bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
perceptual study of Ozisa FM We the people program on the Unknown Gunmen issue in Owerri municipal
Authors: Azubuike Chieme , Uche Dorathy Isaac
Published: January 2025

The risk associated with insecurity is alarming as such people need to be security conscious in order to stay safe. The aim of the study was to investigate the public perception of Ozisa FM We the people programme on the Unknown gunmen issue in Owerri municipal council. The study was framed around the agenda setting theory. The study adopted a survey research approach with the use of questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. The population is 171,102, of which 384 were derived using Survey Monkey's online sample size calculator. The non-proportionate quota sampling and purposive sampling approaches were used. The data was analysed using simple percentages. Results revealed that 47.4% of the respondents confirmed that they are exposed to Ozisa FM's We the People Programme on the issue of the Unknown Gunmen to a moderate extent. Findings also showed that 55.0% of the respondents had the perception that the We the people programme has been effective in joining hands with the authority to curtail the Unknown Gunmen's activities. It was concluded that audience are moderately exposed to the Ozisa FM We the people programme. Despite their level of exposure to the programme they still perceive it in a positive light, due to its role in helping curtail the menace of the Unknown gunmen in Owerri, Imo State. It was recommended that they need to sustain their efforts in joining hands with the appropriate stakeholders with the goal of ending the issue of the Unknown gunmen, especially in Imo State.
Influence of Groove FM health arena programme on childhood immunisation: A study of residents of Owerri metropolis
Authors: Etumnu Emeka Williams , Sylvie Marie Eregbu , Chukwuemeka Njoku Chidindu , Chinwe H. Nze , Williams Etumnu Oluchi , Chike Martin Nkwocha
Published: January 2025

This study examined the influence of groove fm health arena programme on childhood immunisation among residents of Owerri metropolis. The study was anchored on Yale persuasion theory. The researcher adopted survey research design for this study. The population consists of 555,500 Owerri metropolis residents and from this population a sample size of 384 was gotten using Wimmer and Dominick's online sample size calculator. The multi-stage sampling procedure was used in this study. Simple percentages were used to analyse the data after it was collected using a questionnaire. Finding revealed that 46.7% of the respondents indicated that Groove FM Health Arena programme has been able to influence them in carrying out childhood Immunisation to a large extent. The fact respondents are exposed to Groove FM Health Arena programme on childhood Immunisation to a large extent is commendable. Hence, the channel of communication should be leverage on by ministry of health or centre for disease control to communicate important messages as it concer health when the need arises. The producers of Health Arena programme should sustain their effort or even improve the content of the programme so as to continue enhancing audience knowledge on childhood Immunisation and other health issues. Residents should be encouraged to avail themselves to health programmes so as to be able to arm themselves with information that will help them in time of health issues or emergency.
Enhancing the functionality of the Audiovisual Studio Education Laboratory in developing Broadcasting competencies for communication science students at Universitas Ahmad Dahlan
Authors: Supriadi Bambang
Published: January 2025

The structured and measurable management of an Audiovisual Studio laboratory plays a critical role in developing scientific competence in Audio Visual production. This study aims to examine the enhancing the functionality of the Audiovisual Studio Education Laboratory in developing broadcasting competencies for communication science students at Universitas Ahmad Dahlan. In an evolving media landscape characterized by rapid information flow, the laboratory serves as a crucial facility for preparing students to meet the demands of the dynamic media industry. Using qualitative research methods, this study involves direct observation, literature review, field analysis, and document analysis related to curriculum and laboratory activities. The findings reveal that the Audiovisual Studio education laboratory holds significant potential as an effective learning center, fostering technical, creative, and analytical skills in media production. However, challenges remain, including outdated facilities, the need for integration of advanced technologies, limited industry collaboration, and the necessity for a curriculum aligned with industry standards. This research provides insights into the practices and challenges of optimizing the laboratory's role and offers recommendations for UAD and other institutions to enhance broadcasting education. Ultimately, the study contributes to preparing students as competent broadcasting professionals equipped to thrive in the current and future media industry.
Besieged City of time: Control and negotiation of generation Z youth in platform swinging
Authors: Yang Mengge
Published: January 2025

The rapid development of information technology and the proliferation of digital media have made social media platforms an integral part of Generation Z's daily lives. In this context, the “distributive use” behavior of social media has emerged or what is referred to as platform swinging, which is the habit of constantly switching between platforms. This behavior causes constant distraction and keeps many young Generation Z individuals stuck in a “time warp”. In this context, the “distributive use” behavior of social media has emerged or what is referred to as platform swinging, which is the habit of constantly switching between platforms. This behavior causes constant distraction and leaves many young Generation Z individuals stuck in a “time warp”. This research aims to understand the characteristics and logic behind Generation Z's platform swinging behavior and its impact on their time management. Using a qualitative approach, this research utilizes in-depth interviews and virtual ethnography to capture the patterns of media interaction that occur in the real world. The results show that platform swinging behavior is driven by various factors, such as the need for social connectedness, boredom, and platform algorithms that encourage constant interaction. However, this behavior also has negative impacts, such as decreased productivity, stress, and poor time management. The discussion leads to the importance of awareness of wise media use and strategies to manage platform swinging so as not to disrupt life balance. It is hoped that this research can help Generation Z find ways to control and negotiate their use of social media so that they can escape the “siege of time” and achieve a better balance in their daily lives.
January 2025 Medical Image of the Month: Psoriasis with Pulmonary Involvement
Authors:   Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, AZ USA, Jokerst Clinton , Butt Yasmeen , Wesselius Lewis
Published: January 2025

No abstract available. Manuscript truncated after 150 words. A 58-year-old man presented to our pulmonary service for a second opinion concerning his interstitial lung disease (ILD), which had been diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis associated ILD. The patient had a positive rheumatoid factor (barely) at an outside institution, but no other test results or historical or physical exam findings to suggest rheumatoid arthritis. He was being treated with mycophenolate, but did not feel that he was improving. To the contrary, there had been a recent decline in his overall lung function. The only other relevant medical history is psoriasis. The patient is a lifelong nonsmoker. Resting pulse oximetry was 95% on room air with a brief desaturation to 88% during ambulation, which quickly recovered with rest. The patient’s vital signs were otherwise normal. Physical exam findings were normal aside from mild cutaneous findings of plaque psoriasis. Results from pulmonary function testing at an outside institution were available, revealing a …
Simulation of a simultaneous traceable spectroradiometric calibration of an imaging spectrometer
Authors: Trim Simon A. , Buffat Jim , Hueni Andreas
Published: January 2025

Spectroradiometric calibration aims to determine the instrumental spectral response
function (ISRF) parameters and radiometric coefficients of an
instrument’s spectral bands across all spatial pixels. Typically, this
is done by making separate spectral and radiometric calibration
measurements. We present a method for the simultaneous traceable
spectroradiometric calibration of an imaging spectrometer, using the
Spectroscopically Tunable Absolute Radiometric, calibration and
characterisation, Optical Ground Support Equipment (STAR-cc-OGSE)
facility. We performed the forward simulation of calibration data
acquisition by convolving input spectra with the sensor model’s
response and simulated a slit scattering function (SSF)-based
calibration, allowing for both ISRF coefficients and the absolute
spectral responsivities to be accurately retrieved from a single
series of measurements. We show how the SSF method minimizes
uncertainties compared to the traditional spectroradiometric
calibration approach.
Five-Ce:Nd:YAG-rod solar laser approach with TEM00-mode collection efficiency of 51.7  W/m2
Authors: Matos Ana , Liang Dawei , Costa Hugo , Tibúrcio Bruno D. , Almeida Joana
Published: January 2025

One of the major goals of solar-pumped lasers is to improve TEM00-mode collection and conversion efficiencies. Several studies have explored multi-rod designs with the aim of enhancing laser output and thermal management by distributing the absorbed solar energy across multiple rods. In this work, we introduced a concept comprising four Fresnel lenses with a total collection area of 3.14m2 and four aspherical lenses, which concentrated the sunlight into a water-flooded cylindrical cavity housing five side-pumped Ce:Nd:YAG rods. A beam-merging scheme was also proposed to generate a single output beam. Simulations performed with Zemax and LASCAD demonstrated that this configuration could produce a total TEM00-mode laser output of 162.3 W. The corresponding collection efficiency reached 51.7W/m2, with a solar-to-laser power conversion efficiency of 5.44%, representing improvements of 3.13 and 2.64 times, respectively, compared to the record experimental results from a system using a single Ce:Nd:YAG crystal and a Fresnel lens. Moreover, even when compared to a more complex seven-rod configuration, both efficiencies exhibited a 1.50 times increase.
Improvements in the vertical-laser alignment method for joule balance
Authors: Zeng Tao , Bai Yang , Li Zhengkun , Wang Yue , Zhang Qiu
Published: January 2025

A vacuum-compatible vertical-laser alignment method based on an oil mirror and an air-spaced lens is used to measure and compensate for the vertical deviation angle of the laser beams in a joule balance. This paper reports improvements in this alignment method regarding the focal-plane positioning error, off-axis error of the lens, tradeoff of oil mirror parameters, and measurement resolution. Dual spot coincidence is used to locate the lens focal plane, and the optimal collimation region in the Gaussian beam of the laser source is located, which is regarded as a parallel light source. An observation mechanism is designed to realize the online detection of the lens off-axis distance, and the optimal area for balancing the influence of the angular error of the corner cube and the lens off-axis distance is preliminarily obtained. The performance parameters of silicone oil are balanced, and the measurement resolution is improved from three perspectives. The sealing performance of the chamber for containing silicone oil is also verified experimentally. Furthermore, through an experiment, the measurement accuracy of the vertical-laser alignment method is preliminarily verified.
Liquid lenses for aerospace beam steering and communications: MOSAIC
Authors: Kacker Shreeyam , Cahoy Kerri
Published: January 2025

Laser communications (lasercom) can enable more efficient and higher bandwidth communications than conventional radio frequency (RF) systems, but requires more sophisticated pointing and tracking (PAT) systems to acquire and maintain links. Liquid lens arrays can provide compact, nonmechanical beam steering as an alternative to fast-steering mirrors and mechanical gimbals. An array of two liquid lenses offset in perpendicular axes along with a third on-axis lens in the array are used for beam steering and divergence control, respectively. The Miniature Optical Steered Antenna for Intersatellite Communications (MOSAIC) project applies liquid lens technology to create a transceiver for laser communications on spacecraft to enable wide field-of-view communications. This work provides analytical models of beam steering in order to inform subsystem sizing, and uses simulation studies along with previous work on space environment evaluation of liquid lenses to produce representative link budgets for a liquid lens based lasercom transceiver. A 25 Mbps link with 4 W transmit power at 1550 nm (optical C band) and 16-ary pulse position modulation (16-PPM) can be maintained up to 175 km separation with 3 dB margin, using larger pressure-actuated liquid lenses from Optotune arranged for hemispherical steering, potentially allowing for high speed optical links between formation flying swarms for applications such as interferometry.
Selective processing of CFRP by two-color double-pulse femtosecond laser
Authors: Yao Huan , Chen Meiling , Jiang Lan , Guo Baoshan , Yu Zipeng , Wang Guanxiang , Song Shiyi
Published: January 2025

This paper employed a two-color double-pulse femtosecond laser (TDFL) technology for surface processing of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP). By exploring the changes in ablation thresholds for resin and carbon fiber under varying wavelengths and pulse numbers, optimal wavelength combinations were identified. Adjustments to processing parameters and pulse delay enabled precise removal of the CFRP surface, targeting resin while causing no damage to the underlying carbon fibers. After laser treatment, the CFRP surface showed modifications in surface roughness and wettability, improving adhesive bonding with binders or coatings.
Effect of a mesa with different sidewall angles on the spatially resolved optical properties and light extraction efficiency for GaN-based blue and green micro-LEDs
Authors: Jiang Shengquan , Duan Qitao , Ai Guoqi , Liu Yu , Lin Hui , Dai Yurong , Chen Zhong , Wu TingZhu , Lin Yue
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we studied the sidewall conditions of 28 × 52 µm2 InGaN-based blue and green micro-LEDs with different sidewall angles and their effects on external quantum efficiency (EQE). Our findings indicate that steeper sidewall mesas can reduce non-radiative recombination and leakage current, which is beneficial for achieving high internal quantum efficiency (IQE). However, as the sidewall angle increases, the light output from the micro-LED tends to concentrate in the internal region, leading to a decrease in light extraction efficiency (LEE). Using microscopic hyperspectral imaging, we observed distinct chromaticity characteristic distributions in the internal area of mesas with different sidewall angles, compared to the entire micro-LEDs. Mesas with gentler sidewalls exhibited lower chromaticity stability. For both blue and green micro-LEDs, the optimal sidewall tilt angle was found to be 48°, yielding the highest EQE. This result reflects a trade-off between LEE and IQE. Notably, the improvement in IQE for green micro-LEDs was not as significant as that for blue micro-LEDs, likely due to the higher indium content in green InGaN micro-LEDs, which results in deeper localized potential wells and a higher dislocation density. This work demonstrates the variation of IQE and LEE for blue and green micro-LEDs fabricated on mesas with different sidewall angles, aimed at achieving the highest EQE.
Terahertz programmable metasurface based on solid-state plasma
Authors: Su Han , Hu Huiyong , Qiu Yang , Hu Jichao , Cai Ming , He Xiaomin , Lu Min , Xi Xiaoli
Published: January 2025

Terahertz modulation technology based on programmable metasurfaces can respond in real time to external signals or environmental changes, enabling flexible and adaptive control of terahertz waves. This technology demonstrates significant potential and importance across various fields, including communication, imaging, scientific research, security monitoring, and industrial applications. This paper proposes a terahertz programmable metasurface based on solid-state plasma, utilizing solid-state plasma devices to achieve dynamic control of properties such as the amplitude and phase of terahertz waves. Compared to traditional silicon-based devices, GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures enhance both the forward current and solid-state plasma concentration of the metasurface devices by two orders of magnitude, with carrier concentrations exceeding 1019 cm−3. Additionally, we designed a solid-state plasma metasurface containing 12×12 supercells, achieving dynamic modulation of terahertz waves in the elevation direction through different coding schemes. Furthermore, this paper explores the stealth control mechanism of solid-state plasma metasurfaces, achieving effective cloaking of detection targets through specific phase compensation.
Modulation of electron correlation dynamics in atomic non-sequential double ionization by counter-rotating two-color circularly polarized laser fields
Authors: Xin Peipei , Lu Xiaolong , Gao Feng , Qiao Xiaoxiao , Li Na , Wang Zifeng , Liu Jun
Published: January 2025

We investigate the ultrafast electron correlation effects during non-sequential double ionization (NSDI) of argon subjected to a combined femtosecond field composed of counter-rotating two-color circularly polarized (TCCP) pulse laser using a 3D classical ensemble model (CEM). Our simulation results reveal that manipulation of the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of the external driving field modulates the dynamical behavior of the two electrons, resulting in a notable sensitivity of their momentum distribution to the relative phase of two components of the counter-rotating TCCP field. Through inversion analysis, we uncover the capability to direct electrons toward a single direction, thereby facilitating focused ion-electron collisions on the attosecond timescale. Furthermore, we observe that adjusting the CEP exerts a substantial influence on the NSDI ionization process, modifying the relative contributions of the recollision-induced ionization (RII) mechanism and recollision excitation with subsequent ionization (RESI) mechanism.
Re-revealing dark-field scanning imaging via modal decomposition of bright-field light in the OAM domain
Authors: Dong Jingtao , Zhuo Yuhua , Cheng Yingjun , Zhao Enxi , Du Yunlong , Lou Siyuan
Published: January 2025

An alternative dark-field (DF) scanning imaging is re-revealed via modal decomposition of the bright-field (BF) light in the orbital angular momentum (OAM) domain. A Gaussian beam containing only the zeroth-order OAM mode illuminates the surface. The BF light scattered from the surface carries the phase shift induced by the surface feature and then diffracts into a distorted light field, which is a coherent sum of the different OAM modes. The amplitude weight and inter-modal phase of each mode are obtained by modal decomposition. As the surface is scanned transversely, the DF image contrast results from either the square amplitude or the inter-modal phase at the nonzero orders of OAM modes. The results verified that the first-order OAM mode produces a DF image with the highest contrast for the high-spatial-frequency surface features. The inter-modal phase DF image is less sensitive to the rough surface than the square amplitude DF image, thus producing a cleaner DF background. The square amplitude DF image is more advantageous in observing high-spatial-frequency surface features. The proposed DF scanning imaging in the OAM domain provides an additional degree of freedom for surface characterization.
Passive Q-switched mode-locked self-sweeping fiber laser
Authors: Krivonosov Aleksandr A. , Poddubrovskii Nikita R. , Lobach Ivan A. , Podivilov Evgeniy V. , Kablukov Sergey I.
Published: January 2025

This Letter presents the first-ever, to the best of our knowledge, demonstration of a passive Q-switched mode-locked (QML) laser with wavelength self-sweeping. QML generation was observed in a figure-of-nine cavity Yb-doped fiber laser. A train of microsecond-long pulses was generated with each pulse consisting of a sequence of nanosecond-long pulses. The duration of the nanosecond-scale pulses was measured to be 3 ns, corresponding to the generation of ∼60 phase-locked longitudinal modes. At the same time, the spectral dynamics was self-induced wavelength sweeping with a sweeping range of up to 5 nm near 1075 nm. The results widen the understanding of the self-sweeping phenomenon and can be useful in applications requiring tunable pulsed radiation.
High-power ultraflat broadband supercontinuum generation in fluorotellurite fiber pumped by a dual-wavelength femtosecond laser
Authors: Yang Linjing , Wang Xuan , Yao Chuanfei , Ren Guochuan , Pu Luyao , Li Kaihang , Yang Xuelian , Pan Jichen , Li Pingxue
Published: January 2025

In this Letter, we report an ultraflat high-power supercontinuum (SC) based on a low-loss short-length fluorotellurite fiber. A novel high-peak power dual-Raman soliton femtosecond laser is used as a pump source, which effectively extends the mid-infrared SC spectral range and enhances the flatness of the SC. Finally, we obtained a 10.4 W SC laser source with a spectral range from 1.8 to 4.2 µm in a 34 µm fluorotellurite fiber; the 5 dB bandwidth of the source completely covers 1.9–4.05 µm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a high-power SC generated in a fluorotellurite fiber with a flat spectral edge of >4 µm. This result highlights the fluorotellurite fiber’s spectral broadening capabilities under high-power conditions, demonstrating performance on par with that of ZBLAN fibers.
Spatially homogeneous spectral broadening of Yb lasers with field mapping beam shaping optics
Authors: Li Jinhui , Gao Bobin , Liu Keyang , Wang Xingguo , Zhen Qiwen , Liu Xin , Liu Yang , Wang Yishan , Zhao Wei , Cao Huabao , Fu Yuxi
Published: January 2025

Yb:YAG thin disk lasers can deliver high average power, high-energy pulses of fundamental mode. To achieve spatially homogeneous spectral broadening of the pulses in a compact setup, we propose utilizing a thin-film compression (TFC) scheme following beam shaping via field mapping optics. In our proof-of-principle experiment, the pulse from a Yb:YAG laser was converted from a Gaussian beam to a nearly flat-top beam by a π-shaper. The spectral width of the pulse was broadened from 3.1 nm to 6.6 nm after accumulating nonlinear phase shift in a YAG crystal. This technique resulted in high spectral homogeneity and mitigated degradation of focusability typically observed after spectral broadening. We believe this approach offers a promising solution for the post-compression of high-energy Yb lasers within a compact setup.
Demonstration of a scalable mode converter in lithium niobate on insulator
Authors: Guo Siyuan , Liao Hongtao , Jiang Yongheng , Xiao Huifu , Yuan Mingrui , Low Mei Xian , Dubey Aditya , Nguyen Thach G. , Ren Guanghui , Mitchell Arnan , Tian Yonghui
Published: January 2025

Lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) attracts extensive attention from academic and industrial communities due to LN’s excellent electro-optic (EO) properties, which also brings bright prospects for achieving high-speed and large-capacity photonic integrated circuits (PICs) including active and passive components such as modulator, filter, and multiplexer. A mode converter can implement optical mode conversion from a fundamental mode to a high-order mode, which plays a key role in an on-chip mode-division multiplexing (MDM) system. In this Letter, we propose high-performance and scalable mode converters in LNOI, and based on our proposed scalable principle, the mode converter can be designed to implement the optical mode conversion from the fundamental mode to arbitrary high-order mode. As a proof of concept, we design and fabricate TE0–TEi (i = 1,2,3) mode converters. The experimental results show the insertion loss (IL) and cross talk (CT) are less than 2.5 dB and −10.3 dB in the wavelength range of 1525–1565 nm for all fabricated devices, which are basically consistent with the simulation results. This work brings great promise for achieving high-performance PICs on the LNOI platform in the future.
High-fidelity and adaptive forward-phase-based vibration sensing using a Wiener filter in DSCM systems under commercial ECLs
Authors: Yang Bang , Tang Jianwei , Cheng Chen , Fan Linsheng , Gao Shuang , Yao Yong , Liang Junpeng , Wei Jinlong , Yang Yanfu
Published: January 2025

In this Letter, we propose and experimentally validate a high-fidelity and adaptive forward-phase-based vibration sensing using a Wiener filter (WF). In commercial coherent digital subcarrier multiplexing (DSCM) systems under external cavity lasers (ECLs), frequency-domain pilot tones (FPTs) in subcarrier intervals are employed for dynamic frequency offset estimation (FOE), carrier phase estimation (CPE), and polarization demultiplexing. The phase estimated by the CPE module is processed with the WF to achieve high-fidelity extraction of the vibration-induced phase. Compared to traditional bandpass filter (BPF)-based phase extraction, the WF method effectively suppresses sensing background noise caused by laser phase noise, improving sensing signal-to-noise ratio (SSNR). Furthermore, without knowing vibration frequency and waveform information, the WF method can adaptively detect various vibration waveforms, including amplitude-modulated continuous wave (AMCW) and frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW). In experiments, for 10 kHz sinusoidal vibration detection, the WF method demonstrated an 8 dB SSNR improvement compared to the BPF method. The experiments further verified that both AMCW and FMCW vibrations can be detected adaptively with the WF method using the same filter parameters as for sinusoidal vibrations.
The puzzle of pain and its psychological implications: Differentiating complex regional pain syndrome from somatic symptom disorder
Authors: Zimmer Paul D. C. , Rubin Robert T.
Published: January 2025

One of the most concerning pain conditions is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a nervous system disorder that may occur after a trauma, surgery, medical procedure, or prolonged immobilization. Its primary symptom is extreme and constant burning or freezing pain at the site of the inciting injury, often out of proportion to, and lasting longer than, the injury itself. A psychiatric condition that needs to be differentiated from CRPS is Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD), which was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) in 2013. It requires only a single physical (somatic) symptom (there may be more), but, equally important, the patient also must have thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that are clearly excessive relative to their physical symptom(s). Differentiating between CRPS and SSD can present a difficult diagnostic challenge but is necessary to improve the well-being of those affected. Both occur in inpatient and outpatient settings. For CRPS, diagnosis relies on assessment according to specific clinical criteria, because there are no definitive diagnostic tests. SSD is characterized by excessive preoccupation with somatic symptom(s), including pain, and there also are no definitive diagnostic tests. Because both conditions share the characteristic of distressing somatic symptom(s), and both have important psychological components, differential diagnosis often requires extensive investigation. To illustrate their diagnostic complexities, in addition to the existing literature, we use case examples of CRPS, SSD, and a combination of both. These cases highlight the need for multidisciplinary collaboration in evaluating and managing both disorders, in order to address both the physiological and the psychological components. Consultation-liaison psychiatrists, in particular, have requisite training in both domains and can have a crucial collaborative role, acknowledging both the extent of physical pain and addressing psychological dimensions, including anxiety, depression, and the magnification of underlying physical complaints.
Prognostic significance of total choline on in-vivo proton MR spectroscopy for prediction of late recurrence in patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer
Authors: Kim Hyunjik , Park Heungkyu , Chun Yongsoon , Kim Hagjun , Baek Hyeonman , Kim Yunyeong
Published: January 2025

Purpose

In-vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a non-invasive method of analyzing choline metabolism that has been used to predict breast cancer prognosis. A strong choline peak may be a surrogate for aggressive tumor biology but its clinical relevance is unclear. The present study assessed whether total choline (tCho), as measured by proton MRS, can predict late recurrence in patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer.

Methods

The study cohort included 261 HR+/HER2- breast cancer patients who underwent diagnostic single-voxel proton MRS (3.0T scanner) prior to first-line surgery from March 2011 to July 2014. The relationships between tCho compound peak integral (tChoi) values and others prognostic factor were analyzed, as were the effects of tChoi on 10-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). The clinical significance of tChoi was also analyzed using Harrell’s C-index.

Results

Mean tChoi in HR+/HER2- study group was 15.47 and we set the cut-off for tChoi at 15 for survival analysis. 10-year DFS differed significantly between tChoi <15 and ≥15 (p = 0.017), with differences differing significantly for late (5–10 years; p = 0.02) but not early (0–5 years; p = 0.323) recurrence. Cox regression analysis showed that tChoi was significantly predictive of 10-year DFS (p = 0.046, OR 2.69) and tended to be predictive of late recurrence (HR 4.36, p = 0.066). Harrell’s C-index showed that the Ki-67 index (AUC = 0.597) and lymphovascular invasion (AUC = 0.545) were also predictive of survival, with the addition of normalized tChoi improving the AUC to 0.622 (p = 0.014), indicating better predictive power.

Conclusion

tChoi determined by in vivo MRS was predictive of prognosis in patients with HR+/HER2- early breast cancer. This parameter may serve as a valuable, non-invasive tool to predict prognosis when combined with other known prognostic factors.
Correlation analysis between micro and macro indicators of high modulus modified asphalt for asphalt pavement
Authors: Wang Jiarong , Zhang Zhengqi , Tian Zhongnan
Published: January 2025

The relationship between the micro technical indexes and the macro road performance of high modulus asphalt (HMA) is helpful for understanding its mechanism and performance, and promoting its application. To explore the relationship, two kinds of high modulus asphalt (HMA), LLDPE/SBS composite modified asphalt and rubber/PPA composite modified asphalt were prepared according to the HMA requirements. Secondly, Molecular models of two kinds of HMA were established through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and the high temperature parameters of LLDPE/SBS composite modified asphalt were obtained with the two methods, namely the micro molecular dynamics simulation and high temperature rheological test, respectively. Then, through correlation analysis and regression calculation, the estimation formula was established between the results of molecular dynamics simulation and high temperature rheological test. Finally, in order to evaluate and verify the rationality of the estimation formula, the two methods were carried out on the other HMA (rubber/PPA composite modified asphalt). The results show that the shear modulus obtained by molecular dynamics simulation has a good correlation with the high temperature rheological properties. The estimation formula based on molecular dynamics simulation can be used to estimate the high temperature shear modulus of high modulus asphalt, and the relative error is less than 7%, which means that the formula can be used to effectively predict the high temperature performance of high modulus asphalt.
The forces behind social unrest: Evidence from the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Lackner Mario , Sunde Uwe , Winter-Ebmer Rudolf
Published: January 2025

The unprecedented consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic have raised concerns about the erosion of social cohesion and intensified social unrest, but evidence for such a link and the underlying channels is still lacking. We use a unique combination of nationally representative survey data, event data on social unrest, and data on Covid-19 fatalities and unemployment at a weekly resolution to investigate the forces behind social cohesion and unrest in the context of the strains on public health and the economy due to the pandemic in the USA. The results show that pandemic-related unemployment and Covid-19 fatalities intensified negative emotional stress and led to a deterioration of economic confidence among individuals. The prevalence of negative emotional stress, particularly in economically strained and politically polarized environments, was, in turn, associated with intensified social unrest as measured by political protests. No such link is found for economic perceptions.
Comparison of core temperature using tracheal thermometer and pulmonary artery catheter in adult patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Authors: Park Seyeon , Kim Hee Young , Kim Hye-Jin , Jung Jieun , Hong Seo-Ho , Jung Yeon-Soo , Ha Dong-Hyeon , Park Da-Eun , Yoon Ji-Uk
Published: January 2025

Background

Monitoring core temperature is important for patients under anesthesia. Esophageal and pulmonary artery blood temperatures can be used for measuring core temperature during general anesthesia. However, these methods pose challenges, especially when the placement of an esophageal thermometer and pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) is either impractical or not the preferred approach. An endotracheal tube (ETT) with a thermometer on the cuff allows for the measurement of tracheal temperature, providing a suitable alternative to core temperature measurement. This study aimed to assess the clinical reliability and accuracy of the thermometer in the ETT in comparison to the core temperature measured using a PAC.

Methods

Eleven patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery were enrolled in this study. The patients were intubated using an ETT equipped with a thermometer on the cuff, and a PAC was inserted. Temperature measurements of both the trachea and pulmonary artery blood were recorded at 5-minute intervals for 1 hour before starting cardiopulmonary bypass. The agreement between the two temperature measurement methods was investigated using the Bland-Altman plot with multiple measurements per subject, and the correlation was evaluated using the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC).

Results

Eleven patients with a total of 143 pairs of data were included for analysis. The mean difference between the tracheal and pulmonary artery temperatures was −0.10°C. The 95% limit of agreement (LoA), calculated as ± 1.96 standard deviation, ranged from −0.35°C to 0.15°C. The 95% confidence interval for the lower and upper LoA was −0.51°C to −0.27°C and 0.07°C to 0.31°C, respectively. The maximum allowed difference (Δ) was set at 0.5°C. The majority of temperature differences fell within the LoA and were well below the maximum allowed difference. The CCC was 0.95, which indicates a substantial strength of agreement.

Conclusions

The agreement between the tracheal and pulmonary artery temperature measurements using the ETT thermometer and pulmonary artery catheter, respectively, was found to be clinically reliable and accurate. Therefore, the tracheal temperature measurement can effectively represent the core temperature of the patients. Employing an ETT equipped with a thermometer on the cuff can serve as a reliable and independent method for measuring core temperature.

Trial registration

Clinical trial registration number: NCT05595616.
Predicting prosthetic gait and the effects of induced stiff-knee gait
Authors: Santos Gilmar F. , Jakubowitz Eike , Hurschler Christof
Published: January 2025

Prosthetic gait differs considerably from the unimpaired gait. Studying alterations in the gait patterns could help to understand different adaptation mechanisms adopted by these populations. This study investigated the effects of induced stiff-knee gait (SKG) on prosthetic and healthy gait patterns and the capabilities of predictive simulation. Self-selected speed gait of two participants was measured: one healthy subject and one knee disarticulation subject using a variable-damping microprocessor controlled knee prosthesis. Both performed unperturbed gait and gait with restricted knee flexion. Experimental joint angles and moments were computed using OpenSim and muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography (EMG). The differences between the conditions were analyzed using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Predictive models based on optimal control were created to represent the participants. Additionally, a hypothetical unimpaired predictive model with the same anthropometric characteristics as the amputee was created. Some patterns observed in the experimental prosthetic gait were predicted by the models, including increased knee flexion moment on the contralateral side caused by SKG in both participants, which was statistically significant according to SPM. With the exception of the rectus femoris muscle, we also found overall good agreement between measured EMG and predicted muscle activation. We predicted more alterations in activation of the hip flexors than other muscle groups due to the amputation and in the activation of the biceps femoris short head, quadratus femoris, and tibialis anterior due to SKG. In summary, we demonstrated that the method applied in this study could predict gait alterations due to amputation of the lower limb or due to imposed SKG.
Evaluation of efficacy of GCSF in reducing neutropenia among carcinoma patients undergoing anti-cancer chemotherapy. A prospective cohort study
Authors: Kakar Maria , Ullah Sami , Khan Amjad , Nazir Shabnam
Published: January 2025

The use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) to control febrile neutropenia (FN) caused by anti-cancer chemotherapy is well documented but it still needs to evaluated with respect to the specific type of cancer and chemotherapeutic agents. The present study evaluates the efficacy of adjunctive GCSF for treating FN after taking anticancer therapy by measuring clinical, hematological and microbiological outcomes. It is a single center study conducted at Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), Peshawar, Pakistan. Adult patients of both genders, suffering from different types of sarcomas and taking anticancer chemotherapy were included in the study. The study was conducted between January 2023 and January 2024. Baseline data including demographic data, medication history and hematological evaluation of all the patients was recorded at the time of enrolment. Primary outcomes of the study were the extent of absolute neutrophil count (ANC) recovery, duration and severity of neutropenia (grade IV), period to fever resolution. After the therapy (with and without adjunctive GCSF) clinical outcomes, hematological evaluation and microbiological data was compared and evaluated. All the data was statistically analyzed by SPSS (IBMS, version 20). A total number of 120 patients were investigated out of which data of 109 patients was included. Out of 109 patients, 64 (58.72%) received adjunctive GCSF therapy, and 45 (41.28%) did not receive adjunctive GCSF. Comparison of the data showed that the patients receiving adjunctive GCSF had a significant improvement ANC recovery time, better recovery of fever and patients were free of infections. This study concluded that adjunctive GCSF therapy benefits the patients undergoing anticancer treatment for different types of carcinoma.
The impact of village heads’ educational levels on adolescent academic performance: Evidence from rural China
Authors: Li Jing , Deng Huan , Li Jun
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the relationship between the educational level of village heads and the academic performance of adolescents, using data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). The analysis reveals that village chiefs with well-educated significantly enhance the academic outcomes of adolescents within their communities. This positive effect remains robust even after controlling for endogeneity through instrumental variables and conducting various robustness checks. Further investigation shows that these well-educated village leaders contribute to an increased provision of public goods, thereby improving the village’s external environment, which in turn supports academic performance. Additionally, well-educated village chiefs serve as role models within the community’s social network, positively influencing parental educational aspirations and enhancing adolescents’ academic results. Notably, the impact of well-educated village chiefs is more pronounced among girls and adolescents from low-income families, underscoring its significance in promoting gender equity in education and breaking cycles of intergenerational poverty.
Understanding displacement of onboard contingents in Navy amphibious ships
Authors: Martinez-Grueira Heitor , Asorey-Cacheda Rafael , Garcia-Sanchez Antonio-Javier , Garcia-Haro Joan
Published: January 2025

The Naval Ship Code (NSC) was enacted in 2009 to standardize regulations for NATO member naval forces, and a study commissioned by the Spanish Navy General Staff (EMA) aimed to identify the factors that influence onboard personnel’s ability to move during an evacuation process. This study validated the soundness of the safety protocols implemented on navy vessels and highlighted the impact of certain characteristics of the embarked military contingent, such as body mass index, age, and seniority. It also found that such characteristics could act as distinctive factors among the embarked contingents in the evacuation of a military vessel. The study quantified the effect of these intervening characteristics, confirming the need for different displacement models for each of the study contingents to improve ship evacuation maneuvers. The findings of this study provide insights into the behavior of different embarked contingents during the evacuation process and can inform the development of more effective safety protocols for military naval operations. The starting hypothesis is that certain characteristics of the embarked military contingent have a decisive influence on their displacement capacity during the evacuation process. This hypothesis has been expanded in the sense that these same characteristics can act as differentiating elements among the embarked contingents evacuating a military vessel. It is possible to quantify the influence of these characteristics and implement a displacement model applicable in escape, evacuation, and rescue processes. Thus, the specific characteristics of a study contingent will be reflected in its displacement model. In this article we find that while members of the landing force (LF) show greater displacement capacity through a longitudinal corridor (around 10%), their ability to overcome other passage elements present on the study vessel is reduced (around 30%) compared to members of the vessel’s own crew.
Racial/ethnic differences in mental health treatment received among people with comorbid cardiometabolic and depressive symptomology: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2017 to March 2020 Pre-Pandemic
Authors: Dark Tyra , Harris Rachel , Burns Desiree , Chernicky Jacob , Reid-Marks Laura , Rust George
Published: January 2025

Background

Individuals with chronic physical conditions and comorbid mental illness have increased probability of adverse health outcomes. As minority populations have limited access to both medical care and culturally appropriate mental health services, having a comorbid mental health condition can further impede their ability to manage chronic conditions and widen racial disparities in health outcomes. Further, racial/ethnic disparities in treatment patterns are likely to exacerbate disparities in adverse health outcomes.

Objective

To identify the racial/ethnic mental health treatment patterns among individuals with cardiometabolic and depressive symptomology co-occurrence.

Methods

This study utilized National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, 2017 to March 2020 Pre-Pandemic. The primary analysis was an adjusted linear logistic regression analysis of race/ethnicity, comorbidity status and mental health treatment type. Regression models were estimated to determine the likelihood of receiving counseling and medication therapy, and to determine if the likelihood is associated with race/ethnicity.

Results

Primary findings indicate that depressive symptomology only was the most common designation and fewer than half of persons received any mental health treatment. Across all racial/ethnic groups, receiving no mental health treatment was the most common designation. Sixty-one percent of Non-Hispanic White persons and more than three out of four Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Black persons with only depressive symptoms received no mental health treatment. Adjusted regression analyses revealed that participants with comorbid cardiometabolic and depressive symptomology have 28% lower odds of receiving combined mental health professional and medication therapy than participants with depressive symptomology only.

Conclusions

Simultaneously treating both mental illness and cardiometabolic symptoms properly is complicated, but there may be untapped synergies in treating both concurrently. Therefore, to achieve favorable health outcomes, policy should be implemented to optimize clinical treatment by addressing aspects of both conditions in an integrated approach and may need to be culturally tailored to be effective.
Finite mixtures of functional graphical models: Uncovering heterogeneous dependencies in high-dimensional data
Authors: Liu Qihai , Lee Kevin H. , Kang Hyun Bin
Published: January 2025

Graphical models have been widely used to explicitly capture the statistical relationships among the variables of interest in the form of a graph. The central question in these models is to infer significant conditional dependencies or independencies from high-dimensional data. In the current literature, it is common to assume that the high-dimensional data come from a homogeneous source and follow a parametric graphical model. However, in real-world context the observed data often come from different sources and may have heterogeneous dependencies across the whole population. In addition, for time-dependent data, many work has been done to estimate discrete correlation structures at each time point but less work has been done to estimate global correlation structures over all time points. In this work, we propose finite mixtures of functional graphical models (MFGM), which detect the heterogeneous subgroups of the population and estimate single graph for each subgroup by considering the correlation structures. We further design an estimation method for MFGM using an iterative Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm and functional graphical lasso (fglasso). Numerically, we demonstrate the performance of our method in simulation studies and apply our method to high-dimensional electroencephalogram (EEG) dataset taken from an alcoholism study.