bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ion transfer into solution-processed electrodes can significantly shift the p–n junction and emission efficiency of light-emitting electrochemical cells
Authors: Auroux Etienne , Park So-Ra , Ràfols-Ribé Joan , Edman Ludvig
Published: December 2022

A light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEC) comprises mobile ions in its active material, which enable for in situ formation of a p–n junction by electrochemical doping. The position of this emissive p–n junction in the interelectrode gap is important, because it determines whether the emission is affected by constructive or destructive interference. An appealing LEC feature is that the entire device can be fabricated by low-cost solution-based printing and coating. Here, we show, somewhat unexpectedly, that the replacement of conventional vacuum-deposited indium-tin-oxide (ITO) for the positive anode with solution-processed poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene-sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) can result in an increase in the peak light-emission output by 75%. We demonstrate that this emission increase is due to that the p–n junction shifts from a position of destructive interference in the center of the interelectrode gap with ITO to a position of constructive interference closer to the anode with PEDOT:PSS. We rationalize the anodic p–n junction shift by significant anion transfer into the soft and porous PEDOT:PSS electrode during LEC operation, which is prohibited for the ITO electrode because of its compact and hard nature. Our study, thus, contributes with important design criteria for the attainment of efficient light emission from solution-processed LEC devices.
Effect of Gd addition on the structural and magnetic properties of L1-FePt alloy thin films
Authors: Schmidt Nataliia Y. , Abdulazhanov Sukhrob , Michalička Jan , Hintermayr Julian , Man Ondřej , Caha Ondřej , Urbánek Michal , Albrecht Manfred
Published: December 2022

The impact of Gd addition on the structural and magnetic properties of L10-FePt alloy thin films, which were sputter-deposited on MgO(001) substrates at 800°C, was investigated. A rapid deterioration of L10 chemical ordering along with a strong amorphization effect is observed with addition of Gd. At more than 20 at. % Gd, additional crystalline phases occur. Due to the diminishing L10 chemical order, the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) gets strongly reduced from about 3 down to 1 MJ/m3 with addition of 14 at. % Gd. For higher Gd concentrations, the easy axis of magnetization turns fully in-plane due to dominating magnetic shape anisotropy. Furthermore, the saturation magnetization gets reduced with Gd addition due to the antiferromagnetic coupling between the Fe and Gd magnetic moments. Also, the Curie temperature can be lowered. Interestingly, with addition of Gd, a change in film morphology takes place, changing from an isolated island structure to a more continuous film morphology, which is of particular interest for samples with low Gd concentration as these films exhibit still strong PMA but rather low coercive fields.
High order relativistic corrections on the electric field gradient within the LRESC formalism
Authors: Aucar Juan J. , Maldonado Alejandro F. , Melo Juan I.
Published: December 2022

In this work, we present relativistic corrections to the electric field gradient (EFG) given by the Linear Response Elimination of the Small Component (LRESC) scheme at 1/c2 order and including for the first time spin-dependent (SD) corrections at 1/c4 order. We show that these new terms improve the performance of LRESC as results with this methodology are very close to those calculated at the four-component Dirac–Hartree–Fock (4c-DHF) level. We assess the new corrections in BrY and AtY di-halogen (Y = F, Cl, Br, I, and At) and XZY bi-linear molecules (Z = Zn, Cd, and Hg; X, Y = F, Cl, Br, I, and At). At the 4c-DHF level, we analyze the contributions coming from the large and small components of the relativistic 4c wave function to the electronic part of EFG and compare them with the LRESC corrections to find their electronic origin. For the HgX2 (X = Cl, Br, and I) subset, when the SD correcting terms are included, LRESC calculations match very well with 4c-DHF ones and those from the literature, with differences less than 1% for molecules containing up to three heavy atoms. We show that LRESC gives accurate values of EFG, allowing the analysis of the electronic origin of relativistic effects in terms of well-known nonrelativistic operators.
The demonstration of low-temperature (350 °C) grown carbon nano-tubes for the applications of through silicon via in 3D stacking and power-via
Authors: Lin H.-Y. , Basu Nilabh , Chen S.-C. , Lee M.-H. , Liao M.-H.
Published: December 2022

Low temperature Carbon Nano-tubes (CNTs) growth technology is developed in this work with the insert of Al (Aluminum) between Ni (Nickel) and Ti (Titanium) as the reactant. The optimized Al thicknesses are also investigated. CNTs growth at the low temperature below 400 °C is the key factor for the back end of line compatible process integration. In this work, we grow the CNTs by thermal chemical vapor deposition process at 350 and 400 °C. The low ratio of peak ID/IG in Raman spectra and scanning electron microscope images proves the CNTs material quality. On the other hand, the high thermal conductivity (k) value of ∼50 W m − 1 K − 1 is also demonstrated. Both high material quality and k value on our low temperature grown CNTs show promising opportunities for the integration of semiconductor three dimensional packages and power-via related applications.
Three-electrode cell calorimeter for electrical double layer capacitors
Authors: Vos Joren E. , Rodenburg Hendrik P. , Inder Maur Danny , Bakker Ties J. W. , Siekman Henkjan , Erné Ben H.
Published: December 2022

A calorimeter was built to measure the heat from a porous capacitive working electrode connected in a three-electrode configuration. This makes it possible to detect differences between cathodic and anodic heat production. The electrochemical cell contains a large electrolyte solution reservoir, ensuring a constant concentration of the salt solution probed by the reference electrode via a Luggin tube. A heat flux sensor is used to detect the heat, and its calibration as a gauge of the total amount of heat produced by the electrode is done based on the net electrical work performed on the working electrode during a full charging–discharging cycle. In principle, from the measured heat and the electrical work, the change in the internal energy of the working electrode can be determined as a function of the applied potential. Such measurements inform about the potential energy and average electric potential of ions inside the pores, giving insight into the electrical double layer inside electrode micropores. Example measurements of the heat are shown for porous carbon electrodes in an aqueous salt solution.
High temperature piezoelectric accelerometer fabricated by 0.75BiFeO3–0.25BaTiO3 ceramics with operating temperature over 450 °C
Authors: Chen Jianguo , Wu Jingen , Lu Yun , Wang Yan , Cheng Jinrong
Published: December 2022

Owing to the high Curie temperature and good piezoelectric thermal stability, BiFeO3–BaTiO3 ceramics show great potentials for high-temperature piezoelectric sensor applications. In this paper, a compression-mode piezoelectric sensor was fabricated by the lead-free and high-temperature 0.75BiFeO3–0.25BaTiO3–MnO2 (BFBT25–Mn) ceramic and its sensitivity was characterized from room temperature to 550 °C over a frequency range of 200–1000 Hz. The output charge of the BFBT25–Mn piezoelectric sensor is independent of the measuring frequency at different temperatures. The maximum working temperature of the BFBT25–Mn piezoelectric sensor is 450 °C, about 250, 150, and 100 °C higher than those of these piezoelectric sensors fabricated by PZT-5A, BSPT64–Mn, and BSPT66–Mn ceramics, respectively. The temperature sensitivity coefficient from room temperature to 350 °C of the BFBT25–Mn piezoelectric sensor is 30% of that for the BSPT66–Mn sensor. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the BFBT25–Mn piezoelectric sensor is stable with the dwelling time at 400 °C. These results indicate that the BFBT25–Mn ceramic is a strong competitor for high temperature sensing applications.
Data-driven stability analysis via the superposition of reduced-order models for the flutter of circular cylinder submerged in three-dimensional spanwise shear inflow at subcritical Reynolds number
Authors: Cheng Zhi , Lien Fue-Sang , Dowell Earl H. , Wang Ryne , Zhang Ji Hao
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we present a novel data-driven theory for the stability analysis of a flow-induced vibration (FIV) system consisting of an elastically mounted circular cylinder submerged in three-dimensional (3D) spanwise shear inflow at a subcritical Reynolds number. The presented data-driven theory separates the cylinder into several elements along the spanwise direction and treats the aerodynamics of each element as a two-dimensional (2D) situation subject to a uniform inflow. An eigensystem realization algorithm is constructed to obtain the separate 2D flow reduced-order model (ROM) for each element, and then, the superposition of those 2D ROMs (SROM) is processed to obtain the simplified 3D flow ROM. The simplified 3D flow ROM is coupled with the structural model to perform a linear stability analysis of the FIV system under study. The proposed data-driven technique demonstrates high consistency with the high-fidelity full-order model (FOM) with regard to the prediction of flutter lock-in boundaries while being more time-efficient, whereas the traditional direct 3D data-driven analysis involves significant errors. The growth rate obtained using SROM is negatively correlated with the lagging time (reflected in the FOM calculation) for the FIV system to evolve from the initial stationary state to the final equilibrium state. The evolution of the structural instability range with the variation in the mass ratio is analyzed/predicted by the proposed data-driven theory. The determination of the lock-in regime using the FOM is accompanied by a careful discussion of the associated dynamical responses, including phase differences, structural oscillation frequencies, lift coefficients, and wake patterns.
Impact of random alloy fluctuations on the electronic and optical properties of (Al,Ga)N quantum wells: Insights from tight-binding calculations
Authors: Finn Robert , Schulz Stefan
Published: December 2022

Light emitters based on the semiconductor alloy aluminum gallium nitride [(Al,Ga)N] have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential for a wide range of applications in the ultraviolet (UV) spectral window. However, current state-of-the-art (Al,Ga)N light emitters exhibit very low internal quantum efficiencies (IQEs). Therefore, understanding the fundamental electronic and optical properties of (Al,Ga)N-based quantum wells is key to improving the IQE. Here, we target the electronic and optical properties of c-plane AlxGa1−xN/AlN quantum wells by means of an empirical atomistic tight-binding model. Special attention is paid to the impact of random alloy fluctuations on the results as well as the Al content x in the well. We find that across the studied Al content range (from 10% to 75% Al), strong hole wave function localization effects are observed. Additionally, with increasing Al content, electron wave functions may also start to exhibit carrier localization features. Overall, our investigations on the electronic structure of c-plane AlxGa1−xN/AlN quantum wells reveal that already random alloy fluctuations are sufficient to lead to (strong) carrier localization effects. Furthermore, our results indicate that random alloy fluctuations impact the degree of optical polarization in c-plane AlxGa1−xN quantum wells. We find that the switching from transverse electric to transverse magnetic light polarization occurs at higher Al contents in the atomistic calculation, which accounts for random alloy fluctuations, compared to the widely used virtual crystal approximation approach. This observation is important for light extraction efficiencies in (Al,Ga)N-based light emitting diodes operating in the deep UV.
Delta shocks and vacuum states in the Riemann solutions of Chaplygin Euler equations as pressure and magnetic field drop to zero
Authors: Priyanka  , Zafar M.
Published: December 2022

The aim of this study is to solve the Riemann problem of isentropic magnetogasdynamics equations for a more realistic version of the extended Chaplygin gas model. The analysis demonstrates that under some special circumstances, delta shock and vacuum appear in the solution, describing the phenomena of concentration and cavitation, respectively. By examining the limiting behavior, it is obtained that solutions coincide with corresponding Riemann solutions of the transport equations when both the magnetic field and pressure drop to zero.
Understanding bulk photovoltaic effect in type-II Weyl semimetal Td-WTe2 using polarization dependent photocurrent measurement
Authors: Mathew Albert , Pulikodan Vijith K. , Namboothiry Manoj A. G.
Published: December 2022

Topological effects in a Weyl semimetal are explored in developing self-powered photodetectors at room temperature. The observed photocurrent is attributed to a combined effect of photothermoelectric effect and bulk photovoltaic phenomenon and is found to be a non-linear optical effect that converts light into electrical current. The self-powered photoresponse at 640 nm excitation wavelength reveals the presence of a diverging Berry curvature of tungsten ditelluride (Td-WTe2) at room temperature. The different perspective of polarization dependent photocurrent spectroscopy is used to separate the photothermal current from the shift current and the circular photo galvanic response from the linear photo galvanic response.
How can we encourage the provision of early medical abortion in primary care? Results of a best–worst scaling survey
Authors: Haas Marion , Church Jody , Street Deborah J. , Bateson Deborah , Mazza Danielle
Published: December 2022

Background Almost one in four women in Australia experience an unintended pregnancy during their lifetime; of these, approximately 30% currently end in abortion. Although early medical abortion (EMA) up to 9 weeks gestation is becoming more widely available in Australia, it is still not commonly offered in primary care. The aim of this study was to investigate the barriers and facilitators to the provision of EMA in primary care. Methods A sample of 150 general practitioners (GPs) and 150 registered nurses (RNs) working in Australia responded to a best–worst scaling survey designed to answer the following question: what are the most important facilitators and barriers to the provision of EMA in primary care? Results GPs believe that the lack of clinical guidelines, the amount of information provision and counselling required, and the fact that women who are not their patients may not return for follow-up are the most important barriers. For RNs, these three barriers, together with the stigma of being known as being involved in the provision of EMA, are the most important barriers. The formation of a community of practice to support the provision of EMA was identified by both professions as the most important facilitator. Conclusions Having access to a community of practice, enhanced training and reducing stigma will encourage the provision of EMA. Although clinical guidelines are available, they need to be effectively disseminated, implemented and endorsed by peak bodies. Primary care practices should consider using task sharing and developing patient resources to facilitate the provision of information and counselling.
Structure-based design of selective, orally available salt-inducible kinase inhibitors that stimulate bone formation in mice
Authors: Sato Tadatoshi , Andrade Christian D. Castro , Yoon Sung-Hee , Zhao Yingshe , Greenlee William J. , Weber Patricia C. , Viswanathan Usha , Kulp John , Brooks Daniel J. , Demay Marie B. , Bouxsein Mary L. , Mitlak Bruce , Lanske Beate , Wein Marc N.
Published: December 2022

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem. Currently, there are no orally available therapies that increase bone formation. Intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulates bone formation through a signal transduction pathway that involves inhibition of salt-inducible kinase isoforms 2 and 3 (SIK2 and SIK3). Here, we further validate SIK2/SIK3 as osteoporosis drug targets by demonstrating that ubiquitous deletion of these genes in adult mice increases bone formation without extraskeletal toxicities. Previous efforts to target these kinases to stimulate bone formation have been limited by lack of pharmacologically acceptable, specific, orally available SIK2/SIK3 inhibitors. Here, we used structure-based drug design followed by iterative medicinal chemistry to identify SK-124 as a lead compound that potently inhibits SIK2 and SIK3. SK-124 inhibits SIK2 and SIK3 with single-digit nanomolar potency in vitro and in cell-based target engagement assays and shows acceptable kinome selectivity and oral bioavailability. SK-124 reduces SIK2/SIK3 substrate phosphorylation levels in human and mouse cultured bone cells and regulates gene expression patterns in a PTH-like manner. Once-daily oral SK-124 treatment for 3 wk in mice led to PTH-like effects on mineral metabolism including increased blood levels of calcium and 1,25-vitamin D and suppressed endogenous PTH levels. Furthermore, SK-124 treatment increased bone formation by osteoblasts and boosted trabecular bone mass without evidence of short-term toxicity. Taken together, these findings demonstrate PTH-like effects in bone and mineral metabolism upon in vivo treatment with orally available SIK2/SIK3 inhibitor SK-124.
Coupling dual metal active sites and low-solvation architecture toward high-performance aqueous ammonium-ion batteries
Authors: Du Lingyu , Bi Songshan , Yang Min , Tie Zhiwei , Zhang Minghui , Niu Zhiqiang
Published: December 2022

Aqueous rechargeable ammonium-ion batteries (AIBs) possess the characteristics of safety, low cost, environmental friendliness, and fast diffusion kinetics. However, their energy density is often limited due to the low specific capacity of cathode materials and narrow electrochemical stability windows of electrolytes. Herein, high-performance aqueous AIBs were designed by coupling Fe-substituted manganese-based Prussian blue analog (FeMnHCF) cathodes and highly concentrated NH
4
CF
3
SO
3
electrolytes. In FeMnHCF, Mn
3+
/Mn
2+
-N redox reaction at high potential was introduced, and two metal active redox species of Mn and Fe were achieved. To match such FeMnHCF cathodes, highly concentrated NH
4
CF
3
SO
3
electrolyte was further developed, where NH
4
+
ion displays low-solvation structure because of the increased coordination number of CF
3
SO
3
−
anions. Furthermore, the water molecules are confined by NH
4
+
and CF
3
SO
3
−
ions in their solvation sheath, leading to weak interaction between water molecules and thus effectively extending the voltage window of electrolyte. Consequently, the FeMnHCF electrodes present high reversibility during the charge/discharge process. Moreover, owing to a small amount of free water in concentrated electrolyte, the dissolution of FeMnHCF is also inhibited. As a result, the assembled aqueous AIBs exhibit enhanced energy density, excellent rate capability, and stable cycling behavior. This work provides a creative route to construct high-performance aqueous AIBs.
Enveloped viruses show increased propensity to cross-species transmission and zoonosis
Authors: Valero-Rello Ana , Sanjuán Rafael
Published: December 2022

The transmission of viruses between different host species is a major source of emerging diseases and is of particular concern in the case of zoonotic transmission from mammals to humans. Several zoonosis risk factors have been identified, but it is currently unclear which viral traits primarily determine this process as previous work has focused on a few hundred viruses that are not representative of actual viral diversity. Here, we investigate fundamental virological traits that influence cross-species transmissibility and zoonotic propensity by interrogating a database of over 12,000 mammalian virus–host associations. Our analysis reveals that enveloped viruses tend to infect more host species and are more likely to be zoonotic than nonenveloped viruses, while other viral traits such as genome composition, structure, size, or the viral replication compartment play a less obvious role. This contrasts with the previous notion that viral envelopes did not significantly impact or even reduce zoonotic risk and should help better prioritize outbreak prevention efforts. We suggest several mechanisms by which viral envelopes could promote cross-species transmissibility, including structural flexibility of receptor-binding proteins and evasion of viral entry barriers.
The power of information design in enhancing the organization of information and course material in an online Virtual
Learning Environment (VLE)
Authors: Lonsdale Maria dos Santos , Qin Xiaoxiao , Chen Yun , Green Heather , Algethami Maha , Xu Jiawen
Published: December 2022

The way information is organized and designed on virtual learning environments (VLEs) is poor (e.g., unclear,
unattractive and overwhelmingly dense). This study evaluates and redesigns a VLE platform to enhance access to information and
course material. A three-stage user-centred mixed-methods research approach was used with students taking part as co-creators of
education, researchers, designers and end-users. Results show that performance was significantly better with two layouts designed
following information design principles and a user-centred research process, than with the existing layout. Participants’ opinion
also reflected this same trend. A set of guidelines to improve the design of VLEs is provided.
Evaluating preschoolers’ references to characteristics of the Hebrew orthography via a computerized early spelling
game
Authors: Elimelech Adi , Aram Dorit
Published: December 2022

The current study evaluated how characteristics of Hebrew, a Semitic language with an abjad
writing system, are manifested in Hebrew-speaking preschoolers’ play with a computerized spelling game adapted for Hebrew. The
game words were of different lengths and structures so as to include the entire Hebrew alphabet and all the vowels (a,
e, i, o, u) in all possible positions in the word (first, last, second). We analyzed the 18,720
spellings typed by 96 preschoolers aged 5;7 years (on average) who played the game during eight sessions (about 20 minutes per
session) in one month.

The study indicated a greater difficulty in spelling א, ה, ו, י letters as consonants than as vowels, and more
success in spelling ב, כ, פ letters that are pronounced as stops, as compared to the same letters that are pronounced as spirants.
The success in spelling consonants and consonant-vowel letters was identical. Within a word, there was greater success in spelling
the first letter, than in spelling the last letter, and the second letter. The length of the word did not influence success in
spelling the first, second, or last letter in the word. At the same time, spelling an entire shorter word was easier than spelling
an entire longer word. Lastly, spelling of words to which children had more exposures was easier than spelling words with only a
single exposure. The discussion focuses on the implications of the study and refers to the nature of appropriate literacy-oriented
digital Hebrew games and activities with preschoolers.
Jacobian of solutions to the conductivity equation in limited view
Authors: Salo Mikko , Schlüter Hjørdis
Published: December 2022

The aim of hybrid inverse problems such as Acousto-Electric Tomography or Current Density Imaging is the reconstruction of the electrical conductivity in a domain that can only be accessed from its exterior. In the inversion procedure, the solutions to the conductivity equation play a central role. In particular, it is important that the Jacobian of the solutions is non-vanishing. In the present paper we address a two-dimensional limited view setting, where only a part of the boundary of the domain can be controlled by a non-zero Dirichlet condition, while on the remaining boundary there is a zero Dirichlet condition. For this setting, we propose sufficient conditions on the boundary functions so that the Jacobian of the corresponding solutions is non-vanishing. In that regard we allow for discontinuous boundary functions, which requires the use of solutions in weighted Sobolev spaces. We implement the procedure of reconstructing a conductivity from power density data numerically and investigate how this limited view setting affects the Jacobian and the quality of the reconstructions.
IQGAP1 promotes chronic pain by regulating the trafficking and sensitization of TRPA1 channels
Authors: Khan Shakil , Patra Pabitra Hriday , Somerfield Hannah , Benya-Aphikul Hattaya , Upadhya Manoj , Zhang Xuming
Published: December 2022

TRPA1 channels have been implicated in mechanical and cold hypersensitivity in chronic pain. But how TRPA1 mediates this process is unclear. Here we show that IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 1 is responsible using a combination of biochemical, molecular, Ca2+ imaging and behavioural approaches. TRPA1 and IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 1 bind to each other and are highly colocalized in sensory dorsal root ganglia neurons in mice. The expression of IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 1 but not TRPA1 is increased in chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain. However, TRPA1 undergoes increased trafficking to the membrane of dorsal root ganglia neurons catalysed by the small GTPase Cdc42 associated with IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 1, leading to functional sensitization of the channel. Activation of protein kinase A is also sufficient to evoke TRPA1 trafficking and sensitization. All these responses are, however, completely prevented in the absence of IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 1. Concordantly, deletion of IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 1 markedly reduces mechanical and cold hypersensitivity in chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain in mice. IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 1 thus promotes chronic pain by coupling the trafficking and signalling machineries to TRPA1 channels.
Free Access to Direct-Acting Antivirals in Spain: More Favorable Impact on Hepatitis C Mortality Among Highly Educated People
Authors: Politi Julieta , Regidor Enrique , Donat Marta , Pulido José , Guerras Juan Miguel , Barrio Gregorio , Belza María José
Published: December 2022

Background

In 2015, hepatitis C treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) became free and widespread in Spain, significantly reducing hepatitis C–related mortality. However, health interventions can sometimes widen health inequalities. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of DAA treatment on hepatitis C–related mortality by educational level.

Methods

We analyzed deaths from hepatitis C, unspecified liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, alcohol-related liver diseases, other liver diseases, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease among individuals living in Spain during 2012–2019 and aged ≥25 years. We calculated age-standardized mortality rates per million person-years by period, sex, and education. Using quasi-Poisson segmented regression models, we estimated the annual percent change in rates in pre- and postintervention periods by education level and the relative inequality index (RII).

Results

Hepatitis C mortality rates among low, middle, and highly educated people decreased from 25.2, 23.2, and 20.3/million person-years in the preintervention period to 15.8, 13.7, and 10.4 in the postintervention period. Mortality rates from other analyzed causes also decreased. Following the intervention, downward trends in hepatitis C mortality accelerated at all education levels, although more in highly educated people, and the RII increased from 2.1 to 2.7. For other analyzed causes of death, no favorable changes were observed in mortality trends, except for liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, HIV disease, and alcohol-related liver disease among higher educated people.

Conclusions

Results suggest that DAA treatments had a very favorable impact on hepatitis C mortality at all education levels. However, even in a universal and free healthcare system, highly educated people seem to benefit more from DAA treatment than less educated people.
Quantification and modelling of post-seismic deformation following the 2013 September 24 Mw 7.7 earthquake in the Makran region, Pakistan
Authors: Bascou Pascale , Jouanne François
Published: December 2022

On 2013 September 24, an earthquake of magnitude Mw 7.7 occurred on the Hoshab Fault in southern Pakistan, south of the 650-km-long Chaman Fault, within the eastern Makran accretionary wedge. This earthquake was caused predominantly by strike-slip faulting. To quantify the post-seismic deformation following this large earthquake, we used ascending and descending Sentinel-1 data over the period 2014 November–2017 December. The deformation time-series over these 3 years shows that the post-seismic deformation was not linear over the time. To determine the mechanisms that may have driven post-seismic deformation, such as after-slip or a combination of after-slip and viscous relaxation, we explored some models, including after-slip only, and a combination of after-slip and viscous relaxation, to identify the best fit between the observed and simulated deformation time-series. Our results indicate that after-slip was the main mechanism controlling the post-seismic deformation. The introduction of a basal flat fault in the modelling improves the fit between the model results and the time-series obtained from the satellite images This basal fault is located at a depth of 18 km, has a northward dip of 7° and corresponds to the basal décollement level of the Makran accretionary prism.
Spatially heterogeneous nonlinear signal in Antarctic ice-sheet mass loss revealed by GRACE and GPS
Authors: Jiao Jiashuang , Pan Yuanjin , Zhang Xiaohong , Shum C K , Zhang Yu , Ding Hao
Published: December 2022

Nonlinear trends (i.e. quadratic trends, usually defined as accelerations) in Antarctic ice mass loss due primarily to the complex climate warming forcing regimes have induced large uncertainty to future sea level projection. Here, we quantify the nonlinear and spatially varying mass losses in the Antarctic ice sheet during the last two decades using the satellite gravimetry data collected by Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) and its successor GRACE Follow-On. We use a regional inversion methodology to generate the mass change time-series over Antarctica. Our findings reveal that seven regions have evidenced significant nonlinear mass change. These regions are all concentrated along the coast of Antarctica and show spatially heterogeneous mass balance nonlinear trend patterns. Among them, the Amundsen Sea Embayment (ASE) and the Dronning Maud Land (DML) are found to be particularly sensitive to short-term climate variability. The GRACE-inferred nonlinear mass balance signal can be confirmed by independent Global Positioning System (GPS) observations, and the difference between the nonlinear vertical deformation trends estimated by GRACE and GPS, especially in ASE, is likely due to the imperfect correction of the glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) effect. For Antarctic ice sheet as a whole, GRACE satellite gravimetry indicates an ice mass loss of −101.3 ± 18.0 Gt yr−1, with an accelerated loss of −6.4 ± 1.3 Gt yr−2 during 2002–2021.
On the 𝔸1-Invariance of K2 Modeled on Linear and Even Orthogonal Groups
Authors: Lavrenov Andrei , Sinchuk Sergey , Voronetsky Egor
Published: December 2022

Let $k$ be an arbitrary field. In this paper, we show that in the linear case ($\Phi =\mathsf {A}_{\ell }$, $\ell \geq 4$) and even orthogonal case ($\Phi = \mathsf {D}_{\ell }$, $\ell \geq 7$, $\textrm {char}(k)\neq 2$), the unstable functor $\textrm {K}_{2}(\Phi , -)$ possesses the $\mathbb {A}^{1}$-invariance property in the geometric case, that is, ${\textrm {K}}_{2}(\Phi , R[t]) = {\textrm {K}}_{2}(\Phi , R)$ for a regular ring $R$ containing $k$. As a consequence, the unstable ${\textrm {K}}_{2}$ groups can be represented in the unstable $\mathbb {A}^{1}$-homotopy category $\mathscr {H}_{\bullet }(k)$ as fundamental groups of the simply-connected Chevalley–Demazure group schemes $\textrm {G}(\Phi ,-)$. Our invariance result can be considered as the ${\textrm {K}}_{2}$-analogue of the geometric case of Bass–Quillen conjecture. We also show for a semilocal regular $k$-algebra $A$ that ${\textrm {K}}_{2}(\Phi , A)$ embeds as a subgroup into ${\textrm {K}}^{\textrm {M}}_{2}(\textrm {Frac}\,A)$.
Large Orbits on Markoff-Type K3 Surfaces over Finite Fields
Authors: O’Dorney Evan M
Published: December 2022

We study the surface $\mathcal {W}_k: x^2 + y^2 + z^2 + x^2 y^2 z^2 = k x y z$ in $(\mathbb {P}^1)^3$, a tri-involutive K3 (TIK3) surface. We explain a phenomenon noticed by Fuchs, Litman, Silverman, and Tran: over a finite field of order $\equiv 1$ mod $8$, the points of $\mathcal {W}_4$ do not form a single large orbit under the group $\Gamma $ generated by the three involutions fixing two variables and a few other obvious symmetries, but rather admit a partition into two $\Gamma $-invariant subsets of roughly equal size. The phenomenon is traced to an explicit double cover of the surface.
Assessing Validity of the Original and Rasch Versions of the Central Sensitization Inventory with Psychophysical Tests in People with Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Roby Naym Uddin , Packham Tara , MacDermid Joy C , Carlesso Lisa C
Published: December 2022

Objective

To determine the extent of agreement between the original Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) and the Rasch-calibrated version (RC-CSI) and to explore the association of both versions with psychophysical tests and their respective sensitivity and specificity.

Methods

Patients with knee osteoarthritis who were enrolled in a multicenter cohort study in Montreal, Canada, completed the original CSI, the RC-CSI, and psychophysical tests (i.e., pressure pain thresholds, temporal summation, conditioned pain modulation) according to standardized protocols. Bland-Altman analyses assessed the agreement between the original CSI and the RC-CSI; Spearman correlations and chi-squared analyses evaluated the association between the two CSI scores and the psychophysical tests. A CSI cut point of 40 and an RC-CSI cut point of 31.37 were used. Receiver operating characteristic curves and the resulting sensitivity and specificity with psychophysical tests were also analyzed.

Results

Two hundred ninety-three participants were included (58.7% female, mean age of 63.6 years, and body mass index 31.9 kg/m2). The original CSI and RC-CSI mean difference, 3.3/8.2, t(292) = 8.84 (P < 0.001), was significantly different and indicated a small bias. Small but significant inverse correlations were found for the original CSI and RC-CSI scores with pressure pain thresholds at the forearm and patella, with variance explained ranging from 0.01 to 0.12. The largest area under the curve suggested cut points of 23 (CSI) and 25 (RC-CSI) with 80.9% sensitivity and 38.5% specificity.

Conclusions

Because of poor variance explained with psychophysical tests and high false positive rates, our results indicate that there is little clinical value of using either version of the CSI in people with knee osteoarthritis.
Evaluating the Impact of Anatomical Partitioning on Summary Topologies Obtained with Bayesian Phylogenetic Analyses of Morphological Data
Authors: Casali Daniel M , Freitas Felipe V , Perini Fernando A
Published: December 2022

Morphological data are a fundamental source of evidence to reconstruct the Tree of Life, and Bayesian phylogenetic methods are increasingly being used for this task. Bayesian phylogenetic analyses require the use of evolutionary models, which have been intensively studied in the past few years, with significant improvements to our knowledge. Notwithstanding, a systematic evaluation of the performance of partitioned models for morphological data has never been performed. Here we evaluate the influence of partitioned models, defined by anatomical criteria, on the precision and accuracy of summary tree topologies considering the effects of model misspecification. We simulated datasets using partitioning schemes, trees, and other properties obtained from two empirical datasets, and conducted Bayesian phylogenetic analyses. Additionally, we reanalyzed 32 empirical datasets for different groups of vertebrates, applying unpartitioned and partitioned models, and, as a focused study case, we reanalyzed a dataset including living and fossil armadillos, testing alternative partitioning hypotheses based on functional and ontogenetic modules. We found that, in general, partitioning by anatomy has little influence on summary topologies analyzed under alternative partitioning schemes with a varying number of partitions. Nevertheless, models with unlinked branch lengths, which account for heterotachy across partitions, improve topological precision at the cost of reducing accuracy. In some instances, more complex partitioning schemes led to topological changes, as tested for armadillos, mostly associated with models with unlinked branch lengths. We compare our results with other empirical evaluations of morphological data and those from empirical and simulation studies of the partitioning of molecular data, considering the adequacy of anatomical partitioning relative to alternative methods of partitioning morphological datasets. [Evolutionary rates; heterogeneity; morphology; Mk model; partition; topology.]
Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation After COVID-19 Vaccination
Authors: Ramadan Haidi Karam-Allah , Hassan Wesam , Elossily Nahed Ahmed
Published: December 2022

Reactivation of different viruses after COVID-19 vaccination has been identified, such as hepatitis C virus, herpes viruses, and Epstein Barr virus. In this case, a middle-aged female patient treated for hepatitis B virus (HBV) by tenofovir and developed persistent hepatitis B envelope antigen seroconversion with lack of viremia. She received the first dose of an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. Three days later, manifestations of acute hepatitis occurred. The liver enzymes were elevated; alanine aminotransferase was 286 U/L, aspartate aminotransferase 160 U/L, HBV DNA level 208,000 IU/L and HBs Ag level 2944 IU/L. Retreatment by tenofovir was initiated and symptoms improved with reduction of liver enzymes. Three months later, liver enzymes became at normal level. This is considered the first report of HBV reactivation after COVID-19 vaccine. Patients with HBV infection who stopped HBV treatment after hepatitis B envelope antigen seroconversion should be closely monitored after COVID-19 vaccination for the possibility of HBV reactivation to determine if it is a true causality or just an association.
Prepandemic Mental Health and Well-being
Authors: Silver Sharon R. , Li Jia , Marsh Suzanne M. , Carbone Eric G.
Published: December 2022

Background

Occupational stress and diminished well-being among health care workers were concerning even before the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic exacerbated existing stressors and created new challenges for this workforce. Research on the mental health of health care workers has focused on physicians and nurses, with less attention to other occupations.

Methods

To assess pre–coronavirus disease mental health and well-being among workers in multiple health care occupations, we used 2017 to 2019 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Results

Across the health care workforce, insufficient sleep (41.0%) and diagnosed depression (18.9%) were the most common conditions reported. Counselors had the highest prevalence of diagnosed depression. Health care support workers had elevated prevalences for most adverse health conditions.

Conclusions

Ensuring a robust health care workforce necessitates identifying and implementing effective occupation-specific prevention, intervention, and mitigation strategies that address organizational and personal conditions adversely affecting mental health.
External validation of Chronic Liver Failure-Consortium Acute Decompensation score in the risk stratification of cirrhotic patients hospitalized with acute variceal bleeding
Authors: Zhu Zongyi , Jiang Huiqing
Published: December 2022

Background and objective

Acute variceal bleeding (AVB) is a serious life-threatening complication of cirrhosis. This study aimed to validate the predictive value of Chronic Liver Failure-Consortium Acute Decompensation score (CLIF-C ADs) in the risk stratification of cirrhotic patients hospitalized with AVB.

Methods

A total of 235 cirrhotic patients with AVB and without acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) were retrospectively enrolled. The discrimination, calibration, overall performance and clinical utility of CLIF-C AD were evaluated and compared with traditional prognostic scores.

Results

The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of CLIF-C AD was significantly or numerically higher than that of Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) (0.871 vs. 0.737, P = 0.03), Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) (0.871 vs. 0.757, P = 0.1) and MELD-Sodium (MELD-Na) (0.871 vs. 0.822, P = 0.45). The calibration of CLIF-C AD was excellent and superior to that of CTP, MELD and MELD-Na. The brier score/R
2 value for CLIF-C AD, CTP, MELD and MELD-Na were 0.045/0.278, 0.051/0.090, 0.050/0.123 and 0.046/0.207, respectively, suggesting a superior overall performance of CLIF-C AD to traditional scores. In decision curve analysis, the standardized net benefit of CLIF-C AD was higher to that of traditional scores. Patients with CLIF-C ADs ≤48, 49–59 and ≥60 were, respectively, stratified into low, moderate and high-risk groups (6-week mortality: 2.7% vs. 12.5% vs. 37.5%, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The prediction performance and clinical utility of CLIF-C AD for 6-week mortality in cirrhotic patients with AVB and without ACLF are excellent and superior to traditional prognostic scores. The new risk stratification with CLIF-C ADs may be useful in guiding rational management of AVB.
Fluid management of the critically Ill child
Authors: Soulages Arrese Natalia , Green Michael L.
Published: December 2022

Purpose of review

This review summarizes current literature pertaining to fluid management for critically ill children. It includes an overview on crystalloid fluid used throughout the critical illness course, management of fluid output and complications with fluid overload.

Recent findings

Observational paediatric studies and adult randomized trials show mixed results regarding risk of mortality and kidney injury with 0.9% saline and crystalloid fluid. A recent adult randomized trial suggests that a fluid restrictive strategy may be well tolerated in critically ill adults with septic shock, but further randomized trials are needed in paediatrics. Fluid overload has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Trials exploring ways to decrease fluid accumulation must be done in paediatrics.

Additional high-quality studies are needed to precisely define the type, timing and rate of intravenous fluid critically ill children should receive throughout their clinical illness course.
Experiences of Postpartum Depression in Women of Color
Authors: Beck Cheryl Tatano
Published: December 2022

Purpose:

To examine the experiences of postpartum depression among U.S.-born women of color via an integrative review.

Study Design and Method:

Databases searched were PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and PsycInfo. Sample inclusion criteria included qualitative research published in English that explored U.S.-born women of color's experiences of postpartum depression. There was no time limitation on when studies were published. Krippendorff's thematic content analysis method was used.

Results:

In this integrative review, eight qualitative studies investigating Black and Hispanic women's postpartum depression experiences and eight blog postings were synthesized. Five themes were identified that described postpartum depression experiences of Black and Hispanic women: (1) Struggling with an Array of Distressing Symptoms, (2) Cultural Stigma as a Powerful Roadblock, (3) Complicating Barriers to Seeking Much-Needed Professional Help, (4) Support as a Lifeline or “Just Pulling Yourself up by Your Bootstraps,” and (5) Preferences for Help with Postpartum Depression.

Clinical Implications:

Cultural stigma of mental illness plus lack of knowledge of postpartum depression were strong barriers to women of color seeking timely professional mental health care. Nurses can share information about perinatal mental illness with women in cultural communities to help decrease stigma and increase mental health literacy. All health care providers and policy makers need to focus attention on the impact that women of color's economic and social stressors have on their postpartum depression.
Surgery Clerkship Directors’ Perceptions of the COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on Medical Student Education
Authors: Spanknebel Kathryn , Ellison E Christopher , Nagler Alisa , Shabahang Mohsen M , Matthews Jeffrey B , Stain Steven C , Sloane Richard , Farmer Diana L , Blair Patrice Gabler , Sudan Ranjan , Britt LD , Sachdeva Ajit K
Published: December 2022

Background:

This study assessed the national impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education of medical students assigned to surgery clerkship rotations, as reported by surgery clerkship directors(CDs).

Study Design:

In the spring of 2020 and 2021, the authors surveyed 164 CDs from 144 LCME-accredited US medical schools regarding their views of the pandemic’s impact on the surgery clerkship curriculum, students’ experiences, outcomes, and institutional responses.

Results:

Overall survey response rates, calculated as no. respondents/no. surveyed were 44.5%(73/164) and 50.6%(83/164) for the spring 2020 and 2021 surveys, respectively. Nearly all CDs(>95%) pivoted to virtual platforms and solutions. Most returned to some form of in-person learning by winter 2020, and pre-pandemic status by spring 2021(46%, 38/83). Students' progression to the next year was delayed by 12%(9/73), and preparation was negatively impacted by 45%(37/83). Despite these data, CDs perceived students’ interest in surgical careers was not significantly affected(89% vs. 77.0%, p=0.09). Over the one-year study, the proportion of CDs reporting a severe negative impact on the curriculum dropped significantly(p<0.0001) for most parameters assessed except summative evaluations(40.3% vs. 45.7%,p=0.53). CDs(n=83) also noted the pandemic's positive impact with respect to virtual patient encounters(21.7%), didactics(16.9%), student test performance(16.9%), continuous personal learning(14.5%), engagement in the clerkship(9.6%) and student interest in surgery as a career(7.2%).

Conclusion:

During the pandemic, the severe negative impact on student educational programs lessened and novel virtual curricular solutions emerged. Student interest in surgery as a career was sustained. Measures of student competency and effectiveness of new curriculum, including telehealth, remain areas for future investigation.