bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bat mortality in wind farms of southern Europe: temporal patterns and implications in the current context of climate change
Authors: Salguero María del Mar , De la Cruz Andrés , Muñoz Antonio - Román , Muñoz Arroyo Gonzalo
Published: July 2023

The expansion of renewable energy production, especially wind power, is one of the cornerstones of our strategy for mitigating climate change. However, there is growing concern about the impacts of this energy source on biodiversity. In particular, very little is known about the impact on groups of fauna such as bats, which are especially sensitive to environmental changes. We investigated the temporal patterns of bat fatalities in wind farms in the province of Cádiz, in the south of the Iberian Peninsula. An eleven-year data set (2009–2019) from a surveillance program of bird and bat mortality in wind farms was analysed. A total of 2,858 fatalities concerning 10 bat genera were reported, although more than 90% of the affected animals were individuals of the genera Pipistrellus, Eptesicus and Nyctalus. Bat mortality occurred mainly during the summer and autumn, especially in August. However, species such as the genus Pipistrellus, present collisions throughout the year, including all winter months in the case of the genus Pipistrellus. The probability of mortality was positively correlated with the maximum daily temperature. According to the model prediction, the probability of fatality begins to increase slightly from 20 °C and then rises sharply when the temperature exceeds 30 °C, that can be interpreted as a consequence of increasing bat activity at local scale. According to the regional projections of global climate models, an increase in maximum temperatures and the arrival of milder winters may lead to an increase in the annual mortality of bats in wind farms in the coming decades.
Restoring organic matter, carbon and nutrient accumulation in degraded peatlands: 10 years Sphagnum paludiculture
Authors: Temmink Ralph J. M. , Vroom Renske J. E. , van Dijk Gijs , Käärmelahti Sannimari A. , Koks Adam H. W. , Joosten Hans , Krebs Matthias , Gaudig Greta , Brust Kristina , Lamers Leon P. M. , Smolders Alfons J. P. , Fritz Christian
Published: July 2023

Drained peatlands emit large amounts of greenhouse gases and cause downstream nutrient pollution. Rewetting aids in restoring carbon storage and sustaining unique biodiversity. However, rewetting for nature restoration is socio-economically not always feasible. Cultivation of Sphagnum biomass after rewetting allows agricultural production. In the short term, Sphagnum paludiculture is productive without fertilization but it remains unclear whether it sustains its functionality in the longer-term. We studied nutrient dynamics, organic matter build-up, and carbon and nutrient accumulation at a 16-ha Sphagnum paludiculture area in NW-Germany. Site preparation included topsoil removal and inoculation with Sphagnum and it was rewetted five and ten years ago and managed with mowing, irrigation, and ditch cleaning. The unfertilized sites were irrigated with (compared to bog conditions) nutrient-rich surface water and exposed to atmospheric nitrogen deposition of 21 kg N/ha/yr. Our data reveal that ten years of Sphagnum growth resulted in a new 30 cm thick organic layer, sequestering 2,600 kg carbon, 56 kg nitrogen, 3.2 kg phosphorus, and 9.0 kg potassium per ha/yr. Porewater nutrient concentrations were low and remained stable over time in the top layer, while ammonium concentrations decreased from 400–700 to 0–50 µmol/L in the peat profile over 10 years. Hydro-climatic fluctuations most likely caused the variation in ammonium in the top layer. We conclude that Sphagnum paludiculture enables rapid carbon and nutrient accumulation without active fertilization provided the biomass is not harvested, and provides perspective for bog restoration on agricultural peatlands. Large-scale application of Sphagnum paludiculture may mitigate environmental issues of unsustainable peatland-use.
New kid on the block? a conceptual systematic review of digital agency
Authors: Siddiq Fazilat , Røkenes Fredrik Mørk , Lund Andreas , Scherer Ronny
Published: July 2023

The digitalisation of education has been emphasised over the last two decades, affecting and developing both the theories and practices of teaching and learning. Considering these developments, the need for addressing teachers’ and students’ digital competence has gained ground. In the last few years, the concept of digital agency has been noted in empirical and theoretical research – broadly focusing on the integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) in education. Nonetheless, how digital agency is understood and how it relates to the more established concept of digital competence remains unclear. To address this gap, we conducted a conceptual systematic review and examined the current state of the knowledge on digital agency. Specifically, we review the conceptualisations of digital agency, its underlying theoretical frameworks, and how it relates to digital competence and similar concepts. Database searches resulted in 32 publications, with the majority published in education and design journals and stemming from Scandinavian countries. Our findings show that out of 32 studies, only one aimed at defining digital agency explicitly. Nevertheless, for the last three years, digital agency has been more frequently used in the body of literature, emphasising the design and transformation of teaching and learning with technology towards a ‘new normal’ considering the post-pandemic era and lessons learned. Reviewing the extant body of knowledge on digital agency, we review the strengths and weaknesses of the concept and compare it to the more established notion of digital competence. Finally, we discuss implications for policy, research, and practice in education.
Waterfowl populations decline with nutrient reduction and increase with nutrient restoration: 20 years of adaptive management at a Ramsar-listed wastewater treatment plant
Authors: Loyn Richard H. , Rogers Danny I. , Swindley Robert J. , Menkhorst Peter W. , Stamation Kasey , Haynes Suelin , Graham Heather , Hepworth Graham , Steele William K.
Published: July 2023

Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are typically considered detrimental to wetland values, but waterfowl can be numerous on nutrient-rich wetlands. Waterfowl were counted three to six times per year on nine treatment lagoons and associated wetlands (2,025 ha) at the Western Treatment Plant (south-east Australia) from 2000, to help maintain ecological values of this Ramsar-listed wetland as well as treating sewage for a large city (Melbourne). Up to 185,000 waterfowl were counted, varying with season, continental rainfall and lagoon operation. Nutrient levels were reduced on Lake Borrie lagoon in 2005 (as part of an Environmental Improvement Program) and restored in 2015. Waterfowl declined on Lake Borrie lagoon from 2005 when it received treated effluent not raw sewage, and increased in 2015 when it received partially treated sewage. This pattern was highly significant for total waterfowl and most species and guilds at Lake Borrie but was not replicated on other lagoons. Modelling revealed positive relationships between waterfowl numbers and nutrient concentrations, including ammonia and nitrite, to moderate levels. This shows that with careful management nutrient enrichment can have positive benefits, allowing artificial wetlands such as wastewater treatment plants to support high densities of waterbirds and the food webs that sustain them.
Optimization of electrospinning process parameters to develop the smallest ZnO + PVP nanofibres using Taguchi experimental design and ANOVA
Authors: Mhetre Harshada Vishal , Krishnarao Kanse Yuvraj , Naik Nithesh
Published: July 2023

Electrospinning is a well-known and straightforward technique for creating nanofibres from various materials, such as metals, ceramics, and polymers. The process takes place in a strong electric field, causing the polymer solution to stretch, resulting in micro/nanoscale fibres. The process parameters of electrospinning influence the morphology of nanofibres. In the present study, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanofibres were created in a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymer combining electrospinning and sol–gel methods. To measure the effects of electrospinning and sol–gel on the diameter of ZnO + PVP nanofibres, a Taguchi design of experiment (DoE) approach was adopted, which comprised the “PVP concentrations, flow rate, needle tip-to-collector distances, and applied voltage”. S/N ratio, orthogonal L9 arrays with Taguchi design, and variance analysis. Several trials and investigations are planned using ANOVA to observe the best circumstances for synthesising ZnO + PVP. In DoE studies, it was analysed that the PVP concentration is the most crucial determinant of the nanofibre diameter, followed by flow rate. For electro-spun ZnO + PVP nanofibres, an optimal combination was also identified to produce the lowest diameters with the least variance. Interaction plot values were also recommended for experimentation with good interaction and a further selection of parameter values.
Fraud detection with natural language processing
Authors: Boulieris Petros , Pavlopoulos John , Xenos Alexandros , Vassalos Vasilis
Published: July 2023

Automated fraud detection can assist organisations to safeguard user accounts, a task that is very challenging due to the great sparsity of known fraud transactions. Many approaches in the literature focus on credit card fraud and ignore the growing field of online banking. However, there is a lack of publicly available data for both. The lack of publicly available data hinders the progress of the field and limits the investigation of potential solutions. With this work, we: (a) introduce FraudNLP, the first anonymised, publicly available dataset for online fraud detection, (b) benchmark machine and deep learning methods with multiple evaluation measures, (c) argue that online actions do follow rules similar to natural language and hence can be approached successfully by natural language processing methods.
Development and evaluation of the Norwegian Fatigue Characteristics and Interference Measure (FCIM) for stroke survivors: cognitive interviews and Rasch analysis
Authors: Skogestad Ingrid Johansen , Kottorp Anders , Larsson Petra , Moen Therese Marie , Gay Caryl L. , Borge Christine Råheim , Lerdal Anners
Published: July 2023

Purpose

There is need for a comprehensive measure of post-stroke fatigue with sound measurement properties. This study aimed to develop the Norwegian Fatigue Characteristics and Interference Measure (FCIM) and assess its content validity, structural validity, and internal consistency.

Method

This study consisted of three steps: (1) an expert panel developed version 1.0 of the Norwegian FCIM, (2) its content validity was assessed in cognitive interviews with stroke patients (N = 15), (3) a convenience sample of stroke patients (N = 169) completed an online questionnaire with the FCIM, Fatigue Severity Scale, and sociodemographic information; validity and reliability were assessed using Rasch analysis.

Results

FCIM version 1.0 included a 10-item characteristics subscale, a 20-item interference subscale, and two pre-stroke fatigue items. The cognitive interviews revealed content validity issues, resulting in two interference items being removed and five items being flagged but retained for Rasch analysis (version 2.0). Rasch analysis led to removal of four items from the characteristics subscale and six more from the interference subscale. The final six-item characteristics subscale and 12-item interference subscale (version 3.0) both showed adequate fit to the Rasch model with indications of unidimensionality and local independence. The interference subscale had a high person separation index. No significant differential item function (DIF) was found in relation to gender, but one item demonstrated DIF in relation to age.

Conclusion

The cognitive interviews and Rasch analysis demonstrated that the Norwegian version of the FCIM has high content validity, structural validity, and internal consistency. Future research should assess its construct validity, reliability, and responsiveness.
An assembled message: Matthen on the content of perceptual experience
Authors: Minden Ribeiro Max
Published: July 2023

Mohan Matthen holds that visual perceptual content is divided into descriptive and referential elements. Descriptive content is our awareness of sensory features belonging to objects located in the visual field. Matthen conceives of this in terms of an image. The referential element is a demonstrative form of content, by which we pick out those objects as particulars and assert their physical presence. Matthen terms this ‘the feeling of presence’. Together, they make up the ‘assembled message’ that visual states present to the perceiver in perceptual experience. I argue that the two elements cannot play together as Matthen envisages. Beginning with the referential element, I show that the feeling of presence is unable to both provide demonstrative reference and assert that the visual state reflects how things are. Turning to the descriptive element, I argue that Matthen is committed to a view on which descriptive (or image) content is a mental entity, a reified image. This is a common element across perceptual experience, episodic memory and visual imagination. The mental entity proves a defective ingredient in assembling perceptual content that purports to present reality. There are problems integrating the depicted viewpoint with the subject’s actual viewpoint, and problems maintaining a coherent notion of assertion. I argue that the project of assembling perceptual experience from descriptive and referential elements is unworkable.
Middle to Late Holocene lake evolution and its links with westerlies and Asian monsoon in the middle part of the Hexi Corridor, NW China
Authors: Peng Simin , Li Yu , Zhou Xueru , Hao Lu , Liu Hebin , Zhang Zhansen , Li Haiye
Published: July 2023

The interpretation and understanding of the relationship between Middle to Late Holocene climate change in monsoon margins of northwest China with the westerlies and Asian monsoon (AM) remain controversial. Here we present a new multi-proxy sedimentary dataset from the Heihe River basin in the middle part of the Hexi Corridor on the northern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), which is a sensitive zone for the interaction between the westerlies and AM. Fluctuations in grain size, δ13Corg, δ18O, magnetic susceptibility, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, and C/N ratio document regional lake and climate evolution since 5334 cal yr BP. Results show that climate conditions on the millennial timescale are humid in the late Middle Holocene (MH) and dry to wet in the Late Holocene (LH). Combined with the multi-model ensemble simulation from PMIP3-CMIP5, high lake levels and wetter climate in the late MH are closely linked to the strengthening Asian summer monsoon. Simultaneously, the slight wetting trend since the late LH may be the superimposing effect of enhanced westerlies and the weakening Asian winter monsoon. These findings can provide insights into the interpretation of the interaction between the westerlies and AM during the Holocene in East Asia.
Currency Redenomination Risk
Authors: Kremens Lukas
Published: July 2023

A eurozone exit or breakup exposes bondholders to currency redenomination risk. I quantify redenomination risk since the sovereign debt crisis: It contributes substantially to credit spreads around changes in government in France and Italy. Bond prices suggest that markets have priced a potential Italian exit as isolated, and a French one as a breakup. Unlike conventional default risk, redenomination risk can be negative depending on the strength of the national “shadow” currency. Countries with strong shadow currencies earn breakup-insurance premia from the eurozone analog of “exorbitant privilege.” Yield effects are quantitatively large for implied exit probabilities as low as 1%.
Religious Diversity and Cultural Transmission in Pre-modern Europe
Authors: Tolan John
Published: July 2023

Over the past several decades, historians of Medieval Europe have worked to show the complexity and diversity of Europe’s religious, linguistic and cultural landscape. Medieval Europe was neither a multicultural paradise nor an ethnically pure enclave. Archaeology, ethnolinguistics, literary studies and textual studies all show the constant movement of populations into and across Europe, from earliest antiquity until today. I have participated in two European-funded projects that explore different aspects of that religious and cultural diversity. From 2010 to 2015, I directed an ERC advanced grant entitled ‘RELMIN: The legal status of religious minorities in the Euro-Mediterranean world (5th–15th centuries)’. Since 2019, I am one of the four directors of an ERC synergy grant, ‘The European Qur’ān,’ which explores the place of the Qur’ān in European culture between the twelfth and early nineteenth centuries. This article presents these two European research programmes and their implications for understanding the history of Europe’s religious diversity.
New Perspective on Phase Space Density Analysis for Outer Radiation Belt Enhancements: The Influence of MeV Electron Injections
Authors: Kim H.‐J. , Kim K.‐C. , Noh S.‐J. , Lyons L. , Lee D.‐Y. , Choe W.
Published: July 2023

Observation of growing phase space density (PSD) peak in the outer electron radiation belt has been considered evidence for local wave‐driven acceleration as a primary cause of radiation belt enhancement. However, recent studies showed that strong substorm‐associated MeV electron injections can also cause significant radiation belt enhancements on fast timescales (∼10s min). Such rapid enhancements pose challenges for determining true spatial PSD profiles. To address this, we conduct a detailed spatiotemporal analysis of electron flux and PSD during an enhancement event, using Van Allen Probes data. Our analysis reveals rapid and intermittent flux enhancements. During these rapid enhancements, inbound spacecraft observed false PSD peaks, due to spacecraft's relatively slow movement. However, we identify time intervals of stable fluxes between enhancements, enabling us to determine quasi‐stationary PSD profiles with no noticeable peaks. This study provides new insights into accurate PSD analysis, critical for understanding the mechanisms underlying radiation belt enhancements.
A spatially resolved timeline of the human maternal–fetal interface
Authors: Greenbaum Shirley , Averbukh Inna , Soon Erin , Rizzuto Gabrielle , Baranski Alex , Greenwald Noah F. , Kagel Adam , Bosse Marc , Jaswa Eleni G. , Khair Zumana , Kwok Shirley , Warshawsky Shiri , Piyadasa Hadeesha , Goldston Mako , Spence Angie , Miller Geneva , Schwartz Morgan , Graf Will , Van Valen David , Winn Virginia D. , Hollmann Travis , Keren Leeat , van de Rijn Matt , Angelo Michael
Published: July 2023

Beginning in the first trimester, fetally derived extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) invade the uterus and remodel its spiral arteries, transforming them into large, dilated blood vessels. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain how EVTs coordinate with the maternal decidua to promote a tissue microenvironment conducive to spiral artery remodelling (SAR)1–3. However, it remains a matter of debate regarding which immune and stromal cells participate in these interactions and how this evolves with respect to gestational age. Here we used a multiomics approach, combining the strengths of spatial proteomics and transcriptomics, to construct a spatiotemporal atlas of the human maternal–fetal interface in the first half of pregnancy. We used multiplexed ion beam imaging by time-of-flight and a 37-plex antibody panel to analyse around 500,000 cells and 588 arteries within intact decidua from 66 individuals between 6 and 20 weeks of gestation, integrating this dataset with co-registered transcriptomics profiles. Gestational age substantially influenced the frequency of maternal immune and stromal cells, with tolerogenic subsets expressing CD206, CD163, TIM-3, galectin-9 and IDO-1 becoming increasingly enriched and colocalized at later time points. By contrast, SAR progression preferentially correlated with EVT invasion and was transcriptionally defined by 78 gene ontology pathways exhibiting distinct monotonic and biphasic trends. Last, we developed an integrated model of SAR whereby invasion is accompanied by the upregulation of pro-angiogenic, immunoregulatory EVT programmes that promote interactions with the vascular endothelium while avoiding the activation of maternal immune cells.
Mega-scale experimental analysis of protein folding stability in biology and design
Authors: Tsuboyama Kotaro , Dauparas Justas , Chen Jonathan , Laine Elodie , Mohseni Behbahani Yasser , Weinstein Jonathan J. , Mangan Niall M. , Ovchinnikov Sergey , Rocklin Gabriel J.
Published: July 2023

Advances in DNA sequencing and machine learning are providing insights into protein sequences and structures on an enormous scale1. However, the energetics driving folding are invisible in these structures and remain largely unknown2. The hidden thermodynamics of folding can drive disease3,4, shape protein evolution5–7 and guide protein engineering8–10, and new approaches are needed to reveal these thermodynamics for every sequence and structure. Here we present cDNA display proteolysis, a method for measuring thermodynamic folding stability for up to 900,000 protein domains in a one-week experiment. From 1.8 million measurements in total, we curated a set of around 776,000 high-quality folding stabilities covering all single amino acid variants and selected double mutants of 331 natural and 148 de novo designed protein domains 40–72 amino acids in length. Using this extensive dataset, we quantified (1) environmental factors influencing amino acid fitness, (2) thermodynamic couplings (including unexpected interactions) between protein sites, and (3) the global divergence between evolutionary amino acid usage and protein folding stability. We also examined how our approach could identify stability determinants in designed proteins and evaluate design methods. The cDNA display proteolysis method is fast, accurate and uniquely scalable, and promises to reveal the quantitative rules for how amino acid sequences encode folding stability.
Early contact between late farming and pastoralist societies in southeastern Europe
Authors: Penske Sandra , Rohrlach Adam B. , Childebayeva Ainash , Gnecchi-Ruscone Guido , Schmid Clemens , Spyrou Maria A. , Neumann Gunnar U. , Atanassova Nadezhda , Beutler Katrin , Boyadzhiev Kamen , Boyadzhiev Yavor , Bruyako Igor , Chohadzhiev Alexander , Govedarica Blagoje , Karaucak Mehmet , Krauss Raiko , Leppek Maleen , Manzura Igor , Privat Karen , Ross Shawn , Slavchev Vladimir , Sobotkova Adéla , Toderaş Meda , Valchev Todor , Ringbauer Harald , Stockhammer Philipp W. , Hansen Svend , Krause Johannes , Haak Wolfgang
Published: July 2023

Archaeogenetic studies have described two main genetic turnover events in prehistoric western Eurasia: one associated with the spread of farming and a sedentary lifestyle starting around 7000–6000 bc (refs. 1–3) and a second with the expansion of pastoralist groups from the Eurasian steppes starting around 3300 bc (refs. 4,5). The period between these events saw new economies emerging on the basis of key innovations, including metallurgy, wheel and wagon and horse domestication6–9. However, what happened between the demise of the Copper Age settlements around 4250 bc and the expansion of pastoralists remains poorly understood. To address this question, we analysed genome-wide data from 135 ancient individuals from the contact zone between southeastern Europe and the northwestern Black Sea region spanning this critical time period. While we observe genetic continuity between Neolithic and Copper Age groups from major sites in the same region, from around 4500 bc on, groups from the northwestern Black Sea region carried varying amounts of mixed ancestries derived from Copper Age groups and those from the forest/steppe zones, indicating genetic and cultural contact over a period of around 1,000 years earlier than anticipated. We propose that the transfer of critical innovations between farmers and transitional foragers/herders from different ecogeographic zones during this early contact was integral to the formation, rise and expansion of pastoralist groups around 3300 bc.
Viruses participate in the organomineralization of travertines
Authors: Słowakiewicz Mirosław , Perri Edoardo , Tagliasacchi Ezher , Działak Paweł , Borkowski Andrzej , Gradziński Michał , Kele Sándor , Tucker Maurice E.
Published: July 2023

Travertines, which precipitate from high temperature water saturated with calcium carbonate, are generally considered to be dominated by physico-chemical and microbial precipitates. Here, as an additional influence on organomineral formation, metagenomic data and microscopic analyses clearly demonstrate that highly diverse viral, bacterial and archaeal communities occur in the biofilms associated with several modern classic travertine sites in Europe and Asia, along with virus-like particles. Metagenomic analysis reveals that bacteriophages (bacterial viruses) containing icosahedral capsids and belonging to the Siphoviridae, Myoviridae and Podoviridae families are the most abundant of all viral strains, although the bacteriophage distribution does vary across the sampling sites. Icosahedral shapes of capsids are also the most frequently observed under the microscope, occurring as non-mineralized through to mineralized viruses and virus-like particles. Viruses are initially mineralized by Ca-Si amorphous precipitates with subordinate Mg and Al contents; these then alter to nanospheroids composed of Ca carbonate with minor silicate 80–300 nm in diameter. Understanding the roles of bacteriophages in modern carbonate-saturated settings and related organomineralization processes is critical for their broader inclusion in the geological record and ecosystem models.
Synthesis of chiral azides from C-2 substituted glycals and their transformation to C3-glycoconjugates and α-triazolo-naphthalene polyol
Authors: Pandey Ram Pratap , Maheshwari Mittali , Hussain Nazar
Published: July 2023

Herein, we devised an efficient Lewis-acid-mediated highly regio- and stereoselective chiral azidation of substituted glycals and further transformed to C-3 glycoconjugates and α-chiral triazolo-naphthalene polyol.
Copper-catalysed dehydrogenative self-coupling/cyclization of 5-aminopyrazoles: synthesis and photophysical study of pyridazines
Authors: Rastogi Gaurav K. , Deb Mohit L. , Baruah Pranjal K.
Published: July 2023

One pot synthesis of the pyridazine core from 5-aminopyrazoles through C(sp2)–C(sp2) and NN bond formation.
Theoretical studies on the kinetics and dynamics of the BeH+ + H2O reaction: comparison with the experiment
Authors: Li Jiaqi , Tu Zhao , Xiang Haipan , Li Yong , Song Hongwei
Published: July 2023

A globally accurate ab initio-based full-dimensional potential energy surface for the BeH+ + H2O reaction.
Single-aperture spectro-interferometry in the visible at the Subaru telescope with FIRST: First on-sky demonstration on Keho‘oea (αLyrae) and Hokulei (αAurigae)
Authors: Vievard S. , Huby E. , Lacour S. , Guyon O. , Cvetojevic N. , Jovanovic N. , Lozi J. , Barjot K. , Deo V. , Duchêne G. , Kotani T. , Marchis F. , Rouan D. , Martin G. , Lallement M. , Lapeyrere V. , Martinache F. , Ahn K. , Skaf N. , Tamura M. , Leilehua Yuen D. , Leinani Lozi A. , Perrin G.
Published: July 2023

Aims.FIRST is a spectro-interferometer combining, in the visible, the techniques of aperture masking and spatial filtering thanks to single-mode fibers. By turning a monolithic telescope into an interferometer, this instrument aims to deliver high contrast capabilities at spatial resolutions that are inaccessible to classical coronagraphic instruments.

Methods.The technique implemented in the FIRST instrument is called pupil remapping: the telescope pupil is divided into subpupils by a segmented deformable mirror conjugated to a micro-lens array injecting light into single-mode fibers. The fiber outputs are rearranged in a nonredundant configuration, allowing simultaneous measurement of all baseline fringe patterns. The fringes are also spectrally dispersed, increasing the coherence length and providing precious spectral information. The optical setup of the instrument has been adapted to fit onto the SCExAO platform at the Subaru Telescope.

Results.We present the first on-sky demonstration of the FIRST instrument at the Subaru telescope. We used eight subapertures of the 8.2-meter diameter pupil, each with a diameter of about 1 m. Closure phase measurements were extracted from the interference pattern to provide spatial information on the target. We tested the instrument on two types of targets : a point source (Keho’oea -αLyrae,mR= 0.1) and a binary system (Hokulei −αAurigae,mR= −0.52, and a semi-major axis = 56.4 mas). An average accuracy of 0.6° is achieved on the closure phase measurements of Keho‘oea, with a statistical error of about 0.15° at best. We estimate that the instrument can be sensitive to structures down to a quarter of the telescope spatial resolution. We measured the relative positions of Hokulei Aa and Ab with an accuracy ≲1 mas.

Conclusions.FIRST opens new observing capabilities in the visible wavelength range at the Subaru Telescope. With SCExAO being a testing platform for high contrast imaging instrumentation for future 30-meter class telescopes, the successful demonstration and exploitation of FIRST is an important stepping stone for future interferometric instrumentation on extremely large telescopes.
Apports et défis de l’acquisition codée pour l’imagerie hyperspectrale
Authors: Rouxel Antoine , Dinh Trung-Tin , Monmayrant Antoine , Lacroix Simon , Carfantan Hervé
Published: July 2023

L’imagerie hyperspectrale à ouverture codée permet l’acquisition rapide d’une scène hyperspectrale en mesurant des mélanges contrôlés d’informations spatio-spectrales présentes dans la scène. Associées à des algorithmes de traitement spécifiques, les données acquises permettent de reconstruire efficacement l’information nécessaire pour une application donnée. Ces systèmes mêlant la conception optique à la définition d’algorithmes de traitement sont une voie prometteuse pour l’imagerie hyperspectrale.
Echinococcoses – A Primer for Radiologists
Authors: Weber Tim Frederik , Mokry Theresa , Stojkovic Marija
Published: July 2023

Background Cystic (CE) and alveolar (AE) echinococcoses are zoonotic parasitoses that may pose diagnostic problems due to their relative rarity in Middle Europe.

Methods Based on a recent literature search and the observation of casuistics from a national echinococcosis treatment center, epidemiological, radiological, and therapeutic fundamentals are presented and important differences between AE and CE are discussed.

Results and Conclusion AE and CE must be regarded as completely different diseases, which differ from each other in every significant aspect. This applies not only to the epidemiological background of the patients but also to the biology of the diseases and their respective imaging features.

Key Points: 

Citation Format
Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) in Neuroradiological Diagnostics – Methodological Overview and Use Cases
Authors: Sollmann Nico , Hoffmann Gabriel , Schramm Severin , Reichert Miriam , Hernandez Petzsche Moritz , Strobel Joachim , Nigris Lorenzo , Kloth Christopher , Rosskopf Johannes , Börner Corinna , Bonfert Michaela , Berndt Maria , Grön Georg , Müller Hans-Peter , Kassubek Jan , Kreiser Kornelia , Koerte Inga K. , Liebl Hans , Beer Ambros , Zimmer Claus , Beer Meinrad , Kaczmarz Stephan
Published: July 2023

Background Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based technique using labeled blood-water of the brain-feeding arteries as an endogenous tracer to derive information about brain perfusion. It enables the assessment of cerebral blood flow (CBF).

Method This review aims to provide a methodological and technical overview of ASL techniques, and to give examples of clinical use cases for various diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS). There is a special focus on recent developments including super-selective ASL (ssASL) and time-resolved ASL-based magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and on diseases commonly not leading to characteristic alterations on conventional structural MRI (e. g., concussion or migraine).

Results ASL-derived CBF may represent a clinically relevant parameter in various pathologies such as cerebrovascular diseases, neoplasms, or neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, ASL has also been used to investigate CBF in mild traumatic brain injury or migraine, potentially leading to the establishment of imaging-based biomarkers. Recent advances made possible the acquisition of ssASL by selective labeling of single brain-feeding arteries, enabling spatial perfusion territory mapping dependent on blood flow of a specific preselected artery. Furthermore, ASL-based MRA has been introduced, providing time-resolved delineation of single intracranial vessels.

Conclusion Perfusion imaging by ASL has shown promise in various diseases of the CNS. Given that ASL does not require intravenous administration of a gadolinium-based contrast agent, it may be of particular interest for investigations in pediatric cohorts, patients with impaired kidney function, patients with relevant allergies, or patients that undergo serial MRI for clinical indications such as disease monitoring.

Key Points:
Ion dynamic characterization using phase-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy in a Hall effect thruster
Authors: Dancheva Y. , Coniglio P. , Da Valle M. , Scortecci F.
Published: July 2023

Significant information on the dynamics of the plasma constituents in Hall effect thrusters can be obtained using minimally intrusive techniques, such as laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) diagnostics. Indeed, LIF provides an excellent tool to determine the ion velocity distribution function with high spatial resolution. Even in a steady-state operation, recording time-resolved maps of the velocity distribution is relevant due to persisting time-dependent features of the thruster discharge. One of the preeminent phenomena that render the ion velocity distribution to be time dependent is commonly attributed to the breathing mode, characterized by pronounced oscillations in the discharge current. The goal of this work is to propose a new technique for plasma dynamic studies based on LIF spectroscopy with phase-resolution during the breathing period. For this purpose, the Hilbert transform is used to define the instantaneous phase of oscillation of the thruster current. Ion velocity distribution modification over assigned phases of oscillation is measured simultaneously and in real-time thanks to a fully numerical analysis of the data.
Scanning ion conductance microscope with a capacitance-compensated current source amplifier
Authors: Nakazawa Kenta , Tsukamoto Teruki , Iwata Futoshi
Published: July 2023

A high-speed imaging method for a scanning ion conductance microscope (SICM) based on a current source amplifier that compensates for unavoidable capacitance is proposed. The capacitance is generated on a side wall of a nanopipette in the principle of the SICM. The electrical response time is deteriorated due to the capacitance, and the probe overshoots the setpoint of the detection of the sample surface. A capacitance compensation circuit was installed in a feedback circuit of the current source amplifier. The proposed capacitance compensation method is useful because it can shorten the imaging time by only installing the compensation circuit in the ion current detection circuit of an existing SICM. The maximum approaching speeds with and without capacitance compensation were found to be 1050 and 450 µm/s, respectively. The approaching speed with capacitance compensation was 2.3 times faster than that without capacitance compensation. A topographic image of the test sample was successfully obtained at an approaching speed of 1050 µm/s. The images of microvillus dynamics of COS-7 cells were obtained at ∼23.4 s/frame as an application of the developed technology.
Multiresolution graph transformers and wavelet positional encoding for learning long-range and hierarchical structures
Authors: Ngo Nhat Khang , Hy Truong Son , Kondor Risi
Published: July 2023

Contemporary graph learning algorithms are not well-suited for large molecules since they do not consider the hierarchical interactions among the atoms, which are essential to determining the molecular properties of macromolecules. In this work, we propose Multiresolution Graph Transformers (MGT), the first graph transformer architecture that can learn to represent large molecules at multiple scales. MGT can learn to produce representations for the atoms and group them into meaningful functional groups or repeating units. We also introduce Wavelet Positional Encoding (WavePE), a new positional encoding method that can guarantee localization in both spectral and spatial domains. Our proposed model achieves competitive results on three macromolecule datasets consisting of polymers, peptides, and protein-ligand complexes, along with one drug-like molecule dataset. Significantly, our model outperforms other state-of-the-art methods and achieves chemical accuracy in estimating molecular properties (e.g., highest occupied molecular orbital, lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, and their gap) calculated by Density Functional Theory in the polymers dataset. Furthermore, the visualizations, including clustering results on macromolecules and low-dimensional spaces of their representations, demonstrate the capability of our methodology in learning to represent long-range and hierarchical structures. Our PyTorch implementation is publicly available at https://github.com/HySonLab/Multires-Graph-Transformer.
A modified dynamic contact angle model applied to double droplet impact curved surface
Authors: Wang Zhongyi , Zhu Junhao , Wang Meng , Liu Xiaogang , Wang Yanhua , Li Yulai
Published: July 2023

The microscopic processes involving droplet impact and interaction on spatially curved surfaces remain unclear. In this study, we implement a dynamic contact angle model with adjusted upper and lower limits into a simulation of droplet motion, constructing a three-dimensional numerical model to depict the dynamics and heat transfer characteristics of symmetric double droplets impacting plane, concave, and convex cylindrical, and concave and convex spherical surfaces. The processes of droplet spreading, retraction, rebound, splitting, and heat transfer are elaborated, revealing the role of surface curvature during impact. Our results show that different curvatures significantly affect the flow morphology of the flow dividing line. For the two main curvatures of the surface, the curvature in the direction of droplet arrangement predominates. Positive curvature promotes spreading and repels the liquid phase, while negative curvature promotes agglomeration and attracts the liquid phase. Extreme situations arise when both positive and negative curvatures occur simultaneously. Regarding heat transfer, the overall heat transfer rate is mainly determined by the spread area, and the heat transfer performance of convex surfaces is better than that of plane or concave surfaces. Residual bubbles increase heat transfer inhomogeneity, but different surfaces do not show significant variability. Additionally, the heat flow intensity in the central interaction region has the following relationship with its rebound height and is independent of the overall heat transfer intensity.
Superfast and sub-wavelength orbital rotation of plasmonic particles in focused Gaussian beams
Authors: Zhou Lei-Ming , Zhu Xiaoyu , Zheng Yu , Wang Long , Huang Chan , Jiang Xiaoyun , Shi Yuzhi , Sun Fang-Wen , Hu Jigang
Published: July 2023

The use of nanophotonics for optical manipulation has continuously attracted interest in both fundamental research and practical applications, due to its significantly enhanced capabilities at the nanoscale. In this work, we showed that plasmonic particles can be trapped at off-axis location in Gaussian beams assisted by surface plasmon resonance. The off-axis displacement can be tuned at the sub-wavelength scale by the incident light beams. Based on these, we propose that a superfast orbital rotation of particles in a continuous-wave laser beam can be realized in tightly focused circularly polarized Gaussian beams. The rotation has a tunable orbital radius at the sub-wavelength scale and a superfast rotation speed (more than 104 r/s in water under common laboratory conditions). Our work will aid in the development of optically driven nanomachines and find applications in micro-/nano-rheology, micro-fluid mechanics, and biological research at the nanoscale.
Effects of the gravitational force on the convection turbulence driven by heat-releasing point particles
Authors: Du Yuhang , Yang Yantao
Published: July 2023

In this work, we study the convection turbulence driven by heat-releasing point particles, which absorb energy for external sources. Two-way coupling is considered for both momentum and temperature fields, and the particle dynamics includes both the Stokes drag, which is measured by the Stokes number, and the gravity force, which is measured by the Froude number. The gravity effect of particles on the convection turbulence is mainly researched. Two regimes are identified at large and small Froude numbers, respectively. For a large Froude number, the flow can reach a statistically steady state with particles being constantly advected over the whole domain. Within this regime, the transport properties exhibit weak dependence on the Froude number but strong dependence on the Stokes number. When the Froude number is small enough, all particles eventually accumulate toward the boundary layer region near the bottom plate. Scaling laws are derived for the critical Froude number between the two regimes, which agree well with the numerical results.
The equations of state of statically compressed palladium and rhodium
Authors: Frost Mungo , Smith Dean , McBride Emma E. , Smith Jesse S. , Glenzer Siegfried H.
Published: July 2023

The pressure–volume equations of state of palladium and rhodium statically compressed in neon are presented. Vinet fits give parameters for palladium: V0=58.678(73) Å3, B0=189.3(30) GPa, B0′=5.473(63), and rhodium: V0=55.062(63) Å3, B0=241.3(65) GPa, B0′=5.34(24). Both metals are observed to react with hydrocarbons under pressure to form hydrides. Existing equations of state are discussed with regard to potential inadvertent hydrogen contamination as a source for discrepancies and anomalous fitted parameters.
Elastic heterogeneity governs asymmetric adsorption–desorption in a soft porous crystal
Authors: Mitsumoto Kota , Takae Kyohei
Published: July 2023

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), which possess a high degree of crystallinity and a large surface area with tunable inorganic nodes and organic linkers, exhibit high stimuli-responsiveness and molecular adsorption selectivity that enable various applications. The adsorption in MOFs changes the crystalline structure and elastic moduli. Thus, the coexistence of adsorbed/desorbed sites makes the host matrices elastically heterogeneous. However, the role of elastic heterogeneity in the adsorption–desorption transition has been overlooked. Here, we show the asymmetric role of elastic heterogeneity in the adsorption–desorption transition. We construct a minimal model incorporating adsorption-induced lattice expansion/contraction and an increase/decrease in the elastic moduli. We find that the transition is hindered by the entropic and energetic effects which become asymmetric in the adsorption process and desorption process, leading to the strong hysteretic nature of the transition. Furthermore, the adsorbed/desorbed sites exhibit spatially heterogeneous domain formation, implying that the domain morphology and interfacial area between adsorbed/desorbed sites can be controlled by elastic heterogeneity. Our results provide a theoretical guideline for designing soft porous crystals with tunable adsorption hysteresis and the dispersion and domain morphology of adsorbates using elastic heterogeneity.
Quantum magneto-transport properties of monolayers MoSi2N4, WSi2N4, and MoSi2As4
Authors: Hoa Le T , Kubakaddi S S , Nguyen Chuong V , Hieu Nguyen N , Phuc Huynh V
Published: July 2023

We study the transport properties of monolayers MoSi2N4, WSi2N4, and MoSi2As4 in a perpendicular magnetic field. The Landau level (LL) band structures including spin and exchange field effects are derived and discussed using a low-energy effective model. We show that the LLs band structures of these materials are similar to those of phosphorene and transition-metal dichalcogenides rather than graphene or silicene. The combination of strong spin–orbit coupling and exchange fields reduces the degradation of the LLs, leading to new plateaus in the Hall conductivity and Hall resistivity and new peaks in the longitudinal conductivity and longitudinal resistivity. The effect of the exchange field, carrier density, and LLs band structure on the conductivities and resistivities have been investigated. At high temperatures, the steps in Hall conductivity and resistivity plateaus disappear and reduce to their corresponding classical forms.
Phase I study of intraperitoneal irinotecan combined with palliative systemic chemotherapy in patients with colorectal peritoneal metastases
Authors: van Eerden Ruben A G , de Boer Nadine L , van Kooten Job P , Bakkers Checca , Dietz Michelle V , Creemers Geert-Jan M , Buijs Sanne M , Bax Ramon , de Man Femke M , Lurvink Robin J , Diepeveen Marjolein , Brandt-Kerkhof Alexandra R M , van Meerten Esther , Koolen Stijn L W , de Hingh Ignace H J T , Verhoef Cornelis , Mathijssen Ron H J , Burger Jacobus W A
Published: July 2023

Background

Patients with colorectal peritoneal metastases who are not eligible for cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) owing to extensive peritoneal disease have a poor prognosis. It was hypothesized that these patients may benefit from the addition of intraperitoneal irinotecan to standard palliative systemic chemotherapy.

Methods

This was a classical 3 + 3 phase I dose-escalation trial in patients with colorectal peritoneal metastases who were not eligible for CRS-HIPEC. Intraperitoneal irinotecan was administered every 2 weeks, concomitantly with systemic FOLFOX (5-fluorouracil, folinic acid, oxaliplatin)–bevacizumab. The primary objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicities. Secondary objectives were to elucidate the systemic and intraperitoneal pharmacokinetics, safety profile, and efficacy.

Results

Eighteen patients were treated. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed with 50 mg (4 patients) and 75 mg (9 patients) intraperitoneal irinotecan. Two dose-limiting toxicities occurred with 100 mg irinotecan among five patients. The maximum tolerated dose of intraperitoneal irinotecan was established to be 75 mg, and it was well tolerated. Intraperitoneal exposure to SN-38 (active metabolite of irinotecan) was high compared with systemic exposure (median intraperitoneal area under the curve (AUC) to systemic AUC ratio 4.6). Thirteen patients had a partial radiological response and five had stable disease. Four patients showed a complete response during post-treatment diagnostic laparoscopy. Five patients underwent salvage resection or CRS-HIPEC. Median overall survival was 23.9 months.

Conclusion

Administration of 75 mg intraperitoneal irinotecan concomitantly with systemic FOLFOX–bevacizumab was safe and well tolerated. Intraperitoneal SN-38 exposure was high and prolonged. As oncological outcomes were promising, intraperitoneal administration of irinotecan may be a good alternative to other, more invasive and costly treatment options. A phase II study is currently accruing.