bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Debunking the Myth of Nicaraguan Exceptionalism: Crime, Drugs and the Political Economy of Violence in a ‘Narco-state’
Authors: Rocha José Luis , Rodgers Dennis , Weegels Julienne
Published: September 2023

Nicaragua is often held up as an exception within the Central American panorama of criminal violence, widely presented as the safest country in the region due to its particular revolutionary legacies, the (supposed) absence of transnational gangs and drug-trafficking organisations, and the National Police's representation as an efficient and professional force. This commentary proposes an alternative reading of Nicaragua's contemporary political economy of violence in order to reveal the profoundly misleading nature of this prevalent view. In particular, it highlights how Nicaragua is governed through a particular political ‘settlement’ underpinned by drug trafficking, police and judicial corruption, as well as ‘mafia state’ governance. These factors have coalesced to establish a highly efficient and engrained ‘narco-state’ whose undoing is unlikely in the short term.
Spatial and seasonal changes in microphytoplankton and ciliate communities in a stressed area of the southeastern Mediterranean coast (Tunisia)
Authors: Rekik Amira , Pagano Marc , Ayadi Habib , Guermazi Wassim , Elloumi Jannet
Published: September 2023

The spatial and seasonal variability of the microphytoplankton and ciliates communities in relation to the environmental factors were studied in the southern coastal area of Sfax. Results revealed a striking difference between seasons regarding pH, with strong acidification in autumn generated by industrial activity. Spatial distribution of pH in autumn impacted the microorganisms in different ways: acidic stations to the south showed significant correlations with Cyanobacteria, dinoflagellates and loricate ciliates whereas higher pH values in spring (pH > 8) were linked to diatoms richness. The high availability of inorganic phosphate is associated with the high release of phosphate due to residue from a phosphate treatment manufacture along the coast; consequently, N/P ratios were low (1.34–13.43) suggesting nitrogen limitation. Microphytoplankton abundance shifted from dinoflagellates dominance in autumn to dominance of diatoms during winter and of Euglenophyceae in summer. Loricate ciliates accounted for the largest proportion of the ciliates community while aloricate ciliates were relatively scarce during all seasons. Variability of ciliate community appeared not directly linked to environmental conditions, but significant positive relationships between abundance of loricate ciliates and microphytoplankton suggest that these ciliates may feed on microphytoplankton.
Exploring the diversity of the deep-sea shrimp in the ‘Glyphocrangon spinicauda A. Milne-Edwards, 1881’ species group (Decapoda, Crustacea, Glyphocrangonidae) off Taiwan and Dongsha
Authors: Chang Su-Ching , Chen Chien-Lin , Chen Jing-Yi , Komai Tomoyuki
Published: September 2023

Examination of the material collected by Taiwan deep-sea cruises reveals the presence of five species of the deep-sea shrimp genus Glyphocrangon A. Milne-Edwards, 1881, representing new records for Taiwan and Dongsha (Pratas Island; under jurisdiction of Taiwan). These species are Glyphocrangon albatrossae, G. caecescens, G. indonesiensis, G. major and G. proxima, all of which belong to the informal Glyphocrangon spinicauda species group. These findings bring the total number of species in the G. spinicauda species group reported in the waters around Taiwan and Dongsha to 11. The complex ornamentation of the body surface of each species is shown using micro-computed tomography. Diagnosis and illustrations showing diagnostic characters and living colouration are provided for most, if not all, of these species. Glyphocrangon grandis is placed under the synonymy of G. major based on morphology, because it was found that diagnostic characters proposed to distinguish these two taxa are variable within the current series of specimens. The biogeographical distributions of these species are presented, and a key is provided to help identify the 11 known species in this region.
Speaking for Others from the Bench
Authors: Salkin Wendy
Published: September 2023

In this article, I introduce and examine the novel concept of bench representation. Jurists and scholars have extensively examined whether judges are or ought to be considered symbolic representatives of abstract concepts (for instance, the law, equality, or justice), representatives of society as a whole, or descriptive representatives of the social groups from which they hail. However, little attention has been paid to the question whether judges act as representatives for the parties before them through their everyday work on the bench. This article examines that question. Bench representation occurs when a judge, through statements or actions undertaken during the performance of official duties, speaks or acts for a party to the proceeding before them. I argue that serving as a bench representative is a common and valuable feature of what it is to be a judge and, despite appearances, usually undermines neither impartiality nor fairness.
Cold hardiness evaluation of some Pistacia species based on electrolyte leakage and eco-physiological parameters
Authors: Ravari Azim , Karimi Hamid Reza , Mohammadi Mirik Ali Akbar
Published: September 2023

Freezing damage is a major limiting factor to Pistachio cultivation in cold climates. Assessment of pistachio genotypes to freezing stress is important for the selection of tolerance cultivars in these regions. In this study, nine genotypes belong to six Pistacia species (P. terebinthus L., P. atlantica Desf., P. atlantica subsp. kurdica P. atlantica subsp. mutica, P. khinjuk Stocks., P. vera var. Sarakhs, P. vera cv. Badami-Riz-Zarand I, P. vera cv. Badami-Riz-Zarand II) and an interspecies hybrid named UCB1 (P. atlantica × P. integrrima) were evaluated to freezing stress at temperatures of −4, −8, −12 and, −16°C in the months of December, January and February. Results showed that electrolyte leakage (EL) percentage and means of eco-physiological parameters varied among genotypes with the highest soluble carbohydrates and phenolic compounds observed in species of P. atlantica subsp. kurdica and P. vera var. Sarakhs respectively. In February, the highest calcium and potassium concentrations of shoot were observed in P. terebinths and P. vera var. Sarakhs genotypes respectively. The highest EL percentage was observed at −16°C in P. atlantica and P. khinjuk and the lowest in P. terebinthus and P. vera var. Sarakhs.
Evading National Identity: On Translocal Irish Folk Music in Austria
Authors: MORGENSTERN FELIX
Published: September 2023

This article assesses how translocal Irish folk-music practices and their consumption in Austria elide the traumatic legacy of extreme nationalism in modern European history. Furthermore, it teases out the degree to which the affinity of Austrian performers and audiences with Irish folk music might provide an alternative sphere of cultural identification to indigenous Austrian folk-music practices. Combining ethnographic and historical inquiry, the article unravels how various nostalgically sustained imaginaries of Irishness find complex refractions in the Austrian present, while also interrogating the stakes of an emerging insistence upon the primacy of “the music itself” in ethnographic voices.
Intensification and Weakening of Equatorial Plasma Bubble Development Observed by GOLD During Different Phases of a Geomagnetic Storm
Authors: Amadi B. C. , Qian L. , de Paula E. R. , MclNerney J. M. , Kherani E. A. , Santos A. M. , Sanchez S. A.
Published: September 2023

Equatorial plasma bubble (EPB) development during different phases of the geomagnetic storm of 3–4 November 2021 (SYMHmin = −118 nT) was examined using observations and simulations. The initial phase of the storm coincided with postsunset (about 30 min after sunset) at Fortaleza (FZ) and São Luís (SL) with longitudes of ∼38.45°W and ∼44°W respectively on November 3 while the recovery phase of the storm started at 12:45 UT on November 4. GOLD shows the longest (shortest) extension of EPBs on November 3 (4) compared to days before and after November 3 and 4, including quiet days. This indicates an intensification (weakening) of EPBs on November 3 (4). From ionosondes at FZ and SL, a strong (weak) range spread F (SSF (RSF)) was observed on November 3 (4). The postsunset peak F layer height on November 3 reached 450 km and exceeded the preceding and succeeding days by ∼50–100 km at SL indicating the presence of a Prompt Penetration Electric Field (PPEF) which enhanced EPB development via the favorable postsunset vertical E x B and Rayleigh‐Taylor instability (RTI) mechanisms on November 3. The lower‐than‐quiet time F layer height observed on November 4 during Pre‐reversal enhancement (PRE) indicates the presence of a westward‐oriented Disturbance Dynamo Electric Field (DDEF) that undermined RTI growth and led to the weakening of EPB development. Simulation results confirm that the storm‐time electric fields modified the evening‐time ionosphere and influenced the magnitude of vertical E x B drift required for the development of EPBs.
A Survey of Strong Electric Potential Drops in the Ionosphere of Venus
Authors: Collinson Glyn A. , Frahm Rudy A. , Glocer Alex , Daldorff Lars , Thiemann Ed , Kang Suk‐Bin , Gronoff Guillaume , Futaana Yoshifumi , Zhang Tielong
Published: September 2023

Every planet or moon with an ionosphere is thought to generate a weak electrical potential which helps ions overcome gravity and escape to space. A pilot study at Venus by Collinson et al. (2016, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL068327) indicated a planetary potential an order of magnitude stronger than expected. Here we present a statistical study of the electrical potential drop in the ionosphere of Venus, which was found to be an average of 7.04 ± 2.19 V. However, these strong potentials measured by Venus Express are likely atypical and extreme outliers associated with a transient phenomenon in the Venusian ionosphere. We posit they are associated with transient and sporadic density cavities in the ionosphere and may be the result of sporadic electrostatic double layer formation in the dayside ionosphere.
Maxillary sinus floor augmentation: a review of current evidence on anatomical factors and a decision tree
Authors: Lyu Mingyue , Xu Dingyi , Zhang Xiaohan , Yuan Quan
Published: September 2023

Maxillary sinus floor augmentation using lateral window and crestal technique is considered as predictable methods to increase the residual bone height; however, this surgery is commonly complicated by Schneiderian membrane perforation, which is closely related to anatomical factors. This article aimed to assess anatomical factors on successful augmentation procedures. After review of the current evidence on sinus augmentation techniques, anatomical factors related to the stretching potential of Schneiderian membrane were assessed and a decision tree for the rational choice of surgical approaches was proposed. Schneiderian membrane perforation might occur when local tension exceeds its stretching potential, which is closely related to anatomical variations of the maxillary sinus. Choice of a surgical approach and clinical outcomes are influenced by the stretching potential of Schneiderian membrane. In addition to the residual bone height, clinicians should also consider the stretching potential affected by the membrane health condition, the contours of the maxillary sinus, and the presence of antral septa when evaluating the choice of surgical approaches and clinical outcomes.
Novel neurosteroid therapeutics for post-partum depression: perspectives on clinical trials, program development, active research, and future directions
Authors: Patterson Riah , Balan Irina , Morrow A. Leslie , Meltzer-Brody Samantha
Published: September 2023

This article reviews novel neurosteroid therapeutics for post-partum depression, with a focus on their development, clinical trial data, current practices, and future directions in this exciting field. We discuss the clinical impact of brexanolone and several other neurosteroids, particularly as they relate to the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD) and major depressive disorders outside of the perinatal period. There has been increasing interest in GABA signaling and modulation as it pertains to the development of altered circuity and depressive states. This scientific underpinning served as the rationale for the initial development of brexanolone. We review the clinical trials supporting its Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval as the first rapidly acting antidepressant specific for PPD, and the subsequent development of a clinical brexanolone program at an academic medical center, highlighting new research and data from that site as well as the challenges with the delivery of this I.V. drug. In addition to the GABA signaling hypothesis, we discuss the new evidence demonstrating that brexanolone inhibits inflammatory signaling post-infusion, suggesting that inflammatory signaling may contribute to the etiology of PPD. Finally, we describe new and future directions in neurosteroid therapeutics, including the development of an oral agent, zuranolone, and the IV and oral formulations of ganaxolone. Ultimately, the hope is that these novel neurosteroid therapeutics will provide fast-acting treatment for these impairing disorders and improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of depressive disorders.
Trophic interactions shape the spatial organization of medium-chain carboxylic acid producing granular biofilm communities
Authors: Candry Pieter , Chadwick Grayson L , Caravajal-Arroyo José Maria , Lacoere Tim , Winkler Mari-Karoliina Henriikka , Ganigué Ramon , Orphan Victoria J , Rabaey Korneel
Published: September 2023

Granular biofilms producing medium-chain carboxylic acids (MCCA) from carbohydrate-rich industrial feedstocks harbor highly streamlined communities converting sugars to MCCA either directly or via lactic acid as intermediate. We investigated the spatial organization and growth activity patterns of MCCA producing granular biofilms grown on an industrial side stream to test (i) whether key functional guilds (lactic acid producing Olsenella and MCCA producing Oscillospiraceae) stratified in the biofilm based on substrate usage, and (ii) whether spatial patterns of growth activity shaped the unique, lenticular morphology of these biofilms. First, three novel isolates (one Olsenella and two Oscillospiraceae species) representing over half of the granular biofilm community were obtained and used to develop FISH probes, revealing that key functional guilds were not stratified. Instead, the outer 150–500 µm of the granular biofilm consisted of a well-mixed community of Olsenella and Oscillospiraceae, while deeper layers were made up of other bacteria with lower activities. Second, nanoSIMS analysis of 15N incorporation in biofilms grown in normal and lactic acid amended conditions suggested Oscillospiraceae switched from sugars to lactic acid as substrate. This suggests competitive-cooperative interactions may govern the spatial organization of these biofilms, and suggests that optimizing biofilm size may be a suitable process engineering strategy. Third, growth activities were similar in the polar and equatorial biofilm peripheries, leaving the mechanism behind the lenticular biofilm morphology unexplained. Physical processes (e.g., shear hydrodynamics, biofilm life cycles) may have contributed to lenticular biofilm development. Together, this study develops an ecological framework of MCCA-producing granular biofilms that informs bioprocess development.
A bio-inspired visuotactile neuron for multisensory integration
Authors: Sadaf Muhtasim Ul Karim , Sakib Najam U , Pannone Andrew , Ravichandran Harikrishnan , Das Saptarshi
Published: September 2023

Multisensory integration is a salient feature of the brain which enables better and faster responses in comparison to unisensory integration, especially when the unisensory cues are weak. Specialized neurons that receive convergent input from two or more sensory modalities are responsible for such multisensory integration. Solid-state devices that can emulate the response of these multisensory neurons can advance neuromorphic computing and bridge the gap between artificial and natural intelligence. Here, we introduce an artificial visuotactile neuron based on the integration of a photosensitive monolayer MoS2 memtransistor and a triboelectric tactile sensor which minutely captures the three essential features of multisensory integration, namely, super-additive response, inverse effectiveness effect, and temporal congruency. We have also realized a circuit which can encode visuotactile information into digital spiking events, with probability of spiking determined by the strength of the visual and tactile cues. We believe that our comprehensive demonstration of bio-inspired and multisensory visuotactile neuron and spike encoding circuitry will advance the field of neuromorphic computing, which has thus far primarily focused on unisensory intelligence and information processing.
Divergent single cell transcriptome and epigenome alterations in ALS and FTD patients with C9orf72 mutation
Authors: Li Junhao , Jaiswal Manoj K. , Chien Jo-Fan , Kozlenkov Alexey , Jung Jinyoung , Zhou Ping , Gardashli Mahammad , Pregent Luc J. , Engelberg-Cook Erica , Dickson Dennis W. , Belzil Veronique V. , Mukamel Eran A. , Dracheva Stella
Published: September 2023

A repeat expansion in the C9orf72 (C9) gene is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Here we investigate single nucleus transcriptomics (snRNA-seq) and epigenomics (snATAC-seq) in postmortem motor and frontal cortices from C9-ALS, C9-FTD, and control donors. C9-ALS donors present pervasive alterations of gene expression with concordant changes in chromatin accessibility and histone modifications. The greatest alterations occur in upper and deep layer excitatory neurons, as well as in astrocytes. In neurons, the changes imply an increase in proteostasis, metabolism, and protein expression pathways, alongside a decrease in neuronal function. In astrocytes, the alterations suggest activation and structural remodeling. Conversely, C9-FTD donors have fewer high-quality neuronal nuclei in the frontal cortex and numerous gene expression changes in glial cells. These findings highlight a context-dependent molecular disruption in C9-ALS and C9-FTD, indicating unique effects across cell types, brain regions, and diseases.
Methyl radical chemistry in non-oxidative methane activation over metal single sites
Authors: Huang Xin , Eggart Daniel , Qin Gangqiang , Sarma Bidyut Bikash , Gaur Abhijeet , Yang Jiuzhong , Pan Yang , Li Mingrun , Hao Jianqi , Yu Hongfei , Zimina Anna , Guo Xiaoguang , Xiao Jianping , Grunwaldt Jan-Dierk , Pan Xiulian , Bao Xinhe
Published: September 2023

Molybdenum supported on zeolites has been extensively studied as a catalyst for methane dehydroaromatization. Despite significant progress, the actual intermediates and particularly the first C-C bond formation have not yet been elucidated. Herein we report evolution of methyl radicals during non-oxidative methane activation over molybdenum single sites, which leads selectively to value-added chemicals. Operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy and online synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectroscopy in combination with electron microscopy and density functional theory calculations reveal the essential role of molybdenum single sites in the generation of methyl radicals and that the formation rate of methyl radicals is linearly correlated with the number of molybdenum single sites. Methyl radicals transform to ethane in the gas phase, which readily dehydrogenates to ethylene in the absence of zeolites. This is essentially similar to the reaction pathway over the previously reported SiO2 lattice-confined single site iron catalyst. However, the availability of a zeolite, either in a physical mixture or as a support, directs the subsequent reaction pathway towards aromatization within the zeolite confined pores, resulting in benzene as the dominant hydrocarbon product. The findings reveal that methyl radical chemistry could be a general feature for metal single site catalysis regardless of the support (either zeolites MCM-22 and ZSM-5 or SiO2) whereas the reaction over aggregated molybdenum carbide nanoparticles likely facilitates carbon deposition through surface C-C coupling. These findings allow furthering the fundamental insights into non-oxidative methane conversion to value-added chemicals.
Photoluminescence imaging of single photon emitters within nanoscale strain profiles in monolayer WSe2
Authors: Abramov Artem N. , Chestnov Igor Y. , Alimova Ekaterina S. , Ivanova Tatiana , Mukhin Ivan S. , Krizhanovskii Dmitry N. , Shelykh Ivan A. , Iorsh Ivan V. , Kravtsov Vasily
Published: September 2023

Local deformation of atomically thin van der Waals materials provides a powerful approach to create site-controlled chip-compatible single-photon emitters (SPEs). However, the microscopic mechanisms underlying the formation of such strain-induced SPEs are still not fully clear, which hinders further efforts in their deterministic integration with nanophotonic structures for developing practical on-chip sources of quantum light. Here we investigate SPEs with single-photon purity up to 98% created in monolayer WSe2 via nanoindentation. Using photoluminescence imaging in combination with atomic force microscopy, we locate single-photon emitting sites on a deep sub-wavelength spatial scale and reconstruct the details of the surrounding local strain potential. The obtained results suggest that the origin of the observed single-photon emission is likely related to strain-induced spectral shift of dark excitonic states and their hybridization with localized states of individual defects.
Photoluminescence upconversion in monolayer WSe2 activated by plasmonic cavities through resonant excitation of dark excitons
Authors: Mueller Niclas S. , Arul Rakesh , Kang Gyeongwon , Saunders Ashley P. , Johnson Amalya C. , Sánchez-Iglesias Ana , Hu Shu , Jakob Lukas A. , Bar-David Jonathan , de Nijs Bart , Liz-Marzán Luis M. , Liu Fang , Baumberg Jeremy J.
Published: September 2023

Anti-Stokes photoluminescence (PL) is light emission at a higher photon energy than the excitation, with applications in optical cooling, bioimaging, lasing, and quantum optics. Here, we show how plasmonic nano-cavities activate anti-Stokes PL in WSe2 monolayers through resonant excitation of a dark exciton at room temperature. The optical near-fields of the plasmonic cavities excite the out-of-plane transition dipole of the dark exciton, leading to light emission from the bright exciton at higher energy. Through statistical measurements on hundreds of plasmonic cavities, we show that coupling to the dark exciton leads to a near hundred-fold enhancement of the upconverted PL intensity. This is further corroborated by experiments in which the laser excitation wavelength is tuned across the dark exciton. We show that a precise nanoparticle geometry is key for a consistent enhancement, with decahedral nanoparticle shapes providing an efficient PL upconversion. Finally, we demonstrate a selective and reversible switching of the upconverted PL via electrochemical gating. Our work introduces the dark exciton as an excitation channel for anti-Stokes PL in WSe2 and paves the way for large-area substrates providing nanoscale optical cooling, anti-Stokes lasing, and radiative engineering of excitons.
C3N nanodots inhibits Aβ peptides aggregation pathogenic path in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Yin Xiuhua , Zhou Hong , Zhang Mengling , Su Juan , Wang Xiao , Li Sijie , Yang Zaixing , Kang Zhenhui , Zhou Ruhong
Published: September 2023

Despite the accumulating evidence linking the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) to the aggregation of Aβ peptides and the emergence of Aβ oligomers, the FDA has approved very few anti-aggregation-based therapies over the past several decades. Here, we report the discovery of an Aβ peptide aggregation inhibitor: an ultra-small nanodot called C3N. C3N nanodots alleviate aggregation-induced neuron cytotoxicity, rescue neuronal death, and prevent neurite damage in vitro. Importantly, they reduce the global cerebral Aβ peptides levels, particularly in fibrillar amyloid plaques, and restore synaptic loss in AD mice. Consequently, these C3N nanodots significantly ameliorate behavioral deficits of APP/PS1 double transgenic male AD mice. Moreover, analysis of critical tissues (e.g., heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney) display no obvious pathological damage, suggesting C3N nanodots are biologically safe. Finally, molecular dynamics simulations also reveal the inhibitory mechanisms of C3N nanodots in Aβ peptides aggregation and its potential application against AD.
Hydrodynamic tearing of bacteria on nanotips for sustainable water disinfection
Authors: Peng Lu , Zhu Haojie , Wang Haobin , Guo Zhenbin , Wu Qianyuan , Yang Cheng , Hu Hong-Ying
Published: September 2023

Water disinfection is conventionally achieved by oxidation or irradiation, which is often associated with a high carbon footprint and the formation of toxic byproducts. Here, we describe a nano-structured material that is highly effective at killing bacteria in water through a hydrodynamic mechanism. The material consists of carbon-coated, sharp Cu(OH)2 nanowires grown on a copper foam substrate. We show that mild water flow (e.g. driven from a storage tank) can efficiently tear up bacteria through a high dispersion force between the nanotip surface and the cell envelope. Bacterial cell rupture is due to tearing of the cell envelope rather than collisions. This mechanism produces rapid inactivation of bacteria in water, and achieved complete disinfection in a 30-day field test. Our approach exploits fluidic energy and does not require additional energy supply, thus offering an efficient and low-cost system that could potentially be incorporated in water treatment processes in wastewater facilities and rural communities.
First fully-automated AI/ML virtual screening cascade implemented at a drug discovery centre in Africa
Authors: Turon Gemma , Hlozek Jason , Woodland John G. , Kumar Ankur , Chibale Kelly , Duran-Frigola Miquel
Published: September 2023

Streamlined data-driven drug discovery remains challenging, especially in resource-limited settings. We present ZairaChem, an artificial intelligence (AI)- and machine learning (ML)-based tool for quantitative structure-activity/property relationship (QSAR/QSPR) modelling. ZairaChem is fully automated, requires low computational resources and works across a broad spectrum of datasets. We describe an end-to-end implementation at the H3D Centre, the leading integrated drug discovery unit in Africa, at which no prior AI/ML capabilities were available. By leveraging in-house data collected over a decade, we have developed a virtual screening cascade for malaria and tuberculosis drug discovery comprising 15 models for key decision-making assays ranging from whole-cell phenotypic screening and cytotoxicity to aqueous solubility, permeability, microsomal metabolic stability, cytochrome inhibition, and cardiotoxicity. We show how computational profiling of compounds, prior to synthesis and testing, can inform progression of frontrunner compounds at H3D. This project is a first-of-its-kind deployment at scale of AI/ML tools in a research centre operating in a low-resource setting.
Deep guided transformer dehazing network
Authors: Zhang Shengdong , Zhao Liping , Hu Keli , Feng Sheng , Fan En , Zhao Li
Published: September 2023

Single image dehazing has received a lot of concern and achieved great success with the help of deep-learning models. Yet, the performance is limited by the local limitation of convolution. To address such a limitation, we design a novel deep learning dehazing model by combining the transformer and guided filter, which is called as Deep Guided Transformer Dehazing Network. Specially, we address the limitation of convolution via a transformer-based subnetwork, which can capture long dependency. Haze is dependent on the depth, which needs global information to compute the density of haze, and removes haze from the input images correctly. To restore the details of dehazed result, we proposed a CNN sub-network to capture the local information. To overcome the slow speed of the transformer-based subnetwork, we improve the dehazing speed via a guided filter. Extensive experimental results show consistent improvement over the state-of-the-art dehazing on natural haze and simulated haze images.
The underestimated role of myopia in uncorrectable visual impairment in the United States
Authors: Bullimore Mark A. , Brennan Noel A.
Published: September 2023

We estimate the US prevalence of uncorrectable visual impairment in 2050 accounting for the changing distribution of both age and myopia. Age projections of the US population (from an estimated total of 379 million in 2050), were taken from the US census website. The distribution of myopia, by severity, was calculated from literature-derived prevalence estimates of 58.4% (≤ − 0.50 D, 2050 projection) and 33.1% (≤ − 1.00 D, 1999–2004 estimate) to provide predicted and conservative estimates, respectively. Uncorrectable visual impairment as a function of age and refractive error was modelled by multiple linear regression. Finally, the likely number of individuals in the US with visual impairment in 2050 was calculated. For a projected myopia prevalence of 58.4%, 222 million are projected to be myopic and 48 million will have high myopia (− 5 D or worse). The projected total number with uncorrectable visual impairment is 11.4 million of which 4.9 million cases (43%) of visual impairment will be directly attributed to increased risk of eye disease associated with myopia. For a projected myopia prevalence of 33.1%, 8.9 million are projected to have uncorrectable visual impairment of which 2.4 million cases (27%) will be directly attributed to myopia. It is predicted that between 27 and 43% of uncorrectable visual impairment in the US population in 2050 will be directly attributable to myopia. Failure to account for the increasing prevalence of myopia among the aging population leads to a substantial underestimate of the prevalence of visual impairment.
Automatic and efficient pneumothorax segmentation from CT images using EFA-Net with feature alignment function
Authors: Liu Yinghao , Liang Pengchen , Liang Kaiyi , Chang Qing
Published: September 2023

Pneumothorax is a condition involving a collapsed lung, which requires accurate segmentation of computed tomography (CT) images for effective clinical decision-making. Numerous convolutional neural network-based methods for medical image segmentation have been proposed, but they often struggle to balance model complexity with performance. To address this, we introduce the Efficient Feature Alignment Network (EFA-Net), a novel medical image segmentation network designed specifically for pneumothorax CT segmentation. EFA-Net uses EfficientNet as an encoder to extract features and a Feature Alignment (FA) module as a decoder to align features in both the spatial and channel dimensions. This design allows EFA-Net to achieve superior segmentation performance with reduced model complexity. In our dataset, our method outperforms various state-of-the-art methods in terms of accuracy and efficiency, achieving a Dice coefficient of 90.03%, an Intersection over Union (IOU) of 81.80%, and a sensitivity of 88.94%. Notably, EFA-Net has significantly lower FLOPs (1.549G) and parameters (0.432M), offering better robustness and facilitating easier deployment. Future work will explore the integration of downstream applications to enhance EFA-Net’s utility for clinicians and patients in real-world diagnostic scenarios. The source code of EFA-Net is available at: https://github.com/tianjiamutangchun/EFA-Net.
A feasibility study of 5G positioning with current cellular network deployment
Authors: Camajori Tedeschini Bernardo , Brambilla Mattia , Italiano Lorenzo , Reggiani Simone , Vaccarono Davide , Alghisi Marianna , Benvenuto Lorenzo , Goia Alessandro , Realini Eugenio , Grec Florin , Nicoli Monica
Published: September 2023

This research examines the feasibility of using synchronization signals broadcasted by currently deployed fifth generation (5G) cellular networks to determine the position of a static receiver. The main focus lies on the analysis of synchronization among the base stations of a real 5G network in Milan, Italy, as this has a major impact on the accuracy of localization based on time of arrival measurements. Understanding such properties, indeed, is fundamental to characterize the clock drifts and implement compensation strategies as well as to identify the direct communication beam. The paper shows how the clock errors, i.e., inaccurate synchronization, among 5G base stations exhibit a significant bias, which is detrimental for precise cellular positioning. By compensating the synchronization errors of devices’ clocks, we demonstrate that it is in principle possible to localize a static user with an accuracy of approximately 8–10 m in non-obstructed visibility conditions, for urban and rural scenarios, using the deployed 5G network operating at 3.68 GHz and relying on broadcast signals as defined by 5G Release 15 standard. This work has been funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) Navigation Innovation and Support Program (NAVISP) Element 2 pillar which aims at improving the competitiveness of the industry of the participating States in the global Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) market.
Sequential organo and metal catalyzed reaction between 3-pyrrolyloxindoles and linear nitroenynes: access to cyclic aza-spirooxindoles
Authors: Biswas Subhankar , Purkayastha Siddhartha K. , Guha Ankur K. , Pan Subhas Chandra
Published: September 2023

A sequential organo- and metal catalyzed reaction between 3-pyrrolyloxindoles and linear nitroenynes for the synthesis of a new series of cyclic aza-spirooxindole derivatives has been developed.
SO42− ions as a nucleophilic reagent: straightforward electrochemical access to organosulfates
Authors: Li Chen , Chen Zhuo , Guo Xue-Yang , Wen Li-Rong , Li Ming , Zhang Lin-Bao
Published: September 2023

An electrooxidation direct difunctionalization of alkynes with sulfonyl hydrazides has been developed for the construction of sulfonyl alkenyl sulfates in the absence of metal catalysts and a stoichiometric amount of oxidants.
Five novel supramolecular assemblies constructed from the thiazolothiazole extended viologen moiety
Authors: Yang Fengyi , Chen Jiali , Wang Junwen , Liu Jinjian
Published: September 2023

Five novel supramolecular assemblies based on the thiazolothiazole extended viologen moiety have been obtained, showing reversible photochromic behavior.
Understanding electrostatics and covalency effects in highly anisotropic organometallic sandwich dysprosium complexes [Dy(CmRm)2] (where R = H, SiH3, CH3 and m = 4 to 9): a computational perspective
Authors: Tarannum Ibtesham , Moorthy Shruti , Singh Saurabh Kumar
Published: September 2023

Unravelling the electrostatics and 4f-ligand covalency in fine-tuning the magnetic anisotropy of organometallic sandwiched Dy(iii)-based single molecule magnets using first principles calculations.
H-atom site exchange in an iridium trans-dihydrogen/hydride complex, trans-[Ir(H)(η2-H2)(iPr)4(POCOP)(DMAP)]+
Authors: Agrawal Nisha K. , Gayathridevi S. , Dash Soumya R. , Vanka Kumar , Jagirdar Balaji R.
Published: September 2023

Treatment of trans-[Ir(H)(N)2(iPr)4(POCOP)(DMAP)][BAr4f] (2) with H2 (1 bar) under ambient conditions (298 K) results in the formation of a trans-[Ir(H)(η2-H2)(iPr)4(POCOP)(DMAP)][BAr4f] (3) complex. H-atom site exchange between the H2 and the hydride sites takes place in this complex.
Remote stereocentres do not disrupt the stereochemical coupling in homochiral [M2L3] helicates and [M4L6] tetrahedra
Authors: Siddique Rashid G. , Whittaker Jacob J. , AL-Fayaad Hydar A. , McMurtrie John C. , Clegg Jack K.
Published: September 2023

Appending resolved stereocentres to quaterpyridine ligands does not disrupt the strong stereochemical coupling between the metal centres when the ligands are reacted with transition metals leading to statistical mixtures of diastereomers.
Design, synthesis and reactivity of dimolybdenum complex bearing quaterphenylene-bridged pyridine-based PNP-type pincer ligand
Authors: Eizawa Aya , Arashiba Kazuya , Tanaka Hiromasa , Konomi Asuka , Yoshizawa Kazunari , Nishibayashi Yoshiaki
Published: September 2023

Dimolybdenum complexes bearing quaterphenylene-bridged PNP-type pincer ligand are designed and prepared according to DFT calculations on the cleavage step of dinitrogen-bridged dimolybdenum complexes bearing polyphenylene-bridged PNP ligands.
Advances and challenges in single-site catalysts towards electrochemical CO2 methanation
Authors: Zhu Jiexin , Lv Lei , Zaman Shahid , Chen Xingbao , Dai Yuhang , Chen Shenghua , He Guanjie , Wang Dingsheng , Mai Liqiang
Published: September 2023

In this review, we systematically summarizes the activity descriptors of CO2 methanation, the recent advances of SSCs for electrocatalytic CO2 methanation, and in situ characterizations used for tracking the structure change of SSCs during CO2RR.
Ammonia-assisted reforming and dehydrogenation toward efficient light alkane conversion
Authors: Xiang Yizhi
Published: September 2023

Ammonia can be employed as an important co-reactant for efficient light alkane conversion. The reaction is achieved through either ammonia reforming (for COx-free H2 and HCN) or ammonia dehydrogenation (for acetonitrile and H2).
Physico-chemical challenges on the self-assembly of natural and bio-based ingredients on hair surfaces: towards sustainable haircare formulations
Authors: Luengo Gustavo S. , Leonforte Fabien , Greaves Andrew , Rubio Ramon G. , Guzman Eduardo
Published: September 2023

Polymers and surfactants are used in many technological and industrial applications such as the manufacture of functional materials and coatings, personal care and pharmaceutical products, food science, paints or tertiary oil recover.
In situ synthesis of [Cu(BODN)·5H2O]n@nano-Al composite energetic films with tunable properties in pyro-MEMS
Authors: Liu Wei , Feng Yongan , Yao Yapeng , Liang Zihang , Xiao Fei , Ma Zhongliang
Published: September 2023

[Cu(BODN)·5H2O]n@nano-Al energetic films were successfully fabricated by the in situ reaction method and drop-coating method, which may break through the bottleneck of incompatibility between traditional ignition agents and MEMS processes.
A ligand-free in situ-generated cobalt nanoparticle catalyst for (Z)-selective transfer semihydrogenation of alkynes
Authors: Yang Shunbin , Zhang Dengju , Zuo Weiguo , Wang Guanqun , Wang Chengtao , Guo Jiyang , Fan Duona , You Song , Jia Xian
Published: September 2023

A simple and efficient approach for the (Z)-selective transfer semihydrogenation of alkynes based on in situ-generated cobalt nanoparticles (CoNPs) and ammonia-borane (NH3·BH3).
Facile synthesis of Ti3C2Tx@gold nanoparticle-arginine and serine-functionalized graphene quantum dot aerogel for electrochemical detection of chloramphenicol
Authors: Mengyu Wei , Ruiyi Li , Zaijun Li
Published: September 2023

The paper reports synthesis of a Ti3C2Tx@gold nanoparticle-arginine- and serine-functionalized graphene quantum dot aerogel for highly sensitive electrochemical detection of chloramphenicol.
Influence of aqueous electrolytes on the electrochemical behavior of nitrogen-doped graphene hydrogel electrodes for supercapacitors
Authors: Ju Hui , Liu Tongchen , Lang Hongli , Pu Chenjin , Bai Xiaojing , Xu Yong , Tang Qianqian , Liu Shuxin , Zhang Lin
Published: September 2023

The charge storage behaviors of a nitrogen-doped graphene hydrogel are systematically analyzed before and after cycling in different aqueous electrolytes.
A nanometallic conductive composite-hydrogel core–shell microneedle skin patch for real-time monitoring of interstitial glucose levels
Authors: Zhang Yuyue , Zhao Guangyao , Zheng Mengjia , Hu Tianli , Yang Cheng , Xu Chenjie
Published: September 2023

This work describes the development of a nanometallic conductive composite-hydrogel core–shell microneedle skin patch that can realize minimally invasive real-time monitoring of physiological signals.
Introduction to Chalcogen-containing polymers
Authors: Chalker Justin M. , Hu Rongrong , Pyun Jeffrey
Published: September 2023

Justin M. Chalker, Rongrong Hu and Jeffrey Pyun introduce the Polymer Chemistry themed issue on Chalcogen-containing polymers.
Direct conversion of amino acids to oxetanol bioisosteres via photoredox catalysis
Authors: Delos Reyes Avelyn Mae V. , Nieves Escobar Christopher S. , Muñoz Alberto , Huffman Maya I. , Tan Derek S.
Published: September 2023

Carboxylic acids can be converted directly to bioisosteric 3-oxetanols by leveraging the unique reactivity of photoredox catalysis. Cr-mediated and Cr-free variants of the reaction have been developed, both having quantum yields greater than 5.
Rapid prediction of full spin systems using uncertainty-aware machine learning
Authors: Williams Jake , Jonas Eric
Published: September 2023

FullSSPrUCe is an uncertainty-aware deep learning system which predicts all spin system parameters from 2D structures through rapid estimates of conformational geometries.
A natural gain strategy of passive cycling water vapour escape toward efficient freshwater purification
Authors: Mi Lintao , Zhang Zhiwen , Zhang Xingli , Han Chuanlong , Wang Wensheng , Song Wenlong , Sun Zhuangzhi
Published: September 2023

A zero-carbon tower-type integrated solar evaporator was developed, which relies solely on solar photothermal power at the bottom to achieve an effective water vapour escape cycle by natural convection.
Ensemble hybrid machine learning to simulate dye/divalent salt fractionation using a loose nanofiltration membrane
Authors: Baig Nadeem , Abba S. I. , Usman Jamilu , Benaafi Mohammed , Aljundi Isam H.
Published: September 2023

The escalating quantity of wastewater from multiple sources has raised concerns about both water reuse and environmental preservation.
Semi-solid electrodes based on injectable hydrogel electrolytes for shape-conformable batteries
Authors: Borlaf Mario , Picchio Matias L. , Luque Gisela Carina , Criado-Gonzalez Miryam , Guzmán-Gonzalez Gregorio , Pérez-Antolin Daniel , Lingua Gabriele , Mecerreyes David , Ventosa Edgar
Published: September 2023

The use of hydrogels in a semi-solid electrode enables a new fabrication procedure for shape-conformable batteries.
Linking Language to Action: Enhancing Preschoolers' Communicative Abilities Within Language Stimulation
Authors: Freeman Max R.
Published: September 2023

Purpose:

Children's vocabulary and syntactic skills vary upon school entry in depth and breadth, persistently influencing academic performance, including reading. Enhancing early communicative abilities through multisensory, playful, and conversational experiences is essential and will benefit children's school readiness. This study investigated whether a language-to-action link created during language stimulation, which combines multisensory input, play, and conversation using clay, improves preschoolers' communicative abilities in terms of vocabulary, syntactic, and pragmatic language abilities more than traditional toy-based language stimulation.

Method:

Language skills were examined in a pre- to posttest design in which 43 typically developing participants, ages 3–5 years, were randomly assigned to clay-based (n= 24) or traditional play-based (n= 19) language stimulation for 8 weeks.

Results:

Receptive and expressive vocabulary knowledge for items introduced in the language stimulation program, mean length of utterance (MLU), and conversational initiations improved for participants in the clay condition, whereas significant language skill growth was not observed for participants in the traditional play-based stimulation condition with toys.

Conclusions:

A language-to-action link is created when children engage with open-ended materials, such as clay, as they craft target objects hands on and step by step, affording additional opportunities for language input and output. Results preliminarily suggest that using open-ended materials may enhance children's communicative abilities in receptive and expressive vocabulary, syntax/MLU, and pragmatics (i.e., conversational initiations) more than prefabricated toy objects during language stimulation.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.24093780
Scene flow estimation from 3D point clouds based on dual‐branch implicit neural representations
Authors: Zhai Mingliang , Ni Kang , Xie Jiucheng , Gao Hao
Published: September 2023

Recently, online optimisation‐based scene flow estimation has attracted significant attention due to its strong domain adaptivity. Although online optimisation‐based methods have made significant advances, the performance is far from satisfactory as only flow priors are considered, neglecting scene priors that are crucial for the representations of dynamic scenes. To address this problem, the authors introduce a dual‐branch MLP‐based architecture to encode implicit scene representations from a source 3D point cloud, which can additionally synthesise a target 3D point cloud. Thus, the mapping function between the source and synthesised target 3D point clouds is established as an extra implicit regulariser to capture scene priors. Moreover, their model infers both flow and scene priors in a stronger bidirectional manner. It can effectively establish spatiotemporal constraints among the synthesised, source, and target 3D point clouds. Experiments on four challenging datasets, including KITTI scene flow, FlyingThings3D, Argoverse, and nuScenes, show that our method can achieve potential and comparable results, proving its effectiveness and generality.
Economic‐environmental operation of a CHHP energy hub considering uncertainties and demand response programs
Authors: Ghappani Seyyed Aliasghar , Karimi Ali
Published: September 2023

According to the necessity of cost‐effectiveness, improving efficiency, and decreasing emissions to supply the various demands, the concept of energy hubs (EHs) has emerged in recent years. This paper aims to ensure the optimal operation of an EH to meet electrical, thermal, and hydrogen demands, considering the issues of pollutant emission and operating costs. In the proposed structure for the EH, an solid oxid fuel cell (SOFC) converter with ammonia fuel is used, and thus a combined hydrogen, heat, and power (CHHP) system is formed. Moreover, a basic EH structure is also examined and compared to show the capability of the presented structure. The proposed economic‐environmental framework for the operation of the EH is multi‐objective as a stochastic mixed‐integer linear programming (MILP). Also, in addition to modelling the uncertainty of renewable sources production as stochastic scenarios, demand response programs (DRPs) have been implemented for electrical and thermal demands. The ε‐constraint method is used to solve the multi‐objective problem, and the fuzzy technique is applied to select the best solution among the Pareto solutions. The simulation results of the proposed EH compared to the basic EH show that the operation cost and emission are decreased by 15.14% and 5.9%, respectively, in the presence of ammonia and DRP.