bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seeing under the cover with a 3D U-Net: point cloud-based weight estimation of covered patients
Authors: Bigalke Alexander , Hansen Lasse , Diesel Jasper , Heinrich Mattias P.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Body weight is a crucial parameter for patient-specific treatments, particularly in the context of proper drug dosage. Contactless weight estimation from visual sensor data constitutes a promising approach to overcome challenges arising in emergency situations. Machine learning-based methods have recently been shown to perform accurate weight estimation from point cloud data. The proposed methods, however, are designed for controlled conditions in terms of visibility and position of the patient, which limits their practical applicability. In this work, we aim to decouple accurate weight estimation from such specific conditions by predicting the weight of covered patients from voxelized point cloud data.

Methods

We propose a novel deep learning framework, which comprises two 3D CNN modules solving the given task in two separate steps. First, we train a 3D U-Net to virtually uncover the patient, i.e. to predict the patient’s volumetric surface without a cover. Second, the patient’s weight is predicted from this 3D volume by means of a 3D CNN architecture, which we optimized for weight regression.

Results

We evaluate our approach on a lying pose dataset (SLP) under two different cover conditions. The proposed framework considerably improves on the baseline model by up to$${16}{\%}$$16%and reduces the gap between the accuracy of weight estimates for covered and uncovered patients by up to$${52}{\%}$$52%.

Conclusion

We present a novel pipeline to estimate the weight of patients, which are covered by a blanket. Our approach relaxes the specific conditions that were required for accurate weight estimates by previous contactless methods and thus constitutes an important step towards fully automatic weight estimation in clinical practice.
Translating the sustainable development goals in national development planning: the case of Mozambique’s energy for all programme
Authors: Viegas Filipe Eléusio , Otsuki Kei , Monstadt Jochen
Published: August 2021

The international community has emphasised the importance of governments adapting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to national policy priorities. Whilst sustainability assessment frameworks and indicators are meant to facilitate adaptation, their assumption of high institutional capacity based on Global North contexts is a shorthand for Global South contexts. In particular, limited institutional capacity means that electricity utilities in the Global South struggle with meeting national and international demands to universalise access to basic services for the entire population as well as in ensuring financial sustainability. Based on a case study of the Mozambique government’s National Energy for All Programme, this paper analyses the ways the public electricity company Electricity of Mozambique (known as EDM) has been translating SDG 7.1 on ‘ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services’ into its national political context given the conditionalities of international donors and investors. One outcome of this translation, a compartmentalisation of EDM’s organisational structure, is counterproductive to the integrative and autonomous approach of the SDGs for sustainable development at the national level. To reduce organisational fragmentation and dependency of national project implementers such as EDM on donor interventions, the international community needs to tailor and better align SDG-oriented interventions with the conditions of Southern institutional frameworks and their political contexts.
Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Paragonimus skrjabini Complex from Yunnan, China: A Brief Report
Authors: Shu Qiu-Hong , Li Shu-De , Tian Ming , Meng Yong , He Shu-Mei-Qi , Zhu Min , Wang Miao-Miao , Wang Wen-Lin
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To perform environmental sampling and molecular identification of Paragonimus in endemic regions, which may help in minimizing transmission among humans.

Methods

Mountain crabs from the genus Potamiscus were collected and the encysted metacercariae were extracted and subjected to morphological identification, followed by animal inoculation in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. After 112 days of infection, animals were killed and adult worms were extracted from lungs and muscles. The morphology of adult worms was characterized by microscopy and molecular identification was done by polymerase chain reaction, followed by sequencing of cox1 and ITS2 genes. Phylogenetic analysis was done by maximum parsimony method.

Results

A total of 447 crabs were captured from the streams of Tongchang Town, Jinping County, Yunnan Province, China. The infection rate was found to be 41% (186 out of 447 crabs). The metacercariae of Paragonimus skrjabini was identified by the characteristics round or spherical encysted form measuring 410 to 460 × 400 to 460 µm. After animal infection in SD rats, adults were presumptively confirmed to be P. skrjabini, which was also confirmed by gene amplification and sequence analysis of cox1 and ITS2 regions. Paragonimus skrjabini clustered with previously reported P. skrjabini from Yunnan and Vietnam. The confidence values of their branches were > 95%. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS2 region revealed two distinct clusters with distinct geographical grouping. Phylogenetic analysis with the combined data sets reiterated the geographical grouping with P. skrjabini from Yunnan clustering with strains from Vietnam.

Conclusion

Metacercariae of P. skrjabini was discovered in freshwater crabs in Yunnan province, China, and the strains were phylogenetically related to P. skrjabini from Vietnam.
Implementation of a developmental model of teachers' and didacticians’ learning through inquiry: design, operationalisation and outcomes
Authors: Jaworski Barbara , Potari Despina
Published: August 2021

This paper addresses implementation with respect to the professional development (PD) of teachers of mathematics and the educators/didacticians who work with them, through aninquiry-baseddevelopmental model. In contrast with a PD model in which educators show, guide or instruct teachers in classroom approaches and mathematical tasks, we present a developmental model in which teachers and educators collaborate to inquire into and develop their own teaching practice. The project,Learning Communities in Mathematics(LCM: e.g., Goodchild, Fuglestad and Jaworski, 2013) exemplifies this developmental model. Here we focus on a projectTeaching Better Mathematics(TBM) which extends LCM and implements its developmental model at larger scale. We trace the implementation process through analysis of data gathered during and after the extended project, including written reflections of key didacticians, minutes from leadership meetings and two versions of the project proposal. Particularly, we trace learning and development through an activity theory analysis of the issues, tensions and contradictions experienced by participation in TBM.
A Descriptive Analysis of the Temporal and Geographical Proximities Seen Within UK Series of Sex Offenses
Authors: Woodhams Jessica , Davies Kari , Galambos Sarah , Webb Mark
Published: August 2021

Previous studies of the geographical and temporal features of serial sex offenses are limited by small samples and/or geographical areas, and are dated. We address a significant gap in the literature by investigating the temporal and geographical proximity of the crimes of 402 serial stranger sex offenders in the UK. Periods of incarceration were extracted from calculations of temporal proximity giving a more accurate picture of series duration and time elapsed between offenses from the same series. A notable minority of serial stranger sex offenders commit their offenses within very close geographic proximity and the same was found for temporal proximity. There were also occurrences of series spanning large distances and many years. The implications of these findings for the use of geography and time in the behavioral linking of crimes, and what they mean for policy decisions regarding financial investment in law enforcement technology, are discussed.
Resonance assignment of coiled-coil 3 (CC3) domain of human STIM1
Authors: Gupta Agrim , Kitzler Christian Manuel , Rathner Petr , Fahrner Marc , Grabmayr Herwig , Rathner Adriana , Romanin Christoph , Müller Norbert
Published: August 2021

The protein stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) plays a pivotal role in mediating store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) into cells, which is essential for adaptive immunity. It acts as a calcium sensor in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and extends into the cytosol, where it changes from an inactive (tight) to an active (extended) oligomeric form upon calcium store depletion. NMR studies of this protein are challenging due to its membrane-spanning and aggregation properties. Therefore follow the divide-and-conquer approach, focusing on individual domains first is in order. The cytosolic part is predicted to have a large content of coiled-coil (CC) structure. We report the 1H, 13C, 15N chemical shift assignments of the CC3 domain. This domain is crucial for the stabilisation of the tight quiescent form of STIM1 as well as for activating the ORAI calcium channel by direct contact, in the extended active form.
Dissecting the dimension of protection: Caligae and Scutum in the evaluative model of normative appeals
Authors: Oceja Luis , Beramendi Maite , Salgado Sergio , Gavilán Pablo , Villegas Marisol
Published: August 2021

A normative appeal indicates that one should (or should not) do a certain action in a concrete situation. According to the Evaluative Model of Normative Appeals (EMNA), willingness to comply with these messages depends on an appraisal formed by two dimensions: formality and protection. In this work we center on the dimension of protection, proposing that it can be divided into two components: avoiding physical or psychological damage (scutum) and affording the performance of the main intended action (caligae). We conducted two studies to test this twofold meaning of protection. In Study 1 (N = 525), we manipulated the coherence of regulatory focus (promotion vs. control vs. prevention) with salience of the components of protection (caligae vs. control vs. scutum). In Study 2 (N = 513), we separately measured the perception of each component referred to an actual normative appeal (i.e., “To get into a class punctually”). The results showed that the manipulated salience and the measured perception of caligae and scutum elicits (Study 1) and predicts (Study 2) higher willingness to comply with normative appeals. Theoretical and applied implications of the results are discussed.
Topological mirror symmetry for rank two character varieties of surface groups
Authors: Mauri Mirko
Published: August 2021

The moduli spaces of flat $${\text{SL}}_2$$

SL
2

- and $${\text{PGL}}_2$$

PGL
2

-connections are known to be singular SYZ-mirror partners. We establish the equality of Hodge numbers of their intersection (stringy) cohomology. In rank two, this answers a question raised by Tamás Hausel in Remark 3.30 of “Global topology of the Hitchin system”.
Brief Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Teacher and Course Attendee Perspectives on Content
Authors: Birtwell Kelly , Morris Rebecca , Armitage Christopher J.
Published: August 2021

Objectives

While brief mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) show promise, stakeholder involvement in their design is lacking and intervention content can vary substantially. The aim of this study is to explore stakeholder perspectives of brief MBIs, brief MBI content, and adapting existing MBIs.

Methods

In this convergent mixed methods design study, 22 mindfulness teachers and 20 mindfulness course attendees completed an online UK-based survey. Twenty-six participants were female, and mean age was 50.8 years. Data from closed questions were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and data from open questions were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Findings suggest a brief MBI could comprise five 80-min sessions and include focused attention practice, informal mindfulness, inquiry, psychoeducation, and 20 min of daily home practice. Opinions of some elements differed among participants, such as the body scan, poetry, and the sitting with difficulty practice. Four themes were generated from participants’ comments about their attitudes to brief MBIs, which were generally positive but expressed concerns about insufficient content and poor delivery. Three themes were generated about adapting MBIs, suggesting tensions between adhering to a curriculum and meeting group needs. Five themes were generated from views about the content and characteristics of MBIs, highlighting the importance of accessibility, teacher training, and participant safety.

Conclusions

Brief MBIs may increase access to mindfulness training, yet there is a need for adequate governance and transparency regarding their strengths and limitations. Clarity and evidence of MBI mechanisms along with scientific literacy in teachers will support fidelity-consistent modifications.
Satins, lattices, and extended Euclid's algorithm
Authors: Brunat Josep M. , Lario Joan-C.
Published: August 2021

Motivated by the design of satins with draft of period m and step a, we draw our attention to the lattices $$L(m,a)=\langle (1,a),(0,m)\rangle$$

L
(
m
,
a
)
=
⟨
(
1
,
a
)
,
(
0
,
m
)
⟩

where $$1\le a<m$$

1
≤
a
<
m

are integers with $$\gcd (m,a)=1$$

gcd
(
m
,
a
)
=
1

. We show that the extended Euclid's algorithm applied to m and a produces a shortest no null vector of L(m, a) and that the algorithm can be used to find an optimal basis of L(m, a). We also analyze square and symmetric satins. For square satins, the extended Euclid's algorithm produces directly the two vectors of an optimal basis. It is known that symmetric satins have either a rectangular or a rombal basis; rectangular basis are optimal, but rombal basis are not always optimal. In both cases, we give the optimal basis directly in terms of m and a.
Condensate banking removal: study on ultrasonic amplitude effect
Authors: Ainuddin Aieshah , Aziz Nabilla Afzan Abdul , Soom Nor Akmal Affandy Mohamed
Published: August 2021

Hydrocarbons in a gas condensate reservoir consist of a wide variety of molecules which will react varyingly with the change of pressure inside the reservoir and wellbore. The presence of heavier ended hydrocarbons such as C5 and above, condensate banking will occur as pressure depletes. Pressure drop below dew point pressure causes condensate buildup which will give a negative impact in the productivity index of a gas condensate reservoir. Gas condensate reservoirs experience liquid drop out when pressure depletion reaches below dew point pressure. This occurrence will eventually cause condensate banking over time of production where condensate builds up in pore spaces of near-wellbore formations. Due to increase in condensate saturation, gas mobility is reduced and causes reduction of recoverable hydrocarbons. Instead of remediating production loss by using unsustainable recovery techniques, sonication is used to assist the natural flow of a gas condensate reservoir. This study aims to evaluate the effects of various ultrasonic amplitudes on condensate removal in a heterogenous glass pack in flowing conditions with varying exposure durations. Experiments were conducted by using n-Decane and a glass pack to represent condensate banking and near-wellbore area. Carbon dioxide was flowed through the pack to represent flowing gas from the reservoir after sonication of 10%, 50% and 100% amplitudes (20 kHz and 20 Watts). Analysis of results shows recovery of up to 17.36% and an areal sweep efficiency increase in 24.33% after sonication of 100% amplitude for 120 min due to reduction in viscosity. It was concluded that sweeping efficiency and reciprocal mobility ratio are increased with sonication of 100% amplitude for 120 min. This indicates that mobility of n-Decane is improved after sonication to allow higher hydrocarbon liquid production. Insights into the aspects of the mechanical wave are expected to contribute to a better understanding of tuning the sonic wave, to deliver remarkable results in a closed solid and fluid system. This form of IOR has not only proved to be an effective method to increase productivity in gas condensate wells, but it is also an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective method.
Modified Archie’s parameters for estimating water saturation for carbonate reservoir in north of Iraq
Authors: Jumaah Hayder A.
Published: August 2021

Archie’s parameters, cementation factor (m), saturation exponent (n) and tortuosity factor (a), are general factor that have effects on water saturation magnitude, due to their sensitivity to pores distribution, lithofacies properties and wettability, particularly in carbonate reservoirs. Water saturation magnitude has a direct effect in estimating initial oil-in-place values, and inaccuracy in its values will lead to huge impact errors in initial oil-in-place values, so it would affect the economics of field management and development plans. In this paper, the main objective was to investigate the impact of using conventional and modified Archie’s parameters in the determination of water saturation from well log interpretation for Tertiary reservoir in Khabaz oil field, a heterogenous carbonite reservoir in the north of Iraq which was affected by different digenesis processes that impacted the reservoir quality. Tertiary reservoir of Khabaz field consists of five geological units (A, B, C, D and E), and the selected well penetrated the top of the reservoir at 2200.5 m RTKB and passed through five geological units and reached total depth at 2348 m RTKB. The geothermal gradient of the field was 1.12 ℉ per 100 ft, and formation water resistivity (Rw) was about 0.029 Ω m. Water saturation was at first estimated from resistivity logs by Archie model with conventional known values of parameters (a,mandn) (1, 2 and 2), respectively, and then Archie’s parameters were modified and determined by graphical technique of Pickett plot for each geological unit to estimate water saturation. Finally, the results show the water saturation value was more sensitive for Archie’s parameter in low-porosity and high-clay-volume zone, but less sensitive in clean high-porosity zone, and water saturation values determined by modified Archie model were less about 18.5% at mean than their value by using conventional Archie’s parameters.
Consciousness: Just Another Technique?
Authors: Barthelmeß Ulrike , Furbach Ulrich
Published: August 2021

This note is intended as a contribution to the discussion whether artificial systems can have consciousness. Based on the notion of Tononi’s Information Integration Theory we will argue, that AI systems that have to reason with large knowledge bases need such techniques in order to handle them efficiently. We furthermore discuss mind-wandering and creativity on this basis.
Tumor suppressive effect of scavenger receptor class A member 5 overexpression in colorectal cancer by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
Authors: Li Yi , Peng Feng , Tan Xiangyun , Wang Jin , Xu Yeqing
Published: August 2021

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) exhibits high risks of morbidity and mortality.

Objective

To investigate the effect of scavenger receptor class A member 5 (SCRAR5) on CRC and its mechanism on modulation of cancer development.

Methods

The SCRAR5 expression in four kinds of CRC cell lines (SW620, SW480, HT29, and HCT116) was measured by quantitative PCR and western blotting, respectively. The effects of SCRAR5 abnormal expression on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration were analyzed by CCK-8 assay, EdU assay, colony-forming assay, flow cytometry assay, Transwell assay and wound healing assay, respectively. Meanwhile, the involvements of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway with the role of SCRAR5 were investigated by western blotting. Afterwards, the in vivo effects of SCRAR5 abnormal expression on CRC xenograft mice were finally investigated by evaluating tumor volume, apoptosis and Ki67 expression.

Results

SCRAR5 was lowly expressed in CRC cell lines, especially SW480 cells. Up-regulation of SCRAR5 significantly promoted cell apoptosis, reduced cell proliferation and migration in SW480 cells. Notably, SCRAR5 overexpression obviously inhibited the phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR. Reversely, SCRAR5 silence exhibited promoting effects on HT29 cells. Consistently, in vivo experiments also revealed that SCRAR5 overexpression remarkably suppressed tumor volume and Ki67 expression, as well as promoted cell apoptosis.

Conclusions

Overall, up-regulating of SCRAR5 obviously inhibited CRC tumor growth in vitro and in vivo, which might be related to PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
The potential of full-electric aircraft for civil transportation: from the Breguet range equation to operational aspects
Authors: Staack Ingo , Sobron Alejandro , Krus Petter
Published: August 2021

The decades-old idea of electric-powered commercial flight has re-emerged alongside high expectations for greener CO2 emission-free air transportation. But to what extent can electric aircraft reduce the energy and environmental footprint of aviation? What should such aircraft look like, and how does their operation compare to conventional jet aircraft? What technologies are needed and which of them are already in place? This paper goes back to the basics of flight physics and critically analyzes some of the unresolved challenges that lay ahead. Current commercial operations are examined and the short-term effects of any electrification of short-range flights are quantified. Fundamental system components and basic design and operating concepts are analysed to highlight unavoidable constraints that often seem to be misunderstood or overlooked. These limitations are illustrated with a conceptual study of a full-electric FAR/CS-23 commuter aircraft and realistic estimations of its performance. It becomes clear that electric propulsion alone will not fully meet society’s expectations, even if key enabling technologies continue to develop as forecast. Nevertheless, this paper suggests that electrification may instead become one piece of a propulsion-technology mix that would more effectively address our short- and long-term emission goals.
Review of flight simulation fidelity requirements to help reduce ‘rotorcraft loss of control in-flight’ accident rates
Authors: White Mark D. , Padfield Gareth D. , Lu Linghai , Advani Sunjoo , Potter Mario
Published: August 2021

This paper examines the fidelity requirements for flight simulators to improve training and address the problems associated with rotorcraft loss of control in-flight (LOC-I). To set the context, trends in rotorcraft accident statistics are presented. The data show that, despite recent safety initiatives, LOC-I rotorcraft accidents have been identified as a significant and growing contribution to accident rates. In the late 1990s, the fixed-wing commercial aircraft community faced a similar situation relating to upset prevention and recovery, and through a coordinated international effort, developed a focussed training programme to reduce accident rates. Lessons learned from the fixed-wing programme are presented to highlight how improved rotorcraft modelling and simulation tools are required to reduce rotorcraft accidents through higher quality, simulator-based training programmes. Relevant flight simulator certification standards are reviewed, with an emphasis on flight-model fidelity and vestibular motion cueing requirements. The findings from rotorcraft modelling and motion cueing research, that highlight relevant fidelity issues, are presented to identify areas for further activities to enhance the fidelity of simulators standards for use in LOC-I prevention training.
Echo chamber detection and analysis
Authors: Villa Giacomo , Pasi Gabriella , Viviani Marco
Published: August 2021

Social media allow to fulfill perceived social needs such as connecting with friends or other individuals with similar interests into virtual communities; they have also become essential as news sources, microblogging platforms, in particular, in a variety of contexts including that of health. However, due to the homophily property and selective exposure to information, social media have the tendency to create distinct groups of individuals whose ideas are highly polarized around certain topics. In these groups, a.k.a. echo chambers, people only "hear their own voice,” and divergent visions are no longer taken into account. This article focuses on the study of the echo chamber phenomenon in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, by considering both the relationships connecting individuals and semantic aspects related to the content they share over Twitter. To this aim, we propose an approach based on the application of a community detection strategy to distinct topology- and content-aware representations of the COVID-19 conversation graph. Then, we assess and analyze the controversy and homogeneity among the different polarized groups obtained. The evaluations of the approach are carried out on a dataset of tweets related to COVID-19 collected between January and March 2020.
Swelling-Based Chemical Sensing With Unmodified Optical Fibers
Authors: Jderu Alin , Dorobantu Dorel , Ziegler Dominik , Enachescu Marius
Published: August 2021

We use distributed fiber optic strain sensing to examine swelling of the fiber’s polymer coating. The distributed sensing technique that uses unmodified low-cost telecom fibers opens a new dimension of applications that include leak detection, monitoring of water quality, and waste systems. On a short-range length scale, the technology enables “lab-on-a-fiber” applications for food processing, medicine, and biosensing for instance. The chemical sensing is realized with unmodified low-cost telecom optical fibers, namely, by using swelling in the coating material of the fiber to detect specific chemicals. Although generic and able to work in various areas such as environmental monitoring, food analysis, agriculture or security, the proposed chemical sensors can be targeted for water quality monitoring, or medical diagnostics where they present the most groundbreaking nature. Moreover, the technique is without restrictions applicable to longer range installations.
The ASHES 2019 special issue at JCEN
Authors: Chang Chip-Hong , Holcomb Daniel E. , Rührmair Ulrich , Schaumont Patrick
Published: August 2021

This brief editorial gives a short, two-page overview of the ASHES 2019 workshop. It shall serve as an introduction for this special issue at JCEN.
Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress (PMTS) following Surgery in Childhood and Adolescence: a Systematic Review
Authors: Stanzel Anna , Sierau Susan
Published: August 2021

The purpose of the present review was to systematically review, synthesize and quantify prevalence rates of subclinical and clinical psychological symptoms in children and adolescents who have undergone surgery. Systematic literature searches were conducted twofold in April 8, 2020 and March 7, 2021 in PsycInfo and PubMed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Manuscripts were screened against eligibility criteria and were included if they investigated psychological symptoms in children or adolescents (age between 1 to 21 years at the time of study) who were hospitalized for pediatric surgery. Means and standard deviations weighted by sample size were calculated. Eleven articles met inclusion criteria. The review revealed that a small but substantial number of children and adolescents are at an elevated risk for postoperative psychological symptoms and disorders. Up to 13% had symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of a posttraumatic stress disorder, 6% to 8% exhibited elevated symptoms of depression or anxiety, and about 25% showed internalizing and externalizing symptoms. This review provides preliminary evidence that children and adolescents experience significant psychological distress and posttraumatic stress symptoms after pediatric surgery. Apart from better training of clinicians, prevention, early psychological screening and psychosocial care in surgical wards of hospitals are recommended. Well-designed studies of high methodological quality are necessary to replicate existing findings and provide a broader base of evidence.
Time-critical decentralised situational awareness in emergencies: an adversarial biosecurity scenario
Authors: Bassett Jason , Pescetelli Niccolò , Rutherford Alex , Cebrian Manuel
Published: August 2021

Crises in a global setting of interdependencies call for time-critical coordinated responses. However, it is often the case that the mechanisms responsible for these actions do not agree across all their hierarchies. This can be roughly attributed to personal estimations of the situation and to social influence. An ensuing lack of consensus against crises can be dire and echo across entire populations. One such instance is the case of biosecurity threats. A particularly interesting class of threats lie within urban environments, which tend to fall within the scope of bad actors. With this work we aim to computationally contribute to the understanding of the dynamics of perceived danger formation among agents responsible for responding to ongoing biological attacks in urban settings. We assume this perception is a function of a personal estimation of local information about the danger and of social influence stemming from the agents in question framed in an agent-based model. The simulations point towards a high dependence of perceived dangers on the personal estimations of the agents. The conditions under which the perceived dangers deviate from the real ones are explored over a range of assumptions on personal measurements and several dispositions towards the influencing environment. The insight provided by these results at the individual and collective level set the tone for further investigation on such behavioural phenomena, providing a flexible computational framework addressing generic threats (true dangers) in a time-critical context.
Association between clinical frailty, illness severity and post-discharge survival: a prospective cohort study of older medical inpatients in Norway
Authors: Engvig Andreas , Wyller Torgeir Bruun , Skovlund Eva , Ahmed Marc Vali , Hall Trygve Sundby , Rockwood Kenneth , Njaastad Anne Mette , Neerland Bjørn Erik
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Study associations between frailty, illness severity and post-discharge survival in older adults admitted to medical wards with acute clinical conditions.

Methods

Prospective cohort study of 195 individuals (mean age 86; 63% females) admitted to two medical wards with acute illness, followed up for all-cause mortality for 20 months after discharge. Ward physicians screened for frailty and quantified its degree from one to eight using Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), while clinical illness severity was estimated by New Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) and laboratory illness severity was calculated by a frailty index (FI-lab) using routine blood tests.

Results

CFS, NEWS2 and FI-lab scores were independently associated with post-discharge survival in an adjusted Cox proportional hazards model with age, ward category (acute geriatric and general medical) and comorbidity as covariates. Adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were 1.54 (1.24–1.91) for CFS, 1.12 (1.03–1.23) for NEWS2, and 1.02 (1.00–1.05) for FI-lab. A frailty × illness severity category interaction effect (p = 0.003), suggested that the impact of frailty on survival was greater in those experiencing higher levels of illness severity. Among patients with at least moderate frailty (CFS six to eight) and high illness severity according to both NEWS2 and FI-lab, two (13%) were alive at follow-up.

Conclusion

Frailty screening aided prognostication of survival following discharge in older acutely ill persons admitted to medical wards. The prognostic value of frailty increased when combined with readily available illness severity markers acquired during admission.
Hudson Strait Inflow: Structure and Variability
Authors: Ridenour Natasha A. , Straneo Fiammetta , Holte James , Gratton Yves , Myers Paul G. , Barber David G.
Published: August 2021

Hudson Strait is the main pathway of heat, mass, and freshwater exchange between Hudson Bay and the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans. The outflow along the southern coast of the strait, a fresh, baroclinic jet directed toward the North Atlantic, has received more attention due to its potential impact on deep convection in the Labrador Sea. However, details about the westward, more barotropic inflow along the northern coast of Hudson Strait remain unknown due to a scarcity of observations. Hudson Strait inflow waters affect the physical and biogeochemical systems of the bay, as well as the marine ecosystem, which supports the livelihoods of many Indigenous communities surrounding the Hudson Bay region. Here, we address this knowledge gap by analyzing data from two hydrographic surveys and four moorings deployed across the strait from 2008 and 2009. Three moorings were deployed on the northern side of the strait to map the inflow, and one was deployed on the southern side of the strait to capture the outflow. Along the southern side, a stratified, fresh outflow was observed, consistent with earlier studies. Along the northern coast, the inflow is weakly stratified and more saline, with seasonal changes distributed throughout the water column. Source waters of the inflow stem mainly from Arctic Water in the Baffin Island Current. A comparison with historical data suggests that after modification in western Hudson Strait, part of the inflow enters northern Hudson Bay to become deep water in the bay.
Response of Bacterial Communities to Rainwater Additions in the Oligotrophic SE Mediterranean Coast; Experimental and In‐Situ Observations
Authors: Rahav Eyal , Gertner Yaron , Herut Barak
Published: August 2021

Wet deposition may serve as a source of external nutrients for phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacteria in low nutrients low chlorophyll (LNLC) marine systems. Here, we examined the effects of rainwater deposition on phytoplankton and bacterial abundance and activity in the LNLC SE Mediterranean coast. In‐situ observations and experimentally controlled incubations show enhanced abundance and productivity of the bacterioplankton communities attributed to the addition of rainwater‐born nutrients. While rainwater relieved N limitation to phytoplankton resulting in enhanced abundance and primary production of autotrophic microbial communities (mostly pico‐eukaryotes), no single nutrient (N or P) could be identified as a sole limiting factor of the stimulated heterotrophic bacteria. In both the experimental and in‐situ observations, the changes in phytoplankton biomass following rainwater deposition/addition was observed only after 24–48 h. Contrary, an increase in primary and bacterial productions was visible within a few hours, suggesting high nutrients turnover rates by bacterioplankton communities following rain deposition. These results emphasize the importance of short‐term wet deposition events to new N production and phytoplankton temporal variability in the LNLC SE Mediterranean coast.
Reconstruction of Historical Land Surface Albedo Changes in China From 850 to 2015 Using Land Use Harmonization Data and Albedo Look‐Up Maps
Authors: Song Yan , Lv Mingzhu , Wang Mengsi , Li Xijia , Qu Ying
Published: August 2021

Land surface albedo is a critical parameter of the Earth's energy budget and has been greatly altered by climate change and human activities. To improve our understanding of historical land surface albedo changes and their climatic effects before the satellite remote sensing era, we reconstructed land surface albedo in China from 850 to 2015 using the historical land use harmonization version 2 (LUH2) data set and albedo look‐up maps, and estimated the radiative forcing induced by land surface albedo changes using atmospheric radiative kernels. The reconstruction results showed that the annual‐mean land surface albedo in China increased by 0.00110 during 850–2015, and the rate of increase was accelerated by the expansion of croplands during recent centuries. The most significant increases in land surface albedo were found in the Huang‐Huai‐Hai (HHH; +0.00646) and Northeast China (NE; +0.00501), which were primarily driven by anthropogenic land cover transformations (e.g., land reclamation, deforestation, and urbanization) and can be enhanced by the vegetation masking effect on snow cover. The radiative forcing induced by land surface albedo changes in China during 850–2015 and 1750–2015 was −0.09 ± 0.04 and −0.06 ± 0.02 W m−2, respectively, which indicated that the land surface albedo changes produced a slight climate cooling effect, helping to offset the warming effect caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
Ten Years on from the Quake That Shook the Nation’s Capital
Authors: Pratt Thomas , Chapman Martin , Shah Anjana , Horton Jr. J. , Boyd Oliver
Published: August 2021

A decade of study into the Virginia earthquake that damaged D.C. and reverberated up and down the Atlantic coast in 2011 has shed light on rare, but risk-laden, seismicity in eastern North America.
Carbonatite Versus Silicate Melt Metasomatism Impacts Grain Scale 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd Heterogeneity in Polynesian Mantle Peridotite Xenoliths
Authors: Byerly Benjamin L. , Jackson M. G. , Bizimis M.
Published: August 2021

The Earth's upper mantle is isotopically heterogeneous over large lengthscales, but the lower limit of these heterogeneities is not well quantified. Grain scale trace elemental variability has been observed in mantle peridotites, which suggests that isotopic heterogeneity may be preserved as well. Recent advances in isotope ratio mass spectrometry enable isotopic analysis of very small samples (e.g., nanograms or less of analyte) while maintaining the precision necessary for meaningful interpretation. Here we examine four peridotite xenoliths—hosted in lavas from Savai'i (Samoa hotspot) and Tahiti (Societies hotspot) islands—that exhibit grain scale trace element heterogeneity likely related to trapped fluid and/or melt inclusions. To evaluate whether this heterogeneity is also reflected in grain scale isotopic heterogeneity, we separated clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, and (in the most geochemically enriched xenolith) olivine for single‐grain 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd analyses. We find, in some xenoliths, extreme intra‐xenolith isotopic heterogeneity. For example, in one xenolith, different mineral grains range in 87Sr/86Sr from 0.70987 to 0.71321, with corresponding variability in 143Nd/144Nd from 0.512331 to 0.512462. However, not all peridotite xenoliths which display trace elemental heterogeneity exhibit isotopic heterogeneity. Based on coupled isotopic and trace element data (i.e., a negatively‐sloping trend in 87Sr/86Sr vs. Ti/Eu), we suggest that carbonatitic metasomatism is responsible for creating the intra‐xenolith isotopic heterogeneities which we observe. This carbonatitic component falls off the array defined in 87Sr/86Sr‐143Nd/144Nd space by Samoa hotspot basalts, which suggests a second, distinct EM2 (enriched mantle II) component is present in the Samoa hotspot that is not readily recognized in erupted products, but is instead seen only in mantle peridotite xenoliths.
A New Method to Calculate the Fluxgate Magnetometer Offset in the Interplanetary Magnetic Field: 2. Using Mirror Mode Structures
Authors: Wang Guoqiang , Pan Zonghao
Published: August 2021

Accurate magnetic field measurement is of great significance to the development of space exploration. The fluxgate magnetometer (FGM) is a magnetic field measuring instrument commonly used on the spacecraft. The zero offset of the spaceborne FGM varies slowly with time, thus it needs to be regularly calibrated. Here, we develop a new method to determine the zero offset of the FGM using mirror mode structures. This method is based on an assumption that the magnetic depression of mirror mode structures is only in the maximum variance direction. We find that each mirror mode structure has an optimal offset line (OOL), which is determined by the minimum strength of the modified magnetic field in the plane perpendicular to the maximum variance direction in an offset cube. The OOL is approximately parallel to the maximum variance direction and passes through the zero offset in the offset cube. The common intersection of at least two non‐parallel OOLs can be regarded as the zero offset, which accuracy tends to be higher with more events. Our method can simultaneously use the mirror modes and Alfvén waves, and is able to be applied to many regions, such as solar wind, planetary magnetosheaths and magnetospheres.
Anelasticity and Lateral Heterogeneities in Earth's Upper Mantle: Impact on Surface Displacements, Self‐Attraction and Loading, and Ocean Tide Dynamics
Authors: Huang Pingping , Sulzbach Roman Lucas , Tanaka Yoshiyuki , Klemann Volker , Dobslaw Henryk , Martinec Zdeněk , Thomas Maik
Published: August 2021

Surface displacement and self‐attraction and loading (SAL) elevation induced by ocean tides are known to be affected by material properties of the solid Earth. Recent studies have shown that, in addition to elasticity, anelasticity considerably impacts surface displacements due to ocean tide loading (OTL). We employ consistent 3D seismic elastic and attenuation tomography models to construct 3D elastic and anelastic earth models, and derive corresponding averaged 1D elastic/anelastic models. We apply these models to systematically study the impact of anelasticity and lateral heterogeneity on M2 OTL displacements and SAL elevation. We find that neglecting lateral heterogeneities highly underestimates displacements and SAL elevation in mid‐ocean‐ridge regions and in some coastal areas of North and Central America. In comparison to PREM, 3D anelastic models can increase the predicted amplitudes of the vertical displacement and SAL elevation by up to 1.5 mm. The increased amplitudes reduce the discrepancy between GPS‐observed OTL displacements and their predictions based on PREM in places like Cornwall (England), Brittany (France), and the Ryukyu Islands (Japan). Applying our results to ocean tides, we discover that the impact on ocean tide dynamics exceeds the predicted SAL elevation correction with an RMS of about 1 mm, reaching an RMS of more than 5 mm in areas like North Atlantic or East Pacific. Due to the fact that such a value reaches the accuracy of modern data‐constrained tidal models, we regard the impact of anelastic shear relaxation as significant in tidal modeling.
On Using Si to Unravel Potential Sources of Dissolved Al to the Deep Arctic
Authors: Measures C. I. , Hatta M.
Published: August 2021

An examination of the vertical profiles of aluminum, silicic acid, and the Si:Al ratio indicates that the enrichment of dissolved Al in the bottom waters of the Arctic basins cannot be explained by the water column remineralization of vertically transported biological material. Instead, it is suggested that the bottom water enrichments are a result of the dissolution of amorphous aluminosilicates that are produced within the sedimentary pore waters by a reverse weathering process. We suggest that these materials are released into the low Si, low Al overlying water column by turbidity currents descending from the broad Arctic shelves which deliver sediments, water, and the products of reverse weathering into the bottom waters of the Arctic basins. It is suggested that from its delivery point at the basin edges, this dissolved Al signal then spreads out, enriching the signals in the bottom of the basins and mixes upward into the overlying water column to produce the observed vertical gradients. Thus, the deepwater Al enrichment is driven by a concentration gradient from below, that is, it is a bottom up (sedimentary driven), rather than the top down (particle export) process that has been previously suggested. It is also suggested that this dissolved Al signal might potentially be used as a tracer of these sporadic turbidity events, which in addition to transporting sediments, also are a mechanism for subducting water into abyssal regions. The observation of elevated dissolved Al signals at other ocean boundaries adjacent to Al‐rich lithogenic materials further suggests that the formation of the products of reverse weathering within sediments is probably widespread along continental margins.
Carbon Cycling During Oceanic Anoxic Event 2: Compound‐Specific Carbon Isotope Evidence From the Western Interior Seaway
Authors: Boudinot F. Garrett , Kopf Sebastian , Dildar Nadia , Sepúlveda Julio
Published: August 2021

The Cenomanian‐Turonian Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2, ∼94 Ma) was a period of widespread ocean deoxygenation and marine organic carbon burial. Increased CO2and nutrient flux before OAE2 are generally considered the main drivers of ocean anoxia and carbon burial, though some evidence has suggested multiple phases of CO2input and burial throughout the event. To test hypotheses about the nature of carbon cycle perturbations before and during OAE2, we analyzed stable carbon isotopes in marine‐derived and terrestrial‐derived biomarkers from an expanded sedimentary record of OAE2 from the western margin of the Western Interior Seaway. Biomarker carbon isotope data were used to estimate the concentration and carbon isotopic composition of aqueous and atmospheric CO2, as well as changes in marine productivity, through OAE2. While complicated by biological and environmental uncertainties, ourpCO2reconstructions generally agree with estimates from other locations and proxies around the world. High‐resolution sampling revealed several short‐lived carbon cycle perturbations before and during OAE2 that may reflect fluctuations in the global carbon cycle, including several pulses of isotopically light carbon before OAE2, during the onset of OAE2, and during the Plenus event. This study provides new constraints on carbon cycle dynamics during OAE2 that highlight the complex nature of the event and its causes.
Worst‐Case Severe Environments for Surface Charging Observed at LANL Satellites as Dependent on Solar Wind and Geomagnetic Conditions
Authors: Ganushkina N. Yu , Swiger B. , Dubyagin S. , Matéo‐Vélez J.‐C. , Liemohn M. W. , Sicard A. , Payan D.
Published: August 2021

The 400 worst‐case severe environments for surface charging detected at Los Alamos National Laboratory satellites during the years of 1990–2005 as binned by the definitions of four criteria developed by Matéo‐Vélez et al. (2018,https://doi.org/10.1002/2017sw001689) and the solar wind and Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) parameters and geomagnetic activity indices are analyzed. The conducted analysis shows that only Auroral Electrojet/Auroral Lower index determines the highest risk for severe environments for surface charging to happen. The presence of a substorm with the southward turning pattern in IMFindicates that the environment can be severe for surface charging to occur but this environment will not depend on whether a substorm was moderate or intense. No clear dependence on IMFis found for risk to a severe environment to occur. Appearances of severe environments for surface charging do not necessarily require high values ofKp(Planetarische Kennziffer) and no storm is needed for such an event to be detected. Among solar wind parameters, solar wind velocityis directly related to the highest risk of severe environments, dependent on thevalue; and number densityis of no importance. Two criteria for severe environment events based on the enhancements of low energy particle fluxes exhibit clearer dependencies on the solar wind and IMF parameters and geomagnetic activity indices with more distinct patterns in their time history.