bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cost-effectiveness of Microsoft Academic Graph with machine learning for automated study identification in a living map of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) research
Authors: Shemilt Ian , Arno Anneliese , Thomas James , Lorenc Theo , Khouja Claire , Raine Gary , Sutcliffe Katy , Preethy D'Souza , Kwan Irene , Wright Kath , Sowden Amanda
Published: March 2024

Background Identifying new, eligible studies for integration into living systematic reviews and maps usually relies on conventional Boolean updating searches of multiple databases and manual processing of the updated results. Automated searches of one, comprehensive, continuously updated source, with adjunctive machine learning, could enable more efficient searching, selection and prioritisation workflows for updating (living) reviews and maps, though research is needed to establish this. Microsoft Academic Graph (MAG) is a potentially comprehensive single source which also contains metadata that can be used in machine learning to help efficiently identify eligible studies. This study sought to establish whether: (a) MAG was a sufficiently sensitive single source to maintain our living map of COVID-19 research; and (b) eligible records could be identified with an acceptably high level of specificity. Methods We conducted an eight-arm cost-effectiveness analysis to assess the costs, recall and precision of semi-automated workflows, incorporating MAG with adjunctive machine learning, for continually updating our living map. Resource use data (time use) were collected from information specialists and other researchers involved in map production. Our systematic review software, EPPI-Reviewer, was adapted to incorporate MAG and associated machine learning workflows, and also used to collect data on recall, precision, and manual screening workload. Results The semi-automated MAG-enabled workflow dominated conventional workflows in both the base case and sensitivity analyses. At one month our MAG-enabled workflow with machine learning, active learning and fixed screening targets identified 469 additional, eligible articles for inclusion in our living map, and cost £3,179 GBP per week less, compared with conventional methods relying on Boolean searches of Medline and Embase. Conclusions We were able to increase recall and coverage of a large living map, whilst reducing its production costs. This finding is likely to be transferrable to OpenAlex, MAG’s successor database platform.
A chromosomal reference genome sequence for the malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae, Giles, 1902, Ifakara strain
Authors: Habtewold Tibebu , Wagah Martin , Tambwe Mgeni Mohamed , Moore Sarah , Windbichler Nikolai , Christophides George , Johnson Harriet , Heaton Haynes , Collins Joanna , Krasheninnikova Ksenia , Pelan Sarah E. , Pointon Damon-Lee B. , Sims Ying , Torrance James W. , Tracey Alan , Uliano Da Silva Marcela , Wood Jonathan MD , von Wyschetzki Katharina ,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective, McCarthy Shane A. , Neafsey Daniel E. , Makunin Alex , Lawniczak Mara K.N.
Published: March 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Anopheles gambiae (the malaria mosquito; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Culicidae), Ifakara strain. The genome sequence is 264 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into three chromosomal pseudomolecules with the X sex chromosome assembled. The complete mitochondrial genome was also assembled and is 15.4 kilobases in length.
A landscape analysis of the key global stakeholders working on interventions around preterm birth that improve neonatal mortality and morbidity.
Authors: Moon Grainne , English Michael , Nagraj Shobhana
Published: March 2024

Background Over a decade after the landmark ‘Born too Soon’ report, preterm birth remains a leading cause of under-five mortality. Addressing its global burden is key to meeting United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3; to end preventable deaths of newborns and children by 2030. We conducted a landscape analysis to explore the types of organisations addressing preterm birth, highlight the scope of interventions and initiatives, and identify gaps and opportunities for shared learning. Methods We combined google searches with citation searching, and opinion of experts in child health, to identify the major global stakeholders working to improve outcomes of preterm birth, with evidence of activity since 2012. We conducted a thematic analysis and narrative synthesis of key stakeholder websites to categorise their functions and priorities, and the types of interventions they were implementing. Results A total of 38 key organisations and 28 interventions were derived from the searches. Organisations were thematically grouped into knowledge sharing (n = 15), knowledge production (n = 12), funders (n = 6), legislation and advocacy (n = 15), implementer (n = 14) and network organisations (n = 11). Interventions covered a wide scope of functions including education (n = 11), research (n = 10), resources (n = 7), legislation (n = 2), and health systems (n = 2) interventions. The majority of global stakeholders were funded from and headquartered within high-income settings. Discussion There is scope for significant learning across global stakeholders, in particular to support carers in low-resource settings. Further opportunities for impact include a need for community-based initiatives and whole systems approach that address the long-term needs of preterm babies and their families, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) settings. Greater knowledge production and funding from LMICs is needed to create contextually relevant resources and address implementation challenges.
Trapping and killing performance of a PermaNet 2.0 hybrid mosquito trapping bednet: an experimental hut evaluation
Authors: Mouhamadou Chouaibou Seidou , Kouadio France-Paraudie A. , Sadia Christabelle G. , Behi Fodjo K.
Published: March 2024

Background Despite the huge global effort , there has been an increase in malaria morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa since 2015, from 212 million cases and 429,000 deaths in 2015 to 241 million cases and 627,000 deaths in 2020 mainly because of resistance to insecticide. Therefore, advancing innovative approaches is the only sustainable way to fight malaria. Methods Taking advantage of the behavior of mosquitoes around the net, which is almost 70-90% concentrated on the roof, we have developed a two-compartment mosquito bednet, the so-called T-Net for mass mosquito trapping and killing. In the current study, we investigated in an experimental hut trial, the efficacy of trapping-long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (T-LLINs) against Anopheles gambiae s.l. in an insecticide resistance context. Five different arms have been considered in this study including three positive control arms e.g. PermaNet 2.0 LLIN, Tsara boost LLIN and Interceptor generation 2 (IG2) LLIN), one negative control arm using insecticide-free bednet, and one candidate arm using a hybrid-treated trapping bednet made with PermaNet 2.0 LLIN mounted with an insecticide-free compartment (T-LLIN). Results The highest average daily mortality was recorded with the T-LLIN. In total, 678 mosquitoes were killed by T-LLIN among the 760 collected, i.e. 89.2%. Out of these, 317 were found in the trap compartment, representing 46.75% of mortality directly attributable to the mechanical effect of this net. This added value made it possible to quantify the increased in the killing effect that this net would have over the positive control arms: this would be 58.5% higher than the killing effect of PN2.0, 38% higher than that of Tsara boost and 31.5% higher than that of IG2. Conclusion The current study shows potential to maximize the efficiency of the WHO-recommended LLINs by an addition of an insecticide-free trap compartment on top of the net.
Sample-Path Large Deviations for Unbounded Additive Functionals of the Reflected Random Walk
Authors: Bazhba Mihail , Blanchet Jose , Rhee Chang-Han , Zwart Bert
Published: March 2024

We prove a sample-path large deviation principle (LDP) with sublinear speed for unbounded functionals of certain Markov chains induced by the Lindley recursion. The LDP holds in the Skorokhod space [Formula: see text] equipped with the [Formula: see text] topology. Our technique hinges on a suitable decomposition of the Markov chain in terms of regeneration cycles. Each regeneration cycle denotes the area accumulated during the busy period of the reflected random walk. We prove a large deviation principle for the area under the busy period of the Markov random walk, and we show that it exhibits a heavy-tailed behavior.

Funding: The research of B. Zwart and M. Bazhba is supported by the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek [Grant 639.033.413]. The research of J. Blanchet is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) [Grants 1915967, 1820942, and 1838576] as well as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency [Grant N660011824028]. The research of C.-H. Rhee is supported by the NSF [Grant CMMI-2146530].
Gradient-Based Empirical Risk Minimization Using Local Polynomial Regression
Authors: Jadbabaie Ali , Makur Anuran , Shah Devavrat
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we consider the widely studied problem of empirical risk minimization (ERM) of strongly convex and smooth loss functions using iterative gradient-based methods. A major goal of the existing literature has been to compare different prototypical algorithms, such as batch gradient descent (GD) or stochastic gradient descent (SGD), by analyzing their rates of convergence to ϵ-approximate solutions with respect to the number of gradient computations, which is also known as the oracle complexity. For example, the oracle complexity of GD is [Formula: see text], where n is the number of training samples and p is the parameter space dimension. When n is large, this can be prohibitively expensive in practice, and SGD is preferred due to its oracle complexity of [Formula: see text]. Such standard analyses only utilize the smoothness of the loss function in the parameter being optimized. In contrast, we demonstrate that when the loss function is smooth in the data, we can learn the oracle at every iteration and beat the oracle complexities of GD, SGD, and their variants in important regimes. Specifically, at every iteration, our proposed algorithm, Local Polynomial Interpolation-based Gradient Descent (LPI-GD), first performs local polynomial regression with a virtual batch of data points to learn the gradient of the loss function and then estimates the true gradient of the ERM objective function. We establish that the oracle complexity of LPI-GD is [Formula: see text], where d is the data space dimension, and the gradient of the loss function is assumed to belong to an η-Hölder class with respect to the data. Our proof extends the analysis of local polynomial regression in nonparametric statistics to provide supremum norm guarantees for interpolation in multivariate settings and also exploits tools from the inexact GD literature. Unlike the complexities of GD and SGD, the complexity of our method depends on d. However, our algorithm outperforms GD, SGD, and their variants in oracle complexity for a broad range of settings where d is small relative to n. For example, with typical loss functions (such as squared or cross-entropy loss), when [Formula: see text] for any [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is at the statistical limit, our method can be made to require [Formula: see text] oracle calls for any [Formula: see text], while SGD and GD require [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] oracle calls, respectively.

Funding: This work was supported in part by the Office of Naval Research [Grant N000142012394], in part by the Army Research Office [Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative Grant W911NF-19-1-0217], and in part by the National Science Foundation [Transdisciplinary Research In Principles Of Data Science, Foundations of Data Science].
Good corporate governance on performance: The moderating role of covid-19
Authors: Susanti Tri Yuli Tiastuti , Raharja Surya
Published: March 2024

This study highlights the importance of good corporate governance in company performance, especially during the Corona Virus Disaster 2019. This study examines the impact of various factors on firm performance, with an emphasis on corporate structure and practices. The variables under investigation include board size, board independence, board gender diversity, board meetings, board financial qualifications, audit committee size, and audit committee meetings. This study analyzed 137 manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2017 to 2021, which were selected using a purposive sampling method. The analysis used panel data regression and descriptive statistics using STATA tools. The analysis used panel data regression and descriptive statistics using STATA tools. The results showed that board size, board independence, and audit committee meetings improved company performance during crises. However, the presence of women on the board, frequency of board meetings, and financial education of board members can negatively impact performance.
Encapsulated aromatic citronella extract (Cymbopogon nardus) and its responses to protein content, solubility, and water holding capacity of catfish bone powder
Authors: Khairi Amalya Nurul , Nuraisyah Fatma , Sirajuddin Muhammad Mar'ie , Mufrodi Zahrul , Khasanah Aulia Ushwatun
Published: March 2024

Aromatic citronella contains highly bioactive components that are easily degraded during processing and storage. Their stability decreases due to heat, light, and oxygen exposure. Encapsulation is one method to maintain the stability of bioactive components. This study aims to determine the content of protein, solubility, and water holding capacity (WHC) of aromatic citronella extracted and encapsulated by various maltodextrin concentrations and foam mat drying temperatures of catfish bone powder. The experimental design in this study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with two factors. Temperature variations in this study were 70°C and 80°C, and maltodextrin concentrations were 10% and 15%. Statistical analysis was performed with two-way ANOVA and continued with the DMRT (Duncan's Multiple Range Test) test at the significance level α = 5%. Total protein of encapsulated aromatic citronella extract on catfish bone powder ranged from 17.24-27.34%, solubility ranged from 34.53-55.64%, and WHC ranged from 4.49 – 43.03%. Maltodextrin concentration significantly affected protein content and WHC. Drying temperatures significantly affected the solubility of catfish bone powder with the addition of encapsulated aromatic citronella.
Lifelong learning
Authors: Haygarth Helen
Published: March 2024

Helen Haygarth, Family Hubs Engagement and Participation lead for Durham Children and Young People's Services, shares more about her journey through education and the importance of CPD for staff.
Back to basics to fight flaws
Authors: Mansfield-Devine Steve
Published: March 2024

Too many security incidents can be traced back directly to flaws in software. And the problem is a systemic one, rooted in the tools we use to write code, software development culture and inadequate testing. In spite of this, software vendors continue to evade liability for the flaws in their products. It's time for this to change.
The history and evolution of warranty liability of apartment complexes
Authors: Lee Kang Man
Published: March 2024

Regulations on defects in multi-family housing are stipulated by two positive laws: the Act on Ownership and Management of Condominium Buildings and the Multi-Family Housing Management Act. However, the characteristics and purpose of these two laws differ. The Multi-Family Housing Management Act is a public law securing the constitutional rights to housing, which includes administrative laws on the construction of housing (e.g., the Housing Construction Promotion Act) and those related to the management of housing (e.g., the Housing Act and the Multi-Family Housing Management Act). However, the Act on Ownership and Management of Condominium Buildings is a private law merely focusing on the property rights of condominium owners. Therefore, the stipulations of these two positive laws regarding defects in multi-family housing also differ in many aspects, such as the types of defects, standings to claim repair, distribution of responsibility, and statutory limitations. However, the legal aspect remains ambiguous, despite the gap being narrowed through several rounds of enactment and amendment to positive laws. In particular, the meaning of the project implementer's defect repair responsibility, which must be understood from a public law perspective, has been considerably ambiguous. Consequently, for defects in multi-family housing, the focus is merely on monetary compensation for defects, which is a matter of private law, rather than on the implementation of defect repair itself, which is a matter of public law. Accordingly, this study examines the problems related to the repair of defects in multi-family housing by analyzing the history of these positive laws, their detailed stipulations, and the differences in defect warranty liability. Based on these analyses, this study attempts to identify and suggest solutions to overcome these issues.
Environmental Salvage and the 1989 Salvage Convention: Proposed Amendments to the Convention and Difficulties in Quantifying an Environmental Salvage Award
Authors: Beale Gary
Published: March 2024

The International Salvage Union (ISU) has proposed that the 1989 Salvage Convention be amended to allow for an ‘environmental salvage’ award. A traditional salvage award remains fundamentally about saving maritime property, whereas an environmental salvage award measures its success against liabilities avoided. In practical terms, these two types of awards cannot be quantified using the same principles. In its current form, the Salvage Convention does provide for a salvage award to be enhanced for efforts to prevent or minimise environmental damage as set out in Article 13. The ‘safety net’ provisions of Article 14 allow salvors special compensation where no property is saved but efforts to protect the environment are undertaken. As Article 14 is largely unworkable, it has effectively been replaced by the Special Compensation P&I Clause (SCOPIC) where Lloyd's Open Form contracts are used. This article looks at the proposed amendments by the ISU to the Salvage Convention and discusses the difficulties in quantifying an environmental salvage award.
Building a Culture of Life: A Conversation on Abolition, Feminism, and Asian American Politics
Authors: Kandaswamy Priya , Okazawa-Rey Margo , Shigematsu Setsu
Published: March 2024

Abstract: This dialogue brings together feminists with decades of experience in abolitionist work to discuss what it means to take up abolition feminisms within Asian American Studies today. Margo Okazawa-Rey dialogues with Priya Kandaswamy and Setsu Shigematsu about who we need to become to create a “culture of life” and what it means to embody and practice abolitionist values in the present-continuous. Together we discuss the tensions between Asian American as an identity and abolition as a politics that seeks to dismantle America. While addressing the limits of identity politics, we ask about how Asian diasporic subjects are situated within systems of anti-Black state violence and interrogate our own relationship to the nation-state. Based on our experiences in different movement spaces, we suggest some ways to reimagine and reconceptualize how we relate to each other and what might be useful and/or dangerous theoretical frameworks that have emerged from Asian American Studies for our praxis of abolition feminism.
Sub-extraction asymmetries and linearization in Russian
Authors: Bondarenko Tatiana , Davis Colin
Published: March 2024

abstract: While Russian usually permits both extraction from subjects and scrambling of objects, we observe that these movement processes often cannot co-occur. We argue following work on similar restrictions in other languages that such patterns emerge from a theory in which word order is established phase-by-phase and then preserved, in combination with the concept that vP is a phase, as well as a ban on movement within phrase edges. This investigation also reveals some additional factors in Russian that allow the expected constraints on movement to be circumvented.
Transitioning Texts and Genre Reassignment: Trans Poetics as Trans Philosophy
Authors: Vlaad Sofie
Published: March 2024

Abstract: This paper explores trans poetics as a way of doing trans philosophy. I begin by giving an overview of the current state of trans philosophy. I then give examples of other literatures wherein poetics is taken to be philosophically robust. After giving a brief history of trans poetics, I turn to the poetics statements and poetry of three trans poets—D'Lo, Ching-In Chen, and micha cárdenas—featured in the 2013 anthology Troubling the Line . I show how poetry is often uniquely able to capture the ambiguity of the WTF of trans experience in ways that differ from philosophical argumentation. I conclude by suggesting that poetics might move us away from a potential politics of suffering in trans philosophy to a politics of liberation.
3.05 kW, 13.7 GHz linewidth fiber amplifier based on PRBS phase modulation for SBS suppression
Authors: Xie Wei , Yang Yifeng , Wang He , Wang Kaiyuan , Duan Xinyu , Liu Kai , Chen Xiaolong , Xiong Xiaoqiang , Zhang Dawei , Meng Junqing
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we establish a multi-stage fiber amplifier with pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS) phase modulation. The stimulated Brillouin gain spectra of the main amplifier with both the unmodulated and pseudo-random binary sequence phase modulated configuration are measured (with corresponding output power), and the stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) threshold is investigated experimentally and theoretically. The pseudo-random binary sequence phase modulation parameters are optimized by theoretical simulation. With a two-stage preamplifier chain and a counter-pumping main amplifier stage, a maximum 3.05 kW output power with a slope efficiency of 85.9% is obtained experimentally. The central wavelength of the fiber amplifier is 1050 nm, associated with a full-width at half-maximum linewidth of 13.7 GHz. The stimulated Brillouin scattering reflectivity is below 0.01% at 3.05 kW at 13.7 GHz, which indicates that stimulated Brillouin scattering can be suppressed efficiently at this power and linewidth level.
Integrating inverse design and partially etched platform: an ultra-compact polarization splitter and rotator as an example
Authors: Chen Houyu , Wang Yinghui , Mao Simei , Cheng Lirong , Zhao Caiyue , Liu Xuanyi , Li Qian , Fu H. Y.
Published: March 2024

Silicon photonics devices benefit greatly from a partially etched platform and inverse design. Herein, we propose a bi-layer polarization splitter and rotator with a topology pattern and demonstrate it on a silicon-on-insulator platform. Our device exhibits a significantly reduced physical footprint of only 2µm×6µm, compared to traditional directional couplers and tapered waveguides. The device accomplishes the functions of polarization conversion and separation in such a compact design without redundant tapered or bending waveguides. The tested minimum insertion loss with the fabrication batch reaches 0.57 and 0.67 dB for TE and TM modes, respectively. The TE mode demonstrates a wider bandwidth and lower ILs than the TM modes, averaging around 1 dB from 1530 to 1565 nm. The M modes exhibit approximately 2 dB ILs at the same wavelength range, decreasing to about 1 dB between 1565 and 1580 nm. Improved designs and fabrication conditions strongly suggest the potential for further performance enhancement in the device. This successful initiative validates the exceptional performance resulting from the integration of the partially etched platform and inverse design, providing valuable insights for future photonic integrated device designs.
Experimental investigation on backscattering interference cancellation for full-duplex UOWC based on time-reversal preprocessing
Authors: Liu Weijie , Zhang Shuzhe , Huang Nuo , Xu Zhengyuan
Published: March 2024

A co-frequency and full-duplex (FD) underwater optical wireless communication (UOWC) system has the potential to significantly enhance spectral efficiency, reduce complexity, and further facilitate UOWC networking. However, the inevitable performance degradation due to self-interference introduced by backscattering presents a significant challenge. In this paper, we first experimentally explore the inherent characteristics of the underwater backscattering channel. Subsequently, we propose a digital-domain backscattering interference cancellation (BIC) algorithm for FD-UOWC systems, incorporating a time-reversal preprocessing. We then experimentally investigate the communication performance of an FD-UOWC system to verify the feasibility of the proposed BIC algorithm under different channel conditions. The experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, yielding substantial enhancements in bit error rate performance across diverse scenarios.
Combined modulation format identification and optical signal-to-noise ratio monitoring with high accuracy and generalizability based on a proposed fused module few-shot learning algorithm in dynamic coherent optical transmissions
Authors: Zhang Di , Zhang Hanyu , Cao Yameng , Xue Yan Ling
Published: March 2024

Modulation format identification (MFI) and optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) monitoring are important portions of optical performance monitoring (OPM) for future dynamic optical networks. In this paper, we proposed a fusion module few-shot learning (FMFSL) algorithm as an improvement upon the ordinary few-shot learning algorithms for image recognition with the specialty in adopting a combination of a dilated convolutional group and an asymmetric convolutional group to advance the feature extraction. FMFSL algorithm is applied in MFI and OSNR monitoring in coherent optical communication systems with its performance investigated in both back-to-back and fiber transmission scenarios using small-scale constellation diagrams. The results show that FMFSL algorithm can achieve 100% accuracy in MFI and higher OSNR monitoring accuracy compared to the few-shot learning algorithms Deep Nearest Neighbor Neural Network (DN4) and Prototypical Nets (PN) with 2.14% and 4.28% for 64QAM and 3.38% and 8.06% for 128QAM, respectively, without much increase in time consumption. Furthermore, the trained FMFSL algorithm remains excellent in MFI and OSNR monitoring without retraining while employed in back-to-back transmission scenarios with smaller OSNR intervals and fiber transmission scenarios with different amounts of Kerr nonlinearity, demonstrating its high capabilities in generalization and robustness. FMFSL algorithm provides a potential solution for OPM in future dynamic optical networks as a novel machine learning tool.
Ultra-high sensitivity weak magnetic field detecting magnetic fluid surface plasmon resonance sensor based on a single-hole fiber
Authors: Fu Haihao , Guo Yuying , Gao Wei , Lou Shuqin , Chu Paul K. , Sheng Zhufeng
Published: March 2024

An ultra-high sensitivity weak magnetic field detecting magnetic fluid surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor based on a single-hole fiber (SHF) is proposed for detecting weak magnetic fields. The sensor is constructed with a single-hole fiber in which an exclusive air hole in the cladding is embedded with a metal wire and filled with a magnetic fluid (MF) to enhance the magnetic field sensitivity. The effects of the structural parameters, embedded metals, and refractive index difference between the core and cladding on the magnetic field sensitivity and peak loss are investigated and optimized. The sensitivity, resolution, figure of merit (FOM), and other characteristics of the sensor are analyzed systematically. The numerical results reveal a maximum magnetic field sensitivity of 451,000 pm/mT and FOM of 15.03 mT-1. The ultra-high magnetic field sensitivity renders the sensor capable of detecting weak magnetic fields at the pT level for the first time, in addition to a detection range from 3.5 mT to 17 mT. The SHF-SPR magnetic field sensor featuring high accuracy, simple structure, and ease of filling has immense potential in applications such as mineral resource exploration as well as geological and environmental assessment.
Long range topography by dispersion unmatched spectral-domain interferometry based on virtually imaged phased array modes
Authors: Han Tao , Yang Lu , Tang Yun , Chen Changyong , Ma Cui , Liu Zhiyi , Ding Zhihua
Published: March 2024

We propose to realize a long range topography by dispersion unmatched spectral-domain interferometry based on virtually imaged phased array (VIPA) modes. By filtering the continuous spectrum of a supercontinuum source through a side-entrance Fabry–Perot etalon configured at two input angles, two groups of VIPA modes are generated. A method based on unmatched dispersion is proposed for non-aliasing reconstruction of the true depth from the interference spectrum under-sampled at two groups of VIPA modes. With the high spectral resolution provided by the VIPA modes instead of the grating-based spectrometer, only a 10 dB falloff in sensitivity over a range of 10 mm was demonstrated. The feasibility of the proposed method was confirmed by topography of a sample of gauge blocks and a model of three-dimensional (3D) printed tooth. The occlusal surface of the tooth model was further quantitatively evaluated, demonstrating its potential application in long range 3D topography.
Tailoring nondiffracting fields with a non-Markovian phase imprint
Authors: Jing Zhuhe , Zhang Jingjing , Chen Huaijian , Huang Dandan , Zhang Pei , Gao Hong , Li Fuli , Liu Ruifeng
Published: March 2024

We experimentally generate nondiffracting speckles that carry non-Markovian properties by encoding the wavefront of a monochromatic laser beam with ring-shaped non-Markovian phases. The resulting non-Markovian nondiffracting fields present a ring-shaped pattern and central dark notches, which are analyzed with an expression of the orbital angular momentum spectra of the wavefront possessing ring-shaped non-Markovian phases. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the intensity profiles of these non-Markovian nondiffracting fields exhibit stability over multiple Rayleigh ranges, and their statistical properties could be controlled with the non-Markovianity of the input phase masks. This work presents an approach for simultaneously tailoring the diffracting property and non-Markovianity of optical fields and provides a deeper understanding of non-Markovian processes.
Wavelength extension beyond 3 µm in a Ho3+/Pr3+ co-doped AlF3-based fiber laser
Authors: Xu Niannian , Wang Pengfei , Wang Shunbin , Liu Mo , Wang Juan , Li Zhenrui , Yang Zhiyong
Published: March 2024

In this Letter, we report continuous-wave (CW) lasers with wavelengths beyond 3 µm in homemade Ho3+/Pr3+ co-doped AlF3-based glass fibers. The laser cavity was established through the integration of a dichroic mirror (DM, HR@3–3.1 µm) positioned at the pump end and a partial reflectivity (PR) fiber Bragg grating (FBG) situated at the laser emission end. The FBGs in AlF3-based glass fibers were fabricated by a fs laser direct-writing method, and the resonant wavelengths were 3.009, 3.036, and 3.064 µm, respectively. Under the pump of 1.15 µm laser, a maximum unsaturated output power of 1.014 W was obtained at 3.009 µm with an overall laser efficiency of 11.8% and FWHM bandwidth of 0.88 nm. Furthermore, in order to enhance the optical–thermal stability, the FBG was heat-treated at 200°C for 30 min, and a higher output power of 1081 mW (348 mW without heat treatment) at 3.036 µm was achieved. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of 3–3.1 µm lasers by using FBGs in Ho3+/Pr3+ co-doped AlF3-based fibers.
Coherent radiation at visible wavelengths from sub-keV electron beams
Authors: Roitman Dolev , Karnieli Aviv , Tsesses Shai , Barkay Zahava , Arie Ady
Published: March 2024

The Smith–Purcell effect allows for coherent free-electron-driven compact light sources over the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Intriguing interaction regimes, with prospects for quantum optical applications, are expected when the driving free electron enters the sub-keV range, though this has until now remained an experimental challenge. Here, we demonstrate the Smith–Purcell light emission from UV to visible using engineerable, fabricated gratings with periodicities as low as 19 nm and with electron energies as low as 300 eV. Our findings constitute a major step toward broadband, highly tunable, on-chip light sources, observation of quantum recoil effects, and tunable EUV and x ray sources from swift electrons.
Improved power and temperature performance of half-disk diode microlasers
Authors: Zubov Fedor , Beckman Artem , Shernyakov Yuri , Kaluzhnyy Nikolay , Mintairov Sergey , Guseva Yulia , Kulagina Marina , Dubrovskii Vladimir G. , Maximov Mikhail
Published: March 2024

The power and temperature characteristics of Ø200 µm half-disk microlasers with a half-ring metal contact and high-density InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots are studied. In a continuous wave (CW) mode, the maximal optical power at 20°C was 134 mW, and the maximal CW lasing temperature reached 113°C. In a pulsed regime the maximal optical power of 1.6 W, limited by catastrophic degradation, was achieved. By comparing the CW and pulsed current–voltage characteristics, the dependence of a microlaser temperature on CW pumping current was determined. At CW currents corresponding to the maximal wall-plug efficiency, the maximal optical power, and complete lasing quenching, the laser temperatures were 60, 99, and 149°C, respectively.
Highly efficient fluorescent and hybrid white organic light-emitting diodes based on a bimolecular excited system: publisher’s note
Authors: Zhang Erdong , Chen Cong , Zhao Wencheng , Yan Duxu , Tang Jihua , Wang Jintao , Chen Ping , Sheng Ren
Published: March 2024

This publisher’s note contains a correction to Opt. Lett. 48, 5771 (2023)10.1364/OL.506371.
Rapid fabrication, magnetic, and radiation shielding characteristics of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles
Authors: Abd-Elkader Omar H. , Nasrallah Mai , Nasrallah Mohamed , Aleya Sami , Abdelkader Mohamed O. , Saleh Abdelmoneim
Published: March 2024

This study aims to prepare NiFe2O4 nanoparticles using a glycine assisted auto-combustion method. Characterization of the investigated ferrite was achieved by XRD, FTIR and TEM techniques. In addition, the magnetic properties of the as prepared ferrite using the VSM technique were determined. Furthermore, using MCNPX code, the X-ray/gamma ray shielding characteristics of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles in the energy range of 0.015–15 MeV have been evaluated. In this study, a comparison was made between the shielding properties of the prepared sample and other typical gamma-ray shielding materials (Ordinary concretes, basalt magnetite, hematite serpentine, and Ilmenite limonite), and various shielding materials (P2 Polymer Guanine, T1, PCNK60, VR3 volcanic rock, SLGC-E5, LBZ4, RS-360, BBSN5.7, and TZE-F). The obtained results show that the current prepared sample provides full (100%) x-ray protection and effective performance for gamma-ray shielding at energies up to 15 MeV. The current work creates new opportunities for the low-temperature, simple, effective, and affordable synthesis of nanomaterials for usage in display device applications and X-ray/gamma-ray shielding.
Socio-economic disparities and predictors of fertility among adolescents aged 15 to 19 in Zambia: Evidence from the Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (2018)
Authors: Shumba Samson , Moonga Vanessa , Miyoba Thomas Osman , Jere Stephen , Nkonde Jessy Mutale , Mumba Peter
Published: March 2024

Globally, 12 million girls aged 15–19 give birth each year, and Africa hosts 19% of youth aged 15–24. In Zambia, 29% of adolescents experience childbirth, with variations by age. Projections suggest a continued rise in these trends by 2030. Zambia came up with Adolescent Health Strategic Plan 2011–2015 among the specific policies being advocated for was Adolescent-Friendly Health Services (ADFHS) in order to mitigate among others adolescent fertility. The study aims to investigate socio-economic disparities and predictors of fertility in Zambian adolescents aged 15 to 19. The study used a cross-sectional study design utilized the 2018 Zambia Demographic Health Survey (ZDHS). The variable of interest in this study is “total number of children ever born” among adolescents aged 15 to 19 years. The explanatory variables that were used in the study were demographic, socio-economic, behavioral and community level factors. The Rao–Scott Chi-square test was used to test for association between categorical variables. Determinants of adolescent fertility were identified through a multilevel ordinal logistic regression conducted at a significance level of 5%. Analysis in the study was carried out using Stata version 14.2. A total of 3,000 adolescents were involved in the study, revealing that 75.88% had not given birth, 21.14% had one child, and 2.98% had at least two children. The findings revealed that education played a protective role, with adjusted odds ratios (AOR) of 0.47 (95% CI, 0.23–0.97), 0.21 (95% CI, 0.10–0.47), and 0.03 (95% CI, 0.00–0.54) for primary, secondary, and tertiary education, respectively. On the other hand, certain factors were associated with an elevated risk of fertility. These included the age of adolescents, educational attainment, marital status, wealth index, contraceptive use, exposure to family planning (FP) messages, being educated about FP at health facilities, and age at first sexual encounter. Among contextual factors, only community age at first birth was identified as a predictor of fertility, AOR, 1.59 (95% CI, 1.01–2.52). The study highlights sociodemographic disparities in adolescent fertility, emphasizing the need for targeted sexual reproductive health policies. Education protects against having more than one child, while marital status significantly influences fertility, particularly for married adolescents. The research provides valuable insights into the complex factors shaping adolescent fertility in Zambia, offering guidance for interventions and policies to support this vulnerable demographic.
Landscape of toxin-neutralizing therapeutics for snakebite envenoming (2015–2022): Setting the stage for an R&D agenda
Authors: Borri Juliette , Gutiérrez José María , Knudsen Cecilie , Habib Abdulrazaq G. , Goldstein Maya , Tuttle Andrew
Published: March 2024

Background

Progress in snakebite envenoming (SBE) therapeutics has suffered from a critical lack of data on the research and development (R&D) landscape. A database characterising this information would be a powerful tool for coordinating and accelerating SBE R&D. To address this need, we aimed to identify and categorise all active investigational candidates in development for SBE and all available or marketed products.

Methodology/Principal findings

In this landscape study, publicly available data and literature were reviewed to canvas the state of the SBE therapeutics market and research pipeline by identifying, characterising, and validating all investigational drug and biologic candidates with direct action on snake venom toxins, and all products available or marketed from 2015 to 2022. We identified 127 marketed products and 196 candidates in the pipeline, describing a very homogenous market of similar but geographically bespoke products and a diverse but immature pipeline, as most investigational candidates are at an early stage of development, with only eight candidates in clinical development.

Conclusions/Significance

Further investment and research is needed to address the shortfalls in products already on the market and to accelerate R&D for new therapeutics. This should be accompanied by efforts to converge on shared priorities and reshape the current SBE R&D ecosystem to ensure translation of innovation and access.
Use of a health worker-targeted smartphone app to support quality malaria RDT implementation in Busia County, Kenya: A feasibility and acceptability study
Authors: Skjefte Malia , Cooper Shawna , Poyer Stephen , Lourenço Christopher , Smedinghoff Sam , Keller Brett , Wambua Tonny , Oduor Christine , Frade Sasha , Waweru Wycliffe
Published: March 2024

Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) are an essential diagnostic tool in low-resource settings; however, administration and interpretation errors reduce their effectiveness.HealthPulse, a smartphone mRDT reader application, was developed by Audere to aid health workers in mRDT administration and interpretation, with an aim to improve the mRDT testing process and facilitate timely decision making through access to digitized results. Audere partnered with PSI and PS Kenya to conduct a pilot study in Busia County, Kenya between March and September 2021 to assess the feasibility and acceptability ofHealthPulseto support malaria parasitological diagnosis by community health volunteers (CHVs) and private clinic health workers (private clinic HWs). Metadata was interpreted to assess adherence to correct use protocols and health worker perceptions of the app. Changes to mRDT implementation knowledge were measured through baseline and endline surveys. The baseline survey identified clear mRDT implementation gaps, such as few health workers correctly knowing the number of diluent drops and minimum and maximum wait times for mRDT interpretation, although health worker knowledge improved after using the app. Endline survey results showed that 99.6% of health workers found the app useful and 90.1% found the app easy to use. Process control data showed that most mRDTs (89.2%) were photographed within the recommended 30-minute time frame and that 91.4% of uploaded photos passed the app filter quality check on the first submission. During 154 encounters (3.5% of all encounters) a health worker dispensed an artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) to their patient even with a negative mRDT readout. Overall, study results indicated thatHealthPulseholds potential as a mobile tool for use in low-resource settings, with future supportive supervision, diagnostic, and surveillance benefits. Follow-up studies will aim to more deeply understand the utility and acceptance of theHealthPulseapp.
Anomalous diffusion analysis of semantic evolution in major Indo-European languages
Authors: Asztalos Bogdán , Palla Gergely , Czégel Dániel
Published: March 2024

How do words change their meaning? Although semantic evolution is driven by a variety of distinct factors, including linguistic, societal, and technological ones, we find that there is one law that holds universally across five major Indo-European languages: that semantic evolution is subdiffusive. Using an automated pipeline of diachronic distributional semantic embedding that controls for underlying symmetries, we show that words follow stochastic trajectories in meaning space with an anomalous diffusion exponent α = 0.45 ± 0.05 across languages, in contrast with diffusing particles that follow α = 1. Randomization methods indicate that preserving temporal correlations in semantic change directions is necessary to recover strongly subdiffusive behavior; however, correlations in change sizes play an important role too. We furthermore show that strong subdiffusion is a robust phenomenon under a wide variety of choices in data analysis and interpretation, such as the choice of fitting an ensemble average of displacements or averaging best-fit exponents of individual word trajectories.
Demography, commonly diagnosed disorders and mortality of guinea pigs under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2019—A VetCompass study
Authors: O’Neill Dan G. , Taffinder Jacques L. , Brodbelt Dave C. , Baldrey Vicki
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Guinea pigs are popular as domestic pets but there is limited information on the health of the wider pet population. This study aimed to report demography, commonly diagnosed disorders and mortality of guinea pigs under UK primary veterinary care.

Methods

Diagnosis and mortality information on guinea pigs was extracted from anonymised UK primary-care clinical records in VetCompass.

Results

From 51,622 guinea pigs under primary veterinary care during 2019, a specific breed was not recorded in 50,098 (97.05%). Of guinea pigs with information recorded, 23,206 (47.33%) were female and 25,828 (52.67%) were male. There were 1,020 (2.08%) neutered and 48,014 (97.92%) entire. Median adult bodyweight overall was 1.05kg (interquartile range [IQR] 0.90–1.19, range 0.40–2.66). From a random sample of 3,785/51,622 (7.33%) guinea pigs, the most prevalent disorders were overgrown nail(s) (n = 1,005, 26.55%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 25.15–27.99), dermatophytosis (228, 6.02%, 95% CI 5.29–6.83) and corneal ulceration (189, 4.99%, 95% CI 4.32–5.74). Among the 30 most common disorders, females showed predisposition for 3 disorders and males showed predisposition for 5 disorders. The disorder with the youngest age of affected animals was dermatophytosis (1.11 years) while weight loss had the oldest age of affected animals (4.64 years). From 757 recorded deaths, the median age at death overall was 4.03 years (IQR 2.56–5.44, range 0.17–10.00). Among deaths with a recorded cause, the most common causes of death were anorexia (n = 82, 13.87%, 95% CI 11.19–16.93), collapsed (58, 9.81%, 95% CI 7.54–12.50) and peri-anaesthetic death (20, 3.38%, 95% CI 2.08–5.18).

Conclusions

These results can assist veterinarians and owners by providing demographic, disorder and mortality benchmarks that support improved clinical care and welfare outcomes in guinea pigs. Many common disorders in guinea pigs were husbandry related.
Synergistic difference in the effect of stretching on electromechanical delay components
Authors: Toninelli Nicholas , Coratella Giuseppe , Longo Stefano , Romani Giulia M. , Doria Christian , Rampichini Susanna , Limonta Eloisa , Esposito Fabio , Cè Emiliano
Published: March 2024

This study investigated the synergistic difference in the effect of stretching on electromechanical delay (EMD) and its components, using a simultaneous recording of electromyographic, mechanomyographic, and force signals. Twenty-six healthy men underwent plantar flexors passive stretching. Before and after stretching, the electrochemical and mechanical components of the EMD and the relaxation EMD (R-EMD) were calculated in gastrocnemius medialis (GM), lateralis (GL) and soleus (SOL) during a supramaximal motor point stimulation. Additionally, joint passive stiffness was assessed. At baseline, the mechanical components of EMD and R-EMD were longer in GM and GL than SOL (Cohen’s d from 1.78 to 3.67). Stretching decreased joint passive stiffness [-22(8)%, d = -1.96] while overall lengthened the electrochemical and mechanical EMD. The mechanical R-EMD components were affected more in GM [21(2)%] and GL [22(2)%] than SOL [12(1)%], with d ranging from 0.63 to 1.81. Negative correlations between joint passive stiffness with EMD and R-EMD mechanical components were found before and after stretching in all muscles (r from -0.477 to -0.926; P from 0.007 to <0.001). These results suggest that stretching plantar flexors affected GM and GL more than SOL. Future research should calculate EMD and R-EMD to further investigate the mechanical adaptations induced by passive stretching in synergistic muscles.