bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stylization in the Flesh
Authors: Horton Brian A.
Published: April 2024

Performance and performativity are conceptually intertwined within anthropology and performance studies. Both are key to thinking about how aestheticized modes of self-presentation have material and discursive effects. Performance and performativity have also been crucial concepts for thinking about how gender and sexuality—particularly nonnormative gender and sexuality—are rendered through different modes of self-presentation. From early writings on drag performers to debates about passing and realness to more contemporary work on aesthetic excess and style, this chapter considers how queer anthropology has engaged with stylized modes of self-presentation. It explores the thresholds between queer anthropology and performance studies as openings to consider the debates around performativity as a discursive framework—a repetition of stylized acts that might congeal over time—and performance as materially grounded in the flesh and words of everyday life.
Artificial intelligence based glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy detection using MATLAB — retrained AlexNet convolutional neural network
Authors: Arias-Serrano Isaac , Velásquez-López Paolo A. , Avila-Briones Laura N. , Laurido-Mora Fanny C. , Villalba-Meneses Fernando , Tirado-Espin Andrés , Cruz-Varela Jonathan , Almeida-Galárraga Diego
Published: April 2024

Background Glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are the leading causes of irreversible retinal damage leading to blindness. Early detection of these diseases through regular screening is especially important to prevent progression. Retinal fundus imaging serves as the principal method for diagnosing glaucoma and DR. Consequently, automated detection of eye diseases represents a significant application of retinal image analysis. Compared with classical diagnostic techniques, image classification by convolutional neural networks (CNN) exhibits potential for effective eye disease detection. Methods This paper proposes the use of MATLAB – retrained AlexNet CNN for computerized eye diseases identification, particularly glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, by employing retinal fundus images. The acquisition of the database was carried out through free access databases and access upon request. A transfer learning technique was employed to retrain the AlexNet CNN for non-disease (Non_D), glaucoma (Sus_G) and diabetic retinopathy (Sus_R) classification. Moreover, model benchmarking was conducted using ResNet50 and GoogLeNet architectures. A Grad-CAM analysis is also incorporated for each eye condition examined. Results Metrics for validation accuracy, false positives, false negatives, precision, and recall were reported. Validation accuracies for the NetTransfer (I-V) and netAlexNet ranged from 89.7% to 94.3%, demonstrating varied effectiveness in identifying Non_D, Sus_G, and Sus_R categories, with netAlexNet achieving a 93.2% accuracy in the benchmarking of models against netResNet50 at 93.8% and netGoogLeNet at 90.4%. Conclusions This study demonstrates the efficacy of using a MATLAB-retrained AlexNet CNN for detecting glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. It emphasizes the need for automated early detection tools, proposing CNNs as accessible solutions without replacing existing technologies.
Are Individual Investors Attracted to Shareholder Perks in the Emerging Markets? An Experimental Study in Indonesia
Authors:   School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia, Trihermanto Febi , Nainggolan Yunieta Anny , Matsuura Yoshiyuki ,   Graduate School of Innovation and Technology Management, Yamaguchi University, Japan
Published: April 2024

Choice-Based Conjoint (CBC) analysis experiment is conducted in this study to investigate perception equivalency of shareholder perks (SP) and dividend policy among Indonesian investors and to examine whether SP as a new alternative of payout policy can attract more individual investors in Indonesia. The results show that investors prefer SP over dividend in both 2 and 4 percent yield. However, the marginal utility of SP is decreasing to yield. This result suggests that individual investors prefer to receive SP rather than no dividends but they do not expect to receive an excessive number of SP when it is possible for the company to distribute a high amount of cash dividend. Furthermore, the results grouped by gender indicates that female respondents are prefer SP to dividend and have a higher economic value on SP than their male counterpart. Practically, by investing in an SP-paying stocks, individual investors are able to buy their favourite brands and products at lower prices which might be more beneficial than receiving a small amount of cash dividends. Meanwhile, for companies, the results imply that the distribution of SP can attract a number of individual investors, particularly women. Keywords: Shareholder Perks, Dividend Policy, Individual Investor, Conjoint Analysis, Indonesia
Visual perception of facial expressions of emotions and alexithymia among people suffering from schizophrenia
Authors: Subocz Dawid
Published: April 2024

Aim of the study

The aim of the study is to find out whether there is a relationship between the severity of alexithymia and the visual perception of facial expressions of emotions among people suffering from schizophrenia.

Subject or material and methods

41 people suffering from schizophrenia and 41 healthy people participated in the study. In the first stage, the subjects completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) questionnaire. The second stage was based on eye-tracking measurements made during a computer experiment of recognising facial expressions.

Results

People with schizophrenia showed significantly higher intensity of alexithymia than healthy people. In the group of patients with schizophrenia, a negative correlation between alexithymia and the length of saccades on the nose was found.

Discussion

In the group of people with schizophrenia, alexithymia is associated with less intensive exploration of the nasal area. A wrinkled nose is an important area, first of all, in the manifestation of negative emotions, in recognition of which the sick people make the most mistakes.

Conclusions

Problems with recognising emotions in people suffering from schizophrenia are associated with neuronal dysfunction and abnormalities in the eye movement. These factors disrupt the early stages of sensory processing. The relationship of alexithymia with the visual perception of patients with schizophrenia suggests that top-down processes may also contribute to the development of these deficits.
Developing scale of attitudes toward internet psychological support
Authors: Chęć Magdalena , Ligocka Maria , Konieczny Krystian , Czerwińska Paulina , Tyburski Ernest , Rachubińska Karolina , Michałowska Sylwia
Published: April 2024

Aim of the study

The interest in remote psychological services is currently increasing. Changing the way psychological help is provided requires considering new issues, including patients’ attitudes toward this form of help. The aim of the study was to construct and determine the psychometric properties of a tool for assessing attitudes toward psychological help provided via the Internet among healthy and clinical group.

Subject or material and methods

154 items were selected from the original pool of 330 items. A pilot study was carried out on a group of 100 students (60% females, MAge = 23.3). The final version of the tool included 43 items whose discriminant power is higher than 0.5. Cronbach’s α for the final version of the tool was .975. 10 scales were distinguished and a reliability test (α = .966) was carried out on 100 healthy people.

Results

As a result of a factor analysis performed on the data obtained from a study of healthy people (N = 100; 74% females; MAge = 29.5) and clinical group (N = 466; 54% females; MAge = 40.6), a final three-factor structure of the tool with appropriate reliability and differential validity was obtained.

Discussion

The final version of the SPWPPO-2 questionnaire consists of 43 items. A tool that meets the criteria of psychometric goodness was obtained. It can be used in research on general and clinical populations and also in practice.

Conclusions

The tool is useful in research and clinical areas. It can be used by mental health professionals to assess attitudes toward online psychological support for patients and potential patients.
Deferred Tax Asset Revaluations, Costly Information Processing, and Bank Deposits: Evidence from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Authors: Mohrmann Ulf , Riepe Jan
Published: April 2024

We examine how information processing costs affect the extent to which depositors’ use the details in banks’ income statements. Depositors have a unique cost-benefit structure because they are nonprofessional users of financial information and have high information processing costs. At the same time, they benefit from acting quickly because failing banks make payments on a first-come, first-serve basis. This makes it likely that they will react to a prominent summary measure like the reported net income without adjusting for any risk-irrelevant information included in the line items. In our empirical analysis, we investigate depositors’ behavior as driven by the mechanical revaluations of deferred tax assets due to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Using a difference-in-difference design, we find deposit withdrawals because of this risk-irrelevant information. In cross-sectional tests, we show that the withdrawals are stronger if the information acquisition costs are low, and the information integration costs are high. Overall, our results show that information processing costs are important for understanding depositors’ reactions to accounting information and can lead to deposit flows that cannot be explained by new risk-relevant information.

This paper was accepted by Brian Bushee, accounting.

Funding: We kindly acknowledge funding by the Werner Diez Foundation [Grant 2024.1] to make this work available under a Creative Commons license.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.03176 .
Late tuberculosis reactivation after severe COVID-19
Authors: Dormans Tom , Zandijk Eric , Stals Frans
Published: April 2024

Background: Although there is no specific therapy for COVID-19, it is recommended that patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection are treated with corticosteroids and anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibodies. Both COVID-19 itself and the treatment modalities mentioned above have suppressive effects on the immune system which may lead to an increased susceptibility to other infections. In patients with latent tuberculosis (TB) reactivation of TB infection after recovery from severe COVID-19 has been described. Most of these cases have occurred in parts of the world where tuberculosis is endemic. Case description: The patient is a female in her 70s who was born and raised in Southeast Asia and has lived in the Netherlands for more than 30 years. She was treated for a severe COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation for several weeks and pharmaceutical treatment with corticosteroids and anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibodies (Sarilumab). She recovered well. Two years later she was readmitted with symptoms of a serious pulmonary infection and meningitis. Her condition deteriorated in a short time. An active TB infection was diagnosed. Despite adequate antibiotic treatment and supportive therapy her condition worsened and four days after admission to the ICU she deceased. Discussion: Reactivation of latent TB after recovery from a severe COVID-19 has been described several times and may occur several months after the SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this case the reactivation presented two years after COVID-19. This case illustrates that long-term follow-up of patients with latent TB that recover from a severe COVID-19 may be indicated.
Perceptions of establishing advanced life support for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Wilkins Craig
Published: April 2024

Establishing advanced life support (ALS) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a demanding part of the paramedic role. While aspects of these patients' care have been well researched, examination of how the full ALS bundle is completed is lacking. This study aims to explore paramedics' experience of establishing ALS in OHCA through individual semi-structured interviews to identify potential themes and transferable learning. Findings in the areas of dispatch, en-route planning and on-scene care as well as around training were identified through thematic analysis. There are several issues on which individuals and organisations can critically reflect to improve practice.
Prepping for practice
Authors: Cochrane Alice
Published: April 2024

In her second column, Alice Cochrane is preparing to put on her paramedic epaulettes
Patient-centred prescribing, autonomy and concordance
Authors: Nordoff Joe
Published: April 2024

This article will focus on patient-centred prescribing, autonomy and concordance. Patient-centred prescribing means putting the patient at the centre of everything we do as clinicians. Autonomy means a patient has an inherent right to make decisions about their care. Concordance means the patient takes medication as prescribed, at the correct dose and for the correct length of time. This article details how these three aspects of prescribing can be achieved by the paramedic prescriber. It will give tips to help ensure any consultation and prescribing decision is patient-centred, while respecting autonomy. It will also provide strategies for improving medication concordance. The article uses a patient consultation as a framing device to detail how these essential aspects of prescribing can be achieved.
Balanç historiogràfic i perspectives de futur per a l'estudi de l'economia dels hospitals de la Baixa Edat Mitjana.
Authors: MARCÉ SÁNCHEZ Jaume
Published: April 2024

El interés por conocer las bases económicas y patrimoniales de los hospitales de la Edad Media prácticamente se remonta a los orígenes de dichas instituciones, cuando sus promotores y administradores elaboraron toda una serie de instrumentos para ordenar su control. No obstante, el afán científico por estos mecanismos no llegó hasta inicios del siglo XX, cuando se descubrió que las fuentes hospitalarias eran también útiles para el estudio de la historia económica. Con este artículo pretendemos ofrecer una síntesis de las distintas aproximaciones que se han realizado sobre la gestión y la economía de los hospitales de la Baja Edad Media en los últimos años, así como apuntar cuáles son las tendencias historiográficas más actuales y los retos de futuro que se plantea la disciplina.
The "Sound Social Base of Every Great Civilization": Family Farm, Catholic Priorities, Farmworkers, and the Bracero Program
Authors: Cohen Deborah
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT: Buried in the Stanford University Archives is an undated anonymous pamphlet entitled "The Legend of Pancho Sanchez," which offers a Catholic critique of the Bracero Program. This article puts "Legend" and its vision of the program in conversation with the church's late 1950s/early-1960s position on agriculture and its longstanding advocacy for family-based, owner-operated farms as the centerpiece of morally healthy agricultural production. I contend that the church's deep commitment to small farms as key to a healthy society shaped its hesitancy to rethink this priority, despite shifting migration patterns and increased prevalence of migrant farmworkers, domestic and non-. "Legend" suggests that official church priority could not see how the structural underpinnings of industrial agriculture affected in interrelated ways domestic farmworkers and Mexican braceros alike, exacerbating the precarity of all farmworkers.
Campus Ecological Networks: Understanding Patterns of Relationships in Learning, Identity, and Equity in College
Authors: Brown Michael G. , Smith Rachel A.
Published: April 2024

Abstract: Collegiate environments that aim to support equitable learning are rarely conceptualized and studied in a manner that is explicitly relational and structural, leaving room for theorizing about how social constructions of meaning and power operate on campus. We apply social network theory and methods to campus ecological frameworks to develop a campus ecological network model. Rather than focusing on sets of individuals, a network-oriented stance traces the relationships of multiple individuals to uncover the latent structure of social boundaries that cannot be observed from a single perspective. Network specification facilitates the study of students' dynamic micro- and mesosystem construction where relational learning is supported or bounded. We also add modality as a relational feature across levels to account for physical and virtual connections. We illustrate the model with examples of learning, identity negotiation, and boundary crossing to describe how network perspectives can inform both research on and the practice of creating learning environments. Our approach illuminates how power operates through relationships and how, even when students participate in programming and interventions that are designed to foster engagement and persistence, unequal opportunities and outcomes can result.
SERS-based long-term mitochondrial pH monitoring during differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells to neural progenitor cells
Authors: Yang Liwei , Bu Xiaoya , Lu Xiaoxu , Wan Jianhui , Zhang Xiao , Zhang Weina , Zhong Liyun
Published: April 2024

As one of the important organelles in the process of cell differentiation, mitochondria regulate the whole process of differentiation by participating in energy supply and information transmission. Mitochondrial pH value is a key indicator of mitochondrial function. Therefore, real-time monitoring of mitochondrial pH value during cell differentiation is of great significance for understanding cell biochemical processes and exploring differentiation mechanisms. In this study, Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technology was used to achieve the real-time monitoring of mitochondrial pH during induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) differentiation into neural progenitor cells (NPCs). The results showed that the variation trend of mitochondrial pH in normal and abnormal differentiated batches was different. The mitochondrial pH value of normal differentiated cells continued to decline from iPSCs to embryoid bodies (EB) day 4, and continued to rise from EB day 4 to the NPCs stage, and the mitochondrial microenvironment of iPSCs to NPCs differentiation became acidic. In contrast, the mitochondrial pH value of abnormally differentiated cells declined continuously during differentiation. This study improves the information on acid-base balance during cell differentiation and may provide a basis for further understanding of the changes and regulatory mechanisms of mitochondrial metabolism during cell differentiation. This also helps to improve more accurate and useful differentiation protocols based on the microenvironment within the mitochondria, improving the efficiency of cell differentiation.
Dynamic Light Scattering in Biomedical Applications: feature issue introduction
Authors: Meglinski Igor , Dunn Andrew , Durduran Turgut , Postnov Dmitry , Zhu Dan
Published: April 2024

The feature Issue on “Dynamic Light Scattering in Biomedical Applications” presents a compilation of research breakthroughs and technological advancements that have shaped the field of biophotonics, particularly in the non-invasive exploration of biological tissues. Highlighting the significance of dynamic light scattering (DLS) alongside techniques like laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), diffusing wave spectroscopy (DWS), and laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI), this issue underscores the versatile applications of these methods in capturing the intricate dynamics of microcirculatory blood flow across various tissues. Contributions explore developments in fluorescence tomography, the integration of machine learning for data processing, enhancements in microscopy for cancer detection, and novel approaches in optical biophysics, among others. Innovations featured include a high-resolution speckle contrast tomography system for deep blood flow imaging, a rapid estimation technique for real-time tissue perfusion imaging, and the use of convolutional neural networks for efficient blood flow mapping. Additionally, studies delve into the impact of skin strain on spectral reflectance, the sensitivity of cerebral blood flow measurement techniques, and the potential of photobiomodulation for enhancing brain function. This issue not only showcases the latest theoretical and experimental strides in DLS-based imaging but also anticipates the continued evolution of these modalities for groundbreaking applications in disease detection, diagnosis, and monitoring, marking a pivotal contribution to the field of biomedical optics.
Foundry-scale Quantum Photonic Integrated Circuits (QPICs)
Authors: Fanto Michael
Published: April 2024

Tremendous growth has occurred in the size/complexity of QPICs due to foundry-scale integration. The ongoing challenge is the heterogeneous material integration (either front or back end of the line) to fully functionalize these qubit systems.
Next Generation Integrated High-Q Resonators
Authors: Vahala Kerry
Published: April 2024

Dark and bright soliton microcombs in ultra-low-loss silicon nitride resonators will be reviewed. How these devices are being applied in advanced systems will also be discussed.
Visible Photonics for Scaling Beam Delivery to Trapped Ion Quantum Computers
Authors: Krogstad Molly
Published: April 2024

Beam delivery for trapped ion quantum computing systems requires fine control of beam pointing, amplitude, phase, frequency, and pulse timing. I will discuss challenges scaling these systems and describe why visible integrated photonics offers promise.
Diffractive Optical Processors
Authors: Ozcan Aydogan
Published: April 2024

We discuss diffractive optical processors to implement all-optical statistical inference engines, computational cameras/imagers and inverse design of task-specific optical systems that are based on spatially-engineered surfaces designed by deep learning.
Convex Nanophotonics: Better Materials, Better Designs, and Optimal Performance
Authors: Miller Owen
Published: April 2024

Insights from convex optimization offer new possibilities in nanophotonic design: (1) very-high-index (meta)materials, (2) unsurpassable scaling laws for analog photonics, and (3) near-field radiative heat transfer approaching the ultimate fundamental limits.
Deep-reinforcement-learning-based RMSCA for space division multiplexing networks with multi-core fibers [Invited Tutorial]
Authors: Teng Yiran , Natalino Carlos , Li Haiyuan , Yang Ruizhi , Majeed Jassim , Shen Sen , Monti Paolo , Nejabati Reza , Yan Shuangyi , Simeonidou Dimitra
Published: April 2024

The escalating demands for network capacities catalyze the adoption of space division multiplexing (SDM) technologies. With continuous advances in multi-core fiber (MCF) fabrication, MCF-based SDM networks are positioned as a viable and promising solution to achieve higher transmission capacities in multi-dimensional optical networks. However, with the extensive network resources offered by MCF-based SDM networks comes the challenge of traditional routing, modulation, spectrum, and core allocation (RMSCA) methods to achieve appropriate performance. This paper proposes an RMSCA approach based on deep reinforcement learning (DRL) for MCF-based elastic optical networks (MCF-EONs). Within the solution, a novel state representation with essential network information and a fragmentation-aware reward function were designed to direct the agent in learning effective RMSCA policies. Additionally, we adopted a proximal policy optimization algorithm featuring an action mask to enhance the sampling efficiency of the DRL agent and speed up the training process. The performance of the proposed algorithm was evaluated with two different network topologies with varying traffic loads and fibers with different numbers of cores. The results confirmed that the proposed algorithm outperforms the heuristics and the state-of-the-art DRL-based RMSCA algorithm in reducing the service blocking probability by around 83% and 51%, respectively. Moreover, the proposed algorithm can be applied to networks with and without core switching capability and has an inference complexity compatible with real-world deployment requirements.
Introduction to the ONDM 2023 special issue
Authors: Gomes Teresa , Larrabeiti-López David , Mas-Machuca Carmen , Valcarenghi Luca
Published: April 2024

This JOCN special issue contains extended versions of selected papers presented at the 27th International Conference on Optical Network Design and Modeling (ONDM 2023), which took place on 8–11 May 2023 at the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. The articles in this special issue contain several current topics of optical networking research: quality of transmission (QoT) estimation and its importance in network control and optimization, strategies to reduce power consumption in optical networks, analysis of optical network resilience from the link level up to inter-carrier networks, and strategies to upgrade long-haul quantum key distribution networks.
Development of a visible to 1600 nm hyperspectral imaging rigid-scope system using supercontinuum light and an acousto-optic tunable filter
Authors: Takamatsu Toshihiro , Fukushima Ryodai , Sato Kounosuke , Umezawa Masakazu , Yokota Hideo , Soga Kohei , Hernandez-Guedes Abian , Callico Gustavo M. , Takemura Hiroshi
Published: April 2024

In this study, we developed a rigid-scope system that can perform hyperspectral imaging (HSI) between visible and 1600 nm wavelengths using a supercontinuum light source and an acousto-optic tunable filter to emit specific wavelengths. The system optical performance was verified, and the classification ability was investigated. Consequently, it was demonstrated that HSI (490–1600 nm) could be performed. In addition, seven different targets could be classified by the neural network with an accuracy of 99.6%, recall of 93.7%, and specificity of 99.1% when the wavelength range of over 1000 nm (OTN) was extracted from HSI data as train data.
Wide-range resistivity characterization of semiconductors with terahertz time-domain spectroscopy
Authors: Hennig Joshua , Klier Jens , Duran Stefan , Hsu Kuei-Shen , Beyer Jan , Röder Christian , Beyer Franziska C. , Schüler Nadine , Vieweg Nico , Dutzi Katja , von Freymann Georg , Molter Daniel
Published: April 2024

Resistivity is one of the most important characteristics in the semiconductor industry. The most common way to measure resistivity is the four-point probe method, which requires physical contact with the material under test. Terahertz time domain spectroscopy, a fast and non-destructive measurement method, is already well established in the characterization of dielectrics. In this work, we demonstrate the potential of two Drude model-based approaches to extract resistivity values from terahertz time-domain spectroscopy measurements of silicon in a wide range from about 10−3 Ωcm to 102 Ωcm. One method is an analytical approach and the other is an optimization approach. Four-point probe measurements are used as a reference. In addition, the spatial resistivity distribution is imaged by X-Y scanning of the samples to detect inhomogeneities in the doping distribution.
Regular arrangement of dispersed 2D flakes detected by polarization of light
Authors: Yang Bojun , Chen Zhaozhe , Wang Chang , Zhang Lin , Xiao Si
Published: April 2024

Regular arrangement of dispersed 2D flakes, as the “Wind-Chime” model, has been regarded as possible mechanism of spatial self-phase modulation. But this regular arrangement caused by the laser have not been confirmed, and the relation with the concentration of dispersed 2D flakes is still unclear. Here, the relationship between arrangement caused by electric field and polarized transmittance have been explored at first. Then, the model of flakes rotation to regular arrangement were established, which were proof by the response time by turning on/off electric field. On this basis, by building the polarization-related cross optical switch system, light-induced regular arrangement were observed and proven.
Compact and efficient high-power mid-infrared supercontinuum fiber laser source based on a noise-like pulse and germania fiber
Authors: Wang Meng , Gu Qiyan , Yang Fuhao , Ouyang Deqin , Chen Yewang , Zhao Junqing , Liu Xing , Guo Chunyu , Ruan Shuangchen
Published: April 2024

Here, we demonstrate a compact and efficient high-power mid-infrared supercontinuum (MIR-SC) laser source based on a tunable noise-like pulse (NLP) fiber laser system and a short section of single-mode germania-core fiber (GCF). The NLP all-polarization-maintaining fiber laser system can deliver the maximum output power of ∼30.6 W and a broadband spectrum (∼1.8-2.7 µm) with a compact single-stage fiber amplifier. By directly pumping only ∼6.5 cm-long GCF with a core diameter of ∼3.5 µm, a MIR-SC (spectral coverage of ∼1.5-3.3 µm) with a maximum power of ∼25.2 W and a power conversion efficiency ∼81.2% is obtained, which represent the highest power and efficiency in any single-mode GCF-based MIR-SCs, to the best of our knowledge. Our study contributes to the high-power MIR-SC laser source with compact all-fiber configuration, and will prompt its practical applications.
Spiral scanning improves subject fixation in widefield retinal imaging
Authors: Wei Franklin , Li Claire Y. , Hagan Kristen , Stinnett Sandra S. , Kuo Anthony N. , Izatt Joseph A. , Dhalla Al-Hafeez
Published: April 2024

Point scanning retinal imaging modalities, including confocal scanning light ophthalmoscopy (cSLO) and optical coherence tomography, suffer from fixational motion artifacts. Fixation targets, though effective at reducing eye motion, are infeasible in some applications (e.g., handheld devices) due to their bulk and complexity. Here, we report on a cSLO device that scans the retina in a spiral pattern under pseudo-visible illumination, thus collecting image data while simultaneously projecting, into the subject’s vision, the image of a bullseye, which acts as a virtual fixation target. An imaging study of 14 young adult volunteers was conducted to compare the fixational performance of this technique to that of raster scanning, with and without a discrete inline fixation target. Image registration was used to quantify subject eye motion; a strip-wise registration method was used for raster scans, and a novel, to the best of our knowledge, ring-based method was used for spiral scans. Results indicate a statistically significant reduction in eye motion by the use of spiral scanning as compared to raster scanning without a fixation target.
High-efficiency and broadband tunable Raman fiber laser in a chalcogenide fiber based on the Fresnel reflection
Authors: Yang Lingling , Wang Yingying , Wu Duanduan , Zhang Peiqing , Zhang Lei , Liao Zhaolong , Dai Shixun
Published: April 2024

A high-efficiency and broadband tunable chalcogenide fiber Raman laser with the Fabry–Perot (F–P) cavity formed by the Fresnel reflection was established. A maximum average power slope efficiency of around 43% and a maximum output peak power of about 2.9 W at 2148 nm were demonstrated by using a 2 µm nanosecond pump source. The laser shows a broadened pulse width of 674 ns and a broadband tunability of the central wavelength from 2100 to 2186 nm. The Raman Fabry–Perot cavity constituted by the Fresnel reflection from chalcogenide fiber endfaces can operate at any wavelength without the aid of any additional optical feedback element. This will facilitate the realization of fiber lasers with excellent performance and compact system, especially in the mid-infrared region.
Sorting infrared optical vortices with a nonlinear angular lens
Authors: Shu Weiqian , Qiu Xiaodong , Ren Yuan , Zhang Wuhong , Chen Lixiang
Published: April 2024

Analogous to the regular lens, which spatially maps plane waves in the space domain to distinct points in the Fourier domain, the angular lens establishes the mapping relations between an angular mode and angular position, thus providing an effective toolkit for detecting an optical vortex. However, using the angular lens to sort infrared optical vortex modes via nonlinear optical processes remains relatively unexplored. Here, we design a nonlinear optical version of the angular lens to map the various infrared optical vortex modes to different angular positions in the visible region. We successfully sort nine infrared optical vortex modes of different topological charges with a visible camera, showing the cost-effective ability to sort infrared vortices compared to a relatively expensive infrared camera. Our scheme holds promise for infrared remote sensing, infrared vortex-encoded optical communications, and so on.
Performance optimization of Bloch surface wave based devices using an XGBoost machine learning model
Authors: Yi Hongxian , Goyal Amit Kumar , Massoud Yehia
Published: April 2024

Bloch surface wave (BSW) based photonic devices have attracted significant interest for bio-sensing, spectroscopy, and light manipulation applications due to their ability to confine light at dielectric interfaces. However, optimizing the geometry of BSW structures to achieve desired optical properties can be computationally expensive using conventional simulation methods for multi-parameter design spaces. In this work, we develop machine learning models based on the gradient boosting algorithm XGBoost to predict key optical characteristics of BSW devices and expedite the design process. Finite element method simulations are used to generate a dataset relating BSW structures’ excitation angle, sensitivity, and spectral response to their geometric parameters, including thickness, porosity, and surrounding refractive index. This dataset trains and validates different XGBoost regression models for photonic structure optimization. Our results demonstrate that a model utilizing deep decision trees achieves the highest predictive accuracy, with a mean absolute error of 0.09° in estimating the excitation angle for new structures. We apply this optimized model to uncover the thickness-porosity combinations, enabling a maximum sensitivity of 171-degree/RIU. This machine learning approach provides a powerful tool for the inverse design and performance enhancement of BSW photonic structures beyond the capabilities of conventional simulation-based optimization.
Orbital-angular-momentum-dependent speckles for spatial mode sorting and demultiplexing
Authors: Ma Rui , Luo Ke Hai , Pokharel Sushil , Wang Zhao , Korotkova Olga , He Jing Song , Zhang Wei Li , Fan Dian Yuan , Gomes Anderson S. L. , Liu Jun
Published: April 2024

Characterizing the orbital-angular-momentum (OAM) modes is critically important for OAM-encoded data transfer. However, traditional characterizing approaches rely on either complex and precise experimental configurations or complicated prior information processing. In these scenarios, the correlation features of OAM-dependent speckles from the scattering effect have received little attention. Here, we investigate the cross-correlation characteristics of the OAM speckles resulting from a scattering medium and propose an appealing alternative for spatial mode sorting and demultiplexing based on the OAM-dependent speckles. We demonstrate theoretically and experimentally that the cross-correlation operation between two different OAM-dependent speckles can uniformly derive an annulus pattern, whose dimension is determined by the absolute topological charge difference value between the two corresponding OAM modes. Based on this mechanism, the original coherent OAM modes can be easily sorted by implementing the cross-correlation operation between incoherently measured OAM-dependent speckles. To fully capitalize on the orthogonal feature of the OAM-dependent speckles, we also construct OAM mode demultiplexing experiments using a ground glass diffuser, where both 8-bit grayscale and 24-bit RGB OAM-encoded data demultiplexing are successfully demonstrated with superior error rates. Results show that the OAM-dependent speckles, previously treated as a nuisance for practical applications, can be surprisingly utilized as a competitive candidate for OAM mode sorting and demultiplexing, thus opening new directions in optical communication and information processing.
Deep learning-driven full complex model of highly multimode fibers
Authors: Kermene Vincent , Gobé Benjamin , Saucourt Jérémy , Helbert David , Desfarges-Berthelemot Agnès
Published: April 2024

We present an original deep learning process for modeling a multimodal fiber by use of a neural network. It connects the complex incident field on a fiber with a large number of modes (140 LP modes per polarization) to the output one, without any interferometric setup or reference beam. Using this model, we demonstrate a remote 2D shaping of the field from the multimode fiber, proving the accuracy of our full complex neural network model.
Qualitative evaluation of an edutainment intervention to prevent age-disparate transactional sex in Tanzania: Changes in educational aspirations and gender equitable attitudes towards work
Authors: Pichon Marjorie , Buller Ana Maria , Gimunta Veronicah , Rutenge Oscar , Thiaw Yandé , Sono Revocatus , Howard-Merrill Lottie
Published: April 2024

Age-disparate transactional sex is a major contributor to the disproportionate rates of HIV experienced by adolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa, and a key driver of unintended adolescent pregnancy. This paper comprises one element of the impact evaluation of the Learning Initiative on Norms, Exploitation and Abuse (LINEA) radio drama intervention to prevent age-disparate transactional sex. It provides new insights into the radio drama’s influence on distal drivers of age-disparate transactional sex identified in formative research: girls’ own educational aspirations, and gendered attitudes towards work. The intervention, which targeted adolescent girls and their caregivers in the Shinyanga Region of Tanzania, uses an edutainment approach to prevent transactional sex between girls aged 12–16 years and men at least 5–10 years older. We distributed the 39-episode radio drama on USB flash drives to 331 households and conducted longitudinal in-depth interviews with 59 participants. We conducted a thematic analysis of endline (December 2021) transcripts from 23 girls, 18 women caregivers, and 18 men caregivers of girls (n = 59), and midline (November 2021) transcripts from a sub-sample of these participants: 16 girls, 16 women and 13 men (n = 45). Findings suggest the radio drama created an enabling environment for preventing age-disparate transactional sex by increasing girls’ motivation to focus on their studies and remain in school. There was also strong evidence of increased gender-equitable attitudes about work among girls and women and men caregivers. These supported women joining the workforce in positions traditionally reserved for men and challenging the male provider role. Our findings suggest that the LINEA radio drama can supplement interventions that address structural drivers of age-disparate transactional sex. The radio drama may also have impacts beyond preventing age-disparate transactional sex, such as reducing girls’ HIV morbidity and mortality, and challenging attitudes that promote sexual and gender-based violence to foster more gender-equitable communities across Tanzania.
Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake among health professionals in Debre Markos town public health facilities, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Belay Michu , Tsega Tilahun Degu , Molla Muluye , Teshome Muluken
Published: April 2024

Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased morbidity and mortality. Health professionals are at the frontline of COVID-19 pandemic exposure and are identified as a priority target group that needs to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Data on Ethiopian healthcare workers’ use of the COVID-19 vaccine and associated factors, however, are scarce. Using a simple random sampling method, 398 health professionals were recruited through an institutional-based cross-sectional study design. Health professionals working in Debre Markos town public health facilities filled out a self-administered questionnaire that had been pretested to obtain the data. Then, the data were entered into Epi data version 4.2; and analyzed by SPSS 25. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis were computed after model assumptions were checked. The adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI was calculated and statistical significance was declared at P-value < 0.05 after model adequacy was checked using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. The uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine among health professionals was 61.56% (95% CI: 56.67%, 66.23%). Factors associated with the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine were age > = 35 years (AOR: 4.39, 95% CI: 1.89, 10.19), having a higher income (>9056 Birr) (AOR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.03, 3.10), who practiced COVID-19 Prevention methods (AOR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.51, 3.77), Adulthood previous other immunization histories (AOR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.15, 2.56) and having a chronic disease (AOR:1.90,95% CI: 1.07, 3.74). This study revealed that the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine was low. Age > = 35 years, having a higher income, who practiced COVID-19 prevention methods, having adulthood previous immunization histories, and having chronic disease were statistically significantly identified factors for COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Therefore, policymakers and health managers should think about the requirement of immunization of healthcare workers and develop plans for administering the COVID-19 vaccine.
Insect detect: An open-source DIY camera trap for automated insect monitoring
Authors: Sittinger Maximilian , Uhler Johannes , Pink Maximilian , Herz Annette
Published: April 2024

Insect monitoring is essential to design effective conservation strategies, which are indispensable to mitigate worldwide declines and biodiversity loss. For this purpose, traditional monitoring methods are widely established and can provide data with a high taxonomic resolution. However, processing of captured insect samples is often time-consuming and expensive, which limits the number of potential replicates. Automated monitoring methods can facilitate data collection at a higher spatiotemporal resolution with a comparatively lower effort and cost. Here, we present the Insect Detect DIY (do-it-yourself) camera trap for non-invasive automated monitoring of flower-visiting insects, which is based on low-cost off-the-shelf hardware components combined with open-source software. Custom trained deep learning models detect and track insects landing on an artificial flower platform in real time on-device and subsequently classify the cropped detections on a local computer. Field deployment of the solar-powered camera trap confirmed its resistance to high temperatures and humidity, which enables autonomous deployment during a whole season. On-device detection and tracking can estimate insect activity/abundance after metadata post-processing. Our insect classification model achieved a high top-1 accuracy on the test dataset and generalized well on a real-world dataset with captured insect images. The camera trap design and open-source software are highly customizable and can be adapted to different use cases. With custom trained detection and classification models, as well as accessible software programming, many possible applications surpassing our proposed deployment method can be realized.
Diversity and complexity of arthropod references in haiku
Authors: Deans Andrew R. , Porturas Laura
Published: April 2024

Haiku are short poems, each composed of about 10 words, that typically describe moments in nature. People have written haiku since at least the 17th century, and the medium continues to be popular with poets, amateurs, educators, and students. Collectively, these poems represent an opportunity to understand which aspects of nature—e.g., which taxa and biological traits—resonate with humans and whether there are temporal trends in their representation or the emotions associated with these moments. We tested this potential using a mix of linguistic and biological methods, in analyses of nearly 4,000 haiku that reference arthropods. We documented the taxa and the life history traits represented in these poems and how they changed over time. We also analyzed the poems for emotion and tone. Our results reveal a mix of predictable trends and compelling surprises, each of which stand to potentially inform engagement strategies. At least 99 families of arthropods, in 28 orders, are represented in these haiku. The eight most commonly referenced taxa, from highest to lowest number of references, include: Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, Araneae, Orthoptera, Hemiptera, and Odonata. Several common, conspicuous orders were never referenced, including Trichoptera, Plecoptera, and Megaloptera. The most commonly referenced traits relate to ecology (especially habitat, phenology, time of day), behavior (especially sound production), phenotype (especially color), and locomotion (especially flight). The least common traits in haiku relate to arthropod reproduction and physiology. Our analyses revealed few obvious temporal trends in the representations of taxa, biological traits, or emotion and tone. The broader implications of these results and possible future directions are discussed.
Causality of genetically determined blood metabolites on irritable bowel syndrome: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Dai Xinyi , Liang Min , Dai Yanna , Ding Shaohua , Sun Xiaohe , Xu Luzhou
Published: April 2024

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional bowel disorders and dysmetabolism plays an important role in the pathogenesis of disease. Nevertheless, there remains a lack of information regarding the causal relationship between circulating metabolites and IBS. A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted in order to evaluate the causal relationship between genetically proxied 486 blood metabolites and IBS.

Methods

A two-sample MR analysis was implemented to assess the causality of blood metabolites on IBS. The study utilized a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to examine 486 metabolites as the exposure variable while employing a GWAS study with 486,601 individuals of European descent as the outcome variable. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was used to estimate the causal relationship of metabolites on IBS, while several methods were performed to eliminate the pleiotropy and heterogeneity. Another GWAS data was used for replication and meta-analysis. In addition, reverse MR and linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) were employed for additional assessment. Multivariable MR analysis was conducted in order to evaluate the direct impact of metabolites on IBS.

Results

Three known and two unknown metabolites were identified as being associated with the development of IBS. Higher levels of butyryl carnitine (OR(95%CI):1.10(1.02–1.18),p = 0.009) and tetradecanedioate (OR(95%CI):1.13(1.04–1.23),p = 0.003)increased susceptibility of IBS and higher levels of stearate(18:0)(OR(95%CI):0.72(0.58–0.89),p = 0.003) decreased susceptibility of IBS.

Conclusion

The metabolites implicated in the pathogenesis of IBS possess potential as biomarkers and hold promise for elucidating the underlying biological mechanisms of this condition.