization of coal. For a detailed study of the microstructural characteristics of Tiebei lignite, its molecular structure was characterized by elemental analysis, solid 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the aromatic carbon content of Tiebei lignite was 51.98%, the aromatic carbon structure was mainly composed of benzene and naphthalene, and the ratio of aromatic bridgehead carbon to surrounding carbon Xbp was 0.14. Oxygen existed in phenol, ether, carbonyl, and carboxyl; nitrogen-containing structures mainly existed in the form of pyrrole and pyridine; sulfur mainly existed in thiophene sulfur; and aromatic substitution was mainly in the form of trisubstitution. The molecular formula of the macromolecular structure model of Tiebei lignite was C190H161O57N2, and the 13C NMR spectrum of the model was in good agreement with the experimental results, which fully verified the accuracy of the macromolecular structure model of Tiebei lignite. The construction of a macromolecular structure model of Tiebei lignite is essential to intuitively understand the molecular structure characteristics of Tiebei lignite and to provide theoretical support and guidance for the micromechanism research and prevention of lignite spontaneous combustion and other disasters.
Care to share? Experimental evidence on code sharing behavior in the social sciences
Authors: Krähmer Daniel , Schächtele Laura , Schneck Andreas
Published: August 2023

Transparency and peer control are cornerstones of good scientific practice and entail the replication and reproduction of findings. The feasibility of replications, however, hinges on the premise that original researchers make their data and research code publicly available. This applies in particular to large-N observational studies, where analysis code is complex and may involve several ambiguous analytical decisions. To investigate which specific factors influence researchers’ code sharing behavior upon request, we emailed code requests to 1,206 authors who published research articles based on data from the European Social Survey between 2015 and 2020. In this preregistered multifactorial field experiment, we randomly varied three aspects of our code request’s wording in a 2x4x2 factorial design: the overall framing of our request (enhancement of social science research, response to replication crisis), the appeal why researchers should share their code (FAIR principles, academic altruism, prospect of citation, no information), and the perceived effort associated with code sharing (no code cleaning required, no information). Overall, 37.5% of successfully contacted authors supplied their analysis code. Of our experimental treatments, only framing affected researchers’ code sharing behavior, though in the opposite direction we expected: Scientists who received the negative wording alluding to the replication crisis were more likely to share their research code. Taken together, our results highlight that the availability of research code will hardly be enhanced by small-scale individual interventions but instead requires large-scale institutional norms.
Modulating prospective memory and attentional control with high-definition transcranial current stimulation: Study protocol of a randomized, double-blind, and sham-controlled trial in healthy older adults
Authors: Schmidt Nadine , Menéndez-Granda Marta , Münger Ronya , Reber Thomas P. , Bayen Ute J. , Gümüsdagli Fabian E. , Hering Alexandra , Joly-Burra Emilie , Kliegel Matthias , Peter Jessica
Published: August 2023

The ability to remember future intentions (i.e., prospective memory) is influenced by attentional control. At the neuronal level, frontal and parietal brain regions have been related to attentional control and prospective memory. It is debated, however, whether more or less activity in these regions is beneficial for older adults’ performance. We will test that by systematically enhancing or inhibiting activity in these regions with anodal or cathodal high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation in older adults. We will include n = 105 healthy older volunteers (60–75 years of age) in a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, and parallel-group design. The participants will receive either cathodal, anodal, or sham high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation of the left or right inferior frontal gyrus, or the right superior parietal gyrus (1mA for 20 min). During and after stimulation, the participants will complete tasks of attentional control and prospective memory. The results of this study will clarify how frontal and parietal brain regions contribute to attentional control and prospective memory in older healthy adults. In addition, we will elucidate the relationship between attentional control and prospective memory in that age group. The study has been registered with ClinicalTrials.gov on the 12th of May 2021 (trial identifier: NCT04882527).
High blood pressure prevalence, awareness, treatment, and blood pressure control among Ugandans with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders
Authors: Kibone Winnie , Bongomin Felix , Okot Jerom , Nansubuga Angel Lisa , Tentena Lincoln Abraham , Nuwamanya Edbert Bagasha , Winyi Titus , Balirwa Whitney , Sarah Kiguli  , Baluku Joseph Baruch , Makhoba Anthony , Kaddumukasa Mark
Published: August 2023

Background

Rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders (RMDs) are associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), with hypertension being the most common. We aimed to determine the prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP), awareness, treatment, and blood pressure control among patients with RMDs seen in a Rheumatology clinic in Uganda.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study at the Rheumatology Clinic of Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH), Kampala, Uganda. Socio-demographic, clinical characteristics and anthropometric data were collected. Multivariable logistic regression was performed using STATA 16 to determine factors associated with HBP in patients with RMDs.

Results

A total of 100 participants were enrolled. Of these, majority were female (84%, n = 84) with mean age of 52.1 (standard deviation: 13.8) years and median body mass index of 28 kg/m2 (interquartile range (IQR): 24.8 kg/m2–32.9 kg/m2). The prevalence of HBP was 61% (n = 61, 95% CI: 51.5–70.5), with the majority (77%, n = 47, 95% CI: 66.5–87.6) being aware they had HTN. The prevalence of HTN was 47% (n = 47, 37.2–56.8), and none had it under control. Factors independently associated with HBP were age 46-55years (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06–5.95), 56–65 years (aPR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.09–6.15), >65 years (aPR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.02–6.00), obesity (aPR: 3.7, 95% CI: 1.79–7.52), overweight (aPR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.29–5.77).

Conclusion

There was a high burden of HBP among people with RMDs in Uganda with poor blood pressure control, associated with high BMI and increasing age. There is a need for further assessment of the RMD specific drivers of HBP and meticulous follow up of patients with RMDs.
Machine learning models of healthcare expenditures predicting mortality: A cohort study of spousal bereaved Danish individuals
Authors: Katsiferis Alexandros , Bhatt Samir , Mortensen Laust Hvas , Mishra Swapnil , Jensen Majken Karoline , Westendorp Rudi G. J.
Published: August 2023

Background

The ability to accurately predict survival in older adults is crucial as it guides clinical decision making. The added value of using health care usage for predicting mortality remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate if temporal patterns of healthcare expenditures, can improve the predictive performance for mortality, in spousal bereaved older adults, next to other widely used sociodemographic variables.

Methods

This is a population-based cohort study of 48,944 Danish citizens 65 years of age and older suffering bereavement within 2013–2016. Individuals were followed from date of spousal loss until death from all causes or 31st of December 2016, whichever came first. Healthcare expenditures were available on weekly basis for each person during the follow-up and used as predictors for mortality risk in Extreme Gradient Boosting models. The extent to which medical spending trajectories improved mortality predictions compared to models with sociodemographics, was assessed with respect to discrimination (AUC), overall prediction error (Brier score), calibration, and clinical benefit (decision curve analysis).

Results

The AUC of age and sex for mortality the year after spousal loss was 70.8% [95% CI 68.8, 72.8]. The addition of sociodemographic variables led to an increase of AUC ranging from 0.9% to 3.1% but did not significantly reduce the overall prediction error. The AUC of the model combining the variables above plus medical spending usage was 80.8% [79.3, 82.4] also exhibiting smaller Brier score and better calibration. Overall, patterns of healthcare expenditures improved mortality predictions the most, also exhibiting the highest clinical benefit among the rest of the models.

Conclusion

Temporal patterns of medical spending have the potential to significantly improve our assessment on who is at high risk of dying after suffering spousal loss. The proposed methodology can assist in a more efficient risk profiling and prognosis of bereaved individuals.
Risks of urgent cesarean delivery preceding the planned schedule: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Danieli-Gruber Shir , Shalev-Rosenthal Yael , Matot Ran , Brzezinski-Sinai Noa , Zeevi Gil , Pardo Anat , Orbach Sharon , Hadar Eran
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The aim of the study was to ascertain risk factors and outcomes of elective cesarean deliveries performed urgently prior to their scheduled date.

Methods

Women carrying a viable singleton fetus who were scheduled for elective cesarean delivery at a tertiary medical center between 2012–2020 were identified by retrospective database. Differences in maternal and neonatal parameters between those who ultimately required urgent cesarean delivery and those who underwent the procedure as scheduled were analyzed.

Results

Of 4403 women who met the inclusion criteria, 559 underwent urgent cesarean delivery before the scheduled date. On multivariate analysis, factors significantly associated with a risk of transformation to an urgent cesarean delivery were chronic hypertension (aOR 1.92, 95% CI 1.30–2.83 P = 0.001), antenatal corticosteroids administration (aOR 3.26, 95% CI 2.38–4.47, P <0.001), and contraindication for vaginal delivery as the reason for elective cesarean delivery (aOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.32–2.12, P <0.001). Neonates born via urgent cesareans had an increased risk of 1-minute Apgar <7 (6% vs. 1.7%, P <0.001), intensive care unit admission (6.6% vs. 2.5%, P <0.001); their mothers were at risk of postpartum hemorrhage (5.9% vs. 3%, P = 0.001).

Conclusions

The present study sheds light on the risk factors and maternal and fetal morbidities associated with elective cesarean deliveries that become urgent before the originally scheduled date. Physicians should take this information into account when planning an optimal date for elective cesarean delivery.
Post-infection treatment with the E protein inhibitor BIT225 reduces disease severity and increases survival of K18-hACE2 transgenic mice infected with a lethal dose of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Ewart Gary , Bobardt Michael , Bentzen Bo Hjorth , Yan Yannan , Thomson Audrey , Klumpp Klaus , Becker Stephen , Rosenkilde Mette M. , Miller Michelle , Gallay Philippe
Published: August 2023

The Coronavirus envelope (E) protein is a small structural protein with ion channel activity that plays an important role in virus assembly, budding, immunopathogenesis and disease severity. The viroporin E is also located in Golgi and ER membranes of infected cells and is associated with inflammasome activation and immune dysregulation. Here we evaluated in vitro antiviral activity, mechanism of action and in vivo efficacy of BIT225 for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. BIT225 showed broad-spectrum direct-acting antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in Calu3 and Vero cells with similar potency across 6 different virus strains. BIT225 inhibited ion channel activity of E protein but did not inhibit endogenous currents or calcium-induced ion channel activity of TMEM16A in Xenopus oocytes. BIT225 administered by oral gavage for 12 days starting 12 hours before infection completely prevented body weight loss and mortality in SARS-CoV-2 infected K18 mice (100% survival, n = 12), while all vehicle-dosed animals reached a mortality endpoint by Day 9 across two studies (n = 12). When treatment started at 24 hours after infection, body weight loss, and mortality were also prevented (100% survival, n = 5), while 4 of 5 mice maintained and increased body weight and survived when treatment started 48 hours after infection. Treatment efficacy was dependent on BIT225 dose and was associated with significant reductions in lung viral load (3.5 log10), virus titer (4000 pfu/ml) and lung and serum cytokine levels. These results validate viroporin E as a viable antiviral target and support the clinical study of BIT225 for treatment and prophylaxis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
ASSESSING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT RESILIENCE IN BRAZILIAN SOCIAL HOUSING: CHALLENGES AND REFLECTIONS
Authors: Villa Simone Barbosa , Bortoli Karen Carrer Ruman de , Vasconcellos Paula Barcelos
Published: August 2023

In Brazil, the housing deficit is one of the challenges arising from accelerated urbanization, with the government housing program “Minha Casa, Minha Vida” standing out in the offer of millions of social housing from 2009 to 2019. However, there have been several constructive problems in these homes and a low capacity to respond to impacts expected during their life cycle, pointing out its reduced resilience. Understanding resilience as a driving force in the fight against vulnerability, this article discusses the theoretical basis of the concept of resilience in the built environment, presenting the definitions adopted in the research presented and a resilience matrix evaluation system to assess resilience in the built environment of social housing, pointing out key findings in the Brazilian scenario.
Deteksi Penyakit Layu Fusarium pada Pisang-Pisang Lokal di Pandeglang
Authors: Nani Maryani , Harahap Elmira Oktaria Raihan , Khastini Rida Oktorida , Ahmad Fajarudin
Published: August 2023

Detection of Fusarium wilt on Local Bananas in Pandeglang

Fusarium wilt of bananas or Panama disease, caused by Tropical Race4 (TR4), threatens the global banana industry. In Indonesia, the disease devastated Cavendish, an export variety, and many local bananas, such as Pisang Raja, Kepok, and Barangan. Nonetheless, TR4 incidence is unknown in many parts of Indonesia. This study aimed to detect TR4 in local bananas from Pandeglang, the most banana-produced area in Banten Province. A survey was conducted in nine Kecamatan i.e., Banjar, Cadasari, Jiput, Labuan, and Menes. In total, 13 banana accessions showed symptoms of fusarium wilt. Symptomatic pseudostem samples were plated on potato dextrose agar. The monosporic culture was derived from isolation and used for morphological identification and DNA extraction. Based on the morphological characteristics of Fusarium, 27 strains members of 3 species complexes were identified, i.e., F. cugenangense, F. foetens dan F. oxysporum (Fusarium oxysporum species complex; FOSC), F. equiseti dan F. incarnatum (Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti species complex) dan F. solani (Fusarium solani species complex, currently named as Neocosmospora). Molecular detection of TR4 was done using duplex PCR of translation elongation factor-1α (Tef-1α) and TR4 primer specific, giving positive results only on TR4 strains, members of FOSC. This study enhances our knowledge of the spreading of TR4 in an unidentified area in Indonesia. Many of the local bananas in Pandeglang is susceptible to TR4, thus threaten banana cultivation in this area. Further study on the molecular analysis using more genes will give insight into the expanding genetic diversity of Fusarium causing wilt in Banana in the Indonesian collection.