bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental demonstration of a quantum downstream access network in continuous variable quantum key distribution with a local local oscillator
Authors: Qi Dengke , Wang Xiangyu , Li Zhenghua , Ma Jiayu , Chen Ziyang , Lu Yueming , Yu Song 
Published: April 2024

Quantum networks provide opportunities and challenges across a range of intellectual and technical frontiers, including quantum computation, communication, and others. Unlike traditional communication networks, quantum networks utilize quantum bits rather than classical bits to store and transmit information. Quantum key distribution (QKD) relying on the principles of quantum mechanics is a key component in quantum networks and enables two parties to produce a shared random secret key, thereby ensuring the security of data transmission. In this work, we propose a cost-effective quantum downstream access network structure in which each user can get their corresponding key information through terminal distribution. Based on this structure, we demonstrate the first four-end-users quantum downstream access network in continuous variable QKD with a local local oscillator. In contrast to point-to-point continuous variable QKD, the network architecture reevaluates the security of each user and accounts for it accordingly, and each user has a lower tolerance for excess noise as the overall network expands with more users. Hence, the feasibility of the experiment is based on the analysis of the theoretical model, noise analysis, and multiple techniques such as the particle filter and adaptive equalization algorithm used to suppress excess noise. The results show that each user can get a low level of excess noise and can achieve secret key rates of 546 kbps, 535 kbps, 522.5 kbps, and 512.5 kbps under a transmission distance of 10 km, respectively, with the finite-size block of 1×108. This not only verifies the good performance but also provides the foundation for the future multi-user quantum downstream access networks.
Ka-band thin film lithium niobate photonic integrated optoelectronic oscillator
Authors: Ma Rui , Huang Zijun , Gao Shengqian , Wang Jingyi , Wang Xichen , Zhang Xian , Hao Peng , Yao X. Steve , Cai Xinlun 
Published: April 2024

Photonics integration of an optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) on a chip is attractive for fabricating low cost, compact, low power consumption, and highly reliable microwave sources, which has been demonstrated recently in silicon on insulator (SOI) and indium phosphide (InP) platforms at X-band around 8 GHz. Here we demonstrate the first integration of OEOs on the thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) platform, which has the advantages of lower V
π
, no chirp, wider frequency range, and less sensitivity to temperature. We have successfully realized two different OEOs operating at Ka-band, with phase noises even lower than those of the X-band OEOs on SOI and InP platforms. One is a fixed frequency OEO at 30 GHz realized by integrating a Mach–Zehnder modulator (MZM) with an add-drop microring resonator (MRR), and the other is a tunable frequency OEO at 20–35 GHz realized by integrating a phase modulator (PM) with a notch MRR. Our work marks the first step of using TFLN to fabricate integrated OEOs with high frequency, small size, low cost, wide range tunability, and potentially low phase noise.
Serological diagnosis of soil-transmitted helminth (Ascaris, Trichuris and hookworm) infections: A scoping review
Authors: Roose Sara , Vande Velde Fiona , Vlaminck Johnny , Geldhof Peter , Levecke Bruno 
Published: April 2024

Background
The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of integrated monitoring and evaluation in neglected tropical disease (NTD) control programs. Serological assays offer a potential solution for integrated diagnosis of NTDs, particularly for those requiring mass drug administration (MDA) as primary control and elimination strategy. This scoping review aims (i) to provide an overview of assays using serum or plasma to detect infections with soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) in both humans and animals, (ii) to examine the methodologies used in this research field and (iii) to discuss advancements in serological diagnosis of STHs to guide prevention and control programs in veterinary and human medicine.

Methodology
We conducted a systematic search in the Ovid MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library databases, supplemented by a Google search using predefined keywords to identify commercially available serological assays. Additionally, we performed a patent search through Espacenet.

Principal findings
We identified 85 relevant literature records spanning over 50 years, with a notable increased interest in serological assay development in recent years. Most of the research efforts concentrated on diagnosing Ascaris infections in both humans and pigs, primarily using ELISA and western blot technologies. Almost all records targeted antibodies as analytes, employing proteins and peptides as analyte detection agents. Approximately 60% of sample sets described pertained to human samples. No commercially available tests for Trichuris or hookworms were identified, while for Ascaris, there are at least seven different ELISAs on the market.

Conclusions
While a substantial number of assays are employed in epidemiological research, the current state of serological diagnosis for guiding STH prevention and control programs is limited. Only two assays designed for pigs are used to inform efficient deworming practices in pig populations. Regarding human diagnosis, none of the existing assays has undergone extensive large-scale validation or integration into routine diagnostics for MDA programs.
Citizens can help to map putative transmission sites for snail-borne diseases
Authors: Tumusiime Julius , Valderrama Bhraunxs Noelia , Kagoro-Rugunda Grace , Namirembe Daisy , Albrecht Christian , Twongyirwe Ronald , Tolo Casim Umba , Jacobs Liesbet , Huyse Tine 
Published: April 2024

Introduction
Schistosomiasis and fasciolosis are snail-borne diseases of great medical and veterinary health importance. The World Health Organization recommends complementing drug treatment with snail control and community involvement for disease elimination, but there is a general lack of snail experts and hence snail distribution data. Therefore, we adopted a citizen science approach and involved citizens in the monitoring of medically and veterinary important snail taxa.

Materials and methods
Snail data was collected weekly by 25 trained citizen scientists (CSs) at 76 sites around southern Lake Albert (Uganda) for 20 months. At each site, snails were searched for 30 minutes, sorted, target snail hosts identified to genus level, counted and data submitted through a smartphone application. The quality of this data was assessed by comparing it to monthly data collected by an ‘expert’ malacologist using the same sampling protocol. Generalised binomial logistic and linear mixed-effects models were used to analyse the variables for agreement between the CSs and expert.

Findings
The binary agreement in presence/absence of Biomphalaria, Bulinus and Radix snails reported by the expert and CSs ranged between 70% and 86% (900 reports) with an average of 17% false negatives (sites wrongly defined as snail-free). The agreement for Biomphalaria and Radix increased with snail abundance, and false negatives decreased when the number of snails collected by citizens was aggregated per month. Site type significantly predicted binary agreement, which was lowest at lake sites (55%) and highest at spring sites (99%) with variations across genera. Similar temporal trends in snail abundance were recorded despite the expert reporting higher abundance. However, the relative abundance was consistent across site types. The match between the sites with highest Biomphalaria spp. abundance identified by CSs and expert was consistently high (~84.1%) and increased over time.

Conclusions and recommendations
Our results demonstrate the potential of citizen science to map putative schistosomiasis transmission sites. We therefore argue that this inclusive, powerful and cost-effective approach can be more sustainable than top-down monitoring and intervention campaigns.
Snakebite envenoming: A systematic review and meta-analysis of global morbidity and mortality
Authors: Afroz Afsana , Siddiquea Bodrun Naher , Chowdhury Hasina Akhter , Jackson Timothy NW , Watt Andrew D. 
Published: April 2024

Background
Snakebite envenoming represents a significant and often neglected public health challenge, particularly in rural communities across tropical and subtropical regions. An estimated 1.2–5.5 million people are envenomed by snakebites annually. More than 125,000 of these bites are fatal, and 3–4 times as many results in disability/disfigurement. Despite its prevalence, collecting accurate epidemiological data on snakebite is challenging. This systematic review and meta-analysis collates global epidemiology data on snakebite morbidity and mortality.

Methods
Medline, Embase, Cochrane and CINAHL Plus databases were searched for articles published between 2001–2022. Pooled incidence and mortality were obtained using random effects modelling, heterogeneity (I2) was tested, and sensitivity analyses performed. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale assessed study quality.

Results
Out of the four databases, 5,312 articles were found. After removing duplicates, 3,953 articles were screened by title and abstract and 65 articles containing information on snakebite epidemiology, encompassing 663,460 snakebites, were selected for analysis. The people most at risk for snakebite were men (59%), engaged in agricultural labour (27.5%), and residing in rural areas (66.7%). More than half (57%) of the reported bites resulted in envenoming. Incidents occurred frequently in the summer season (38.5%), during daytime (56.7%), and bites were most often to the lower limb (56.4%). Envenoming severity was frequently mild (46.7%), treated in hospital (68.3%), and was treated with anti-venom (64.7%). The pooled global incidence and mortality was 69.4 /100,000 population (95%CI: 36.8 to 101.9) and 0.33/100,000 population (95%CI, 0.14 to 0.52) per year, respectively.
Stratified by continents, Asia had the highest incidence of 130.7/100,000 population (95%CI: 48.3 to 213.1) while Europe has the lowest with 0.7/100,000 population (95%CI: -0.2 to 1.5). The highest mortality was reported in Asia at 0.96/100,000 population (95% CI: 0.22 to 1.70), and Africa 0.44/100,000 population (95%CI: -0.03 to 0.84). Incidence was highest among inhabitants of lower-middle-income countries 132.7/100,000 population (95%CI: 55.4 to 209.9) while mortality was highest in low-income countries at 0.85/100,000 population (95% CI: -0.06 to 2.31).

Conclusion
Incidence and mortality rates noted here highlight the global impact of snakebite and underscore the critical need to address the burden of snakebite envenoming. It also reveals that while reported snakebite incidence was higher in lower-middle-income countries, the burden of mortality was greatest among inhabitants of low-income countries, again emphasising the need for greater efforts to tackle this neglected tropical disease.
Impact of immune evasion, waning and boosting on dynamics of population mixing between a vaccinated majority and unvaccinated minority
Authors: Fisman David N. , Amoako Afia , Simmons Alison , Tuite Ashleigh R. 
Published: April 2024

Background
We previously demonstrated that when vaccines prevent infection, the dynamics of mixing between vaccinated and unvaccinated sub-populations is such that use of imperfect vaccines markedly decreases risk for vaccinated people, and for the population overall. Risks to vaccinated people accrue disproportionately from contact with unvaccinated people. In the context of the emergence of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 and evolving understanding of SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology, we updated our analysis to evaluate whether our earlier conclusions remained valid.

Methods
We modified a previously published Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered (SIR) compartmental model of SARS-CoV-2 with two connected sub-populations: vaccinated and unvaccinated, with non-random mixing between groups. Our expanded model incorporates diminished vaccine efficacy for preventing infection with the emergence of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants, waning immunity, the impact of prior immune experience on infectivity, “hybrid” effects of infection in previously vaccinated individuals, and booster vaccination. We evaluated the dynamics of an epidemic within each subgroup and in the overall population over a 10-year time horizon.

Results
Even with vaccine efficacy as low as 20%, and in the presence of waning immunity, the incidence of COVID-19 in the vaccinated subpopulation was lower than that among the unvaccinated population across the full 10-year time horizon. The cumulative risk of infection was 3–4 fold higher among unvaccinated people than among vaccinated people, and unvaccinated people contributed to infection risk among vaccinated individuals at twice the rate that would have been expected based on the frequency of contacts. These findings were robust across a range of assumptions around the rate of waning immunity, the impact of “hybrid immunity”, frequency of boosting, and the impact of prior infection on infectivity in unvaccinated people.

Interpretation
Although the emergence of the Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 has diminished the protective effects of vaccination against infection with SARS-CoV-2, updating our earlier model to incorporate loss of immunity, diminished vaccine efficacy and a longer time horizon, does not qualitatively change our earlier conclusions. Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 continues to diminish the risk of infection among vaccinated people and in the population as a whole. By contrast, the risk of infection among vaccinated people accrues disproportionately from contact with unvaccinated people.
Under-utilisation of noncommunicable disease screening and healthy lifestyle promotion centres: A cross-sectional study from Sri Lanka
Authors: Herath Thilini , Perera Manuja , Kasturiratne Anuradhani 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundHealthy Lifestyle Centres (HLCs) are state-owned, free-of-charge facilities that screen for major noncommunicable disease risks and promote healthy lifestyles among adults older than 35 years in Sri Lanka. The key challenge to their effectiveness is their underutilisation. This study aimed to describe the underutilisation and determine the factors associated, as a precedent of a bigger project that designed and implemented an intervention for its improvement.MethodsData derived from a community-based cross-sectional study conducted among 1727 adults (aged 35 to 65 years) recruited using a multi-stage cluster sampling method from two districts (Gampaha and Kalutara) in Sri Lanka. A prior qualitative study was used to identify potential factors to develop the questionnaire which is published separately. Data were obtained using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and analysed using inferential statistics.ResultsForty-two percent (n = 726, 95% CI: 39.7–44.4) had a satisfactory level of awareness on HLCs even though utilisation was only 11.3% (n = 195, 95% CI: 9.80–12.8). Utilisation was significantly associated with 14 factors. The five factors with the highest Odds Ratios (OR) were perceiving screening as useful (OR = 10.2, 95% CI: 4.04–23.4), perceiving as susceptible to NCDs (OR = 6.78, 95% CI: 2.79–16.42) and the presence of peer support for screening and a healthy lifestyle (OR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.54–6.34), belonging to the second (OR = 3.69, 95% CI: 1.53–8.89) and third lowest (OR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.02–7.94) household income categories and a higher level of knowledge on HLCs (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.24–1.38). When considering non-utilisation, being a male (OR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.05–0.52), belonging to an extended family (OR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.21–0.88), residing within 1–2 km (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.14–0.63) or more than 3 km of the HLC (OR = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.04–0.53), having a higher self-assessed health score (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95–0.99) and low perceived accessibility to HLCs (OR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.04–0.36) were significantly associated.ConclusionIn conclusion, underutilisation of HLCs is a result of multiple factors operating at different levels. Therefore, interventions aiming to improve HLC utilisation should be complex and multifaceted designs based on these factors rather than merely improving knowledge.
Cardiometabolic risk factors in social housing residents: A multi-site cross-sectional survey in older adults from Ontario, Canada
Authors: Agarwal Gina , Lee Janice , Keshavarz Homa , Angeles Ricardo , Pirrie Melissa , Marzanek Francine 
Published: April 2024

Objective
This study describes cardiometabolic diseases and related risk factors in vulnerable older adults residing in social housing, aiming to inform primary care initiatives to reduce health inequities. Associations between sociodemographic variables, modifiable risk factors (clinical and behavioural), health-related quality of life and self-reported cardiometabolic diseases were investigated.

Design, setting, and participants
This was a cross-sectional study with an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data was collected from residents aged 55 years and older residing in 30 social housing apartment buildings in five regions in Ontario, Canada.

Outcome measures
The proportion of cardiometabolic diseases and modifiable risk factors (e.g., clinical, behavioural, health status) in this population was calculated.

Results
Questionnaires were completed with 1065 residents: mean age 72.4 years (SD = 8.87), 77.3% were female, 87.2% were white; 48.2% had less than high school education; 22.70% self-reported cardiovascular disease (CVD), 10.54% diabetes, 59.12% hypertension, 43.59% high cholesterol. These proportions were higher than the general population. Greater age was associated with overweight, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and CVD. Poor health-related quality of life was associated with self-reported CVD and diabetes.

Conclusions
Older adults residing in social housing in Ontario have higher proportion of cardiovascular disease and modifiable risk factors compared to the general population. This vulnerable population should be considered at high risk of cardiometabolic disease. Primary care interventions appropriate for this population should be implemented to reduce individual and societal burdens of cardiometabolic disease.
Wpływ śmierci uczestnika postępowania wieczystoksięgowego na szybkość i sprawność toczącego się postępowania o wpis w księdze wieczystej
Authors: Kowalik Emil 
Published: April 2024

Celem artykułu jest rozstrzygnięcie kwestii, czy śmierć uczestnika postępowania wieczystoksięgowego, którego prawo ma być wpisane bądź wykreślone, ma wpływ na szybkie i sprawne ujawnienie w księdze wieczystej zmiany stanu prawnego nieruchomości. W szczególności ustalenia wymaga, czy ten stan skutkuje – na podstawie art. 174 § 1 pkt 1 w zw. z art. 13 § 2 k.p.c. – zawieszeniem tego postępowania, a następnie podjęciem go z udziałem następców prawnych zgodnie z art. 180 § 1 pkt 1 w zw. z art. 13 § 2 k.p.c. Wykorzystując metodę dogmatycznoprawną, wnikliwe zbadano regulacje instytucji ksiąg wieczystych i postępowania wieczystoksięgowego istotnych z punktu widzenia omawianego zagadnienia. Dodatkowo analizie poddano orzecznictwa Europejskiego Trybunału Praw Człowieka, Trybunału Konstytucyjnego oraz Sądu Najwyższego dotyczące powyższych kwestii. Wnioski z przeprowadzonej analizy przesądzają o tym, że – z punktu widzenia zapewniania uczestnikom obrotu prawnego nieruchomościami ochrony ich praw – sąd wieczystoksięgowy nie ma obowiązku zawieszania postępowania wieczystoksięgowego w przypadku śmierci uczestnika tego postępowania celem podjęcia go z udziałem jego następców prawnych, gdyż stoi to w sprzeczności z szybkim i sprawnym ujawnieniem w księdze wieczystej zmiany stanu prawnego nieruchomości.
“When we use that kind of language… someone is going to jail”: relationality and aesthetic interpretation in initial research encounters
Authors: Beiler Ingrid Rodrick , Dewilde Joke 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The aim of this article is to investigate ethical and aesthetic dimensions of negotiating linguistic differences between researchers and participants in the initial research consent process, based on data from a collaborative research project in adult basic education for immigrants, in which a large number of students initially refused to participate. First, we interpret negotiations of consent as relational acts, where teachers and multilingual staff facilitated moral proximity through their affinity or shared biography with students, allowing us to move from anticipated difference to events of subjectivity. Second, we analyze research ethics protocols, notably the standardized consent letter, as aesthetic signs that evoked an affective response, which variously recalled unfavourable subject positions within neoliberal or authoritarian governmentality, including memories of trauma. The dynamic connection between aesthetics and relational ethics highlights the shortcomings of current institutional ethics requirements, since aesthetic interpretation cannot be fully anticipated and instead requires meaning-making in concrete relational encounters.
New formula to determine flyrock distance on sedimentary rocks with low strength
Authors: Supandi Supandi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThere are many methods that discuss the prediction of flyrock distance in blasting operation, but none of them specifically discusses flyrock distance in sedimentary rock with low strength. The empirical method based on a statistical approach also has no specific research on it. This study aims to obtain a formula for predicting flyrock distance due to blasting on a sedimentary rock with low strength using ammonium nitrate fuel oil. A total of 196 samples were obtained from the blasting that has been operated. The variables included for building the new prediction model of flyrock distance are stemming, blast-hole height, powder factor, and average charge per blast hole. The analysis was carried out using a statistical approach with the concept of regression and correlation. Unlike the previous model that applied a dimensional approach, the new model set each of the predictor variables to have their respective regression coefficients in order to see how they play a role in predicting the flyrock distance. The results show that burden, stemming, blast-hole height, powder factor, and average charge per blast hole significantly affect the flyrock distance. The variance in flyrock distance can be explained uniquely 3.50% by burden, 10.74% by stemming, 2.55% by blast-hole height, 2.32% by powder factor, and 2.76% by average charge per blast hole. The new proposed model of flyrock distance is better than the previous model by looking at the mean absolute percentage error. To predict the flyrock distance of sedimentary rock with low strength, the new model can be used.
Wzorzec osobowy oficera Polski Ludowej versus wzorzec osobowy oficera II Rzeczypospolitej. Studium porównawcze
Authors: Świderska-Włodarczyk Urszula 
Published: April 2024

Za podstawę porównania wzorca oficera II Rzeczypospolitej i oficera Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej przyjęto system aksjologiczny obu badanych okresów. Całość narracji oparto na autorskim modelu wzorców osobowych, złożonych z czterech komponentów: uwarunkowań genealogicznych, osobowościowych, profesjonalnych i społecznych. Zestawienie tych komponentów na tle przedwojnia i powojnia przełożyło się na efekt końcowy w postaci dwóch przeciwstawnych portretów idealnego oficera. W pierwszym górę brały takie wartości jak elitaryzm urodzenia i wykształcenia, doskonałość osobowościowa oparta na cnotach religijnych i świeckich, imperatyw walki za niepodległość ojczyzny łącznie z gotowością ofiary życia, przy zachowaniu apolityczności, najwyższej próby patriotyzmu i związku z Kościołem. Drugi wzorzec cechował egalitaryzm, moralność socjalistyczna, imperatyw walki o zachowanie ustroju i sojuszu, skrajne upolitycznienie i ateistyczne postawy. Mimo kolejnych zmian ustrojowych każdy z nich pozostaje w jakimś stopniu obecny we współczesnej rzeczywistości.