bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carbon Dioxide Detectors based on Al‐ and Ni‐Doped ZnO
Authors: Lozano-Rosas Ricardo , Hernandez Angelica Guadalupe , Elizalde-González María P. , Robles-Águila Maria Josefina , Tangirala Venkata Krishna Karthik
Published: August 2022

In this work, zinc oxide (ZnO), nickel (Ni) and aluminum (Al)‐doped ZnO nanoparticles are synthesized via an ultrasound‐assisted sol–gel technique. X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals a correlation between structural parameters (lattice parameters, crystallite size, dislocation density and micro‐strain) and the dopant ions incorporation. Scanning electron microscopy studies show changes in morphology in doped samples derived from the effect of restriction on the growth dynamics. A growth mechanism is proposed in order to explain the properties of ZnO‐based sensors. Gas sensing tests are carried out, delivering the best results as follows: an 89% sensing response at 500 ppm of carbon dioxide (CO2), 0.54 MΩ s−1 of sensitivity, and 52/48 s for average response and recovery times respectively, in the Ni‐doped ZnO sample. Additionally, selectivity evaluations for all samples are also performed. By comparing the obtained structural and morphological characteristics with the gas sensing properties of the samples, Ni‐doped ZnO samples have optimal characteristics for CO2 detection due to the high surface area and abundant oxygen vacancies resulting from the Ni incorporation. The gas sensing mechanism of each sample is also reported and discussed in detail.
Role of High Nitrogen‐Vacancy Concentration on the Photoluminescence and Raman Spectra of Diamond
Authors: Jani Mona , Mrózek Mariusz , Nowakowska Anna M. , Leszczenko Patrycja , Gawlik Wojciech , Wojciechowski Adam M.
Published: August 2022

A photoluminescence (PL) and Raman spectroscopy study of various diamond samples that have high concentrations of nitrogen‐vacancy (NV) color centers up to multiple parts per million (ppm) is presented. With green, red, and near‐infrared (NIR) light excitation, it is demonstrated that while for samples with a low density of NV centers the signals are primarily dominated by Raman scattering from the diamond lattice, for higher density of NVs, a combination of Raman scattering from the diamond lattice and fluorescence from the NV centers is observed, while for the highest NV densities the Raman signals from diamond are completely overwhelmed by the intense NV's fluorescence. However, under NIR excitation, Raman diamond signatures can be observed for some diamonds. These observations reveal different roles of two mechanisms of light emission and contradict the naïve belief that Raman scattering enables the complete characterization of a diamond crystalline sample.
Functional Separation of Energy Transfer and Photon Absorption of Excitons Formed in Circular Nanoantennae
Authors: Oka Hisaki
Published: August 2022

An efficient and rapid energy transfer (ET) mechanism is theoretically proposed only by mimicking the circular structure of natural photosynthetic light‐harvesting (LH) antennae, without spatial and energetic disorders as in natural photosynthetic systems. Two B850 LH complexes of photosynthetic bacterium are adopted, and it is shown that for close LH antennae the ET rate can be optimized by functionally separating ET from photon absorption within exciton energy levels by an adjustment of the distance between the LH antennae at room temperature. As a result, for close LHs, the two processes of photon absorption and ET can be energetically and functionally divided within the same exciton energy level. From the analysis of the temperature dependence of transfer rate, it is also shown that the two energetically separated processes are connected by thermal pumping of the exciton population and an optimized ET rate can be achieved at room temperature when the energy difference between optically allowed and forbidden states is comparable with the thermal energy of the environment.
Exploring the failing right ventricle in pulmonary hypertension by cardiac magnetic resonance: An in vivo study utilizing Macitentan
Authors: Murphy Gerard , Jayasekera Geeshath , Mullin James , Gallagher Lindsay , Welsh David J.
Published: August 2022

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is used to assess the right ventricle (RV) of pulmonary hypertensive (PH) patients and more recently to track changes in response to therapy. We wished to investigate if repeat CMRs could be used to assess ventricular changes in the Sugen 5416 hypoxic (Su/Hx) rat model of PH treated with the dual endothelin receptor antagonist Macitentan. Male Sprague Dawley Su/Hx rats were dosed for 3 weeks with either vehicle or Macitentan (30 mg/kg) daily, control rats received only vehicle. All rats underwent three CMR scans; before treatment, 2 weeks into treatment, and end of the study. A separate group of Su/Hx and control rats, treated as above, underwent terminal hemodynamic measurements. Using terminal and CMR measurements, Macitentan was found to lower RV systolic pressure pulmonary artery remodeling and increase RV ejection fraction but not change RV hypertrophy (RVH). Repeat CMRs determined that Su/Hx rats treated with Macitentan had significantly reversed RVH via reducing RV mass as well as reducing elevated left ventricular eccentricity index; reductions in RV mass were also observed in Su/Hx vehicle rats exposed to normoxic conditions. We have demonstrated that repeat CMRs can be used to assess the volume and structural changes in the ventricles of the Su/Hx rat model. Using repeat CMRs has allowed us to build a more complete picture of the response of the RV and the left ventricle to treatment. It is unknown if these effects are a consequence of direct action on the RV or secondary to improvements in the lung vasculature.
A probabilistic routing algorithm based on node communication capability and message strength
Authors: Chang Yanan , Wan Qiyun , Cui Jianqun , Zhang Ruijie , Wu Jike , Zhou Hao
Published: August 2022

In delay‐tolerant networks (DTN), node connection time and message transmission time are two important influencing factors that can improve the delivery rate. In this paper, we first define a new concept called communication capability (CC) and then apply this concept to the delivery predictability formulation in Prophet and improve it. Then, in Prophet, the selection of relay nodes relies only on the delivery predictability and ignores the caching and forwarding capability of the node. Therefore, we combine delivery predictability, buffering, and forwarding capability to develop a new adaptive relay node selection strategy. Subsequently, we define two metrics called message priority (MP) and message strength (MS). The node forwards messages sequentially based on message priority and discards messages based on message strength. Finally, we present a probabilistic routing algorithm based on node communication capability and message strength (CAMS). The simulation results show that compared with traditional routing algorithms, the CAMS can effectively improve the message delivery rate, reduce the overhead ratio, and keep average hop counts low.
Encapsulationof the Haloalkane 4‐Chloromethylpyridine Hydrochloride by Cucurbit[8]uril
Authors: Shan Pei‐Hui , Lu Yun , Yu Zhi‐chao , Fan Ying , Zhao An‐ting , Redshaw Carl , Tao Zhu , Xiao Xin
Published: August 2022

Complexation of 4‐chloromethylpyridine hydrochloride (G) with cucurbit[8]uril (Q[8]) has been investigated using NMR spectroscopy, UV‐visible spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), Quantum calculation, and X‐ray crystallography. The data indicated that the guest 4‐chloromethylpyridine hydrochloride is completely encapsulated by the cavity of the Q[8] host in both aqueous solution and the solid state, generating a highly stable inclusion complex, namely G2@Q[8]. Interestingly, ion–dipole interactions and hydrogen‐bonding interactions play a central role in the formation of the inclusion complex G2@Q[8], which provides a reliable basis for the encapsulation of small organic guests by the hydrophobic microenvironment of the cavity.
Rod‐Like MnOx Catalyst Derived from Mn‐MOF‐74 for Chlorobenzene Oxidation at Low Temperature
Authors: Jiang Tingting , Wang Xi , Chen Jiazhi , Zhang Junjie , Mai Yuliang
Published: August 2022

In this study, a series of MnOx catalysts were prepared by pyrolysis of Mn‐MOF‐74 precursors. The calcination temperature had influence on the structure and catalytic performance of MnOx catalysts in the catalytic oxidation of chlorobenzene. Their physicochemical properties were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2 adsorption/desorption, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), H2 temperature programmed reduction (H2‐TPR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), respectively. The order of catalytic activity was as follows: rod‐like MnOx‐700 > rod‐like MnOx‐600 > boat‐like MnOx‐800. The MnOx‐700 catalysts exhibited excellent activity for chlorobenzene (CB) decomposition, and the T90 (temperature with CB conversion of 90 %) was 225 °C. The main reason was that MnOx‐700 inherited the advantage of Mn‐MOF‐74 with high specific surface area, and had higher ratio of Mn3+/Mn4+ (2.51) and Osur/Ototal (0.53). Meanwhile, the MnOx‐700 can maintain over 90 % CB conversion at elevated temperature for 100 h. This work can provide an idea for the further development of high efficiency catalysts prepared via MOF‐template in the CB decomposition.
2D Metal‐Organic Framework Based on the Functionalized Anthracene Derivative as A Dual‐Functional Luminescent Probe for Fe3+ and Ascorbic Acid
Authors: Chen Zi‐Yi , Li Peng‐Cheng , Guo Cui , Chen Xiao‐Huan , Liu Bing‐Jie , Zou Hui‐Jing , Liang Wen‐Jie , Xu Hai
Published: August 2022

Two‐dimensional (2D) materials are newly developed for their thickness‐dependent physical and chemical properties. The major characteristic of this type of material is that the planar structure flaunts a large surface‐to‐volume ratio, thereby providing a platform for straightforward and easy functionalization with chemical moieties, which prompting us to use it as a chemical sensor. We designed and synthesized two types of 2D metal‐organic frameworks based on the functionalized anthracene derivative 4,4′‐(anthracene‐9,10‐diylbis(ethyne‐2,1‐diyl))dibenzoic acid (H2L), [Pb(L)(DMF)] (denoted as Pb‐MOF) and [Sm(L)(HCO2)(DMF)] (denoted as Sm‐MOF). These two materials are great sensors for probing Fe3+ and ascorbic acid (AA) with the low concentration according to “color‐change recover” effect. Fe3+ was captured by MOF and this quenching mechanism was investigated using luminescence, UV‐vis, XPS, and lifetime studies.
Pyrrole‐Based Cryptand‐Like Cages: A Critical Overview of Synthetic Strategies and Applications
Authors: Guchhait Tapas , Pradhan Pujarani , Panda Lipsita , Sreejit K. Rao M.
Published: August 2022

Pyrrole‐based cryptand‐like cages are important owing to their three‐dimensional cavities together with three open crevices or clefts. The polar pyrrole subunits in the cages preorganize themselves to construct rigid and shape persistent molecular frameworks. Both the inner voids (cavity and cleft) are accessible to various guests such as metal ions, anions and, neutral molecules. The pyrrole ring offers hydrogen bond donor NH groups and its π‐electrons to bind anions or neutral molecules, whereas sigma donation of pyrrolides stabilizes metal ions. In addition, the orientation of bridgehead positions of the cryptand molecules along with specific conformations of the pyrrole rings and/or connecting arms dictate the size of available void space which is directly related to the selectivity for specific guest molecules to be recognized. Thus, the cages have attracted attention in recent times for the development of supramolecular chemistry. In this review, we summarize different synthetic procedures of laterally symmetrical cryptand‐like molecules, their structures, and applications in diverse aspects.
High Lifetime Ga‐Doped Cz‐Si for Carrier‐Selective Junction Solar Cells
Authors: Horzel Jörg , Mack Sebastian , Voicu Vulcanean Ioan , Zimmermann Karin , Pingel Sebastian , Kwapil Wolfram , Maischner Felix , Höffler Hannes , Bashardoust Sattar , Wagenmann Dirk , Greulich Johannes , Seif Johannes , Steinmetz Anamaria , Rentsch Jochen
Published: August 2022

Industrial mass production of solar cells is at a transition toward carrier‐selective junction solar cells with passivating contacts such as TOPCon, POLO, or heterojunction technology (HJT). At the same time, many manufacturers consider switching from p‐type Cz‐Si to n‐type Cz‐Si wafers. This contribution indicates that Ga‐doped p‐type Cz‐Si material is still a viable option for the new type of devices while giving an opportunity to benefit from lower wafer cost. The minority carrier diffusion lengths that are an order of magnitude larger than the thickness of the studied HJT and TOPCoRE devices are reported. Stability aspects for operation in the field are discussed. Best TOPCoRE solar cells on Ga‐doped Cz‐Si show a 0.2% higher efficiency than their co‐processed n‐type counterparts.
Investigation of the Erosion Mechanism of the Mold Flux Containing Rare Earth Oxide on the Submerged Entry Nozzle Affected by an External Electric Field
Authors: Tian Chen , Yuan Lei , Wen Tianpeng , Yu Jingkun , Liu Guoqi , Li Hongxia
Published: August 2022

Considering the change and unpredictability of the mold flux containing rare earth oxides, the impact of controlling the erosion behavior of the mold flux containing rare earth oxide on the submerged entry nozzle is thoroughly investigated herein by applying an electric field. The extracted results show that the rare earth is reduced, and Ce3+ ions and compounds are formed. Under the control of electrochemical reaction in the negative enforced electric field, a stable and dense protective film with a multilayer structure is formed on the surface of the electrode. The existence of this film can effectively prevent the erosion of the submerged entry nozzle. In addition, the phase composition of the mold flux is not affected by the externally applied electric field. The implementation of the external electric field is anticipated to be used as a new method for the high‐quality and high‐efficiency continuous casting production of rare earth steel.
Relative efficiency of two models of snap traps for sampling boreal small mammals
Authors: Jung Thomas S. , Pretzlaw Troy D.
Published: August 2022

Snap traps have long been a cost‐effective means of monitoring small mammal (<60 g) diversity and abundance, particularly at larger spatial or temporal scales. Yet, studies on the relative efficiency of snap trap models are surprisingly rare in the literature. We assessed the relative efficacy of Victor Mouse and Woodstream Museum Special snap traps for sampling boreal small mammals. Paired traps were set for 2–3 nights at 40–50 trapping stations at each of 110 sites, for a total sampling effort of 28,910 trap nights. We captured 1,013 small mammals representing 13 species. Overall, Museum Special traps caught almost twice as many small mammals as Victor traps. There was no difference in the sex or age‐class of the overall capture in the 2 trap models. However, Museum Special traps were triggered without capturing a small mammal 31% more often than Victor traps. Results for the six most frequently captured species (Myodes rutilus,Microtus pennsylvanicus,Microtus oeconomus,Microtus xanthognathus,Peromyscus maniculatus, andSorex cinereus) mirrored those for overall captures. Moreover, the percent of the total capture in Museum Special traps ranged between 57–80% for each of the above species, indicating species‐specific responses to trap type. Our data further demonstrate the superior ability of Museum Special traps to capture boreal small mammals compared to Victor traps, which is likely attributed to a more sensitive trigging mechanism. Implications of our results suggest caution when mixing trap models in monitoring programs, or when interpreting results obtained with different trap models. We encourage similar comparisons in different biomes with different small mammal assemblages as trap performance is likely species specific.
Off-shell color-kinematics duality for Chern-Simons
Authors: Ben-Shahar Maor , Johansson Henrik
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Many gauge theories possess a hidden duality between color and kinematics in their on-shell scattering amplitudes. An open problem is to formulate an off-shell realization of the duality, thus manifesting a kinematic algebra. We show that 3D Chern-Simons (CS) theory in Lorenz gauge obeys off-shell color-kinematics duality. This holds both for the gauge field and the BRST ghosts, and the duality is manifest in the Feynman rules. A kinematic algebra can be formulated through a second-order differential operator (Poisson bracket) acting on the off-shell fields, and it corresponds to 3D volume-preserving diffeomorphisms, generated by functions in Lorenz gauge. We consider several admissible double-copy constructions of CS theory with Yang-Mills theory, a higher-derivative (DF)2 gauge theory, or CS theory itself. To obtain non-vanishing amplitudes, we deform pure CS theory by including the maximum amount of adjoint matter that respects the on-shell duality. This gives a new formulation of an 𝒩 = 4 CS-matter theory, with fields of unusual statistics. We argue that the color-stripped tree amplitudes of this theory are equivalent to those of the Gaiotto-Witten 𝒩 = 4 CS theory with bi-fundamental matter. We further show that the double copy of the 𝒩 = 4 CS theory with itself corresponds to maximally supersymmetric 𝒩 = 8 Dirac-Born-Infeld theory.
Resolving extreme jet substructure
Authors: Lu Yadong , Romero Alexis , Fenton Michael James , Whiteson Daniel , Baldi Pierre
Published: August 2022

Abstract

We study the effectiveness of theoretically-motivated high-level jet observables in the extreme context of jets with a large number of hard sub-jets (up toN= 8). Previous studies indicate that high-level observables are powerful, interpretable tools to probe jet substructure forN≤ 3 hard sub-jets, but that deep neural networks trained on low-level jet constituents match or slightly exceed their performance. We extend this work for up toN= 8 hard sub-jets, using deep particle-flow networks (PFNs) and Transformer based networks to estimate a loose upper bound on the classification performance. A fully-connected neural network operating on a standard set of high-level jet observables, 135 N-subjetiness observables and jet mass, reach classification accuracy of 86.90%, but fall short of the PFN and Transformer models, which reach classification accuracies of 89.19% and 91.27% respectively, suggesting that the constituent networks utilize information not captured by the set of high-level observables. We then identify additional high-level observables which are able to narrow this gap, and utilize LASSO regularization for feature selection to identify and rank the most relevant observables and provide further insights into the learning strategies used by the constituent-based neural networks. The final model contains only 31 high-level observables and is able to match the performance of the PFN and approximate the performance of the Transformer model to within 2%.
Pilotstudie: manualmedizinische Methodenevaluation zur Modulierbarkeit des Leitsymptoms Tinnitus
Authors: Fobbe A. , Bökel A. , Lesinski-Schiedat A. , Gutenbrunner C. , Sturm C.
Published: August 2022

Hintergrund

Tinnitus und Schwindel wurden schon auf vielfältige Weise untersucht. Daraus ergaben sich multiple Erklärungsansätze aus verschiedenen medizinischen Disziplinen. Auch die Muskulatur des Kiefers und der Halswirbelsäule wurde diesbezüglich erforscht. Es zeigten sich deutliche Hinweise dafür, dass bei Funktionsstörungen dieser Muskulatur Tinnitus ausgelöst werden kann. Diese Unterart des Tinnitus wird als sog. zervikogener somatosensorischer Tinnitus bezeichnet.

Ziel der Studie

Das Ziel war die Untersuchung des Effekts der manuellen Therapie auf die von Probanden berichtete, individuell empfundene Beeinträchtigung durch zervikogenen somatosensorischen Tinnitus (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory), auf die Schwindelsymptomatik (Dizziness Handicap Inventory) und auf die hypertone zervikokraniale Muskulatur.

Methodik

In einer prospektiven randomisierten Studie wurden 80 Patient*innen (40 in der Interventionsgruppe und 40 in der Kontrollgruppe) ärztlich untersucht und befragt. Anschließend erhielten sie manuelle Therapie.

Ergebnisse

Nach manueller Therapie zeigten sich bzgl. des Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, des Dizziness Handicap Inventory und muskulärer Hypertonien signifikante Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen zugunsten der Interventionsgruppe.

Schlussfolgerung

Die manuelle Untersuchung und Therapie stellten sich als wirksam heraus. Sie sollte bei ausbleibender HNO-ärztlicher Organpathologie und Verdacht auf zervikogenen somatosensorischen Tinnitus verstärkt zur Anwendung kommen. Die Rolle der einzelnen Muskeln gilt es tiefergehend zu untersuchen.
The influence of water-based nanolubrication on mill load and friction during hot rolling of 304 stainless steel
Authors: Wu Hui , Wei Dongbin , Hee Ay Ching , Huang Shuiquan , Xing Zhao , Jiao Sihai , Huang Han , Jiang Zhengyi
Published: August 2022

Using pure water in comparison to water-based lubricant containing 4% TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs), the hot rolling tests of 304 stainless steel were carried out at a rolling temperature of 1050 °C under varying rolling reductions and speeds. The effects of lubrication on rolling force, torque, power and contact friction were systematically investigated. The coefficient of friction (COF) during steady-state hot steel rolling was inversely calculated using a developed flow stress model. The COF models including the effects of rolling reduction and speed were proposed via multiple linear regression. The results indicated that the use of the nanolubricant enabled a reduction of rolling force up to 6.1% and decreases in rolling torque and power up to 21.6%, compared to that of water condition. The results obtained from the linear regression agreed well with those from the inverse calculation, suggesting the developed COF models had high accuracy. The lubrication mechanisms were derived from a boundary lubrication regime, owing to ball bearing and mending effects of TiO2 NPs, and formation of thin lubricant film under high rolling pressure.
Estimates for the covariant derivative of the heat semigroup on differential forms, and covariant Riesz transforms
Authors: Baumgarth Robert , Devyver Baptiste , Güneysu Batu
Published: August 2022

With $$\vec {\Delta }_j\ge 0$$

Δ
→

j

≥
0

is the uniquely determined self-adjoint realization of the Laplace operator acting on j-forms on a geodesically complete Riemannian manifold M and $$\nabla $$
∇
the Levi-Civita covariant derivative, we prove among other things

a Gaussian heat kernel bound for $$\nabla \mathrm {e}^{ -t\vec {\Delta }_j }$$

∇

e

-
t

Δ
→

j

, if the curvature tensor of M and its covariant derivative are bounded,

an exponentially weighted $$L^p$$

L
p

-bound for the heat kernel of $$\nabla \mathrm {e}^{ -t\vec {\Delta }_j }$$

∇

e

-
t

Δ
→

j

, if the curvature tensor of M and its covariant derivative are bounded,

that $$\nabla \mathrm {e}^{ -t\vec {\Delta }_j }$$

∇

e

-
t

Δ
→

j

is bounded in $$L^p$$

L
p

for all $$1\le p<\infty $$

1
≤
p
<
∞

, if the curvature tensor of M and its covariant derivative are bounded,

a second order Davies-Gaffney estimate (in terms of $$\nabla $$
∇
and $$\vec {\Delta }_j$$

Δ
→

j

) for $$\mathrm {e}^{ -t\vec {\Delta }_j }$$

e

-
t

Δ
→

j

for small times, if the j-th degree Bochner-Lichnerowicz potential $$V_j=\vec {\Delta }_j-\nabla ^{\dagger }\nabla $$

V
j

=

Δ
→

j

-

∇
†

∇

of M is bounded from below (where $$V_1=\mathrm {Ric}$$

V
1

=
Ric

), which is shown to fail for large time, if $$V_j$$

V
j

is bounded.

Based on these results, we formulate a conjecture on the boundedness of the covariant local Riesz-transform $$\nabla (\vec {\Delta }_j+\kappa )^{-1/2}$$

∇

(

Δ
→

j

+
κ
)

-
1
/
2

in $$L^p$$

L
p

for all $$1\le p<\infty $$

1
≤
p
<
∞

(which we prove for $$1\le p\le 2$$

1
≤
p
≤
2

), and explain its implications to geometric analysis, such as the $$L^p$$

L
p

-Calderón-Zygmund inequality. Our main technical tool is a Bismut derivative formula for $$\nabla \mathrm {e}^{ -t\vec {\Delta }_j }$$

∇

e

-
t

Δ
→

j

.
Reinforcement learning as a basis for cross domain fusion of heterogeneous data
Authors: Christensen Sören , Tomforde Sven
Published: August 2022

We propose to establish a research direction based on Reinforcement Learning in the scope of Cross Domain Fusion. More precisely, we combine the algorithmic approach of evolutionary rule-based Reinforcement Learning with the efficiency and performance of Deep Reinforcement Learning, while simultaneously developing a sound mathematical foundation. A possible scenario is traffic control in urban regions.
Absence of detectable SARS-CoV-2 replication in ex vivo cultured cornea and cornea-derived epithelial cells
Authors: Bayyoud Tarek , Vavouras Syrigos Georgios , Ruetalo Buschinger Natalia , Wude Johanna , Businger Ramona , Hu Dan , Iftner Angelika , Thaler Sebastian , Schindler Michael
Published: August 2022

Purpose

To study the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 to infect human corneal cells and tissues under standard corneal culture conditions using explants of COVID-19 donors and primary cornea-derived epithelial cells.

Methods

Cornea isolated from deceased COVID-19 donors was cultured for 4 weeks, and SARS-CoV-2 replication was monitored by qRT-PCR. Furthermore, primary corneal epithelial cells from healthy donors were cultured ex vivo and infected with SARS-CoV-2 and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) as a control. Infection status was assessed by western blotting and reporter gene expression using green fluorescent protein–expressing viral strains. ACE2 and TMPRSS2 receptor expression levels in cornea and epithelial cells were assessed by qRT-PCR.

Results

We did not detect SARS-CoV-2 replication in 10 corneas isolated from deceased COVID-19 patients and cultured for 4 weeks, indicating absence of infection under natural conditions. Furthermore, high-titer SARS-CoV-2 infection of ex vivo cultured cornea-derived epithelial cells did not result in productive virus replication. In contrast, the same cells were highly permissive for HCMV. This phenotype could potentially be explained by low ACE2 and TMPRSS2 transcriptional activity in cornea and cornea-derived epithelial cells.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that cornea and limbal epithelial cells are refractory to productive SARS-CoV-2 infection. This could be due to the absence of robust receptor expression levels necessary for viral entry. This study adds further evidence to support the very low possibility of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from an infected corneal transplant donor to a recipient in corneal organ cultures.
Schmerzhafte Muskel-Skelett-Veränderungen bei Kindern mit neuromotorischen Erkrankungen (Teil 2)
Authors: Strobl Walter Michael
Published: August 2022

Bei allen angeborenen und erworbenen Erkrankungen des Gehirns, des Rückenmarks, der Nerven und Muskeln können Veränderungen von Bewegung und Haltung, Sensorik und Motorik beobachtet werden. Je nach Dauer der Störung entwickeln sich reversible und/oder irreversible Veränderungen der Bewegungsfunktion und der Form der Bewegungsorgane, die biomechanischen Gesetzmäßigkeiten folgen.

Da diese Muskel-Skelett-Veränderungen sehr häufig für unterschätzte Schmerzen, Immobilität, mangelnde soziale Teilhabe und damit einer massiven Einschränkung der Lebensqualität verantwortlich sind, ist die detaillierte Kenntnis der funktionellen Anatomie und dieser Gesetzmäßigkeiten als Basis einer erfolgreichen Vorbeugung und Behandlung erforderlich.

Den wichtigsten Stellenwert in der Frühdiagnostik bildet das rechtzeitige Erkennen von Kräfteungleichgewichten an Gelenken, von veränderten Hebelarmen der Muskulatur, von chronischen Schmerzen als Zeichen einer reaktiven Überlastung und von beginnenden Bewegungseinschränkungen. Screeningprogramme, die alle Störungsbilder umfassen und einfach im klinischen Alltag implementiert werden können, sollten entwickelt werden. Je früher Prävention und Behandlung dieser neuroorthopädischen Probleme bei chronischen neuromotorischen Erkrankungen in jeder Altersgruppe beginnen, umso erfolgreicher können Fehlentwicklungen sowie irreversible sekundäre Schäden, strukturelle Veränderungen, Fehlstellungen, Kontrakturen, (Sub‑)Luxationen, Funktionsverlust, Immobilität und Behinderungen vermieden werden.

In diesem zweiten Teil der Arbeit werden die Möglichkeiten des Screenings, der Prävention und der Frühbehandlung dieser Muskel-Skelett-Veränderungen vorgestellt.
Mapping the Issues of Automated Legal Systems: Why Worry About Automatically Processable Regulation?
Authors: Guitton Clement , Tamò-Larrieux Aurelia , Mayer Simon
Published: August 2022

The field of computational law has increasingly moved into the focus of the scientific community, with recent research analysing its issues and risks. In this article, we seek to draw a structured and comprehensive list of societal issues that the deployment of automatically processable regulation could entail. We do this by systematically exploring attributes of the law that are being challenged through its encoding and by taking stock of what issues current projects in this field raise. This article adds to the current literature not only by providing a needed framework to structure arising issues of computational law but also by bridging the gap between theoretical literature and practical implementation. Key findings of this article are: (1) The primary benefit (efficiency vs. accessibility) sought after when encoding law matters with respect to the issues such an endeavor triggers; (2) Specific characteristics of a project—project type, degree of mediation by computers, and potential for divergence of interests—each impact the overall number of societal issues arising from the implementation of automatically processable regulation.
Assessing the effect of environmental and socio-economic factors on skin melanoma incidence: an island-wide spatial study in Gran Canaria (Spain), 2007–2018
Authors: Grau-Pérez Mercè , Borrego Leopoldo , Carretero Gregorio , Almeida Pablo , Cano Jorge
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Skin melanoma incidence has risen in the last decades becoming a major public health problem in many regions of the world. Geographic variation of rates is not well understood.

Purpose

To assess the spatial distribution of skin melanoma in Gran Canaria Island (Canary Islands, Spain) and to evaluate the role of environmental, socio-economic, and demographic factors in this distribution.

Methods

We performed a small-area study with disease mapping at the census-tract level (CT) in Gran Canaria between 2007 and 2018. After testing for spatial autocorrelation, we integrated individual-level health data with census-based demographic and socio-economic indicators, and satellite-based environmental data. Finally, we assessed the role of demographic, socio-economic and environmental factors on skin melanoma incidence using a Bayesian analytical framework, with options for non-spatial and spatial random effects.

Results

1058 patients were diagnosed with invasive skin melanoma in the study period and geolocated to a CT (number of CT in Gran Canaria = 565). We found evidence of global spatial autocorrelation in skin melanoma incidence (Moran’s I = 0.09, pseudo p-value = 0.001). A few hotspots were detected, fundamentally in urban northern tracts. A radial pattern of high values was also observed in selected ravines with historical isolation. Multivariable conditional autoregressive models identified urbanicity, percent of females, and a high socio-economic status as risk factors for disease. Solar radiation did not show a significant role.

Conclusion

Urbanicity and a high socio-economic status were identified as the main risk factors for skin melanoma. These associations might reflect differential melanoma susceptibilities or be explained by health inequalities in detection. This study also uncovered high-risk areas in particular ravines. Future targeted research in these regions might help better understand the role of genetic and toxic factors in melanoma pathogenesis.
Well testing of radial jet drilling wells in geothermal reservoirs
Authors: Egberts Paul , Peters Elisabeth
Published: August 2022

Radial Jet Drilling (RJD) is a stimulation technique to increase a well’s performance through creation of multiple laterals of up to 100 m long. The technique has been used in the petroleum industry for several years and recently also for geothermal reservoirs. Interpretation of well tests of a well with multiple laterals may become problematic if the effect of the laterals is not correctly modelled. In this work it is investigated what the impact of RJD laterals is on the pressure transients for both single and dual porosity reservoirs. A semi-analytic model for the calculation of the transient well pressure that accounts explicitly for the RJD well geometry is developed and validated with a detailed numerical simulation. The results show that changes in the lateral configuration affect the pressure transients significantly. In particular for single porosity media, the laterals affect the pressure transients in ways that cannot be captured by representing the stimulation by a skin factor. Since the RJD process is unsteered and the exact configuration of the laterals uncertain, the model may potentially assist in estimating the effectiveness of the stimulation such as the achieved reach of the laterals. Although the work was carried out in the context of RJD application in geothermal reservoirs, the presented model approach can be extended to multi-lateral wells in oil or gas reservoirs.
Does Property-Perception Entail the Content View?
Authors: Wilson Keith A.
Published: August 2022

Visual perception is widely taken to present properties such as redness, roundness, and so on. This in turn might be thought to give rise to accuracy conditions for experience, and so content, regardless of which metaphysical view of perception one endorses. An influential version of this argument —Susanna Siegel’s ‘Argument from Appearing’ — aims to establish the existence of content as common ground between representational and relational views of perception. This goes against proponents of ‘austere’ relationalism who deny that content plays a substantive role in philosophical explanations of conscious perceptual experience. Though Siegel’s argument purports to be neutral with respect to the metaphysics of perception, it relies upon an equivocation between the presentation of property-types and property-instances. Consequently, the argument begs the question against the austere relational view, and so fails to establish the desired conclusion. So while relationalists can and should allow that experiences have accuracy conditions, it does not follow from this that they have contents of any philosophically interesting or significant kind.
Lesser-Evil Justifications: A Reply to Frowe
Authors: Gordon-Solmon Kerah , Pummer Theron
Published: August 2022

Sometimes one can prevent harm only by contravening rights. If the harm one can prevent is great enough, compared to the stringency of the opposing rights, then one has a lesser-evil justification to contravene the rights. Non-consequentialist orthodoxy holds that, most of the time, lesser-evil justifications add to agents’ permissible options without taking any away. Helen Frowe rejects this view. She claims that, almost always, agents must act on their lesser-evil justifications. Our primary task is to refute Frowe’s flagship argument. Secondarily, it is to sketch a positive case for nonconsequentialist orthodoxy.
VLC localization: deep learning models by Kalman filter algorithm combined with RSS
Authors: Salama Wessam M. , Aly Moustafa H. , Amer Eman S.
Published: August 2022

In this paper, a new framework is presented for indoor visible light communication (VLC) system, based on Yolo v3, EfficientNetB3, and DenseNet121 deep learning (DL) models, as well as an optimization strategy. The proposed framework consists of two steps: data collecting and DL model training. To start, data is acquired using MATLAB and Kalman Filtering (KF) with averaging approaches. Second, the received signal strength (RSS) is employed as the DL models input, with the Cartesian coordinates as the DL models output. The averaging RSS approach combined with KF algorithm are used in the suggested framework. This work introduces the impacts of Non-Line-of-Sight (NLoS) for initial reflection and Line-of-Sight (LoS) based on the three mentioned DL models. Furthermore, we used Bayesian optimization and automatic hyper-parameter (HP) optimization to increase system efficiency and to reduce positioning error in DL models. The obtained results show that the models outperform existing the HP-RSS-KF-LoS-DL models in terms of localization error when compared to traditional RSS signal-based localization techniques. Many performance indicators are considered to evaluate the proposed framework resiliency, including accuracy (ACC), area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity (Se), and precision (Pr), as well as F1-score, root mean square error (RMSE), training, and testing time. The DL models are generated and trained using Python software on a Kaggle Notebook GPU cloud (2 CPU cores and 13 GB RAM). The achieved results are: 99.99% ACC, 99.98% AUC, 98.88% Se, 98.98% Pr, 99.97% F1-score, 0.112 cm RMSE, and 0.29 s testing time. The proposed system could be easily deployed for autonomous applications, based on the analysis of the experimental data. Several applications can be used depending on enhancing the localization of VLC system in military systems, underwater systems, and indoor systems like hospitals, hotels, libraries and malls.
Temperature and Heat Transfer Control During Freeze Drying. Effect of Vial Holders and Influence of Pressure
Authors: Palmkron Shuai Bai , Gustavsson Linnea , Wahlgren Marie , Bergensthål Björn , Fureby Anna Millqvist
Published: August 2022

Objective

A common issue of freeze drying is the inhomogeneity between samples, both in regards to water content and structure. The purpose of this study is to address this issue, and try to understand the cause of inhomogeneity in the heat transfer and sample temperature.

Methods

The temperature and the heat transfer was measured using different setups, both with and without vial holders at various positions at different shelf temperature and chamber pressures. By comparing sublimation rate measurements (water sample) with temperature equilibrium measurements with a non-evaporating liquid (oil sample), the heat transfer contribution from radiation and conduction could be separated and investigated individually.

Results

The oil sample temperature increases each time the pressure is decreased; the increase is highest at lower shelf temperatures. Using vial holder reduces the deviation between the samples but have limited effect on the temperature increase. The sublimation rate for water sample is pressure dependent and samples close to the walls have a higher sublimation rate than vials in the center. The sublimation rate increases slightly when using a vial holder but the deviation between vials becomes more random.

Conclusions

The heat transfer consists of conduction through rectified vapor and radiation from surrounding walls, about 65–75% of the heat is transferred by conduction and 25–35% by radiation under normal operational conditions. As the vial holder is also influenced by the radiation, the vial inside the holder is indirectly affected by the surrounding radiation.
Mananas, flusses and jartles: belief ascriptions in light of peripheral concept variation
Authors: Francén Ragnar
Published: August 2022

On a simple and neat view, sometimes called the Relational Analysis of Attitude Ascriptions, a belief ascription on the form ‘S believes that x is F’ is correct if, and only if, S stands in the belief-relation to the proposition designated by ‘that x is F’, i.e., the proposition that x is F. It follows from this view that, for a person to believe, say, that x is a boat, there is one unique proposition that she has to believe. This paper argues against this view. It fails, I contend, to make sense of peripheral concept variation. As we attribute and individuate concepts, two people’s concepts C1 and C2 count as e.g., concepts of boats even if their concepts have different extensions in peripheral, or borderline, cases of boats. Thus, A and B can believe that x is a boat through believing peripherally different propositions. It follows that there is no unique proposition that a person has to believe in order to believe e.g., that x is a boat.
Impact of the diagnostic delay of acromegaly on bone health: data from a real life and long term follow-up experience
Authors: Chiloiro Sabrina , Giampietro Antonella , Gagliardi Irene , Bondanelli Marta , Veleno Miriam , Ambrosio Maria Rosaria , Zatelli Maria Chiara , Pontecorvi Alfredo , Giustina Andrea , De Marinis Laura , Bianchi Antonio
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Acromegaly is a chronic disease with systemic complications. Disease onset is insidious and consequently typically burdened by diagnostic delay. A longer diagnostic delay induces more frequently cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, neuropsychiatric and musculoskeletal comorbidities. No data are available on the effect of diagnostic delay on skeletal fragility. We aimed to evaluate the effect of diagnostic delay on the frequency of incident and prevalent of vertebral fractures (i-VFs and p-VFs) in a large cohort of acromegaly patients.

Patients and methods

A longitudinal, retrospective and multicenter study was conducted on 172 acromegaly patients.

Results

Median diagnostic delay and duration of follow-up were respectively 10 years (IQR: 6) and 10 years (IQR: 8). P-VFs were observed in 18.6% and i-VFs occurred in 34.3% of patients. The median estimated diagnostic delay was longer in patients with i-VFs (median: 11 years, IQR: 3), in comparison to those without i-VFs (median: 8 years, IQR: 7; p = 0.02). Age at acromegaly diagnosis and at last follow-up were higher in patients with i-VFs, with respect to those without i-VFs. The age at acromegaly diagnosis was positively associated with the diagnostic delay (p < 0.001, r = 0.216). A longer history of active acromegaly was associated with a high frequency of i-VFs (p = 0.03). The logistic regression confirmed that patients with a diagnostic delay > 10 years had 1.5-folds increased risk of developing i-VFs (OR: 1.5; 95%CI: 1.1–2; p = 0.017).

Conclusion

Our data showed that the diagnostic delay in acromegaly has a significant impact on VF risk, further supporting the clinical relevance of an early acromegaly diagnosis.
Assessment of health-related quality of life in Australian patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a comparison of the EQ-5D-5L and the AQoL-8D
Authors: Cox Ingrid A. , Campbell Julie , de Graaff Barbara , Otahal Petr , Corte Tamera J. , Moodley Yuben , Hopkins Peter , Macansh Sacha , Walters E. Haydn , Palmer Andrew J.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and debilitating chronic lung disease with a high symptom burden, which has a substantial impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Our study aimed to assess the suitability of the EuroQol five-dimension (EQ-5D-5L) and the Assessment of Quality of Life- eight-dimension (AQoL-8D) questionnaires in measuring HRQoL as health state utility values (HSUVs) in an Australian IPF cohort.

Methods

Data for estimation of health state utility values (HSUVs) were collected from participants of the Australian IPF Registry (AIPFR) using self-administered surveys which included the EQ-5D-5L and the AQoL-8D. Data on lung function and disease specific HRQoL instruments were collected from the AIPFR. Performance of the two instruments was evaluated based on questionnaire practicality, agreement between the two instruments and test performance (internal and construct validity).

Results

Overall completion rates for the EQ-5D-5L and AQoL-8D were 96% and 85%, respectively. Mean (median) HSUVs were 0.65 (0.70) and 0.69 (0.72) for the EQ-5D-5L and AQoL-8D, respectively. There was reasonable agreement between the two instruments based on the Bland–Altman plot mean difference (−0.04) and intraclass correlation coefficient (0.84), however there were some fundamental differences. A larger range of values was observed with the EQ-5D-5L (−0.57–1.00 vs 0.16–1.00). The EQ-5D-5L had a greater divergent sensitivity and efficacy in relation to assessing HSUVs between clinical groupings. The AQoL-8D ,however, had a higher sensitivity to measure psychosocial aspects of HRQoL in IPF.

Conclusion

The EQ-5D-5L demonstrated superior performance when compared to AQoL-8D in persons with IPF. This may be attributable to the high symptom burden which is physically debilitating to which the EQ-5D-5L may be more sensitive.
Phenomenal transparency and the extended mind
Authors: Smart Paul R. , Andrada Gloria , Clowes Robert W.
Published: August 2022

Proponents of the extended mind have suggested that phenomenal transparency may be important to the way we evaluate putative cases of cognitive extension. In particular, it has been suggested that in order for a bio-external resource to count as part of the machinery of the mind, it must qualify as a form of transparent equipment or transparent technology. The present paper challenges this claim. It also challenges the idea that phenomenological properties can be used to settle disputes regarding the constitutional (versus merely causal) status of bio-external resources in episodes of extended cognizing. Rather than regard phenomenal transparency as a criterion for cognitive extension, we suggest that transparency is a feature of situations that support the ascription of certain cognitive/mental dispositional properties to both ourselves and others. By directing attention to the forces and factors that motivate disposition ascriptions, we arrive at a clearer picture of the role of transparency in arguments for extended cognition and the extended mind. As it turns out, transparency is neither necessary nor sufficient for cognitive extension, but this does not mean that it is entirely irrelevant to our understanding of the circumstances in which episodes of extended cognizing are apt to arise.