bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Industrial education, selection, progress appraisal, motivation to achieve industrial wealth, the creation of a sense of commitment
Authors: Cherry J.
Published: March 2023

In reviewing industrial education, concentration has been given to the higher educational programmes; also to courses in manufacturing technology and production management which include topics normally within the responsibility of the Director of Manufacture, as outlined in Fig. 1.

There is a wide range of programmes offered in the above topics at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

For the undergraduate stream there are seventeen universities and polytechnics which offer first degree courses under a variety of titles such as: Production Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Systems Engineering, and some add Management to the titles as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Most universities and polytechnics have adopted the 4-year sandwich system as offering the most suitable blend of academic and industrial experience for graduates entering manufacturing industry. A very important part of the sandwich course is programming the industrial phase, and in recent years difficulties have been encountered in finding firms which are prepared to undertake this responsibility.
Motivation—a comparison of UK and US industry—one man’s experience
Authors: Woodhams R. J. B.
Published: March 2023

I suppose that I ought to start off by denning the who, what, when, where and how in the approved military report manner, because my experience has been in the aircraft design and development business and deals with the sharp end of the operation—i.e.—where it all starts. It is important for those who have not had experience in this area to be quite clear that we are dealing with a particular type of human being whose efforts, or the output from them, are difficult to plan or predict effectively. Tending to introspection for long periods, he is very conscious of the fact that, being at the beginning of the process, his errors multiply in costs down the line and this outlook leads to a marked reluctance to produce anything but the perfect. Naturally, this attitude can percolate down to the design support groups whose work is normally of a mechanical nature and quantifiable.
Limit cycle stability of systems containing a pulse ratio modulator
Authors: Alldridge W. J.
Published: March 2023

Most spacecraft attitude control systems employing mass-expulsion techniques use some form of pulse modulation at the output from the control system to the gas control valves. In a number of early designs such modulation was introduced almost accidentally by surrounding simple relay-type switching logic with a feedback loop containing a first-order lag to provide ‘derived rate’ damping. This arrangement gives pulse width and pulse frequency modulation (Combined pulse modulation).

Such a modulation scheme was devised by Schaefer in 1962 which he called a Pulse Ratio Modulator (PRM). His main concern was the mechanisation of the quasistatic equations of the modulator and he did not investigate the stability of systems containing a PRM.
Pure bending of an I-section beam having initial curvature
Authors: Antonaras D. G. , Tzivanidis G. I.
Published: March 2023

From the two ‘approximate’ theories of bending—Elementary Theory and Winkler available to designers for the determination of bending stresses in beams having initial curvature, the Winkler approximate solution is the one closer to the exact solution development by Golovin.

Timoshenko and Goodier show a comparison of stresses resulting from the three theories for a beam having rectangular cross-section. It is shown here that the values of bending stresses given by Winkler theory are very close to Golovin's exact results. The difference between the two theories lies in the range of 0·1–3·1 % increasing with the ratio, c/a, of the outer to inner radius of curvature of the beam. The above close relationship between the two theories for a beam of rectangular cross-section is also reported by Ford.
A British Airways view
Authors: Jack Peter
Published: March 2023

I shall aim at explaining, from an operator's point of I view, what was so wrong with the Bermuda Agreement that the UK Government denounced it, to what extent Bermuda 2 has corrected that position and, in addition, put forward a few thoughts on possible charter arrangements within Bermuda 2.

For over 30 years, the Bermuda Agreement of 1946 set the framework for UK/US civil aviation affairs—and served for perhaps 15 to 20 years in form and in reality as the prototype for most civil aviation agreements in the free world.

By the late 1960s, however, there were few bilateral air agreements involving countries other than the USA which did not in some way control capacity. Despite the almost invariable Bermuda façade, the effect of attaching confidential understandings between governments to the published Bermuda text was to control capacity in one way or another.
The United States attitude: a view from TWA
Authors: Taylor Thomas K.
Published: March 2023

Responses to Bermuda 2 in the United States range from cheers to castigation and from praise to predictions of doom. I have included in these remarks quotations from various public figures in my country which illustrate the diversity of views held with respect to that agreement.

In order to grasp fully the spectrum of reactions to Bermuda 2, one must first understand current changes and developments in American aviation policy.

In order to understand our new policies, however, one must have an appreciation of political influences as they impact on our international aviation programmes.

Frankly, as I do not understand either the policies or the politics, this should make for a very short speech. I have a story to tell you, however, that should contribute to your perception and comprehensive of the American scene.
The United States attitude: a view from Pan Am
Authors: Schott Elihu
Published: March 2023

I have been asked to describe the American attitude toward Bermuda 2 from a Pan American perspective. I will not burden you at length with an introspective analysis of how happy or unhappy we are with the results. We did not anticipate that the negotiations would be a tea party, and the event was certainly not as universally acclaimed on the US side as was the Boston Tea Party (an affair whose 204th anniversary will be celebrated in about two weeks).

As you know, a good deal of dissatisfaction with Bermuda 2 has been expressed in various quarters in the United States, some of it informed and quite sincere, some of it unrealistic and exaggerated. Pan American, which thought it had the most to lose in the negotiations, was confirmed in that expectation. However, we have not engaged in sterile recrimination. The United States side was ably and effectively represented.Had the responsi-bility been ours, we cannot say that we could have made a better overall bargain given the ability and tenacity of the opposition and the need felt on both sides to reach an accommadation.
Finite image homomorphisms of the braid group and its generalizations
Authors: Scherich Nancy , Verberne Yvon
Published: March 2023

Using totally symmetric sets, Chudnovsky–Kordek–Li–Partin gave a superexponential lower bound on the cardinality of non-abelian finite quotients of the braid group. In this paper, we develop new techniques using multiple totally symmetric sets to count elements in non-abelian finite quotients of the braid group. Using these techniques, we improve the lower bound found by Chudnovsky et al. We exhibit totally symmetric sets in the virtual and welded braid groups and use our new techniques to find superexponential bounds for the finite quotients of the virtual and welded braid groups.
Haemoproteus jenniae (Haemoproteidae, Haemosporida) infects gulls (Larus spp.) in South Africa, with redescription of Haemoproteus skuae
Authors: Vanstreels Ralph E. T. , Chagas Carolina R. F. , Valkiūnas Gediminas , dos Anjos Carolina C. , Parsons Nola J. , Roberts David G. , Snyman Albert , Hurtado Renata , Kirchgatter Karin , Ludynia Katrin , Pistorius Pierre A.
Published: March 2023

Haemoproteus spp. are dipteran-borne protozoa that infect erythrocytes and reticulo-endothelial cells of birds. These parasites are not usually transmitted between birds belonging to different orders. The suborder Lari (order Charadriiformes) comprises ~170 avian species, the majority of which are aquatic, including gulls, terns, auklets, murres and skuas, among others. In spite of the diversity of this avian group, there is limited known diversity of haemosporidian parasites, with only 4 recorded Haemoproteus morphospecies thus far. We examined the blood smears of 21 kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus) captured at a breeding colony in South Africa, as well as Haemoproteus-positive archival blood smears of 15 kelp gulls and 1 Hartlaub's gull (Larus hartlaubii) sampled while under care at seabird rehabilitation facilities in South Africa. Haemoproteus sp. infection was detected in 19% of wild-caught kelp gulls. All parasites from the gulls were morphologically identified as Haemoproteus jenniae, a species previously recorded in Lari birds at the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador), Rocas Atoll (Brazil) and Poland. Gene sequencing uncovered a new cytochrome b lineage, LARDOM01, which was closely related to the previously reported H. jenniae lineage CREFUR01. Additionally, we evaluated a hapantotype blood smear of Haemoproteus skuae, which had been described infecting a brown skua (Catharacta antarctica) in South Africa. We provide a redescription of H. skuae and discuss the morphological characters distinguishing it from H. jenniae. Further research is necessary to improve our knowledge about the host and geographic distribution, health effects and phylogeny of H. jenniae and H. skuae.
Cannabis use and psychotic disorders in diverse settings in the Global South: findings from INTREPID II
Authors: Lee Pow Joni , Donald Casswina , di Forti Marta , Roberts Tessa , Weiss Helen A. , Ayinde Olatunde , John Sujit , Olley Bola , Ojagbemi Akin , Esponda Georgina Miguel , Lam Joseph , Poornachandrika Paramasivam , Dazzan Paola , Gaughran Fiona , Kannan Palaniyandi Ponnusamy , Sudhakar Selvaraju , Burns Jonathan , Chiliza Bonginkosi ,   INTREPID Group, Cohen Alex , Gureje Oye , Thara Rangaswamy , Murray Robin M. , Morgan Craig , Hutchinson Gerard
Published: March 2023

Background

Cannabis use has been linked to psychotic disorders but this association has been primarily observed in the Global North. This study investigates patterns of cannabis use and associations with psychoses in three Global South (regions within Latin America, Asia, Africa and Oceania) settings.

Methods

Case–control study within the International Programme of Research on Psychotic Disorders (INTREPID) II conducted between May 2018 and September 2020. In each setting, we recruited over 200 individuals with an untreated psychosis and individually-matched controls (Kancheepuram India; Ibadan, Nigeria; northern Trinidad). Controls, with no past or current psychotic disorder, were individually-matched to cases by 5-year age group, sex and neighbourhood. Presence of psychotic disorder assessed using the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry and cannabis exposure measured by the World Health Organisation Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST).

Results

Cases reported higher lifetime and frequent cannabis use than controls in each setting. In Trinidad, cannabis use was associated with increased odds of psychotic disorder: lifetime cannabis use (adj. OR 1.58, 95% CI 0.99–2.53); frequent cannabis use (adj. OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.10–3.60); cannabis dependency (as measured by high ASSIST score) (adj. OR 4.70, 95% CI 1.77–12.47), early age of first use (adj. OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.03–3.27). Cannabis use in the other two settings was too rare to examine associations.

Conclusions

In line with previous studies, we found associations between cannabis use and the occurrence and age of onset of psychoses in Trinidad. These findings have implications for strategies for prevention of psychosis.
Prometheus caged: The exiling of Napoleon and the Law of Nations, 1814–1821
Authors: Rowe Adam
Published: March 2023

This article explores the exiling of Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of the French, in 1814 and 1815. It argues that in confronting Napoleon’s sovereignty and trying to remove him, the allies were forced to make a highly pragmatic, improvisational, and incoherent use of international law. Much of this stemmed from that fact that they were trying to implement a Great Powers political system within and through a legal system that was antithetical to any such concept. Because of this the allies move between employing traditional, domestic understandings of sovereignty, to treating sovereignty as something capable of international control and distribution. This results in an incoherent legal argument and narrative, with each turn of the tale adding layer upon layer of further confusion and contradiction. The conclusion of all this is Napoleon’s miserable dispatch to St. Helena by the British government – speedily done and in fear of a legal challenge.
Seed germination of Cistanche armena (Orobanchaceae), a rare endangered holoparasitic species endemic to Armenia
Authors: Krasylenko Yuliya , Hýlová Adelá , Sosnovsky Yevhen , Ulbrichová Markéta , Spíchal Lukáš , Piwowarczyk Renata
Published: March 2023

The obligate root parasite Cistanche armena is a recently rediscovered, extremely rare endangered species endemic to Armenia, specifically parasitizing camelthorn (Alhagi maurorum, Fabaceae) and saltwort (Salsola dendroides, Chenopodiaceae). Its populations are reputedly declining due to habitat destruction and biotic impacts. Since the only known means of its reproduction is via the seeds, understanding the mechanisms of breaking C. armena seed dormancy and germination along with the related aspects of the species’ biology is highly important both from fundamental (functional ecology and evolution) and applied (conservation and management) perspectives. Here, we present the first in vitro seed germination protocol for C. armena involving fluridone, a systemic herbicide targeting the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. In addition, the seed micromorphology of C. armena is described using both light microscopy and lignin autofluorescence visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The actin cytoskeleton in radicle cells of germinated C. armena seedlings is described for the first time, being the proof of seed viability. Further elaboration and application of the proposed germination protocol with the cultivation of C. armena on susceptible hosts are altogether seen as a valuable tool for the conservation of this species.
Dust Lifting Through Surface Albedo Changes at Jezero Crater, Mars
Authors: Vicente‐Retortillo A. , Martínez G. M. , Lemmon M. T. , Hueso R. , Johnson J. R. , Sullivan R. , Newman C. E. , Sebastián E. , Toledo D. , Apéstigue V. , Arruego I. , Munguira A. , Sánchez‐Lavega A. , Murdoch N. , Gillier M. , Stott A. , Mora‐Sotomayor L. , Bertrand T. , Tamppari L. K. , Juárez M. de la Torre , Rodríguez‐Manfredi J.‐A.
Published: March 2023

We identify temporal variations in surface albedo at Jezero crater using first‐of‐their‐kind high‐cadence in‐situ measurements of reflected shortwave radiation during the first 350 sols of the Mars 2020 mission. Simultaneous Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA) measurements of pressure, radiative fluxes, winds, and sky brightness indicate that these albedo changes are caused by dust devils under typical conditions and by a dust storm at Ls ∼ 155°. The 17% decrease in albedo caused by the dust storm is one order of magnitude larger than the most apparent changes caused during quiescent periods by dust devils. Spectral reflectance measurements from Mastcam‐Z images before and after the storm indicate that the decrease in albedo is mainly caused by dust removal. The occurrence of albedo changes is affected by the intensity and proximity of the convective vortex, and the availability and mobility of small particles at the surface. The probability of observing an albedo change increases with the magnitude of the pressure drop (ΔP): changes were detected in 3.5%, 43%, and 100% of the dust devils with ΔP < 2.5 Pa, ΔP > 2.5 Pa and ΔP > 4.5 Pa, respectively. Albedo changes were associated with peak wind speeds above 15 m·s−1. We discuss dust removal estimates, the observed surface temperature changes coincident with albedo changes, and implications for solar‐powered missions. These results show synergies between multiple instruments (MEDA, Mastcam‐Z, Navcam, and the Supercam microphone) that improve our understanding of aeolian processes on Mars.
Earthquakes and Heavy Rainfall Influence on Aquifer Properties: A New Coupled Earth and Barometric Tidal Response Model in a Confined Bi‐Layer Aquifer
Authors: Thomas A. , Fortin J. , Vittecoq B. , Violette S.
Published: March 2023

Among the impacts of earthquakes on aquifers, permeability change is one of the most challenging to quantify, since techniques to measure permeability evolution are scarce. The study of tidal response of boreholes is one of the most promising, yet complex to use in practice. We used 14 years of piezometric level measurements and two concurrent source signals, earth tidal strain and barometric pressure, for which we separated the respective contribution in a state‐of‐the‐art tidal analysis. We developed a new general analytical hydrogeological model, based on geological observations of a confined bi‐layer aquifer. It is able to match combined observations of earth and barometric tide phase lags which could not be explained by existing models. We demonstrate that its relative complexity can be overcome thanks to the results of tidal analysis, yielding a simpler model adapted to the Fond Lahaye site of the Martinique Island. The resulting evolution of diffusivity and loading efficiency, was validated independently with several pumping tests occurring all along the studied period. The transient diffusivity increases and decreases indicate which earthquakes impacted the aquifer, enabling to establish an empirical magnitude‐distance relationship criterion. This criterion confirms the suspected dependence on dynamic stresses, which decrease as the square of the hypocentral distance. Additionally, we investigate two other factors of diffusivity changes: heavy rainfall events and aquifer withdrawals, which demonstrates the sensitivity of volcanic aquifers properties to environmental and anthropogenic influence.
Revitalising cancer trials post-pandemic: time for reform
Authors: Morton Cienne , Sullivan Richard , Sarker Debashis , Posner John , Spicer James
Published: March 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant risk to the health of cancer patients, compromised standard cancer care and interrupted clinical cancer trials, prompting dramatic streamlining of services. From this health crisis has emerged the opportunity to carry forward an unexpected legacy of positive reforms to clinical cancer research, where conventionally convoluted approvals processes, inefficient trial design, procedures and data gathering could benefit from the lessons in rationalisation learned during the pandemic.
The K/HDEL receptor does not recycle but instead acts as a Golgi-gatekeeper
Authors: Alvim Jonas C. , Bolt Robert M. , An Jing , Kamisugi Yasuko , Cuming Andrew , Silva-Alvim Fernanda A. L. , Concha Juan O. , daSilva Luis L. P. , Hu Meiyi , Hirsz Dominique , Denecke Jurgen
Published: March 2023

Accurately measuring the ability of the K/HDEL receptor (ERD2) to retain the ER cargo Amy-HDEL has questioned earlier results on which the popular receptor recycling model is based upon. Here we demonstrate that ERD2 Golgi-retention, rather than fast ER export supports its function. Ligand-induced ERD2 redistribution is only observed when the C-terminus is masked or mutated, compromising the signal that prevents Golgi-to-ER transport of the receptor. Forcing COPI mediated retrograde transport destroys receptor function, but introducing ER-to-Golgi export orcis-Golgi retention signals re-activate ERD2 when its endogenous Golgi-retention signal is masked or deleted. We propose that ERD2 remains fixed as a Golgi gatekeeper, capturing K/HDEL proteins when they arrive and releasing them again into a subdomain for retrograde transport back to the ER. An in vivo ligand:receptor ratio far greater than 100 to 1 strongly supports this model, and the underlying mechanism appears to be extremely conserved across kingdoms.
Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.75 clinical isolates
Authors: Uraki Ryuta , Iida Shun , Halfmann Peter J. , Yamayoshi Seiya , Hirata Yuichiro , Iwatsuki-Horimoto Kiyoko , Kiso Maki , Ito Mutsumi , Furusawa Yuri , Ueki Hiroshi , Sakai-Tagawa Yuko , Kuroda Makoto , Maemura Tadashi , Kim Taksoo , Mine Sohtaro , Iwamoto Noriko , Li Rong , Liu Yanan , Larson Deanna , Fukushi Shuetsu , Watanabe Shinji , Maeda Ken , Wang Zhongde , Ohmagari Norio , Theiler James , Fischer Will , Korber Bette , Imai Masaki , Suzuki Tadaki , Kawaoka Yoshihiro
Published: March 2023

The prevalence of the Omicron subvariant BA.2.75 rapidly increased in India and Nepal during the summer of 2022, and spread globally. However, the virological features of BA.2.75 are largely unknown. Here, we evaluated the replicative ability and pathogenicity of BA.2.75 clinical isolates in Syrian hamsters. Although we found no substantial differences in weight change among hamsters infected with BA.2, BA.5, or BA.2.75, the replicative ability of BA.2.75 in the lungs is higher than that of BA.2 and BA.5. Of note, BA.2.75 causes focal viral pneumonia in hamsters, characterized by patchy inflammation interspersed in alveolar regions, which is not observed in BA.5-infected hamsters. Moreover, in competition assays, BA.2.75 replicates better than BA.5 in the lungs of hamsters. These results suggest that BA.2.75 can cause more severe respiratory disease than BA.5 and BA.2 in a hamster model and should be closely monitored.
U.S. West Coast droughts and heat waves exacerbate pollution inequality and can evade emission control policies
Authors: Zeighami Amir , Kern Jordan , Yates Andrew J. , Weber Paige , Bruno August A.
Published: March 2023

Droughts reduce hydropower production and heatwaves increase electricity demand, forcing power system operators to rely more on fossil fuel power plants. However, less is known about how droughts and heat waves impact the county level distribution of health damages from power plant emissions. Using California as a case study, we simulate emissions from power plants under a 500-year synthetic weather ensemble. We find that human health damages are highest in hot, dry years. Counties with a majority of people of color and counties with high pollution burden (which are somewhat overlapping) are disproportionately impacted by increased emissions from power plants during droughts and heat waves. Taxing power plant operations based on each plant’s contribution to health damages significantly reduces average exposure. However, emissions taxes do not reduce air pollution damages on the worst polluting days, because supply scarcity (caused by severe heat waves) forces system operators to use every power plant available to avoid causing a blackout.
Directed growth and fusion of membrane-wall microdomains requires CASP-mediated inhibition and displacement of secretory foci
Authors: Barbosa Inês Catarina Ramos , De Bellis Damien , Flückiger Isabelle , Bellani Etienne , Grangé-Guerment Mathieu , Hématy Kian , Geldner Niko
Published: March 2023

Casparian strips (CS) are aligned bands of lignin-impregnated cell walls, building an extracellular diffusion barrier in roots. Their structure profoundly differs from tight junctions (TJ), analogous structures in animals. Nonetheless, CS membrane domain (CSD) proteins 1-5 (CASP1-5) are homologues of occludins, TJ components. CASP-marked membranes display cell wall (matrix) adhesion and membrane protein exclusion. A full CASP knock-out now reveals CASPs are not needed for localized lignification, since correctly positioned lignin microdomains still form in the mutant. Ultra-structurally, however, these microdomains are disorganized, showing excessive cell wall growth, lack of exclusion zone and matrix adhesion, and impaired exocyst dynamics. Proximity-labelling identifies a Rab-GTPase subfamily, known exocyst activators, as potential CASP-interactors and demonstrate their localization and function at the CSD. We propose that CASP microdomains displace initial secretory foci by excluding vesicle tethering factors, thereby ensuring rapid fusion of microdomains into a membrane-cell wall band that seals the extracellular space.
Solution-grown BiI/BiI3 van der Waals heterostructures for sensitive X-ray detection
Authors: Zhuang Renzhong , Cai Songhua , Mei Zengxia , Liang Huili , Zhao Ningjiu , Mu Haoran , Yu Wenzhi , Jiang Yan , Yuan Jian , Lau Shuping , Deng Shiming , Han Mingyue , Jin Peng , Wang Cailin , Zhang Guangyu , Lin Shenghuang
Published: March 2023

X-ray detectors must be operated at minimal doses to reduce radiation health risks during X-ray security examination or medical inspection, therefore requiring high sensitivity and low detection limits. Although organolead trihalide perovskites have rapidly emerged as promising candidates for X-ray detection due to their low cost and remarkable performance, these materials threaten the safety of the human body and environment due to the presence of lead. Here we present the realization of highly sensitive X-ray detectors based on an environmentally friendly solution-grown thick BiI/BiI3/BiI (BixIy) van der Waals heterostructure. The devices exhibit anisotropic X-ray detection response with a sensitivity up to 4.3 × 104 μC Gy−1 cm−2 and a detection limit as low as 34 nGy s−1. At the same time, our BixIy detectors demonstrate high environmental and hard radiation stabilities. Our work motivates the search for new van der Waals heterostructure classes to realize high-performance X-ray detectors and other optoelectronic devices without employing toxic elements.
Subjective signal strength distinguishes reality from imagination
Authors: Dijkstra Nadine , Fleming Stephen M.
Published: March 2023

Humans are voracious imaginers, with internal simulations supporting memory, planning and decision-making. Because the neural mechanisms supporting imagery overlap with those supporting perception, a foundational question is how reality and imagination are kept apart. One possibility is that the intention to imagine is used to identify and discount self-generated signals during imagery. Alternatively, because internally generated signals are generally weaker, sensory strength is used to index reality. Traditional psychology experiments struggle to investigate this issue as subjects can rapidly learn that real stimuli are in play. Here, we combined one-trial-per-participant psychophysics with computational modelling and neuroimaging to show that imagined and perceived signals are in fact intermixed, with judgments of reality being determined by whether this intermixed signal is strong enough to cross a reality threshold. A consequence of this account is that when virtual or imagined signals are strong enough, they become subjectively indistinguishable from reality.
One-pot synthesis of hyperbranched polymers via visible light regulated switchable catalysis
Authors: Zhu Shuaishuai , Zhao Maoji , Zhou Hongru , Wen Yingfeng , Wang Yong , Liao Yonggui , Zhou Xingping , Xie Xiaolin
Published: March 2023

Switchable catalysis promises exceptional efficiency in synthesizing polymers with ever-increasing structural complexity. However, current achievements in such attempts are limited to constructing linear block copolymers. Here we report a visible light regulated switchable catalytic system capable of synthesizing hyperbranched polymers in a one-pot/two-stage procedure with commercial glycidyl acrylate (GA) as a heterofunctional monomer. Using (salen)CoIIICl (1) as the catalyst, the ring-opening reaction under a carbon monoxide atmosphere occurs with high regioselectivity (>99% at the methylene position), providing an alkoxycarbonyl cobalt acrylate intermediate (2a) during the first stage. Upon exposure to light, the reaction enters the second stage, wherein2aserves as a polymerizable initiator for organometallic-mediated radical self-condensing vinyl polymerization (OMR-SCVP). Given the organocobalt chain-end functionality of the resulting hyperbranched poly(glycidyl acrylate) (hb-PGA), a further chain extension process gives access to a core-shell copolymer with brush-on-hyperbranched arm architecture. Notably, the post-modification with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) affords a metal-freehb-PGA that simultaneously improves the toughness and glass transition temperature of epoxy thermosets, while maintaining their storage modulus.
Pan-cancer classification of single cells in the tumour microenvironment
Authors: Nofech-Mozes Ido , Soave David , Awadalla Philip , Abelson Sagi
Published: March 2023

Single-cell RNA sequencing can reveal valuable insights into cellular heterogeneity within tumour microenvironments (TMEs), paving the way for a deep understanding of cellular mechanisms contributing to cancer. However, high heterogeneity among the same cancer types and low transcriptomic variation in immune cell subsets present challenges for accurate, high-resolution confirmation of cells’ identities. Here we present scATOMIC; a modular annotation tool for malignant and non-malignant cells. We trained scATOMIC on >300,000 cancer, immune, and stromal cells defining a pan-cancer reference across 19 common cancers and employ a hierarchical approach, outperforming current classification methods. We extensively confirm scATOMIC’s accuracy on 225 tumour biopsies encompassing >350,000 cancer and a variety of TME cells. Lastly, we demonstrate scATOMIC’s practical significance to accurately subset breast cancers into clinically relevant subtypes and predict tumours’ primary origin across metastatic cancers. Our approach represents a broadly applicable strategy to analyse multicellular cancer TMEs.
Mid-gap trap state-mediated dark current in organic photodiodes
Authors: Sandberg Oskar J. , Kaiser Christina , Zeiske Stefan , Zarrabi Nasim , Gielen Sam , Maes Wouter , Vandewal Koen , Meredith Paul , Armin Ardalan
Published: March 2023

Photodiodes are ubiquitous in industry and consumer electronics. Constantly emerging new applications for photodiodes demand different mechanical and optoelectronic properties from those provided by conventional inorganic-based semiconductor devices. This has stimulated considerable interest in the use of organic semiconductors, which provide a vast palette of available optoelectronic properties, can be incorporated into flexible form factor geometries, and promise low-cost, low-embodied energy manufacturing from earth-abundant materials. The sensitivity of a photodiode depends critically on the dark current. Organic photodiodes (OPDs), however, are characterized by a much higher dark current than expected for thermally excited radiative transitions. Here we show that the dark saturation current in OPDs is fundamentally limited by mid-gap trap states. This new insight is generated by the universal trend observed for the dark saturation current of a large set of OPDs and further substantiated by sensitive external-quantum-efficiency- and temperature-dependent current measurements. Based on this insight, an upper limit for the specific detectivity is established. A detailed understanding of the origins of noise in any detector is fundamental to defining performance limitations and thus is critical to materials and device selection, and design and optimization for all applications. Our work establishes these important principles for OPDs.
Ascending neurons convey behavioral state to integrative sensory and action selection brain regions
Authors: Chen Chin-Lin , Aymanns Florian , Minegishi Ryo , Matsuda Victor D. V. , Talabot Nicolas , Günel Semih , Dickson Barry J. , Ramdya Pavan
Published: March 2023

Knowing one’s own behavioral state has long been theorized as critical for contextualizing dynamic sensory cues and identifying appropriate future behaviors. Ascending neurons (ANs) in the motor system that project to the brain are well positioned to provide such behavioral state signals. However, what ANs encode and where they convey these signals remains largely unknown. Here, through large-scale functional imaging in behaving animals and morphological quantification, we report the behavioral encoding and brain targeting of hundreds of genetically identifiable ANs in the adult fly,Drosophila melanogaster. We reveal that ANs encode behavioral states, specifically conveying self-motion to the anterior ventrolateral protocerebrum, an integrative sensory hub, as well as discrete actions to the gnathal ganglia, a locus for action selection. Additionally, AN projection patterns within the motor system are predictive of their encoding. Thus, ascending populations are well poised to inform distinct brain hubs of self-motion and ongoing behaviors and may provide an important substrate for computations that are required for adaptive behavior.
Assessing the development of mental fatigue during simulated flights with concurrent EEG-fNIRS measurement
Authors: Hamann Anneke , Carstengerdes Nils
Published: March 2023

Mental fatigue (MF) can impair pilots’ performance and reactions to unforeseen events and is therefore an important concept within aviation. The physiological measurement of MF, especially with EEG and, in recent years, fNIRS, has gained much attention. However, a systematic investigation and comparison of the measurements is seldomly done. We induced MF via time on task during a 90-min simulated flight task and collected concurrent EEG-fNIRS, performance and self-report data from 31 participants. While their subjective MF increased linearly, the participants were able to keep their performance stable over the course of the experiment. EEG data showed an early increase and levelling in parietal alpha power and a slower, but steady increase in frontal theta power. No consistent trend could be observed in the fNIRS data. Thus, more research on fNIRS is needed to understand its possibilities and limits for MF assessment, and a combination with EEG is advisable to compare and validate results. Until then, EEG remains the better choice for continuous MF assessment in cockpit applications because of its high sensitivity to a transition from alert to fatigued, even before performance is impaired.
Phase prediction and experimental realisation of a new high entropy alloy using machine learning
Authors: Singh Swati , Katiyar Nirmal Kumar , Goel Saurav , Joshi Shrikrishna N.
Published: March 2023

Nearly ~ 108types of High entropy alloys (HEAs) can be developed from about 64 elements in the periodic table. A major challenge for materials scientists and metallurgists at this stage is to predict their crystal structure and, therefore, their mechanical properties to reduce experimental efforts, which are energy and time intensive. Through this paper, we show that it is possible to use machine learning (ML) in this arena for phase prediction to develop novel HEAs. We tested five robust algorithms namely, K-nearest neighbours (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), decision tree classifier (DTC), random forest classifier (RFC) and XGBoost (XGB) in their vanilla form (base models) on a large dataset screened specifically from experimental data concerning HEA fabrication using melting and casting manufacturing methods. This was necessary to avoid the discrepancy inherent with comparing HEAs obtained from different synthesis routes as it causes spurious effects while treating an imbalanced data—an erroneous practice we observed in the reported literature. We found that (i) RFC model predictions were more reliable in contrast to other models and (ii) the synthetic data augmentation is not a neat practice in materials science specially to develop HEAs, where it cannot assure phase information reliably. To substantiate our claim, we compared the vanilla RFC (V-RFC) model for original data (1200 datasets) with SMOTE-Tomek links augmented RFC (ST-RFC) model for the new datasets (1200 original + 192 generated = 1392 datasets). We found that although the ST-RFC model showed a higher average test accuracy of 92%, no significant breakthroughs were observed, when testing the number of correct and incorrect predictions using confusion matrix and ROC-AUC scores for individual phases. Based on our RFC model, we report the development of a new HEA (Ni25Cu18.75Fe25Co25Al6.25) exhibiting an FCC phase proving the robustness of our predictions.
Music that is used while studying and music that is used for sleep share similar musical features, genres and subgroups
Authors: Scarratt Rebecca Jane , Heggli Ole Adrian , Vuust Peter , Sadakata Makiko
Published: March 2023

Music is an integral part of daily human life, and certain types of music are often associated with certain contexts, such as specific music for sleeping or for studying. The mood-arousal hypothesis suggests that music used for studying should be uplifting to boost arousal and increase cognitive performance while previous studies suggest that music used as a sleep aid should be calm, gentle and slow to decrease arousal. In this study, we created the Study music dataset by collecting tracks from Spotify playlists with the words ‘study’ or ‘studying’ in the title or description. In comparison with a pre-existing dataset, the Sleep music dataset, we show that the music’s audio features, as defined by Spotify, are highly similar. Additionally, they share most of the same genres and have similar subgroups after a k-means clustering analysis. We suggest that both sleep music and study music aim to create a pleasant but not too disturbing auditory environment, which enables one to focus on studying and to lower arousal for sleeping. Using large Spotify-based datasets, we were able to uncover similarities between music used in two different contexts one would expect to be different.
Machine learning at the edge for AI-enabled multiplexed pathogen detection
Authors: Ganjalizadeh Vahid , Meena Gopikrishnan G. , Stott Matthew A. , Hawkins Aaron R. , Schmidt Holger
Published: March 2023

Multiplexed detection of biomarkers in real-time is crucial for sensitive and accurate diagnosis at the point of use. This scenario poses tremendous challenges for detection and identification of signals of varying shape and quality at the edge of the signal-to-noise limit. Here, we demonstrate a robust target identification scheme that utilizes a Deep Neural Network (DNN) for multiplex detection of single particles and molecular biomarkers. The model combines fast wavelet particle detection with Short-Time Fourier Transform analysis, followed by DNN identification on an AI-specific edge device (Google Coral Dev board). The approach is validated using multi-spot optical excitation of Klebsiella Pneumoniae bacterial nucleic acids flowing through an optofluidic waveguide chip that produces fluorescence signals of varying amplitude, duration, and quality. Amplification-free 3× multiplexing in real-time is demonstrated with excellent specificity, sensitivity, and a classification accuracy of 99.8%. These results show that a minimalistic DNN design optimized for mobile devices provides a robust framework for accurate pathogen detection using compact, low-cost diagnostic devices.
Antiviral activity of marine sulfated glycans against pathogenic human coronaviruses
Authors: Zoepfl Mary , Dwivedi Rohini , Kim Seon Beom , McVoy Michael A. , Pomin Vitor H.
Published: March 2023

Great interest exists towards the discovery and development of broad-spectrum antivirals. This occurs due to the frequent emergence of new viruses which can also eventually lead to pandemics. A reasonable and efficient strategy to develop new broad-spectrum antivirals relies on targeting a common molecular player of various viruses. Heparan sulfate is a sulfated glycosaminoglycan present on the surface of cells which plays a key role as co-receptor in many virus infections. In previous work, marine sulfated glycans (MSGs) were identified as having antiviral activities. Their mechanism of action relies primarily on competitive inhibition of virion binding to heparan sulfate, preventing virus attachment to the cell surface prior to entry. In the current work we used pseudotyped lentivirus particles to investigate in a comparative fashion the inhibitory properties of five structurally defined MSGs against SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, and influenza A virus (IAV). MSGs include the disaccharide-repeating sulfated galactan from the red alga Botryocladia occidentalis, the tetrasaccharide-repeating sulfated fucans from the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus and from the sea cucumber Isostichopus badionotus, and the two marine fucosylated chondroitin sulfates from the sea cucumbers I. badionotus and Pentacta pygmaea. Results indicate specificity of action against SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. Curiously, the MSGs showed decreased inhibitory potencies against MERS-CoV and negligible action against IAV. Among the five MSGs, the two sulfated fucans here studied deserve further attention since they have the lowest anticoagulant effects but still present potent and selective antiviral properties.
Development and clinical validation of Swaasa AI platform for screening and prioritization of pulmonary TB
Authors: Yellapu Gayatri Devi , Rudraraju Gowrisree , Sripada Narayana Rao , Mamidgi Baswaraj , Jalukuru Charan , Firmal Priyanka , Yechuri Venkat , Varanasi Sowmya , Peddireddi Venkata Sudhakar , Bhimarasetty Devi Madhavi , Kanisetti Sidharth , Joshi Niranjan , Mohapatra Prasant , Pamarthi Kiran
Published: March 2023

Acoustic signal analysis has been employed in various medical devices. However, studies involving cough sound analysis to screen the potential pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) suspects are very few. The main objective of this cross-sectional validation study was to develop and validate the Swaasa AI platform to screen and prioritize at risk patients for PTB based on the signature cough sound as well as symptomatic information provided by the subjects. The voluntary cough sound data was collected at Andhra Medical College-India. An Algorithm based on multimodal convolutional neural network architecture and feedforward artificial neural network (tabular features) was built and validated on a total of 567 subjects, comprising 278 positive and 289 negative PTB cases. The output from these two models was combined to detect the likely presence (positive cases) of PTB. In the clinical validation phase, the AI-model was found to be 86.82% accurate in detecting the likely presence of PTB with 90.36% sensitivity and 84.67% specificity. The pilot testing of model was conducted at a peripheral health care centre, RHC Simhachalam-India on 65 presumptive PTB cases. Out of which, 15 subjects truly turned out to be PTB positive with a positive predictive value of 75%. The validation results obtained from the model are quite encouraging. This platform has the potential to fulfil the unmet need of a cost-effective PTB screening method. It works remotely, presents instantaneous results, and does not require a highly trained operator. Therefore, it could be implemented in various inaccessible, resource-poor parts of the world.
The inhibitive action of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole on the porosity of corrosion film formed on aluminum and aluminum–titanium alloys in hydrochloric acid solution
Authors: El-Sayed Abdel-Rahman , El-Hendawy Morad M. , El-Mahdy Mohamed Sarwat , Hassan Fatma S. M. , Mohamed Adila E.
Published: March 2023

2-Mercaptobenzothiazole (2-MBT) in a solution of 0.5 M HCl is an effective corrosion inhibitor for aluminum and aluminum–titanium alloys. Tafel polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were employed to assess this heterocyclic compound’s anticorrosive potential and complementary by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and calculating porosity percentage in the absence and presence of various inhibitor concentrations. Inhibition efficiency (IE%) was strongly related to concentration (10–6–10–3 M). Temperature’s effect on corrosion behavior was investigated. The data exhibited that theIE% decreases as the temperature increases. An increase in activation energy (Ea) with increasing the inhibitor concentration and the decrease in theIE% value of the mentioned compound with raising the temperature indicates that the inhibitor molecules are adsorbed physically on the surface. Thermodynamic activation parameters for Al and Al–Ti alloy dissolution in both 0.5 M HCl and the inhibited solution were calculated and discussed. According to Langmuir’s adsorption isotherm, the inhibitor molecules were adsorbed. The evaluated standard values of the enthalpy ($$\Delta {H}_{ads.}^{o})$$ΔHads.o), entropy ($$\Delta {S}_{ads.}^{o})$$ΔSads.o)and free energy changes ($$\Delta {G}_{ads.}^{o})$$ΔGads.o)showed that$$\Delta {H}_{ads.}^{o}$$ΔHads.oand$$\Delta {G}_{ads.}^{o}$$ΔGads.oare negative, while$$\Delta {S}_{ads.}^{o}$$ΔSads.owas positive. The formation of a protective layer adsorbed on the surfaces of the substrates was confirmed with the surface analysis (SEM). The porosity percentage is significantly reduced in the inhibitor presence and gradually decreased with increasing concentration. Furthermore, the density functional theory (DFT) and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations were employed to explain the variance in protecting the Al surface from corrosion. Interestingly, the theoretical findings align with their experimental counterparts. The planarity of 2-MBT and the presence of heteroatoms are the playmakers in the adsorption process.
A universal model for the Lorenz curve with novel applications for datasets containing zeros and/or exhibiting extreme inequality
Authors: Sitthiyot Thitithep , Holasut Kanyarat
Published: March 2023

Given that the existing parametric functional forms for the Lorenz curve do not fit all possible size distributions, a universal parametric functional form is introduced. By using the empirical data from different scientific disciplines and also the hypothetical data, this study shows that, the proposed model fits not only the data whose actual Lorenz plots have a typical convex segment but also the data whose actual Lorenz plots have both horizontal and convex segments practically well. It also perfectly fits the data whose observation is larger in size while the rest of observations are smaller and equal in size as characterized by two positive-slope linear segments. In addition, the proposed model has a closed-form expression for the Gini index, making it computationally convenient to calculate. Considering that the Lorenz curve and the Gini index are widely used in various disciplines of sciences, the proposed model and the closed-form expression for the Gini index could be used as alternative tools to analyze size distributions of non-negative quantities and examine their inequalities or unevennesses.
Retraction Note: High Expression of RIOK2 and NOB1 Predict Human Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Outcomes
Authors: Liu Kun , Chen Hong-Lin , Wang Shuo , Gu Ming-Ming , Chen Xin-Ming , Zhang Shuang-Long , Yu Kang-Jun , You Qing-Sheng
Published: March 2023

Editor's Note: this Article has been retracted; the Retraction Note is available at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-32033-5