bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predykaty wyższego vs. pierwszego rzędu jako problem syntaktyczny
Authors: Kiklewicz Aleksander
Published: May 2024

HIGHER-ORDER VS FIRST-ORDER PREDICATES AS A SYNTACTIC PROBLEM The author considers the problems of syntactic analysis of language expressions with higher-order and first-order predicates. In the first part it is shown that there are some discrepancies in the treatment of these categories: on the one hand, in semantic syntax, and, on the other hand, in predicate logic and in categorial grammar. In the following chapters, the author analyses the disputed phenomena that can be treated in two ways, depending on whether the verb is considered a first-order or higher-order predicate. At the same time, it is stated that the valence properties of a verb depend on its lexical meaning, and, on the other hand, the definition of meaning should take into account the nature of the syntactic structure. The notion of precedent representations is suggested, i. e. constructions with a clausal actant that indicate the propositional status of the appropriate complements of the predicate.
O przyczynach dwóch ornitologicznych nieporozumień w tekście Kroniki wszytkiego świata Marcina Bielskiego
Authors: Miakiszew Władimir
Published: May 2024

ROOTS OF TWO ORNITHOLOGICAL MISTAKES FOUND IN THE CHRONICLES OF THE WHOLE WORLD BY MARCIN BIELSKI
Two fragments from the tenth volume of Marcin Bielski’s Kronika Wszytkiego Świata [Chronicles of the Whole World], dealing with the discovery of Haiti by Columbus and with the arrival of Cadamosto’s men at the uncharted territory of what is now Senegal, contain descriptions of starlings, but with the appearance and behaviour that is not typical of this bird species. Taking into account the fact that starlings did not inhabit those lands at the time, the author of the article attempts to figure out both the reason behind the ornithological misunderstanding and the actual type of the birds the travelers met.
Ile ojca, ile matki jest w polskiej ojczyźnie?
Authors: Niebrzegowska-Bartmińska Stanisława
Published: May 2024

HOW MUCH OF A FATHER, HOW MUCH OF A MOTHER IS THERE IN THE POLISH OJCZYZNA [FATHERLAND]? ONCE AGAIN ABOUT THE ROLE OF ETYMOLOGICAL DATA IN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE LINGUISTIC WORLDVIEW
The author assumes that (1) etymological data are ethnolinguistically relevant, (2) the task of etymological research is to detect the original meaning of a word (to find the original semantic motivation) and to reach a world that disappeared, but, at the same time, remained a part of the present, (3) the focus of the research should shift from formal interests to broadly understood semantics (reconstruction of the conceptualization processes that accompany the nominations and of the linguistic image of the words hiding behind words). Based on this, the author undertakes the analysis of the names for the fatherland in the Polish language. To do this, she compares the Polish lexis and its onomasiological basis with the corresponding vocabulary of other Slavic languages. According to the author, studying the semantics of a whole group of words allows us to discover the basic cognitive situation, i.e. the generalized experience of a specific linguistic and cultural community. Using dictionary data and studies of the concept of the “fatherland” in Slavic languages, the author analyses the names related to the Polish concept of OJCZYZNA: lexical and semantic nests such as “ojczyzna i patria” [homeland and patria], “macierz [“motherland”], “państwo” [“state”] and “kraj” [country], and she extracts the underlying cultural “codes”: (1) kin and family, (2) home, (3) power and dominion, and (4) land. The author also shows the coherence of these codes and the image of the fatherland that emerges from them.
Investigating Predicate Types and Mood Selection in Polish Complement Clauses: An Empirical Study
Authors: Twardowska Hanna
Published: May 2024

TYPY PREDYKATÓW I WYBÓR TRYBU W POLSKICH ZDANIACH DOPEŁNIENIOWYCH – BADANIE EMPIRYCZNE
Często zakłada się, że występowanie trybu łączącego jest ograniczone tylko do języków, które mają osobny paradygmat odmian dla tego trybu. Takie założenia sprawiają, że tryb łączący nie może pojawić się w językach takich jak język polski ze względu na brak osobnych końcówek morfologicznych. Jednakże polska konstrukcja, która składa się ze spójnika zdaniowego żeby oraz imiesłowu przeszłego, wykazuje właściwości semantyczne oraz morfoskładniowe podobne do tych zaobserwowanych dla hiszpańskiego trybu łączącego. Konstrukcja ta pojawia się prawie wyłącznie w zdaniach podrzędnych, nie pozwala na koreferencyjność podmiotów, a także jest defektywna pod względem czasowym. Ponadto możemy ją znaleźć po tych samych typach predykatów, po których występuje tryb łączący w języku hiszpańskim. Z tego względu celem tego artykułu jest pokazanie, że można założyć istnienie konstrukcji koniunktywnej w języku polskim. To założenie potwierdzają dane uzyskane w wyniku badania korpusowego oraz testu gramatyczności.
Improving Snowplowing Operations in Utah Through Optimization and Visualization
Authors: Wang Yinhu , Chen Ye , Ryzhov Ilya O. , Liu Xiaoyue Cathy , Marković Nikola
Published: May 2024

This paper optimizes snowplowing routes across 12 regions in northern Utah, achieving reductions in total travel time, turnaround time, and deadhead miles by averages of 5.04%, 15.01%, and 14.84% respectively. It assesses tradeoffs between operational policies such as echelon vs. non-echelon routing and centralized vs. decentralized optimization, aiding local management decisions. Furthermore, the paper utilizes data visualization to showcase the effectiveness of new routes compared with current practice, providing valuable insights to the Utah Department of Transportation.
Unconventional Monetary Policy Transmission and Bank Lending Relationships
Authors: Cahn Christophe , Duquerroy Anne , Mullins William
Published: May 2024

Firms with only one bank relationship make up the majority of firms in many economies. This paper explores whether policy-driven lending is differentially transmitted to single-bank firms in comparison with the multibank firms that are the focus of the literature. Using unique variation in the ECB’s very long-term refinancing operations (VLTROs), which affected lending to firms discontinuously across credit ratings but within banks, we find selective transmission of VLTRO liquidity to single-bank firms. Banks apply higher lending standards to single-bank firms, with banking relationships determining both new lending and lending maturity. By contrast, banks appear to transmit policy lending near-uniformly across multibank firms.

This paper was accepted by David Sraer, finance.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.01871 .
Wellbeing, support and intention to leave: a survey of nurses, midwives and healthcare support workers in Wales
Authors: Gammon John , Hunt Julian , Holland Peter , Tham Tse Leng , Williams Sharon
Published: May 2024

Background/Aims

Low morale and burnout is a widely acknowledged problem among healthcare professionals, with implications for staffing levels and quality of care. This study aimed to provide insight into the wellbeing of nurses, midwives and healthcare support workers, and propose strategies to support a resilient workforce and organisational development.

Methods

An online survey was conducted with 462 nursing and midwifery staff at one NHS health board in Wales. Validated scales were used to measure key indicators, such as workload, bullying and burnout. Descriptive analysis was undertaken of the quantitative data and content analysis of the qualitative data.

Results

The survey found high levels of work intensification and burnout, with considerable proportions of respondents reporting intentions to leave their job and profession. Low levels of organisational support and trust in senior management were reported, which qualitative analysis indicated was contributing to intention to leave.

Conclusions

Healthcare leaders need to place more importance on the wellbeing of staff and consider the impact of workplace climate. An inclusive, localised approach to challenges in the working climate is recommended to effectively promote a resilient and sustainable workforce.
Intelligent IoT-based Control System of the UAV for Meteorological Measurements
Authors: Kozlov Oleksiy , Kondratenko Yuriy , Skakodub Oleksandr
Published: May 2024

This study focuses on the creation and examination of an intelligent automated control system for UAVs utilized in meteorological measurements based on the Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile technologies. The proposed system enables the achievement of commendable flight control standards for UAVs during meteorological data gathering, thereby markedly enhancing the overall effectiveness of meteorological stations. Notably, this system is constructed on the foundation of three integrated principles: (a) a hierarchical two-level approach for control and data collection based on IoT and mobile technologies, (b) a straightforward and dependable fuzzy logic control characterized by high performance, and (c) the effective optimization of fuzzy control components through the application of bio-inspired multi-agent computing techniques. To assess the performance of the suggested intelligent system, this study involves the creation and bioinspired optimization of the climb speed fuzzy controller. Subsequent simulation experiments are conducted to evaluate the automatic control of UAV’s flight processes under different modes. The analysis of the simulation results indicates that the developed system, utilizing fuzzy control, exhibits superior efficiency and higher quality metrics when compared to existing counterparts, especially in diverse flight scenarios such as uniform climbing, gradual approach to designated altitude levels, and smooth landing during meteorological measurements.
poder dos museus:
Authors: Jesus Priscila Maria de , Santos Debora Maria Silva
Published: May 2024

Ao refletir sobre o papel dos museus é possível associá-lo como um agente da comunicação e informação, bem como sua capacidade de reinvenção e adaptação ao longo dos séculos. O presente trabalho objetiva analisar a historicidade dos museus entendendo-os como um reflexo do seu tempo e que proporciona um espaço para a discussão de questões ligadas ao bem-estar social. Por metodologia utilizou-se a qualitativa, para a interpretação do fenômeno e o levantamento bibliográfico em periódicos e sites institucionais. O tema reflete questões levantadas em documentos como a Mesa Redonda de Santiago do Chile e a Carta de Caracas, nos quais os espaços museais e seus profissionais, que permite a discussão em três eixos: o ambiental, o tecnológico e o educativo.
Ruínas da Igreja Velha de Itabaiana-SE
Authors: De Oliveira Menezes Wanderlei
Published: May 2024

Esta pesquisa tem por objeto a história da Igreja Velha de Itabaiana, hoje em ruínas, situada no povoado de mesmo nome, na zona rural de Itabaiana, Sergipe. Estudamos a história desse patrimônio cultural material itabaianenses, procurando compreender o contexto de sua edificação, usos e desusos. Nesse contexto, procuramos inserir a história local dentro desse estudo associada às lendas que giravam entorno das ruínas em tempos remotos. O local onde se encontra atualmente o município de Itabaiana era conhecido no século XVII como Caatinga de Ayres da Rocha. Em 1668, o sítio passa a ser propriedade do Padre Sebastião Pedrosa Góes que o vende à Irmandade das Almas, entidade religiosa fundada em 1665, com a condição de nele ser edificado um templo sob a invocação de Santo Antônio e Almas de Itabaiana. Com isso, a sede municipal é transferida, em 1675, do arraial de Santo Antônio para o terreno adquirido pela irmandade. Esse fato histórico é incorporado à história através da lenda de Santo Antônio fujão, segundo a qual Santo Antônio estava insatisfeito por ter sido colocado em um templo em terreno particular e resolveu fugir rotineiramente e se estabelecer numa quixabeira, até o dia em que lhe construíram uma igreja.  Após isso, a primitiva igreja sofre processo de paulatino desuso. No século passado, começa a ser transformada em patrimônio cultural por seu valor simbólico e histórico para a comunidade itabaianense, ligando-se as origens históricas e lendárias da cidade serrana.
Laser axial scanning microdissection for high-efficiency dissection from uneven biological samples
Authors: Yang Minjun , Ji BingQing , Luo Qingming , Jiang Tao , Yang Xiaoquan
Published: May 2024

Fast and efficient separation of target samples is crucial for the application of laser-assisted microdissection in the molecular biology research field. Herein, we developed a laser axial scanning microdissection (LASM) system with an 8.6 times extended depth of focus by using an electrically tunable lens. We showed that the ablation quality of silicon wafers at different depths became homogenous after using our system. More importantly, for those uneven biological tissue sections within a height difference of no more than 19.2 µm, we have demonstrated that the targets with a size of microns at arbitrary positions can be dissected efficiently without additional focusing and dissection operations. Besides, dissection experiments on various biological samples with different embedding methods, which were widely adopted in biological experiments, also have shown the feasibility of our system.
Extended-depth-of-field imaging with an ultra-thin folded lens
Authors: Zhang Lehan , Wang Shuo , Li Dachao , Zhu Meng , Li Yuhai , Xie Na , Zhang Hongxia , Jia Dagong
Published: May 2024

Optical systems with extended depth of field (EDOF) are crucial for observation and measurement applications, where achieving compactness and a substantial depth of field (DOF) presents a considerable challenge with conventional optical elements. In this paper, we propose an innovative solution for the miniaturization of EDOF imaging systems by introducing an ultra-thin annular folded lens (AFL). To validate the practical feasibility of the theory, we design an annular four-folded lens with an effective focal length of 80.91 mm and a total thickness of only 8.50 mm. Simulation results show that the proposed folded lens has a DOF of 380.55 m. We further developed an AFL-based test system exhibiting a resolution of 0.11 mrad across a wide wavelength range of 486–656 nm. Additionally, we present experimental results from a miniature compact prototype, which further highlights the promising potential of folded lenses for long-range EDOF imaging.
Enhancing color saturation in photonic glasses through optimized absorption
Authors: Zhang Guotao , Xiao Ming
Published: May 2024

Photonic glasses, isotropically assembled nanoparticles with short-range correlation, can produce angle independent structural colors. They show broader reflectance spectra and lower saturated colors, compared to photonic crystals. Low color saturation creates barriers for photonic glasses to be used for coatings, cosmetics, and colors. Broadband absorbing materials are commonly used to absorb incoherently scattered light to enhance the saturation. However, there is limited understanding on how the absorption quantitatively affects the colors of photonic glasses. To this end, we here use a validated Monte Carlo-based multiple scattering model to investigate how absorption impacts the reflectance spectra in photonic glasses. We show that the color saturation can be maximized with an optimal level of absorption regardless of sample thickness or refractive index contrast between particles and matrix. We quantitatively demonstrate that the multiple scattering is largely reduced with the optimal absorption level and the reflectance is dominantly contributed by the single scattering. The optimal absorption occurs when the sample absorption mean free path is comparable to the transport mean free path, which offers a guidance on how much absorbing material is needed for creating highly saturated photonic glasses. This work will not only pave ways for pushing applications of angle-independent structural colors, but also improve our understanding of light scattering and absorption in short-range correlated disordered systems.
Transient gas-induced differential refractive index effects in as-drawn hollow core optical fibers
Authors: Kelly Thomas W. , Rikimi Shuichiro , Davidson Ian A. , Chen Yong , Bawn Simon , Bradley Thomas D. , Taranta Austin A. , Poletti Francesco , Richardson David J. , Horak Peter , Wheeler Natalie V.
Published: May 2024

When a hollow core fiber is drawn, the core and cladding holes within the internal cane geometry are pressurized with an inert gas to enable precise control over the internal microstructure of the fiber and counteract surface tension forces. Primarily by considering the temperature drop as the fiber passes through the furnace and the geometrical transformation of the internal microstructure from preform-to-fiber, we recently established that the gas pressure within the final ‘as-drawn’ fiber is substantially below atmospheric pressure. We have also established that slight changes in the gas refractive index within the core and surrounding cladding holes induced by changes in gas pressure are sufficient to significantly affect both the modality and loss of the fiber. Here we demonstrate, through both simulations and experimental measurements, that the combination of these effects leads to transient changes in the fiber’s attenuation when the fibers are opened to atmosphere post-fabrication. It is important to account for this phenomenon for accurate fiber characterization, particularly when long lengths of fiber are drawn where it could take many weeks for every part of the internal microstructure to reach atmospheric pressure.
Error compensation for near optical coaxial phase measuring deflectometry with refraction error model
Authors: Li Yanling , Zhang Zonghua , Xu Yongjia , Gao Feng , Wang Ruiyang , Yu Yang , Gao Nan , Meng Zhaozong , Jiang Xiangqian
Published: May 2024

Phase measuring deflectometry (PMD) is a key measurement technology for specular surfaces form measurement. Compared with conventional PMD techniques, the near optical coaxial PMD (NCPMD) can achieve compact configuration, light weight and reducing measurement error caused by shadows of the surface structures through utilizing a plate beamsplitter. However, the introduction of the plate beamsplitter will affect the measurement accuracy of the NCPMD system. The refraction of the plate beamsplitter needs to be considered. In this work, a virtual system of NCPMD was established, and an error model of the NCPMD system by considering the refraction influence of the plate beamsplitter was presented to analyze the shape reconstruction error caused by the plate beamsplitter. Moreover, the calibration method of the beamsplitter and the ray tracing algorithm to achieve error compensation of the beamsplitter were proposed. The proposed error compensation method can effectively improve the measurement accuracy of NCPMD system which has been confirmed by surface measurement experiments.
Investigating the angular distortion impact on vehicular optical camera communication (OCC) systems
Authors: Liu Anqi , Shi Wenxiao , Safari Majid , Liu Wei
Published: May 2024

Optical camera communication (OCC) shows promise for optical wireless communication (OWC) in vehicular networks. However, vehicle mobility-induced angular distortions hinder system throughput by degrading non-isotropic vehicular OCC channel gain. Few of the prior works have ever made a comprehensive analysis of their impact, especially based on the pixel value which reflects the camera imaging features. To address this knowledge gap, a pixel value-described vehicular OCC system model accounting for transmitter imaging location and intensity from the geometry and radiometry aspects is presented in this paper with common types of the offset and rotation angles included. We integrate a MATLAB-based simulated vehicular OCC system with an experimentally designed testbed for validation and performance analysis. For a single-time snapshot, we investigate the impacts of common angular distortion types in vehicular OCC systems on maximum pixel value, imaging location, and communication-related metrics. Furthermore, we statistically analyze their influences by considering two driving scenarios with respective angular distributions. The angular distortion characterization from this work is expected to lay a stepping stone to addressing mobility in vehicular OCC systems.
Split ring hole metamaterial-enhanced pyroelectric detector for efficient multi-narrowband terahertz detection
Authors: Wang Yangtao , Jing Weixuan , Gao Liang , Han Feng , Meng Qingzhi , Yang Chenfeng , Zhao Libo , Jiang Zhuangde , Chan Chi Hou
Published: May 2024

Derived from infrared pyroelectric detection, typical terahertz (THz) pyroelectric detectors have low sensitivity at low-frequency THz bands. Based on the high-efficiency absorption of the metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA), a novel split ring hole metamaterial-enhanced pyroelectric detector is proposed to achieve efficient multi-narrowband THz detection. Using high frequency simulation software (HFSS), the dimensional parameters including ring radius, ring width, connection beam width, array period, and thickness, are optimized to enhance efficient multi-narrowband absorption. The as-optimized metamaterial-enhanced detectors are fabricated via micro-nano manufacturing technology. The voltage responsiveness and noise equivalent power of the metamaterial-enhanced detector are tested by THz focused optical path and compared with those of the typical pyroelectric detector and the simulated MPA absorptivity. The results indicate that the metamaterial-enhanced detector has a multi-narrowband detection capability at 0.245 THz, 0.295 THz, and 0.38 THz, which is close to the simulated MPA absorptivity. Compared to the typical pyroelectric detector, the split ring hole metamaterial-enhanced detector can simultaneously achieve thermal absorption, thermal conduction, and pyroelectricity in the same MPA structure, providing faster response speed above 100 Hz chopper frequency and two times higher detection sensitivity at multi-narrowband THz frequencies. This research can be used for THz sensing, absorption filtering, biological macromolecule detection, and other applications.
Fast Zernike fitting of freeform surfaces using the Gauss-Legendre quadrature
Authors: Fan Yiwen , Forbes G. W. , Rolland Jannick P.
Published: May 2024

Zernike polynomial orthogonality, an established mathematical principle, is leveraged with the Gauss-Legendre quadrature rule in a rapid novel approach to fitting data over a circular domain. This approach provides significantly faster fitting speeds, in the order of thousands of times, while maintaining comparable error rates achieved with conventional least-square fitting techniques. We demonstrate the technique for fitting mid-spatial-frequencies (MSF) prevalent in small-tool-manufacturing typical of aspheric and freeform optics that are poised to soon permeate a wide range of optical technologies.
Highly focused beam generated with a height tuned micro-optical structure for high contrast microscopic imaging
Authors: Sui Xinqi , Kuang Dengfeng , Liu Gangshuo , Ding Yumeng , meng Meng , Xi Rimo
Published: May 2024

Light sheet illumination technology improves the signal-to-noise ratio, resolution, and reduces scattered backgrounds for biological microscopic detection system. Here, we developed a novel micro-optical structure to produce a focused and uniform beam for the enhancement of imaging contrast. The beam intensity and working distance can be modified by adjusting the height and period of the structure. Our experiments successfully recorded structured light illumination, demonstrating the ability of the structure to capture high-contrast imaging data. We compared the light fields generated with and without the structure to assess the imaging quality, revealing a maximum 4.78-fold improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio. This work provides a potential method for high-resolution and high-contrast light sheet fluorescence microscopic detection.
Development of raw-image ray-bundling for focused and unfocused plenoptic 3D-PTV
Authors: Chen Yusheng , Chen Chiencheng , Tan Zu Puayen
Published: May 2024

This paper introduces a new plenoptic 3D particle tracking velocimetry (3D-PTV) technique called raw-image ray-bundling (RIRB), which combines the 3D clustering algorithm of light-field ray-bundling (LFRB) with the raw image segmentation concept of epipolar triangular connectivity (ETC). The combined approach provides flexibility towards accommodating both unfocused and focused plenoptic cameras. Additionally, the RIRB algorithm bypasses the computational step of perspective-view generation in LFRB, thereby allowing lower specification microlens arrays (MLA) to be used without excessive loss of measurement resolution. As part of RIRB’s development, synthetic particle-field data and experimental dot-panel targets were used to demonstrate the viability of RIRB. The latter was performed through a VEO640 high-speed camera retrofitted for plenoptic imaging with a 2.5 mm focal-length, F/10 MLA. For the synthetic dataset, RIRB demonstrated better performance than LFRB in processing low-resolution images, with mean errors below 0.85% of the field-of-view (FOV). Additionally, a synthetic Hagen-Poiseuille flow dataset was used to demonstrate the feasibility of RIRB for 3D flow velocimetry using both high and low-resolution images. For the experimental dataset, x/y errors below 0.15% of the FOV and z error below 1.0% were achieved. The combination of synthetic and experimental validations suggests RIRB is a promising approach for 3D triangulation from both focused and unfocused raw plenoptic images, overcoming the low-resolution issue inherent with perspective-view decoding in plenoptic systems.
Optical damage thresholds of single-mode fiber-tip spintronic terahertz emitters
Authors: Paries Felix , Selz Felix , Santos Cristiane N. , Lampin Jean-François , Koleják Pierre , Lezier Geoffrey , Troadec David , Tiercelin Nicolas , Vanwolleghem Mathias , Addda Ahmed , Kampfrath Tobias , Seifert Tom S. , Freymann Georg von , Molter Daniel
Published: May 2024

Spintronic terahertz emitters (STEs) are gapless, ultrabroadband terahertz sources that can be driven within a wide pump-wavelength and repetition-rate range. While STEs driven by strong pump lasers operating at kilohertz repetition rates excel in generating high electric field strengths for terahertz spectroscopy or ellipsometry, newly advancing technologies such as ultrafast modulation of terahertz polarization, scanning tunneling microscopy, laser terahertz emission nanoscopy, and fully fiber-coupled integrated systems demand an STE pumping at megahertz repetition rates. In all these applications the available terahertz power is ultimately limited by the STE’s optical damage threshold. However, to date, only very few publications have targeted this crucial topic and investigations beyond the kilohertz repetition-rate regime are missing. Here, we present a complete study of our single-mode fiber-tip STEs’ optical damage thresholds covering the kilohertz, megahertz, and gigahertz repetition-rate regimes as well as continuous-wave irradiation. As a very important finding, we introduce the necessity of classifying the optical damage threshold into two regimes: a low-repetition-rate regime characterized by a nearly constant fluence threshold, and a high-repetition-rate regime characterized by an antiproportional fluence dependence ("average-power threshold"). For our single-mode fiber-tip STEs, the transition between these regimes occurs around 4 MHz. Moreover, we present a cohesive theory of the damaging thermodynamical processes at play and identify temperature-driven inter-layer diffusion as the primary cause of the STE failure. These findings are substantiated by atomic force microscopy, infrared scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy, and scanning transmission electron microscopy measurements. This new level of understanding offers a clear optimization lever and provides valuable support for future advancements in the promising field of spintronic terahertz emission.
Heterogeneous sapphire-supported low-loss photonic platform
Authors: Wang Yubo , Guo Yu , Zhou Yiyu , Xie Hao , Tang Hong X.
Published: May 2024

Sapphire is a promising wideband substrate material for visible photonics. It is a common growth substrate for III-nitride light-emitting diodes and laser structures. Doped sapphires are important gain media foundational to the development of titanium-sapphire and ruby lasers. For lasers operating at visible and near-infrared wavelengths, a photonic platform that minimizes loss while maximizing gain material overlap is crucial. Here, we introduce a novel low-loss waveguiding strategy that establishes high-performance integrated photonics on sapphire substrates. This platform achieves a high intrinsic quality factor of 5.6 million near 780 nm and features direct compatibility with a range of solid-state laser gain media.
Ultra-high sensitive dual-parameter sensor based on double-hole fiber for simultaneous detection of magnetic field and temperature
Authors: Fu Haihao , Sheng Zhufeng , Gao Wei , Guo Yuying , Wang Biao , Wang Xin , Lou Shuqin
Published: May 2024

An ultra-high sensitive dual-parameter sensor based on double-hole fiber (DHF) is proposed for simultaneous detection of magnetic fields and temperatures. The sensor utilizes the DHF containing a Ge-doped core with two large air holes symmetrically arranged at its two sides. To enhance the sensitivity to both a magnetic field and temperature, Al wires with different diameters are embedded on the inner walls of the air holes in the DHF, creating a magnetic field sensing channel filled with magnetic fluid and a temperature sensing channel filled with thermo-sensitive liquid. Structural parameters and metal materials of the sensor are optimized by using the finite element method. Numerical results demonstrate that this DHF-based dual-parameter sensor can detect magnetic fields ranging from 40 Oe to 130 Oe and temperatures ranging from 24.3 °C to 49.3 °C simultaneously. The maximum magnetic field sensitivity reaches up to 64000 pm/mT, while the maximum temperature sensitivity is approximately 44.6 nm/°C, both exceeding current reports by more than one order of magnitude for simultaneous detection of magnetic field and temperature. With its high sensitivity, low fabrication difficulty, and simple structure, this DHF-based dual-parameter sensor has potential applications in the fields of material characterization analysis, geological environmental monitoring, and aeronautical engineering.
Miniaturized preamplifier integration in ultrasound transducer design for enhanced photoacoustic imaging
Authors: Zafar Mohsin , Manwar Rayyan , Avanaki Kamran
Published: May 2024

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) utilizes the photoacoustic effect to record both vascular and functional characteristics of a biological tissue. Photoacoustic signals have typically low amplitude that cannot be read efficiently by data acquisition systems. This necessitates the use of one or more amplifiers. These amplifiers are somewhat bulky (e.g., the ZFL-500LN+, Mini-Circuits, USA, or 351A-3-50-NI, Analog Modules Inc., USA). Here, we describe the fabrication and development process of a transducer with a built-in low-noise preamplifier that is encased within the transducer housing. This new, to the best of our knowledge, design could be advantageous for applications where a compact transducer + preamplifier is required. We demonstrate the performance of this compact detection unit in a laser scanning photoacoustic microscopy system by imaging a rat ear ex vivo and a rat brain vasculature in vivo.
Effect of pre-plasma on terahertz radiation from two-color laser plasma filaments in a collinear geometry
Authors: Sun Lili , Chen Yanping , Zhang Zhelin , Xia Tianhao , Wang Linzheng , Wang Chen , Chen Liming , Sheng Zhengming
Published: May 2024

Terahertz (THz) radiation from air plasma in the presence of pre-plasma in a collinear geometry is investigated experimentally, where the pre-plasma is formed by a pre-pulse with a Gaussian beam profile and the measured THz radiation is driven by a main laser pulse. The pre-plasma has a de-focusing effect for the main pulse passing through it, which reduces the effective length of the plasma filament formed by the main laser pulse for THz radiation. It is found that only the part not overlapped by the pre-plasma can actually produce THz radiation. Thus, the amplitude of the THz pulse driven by the main pulse can be modified by changing the spatial separation between two plasma filaments. The experimental observations are qualitatively in agreement with our numerical simulation results. It is also found that the change of the time delay between the pre-pulse and the main pulse does not change the THz radiation amplitude for a given spatial separation. This study suggests a practical way for the manipulation of THz waves through an interaction between laser plasma filaments.
Homemade open-source full-Stokes polarimeter based on division of amplitude
Authors: Harutinian Jorge Seman , del Río-Lima Alejandra , Valdés Andrés Gutiérrez , Mojica-Casique Cristian , Ballesteros-Flores Fernando , Villanueva-Reyes Itze , Colín-Rodríguez Ricardo , Gardea-Flores Carlos , Poveda-Cuevas Jackson
Published: May 2024

We present an open-source homemade Stokes polarimeter for real-time determination of the state and degree of polarization of a light beam by measuring all four Stokes parameters. Our design uses standard, commercially available optical components, mounted on a 3D printed base. Our user-friendly software allows visualization of the measured polarization state on the Poincaré sphere. The accuracy of the polarimeter largely depends on the quality of the chosen optical components, which in turn affects its price. Depending on this choice, the instrument can be used for applications ranging from simple didactic purposes to more accurate, research-grade measurements. In our case we estimate an accuracy better than 1.60º in the determination of the state-of-polarization and 4.2% in the degree-of-polarization. We find the instrument to be particularly useful for fast and efficient stabilization of polarization-maintaining optical fibers, representing a low-cost alternative to more expensive commercial instruments.
Polarization Purity and Dispersion Characteristics of Nested Antiresonant Nodeless Hollow-Core Optical Fiber at Near- and Mid-IR Wavelengths for Quantum Communications
Authors: Afxenti Ivi , Yu Lijun , Shields Taylor , Faccio Daniele , Bradley Tom , Caspani Lucia , Clerici Matteo , Dada Adetunmise
Published: May 2024

Advancements in quantum communication and sensing require improved optical transmission that ensures excellent state purity and reduced losses. While free-space optical communication is often preferred, its use becomes challenging over long distances due to beam divergence, atmospheric absorption, scattering, and turbulence, among other factors. In the case of polarization encoding, traditional silica-core optical fibers, though commonly used, struggle with maintaining state purity due to stress-induced birefringence. Hollow core fibers, and in particular nested antiresonant fibers (NANF), have recently been shown to possess unparalleled polarization purity with minimal birefringence in the telecom wavelength range using continuous-wave (CW) laser light. Here, we investigate a 1-km NANF designed for wavelengths up to the 2-μm waveband. Our results show a polarization extinction ratio between ~-30 dB and ~-70 dB across the 1520 to 1620 nm range in CW operation, peaking at ~-60 dB at the 2-μm design wavelength. Our study also includes the pulsed regime, providing insights beyond previous CW studies, e.g., on the propagation of broadband quantum states of light in NANF at 2 μm, and corresponding extinction-ratio-limited quantum bit-error rates (QBER) for prepare-measure and entanglement-based quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols. Our findings highlight the potential of these fibers in emerging applications such as QKD, pointing towards a new standard in optical quantum technologies.
Prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and its association with glycemic control in persons with type 2 diabetes in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ekpor Emmanuel , Akyirem Samuel , Adade Duodu Precious
Published: May 2024

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are interconnected metabolic disorders with significant health implications. However, a comprehensive understanding of the extent of their co-occurrence in Africa is lacking. The aim of this review was to determine the prevalence of MAFLD and its association with glycemic control (HbA1c) in persons with T2D in Africa. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Medline, Embase, Scopus, Global Health, and Web of Science from their inception to December 6, 2023. Data on MAFLD prevalence and correlation coefficients regarding its association with glycemic control were pooled through random effect meta-analyses. Potential sources of heterogeneity were investigated using subgroup analysis and meta-regression. A total of 10 studies were included in the meta-analysis of MAFLD prevalence, while 2 were incorporated in the analysis of the association between MAFLD and glycemic control. The pooled prevalence of MAFLD in persons with T2D was 48.1% (95% CI: 36.1–60.3). The subgroup analysis revealed regional variations in MAFLD prevalence, with rates of 44.7% (95% CI: 28.7–62.0) in sub-Saharan Africa and 55.3% (95% CI: 36.2–73.0) in Northern Africa. Additionally, we observed an increasing trend in MAFLD prevalence, recording 55.1% (95% CI: 43.6–66.1) in the recent five years. There was a weak positive correlation between MAFLD and HbA1c (r = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.18–0.47). The findings of this study highlight a high prevalence of MAFLD in persons with T2D in Africa, with a suggested link between MAFLD and suboptimal glycemic control. Therefore, healthcare providers should prioritize the screening and management of MAFLD in individuals with T2D to enhance their metabolic health.
ACcurate COnsensus Reporting Document (ACCORD) explanation and elaboration: Guidance and examples to support reporting consensus methods
Authors: Logullo Patricia , van Zuuren Esther J. , Winchester Christopher C. , Tovey David , Gattrell William T. , Price Amy , Harrison Niall , Goldman Keith , Chisholm Alison , Walters Kirsty , Blazey Paul
Published: May 2024

Background

When research evidence is limited, inconsistent, or absent, healthcare decisions and policies need to be based on consensus amongst interested stakeholders. In these processes, the knowledge, experience, and expertise of health professionals, researchers, policymakers, and the public are systematically collected and synthesised to reach agreed clinical recommendations and/or priorities. However, despite the influence of consensus exercises, the methods used to achieve agreement are often poorly reported. The ACCORD (ACcurate COnsensus Reporting Document) guideline was developed to help report any consensus methods used in biomedical research, regardless of the health field, techniques used, or application. This explanatory document facilitates the use of the ACCORD checklist.

Methods and findings

This paper was built collaboratively based on classic and contemporary literature on consensus methods and publications reporting their use. For each ACCORD checklist item, this explanation and elaboration document unpacks the pieces of information that should be reported and provides a rationale on why it is essential to describe them in detail. Furthermore, this document offers a glossary of terms used in consensus exercises to clarify the meaning of common terms used across consensus methods, to promote uniformity, and to support understanding for consumers who read consensus statements, position statements, or clinical practice guidelines. The items are followed by examples of reporting items from the ACCORD guideline, in text, tables and figures.

Conclusions

The ACCORD materials – including the reporting guideline and this explanation and elaboration document – can be used by anyone reporting a consensus exercise used in the context of health research. As a reporting guideline, ACCORD helps researchers to be transparent about the materials, resources (both human and financial), and procedures used in their investigations so readers can judge the trustworthiness and applicability of their results/recommendations.
A pre-post evaluation study of a social media-based COVID-19 communication campaign to improve attitudes and behaviors toward COVID-19 vaccination in Tanzania
Authors: Kim Sooyoung , Lilani Asad , Redemptus Caesar , Campana Kate , Tozan Yesim
Published: May 2024

In Tanzania, the One by One: Target COVID-19 campaign was launched nationally in July 2022 to address the prevalent vaccine hesitancy and lack of confidence in COVID-19 vaccines. The campaign mobilized social media influencers and viral content with the ultimate goal of increasing COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the country. The objective of this study was to empirically assess the impact of the campaign on three outcomes: vaccine confidence, vaccine hesitancy, and vaccination status. Using programmatic data collected through an online survey before and after the campaign, we conducted a difference-in-difference (DiD) analysis and performed a crude, adjusted, and propensity score-matched analysis for each study outcome. Lastly, to observe whether there was any differential impact of the campaign across age groups, we repeated the analyses on age-stratified subgroups. Data included 5,804 survey responses, with 3,442 and 2,362 responses collected before and after the campaign, respectively. Although there was only weak evidence of increased COVID-19 vaccine confidence in the campaign-exposed group compared to the control group across all age groups, we observed a differential impact among different age groups. While no significant change was observed among young adults aged 18–24 years, the campaign exposure led to a statistically significant increase in vaccine confidence (weighted/adjusted DiD coefficient = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.06, 1.5; p-value = 0.034) and vaccination uptake (weighted/adjusted DiD coefficient = 1.69.; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.81; p-value = 0.023) among young adults aged 25–34 years. Among adults aged 35 years and above, the campaign exposure led to a significant decrease in vaccine hesitancy (weighted/adjusted DiD coefficient = -15; 95% CI: -21, -8.3; p-value<0.001). The social media campaign successfully improved vaccine hesitancy, confidence, and uptake in the Tanzanian population, albeit to varying degrees across age groups. Our study provides valuable insights for the planning and evaluation of similar social media communication campaigns aiming to bolster vaccination efforts.
Practice and factors associated with pediatrics pain management among nurses working in Bahir Dar city public hospitals: A mixed method study
Authors: Berihun Bekele , Fentahun Netsanet , Asmare Lakew , Yigzaw Zeamanuel Anteneh
Published: May 2024

Background

Pain is the most misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and undertreated/untreated medical problem, particularly in children. The main aim of this study was to assess practice and factors associated with pediatrics pain management among nurses working in Bahir Dar city public hospitals, Amhara region, North West Ethiopia, 2022.

Method

An institutional-based cross-sectional concurrent mixed study design was conducted on randomly selected 421 nurses from November 1 to 30/2022. Purposively selected 8 nurses in different positions and qualifications were included in a qualitative study. A structured self-administered questionnaire and a semi-structured in-depth interview questionnaire were used for data collection. Epi info version 7.1 was used for data entry and SPSS version 25 was used for analysis. ATLAS ti version 7.0 and thematic analysis were used for qualitative study. Binary logistic regression was done to identify predictor variables associated with outcome variables at p <0.05 with a 95% confidence interval. Hosmer and Lemeshow’s tests were checked for model goodness of fit, which was 0.71.

Result

The good practice of pediatric pain management among nurses for hospitalized children was 216 (53.6%) (95% CI- 48.4% to 58.3%). Knowledge [AOR = 3.95; 95%CI: (2.30, 6.79)], attitude [AOR = 2.57; 95% CI: (1.53–4.30)], qualified in BSC pediatrics and child health nurses [AOR = 6.53; 95%CI: (1.56–27.25)], year of experience in pediatrics unit [(AOR = 1.92; 95% CI: (1.03–3.56)] and gating pain management training [AOR = 3.31; 95% CI: (1.73–6.33)] were significant factors. Four themes inadequate knowledge of pain assessment and management practice, inadequate professional commitment, organization-related factors, and impacts of family knowledge, culture, and economic status were explored.

Conclusion

Only half of the participants had good practice. Knowledge, attitude, nurses qualified in BSC pediatrics and child health, years of experience in the pediatrics department, and pain management training were associated factors. From the qualitative findings, the unavailability of anti-pain drugs, lack of training, assessment tools, continuous monitoring and evaluation, updated protocols, shortage of resources, and others were the barriers to proper pain management. This study concludes that applying effective pain management practices to hospitalized children remains a challenge. Therefore, it is better to put further effort towards improving pediatric pain management practice.
Complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine researchers’ practices and perceived barriers related to open science: An international, cross-sectional survey
Authors: Ng Jeremy Y. , Santoro Lucas J. , Cobey Kelly D. , Steel Amie , Cramer Holger , Moher David
Published: May 2024

Introduction and objective

Open science (OS) aims to make the dissemination of knowledge and the research process transparent and accessible to everyone. With the increasing popularity of complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM), our goal was to explore what are CAIM researchers’ practices and perceived barriers related to OS.

Methods

We conducted an anonymous online survey of researchers who published in journals listed in Scopus containing the words “complementary”, “alternative”, or “integrative” medicine in their names. We emailed 6040 researchers our purpose-built electronic survey after extracting their email address from one of their publications in our sample of journals. We questioned their familiarity with different OS concepts, along with their experiences and challenges engaging in these practices over the last 12 months.

Results

The survey was completed by 392 researchers (6.5% response rate, 97.1% completion rate). Most respondents were CAIM researchers familiar with the overall concept of OS, indicated by those actively publishing open access (OA) (n = 244, 76.0%), registering a study protocol (n = 148, 48.0%), and using reporting guidelines (n = 181, 59.0%) in the past 12 months. Preprinting, sharing raw data, and sharing study materials were less popular. A lack of funding was reported as the greatest barrier to publishing OA by most respondents (n = 252, 79.0%), and that additional funding is the most significant incentive in applying more OS practices to their research (n = 229,72.2%). With respect to preprinting barriers, 36.3% (n = 110) participants believed there are potential harms in sharing non-peer-reviewed work and 37.0% (n = 112) feared preprinting would reduce the likelihood of their manuscript being accepted by a journal. Respondents were also concerned about intellectual property control regarding sharing data (n = 94, 31.7%) and research study materials (n = 80, 28.7%).

Conclusions

Although many participants were familiar with and practiced aspects of OS, many reported facing barriers relating to lack of funding to enable OS and perceived risks of revealing research ideas and data prior to publication. Future research should monitor the adoption and implementation of OS interventions in CAIM.