bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterising the index mothers in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) who are also UKBioBank participants
Authors: Mummé Mark , Boyd Andy , Teyhan Alison , Thomas Richard , Timpson Nicholas J.
Published: July 2022

Background: This is an examination of the characteristics of the women who enrolled into both the ALSPAC cohort during the initial recruitment phase in 1991-1992 and subsequently into the UKBiobank (UKBB) cohort from 2007 to 2010. There is substantial overlap in recruitment across the two cohorts with the existing Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) sampling frame being included in that deployed latterly for UKBiobank.

Methods: A process was developed using anonymisation and encryption to flag individuals participating in both studies without revealing the identity of those participants. A description of participant characteristics was undertaken to compare the demographic, socio-economic, locational, consent and participatory characteristics of the women in ALSPAC who were also eligible to participate in UKBiobank by their UKBB participation status.

Results: The ALSPAC mothers enrolled in UKBB were more engaged in and contributed more data to ALSPAC than those who were eligible to join UKBB but did not enrol. The women in both studies were more likely to be married, have higher levels of education attainment and more financial stability than their counterparts who were only enrolled in ALSPAC.

Conclusion: It is possible these characteristics are reflected more generally within UKBB compared to the wider population.
EVALUATING THE FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF PROJECTS
Authors: Elbashir Dania
Published: July 2022

The importance of assessing financial performance lies in highlighting all financial and economic criteria needed to assess the project's success or failure in achieving its objectives. The scientific goals of this paper are the scientific description and classification of liquidity problems and their impact on the financial performance of economic service entities, especially the discovery of financial and economic factors of service projects and their scientific explanation. This paper aims to evaluate the company that deals with the financing of the producers. It also reviews the financing results and, finally, gives appropriate recommendations for the control of their work. The financial performance of companies is assessed using recognized valuation tools and techniques in the field of investments, especially cash investments. Two main results were obtained in the conducted scientific research: (1) Libya has benefited significantly from the evaluation of the financial performance of projects dealing with liquidity problems and their impact on the financial performance of enterprises. (2) The percentage of total expenditures exceeded the percentage of total revenues in the years in which companies began to implement their projects, which led to losses for Libyan companies because of excessive spending and reduced revenues.
MIRCE SCIENCE: MANAGEMENT OF FUNCTIONABILITY EVENTS FOR THE PROVISION OF THE EXPECTED WORK
Authors: Knezevic Jezdimir
Published: July 2022

The main objective of this paper is to introduce the management community to the body of knowledge contained in MIRCE Science for the innovative approach to the management of functionability events for the provision of expected work. Thus, management manages the consequences of the complex interactions between potential occurrences of negative functionability events and positive functionability actions taken on the expected work to be done by a given functionable system. This work can be quantified by making the use of MIRCE Functionability Equation. Hence, in the future managers will be able to perform a quantitative trade-off between feasible management options to determine one that would yield the greatest benefit measured through the expected work done with respect to the resources consumed. To illustrate the advantages of applying MIRCE Science to the management of negative functionability events a numerical example is provided, where several feasible management options are considered, and their consequences of expected work done quantified.
EFFICIENT WASTE MANAGEMENT: ECONOMIC ASPECTS
Authors: Timofei Olga
Published: July 2022

At present, waste reduction or elimination has become a serious environmental concern for most countries and a priority for companies. Waste is not only an environmental problem but also an economic loss. A prerequisite for flourishing economic activity is the efficient management of waste and other resources. The recovery of waste resources has become an industrial reality due to technological innovations in the era of raw materials shortage. Sustainable materials management goes further than ecological waste management and focuses on the efficient use of available materials. The article aims to research the waste management process, shed light on the place of waste management in promoting the circular economy, and outline positive experiences in this area by highlighting the potential benefits and economic costs of applying these practices. That could serve as an incentive to accelerate efficient waste management processes in the Republic of Moldova. Waste management benefits the environment but also increases the number of companies and jobs. The presented article discusses waste management issues and shows some current issues related to them. The paper the authors wrote within the frame of the state project 20.80009.0807.22. - Developing a mechanism for the circular economy creation in the Republic of Moldova.
Anti-Sanction Laws of Russia
Authors: Smirnov E.
Published: July 2022

This year, in connection with the unfriendly actions of a number of foreign states and international organizations, the Russian Parliament adopted a series of federal laws, including No. 46-FZ, No. 55-FZ, No. 57-FZ, No. 58-FZ, aimed at protecting the national interests of the country.
Prospects and the factors for the development of the information technology sector in Russia
Authors: Kazakova Nataliya , Shestakovskiy I.
Published: July 2022

The article analyzes the indicators and factors for the development of the information technology sector in Russia for the period 2016-2020. compared to global trends, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of its investment attractiveness to additionally finance strong growth in the future. The prospects of the IT sector as a driver of the ESG strategy for the development of the Russian economy as a whole are substantiated.
Cognitive functioning and social networking sites addiction – a review
Authors: Cudo Andrzej , Misiuro Agnieszka , Kopiś-Posiej Natalia , Jaśkiewicz Marta , Misiuro Tomasz
Published: July 2022

Portale społecznościowe są powszechnie dostępnymi serwisami internetowymi, które są wykorzystywane przez osoby z różnych grup wiekowych. Służą one przede wszystkim do komunikowania się między użytkownikami, jednakże możliwe jest nadmierne korzystanie z nich, które niekiedy przeradza się w uzależnienie. Zjawisko to należy do grupy tak zwanych uzależnień behawioralnych, dopiero od niedawna opisywanych w literaturze naukowej. Jest zatem istotne aby zróżnicować, kiedy korzystanie z portali społecznościowych jest normą, a kiedy wykracza poza nią. W artykule przedstawione zostaną dane na temat rozpowszechnienia zjawiska uzależnienia od portali społecznościowych, jego modele teoretyczne oraz możliwości identyfikacji na podstawie kryteriów diagnostycznych proponowanych przez naukowców. Głównym celem artykułu jest omówienie funkcjonowania poznawczego w tym rodzaju uzależnienia behawioralnego. Do tej pory badacze odnosili je do sfery osobowościowej, społecznej i emocjonalnej. Wydaje się jednak, że istotną rolę w wyjaśnieniu mechanizmu uzależnienia od portali społecznościowych pełnią procesy poznawcze, a szczególnie kontrola poznawcza i funkcje wykonawcze. Ponadto poznanie tych mechanizmów przyczyniać może się do opracowania bardziej adekwatnych form tak w zakresie profilaktyki, jak również terapii.
Use of psychotropic medications during lactation – practical guidelines for psychiatrists
Authors: Kamińska-Sobczak Aleksandra , Gawlik-Kotelnicka Oliwia , Strzelecki Dominik
Published: July 2022

Karmienie naturalne jako najlepszy sposób karmienia niemowląt, zalecane jest przez krajowe, europejskie i światowe towarzystwa naukowe. Korzyści z karmienia piersią dla dziecka i matki zostały potwierdzone badaniami naukowymi. Wiadomo, że większość polskich kobiet zaczyna karmić noworodka po porodzie, jednak z każdym miesiącem procent dzieci otrzymujących wyłącznie mleko matki maleje. Jednym z częstszych powodów przerwania karmienia podawanych przez matki jest konieczność przyjmowania leków. Szczególnie dużo kontrowersji budzi stosowanie leków psychotropowych. Obecnie na podstawie znajomości aktualnych badań, farmakokinetyki leków i sięgając po odpowiednie lekospisy można dobrać skuteczną jak i bezpieczną dla dziecka terapię. W pracy dokonano przeglądu dostępnych źródeł wiedzy dotyczących stosowania leków w trakcie laktacji. Omówiono poszczególne grupy leków stosowanych w praktyce psychiatrycznej i oceniono je pod kątem bezpieczeństwa w trakcie karmienia piersią. Polskie Towarzystwo Psychiatryczne zaleca postępowanie mające na celu ochronę laktacji. Zaprzestanie terapii przez matkę jak i przerwanie karmienia piersią jest niekorzystne dla matki i dziecka. Decyzja o kontynuacji karmienia piersią bywa wyzwaniem dla lekarza psychiatry oraz wymaga ona szczegółowego omówienia z pacjentką i starannego udokumentowania. Zaleca się nawiązanie ścisłej współpracy z innymi specjalistami: pediatrą prowadzącym dziecko i/lub doradcą laktacyjnym.
Listy pasterskie z lat 1923-1939
Authors: Twardowski Bolesław
Published: July 2022

PASTORAL LETTERS FROM 1923-1939 The research on the history of the Archdiocese of Lviv in the Latin rite and the South-Eastern Borderlands of the Second Polish Republic has scarcely analysed the message of the pastoral letters of Lviv Archbishop Bolesław Twardowski (1923-1944). This little attention results probably from the fact that the letters were usually published in small editions, which made them dispersed and often barely available. Little popularity does not nullify their high quality and contents, as they show the whole spectrum of social and religious problems which characterised the local Church in the interwar period. Many descriptions and issues discussed within them are not only historical in their character but also timeless, universal, so they can be explicitly referred to modern times. This publication constitutes a first source edition of the pastoral letters of Archbishop Twardowski, which gathers them in one collection. In this way, it fills a clear gap in the bibliography, facilitate access to the hierarch’s heritage and opens the possibility for popularisation of this message. Furthermore, it contributes to better recognition of social and religious context in the Eastern Borderlands of the Second Polish Republic. The elaboration does not constitute only a reprint of original pre-war editions, as it is equipped with scientific apparatus and substantive introduction. The edited collection contains a total of 26 pastoral letters in their fullest versions along with attachments.
Latest clinical research
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: July 2022

The latest studies of interest to primary care cliniciansd rounded up by Mark Greener
Endometriosis: what the practice nurse needs to know
Authors: Perry Margaret
Published: July 2022

Margaret Perry explains how nurses can manage this painful and distressing condition
Orthopaedic injuries on the racecourse
Authors: Georgetti Mark
Published: July 2022

Musculoskeletal injuries occur commonly on racecourses and are often associated with multiple horses racing at high speeds or, in National Hunt Racing, with jumping steeple chase fences and hurdles. With injuries on the racecourse, initial veterinary care is often done in the public eye. Managing the various injuries requires good knowledge of wound care, common injuries, limb support techniques and good communication. Racecourse injuries can include soft tissue wounds, some of which involve synovial structures, tendon and ligament injuries, appendicular fractures and spinal fractures. Some of these necessitate euthanasia on humane grounds, but the majority can be treated successfully by providing first aid treatment at the racecourse and organising further treatment at a referral centre, or at the trainer's yard with their own vet.
Surgery of the equine hoof: a review
Authors: Barr Elizabeth
Published: July 2022

This article discusses common surgical conditions of the equine hoof and some practical considerations of operating on this unique anatomical site. Common conditions requiring surgical intervention include puncture wounds of the foot and associated sepsis of synovial structures, septic pedal osteitis, infection of the collateral cartilages (‘quittor’) and keratoma. The main difficulties in equine hoof surgery, as opposed to surgery elsewhere, include accurate preoperative localisation of the lesion, maintaining asepsis of the surgical site and gaining intraoperative access through the hoof wall to allow adequate surgical access.
Equine Review
Authors: McGovern Kate
Published: July 2022

Introduction: This edition of the Equine Review looks at thromboelastography in obese horses, the effect of omeprazole and sulcrafate on gastrointestinal injury and perioperative lung ultrasound changes on horses underdoing general anaesthesia.
Formulation Development and Evaluation of Floating Tablets of Zolmitriptan
Authors: Ahirrao Sapana , Bhambere Deepak , Todkar Kunal , Patil Moreshwar , Khairnar Pallavi , Udavan Pavan , Gosavi Piyushgir , Baviskar Anagha
Published: July 2022

Zolmitriptan is the antimigraine agent widely used for the treatment of the migraine. It shows the half-life of 2.5 – 3 h which indicate the frequent dosing to achieve proper pharmacological action of the drug. Gastro Retentive Drug Delivery System (GRDDS) is a common approach to decrease the dosing frequency and increase patient compliance, and delivery of drug through such an approach of floating tablet formulation will meet the requirement. This system showed substantial effect on the drug release through floating and swelling properties. The tablets were formulated by using direct compression technique along with hydrophilic polymers and gas generating system. In the preliminary trials, we observed that the tablets were within pharmacopeial limit. % Drug release of the formulations (F1 – F9) was studied up to 6 h and it was found from 52 to 91 %. The cumulative percentage drug release was inversely proportional to polymer concentrations of HPMC K100 M and PVP K 30. The batches follow Higuchi model of drug release which involves the diffusion mechanism. In-vitro dissolution studies showed good percent drug release, which is in accordance with robinson-errikson equation. Good buoyancy for additional 6 h, trailed by the diffusion.
Potential Role of Intermittent Fasting and Fasting-Mimicking Diet in Prevention of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Alqahtani Nasser , Alanazi Amer
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Prediabetes, diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are highly prevalent diseases around the world. They cause numerous complications that result in significant morbidity and mortality. Nutrition plays an important role in reducing CVD risk. This study explores potential effects of fasting, fasting-mimicking diets, and time-restricted eating on reduction of CVD risk factors and provides initial data on their potential benefits in CVD prevention and treatment options. Method: This prospective cohort study involed 31 male adult participants. All of them were provided with VLCD meal replacements (OPTIFAST®), and instructed to practice IF 14 hours a day for 4 weeks. The parameters that were measured before and after the intervention were body mass index (BMI), fasting blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol (TC) levels. Student's T test was utilized to test statistical significance of the results. Results: The average BMI was 38.03 (±SD 4.69) before and 36.19 (±SD 4.26) after the study, but this reduction was not statistically significant. Statistical significance was confirmed in reduction of FBG levels (p=0.0008), with an average value of 7.69 mmol/L (±SD 1.03) before and 7.24 mmol/L (±SD 0.69) after the intervention. TC levels were also significantly reduced (p=0.016), with average values of 277.96 mg/dL (±SD 21.21) before and 272.19 mg/dL (±SD 25.89) after the intervention. Conclusion: IF and FMD might help in prevention of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Their impact mostly lies in their effectiveness in weight reduction. More research is warranted in order to fully explore potential health benefits of these diet plans.
Indigenous Knowledge of Tribal Traditional Medicinal Plants: An Experimental Research
Authors: Sardar Ranajit , Giri Nabanita
Published: July 2022

Background: Many tribal communities are still using today traditional medicinal plants across the India. Our research paying attention on current use of such plants in different tribal communities’ in the Sundarban mangrove forest region. Methods: Twelve villages of four blocks (Gosaba, Basanti, Kultali, PatharPratima) and adjoining forest area are being selected for data collection regarding traditional medicinal plants during 2016-2019 covered roughly entire the seasons of the year. Information was obtained through respondents. A total 12 key informants has been chosen for interview and everyone is local tribal people and also herbalists. Result: Cuts & wounds, digestive disorders, diarrhea, dysentery, appetite & Blood pressure diseases etc. may be treated through the different medicinal plants. One particular variety was used for cuts & wounds; another for dysentery, 1 variety for Blood pressure diseases; 1 variety for stomach trouble; 1 variety for lower abdomen pain; 1 species for cough, and as tonic; and the rest of plants (3 species) are used for preparation of vitamins respectively. Conclusion: Sundarban is the mangrove forest biodiversity region. Various medicinal plants are being used by the local tribal people depending on their traditional knowledge. Although use of modern medicine is so fast with safety and faith, however, medicinal plants have potential values which are not properly explored. If these plants effectively used for various human disorder with scientific way, then scientific acceptance will increase. That is why the result of this study is justified for the benefit the entire society.
Molecular Docking Approach for Predicting the Binding Affinity of Potential Targets with Interleukin Receptor Associated Kinase with Phytochemicals from Artemisia Pallens
Authors: Pavithra K. Sai , Annadurai Jeyanthi , K. Ramanathan K. Ramanathan , R. Ragunathan R. Ragunathan
Published: July 2022

Objectives: To identify the potential targets which effectively bind with the Interleukin Receptor associated tyrosine kinase. Methods: We analysed the potential targets to be docked using AutoDock V4.2 software. The database used to retrieve the structure is Protein Data Bank (PDB) on (12/02/2021). The docking parameters such as binding affinity and binding energy was determined. The core docking score was predicted when docking was performed and the results obtained from the binding parameters were compared with the docking parameters results. From the Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry results, we found the potential targets to be docked with the Interleukin Receptor assisted tyrosine kinase. Findings: The targets 2-Propenoic acid, 3-phenyl-, ethyl ester, and hexadecanoic acid effectively docked with the receptor and predicts the binding energy (-5.83) and (-4.80). We are investigating the Artemisia pallens which is having good antidiabetic activity and based on the references, we found that Interleukin Receptor Associated Kinase is responsible for diabetes. Novelty/Improvement: From these investigations, we concluded that hexadecanoic acid, sourced from Artemisia pallens, successively binds with the receptor and suggests that it may be viable to discover drugs in the future.
The Impact of Screen Time and Mobile Dependency on Cognition, Socialization and Behaviour Among Early Childhood Students During the Covid Pandemic- Perception of the Parents
Authors: Vadakkemulanjanal Joseph Genimon , Thomas M Agnes , Elizabeth Sneha , Vargheese Stephiya , Thomas Jebin
Published: July 2022

Digital technology systems are adopted rapidly throughout the globe for the virtual learning process especially with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Digital screen-based gadgets are integrated to provide a seamless interactive medium of learning even before the initiation of formal education. Studies on the technology use of younger children are critical as uncontrolled gadget use affects their developmental stages yet these studies are still in the infancy stage. This study analyses the psychoeducational impact of extended use of digital gadgets and mobile dependency on early childhood manifested through their cognition, socialization and behaviour. This descriptive study is based on the random responses of 511 parents about their young children of 3-6 years distributed at five civil districts of Kerala State. From the analysis, it is found that the extended use of digital gadgets influenced young children’s mobile dependency, socialization process, cognition and behaviour patterns. The young children exhibited alienation tendencies and behavioural deviations which are correlated to their screen time. Both male and female reported similar results.  Significant differences were observed with respect to the age of the children and their parental characteristics. Their mobile dependency mediated their extended digital Screen Time to the Behaviour. Significant relation was predicted by extended Screen Time on Behaviour of the students with a partial sequential path through mobile Dependency, Cognition and Socialization. The study shed light on the urgency of parental care and implementation of a balanced gadget usage system to reduce the detrimental impacts of psychoeducational factors.
Digital Media Literacy In the Age of Mis/Disinformation: The Case of Moroccan University Students
Authors: Mrah Isam
Published: July 2022

This paper set out to explore online users' perceptions, attitudes, and practices towards mis/disinformation on social networking sites and investigate how they engage with, identify, and evaluate information disorder on social networking sites. The correlation study provides empirical insights into the complex relationship between digital media literacy and online information processing. To this end, a web-based survey was administered to gauge Moroccan undergraduate students' digital media literacy skills, particularly in what regards their ability to identify and evaluate the credibility of information online. The data obtained are consistent with the hypothesis guiding this research that there is a significant relationship between digital media literacy skills (DMLS) and students' ability to identify information disorder online (IDO). Based on the empirical findings, important implications and strategies for higher education institutions are addressed to help students become more digitally media literate consumers of information.
A Systematic Literature Review of Augmented Reality in Engineering Education : Hardware, Software, Student Motivation & Development Recommendations.
Authors: Vásquez-Carbonell Mauricio
Published: July 2022

Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that has benefited from the massification of computational devices, putting it in the focus of researchers as a novel teaching aid in engineering. For this very reason, a great amount of information about AR in engineering education is emerging constantly. To synthesize the information, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was carried out and 4 research questions were raised. It was found out the researcher´s trend for the development and testing of software that takes advantage of AR for engineering students. It was also found that Germany and India are the leading nations on investigations about the investigated topic. On the software side, Unity is the most used tool for creating applications and that the target hardware is smartphone. Finally, the high interest of researchers to increase motivation in students is evidenced in this SLR and recommendations were made based on the researcher’s findings.
Production of oral narratives with an app in Early Childhood Education: analysis of engagement and narrative competence
Authors: Del Moral Pérez María Esther , Neira Piñeiro María del Rosario , López-Bouzas Nerea , Castañeda Fernández Jonathan
Published: July 2022

The digital storytelling applications are being implemented in schools to favor the acquisition of multiple learnings. This research analyses the narrative competence of Early Childhood Education students (N=93), based on their oral stories -created with the support of a digital storytelling app- and their engagement in the narrative task. Moreover, the contribution of the application to the development of narrative competence is analyzed, considering its immersive capacity and the potential to foster self-regulation of learning. A mixed methodology is adopted: a) qualitative, focused on the content analysis of the stories, paying attention to the indicators defining the variables narrative competence and engagement and b) quantitative, centered on the statistical treatment of the data, median contrast, and correlational analysis between variables. Thus, it is verified that hardly half of the students present a medium-high narrative competence and the 73% has a medium-high engagement. There is a significant correlation between both variables, which highlights the capacity of the app to favor self-regulation and motivation towards narrative task, and to promote the skills to create a coherent, original, and well-structured story, which confirms its high educational potential.
Una aproximación al concepto de evaluación para el aprendizaje y al feedback con función reguladora a partir de los diarios docentes
Authors: Nieves de la Vega Iolanda
Published: July 2022

Los apartados que forman este trabajo se han tejido a partir palabra aprender. Aprender deriva del latín apprehendere, compuesta por el prefijo ad- (hacia), el prefijo prae- (antes) y el verbo hendere (coger, asir, agarrar). Henedere asimismo viene de hedera (hiedra), que significa enredar atrapar.

En la primera parte, aprender descubriendo, se realiza un recorrido por el significado del desarrollo profesional docente, la autorregulación y la metacognición en el ejercicio profesional y el concepto de funciones ejecutivas así como su relación con los procesos de autorregulación.

En la segunda parte, aprender haciendo, se pone de relieve el valor de los diarios reflexivos como herramienta de desarrollo profesional.

En la tercera parte, aprender pensando, se muestra la investigación, los objetivos, el diseño metodológico, la categorización del corpus textual, los resultados y se lleva a cabo una discusión que entrelaza los resultados obtenidos con las evidencias y estudios teóricos.

En este trabajo se ha llevado a cabo una investigación cualitativa interpretativa basada en el análisis y la conceptualización de las reflexiones pedagógicas alrededor de los conceptos evaluación, autorregulación y feedback de un grupo de docentes en activo  y a lo largo de una formación.

Para ello se ha analizado el corpus textual de diarios reflexivos docentes con el objetivo de establecer unas categorías emergentes en relación con la evaluación, la autorregulación y la conceptualización del feedback a partir de las reflexiones realizadas desde la práctica pedagógica y su relación con aportaciones derivadas de las evidencias científicas y de las investigaciones.
Effects of working pressure on the material and defect properties of Sb2S3 thin-film solar cells achieved by the VTD method
Authors: Qin Deyang , Wang Rui , Wang Youyang , Pan Yanlin , Weng Guoen , Hu Xiaobo , Tao Jiahua , Chen Shaoqiang , Zhu Ziqiang , Chu Junhao
Published: July 2022

Antimony sulfide (

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), an emerging material for photovoltaic devices, has drawn growing research interest due to its inexpensive and high-throughput device production. In this study, the material and defect properties of

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thin films prepared by the vapor transport deposition (VTD) method at different working pressures were studied. Solar cells based on a structure of

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were fabricated. The working pressure showed a significant effect on the device’s performance. The current density versus voltage measurement and scanning electron microscopy analysis outcome were utilized to investigate the photovoltaic and microstructural properties in the samples. The compositional analysis by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy measurement confirmed the Sb/S ratio as 2:2.8 for the thin films. The identification and characterization of the defects present in

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b

2

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3

thin films were performed via admittance measurements. Compared to the defect density, the defect energy level was found to inherit a more important role in the device’s performance. The best solar cell performance with better crystal quality, lower defect density, and longer capture lifetime was achieved under the substrate working pressure of 2 Pa. The highest efficiency was found to be 0.86% with

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Microwave frequency measurement using a silicon integrated microring resonator
Authors: Cao Ruidong , He Yuting , Zheng Ruiqi , He Ziwen , Zhi Yanyan , Wang Xudong , Zhang Jiejun , Yao Jianping
Published: July 2022

Photonics-assisted instantaneous frequency measurement of a microwave signal using a silicon integrated microring resonator (MRR) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The frequency of a microwave signal has a unique relationship with the power ratio between the two microwave signals at the outputs of two microwave photonic filters (MPF) with complementary frequency responses. The key device to implement the MPFs is a silicon integrated MMR, which is employed to convert a phase-modulated optical signal to an intensity-modulated optical signal by placing two optical carriers at the complementary slopes of the MRR. For a given frequency measurement range and resolution, an MRR is designed and fabricated, and its use for instantaneous microwave frequency (IMF) measurement is implemented. For the fabricated MRR, an IMF measurement range of 14–25 GHz with a measurement accuracy of

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0.2

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is achieved.
Techniques for applying reinforcement learning to routing and wavelength assignment problems in optical fiber communication networks
Authors: Nevin Josh W. , Nallaperuma Sam , Shevchenko Nikita A. , Shabka Zacharaya , Zervas Georgios , Savory Seb J.
Published: July 2022

We propose a novel application of reinforcement learning (RL) with invalid action masking and a novel training methodology for routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) in fixed-grid optical networks and demonstrate the generalizability of the learned policy to a realistic traffic matrix unseen during training. Through the introduction of invalid action masking and a new training method, the applicability of RL to RWA in fixed-grid networks is extended from considering connection requests between nodes to servicing demands of a given bit rate, such that lightpaths can be used to service multiple demands subject to capacity constraints. We outline the additional challenges involved for this RWA problem, for which we found that standard RL had low performance compared to that of baseline heuristics, in comparison with the connection requests RWA problem considered in the literature. Thus, we propose invalid action masking and a novel training method to improve the efficacy of the RL agent. With invalid action masking, domain knowledge is embedded in the RL model to constrain the action space of the RL agent to lightpaths that can support the current request, reducing the size of the action space and thus increasing the efficacy of the agent. In the proposed training method, the RL model is trained on a simplified version of the problem and evaluated on the target RWA problem, increasing the efficacy of the agent compared with training directly on the target problem. RL with invalid action masking and this training method outperforms standard RL and three state-of-the-art heuristics, namely,

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shortest path first fit, first-fit

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shortest path, and

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shortest path most utilized, consistently across uniform and nonuniform traffic in terms of the number of accepted transmission requests for two real-world core topologies, NSFNET and COST–239. The RWA runtime of the proposed RL model is comparable to that of these heuristic approaches, demonstrating the potential for real-world applicability. Moreover, we show that the RL agent trained on uniform traffic is able to generalize well to a realistic nonuniform traffic distribution not seen during training, thus outperforming the heuristics for this traffic. Visualization of the learned RWA policy reveals an RWA strategy that differs significantly from those of the heuristic baselines in terms of the distribution of services across channels and the distribution across links.
ReSAW: a reconfigurable and picosecond-synchronized optical data center network based on an AWGR and the WR protocol
Authors: Zhao Zuoqing , Xue Xuwei , Guo Bingli , Zhao Yisong , Zhang Xinwei , Guo Yuanzhi , Ji Wei , Yin Rui , Chen Bin , Huang Shanguo
Published: July 2022

The explosive growth of data center (DC) traffic imposes unprecedented challenges on the current electrical switch-based data center networks (DCNs) with the bottleneck of limited bandwidth and high latency. Benefitting from transparency to the data rate and format, optical switching with theoretically infinite bandwidth could overcome the bandwidth bottleneck of electrical switching DCNs. However, DCNs normally deploy multitenant applications with a variety of DC traffic. It is hard to reconfigure the optical interconnections in real-time to provide adaptable bandwidth to the traffic with heterogeneous characteristics. Moreover, to improve the bandwidth utilization, statistical multiplexing is generally deployed in optical DCNs to forward the traffic flow in a time slot, which requires the network time to be precisely synchronized to all network nodes. For fast optical switches with a nanosecond switching configuration time, overall end node times must be synchronized at subnanosecond magnitude. In this paper, we propose and experimentally investigate a reconfigurable and picosecond-synchronized optical DCN (ReSAW) based on an arrayed waveguide grating router (AWGR) and the White Rabbit (WR) protocol. A scheduler based on a distributed field-programmable gate array is implemented in the proposed ReSAW to realize flexible wavelength configuration by controlling the fast laser array based on semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) according to time slot and traffic priority. Moreover, the WR protocol is implemented in optical DCNs for what we believe is the first time to synchronize the time of the distributed top of racks (ToRs). The experimental demonstration validates that ReSAW achieves an average end-to-end latency of 317.44 ns and a precise synchronized time with an average 386 ps skew. When the load is 0.4, the packet loss after ReSAW reconfiguration is less than

1.83

×

10

−
6

, and the network latency is less than 1.73 µs. Based on the experimental parameters and results, the OMNeT++ simulation model is built to further verify the reconfigurability and scalability of the ReSAW network. Results show that the packet loss rate and latency performance increase 8.24% and 12.47%, respectively, at a load of 0.6 as the ReSAW network scales from 2560 to 40,960 servers compared to before the reconfiguration.
Quantum states of a two-level atom trapped in a helical optical tube
Authors: Lembessis V. E. , Lyras A. , Aldossary O. M.
Published: July 2022

We investigate the quantized states of a two-level Rb atom that is trapped by the optical dipole potential when the atom interacts with a helical optical tube light field. The analysis shows that the stationary states can be defined by a triplet of quantum numbers and the corresponding wave functions exhibit a twisted, spiral-like 3D spatial shape.
Influence of birefringence- and core ellipticity-induced mode coupling on the gain statistics of forward-pumped Raman amplified few-mode fiber links
Authors: Marcon Gianluca , Galtarossa Andrea , Palmieri Luca , Santagiustina Marco
Published: July 2022

The equations describing light propagation in a few-mode fiber for space-division multiplexing are derived under the presence of linear mode coupling and both Kerr- and Raman-induced nonlinearity. By considering physical models of stress birefringence and core ellipticity, the effect of such fiber imperfections on the gain of a forward-pumped Raman-amplified link is assessed through numerical simulations. The average gain and the variation of signal power at the output of the amplified fiber span is numerically evaluated for different levels of coupling strength in fibers supporting 2 and 4 groups of LP modes, identifying three main propagation regimes and assessing the effect of coupling between different groups of degenerate modes.
Enhanced circular dichroism in Ge2Sb2Te5-loaded metasurface
Authors: Peng Kangzhun , Huang Yujun , Jiang Huan , Cui Ying , Zhang Hui , Jiang Yongyuan , Zhao Weiren
Published: July 2022

Circular dichroism (CD) is originally obtained from three-dimensional spiral structures by simultaneously exciting electric and magnetic resonances. To simplify construction, multilayer stacked asymmetric structures and the symmetric structures relying on oblique incidence are proposed for enhancing CD. Herein, we achieved the enhancement of dual-waveband CD by adding a Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) layer on the top of a Z-shape gold array in a normally incident system. Benefited from the polarization selective excitations of electric and magnetic dipole resonances, the CD in a simple planar structure is immensely enhanced from near zero to 0.73 at 1.58 µm. Furthermore, the CD strengths is dynamically tuned by controlling the phase of GST. With the GST phase transition from amorphous (a-GST) to crystalline state (c-GST), CD magnitudes are switched by about 0.73 and 0.27 at dual wavebands respectively. The enhancement of CD by adding a layer on a simple planar array offers a new method for designing planar metasurfaces with strong chirality.
Physics-based deep learning for modeling nonlinear pulse propagation in optical fibers
Authors: Sui Hao , Zhu Hongna , Luo Bin , Taccheo Stefano , Zou Xihua , Yan Lianshan
Published: July 2022

A physics-based deep learning (DL) method termed Phynet is proposed for modeling the nonlinear pulse propagation in optical fibers totally independent of the ground truth. The presented Phynet is a combination of a handcrafted neural network and the nonlinear Schrödinger physics model. In particular, Phynet is optimized through physics loss generated by the interaction between the network and the physical model rather than the supervised loss. The inverse pulse propagation problem is leveraged to exemplify the performance of Phynet when in comparison to the typical DL method under the same structure and datasets. The results demonstrate that Phynet is able to precisely restore the initial pulse profiles with varied initial widths and powers, while revealing a similar prediction accuracy compared with the typical DL method. The proposed Phynet method can be expected to break the severe bottleneck of the traditional DL method in terms of relying on abundant labeled data during the training phase, which thus brings new insight for modeling and predicting the nonlinear dynamics of the fibers.
Integrated photonics approach to radio-frequency self-interference cancellation
Authors: Pandey Awanish , Van Gasse Kasper , Van Thourhout Dries
Published: July 2022

An integrated photonics based scheme for radio-frequency self-interference cancellation is proposed and demonstrated. It is achieved using a dual-parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator that eliminates the interference signal in the optical domain. The output of the modulator is a carrier suppressed double-sideband waveform that contains only the signal of interest. Finally, the signal of interest is recovered by combining the modulator output with a local optical carrier and detecting it at a high-speed photodetector. We present a detailed theoretical analysis and derive the optimal condition for self-interference cancellation for small modulation indices. The modulators were designed and fabricated on IMEC’s Silicon-on-Insulator iSiPP50G platform. Using this technique, we experimentally obtain a cancellation depth of 30 dB and a signal to interference ratio of 25 dB for frequencies up to 20 GHz, limited only by the equipment used. This is the first demonstration of self-interference cancellation on a silicon photonics platform and a further expansion of the functionalities offered by integrated microwave photonics.
Evaluating criminal justice reform during COVID-19: The need for a novel sentiment analysis package
Authors: Ramjee Divya , Smith Louisa H. , Doanvo Anhvinh , Charpignon Marie-Laure , McNulty-Nebel Alyssa , Lett Elle , Desai Angel N. , Majumder Maimuna S.
Published: July 2022

The health and safety of incarcerated persons and correctional personnel have been prominent in the U.S. news media discourse during the COVID-19 pandemic. Examining changing attitudes toward the health of the incarcerated population is imperative to better assess the extent to which the general public favors criminal justice reform. However, existing natural language processing lexicons that underlie current sentiment analysis (SA) algorithms may not perform adequately on news articles related to criminal justice due to contextual complexities. News discourse during the pandemic has highlighted the need for a novel SA lexicon and algorithm (i.e., an SA package) tailored for examining public health policy in the context of the criminal justice system. We analyzed the performance of existing SA packages on a corpus of news articles at the intersection of COVID-19 and criminal justice collected from state-level outlets between January and May 2020. Our results demonstrated that sentence sentiment scores provided by three popular SA packages can differ considerably from manually-curated ratings. This dissimilarity was especially pronounced when the text was more polarized, whether negatively or positively. A randomly selected set of 1,000 manually scored sentences, and the corresponding binary document term matrices, were used to train two new sentiment prediction algorithms (i.e., linear regression and random forest regression) to verify the performance of the manually-curated ratings. By better accounting for the unique context in which incarceration-related terminologies are used in news media, both of our proposed models outperformed all existing SA packages considered for comparison. Our findings suggest that there is a need to develop a novel lexicon, and potentially an accompanying algorithm, for analysis of text related to public health within the criminal justice system, as well as criminal justice more broadly.
SlJAZ10 and SlJAZ11 mediate dark-induced leaf senescence and regeneration
Authors: Tang Boyan , Tan Tingting , Chen Yating , Hu Zongli , Xie Qiaoli , Yu Xiaohui , Chen Guoping
Published: July 2022

During evolutionary adaptation, the mechanisms for self-regulation are established between the normal growth and development of plants and environmental stress. The phytohormone jasmonate (JA) is a key tie of plant defence and development, and JASMONATE-ZIM DOMAIN (JAZ) repressor proteins are key components in JA signalling pathways. Here, we show that JAZ expression was affected by leaf senescence from the transcriptomic data. Further investigation revealed that SlJAZ10 and SlJAZ11 positively regulate leaf senescence and that SlJAZ11 can also promote plant regeneration. Moreover, we reveal that the SlJAV1-SlWRKY51 (JW) complex could suppress JA biosynthesis under normal growth conditions. Immediately after injury, SlJAZ10 and SlJAZ11 can regulate the activity of the JW complex through the effects of electrical signals and Ca2+ waves, which in turn affect JA biosynthesis, causing a difference in the regeneration phenotype between SlJAZ10-OE and SlJAZ11-OE transgenic plants. In addition, SlRbcs-3B could maintain the protein stability of SlJAZ11 to protect it from degradation. Together, SlJAZ10 and SlJAZ11 not only act as repressors of JA signalling to leaf senescence, but also regulate plant regeneration through coordinated electrical signals, Ca2+ waves, hormones and transcriptional regulation. Our study provides critical insights into the mechanisms by which SlJAZ11 can induce regeneration.
Community mask wearing as a COVID-19 preventive measure, its barriers, and motivators among rural households of Uganda: A mixed methods approach
Authors: Lubega Grace Biyinzika , Mendoza Hilbert , Nkeramahame Juvenal , Niyongabo Filimin , Gonza Joviah , Nakachwa Betty , Musoke David
Published: July 2022

Adherence to mask wearing has the potential to reduce coronavirus disease 2019 acquisition risk. However, there is limited information about community mask wearing and its predictors among rural populations. This study aimed to assess the level of adherence to community mask wearing as a COVID-19 prevention measure, its barriers, and motivators among the Ugandan rural population of Wakiso District. This cross-sectional study utilised both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. The quantitative component employed a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire among 400 participants, to assess the level of adherence and associated predictors towards mask wearing. Modified Poisson regression with robust standard error estimates was used to obtain crude and adjusted prevalence ratios associated with mask wearing. Quantitative data analysis was performed using Stata 15.0 Statistical software. The qualitative component was used to further explore the barriers and motivators of community mask wearing whereseven focus group discussions among 56 community health workers were conducted. Data was analysed using a thematic approach with the help of Nvivo Version 12 software. The quantitative results showed that 70.8% (283/400) of the participants were adherent to mask wearing. Furthermore, reusable (cloth masks) were the most common form of face masks worn by the participants; 71.9% (282/400). Adequate knowledge about mask wearing as a COVID-19 prevention measure was positively associated with mask wearing (adjusted prevalence ratio (95% CI); 3.2 (1.19–8.56)). The qualitative results revealed; sensitization from health workers, provision of free masks, and fear of fines and arrests as motivators to mask wearing. Barriers to mask wearing included: inability to buy masks due to financial constraints, one-time provision of free masks, ill-fitting and worn-out masks, discomfort, and bribery. The practice of community mask wearing was sub-optimal among the study rural communities. Initiatives to scale up the practice need to be feasible for rural communities.