bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technical note: 3D‐printed MRI‐compatible syringe pump
Authors: Holland Martin D. , Lee Seth , Kim Harrison
Published: October 2023

Background

A power injector is typically employed to deliver a contrast agent to a subject (e.g., humans, animals, phantoms) during MRI, but it is costly and cannot inject more than one subject at a time. Conventional syringe pumps housing multiple syringes are typically non‐MRI compatible and, thus, should be placed outside the MRI room.

Purpose

To develop the prototype of a cost‐effective, easy‐to‐use, reliable syringe pump that could be deployed inside a clinical MRI bore and operated on during a scan.

Methods

The MRI‐compatible syringe pump (MSP) was designed using Solidworks 3D modeling software and fabricated using a Raise3D Pro2 Printer. The MSP was designed to infuse up to three syringes simultaneously. The injection speed was mainly controlled with different gear sets in the escapement unit and further adjusted by changing the effective hairspring length via a pinch pin. The MSP was evaluated with three gear sets (gear ratios: 0.20:1, 0.56:1, and 1.09:1) and 10 different effective hairspring lengths at each gear ratio. A video was recorded while operating MSP at each injection speed to calculate the volume injection rate of a 5‐mL syringe (mL/s). The MSP was operated five times repeatedly at each injection speed, and the mean and standard deviation of the volume injection rate were calculated.

Results

The volume injection rates produced by three gear ratios (0.20:1, 0.56:1, and 1.09:1) were 0.209 ± 0.003 mL/s, 0.411 ± 0.002 mL/s, and 0.625 ± 0.006 mL/s, respectively, at the full hairspring length. The injection rates of gear set 1 (gear ratio: 0.20:1) decreased from 0.273 ± 0.001 mL/s to 0.245 ± 0.001 mL/s with a decrement of 0.003 mL/s for 10 different effective hairspring lengths (r = 0.997, p < 0.001). The injection rates of gear set 2 (gear ratio: 0.56:1) decreased from 0.519 ± 0.003 mL/s to 0.469 ± 0.003 mL/s with a decrement of 0.006 mL/s (r = 0.987, p < 0.001), and that of gear set 3 (gear ratio: 1.09:1) decreased from 0.779 ± 0.012 mL/s to 0.709 ± 0.005 mL/s with a decrement of 0.007 mL/s (r = 0.963, p < 0.001). The coefficient of variation in the injection rate measurement was 0.727 ± 0.346%.

Conclusions

The MSP is a portable device that can reliably deliver a liquid agent to multiple subjects inside a clinical MRI bore during a scan.
Electrical impedance myography in healthy volunteers
Authors: Offit Michelle B. , Mohammad Khanli Hadi , Wu Tianxia , Lehky Tanya J.
Published: October 2023

Introduction/Aims

Electrical impedance myography (EIM) is a noninvasive technique being used in clinical studies to characterize muscle by phase, reactance, and resistance after application of a low‐intensity current. The aim of this study was to obtain 50‐kHz EIM data from healthy volunteers (HVs) for use in future clinical and research studies, perform reliability tests on EIM outcome measures, and compare findings with muscle ultrasound variables.

Methods

Four arm and four leg muscles of HVs were evaluated using an EIM device with two sensors, P/N 20‐0045 and P/N 014‐009. Muscles were evaluated individually and eight‐muscle average (8MU), four‐muscle upper extremity average, and four‐muscle lower extremity average. An intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was applied to assess interrater, intrarater, and intersensor reliability using a subset of HVs. Ultrasound studies on muscle thickness and elastography were also performed on a subset of HVs.

Results

For the P/N 20‐0045 sensor, the 8MU EIM mean and standard deviation (n = 41) was 14.54 ± 3.31 for phase, 7.04 ± 1.22 for reactance, and 28.91 ± 7.63 for resistance. Reliability for 8MU phase (n = 22) was good to excellent for both interrater (n = 22, ICC = 0.920, 95% CI 0.820 to 0.966) and intrarater (n = 22, ICC = 0.950, 95% CI 0.778 to 0.983). The P/N 014‐009 sensor had similar reliability findings. Correlation analyses showed no association between EIM and muscle thickness.

Discussion

EIM is a reproducible measure of muscle physiology. Obtaining EIM values from HVs allows us to gain a better understanding how EIM may be altered in diseased muscle.
Rapid and in‐depth proteomic profiling of small extracellular vesicles for ultralow samples
Authors: Cross Jonathon , Rai Alin , Fang Haoyun , Claridge Bethany , Greening David W.
Published: October 2023

The integration of robust single‐pot, solid‐phase‐enhanced sample preparation with powerful liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) is routinely used to define the extracellular vesicle (EV) proteome landscape and underlying biology. However, EV proteome studies are often limited by sample availability, requiring upscaling cell cultures or larger volumes of biofluids to generate sufficient materials. Here, we have refined data independent acquisition (DIA)‐based MS analysis of EV proteome by optimizing both protein enzymatic digestion and chromatography gradient length (ranging from 15 to 44 min). Our short 15 min gradient length can reproducibly quantify 1168 (from as little as 500 pg of EV peptides) to 3882 proteins groups (from 50 ng peptides), including robust quantification of 22 core EV marker proteins. Compared to data‐dependent acquisition, DIA achieved significantly greater EV proteome coverage and quantification of low abundant protein species. Moreover, we have achieved optimal magnetic bead‐based sample preparation tailored to low quantities of EVs (0.5 to 1 µg protein) to obtain sufficient peptides for MS quantification of 1908–2340 protein groups. We demonstrate the power and robustness of our pipeline in obtaining sufficient EV proteomes granularity of different cell sources to ascertain known EV biology. This underscores the capacity of our optimised workflow to capture precise and comprehensive proteome of EVs, especially from ultra‐low sample quantities (sub‐nanogram), an important challenge in the field where obtaining in‐depth proteome information is essential.
Moving and staying in the context of the family: A review and an introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Mulder Clara H. , Gillespie Brian Joseph
Published: October 2023

We review the literature on the role of geographically nearby and distant family in moving and staying. We also introduce papers in the Special Issue ‘Moving and Staying in the Context of the Family’.
An ensemble reconstruction of ocean temperature, salinity, and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation 1960–2021
Authors: Hermanson Leon , Dunstone Nick , Eade Rosie , Smith Doug
Published: October 2023

Ocean reanalyses covering many decades, including those with few observations, are needed to understand climate variability and to initialize and assess interannual to decadal climate predictions. The Met Office Statistical Ocean Re‐Analysis (MOSORA) exploits long‐range covariances to generate full‐depth reanalyses of monthly ocean temperature and salinity even from sparse observations. We extend MOSORA by generating an ensemble that samples uncertainties in long‐range covariances. Initial covariances are taken from model runs and these are improved with observations using an iterative process. We demonstrate that covariances are improved by iteration, and that this procedure, using very sparse observations typical of the 1960s, captures many features of analyses benefiting from modern observation density. We investigate the ensemble spread and find that salinity trends in the covariances from model runs can introduce unexpected changes in the reanalyses. We nudge the reanalyses into an ensemble of coupled climate models to produce estimates of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). At 26°N, the AMOC shows decadal variability consistent with observations at this latitude and shows signs of strengthening in recent years. The ensemble spread in AMOC reconstructions increases with time as more observations interact with uncertain covariances. At 45°N, the amount of decadal variability in the AMOC varies between members, but on shorter timescales the variability is similar across the ensemble. At 45°N, the AMOC can be constrained better with more observations on the western boundary, but longer continuous observations are needed to improve covariances and reduce uncertainties in the AMOC.
Fixed‐time asymmetric barrier Lyapunov function‐based model‐free hybrid position/force control for 3‐DOF SEA‐based manipulator with output constraints
Authors: Wei Yangchun , Wang Haoping , Tian Yang
Published: October 2023

In this work, a fixed‐time asymmetric barrier Lyapunov function (BLF)‐based model‐free hybrid position/force controller (FBMHC) is proposed for 3‐DOF SEA‐based manipulator for large surface machining with asymmetric time‐varying output constraints. The proposed FBMHC has a dual‐loop structure, which consists of a force sub‐control loop and a position sub‐control loop. The force sub‐control loop converts the control of the interaction force into position control through the idea of impedance control. The position sub‐control loop is designed under the model‐free control framework, which includes asymmetric time‐varying BLF, time‐delay estimator (TDE), and adaptive compensation term, so as to reduce the complexity of controller design and keep the joint angles within the asymmetric time‐varying output constraints. Strict mathematical derivation proves that the proposed method can achieve fixed‐time convergence, so the influence of the initial value on the control effect is reduced. Finally, the effectiveness of FBMHC is verified by comparison simulation with TDE‐intelligent PD and finite time BLF‐based model‐free control.
Breaking Through the Trade‐Off Between Wide Band Gap and Large SHG Coefficient in Mercury‐Based Chalcogenides for IR Nonlinear Optical Application
Authors: Ran Mao‐Yin , Zhou Sheng‐Hua , Wei Wen‐Bo , Li Bing‐Xuan , Wu Xin‐Tao , Lin Hua , Zhu Qi‐Long
Published: October 2023

It is substantially challenging for non‐centrosymmetric (NCS) Hg‐based chalcogenides for infrared nonlinear optical (IR‐NLO) applications to realize wide band gap (Eg > 3.0 eV) and sufficient phase‐matching (PM) second‐harmonic‐generation intensity (deff > 1.0 × benchmark AgGaS2) simultaneously due to the inherent incompatibility. To address this issue, this work presents a diagonal synergetic substitution strategy for creating two new NCS quaternary Hg‐based chalcogenides, AEHgGeS4 (AE = Sr and Ba), based on the centrosymmetric (CS) AEIn2S4. The derived AEHgGeS4 displays excellent NLO properties such as a wide Eg (≈3.04–3.07 eV), large PM deff (≈2.2–3.0 × AgGaS2), ultra‐high laser‐induced damage threshold (≈14.8–15 × AgGaS2), and suitable Δn (≈0.19–0.24@2050 nm), making them highly promising candidates for IR‐NLO applications. Importantly, such excellent second‐order NLO properties are primarily attributed to the synergistic combination of tetrahedral [HgS4] and [GeS4] functional primitives, as supported by detailed theoretical calculations. This study reports the first two NCS Hg‐based materials with well‐balanced comprehensive properties (i.e., Eg > 3.0 eV and deff > 1.0 × benchmark AgGaS2) and puts forward a new design avenue for the construction of more efficient IR‐NLO candidates.
Self‐Adaptive Droplet Bouncing on a Dual Gradient Surface
Authors: Wu Chenyang , Qin Xuezhi , Zheng Huanxi , Xu Zhenyu , Song Yuxin , Jin Yuankai , Zhang Huanhuan , Mo Jiaying , Li Wanbo , Lu Jian , Wang Zuankai
Published: October 2023

Rapid detachment of impacting droplets from underlying substrate is highly preferred for mass, momentum, and energy exchange in many practical applications. Driven by this, the past several years have witnessed a surge in engineering macrotexture to reduce solid‐liquid contact time. Despite these advances, these strategies in reducing contact time necessitate the elegant control of either the spatial location for droplet contact or the range of impacting velocity. Here, this work circumvents these limitations by designing a dual gradient surface consisting of a vertical spacing gradient made of tapered pillar arrays and a lateral curvature gradient characterized as macroscopic convex. This design enables the impacting droplets to self‐adapt to asymmetric or pancake bouncing mode accordingly, which renders significant contact time reduction (up to ≈70%) for a broad range of impacting velocities (≈0.4–1.4 m s−1) irrespective of the spatial impacting location. This new design provides a new insight for designing liquid‐repellent surfaces, and offers opportunities for applications including dropwise condensation, energy conversion, and anti‐icing.
Micro‐ and Nanomanufacturing for Biomedical Applications and Nanomedicine: A Perspective
Authors: Wang Fanjin , Harker Anthony , Edirisinghe Mohan , Parhizkar Maryam
Published: October 2023

Almost a century's dedicated research into micro‐ and nanomaterials has yielded fruitful development of preparation methods, achieving fine control over product properties among a broad spectrum of materials. One critical application of these materials lies within the healthcare sector for diagnostic, prophylactic, and therapeutic purposes. However, bench‐to‐bedside translations are still hindered by some unmet demands, especially the scaling‐up from lab‐scale preparation to industry‐level production. The current review recapitulates the strategies of micro‐ and nanomaterial preparation from a holistic viewpoint. The similarities in synthesis and processing methods for various types of materials are highlighted. Furthermore, patents of commercialized nanomedicines are revisited to reveal a solid progress of micro‐ and nanomanufacturing in the last decade. In conclusion, further interdisciplinary research between fields in materials manufacturing is beneficial for the clinical translation and eventually unleashing the power of materials at small dimensions.
Iontophoresis‐Driven Microneedle Arrays Delivering Transgenic Outer Membrane Vesicles in Program that Stimulates Transcutaneous Vaccination for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Wang Maoze , Yan Ge , Xiao Qiyao , Zhou Nan , Chen Hao-Ran , Xia Wei , Peng Lihua
Published: October 2023

Transdermal delivery of antigen and chemokine proteins that activates the maturation of skin dendritic cells (DCs) and direct the migration of activated DCs to lymph and spleen is an important alternative to conventional vaccines. However, stratum corneum forms a barrier to skin penetration. The poor cellular uptake of free antigens and chemokines also limits transcutaneous immunization efficacy. In this work, a pair of iontophoresis‐driven microneedle patches is constructed, of which, two kinds of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) derived from Escherichia coli transformed by plasmid encoding gp100 (IPMN‐G) and chemokine ligand 21 (IPMN‐C) are incorporated within microneedles, respectively. The topical application of IPMN‐G and IPMN‐C shows the effectiveness of transdermally delivering gp100 and CCL21 secreting vesicles to skin DCs. With iontophoresis as a driving generator, the release and uptake of transgenic OMVs in target cells are significantly enhanced, with transcutaneous immunization initiated. The in vivo applications of IPMN‐G and IPMN‐C with a 12 h interval retard the progression and prevent the occurrence of tumor spheroids. IPMN‐GC is shown as a promising triplatform in engineering transgenic OMV‐incorporated microneedles, driven by iontophoresis into a transcutaneous vaccine, providing a noninvasive system for the transdermal delivery of antigen and chemokine proteins for transcutaneous vaccination‐meditated immunotherapy.
Homogeneity of marginal distributions for a large number of populations
Authors: Alba‐Fernández M. V. , Jiménez‐Gamero M. D.
Published: October 2023

Assume that a random vector is observed in populations and independent samples of that random vector are available at each population. Assume that and have the same dimension. Our purpose is to test the equality of the marginal distributions of and in the populations when is large compared to the sample sizes. With this aim, we propose and study a test statistic that compares the empirical characteristic functions of the marginal distributions. Under the null, the test statistic is asymptotically free‐distributed. An expression of the asymptotic power is also derived, which allows to study the consistency of the test. No assumption is made on the distribution of and , which can be continuous, discrete or mixed; moreover, no assumption is made about moments. A simulation study investigates the finite sample performance of the new test. The proposal is applied to study air pollution levels that are directly related to environmental health, in all countries where observations are available.
Teaching for Social Justice: A Teacher Researcher's Journey and Evolution
Authors: Wild Norline R.
Published: October 2023

This article (a) explores the experience of an early childhood teacher researcher as she intentionally uses interactive read‐alouds to promote social justice and to encourage critical consciousness in her preschool classroom and (b) offers guidance for educators to embark on their own social justice journey. Over the course of a 2‐year study, the teacher engaged the children with 12 books. Findings describe the personal and professional evolution of the teacher researcher as social justice became her “way of being.” As she studied and reflected on issues of oppression and equity, and considered her own classroom read‐alouds, she shifted her approach from centering social–emotional learning to social justice. This shift was marked by changes in book selection and presentation and by two key turning points. Findings also detail the roles the teacher adopted as she explored books with her students and illustrate how these roles supported and prompted social justice. Self‐reflection points and steps are included to support educators in teaching for social justice.
Role of late first‐trimester ultrasound in women with a positive NIPT result
Authors: Han J. , Li D.‐Z.
Published: October 2023

This Correspondence comments on Scott et al. Click here to view the article.
Device Information and Kernel Specialization
Authors: Reinders James , Ashbaugh Ben , Brodman James , Kinsner Michael , Pennycook John , Tian Xinmin
Published: October 2023

Chapter 12 explores how to write SYCL applications that adapt to the devices present at runtime and how to define kernels that are specialized for execution on specific devices. Adaptation and specialization are optional, but these techniques can enable applications to achieve higher performance levels with minimal impact on portability and programmer productivity.
Programming for FPGAs
Authors: Reinders James , Ashbaugh Ben , Brodman James , Kinsner Michael , Pennycook John , Tian Xinmin
Published: October 2023

Chapter 17 raises considerations to keep in mind when targeting FPGAs using C++ with SYCL. It describes mappings from device code to FPGA devices, how FPGA software and hardware execute a SYCL application, and tips and techniques to keep in mind when writing and optimizing parallel kernels for an FPGA.
Libraries
Authors: Reinders James , Ashbaugh Ben , Brodman James , Kinsner Michael , Pennycook John , Tian Xinmin
Published: October 2023

Chapter 18 covers libraries – specifically SYCL built-in functions, using C++ standard library functions in kernels, and C++ parallel algorithms. Understanding which libraries can be used safely in device code and how host-side libraries can be configured to leverage SYCL is crucial to being a productive SYCL programmer.
Expressing Parallelism
Authors: Reinders James , Ashbaugh Ben , Brodman James , Kinsner Michael , Pennycook John , Tian Xinmin
Published: October 2023

Chapter 4 marks the transition from simple teaching examples toward real-world parallel code and expands upon details of the code samples we have casually shown in prior chapters. Chapter 4 explains the strengths and weaknesses of the different ways to express parallelism in SYCL using working code examples and concludes with some high-level guidance regarding when and why to use different SYCL features.
Communication and Synchronization
Authors: Reinders James , Ashbaugh Ben , Brodman James , Kinsner Michael , Pennycook John , Tian Xinmin
Published: October 2023

Chapter 9 revisits the question of how to break up a problem into bite-sized chunks in our continuing quest to Think Parallel. This chapter provides more detail regarding explicit ND-range kernels and describes how groupings of work-items may be used to improve the performance of some types of algorithms. It describes how groups of work-items provide additional guarantees for how parallel work is executed and introduces language features that support groupings of work-items.
Evolution of the Diploid Species of the Sub-tribe Triticineae
Authors: Feldman Moshe , Levy Avraham A.
Published: October 2023

Based on the phylogenetic relationships, the diploid species of the sub-tribe Triticineae are classified in five clades. The phylogenetic relationships within and between clades are discussed at length in this chapter.
Evolution of Wheat Under Cultivation
Authors: Feldman Moshe , Levy Avraham A.
Published: October 2023

The chapter deals with the various steps, periods, and processes that led to the domestication of the wheat as well as with the archaeological sites where domestication took place. Additionally, the chapter describes the ecogeographical characteristics of the area of wheat domestication, the selection of non-brittle rachis, large grain size, rapid and synchronous germination, free-threshing grains, and yield. The genetic basis of non-brittle rachis and free-threshing grains are delt with in details. The formation of hexaploid wheat, T. aestivum, and the spread of its free-threshing form to almost all parts of the globe to become the main cultivated wheat, are reviewed. The production of synthetic Triticum aestivum, and Triticale are also referred to in this chapter.
Secale L.
Authors: Feldman Moshe , Levy Avraham A.
Published: October 2023

The taxonomy of the three species of the genusSecaleis discussed followed by a description of their morphology, and account of their distribution, cytogenetics, and evolutionary aspects. The relationships of these species to one another and to other Triticineae, as well as processes that have led to the domestication ofSecale cereale, are reviewed too.
Sparse-Stochastic Model Reduction for 2D Euler Equations
Authors: Cifani Paolo , Ephrati Sagy , Viviani Milo
Published: October 2023

The 2D Euler equations are a simple but rich set of non-linear PDEs that describe the evolution of an ideal inviscid fluid, for which one dimension is negligible. Solving these equations numerically can be extremely demanding. Several techniques to obtain fast and accurate simulations have been developed during the last decades. In this paper, we present a novel approach that combines recent developments in stochastic model reduction and conservative semi-discretization of the Euler equations. In particular, starting from the Zeitlin model on the 2-sphere, we derive reduced dynamics for large scales and we close the equations either deterministically or with a suitable stochastic term. Numerical experiments show that, after an initial turbulent regime, the influence of small scales to large scales is negligible, even though a non-zero transfer of energy among different modes is present.
Effect of Transport Noise on Kelvin–Helmholtz Instability
Authors: Flandoli Franco , Morlacchi Silvia , Papini Andrea
Published: October 2023

The effect of transport noise on a 2D fluid may depend on the space-scale of the noise. We investigate numerically the dissipation properties of very small-scale transport noise. As a test problem we consider the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability and we compare the inviscid case, the viscous one, both without noise, and the inviscid case perturbed by transport noise. We observe a partial similarity with the viscous case, namely a delay of the instability.
Toward a Stochastic Parameterization for Oceanic Deep Convection
Authors: Jamet Quentin , Mémin Etienne , Dumas Franck , Li Long , Garreau Pierre
Published: October 2023

Current climate models are known to systematically overestimate the rate of deep water formation at high latitudes in response to too deep and too frequent deep convection events. We propose in this study to investigate a misrepresentation of deep convection in Hydrostatic Primitive Equation (HPE) ocean and climate models due to the lack of constraints on vertical dynamics. We discuss the potential of the Location Uncertainty (LU) stochastic representation of geophysical flow dynamics to help in the process of re-introducing some degree of non-hydrostatic physics in HPE models through a pressure correction method. We then test our ideas with idealized Large Eddy Simulations (LES) of buoyancy driven free convection with the CROCO modeling platform. Preliminary results at LES resolution exhibit a solution obtained with our Quasi-nonhydrostatic (Q-NH) model that tends toward the reference non-hydrostatic (NH) model. As compared to a pure hydrostatic setting, our Q-NH solution exhibits vertical convective plumes with larger horizontal structure, a better spatial organization and a reduced intensity of their associated vertical velocities. The simulated Mixed Layer Depth (MLD) deepening rate is however too slow in our Q-NH experiment as compared to the reference NH, a behaviour that opposes to that of hydrostatic experiments of producing too fast MLD deepening rate. These preliminary results are encouraging, and support future efforts in the direction of enriching coarse resolution, hydrostatic ocean and climate models with a stochastic representation of non-hydrostatic physics.
Correlated Structures in a Balanced Motion Interacting with an Internal Wave
Authors: Maingonnat Igor , Tissot Gilles , Lahaye Noé
Published: October 2023

Characterizing the loss of coherence of an internal tide propagating through mesoscale turbulence has been a major challenge in oceanography, particularly due to its implications for the interpretation of satellite data. In this paper, we intend to study the correlations between a balanced motion and the incoherent part of a wave in an idealised configuration. We introduce a new modal decomposition technique, named broad-band proper orthogonal decomposition (BBPOD), which consists in performing a proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) on complex demodulated variables. After connecting BBPOD to the standard SPOD, we show that BBPOD, coupled with the extended POD technique enables us to associate the principal components of the incoherent field to the slow flow structures responsible of this loss of coherence through triadic interactions with the incident wave.
Between Critical Inquiry and Creative Writing
Authors: Triandafyllidou Anna , Kumar Alka
Published: October 2023

This hybrid edited collection embodies the experience of living in liminal spaces, containing as it does between its covers, both academic essays grounded in critical inquiry as well story-chapters that employ a variety of creative writing genres. With potential to appeal to an academic reader and scholar of migration, its objective is also to be equally accessible to a more mainstream readership, particularly if they have a general interest in migration stories and issues. In addition to exploring some of the key trajectories and tropes that pertain to the migration experience, the volume also goes behind the scenes to tell the story of the workshopping process that the StOries Project journey was for its participants. One of its objectives is to show the reader how the project led to the birthing of the twenty creative writing chapters this volume contains.

This edited volume then, emerged specifically from a fusion of scholarly inquiry and creative writing that participants (also its contributing authors) engaged with. In this first chapter, several key contexts, themes, and approaches that pertain to migration are discussed; significant related concepts are organised by the editors in thematic categories.

Finally, in this introductory chapter, we also discuss recent developments in the respective migration trajectories, including identifying gaps in migration theory and methodology that we feel creative writing can contribute towards addressing. The significance of amplifying personal voices and unique stories is reiterated through sharing examples from the 20 stories collected in this volume.
For DYee… Walking in These Shoes
Authors: Hui Christian
Published: October 2023

This is Derek’s story, and I share this with you as I wear a pair of black suede shoes he had gifted me. Originally written to pay homage to my late dear friend, the creative writing process has also made the work a story of mine.

As an immigrant settler, I have lived more than half of my life on Turtle Island on both the West Coast and the Eastern region of the North American continent. Reflecting on my identity, or rather identities, often rouses for me multiplicities of memories, emotions, lessons, and convictions. Am I a stranger to this land which I now live on, or have I always been a stranger to my own self? While my writing may never fully present all of my experiences, one realization I gained, both as an applied researcher in training and a racialized, queer, poz activist, is that our stories and truths deserve to be told.
Suitcases: A Story of Migration During the Pandemic
Authors: Kazmi Nabila
Published: October 2023

As 2020 happened, I decided to migrate from my homeland to a new and faraway country filled with prospects for the future. For somebody who fears flying, the longest flight of my life would be the easiest part of my journey. Little did I know that this journey of moving would encapsulate inflated moments of stillness. The story captures why I decided to make the journey and what it meant as I finally landed on the other side of the globe.

This story captures the essence of a journey undertaken to a faraway land during a time when the world stood still. The journey was long and difficult yet filled with adventures of un/becoming.
Things Lost, Things Not Lost, and the Ones That Were Found on the Way
Authors: Javaher Negin Saheb
Published: October 2023

A teenage girl’s journey of leaving her home in Iran to move to Canada with her family is shaped around a secret box of memories that needs to accompany the main character to her new home in Canada. The story focuses on themes of belonging, “home”, identity; and experiences of Iranian teenage women told through a simple tale of teenagehood in Iran. The teenage girl experiences an identity crisis that starts with the migration journey itself and as the family arrives in the Canadian airport for the very first time, new insights into their immigrant realities unfold.

The story is called Things Lost, Things Not Lost, And the Ones That Were Found on The Way. It is a simple story of a family’s journey to Canada, and it begins when the family is leaving Tehran, ending when they arrive at Toronto’s Pearson International airport. Told in the voice of the family’s teenage daughter, it is a mix of imagination and experiences I personally have lived through. What I have tried to capture in this playful snapshot of a family’s journey are the feelings and emotions they experience before immigrating to a new country. These feelings of letting go are intertwined with meaningful pieces of identity and the journey is full of contradictions that mimic the paradoxes and the challenges immigrant families experience as they try to adapt to their new life, including changes in family dynamics and gender relations.
Immigrant Stories
Authors: da Costa Thabata
Published: October 2023

The migrant experience is above all a humbling one. There is often a wrong perception amongst those who live in places where migrants tend to go that the resilience we carry is due to some negative experiences we had where we came from; and that this justifies the hardships we endure in the places we choose to call home. The story is frequently very different. We move full of hopes and dreams, and many would not take the leap if conscious of all the barriers we are sure to face. The stories of migration are as diverse as the number of stars in the sky. And for that reason, the idea of migrants as a single group goes against any kind of reality if examined for more than a second. Although in Canada there are established categories of immigrants, such as economic migrants and refugees (and several others), within these categories are human journeys that are specific to each individual. Even inside a family we find different reasons for taking the leap. While one can choose to move away to have better professional opportunities, others might only be looking to get away from the mess their families are tangled in. To distance oneself from one’s birthplace can encompass the understanding that one’s comfort zone lies in a distant place, far away from social pressures – a chance to reinvent yourself as an individual.
Becoming Through Story: The Relational Processes of Writing and Creating the StOries Project
Authors: Damiano Natasha
Published: October 2023

This final chapter is not a typical recapitulation of the stories and ideas presented in this anthology. Rather it is a storied approach to reflecting on the relational processes of the StOries project, in order to contemplate what we have learned and to propose where we might go from here. I interweave my own reflections (and diffractions) of the challenges faced in writing this discussion of ‘fieldnotes’ that a number of authors submitted to describe their own writing processes. I also showcase examples of methods used in the project to illustrate how we generated meaningful introductions and discussions about identity, intersectionality, home, and belonging (among other things). Ideally the chapter will be read not as a conclusion, but as an opening to new ways of viewing ourselves and each other in the context of migration research. It also aims to promote the Indigenization of migration scholarship and the institutions that teach and create this scholarship, and to encourage discussions and changes in how we view people who migrate.
On Immigration, Religion and Home
Authors: Baksh Bibi
Published: October 2023

Random thoughts on immigration, religion, and home is a journey into the past that transpires with a trip to the country of my origin, Guyana, which I had left in 1982 to immigrate to Canada. In this story, I revisit the schools I attended as a child to reflect on how religion was intertwined with education in a colonised British state and used to exercise control over the people. On immigration, I draw on my grandfather’s transatlantic trip as an Indentured Servant from India; and I reflect on my own journey of immigration and belonging to Canada through the lens of my relationship with religion. My final stop in the story is my childhood home where I take time to consider the meaning of home that emerges from my heritage and personal experiences as a Muslim woman of Indian heritage, growing up in Guyana, and living my adult life in Canada.
My Journey as a Writer
Authors: Guo Owen
Published: October 2023

In this piece, I reflect upon my own writing journey, from being a reporter, a translator, and a researcher in the newsroom, to writing for a global audience about my country. Journalistic storytelling is impartial, often done with an emotional distance from the subjects caught up in a news event. During my journalism days, I was surrounded by exceptional writers and editors. It was, however, in Canada where my real writer identity was born. Through word building and writing of a different kind, I seek to understand my own place in a country I hope to one day call home.
Sphaleron in the Higgs Triplet Model
Authors: Hu Jiahang , Yu Bingrong , Zhou Shun
Published: October 2023

Abstract

The Higgs triplet model (HTM) extends the Standard Model (SM) by one complex triplet scalar (also known as the type-II seesaw model), offering a simple and viable way to account for nonzero neutrino masses. On the other hand, the nontrivial couplings of the triplet to the gauge fields and to the SM Higgs field are expected to influence the topological vacuum structure of the SM, and consequently, the energy and the field configuration of the electroweak sphaleron. The sphaleron process plays a crucial role in dynamically generating the baryon asymmetry of the Universe. In this work, we study the vacuum structure of the gauge and Higgs fields and calculate the saddle-point sphaleron configuration in the HTM. The coupled nonlinear equations of motion of the sphaleron are solved using the spectral method. We find the inclusion of the triplet scalar could in principle significantly change the sphaleron energy compared with the SM. Nevertheless, at zero temperature, the current stringent experimental constraint on the vacuum expectation value of the triplet suppresses the difference. Interestingly, we find that there still exists some narrow parameter space where the sphaleron energy can be enhanced up to 30% compared with the SM case.
Fast Rotating Non-homogeneous Fluids in Thin Domains and the Ekman Pumping Effect
Authors: Bravin Marco , Fanelli Francesco
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we perform the fast rotation limit $$\varepsilon \rightarrow 0^+$$

ε
→

0
+

of the density-dependent incompressible Navier–Stokes–Coriolis system in a thin strip $$\Omega _\varepsilon :=\,{\mathbb {R}}^2\times \, \left. \right] -\ell _\varepsilon ,\ell _\varepsilon \left[ \right. \,$$

Ω
ε

:
=

R

2

×

-

ℓ
ε

,

ℓ
ε

, where $$\varepsilon \in \,\left. \right] 0,1\left. \right] $$

ε
∈

0
,
1

is the size of the Rossby number and $$\ell _\varepsilon >0$$

ℓ
ε

>
0

for any $$\varepsilon >0$$

ε
>
0

. By letting $$\ell _\varepsilon \longrightarrow 0^+$$

ℓ
ε

⟶

0
+

for $$\varepsilon \rightarrow 0^+$$

ε
→

0
+

and considering Navier-slip boundary conditions at the boundary of $$\Omega _\varepsilon $$

Ω
ε

, we give a rigorous justification of the phenomenon of the Ekman pumping in the context of non-homogeneous fluids. With respect to previous studies (performed for flows of contant density and for compressible fluids), our approach has the advantage of circumventing the complicated analysis of boundary layers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study dealing with the asymptotic analysis of fast rotating incompressible fluids with variable density in a 3-D setting. In this respect, we remark that the case $$\ell _\varepsilon \geqslant \ell >0$$

ℓ
ε

⩾
ℓ
>
0

for all $$\varepsilon >0$$

ε
>
0

remains largely open at present.
Functional alignment in total knee arthroplasty best achieves balanced gaps and minimal bone resections: an analysis comparing mechanical, kinematic and functional alignment strategies
Authors: Van de Graaf Victor A. , Chen Darren B. , Allom Richard J. , Wood Jil A. , MacDessi Samuel J.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Key concepts in total knee arthroplasty include restoration of limb alignment and soft‐tissue balance. Although differences in balance have been reported amongst mechanical alignment (MA), kinematic alignment (KA) and functional alignment (FA) techniques, it remains unclear whether there are differences in gap imbalance or resection thicknesses when comparing different constitutional alignment subgroups.

Methods

MA (measured resection technique), KA (matched resections technique) and FA (technique based on the restricted KA boundaries) were compared in 116 consecutive patients undergoing 137 robotic‐assisted cruciate‐retaining total knee arthroplasties. The primary outcome was the proportion of balanced gaps (differential laxities ≤ 2 mm) for extension, flexion, medial and lateral gap measurements. Manual pre‐resection laxity measurements were obtained for MA and KA and manual post‐resection measurements were obtained for FA in 10° and in 90° of knee flexion. Secondary outcomes were resection depths and implant alignment. All outcomes were analysed per constitutional coronal alignment and joint line obliquity subgroups.

Results

The proportions of balance in all four gap measurements were 54.7%, 66.4% and 96.5%, with MA, KA and FA, respectively. Across all constitutional alignment types, FA achieved the highest proportion of balance. MA resected the least amount of bone from the medial tibial plateau. KA had femoral components in most valgus and most internally rotated, tibial components in most varus and was the most bone‐preserving for the posteromedial femoral condyle. FA had the most externally rotated femoral components and was most bone‐preserving for the distal femoral resections.

Conclusion

The study shows that implant alignment to the mechanical axis or joint line anatomy (equal resections) alone does not guarantee a balanced total knee arthroplasty. FA resulted in the highest proportion of balanced knees across all analysed subgroups. Future research will consider whether one alignment philosophy leads to superior outcomes for different constitutional alignment subgroups.

Level of evidence

Level II.
Exercise‐induced fatigue affects knee proprioceptive acuity and quadriceps neuromuscular function more in patients with ACL reconstruction or meniscus surgery than in healthy individuals
Authors: Kim Sungwan , Glaviano Neal R. , Park Jihong
Published: October 2023

Purpose

To observe how knee proprioceptive acuity and quadriceps neuromuscular function change during and after repeated isokinetic knee‐extension exercise in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) or meniscus surgery.

Methods

Patients with ACLR or meniscus surgery and matched controls (n = 19 in each group) performed knee‐flexion replication at 15° and 75°, and quadriceps peak torque (PT), central activation ratio (CAR) and rate of torque development (RTD) at baseline and immediately after every five sets of isokinetic knee‐extension exercise (times 1–5).

Results

Compared to the baseline, the ACLR and control groups displayed errors in knee‐flexion replication at 75° only at time 5 (115.9–155.6%; p ≤ 0.04, d ≥ 0.97), whereas the meniscus surgery group exhibited errors at all time points (142.5–265.6%; p ≤ 0.0003, d ≥ 1.4). Significant percentage reductions in quadriceps CAR were observed between times 4 and 5 in the ACLR group (–5.8%; p = 0.0002, d = 0.96), but not in the meniscus surgery (–1.4%; n.s.) and control (0.1%; n.s.) groups. Significant percentage reductions in quadriceps RTD were observed between times 4 and 5 in the ACLR (–24.2%; p = 0.007, d = 0.99) and meniscus surgery (–23.0%; p = 0.01, d = 0.85) groups, but not in the control group (–0.2%; n.s.).

Conclusion

Patients with ACLR or meniscus surgery displayed a greater loss in knee proprioceptive acuity and quadriceps neuromuscular function during and after exercise than healthy individuals. Evidence‐based interventions to enhance exercise‐induced fatigue resistance should be implemented following ACLR or meniscus surgery, aiming to prevent proprioceptive and neuromuscular changes within the knee joint and quadriceps.

Level of evidence

III.
Spectroscopy from quantum dynamics: a mixed wave function/analytical line shape functions approach
Authors: Montorsi Francesco , Aranda Daniel , Garavelli Marco , Santoro Fabrizio , Segatta Francesco
Published: October 2023

Quantum dynamics is the natural framework in which accurate simulation of spectroscopy of nonadiabatically coupled molecular systems can be obtained. Even if efficient quantum dynamics approaches have been developed, the number of degrees of freedom that need to be considered in realistic systems is typically too high to explicitly account for all of them. Moreover, in open-quantum systems, a quasi-continuum of low-frequency environment modes need to be included to get a proper description of the spectral bands. Here, we describe an approach to account for a large number of modes, based on their partitioning into two sets: a set of dynamically relevant modes (so-called active modes) that are treated explicitly in quantum dynamics, and a set of modes that are only spectroscopically relevant (so-called spectator modes), treated via analytical line shape functions. Linear and nonlinear spectroscopy for a realistic model system is simulated, providing a clear framework and domain of applicability in which the introduced approach is exact, and assessing the error introduced when such a partitioning is only approximate.
On the atomic structure of torsion-free monoids
Authors: Gotti Felix , Vulakh Joseph
Published: October 2023

Let M be a cancellative and commutative (additive) monoid. The monoid M is atomic if every non-invertible element can be written as a sum of irreducible elements, which are also called atoms. Also, M satisfies the ascending chain condition on principal ideals (ACCP) if every increasing sequence of principal ideals (under inclusion) becomes constant from one point on. In the first part of this paper, we characterize torsion-free monoids that satisfy the ACCP as those torsion-free monoids whose submonoids are all atomic. A submonoid of the nonnegative cone of a totally ordered abelian group is often called a positive monoid. Every positive monoid is clearly torsion-free. In the second part of this paper, we study the atomic structure of certain classes of positive monoids.
The electrical restitution of the non-propagated cardiac ventricular action potential
Authors: Zaniboni Massimiliano
Published: October 2023

Sudden changes in pacing cycle length are frequently associated with repolarization abnormalities initiating cardiac arrhythmias, and physiologists have long been interested in measuring the likelihood of these events before their manifestation. A marker of repolarization stability has been found in the electrical restitution (ER), the response of the ventricular action potential duration to a pre- or post-mature stimulation, graphically represented by the so-called ER curve. According to the restitution hypothesis (ERH), the slope of this curve provides a quantitative discrimination between stable repolarization and proneness to arrhythmias. ER has been studied at the body surface, whole organ, and tissue level, and ERH has soon become a key reference point in theoretical, clinical, and pharmacological studies concerning arrhythmia development, and, despite criticisms, it is still widely adopted. The ionic mechanism of ER and cellular applications of ERH are covered in the present review. The main criticism on ERH concerns its dependence from the way ER is measured. Over the years, in fact, several different experimental protocols have been established to measure ER, which are also described in this article. In reviewing the state-of-the art on cardiac cellular ER, I have introduced a notation specifying protocols and graphical representations, with the aim of unifying a sometime confusing nomenclature, and providing a physiological tool, better defined in its scope and limitations, to meet the growing expectations of clinical and pharmacological research.