bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of High Cloud Product of ECMWF Over South China Sea Using CALIOP
Authors: Lu Wenqiang , Yang Shizhi , Zhu Wenyue , Li Xuebin , Cui Shengcheng , Luo Tao , Han Lu , Shi Jianjun
Published: March 2022

High clouds are globally widespread and are crucially important to global radiative processes and to the thermal balance of the Earth. Active remote sensing measurements can provide more reliable detection of optically thin cirrus clouds than passive remote sensing. The reanalysis datasets from European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) have a variety of applications in different branches of atmospheric science. A careful evaluation of these datasets is a prerequisite for their successful use. In this paper, the high cloud product from ECMWF is compared with Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) observations over the South China Sea from December 2006 to February 2019. The annual average of high cloud amount is analyzed and compared between CALIOP and ECMWF day and night, and the monthly comparison is also conducted. The results show that the distributions of high cloudiness in CALIOP and ECMWF are in fairly good agreement over the study area both day and night. The correlation coefficient between the two products is 0.79 during daytime, 0.75 nighttime. 50.8% of high cloud amount from ECMWF is 8.8% lower than 59.6% from CALIOP during daytime. A larger difference of 16.2% occurred at night with 53.9% from ECMWF, and 70.1% from CALIOP. Quantitative analysis of subvisible cirrus clouds (SVC, optical depth <0.03) is given. The results show that the discrepancies between the two data sets are reduced to 2.3% during daytime, and 5.2% at nighttime after screening out SVC. The correlation coefficients also rise to 0.82 both daytime and nighttime. The distribution and occurrence of SVC are presented over the study area.
Local Insolation Drives Afro‐Asian Monsoon at Orbital‐Scale in Holocene
Authors: Wen Qin , Liu Zhengyu , Zhu Jiang , Yan Mi , He Chengfei , Han Jing , Liu Jian , Liang Yishuang
Published: March 2022

Insolation changes play an important role in driving monsoon changes at orbital time scales. One key issue that has remained outstanding is whether the Asian monsoon is driven by local insolation from the Northern Hemisphere (NH) or remote insolation from the Southern Hemisphere (SH) at orbital band. Here, we perform a set of sensitivity experiments to quantify the impacts of local and remote insolation changes on the Afro‐Asian summer monsoon at 11 ka BP relative to the present. We show that the Afro‐Asian summer monsoon is overwhelmingly driven by the precession induced local insolation change in the tropical‐subtropical NH. The insolation from NH high latitudes also affects the Afro‐Asian summer monsoon. In contrast, the insolation from SH plays a negligible role. Our model experiments support the idea that the Afro‐Asian summer monsoon are driven predominantly by the direct forcing of NH low latitudes summer insolation for the Holocene.
Association Between Extreme Atmospheric Anomalies Over Antarctic Sea Ice, Southern Ocean Polar Cyclones and Atmospheric Rivers
Authors: Hepworth Ehlke , Messori Gabriele , Vichi Marcello
Published: March 2022

This study analyses the association of Southern Ocean extratropical cyclones and atmospheric rivers (ARs) with extreme temperature and/or moisture atmospheric anomalies over Antarctic sea ice. The hypothesis we test is whether the circulations associated with cyclones and ARs may routinely lead to the presence of unusually warm, moist air masses over ice‐covered regions. The analysis is conducted over the extended Austral winter seasons (May‐September) between May 1979 and September 2012, based on the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Interim reanalysis data. Approximately 27% of intense Southern Ocean cyclones and 20% of ARs occur in the vicinity of extreme temperature anomalies, while 12% of intense cyclones and 46% of ARs occur in the vicinity of extreme moisture anomalies. We summarize our results as follows: (a) extreme atmospheric anomalies over sea ice often occur in the absence of cyclones or ARs; (b) intense cyclones have a stronger association with extreme temperature anomalies than ARs; (c) approximately half of the ARs are in the vicinity of extreme moisture anomalies, while the latter's link with cyclones is weak; and (d) if an AR is in the vicinity of an extreme temperature anomaly, there will likely be a concurrent extreme moisture anomaly. This points to a strong association between ARs and moisture extremes, and a nuanced link between Southern Ocean polar cyclones and atmospheric anomalies over Antarctic sea ice.
Information, Experience, and Willingness to Mitigate Mental Health Consequences From Flooding Through Collective Defence
Authors: Foudi Sébastien , Osés‐Eraso Nuria
Published: March 2022

Demand for reducing mental health impacts from flooding through collective flood defence is elicited using a contingent valuation method with a sequential hypothetical scenario, which accounts for human resilience and experience. A two‐step model fits the survey data: it combines a binary sample selection rule to distinguish protesters and participants with a Tobit model to accommodate true zero responses among participants. Results show that non‐symptoms‐specific information on mental health risk may bias the willingness to pay downward. Risk‐averse individuals who have taken self‐insurance protection measures are willing to pay for additional protection through collective defence. Feelings, such as worries and anxiety related to flooding, drive the demand, which supports the risk‐as‐feelings hypothesis for mental health protection from flooding. Inexperience rather than experience of flooding is found to increase demand, which indicates that individual mental resilience to flooding may increase after an event as posited by the inoculation hypothesis.
Holobricks: modular coarse integral holographic displays
Authors: Li Jin , Smithwick Quinn , Chu Daping
Published: March 2022

Here, we propose and demonstrate a modular holographic display system that allows seamless spatial tiling of multiple coarse integral holographic (CIH) displays called “holobricks”. A holobrick is a self-contained CIH module enclosing a spatial light modulator (SLM), a scanner, and periscopic coarse integral optics. Modular CIH uses a coarse pitch and small area but high-bandwidth SLM in conjunction with periscopic coarse integral optics to form the angularly tiled 3D holograms with large viewing areas and fields of view. The creation of periscopic coarse integral optics prevents the optical system from being larger than the holographic image and allows the holographic fringe pattern to fill the entire face of the holobrick. Thus, multiple holobricks can be seamlessly abutted to form a scalable spatially tiled holographic image display capable of both wide field-of-view angle and arbitrary large-size area. We demonstrate an initial prototype that seamlessly tiles two holobricks each with 1024 × 768 pixels, 40° FOV, full color, 24 fps, displaying 2D, 3D holographic stereograms, and full parallax 3D CGI Fresnel holograms.
Spectral imaging with deep learning
Authors: Huang Longqian , Luo Ruichen , Liu Xu , Hao Xiang
Published: March 2022

The goal of spectral imaging is to capture the spectral signature of a target. Traditional scanning method for spectral imaging suffers from large system volume and low image acquisition speed for large scenes. In contrast, computational spectral imaging methods have resorted to computation power for reduced system volume, but still endure long computation time for iterative spectral reconstructions. Recently, deep learning techniques are introduced into computational spectral imaging, witnessing fast reconstruction speed, great reconstruction quality, and the potential to drastically reduce the system volume. In this article, we review state-of-the-art deep-learning-empowered computational spectral imaging methods. They are further divided into amplitude-coded, phase-coded, and wavelength-coded methods, based on different light properties used for encoding. To boost future researches, we’ve also organized publicly available spectral datasets.
Microspheres give improved resolution in nondestructive examination of semiconductor devices
Authors: Woods R. C.
Published: March 2022

The minimum spatial resolution of typical optical inspection systems used in the microelectronics industry is generally governed by the classical relations of Ernst Abbe. Kwon et al. show in a new Light: Science and Applications article that using an additional glass microsphere in the optical path can improve the resolution significantly.
Familial co-aggregation and shared heritability between depression, anxiety, obesity and substance use
Authors: Wang Rujia , Snieder Harold , Hartman Catharina A.
Published: March 2022

Depression, anxiety, obesity and substance use are heritable and often co-occur. However, the mechanisms underlying this co-occurrence are not fully understood. We estimated their familial aggregation and co-aggregation as well as heritabilities and genetic correlations to improve etiological understanding. Data came from the multi-generational population-based Lifelines Cohort Study (n = 162,439). Current depression and anxiety were determined using the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Smoking, alcohol and drug use were assessed by self-report questionnaires. Body mass index (BMI) and obesity were calculated by measured height and weight. Modified Cox proportional hazards models estimated recurrence risk ratios (λR), and restricted maximum likelihood variance decomposition methods estimated heritabilities (h2) and genetic correlations (rG). All analyses were adjusted for age, age2, and sex. Depression, anxiety, obesity and substance use aggregated within families (λR first-degree relative = 1.08–2.74) as well as between spouses (λR = 1.11–6.60). All phenotypes were moderately heritable (from h2depression = 0.25 to h2BMI = 0.53). Depression, anxiety, obesity and smoking showed positive familial co-aggregation. That is, each of these traits confers increased risk on the other ones within families, consistent with the positive genetic correlations between these phenotypes (rG = 0.16–0.94). The exception was obesity, which showed a negative co-aggregation with alcohol and drug use and vice versa, consistent with the negative genetic correlations of BMI with alcohol (rG = −0.14) and soft drug use (rG = −0.10). Patterns of cross-phenotype recurrence risk highlight the co-occurrence among depression, anxiety, obesity and substance use within families. Patterns of genetic overlap between these phenotypes provide clues to uncovering the mechanisms underlying familial co-aggregation.
Transcriptional control of retinal ganglion cell death after axonal injury
Authors: Syc-Mazurek Stephanie B. , Yang Hongtian Stanley , Marola Olivia J. , Howell Gareth R. , Libby Richard T.
Published: March 2022

Injury to the axons of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) is a key pathological event in glaucomatous neurodegeneration. The transcription factors JUN (the target of the c-Jun N-terminal kinases, JNKs) and DDIT3/CHOP (a mediator of the endoplasmic reticulum stress response) have been shown to control the majority of proapoptotic signaling after mechanical axonal injury in RGCs and in other models of neurodegeneration. The downstream transcriptional networks controlled by JUN and DDIT3, which are critical for RGC death, however, are not well defined. To determine these networks, RNA was isolated from the retinas of wild-type mice and mice deficient in Jun, Ddit3, and both Jun and Ddit3 three days after mechanical optic nerve crush injury (CONC). RNA-sequencing data analysis was performed and immunohistochemistry was used to validate potential transcriptional signaling changes after axonal injury. This study identified downstream transcriptional changes after injury including both neuronal survival and proinflammatory signaling that were attenuated to differing degrees by loss of Ddit3, Jun, and Ddit3/Jun. These data suggest proinflammatory signaling in the retina might be secondary to activation of pro-death pathways in RGCs after acute axonal injury. These results determine the downstream transcriptional networks important for apoptotic signaling which may be important for ordering and staging the pro-degenerative signals after mechanical axonal injury.
Cationic-palladium catalyzed regio- and stereoselective syn-1,2-dicarbofunctionalization of unsymmetrical internal alkynes
Authors: Dutta Shubham , Shandilya Shashank , Yang Shengwen , Gogoi Manash Protim , Gandon Vincent , Sahoo Akhila K.
Published: March 2022

π-Extended tetrasubstituted olefins are widely found motifs in natural products, leading drugs, and agrochemicals. Thus, development of modular strategies for the synthesis of complex all-carbon-substituted olefins always draws attention. The difunctionalization of unsymmetrical alkynes is an attractive approach but it has remained faced with regioselectivity issues. Here we report the discovery of a regio- and stereoselective syn-1,2-dicarbofunctionalization of unsymmetrical internal alkynes. A cationic Pd-catalyzed three-component coupling of aryl diazonium salts, aryl boronic acids (or olefins) and yne-acetates enables access to all-carbon substituted unsymmetrical olefins. The transformation features broad scope with labile functional group tolerance, building broad chemical space of structural diversity (94 molecules). The value of this synthetic method is demonstrated by the direct transformation of natural products and drug candidates containing yne-acetates, to enable highly substituted structurally complex allyl acetate analogues of biologically important compounds. Synthetic versatility of the carboxylate bearing highly substituted olefins is also presented. The reaction outcome is attributed to the in situ formation of stabilized cationic aryl-Pd species, which regulates regioselective aryl-palladation of unsymmetrical yne-acetates. Control experiments reveal the synergy between the carboxylate protecting group and the cationic Pd-intermediate in the regioselectivity and reaction productivity; density functional theory (DFT) studies rationalize the selectivity of the reaction.
Tropical methane emissions explain large fraction of recent changes in global atmospheric methane growth rate
Authors: Feng Liang , Palmer Paul I. , Zhu Sihong , Parker Robert J. , Liu Yi
Published: March 2022

Large variations in the growth of atmospheric methane, a prominent greenhouse gas, are driven by a diverse range of anthropogenic and natural emissions and by loss from oxidation by the hydroxyl radical. We used a decade-long dataset (2010–2019) of satellite observations of methane to show that tropical terrestrial emissions explain more than 80% of the observed changes in the global atmospheric methane growth rate over this period. Using correlative meteorological analyses, we show strong seasonal correlations (r = 0.6–0.8) between large-scale changes in sea surface temperature over the tropical oceans and regional variations in methane emissions (via changes in rainfall and temperature) over tropical South America and tropical Africa. Existing predictive skill for sea surface temperature variations could therefore be used to help forecast variations in global atmospheric methane.
Nonlinear down-conversion in a single quantum dot
Authors: Jonas B. , Heinze D. , Schöll E. , Kallert P. , Langer T. , Krehs S. , Widhalm A. , Jöns K. D. , Reuter D. , Schumacher S. , Zrenner A.
Published: March 2022

Tailored nanoscale quantum light sources, matching the specific needs of use cases, are crucial building blocks for photonic quantum technologies. Several different approaches to realize solid-state quantum emitters with high performance have been pursued and different concepts for energy tuning have been established. However, the properties of the emitted photons are always defined by the individual quantum emitter and can therefore not be controlled with full flexibility. Here we introduce an all-optical nonlinear method to tailor and control the single photon emission. We demonstrate a laser-controlled down-conversion process from an excited state of a semiconductor quantum three-level system. Based on this concept, we realize energy tuning and polarization control of the single photon emission with a control-laser field. Our results mark an important step towards tailored single photon emission from a photonic quantum system based on quantum optical principles.
Cancer stem cell regulated phenotypic plasticity protects metastasized cancer cells from ferroptosis
Authors: Wu Mingming , Zhang Xiao , Zhang Weijie , Chiou Yi Shiou , Qian Wenchang , Liu Xiangtian , Zhang Min , Yan Hong , Li Shilan , Li Tao , Han Xinghua , Qian Pengxu , Liu Suling , Pan Yueyin , Lobie Peter E. , Zhu Tao
Published: March 2022

Cancer cells display phenotypic equilibrium between the stem-like and differentiated states during neoplastic homeostasis. The functional and mechanistic implications of this subpopulation plasticity remain largely unknown. Herein, it is demonstrated that the breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) secretome autonomously compresses the stem cell population. Co-implantation with BCSCs decreases the tumor-initiating capacity yet increases metastasis of accompanying cancer cells, wherein DKK1 is identified as a pivotal factor secreted by BCSCs for such functions. DKK1-promotes differentiation is indispensable for disseminated tumor cell metastatic outgrowth. In contrast, DKK1 inhibitors substantially relieve the metastatic burden by restraining metastatic cells in the dormant state. DKK1 increases the expression of SLC7A11 to protect metastasizing cancer cells from lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis. Combined treatment with a ferroptosis inducer and a DKK1 inhibitor exhibits synergistic effects in diminishing metastasis. Hence, this study deciphers the contribution of CSC-regulated phenotypic plasticity in metastatic colonization and provides therapeutic approaches to limit metastatic outgrowth.
Dynamics of plasmid-mediated niche invasion, immunity to invasion, and pheromone-inducible conjugation in the murine gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Hirt Helmut , Greenwood-Quaintance Kerryl E. , Barnes Aaron M. T. , Karau Melissa J. , Till Lisa M. , Palzer Elise , Guan Weihua , VanNieuwenhze Michael S. , Kashyap Purna C. , Patel Robin , Dunny Gary M.
Published: March 2022

Microbial communities provide protection to their hosts by resisting pathogenic invasion. Microbial residents of a host often exclude subsequent colonizers, but this protection is not well understood. The Enterococcus faecalis plasmid pCF10, whose conjugative transfer functions are induced by a peptide pheromone, efficiently transfers in the intestinal tract of mice. Here we show that an invading donor strain established in the gastrointestinal tract of mice harboring resident recipients, resulting in a stable, mixed population comprised of approximately 10% donors and 90% recipients. We also show that the plasmid-encoded surface protein PrgB (Aggregation Substance), enhanced donor invasion of resident recipients, and resistance of resident donors to invasion by recipients. Imaging of the gastrointestinal mucosa of mice infected with differentially labeled recipients and donors revealed pheromone induction within microcolonies harboring both strains in close proximity, suggesting that adherent microcolonies on the mucosal surface of the intestine comprise an important niche for cell-cell signaling and plasmid transfer.
Integrated dual-laser photonic chip for high-purity carrier generation enabling ultrafast terahertz wireless communications
Authors: Jia Shi , Lo Mu-Chieh , Zhang Lu , Ozolins Oskars , Udalcovs Aleksejs , Kong Deming , Pang Xiaodan , Guzman Robinson , Yu Xianbin , Xiao Shilin , Popov Sergei , Chen Jiajia , Carpintero Guillermo , Morioka Toshio , Hu Hao , Oxenløwe Leif K.
Published: March 2022

Photonic generation of Terahertz (THz) carriers displays high potential for THz communications with a large tunable range and high modulation bandwidth. While many photonics-based THz generations have recently been demonstrated with discrete bulky components, their practical applications are significantly hindered by the large footprint and high energy consumption. Herein, we present an injection-locked heterodyne source based on generic foundry-fabricated photonic integrated circuits (PIC) attached to a uni-traveling carrier photodiode generating high-purity THz carriers. The generated THz carrier is tunable within the range of 0–1.4 THz, determined by the wavelength spacing between the two monolithically integrated distributed feedback (DFB) lasers. This scheme generates and transmits a 131 Gbits−1 net rate signal over a 10.7-m distance with −24 dBm emitted power at 0.4 THz. This monolithic dual-DFB PIC-based THz generation approach is a significant step towards fully integrated, cost-effective, and energy-efficient THz transmitters.
A method for quantitatively separating the piezoelectric component from the as-received “Piezoelectric” signal
Authors: Chen Chaojie , Zhao Shilong , Pan Caofeng , Zi Yunlong , Wang Fangcheng , Yang Cheng , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: March 2022

Polymer-based piezoelectric devices are promising for developing future wearable force sensors, nanogenerators, and implantable electronics, etc. The electric signals generated by them are often assumed as solely coming from the piezoelectric effect. However, triboelectric signals originated from contact electrification between the piezoelectric devices and the contacted objects can produce non-negligible interfacial electron transfer, which is often combined with the piezoelectric signal to give a triboelectric-piezoelectric hybrid output, leading to an exaggerated measured “piezoelectric” signal. Herein, a simple and effective method is proposed for quantitatively identifying and extracting the piezoelectric charge from the hybrid signal. The triboelectric and piezoelectric parts in the hybrid signal generated by a poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based device are clearly differentiated, and their force and charge characteristics in the time domain are identified. This work presents an effective method to elucidate the true piezoelectric performance in practical measurement, which is crucial for evaluating piezoelectric materials fairly and correctly.
Halogen hydrogen-bonded organic framework (XHOF) constructed by singlet open-shell diradical for efficient photoreduction of U(VI)
Authors: Feng Lijuan , Yuan Yihui , Yan Bingjie , Feng Tiantian , Jian Yaping , Zhang Jiacheng , Sun Wenyan , Lin Ke , Luo Guangsheng , Wang Ning
Published: March 2022

Synthesis of framework materials possessing specific spatial structures or containing functional ligands has attracted tremendous attention. Herein, a halogen hydrogen-bonded organic framework (XHOF) is fabricated by using Cl− ions as central connection nodes to connect organic ligands, 7,7,8,8-tetraaminoquinodimethane (TAQ), by forming a Cl−···H3 hydrogen bond structure. Unlike metallic node-linked MOFs, covalent bond-linked COFs, and intermolecular hydrogen bond-linked HOFs, XHOFs represent a different kind of crystalline framework. The electron-withdrawing effect of Cl− combined with the electron-rich property of the organic ligand TAQ strengthens the hydrogen bonds and endows XHOF-TAQ with high stability. Due to the production of excited electrons by TAQ under light irradiation, XHOF-TAQ can efficiently catalyze the reduction of soluble U(VI) to insoluble U(IV) with a capacity of 1708 mg-U g−1-material. This study fabricates a material for uranium immobilization for the sustainability of the environment and opens up a new direction for synthesizing crystalline framework materials.
Balancing the film strain of organic semiconductors for ultrastable organic transistors with a five-year lifetime
Authors: Chen Xiaosong , Wang Zhongwu , Qi Jiannan , Hu Yongxu , Huang Yinan , Sun Shougang , Sun Yajing , Gong Wenbin , Luo Langli , Zhang Lifeng , Du Haiyan , Hu Xiaoxia , Han Cheng , Li Jie , Ji Deyang , Li Liqiang , Hu Wenping
Published: March 2022

The instability of organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) is one key obstacle to practical application and is closely related to the unstable aggregate state of organic semiconductors (OSCs). However, the underlying reason for this instability remains unclear, and no effective solution has been developed. Herein, we find that the intrinsic tensile and compressive strains that exist in OSC films are the key origins for aggregate state instability and device degradation. We further report a strain balance strategy to stabilize the aggregate state by regulating film thickness, which is based on the unique transition from tensile strain to compressive strain with increasing film thickness. Consequently, a strain-free and ultrastable OSC film is obtained by regulating the film thickness, with which an ultrastable OFET with a five-year lifetime is realized. This work provides a deeper understanding of and a solution to the instability of OFETs and sheds light on their industrialization.
Altered expression of the immunoregulatory ligand-receptor pair CD200-CD200R1 in the brain of Parkinson’s disease patients
Authors: Rabaneda-Lombarte Neus , Vidal-Taboada José Manuel , Valente Tony , Ezquerra Mario , Fernández-Santiago Rubén , Martí María José , Compta Yaroslau , Saura Josep , Solà Carme
Published: March 2022

Neuroinflammation, in which activated microglia are involved, appears to contribute to the development of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the role of microglial activation and the mechanisms governing this process remain uncertain. We focused on one inhibitory mechanism involved in the control of microglial activation, the microglia inhibitory receptor CD200R1, and its ligand CD200, mainly expressed by neurons. The human CD200R1 gene encodes two membrane-associated and two soluble protein isoforms and the human CD200 gene encodes full-length proteins (CD200full) but also truncated (CD200tr) proteins which act as CD200R1 antagonists. Little is known about their expression in the human brain under pathological conditions. We used human peripheral blood monocytes and monocyte-derived microglia-like cells from control subjects to characterize the expression of the CD200R1 mRNA variants, which showed stimulus-specific responses. We provide evidence of increased CD200R1 (mRNA variants and protein isoforms) and CD200 expression (CD200tr mRNA) in brain tissue of PD patients, mainly in the hippocampus, as well as increased CD200 expression (CD200full and CD200tr mRNAs) in iPSCs-derived dopaminergic neurons generated from skin fibroblasts of PD patients. Our results suggest that CD200-CD200R1 signalling is altered in PD, which may affect the microglial function and constitute a potential target in therapeutic strategies for PD.
A global urban microwave backscatter time series data set for 1993–2020 using ERS, QuikSCAT, and ASCAT data
Authors: Frolking Steve , Milliman Tom , Mahtta Richa , Paget Aaron , Long David G. , Seto Karen C.
Published: March 2022

Urban settlements are rapidly growing outward and upward, with consequences for resource use, greenhouse gas emissions, and ecosystem and public health, but rates of change are uneven around the world. Understanding trajectories and predicting consequences of global urban expansion requires quantifying rates of change with consistent, well-calibrated data. Microwave backscatter data provides important information on upward urban growth – essentially the vertical built-up area. We developed a multi-sensor, multi-decadal, gridded (0.05° lat/lon) data set of global urban microwave backscatter, 1993–2020. Comparison of backscatter from two C-band sensors (ERS and ASCAT) and one Ku-band sensor (QuikSCAT) are made at four invariant non-urban sites (~3500 km2) to evaluate instrument stability and multi-decadal pattern. For urban areas, there was a strong linear correlation (overall R2 = 0.69) between 2015 ASCAT urban backscatter and a continental-scale gridded product of building volume, across 8450 urban grid cells (0.05° × 0.05°) in Europe, China, and the USA. This urban backscatter data set provides a time series characterizing global urban change over the past three decades.
A neurotechnological aid for semi-autonomous suction in robotic-assisted surgery
Authors: Barragan Juan Antonio , Yang Jing , Yu Denny , Wachs Juan P.
Published: March 2022

Adoption of robotic-assisted surgery has steadily increased as it improves the surgeon’s dexterity and visualization. Despite these advantages, the success of a robotic procedure is highly dependent on the availability of a proficient surgical assistant that can collaborate with the surgeon. With the introduction of novel medical devices, the surgeon has taken over some of the surgical assistant’s tasks to increase their independence. This, however, has also resulted in surgeons experiencing higher levels of cognitive demands that can lead to reduced performance. In this work, we proposed a neurotechnology-based semi-autonomous assistant to release the main surgeon of the additional cognitive demands of a critical support task: blood suction. To create a more synergistic collaboration between the surgeon and the robotic assistant, a real-time cognitive workload assessment system based on EEG signals and eye-tracking was introduced. A computational experiment demonstrates that cognitive workload can be effectively detected with an 80% accuracy. Then, we show how the surgical performance can be improved by using the neurotechnological autonomous assistant as a close feedback loop to prevent states of high cognitive demands. Our findings highlight the potential of utilizing real-time cognitive workload assessments to improve the collaboration between an autonomous algorithm and the surgeon.
Balance strategy in hoverboard control
Authors: Shushtari Mohammad , Takagi Atsushi , Lee Judy , Burdet Etienne , Arami Arash
Published: March 2022

This study examines how people learn to perform lower limb control in a novel task with a hoverboard requiring to maintain dynamic balance. We designed an experiment to investigate the learning of hoverboard balance and two control strategies: A hip strategy, which mainly uses hip movements to change the angle of the foot, and an ankle strategy relying more on ankle motion to control the orientation of hoverboard plates controlling the motion. Motor learning was indicated by a significant $$10\pm 4$$

10
±
4

% decrease in the trial completion time (p < 0.001) and a significant 24 ± 11% decrease in total muscle activation (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the participants, who had no prior experience riding a hoverboard, learned an ankle strategy to maintain their balance and control the hoverboard. This is supported by significantly stronger cross-correlation, phase synchrony, lower dynamic time warping distance between the hoverboard plate orientation controlling hoverboard motion, and the ankle angle when compared to the hip angle. The adopted ankle strategy was found to be robust to the foot orientation despite salient changes in muscle group activation patterns. Comparison with results of an experienced hoverboard rider confirmed that the first-time riders adopted an ankle strategy.
Solubilities of CO2, O2 and N2 in rocket propellant 5 under low pressure
Authors: Li Chaoyue , Feng Shiyu , Xu Lei , Peng Xiaotian , Liu Weihua
Published: March 2022

The static method of isochoric saturation was used to measure the solubilities of CO2, O2 and N2 in rocket propellant 5 (RP5) at temperatures ranging from 253.15 to 323.15 K in 10 K intervals and pressures ranging from 0 to 120 kPa. The measurement accuracy of the constructed experimental setup was verified by measuring the solubility of CO2 in water. The relative expanded uncertainty (k = 2) in the solubility data was less than 4.0%. The solubilities of CO2, O2 and N2 in RP5 increased with pressure. As the temperature increased, the solubility decreased for CO2 solubility and increased for O2 and N2. Henry's constants for the three gases in RP5 decreased over the experimental temperature and pressure ranges in the order of N2 > O2 > CO2. The measured solubilities of CO2, O2 and N2 could be fitted with a modified Krichevsky–Kasarnovsky equation, and the maximum deviation between the measured and calculated data was less than 8.04%, 7.03% and 6.18%, respectively.
EEG theta and N400 responses to congruent versus incongruent brand logos
Authors: Dini Hossein , Simonetti Aline , Bigne Enrique , Bruni Luis Emilio
Published: March 2022

Neuroimaging and behavioral studies have shown that brands convey meaning to consumers. To investigate the immediate reactions of the brain to brand logos, followed either by congruent or incongruent pictorial brand-related cues, can deepen understanding of the semantic processing of brands, and perhaps how consolidated the logo is in consumers’ minds. Participants were exposed to different brand-related image sets, that were either congruent (a match between brand-related images and brand logo) or incongruent (a mismatch between brand-related images and brand logo) while having their brain signals recorded. Event-related potential and EEG time–frequency domain features were extracted from the signals of the target image (brand logo). The results showed significantly larger N400 peak and relative theta power increase for incongruent compared to congruent logos, which could be attributed to an error-monitoring process. Thus, we argue that brands are encoded deeply in consumers’ minds, and cognitive processing of mismatched (vs matched) brand logos is more difficult, leading to greater error monitoring. The results were mostly consistent with previous studies investigating semantic incongruences in the linguistic field. Therefore, the error-monitoring process could be extended beyond linguistic forms, for example to images and brands.
Navigation of frameless fixation for gamma knife radiosurgery using fixed augmented reality
Authors: Moon Hyeong Cheol , Park Sang Joon , Kim Young Deok , Kim Kyung Min , Kang Ho , Lee Eun Jung , Kim Min-Sung , Kim Jin Wook , Kim Yong Hwy , Park Chul-Kee , Kim Young Gyu , Dho Yun-Sik
Published: March 2022

Augmented reality (AR) offers a new medical treatment approach. We aimed to evaluate frameless (mask) fixation navigation using a 3D-printed patient model with fixed-AR technology for gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS). Fixed-AR navigation was developed using the inside-out method with visual inertial odometry algorithms, and the flexible Quick Response marker was created for object-feature recognition. Virtual 3D-patient models for AR-rendering were created via 3D-scanning utilizing TrueDepth and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to generate a new GammaKnife Icon™ model. A 3D-printed patient model included fiducial markers, and virtual 3D-patient models were used to validate registration accuracy. Registration accuracy between initial frameless fixation and re-fixation navigated fixed-AR was validated through visualization and quantitative method. The quantitative method was validated through set-up errors, fiducial marker coordinates, and high-definition motion management (HDMM) values. A 3D-printed model and virtual models were correctly overlapped under frameless fixation. Virtual models from both 3D-scanning and CBCT were enough to tolerate the navigated frameless re-fixation. Although the CBCT virtual model consistently delivered more accurate results, 3D-scanning was sufficient. Frameless re-fixation accuracy navigated in virtual models had mean set-up errors within 1 mm and 1.5° in all axes. Mean fiducial marker differences from coordinates in virtual models were within 2.5 mm in all axes, and mean 3D errors were within 3 mm. Mean HDMM difference values in virtual models were within 1.5 mm of initial HDMM values. The variability from navigation fixed-AR is enough to consider repositioning frameless fixation without CBCT scanning for treating patients fractionated with large multiple metastases lesions (> 3 cm) who have difficulty enduring long beam-on time. This system could be applied to novel GKRS navigation for frameless fixation with reduced preparation time.
Detection and identification of potentially infectious gastrointestinal and respiratory viruses at workplaces of wastewater treatment plants with viability qPCR/RT-qPCR
Authors: Stobnicka-Kupiec Agata , Gołofit-Szymczak Małgorzata , Cyprowski Marcin , Górny Rafał L.
Published: March 2022

This study aimed to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the prevalence of the most common respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses in the air, surface swab, and influent/effluent samples collected in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Application of qPCR/RT-qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction/reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction) assays combined with PMA (propidium monoazide) dye pretreatment allowed detecting the potentially infectious and disintegrated viral particles in collected samples. In the air at workplaces in WWTPs, the most frequent isolation with the highest concentrations (reaching up to 103 gc/m3 of potentially infectious intact viral particles) were observed in case of adenoviruses (AdVs) and rotaviruses (RoVs), followed by noroviruses (NoVs). Viruses were significantly more often detected in the air samples collected with Coriolis μ impinger, than with MAS-100NT impactor. The temperature negatively (Spearman correlation: –1 < R < 0; p < 0.05), while RH (relative humidity) positively (0 < R < 1; p < 0.05) affected airborne concentrations of potentially infectious viral particles. In turn, the predominant viruses on studied surfaces were RoVs and noroviruses GII (NoV GII) with concentrations of potentially infectious virions up to 104 gc/100 cm2. In the cases of SARS-CoV-2 and presumptive SARS-CoV-2 or other coronaviruses, their concentrations reached up to 103 gc/100 cm2. The contamination level of steel surfaces in WWTPs was similar to this on plastic ones. This study revealed that the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses at workplaces in WWTPs is important for proper exposure assessment and needs to be included in risk management in occupational environment with high abundance of microbial pollutants derived from wastewater.
Insight into redox regulation of apoptosis in cancer cells with multiparametric live-cell microscopy
Authors: Shirmanova Marina V. , Gavrina Alena I. , Kovaleva Tatiana F. , Dudenkova Varvara V. , Zelenova Ekaterina E. , Shcheslavskiy Vladislav I. , Mozherov Artem M. , Snopova Ludmila B. , Lukyanov Konstantin A. , Zagaynova Elena V.
Published: March 2022

Cellular redox status and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important regulators of apoptotic potential, playing a crucial role in the growth of cancer cell and their resistance to apoptosis. However, the relationships between the redox status and ROS production during apoptosis remain poorly explored. In this study, we present an investigation on the correlations between the production of ROS, the redox ratio FAD/NAD(P)H, the proportions of the reduced nicotinamide cofactors NADH and NADPH, and caspase-3 activity in cancer cells at the level of individual cells. Two-photon excitation fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) was applied to monitor simultaneously apoptosis using the genetically encoded sensor of caspase-3, mKate2-DEVD-iRFP, and the autofluorescence of redox cofactors in colorectal cancer cells upon stimulation of apoptosis with staurosporine, cisplatin or hydrogen peroxide. We found that, irrespective of the apoptotic stimulus used, ROS accumulation correlated well with both the elevated pool of mitochondrial, enzyme-bound NADH and caspase-3 activation. Meanwhile, a shift in the contribution of bound NADH could develop independently of the apoptosis, and this was observed in the case of cisplatin. An increase in the proportion of bound NADPH was detected only in staurosporine-treated cells, this likely being associated with a high level of ROS production and their resulting detoxification. The results of the study favor the discovery of new therapeutic strategies based on manipulation of the cellular redox balance, which could help improve the anti-tumor activity of drugs and overcome apoptotic resistance.
Distribution of cracks in an anchored cavern under blast load based on cohesive elements
Authors: Luo Yi , Pei Chenhao , Qu Dengxing , Li Xinping , Ma Ruiqiu , Gong Hangli
Published: March 2022

To explore the distribution of cracks in anchored caverns under the blast load, cohesive elements with zero thickness were employed to simulate crack propagation through numerical analysis based on a similar model test. Furthermore, the crack propagation process in anchored caverns under top explosion was analyzed. The crack propagation modes and distributions in anchored caverns with different dip angles fractures in the vault were thoroughly discussed. With the propagation of the explosive stress waves, cracks successively occur at the arch foot, the floor of the anchored caverns, and the boundary of the anchored zone of the vault. Tensile cracks are preliminarily found in rocks that surround the caverns. In the scenario of a pre-fabricated fracture in the upper part of the vault, the number of cracks at the boundary of the anchored zone of the vault first decreases then increases with the increasing dip angle of the pre-fabricated fracture. When the dip angle of the pre-fabricated fracture is 45°, the fewest cracks occur at the boundary of the anchored zone. The wing cracks deflected to the vault are formed at the tip of the pre-fabricated fracture, around which are synchronous formed tensile and shear cracks. Under top explosion, the peak displacement and the peak particle velocity in surrounding rocks of anchored caverns both reach their maximum values at the vault, successively followed by the sidewall and the floor. In addition, with the different dip angles of the pre-fabricated fracture, asymmetry could be found between the peak displacement and the peak particle velocity. The vault displacement of anchored caverns is mainly attributed to tensile cracks at the boundary of the anchored zone, which are generated due to the tensile waves reflected from the free face of the vault. When a fracture occurs in the vault, the peak displacement of the vault gradually decreases while the residual displacement increases.
Differences in MS clinical and epidemiological characteristics between Ashkenazi and non-Ashkenazi Jewish patients in Israel: a retrospective single center study
Authors: Karni Arnon , Ben Noon Gil , Shiner Tamara , Vigiser Ifat , Kolb Hadar , Regev Keren
Published: March 2022

The prevalence and severity of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) varies across different ethnicities, with a tendency to a more severe phenotype in non-Caucasian populations.  Our objective was to evaluate the differences in disease phenotype between Ashkenazi Jewish and Non-Ashkenazi Jewish patients in Israel. We conducted a single center retrospective cohort study in which subjects were assigned to Ashkenazi or Non-Ashkenazi groups according to self-reported ancestry and disease severity was assessed using the expanded disability status (EDSS), MS severity score (MSSS), progression index (PI) and MRI metrics. 330 Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) and 207 Non-Ashkenazi Jewish patients (Non-AJ) were included. Non-AJ had a younger age of disease onset (32.7 years vs. 35.7 years, p = 0.05), with a lower proportion of females (62.3% vs. 73.3%, p = 0.01). These differences were maintained within the subgroup of Israeli native patients. Ethnicity was a significant predictor of MSSS (β = 0.601, p = 0.003), with a higher estimate than that of other epidemiological factors. To conclude, Non-AJ patients had an earlier age of onset and a more disabling disease as well as having a more balanced female to male ratio compared to AJ patients. These findings demonstrate variability of disease phenotype within Caucasian patient's dependent on their ethnicity despite equivalent access to healthcare services.
Association between morphine exposure and impaired brain development on term-equivalent age brain magnetic resonance imaging in very preterm infants
Authors: Al-Mouqdad Mountasser M. , Jamjoom Dima Z. , Huseynova Roya , Khalil Thanaa M. , Asfour Yasmeen S. , Albeshri Bushra A. , Basodan Nadia A. , Assiri Fuddah , Asfour Suzan S.
Published: March 2022

To investigate the relationship between morphine exposure in the first week of life and brain injury on term-equivalent age magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in very preterm infants. A retrospective study included 106 infants with a birth weight of < 1500 g who were born at King Saud Medical City at ≤ 32 gestational weeks, were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, and underwent term-equivalent age or pre-discharge brain MRI. A univariate analysis in addition to modified log-Poisson regression with a robust variance estimator was applied, and the effect of early morphine exposure and cumulative dose in the first seven days on brain morphology and growth at term-equivalent age was determined using the Kidokoro score. Sixty-eight (64.2%) infants had received morphine in the first week of life (median cumulative dose: 1.68 mg/kg, interquartile range 0.48–2.52 mg/kg). Early initiation of morphine administration was significantly associated with high total white matter (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.72) and cerebellum (aRR 1.36, 95% CI 1.03–1.81) scores and a small cerebellar volume (aRR 1.28, 95% CI 1.02–1.61). Morphine exposure in the first week of life was independently associated with white matter and cerebellar injury on term-equivalent age brain MRI in very preterm infants.
Association of adverse birth outcomes with in vitro fertilization after controlling infertility factors based on a singleton live birth cohort
Authors: Yu Huiting , Liang Zhou , Cai Renzhi , Jin Shan , Xia Tian , Wang Chunfang , Kuang Yanping
Published: March 2022

Infants conceived with in vitro fertilization (IVF) are exposed to underlying infertility and the IVF process. High risks of adverse birth outcomes (ABOs) were observed among these infants, including preterm birth, low birth weight, macrosomia, being large/small for gestational age (LGA/SGA). It is unclear whether the specific etiology of the rise of ABOs among IVF infants is IVF technology itself or underlying infertility. A total of 9,480 singletons conceived with IVF and 1,952,419 singletons from the general population were obtained in this study. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess variations in risk of ABOs according to causes of infertility. Poisson distributions were applied to calculate standardized risk ratios of IVF infants vs. general population after controlling the causes of infertility. Higher risk of preterm birth and low birth weight were observed among parents with polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, uterine and semen abnormalities. Compared to the general population, after excluding the influence of infertility causes, singletons conceived with IVF were at higher risk of macrosomia (SRR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.14–1.44) and LGA (SRR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.15–1.35). The higher risk of ABOs in IVF was driven by both IVF treatments and infertility, which is important for improving IVF treatments and the managing pregnancies and child development.