bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La importancia de las capacidades dinámicas en el replanteamiento de una ventaja competitiva innovadora. Estudio de caso en empresas tecnológicas cordobesas.
Authors: Trillo-Holgado María Amalia , León-Urbán Carolina , López-Caballero Rocío
Published: February 2022

La capacidad de innovación de las empresas se relaciona con la reconfiguración o modificación de sus ventajas competitivas. Su mejor explicación atiende a la perspectiva de las capacidades dinámicas (habilidades organizativas para gestionar sus recursos en entornos cambiantes), campo que requiere de profundización práctica. Metodológicamente se construye un modelo a través del cual se identifican determinadas variables e indicadores para facilitar a los directivos explicar cómo aquellos recursos y capacidades que intervienen en mayor medida en el desarrollo de nuevos procesos, productos o servicios se relacionan la reconfiguración de la ventaja competitiva de la empresa. Para corroborar la utilidad del modelo se lleva a cabo un estudio de caso ejemplar dentro del sector tecnológico basado en una empresa pública y otra privada. Como conclusiones y resultados, se puede afirmar que se apoya la literatura reciente verificando cómo las actividades específicas de innovación respaldan las capacidades dinámicas a partir de las que se determina la ventaja competitiva sostenible de la empresa. La cultura y el comportamiento colaborativo juegan un papel fundamental que, junto a la tecnología resulta esp
Predictive Analytics Improves Sales Forecasts for a Pop-up Retailer
Authors: Smith Marlene A. , Côté Murray J.
Published: February 2022

A pop-up retailer improves sales forecasts using test market information and predictive analytics.
Adaptive Bin Packing with Overflow
Authors: Perez-Salazar Sebastian , Singh Mohit , Toriello Alejandro
Published: February 2022

Motivated by bursty bandwidth allocation and by the allocation of virtual machines to servers in the cloud, we consider the online problem of packing items with random sizes into unit-capacity bins. Items arrive sequentially, but on arrival, an item’s actual size is unknown; only its probabilistic information is available to the decision maker. Without knowing this size, the decision maker must irrevocably pack the item into an available bin or place it in a new bin. Once packed in a bin, the decision maker observes the item’s actual size, and overflowing the bin is a possibility. An overflow incurs a large penalty cost, and the corresponding bin is unusable for the rest of the process. In practical terms, this overflow models delayed services, failure of servers, and/or loss of end-user goodwill. The objective is to minimize the total expected cost given by the sum of the number of opened bins and the overflow penalty cost. We present an online algorithm with expected cost at most a constant factor times the cost incurred by the optimal packing policy when item sizes are drawn from an independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) sequence of unknown length. We give a similar result when item size distributions are exponential with arbitrary rates. We also study the offline model, where distributions are known in advance but must be packed sequentially. We construct a soft-capacity polynomial-time approximation scheme for this problem and show that the complexity of computing the optimal offline cost is [Formula: see text]-hard. Finally, we provide an empirical study of our online algorithm’s performance.
Tracking the history of circulating nucleic acids for cancer research in Brazil: A systematic review
Authors: Chantre-Justino Mariana , Delmonico Lucas , Lage Claudia , Carvalho Maria G. C. , Ornellas Maria Helena F. , Alves Gilda
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Circulating nucleic acids can be obtainedby minimally invasive procedures based on liquid biopsy,which has emerged as a promising area of investigation forscreening and monitoring cancer treatment. Currently, testsbased on circulating nucleic acid analysis, specifically cellfreeDNA (cfDNA), are commercially available for diagnosticand prognostic investigation of a number of neoplasms. Objective:To describe the research on circulating nucleic acidmarkers for cancer prospecting in Brazil, since this area hasadvanced rapidly in recent years. Methods: In this systematicreview, we surveyed Brazilian publications in cancer researchfocused on cfDNA and cfRNA present in different fluids. BothMEDLINE-PUBMED and EMBASE databases were inspectedusing terms such as “circulating nucleic acids”, “cancer”, and“Brazil”. Results: The search returned 326 articles, in which28 Brazilian translational studies were eligible. Differentmethodologies were reported for different types of cancer,in which cfDNA from plasma was the most investigatedbiological material. Molecular investigations included quantification,somatic mutation, RNA expression, genotyping,microsatellites, blood protein interaction, and methylation.Discrepancies in the regional distribution of the studies werealso observed. Conclusion: Studies on circulating nucleic acidmarkers have advanced significantly in the oncology field,but many others are needed to better address the clinicalpractice in Brazil.
Comparative analysis of methemoglobin, oxygen saturation and hematological parameters in smokers and non-smokers: an observational analytical cross-sectional study
Authors: Remigio Nathalia R. S. , Cardoso Ligia C. A. , Lins Tulio C. L.
Published: February 2022

Introduction: The formation of methemoglobin (MetHb)occurs through the oxidation of iron in hemoglobin, impairingits capacity for oxygen association and deoxygenation.On exposure to oxidizing agents, such as those present incigarettes, this process may be more frequent, causing anincrease in serum MetHb. Objectives: To evaluate and comparemethemoglobin, oxygen saturation and hematologicalparameters between smokers and non-smokers. Materials andmethods: Observational case-control study with participantsclassified as smokers and non-smokers, in equal number andgender. Smokers classified as moderate to very high dependencedegree by the Fagerström tolerance questionnairewere included. In all subjects, oxygen saturation was assessedusing portable pulse oximetry, methemoglobin levels byspectrophotometric method and hematological parametersby an automated analyzer. Parametric (Student’s T-test) andnon-parametric (Mann-Whitney U) tests were performed forcomparison of mean values between groups. Results: Therewere no changes in methemoglobin rates and hematologicalparameters, both in relation to clinical reference valuesand in the statistical difference between groups. The oxygensaturation values were significantly higher in the smokinggroup, 96.4% versus 94.8% (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Despitethe potential deleterious effects of cigarettes, in this study itwas found that smoking was not a determinant of changes inmethemoglobin rates and hematological parameters, whencompared with non-smokers. Further studies are suggestedwith a robust sampling population, complementary analysisof hematological and physiological factors and verificationof comorbidities, in order to elucidate a greater relationshipbetween the presented parameters.
Leprosy: A clinical review
Authors: Gomes Andréia P. , Miguel Paulo Sérgio B. , Martins e Mafra Francisca B. , De Moura Ana Cláudia L. , Braga Luciene M.
Published: February 2022

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease, caused by Mycobacteriumleprae. It has great historical importance and is responsible forhigh rates of infected people all over the world, Brazil beingthe second country in number of cases, only behind India.The clinical manifestations of the disease depend on the host’simmune response, and it has the potential to affect practicallyall organs and systems, although it mainly affects the skin andperipheral nerves, and may, above all, present periods of aggravation,which are called reactions. Thus, it is characterized as adisease of incapacitating character, which can bring irreparablephysical deformities, presenting a great impact on the physical,social, and mental health of the patient. In this review we discussthe main aspects involving the condition of neglected disease,especially the epidemiology, classifications, clinical picture,complications, diagnosis, treatment, and care for prevention.
Temperature Dependence on Mechanical, Dielectric, and Electric Field-Induced Strain Properties of Lead-Free BNST Ceramics
Authors:   Department of Physics and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, Saenkam Kamonporn ,   Graduate School, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, Jaita Pharatree ,   Department of Physics and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand,   Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand,   Science and Technology Research Institute, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, Jarupoom Parkpoom ,   Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (RMUTL), Chiang Mai, 50300 Thailand, Randorn Chamnan ,   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, Chokethawai Komsanti ,   Department of Physics and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, Rujijanagul Gobwute ,   Department of Physics and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand,   Science and Technology Research Institute, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand,   Materials Science Research Center, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand,   Research Center in Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, Tunkasiri Tawee ,   Department of Physics and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand,   Materials Science Research Center, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Published: February 2022

In this research, temperature dependence on the phase evolution, physical, microstructure, mechanical, dielectric, and electric field-induced strain responses of the Bi0.41Na0.35Sr0.21TiO3 or BNST ceramics were investigated. The BNST ceramic was prepared by a conventional mixed oxide method and sintered at various temperatures from 1100 °C to 1175 °C in order to clarify the optimal sintering temperature for all propereties. X-ray diffraction results showed that all ceramics exhibited a single perovskite without any secondary phases. A mixed between tetragonal and rhombohedral phases were identified for all ceramics. Grain size tended to increase with increasing the sintering temperature. The mechanical improvement was related with the change in densification. The optimum relative density (95.83 %), mechanical (HV = 6.43 GPa, HK = 5.12 GPa, E = 107.57 GPa, and KIC = 2.42 MPa.m1/2), and dielectric properties (ε′ = 1752, tan δ = 0.0514, and δA = 100 K), were obtained for the ceramic sintered at 1125 - 1150 °C. In addition, the obtimum sintering temperature of 1125 - 1150 °C were also found to improve the electric field-induced strain response (Smax = 0.14 % and d*33 = 285 pm/V), and the electrostrictive coefficient (Q33 = 0.0199 m4/C2).
Emissions and Performance of a Hybrid Hydrogen-gasohol E20 Fueled Si Engine
Authors:   School of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand, Phantoun Maethas , Fangsuwannarak Karoon ,   School of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand, Fangsuwannarak Thipwan ,   School of Electrical Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand
Published: February 2022

T his paper has investigated the effects of an alternative hybrid hydrogen-gasohol E20 fueled spark ignition engine on engine performance and exhaust pollutants. A hydrogen mixture with gasohol E20 was performed in an external mixture formation by installing a hydrogen fuel injection kit into the intake manifold area which is responsible for injecting hydrogen fuel into the inside of the engine’s cylinder. The hydrogen energy fraction in the intake was gradually increased from 3% to 9% ignition degree in the range of 20°, 25°, 30° and 35° before top dead center were controlled by using the electronic control unit to study the optimal condition for a four-stroke single-cylinder engine. In the steady-state test condition with half-open throttle under the variable load engine at 28%, 42%, 56%, and 70% of maximum engine torque, the engine can be available satisfactorily for an average relative air-fuel ratio (λ) value of 1.2 for hybrid hydrogen-gasohol E20 fuel. The results indicated that when the increase of hydrogen volume fraction. Postponing the spark timing was closer to top dead center (TDC) at 25° BTDC, the brake power and thermal engine efficiency increases. It is also noted that postponing the spark timing also caused NOx, HC and CO emissions to decrease. NOx emissions increased as the hydrogen volume fraction increased, whereas HC and CO emissions decreased.
Comparison of Mechanical and Corrosion Properties for 17-4 PH Stainless Steel Fabricated by Metal Injection Moulding Using Varied Powder Sizes
Authors:   National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 114 Thailand Science Park, Paholyothin Road, Klong Nueng, Klong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand, Seensattayawong Phanuphak , Métais-Lagouarde Pierre ,   National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 114 Thailand Science Park, Paholyothin Road, Klong Nueng, Klong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand, Songkuea Sukrit ,   National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 114 Thailand Science Park, Paholyothin Road, Klong Nueng, Klong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand, Manonukul Anchalee ,   National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 114 Thailand Science Park, Paholyothin Road, Klong Nueng, Klong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand
Published: February 2022

17-4 PH stainless steel is commonly used in sev eral engineering applications because of the combined good mechanical properties and high corrosion resistance. Metal injection moulding (MIM) was used to fabricate 17-4 PH stainless steel specimen with three mean powder sizes (D50), which are 2.82, 4.04 and 12.65 μm. The rheology of three feedstocks were investigated using melt flow index (MFI) and viscosity analysis. Feedstocks were injected at 170 °C. Injected tensile specimens were sintered at 1325 °C for 2 h in argon atmosphere. Surface roughness (Ra) measurement, relative density measurement, tensile test and hardness test (HRC) were carried out. Corrosion properties were determined by cyclic polarisation tests. The results indicated that the relative density of sintered samples is higher than 98% (7.68-7.74 g/cm3). α-Fe (bcc-martensite), δ-Ferrite (delta ferrite) and also SiO2 were observed in all sintered samples, which were detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). As the mean powder size of injected specimens increases, the elongation and hardness increase, whereas the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and surface roughness decrease. Moreover, the specimens using the smallest powder (2.82 μm) have shown better corrosion resistance than the specimens using the larger powders as the higher potentials in term of E-pit (the potential of pitting) and E-rep (the potential of repassivation) and the lower potential in term of E-cor (the potential of corrosion).
Deconvolution of Microstructural Distributions of Ethylene/1- Butene Copolymer Blends using Artifi cial Neural Network
Authors:   Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand, Piriyakulkit Piriyakorn , Anantawaraskul Siripon ,   Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Published: February 2022

Polymer blending is a useful approach to tailor-make microstructural distributions (e.g., molecular weight distribution (MWD), chemical composition distribution (CCD)) and product properties. A technique to help identify polymer components and their weight fractions in the unknown blends is desirable for the product development. In this work, artifi cial neural network (ANN) models were developed to help identify this information from microstructural distributions and validated with simulated datasets of various binary blends of polyolefi n with different characteristics. The proposed models are multilayer perceptron network with 2 hidden layers; the backpropagation algorithm is used for the network training. Three types of input data were compared: (1) MWD, (2) CCD, and (3) MWD+CCD. Optimum topologies for each types of input data were also determined.
Ondas Gravitacionais: Simulac¸ ˜oes de um modelo semi-cl´assico
Authors: Santos da Silva Pedro Jeronimo
Published: February 2022

De acordo com a teoria da relatividade geral, uma massa acelerada emite ondas gravitacionais (OG) (EINSTEIN, 1978).
CARACTERÍSTICAS DE MULHERES QUE REALIZARAM MAMOGRAFIA EM UM HOSPITAL FILANTRÓPICO DE UMA CIDADE DO INTERIOR DA BAHIA
Authors: Evangelista Lima Tâmara Juliana
Published: February 2022

O corrimento vaginal é uma alteração comum, caracterizado pela eliminação de qualquer fluxo proveniente da vagina (Brasil, 2015).
Faculty Perspectives on the Appeal and Impact of Including College Students With Intellectual Disability
Authors: McCabe Lauren E. , Hall Cassandra G. , Carter Erik W. , Lee Evon Batey , Bethune-Dix Lauren K.
Published: February 2022

Supporting the academic engagement of students with intellectual disability is a central focus of the inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) movement. In this study, we used focus group interviews to explore the views of 23 university faculty involved in teaching college students with intellectual disability in traditional courses. We asked faculty about their motivations for offering inclusive courses, how they were affected by the experience, and how they perceived classmates were impacted. Faculty discussed a range of factors that drew them to this inclusive teaching experience and highlighted multiple ways in which they and their students were positively impacted by the enrollment of students with intellectual disability. We offer recommendations for research and practice aimed at expanding and strengthening the academic experiences of college students with intellectual disability within IPSE programs.
Virtual temporal phase-shifting phase extraction using generative adversarial networks
Authors: Yan Ketao , Khan Aamir , Asundi Anand , Zhang Yi , Yu Yingjie
Published: February 2022

In this paper, a virtual temporal phase-shifting method based on generative adversarial networks (GANs) is proposed to realize dynamic measurement, which is referred to as PSNet. The proposed PSNet can produce the virtual phase-shifting fringe patterns from the single-frame fringe pattern, and the standard

n

-step phase-shifting method is employed to obtain the wrapped phase from the virtual fringe patterns. The wrapped phase can further be unwrapped by the unwrapping algorithm. Simulation analysis shows that the PSNet can produce the virtual phase-shifting fringe patterns without noise, and thus, the denoising process is eliminated. The performance of the method is verified from the captured fringe in the interferometer, which demonstrates the practicability of the proposed method.
Prediction of heavy metal Cd and stress on minerals in rice by analysis of LIBS spectra
Authors: Fu Gangrong , Li Zhongxiu , Xu Jiang , Xie Weiping , Yang Ping , Xu Yuan , Yao Mingyin
Published: February 2022

To predict the nutrition and safety of agricultural products by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), heavy metal Cd in rice was selected as an analytical target. Mature rice grain samples from 40 growing geographical areas around Poyang Lake were picked on-site and processed by grinding to obtain the edible rice. The content of Cd in rice samples was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, and the rice pellets were detected by LIBS. The risk intake was estimated by the target hazard quotient and Chinese National Standard. Moreover, the samples were classified as clean, slight, and severe ones according to evaluation. The content of Cd was predicted by analyzing LIBS spectra coupled with the partial least square (PLS) model. The correlation coefficients (

R

2

) reached 0.9036 and 0.9771 for the training and prediction sets, respectively, and the root mean square errors were 0.0487 and 0.027, respectively. It denotes that the PLS model has a higher prediction ability especially after LIBS spectra were processed by smoothing and multiplicative scatter correction. For the clean, slight, and severe rice samples, the LIBS intensity ratio between minerals Mg, K, Na, Si, and Mn to Ca was compared. The ratio was decreased in all samples as Cd stress increased. Correlation analysis results show that Mn displayed a highly significant negative correlation with Cd stress, while Mg, K, and Na displayed a significant negative correlation with Cd stress. The relationship between Si and Cd did not reach a significant level. This work indicated that it was feasible to use LIBS combined with a suitable data process to predict Cd content and the effect of Cd stress on minerals in rice. It is promising to evaluate the nutrition and safety of food products by analyzing LIBS spectra.
Laser processing of sapphire and fabrication of diffractive optical elements
Authors: Gottumukkala N. R. , Gupta M. C.
Published: February 2022

Sapphire is a high-temperature optical material with a melting
temperature of over 2000ºC, high strength, good thermal conductivity,
and low thermal expansion, and it exhibits chemical inertness and is
optically transparent over a wavelength range of 0.15 µm to 5.5 µm. We
report the detailed results of the laser processing of sapphire,
fabrication of diffraction gratings, and the photon sieve, which have
applications in the infrared spectrum using a nanosecond pulsed laser
of 355 nm wavelength. Laser removal rates and surface roughness were
studied. The fabricated gratings and photon sieve were characterized
in terms of diffracted beam profile, optical diffraction efficiency,
surface morphology, and depth profile.
Optical instrument for the study of time recovery from total disability
glare vision
Authors: Ávila Francisco J. , Casado Pilar
Published: February 2022

Disability glare is defined as the loss of contrast sensitivity of the retinal image
due to intraocular straylight originated from the presence of an
intense and broad bright light in the field of vision. This loss of
vision can range between vision loss at high spatial frequencies or
total temporal blindness. If the extreme case occurs, the recovery
time is crucial in night driving conditions or those professional
activities in which maximum visual acuity is required at any moment.
The recovery time depends mainly on the intensity and glare angle of
the light source, ocular straylight, and the photoreceptor response at
the retina. The recovery time can also be affected by ocular
pathologies, aging, or physiological factors that increase ocular
straylight. The aim of this work is to develop a new optical
instrument based on psychophysical methodology as well as to
investigate the recovery time from total disability glare
(photobleaching) as a function of the contrast of the visual target
and the glare angle of the source in healthy volunteers. Results
showed significant exponential correlation between recovery time and
contrast of the visual target and linear correlation between contrast
sensitivity and the glare angle. Those findings allowed to obtain an
empirical expression to compute the recovery time required to restore
contrast sensitivity baseline vision after photobleaching. Finally, a
statistical dependence of recovery time with age was found for short
glare angles that disappear as the glare angle increases.
Rational selection of RGB channels for disease classification based on IPPG technology
Authors: Xu Ge , Dong Liquan , Yuan Jing , Zhao Yuejin , Liu Ming , Hui Mei , Zhao Yuebin , Kong Lingqin
Published: February 2022

The green channel is usually selected as the optimal channel for vital signs monitoring in image photoplethysmography (IPPG) technology. However, some controversies arising from the different penetrability of skin tissue in visible light remain unresolved, i.e., making the optical and physiological information carried by the IPPG signals of the RGB channels inconsistent. This study clarifies that the optimal channels for different diseases are different when IPPG technology is used for disease classification. We further verified this conclusion in the classification model of heart disease and diabetes mellitus based on the random forest classification algorithm. The experimental results indicate that the green channel has a considerably excellent performance in classifying heart disease patients and the healthy with an average Accuracy value of 88.43% and an average F1score value of 93.72%. The optimal channel for classifying diabetes mellitus patients and the healthy is the red channel with an average Accuracy value of 82.12% and the average F1score value of 89.31%. Due to the limited penetration depth of the blue channel into the skin tissue, the blue channel is not as effective as the green and red channels as a disease classification channel. This investigation is of great significance to the development of IPPG technology and its application in disease classification.
Twisted elliptical multi-Gaussian Schell-model beams and their propagation properties: comment
Authors: Nemeş George
Published: February 2022

The inadequacy of using beam propagation factors

M
x
2

,

M
y
2

for general astigmatic beams as those
analyzed in the paper J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 37,
89 (2020)JOAOD60740-323210.1364/JOSAA.37.000089 is discussed, and
the appropriate beam invariants to be considered are presented.
Visible pyramid wavefront sensing approach for daylight adaptive optics
Authors: Huang Linshu , Wang Jianli , Chen Lu , Yuan Hangfei , Li Hongzhuang , Yao Kainan
Published: February 2022

Daytime application of the pyramid wavefront sensor (PyWFS) is greatly challenged by a bright and fluctuating sky background, especially in the visible. A daytime-Py approach to apply visible pyramid wavefront sensing for real-time daylight AO is described in this paper. A field stop (FS) and a lenslet array are applied in the daylight AO system based on a visible PyWFS to separate the object signal from the background signal and improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). A background elimination algorithm is proposed to extract the effective object signal. Closed-loop experiment using the daytime-Py approach is performed, which presents the first laboratory real-time daylight natural guide star AO correction of a faint object based on a visible PyWFS. SNR ranges for both the daytime-Py approach and PyWFS are reported. Furthermore, the correction results in different SNRs using both methods and with various pupil samplings using the daytime-Py approach are presented to prove that our proposal has the advantages over the PyWFS and Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor (SHWFS) for daylight AO. This study demonstrates that the daytime-Py approach can realize the real-time object tracking and closed-loop correction in the daylight natural guide star adaptive optics (AO) system based on the visible PyWFS.
DNN-assisted phase distance tuned PSK modulation for PAM4-to-QPSK format conversion gateway node
Authors: Kodama Takahiro , Koike-Akino Toshiaki , Kojima Keisuke , Parsons Kieran
Published: February 2022

This paper proposes an optical gateway that converts pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) format to phase shift keying (PSK) modulation format, enabling flexible intensity-to-phase mapping without relying on optical-electrical-optical data conversion at heterogenous network connections. A proof-of-principle experiment shows that optically converted PSK signals from regular PAM signals will induce non-uniform irregular phase noise distortion. The proposed optical gateway is designed to provide an optimized phase distance for PSK signals such that an achievable information rate is maximized by a deep learning-based decision on the receiver side. The phase distance-tuned PSK signals offer performance improvement of about 4 dB gain at a target generalized mutual information by making use of a digital neural network recovery.
Sensitivity enhanced fiber optic hydrophone based on an extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer for low-frequency underwater acoustic sensing
Authors: Xiong Wanze , Shu Qian , Lu Ping , Zhang Wanjin , Qu Zhiyuan , Liu Deming , Zhang Jiangshan
Published: February 2022

A miniaturized fiber optic hydrophone (FOH) based on a composite metal diaphragm with an air back cavity and a high finesse extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric (EFPI) scheme for low-frequency underwater acoustic sensing is proposed and experimentally demonstrated in this paper. A composite metal diaphragm is used to improve the stability of the hydrophone. A balance channel is used to equilibrate the hydrostatic pressure and maintain an air cavity, which improves the mechanical sensitivity. In addition, a white light interferometry (WLI) phase demodulation is used to demodulate the high finesse interferometer consisted of the fiber collimator end face and the diaphragm, which improves the phase sensitivity. Experimental results show that the enhanced phase sensitivity of the hydrophone is about −122.5 dB re 1 rad/µPa @ 200 Hz and the sensitivity fluctuation is below 2.5 dB between 3 Hz and 400 Hz, while the minimal detectable pressure (MDP) is 63.7 µPa/Hz1/2 @ 400 Hz. Due to its miniaturized structure and high sensitivity, the FOH may have an enormous potential in underwater target detection.
Multi-focal laser processing in transparent materials using an ultrafast tunable acoustic lens
Authors: Du Xiaohan , Florian Camilo , Arnold Craig B.
Published: February 2022

Fast and versatile alteration of focal positions is critical for applications including selective volumetric modification and parallel laser processing. In this Letter, we implement and characterize an ultrafast, variable focal system using a tunable acoustic gradient of index lens to achieve multi-focal laser processing. We apply our method to the femtosecond laser-induced intra-volumetric modification in glass to show the flexibility in controlling focal positions. Based on this understanding, we exploit the multi-focal nature of the system to demonstrate laser machining on both surfaces of a transparent glass slide in a single lateral scan.
Impact of FBG feedback phase on laser dynamics
Authors: Skënderas Martin , Jolly Spencer W. , Gupta Nitish , Geernaert Thomas , Virte Martin
Published: February 2022

Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) have been advantageously used to improve the chaotic properties of semiconductor lasers. Though these components are known to be highly sensitive to environmental conditions, feedback phase fluctuations are often neglected. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate that the small variations of the propagation time induced by a simple thermal tuning of the FBG are sufficient to induce significant changes of the laser behavior. We report periodic stability enhancements linked with phase variations and highlight that both phase variation and phase offsets play an important role. Last, we show a good qualitative agreement with simulations based on an expanded version of the Lang–Kobayashi model.
Flexible light manipulation in non-Hermitian frequency Su–Schrieffer–Heeger lattice
Authors: Song Yiling , Chen Yuelan , Xiong Wei , Wang Mingfeng
Published: February 2022

Recently, studies on non-Hermitian topologic physics have attracted considerable attention. The non-Hermitian skin effect (NHSE), as a remarkable phenomenon in the non-Hermitian lattice, has been demonstrated in coupled ring resonators and photonic mesh lattices. However, there is a scarcity of work on the realization of NHSEs in synthetic dimensions, owing to inaccessible anisotropic coupling. This limits the potential for exploring non-Hermitian topologic physics in on-chip integrated optical systems. In this work, we implement a non-Hermitian Su–Schrieffer–Heeger topologic insulator in the synthetic frequency dimension, and the NHSE and topologic edge state are manifested. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the exotic chiral Zener tunneling can also be realized. Our system provides a versatile platform to explore and exploit non-Hermitian topologic physics on a chip and can have impacts on flexible light manipulation in frequency domains.
Tunable short-wave near-infrared continuous wave source based on a 532 nm pumped singly resonant optical parametric idler oscillator
Authors: Yao Wenming , Deng Lihua , Tian Yubing , Chang Aolei , Wang Peng , Chen Jiansheng , Tan Huiming , Gao Jing
Published: February 2022

We report a continuous wave (CW) singly resonant optical parametric idler oscillator (i-SRO) capable of providing high power, high power conversion efficiency, widely tunable radiation in the short-wave near-infrared (NIR) range. The i-SRO is pumped by a fiber-laser-based laser at 532 nm with a multi-grating, MgO doped periodically poled stoichiometric lithium tantalate (MgO:sPPLT) as quasi-phase matching (QPM) crystal. By utilizing eight grating periods, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, and 8.8 µm of the QPM crystal, with grating tuning and temperature tuning, the i-SRO can be continuously tuned across 951–793 nm and the corresponding idler tunable over 1212–1620 nm. A maximum signal power of 4.9 W for a pump power of 9.1 W and a relevant pump to signal conversion efficiency of ∼53.8% are achieved at the signal of 821 nm. At a pump power of 5.4 W, the output power stability of the signal at 837 nm is better than 2.1% rms, within one hour in Gaussian spatial beam profile. The SRO performance in tuning rate has also been investigated.
Visual form of ASL verb signs predicts non-signer judgment of transitivity
Authors: Bradley Chuck , Malaia Evie A. , Siskind Jeffrey Mark , Wilbur Ronnie B.
Published: February 2022

Longstanding cross-linguistic work on event representations in spoken languages have argued for a robust mapping between an event’s underlying representation and its syntactic encoding, such that–for example–the agent of an event is most frequently mapped to subject position. In the same vein, sign languages have long been claimed to construct signs that visually represent their meaning, i.e., signs that are iconic. Experimental research on linguistic parameters such as plurality and aspect has recently shown some of them to be visually universal in sign, i.e. recognized by non-signers as well as signers, and have identified specific visual cues that achieve this mapping. However, little is known about what makes action representations in sign language iconic, or whether and how the mapping of underlying event representations to syntactic encoding is visually apparent in the form of a verb sign. To this end, we asked what visual cues non-signers may use in evaluating transitivity (i.e., the number of entities involved in an action). To do this, we correlated non-signer judgments about transitivity of verb signs from American Sign Language (ASL) with phonological characteristics of these signs. We found that non-signers did not accurately guess the transitivity of the signs, but that non-signer transitivity judgments can nevertheless be predicted from the signs’ visual characteristics. Further, non-signers cue in on just those features that code event representations across sign languages, despite interpreting them differently. This suggests the existence of visual biases that underlie detection of linguistic categories, such as transitivity, which may uncouple from underlying conceptual representations over time in mature sign languages due to lexicalization processes.
An intelligent optimization method for highway route selection based on comprehensive weight and TOPSIS
Authors: Liu Changjiang , Wang Qiuping , Cao Zhen
Published: February 2022

In order to accurately analyze and evaluate multi-index and multi-route traffic schemes for comparison and selection, we introduce herein a comprehensive weight and an intelligent selection algorithm for traffic scheme optimization to improve upon the shortcomings of common qualitative and quantitative analysis methods. Firstly, we establish an evaluation index system of transportation by traffic scheme considering the factors of technology, ecological environment, social environment, and economy, based on the whole life cycle. Secondly, the comprehensive weight based on subjective and objective factors is constructed. Finally, we establish an optimization method for transportation schemes by using the comprehensive weight and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) model. The results show that the evaluation index system based on the whole life cycle is more comprehensive and accurate. The comprehensive weight vector avoids the defects of single weight methods and makes full use of subjective data and expert opinions. The comprehensive weight vector is introduced into the decision-maker’s preference coefficient, so that analysts can determine the scheme according to the subjective and objective information and to the required accuracy. This method uses a large number of evaluation groups to evaluate the scheme, and the evaluation results show greater objectivity and efficiency.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome increases prevalence of concentric hypertrophy in normotensive obese women
Authors: De Jong Kirstie A. , Berisha Filip , Naderpoor Negar , Appelbe Alan , Kotowicz Mark A. , Cukier Kimberly , McGee Sean L. , Nikolaev Viacheslav O.
Published: February 2022

Background

It remains unclear as to whether polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an additional risk factor in the development of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in obese women. In the current study, we provide clarity on this issue by rigorously analysing patient LV geometry beyond the basic clinical measures currently used. Importantly, the cohort contained only normotensive patients that would normally be deemed low risk with no further intervention required.

Methods

The study comprised 24 obese women with PCOS and 29 obese Control women. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to evaluate LV structure/function. Basic clinical and metabolic data were collected for each participant consisting of age, BMI, blood pressure, fasting glucose, LDL-C, HLD-C, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Exclusion criteria; BMI < 30 g/m2, type 2 diabetes, hypertension.

Results

Both groups exhibited concentric remodelling of the LV posterior wall at a prevalence of ~20%, this associated with grade 1 diastolic dysfunction. Estimated LV mass/height2.7was increased patients with PCOS (45 ± 2.2 vs 37 ± 1.6) with 33% exhibiting LV mass/height2.7above ASE guidelines, compared to 7% in Controls. Furthermore, 25% of patients with PCOS were characterised with concentric hypertrophy, an alteration in LV geometry that was not observed in the Control group.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess LV geometric patterns in obese women with PCOS. The results suggest that obese women with PCOS are at greater risk of concentric hypertrophy than obese only women and provide justification for additional cardiovascular risk assessment in normotensive obese/PCOS women.
The case for decreased surgeon-reported complications due to surgical volume and fellowship status in the treatment of geriatric hip fracture: An analysis of the ABOS database
Authors: Ottesen Taylor D. , Mercier Michael R. , Brand Jordan , Amick Michael , Grauer Jonathan N. , Rubin Lee E.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

American orthopaedists are increasingly seeking fellowship sub-specialization. One proposed benefit of fellowship training is decrease in complications, however, few studies have investigated the rates of medical and surgical complications for hip fracture patients between orthopedists from different fellowship backgrounds. This study aims to investigate the effect of fellowship training and case volume on medical and surgical outcomes of patient following hip fracture surgical intervention.

Methods

1999–2016 American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS) Part II Examination Case List data were used to assess patients treated by trauma or adult reconstruction fellowship-trained orthopedists versus all-other orthopaedists. Rates of surgeon-reported medical and surgical adverse events were compared between the three surgeon cohorts. Using binary multivariate logistic regression to control of demographic factors, independent factors were evaluated for their effect on surgical complications.

Results

Data from 73,427 patients were assessed. An increasing number of hip fractures are being treated by trauma fellowship trained surgeons (9.43% in 1999–2004 to 60.92% in 2011–2016). In multivariate analysis, there was no significant difference in type of fellowship, however, surgeons with increased case volume saw significantly decreased odds of complications (16–30 cases: OR = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.85–0.97; p = 0.003; 31+ cases: OR = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.61–0.76; p<0.001). Femoral neck hip fractures were associated with increased odds of surgical complications.

Discussion

Despite minor differences in incidence of surgical complications between different fellowship trained orthopaedists, there is no major difference in overall risk of surgical complications for hip fracture patients based on fellowship status of early orthopaedic surgeons. However, case volume does significantly decrease the risk of surgical complications among these patients and may stand as a proxy for fellowship training. Fellows required to take hip fracture call as part of their training regardless of fellowship status exhibited decreased complication risk for hip fracture patients, thus highlighting the importance of additional training.
Does e-shopping service quality enhance customers’ e-shopping adoption? An extended perspective of unified theory of acceptance and use of technology
Authors: Rehman Amjad Ur , Bashir Shahid , Mahmood Asif , Karim Haroon , Nawaz Zameer
Published: February 2022

This research advances the knowledge in customer behavior literature by adding new exogenous and moderating variables to the UTAUT framework. It explores the relationships among e-shopping service quality (an exogenous variable), e-shopping drivers (performance expectancy, effort expectation, social influence, and facilitating conditions), e-shopping intention, and e-shopping adoption with the moderating role of offline brand trust in an e-shopping context. Structure equation modeling was performed to confirm the distinctiveness of variables and path analysis based on a sample size of 356 e-shoppers in Pakistan. The outcomes demonstrate that e-shopping drivers are influenced by e-shopping service quality. Moreover, e-shopping intention and e-shopping adoption are led by e-shopping drivers. Furthermore, the relationship between e-shopping drivers and e-shopping intention is moderated by offline brand trust. The discussion of theoretical and practical implications and study limitations are also presented.
Whole genome sequence analysis showing unique SARS-CoV-2 lineages of B.1.524 and AU.2 in Malaysia
Authors: Zainulabid Ummu Afeera , Mat Yassim Aini Syahida , Hussain Mushtaq , Aslam Ayesha , Soffian Sharmeen Nellisa , Mohd Ibrahim Mohamad Shafiq , Kamarudin Norhidayah , Kamarulzaman Mohd Nazli , Hin How Soon , Ahmad Hajar Fauzan
Published: February 2022

SARS-CoV-2 has spread throughout the world since its discovery in China, and Malaysia is no exception. WGS has been a crucial approach in studying the evolution and genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 in the ongoing pandemic. Despite considerable number of SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences have been submitted to GISAID and NCBI databases, there is still scarcity of data from Malaysia. This study aims to report new Malaysian lineages of the virus, responsible for the sustained spikes in COVID-19 cases during the third wave of the pandemic. Patients with nasopharyngeal and/or oropharyngeal swabs confirmed COVID-19 positive by real-time RT-PCR with CT value < 25 were chosen for WGS. The selected SARS-CoV-2 isolates were then sequenced, characterized and analyzed along with 986 sequences of the dominant lineages of D614G variants currently circulating throughout Malaysia. The prevalence of clade GH and G formed strong ground for the presence of two Malaysian lineages of AU.2 and B.1.524 that has caused sustained spikes of cases in the country. Statistical analysis on the association of gender and age group with Malaysian lineages revealed a significant association (p <0.05). Phylogenetic analysis revealed dispersion of 41 lineages, of these, 22 lineages are still active. Mutational analysis showed presence of unique G1223C missense mutation in transmembrane domain of the spike protein. For better understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 evolution in Malaysia especially with reference to the reported lineages, large scale studies based on WGS are warranted.
Excess mortality after hip fracture during COVID-19 pandemic: More about disruption, less about virulence—Lesson from a trauma center
Authors: Boukebous Baptiste , Maillot Cédric , Neouze Angèle , Esnault Hélène , Gao Fei , Biau David , Rousseau Marc-Antoine
Published: February 2022

To date, literature has depicted an increase in mortality among patients with hip fractures, directly related to acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and not due to underlying comorbidities. Usual orthogeriatric pathway in our Department was disrupted during the pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate early mortality within 30 days, in 2019 and 2020 in our Level 1 trauma-center. We compared two groups of patients aged >60 years, with osteoporotic upper hip fractures, in February/March/April 2020 and February/March/April 2019, in our level 1 trauma center. A total of 102 and 79 patients met the eligibility criteria in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Mortality was evaluated, merging our database with the French open database for death from the INSEE, which is prospectively updated each month. Causes of death were recorded. Charlson Comorbidity Index was evaluated for comorbidities, Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL), and Activity of Daily Living (ADL) scores were assessed for autonomy. There were no differences in age, sex, fracture type, Charlson Comorbidity Index, IADL, and ADL. 19 patients developed COVID-19 infection. The 30-day survival was 97% (95% CI, 94%–100%) in 2019 and 86% (95% CI, 79%–94%) in 2020 (HR = 5, 95%CI, 1.4–18.2, p = 0.013). In multivariable Cox’PH model, the period (2019/2020) was significantly associated to the 30-day mortality (HR = 6.4, 95%CI, 1.7–23, p = 0.005) and 6-month mortality (HR = 3.4, 95%CI, 1.2–9.2, p = 0.01). COVID infection did not modify significantly the 30-day and 6-month mortality. This series brought new important information, early mortality significantly increased because of underlying disease decompensation. Minimal comprehensive care should be maintained in all circumstances in order to avoid excess of mortality among elderly population with hip fractures.