bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Embodiment or Immersion? On the Modes of Engagement in Video Games
Authors: Jemioł Maciej
Published: August 2022

EMBODIMENT OR IMMERSION? ON THE MODES OF ENGAGEMENT IN VIDEO GAMES How do players engage with video games? This question has many potential answers. The aim of this paper is to provide a closer look at two of such answers that are prominent in the philosophical debate on video games. These answers focus on two distinct ideas: that of embodiment, and that of immersion. The former arises from the phenomenological tradition of thought and is based on the views of Maurice Merleau-Ponty that is applied to the realm of video games by such scholars as Timothy Crick. Phenomenological concept of embodiment is used here to describe how playing video games is a carnal activity in which the game itself becomes an elongation of our own body. According to this view, the player’s engagement in a video game is a direct experience of its content. Opposed to that is the idea of immersion, considered here based on Kendall L. Walton’s theory of mimesis as make-believe. This theory, which is applied in the context of video games by such researchers as Grant Tavinor, claims that all representational art is analogous to children’s games of make-believe. Perception of art bedomes an act of imagination in which we pretend that an art object is what it represents. In accordance with this view, the player’s engagement in a video game is an indirect experience of its content. The question is: Are those two approaches contradictory or is there a way to reconcile them? This paper argues that such a possibility exists and proposes a combined view that utilizes both of those concepts.
The Matrix, or When the Natural World Is Scary
Authors: Janik Piotr
Published: August 2022

THE MATRIX, OR WHEN THE NATURAL WORLD IS SCARY Husserl’s commitment to reality is marked by the urgency to return, or rather to a repeated return each time the objective is achieved. He explains this explicitly in The Crisis of European Sciences and Transcendental Phenomenology, taking his cue from Descartes’ Meditations. Reduction, which is the exact name for return, means change of attitude, abandonment of the natural position as naive. Jan Patočka notes in this regard, that today people who have experienced modern science no longer simply live in the naive natural world. The naive natural world is interpreted under species of the mathematical model. So, the gap between meaning as an expectation of experience and meaning within the framework of the model is increasingly evident. If intentionality, according to Husserl and disciples, including Heidegger, cannot be other than the idea itself, then it is just a something for something. It’s like giving voice to one thing and not another. Commitment to life (Husserl’s Lebenswelt) requires a return to corporeality, as Patočka adds, following Maine de Biran’s accurate insight, that is, of something immediately given, prior to any perceptual experience. The term “matrix” in the title brings to mind the eponymous 1999 film based on the philosophical metaphor of Plato’s cave in the fashion of the digital age. The protagonist, Neo, finds himself living for a long time in the lack of support of reality, precisely because of distrust: something is wrong, and this can only be felt. However, how can the hacker mentality help you understand that perhaps it is but a game?
A Comparison of Methods for Treatment Assignment with an Application to Playlist Generation
Authors: Fernández-Loría Carlos , Provost Foster , Anderton Jesse , Carterette Benjamin , Chandar Praveen
Published: August 2022

This study presents a systematic comparison of methods for individual treatment assignment. We group the various methods proposed in the literature into three general classes of algorithms (or metalearners): learning models to predict outcomes (the O-learner), learning models to predict causal effects (the E-learner), and learning models to predict optimal treatment assignments (the A-learner). We discuss how the metalearners differ in their level of generality and their objective function, which has critical implications for modeling and decision making. Notably, we demonstrate that optimizing for the prediction of outcomes or causal effects is not the same as optimizing for treatment assignments, suggesting that, in general, the A-learner should lead to better treatment assignments than the other metalearners. We then compare the metalearners in the context of choosing, for each user, the best algorithm for playlist generation in order to optimize engagement. This is the first comparison of the three different metalearners on a real-world application at scale (based on more than half a billion treatment assignments). In addition to supporting our analytical findings, the results show how large A/B tests can provide substantial value for learning treatment-assignment policies, rather than simply choosing the variant that performs best on average.
A Reexamination of the Impact of Decision Conflict on Choice Deferral
Authors: Evangelidis Ioannis , Levav Jonathan , Simonson Itamar
Published: August 2022

In this research we reexamine and update prior research on the association between decision conflict and choice deferral. Decision conflict has featured prominently in psychology literature, going back to the seminal work of Lewin (1933) , Miller (1944) , and Janis and Mann (1977) . Building on this earlier work and the assumption of conflict as an inhibitor of choice, Tversky and Shafir (1992 ; see also Dhar 1997 ) argued that the tendency to defer a decision can increase when decision makers experience conflict because of the need to make trade-offs between options in a set. Tversky and Shafir (1992) showed that decision makers may defer choice more when faced with two options presenting trade-offs compared with when they are offered either a single option (see also Dhar 1997 ) or two options where one alternative dominates the other. Relatedly, Luce (1998) showed that decision makers may be more likely to defer choice when faced with multiple options presenting relatively difficult (versus easy) trade-offs. We reexamine published data and report the results of 40 well-powered direct and conceptual replications of these effects (total n = 26,703) that cast doubt on the replicability of prior research. Our data suggest that additional research is needed in order to reveal a robust association between experimental manipulations of decision conflict and choice deferral. We conclude our investigation by delineating a set of directions for future research on this topic.

This paper was accepted by Yuval Rottenstreich, behavioral economics and decision analysis.

Supplemental Material: The data and e-companion are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4484 .
The safer management of controlled drugs
Authors: Halliwell Amanda
Published: August 2022

Amanda Halliwell identifies the key messages for nursing and residential care providers in the Care Quality Commission's annual report on the safe management of controlled drugs.
The Value of Transitioning from the Lap Shear to an Internal Bond for Testing Plywood*
Authors: Breyer Robert , Cannon Melissa , Jennings Jessica , Ashley Steve
Published: August 2022

The lap shear test has been the standard for bond strength testing in plywood for years. Its goal is to predict the long-term durability of the plywood panels. This test has also been used for root cause analysis by mill quality management teams to identify issues. There are several problems with the test, two significant problems being, (1) the only bond tested is the one that is next to the veneer tested, and (2) the test is highly subjective to the accuracy of the kerfing. This paper will address the first problem, which is the larger issue. During the long-term exposure of the panel, the bond lines most likely to fail are the exposed surface or, more likely, the weakest bond. The lap shear test does not test all the bonds simultaneously, so there is no way to ensure the weakest bond is tested on each sample. The data included in this article clearly showed that there was a difference between the bond lines that would be missed in the standard lap shear test. Lastly, the main bonds tested are in the center of the panel; therefore, the result would be biased and may not be an accurate representation of how the panel would perform in the field. These deficiencies are remedied by shifting to the standard internal bond testing common in other wood products.
Monte Carlo MSSA to modeling GNSS position time series and its implication for crustal deformation monitoring
Authors: Xiang Yunfei
Published: August 2022

In this paper, a scheme of signal extraction and modeling for GNSS position time series based on Monte Carlo Multi-channel Singular Spectrum Analysis (MC-MSSA) is introduced, which can effectively consider the spatial correlation of different directions by processing the different components of position time series at the same time. Meanwhile, the Monte Carlo significance test is utilized to distinguish the signal from the colored noise. By comparing with Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA), it can be confirmed that MSSA has better signal extraction and modeling performance by taking into account the correlation of different channels. Then, taking the LHAZ station as an example, MC-MSSA is utilized to simultaneously model the three components of GNSS position time series, and the trend and periodic signals are respectively identified by Kendall nonparametric test and W-correlation correlation analysis. The result denotes that MC-MSSA can effectively model the tectonic and non-tectonic signals of GNSS position time series, and the modeled signals can more intuitively reflect the dynamic movement of the station. Finally, based on the MC-MSSA-modeled tectonic signal, we characterize the crustal deformations around the eastern Tibetan Plateau, mainly including the crustal movement and strain rate change. The results suggest that the pushing movement of the Tibetan Plateau from the Indian plate is blocked by the South China block, and the crustal movement rate is obviously decreased and appears a right-handed movement trend. Meanwhile, the junction of the Tibetan Plateau and South China block has accumulated a certain amount of stress, and the tectonic activity at the junction is relatively strong and still belongs to the dangerous zone of seismic activity.
Medical Image of the Month: An Unexpected Cause of Chronic Cough
Authors:   Pulmonary Department, Royal Medical Services (RMS), Amman, Jordan, Khair Yazan , Al-Jawaldeh Hussam , AL Mufleh Ayah , Joudeh Maxim , Hammode Emad
Published: August 2022

No abstract available. Article truncated after 150 words. Sometimes it is as simple as it looks! A previously healthy nonsmoking 40-year-old man presented with a 7-month history of dry cough which was misdiagnosed as asthma. He had persistent cough despite appropriate asthma treatment including empiric PPIs. This patient had undergone extensive lab work up and evaluation; from negative viral and fungal panel, repeated pulmonary function tests which were within normal limits, chest x-rays, and CT scans which had shown small local calcification in the bronchus intermedius with significant thickening of the surrounding bronchial wall (Figure 1). The decision was made to proceed with flexible bronchoscopy, which yielded a chicken bone fragment with surrounding granulation tissue as shown in Figure 2A. In retrospect the bone is visible within the bronchus intermedius on the topogram from the CT scan, see Figure 2B. Foreign body aspiration in adults reported in low rates (0.66 per 100 000) (1). Despite being uncommon, neurological …
Voyages around mothers: departures and returns
Authors: Cummins Anne-Marie
Published: August 2022

This piece is a personal response to the articles in this special issue of the Journal of Psychosocial Studies. It identifies three themes that seem to unite the articles: children’s emotional labour; repair and generativity; and après-coup or Nachträglichkeit. It is also suggested that there is an absence – the shadow of envy, competition and rivalry, which also tends to run through the matrix of so many mother–daughter and supervisor–supervisee relations. Further, it is suggested that any future iterations of these relationships would be enriched by integrating contributions on the ways in which not only collusion, competition and oedipal struggles, but also hierarchy and asymmetry are especially problematic sources of psychic pain when women supervise women.
Co-optimization method to improve lateral resolution in photoacoustic computed tomography
Authors: Zhang Yang , Yang Shufan , Xia Zhiying , Hou Ruijie , Xu Bin , Hou Lianping , Marsh John H. , Hou Jamie Jiangmin , Sani Seyed Mojtaba Rezaei , Liu Xuefeng , Xiong Jichuan
Published: August 2022

In biomedical imaging, photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) has recently gained increased interest as this imaging technique has good optical contrast and depth of acoustic penetration. However, a spinning blur will be introduced during the image reconstruction process due to the limited size of the ultrasonic transducers (UT) and a discontinuous measurement process. In this study, a damping UT and adaptive back-projection co-optimization (CODA) method is developed to improve the lateral spatial resolution of PACT. In our PACT system, a damping aperture UT controls the size of the receiving area, which suppresses image blur at the signal acquisition stage. Then, an innovative adaptive back-projection algorithm is developed, which corrects the undesirable artifacts. The proposed method was evaluated using agar phantom and ex-vivo experiments. The results show that the CODA method can effectively compensate for the spinning blur and eliminate unwanted artifacts in PACT. The proposed method can significantly improve the lateral spatial resolution and image quality of reconstructed images, making it more appealing for wider clinical applications of PACT as a novel, cost-effective modality.
Translation-invariant context-retentive wavelet reflection removal network
Authors: Hsu Wei-Yen , Wu Wan-Jia
Published: August 2022

It has been widely investigated for images taken through glass to remove unwanted reflections in deep learning. However, none of these methods have bad effects, but they all remove reflections in specific situations, and validate the results with their own datasets, e.g., several local places with strong reflections. These limitations will result in situations where real reflections in the world cannot be effectively eliminated. In this study, a novel Translation-invariant Context-retentive Wavelet Reflection Removal Network is proposed to address this issue. In addition to context and background, low-frequency sub-images still have a small amount of reflections. To enable background context retention and reflection removal, the low-frequency sub-images at each level are performed on the Context Retention Subnetwork (CRSn) after wavelet transform. Novel context level blending and inverse wavelet transform are proposed to remove reflections in low frequencies and retain background context recursively, which is of great help in restoring clean images. High-frequency sub-images with reflections are performed on the Detail-enhanced Reflection layer removal Subnetwork to complete reflection removal. In addition, in order to further separate the reflection layer and the transmission layer better, we also propose Detail-enhanced Reflection Information Transmission, through which the extracted features of reflection layer in high-frequency images can help the CRSn effectively separate the transmission layer and the reflection layer, so as to achieve the effects of removing reflection. The quantitative and visual experimental results on benchmark datasets demonstrate that the proposed method performs better than the state-of-the-art approaches.
Compact near-eye display with a wide FOV and a wide eye box using 24 multiple-exposure holograms
Authors: Nakanishi Mikiko , Yokoo Masayuki , Morinaga Yasuo , Shimura Tsutomu
Published: August 2022

A compact near-eye display with a 60° horizontal field of view, wide eye box of 5 mm, and high resolution of 720 p is proposed and developed by combining a transmission hologram that duplicates the beam of a scanning display and a reflection hologram that reflects duplicated beams toward the user’s eye. The feasibility of the proposed near-eye display is demonstrated by examining the specifications and exposure of 24 multiple holograms. A compact NED that can display images with a horizontal FOV of 60° and that has a 6.2 mm × 4.8 mm eye box and 720 pixels vertical resolution is achieved.
Fast linear optical sampling with high repetition-frequency using fiber delay lines
Authors: Wang Fu , Gao Ran , Li Zhipei , Zhang Qi , Yu Chao , Tian Qinghua , Wang Yongjun , Xin Xiangjun
Published: August 2022

Linear optical sampling (LOS) is one of the most promising techniques for optical modulation analyzers. The LOS system generally adopts a mode-locked fiber laser (MFL) to generate an ultra-stable optical pulse to realize under-sampling for signal under test (SUT). However, it is challenging for MFL to produce a high-repetition-frequency pulse, making more measurement errors of conventional LOS technology, especially for high-speed signals. This paper proposes a dual-pulse mixing (DPM) based LOS system to increase the repetition frequency using fiber delay lines with the multiplied optical pulse. We propose the pulse location and peak extraction algorithms to compensate the time bias and amplitude bias in the DPM-based LOS system, which significantly improves the measurement speed and range. The experiment results show that the DPM-based LOS system can increase the number of sampling points twice compared with the conventional LOS within the same sampling time window. Furthermore, the proposed DPM-based LOS system can achieve less error vector magnitude with a reduction of 9.1% compared with the conventional LOS. Hence, the proposed DPM-based LOS system has great potential for high-speed signal processing.
Synchronous enhancement of upconversion and NIR-IIb photoluminescence of rare-earth nanoprobes for theranostics
Authors: Yin Jinchang , Zheng Hongting , Zhang Wuji , Shen Lu , Lai Ruiran , Tian Li , Zhao Fuli , Shao Yuanzhi
Published: August 2022

This study develops a multifunctional molecular optical nanoprobe (SiO2@Gd2O3: Yb3+/Er3+/Li+@Ce6/MC540) with a unique core-satellite form. The rare-earth doped nanodots with good crystallinity are uniformly embedded on the surface of a hydrophilic silica core, and the nanoprobe can emit near-infrared-IIb (NIR-IIb) luminescence for imaging as well as visible light that perfectly matches the absorption bands of two included photosensitizers under 980 nm irradiation. The optimal NIR-IIb emission and upconversion efficiency are attainable via regulating the doping ratios of Yb3+, Er3+ and Li+ ions. The relevant energy transfer mechanism was addressed theoretically that underpins rare-earth photoluminescence where energy back-transfer and cross relaxation processes play pivotal roles. The nanoprobe can achieve an excellent dual-drive photodynamic treatment performance, verified by singlet oxygen detections and live-dead cells imaging assays, with a synergistic effect. And a brightest NIR-IIb imaging was attained in tumoral site of mouse. The nanoprobe has a high potential to serve as a new type of optical theranostic agent for tumor.
Twisted Gaussian Schell-model breathers and solitons in strongly nonlocal nonlinear media
Authors: Zhang Shaohua , Zhou Zhenglan , Zhou Yuan , Xu Huafeng , Yuan Yangsheng , Han Yashuai , Zhou Zhengxian , Yao Baoli , Qu Jun
Published: August 2022

Based on the Snyder-Mitchell linear model and the cross-spectral density (CSD) function, the analytical propagation formula of twisted Gaussian Schell-model (TGSM) beams in strongly nonlocal nonlinear medium (SNNM) is derived. Then the propagation characteristics of TGSM beam are studied. It is found that the soliton radius is jointly determined by the initial power, coherence length, and twist factor; the degree of spatial coherence is adjusted by changing the twist factor without affecting the soliton intensity. In the case of non-soliton properties, there is a threshold of coherence length which makes partially coherent beams have the same evolution law as completely coherent beams. Furthermore, increasing the twist factor, decreasing the coherence length and initial power can improve the beam quality of the beam propagating in SNNM.
Likelihood based synchronization algorithms in optical pulse position modulation systems with photon-counting receivers
Authors: Li Ya-Tian , Geng Tian-Wen , Gao Shi-Jie
Published: August 2022

Deep space optical communication (DSOC) is becoming a hot topic. Pulse position modulation (PPM) is an effective tool to realize DSOC benefiting from the feature of high sensitivity. In this paper, we analyze 2 × 1 optical PPM systems with photon-counting detectors, where the distance difference between the two links causes asynchronous superpositions at the receiving end. Two synchronization algorithms are proposed to estimate the time offsets of the two links, which are the optimal Global Maximum Likelihood Estimation (GMLE) and the suboptimal Integer Comparison - Fractional Likelihood Estimation (ICFLE). The complexities of the two methods are also compared. In order to measure the two proposed algorithms, the Cramer-Rao bounds (CRB) are derived. According to simulation results, both the two proposed algorithms approach the deduced CRBs. Furthermore, an equivalent experiment is designed to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed algorithms. It’s also indicated that the proposed algorithms may be utilized in practical systems.
Differential displacement measurement of the levitated particle using D-shaped mirrors in the optical tweezers
Authors: Chen Zhijie , Kuang Tengfang , Han Xiang , Li Guofeng , Zeng Weiqing , Xiong Wei , Xiao Guangzong , Luo Hui
Published: August 2022

Displacement measurement using a D-shaped mirror is a key technology in optical tweezers, which have emerged as an important tool for precision measurement. In this paper, we first study the influences of installation errors for the D-shaped mirror on the displacement measurement. The calibration factor and sensitivity of the different installation parameters are quantified. The results show that the variation of the calibration factor obeys the cosine curve with the angle error, and the sensitivity increases exponentially with the translation error. Besides, we find that the translation error will also lead to crosstalk between transverse and axial displacement. Our work will contribute to improving the performance of optical tweezers for the application in precision measurement and basic physics.
Ultrafast fiber laser at 0.9 µm with a gigahertz fundamental repetition rate by a high gain Nd3+-doped phosphate glass fiber
Authors: Wang Yafei , Zhang Jing , Wen Junpeng , Qiu Baotian , Qiu Jianrong , Yang Zhongmin , Wei Xiaoming , Dong Guoping
Published: August 2022

Fiber lasers, owing to the advantages of excellent beam quality and unique robustness, play a crucial role in lots of fields in modern society. Developing optical glass fibers with superior performance is of fundamental importance for wide applications of fiber lasers. Here, a new Nd3+-doped phosphate single-mode fiber that enables a high gain at 0.9 µm is designed and fabricated. Compared to previous Nd3+-doped silica fibers, the developed phosphate fiber exhibits a significant gain promotion, up to 2.7 dB cm−1 at 915 nm. Configuring in a continuous-wave fiber laser, this phosphate fiber can provide a slope efficiency of 11.2% in a length of only 4.5 cm, about 6 times higher than that of Nd3+-doped silica fiber. To showcase its uniqueness, an ultrafast fiber laser with ultrashort cavity is constructed, such that an ultrashort pulse train with a fundamental repetition rate of up to 1.2 GHz is successfully generated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest fundamental repetition rate for mode-locked fiber lasers at this wavelength range — two orders of magnitude higher than that of prior works. These results indicate that this Nd3+-doped phosphate fiber is an effective gain medium for fiber amplifiers and lasers at 0.9 µm, and it is promising for two-photon biophotonics that requires long-term operation with low phototoxicity.
Square-wave generation in vertical external-cavity Kerr-Gires-Tournois interferometers
Authors: Koch Elias R. , Seidel Thomas G. , Gurevich Svetlana V. , Javaloyes Julien
Published: August 2022

We study theoretically the mechanisms of square-wave (SW) formation in vertical external-cavity Kerr-Gires-Tournois interferometers in the presence of anti-resonant injection. We provide simple analytical approximations for their plateau intensities and for the conditions of their emergence. We demonstrate that SWs may appear via a homoclinic snaking scenario, leading to the formation of complex-shaped multistable SW solutions. The resulting SWs can host localized structures and robust bound states.
High-order harmonic generation in an x-ray range from laser-induced multivalent ions of noble gas
Authors: Gao Jixing , Wu Jiaqi , Lou Zhiyuan , Yang Fan , Qian Junyu , Peng Yujie , Leng Yuxin , Zheng Yinghui , Zeng Zhinan , Li Ruxin
Published: August 2022

Tabletop coherent x-ray sources extending to multi-keV or higher photon energies have versatile applications, including in 4D imaging and semiconductor detectors. However, these sources can be realized only via high-order harmonic generation (HHG) with an

∼

10

µ

m

laser interacting with neutral atoms. As shown in previous work by Popmintchev et al. [Science 350, 1225 (2015)10.1126/science.aac9755SCIEAS0036-8075], multiply ionized plasmas can efficiently produce hundred-eV harmonics with an ultraviolet laser. Here, we experimentally investigate multi-keV x-ray sources up to

∼

5.2

k
e
V

, the highest photon energy generated via HHG to date, to our knowledge, using a 1.45-µm driving laser that interacts with multivalent ions. Both the angular distribution and the ellipticity dependence of the signal are strong evidence of the HHG mechanism.
3D waveguide device for few-mode multi-core fiber optical communications
Authors: Fang Juncheng , Hu Jingbo , Zhong Yanan , Kong Aru , Ren Jianxin , Wei Shibiao , Xie Zhenwei , Lei Ting , Liu Bo , Yuan Xiaocong
Published: August 2022

Space-division multiplexing based on few-mode multi-core fiber (FM-MCF) technology is expected to break the Shannon limit of a single-mode fiber. However, an FM-MCF is compact, and it is difficult to couple the beam to each fiber core. 3D waveguide devices have the advantages of low insertion loss and low cross talk in separating various spatial paths of multi-core fibers. Designing a 3D waveguide device for an FM-MCF requires considering not only higher-order modes transmission, but also waveguide bending. We propose and demonstrate a 3D waveguide device fabricated by femtosecond laser direct writing for various spatial path separations in an FM-MCF. The 3D waveguide device couples the LP01 and LP11a modes to the FM-MCF with an insertion loss below 3 dB and cross talk between waveguides below

−
36
  
dB

. To test the performance of the 3D waveguide device, we demonstrate four-channel multiplexing communication with two LP modes and two cores in a 1-km few-mode seven-core fiber. The bit error rate curves show that the different degrees of bending of the waveguides result in a difference of approximately 1 dB in the power penalty. Femtosecond laser direct writing fabrication enables 3D waveguide devices to support high-order LP modes transmission and further improves FM-MCF communication.
Spectrally tunable high-power Yb:fiber chirped-pulse amplifier
Authors: Shumakova Valentina , Pecile Vito F. , Fellinger Jakob , Leskowschek Michael , Aldia P. E. Collin , Mayer Aline S. , Perner Lukas W. , Salman Sarper , Fan Mingqi , Balla Prannay , Schilt Stéphane , Heyl Christoph M. , Hartl Ingmar , Porat Gil , Heckl Oliver H.
Published: August 2022

Tailoring the properties of the driving laser to the need of applications often requires compromises among laser stability, high peak and average power levels, pulse duration, and spectral bandwidth. For instance, spectroscopy with optical frequency combs in the extreme/visible ultraviolet spectral region requires a high peak power of the near-IR driving laser, and therefore high average power, pulse duration of a few tens of fs, and maximal available spectral bandwidth. Contrarily, the parametric conversion efficiency is higher for pulses with a duration in the 100-fs range due to temporal walk-off and coating limitations. Here we suggest an approach to adjust the spectral characteristics of high-power chirped-pulse amplification (CPA) to the requirements of different nonlinear frequency converters while preserving the low-phase-noise (PN) properties of the system. To achieve spectral tunability, we installed a mechanical spectral shaper in a free-space section of the stretcher of an in-house-developed ytterbium-fiber-based CPA system. The CPA system delivers 100 W of average power at a repetition rate of 132.4 MHz. While gaining control over the spectral properties, we preserve the relative-intensity-noise and PN properties of the system. The high-power CPA can easily be adjusted to deliver either a spectrum ideal for mid-IR light generation (full width at half maximum of

∼
11
  
nm

, compressed pulse duration of 230 fs) or a spectrum ideal for highly nonlinear processes such as high-harmonic generation (

-
10
 
dB

level of

>
50
  
nm

, transform-limited pulse duration of

∼
65
  
fs

).
Switchable chiral mirror based on PIN diodes
Authors: Zhu Zhibiao , Qin Zhe , Wang He , Jiang Lixin , Li Yongfeng , Wang Wenjie , Chen Hongya , Wang Jiafu , Pang Yongqiang , Qu Shaobo
Published: August 2022

Chiral mirrors can produce spin selective absorption for left-handed circularly polarized (LCP) or right-handed circularly polarized (RCP) waves. However, the previously proposed chiral mirror only absorbs the designated circularly polarized (CP) wave in the microwave frequency band, lacking versatility in practical applications. Here, we propose a switchable chiral mirror based on a pair of PIN diodes. The switchable chiral mirror has four working states, switching from the handedness-preserving mirror to the LCP mirror, RCP mirror, and perfect absorber. The basis of these advances is to change the chirality of two-dimensional (2D) chiral metamaterials and the circular conversion dichroism related to it, which is the first report in the microwave frequency band. Surface current distributions shed light on how switchable chiral mirrors work by handedness-selective excitation of reflective and absorbing electric dipole modes. Energy loss distributions verify the working mechanism. The thickness of the switchable chiral mirror is one-tenth of the working wavelength, which is suitable for integrated manufacturing. The measurement results are in good agreement with the simulation results.
Beneficial effect on the soil microenvironment of Trichoderma applied after fumigation for cucumber production
Authors: Wu Jiajia , Zhu Jiahong , Zhang Daqi , Cheng Hongyan , Hao Baoqiang , Cao Aocheng , Yan Dongdong , Wang Qiuxia , Li Yuan
Published: August 2022

Biocontrol agents applied after fumigation play an important role to the soil microenvironment. We studied the effect of Trichoderma applied after dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) plus chloropicrin (PIC) fumigation on the cucumber growth, soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activity, taxonomic diversity, and yield through laboratory and field experiments. The results confirmed that Trichoderma applied after fumigation significantly improved soil physicochemical properties, cucumber growth, soil-borne pathogens, and soil enzyme activity. Genetic analysis indicated that Trichoderma applied after fumigation significantly increased the relative abundance of Pseudomonas, Humicola and Chaetomium, and significantly decreased the relative abundance of the pathogens Fusarium spp. and Gibberella spp., which may help to control pathogens and enhanced the ecological functions of the soil. Moreover, Trichoderma applied after fumigation obviously improved cucumber yield (up to 35.6%), and increased relative efficacy of soil-borne pathogens (up to 99%) and root-knot nematodes (up to 96%). Especially, we found that Trichoderma applied after fumigation increased the relative abundance of some beneficial microorganisms (such as Sodiomyces and Rhizophlyctis) that can optimize soil microbiome. It is worth noting that with the decline in the impact of the fumigant, these beneficial microorganisms still maintain a higher abundance when the cucumber plants were uprooted. Importantly, we found one tested biocontrol agent Trichoderma 267 identified and stored in our laboratory not only improved cucumber growth, reduced soil-borne diseases in late cucumber growth stages but also optimized micro-ecological environment which may have good application prospect and help to keep environmental healthy and sustainable development.
Some bee-pollinated plants provide nutritionally incomplete pollen amino acid resources to their pollinators
Authors: Jeannerod Léna , Carlier Archibald , Schatz Bertrand , Daise Clothilde , Richel Aurore , Agnan Yannick , Baude Mathilde , Jacquemart Anne-Laure
Published: August 2022

For pollinators such as bees, nectar mainly provides carbohydrates and pollen provides proteins, amino acids, and lipids to cover their nutritional needs. Here, to examine differences in pollinator resources, we compared the amino acid profiles and total amino acid contents of pollen from 32 common entomophilous plants in seven families. Our results showed that the amino acid profiles and contents in pollen samples differed according to the plant family and the chromatography method used, i.e., high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)versusion exchange chromatography (IEX). Pollen from Boraginaceae species had the highest total amino acid contents (361.2–504 μg/mg) whereas pollen from the Malvaceae family had the lowest total amino acid contents (136–243.1 μg/mg). Calculating an amino acid score (AAS) that reflects pollen nutritional quality showed that slightly less than half of the species (19 out of 32) had the maximum nutritional score (AAS = 1) and offered high nutritional quality pollen amino acids for bee pollinators. Though they had high total amino acid contents, the amino acid composition of the studied Boraginaceae species and several members of the Fabaceae was not optimal, as their pollen was deficient in some essential amino acids, resulting in suboptimal amino acid scores (AAS < 0.7). Except for cysteine, the measured amino acid contents were higher using IEX chromatography than using HPLC. IEX chromatography is more robust and is to be preferred over HPLC in future amino acid analyses. Moreover, our observations show that some bee-pollinated species fail to provide complete amino acid resources for their pollinators. Although the implications for pollinator behavior remain to be studied, these deficiencies may force pollinators to forage from different species to obtain all nutritionial requirements.
Signaling ethnic-national origin through names? The perception of names from an intersectional perspective
Authors: Martiniello Billie , Verhaeghe Pieter-Paul
Published: August 2022

Different methodologies rely on names, by assuming that people clearly and solely perceive signals of ethnic-national origin from names. This study examines the perception of names from an intersectional perspective in a West-European context. Firstly, we analyze whether people perceive signals of ethnic-national origin in names. Secondly, we test the excludability assumption by analyzing whether names signal also other factors. Thirdly, we distinguish between homogenous and mixed names. For these purposes, we collected data on the perception of 180 names in Belgium of Belgian, Moroccan, Turkish, Polish and Congolese origin. It appears that respondents distinguish Belgian from non-Belgian names rather than perceiving a specific ethnic-national origin. Besides, people perceive signals about a person’s gender, religiosity, social class and educational level. This implies that scholars should be precautious with comparing discrimination against ethnic groups, if ethnic-national origin is only signaled through names. Moreover, the question arises as to what we are measuring exactly, since names contain complex signals.
Prevalence of sarcopenia among Saudis and its association with lifestyle behaviors: Protocol for cross-sectional study
Authors: Alghannam Abdullah F. , Almasud Alaa A. , Alghnam Suliman A. , Alharbi Dalal S. , Aljubairi Mohanad S. , Altalhi Arwa S. , Jan Azad M. , Alothman Shaima A.
Published: August 2022

Background

Sarcopenia is an age-related muscular disease manifesting as a loss of muscle function and mass–leads to detrimental consequences at both individual and community levels. Modifiable lifestyle factors (such as physical behaviors and nutritional habits) may be involved in sarcopenia etiology. European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older Population (EWGOSP2) established a cut-off point for sarcopenia diagnosis based on the European population and they recommend the use of a regional normative population. However, no sufficient data on sarcopenia prevalence is presently available in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this project aims to define appropriate reference values from healthy Saudi young adults (Phase I) and to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia in Saudi Arabia (Phase II) and examine selected modifiable lifestyle correlates of sarcopenia (Phase I, II).

Methods

The project will involve two phases. Phase I will include 1532 healthy Saudi young adults aged between 20–40 years. While, Phase II will include 1532 Saudi older adults aged ≥50 years. The study will measure vital signs, anthropometrics, muscle mass using bioelectrical impedance analysis and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, muscle strength using handgrip strength and maximal isometric strength, physical function using short physical performance battery, and 6-minute walk test to measure aerobic endurance. To explore the associations between lifestyle behaviors with sarcopenia indices, physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep will be evaluated subjectively using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and objectively via ActivPAL accelerometers. A three-day dietary food record will also be used to evaluate dietary intake. Additionally, EuroQOL five-dimension questionnaire will be utilized to assess health-related quality of life.

Discussion

The study will have significant implications in recognizing the prevalence of sarcopenia in Saudi population, which will guide our future interventional studies aimed at early prevention and treatment of this disease.
Pyrylium based derivatization imaging mass spectrometer revealed the localization of L-DOPA
Authors: Taira Shu , Ikeda Akari , Sugiura Yuki , Shikano Hitomi , Kobayashi Shoko , Terauchi Tsutomu , Yokoyama Jun
Published: August 2022

Simultaneous imaging of l-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA), dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) in the catecholamine metabolic pathway is particularly useful because l-DOPA is a neurophysiologically important metabolic intermediate. In this study, we found that 2,4,6-trimethylpyrillium tetrafluoroborate (TMPy) can selectively and efficiently react with target catecholamine molecules. Specifically, simultaneous visualization of DA and NE as metabolites of l-DOPA with high steric hinderance was achieved by derivatized-imaging mass spectrometry (IMS). Interestingly, l-DOPA showed strong localization in the brainstem, in contrast to the pattern of DA and NE, which co-localized with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). In addition, to identify whether the detected molecules were endogenous or exogenous l-DOPA, mice were injected with l-DOPA deuterated in three positions (D3-l-DOPA), which was identifiable by a mass shift of 3Da. TMPy-labeled l-DOPA, DA and NE were detected at m/z 302.1, 258.1 and 274.1, while their D3 versions were detected at 305.0, 261.1 and 277.1 in mouse brain, respectively. l-DOPA and D3-l-DOPA were localized in the BS. DA and NE, and D3-DA and D3-NE, all of which are metabolites of L-DOPA and D3-l-DOPA, were localized in the striatum (STR) and locus coeruleus (LC). These findings suggest a mechanism in the brainstem that allows l-DOPA to accumulate without being metabolized to monoamines downstream of the metabolic pathway.
MRN-dependent and independent pathways for recruitment of TOPBP1 to DNA double-strand breaks
Authors: Montales Katrina , Ruis Kenna , Lindsay Howard , Michael W. Matthew
Published: August 2022

Ataxia Telangiectasia mutated and RAD3-related (ATR) kinase is activated by DNA replication stress and also by various forms of DNA damage, including DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Recruitment to sites of damage is insufficient for ATR activation as one of two known ATR activators, either topoisomerase II-binding protein (TOPBP1) or Ewing’s tumor-associated antigen 1, must also be present for signaling to initiate. Here, we employ our recently established DSB-mediated ATR activation in Xenopus egg extract (DMAX) system to examine how TOPBP1 is recruited to DSBs, so that it may activate ATR. We report that TOPBP1 is only transiently present at DSBs, with a half-life of less than 10 minutes. We also examined the relationship between TOPBP1 and the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN), CtBP interacting protein (CtIP), and Ataxia Telangiectasia mutated (ATM) network of proteins. Loss of MRN prevents CtIP recruitment to DSBs, and partially inhibits TOPBP1 recruitment. Loss of CtIP has no impact on either MRN or TOPBP1 recruitment. Loss of ATM kinase activity prevents CtIP recruitment and enhances MRN and TOPBP1 recruitment. These findings demonstrate that there are MRN-dependent and independent pathways that recruit TOPBP1 to DSBs for ATR activation. Lastly, we find that both the 9-1-1 complex and MDC1 are dispensable for TOPBP1 recruitment to DSBs.
Polyphenol and flavonoid content in major Teff [Eragrostis tef (Zuccagni) Trotter] varieties in Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Authors: Reta Chaltu , Atlabachew Minaleshewa , Asmellash Tihitinna , Hilluf Woldegiorgis , Yayinie Marie , Wubieneh Tessera Alemneh
Published: August 2022

Teff [Eragrostis tef (Zuccagni) Trotter] is a small-sized cereal grain and an indigenous crop in Ethiopia. The Amhara region is one of the major teff producers regions in the country. However, information on the phenolic content of the region’s teff varieties is limited. Seventy-two teff samples were collected from three administrative zones (West Gojjam zone, Awi zone, and East Gojjam zone) of the Amhara region of Ethiopia. The samples’ total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were determined using colorimetric methods. The total flavonoid contents expressed as catechin equivalent, CE (i.e., under alkaline conditions) and quercetin equivalent, Q.E (i.e., under the methanolic solution of AlCl3) were found to be in the range of 7.66 ± 0.60–57.36 ± 3.87 mg C.E and 15.45 ± 0.15–113.12 ± 3.09 mg Q.E per 100 g of teff samples, respectively. The corresponding total polyphenol content (TPC), described as gallic acid equivalent (G.A.E.), was in the range of 46.21 ± 1.20–133.32 ± 5.44 mg G.A.E. The results showed that the mean TPC value of the teff samples from the West Gojjam zone was enriched with polyphenol than samples from the Awi zone and East Gojjam. Furthermore, it was noted that the mean TPC and TFC values did not vary significantly between samples of the East Gojjam and Awi zone (p > 0.05). In contrast, a significant difference in mean TPC and TFC-Q.E were noted between the sampling zone of East Gojjam and West Gojjam and between West Gojjam and Awi zones (p < 0.05). These significant variations in TPC and TFC might be due to observable variations in the agroecological zones and the genetic—make-up of the samples. Person correlation indicated a significant positive correlation matrix between the three variables (p = 0.01). The teff samples were trying to be classified based on their geographical origin using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and biplots. Accordingly, the variance explained by component 1 (PC1) is 67.2%, and the variance explained by component 2 (PC2) is 20.0%.
Interleukin-13 increases the stemness of limbal epithelial stem cells cultures
Authors: Trosan Peter , Cabral Joao Victor , Smeringaiova Ingrida , Studeny Pavel , Jirsova Katerina
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to determine the effect of interleukin-13 (IL13) on the stemness, differentiation, proliferation, clonogenicity, and morphology of cultured limbal epithelial cells (LECs). Human limbal explants were used to culture LECs up to the second passage (P0-P2) with or without IL13 (IL13+ and IL13-, respectively). Cells were analyzed by qPCR (for the expression of ΔNp63α, BMI-1, keratin (K) 3, K7, K12, K14, K17, mucin 4, and MKI67) and immunofluorescence staining for p63α. The clonogenic ability was determined by colony-forming assay (CFA), and their metabolic activity was measured by WST-1 assay. The results of the CFA showed a significantly increased clonogenic ability in P1 and P2 cultures when LECs were cultured with IL13. In addition, the expression of putative stem cell markers (ΔNp63α, K14, and K17) was significantly higher in all IL13+ cultures compared to IL13-. Similarly, immunofluorescence analysis showed a significantly higher percentage of p63α positive cells in P2 cultures with IL13 than without it. LECs cultures without IL13 lost their cuboidal morphology with a high nucleocytoplasmic ratio after P1. The use of IL13 also led to significantly higher proliferation in P2, which can be reflected by a higher ability to reach confluence in P2 cultures. On the other hand, IL13 had no effect on corneal epithelial cell differentiation (K3 and K12 expression), and the expression of the conjunctival marker K7 significantly increased in all IL13+ cultures compared to the respective cell culture without IL13. This study showed that IL13 enhanced the stemness of LECs by increasing the clonogenicity and the expression of putative stem cell markers of LECs while maintaining their stem cell morphology. We established IL13 as a culture supplement for LESCs, which increases their stemness potential in culture, even after the second passage, and may lead to the greater success of LESCs transplantation in patients with LSCD.
A variational-autoencoder approach to solve the hidden profile task in hybrid human-machine teams
Authors: Pescetelli Niccolo , Reichert Patrik , Rutherford Alex
Published: August 2022

Algorithmic agents, popularly known as bots, have been accused of spreading misinformation online and supporting fringe views. Collectives are vulnerable to hidden-profile environments, where task-relevant information is unevenly distributed across individuals. To do well in this task, information aggregation must equally weigh minority and majority views against simple but inefficient majority-based decisions. In an experimental design, human volunteers working in teams of 10 were asked to solve a hidden-profile prediction task. We trained a variational auto-encoder (VAE) to learn people’s hidden information distribution by observing how people’s judgments correlated over time. A bot was designed to sample responses from the VAE latent embedding to selectively support opinions proportionally to their under-representation in the team. We show that the presence of a single bot (representing 10% of team members) can significantly increase the polarization between minority and majority opinions by making minority opinions less prone to social influence. Although the effects on hybrid team performance were small, the bot presence significantly influenced opinion dynamics and individual accuracy. These findings show that self-supervized machine learning techniques can be used to design algorithms that can sway opinion dynamics and group outcomes.