bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multifaceted profile of PTH excess-related secondary osteoporosis: customized therapy and rehabilitation approach
Authors: Nistor Claudiu , Sima Oana-Claudia , Costachescu Mihai , Stanciu Mihaela , Iliescu Mădălina Gabriela , Ciobica Mihai-Lucian , Popa Florina Ligia , Carsote Mara
Published: October 2024

Many causes of secondary osteoporosis have been identified; endocrine types (such as those linked to male hypogonadism, Cushing’s syndrome, acromegaly, thyrotoxicosis, primary hyperparathyroidism, etc.) represent one of the most challenging ailments since a personalized approach of the endocrine disease is simultaneous required. We aimed to introduce the case of a senior lady who was diagnosed with secondary osteoporosis that was associated with primary hyperparathyroidism and a conservative approach was decided, from anti-osteoporosis drug and calcium lowering agents to the physical rehabilitation and lifestyle recommendations. She also presented double unilateral adrenal incidentaloma and a pituitary incidentaloma as well as a suspected ovarian cyst that she further declined to investigate. Mitigating the non-surgical management in primary hyperparathyroidism showcase (in addition to the zoledronic acid for both osteoporosis and hypercalcemia) a complex program of rehabilitation that included a diet intervention in terms of an adequate hydration and a personalized nutrition for kidney stones primary and secondary prevention, mild physical exercise, avoidance of calcium supplements and keeping a daily chole-calciferol replacement.
Distributed ledger technologies (DLT) and machine learning
Authors: Σορτ Ανδρέας-Ρόναλντ
Published: October 2024

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή ερευνά τα οφέλη που προκύπτουν από τον συνδυασμό τεχνολογιών από τους ακόλουθους τομείς: α) ομόσπονδη μάθηση (Federated Learning, β) τεχνολογίες κατανεμημένου καθολικού (Distributed Ledger Technologies) όπως είναι τα Blockchain δίκτυα και γ) βιομηχανικές εφαρμογές. Η συνεχώς αυξανόμενη χρήση εφαρμογών τεχνητής νοημοσύνης έχει καταστήσει εμφανές ότι η ποιότητα των μεγάλων δεδομένων για εκπαίδευση μοντέλων μηχανικής μάθησης επηρεάζει την απόδοση των τελικών μοντέλων. Για το σκοπό αυτό, η ομόσπονδη μάθηση αποσκοπεί στη συμμετοχή πολλαπλών οντοτήτων που συμβάλλουν στη διαδικασία μάθησης με τοπικά δεδομένα, χωρίς να απαιτείται η κοινή χρήση των πραγματικών δεδομένων. Σε πραγματικές περιπτώσεις χρήσης, οι ανταμοιβές που λαμβάνουν οι χρήστες για τη συμβολή τους στη διαδικασία μάθησης θα πρέπει να εξαρτώνται από τη ποιότητα της συμβολής τους. Έχοντας λοιπόν υπόψιν τη σπουδαιότητα των δεδομένων εκμάθησης, η διατριβή σχεδίασε και στη συνέχεια υλοποίησε μηχανισμό ομόσπονδης μάθησης ο οποίος συντονίζεται από δίκτυο blockchain. Στη συνέχεια, εστιάζει σε τρόπους ενίσχυσης της αφοσίωσης των χρηστών, προσφέροντας "δίκαιες" ανταμοιβές, ανάλογες με τη πραγματική βελτίωση του μοντέλου (ως προς την ακρίβεια) που προσφέρουν. Επιπλέον, για να καταστεί δυνατή η αντικειμενική κρίση της ποιότητας της συνεισφοράς, σχεδιάστηκαν ειδικά έξυπνα συμβόλαια που λειτουργούν πάνω σε τεχνολογίες blockchain. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, έχει αναπτυχθεί ένας αλγόριθμος επαλήθευσης που χρησιμοποιείται για την αξιολόγηση της απόδοσης των συνεισφορών των χρηστών, συγκρίνοντας την ακρίβεια του συνολικού μοντέλου με ένα σύνολο δεδομένων επαλήθευσης. Ο αλγόριθμος έχει σχεδιαστεί για να εκτελείται μέσα σε ένα έξυπνο συμβόλαιο και να καταγράφει τις επιδόσεις (με τη μορφή συστήματος πόντων) σε ένα κατανεμημένο εδάφιο. Η παρούσα διατριβή ανέπτυξε λύσεις για την βελτίωση ασφάλειας σε βιομηχανικούς προγραμματιζόμενους λογικούς ελεγκτές (PLC), επιτρέποντάς τους να λαμβάνουν εντολές και παραμέτρους από ένα δίκτυο blockchain. Το δίκτυο σε αυτή τη περίπτωση αναλαμβάνει δύο ρόλους: χρησιμεύει ως αμετάβλητη βάση καταγραφής ενεργειών ελέγχου (audit trails) καθώς και ως αξιόπιστη πηγή για κρίσιμες εντολές και παραμέτρους. Σε αντίθεση με τον συμβατικό έλεγχο των PLC από συσκευές διεπαφής ανθρώπου-μηχανής (HMI), αυτή η νέα προσέγγιση δεν απαιτεί πρόσβαση εγγραφής στο επίπεδο του PLC, ελαχιστοποιώντας έτσι την επιφάνεια επίθεσής του και συμβάλλοντας στην προστασία από γνωστές ευπάθειες και νέες ευπάθειες (zero day) που εμφανίζονται συχνά σε κυβερνοεπιθέσεις. Το δίκτυο blockchain χρησιμοποιείται επίσης ως βάση δεδομένων που υποστηρίζει ιχνηλάτηση για τις ενέργειες των χρηστών, ιδιαίτερα χρήσιμο για εφαρμογές που επιβάλλουν την καταγραφή των ενεργειών των χρηστών ή για παράδειγμα όπως ορίζουν οι καλές πρακτικές παραγωγής (GMP).
A practical approach to febrile cancer patients: Diagnostic stewardship in Oncology units
Authors: H.B. Sridevi , Fernandes Anisha Maria , D'souza Sanyo , B. Prashantha , Rao Pooja , Shenoy M Suchitra
Published: October 2024

Introduction Cancer and cytotoxic chemotherapy used for its treatment predispose to severe and often fatal infections. Prompt diagnosis and timely antibiotic therapy are crucial, with delays in therapy initiation having high mortality. Complete blood count (CBC) is an inexpensive, standardized, and preliminary investigation for the management and follow-up of cancer patients with diagnostic and prognostic value. Method We studied the types of infections associated with various cancers treated with chemotherapy, their etiologies and susceptibility patterns, and the hematological profile of these patients as predictors of infection. Results A total of 21 patients (12 solid and 9 hematological malignancies) presented with 31 febrile episodes. White Blood cell count (2079 cells/cu. mm), percentage of neutrophils (52.9%), absolute neutrophil (137.5 cells/cu. mm), and platelet count (1,77,507 cells/cu. mm) were significantly lower in the 11 patients with febrile neutropenia. The absolute lymphocyte count (412.7 cells/cu. mm) was reduced with a strikingly low Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (6.07) in patients with neutropenia. Laboratory and radiological evidence were present in 14/15 episodes of hematological malignancies (p-0.218) whereas unexplained clinical sepsis was common in solid malignancies (p-0.0202). The majority of documented infections were bacterial, caused by gram-negative bacilli, often showing multi-drug resistance. Infectious etiologies were identified in 71.4% of the patients with febrile neutropenia for >5days. Bacterial infections developed within 2 days of neutropenia, whereas viral and fungal infections manifested in prolonged neutropenia. Multi-site infections and higher mortality rates were observed in patients with febrile neutropenia. (p<0.04) Conclusion Febrile neutropenia is a common complication among patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer, with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Early, rapid, and accurate diagnosis is key to prompt intervention. Hematological parameters such as Total Leukocyte count, platelet count, NLR, and Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio are promising biomarkers in conjunction with morphological changes in neutrophils, thus proving that CBC and peripheral smears are simple, easily available, cost-effective, and highly dependable screening tools, especially in resource-poor settings.
Competencies and learning outcomes for healthcare professionals in climate change and sustainability: A protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Galvin Emer , Wiese Anél , Coakley Niamh , Heaphy Deborah , Elfghi Marah , O'Brien Caoimhe , Osborne Claudia , Mulcaire Rory , Bennett Deirdre
Published: October 2024

Rationale The planetary crisis is a serious threat to human health. Healthcare professionals need to be trained to adapt to and mitigate against this crisis. Competencies, curricular frameworks and learning outcomes relating to climate change and sustainability (CC&S) have been proposed for healthcare professionals. A synthesis of these competencies, learning outcomes and frameworks is necessary to identify commonalities and differences, understand the process of their development and highlight areas for future development. Objective The objective of this scoping review is to identify and synthesise the evidence on competencies, curricular frameworks and learning outcomes for healthcare professionals in climate change and sustainability. Inclusion criteria Sources relating to healthcare professionals and healthcare students, describing competencies, curricular frameworks and learning outcomes in CC&S, will be included. Sources in all healthcare contexts will be included. Sources in the English language, published from 2014 to June 2024 will be considered for inclusion. Methods The review will be conducted in line with the Joanna Briggs Institute guidance for scoping reviews. The following electronic databases will be searched: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, SocINDEX, Academic Search Complete, Business Source Complete, British Education Index, Australian Education Index, Scopus and ERIC. A search of the grey literature will also be conducted. Two reviewers will independently screen the titles and abstracts and full texts for eligibility. Data extraction will be conducted independently by two reviewers. A narrative summary and tables will be presented. Key stakeholders will be consulted throughout the review. Discussion This review will summarise the range of competencies, curricular frameworks and learning outcomes proposed internationally for various healthcare professionals. The findings will be used to inform core competencies for all healthcare professions in CC&S, in addition to highlighting gaps in the literature and areas for future development. The findings will be disseminated at conferences and in a peer-reviewed publication. Registration This protocol was registered on 31st July 2024 on the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/vnx2g).
Common errors in Generative AI systems used for knowledge extraction in the climate action domain
Authors: Havlik Denis , Pias Marcelo Rita
Published: October 2024

Large Language Models (LLMs) and, more specifically, the Generative Pre-Trained Transformers (GPT) can help stakeholders in climate action to explore digital knowledge bases, extract and utilize climate action knowledge in sustainable manner. However, LLMs are "probabilistic models of knowledge bases" that excel at generating convincing texts but cannot be entirely relied upon due to the probabilistic nature of the information produced. This brief report illustrates the problem space by shedding some light on the issues of incomplete answers, hallucinations, and misinformation threats.
SCAPE-APA: a package for estimating alternative polyadenylation events from scRNA-seq data
Authors: Cheng Guangzhao , Le Tien , Zhou Ran , Cheng Lu
Published: October 2024

SCAPE was a package that was previously developed to estimate alternative polyadenylation events from single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) data. It was composed of ad-hoc python scripts and has speed issues when handling large scRNA-seq data. To suit the needs of analyzing large scRNA-seq datasets, we present SCAPE-APA, which is a reimplementation of SCAPE with substantial changes. We made the following updates to the package: (1) we binned similar reads together to accelerate the estimation; (2) we re-derived the mixture model to tailor it for binned reads; (3) we implemented the inference algorithm using Taichi language for acceleration; (4) we re-implemented the untranslated region (UTR) annotation extraction script using the professional package gffutils for better maintenance; (5) we wrote a script to detect spurious alternative polyadenylation sites generated due to junction reads, and (6) we created a formal Python package and uploaded it to the Python Package Index website (Pypi).
Dance/movement interventions and students with disabilities: A critical review
Authors: Anderson Alida , Mathews Reba
Published: October 2024

This critical narrative review presents findings of physical activity interventions involving dance/movement for students with disabilities. This review describes the status of dance/movement intervention research supporting students’ intersectional identities, including disability. Dance/movement research from 2013 to 2023 was reviewed to identify the extent to which research addresses dimensions of students’ identities. First, dance/movement research is situated within physical activity intervention research. Next, findings from 82 dance/movement research studies within education and disability categories, including autism, physical, and social emotional dimensions is summarized. Of those studies, five studies address participants’ intersectional identities including disability. Positive outcomes of dance/movement interventions for students with disabilities include relationship building, well-being, individualized education, and cultural identity. Specific intervention techniques of mirroring, rhythm matching, and social collaboration with teachers and peers are identified as efficacious for improving students’ social-emotional, cognitive, and motor skills. Dance/movement interventions are also related to teachers’ awareness and affirmation of dimensions of students’ backgrounds and interests through student-centered dance/movement techniques. While the social-emotional, cognitive, and motor benefits are widely documented in the research, only a handful of studies address aspects of participants’ identities other than disability category and age. The findings of this review have implications for teachers’ increased self-awareness and knowledge of dance/movement intervention techniques in support of students’ developmental skill outcomes and intersecting identities, as well as for dance/movement intervention research that addresses multiple dimensions of students’ identities.
A chromosomal reference genome sequence for the malaria mosquito, Anopheles nili, Theobald, 1904
Authors: Nsango Sandrine Eveline , Ayala Diego , Agbor Jean-Pierre , Johnson Harriet F. , Heaton Haynes , Wagah Martin G. , Collins Joanna C , Krasheninnikova Ksenia , Pelan Sarah E. , Pointon Damon-Lee B. , Sims Ying , Torrance James W. , Tracey Alan , Uliano-Silva Marcela , Wood Jonathan M.D. , von Wyschetzki Katharina ,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations, McCarthy Shane A. , Neafsey Daniel E. , Makunin Alex , Lawniczak Mara K.N.
Published: October 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Anopheles nili (the malaria mosquito; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Culicidae), from a wild population in Cameroon. The genome sequence is 195 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into three chromosomal pseudomolecules with the X sex chromosome assembled. The complete mitochondrial genome was also assembled and is 15.4 kilobases in length.
The genome sequence of a fold-wing cranefly, Ptychoptera albimana (Fabricius, 1787)
Authors: Sivell Olga , Webb Judy , Mitchell Ryan , Sivell Duncan ,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: October 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual male fold-wing cranefly, Ptychoptera albimana (Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Ptychopteridae). The genome sequence has a total length of 197.90 megabases. Most of the assembly (97.54%) is scaffolded into 7 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X and Y sex chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 18.05 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 10,210 protein-coding genes.
Code and Data Repository for Black-Box Attack-Based Security Evaluation Framework for Credit Card Fraud Detection Models
Authors: Xiao Jin , Tian Yuhang , Jia Yanlin , Jiang Xiaoyi , Yu Lean , Wang Shouyang
Published: October 2024

The security of credit card fraud detection (CCFD) models based on machine learning is important but rarely considered in the existing research. To this end, we propose a black-box attack-based security evaluation framework for CCFD models. Under this framework, the semi-supervised learning technique and transfer-based black-box attack are combined to construct two versions of semi-supervised transfer black-box attack (STBA) algorithm. Moreover, we introduce a new nonlinear optimization model to generate the adversarial examples against CCFD models and a security evaluation index to quantitatively evaluate the security of them. This project contains four folders: data, results, src, scripts. data：include two datasets used in the paper and a toy dataset for debugging. results: include the experimental results. src: include the source code. scripts: include two scripts for evaluating the security of machine learning models based on substitute models LR and SVM.
Fungal necrotizing fasciitis due to mucormycosis following contaminated substance inoculation: a report of two cases
Authors: Barbosa Orivaldo Alves , do Amaral Júnior Eliseu Sousa , Pinheiro Furtado Gabriel , Filomeno da Silva Viviane Correa , Moreno de Alencar Isabele , Aguiar de Freitas Karina
Published: October 2024

Mucormycosis is a life-threatening fungal infection caused by Mucorales fungi, characterized by angioinvasion and tissue necrosis. While it predominantly affects immunocompromised individuals, it can also occur in immunocompetent patients through traumatic inoculations, such as contaminated surgical dressings or injections. We report two cases of cutaneous mucormycosis following the shared use of contaminated intramuscular corticosteroid injections (dexamethasone). Case 1 involved a 54-year-old male farmer with rapidly progressing necrotic lesions and multi-organ failure, resulting in death despite aggressive treatment. Case 2 involved a 48-year-old female nursing technician who developed similar necrotizing lesions and also succumbed to multi-organ failure after extensive debridement and antifungal therapy. These cases underscore the rapid deterioration associated with mucormycosis, an infection with a high mortality rate even in immunocompetent individuals. The hallmark of the disease is rapidly progressing necrosis due to vascular invasion and thrombosis. Mucormycosis following contaminated injections, though rare, is devastating. Early recognition and aggressive treatment, including surgical debridement and antifungal therapy, are critical but may not always prevent fatal outcomes. Strict infection prevention precautions and epidemiological surveillance are needed to prevent iatrogenic infections.
Modelling of SAW Devices for Gas Sensing Applications - A Comparison
Authors: M. U. Sharma  , Dinesh Kumar  , S. K. Koul  , T. Venkatesan  , G. Pandiyarajan  , A. T. Nimal  , P. R. Kumar  , Haresh M. Pandya
Published: October 2024

SAW technology based devices are being widely used as gas sensors. This paper reports the modeling of SAW devices by comparing the results obtained using two different models. The devices were modeled for their responses in frequency & time domain. The results were used to calculate the insertion loss and bandwidth of SAW delay line at 400 MHz. The modeling study was carried out using MATLAB simulation tool and the results were used to design a photomask for device fabrication.
Effect of Pupil Beam in the Focal Region of High Numerical Aperture Objective Lens
Authors: C. Amala Prathiba Janet  , P. Suresh  , T. V. S. Pillai
Published: October 2024

In this article, based on vector diffraction theory the focusing properties of double ring shaped higher order Laguerre - Gauss beam with radial varying polarization are investigated numerically. The numerical simulations show that the evolution of some interesting focal spot, focal split and focal patterns in the focal region by changing polarization rotation angle under tight focusing through the high NA lens. It is also shown that a subwavelength focal hole with a quite long depth of focus, multiple focal holes are achieved near the focus, when tuning Î² (is the ratio of the pupil radius to the beam waist) in the focal plane for different modes under tight focusing through the high NA lens. We found that when tuning, beam parameter or the polarization rotation angle of the incident beam, it is possible to generate some interesting novel focal patterns, including multiple intensity rings, dark hollow focus and cylindrical crust focus. Such kind of beams plays an important role in optical trapping, laser cutting and optical manipulation applications.
Designing and Synthesis of N-(6-phenylpyridin-2-yl) Pyridine-2-amine Derivatives as a Novel Antimicrobial Agent
Authors: Madhav S. Mane  , Sandeep Gavade  , Dhananjay V. Mane*
Published: October 2024

A new series of N-(-6-phenylpyridin-2-yl) pyridine-2-amine derivatives were synthesized in satisfactory yield, through simple and greener methodology using 2-Amino, 6-Chloro, Pyridines as a starting material. Some of the newly prepared compounds demonstrate potent inhibitory activity against Gram positive bacteria, Gram negative bacteria and fungai. The results are discussed in terms of structure-activity relationships and an attempt was made to define the structural features required for activity.
Synthesis and Characterization of Iron Nanoparticles for Biological Applications
Authors: Peula Kumari Ponnaian  , Rachel Oommen  , Senthil Kumaran Chinna Kannaiyan  , Santhanam Jayachandran  , Muthukumarasamy Natarajan  , Agilan Santhanam
Published: October 2024

Iron (Fe) nanoparticles have been synthesized by simple co-precipitation method. The x-ray diffraction studies indicated the formation of Fe nanoparticles with cubic phase. Surface morphology of Fe and has been studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images reveal that Fe nanoparticle have size ranging from 25-41 nm. Also we have reported about the changes in the growth of piglets such as its body weight (kg), its haemoglobin (g %) level, its hematocrit (%) level and its erythrocyte count, when it was supplemented with different compositions of iron nanoparticles since iron is an integral component of hemoglobin which plays major role in supply of oxygen for normal functioning of body cells. Besides that iron is necessary for activity of several enzymes and catalytic pathways at cellular level.
Thermodynmic Properties and Interaction Abilities of Ternary Liquid Mixtures at 308.15K and 318.15K
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Uma Sivakami  , Sundararajan Vaideeswaran  , Ambrose Rosevenis
Published: October 2024

Experimental densities, viscosities and ultrasonic velocities were measured for ternary liquid mixtures of diethylmalonate+ 1, 4-dioxane with cyclohexane and n-hexane at 308.15K and 318.15K and atmospheric pressure over the entire range of mole fractions. The calculated thermodynamic properties and some excess parameters such as VE, ΔKs,  ΔÉ³, ΔVF, ΔLF, ΔβΤ, were calculated and applied to Redlich − Kister polynomial equation to determine the appropriate coefficients. The deviations of the ternary mixtures from its ideal behaviour were determined and the interaction ability of the liquids in the ternary liquid mixtures was studied.
Biosynthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles using PhyllanthusEmblica Seed Powder and its Structural and Optical Characterization Studies
Authors: K. Loganathan  , P. Vijayakumar  , A. Jafar Ahamed
Published: October 2024

Presently the progress of green chemistry in the synthesis of nanoparticles (NPS) with the use of plants has engrossed a great attention. This study reports the exploit of aqueous extract ofPhyllanthusemblicaseed powder as an eco-friendly agent for the pattern of Zinc Oxide nanoparticle. The present exploration describes the synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles prepared by green technique using X-ray diffraction studies (XRD), Tunnelling electron microscopy studies (TEM), Energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and Photoluminescence studies (PL).
The role of administrative courts in ensuring legal security for marriage and family: comments in the context of article 18 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland
Authors: Bucoń Paweł
Published: October 2024

The article is devoted to the role of administrative courts in ensuring the legal security of an individual in the area of family law. The aim of the analysis is to demonstrate the guarantee of the preservation by the Polish constitutional legislator of the traditional form of marriage as a union of a woman and a man and the family created on this basis (Article 18 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland). The article discusses the essence of legal security and the role of administrative courts in ensuring it, as well as the guarantee nature of the regulations of Article 18 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland. Against this outlined background, the thesis on the inadmissibility of institutionalization of same-sex unions is argued. Problems resulting from the judicial practice of administrative courts related to the transcription of a child's birth certificate are also discussed.
The scientific research was conducted by using traditional methods of jurisprudence, primarily the formal-dogmatic method. The linguistic, systemic and teleological interpretation of Article 18 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland was applied. The directions of operational interpretation resulting from the case law of administrative courts were discussed. The views found in the literature on the subject (doctrinal interpretation) were taken into account, too. According to the author, the perspective of legal security strengthens the arguments stemming from the linguistic and historical interpretation of Article 18 of the Constitution and allows for a better justification of the inadmissibility of institutionalizing same-sex unions by means of a statute. Such a procedure seems particularly useful in the face of the growing tendencies in the law of other countries to eliminate the traditional form of marriage as a union of a woman and a man.
Actions by administrative authorities justified by a state of higher necessity
Authors: Dobkowski Jarosław
Published: October 2024

This article deals with the actions of the administrative proceeding authorities justified by a state of higher necessity. In Poland, the state of higher necessity does not constitute a title for the encroachment of public administration bodies on the rights and obligations of persons without a legal basis. In terms of its essence, the state of force majeure under the Administrative Procedure Code is not uniformly understood. It may be treated narrowly or broadly. However, regardless of its treatment, it conditions the application of special and very often inherently exceptional solutions. This includes issuing decisions with the application of special regulations in matters of peace, security and public order, and sometimes in situations dictated by an even differently understood state of higher necessity.
This article deals with the actions of the administrative proceeding authorities justified by a state of higher necessity. In Poland, the state of higher necessity does not constitute a title for the encroachment of public administration bodies on the rights and obligations of persons without a legal basis. In terms of its essence, the state of force majeure under the Administrative Procedure Code is not uniformly understood. It may be treated narrowly or broadly. However, regardless of its treatment, it conditions the application of special and very often inherently exceptional solutions. This includes issuing decisions with the application of special regulations in matters of peace, security and public order, and sometimes in situations dictated by an even differently understood state of higher necessity.
The issue of electronic delivery in cases of appeals against resolutions of the National Council of the Judiciary
Authors: Tarnacka Agata
Published: October 2024

Electronic delivery in cases of appeals against resolutions of the National Council of the Judiciary is sometimes of key importance for the resolution of cases by the Supreme Court. The issue of delivery is not obvious and easy to verify. It happens that both the National Council of the Judiciary and common courts do not treat deliveries seriously and do not respect all the consequences, which are the same as the consequences of deliveries made using a postal operator. Electronic deliveries are intended to facilitate and accelerate procedures conducted by the National Council of the Judiciary, but their use may involve irregularities that can only be verified by the Supreme Court.
Electronic delivery in cases of appeals against resolutions of the National Council of the Judiciary is sometimes of key importance for the resolution of cases by the Supreme Court. The issue of delivery is not obvious and easy to verify. It happens that both the National Council of the Judiciary and common courts do not treat deliveries seriously and do not respect all the consequences, which are the same as the consequences of deliveries made using a postal operator. Electronic deliveries are intended to facilitate and accelerate procedures conducted by the National Council of the Judiciary, but their use may involve irregularities that can only be verified by the Supreme Court.
De-formalization and electronicization of civil proceedings and procedural guarantees of its subjects
Authors: Demendecki Tomasz
Published: October 2024

Modern civil procedure should, as an example, fully ensure the right to a court for its participants and, at the same time, guarantee obtaining a just and lawful judgment within reasonable time in public proceedings before an impartial and independent court in an effective manner. Not in every case is the overriding goal of obtaining legal protection in the form of a just and lawful judgment easy to achieve. Often, obtaining delayed protection destroys its effectiveness. An unenforceable court judgment becomes merely a "paper" one. A natural obstacle in civil proceedings, which often prevents immediate provision of legal protection to entities seeking it, is the applicable principle of formalism, expressed as a rule in the obligation to comply with the requirements regarding the form, place and time when undertaking activities, failure to comply with which may result in procedural sanctions in a given civil proceeding. The regulations introducing the principle in question are absolute in nature, they are not subject to waiver or modification. The remedy for the stiffening of civil proceedings with the "straitjacket of formalism" is its simplification (de-formalization), either by introducing new types of proceedings, shaped by special regulations differently from the regulations defining the general model of proceedings, or by introducing individual procedural institutions, the use of which in the proceedings will allow for a simpler and at the same time faster search for protection of subjective rights.
Cooperation between national courts and EU institutions in competition law cases
Authors: Varga Peter
Published: October 2024

The article explores the interplay between national courts and European Union institutions in the context of competition law enforcement of rules enshrined in Articles 101 and 102 TFEU. Cooperation between national competition authorities and national courts on one hand and EU institutions on the other hand is crucial for ensuring the effective and consistent application of competition rules. The article deals with the mechanisms of this cooperation. It examines the role of the European Commission and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in providing guidance to national competition authorities and national courts. The article underscores the importance of a cohesive approach to competition law enforcement that is applied by national institutions of the EU member states.

The concept and meaning of legal security in criminal law is well defined by Professor Jadwiga Potrzeszcz who states that "legal security is a state achieved by law established in general, and in particular by means of criminal law, in which human life’s goods and interests are protected in the most comprehensive and effective possible manner (and) harmonizes properly with the most important functions of criminal law, namely with a protective function and a guarantee function." (Potrzeszcz, 2018, p. 301)
In accordance with the aforementioned definition, the author aims to introduce Criminal Codes that were in effect in the territory of present-day Slovakia, shedding light on whether they were guarantees of legal security in the state or not, i.e., whether they protected "human life’s goods and interests in the most comprehensive and effective possible manner."
Abusive constitutionalism in Poland - on the self-delegitimisation of the judiciary
Authors: Zaradkiewicz Kamil
Published: October 2024

The concept of abusive constitutionalism became widespread in legal scholarship after David Landau's famous publication. The author defines abusive constitutionalism as "the use of constitutional amendment mechanisms to make a state significantly less democratic than it was before" . He refers to actions that make a particular regime "significantly less democratic" . The result, he points out, is to move away from democracy . He pointed to 2013 as examples of this trend - Honduras, Venezuela or Hungary. "De-democratisation" of constitutional mechanisms is also, in my view, relevant from the perspective of the Polish experience, though viewed differently than usually presented in the political debates. It turns out that democratic mechanisms and their implementation are undermined by those judiciary representatives who, simultaneuosly, accuse the authorities introducing solutions in line with democratic principles of violating the rule of law.
Marginalised agrarian traditions as a tool for climate justice
Authors: Bell Finn McLafferty
Published: October 2024

Many marginalised communities have long-standing food-growing traditions, yet the climate crisis imperils global food security and disproportionately impacts marginalised communities. Increasingly, researchers posit that networks of decentralised peri-urban agriculture can strengthen food security. In this qualitative study, I ask: what can we learn from marginalised agrarian traditions that might be useful to those marginalised communities in collectively surviving climate change? To answer that question, I conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 23 marginalised food growers and community leaders in the deindustrialised city of Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA. I find that growing food helps to build resilience to food insecurity and climate change but is difficult because of land injustice. Policy and practice implications include the need for the following: (1) housing justice; (2) proactive planning in areas that are expected to serve as climate refuges; and (3) reparations and land rematriation to address the disparate impacts of climate disaster in marginalised communities.
Author Meets Critics: Buy Now: How Amazon Branded Convenience and Normalized Monopoly
Authors: West Emily , Bartholomew Mark , Popp Richard , Powers Devon , Steinberg Marc , Turow Joseph , Timke Edward
Published: October 2024

Abstract: In this book discussion, a panel of advertising, communication, and media studies scholars meet with Emily West to discuss her 2022 book Buy Now: How Amazon Branded Convenience and Normalized Monopoly (MIT Press). The conversation unpacks key concepts from the book, such as platform capitalism, affective branding, and distribution fetishism, which examine how Amazon's unique approach to scaling its business and normalizing surveillance has made it a dominant global entity. West emphasizes Amazon's focus on service and relational marketing, contrasting it with aspirational brands like Nike or Coca-Cola. The group focuses on the book's exploration of the "served self," a consumer subjectivity shaped by convenience-driven platforms, and how Amazon's practices reduce consumer decision-making power. They also explore Amazon's global expansion strategy, noting its success in India and failure in China, and its influence on retail markets worldwide. The talk also touches on Amazon's branding and advertising strategy, particularly its use of algorithms to control product visibility, and its expanding role in digital advertising, such as displaying ads on Echo Show devices. The participants reflect on how West's book can be used in teaching to help students understand corporate monopolies, platform power, and consumer culture in the digital age.
Frequency shifting of light via multiple ultrasound waves in scattering media
Authors: Kinos Adam
Published: October 2024

We derive analytical expressions to describe how light is frequency-shifted when interacting with ultrasound within scattering media, due to the modulation of the refractive index induced by the ultrasound pressure waves. The model is validated through Monte Carlo simulations, works for high ultrasound pressures, and allows for many simultaneous ultrasound waves or frequency components, which is important due to the non-linear propagation effects in tissue. We also provide critical insights into how the ultrasound properties can be optimized for an enhanced efficiency of the light to be frequency-shifted, facilitating applications in ultrasound optical tomography and other photonic diagnostic techniques.
Meta-learning-aided QoT estimator provisioning for a dynamic VNT configuration in optical networks
Authors: Chen Xiaoliang , Ouyang Zhenlin , Gao Hanyu , Lin Qunzhi , Zhu Zuqing
Published: October 2024

Machine learning (ML)-based quality-of-transmission (QoT) estimation tools will be desirable for operating virtual network topologies (VNTs) that disclose only abstracted views of connectivity and resource availability to tenants. Conventional ML-based solutions rely on laborious human effort on model selection, parameter tuning, and so forth, which can cause prolonged model building time. This paper exploits the learning-to-learn nature by meta learning to pursue automated provisioning of QoT estimators for a dynamic VNT configuration in optical networks. In particular, we first propose a graph neural network (GNN) design for network-wide QoT estimation. The proposed design learns global VNT representations by disseminating and merging features of virtual nodes (conveying transmitter-side configurations) and links (characterizing physical line systems) according to the routing schemes used. Consequently, the GNN is able to predict the QoT for all the end-to-end connections in a VNT concurrently. A distributed collaborative learning method is also applied for preserving data confidentiality. We train a meta GNN with meta learning to acquire knowledge generalizable across tasks and realize automated QoT estimator provisioning by fine tuning the meta model with a few new samples for each incoming VNT request. Simulation results using data from two realistic topologies show our proposal can generalize QoT estimation for VNTs of arbitrary structures and improves the estimation accuracy by up to 18.7% when compared with the baseline.
EFCformer: high-resolution image restoration network for optical synthetic aperture imaging system
Authors: Shan Huilin , Tong Junyi , He Bingkun , Li Changshuai , Chen Xin , Zhang Yinsheng
Published: October 2024

Synthetic-aperture optical imaging systems use multiple sub aperture arrays to significantly improve the imaging resolution of space telescopes. However, the sub aperture arrangement inevitably impacts the intermediate and low frequencies of the modulation transfer function, which results in blurred images. This study led to the proposal of a dual-feature extraction network based on convolution and a transformer, to effectively recover high-resolution images from synthetic aperture optical systems. Specifically, the proposed network consists of a new convolution layer for local feature extraction and a new transformer layer that focuses on global information. The introduction of concentrated linear attention and a newly developed gated forward propagation module enables the computational load of the transformer to be reduced to ultimately improve the ability to extract global information. To avoid any adverse effects by the ringing phenomenon generated in the synthetic aperture optical imaging system during image restoration, we used a new feature enhancement fusion module to combine the extracted features of the convolution and transformer layers and enhance them to strengthen the ability to sharpen the expression of the structural features. The experimental results indicated that, compared with other advanced methods, our method can improve the peak signal-to-noise ratio by 1.5% and reduce the number of model parameters by 17% to effectively restore the high-resolution image of the synthetic aperture optical system.
Real-time target recognition with all-optical neural networks for ghost imaging
Authors: Xi Yuanyuan , He Yuchen , Wang Yadi , Chen Hui , Zheng Huaibin , Liu Jianbin , Zhou Yu , Xu Zhuo
Published: October 2024

The generation and structural characteristics of random speckle patterns impact the implementation and imaging quality of computational ghost imaging. Their modulation is limited by traditional electronic hardware. We aim to address this limitation using the features of an all-optical neural network. This work proposes a real-time target recognition system based on an all-optical diffraction deep neural network for ghost imaging. We use a trained neural network to perform pure phase modulation on visible light, and directly complete the target recognition task by detecting the maximum value of light intensity signals at different positions. We optimized the system by simulating the effects of parameters, such as the number of layers of the network, photosensitive pixel, unit area etc., on the final recognition performance, and the accuracy of target recognition reached 91.73%. The trained neural network is materialised by 3D printing technology and experiments confirmed that the system successfully performs real-time target recognition at a low sampling rate of 1.25%. It also verified the feasibility and noise resistance of the system in practical application scenarios.
Manipulating reflection-type all-dielectric non-local metasurfaces via the parity of a particle number
Authors: Song Hao , Zhang Xuelian , Sun Yanming , Wang Guo Ping
Published: October 2024

The parity of a particle number is a new degree of freedom for manipulating metasurface, while its influence on non-local metasurfaces remains an unresolved and intriguing question. We propose a metasurface consisting of periodically arranged infinite-long cylinders made from multiple layers of SiO2 and WS2. The cylinder exhibits strong backward scattering due to the overlapping magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole resonances. Without non-local coupling in unit cells, the infinite-size metasurface manifests high reflection across all instances. However, with non-local coupling in supercells, parity-dependent reflectivity diverges, exhibiting either increased logarithmic or decreased exponential behavior, with significant distinctions at small particle numbers. Interestingly, equal magnitude reflection and transmission reversals are achievable through alternation between adjacent odd and even particle numbers. The finite-size non-local metasurfaces behave similarly to the infinite-size counterparts, yet high reflection disappears at small particle numbers due to energy leakage. Essentially, high reflection arises from strong backward scattering and effective suppression of lateral multiple scatterings. Our work aids in the actual metasurface design and sheds new light on photonic integrated circuits and on-chip optical communication.
Model-driven extended scene piston sensing for synthetic aperture telescopes
Authors: Yang Kaiyuan , Ma Xiafei , Wei Weilong , Zhang Junhao , Chen Botao , Cheng Yuhua , Ma Haotong , Qi Bo , Xie Zongliang
Published: October 2024

Efficient piston estimation is a critical factor in preserving the image quality in synthetic aperture telescopes. When the light source or observation scene is an extended object, the spatial properties of the target and the point spread function (PSF) will undergo convolution effects on the scientific image plane, posing a significant challenge to numerous developed point-source piston sensing methods. In this paper, we investigate a model-driven-based piston sensing strategy capable of high-accuracy piston measurement for extended scenes. Firstly, a mathematical model of the feature vector is constructed to respond to the piston accurately and subsequently we characterize its nonlinear relationship with the piston, termed the frequency secondary-peak piston extraction (FSPE) algorithm. Furthermore, an optimization framework is designed to automatically generate the non-redundant configuration, avoiding the potential baseline crosstalk that can cause the misalignment of feature vector extraction in FSPE. Since the decoupled feature vector contains the analytic properties, through sequentially placing the non-redundant mask and performing the FSPE algorithm, the pistons can be directly retrieved without iterations and any additional instruments. Both numerical simulation and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.Given the efficiency and superiority, we believe that the proposed method might find wide applications in future extremely large synthetic aperture telescopes.
Ultrafast visible fiber laser mode-locked by frequency-shifted feedback of an α-BaTeMo2O9 crystal acousto-optic modulator
Authors: Li Tianran , Huang Lu , Guo FeiFei , Lan Jingbin , Lan Lan , Bu Yikun , Gao Zeliang , Luo Zhengqian
Published: October 2024

We report the first demonstration, to the best of our knowledge, of visible mode-locked fiber laser using frequency-shifted feedback (FSF) with a visible α-BaTeMo2O9 (α-BTM) crystal acousto-optic modulator (AOM). First, an α-BTM crystal is used as the visible high-quality AOM with a high diffraction efficiency of 85%, a fast rise/fall time of 79/98 ns, and a low insertion loss of 0.2 dB at 635 nm. Then, the 635 nm FSF mode-locked fiber laser is achieved using a Pr3+:doped ZBLAN double-clad fiber as a visible gain medium and the α-BTM AOM as a frequency-shifting element. Self-starting mode-locking at 635 nm directly generates red laser pulses with a pulse duration of 45 ps and a repetition frequency of 31.8 MHz. Furthermore, we investigate the evolution of mode-locking dynamics as the α-BTW-AOM feedback-frequency, which helps further understand the FSF dynamics by directly generating visible ultrashort pulses.
Demonstration of a photonic integrated circuit for quantitative phase imaging
Authors: Lin Chupao , Guo Yujie , Le Thomas Nicolas
Published: October 2024

Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) is an optical microscopy method that has been developed over nearly a century to rapidly visualize and analyze transparent or weakly scattering objects in view of biological, medical, or material science applications. The bulky nature of the most performant QPI techniques in terms of phase noise limits their large-scale deployment. In this context, the beam shaping properties of photonic chips, combined with their intrinsic compact size and low cost, could be beneficial. Here, we demonstrate the implementation of QPI with a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) used as an add-on to a standard wide-field microscope. Combining a 50  mm×50  mm footprint PIC as a secondary coherent illuminating light source with an imaging microscope objective of numerical aperture 0.45 and implementing a phase retrieval approach based on the Kramers–Kronig relations, we achieve a phase noise of 5.5 mrad and a diffraction limited spatial resolution of 400 nm. As a result, we retrieve quantitative phase images of Escherichia coli bacteria cells and monolayers of graphene patches from which we determine a graphene monolayer thickness of 0.45±0.15  nm. The current phase noise level is more than five times lower than that obtained with other state-of-the-art QPI techniques using coherent light sources and comparable to their counterparts based on incoherent light sources. The PIC-based QPI technique opens new avenues for low-phase noise, miniature, robust, and cost-effective quantitative phase microscopy.