bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optically Addressable Spin Qubits in 2D Materials
Authors: Li Tongcang
Published: April 2024

We have created spin qubits in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), a 2D van der Waals material, for quantum sensing. We optical polarized and coherently controlled nuclear spins in hBN, and sensed paramagnetic ions in liquids.
Large-Scale Programmable Silicon Photonic Circuits
Authors: Bogaerts Wim
Published: April 2024

Photonic circuits are usually designed for one application. Programmable photonics changes this by making the paths of light configurable. But this introduces complexity and scaling challenges in optical loss, power consumption and electronic control.
End-to-End Learning for Computational Microscopy
Authors: Waller Laura
Published: April 2024

Computational imaging involves the joint design of imaging system hardware and software, optimizing across the entire pipeline from acquisition to reconstruction. Computers can replace bulky and expensive optics by solving computational inverse problems. This talk will describe end-to-end learning for development of new microscopes and space-time algorithms that use computational imaging to enable 3D fluorescence and phase measurement with high resolution and dynamic samples.
Quantum Theme Invited Speaker: Title to be Announced
Authors: Orcutt Jason
Published: April 2024

Abstract not available.
Color-Perception-Guided Display Power Reduction for Virtual Reality
Authors: Sun Qi
Published: April 2024

Abstract not available.
Imaging Spectroscopy and Machine Learning for Earth Science
Authors: Eckert Regina
Published: April 2024

Imaging spectroscopy, or hyperspectral imaging, will form a core part of NASA’s Earth System Observatory’s, which aims to understand and monitor Earth processes. We will discuss the challenges and opportunities of processing these rich datasets on a global scale.
Modifying single-crystal silicon and trimming silicon microring devices by femtosecond laser irradiation
Authors: Du Jia , Zhou Libing , Xu Weixiao , Zhao Yuanan , Chen MingZhe , Zhang BoYu , Chen Weibiao
Published: April 2024

Single-crystal silicon (c-Si) is a vital component of photonic devices and has obvious advantages. Moreover, femtosecond-pulsed laser interactions with matter have been widely applied in micro/nanoscale processing. In this paper, we report the modification mechanisms of c-Si induced by a femtosecond laser (350 fs, 520 nm) at different pulse fluences, along with the mechanism of this technique to trim the phase error of c-Si-based devices. In this study, several distinct types of final micro/nanostructures, such as amorphization and ablation, were analyzed. The near-surface morphology was characterized using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The main physical modification processes were further analyzed using a two-temperature model. By employing Raman spectroscopy, we demonstrated that a higher laser fluence significantly contributes to the formation of more amorphous silicon components. The thickness of the amorphous layer was almost uniform (approximately 30 nm) at different induced fluences, as determined using transmission electron microscopy. From the ellipsometry measurements, we demonstrated that the refractive index increases for amorphization while the ablation decreases. In addition, we investigated the ability of the femtosecond laser to modify the effective index of c-Si microring waveguides by either amorphization or ablation. Both blue and red shifts of resonance spectra were achieved in the microring devices, resulting in double-direction trimming. Our results provide further insight into the femtosecond laser modification mechanism of c-Si and may be a practical method for dealing with the fabrication errors of c-Si-based photonic devices.
Instantaneous frequency measurement system based on quantum dash mode-locked laser
Authors: Xie Yuxuan , Khalil Mostafa , Liu Jiaren , Lu Zhenguo , Poole Philip J. , Weber John , Liu Guocheng , Rahim Mohamed , Chen Lawrence R.
Published: April 2024

We present the theory and experimental results of a microwave photonic (MWP) filter based instantaneous frequency measurement system. A quantum dash mode-locked laser is used as an optical frequency comb source. With up to 41 flat comb lines and a real-time feedback loop for comb shaping, a set of MWP filters with linear frequency responses for either linear unit or dB unit are experimentally demonstrated. The maximum measurement frequency can be up to 20 GHz limited by the available test-and-measurement instruments. By using one MWP filter, the root-mean-square error is 51∼66 MHz, which can be improved to 42.2 MHz for linear unit, and 30.7 MHz for dB unit by using two MWP filters together.
Nonlinear dynamics of an interband cascade laser with optical injection
Authors: Lin Kai-Li , Wang Peng-Lei , Peng Yi-Bo , Deng Yu , Wang Cheng
Published: April 2024

This work reports the nonlinear dynamics of a mid-infrared interband cascade laser (ICL) subject to optical injection. It is shown that the stable locking regime is asymmetric and broadens with increasing injection strength. Outside the locking regime, the ICL mostly produces period-one oscillations. However, three categories of periodic pulse oscillations are observed in the vicinity of the Hopf bifurcation and the saddle-node bifurcation. In particular, it is found that the ICL generates broadband chaos at a near-threshold pump current, and the chaos bandwidth is over 300 MHz.
Experimental demonstration of optical waveform transmission with multiple-eigenvalue 16-APSK modulation
Authors: Huang Tao , Li Jianping , Qin Yuwen , Yu Xinkuo , He Jianqing , Zhou Gai , Zhang Jianbo , Fu Songnian
Published: April 2024

The multi-eigenvalue multiplexing-based discrete spectrum-modulated nonlinear frequency-division multiplexing (DS-NFDM) system with higher-order modulation format has been demonstrated experimentally. After designing the coefficients of the eigenvalue set and the constellation point distribution of 16-amplitude phase shift keying (16-APSK), the realizations of 14-, 30-, and 46-eigenvalue multiplexed DS-NFDM signals have been implemented. The results show that 46-eigenvalue and 30-eigenvalue multiplexed DS-NFDM signals can transmit 50 km and 400 km over a nonzero dispersion-shifted fiber (NZDSF) under soft-decision forward error correction (SD-FEC) threshold of 2.4E-2, respectively. This demonstration shows for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, the record for multiplexed eigenvalue number and data rate of the multiple-eigenvalue-based DS-NFDM system.
High-performance GeSi/Ge multi-quantum well photodetector on a Ge-buffered Si substrate
Authors: Wang He , Kong Zhenzhen , Tan Xinguang , Su Jiale , Du Junhao , Lin Hongxiao , Li Ben , Wang Yijie , Zhou Ziwei , Miao Yuanhao , Zhao Xuewei , Hu Qin , Radamson Henry H.
Published: April 2024

This work demonstrates a high-performance photodetector with a 4-cycle Ge0.86Si0.14/Ge multi-quantum well (MQW) structure grown by reduced pressure chemical vapor deposition techniques on a Ge-buffered Si (100) substrate. At −1 V bias, the dark current density of the fabricated PIN mesa devices is as low as 3 mA/cm2, and the optical responsivities are 0.51 and 0.17 A/W at 1310 and 1550 nm, respectively, corresponding to the cutoff wavelength of 1620 nm. At the same time, the device has good high-power performance and continuous repeatable light response. On the other hand, the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of the device is as high as −5.18%/K, surpassing all commercial thermal detectors. These results indicate that the CMOS-compatible and low-cost Ge0.86Si0.14/Ge multilayer structure is promising for short-wave infrared and uncooled infrared imaging.
Menlo Systems‘ ORS Ultrastable Laser System: A portable solution for state-of-the-art performance in high-precision measurements
Authors: Simpson Malcolm , Krok Patrizia , Thomas Gabrielle , Lessing Maurice
Published: April 2024

This White Paper describes the operating principle, technical details, and performance of the Menlo Systems ORS Ultrastable Laser System. It gives a general overview of applications for ultrastable lasers, with specific use cases of Menlo Systems’ ORS systems. A more detailed presentation of an application using a novel approach for clock comparisons [1] demonstrates the capabilities of a commercial ultrastable laser system to perform state-of-the-art measurements, and the potential for future field applications
Effects and perceptions of weather, climate, and climate change on outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism in the United States: A systematic review
Authors: Wilkins Emily J. , Horne Lydia
Published: April 2024

Weather, climate, and climate change all effect outdoor recreation and tourism, and will continue to cause a multitude of effects as the climate warms. We conduct a systematic literature review to better understand how weather, climate, and climate change affect outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism across the United States. We specifically explore how the effects differ by recreational activity, and how visitors and supply-side tourism operators perceive these effects and risks. The 82 papers reviewed show the complex ways in which weather, climate, and climate change may affect outdoor recreation, with common themes being an extended season to participate in warm-weather activities, a shorter season to participate in snow-dependent activities, and larger negative effects to activities that depend on somewhat consistent precipitation levels (e.g., snow-based recreation, water-based recreation, fishing). Nature-based tourists perceive a variety of climate change effects on tourism, and some recreationists have already changed their behavior as a result of climate change. Nature-based tourism suppliers are already noticing a wide variety of climate change effects, including shifts in seasonality of specific activities and visitation overall. Collectively, this review provides insights into our current understanding of climate change and outdoor recreation and opportunities for future research.
Predictive modeling of skin permeability for molecules: Investigating FDA-approved drug permeability with various AI algorithms
Authors: Abdallah Rami M. , Hasan Hisham E. , Hammad Ahmad
Published: April 2024

The transdermal route of drug administration has gained popularity for its convenience and bypassing the first-pass metabolism. Accurate skin permeability prediction is crucial for successful transdermal drug delivery (TDD). In this study, we address this critical need to enhance TDD. A dataset comprising 441 records for 140 molecules with diverse LogKp values was characterized. The descriptor calculation yielded 145 relevant descriptors. Machine learning models, including MLR, RF, XGBoost, CatBoost, LGBM, and ANN, were employed for regression analysis. Notably, LGBM, XGBoost, and gradient boosting models outperformed others, demonstrating superior predictive accuracy. Key descriptors influencing skin permeability, such as hydrophobicity, hydrogen bond donors, hydrogen bond acceptors, and topological polar surface area, were identified and visualized. Cluster analysis applied to the FDA-approved drug dataset (2326 compounds) revealed four distinct clusters with significant differences in molecular characteristics. Predicted LogKp values for these clusters offered insights into the permeability variations among FDA-approved drugs. Furthermore, an investigation into skin permeability patterns across 83 classes of FDA-approved drugs based on the ATC code showcased significant differences, providing valuable information for drug development strategies. The study underscores the importance of accurate skin permeability prediction for TDD, emphasizing the superior performance of nonlinear machine learning models. The identified key descriptors and clusters contribute to a nuanced understanding of permeability characteristics among FDA-approved drugs. These findings offer actionable insights for drug design, formulation, and prioritization of molecules with optimum properties, potentially reducing reliance on costly experimental testing. Future research directions include offering promising applications in pharmaceutical research and formulation within the burgeoning field of computer-aided drug design.
Domestic dogs in indigenous Amazonian communities: Key players in Leptospira cycling and transmission?
Authors: Guzmán Diego A. , Diaz Eduardo , Sáenz Carolina , Álvarez Hernán , Cueva Rubén , Zapata-Ríos Galo , Prado-Vivar Belén , Falconí Mercy , Pearson Talima , Barragan Veronica
Published: April 2024

Background

Leptospirosis is the world’s most common zoonotic disease. Mitigation and control rely on pathogen identification and understanding the roles of potential reservoirs in cycling and transmission. Underreporting and misdiagnosis obscure the magnitude of the problem and confound efforts to understand key epidemiological components. Difficulties in culturing hamper the use of serological diagnostics and delay the development of DNA detection methods. As a result, especially in complex ecosystems, we know very little about the importance of different mammalian host species in cycling and transmission to humans.

Methodology/principal findings

We sampled dogs from five indigenous Kichwa communities living in the Yasuní National Park in the Ecuadorian Amazon basin. Blood and urine samples from domestic dogs were collected to assess the exposure of these animals to Leptospira and to identify the circulating species. Microscopic Agglutination Tests with a panel of 22 different serovars showed anti-leptospira antibodies in 36 sampled dogs (75%), and 7 serogroups were detected. Two DNA-based detection assays revealed pathogenic Leptospira DNA in 18 of 19 dog urine samples (94.7%). Amplicon sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and SecY genes from 15 urine samples revealed genetic diversity within two of three different Leptospira species: noguchii (n = 7), santarosai (n = 7), and interrogans (n = 1).

Conclusions/significance

The high prevalence of antibodies and Leptospira DNA provides strong evidence for high rates of past and current infections. Such high prevalence has not been previously reported for dogs. These dogs live in the peridomestic environment in close contact with humans, yet they are free-ranging animals that interact with wildlife. This complex web of interactions may explain the diverse types of pathogenic Leptospira observed in this study. Our results suggest that domestic dogs are likely to play an important role in the cycling and transmission of Leptospira. Future studies in areas with complex ecoepidemiology will enable better parsing of the significance of genotypic, environmental, and host characteristics.
Occupational biopsychosocial factors associated with neck pain intensity, neck-disability, and sick leave: A cross-sectional study of construction labourers in an African population
Authors: Igwesi-Chidobe Chinonso N. , Effiong Excellence , Umunnah Joseph O. , Ozumba Benjamin C.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

The burden and impact of neck pain is high in African countries including Nigeria. This study investigated the occupational biomechanical and occupational psychosocial factors associated with neck pain intensity, neck disability and sick leave amongst construction labourers in an urban Nigerian population.

Methods

This cross-sectional study measured clinical neck pain outcomes, occupational biomechanical factors, and occupational psychosocial factors. Descriptive, and univariate/multivariate inferential statistical analyses were conducted.

Results

Significant independent factors associated with neck pain intensity were order and pace of tasks being dependent on others (β = 0.35; p<0.0001); inability to take breaks in addition to scheduled breaks (β = 0.25; p<0.0001); inability to work because of unexpected events (β = 0.21; p<0.0001); inability to control the order and pace of tasks (β = 0.20; p<0.0001); and weight of load (β = 0.17; p<0.0001); accounting for 53% of the variance in neck pain intensity. Significant independent factors associated with neck disability were weight of load (β = 0.30; p<0.0001); duration of load carriage (β = 0.16; p = 0.01); working under time pressure/deadlines (β = 0.16; p = 0.02); and accounting for 20% of the variance in neck disability. Significant independent factor associated with sick leave was duration of load carriage (β = 0.15; p = 0.04), in a non-significant regression model explaining -4% of the variance in sick leave. Addition of pain intensity significantly explained more variance in neck disability (31.0%) but less variance in sick leave (-5%), which was not statistically significant (F (10, 190) = 0.902, p = 0.533).

Conclusions

Occupational biomechanical factors may be more important than occupational psychosocial factors in explaining neck disability and sick leave. In contrast, occupational psychosocial factors may be more important than occupational biomechanical factors in explaining neck pain intensity in this population in Nigeria.
Is there a stronger willingness to pay for photovoltaic power generation with high education in China?
Authors: Zhang Zhenghua , Hu Lun
Published: April 2024

Adoption of clean electric energy depends not only on administrative regulations, but also on public support, in particular, the public is willing to pay for environmental improvements. However, the increase of solar photovoltaic power generation willingness to pay (WTP) associated with higher education attainment and the identification of their causality has been missing. Present paper used the enactment of the Compulsory Schooling Law as an instrumental variable to solve the causal relationship between education and willingness to pay for photovoltaic power generation. The results are as follows:Heckman two-stage model and instrumental variable both confirmed that higher education has a positive impact on WTP for solar photovoltaic power generation. For each level of public education in the east, the WTP of photovoltaic power generation will increase by 7.540 CNY, 8.343 CNY and 8.343 CNY respectively, the central public will increase by 9.637 CNY, 10.775 CNY and 11.758 CNY, and the western public will increase by 12.723 CNY, 15.740 CNY and 17.993 CNY respectively. The positive influence of education level is smaller among the people who know the ladder price better, but it is bigger among the people who are male, older than 45 years old, healthier, higher income and stronger awareness of safe electricity use. The total socio-economic value of photovoltaic power generation is significantly different in eastern, central and western region China.
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with COVID-19 on mechanical ventilation undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy
Authors: Choi Dae-Eun , Kim Duk Ki , Park Sunghoon , Lee Su Hwan , Park Onyu , Kim Taehwa , Yeo Hye Ju , Jang Jin Ho , Cho Woo Hyun , Lee Song I. ,   On behalf of Korean Intensive Care Study Group
Published: April 2024

Background

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly strained global healthcare, particularly in the management of patients requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). This study investigated the characteristics and prognoses of these patients.

Methods

This multicenter retrospective cohort study gathered data from patients with COVID-19 across 26 medical centers. Logistic analysis was used to identify the factors associated with CRRT implementation.

Results

Of the 640 patients with COVID-19 who required MV, 123 (19.2%) underwent CRRT. Compared to the non-CRRT group, the CRRT group was older and exhibited higher sequential organ failure assessment scores. The incidence of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic neurological disease, and chronic kidney disease was also higher in the CRRT group. Moreover, the CRRT group had higher intensive care unit (ICU) (75.6% vs. 26.9%, p < 0.001) and in-hospital (79.7% vs. 29.6%, p < 0.001) mortality rates. CRRT implementation was identified as an independent risk factor for both ICU mortality (hazard ratio [HR]:1.833, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.342–2.505, p < 0.001) and in-hospital mortality (HR: 2.228, 95% CI: 1.648–3.014, p < 0.001). Refractory respiratory failure (n = 99, 19.1%) was the most common cause of death in the non-CRRT death group, and shock with multi-organ failure (n = 50, 40.7%) was the most common cause of death in the CRRT death group. Shock with multi-organ failure and cardiac death were significantly more common in the CRRT death group, compared to non-CRRT death group.

Conclusion

This study indicates that CRRT is associated with higher ICU and in-hospital mortality rates in patients with COVID-19 who require MV. Notably, the primary cause of death in the CRRT group was shock with multi-organ failure, emphasizing the severe clinical course for these patients, while refractory respiratory failure was most common in non-CRRT patients.
The longitudinal relationship between fear of movement and physical activity after cardiac hospitalization: A cross lagged panel model
Authors: Keessen Paul , Kan Kees Jan , ter Riet Gerben , Visser Bart , Jørstad Harald T. , Latour Corine H. M. , van Duijvenbode Ingrid C. D. , Scholte op Reimer Wilma J. M.
Published: April 2024

Background

Little is known about the association between fear of movement (kinesiophobia) and objectively measured physical activity (PA), the first 12 weeks after cardiac hospitalization.

Purpose

To assess the longitudinal association between kinesiophobia and objectively measured PA and to assess the factor structure of kinesiophobia.

Methods

We performed a longitudinal observational study. PA was continuously measured from hospital discharge to 12 weeks using the Personal Activity Monitor. The PAM measures time spent per day in PA-intensity categories: light, moderate and heavy. Kinesiophobia was assessed with the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) at four time points (hospital discharge, 3, 6 and 12 weeks). The longitudinal association between PA-intensity and kinesiophobia was studied with a random intercept cross lagged panel model (RI-CLPM). A RI-CLPM estimates effects from kinesiophobia on objectively measured PA and vice versa (cross-over effects), and autoregressive effects (e.g. kinesiophobia from one occasion to the next).

Results

In total, 116 patients (83.6% male) with a median age of 65.5 were included in this study. On no occasion did we find an effect of kinesiophobia on PA and vice versa. Model fit for the original model was poor (X2: = 44.646 P<0.001). Best model fit was found for a model were kinesiophobia was modelled as a stable between factor (latent variable) and PA as autoregressive component (dynamic process) (X2 = 27.541 P<0.12).

Conclusion

Kinesiophobia and objectively measured PA are not associated in the first 12 weeks after hospital discharge. This study shows that kinesiophobia remained relatively stable, 12 weeks after hospital discharge, despite fluctuations in light to moderate PA-intensity.
Quantifying intra-tumoral genetic heterogeneity of glioblastoma toward precision medicine using MRI and a data-inclusive machine learning algorithm
Authors: Wang Lujia , Wang Hairong , D’Angelo Fulvio , Curtin Lee , Sereduk Christopher P. , Leon Gustavo De , Singleton Kyle W. , Urcuyo Javier , Hawkins-Daarud Andrea , Jackson Pamela R. , Krishna Chandan , Zimmerman Richard S. , Patra Devi P. , Bendok Bernard R. , Smith Kris A. , Nakaji Peter , Donev Kliment , Baxter Leslie C. , Mrugała Maciej M. , Ceccarelli Michele , Iavarone Antonio , Swanson Kristin R. , Tran Nhan L. , Hu Leland S. , Li Jing
Published: April 2024

Background and objective

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive and lethal human cancers. Intra-tumoral genetic heterogeneity poses a significant challenge for treatment. Biopsy is invasive, which motivates the development of non-invasive, MRI-based machine learning (ML) models to quantify intra-tumoral genetic heterogeneity for each patient. This capability holds great promise for enabling better therapeutic selection to improve patient outcome.

Methods

We proposed a novel Weakly Supervised Ordinal Support Vector Machine (WSO-SVM) to predict regional genetic alteration status within each GBM tumor using MRI. WSO-SVM was applied to a unique dataset of 318 image-localized biopsies with spatially matched multiparametric MRI from 74 GBM patients. The model was trained to predict the regional genetic alteration of three GBM driver genes (EGFR, PDGFRA and PTEN) based on features extracted from the corresponding region of five MRI contrast images. For comparison, a variety of existing ML algorithms were also applied. Classification accuracy of each gene were compared between the different algorithms. The SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) method was further applied to compute contribution scores of different contrast images. Finally, the trained WSO-SVM was used to generate prediction maps within the tumoral area of each patient to help visualize the intra-tumoral genetic heterogeneity.

Results

WSO-SVM achieved 0.80 accuracy, 0.79 sensitivity, and 0.81 specificity for classifying EGFR; 0.71 accuracy, 0.70 sensitivity, and 0.72 specificity for classifying PDGFRA; 0.80 accuracy, 0.78 sensitivity, and 0.83 specificity for classifying PTEN; these results significantly outperformed the existing ML algorithms. Using SHAP, we found that the relative contributions of the five contrast images differ between genes, which are consistent with findings in the literature. The prediction maps revealed extensive intra-tumoral region-to-region heterogeneity within each individual tumor in terms of the alteration status of the three genes.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the feasibility of using MRI and WSO-SVM to enable non-invasive prediction of intra-tumoral regional genetic alteration for each GBM patient, which can inform future adaptive therapies for individualized oncology.
Not all Medicaid for pregnancy care is delivered equally
Authors: Swartz Jonas J. , Kaufman Menolly , Rodriguez Maria I.
Published: April 2024

Objectives

Pregnant beneficiaries in the two primary Medicaid eligibility categories, traditional Medicaid and pregnancy Medicaid, have differing access to care especially in the preconception and postpartum periods. Pregnancy Medicaid has higher income limits for eligibility than traditional Medicaid but only provides coverage during and for a limited time period after pregnancy. Our objective was to determine the association between type of Medicaid (traditional Medicaid and pregnancy Medicaid) on receipt of outpatient care during the perinatal period.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study compared outpatient visits using linked birth certificate and Medicaid claims from all Medicaid births in Oregon and South Carolina from 2014 through 2019. Pregnancy Medicaid ended 60 days postpartum during the study. Our primary outcome was average number of outpatient visits per 100 beneficiaries each month during three perinatal time points: preconceputally (three months prior to conception), prenatally (9 months prior to birthdate) and postpartum (from birth to 12 months).

Results

Among 105,808 Medicaid-covered births in Oregon and 141,385 births in South Carolina, pregnancy Medicaid was the most prevelant categorical eligibility. Traditional Medicaid recipients had a higher average number of preconception, prenatal and postpartum visits as compared to those in pregnancy Medicaid.

Discussion

In South Carolina, those using traditional Medicaid had 450% more preconception visits and 70% more postpartum visits compared with pregnancy Medicaid. In Oregon, those using traditional Medicaid had 200% more preconception visits and 29% more postpartum visits than individuals using pregnancy Medicaid. Lack of coverage in both the preconception and postpartum period deprive women of adequate opportunities to access health care or contraception. Changes to pregnancy Medicaid, including extended postpartum coverage through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, may facilitate better continuity of care.
Machine learning for differentiating lung squamous cell cancer from adenocarcinoma using Clinical-Metabolic characteristics and 18F-FDG PET/CT radiomics
Authors: Zhang Yalin , Liu Huiling , Chang Cheng , Yin Yong , Wang Ruozheng
Published: April 2024

Noninvasive differentiation between the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (ADC) subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) could benefit patients who are unsuitable for invasive diagnostic procedures. Therefore, this study evaluates the predictive performance of a PET/CT-based radiomics model. It aims to distinguish between the histological subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, employing four different machine learning techniques. A total of 255 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients were retrospectively analyzed and randomly divided into the training (n = 177) and validation (n = 78) sets, respectively. Radiomics features were extracted, and the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) method was employed for feature selection. Subsequently, models were constructed using four distinct machine learning techniques, with the top-performing algorithm determined by evaluating metrics such as accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the curve (AUC). The efficacy of the various models was appraised and compared using the DeLong test. A nomogram was developed based on the model with the best predictive efficiency and clinical utility, and it was validated using calibration curves. Results indicated that the logistic regression classifier had better predictive power in the validation cohort of the radiomic model. The combined model (AUC 0.870) exhibited superior predictive power compared to the clinical model (AUC 0.848) and the radiomics model (AUC 0.774). In this study, we discovered that the combined model, refined by the logistic regression classifier, exhibited the most effective performance in classifying the histological subtypes of NSCLC.
LDA2Net Digging under the surface of COVID-19 scientific literature topics via a network-based approach
Authors: Minello Giorgia , Santagiustina Carlo Romano Marcello Alessandro , Warglien Massimo
Published: April 2024

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the scientific literature related to SARS-COV-2 has been growing dramatically. These literary items encompass a varied set of topics, ranging from vaccination to protective equipment efficacy as well as lockdown policy evaluations. As a result, the development of automatic methods that allow an in-depth exploration of this growing literature has become a relevant issue, both to identify the topical trends of COVID-related research and to zoom-in on its sub-themes. This work proposes a novel methodology, called LDA2Net, which combines topic modelling and network analysis, to investigate topics under their surface. More specifically, LDA2Net exploits the frequencies of consecutive words pairs (i.e. bigram) to build those network structures underlying the hidden topics extracted from large volumes of text by Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA). Results are promising and suggest that the topic model efficacy is magnified by the network-based representation. In particular, such enrichment is noticeable when it comes to displaying and exploring the topics at different levels of granularity.
No clear evidence of a difference between individuals who self-report an absence of auditory imagery and typical imagers on auditory imagery tasks
Authors: Pounder Zoë , Eardley Alison F. , Loveday Catherine , Evans Samuel
Published: April 2024

Aphantasia is characterised by the inability to create mental images in one’s mind. Studies investigating impairments in imagery typically focus on the visual domain. However, it is possible to generate many different forms of imagery including imagined auditory, kinesthetic, tactile, motor, taste and other experiences. Recent studies show that individuals with aphantasia report a lack of imagery in modalities, other than vision, including audition. However, to date, no research has examined whether these reductions in self-reported auditory imagery are associated with decrements in tasks that require auditory imagery. Understanding the extent to which visual and auditory imagery deficits co-occur can help to better characterise the core deficits of aphantasia and provide an alternative perspective on theoretical debates on the extent to which imagery draws on modality-specific or modality-general processes. In the current study, individuals that self-identified as being aphantasic and matched control participants with typical imagery performed two tasks: a musical pitch-based imagery and voice-based categorisation task. The majority of participants with aphantasia self-reported significant deficits in both auditory and visual imagery. However, we did not find a concomitant decrease in performance on tasks which require auditory imagery, either in the full sample or only when considering those participants that reported significant deficits in both domains. These findings are discussed in relation to the mechanisms that might obscure observation of imagery deficits in auditory imagery tasks in people that report reduced auditory imagery.
Affectivity and job satisfaction in Latin American workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cluster analysis
Authors: Rincón Uribe Fabio Alexis , Neira Espejo Cristian Ariel , de Souza Godinho Rejane Célia , da Silva Pedroso Janari
Published: April 2024

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have experienced sudden changes in their lives, especially in their work dynamics. In this context, the balance of positive and negative affective experiences can influence workers’ job satisfaction. Objectives: Explore the levels of job satisfaction, related to positive and negative affect, in a group of Latin American workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: The sample included 594 Latin American workers (M = 38, aged between 18 and 60; SD = 10.47), of both sexes, who answered a sociodemographic questionnaire online and two psychological measures of affect and job satisfaction. Ward’s hierarchical cluster analysis and K-means were used as methods. Results: Four worker groups were identified: Group 1, high levels of positive and negative affect with high job satisfaction; Group 2, low levels of positive and negative affect with low job satisfaction; Group 3, high levels of positive affect and low levels of negative affect with high job satisfaction; Group 4, low levels of positive affect and high levels of negative affect with low job satisfaction. Conclusions: Groups with high levels of positive affect experienced high job satisfaction, while groups with high or low levels of negative affect and low levels of positive affect experienced low job satisfaction.
Analysis of the Formulation of the National Biofuels Policy - Renovabio: the Territorial, the Political and the Economic
Authors: Andrade Virginia Corrêa Santos de , Rodrigues Gelze Serrat de Souza Campos
Published: April 2024

Concern over climate change currently occupies a central role, with the staging of world environmental events to discuss the effects of excessive fossil fuel use and their negative impacts on the environment. The Paris Agreement was signed within this perspective, in which Brazil adopted targets for the reconfiguration of its energy matrix and subsequently created the Política Nacional de Biocombustíveis (RenovaBio - National Biofuels Policy), through Law no. 13.576/2017, to reach these targets. As another public policy aimed at encouraging agribusiness, being derived from a strong history of the sugar-energy sector depending on state measures to sustain it, it is important to reflect beyond the formal content of the public policy and observe the interests it seeks to defend. Furthermore, by creating an expansion mechanism for the cultivation of sugarcane, RenovaBio brings territorial and environmental impacts. Thus, the present article aims to analyze the formulation stage of the public policy, to verify the economic and political context that supported the approval of, and subsequent alterations to RenovaBio. Methodologically, the analysis was carried out on three levels: Superficial; Territorial Coverage; and Structural. It was found that there was the formation of a network of actors involved in the process, which demonstrates the existence of power relationships, at times translated through subordination, resource dependence, or political support. These actors were involved in the construction of the text of the Law to favor the group, the approval of the bill in record time, its directed regulation, the relaxation of requirements, and the fixing of high Decarbonization Credit acquisition targets. RenovaBio is extremely promising; however, there are loopholes that need to be resolved and a series of political interferences that hinder the development, transparency, and credibility of the program.
Re-Considering Market Development Approaches to Support Nunavut Inuit Priorities in the Seal Market
Authors: Vanderkaden Sara , Bailey Megan , Giles Amber , Milley Chris
Published: April 2024

Seal hunting is a long-standing cultural practice for Inuit, who have also long participated in the commercial seal market. Inuit were negatively impacted by anti-sealing campaigns that resulted in international trade bans and subsequent market collapses for seal products. To improve market access for Inuit seal products, the Canadian government established the Certification and Market Access Program for Seals (CMAPS) to support export of Inuit seal products in European Union markets. In 2015, the Government of Nunavut became an Attestation Body under the EU Indigenous Communities Exemption, which enables the Government to certify Nunavut seal products for export into EU markets. To date, market development efforts have largely focused on supporting the export market for Nunavut sealskins, while less attention has focused on how such efforts impact the local value chain and meet the needs of Nunavut Inuit involved in the seal market. Focus group discussions with Inuit value chain actors in Iqaluit and Qikiqtarjuaq provide insight into the Nunavut seal value chain and explore perspectives of how government policies and programmes are meeting the needs of Nunavut Inuit. Findings revealed multiple gaps in the local value chain that have gone largely unaddressed due to a priority on export markets over the local value chain. These gaps limit export development opportunities and the ability for the seal market to adequately meet the needs of Nunavut Inuit and Nunavummiut alike. Collectively, this study demonstrates the importance of centralizing Inuit in economic development policies to support local economies and ensure Inuit priorities are met.
Editorial
Authors: Farmácia Conselho Federal de
Published: April 2024

Editorial
INCIDENT OF DRY EYE IN FK UNDIP STUDENTS USING SMARTPHONES
Authors: Purnomo Adella Setyo , Wildan Arief , Rahmi Fifin Luthfia , Saubig Arnila Novitasari
Published: April 2024

Background: Smartphone use is increasing over time and often causes Dry Eye Syndrome (DES). Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface characterized by loss of homeostasis and causes various ocular symptoms. The Schirmer test is a measurement of the tears quantity to diagnose DES. Objective: To determine the effect of smartphone use on the results of Schirmer test measurements. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental research with a pre-test and post-test design. The research subjects consisted of 36 students selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria using consecutive sampling. The experimental group (n=18) used a smartphone for 2 hours by watching the video (film), while the control group (n=18) did not use the smartphone. Schirmer tests were carried out before and after observation for 5 minutes using Schirmer paper strips. Statistical tests used the Shapiro-Wilk test with a meaning value of p ≥ 0,05, Chi-square test, Paired t-test, Wilcoxon test, and Mann-Whitney test with a meaning value of p < 0,05. Results: There was a significant decrease in the Schirmer test results (p = 0,020) by 1,334 ± 0,8937 mm in the experimental group and a non-significant increase (p = 0,582) in the control group by 0,362 ± 0,4086 mm. There was a significant difference in the decrease of Schirmer test results between the experimental group compared to the control group (p = 0,048). Conclusion: The use of smartphones influences the decrease in Schirmer test measurement results.
Carrying SNP rs17506395 (T > G) in TP63 gene and CCR5Δ32 mutation associated with the occurrence of breast cancer in Burkina Faso
Authors: Traoré Lassina , Savadogo Mousso , Zouré Abdou Azaque , Kiendrebeogo Touwendpoulimdé Isabelle , Soudre Fabienne Marie B. T. B. , Dabre Soayebo , Traore Aida Djé Djénéba , Adico Marc Donald Wilfried , Lare Tilate , Ouedraogo Teega-Wendé Clarisse , Ouedraogo Rogomenoma Alice , Ouattara Abdoul Karim , Yelemkoure Edwige T. , Sawadogo Alexis Yobi , Zongo Nayi , Bambara Hierrhum Aboubacar , Nadembega Christelle W. , Djigma Florencia W. , Simpore Jacques
Published: April 2024

Genetic alterations in the TP63 (GenBank: NC_000003.12, ID: 8626) and CCR5 (receptor 5 chemokine co-receptor) (GenBank: NC_000003.12, ID: 1234) genes may increase the risk of developing breast cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the probable involvement of polymorphisms rs17506395 in the TP63 (tumour protein 63) gene and the CCR5Δ32 mutation in the occurrence of breast cancer in Burkina Faso. This case–control study included 72 patients and 72 controls. Genotyping of SNP rs17506395 (TP63) was performed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism, and genotyping of the CCR5Δ32 mutation was performed by allele-specific oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction. For SNP rs17506395 (TP63), the genotypic frequencies of wild-type homozygotes (TT) and heterozygotes (TG) were, respectively, 27.72 and 72.22% in cases and 36.11 and 63.89% in controls. No mutated homozygotes (GG) were observed. For the CCR5Δ32 mutation, the genotypic frequencies of wild-type homozygotes (WT/WT) and heterozygotes (WT/Δ32) were 87.5 and 13.5%, respectively, in the cases and 89.29 and 10.71%, respectively, in the controls. No mutated homozygotes (Δ32/Δ32) were observed. None of the polymorphisms rs17506395 of the TP63 gene (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 0.69–3.17, P = 0.284) and the CCR5Δ32 mutation (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 0.46–3.77; P = 0.79) were associated with the occurrence of breast cancer in this study.
pH-based colorimetric detection of monofunctional aldehydes in liquid and gas phases
Authors: dela Cruz Ma. Carmela P. , Organo Voltaire G.
Published: April 2024

An ammonium chloride–Congo red (NH4Cl-CR) solution is presented as a potential sensing solution for aldehydes. Monofunctional aldehydes such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, benzaldehyde, and isobutyraldehyde caused changes in the pH of the sensing solution, producing a color transition from red-orange to violet to blue. This distinguished them from the other compounds, thereby acting as a qualitative test for the functional group. The NH4Cl-CR solution was also employed in making filter paper-based and silica gel-based sensors for formaldehyde and acetaldehyde vapors. These sensors responded positively towards the aldehyde gases through a color transition from pink to blue. The NH4Cl-CR mixture provides a simple and easy-to-handle reagent for the detection of both liquid and gaseous aldehydes which has potential applications in environmental monitoring.
Investigating the effect of resveratrol on apoptosis and regulation of gene expression of Caco-2 cells: Unravelling potential implications for colorectal cancer treatment
Authors: Al-Zharani Mohammed , Alkahtane Abdullah A. , AL-Johani Norah S. , Almutairi Bader , Alkeraishan Nora , Alarifi Saud , Alrajeh Sahirah M. , Yaseen Khadijah N. , Aljarba Nada H. , Nasr Fahd A. , Alkahtani Saad
Published: April 2024

Colorectal cancer is known for its substantial impact on global morbidity and mortality, with higher prevalence in developed regions. This study delves into the potential treatment advantages of resveratrol (RSV) in addressing colorectal cancer. Apoptosis and gene expression associated with apoptotic factors were explored using Caco-2 cells, a pertinent model for colorectal adenocarcinoma. The effect of RSV on Caco-2 cell viability was investigated using MTT assay and neutral red uptake assay. The level of generated ROS was high in cells exposed to RSV. Likewise, the enzyme superoxide dismutase, responsible for converting ROS into hydrogen peroxide, was concurrently elevated. The effect of RSV on DNA damage was examined through the TUNEL assay. The gene expression analyses for pro-apoptotic elements were studied using qRT-PCR. Furthermore, the impact of RSV on the migration of Caco-2 cells was conducted through a wound-healing assay. Our results reveal RSV’s cytotoxicity on Caco-2 cells, showing dose-dependent inhibition of viability, indicating its promise as a treatment agent. The induction of cell death by apoptosis is substantiated by DNA damage. Notably, the upregulated expression of caspase-3, Bax, and p53 genes suggests RSV’s potential to modulate key apoptosis-related elements. In addition, RSV displayed an inhibitory effect on cellular migration, a significant (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) in cancer metastasis. These findings underscore RSV’s potential to be a multifaceted therapeutic agent targeting apoptosis and metastatic processes in colorectal cancer.
It’s the political economy after all: Implications of the case of Israel’s media system transition on the theory of media systems
Authors: Schwartz Moshe , Nossek Hillel
Published: April 2024

This study examines the theory of media systems and the models offered by Hallin and Mancini (2004) by focusing on critical junctures in which changes occur. Based on critical political economy and historical institutionalism, we analyzed the Israeli media system transition in the 1980s and early 1990s, seeking to understand the nature of this change and its theoretical implications. Our findings show a combination of government, market, and public forces in a unique situation where political, economic, and social circumstances change. Accordingly, we conclude that a distinction between politics and economy, as the media system theory and, specifically, the liberal model suggests, is invalid under neoliberalism. We argue that research attention should be paid to critical junctions, and that a closer analysis of government and market interrelations can enrich theories of media systems.
Open Forum in the Dedicated Issue of East European Holocaust Studies on Oral History and the Holocaust
Authors: Dolhanov Petro
Published: April 2024

Oral history constitutes one of the pivotal source categories through which we investigate the Holocaust. The more diverse the source base, the more accurately we can reconstruct the events that transpired. Initially, the study of Holocaust history heavily relied on German documents – essentially, viewing the events through the lens of sources produced by the perpetrators. These sources presented the perspective of the Holocaust’s orchestrators and executors.