bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing a theory-based behavior change intervention to improve the prescription of surgical prophylaxis
Authors: Lohiniva Anna Leena , Heweidy Iman , Girgis Samiha , Abouelata Omar , Ackley Caroline , Samir Shady , Talaat Maha
Published: November 2021

BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increasingly pervasive due to multiple, complex prescribing and consuming behaviours. Accordingly, behaviour change is an important component of response to AMR. Little is known about the best approaches to change antibiotic use practices and behaviours.AimThis project aims to develop a context-specific behaviour change strategy focusing on promoting appropriate prescription practices following the World Health Organization recommendations for surgical prophylaxis in an orthopaedic surgery unit in Egypt.MethodThe project included a formative qualitative research study with 31 in-depth interviews with orthopaedic surgeons that was based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and an intervention that was developed to following the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) in a knowledge co-production workshop with ten public health experts that ensured that the theory based intervention was a culturally acceptable, practical and implementable intervention.ResultsThe prescription of surgical prophylaxis was influenced by eight TDF domains from which workshop participants selected five to be included in the behaviour change intervention including, knowledge, belief in consequences (mistrust towards infection prevention and control measures), environmental factors (lack of prescription guidelines), professional role and reinforcement (a lack of appropriate follow up actions influenced prescription of surgical prophylaxis). The appropriate set of behaviour change functions of BCW and related activities to improve the current practices included education, enablement, persuasion, environmental restructuring and restriction.ConclusionThe study showed that a theory based, and context specific intervention can be created by using the TDF and BCW together with knowledge-co creation to improve the prescription of surgical prophylaxis in and Egyptian orthopaedic unit. The intervention needs to piloted and scaled up.
Correction to: Bernard, Sylvain, Michel Farge (edd.): Les mutations contemporaines du droit de la famille
Authors: Mazurkiewicz Paulina
Published: November 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Metoprolol Protects Against Arginine Vasopressin-Induced Cellular Senescence in H9C2 Cardiomyocytes by Regulating the Sirt1/p53/p21 Axis
Authors: Li Qiang , Huang Kang , Ma Tianyi , Lu Shijuan , Tang Shilin , Wu Miao , Yang Hui , Zhong Jianghua
Published: November 2021

Cardiomyocyte senescence is involved in the pathological mechanism of cardiac diseases. Metoprolol is a β1 receptor blocker used for the treatment of hypertension. Recent studies show that Metoprolol can protect cardiomyocytes against ischemia injury. The present study aims to investigate the protective effects of Metoprolol against arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced cellular senescence in cultured cardiomyocytes. The cell proliferation assay and cytotoxicity lactate dehydrogenase assay showed that the highest tolerated dosage of Metoprolol in H9C2 cardiomyocytes was optimized as 10 µM. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that Metoprolol significantly ameliorated the elevated level of the DNA oxidation product 8-hydroxy-2 deoxyguanosine. Metoprolol also decreased the percentage of senescence-associated β-galactosidase positive cells and improved the telomerase activity under AVP exposure. Moreover, treatment with Metoprolol ameliorated the decreased intracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase activity, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAD+/NADPH) ratio, and Sirtuin1 activity in cardiomyocytes by AVP. Finally, Metoprolol was able to downregulate the AVP-induced expression of acetylated p53 and p21. Taken together, our data reveal that Metoprolol protected the cardiomyocytes from AVP-induced senescence.
Wettkampfbezogene Emotionen im Sport – ein Scoping-Review
Authors: Wetzel Änne , Güldenpenning Iris , Weigelt Matthias
Published: November 2021

Jegliche Art von Emotionen im Sport spielen vor allem in Wettkampfsituationen eine bedeutende Rolle, wenn es darum geht, zu einem bestimmten Zeitpunkt die optimale Leistung abzurufen. Emotionen können Auswirkungen auf der physiologischen, perzeptuell-kognitiven oder behavioralen Ebenen haben. Daher bildet den Schwerpunkt des vorliegenden Scoping-Reviews, die Untersuchung der Bedeutung wettkampfbezogener (state) Emotionen von Sporttreibenden. Die Literaturrecherche ergab 1126 Arbeiten, aus denen 15 Studien die Einschlusskriterien erfüllten. Diese wurden hinsichtlich ihrer Themenschwerpunkte betrachtet: 1) Emotionen, Kognitionen und Angst; 2) Emotionen, Leistungsbeurteilung und Stress; 3) Emotionen und Leistungsziele; 4) Unterschiede emotionaler Ausprägung im Geschlecht und Leistungsniveau; 5) Einfluss von Kausalzuschreibungen auf die Emotionen. Anschließend wurden die in den vorgestellten Studien verwendeten emotionserfassenden Messinstrumente betrachtet und vorgestellt. Zusammengefasst erscheint die Erfassung wettkampfbezogener (state) Emotionen rund um das sportliche Geschehen (vor, während, danach) ein wesentlicher Bestandteil der angewandten Sportpsychologie, davon abgeleiteter Emotionsregulationsstrategien und somit der optimalen Leistungserbringung zu sein, auch wenn der (deutschsprachigen) sportpsychologischen Praxis bisher nur begrenzte validierte Messinstrumente vorliegen.
Review of pseudo-three-dimensional modeling approaches in hydraulic fracturing
Authors: Nguyen Hai T. , Lee Jang Hyun , Elraies Khaled A.
Published: November 2021

In the field of hydraulic fracture modeling, the pseudo-three-dimensional (P3D) approach is an efficient and practical computational tool serving as a compromise between two-dimensional and planar three-dimensional models. This review discusses the P3D modeling approach from its early developmental stage in the 1980s to the present. The evolution of P3D modeling is drawn over time based on the major differences in the governing formulation and assumptions considered by each model. The problems of equilibrium height growth and vertical viscous fluid resistance (i.e., non-equilibrium height growth) emphasize the primary differences among these models. Besides, the P3D-based complex fracture network models for shale oil and gas reservoirs accounting for the interaction between preexisting natural fractures and induced hydraulic fractures are discussed. Finally, in the application section, several simulations are reported to demonstrate the validation of the P3D numerical algorithm by comparing it with the Perkins–Kern–Nordgren (PKN) large and small asymptotic solutions, as well as the effect of time-dependent variable injection rates on the hydraulic fracture propagation. The results showed a good matching between P3D and PKN solutions and a significant effect of the wellbore variable injection rate on the evolution of the fracture length.
Effect of temperature on the pH of water flood effluents and irreducible water saturation: A study with reference to the Barail sandstone outcrop of the upper Assam Basin
Authors: Neog Dhrubajyoti
Published: November 2021

Low salinity water flooding (LSWF) is a promising strategy for improving oil recovery in sandstone reservoirs, and recent studies have shown that the recovery with low salinity water injection is a function of not only the salinity and ionic composition but also of the pH of injected brine, temperature, and the combined effect of both on the wetting properties of the clay mineral surfaces. Following brine flooding, the initial wettability of sandstone rock surfaces existed when crude oil, formation water (FW), and rock surface interaction were in chemical equilibrium at reservoir condition changes based on brine pH, salinity, temperature, and clay mineralogy. This study proposes pH, core flood temperature, and irreducible water saturation as key parameters in inducing wettability changes in the sandstone porous media. In the present work, the sandstone cores were subjected to flooding at temperatures of 70 °C, 85 °C, and 105 °C and measured the pH of the discharge effluents and initial or irreducible water saturation with respect to varying temperatures. This paper investigates the rise of the pH gradient and irreducible water saturation, Swir with respect to LS flooding, at increasing temperatures using a Barail sandstone core. The key results include the following:

The pH of the flood effluents increases with increasing core flood temperature, which indicates a shifting of the existing wetting state of the rock.

The combined effects of increasing pH and initial or irreducible water saturation pertaining to low salinity flooding at progressively increasing temperatures result in increasing water wettability of the sandstone rock. Increasing flooding temperatures cause an increase in Swir, which follows a linear relationship.

The findings of the paper highlight the link of increasing pH and irreducible water saturation with the water wetting properties of the sandstone reservoir rock and hence the fluid flow or the oil–water relative permeability behaviour. This paper proposes that increased irreducible water saturation and pH of water flood effluents are connected to increasing water wetness in a sandstone rock as a function of elevated temperatures. As adequate work and consensus on the potential effects of temperature on wettability alteration under low salinity water flooding is still lacking, the current work in relation to the Barail sandstone of the upper Assam basin could be a novel reference for understanding of the importance of temperature dependent wettability alteration behaviour in sandstone cores. The findings of this study can assist in the formation of a novel approach towards considering the increasing irreducible water saturation and pH of the brine effluent as an effect of alternatively injection of low salinity water at elevated temperatures on sandstone porous rock.
Dose-response models to guide site-specific nutrient management and lessons for fertiliser trial design in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Sileshi Gudeta W.
Published: November 2021

Optimisation of fertiliser use and site-specific nutrient management are increasingly becoming critical because of the growing need to balance agricultural productivity with the growing demand for food and environmental concerns. Trials to determine responses of crops to fertilisers have been widely conducted in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with increasing emphasis on the development of economically optimum rates (EORs). Computation of EORs depends on accurate estimation of both the optimum nutrient rate and the agronomic maximum yield response; however, estimation of nutrient-response parameters and EORs is beset by a number of problems. Therefore, the objectives of this paper were to (1) point out common problems in the development and use of nutrient dose-response models and (2) provide corrective measures to facilitate future trial design and data analysis. This review outlines the underlying assumptions, strengths and limitations of the various response functions in order to facilitate informed choices by practitioners. Using specific examples, it also shows that (1) the commonly used trial designs do not allow examination of interactions between two or more nutrients and (2) trial designs with ≤5 nutrient levels and wide spacing between the levels result in large uncertainty in dose-response parameters. The key recommendations emerging from the review are as follows: (1) factorial designs and response surface models should be used more widely to address interactions between nutrients; (2) a minimum of six carefully spaced nutrient levels should be used to correctly estimate dose-response parameters; and (3) when locating field trials, Reference Soil Groups and cropping history should be carefully considered to produce site-specific EORs.
Distribution and Dynamics of Dissolved Organic Matter in the Changjiang Estuary and Adjacent Sea
Authors: Guo Jinqiang , Liang Shengkang , Wang Xinke , Pan Xiaoju
Published: November 2021

Large, river‐dominated estuaries provide important land‐ocean interfaces for biogenic element fluxes that impact global marine biogeochemistry. However, the reactivity and fate of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in this dynamic region remain not well understood. In this study, three cruises were conducted in February, May, and July 2017 in the Changjiang Estuary and adjacent sea (CEAS). Incubation experiments to determine photochemically and/or biologically mediated degradation of terrigenous and marine DOM were performed. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC), chromophoric DOM (CDOM) absorption, and total dissolved amino acids (TDAAs) were measured. DOM photodegradation and transformation were indicated by the CDOM spectral slope (S275−295) and diagenetic state by DOC‐normalized yields of TDAA [TDAA (%DOC)]. From the river to the open sea, DOC showed non‐conservative mixing and was rapidly removed in low salinity areas. Photodegradation, biodegradation, and photoenhanced biodegradation are important DOC removal mechanisms and exhibit specific responses depending on DOC source and composition. Terrigenous DOM is vulnerable to photodegradation, while marine DOM experiences rapid biodegradation. Contrary to DOC, TDAA (%DOC) increased from the river to the nearshore and then decreased toward the open sea, indicating the contribution of fresh marine plankton production. A box model showed that the annual DOC removal of CEAS was 2.6 ± 1.9 × 106 tons. Seaward increase of ammonium (NH4‐N) was observed in the CEAS; photoammonification, biomineralization of autochthonous and allochthonous DOM are potential NH4‐N regeneration mechanisms. A model was developed to calculate surface DOC concentrations based on CDOM absorption coefficients allowing high‐resolution monitoring of DOC in the CEAS.
Evolution of Acyl Peroxynitrates (PANs) in Wildfire Smoke Plumes Detected by the Cross‐Track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) Over the Western U.S. During Summer 2018
Authors: Juncosa Calahorrano Julieta F. , Payne Vivienne H. , Kulawik Susan , Ford Bonne , Flocke Frank , Campos Teresa , Fischer Emily V.
Published: November 2021

We use observations of acyl peroxynitrates (PANs) from the Cross‐Track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) to investigate PANs over the western U.S. during the summer 2018 wildfire season. This period coincides with the Western Wildfire Experiment for Cloud Chemistry, Aerosol Absorption, and Nitrogen (WE‐CAN). When combined with favorable background conditions, the resolution and sensitivity of CrIS is sufficient to observe the production of PANs in smoke plumes. CrIS PANs normalized excess mixing ratios with respect to CO (NEMRs) in the Pole Creek Fire increase from 0.2% to 0.4% within 3–4 hr of physical aging, consistent with in situ NEMRs. CrIS is also able to detect PANs enhancements in plumes that have been transported hours to days downwind. On average for summer 2018, 19–56% of PANs in the free troposphere during the afternoon over the western U.S. can be attributed to smoke.
From Bright Windows to Dark Spots: Snow Cover Controls Melt Pond Optical Properties During Refreezing
Authors: Anhaus P. , Katlein C. , Nicolaus M. , Hoppmann M. , Haas C.
Published: November 2021

Melt ponds have a strong impact on the Arctic surface energy balance and the ice‐associated ecosystem because they transmit more solar radiation compared to bare ice. In the existing literature, melt ponds are considered as bright windows to the ocean, even during freeze‐up in autumn. In the central Arctic during the summer‐autumn transition in 2018, we encountered a situation where more snow accumulated on refrozen melt ponds compared to the adjacent bare ice, leading to a reduction in light transmittance of the ponds even below that of bare ice. Results from a radiative transfer model support this finding. This situation has not been described in the literature before, but has potentially strong implications for example on autumn ecosystem activity, oceanic heat budget, and thermodynamic ice growth.
Subion‐Scale Flux Rope Nested Inside Ion‐Scale Flux Rope in Earth's Magnetotail
Authors: He R. J. , Fu H. S. , Liu Y. Y. , Wang Z. , Liu C. M.
Published: November 2021

Magnetic flux ropes (MFRs)—transient magnetic structures widely observed in Earth's magnetosphere—play crucial roles in particle acceleration and energy dissipation. MFRs above ion scale have been well studied, while MFRs at subion scales and their coupling with larger‐scale ropes still remains not well understood. In this paper, we present the first observation of a subion‐scale MFR nested in an ion‐scale MFR, using high‐resolution data from the magnetospheric multiscale (MMS) mission. We find that the subion‐scale MFR hosts more intense plasma activity than the ion‐scale MFR, including distinct electron agyrotropy and strong electromagnetic turbulence. In addition, axis of the subion‐scale MFR is oblique to that of the ion‐scale MFR, indicating that their generation may be ascribed to 3D magnetic reconnection. Observations of such cross‐scale structure may shed new lights into understanding energy cascade in space plasmas.
Continuous Tremor Activity With Stable Polarization Direction Following the 2014 Large Slow Slip Event in the Hikurangi Subduction Margin Offshore New Zealand
Authors: Iwasaki Yuriko , Mochizuki Kimihiro , Ishise Motoko , Todd Erin K. , Schwartz Susan Y. , Zal Hubert , Savage Martha K. , Henrys Stuart , Sheehan Anne F. , Ito Yoshihiro , Wallace Laura M. , Webb Spahr C. , Yamada Tomoaki , Shinohara Masanao
Published: November 2021

Many types of slow earthquakes have been discovered at subduction zones around the world. However, the physical process of these slow earthquakes is not well understood. To monitor offshore slow earthquakes, a marine seismic and geodetic experiment was conducted at the Hikurangi subduction margin from May 2014 to June 2015. During this experiment, a large slow slip event (Mw 6.8) occurred directly beneath the ocean bottom seismometer (OBS) network. In this study, S‐wave splitting and polarization analysis methods, which have been previously used on onshore data to investigate tremor and anisotropy, are applied to continuous OBS waveform data to identify tremors that are too small to detect by the envelope cross correlation method. Continuous tremor activity with stable polarization directions is detected at the end of the 2014 slow slip event and continued for about 2 weeks. The tremors are generated around a southwest bend in the slow slip contours and at the landward edge of a subducted seamount. Our findings corroborate a previous interpretation, based on burst‐type repeating earthquakes and intermittent tremor, that localized slow slip and tremor around the seamount was triggered by fluid migration following the large plate boundary slow slip event and indicate tremor occurred continuously rather than as isolated and sporadic individual events.
The Top‐of‐Atmosphere, Surface and Atmospheric Cloud Radiative Kernels Based on ISCCP‐H Datasets: Method and Evaluation
Authors: Zhang Yuanchong , Jin Zhonghai , Sikand Monika
Published: November 2021

This study aims to create observation‐based cloud radiative kernel (CRK) datasets and evaluate them by direct comparison of CRK and the CRK‐derived cloud feedback datasets. Based on the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) H datasets, we calculate CRKs (called ISCCP‐FH or FH CRKs) as 2D joint function/histogram of cloud optical depth and cloud top pressure for shortwave (SW), longwave (LW), and their sum, Net, at the top of atmosphere (TOA), as well as, for the first time, at the surface (SFC) and in the atmosphere (ATM). With cloud fraction change (CFC) datasets from doubled‐CO2 simulation and short‐term observational anomalies, we derive all the TOA, SFC and ATM cloud feedback for SW, LW and Net using our CRKs.The direct comparison with modeled and observed CRKs (or cloud radiative effects), cloud feedback from previous model results and the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System products show that our CRKs and CRK‐derived cloud feedback are reasonably well validated. We estimate the uncertainty for the CRK‐derived cloud feedback and show that the CFC‐associated uncertainty contributes >98.5% of the total cloud feedback uncertainty while CRK's is very small. Our preliminary evaluation also shows that some near‐zero/small cloud feedback in the TOA‐alone feedback indeed results from the compensation of sizable cloud feedback of the SFC and ATM feedback and reveals some significant surface and atmospheric cloud feedback whose sum appears insignificant in TOA‐alone feedback. In addition, the atmospheric longwave cloud feedback seems to play a role in enhancing meridional atmospheric energy transport.
Influence of Tundra Polygon Type and Climate Variability on CO2 and CH4 Fluxes Near Utqiagvik, Alaska
Authors: Dengel Sigrid , Billesbach Dave , Torn Margaret S.
Published: November 2021

Arctic tundra has the potential to generate significant climate feedbacks, but spatial complexity makes it difficult to quantify the impacts of climate on ecosystem‐atmosphere fluxes, particularly in polygonal tundra comprising wetter and drier polygon types on the scale of tens of meters. We measured CO2, CH4, and energy fluxes using eddy covariance for 7 yr (April to November, 2013–2019) in polygonal tundra near Utqiagvik, Alaska. This period saw the earliest snowmelt, latest snow accumulation, and hottest summer on record. To estimate fluxes by polygon type, we combined a polygon classification with a flux‐footprint model. Methane fluxes were highest in the summer months but were also large during freeze‐up and increased with the warming trend in August–November temperatures. While CO2 respiration had a consistent, exponential relationship with temperature, net ecosystem exchange was more variable among years. CO2 and CH4 exchange (June–September) ranged between −0.83 (Standard error [SE] = 0.03) and −1.32 (SE = 0.04) μmol m−2 s−1 and 13.92 (SE = 0.26)—23.42 (SE = 0.45) nmol m−2 s−1, respectively, and varied interannually (p ≤ 0.05). The maximum‐influence method effectively attributed fluxes to polygon types. Areas dominated by low‐centered polygons had higher CO2 fluxes except in 2016–2017. Methane fluxes were highest in low‐centered polygons 2013–2015 and in flat‐centered polygons in subsequent years, possibly due to increasing temperature and precipitation. Sensible and latent heat fluxes also varied significantly among polygon types. Accurate characterization of Arctic fluxes and their climate dependencies requires spatial disaggregation and long term observations.
A novel Iowa–Mayo validated composite risk assessment tool for allogeneic stem cell transplantation survival outcome prediction
Authors: Nadiminti Kalyan , Langer Kimberly , Shabbir Ehsan , Hefazi Mehrdad , Dozeman Lindsay , Jethava Yogesh , Loeffler Bradley , AlKhateeb Hassan B. , Litzow Mark , Patnaik Mrinal , Shah Mithun , Hogan William , Farooq Umar , Silverman Margarida , Mott Sarah L.
Published: November 2021

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a curative option for many hematologic conditions and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Therefore, prognostic tools are essential to navigate the complex patient, disease, donor, and transplant characteristics that differentially influence outcomes. We developed a novel, comprehensive composite prognostic tool. Using a lasso-penalized Cox regression model (n = 273), performance status, HCT-CI, refined disease-risk index (rDRI), donor and recipient CMV status, and donor age were identified as predictors of disease-free survival (DFS). The results for overall survival (OS) were similar except for recipient CMV status not being included in the model. Models were validated in an external dataset (n = 378) and resulted in a c-statistic of 0.61 and 0.62 for DFS and OS, respectively. Importantly, this tool incorporates donor age as a variable, which has an important role in HSCT outcomes. This needs to be further studied in prospective models. An easy-to-use and a web-based nomogram can be accessed here: https://allohsctsurvivalcalc.iowa.uiowa.edu/.
Stable isotopes and predation marks shed new light on ammonoid habitat depth preferences
Authors: Machalski Marcin , Owocki Krzysztof , Dubicka Zofia , Malchyk Oksana , Wierny Weronika
Published: November 2021

Ammonoids are extinct cephalopods with external shells which predominated in many late Paleozoic and Mesozoic marine ecosystems. Stable isotope data from ammonoid shells constitute primary tools for understanding their palaeohabitats. However, in most sedimentary successions globally the aragonitic shells of ammonoids are dissolved during fossilisation process and therefore not available for geochemical studies. We overcome this taphonomic bias by analysing the better preservable calcitic elements of the ammonoid jaws (aptychi). We study moulds and aptychi of two successive members, temporal subspecies in our interpretation, of a scaphitid evolutionary lineage from a Late Cretaceous chalk succession in Poland. In order to reconstruct their habitat depth preferences, we apply the powerful combination of stable isotope data from aptychi and co-occurring benthic and planktic foraminifera with an analysis of predation marks preserved on scaphitid specimens. On this basis we conclude that the populations of the older subspecies led a nektic, and those of the younger subspecies, a nektobenthic lifestyle. The shift in habitat depth preferences took place probably as a response of local populations to the shallowing of the sea. Previous studies largely assumed stable depth preferences for ammonoid species, genera and even higher clades. Our study casts doubts over such generalizations by pointing out that ammonoids could have been more flexible in their depth-related behaviour than anticipated.
Successful microbial colonization of space in a more dispersed manner
Authors: Liu Xiaonan , Wang Miaoxiao , Nie Yong , Wu Xiao-Lei
Published: November 2021

Many organisms live in habitats with limited nutrients or space, competition for these resources is ubiquitous. Although spatial factors related to the population’s manner of colonizing space influences its success in spatial competition, what these factors are and to what extent they influence the outcome remains underexplored. Here, we applied a simulated competitive model to explore the spatial factors affecting outcomes of competition for space. By quantifying spatial factors, we show that colonizing space in a more dispersed manner contributes to microbial competitive success. We also find that the competitive edge deriving from a more dispersed manner in colonization can compensate for the disadvantage arising from either a lower growth rate or lower initial abundance. These findings shed light on the role of space colonization manners on maintaining biodiversity within ecosystems and provide novel insights critical for understanding how competition for space drives evolutionary innovation.
ZnIn2S4 nanosheet growth on amine-functionalized SiO2 for the photocatalytic reduction of CO2
Authors: Shao Yuqing , Dou Zhaolin , Liang Xiaoyu , Zhang Xinxin , Ji Min , Pang Min , Wang Min , Wang Xinkui
Published: November 2021

The growth of ZnIn2S4 nanosheets on NH–SiO2 promotes charge carrier separation and provides active sites for CO2 activation, therefore significantly boosting CO2 photoreduction efficiency.
N-Heterocyclic carbene-based tetradentate platinum(ii) complexes for phosphorescent OLEDs with high brightness
Authors: Li Guijie , Liu Shun , Sun Yulu , Lou Weiwei , Yang Yun-Fang , She Yuanbin
Published: November 2021

A novel series of NHCs-based tetradentate Pt(II) complexes were designed and developed. Pt(NHC-1)-based green OLED achieved a maximum luminescence of 64 416 cd m−2, which was a record-high value for reported Pt(II) complexes-based phosphorescent OLEDs.
The structure, formation, and effect of plasma protein layer on the blood contact materials: A review
Authors: Chen Xiao , Chen Jiang , Huang Nan
Published: November 2021

Understanding material‐protein interactions is the basis for regulating material‐blood interactions, which is a common topic of interest for medical material developers. In recent years, researchers have conducted extensive studies on (1) the structural characteristics of the plasma protein adsorption layer on the material surface, including the evolution of the protein adsorption layer and its typical binary structure. (2) Influence factors of the protein adsorption layer formation include protein factors (e.g., isoelectric point, structural stability), material factors (e.g., wettability, surface charge, morphology, size), and environmental factors. (3) Effects of some common plasma proteins in the protein adsorption layer on material‐blood interactions. Here, we review the important research results in this field, hoping to provide a reference for future development of advanced blood contact materials.
5G‐based smart healthcare system designing and field trial in hospitals
Authors: Tang Xiaoyong , Zhao Lijun , Chong Jing , You Zhengpeng , Zhu Lei , Ren Haiying , Shang Yuxiang , Han Yantao , Li Gong
Published: November 2021

With the 5G worldwide deployment, the scale of vertical applications is innovated benefit from 5G technologies including MEC (Multi‐access Edge Computing), network slicing, etc. Especially for healthcare, 5G had been used for COVID‐19 protection and intelligent medical processing. However, limited by the hospital's traditional information infrastructures, those 5G‐based healthcare applications are hard to be deployed and most only for demonstration, also isolated from the existing medical systems. So what is the next generation of smart healthcare information infrastructures is the key issue for the long‐term development of 5G healthcare applications. Even though the standardized 5G MEC framework has been widely used in many vertical scenarios, it is also hard to satisfy hospital‐specific requirements such as hospital‐dedicated deployment, medical data security, and various network connections, etc. This paper proposes a 5G‐based architecture for smart healthcare information infrastructure, a new network element iGW (industry gateway) is defined, and the smart healthcare dedicated cloud platform iMEP (industry multi‐access edge platform) is also introduced here, making it possible to satisfy both the hospital‐specific requirements and the long‐term evolution. Meanwhile, the implementation methodology and the corresponding field test results are presented, which show the significant network performance gain achieved by the proposed new system structure.
Retrieval of exudate‐affected retinal image patches using Siamese quantum classical neural network
Authors: Nandy Pal Mahua , Banerjee Minakshi , Sarkar Ankit
Published: November 2021

Deep neural networks were previously used in the arena of image retrieval. Siamese network architecture is also used for image similarity comparison. Recently, the application of quantum computing in different fields has gained research interest. Researchers are keen to explore the prospect of quantum circuit implementation in terms of supervised learning, resource utilization, and energy‐efficient reversible computing. In this study, the authors propose an application of quantum circuit in Siamese architecture and explored its efficiency in the field of exudate‐affected retinal image patch retrieval. Quantum computing applied within Siamese network architecture may be effective for image patch characteristic comparison and retrieval work. Although there is a restriction of managing high‐dimensional inner product space, the circuit with a limited number of qubits represents exudate‐affected retinal image patches and retrieves similar patches from the patch database. Parameterized quantum circuit (PQC) is implemented using a quantum machine learning library on Google Cirq framework. PQC model is composed of classical pre/post‐processing and parameterized quantum circuit. System efficiency is evaluated with the most widely used retrieval evaluation metrics: mean average precision (MAP) and mean reciprocal rank (MRR). The system achieved an encouraging and promising result of 98.1336% MAP and 100% MRR. Image pixels are implicitly converted to rectangular grid qubits in this experiment. The experimentation was further extended to IBM Qiskit framework also. In Qiskit, individual pixels are explicitly encoded using novel enhanced quantum representation (NEQR) image encoding algorithm. The probability distributions of both query and database patches are compared through Jeffreys distance to retrieve similar patches.
Identification of new M 31 star cluster candidates from PAndAS images using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Wang Shoucheng , Chen Bingqiu , Ma Jun , Long Qian , Yuan Haibo , Liu Dezi , Zhou Zhimin , Liu Wei , Chen Jiamin , He Zizhao
Published: November 2021

Context. Identification of new star cluster candidates in M 31 is fundamental for the study of the M 31 stellar cluster system. The machine-learning method convolutional neural network (CNN) is an efficient algorithm for searching for new M 31 star cluster candidates from tens of millions of images from wide-field photometric surveys.

Aims. We search for new M 31 cluster candidates from the high-quality g- and i-band images of 21 245 632 sources obtained from the Pan-Andromeda Archaeological Survey (PAndAS) through a CNN.

Methods. We collected confirmed M 31 clusters and noncluster objects from the literature as our training sample. Accurate double-channel CNNs were constructed and trained using the training samples. We applied the CNN classification models to the PAndAS g- and i-band images of over 21 million sources to search new M 31 cluster candidates. The CNN predictions were finally checked by five experienced human inspectors to obtain high-confidence M 31 star cluster candidates.

Results. After the inspection, we identified a catalogue of 117 new M 31 cluster candidates. Most of the new candidates are young clusters that are located in the M 31 disk. Their morphology, colours, and magnitudes are similar to those of the confirmed young disk clusters. We also identified eight globular cluster candidates that are located in the M 31 halo and exhibit features similar to those of confirmed halo globular clusters. The projected distances to the M 31 centre for three of them are larger than 100 kpc.
Representation of simulation errors in single step methods using state dependent noise
Authors: Boje Edward
Published: November 2021

The local error of single step methods is modelled as a function of the state derivative multiplied by bias and zero-mean white noise terms. The deterministic Taylor series expansion of the local error depends on the state derivative meaning that the local error magnitude is zero in steady state and grows with the rate of change of the state vector. The stochastic model of the local error may include a constant, “catch-all” noise term.

A continuous time extension of the local error model is developed and this allows the original continuous time state differential equation to be represented by a combination of the simulation method and a stochastic term. This continuous time stochastic differential equation model can be used to study the propagation of the simulation error in Monte Carlo experiments, for step size control, or for propagating the mean and variance. This simulation error model can be embedded into continuous-discrete state estimation algorithms.

Two illustrative examples are included to highlight the application of the approach.
Modelling of dew point operating conditions in a rotary regenerative air heater
Authors: Brandt Warren , Schmitz Walter , John Sheer Thomas , Lander Mike
Published: November 2021

Dew point related fouling of regenerative rotary air heaters contributes to efficiency reduction of coal-fired boilers. This fouling commonly causes high pressure differences over the air heater steel matrix, along with elevated leakage rates, resulting in increased loading of draught group fans. These increases also conduce to excessive erosion rates, introducing premature failure of element packs and draught group components. The research problem aimed to develop, and validate, a modelling tool to predict the onset of dew point related fouling for regenerative rotary air heaters (VBA RAH model). A modelling tool equip system engineers with the knowledge to enhance operating conditions and maintenance strategies, to prevent the onset of dew point related fouling. The results yielded that the cold end of the air heater packs experience sulphuric acid dew point related fouling for at 670MW(90% MCR), at 544MW(80% MCR) and at 468MW(68% MCR) of the exposure time to the flue gas stream. Different operating and design change configurations were simulated to find potential solutions to minimize dew point related fouling and improving boiler efficiency. The tool provides a platform for identifying methods to reduce maintenance costs and production losses, which will contribute to improved and sustainable operating of coal fired power generation plants.
Statistical Design of Experiments: An introductory case study for polymer composites manufacturing applications
Authors: Botha Natasha , Inglis Helen M. , Coetzer Roelof , Labuschagne F. Johan W.J.
Published: November 2021

Statistical design of experiments (DoE) aims to develop a near efficient design while minimising the number of experiments required. This is an optimal approach especially when there is a need to investigate multiple variables. DoE is a powerful methodology for a wide range of applications, from the efficient design of manufacturing processes to the accurate evaluation of global optima in numerical studies. The contribution of this paper is to provide a general introduction to statistical design of experiments for a non-expert audience, with the aim of broadening exposure in the applied mechanics community. We focus on response surface methodology (RSM) designs — Taguchi Design, Central Composite Design, Box-Behnken Design and D-optimal Design. These different RSM designs are compared in the context of a case study from the field of polymer composites. The results demonstrate that an exact D-optimal design is generally considered to be a good design when compared to the global D-optimal design. That is, it requires fewer experiments while retaining acceptable efficiency measures for all three response surface models considered. This paper illustrates the benefits of DoE, demonstrates the importance of evaluating different designs, and provides an approach to choose the design best suited for the problem of interest.
Digital transformation of management resources for a comfortable tax environment
Authors: Bratcev Valeriy Ivanovich , Simachkova Anastasiya Mikhailovna
Published: November 2021

With the use of digital technologies, a person’s daily life, industrial relations, economic processes and education are changing, as well as new requirements for communications, computing power, information systems and services arise. The article reflects the main results of the digital transformation of tax authorities, contributing to the creation of a comfortable tax environment in the context of the general digitalization of the economy. The study aims to determine the causal relationship between the management decisions made by the tax authorities and the dynamics of obligatory payments to the budgets of the budgetary system of the Russian Federation, as well as to formulate proposals for improving the advanced developments of tax authorities aimed at creating a comfortable tax environment, reflecting the principles of the “economy of trust”. The solution of the tasks set in the work was carried out on the basis of the application of general scientific research methods within the framework of comparative, logical and statistical analysis, etc. Among key findings of the research, we should mention the substantiation of the transformation of the management resources of the tax authorities under the influence of the development of digital technologies, as well as the development of practical recommendations for improving the advanced developments of the tax authorities (tax monitoring system, special tax regime for self-employed citizens, single tax payment system) in the framework of creating a comfortable tax environment and building trusting relationships with taxpayers.
Methodische Herausforderungen und Lessons Learned bei der
wissenschaftlichen Nutzung von Daten eines privaten
Krankenversicherungsunternehmens im Rahmen des Projekts IPHA
Authors: Achstetter Katharina , Köppen Julia , Hengel Philipp , Nimptsch Ulrike , Blümel Miriam
Published: November 2021

In Deutschland sind 11% der Bevölkerung privat krankenversichert
(PKV). In der Versorgungsforschung ist diese Bevölkerungsgruppe jedoch
bislang unterrepräsentiert. Auch die wissenschaftliche Nutzung von
PKV-Daten findet nur vereinzelt statt. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die
wissenschaftliche Verwendbarkeit von PKV-Daten anhand der Daten eines privaten
Krankenversicherungsunternehmens zu prüfen und Herausforderungen sowie
Lessons Learned im Prozess der Datenaufbereitung und -analyse unter Nutzung
eines verknüpften Datensatzes aus Befragungs- und PKV-Daten
(n=3109) aufzuzeigen. Herausforderungen zeigen sich u. a.
aufgrund anderer Begrifflichkeiten in der PKV, in der Datenerfassung und
-validität der Abrechnungsdaten sowie für Versicherte ohne
eingereichte Belege. PKV-Daten können für die
Versorgungsforschung unter Beachtung einer sorgfältigen Aufbereitung der
Daten sowie Darstellung der Limitationen verwendet werden.
Chronische Pankreatitis: Update Diagnostik und Therapie
Authors: Ammer-Herrmenau Christoph , Ellenrieder Volker , Neesse Albrecht
Published: November 2021

Hintergrund Die chronische Pankreatitis (CP) ist eine häufige Ursache für stationäre Einweisungen in die Gastroenterologie und ist mit einer reduzierten Lebensqualität und Lebenserwartung assoziiert. Die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gastroenterologie, Verdauungs- und Stoffwechselerkrankungen (DGVS) hat in der aktuellen S3-Leitlinie „Pankreatitis“ die neuesten Erkenntnisse von Epidemiologie, Diagnostik und Behandlung der akuten und chronischen Pankreatitis zusammengefasst. Hier werden praxisrelevante Aspekte für die chronische Pankreatitis zusammengefasst.

Ergebnisse Die häufigste Ursache der CP ist der chronische Alkoholabusus. Weitere Ursachen sind die hereditäre Pankreatitis, die Autoimmunpankreatitis, ein Hyperparathyreoidismus und idiopathische Formen der CP. Neben der klassischen hereditären Pankreatitis (PRSS1-Mutation), sind in den letzten Jahren eine Vielzahl an Genen identifiziert worden, die mit einem erhöhten Risiko für die Entwicklung einer idiopathischen CP assoziiert sind. In der konservativen Therapie der CP steht die Behandlung der exokrinen und endokrinen Insuffizienz sowie die Prävention und Behandlung von Sekundärkomplikationen (z.B. Osteoporose, Vitaminmangel, Mangelernährung) im Vordergrund. Lokale Komplikationen (Gallengangsstenose, Duodenalstenose, Pseudozysten und chronische Schmerzen) sollten in Pankreaszentren im interdisziplinären Konsens zwischen Viszeralchirurgie, Radiologie und der interventionellen Endoskopie abgestimmt werden. Während die Drainage von Pseudozysten die Domäne der Endoskopie ist, zeigen neueste Daten, dass die chirurgische Therapie von opiatabhängigen Schmerzen bei Patienten mit einem erweiterten Pankreasgang der Endoskopie überlegen ist.

Schlussfolgerung Die CP weist eine erhöhte Morbidität und Mortalität auf und führt häufig zu stationären Krankenhauseinweisungen. Das klinische Management dieser Patienten verlangt ein hohes Maß an Interdisziplinarität, um für jeden Patienten abhängig von den Komorbiditäten und dem Erkrankungsstadium ein individualisiertes Vorsorge- und Therapiekonzept zu entwerfen.
Annealing treatment of focused gallium ion beam processing of SERS gold substrate
Authors: Tao Zhixiang , Zhao Wei , Wang Shang , Zhao Boyu , Hua Rushuai , Qin Ji , Xu Zongwei
Published: November 2021

Raman spectroscopy is a type of inelastic scattering spectroscopy that is widely used in determining and analyzing molecular structure. It also has a number of practical applications in evaluating food safety, medicine, and forensics. The Raman spectral signal is weak, but the development of the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique has overcome this problem and led to further developments in Raman spectroscopy. This paper describes a fundamental study of the use of focused ion beam (FIB) direct writing for preparing gold substrates for SERS. Molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulation methods are used to investigate the damage induced by gallium ion implantation of a gold substrate. Based on characterization by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy, the mechanism by which ion implantation and annealing influence the damage induced by a gallium FIB is analyzed. After annealing at 350 °C, a mixture of metallic gallium, its oxide Ga2O3 conforming to the stoichiometric ratio, and its sub-stable oxide (Ga2Ox) in sub-stoichiometric ratio precipitated on the surface are detected by XPS. Annealing treatment can effectively reduce the effect of gallium ion implantation on a SERS substrate fabricated by FIB direct writing.
Secretory and ecological function of petiolar glands in
Authors: Sampaio Valéria da Silva , Coutinho Ítalo Antônio Cotta , Särkinen Tiina , Loiola Maria Iracema Bezerra
Published: November 2021

Extrafloral nectaries are known from many plant groups but have rarely been recorded in the large genus Solanum or, in fact, in the family Solanaceae. This study set out to explore the functional role of the extrafloral nectaries recently described in Solanum fernandesii, a species endemic to north-eastern Brazil. Light and scanning electron microscopy was used to study the morphoanatomical structure of the nectaries and histochemical analyses were performed to study the chemical composition of the exudates recovered from the glands on the basis of field studies. Light and scanning electron microscopy show that although the petiolar glands in S. fernandesii appear sessile to the naked eye, the glands are short stalked. The epidermis of the glands is composed of short, tightly packed multicellular trichomes. The gland secretions contain a mixture of polysaccharides, pectins, mucilage, proteins, lipids, essential oils, resins, and phenolic compounds on the basis of histochemical tests performed. These findings confirm that the petiolar glands in S. fernandesii are in fact resin glands and not extrafloral nectaries as previously claimed. Our study is the first report of resin glands in the large genus Solanum and we confirm that the glands found in S. fernandesii are unique in the genus.
“I can come up with more things when I’m happy, or especially when I’m angry”
Authors: Venturin Beatrice
Published: November 2021

This study examines language preferences to express anger and happiness among 15 Russian Australians belonging to
the 1.5 generation, who acquired Russian as first language (L1) and English as second language (L2), after migration during
childhood. While most research into these topics has focused on L1-dominant bilinguals, this study offers a novel perspective, as
1.5-generation migrants are generally L2-dominant or multidominant (L1+L2-dominant), and possibly L1 attriters. Semi-structured
interviews were conducted and underwent qualitative thematic analyses. From the results it emerges that these speakers mostly
express emotions in the L2 or both languages, in line with their language dominance, but their choices do not seem to relate to
language emotionality, as the L1 maintains the highest emotional resonance for them. While research on multilinguals’ expression
of emotions has mainly focused on anger, this study calls attention to the expression of happiness, and points to the importance
of L2-dominant and multidominant multilinguals.