bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanoparticle Tracking in Single‐Antiresonant‐Element Fiber for High‐Precision Size Distribution Analysis of Mono‐ and Polydisperse Samples
Authors: Nissen Mona , Förster Ronny , Wieduwilt Torsten , Lorenz Adrian , Jiang Shiqi , Hauswald Walter , Schmidt Markus A.
Published: August 2022

Accurate determination of the size distribution of nanoparticle ensembles remains a challenge in nanotechnology‐related applications due to the limitations of established methods. Here, a microstructured fiber‐assisted nanoparticle tracking analysis (FaNTA) realization is introduced that breaks existing limitations through the recording of exceptionally long trajectories of rapidly diffusing polydisperse nanoparticles, resulting in excellent sizing precision and unprecedented separation capabilities of bimodal nanoparticle mixtures. An effective‐single‐mode antiresonant‐element fiber allows to efficiently confine nanoparticles in a light‐guiding microchannel and individually track them over more than 1000 frames, while aberration‐free imaging is experimentally confirmed by cross‐correlation analysis. Unique features of the approach are (i) the highly precise determination of the size distribution of monodisperse nanoparticle ensembles (only 7% coefficient of variation) and (ii) the accurate characterization of individual components in a bimodal mixture with very close mean diameters, both experimentally demonstrated for polymer nanospheres. The outstanding performance of the FaNTA realization can be quantified by introducing a new model for the bimodal separation index. Since FaNTA is applicable to all types of nano‐objects down to sub‐20 nm diameters, the method will improve the precision standard of mono‐ and polydisperse nanoparticle samples such as nano‐plastics or extracellular vesicles.
Photo‐Enhanced Magnesium‐Ion Capacitors Using Photoactive Electrodes
Authors: Park Sul Ki , Boruah Buddha Deka , Pujari Arvind , Kim Byung‐Man , De Volder Michael
Published: August 2022

Off‐grid power sources are becoming increasingly important for applications ranging from autonomous sensor networks to fighting energy poverty. Interactions of light with certain classes of battery and capacitor materials have recently gained attention to enhance the rate performance or to even charge energy storage devices directly with light. Interestingly, these devices have the potential to reduce the volume and cost of autonomous power sources. Here, a light‐enhanced magnesium (Mg)‐ion capacitor is shown. The latter is interesting because of the large natural abundance of Mg and its ability to operate in low cost and non‐flammable aqueous electrolytes. Photoelectrodes using a combination of vanadium dioxide and reduced graphene oxide can achieve capacitance enhancements of up to 56% under light exposure alongside a 21% higher energy density of 20.5 mAh kg‐1.
The Novel Ionic Liquid and Its Related Self‐Assembly in the Areas of Energy Storage and Conversion
Authors: Wang Runtong , Fang Chengdong , Yang Le , Li Ke , Zhu Kailing , Liu Guofeng , Chen Jiajia
Published: August 2022

Ionic liquids (ILs) are one kind of molten salts, which have been widely used across multiple disciplines in science and engineering. The recent development makes ILs no longer just as the solvent, and more attention has been put to applications of their unique structure and functionalities. This raises the importance to explore advanced IL‐derived materials, which retain most of the characteristics of ILs and are endowed with new features, namely novel ILs. The novel ILs, including deep eutectic solvents (DESs), poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs), ionic liquid crystals (ILCs), and redox‐active ionic liquids (RAILs), have distinct advantages over traditional ILs, such as enhancing the reaction rate, selectivity, and productivity in various chemical reactions. Given the unique physical and chemical properties, electrochemical behavior, and self‐assembled structures, novel ILs have emerged as promising materials in various applications, specifically in energy storage and conversion. Herein, the intrinsic properties of novel ILs and their related self‐assembly behavior in advanced energy storage technology are focused. And the perspectives and challenges of novel ILs in the fields of energy storage and conversion are also proposed.
Demystifying Activity Origin of M–N–C Single‐Atomic Mediators Toward Expedited Rate‐Determining Step in Li–S Electrochemistry
Authors: Jin Jia , Sun Zhongti , Yan Tianran , Shi Zixiong , Wang Meiyu , Huang Ting , Ding Yifan , Cai Jingsheng , Wang Peng , Zhang Liang , Sun Jingyu
Published: August 2022

Sluggish sulfur reduction reaction (SRR) kinetics remains a formidable challenge in Li–S electrochemistry. In this sense, the rational design of single‐atom species has become a burgeoning practice to expedite sulfur redox, where the underlying catalytic mechanism otherwise remains elusive. Herein, a class of metal single‐atom modified porous carbon nanofiber films (MSA PCNFs, M = Fe, Co, or Ni), fabricated via a generic synthetic strategy, as mediators to boost SRR kinetics is reported. Throughout electrokinetic measurement and operando instrumental probing, NiSA PCNF is evidenced to harness the catalytic superiority toward the rate‐determining step (i.e., liquid–solid conversion) of the SRR process. Density functional theory (DFT) simulations further reveal that the catalytic features of M–N–C moieties in catalyzing the Li2S precipitation rely heavily upon the coordination environments of adjacent carbon atoms and d‐orbital configurations of metal centers. In response, the thus‐derived S/NiSA PCNF cathode realizes an encouraging areal capacity of 14.12 mAh cm−2 under elevated sulfur loading (10.2 mg cm−2) and lean electrolyte usage (E/S ratio ≈ 5.5 μL mg−1). This work offers insight into the identification of exact catalytic moieties for different transition metal M–N–C single‐atom SRR mediators, showcasing a meaningful guidance and potential impact on Li–S catalysis.
Physics, Simulation, and Experiment of Perovskite Solar Cells with Addressing Hysteresis Effect
Authors: Ai Zhenhai , Wu Donghui , Ma Tianshu , Zhao Yue , An Yidan , Wang Changlei , Li Xiaofeng
Published: August 2022

The hysteresis effect is a critical factor affecting the widespread application of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). To eliminate this adverse effect, it is necessary to uncover the underlying physics, which characterize the microscopic behaviors of electrons, holes, and ions within PSCs. Herein, addressing the hysteresis effect of PSCs, the migration mechanisms of mobile ions (i.e., anions and cations) within the perovskite layer is explored, the simulation model is developed, and the corresponding experiments are performed. The electromagnetic response, the transport of electrons, holes, anions, and cations, and the electrostatic characteristics determined by the charges are considered in detail. The simulation verifies that the performance degradation is indeed originating from the mobile ions, especially under a high ion concentration. The physical reason of the unbalanced performance under forward and reverse electric scans is presented by optoelectronic simulation. The manipulation of the hysteresis effect increasing the built‐in electric field and reducing the hysteresis index (HI) of low ion concentration devices, but increased HI under a high ion concentration is further investigated. The simulation guides the fabrication of a normal‐bandgap PSC, which achieves the reverse (forward) power‐conversion efficiency up to 23.35% (22.22%) with a HI as low as 4.8%.
Fluids and flows in brain cancer and neurological disorders
Authors: Jin Peng , Munson Jennifer M.
Published: August 2022

Interstitial fluid (IF) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are an integral part of the brain, serving to cushion and protect the brain parenchymal cells against damage and aid in their function. The brain IF contains various ions, nutrients, waste products, peptides, hormones, and neurotransmitters. IF moves primarily by pressure‐dependent bulk flow through brain parenchyma, draining into the ventricular CSF. The brain ventricles and subarachnoid spaces are filled with CSF which circulates through the perivascular spaces. It also flows into the IF space regulated, in part, by aquaporin channels, removing waste solutes through a process of IF‐CSF mixing. During disease development, the composition, flow, and volume of these fluids changes and can lead to brain cell dysfunction. With the improvement of imaging technology and the help of genomic profiling, more information has been and can be obtained from brain fluids; however, the role of CSF and IF in brain cancer and neurobiological disease is still limited. Here we outline recent advances of our knowledge of brain fluid flow in cancer and neurodegenerative disease based on our understanding of its dynamics and composition.

This article is categorized under:

Cancer > Biomedical Engineering

Neurological Diseases > Biomedical Engineering
Preventing Suicide in Youth with Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Lessons Learned and Policy Recommendations
Authors: Johanning-Gray Katie , Vandana Pankhuree , Wynn Jacqueline , Hamel-Lambert Jane
Published: August 2022

Preventing suicide in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other intellectual and neurodevelopmental disorders (INDs) is a critical issue. In the USA, the overall number of individuals living with ASD and other developmental disabilities has been increasing in prevalence; in 2014 the prevalence of children ever diagnosed with any developmental disability was 5.76%, and this increased to 6.99% by 2016 (Zablotsky et al., 2017). Concurrent with the rise in IND prevalence is a troubling rise in the rates of suicide, with suicide now being the second leading cause of death among those between the ages of 10 and 24 in the USA (CDC, 2020). Due to gaps in our existing knowledge including a lack of validated assessment tools and suicide-specific treatments for these youth, researchers and clinicians alike grapple with how to prevent suicide in individuals with INDs. This chapter explores the evidence regarding the prevalence of suicidal ideation and behavior in this population and discusses lessons learned during the implementation of suicide prevention policies within programs serving patients with INDs at a large pediatric hospital setting.
Ensemble of models shows coherent response of a reservoir’s stratification and ice cover to climate warming
Authors: Feldbauer Johannes , Ladwig Robert , Mesman Jorrit P. , Moore Tadhg N. , Zündorf Hilke , Berendonk Thomas U. , Petzoldt Thomas
Published: August 2022

Water temperature, ice cover, and lake stratification are important physical properties of lakes and reservoirs that control mixing as well as bio-geo-chemical processes and thus influence the water quality. We used an ensemble of vertical one-dimensional hydrodynamic lake models driven with regional climate projections to calculate water temperature, stratification, and ice cover under the A1B emission scenario for the German drinking water reservoir Lichtenberg. We used an analysis of variance method to estimate the contributions of the considered sources of uncertainty on the ensemble output. For all simulated variables, epistemic uncertainty, which is related to the model structure, is the dominant source throughout the simulation period. Nonetheless, the calculated trends are coherent among the five models and in line with historical observations. The ensemble predicts an increase in surface water temperature of 0.34 K per decade, a lengthening of the summer stratification of 3.2 days per decade, as well as decreased probabilities of the occurrence of ice cover and winter inverse stratification by 2100. These expected changes are likely to influence the water quality of the reservoir. Similar trends are to be expected in other reservoirs and lakes in comparable regions.
Management of juvenile and aneurysmal bone cysts: a systematic literature review with meta-analysis
Authors: Strohm Jonas A. , Strohm Peter C. , Kühle Jan , Schmal Hagen , Zwingmann Jörn
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Numerous approaches to the management of juvenile and aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC) are described in the specialist literature together with discussion of the associated healing and recurrence rates. Since there is currently no evidence-based treatment standard for these conditions, the aim of this systematic literature review with meta-analysis was to examine the different management approaches, evaluate the corresponding clinical outcomes and, as appropriate, to formulate a valid treatment recommendation.

Methods

A systematic search on OVID Medline® based on a pre-existing search strategy returned 1333 publications. Having defined inclusion and exclusion criteria and analysis of the relevant full texts, 167 publications were included in the descriptive analysis and 163 in the meta-analysis. For this purpose, different subgroups were created, based on the type of cyst and the therapeutic procedure. Those subgroups were then analysed in relation to their healing rates, the number of recurrences and complication rates.

Results

For aneurysmal bone cysts, both surgical removal and Doxycycline injection lead to excellent outcomes (98% healing) and low recurrence rates (6% and 11% resp.). Curettage (91% healing), including its combination with autologous cancellous bone graft (96% healing), showed very good healing rates but higher recurrence rates (22% and 15%, resp.), which were however improved by preoperative selective arterial embolization. A critical view must be taken of radiotherapy (90% healing) and the injection of alcohol (92% healing) because of their high complication rates (0.43/cyst and 0.42/cyst, resp.). In the management of juvenile bone cysts, surgical interventions like curettage and cancellous bone graft (87% healing) are far superior to non-surgical approaches (51% healing), furthermore, the application of autologous cancellous bone graft reduced the recurrence rate (3% recurrence) compared to curettage alone (20% recurrence). In subgroup analysis, treatment by ESIN was found to produce excellent outcomes (100% healing), though the patient collectives were small.

Conclusion

Surgical procedures to treat aneurysmal bone cysts appear to be the method of choice whereby Doxycycline injection may be an alternative. A surgical approach should be preferred in the treatment of juvenile bone cysts.
Plastic and other anthropogenic debris in Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) faeces from Iceland
Authors: Technau Birte , Unnsteinsdóttir Ester Rut , Schaafsma Fokje L. , Kühn Susanne
Published: August 2022

Anthropogenic debris, including plastic pollution, is a growing concern in the Arctic and negatively impacts both marine and coastal organisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential for using Arctic fox(Vulpes lagopus)faeces as a monitoring tool for plastic pollution in the Arctic environment. Arctic fox faeces were collected in different regions of Iceland and analysed for anthropogenic debris presence larger than 300 µm, and diet composition. In total, 235 faecal samples from 1999, 2017, 2018 and 2020 were analysed. The overall frequency of occurrence of plastic and other anthropogenic material was 5.11% and was found in samples across all regions and years. There were no statistical differences in anthropogenic debris ingested, depending on year or region. There were no obvious differences in diet composition between samples that contained anthropogenic debris and samples without. The suitability of Arctic fox faeces as a method to monitor plastic and anthropogenic debris levels in the Arctic environment remains debatable: Whilst the vast distribution range of the Arctic fox and the non-invasive collection methodology of faecal samples could be utilised as a good monitoring tool, the overall low uptake and unclear source of plastic and anthropogenic debris (marine or terrestrial) makes the interpretation of the data difficult. Nevertheless, debris ingestion by Arctic foxes remains a concern and warrants further studies.
International expert opinion on optimal treatment of anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer resection: a case-vignette study
Authors: Talboom Kevin , Greijdanus Nynke G. , van Workum Frans , Ubels Sander , Rosman Camiel , Hompes Roel , de Wilt Johannes H. W. , Tanis Pieter J. ,   the TENTACLE-Rectum working group
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Little is known about the optimal treatment of anastomotic leakage after low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer and whether treatment strategy depends on leakage features and patient characteristics. The objective of this study was to determine which treatment principles are used by expert colorectal surgeons worldwide.

Methods

In this international case-vignette study, participants completed a survey on their preferred treatment for 11 clinical cases with varying leakage features and two patient scenarios depending on surgical risk (a total of 22 cases).

Results

In total, 42 of 64 invited surgeons completed the survey from 18 countries worldwide. The majority worked at a university training hospital (62%) and had more than 15 years of experience performing LAR for rectal cancer (52%). Early leaks in septic patients were preferably treated by major salvage surgery, to some extent depending on the patient scenario. In early leaks in non-septic patients, drainage and faecal diversion were the cornerstones of the proposed treatment. Endoscopic vacuum therapy was more often proposed than percutaneous drainage. A minority proposed anastomotic reconstruction, more often for larger defects. Treatment of late leaks ranged from watchful waiting, drainage, or transanal repair to major (non-)restorative salvage surgery, with minimal influence of the degree of symptoms on the proposed strategy. Leaks of the blind loop and rectovaginal fistulae showed high variability in the proposed treatment strategy.

Conclusion

This TENTACLE-Rectum case-vignette study demonstrates tailored treatment strategies depending on the clinical type of leak and patient characteristics, with variable degrees of consensus and knowledge gaps which should be addressed in future studies.
Reproductive outcomes from ten years of elective oocyte cryopreservation
Authors: Kasaven Lorraine S. , Jones Benjamin P. , Heath Carleen , Odia Rabi , Green Joycelia , Petrie Aviva , Saso Srdjan , Serhal Paul , Nagi Jara Ben
Published: August 2022

Research question

To assess the relationship between the number of oocytes retrieved during elective oocyte cryopreservation (EOC) cycles with various clinical, biochemical, and radiological markers, including age, body mass index (BMI), baseline anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), antral follicle count (AFC), Oestradiol level (E2) and total number of follicles ≥ 12 mm on the day of trigger. To also report the reproductive outcomes from women who underwent EOC.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of 373 women embarking on EOC and autologous oocyte thaw cycles between 2008 and 2018 from a single London clinic in the United Kingdom.

Results

483 stimulation cycles were undertaken amongst 373 women. The median (range) age at cryopreservation was 38 (26–47) years old. The median numbers of oocytes retrieved per cycle was 8 (0–37) and the median total oocytes cryopreserved per woman was 8 (0–45). BMI, E2 level and number of follicles ≥ 12 mm at trigger were all significant predictors of oocyte yield. Multivariate analysis confirmed there was no significant relationship between AFC or AMH, whilst on univariate analysis statistical significance was proven. Thirty six women returned to use their cryopreserved oocytes, of which there were 41 autologous oocyte thaw cycles undertaken. There were 12 successful livebirths achieved by 11 women. The overall livebirth rate was 26.8% per cycle. No livebirths were achieved in women who underwent EOC ≥ 40 years old, and 82% of all livebirths were achieved in women who had done so between 36 and 39 years old.

Conclusion

Clinical, biochemical and radiological markers can predict oocyte yield in EOC cycles. Reproductive outcomes are more favourable when cryopreservation is performed before the age of 36, with lower success rates of livebirth observed in women aged 40 years and above.
Racism and psychosis: an umbrella review and qualitative analysis of the mental health consequences of racism
Authors: Lazaridou Felicia Boma , Schubert Saskia J. , Ringeisen Tobias , Kaminski Jakob , Heinz Andreas , Kluge Ulrike
Published: August 2022

Black people and People of Color are disproportionately affected by racism and show increased rates of psychosis. To examine whether racialized migrant groups are particularly exposed to racism and therefore have higher risks for psychosis, this paper (1) systematically assesses rates of psychosis among racialized migrant groups concerning the country of origin, and (2) analyzes interviews regarding the association of racism experiences with psychosis-related symptoms in racialized Black people and People of Color populations in Germany. We present an umbrella review of meta-analyses that report the incidence of positive symptoms (e.g., hallucinations and delusions) and negative symptoms (e.g., apathy and incoherent speech) of diagnosed schizophrenia, other non-affective psychotic disorders (e.g., schizoaffective disorder) or first-episode psychosis among migrants by country of origin. We also report 20 interviews with first- and second-generation migrants racialized as Black and of Color in Germany to capture and classify their experiences of racism as well as racism-associated mental health challenges. In the umbrella review, psychosis risk was greatest when migration occurred from developing countries. Effect size estimates were even larger among Caribbean and African migrants. In the qualitative study, the application of the constant comparative method yielded four subordinate themes that form a subclinical psychosis symptomatology profile related to experiences of racism: (1) a sense of differentness, (2) negative self-awareness, (3) paranoid ideation regarding general persecution, and (4) self-questioning and self-esteem instability. We here provide converging evidence from a quantitative and qualitative analysis that the risk of poor mental health and psychotic experiences is related to racism associated with minority status and migration.
Mental health and the effects on methylation of stress-related genes in front-line versus other health care professionals during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian pilot study
Authors: Tabano Silvia , Tassi Lorenzo , Cannone Marta Giulia , Brescia Gloria , Gaudioso Gabriella , Ferrara Mariarosa , Colapietro Patrizia , Fontana Laura , Miozzo Monica Rosa , Croci Giorgio Alberto , Seia Manuela , Piuma Cristina , Solbiati Monica , Tobaldini Eleonora , Ferrero Stefano , Montano Nicola , Costantino Giorgio , Buoli Massimiliano
Published: August 2022

Healthcare workers experienced high degree of stress during COVID-19. Purpose of the present article is to compare mental health (depressive and Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorders—PTSD—symptoms) and epigenetics aspects (degree of methylation of stress-related genes) in front-line healthcare professionals versus healthcare working in non-COVID-19 wards. Sixty-eight healthcare workers were included in the study: 39 were working in COVID-19 wards (cases) and 29 in non-COVID wards (controls). From all participants, demographic and clinical information were collected by an ad-hoc questionnaire. Depressive and PTSD symptoms were evaluated by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Impact of Event Scale—Revised (IES-R), respectively. Methylation analyses of 9 promoter/regulatory regions of genes known to be implicated in depression/PTSD (ADCYAP1, BDNF, CRHR1, DRD2, IGF2, LSD1/KDM1A, NR3C1, OXTR, SLC6A4) were performed on DNA from blood samples by the MassARRAY EpiTYPER platform, with MassCleave settings. Controls showed more frequent lifetime history of anxiety/depression with respect to cases (χ2 = 5.72, p = 0.03). On the contrary, cases versus controls presented higher PHQ-9 (t = 2.13, p = 0.04), PHQ-9 sleep item (t = 2.26, p = 0.03), IES-R total (t = 2.17, p = 0.03), IES-R intrusion (t = 2.46, p = 0.02), IES-R avoidance (t = 1.99, p = 0.05) mean total scores. Methylation levels at CRHR1, DRD2 and LSD1 genes was significantly higher in cases with respect to controls (p < 0.01, p = 0.03 and p = 0.03, respectively). Frontline health professionals experienced more negative effects on mental health during COVID-19 pandemic than non-frontline healthcare workers. Methylation levels were increased in genes regulating HPA axis (CRHR1) and dopamine neurotransmission (DRD2 and LSD1), thus supporting the involvement of these biological processes in depression/PTSD and indicating that methylation of these genes can be modulated by stress conditions, such as working as healthcare front-line during COVID-19 pandemic.
Visual hallucinosis during hypoperfusion of the right occipito-temporal cortex
Authors: Sanda Nicolae , Escribano Paredes Jose Bernardo , Ferastraoaru Victor
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Positive visual phenomena, although reported in lesions of visual cortex, are often overlooked in patients with acute neurological conditions. Yet, their occurrence without structural abnormalities or other underlying neurological disorders represents a unique observation. This report aims to raise awareness of these phenomena, their implications for understanding visual consciousness and to propose a practical, structured algorithm for the clinical assessment of visual hallucinations related to neurological conditions.

Methods

We describe the clinical presentation and imaging findings in two patients with isolated visual hallucinosis secondary to transitory hypoperfusion.

Results

One patient presented with subocclusion of the right posterior cerebral artery and the other with multifocal arterial abnormalities suggestive of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS). Both presented isolated visual hallucinations and hypoperfusion of the right mesial occipito-temporal cortex. Hallucinated images exhibited peculiarities of certain attributes that were recognized only through guided perceptual analysis performed during their occurrence.

Discussion

Dysfunctions in the visual and attentional networks due to the uneven impact of hypoperfusion on the regions of the mesial occipito-temporal cortex likely contributed to the occurrence of visual hallucinations. The initial impaired awareness of certain image attributes obscured an altered, non-realistic rendering of the hallucinated images. Enhancement of awareness through clinical guidance indicates improved attentional deployment, modulation of visual information processing and hallucination–background integration. These features of the hallucinatory phenomena highlight the critical role of semiological analysis during their occurrence and question the validity of post hoc inquiries.
On the solutions and stability for an auto-parametric dynamical system
Authors: Amer T. S. , Abady I. M. , Farag A. M.
Published: August 2022

The main goal of this study is to look at the motion of a damped two degrees-of-freedom (DOF) auto-parametric dynamical system. Lagrange’s equations are used to derive the governing equations of motion (EOM). Up to a good desired order, the approximate solutions are achieved utilizing the method of multiple scales (MMS). Two cases of resonance, namely; internal and primary external one are examined simultaneously to explore the solvability conditions of the motion and the corresponding modulation equations (ME). These equations are reduced to two algebraic equations, through the elimination of the modified phases, in terms of the detuning parameters and the amplitudes. The kind of stable or unstable fixed point is estimated. In certain plots, the time histories graphs of the achieved solutions, as well as the adjusted phases and amplitudes are used to depict the motion of the system at any instant. The conditions of Routh–Hurwitz are used to study the various stability zones and their analysis. The achieved outcomes are considered to be novel and original, in which the used strategy is applied on a particular dynamical system. The significance of the studied system can be observed in its applications in a number of disciplines, such as swaying structures and rotor dynamics.
Enhanced beetle antennae search algorithm for complex and unbiased optimization
Authors: Qian Qian , Deng Yi , Sun Hui , Pan Jiawen , Yin Jibin , Feng Yong , Fu Yunfa , Li Yingna
Published: August 2022

Beetle Antennae Search algorithm is a kind of intelligent optimization algorithms, which has the advantages of few parameters and simplicity. However, due to its inherent limitations, BAS has poor performance in complex optimization problems. The existing improvements of BAS are mainly based on the utilization of multiple beetles or combining BAS with other algorithms. The present study improves BAS from its origin and keeps the simplicity of the algorithm. First, an adaptive step size reduction method is used to increase the usability of the algorithm, which is based on an accurate factor and curvilinearly reduces the step size; second, the calculated information of fitness functions during each iteration are fully utilized with a contemporary optimal update strategy to promote the optimization processes; third, the theoretical analysis of the multi-directional sensing method is conducted and utilized to further improve the efficiency of the algorithm. Finally, the proposed Enhanced Beetle Antennae Search algorithm is compared with many other algorithms based on unbiased test functions. The test functions are unbiased when their solution space does not contain simple patterns, which may be used to facilitate the searching processes. As a result, EBAS outperformed BAS with at least 1 orders of magnitude difference. The performance of EBAS was even better than several state-of-the-art swarm-based algorithms, such as Slime Mold Algorithm and Grey Wolf Optimization, with similar running times. In addition, a WSN coverage optimization problem is tested to demonstrate the applicability of EBAS on real-world optimizations.
Long-term effects of safinamide adjunct therapy on levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson’s disease: post-hoc analysis of a Japanese phase III study
Authors: Hattori Nobutaka , Kamei Takanori , Ishida Takayuki , Suzuki Ippei , Nomoto Masahiro , Tsuboi Yoshio
Published: August 2022

This post-hoc analysis investigated the long-term effects of safinamide on the course of dyskinesia and efficacy outcomes using data from a phase III, open-label 52-week study of safinamide 50 or 100 mg/day in Japanese patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) with wearing-off. Patients (N = 194) were grouped using the UPDRS Part IV item 32: with and without pre-existing dyskinesia (pre-D subgroup; item 32 > 0 at baseline [n = 81], without pre-D subgroup; item 32 = 0 at baseline [n = 113]). ON-time with troublesome dyskinesia (ON-TD) increased significantly from baseline to Week 4 in the pre-D subgroup (+ 0.25 ± 0.11 h [mean ± SE], p = 0.0355) but gradually decreased up to Week 52 (change from baseline: − 0.08 ± 0.17 h, p = 0.6224); ON-TD did not change significantly in the Without pre-D subgroup. UPDRS Part IV item 32 score increased significantly at Week 52 compared with baseline in the Without pre-D subgroup, but no UPDRS Part IV dyskinesia related-domains changed in the pre-D subgroup. Both subgroups improved in ON-time without TD, UPDRS Part III, and Part II [OFF-phase] scores. The cumulative incidence of new or worsening dyskinesia (adverse drug reaction) at Week 52 was 32.5 and 5.0% in the pre-D and Without pre-D subgroups, respectively. This study suggested that safinamide led to short-term increasing dyskinesia but may be not associated with marked dyskinesia at 1-year follow-up in patients with pre-existing dyskinesia, and that it improved motor symptoms regardless of the presence or absence of dyskinesia at baseline. Further studies are warranted to investigate this association in more details.

Trial registration: JapicCTI-153057 (Registered: 2015/11/02).
Recession coverage using the modified coronally advanced tunnel and connective tissue graft with or without enamel matrix derivative: 5-year results of a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Stähli A. , Duong H. Y. , Imber J. C. , Roccuzzo A. , Salvi G. E. , Katsaros C. , Ramseier C. A. , Sculean A.
Published: August 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the 5-year results of single and multiple recession type (RT) 1 and 2 (Miller I to III) recessions treated with the modified coronally advanced tunnel (MCAT) and connective tissue graft (CTG) with or without an enamel matrix derivative (EMD). The main outcome variable was the stability of obtained root coverage from 6 months to 5 years.

Materials and methods

In 24 patients, both complete and mean root coverage (CRC and MRC) and gain of keratinised tissue (KT) were assessed at 6 months and 5 years after recession coverage by means of MCAT and CTG with or without EMD. Aesthetic outcomes after 5 years were evaluated using the root coverage aesthetic score (RES).

Results

At 5 years, 24 patients with a total of 43 recessions were evaluated. Eight patients (57.14%) of the test and 6 (60.0%) of the control group showed complete root coverage. MRC revealed no statistically significant differences between the two groups, with 73.87 ± 26.83% (test) and 75.04 ± 22.06% (control), respectively. KT increased from 1.14 ± 0.57 mm to 3.07 ± 2.27 mm in the test group and from 1.24 ± 0.92 mm to 3.02 ± 1.55 mm in the control group, respectively.

Conclusion

Treatment of single and multiple RT 1 and 2 recessions by means of MCAT and CTG with or without EMD yielded comparable clinical improvements which could be maintained over a period of 5 years. The additional use of EMD did not influence the clinical outcomes.

Clinical relevance

The use of MCAT + CTG yielded successful coverage of single and multiple RT 1 and 2 gingival recessions, while the additional application of EMD did not seem to influence the results.
A two-stage decision-support approach for improving sustainable last-mile cold chain logistics operations of COVID-19 vaccines
Authors: Andoh Eugenia Ama , Yu Hao
Published: August 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has become a global health and humanitarian crisis that catastrophically affects many industries. To control the disease spread and restore normal lives, mass vaccination is considered the most effective way. However, the sustainable last-mile cold chain logistics operations of COVID-19 vaccines is a complex short-term planning problem that faces many practical challenges, e.g., low-temperature storage and transportation, supply uncertainty at the early stage, etc. To tackle these challenges, a two-stage decision-support approach is proposed in this paper, which integrates both route optimization and advanced simulation to improve the sustainable performance of last-mile vaccine cold chain logistics operations. Through a real-world case study in Norway during December 2020 and March 2021, the analytical results revealed that the logistics network structure, fleet size, and the composition of heterogeneous vehicles might yield significant impacts on the service level, transportation cost, and CO2 emissions of last-mile vaccine cold chain logistics operations.
Language learning: human capital investment or consumption?
Authors: Huber Matthias , Sommerfeld Ann-Marie , Uebelmesser Silke
Published: August 2022

This paper focuses on foreign language learning as human capital investment or consumption. We apply the human capital investment framework to foreign language learning and enlarge it by the consumption motive. Based on a novel dataset of close to 5000 language course participants in 14 countries worldwide, we estimate individual and country-level determinants of the different motives for language learning and of the expected use of language skills in the labour market. We highlight possible spillovers from the consumption motive to a professional use, which emerge mostly in a “tied-mover” context. This provides guidance for targeted language policies.
Soil greenhouse gas fluxes from tropical vegetable farms, using forest as a reference
Authors: Quiñones Cecille Marie O. , Veldkamp Edzo , Lina Suzette B. , Bande Marlito Jose M. , Arribado Arwin O. , Corre Marife D.
Published: August 2022

Field-based quantification of soil greenhouse gas emissions from the Philippines’ agriculture sector is missing for vegetable production systems, despite its substantial contribution to agricultural production. We quantified soil N2O emission, CH4 uptake, and CO2 efflux in vegetable farms and compared these to the secondary forest. Measurements were conducted for 13 months in 10 smallholder farms and nine forest plots on Andosol soil in Leyte, Philippines using static chambers. Soil N2O and CO2 emissions were higher, whereas CH4 uptake was lower in the vegetable farms than in the forest. Vegetable farms had annual fluxes of 12.7 ± 2.6 kg N2O-N ha−1 yr−1, −1.1 ± 0.2 kg CH4-C ha−1 yr−1, and 11.7 ± 0.7 Mg CO2-C ha−1 yr−1, whereas the forest had 0.10 ± 0.02 kg N2O-N ha ha−1 yr−1, −2.0 ± 0.2 kg CH4-C ha−1 yr−1, and 8.2 ± 0.7 Mg CO2-C ha−1 yr−1. Long-term high N fertilization rates in vegetable farms resulted in large soil mineral N levels, dominated by NO3– in the topsoil and down to 1-m depth, leading to high soil N2O emissions. Increased soil bulk density in the vegetable farms probably increased anaerobic microsites during the wet season and reduced CH4 diffusion from the atmosphere into the soil, resulting in decreased soil CH4 uptake. High soil CO2 emissions from the vegetable farms suggested decomposition of labile organic matter, possibly facilitated by plowing and large N fertilization rates. The global warming potential of these vegetable farms was 31 ± 2.7 Mg CO2-eq ha−1 yr−1 (100-year time frame).
Identifying Rock Loads on TBM Shields During Standstills (Non-Advance-Periods)
Authors: Unterlass Paul J. , Erharter Georg H. , Marcher Thomas
Published: August 2022

Tunnel boring machine (TBM) operational data is mostly analysed with respect to data that was recorded during the advance of the TBM. Focusing on data that was recorded during standstills of a gripper TBM, we analyse rock loads that were passively recorded in the cylinders of a small roof support shield. These roof support cylinders are situated beneath the TBM’s shield – extending it against the rock mass during non-advance periods. Equipped with pressure sensors, they enable the unique opportunity of logging rock load variations throughout the tunnel. Hence due to the big amount of resulting data, techniques of unsupervised machine learning (i.e. cluster analysis) are used to automatically pre-process the TBM operational data. Furthermore, regression analysis is used to determine sections of the tunnel where rock loads are mainly occurring on the left or right side respectively. The data driven analysis shows that the main rock loads are occurring on the right side of the TBM which is in good accordance with observation from the construction site, as well as numerical models from literature. This paper contributes towards the understanding of rock load conditions in anisotropic rock masses recorded during the drive of a deep hard rock tunnel.
Walking as a cultural act and a profit for the landscape. A case study in the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Somoza Medina Xosé , Lois González Rubén C. , Somoza Medina Marta
Published: August 2022

Walking as a means of travel, when done voluntarily, becomes a cultural act that can have a beneficial effect both for the people who carry out the routes and for the space itself that is walked on. The fact of moving at a slow speed allow us to recover a more appropriate pace to enjoy the landscape, to reconnect with nature and with the position of human in the world, while improving our health. In contemporary society, some cultural tourist routes have become successful destinations, with the continuous arrival of thousands of visitors throughout the year. Thus, the historical cultural route Way of St. James has become a globally successful cultural tourism product. Close to this destination, the Ribeira Sacra, that has been recently designated by the regional government as a Cultural Landscape, with the intention of preserving its historical legacy, may be in the future a privileged destination in Galicia for walking. The research carried out allows us to ensure that this fact, taking long walks following routes with a rich cultural content, has a positive impact on the space from two different processes that are reinforced as the routes become more popular. First, from the recovery and promotion of an alternative communication network between different places. And second, through a series of laws and regulations that protect historic trails and adjacent landscapes.
Critical scaling of lattice polymers confined to a box without endpoint restriction
Authors: Bradly C. J. , Owczarek A. L.
Published: August 2022

We study self-avoiding walks on the square lattice restricted to a square box of side L weighted by a length fugacity without restriction of their end points. This is a natural model of a confined polymer in dilute solution such as polymers in mesoscopic pores. The model admits a phase transition between an ‘empty’ phase, where the average length of walks are finite and the density inside large boxes goes to zero, to a ‘dense’ phase, where there is a finite positive density. We prove various bounds on the free energy and develop a scaling theory for the phase transition based on the standard theory for unconstrained polymers. We compare this model to unrestricted walks and walks that whose endpoints are fixed at the opposite corners of a box, as well as Hamiltonian walks. We use Monte Carlo simulations to verify predicted values for three key exponents: the density exponent $$\alpha =1/2$$

α
=
1
/
2

, the finite size crossover exponent $$1/\nu =4/3$$

1
/
ν
=
4
/
3

and the critical partition function exponent $$2-\eta =43/24$$

2
-
η
=
43
/
24

. This implies that the theoretical framework relating them to the unconstrained SAW problem is valid.
Modeling supply chain viability and adaptation against underload cascading failure during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Liu Hong , Han Yunyan , Zhu Anding
Published: August 2022

Supply chain viability concerns the entire supply system rather than one company or one single chain to survive COVID-19 disruptions. Mobility restriction and overall demand decline lead to systematically cascading disruptions that are more severe and longer lasting than those caused by natural disasters and political conflicts. In the present study, the authors find that large companies and manufacturers with traditional advantages suffer greater losses than small ones, which is conceptualized as the “Hub Paradox” by empirically investigating one Warp Knitting Industrial Zone of China. An underload cascading failure model is employed to simulate supply chain viability under disruptions. Numerical simulations demonstrate that when the load decreases beyond a threshold, the viability will drop down critically. Besides, supply chain viability depends on two aspects: the adaptive capability of the manufacturers themselves and the adaptive capability of the connections of the supply network. The comparison study demonstrates that enhancing cooperative relations between hub and non-hub manufacturers will facilitate the entire supply network viability. The present study sheds light on viable supply chain management. Compared with conventionally linear or resilient supply chains, intertwined supply networks can leverage viability with higher adaptation of redistributing production capacities among manufacturers to re-establish overall scale advantages. Finally, the present study also suggests solving the “Hub Paradox” from the perspective of complex adaptive system.
Impact of photon recycling on the light extraction from metal halide perovskite light emitting diodes
Authors: Aeberhard Urs , Zeder Simon J. , Ruhstaller Beat
Published: August 2022

The impact of photon recycling on the efficiency of light extraction from metal halide perovskite light emitting diodes is quantified using a novel modelling framework based on a detailed-balance compatible Green dyad approach. Analysis of photon modes contributing to internal emission and iterative evaluation of re-absorption and re-emission processes is performed for single perovskite layers in absence and presence of a metallic reflector and under consideration of associated parasitic absorption losses. Finally, the approach is employed to characterize the emission characteristics of a realistic multilayer device stack in dependence of the emitter thickness.
Towards the description of charge transfer states in solubilised LHCII using subsystem DFT
Authors: Sen Souloke , Visscher Lucas
Published: August 2022

Light harvesting complex II (LHCII) in plants and green algae have been shown to adapt their absorption properties, depending on the concentration of sunlight, switching between a light harvesting and a non-harvesting or quenched state. In a recent work, combining classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with quantum chemical calculations (Liguori et al. in Sci Rep 5:15661, 2015) on LHCII, it was shown that the Chl611–Chl612 cluster of the terminal emitter domain can play an important role in modifying the spectral properties of the complex. In that work the importance of charge transfer (CT) effects was highlighted, in re-shaping the absorption intensity of the chlorophyll dimer. Here in this work, we investigate the combined effect of the local excited (LE) and CT states in shaping the energy landscape of the chlorophyll dimer. Using subsystem Density Functional Theory over the classical $$\mu$$
μ
s MD trajectory we look explicitly into the excitation energies of the LE and the CT states of the dimer and their corresponding couplings. Upon doing so, we observe a drop in the excitation energies of the CT states, accompanied by an increase in the couplings between the LE/LE and the LE/CT states facilitated by a shorter interchromophoric distance upon equilibration. Both these changes in conjunction, effectively produces a red-shift of the low-lying mixed exciton/CT states of the supramolecular chromophore pair.
Assessment of forest dieback on the Moroccan Central Plateau using spectral vegetation indices
Authors: Dallahi Youssef , Boujraf Amal , Meliho Modeste , Orlando Collins Ashianga
Published: August 2022

Cork oak forests in Morocco are rich in resources and services thanks to their great biological diversity, playing an important ecological and socioeconomic role. Considerable degradation of the forests has been accentuated in recent years by significant human pressure and effects of climate change; hence, the health of the stands needs to be monitored. In this study, the Google Engine Earth platform was leveraged to extract the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and soil-adjusted vegetation index, from Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS satellite images between 2015 and 2017 to assess the health of the Sibara Forest in Morocco. Our results highlight the importance of interannual variations in NDVI in forest monitoring; the variations had a significantly high relationship (p < 0.001) with dieback severity. NDVI was positively and negatively correlated with mean annual precipitation and mean annual temperature with respective coefficients of 0.49 and − 0.67, highlighting its ability to predict phenotypic changes in forest species. Monthly interannual variation in NDVI between 2016 and 2017 seemed to confirm field observations of cork oak dieback in 2018, with the largest decreases in NDVI (up to − 38%) in December in the most-affected plots. Analysis of the influence of ecological factors on dieback highlighted the role of substrate as a driver of dieback, with the most severely affected plots characterized by granite-granodiorite substrates.