bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Ultra-broad Supercontinuum Generation Using Chalcogenide Fiber
Authors: Roy Protik , Chaudhuri Partha Roy
Published: July 2024

To optimize the design for pulse propagation and Supercontinuum Generation (SCG), we revisited a chalcogenide glass fiber with elliptical and circular core cross-section. We take As40S60 and As42S58as core and cladding materials for standard step index fiber. By optimizing the fiber structure, we calculate the nonlinear coefficient (γ), and the group velocity dispersion (GVD, β2), for the fundamental modes of the fibers. Table 1 presents the associated data obtained from our observations.
Quantum information processing with continuous variables over optical fiber
Authors: Zhang Kuanshou , Feng Jinxia , Li Yuanji
Published: July 2024

Metropolitan fiber quantum communication network is the key step to construct quantum communication network. Owing to continuous variable (CV) quantum entangled states of optical field can be generated unconditionally and deterministically, high-performance quantum information processing with continuous variables based on quantum states of optical field can be achieved. However, quantum information processing with continuous variable over optical fiber is a great challenge.
Observation of linewidth of electromagnetically induced transparency with temperature
Authors: Pal Anju , Wasan Ajay
Published: July 2024

The EIT linewidth plays an important role in high-precision spectroscopy. The EIT linewidth depends on the parameters like laser intensity, doppler broadening and atomic relaxation, etc. In this study, we have observed the dependence of EIT linewidth on the temperature in the D2 transition of 87Rb. The optical density increases with the increase of temperature, which has application in light storage [1], [2].
Quantum-enhanced stimulated Raman scattering imaging in dual-polarization scheme
Authors: Xu Zicong , Oguchi Kenichi , Nitanai Sho , Taguchi Yoshitaka , Sano Yuki , Ozeki Yasuyuki
Published: July 2024

Benefitting from the sub-Poissonian statistics, squeezed light has been applied to push the shot-noise-limited sensitivity of stimulated Raman scattering spectroscopy and microscopy to a sub-shot-noise level [5]. However, the balanced detection regime requires a high squeezing level to counteract the 3-dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) drawback. In this presentation, we introduce dual-polarization quantum-enhanced stimulated Raman scattering (QESRS), which is also suitable for high-power operation [6]. This approach utilizes a symmetric beamsplitter but detects squeezed light on two independent photodetectors, thus avoiding the 3-dB decrease in SNR.
Real-time data acquisition in THz-TDS using MHz laser repetition rates for lock-in detection
Authors: Balgos Maria Herminia , Hayazawa Norihiko , Tani Masahiko , Tanaka Takuo
Published: July 2024

Terahertz time domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS), which relies on the coherent detection of terahertz radiation using a pump-probe scheme, is one of the most common techniques to measure optical constants at THz frequencies [1]. Standard lock-in detection is often employed to measure weak THz signals with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), For lock-in detection, the signal is modulated at a certain frequency fmod, which is different from the frequencies of unwanted signals. The lock-in amplifier detects and amplifies the signal only at fmod resulting in high SNR. However, data acquisition time is limited by fmod. In particular, the minimum data acquisition time is given by 2/fmod, as dictated by the Nyquist criterion. Previous reports to modulate the THz signals in THz-TDS mostly utilized optical choppers or AC biased photoconductive antenna (PCA) emitters, with reported modulation frequencies varying from few kHz to few hundreds of kHz, respectively [2,3]. Consequently, the data acquisition times need to be about few milliseconds to few hundreds of microseconds, to get acceptable SNR.
Variety of Stokes Beam Generation from Slant-Stripe-Type Periodically Poled Lithium Niobate
Authors: Yadav Deepika , Takida Yuma , Muldera Joselito E. , Minamide Hiroaki
Published: July 2024

Periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) has emerged as a versatile and efficient material for the generation of terahertz (THz)-wave radiation. By making use of its excellent nonlinear optical properties and tailored periodically poled structure for quasi-collinear phase matching (QCPM), a new backward THz-wave parametric oscillator (BW-TPO) was previously realized in a compact, cavity-less setup [1,2]. In this work, we further harness the properties of slant-stripe-type PPLN crystal and show multiple Stokes beam generation at THz frequencies in the backward, forward, and transverse directions.
Chirp optimization for efficient two-color terahertz generation in gas
Authors: Martinez Anna , Idlahcen Said , Houard Jonathan , Paparo Domenico , Vella Angela , Hideur Ammar
Published: July 2024

Terahertz (THz) emission generated from laser plasma formed by the focusing of two-color femtosecond pulses offers broad emission spectra and relatively high THz peak values, making it a widely used technique. One crucial aspect of optimization is controlling the properties of the THz fields produced, and pulse chirp provides an important means for achieving this. Previous studies, such as the work by Zhang et al. [1], have investigated the influence of chirp on the generated THz intensity. Interestingly, it has been found that the dependence of THz intensity on chirp is non-monotonic. In this contribution, we aim to generalize the results obtained in [1] by considering the simultaneous effect of the phase shift between the first and second harmonics, both on the generation efficiency and on the variation of the THz shape. The experimental setup utilizes a Spitfire model laser system from Spectra Physics, delivering a 35 fs infrared pulse with a wavelength of 800 nm, a repetition rate of 1 kHz, and a maximum energy of 4 mJ. The laser beam is divided into two parts, with 90% of the energy dedicated to terahertz generation and mechanically chopped at 145 Hz. The remaining 10% of energy is utilized as a probe for the temporal characterization of terahertz pulses in an electro-optic (EO) sampling setup employing a Gallium Phosphide (GaP) crystal. To manipulate the phase shift, we adjusted the position of the Beta-Barium Borate (BBO) crystal relative to the plasma. Additionally, we induced chirp variation by detuning the diffraction grating of the compressor. In Fig.1 we have reported the results obtained, and the variation of the chirp optimization curve as a function of the phase shift is clear (a). It is also clear that a variation of the chirp can induce a variation of the shape of the THz signal (b).
Optical-skyrmions induced exotic surface structures of azo-polymers
Authors: Tamura Rihito , Kumar Praveen , Rao A. Srinivasa , Miyamoto Katsuhiko , Omatsu Takashige
Published: July 2024

Optical skyrmions [1], in which all polarization states mapped on the Poincaré sphere are projected onto the beam cross-section, have attracted much attention as analogous magnetic skyrmions. Versatile optical skyrmions, such as Néel-, Bloch-, Anti-, and even Hopfion-skyrmions, have been proposed, however, there have been no reports of their polarization textures being transferred to materials, so far.
Riccati Generalization of Optical Rogue waves
Authors: Bhatia Sanjana , Kumar C. N.
Published: July 2024

“Rogue waves”, “freak waves” and “killer waves”, refer to giant isolated waves that appear from nowhere, having amplitudes significantly larger than the background waves. Firstly observed in the oceans as extreme water waves, rogue waves (RWs) are ubiquitous in nature and appear in various contexts such as nonlinear optical systems, Bose-Einstein condensates, microwave cavities, etc. In particular, the study of rogue waves has gained fundamental significance in nonlinear optical systems, because of its potential applications in producing high-intensity optical pulses. Several models have been developed to study the dynamics of RWs, the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) being the most studied one [1].
Femtosecond optical vortex-induced flower-shaped surface relief in azo-polymer
Authors: Ishihara Kana , Miyamoto Katsuhiko , Omatsu Takashige
Published: July 2024

Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) modes, that is most commonly used optical vortices, possess an orbital angular momentum (OAM) characterized by a topological charge, ℓ, associated with their helical wavefronts, and they have been widely studied in a variety of fields, such as optical manipulations, optical-quantum communication, scanning fluorescence microscopes, and materials processing [1,2]. Surface relief formation of azo-polymers occurs through single-photon or two-photon induced trans-cis isomerization, and it has the potential to develop rewritable optical data storages with high data capacity [3].
MW Peak Power UV laser by Fourth Harmonic Generation in YAl3(BO3)4 crystal
Authors: Cassouret Florent , Kausas Arvydas , Loiseau Pascal , Aka Gérard , Rytz Daniel , Taira Takunori
Published: July 2024

Introduction In 2008, YAl3(BO3)4 (YAB) was reported as new non-hygroscopic material with good deff (0.63 pm/V) and small walk-off (1.9°) which can be a good alternative to the two commercial crystals: the hygroscopic CsLiB6O10 (CLBO) or to the β-BaB2O4 (BBO; which presents large walk-off) for UV generation at 266 nm [1]. However, until now the UV peak power obtained with YAB was only limited to the kW range [2]. In this work, we demonstrate 1.6 MW peak power at 266 nm using YAB as nonlinear crystal.
All-fiber quantum relaxometry for biochemical sensing based on diamond NV centers
Authors: Cheng Hongda , Luo Yunhan , Luo Xiaoling , Xue Chen , Li Yuxin , Liu Guishi , Chen Lei , Chen Zhe , Chen Yaofei
Published: July 2024

The longitudinal relaxation time (termed as T1) of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in nanodiamonds can be affected by surface electric or magnetic noise, which has been exploited to develop cutting-edge quantum relaxometry for biochemical sensing. In this work, a tiny all-fiber quantum probe based on longitudinal relaxometry was developed by chemically-anchoring nanodiamonds on the surface of a cone fiber tip. The dependences of T1 on surface electric and magnetic noise were discussed in theories first and then experimentally demonstrated in varied pH and Gd3+ concentration solutions, respectively. Because of NV centers being subject to enhanced coupling from surface noise, T1 reduced from 290 to 245 µs when pH changed from 3 to 9 and reduced to 220 µs when Gd3+ concentration increased to 10 mM, agreeing well with theoretical results. Based on these, the Gd3+-tagged-biotin and streptavidin model was designed and implemented on the all-fiber probe, and results demonstrated the detection of biotin with a limit of 168 nM and good specificity. This paper opens a new way to develop an all-fiber quantum probe by exploiting the unique electrical spin properties of NV centers, and the probe shows great potential for biological detection with high sensitivity and specificity.
Combined non-destructive evaluation of the damage precursors in fused silica optics
Authors: Gu Han , Yao Lin , Wang Chengcheng , Yang Liming , Liu Taixiang , Yan Hongwei , Jiang Xiaodong , Geng Xiang , Wu Honghong , Li Li , Huang Jin
Published: July 2024

Combined non-destructive evaluation methods for fused silica’s damage precursors including UV photothermal weak absorption, ultrafast fluorescence, steady-state fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, and stress distribution, are proposed to explain the damage mechanism from multiple perspectives. The correlation between each non-destructive characterization method and damage behaviors is simultaneously verified, in general, the damage threshold test of R on 1. The results have shown that regions with high photothermal absorption are accompanied by low damage thresholds, because the photothermal conversion process is associated with laser-induced damage. The damage threshold is also lower at locations of bright ultrafast fluorescence signals with a lifetime ranging from 1.2∼3 ns, as ultrafast fluorescence is associated with high densities of defects. A complementary relationship between the distribution of ultrafast fluorescence and the distribution of photothermal absorption signals is constructed. This indicates that the steady-state fluorescence cannot accurately evaluate the precursor’s damage performance. Furthermore, Raman spectroscopy is utilized to identify the structural changes in bond lengths and angles, as well as locations of damages coinciding with stress distribution.
Efficient light field acquisition for integral imaging with adaptive viewport optimization
Authors: Zhou Yunqi , Yao Cheng , Cheng Dewen , Wang Yongtian
Published: July 2024

Light field displays reconstruct 3D scenes through integral imaging. However, inefficient light ray acquisition degrades the visual experience, while the fixed position of the exit pupil limits viewer mobility. In this paper, we propose a novel light field acquisition method employing parallax mapping techniques, coupled with adaptive viewport optimization based on eye tracking data. The parallax mapping relationship between camera pose variation and pixel offset facilitates partitioned rendering in integral image generation, and layer stacking is conducted to incorporate multiple depth cues. An eye tracking module is integrated to detect binocular landmarks and adaptively optimize screen segmentation, thus shifting the viewport to accommodate eye positions. Experimental results demonstrate correct refocusing cues and occlusion relationships, showing robustness in displaying complex scenes. The viewing zone has been expanded by at least twice, and the dynamic display performance meets real-time visual requirements.
466.4-Gbit/s PCS-64QAM wireless transmission enhanced by dual-polarized SISO link and vector-quantized variational autoencoders
Authors: Liu Xiang , Zhang Jiao , Zhu Min , Xin Zhigang , Dong Tong Wei , Wang Yunwu , Cai Yuancheng , Hua Bingchang , Lei Mingzheng , Liu Bo , Yu Jianjun
Published: July 2024

We successfully demonstrate photonics-assisted single-carrier 466.4 Gbit/s wireless transmission over 20 km SSMF and 6 m single-input single-output (SISO) wireless delivery at 92.5 GHz. This is achieved by employing a likelihood-aware vector-quantized variational autoencoder (VQ-VAE) equalizer for polarization demultiplexing and an advanced multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) Volterra nonlinear equalizer (MIMO-VNE) further to compensate linear and nonlinear crosstalk between two polarizations. The capacity and robustness of the fiber-wireless system are extensively investigated, verifying that our proposed VQ-VAE with shared-layer autoencoder (SLAE) model outperforms state-of-the-art blind equalizers such as those based on constant modulus algorithm (CMA), VAE, and VQ-VAE algorithms. Additionally, the dual-polarized 40 Gbaud PCS-64QAM signal achieves a 2 dB power margin while meeting the 0.83 NGMI threshold, and a 0.05 gain in NGMI compared to traditional methods. This low-complexity training framework paves the way for enhancing wireless air interface capacities to approach those of fiber-optic transmission within fiber-wireless integration systems.
Performance improved for two-photon multi-focus microscopy based on a spatial light modulator by eliminating the zero-order beam
Authors: Yu Huanhuan , Ren Suxia , Xuan Hongwen , Wang Yisen
Published: July 2024

Two-photon microscopy (TPM) has a wide range of applications in the biomedical field. Two-photon multi-focus microscopy (TPMM) greatly improves the imaging speed by combining TPM with multi-focus technology. Therefore, TPMM based on spatial light modulator (SLM) has greater advantages in generating multi-focus point (MFP) with uniform intensity and flexible position than to other schemes. However, the zero-order beam (ZOB) produced by SLM in TPMM causes imperfection of the imaging system. For example, some sample areas are scanned repeatedly or illuminated unexpectedly. In this article, we proposed a TPMM system with improved performance by eliminating the ZOB. Apart from the target MFP, we utilize a phase-only SLM to generate another corrective beam (CB) with controllable amplitude, phase, and position precisely. The CB can produce destructive interference completely with the ZOB generated by the dead areas of the SLM. The method has a larger field of view, higher efficiency, and better uniformity in generating MFP compared to the method of overlaying the blaze grating. Simulations and experiments demonstrate the advantages of this approach.
Perfect correlation vortices
Authors: Li Xiaofei , Bashiri Sajjad , Ma Yuan , Liang Chunhao , Cai Yangjian , Ponomarenko Sergey A. , Xu Zhiheng
Published: July 2024

We introduce perfect correlation vortices and show that the degree of coherence of any such vortex at the source is nearly statistically homogeneous and independent of the topological charge of the vortex. We demonstrate that while slowly diffracting in free space, perfect correlation vortices maintain their “perfect” vortex structure; they are capable of preserving said structure even in strong atmospheric turbulence. Structural resilience to diffraction and turbulence sets the discovered perfect vortices apart from their coherent cousins and makes them suitable for free-space optical communications.
Circumventing the polariton bottleneck via dark excitons in 2D semiconductors
Authors: Fitzgerald Jamie M. , Rosati Roberto , Ferreira Beatriz , Shan Hangyong , Schneider Christian , Malic Ermin
Published: July 2024

Efficient scattering into the exciton
polariton ground state is a
key prerequisite for
generating Bose–Einstein condensates
and low-threshold polariton
lasing. However, this can be challenging to achieve at low densities
due to the polariton bottleneck effect that impedes phonon-driven
scattering into low-momentum polariton states. The rich exciton
landscape of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) provides
potential intervalley scattering pathways via dark excitons to rapidly
populate these polaritons. Here, we present a theoretical and fully
microscopic study exploring the time- and momentum-resolved relaxation
of exciton polaritons supported by a MoSe2 monolayer integrated within a
Fabry–Perot cavity. By exploiting phonon-assisted transitions between
momentum-dark excitons and the lower polariton branch, we demonstrate
that it is possible to circumvent the bottleneck region and
efficiently populate the polariton ground state. Furthermore, this
intervalley pathway is predicted to give rise to, yet unobserved,
angle-resolved phonon sidebands in low-temperature photoluminescence
spectra that are associated with momentum-dark excitons. This
represents a distinct signature for efficient phonon-mediated
polariton-dark-exciton interactions.
Design of quantum dot networks for improving prediction performance in reservoir computing
Authors: Yamanouchi Kazuki , Shimomura Suguru , Tanida Jun
Published: July 2024

A quantum dot (QD) network generates various fluorescence signals based on nonlinear energy dynamics which depend on its structure and composition and is utilized for a component of physical reservoir computing. However, existing designs rely on random QD networks, which is not be optimal for enhancing the prediction performance. In this paper, we propose a method for designing effective quantum dot (QD) networks to improve the performance of reservoir computing. The fluorescence signals from numerous virtual QD networks can be reproduced through numerical simulation based on a deterministic mathematical model, and the QD networks generating the most significant signals contributing to the prediction performance are identified. We demonstrated that QD reservoir computing using designed QD networks predicts time-series data more accurately than using random QD networks in the numerical simulations.
FedGMMAT: Federated generalized linear mixed model association tests
Authors: Li Wentao , Chen Han , Jiang Xiaoqian , Harmanci Arif
Published: July 2024

Increasing genetic and phenotypic data size is critical for understanding the genetic determinants of diseases. Evidently, establishing practical means for collaboration and data sharing among institutions is a fundamental methodological barrier for performing high-powered studies. As the sample sizes become more heterogeneous, complex statistical approaches, such as generalized linear mixed effects models, must be used to correct for the confounders that may bias results. On another front, due to the privacy concerns around Protected Health Information (PHI), genetic information is restrictively protected by sharing according to regulations such as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This limits data sharing among institutions and hampers efforts around executing high-powered collaborative studies. Federated approaches are promising to alleviate the issues around privacy and performance, since sensitive data never leaves the local sites. Motivated by these, we developed FedGMMAT, a federated genetic association testing tool that utilizes a federated statistical testing approach for efficient association tests that can correct for confounding fixed and additive polygenic random effects among different collaborating sites. Genetic data is never shared among collaborating sites, and the intermediate statistics are protected by encryption. Using simulated and real datasets, we demonstrate FedGMMAT can achieve the virtually same results as pooled analysis under a privacy-preserving framework with practical resource requirements.
A comprehensive exploration of the druggable conformational space of protein kinases using AI-predicted structures
Authors: Herrington Noah B. , Li Yan Chak , Stein David , Pandey Gaurav , Schlessinger Avner
Published: July 2024

Protein kinase function and interactions with drugs are controlled in part by the movement of the DFG and ɑC-Helix motifs that are related to the catalytic activity of the kinase. Small molecule ligands elicit therapeutic effects with distinct selectivity profiles and residence times that often depend on the active or inactive kinase conformation(s) they bind. Modern AI-based structural modeling methods have the potential to expand upon the limited availability of experimentally determined kinase structures in inactive states. Here, we first explored the conformational space of kinases in the PDB and models generated by AlphaFold2 (AF2) and ESMFold, two prominent AI-based protein structure prediction methods. Our investigation of AF2’s ability to explore the conformational diversity of the kinome at various multiple sequence alignment (MSA) depths showed a bias within the predicted structures of kinases in DFG-in conformations, particularly those controlled by the DFG motif, based on their overabundance in the PDB. We demonstrate that predicting kinase structures using AF2 at lower MSA depths explored these alternative conformations more extensively, including identifying previously unobserved conformations for 398 kinases. Ligand enrichment analyses for 23 kinases showed that, on average, docked models distinguished between active molecules and decoys better than random (average AUC (avgAUC) of 64.58), but select models perform well (e.g., avgAUCs for PTK2 and JAK2 were 79.28 and 80.16, respectively). Further analysis explained the ligand enrichment discrepancy between low- and high-performing kinase models as binding site occlusions that would preclude docking. The overall results of our analyses suggested that, although AF2 explored previously uncharted regions of the kinase conformational space and select models exhibited enrichment scores suitable for rational drug discovery, rigorous refinement of AF2 models is likely still necessary for drug discovery campaigns.
UK and US risk factors for hearing loss in neonatal intensive care unit infants
Authors: Thornton Sally K. , Hoare Derek J. , Yates Alice M. , Willis Karen R. , Scutt Polly , Kitterick Padraig T. , Dixit Abhijit , Jayasinghe Dulip S.
Published: July 2024

Importance

Early detection and intervention of hearing loss may mitigate negative effects on children’s development. Children who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) as babies are particularly susceptible to hearing loss and risk factors are vital for surveillance.

Design, setting and participants

This single-centre retrospective cohort study included data from 142 inborn infants who had been admitted to the NICU in a tertiary regional referral centre. Data were recorded for 71 infants with confirmed permanent congenital hearing loss hearing loss. To determine impact of NICU admission independently of prematurity, babies were individually matched with 71 inborn infants on gestational age, birthweight, and sex.

Main outcomes and measures

Neonatal indicators were recorded for all children with permanent congenital hearing loss. Presence of UK and US risk factors for hearing loss were collected on the neonatal population with hearing loss and for the matched controls.

Results

A fifth (21%) of babies with hearing loss had one or more UK risk factors whereas most (86%) had at least one US risk factor. False positives would be evident if US factors were used whereas the matched controls had no UK risk factors. Ten babies who at birth had no UK or US risk factors did not have any significant neonatal indicators identified in their records, one was ventilated for one day and two had a genetic anomaly.

Conclusions and relevance

Current risk factors for hearing loss we identified for follow-up in this high-risk group are highly specific for congenital hearing loss. UK risk factors were highly specific for hearing loss but not sensitive and conversely, US risk factors are sensitive but not specific so false positives would be recorded. A national study of neonatal indicators could provide the utility to test which combinations of risk factors provide high sensitivity without losing specificity.
Corruption perceptions in the Schengen Zone and their relation to education, economic performance, and governance
Authors: Munteanu Ionela , Ileanu Bogdan-Vasile , Florea Iulia Oana , Aivaz Kamer-Ainur
Published: July 2024

In the quest for integrity and transparency, the perception of corruption within a state not only undermines trust in governance but also hinders sustainable progress. This study investigates the relationship between education, economic performance, and governance and their impact on the assessment of corruption in the context of sustainable development goals. The research framework included data from 14 European countries, members of the Schengen zone, using panel data for the period 2003–2022. The analysis of the sample indicators guided us to apply further advanced research methods. Principal Components Analysis was applied to reduce dimensionality. Under various assumptions related to heterogeneity, stationarity and exogeneity, panel Fixed Effects (FE) and Dynamic Panel with Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) were applied to link the drivers and the perception of corruption. The results are twofold: (i) on the one hand, the diachronic evolution of corruption, education index, economic performance or governance perceptions reveals different patterns for the countries of the Schengen zone; (ii) on the other hand, the composite index for education and governance assessment had a significant impact on corruption perceptions, while economic performance showed no apparent link to corruption. Incorporating the effects of economic and political shocks, the study will explore the resilience of the Schengen Zone’s governance against corruption, particularly by examining the effectiveness of crisis management and education’s role in reinforcing integrity. It will also conduct a longitudinal analysis to assess how these shocks influence corruption perceptions over time, offering insights into the adaptability of policy responses and their lasting impact on public trust. The findings establish new research pathways for academics and provide valuable incentives to policymakers and professional trainers to improve mechanisms for combating corruption.
Characteristics, demographics, and epidemiology of possible chronic cough in Sweden: A nationwide register-based cohort study
Authors: Walz Lotta , Illergård Kristoffer , Arpegård Johannes , Dorbesi Cristian , Johansson Henrik , Ingi Emilsson Össur
Published: July 2024

Aim

To show clinical characteristics, treatments, and comorbidities in chronic cough in a nationwide cohort.

Methods

Two cohorts were created. A national cohort with individuals from two population-based databases; the National Patient Register and Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. Secondly, a regional cohort including primary care data. Adults with at least one cough diagnosis (ICD-10 R05) and/or individuals with ≥2 dispensed prescriptions for relevant cough-medication within the inclusion period, 2016–2018, were identified. Individuals on medications which may instigate cough or suggest acute infection or diagnosed with conditions where cough is a cardinal symptom, were excluded. Those remaining were defined as having possible refractory or unexplained chronic cough (RCC/UCC).

Results

Altogether 62,963 individuals were identified with possible RCC/UCC, giving a national prevalence of about 1%. Mean age was 56 years and 60% were females. Many (44%) of the individuals with possible RCC/UCC visited cough relevant specialist clinics during the study period, but less than 20% received a cough diagnosis. A majority (63%) had evidence of RCC/UCC in the 10 years prior to inclusion in the study. In the regional cohort, including primary care data, the prevalence of RCC/UCC was doubled (2%). Cough medicines were mainly prescribed by primary care physicians (82%).

Conclusion

Most individuals with possible RCC/UCC sought medical care in primary care, and had a long history of cough, with various treatments tried, indicating a substantial burden of the condition. Referrals to specialist care were very rare. The results underline the need for a structured multidisciplinary approach and future therapeutic options.
Detection through the use of RT-MqPCR of asymptomatic reservoirs of malaria in samples of patients from the indigenous Comarca of Guna Yala, Panama: Essential method to achieve the elimination of malaria
Authors: Cáceres Carrera Lorenzo , Santamaría Ana María , Castillo Anakena Margarita , Romero Luis , Urriola Eduardo , Torres-Cosme Rolando , Calzada José Eduardo
Published: July 2024

Background

Plasmodium vivax is the main causative agent of malaria in Panama. However, the prevalence of asymptomatic infections in the different endemic regions remains unknown. Understanding the epidemiological behavior of asymptomatic infections is essential for the elimination of malaria. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic malarial infections in one of the main endemic regions of Panama using multiplex real-time reverse transcription RT-MqPCR.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in three communities in the Guna Yala Comarca. A total of 551 thick blood smears and their respective samples on filter paper were collected from volunteers of different ages and sexes from June 20 to 25, 2016. Infections by the Plasmodium spp. were diagnosed using microscopy and RT-MqPCR. All statistical analyses were performed using the R software.

Results

The average prevalence of asymptomatic infections by P. vivax in the three communities detected by RT-MqPCR was 9.3%, with Ukupa having the highest prevalence (13.4%), followed by Aidirgandi (11.1%) and Irgandi (3.3%). A total of 74 samples were diagnosed as asymptomatic infections using RT-MqPCR. Light microscopy (LM) detected that 17.6% (13/74) of the asymptomatic samples and 82.4% (61/74) were diagnosed as false negatives. A 100% correlation was observed between samples diagnosed using LM and RT-MqPCR. A total of 52.7% (39/74) of the asymptomatic patients were female and 85.1% (63/74) were registered between the ages of 1 and 21 years. Factors associated with asymptomatic infection were community (aOR = 0.38 (95% CI 0.17–0.83), p < 0.001) and age aOR = 0.98 (95% CI 0.97–1.00), p < 0.05); F = 5.38; p < 0.05).

Conclusions

This study provides novel evidence of the considerable prevalence of asymptomatic P. vivax infections in the endemic region of Kuna Yala, representing a new challenge that requires immediate attention from the National Malaria Program. The results of this study provide essential information for the health authorities responsible for developing new policies. Furthermore, it will allow program administrators to reorient and design effective malaria control strategies that consider asymptomatic infections as a fundamental part of malaria control and move towards fulfilling their commitment to eliminate it.
Grounded in liquidity: writing and identity in third space
Authors: Buckley Carina , Syska Alicja , Heggie Lindsay
Published: July 2024

In this article, we argue that writing for publication has the potential to support the creation, negotiation and stabilisation of the professional identities of third space practitioners in higher education. Caught in the impermanence and unpredictability of liquid life, third space opens up unique opportunities in writing that afford its practitioners a means of building and sustaining identity. It expands academic writing beyond its normative constraints, creating a tension between the apparent permanence and solidity of writing and the liquidity that allows for the negotiation of meaning and identity. As such, writing, particularly for dissemination, provides third space practitioners with a strategy for creating a grounding narrative that helps to stabilise their own identity while allowing the flexibility required by a ‘liquid’ and uncertain present. We explore this process of negotiation by examining the role of writing in identity formation from the perspective of a range of third space practitioners, in an international triple-site qualitative research study involving learning developers, learning designers, academic developers and writing specialists. Our findings reveal that writing, as an act of negotiation of identity in third space, has the potential to actuate the fluidity of the space, so that it can become a site of liberation and resistance that may transform the very act of scholarly writing. What our study shows is that writing offers third space practitioners an opportunity to establish a narrative thread that may stabilise their liquid roles in academia.
แนวทางการพัฒนาศักยภาพของบุคลากรสายสนับสนุนวิชาการเกี่ยวกับการรับงานบริการวิชาการจากหน่วยงานภายนอกของมหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีพระจอมเกล้าพระนครเหนือ
Authors: มณฑลจรัส ปวีณา ,   มหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีพระจอมเกล้าพระนครเหนือ
Published: July 2024

การวิจัยครั้งนี้มีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อ 1) ศึกษาปัญหาและอุปสรรคในการรับงานบริการวิชาการจากหน่วยงานภายนอกของบุคลากรสายสนับสนุนวิชาการของมหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีพระจอมเกล้าพระนครเหนือในสภาพปัจจุบัน 2) ศึกษาเปรียบเทียบความต้องการเพิ่มพูนศักยภาพของบุคลากรสายสนับสนุนวิชาการเกี่ยวกับการรับงานบริการวิชาการจากหน่วยงานภายนอกของมหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีพระจอมเกล้าพระนครเหนือ และ 3) เสนอแนะแนวทางการพัฒนาศักยภาพของบุคลากรสายสนับสนุนวิชาการเกี่ยวกับการรับงานบริการวิชาการจากหน่วยงานภายนอกของมหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีพระจอมเกล้าพระนครเหนือ เก็บรวบรวมข้อมูลกับบุคลากรสายสนับสนุนวิชาการ ที่ปฏิบัติงานเกี่ยวกับการรับงานบริการวิชาการจากหน่วยงานภายนอกของมหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีพระจอมเกล้าพระนครเหนือ จำนวน 117 คน ได้มาโดยการสุ่มอย่างง่าย (Simple Random Sampling) เครื่องมือที่ใช้ในการวิจัย คือ แบบสัมภาษณ์ และแบบสอบถาม สถิติที่ใช้ในการวิเคราะห์ข้อมูล ได้แก่ ค่าเฉลี่ย ส่วนเบี่ยงเบนมาตรฐาน ผลการวิจัยพบว่า 1. บุคลากรสายสนับสนุนวิชาการที่ปฏิบัติงานเกี่ยวกับการรับงานบริการวิชาการจากหน่วยงานภายนอกของมหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีพระจอมเกล้าพระนครเหนือ มีความต้องการพัฒนาศักยภาพด้านความรู้ในภาพรวม อยู่ในระดับมาก โดยเมื่อพิจารณาเป็นรายข้อ 3 อันดับแรก พบว่า บุคลากรสายสนับสนุนวิชาการ มีความต้องการเพิ่มพูนความรู้ความรู้เกี่ยวกับการนำเทคโนโลยีใหม่ ๆ มาประยุกต์ใช้เพื่อเพิ่มประสิทธิภาพในการปฏิบัติงาน รองลงมาคือ ความรู้ใหม่ ๆ เกี่ยวกับการรับงานบริการวิชาการที่บุคลากรสามารถนำไปปรับใช้ในการปฏิบัติงานได้อย่างมีประสิทธิภาพ และความรู้เฉพาะที่ใช้ในการปฏิบัติงานในตำแหน่ง ซึ่งทุกข้ออยู่ในระดับมาก สำหรับความต้องการพัฒนาศักยภาพด้านทักษะในภาพรวม อยู่ในระดับมาก โดยเมื่อพิจารณารายข้อ 3 อันดับแรก พบว่า มีความต้องการพัฒนาทักษะเฉพาะที่ใช้ในการปฏิบัติงานในตำแหน่ง รองลงมาคือ ทักษะการคิดแบบมีวิจารณญาณ และการแก้ปัญหา และวิธีการบริหารจัดการไฟล์ข้อมูลผ่านระบบเครือข่ายอินเทอร์เน็ต ซึ่งทุกข้ออยู่ในระดับมาก ในขณะที่ความต้องการพัฒนาศักยภาพด้านคุณลักษณะที่พึงประสงค์ในภาพรวมอยู่ในระดับมาก เมื่อพิจารณารายข้อ 3 อันดับแรก พบว่า มีความต้องการพัฒนาศักยภาพด้านคุณลักษณะที่พึงประสงค์มีทัศนคติในเชิงบวกในการเรียนรู้และยอมรับในการใช้เทคโนโลยีดิจิทัลเพื่อปรับใช้ในงานการรับงานบริการวิชาการ รองลงมาคือ การยอมรับฟังความคิดเห็นของผู้อื่น และความสามารถในการควบคุมอารมณ์ของตนเองในสถานการณ์ที่แตกต่างกัน ซึ่งทุกข้ออยู่ในระดับมาก 2. บุคลากรสายสนับสนุนวิชาการที่มีเพศต่างกัน มีความต้องการพัฒนาศักยภาพเกี่ยวกับการรับงานบริการวิชาการจากหน่วยงานภายนอก โดยภาพรวม และรายด้าน ได้แก่ ด้านความรู้ (Knowledge) และ ด้านคุณลักษณะที่พึงประสงค์ (Attributes) แตกต่างกัน อย่างมีนัยสำคัญทางสถิติที่ระดับ 0.05 ยกเว้น ด้านทักษะ (Skills) ไม่แตกต่างกัน และบุคลากรที่มีระดับการศึกษา และประสบการณ์ในการทำงานต่างกัน มีความต้องการพัฒนาศักยภาพเกี่ยวกับการรับงานบริการวิชาการจากหน่วยงานภายนอกในภาพรวม และรายด้าน ทุกด้าน ได้แก่ ด้านความรู้ (Knowledge) ด้านทักษะ (Skills) และด้านคุณลักษณะที่พึงประสงค์ (Attributes) ไม่แตกต่างกัน
Abwägung, Alternativen und Varianten in kommunalen Planungsprozessen. Grundsätzliche Überlegungen und Ergebnisse einer empirischen Untersuchung
Authors: Müller Christin , Bongers-Römer Sabine , Bakunowitsch Julija , Diller Christian
Published: July 2024

Balancing in general and balancing alternatives and variants can be seen as a core component of the work of planners. Against the backdrop of current social challenges, the complexity of these balancing processes is increasing. From a planning science perspective, however, the question of the balancing process has only begun to be analysed. To date, there are only a few empirical studies that have explicitly focussed on balancing processes in Germany. This is where this paper starts by focusing on urban planning, investigating what planners understand by balancing alternatives and variants and how the balancing process is presented in everyday planning. To this end, 19 qualitative interviews were conducted with public and private sector planners. A qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data. The results confirm the central role of balancing processes in everyday planning and emphasise the need for further research to understand these processes’ complexity and significance.
Influencia de factores ambientales en la composición de macrofitas acuáticas en lagos (cochas) de la Amazonía sur del Perú
Authors: Marca-Zevallos Manuel Jesús , Galiano Washington , Chevarría Rodrigo , Sebastián Germán , Huamani Keyly , Ochoa Jose Antonio , Mendoza Joel
Published: July 2024

La riqueza y composición de macrofitas acuáticas está influenciada por la morfometría y las condiciones físicas y químicas del cuerpo acuático. Sin embargo, el efecto de estos factores en las comunidades vegetales no ha sido corroborado para los lagos con forma de herradura o comúnmente llamados como “cochas” de la Amazonía peruana. En el presente estudio se evaluó 10 cochas desconectadas del curso principal del río en la Amazonia Sur del Perú para conocer 1) la riqueza de macrofitas acuáticas, 2) su forma de vida y 3) la influencia del área y la profundidad del cuerpo acuático, la transparencia, pH, oxígeno disuelto, sólidos totales disueltos y la temperatura del agua en la riqueza y en los cambios de la composición de especies. Se reportó 68 taxones, donde Cyperaceae y Poaceae fueron las familias más diversas. Además, las formas de vida predominantes fueron las emergentes (47,1 %) y anfibias (36,8 %). Finalmente, se encontró que cochas con mayor área, pH y oxígeno disuelto, a la vez, con menor temperatura, abrigan una mayor riqueza de especies y favorecen el establecimiento de especies estrictamente acuáticas, indicando que existe un recambio de especies a lo largo de la gradiente conformada por la asociación de estas variables. Estos resultados demuestran que la Amazonía sur del Perú posee una importante riqueza de macrofitas acuáticas que está asociada al área, pH, oxígeno disuelto y temperatura del cuerpo acuático.
Young beginning learners’ vocabulary learning via input and output tasks: The role of working memory
Authors: Teng Mark Feng
Published: July 2024

Working memory (WM) is essential to vocabulary learning. However, limited attention has been paid to young beginner learners’ vocabulary development under various task conditions from the perspective of WM. This study investigates how two types of WM – complex WM and phonological short-term memory – may influence two instructional approaches (i.e., input and output tasks) on picking up new words. 93 young learners studying English as a foreign language (EFL) participated in input and output tasks and four vocabulary assessments. These assessments functioned as a pretest, immediate posttest, and delayed posttest. The participants also took two WM tests: an operation span test for complex WM and a word repetition test for phonological short-term memory. The results demonstrated that: (1) both input and output tasks significantly influenced the learning and retention of new words, (2) complex WM did not substantially predict task effects on the learning and retention of new words, and (3) phonological WM had a notable impact on learning and retaining new words under the input and output task conditions. The findings emphasize the role of WM for EFL young learners’ vocabulary learning through tasks.
Prognostic value and microenvironmental crosstalk of exosome-related signatures in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive breast cancer
Authors: Zhao Ji , Shen Feng , Hu Yue-Mei , Yin Kai , Chen Ying , Chen Yan-Jie , Hu Qun-Chao , Liang Li
Published: July 2024

This study aimed to determine the prognostic value and microenvironmental crosstalk of exosome-related signatures in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive breast cancer (HER2+ BC). Transcriptome sequencing and clinicopathological data were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas. The 10X single cell sequencing dataset was downloaded from the National Center for Biotechnology Information Gene Expression Omnibus. Exosomes-Related Genes were extracted from the ExoCarta and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis databases. FGF9, SF3B4, and EPCAM were found and deemed the most accurate predictive signatures. Patients with HER2+ BC were subtyped into three groupings by exosome prognostic gene (EPGs). The expression of SF3B4 was positively linked with the infiltration of macrophages, neutrophils, and CD4+ T cells. The expression characteristics of EPGs were associated with the biological process of “response to xenobiotic stimuli.” Interactions were relatively high between malignant epithelial cells and fibroblasts, endothelial cells, monocytes, and macrophages. Malignant epithelial cells interact more with fibroblasts and endothelial cells. The migration inhibitory factor pathway was the primary outgoing signaling pattern, while the C-C motif chemokine ligand pathway was the primary incoming signaling pattern for communication between malignant epithelial cells and macrophages. This study described the role of exosome signatures in the prognosis and microenvironment of HER2+ BC and provided a basis for future research.
Predictive value of serum magnesium levels for prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer undergoing EGFR-TKI therapy
Authors: Xu Fang-Zhou , Meng Fu-Rong , Li Wan-Jing , Xu Lu , Zhang Hao , Zhang Yan-Bei , Fan Xiao-Yun
Published: July 2024

The aim of this study is to assess the impact of serum magnesium (Mg) levels on prognostic outcomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI). A cohort comprising 91 patients with NSCLC with epidermal growth factor receptor mutations received EGFR-TKI therapy. Assessments of liver and kidney function and electrolyte levels were conducted before treatment initiation and after completing two cycles of EGFR-TKI therapy. Data on variables such as age, gender, presence of distant metastasis, smoking history, other therapeutic interventions, and the specific TKI used were collected for analysis. Cox regression analysis revealed that patients with higher Mg levels prior to EGFR-TKI therapy had significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Elevated Mg levels remained predictive of PFS and OS after two cycles of EGFR-TKI therapy. Multiple regression analysis confirmed these findings. Additionally, it was observed that smokers might represent a unique population, demonstrating a correlation between OS and Mg levels. Our findings indicate that serum Mg level is a prognostic factor in patients with NSCLC undergoing EGFR-TKI therapy. This may provide new insights into the underlying mechanisms of EGFR-TKI therapy related to electrolyte balance.
Usability of PPGIS tools exemplified by geodiscussion – a tool for public participation in shaping public space
Authors: Młodkowski Marek , Jankowski Piotr
Published: July 2024

The article explores the usability of the geodiscussion administrative panel, an online tool aiding Public Participation Geographic Information Systems. This tool was specifically designed and developed for distribution in a Software as a service model, offering geodiscussion users the flexibility to leverage the tool without the need for substantial investments in expensive infrastructure or complex deployments. The research primarily centers on the geodiscussion administrative panel, a key component empowering organizers of public consultations in spatial planning to efficiently create and manage consultation processes. In contrast to previous studies that focused on the usability for consultation participants, this research uniquely targets individuals responsible for organizing and overseeing the consultation processes. A diverse array of usability research methods were employed, ranging from the creation of personas and conducting direct interviews based on test scenarios to non-invasive methods for recording user activities. The study involved 682 participants who had prior experience with public consultations across various public administration units and representatives from consulting firms. Given that the usability studies were an integral part of the geodiscussion administrative panel’s development process, the research team has the opportunity to influence the further implementation of the applied functionalities. This implies that insights gained from the research can actively shape and enhance the tool’s features as it progresses in its development cycle.