bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ternary magnesium gallides – synthesis, crystal chemistry and properties of CaMgGa, SrMgGa, BaMgGa and YbMgGa
Authors: Reimann Maximilian Kai , Kohlmann Holger , Matar Samir F. , Pöttgen Rainer
Published: December 2022

The gallides CaMgGa, SrMgGa, BaMgGa and YbMgGa were synthesized from the elements in sealed tantalum ampoules in muffle furnaces. The phase purity of the samples was checked by powder X‐ray diffraction. CaMgGa and YbMgGa crystallize with the ZrNiAl type structure, space group P
2m, whereas SrMgGa and BaMgGa adopt an ordering variant of the Cu2Sb/PbFCl type, space group P4/nmm. The structures of SrMg0.884(7)Ga1.116(7) (a=459.23(9), c=792.43(12) pm, wR2=0.0371, 226 F2 values, 11 variables) and YbMgGa (a=774.55(7), c=411.95(4) pm, wR2=0.0329, 342 F2 values, 15 variables) were refined from single crystal X‐ray diffractometer data. Refinement of the occupancy parameters indicated a small degree of Mg/Ga mixing on the 2a site for the strontium compound. The [MgGa] substructures in both compounds are composed of condensed Mg@Ga4 tetrahedra with 4×287 pm Mg−Ga in SrMg0.884Ga1.116 vs 2×282 and 2×296 pm in YbMgGa. The SrMgGa structure has a stacking of layers of edge‐sharing Mg@Ga4 and Sr4 tetrahedra. Electronic structure calculations indicate a net charge transfer from strontium and magnesium to gallium. YbMgGa completes the series of REMgGa gallides. Temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility studies reveal weak Pauli paramagnetism, confirming divalent ytterbium.
Is impaired lung function related to spinal deformities in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis? A systematic review and meta-analysis—SOSORT 2019 award paper
Authors: Kan Mandy M. P. , Negrini Stefano , Di Felice Francesca , Cheung Jason P. Y. , Donzelli Sabrina , Zaina Fabio , Samartzis Dino , Cheung Esther T. C. , Wong Arnold Y. L.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Some teenagers with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) display compromised lung function. However, the evidence regarding the relations between pulmonary impairments and various spinal deformity parameters in these patients remains unclear, which affects clinical management. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the associations between various lung function parameters and radiographic features in teenagers with AIS.

Methods

A search of PubMed, Embase, PEDro, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO (from inception to March 14, 2022) without language restriction. Original studies reporting the associations between lung function and spinal deformity in patients with AIS were selected. Independent reviewers extracted data and evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Pearson correlation and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis.

Results

Twenty-seven studies involving 3162 participants were included. Limited-quality evidence supported that several spinal parameters were significantly related to lung function parameters (e.g., absolute value and percent of the predicted forced vital capacity (FVC; %FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1; %FEV1), and total lung capacity (TLC; %TLC)) in AIS patients. Specifically, meta-analyses showed that main thoracic Cobb angles in the coronal plane were significantly and negatively related to FVC (r =  − 0.245), %FVC (r =  − 0.302), FEV1 (r =  − 0.232), %FEV1 (r =  − 0.348), FEV1/FVC ratio (r =  − 0.166), TLC (r =  − 0.302), %TLC (r =  − 0.183), and percent predicted vital capacity (r =  − 0.272) (p < 0.001). Similarly, thoracic apical vertebral rotation was negatively associated with %FVC (r =  − 0.215) and %TLC (r =  − 0.126) (p < 0.05). Conversely, thoracic kyphosis angles were positively related to %FVC (r = 0.180) and %FEV1 (r = 0.193) (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Larger thoracic Cobb angles, greater apical vertebral rotation angle, or hypokyphosis were significantly associated with greater pulmonary impairments in patients with AIS, although the evidence was limited. From a clinical perspective, the results highlight the importance of minimizing the three-dimensional spinal deformity in preserving lung function in these patients. More research is warranted to confirm these results.
Minimizing the expected waiting time of emergency jobs
Authors: Schulz Arne , Fliedner Malte
Published: December 2022

We consider a scheduling problem where a set of known jobs needs to be assigned to a set of given parallel resources such that the expected waiting time for a set of uncertain emergency jobs is kept as small as possible. On the basis of structural insights from queuing theory, we develop deterministic scheduling policies that reserve resource capacity in order to increase the likelihood of resource availability whenever an emergency job arrives. Applications of this particular scheduling problem are, for instance, found in the field of surgical operations scheduling in hospitals, where high-priority but uncertain emergencies compete for scarce operating room capacity with elective surgeries of lower priority. We compare our approaches with other policies from the literature in a comprehensive simulation study of a surgical operations unit.
Use of regional transmural agreements to support the right care in the right place for patients with chronic heart failure—a qualitative study
Authors: Auener Stefan L. , Jeurissen Patrick P. T. , Lok Dirk J. A. , van Duijn Huug J. , van Pol Petra E. J. , Westert Gert P. , van Dulmen Simone A.
Published: December 2022

Background

Chronic heart failure (CHF) poses a major challenge for healthcare systems. As these patients’ needs vary over time in intensity and complexity, the coordination of care between primary and secondary care is critical for them to receive the right care in the right place. To support the continuum of care needed, Dutch regional transmural agreements (RTAs) between healthcare providers have been developed. However, little is known about how the stakeholders have experienced the development and use of these RTAs. The aim of this study was to gain insight into how stakeholders have experienced the development and use of RTAs for CHF and explore which factors affected this.

Methods

We interviewed 25 stakeholders from 9 Dutch regions based on the Measurement Instrument for Determinants of Innovations framework. Interview recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed through open thematic coding.

Results

In most cases, the RTA development was considered relatively easy. However, the participants noted that sustainable use of the RTAs faced different complexities and influencing factors. These barriers concerned the following themes: education of primary care providers, referral process, patients’ willingness, relationships between healthcare providers, reimbursement by health insurance companies, electronic health record (EHR) systems and outcomes.

Conclusion

Some complexities, such as reimbursement and EHR systems, are likely to benefit from specialised support or a national approach. On a regional level, interregional learning can improve stakeholders’ experiences. Future research should focus on quantitative effects of RTAs on outcomes and potential financing models for projects that aim to transition care from one setting to another.
The Myth of the Lone Judge: Comparing International Judicial Bureaucracies
Authors: Soave Tommaso
Published: December 2022

In “Who Guards the ‘Guardians of the System’? The Role of the Secretariat in WTO Dispute Settlement,” Joost Pauwelyn and Krzysztof Pelc describe, in rich detail, the pervasive involvement of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat in the resolution of trade disputes.1 The authors conclude, rather emphatically, that the Secretariat “exerts more influence over dispute settlement proceedings than the staff of any comparable . . . tribunal.”2 In my view, this conclusion is somewhat misleading, as it portrays the WTO as “exceptional” or “sui generis”3 among international courts. In fact, the invisible army of legal bureaucrats (clerks, registry and secretariat lawyers, arbitral assistants, etc.) plays a “critically important”4 part across the whole field of international adjudication. What is missing is a comparative analysis of the power those bureaucrats wield in different judicial regimes. In this Essay, I outline a basic framework for the comparison, focusing on two main factors: first, the organizational and contractual arrangements that govern the relationship of international judges and bureaucrats; second, the relative distribution of expertise and capital between the two.
Old & New Dispute Secretariats
Authors: Claussen Kathleen
Published: December 2022

What are secretariats for in international dispute settlement bodies? The question is implicit in much of what Joost Pauwelyn and Krzysztof Pelc have written in their important article, “Who Guards the ‘Guardians of the System?’ The Role of the Secretariat in WTO Dispute Settlement,” but is one that they do not ask outright.1 Pauwelyn and Pelc thoughtfully describe what the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement secretariat (WTO Secretariat) does as part of their call to determine what the WTO Secretariat is for. Asking what secretariats ought to be for advances the valuable work that has been done on these institutions with an eye to new secretariats that states are now constructing. This Essay makes two points. First, it argues that the work of the WTO Secretariat is typical of many international adjudicatory secretariats, especially those assisting with disputes over matters of international economic law. Seeing those similarities helps us understand how dispute settlement constituencies view the purpose of such secretariats: to carry out the activities highlighted by Pauwelyn and Pelc. Second, the essay picks up where Pauwelyn and Pelc left off and maintains that our collective attention ought to turn to newly envisioned and recently constructed trade dispute secretariats, and their substitutes. The authors provide a platform for examining what experimental designs of secretariats in upcoming trade agreements might look like, and, more important, what we think those secretariats are for.
The impact of market integration on arranged marriages in Matlab, Bangladesh
Authors: Schaffnit S.B. , Page A. E. , Lynch R. , Spake L. , Sear R. , Sosis R. , Shaver J. , Alam N. , Towner M.C. , Shenk M. K.
Published: December 2022

Success in marriage markets has lasting impacts on women's wellbeing. By arranging marriages, parents exert financial and social powers to influence spouse characteristics and ensure optimal marriages. While arranging marriages is a major focus of parental investment, marriage decisions are also a source of conflict between parents and daughters in which parents often have more power. The process of market integration may alter parental investment strategies, however, increasing children's bargaining power and reducing parents’ influence over children's marriage decisions. We use data from a market integrating region of Bangladesh to (a) describe temporal changes in marriage types, (b) identify which women enter arranged marriages and (c) determine how market integration affects patterns of arranged marriage. Most women's marriages were arranged, with love marriages more recent. We found few predictors of who entered arranged vs. love marriages, and family-level market integration did not predict marriage type at the individual level. However, based on descriptive findings, and findings relating women's and fathers’ education to groom characteristics, we argue that at the society-level market integration has opened a novel path in which daughters use their own status, gained via parental investments, to facilitate good marriages under conditions of reduced parental assistance or control.
Gut physiology meets microbiome science
Authors: Daniel Hannelore
Published: December 2022

Research on the gut microbiome has gained high popularity and almost every disease has meanwhile been linked to alterations in microbiome composition. Typically assessed via stool samples, the microbiome displays a huge diversity with a multitude of environmental parameters already identified as contributing to its character. Despite impressive scientific progress, normal microbiome diversity remains largely unexplained and it is tempting to speculate some of the yet unexplained variance is hidden in normal gut physiology. Although a few genome/phenome-wide associations studies have recently highlighted physiological parameters such as stool frequency, known as contributing to microbiome diversity, there is a large knowledge base from decades of basic research on gut functions that can be explored for possible links to stool features and microbiome characteristics. And, when extrapolating findings from faecal samples to the biology in the intestinal lumen or the mucosal microenvironment, gut anatomy and physiology features need to be considered. Similarly, differences in anatomy and physiology between rodents and humans need attention when discussing findings in animals in relation to human physiology and nutrition.
Extended distribution of Kandelia candel along the coast of Andhra Pradesh, India – taxonomic identification with molecular confirmation
Authors: Pranav P. , George Grinson , Ranith R. , Nandini Menon N. , Gopalakrishnan A. , Shameem U.
Published: December 2022

The paper describes the first report of Kandelia candel (Rhizophoraceae), a rare mangrove from Bhavanapadu, a coastal village in Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh, India. This species is relatively less abundant along the east coast of India. During our study covering all the 41 mangrove patches in the state of Andhra Pradesh, 16 mangrove species were observed throughout the state and the Kandelia candel was seen only in Bhavanapadu (patch 2). The plant sighted was identified using taxonomic keys and confirmed using DNA barcoding. The identified specimen is deposited in the museum repository at ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi (accession no. MB.1.1.1.1) and its gene sequence is deposited in National Center for Biotechnological Information (NCBI) (accession no. MH243746). Patch 2 where K. candel was observed is separated away from the other clusters in the principal component one, with the patch showing an average dissimilarity of about 71.79% from the other patches. K. candel is a mangrove highly sensitive to changes in salinity. The presence of a lone member of a rare species in the state at the sampling location raises questions on its endurance in the region. The study underlines the relevance of monitoring the mangroves and advocate adequate conservation measures for proper protection, proliferation and management of this globally dwindling resource.
The effect of psychological bias on public officials’ attitudes towards the implementation of policy instruments: evidence from survey experiments
Authors: Liu Bingsheng , Qin Zengqiang , Zhang Jinfeng
Published: December 2022

As implementers, public officials have historically enjoyed substantial influence in the public policy process, but little attention has been paid to the effect of psychological elements on their attitudes towards implementing policy instruments. The authors argue that from a behavioural public administration perspective, public officials’ attitudes towards implementing certain policy instruments are not rational, but instead biased. Using two survey experiments on 1,024 Chinese public officials, this study examines the cognitive and motivational bias of public officials’ attitudes towards implementing policy instruments. The findings indicate that when public officials are presented with risk information in a negative framing, they are more reluctant to implement indirect policy instruments than direct ones, and this phenomenon becomes more pronounced when their public interest orientation is activated, rather than their personal interest orientation. The findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of the effect of psychological biases on public officials’ attitudes towards policy implementation.
Collective Bargaining Retrenchment in Union Country: The Politics of 2011 Wisconsin's “Budget Repair” Bill
Authors: Oszkay Yotala
Published: December 2022

In 2011, the passage of Governor Scott Walker's “Budget Repair” policy retrenched collective bargaining rights for public workers in Wisconsin, a state that was the earliest adopter of these rights and locally celebrated as “union country.” In this article, I use critical juncture analysis to examine this significant case of institutional change. I argue that newly elected GOP politicians initially saw opportunity in a new legislative majority—emerging from the popularity of the Tea Party during the 2010 midterm elections—and attempted strategic policy crafting to mobilize support for this anti-union bill. However, these efforts eventually devolved into a reactive struggle for power with entrenched Democratic legislators and previous policy beneficiaries. Incorporating work on organizational deviance, I show how politicians in both parties sought to control the policymaking process with improvised oppositional tactics that undermined governing norms, ultimately resulting in the bill's passage. This study, thus, expands on theories of institutional change, illuminating the subversive politics of many contemporary movements and political parties.
Successful completion of treadmill testing provides relief and reassurance for children with non-specific chest pain
Authors: Turkyilmaz Irem , Ates Burcin Ozlem , Congologlu Mehmet Ayhan , Kilic Ayhan
Published: December 2022

Objective:

Non-specific chest pain is one of the leading causes of admissions in paediatric cardiology outpatient clinics, and its management usually consists of extensive reassurance of patients and their families. As we have often observed that successful completion of treadmill testing during diagnostic work-up provides relief and reassurance in these patients and their families, we planned this study to quantitatively assess anxiety levels and perception of illness among children with non-specific chest pain before and after treadmill testing.

Method:

We studied 50 children (aged 11.8 ± 3.0 years, range 7–17 years; 24 females, 26 males) with a chief complaint of non-specific chest pain and negative history and echocardiography. They were asked to fill the Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale before the treadmill testing and 1–10 days after successful completion of treadmill testing.

Results:

Average total anxiety scores (36.38 ± 19.09 versus 33.36 ± 19.09, respectively) and average of total anxiety + depression scores (44.3 ± 24.92 versus 40.8 ± 26.97, respectively) of the children were found to be significantly lower after negative treadmill testing as compared to scores before testing (p < 0.05). Alterations in separation anxiety, panic, social phobia, obsession-compulsion scores were not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Children with non-specific chest pain feel relieved and reassured after successful completion of treadmill testing. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first in the literature to show this relationship quantitatively.
Pediatric Casualties in Terrorist Attacks: A Semi-Quantitative Analysis of Global Events
Authors: Ohana Sarna Cahan Lea , Tin Derrick , Markovic Vesna , Ciottone Robert G. , Issa Fadi , Kane Ashley E. D. , Hart Alexander , Weiner Debra L. , Ciottone Gregory R.
Published: December 2022

Background:

Terrorism remains a major threat and concern in many countries around the world. Pediatric populations represent approximately 30% of the world population, and in the event of a terrorist attack, can either be primary targets, to include the possibility of abduction, or unintended victims. They are unique in their vulnerabilities and, therefore, require special consideration.

Methods:

This study is a semi-quantitative, epidemiological analysis of all terrorism-related pediatric fatalities and injuries sustained from 1970-2019. Data collection was performed using a retrospective database search through the Global Terrorism Database (GTD). Summaries of events including search terms associated with pediatric population were individually reviewed and those describing the deaths, injuries, or abductions were tallied.

Results:

Of the over 200,000 terror events, 2,302 events met inclusion criteria. This represented 1.14% of total events which involved death, injury, or abduction. Of 2,032 events, a total of 2,275 pediatric fatal injuries (FI) were recorded, as well as 2,280 pediatric non-fatal injuries (NFI). The most common weapons used in all attacks involving the pediatric population were explosives (1,539 [66.8%]), firearms (543 [23.5%]), other (169 [7.3%]), and melee (83 [3.6%]). A total of 275 of the 2,032 events were related to abductions, with 71 cases involving the abduction of 10 individuals or more.

Conclusion:

Pediatric casualties in terrorist events represent a small proportion of overall victims. However, it should be understood that the pediatric population has unique vulnerabilities, and when directly impacted by terrorism, can have long-term physical and psychosocial sequelae, as well as a devastating emotional impact on the community.
Palliative care physicians’ decision-making about palliative sedation for existential suffering: A Belgian nationwide qualitative study
Authors: Rodrigues Paulo , Ostyn Jozefien , Mroz Sarah , Ronse Axelle , Menten Johan , Gastmans Chris
Published: December 2022

Objectives

This study aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the content and process of decision-making about palliative sedation for existential suffering (PS-ES) as perceived by Belgian palliative care physicians.

Methods

This Belgian nationwide qualitative study follows a grounded theory approach. We conducted semistructured interviews with 25 palliative care physicians working in 19 Belgian hospital-based palliative care units and 4 stand-alone hospices. We analyzed the data using the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven, and we followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research Guidelines (COREQ).

Results

Analysis of the data identified several criteria that physicians apply in their decision-making about PS-ES, namely, the importance of the patient’s demand, PS-ES as a last resort option after all alternatives have been applied, the condition of unbearable suffering combined with other kinds of suffering, and the condition of being in a terminal stage. Regarding the process of decision-making itself, physicians refer to the need for multidisciplinary perspectives supported by an interpretative dialogue with the patient and all other stakeholders. The decision-making process involves a specific temporality and physicians’ inner conviction about the need of PS-ES.

Significance of results

Belgian palliative care physicians are not sure about the criteria regarding decision-making in PS-ES. To deal with complex existential suffering in end-of-life situations, they stress the importance of participation by all stakeholders (patient, relatives, palliative care team, other physicians, nurses, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, chaplains, etc.) in the decision-making process to prevent inadequate decisions being made.
Theory, Comparison, and Design: A Review Essay
Authors: Pepinsky Thomas B.
Published: December 2022

Three recent books introduce political scientists to important debates and conceptual challenges for contemporary social science research. Rather than proposing new methods, these books propose new frameworks that their authors believe should guide current practice. The authors and editors seek to guide researchers through the research process, from asking questions and proposing theories to operationalizing concepts and executing comparative research designs. Reading the three books together will give researchers a comprehensive overview of the state of the discipline on important questions like how and what to compare, what social science concepts should refer to, and how to proceed when theory and empirics disagree.
Revised Beckian cognitive therapy for generalised anxiety disorder
Authors: Gústavsson Sævar M. , Salkovskis Paul M. , Sigurðsson Jón F.
Published: December 2022

Since its inclusion in the DSM-III, various theories and treatment approaches have been developed for generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). Aaron T. Beck was the first to offer a cognitive conceptualisation of GAD in Anxiety Disorders and Phobias: A Cognitive Perspective. This original cognitive model of GAD was initially found to be promising in treating GAD but has not been developed further. Other theoretical models and treatments of GAD have gained more research attention, such as the Intolerance of Uncertainty model and Meta-Cognitive model. This article offers a brief overview of multiple theories and treatment approaches of GAD followed by an extensive discussion about the original cognitive model and a revised cognitive model of GAD in the Beckian tradition. Specifically, this paper describes how known key psychological maintenance factors of anxiety disorders, i.e. threat beliefs, safety-seeking behaviours and selective attention, can be used to conceptualise the experience of people with GAD and guide treatment. This is done with theoretical discussion as well as clinical examples. Finally, the paper offers suggestions for key ingredients to be included in cognitive therapy for GAD and future directions for research.

Key learning aims

(1)

To understand the clinical implications of the original cognitive model and the revised model of generalised anxiety disorder presented here.

(2)

To understand the role of inflated responsibility for safety, safety-seeking behaviours and elevated evidence requirements in generalised anxiety disorder.

(3)

To understand and be able to implement treatment recommendations of the revised cognitive model of generalised anxiety disorder.
UVA induces retinal photoreceptor cell death via receptor interacting protein 3 kinase mediated necroptosis
Authors: Yu Zhen , Correa Victor S. M. C. , Efstathiou Nikolaos E. , Albertos-Arranz Henar , Chen Xiaohong , Ishihara Kenji , Iesato Yasuhiro , Narimatsu Toshio , Ntentakis Dimitrios , Vavvas Demetrios G.
Published: December 2022

Ultraviolet light A (UVA) is the only UV light that reaches the retina and can cause indirect damage to DNA via absorption of photons by non-DNA chromophores. Previous studies demonstrate that UVA generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) and leads to programmed cell death. Programmed cell death (PCD) has been implicated in numerous ophthalmologic diseases. Here, we investigated receptor interacting protein 1 and 3 (RIPK1 and RIPK3) kinases, key signaling molecules of PCD, in UVA-induced photoreceptor injury using in vitro and ex vivo models. UVA irradiation activated RIPK3 but not RIPK1 and mediated necroptosis through MLKL that lie downstream of RIPK3 and induced apoptosis through increased oxidative stress. Moreover, RIPK3 but not RIPK1 inhibition suppresses UVA-induced cell death along with the downregulation of MLKL and attenuates the levels of oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation. In conclusion, these results identify RIPK3, not RIPK1, as a critical regulator of UVA-induced necroptosis cell death in photoreceptors and highlight RIPK3 potential as a neuroprotective target.
Dynamics of extended-spectrum cephalosporin resistance genes in Escherichia coli from Europe and North America
Authors: Zamudio Roxana , Boerlin Patrick , Beyrouthy Racha , Madec Jean-Yves , Schwarz Stefan , Mulvey Michael R. , Zhanel George G. , Cormier Ashley , Chalmers Gabhan , Bonnet Richard , Haenni Marisa , Eichhorn Inga , Kaspar Heike , Garcia-Fierro Raquel , Wood James L. N. , Mather Alison E.
Published: December 2022

Extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs) are critically important antimicrobial agents for human and veterinary medicine. ESC resistance (ESC-R) genes have spread worldwide through plasmids and clonal expansion, yet the distribution and dynamics of ESC-R genes in different ecological compartments are poorly understood. Here we use whole genome sequence data of Enterobacterales isolates of human and animal origin from Europe and North America and identify contrasting temporal dynamics. AmpC β-lactamases were initially more dominant in North America in humans and farm animals, only later emerging in Europe. In contrast, specific extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) were initially common in animals from Europe and later emerged in North America. This study identifies differences in the relative importance of plasmids and clonal expansion across different compartments for the spread of different ESC-R genes. Understanding the mechanisms of transmission will be critical in the design of interventions to reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
An atlas of late prenatal human neurodevelopment resolved by single-nucleus transcriptomics
Authors: Ramos Susana I. , Mussa Zarmeen M. , Falk Elisa N. , Pai Balagopal , Giotti Bruno , Allette Kimaada , Cai Peiwen , Dekio Fumiko , Sebra Robert , Beaumont Kristin G. , Tsankov Alexander M. , Tsankova Nadejda M.
Published: December 2022

Late prenatal development of the human neocortex encompasses a critical period of gliogenesis and cortical expansion. However, systematic single-cell analyses to resolve cellular diversity and gliogenic lineages of the third trimester are lacking. Here, we present a comprehensive single-nucleus RNA sequencing atlas of over 200,000 nuclei derived from the proliferative germinal matrix and laminating cortical plate of 15 prenatal, non-pathological postmortem samples from 17 to 41 gestational weeks, and 3 adult controls. This dataset captures prenatal gliogenesis with high temporal resolution and is provided as a resource for further interrogation. Our computational analysis resolves greater complexity of glial progenitors, including transient glial intermediate progenitor cell (gIPC) and nascent astrocyte populations in the third trimester of human gestation. We use lineage trajectory and RNA velocity inference to further characterize specific gIPC subpopulations preceding both oligodendrocyte (gIPC-O) and astrocyte (gIPC-A) lineage differentiation. We infer unique transcriptional drivers and biological pathways associated with each developmental state, validate gIPC-A and gIPC-O presence within the human germinal matrix and cortical plate in situ, and demonstrate gIPC states being recapitulated across adult and pediatric glioblastoma tumors.
Plasmonic gain in current biased tilted Dirac nodes
Authors: Park Sang Hyun , Sammon Michael , Mele Eugene , Low Tony
Published: December 2022

Surface plasmons, which allow tight confinement of light, suffer from high intrinsic electronic losses. It has been shown that stimulated emission from excited electrons can transfer energy to plasmons and compensate for the high intrinsic losses. To-date, these realizations have relied on introducing an external gain media coupled to the surface plasmon. Here, we propose that plasmons in two-dimensional materials with closely located electron and hole Fermi pockets can be amplified, when an electrical current bias is applied along the displaced electron-hole pockets, without the need for an external gain media. As a prototypical example, we consider WTe2 from the family of 1T$${}^{{\prime} }$$

′

-MX2 materials, whose electronic structure can be described within a type-II tilted massive Dirac model. We find that the nonlocal plasmonic response experiences prominent gain for experimentally accessible currents on the order of mAμm−1. Furthermore, the group velocity of the plasmon found from the isofrequency curves imply that the amplified plasmons are highly collimated along a direction perpendicular to the Dirac node tilt when the electrical current is applied along it.
Ultra-low loss quantum photonic circuits integrated with single quantum emitters
Authors: Chanana Ashish , Larocque Hugo , Moreira Renan , Carolan Jacques , Guha Biswarup , Melo Emerson G. , Anant Vikas , Song Jindong , Englund Dirk , Blumenthal Daniel J. , Srinivasan Kartik , Davanco Marcelo
Published: December 2022

The scaling of many photonic quantum information processing systems is ultimately limited by the flux of quantum light throughout an integrated photonic circuit. Source brightness and waveguide loss set basic limits on the on-chip photon flux. While substantial progress has been made, separately, towards ultra-low loss chip-scale photonic circuits and high brightness single-photon sources, integration of these technologies has remained elusive. Here, we report the integration of a quantum emitter single-photon source with a wafer-scale, ultra-low loss silicon nitride photonic circuit. We demonstrate triggered and pure single-photon emission into a Si3N4 photonic circuit with ≈ 1 dB/m propagation loss at a wavelength of ≈ 930 nm. We also observe resonance fluorescence in the strong drive regime, showing promise towards coherent control of quantum emitters. These results are a step forward towards scaled chip-integrated photonic quantum information systems in which storing, time-demultiplexing or buffering of deterministically generated single-photons is critical.
Potassium isotope heterogeneity in the early Solar System controlled by extensive evaporation and partial recondensation
Authors: Hu Yan , Moynier Frédéric , Bizzarro Martin
Published: December 2022

Volatiles are vital ingredients for a habitable planet. Angrite meteorites sample the most volatile-depleted planetesimal in the Solar System, particularly for the alkali elements. They are prime targets for investigating the formation of volatile-poor rocky planets, yet their exceptionally low volatile content presents a major analytical challenge. Here, we leverage improved sensitivity and precision of K isotopic analysis to constrain the mechanism of extreme K depletion (>99.8%) in angrites. In contrast with the isotopically heavy Moon and Vesta, we find that angrites are strikingly depleted in the heavier K isotopes, which is best explained by partial recondensation of vaporized K following extensive evaporation on the angrite parent body (APB) during magma-ocean stage. Therefore, the APB may provide a rare example of isotope fractionation controlled by condensation, rather than evaporation, at a planetary scale. Furthermore, nebula-wide K isotopic variations primarily reflect volatility-driven fractionations instead of presolar nucleosynthetic heterogeneity proposed previously.
Microwave imaging of quasi-periodic pulsations at flare current sheet
Authors: Kou Yuankun , Cheng Xin , Wang Yulei , Yu Sijie , Chen Bin , Kontar Eduard P. , Ding Mingde
Published: December 2022

Quasi-periodic pulsations (QPPs) are frequently detected in solar and stellar flares, but the underlying physical mechanisms are still to be ascertained. Here, we show microwave QPPs during a solar flare originating from quasi-periodic magnetic reconnection at the flare current sheet. They appear as two vertically detached but closely related sources with the brighter ones located at flare loops and the weaker ones along the stretched current sheet. Although the brightness temperatures of the two microwave sources differ greatly, they vary in phase with periods of about 10–20 s and 30–60 s. The gyrosynchrotron-dominated microwave spectra also present a quasi-periodic soft-hard-soft evolution. These results suggest that relevant high-energy electrons are accelerated by quasi-periodic reconnection, likely arising from the modulation of magnetic islands within the current sheet as validated by a 2.5-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulation.
Features derived from blood pressure and intracranial pressure predict elevated intracranial pressure events in critically ill children
Authors: Ackerman Kassi , Mohammed Akram , Chinthala Lokesh , Davis Robert L. , Kamaleswaran Rishikesan , Shafi Nadeem I.
Published: December 2022

Clinicians frequently observe hemodynamic changes preceding elevated intracranial pressure events. We employed a machine learning approach to identify novel and differentially expressed features associated with elevated intracranial pressure events in children with severe brain injuries. Statistical features from physiologic data streams were derived from non-overlapping 30-min analysis windows prior to 21 elevated intracranial pressure events; 200 records without elevated intracranial pressure events were used as controls. Ten Monte Carlo simulations with training/testing splits provided performance benchmarks for 4 machine learning approaches. XGBoost yielded the best performing predictive models. Shapley Additive Explanations analyses demonstrated that a majority of the top 20 contributing features consistently derived from blood pressure data streams up to 240 min prior to elevated intracranial events. The best performing prediction model was using the 30–60 min analysis window; for this model, the area under the receiver operating characteristic window using XGBoost was 0.82 (95% CI 0.81–0.83); the area under the precision-recall curve was 0.24 (95% CI 0.23–0.25), above the expected baseline of 0.1. We conclude that physiomarkers discernable by machine learning are concentrated within blood pressure and intracranial pressure data up to 4 h prior to elevated intracranial pressure events.
Disruption of male fertility-critical Dcaf17 dysregulates mouse testis transcriptome
Authors: Abu-Dawud Raed , Mistry Bhavesh V. , Rajab Mohamed , Alanazi Maha , Al-Yacoub Nadya , Kashir Junaid , Almohanna Falah , Colak Dilek , Assiri Abdullah M.
Published: December 2022

During mammalian spermatogenesis, the ubiquitin proteasome system maintains protein homoeostasis (proteastasis) and spermatogenic cellular functions. DCAF17 is a substrate receptor in the ubiquitin CRL4 E3 Ligase complex, absence of which causes oligoasthenoteratozoospermia in mice resulting in male infertility. To determine the molecular phenomenon underlying the infertility phenotype caused by disrupting Dcaf17, we performed RNA-sequencing-based gene expression profiling of 3-weeks and 8-weeks old Dcaf17 wild type and Dcaf17 disrupted mutant mice testes. At three weeks, 44% and 56% differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were up- and down-regulated, respectively, with 32% and 68% DEGs were up- and down-regulated, respectively at 8 weeks. DEGs include protein coding genes and lncRNAs distributed across all autosomes and the X chromosome. Gene ontology analysis revealed major biological processes including proteolysis, regulation of transcription and chromatin remodelling are affected due to Dcaf17 disruption. We found that Dcaf17 disruption up-regulated several somatic genes, while germline-associated genes were down-regulated. Up to 10% of upregulated, and 12% of downregulated, genes were implicated in male reproductive phenotypes. Moreover, a large proportion of the up-regulated genes were highly expressed in spermatogonia and spermatocytes, while the majority of downregulated genes were predominantly expressed in round spermatids. Collectively, these data show that the Dcaf17 disruption affects directly or indirectly testicular proteastasis and transcriptional signature in mouse.
Efficient cross-validation traversals in feature subset selection
Authors: Lausser Ludwig , Szekely Robin , Schmid Florian , Maucher Markus , Kestler Hans A.
Published: December 2022

Sparse and robust classification models have the potential for revealing common predictive patterns that not only allow for categorizing objects into classes but also for generating mechanistic hypotheses. Identifying a small and informative subset of features is their main ingredient. However, the exponential search space of feature subsets and the heuristic nature of selection algorithms limit the coverage of these analyses, even for low-dimensional datasets. We present methods for reducing the computational complexity of feature selection criteria allowing for higher efficiency and coverage of screenings. We achieve this by reducing the preparation costs of high-dimensional subsets$${\mathscr {O}}({n}m^2)$$O(nm2)to those of one-dimensional ones$${\mathscr {O}}(m^2)$$O(m2). Our methods are based on a tight interaction between a parallelizable cross-validation traversal strategy and distance-based classification algorithms and can be used with any product distance or kernel. We evaluate the traversal strategy exemplarily in exhaustive feature subset selection experiments (perfect coverage). Its runtime, fitness landscape, and predictive performance are analyzed on publicly available datasets. Even in low-dimensional settings, we achieve approximately a 15-fold increase in exhaustively generating distance matrices for feature combinations bringing a new level of evaluations into reach.
Influence of corona poling on ZnO properties as n-type layer for optoelectronic devices
Authors: Magdy A. , El-Shaer A. , EL-Farrash A. H. , Salim E.
Published: December 2022

Corona poling effects on optical and structural characteristics of zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films prepared by sol–gel spin coating technique were investigated. Atomic force microscope study showed the formation of pyramidal grains structure on the Corona-treated surface. The green–yellow photoluminescence peak centered at 2.36 eV and correlated to the antisite oxygen OZn defect, was found to decrease. X-ray diffraction patterns demonstrated that the Corona treatment enhanced the polycrystalline nature and increased the grain sizes of the ZnO thin films, which was also beneficial for electron transport. The role of the surface roughness of the ZnO thin film as electron transport layer in determining the photovoltaic effect of the inverted solar cells (ISCs) was examined by fabricating ISCs based on P3HT/PC61BM. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) obtained from these fabricated ISCs increased from 3.05 to 3.34%.
Traffic accident duration prediction using text mining and ensemble learning on expressways
Authors: Chen Jiaona , Tao Weijun
Published: December 2022

Predicting traffic accident duration is necessary for ensuring traffic safety. Several attempts have been made to achieve high prediction accuracy, but researchers have not considered traffic accident text data in much detail. The limited text data of the first report on an incident describes the characteristics of an accident that are initially available. This paper uses text data fusing and ensemble learning algorithms to build a model to predict an accident’s duration, and a preprocessing scheme of accident duration text data is established. Next, the random forest (RF) algorithm is applied to select feature variables of text data related to the traffic incident duration. Last, a text feature vector is introduced to models such as decision tree, k nearest neighbor, support vector regression, random forest, Gradient Boosting Decision Tree, and Xtreme Gradient Boosting. Our results show that the improved RF model has good prediction accuracy with RMSE, MAPE and R2. From this, the textual factors important to determining the duration of the accident are identified. Further, we investigated that the cumulative importance of 60% is sufficient for traffic accident prediction using text data. These results provide insights into minimizing traffic congestion related to accidents and contribute to the input optimization in text prediction.
Congruence-based contextual plausibility modulates cortical activity during vibrotactile perception in virtual multisensory environments
Authors: Kang Kathleen , Rosenkranz Robert , Karan Kaan , Altinsoy Ercan , Li Shu-Chen
Published: December 2022

How congruence cues and congruence-based expectations may together shape perception in virtual reality (VR) still need to be unravelled. We linked the concept of plausibility used in VR research with congruence-based modulation by assessing brain responses while participants experienced vehicle riding experiences in VR scenarios. Perceptual plausibility was manipulated by sensory congruence, with multisensory stimulations confirming with common expectations of road scenes being plausible. We hypothesized that plausible scenarios would elicit greater cortical responses. The results showed that: (i) vibrotactile stimulations at expected intensities, given embedded audio-visual information, engaged greater cortical activities in frontal and sensorimotor regions; (ii) weaker plausible stimulations resulted in greater responses in the sensorimotor cortex than stronger but implausible stimulations; (iii) frontal activities under plausible scenarios negatively correlated with plausibility violation costs in the sensorimotor cortex. These results potentially indicate frontal regulation of sensory processing and extend previous evidence of contextual modulation to the tactile sense.
Flexible, recyclable and sensitive piezoresistive sensors enabled by lignin polyurethane-based conductive foam
Authors: Wang Fan , Ma Xiaozhen , Wu Jialong , Chao Yeyan , Xiao Peng , Zhu Jin , Chen Jing
Published: December 2022

Flexible sensors are of great significance in wearable electronic devices.
Improving the steric hindrance effect of linear sulfonated acetone–formaldehyde dispersant and its performance in coal–water slurry
Authors: Shuai Wenlin , Wang Shiwei , Sun Taotao , Yin Hongfeng , Zu Yu , Yao Gang , Li Zhonghua , Qi Zhaokun , Zhong Mei
Published: December 2022

PSAF gains a significant steric hindrance effect from the introduction of phenol groups into its molecular structure. It exhibits stand-up adsorption rather than lie-down adsorption on SAF, resulting in a stronger steric hindrance effect and improved rheological properties.
Energy-adaptive resistive switching with controllable thresholds in insulator–metal transition
Authors: Huang Tiantian , Zhang Rui , Zhang Lepeng , Xu Peiran , Shao Yunkai , Yang Wanli , Chen Zhimin , Chen Xin , Dai Ning
Published: December 2022

Adaptive energy-scaling resistive switching with active response and self-regulation via controllable insulator–metal transition shows promise in energy-efficient devices.
A carboxylesterase-activatable near-infrared phototheranostic probe for tumor fluorescence imaging and photodynamic therapy
Authors: Li Lihong , Zhang Qi , Li Jiaojiao , Tian Yafei , Li Jinyao , Liu Wen , Diao Haipeng
Published: December 2022

A carboxylesterase-responsive near-infrared phototheranostic probe is developed, which has been employed for activatable fluorescence imaging of tumor cells. The probe triggers significant cell death upon 660 nm laser, with low cytotoxicity in dark.
Fabrication of photo-Fenton self-cleaning PVDF composite membrane for highly efficient oil-in-water emulsion separation
Authors: Li Chengcai , Shi Minghui , Xu Dan , Liao Qiqi , Liu Guojin , Guo Yuhai , Zhang Hang , Zhu Hailin
Published: December 2022

The anti-fouling performance of membranes is an important performance in the separation of oil/water.
Suppression of the photocatalytic activity of ZnO fabricated by the sol–gel method under gentle vacuum for highly durable organic solar cells
Authors: Nakano Masahiro , Kobayashi Tomoki , Kaneda Masaki , Nakagawa Sae , Shahiduzzaman Md. , Karakawa Makoto , Taima Tetsuya
Published: December 2022

A sol–gel method of ZnO films with low photocatalytic activity has been developed for photo-durable organic solar cells (OSCs). The power conversion efficiency of the OSCs based on the ZnO remained as high as 94% even after 100 h of photoirradiation.
A compounding strategy to boost the transduction coefficient in KNN-based piezoelectric composite ceramics for ultrasonic energy harvesting
Authors: Wang Qian , Li Ruichen , Xue Haoyue , Sun Xi-xi , Jiang Laiming , Wu Jiagang
Published: December 2022

A compounding strategy using two KNN-based precursor powders with different piezoelectric and dielectric properties was proposed to boost the transduction coefficient in lead-free composites for ultrasonic energy harvesting.
Darauf ist Verlass: Reliabilität
Authors: Mehrholz Jan , Berger Claudia
Published: December 2022

Wenn Hebammen etwas messen, müssen ihre Ergebnisse reliabel sein. Das
heißt, dass diese zuverlässig sind und man ihnen vertrauen kann.
Dies gilt für jede Art von Untersuchung und Diagnostik. Denn nur mit
reliablen Ergebnissen können Hebammen korrekte Entscheidungen im
Behandlungsverlauf treffen.