bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theoretical methods for structural phase transitions in elemental solids at extreme conditions: statics and dynamics
Authors: Yao Yansun
Published: June 2022

In recent years, theoretical studies have moved from a traditionally supporting role to a more proactive role in the research of phase transitions at high pressures. In many cases, theoretical prediction leads the experimental exploration. This is largely owing to the rapid progress of computer power and theoretical methods, particularly the structure prediction methods tailored for high-pressure applications. This review introduces commonly used structure searching techniques based on static and dynamic approaches, their applicability in studying phase transitions at high pressure, and new developments made toward predicting complex crystalline phases. Successful landmark studies for each method are discussed, with an emphasis on elemental solids and their behaviors under high pressure. The review concludes with a perspective on outstanding challenges and opportunities in the field.
A non-contact broad bandwidth current sensor
Authors: Zhang Rui , Zhang Qiaogen , Geng Jiangtao , Liu Fuli
Published: June 2022

Power metering, relay protection, lightning current measurement, fault current measurement, and traveling current measurement in the field of power systems, as well as high-current measurement in the field of pulse power, require safe, high-accuracy, large-range, and wide-frequency-band current sensors. Current transformers and Rogowski coils can basically meet the requirements of measurement accuracy and range, but they are not good enough to meet the two requirements of safety and broad frequency bands. In this study, a non-contact broad-band current sensor is designed, which is based on the improvement of the traditional Rogowski coil to realize non-contact measurement of current. The equivalent circuit of the sensor was established, and the output characteristics of the sensor were calculated from the theoretical level as well as the design parameters were optimized. The sensor samples were made, and the usability of the sensor and the correctness of the theoretical calculation model were verified by 50 Hz AC current and 1.6 μs/3.4 μs impulse current tests. The non-contact current sensor designed in this paper has the advantages of simple structure, low cost, safety and reliability, large range, and wide operating band, and can be widely used for AC current or impulse current measurement in power systems and pulsed power fields.
Excited quantum anomalous and spin Hall effect: dissociation of flat-bands-enabled excitonic insulator state
Authors: Zhou Yinong , Sethi Gurjyot , Liu Hang , Wang Zhengfei , Liu Feng
Published: June 2022

Quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) and quantum spin Hall effect (QSHE) are two interesting physical manifestations of 2D materials that have an intrinsic nontrivial band topology. In principle, they are ground-state equilibrium properties characterized by Fermi level lying in a topological gap, below which all the occupied bands are summed to a non-zero topological invariant. Here, we propose theoretical concepts and models of ‘excited’ QAHE (EQAHE) and EQSHE generated by dissociation of an excitonic insulator (EI) state with complete population inversion (CPI), a unique many-body ground state enabled by two yin-yang flat bands (FBs) of opposite chirality hosted in a diatomic Kagome lattice. The two FBs have a trivial gap in between, i.e. the system is a trivial insulator in the single-particle ground-state, but nontrivial gaps above and below, so that upon photoexcitation the quasi-Fermi levels of both electrons and holes will lie in a nontrivial gap achieved by the CPI-EI state, as demonstrated by exact diagonalization calculations. Then dissociation of singlet and triplet EI state will lead to EQAHE and EQSHE, respectively. Realizations of yin-yang FBs in real materials are also discussed.
Quantitative assessment of radionuclide production yields in in-beam and offline PET measurements at different proton irradiation facilities
Authors: Bauer Julia , Hildebrandt Meret , Baumgartl Michael , Fiedler Fine , Robert Charlotte , Buvat Irène , Enghardt Wolfgang , Parodi Katia
Published: June 2022

Objective. Reliable radionuclide production yield data are a prerequisite for positron-emission-tomography (PET) based in vivo proton treatment verification. In this context, activation data acquired at two different treatment facilities with different imaging systems were analyzed to provide experimentally determined radionuclide yields in thick targets and were compared with each other to investigate the impact of the respective imaging technique. Approach. Homogeneous thick targets (PMMA, gelatine, and graphite) were irradiated with mono-energetic proton pencil-beams at two distinct energies. Material activation was measured (i) in-beam during and after beam delivery with a double-head prototype PET camera and (ii) offline shortly after beam delivery with a commercial full-ring PET/CT scanner. Integral as well as depth-resolved β
+-emitter yields were determined for the dominant positron-emitting radionuclides 11C, 15O, 13N and (in-beam only) 10C. In-beam data were used to investigate the qualitative impact of different monitoring time schemes on activity depth profiles and their quantitative impact on count rates and total activity. Main results. Production yields measured with the in-beam camera were comparable to or higher compared to respective offline results. Depth profiles of radionuclide-specific yields obtained from the double-head camera showed qualitative differences to data acquired with the full-ring camera with a more convex profile shape. Considerable impact of the imaging timing scheme on the activity profile was observed for gelatine only with a range variation of up to 3.5 mm. Evaluation of the coincidence rate and the total number of observed events in the considered workflows confirmed a strongly decreasing rate in targets with a large oxygen fraction. Significance. The observed quantitative and qualitative differences between the datasets underline the importance of a thorough system commissioning. Due to the lack of reliable cross-section data, in-house phantom measurements are still considered a gold standard for careful characterization of the system response and to ensure a reliable beam range verification.
On the value of a multistage optimization approach for intensity-modulated radiation therapy planning*
Authors: Wood Doran , Çetinkaya Sila , Gangammanavar Harsha , Lu Weigo , Wang Jing
Published: June 2022

Objective. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) aims to distribute a prescribed dose of radiation to cancerous tumors while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue. A typical approach to IMRT planning uniformly divides and allocates the same dose prescription (DP) across several successive treatment sessions. A more flexible fractionation scheme would lend the capability to vary DPs and utilize updated CT scans and future predictions to adjust treatment delivery. Therefore, our objective is to develop optimization-based models and methodologies that take advantage of adapting treatment decisions across fractions by utilizing predictions of tumor evolution. Approach. We introduce a nonuniform generalization of the uniform allocation scheme that does not automatically assume equal DPs for all sessions. We develop new deterministic and stochastic multistage optimization-based models for such a generalization. Our models allow us to simultaneously identify optimal DPs and fluence maps for individual sessions. We conduct extensive numerical experiments to compare these models using multiple metrics and dose-volume histograms. Main results. Our numerical results in both deterministic and stochastic settings reveal the restrictive nature of the uniform allocation scheme. The results also demonstrate the value of nonuniform multistage models across multiple performance metrics. The improvements can be maintained even when restricting the underlying fractionation scheme to small degrees of nonuniformity. Significance. Our models and computational results support multistage stochastic programming (SP) methodology to derive ideal allocation schemes and fluence maps simultaneously. With technological and computational advancements, we expect the multistage SP methodologies to continue to serve as innovative optimization tools for radiation therapy planning applications.
Heart rate estimation and validation algorithm for fetal phonocardiography
Authors: Bhaskaran Amrutha , J Sidhesh Kumar , George Shirley , Arora Manish
Published: June 2022

Objective. Fetal heart rate (FHR) is an important parameter for assessing fetal well-being and is usually measured by doppler ultrasound. Fetal phonocardiography can provide non-invasive, easy-to-use and passive alternative for fetal monitoring method if reliable FHR measurements can be made even in noisy clinical environments. Therefore, this work presents an automatic algorithm to determine FHR from the fetal heart sound recordings in a noisy clinical environment. Approach. Using an electronic stethoscope fetal heart sounds were recorded from the expecting mother’s abdomen, during weeks 30–40 of their pregnancy. Of these, 60 recordings were analyzed manually by two observers to obtain reference heart rate measurement. An algorithm was developed to determine FHR using envelope detection and autocorrelation of the signals. Algorithm performance was improved by implementing peak validation algorithm utilizing knowledge of valid FHR from prior windows and power spectral density function. The improvements in accuracy and reliability of algorithm were measured by mean absolute error (MAE) and positive percent agreement. Main results. By including the validation step, the MAE reduced from 11.50 to 7.54 beats per minute and positive percent agreement improved from 81% to 87%. Significance. We classified the recordings into good, moderate and poor quality to understand how the algorithm works in each of the case. The proposed algorithms provide good accuracy overall but are sensitive to the noises in recording environment that influence the quality of the signals.
Search for naturally occurring seaborgium with radiopure 116CdWO4 crystal scintillators
Authors: Belli P , Bernabei R , Cappella F , Caracciolo V , Cerulli R , Danevich F A , Incicchitti A , Kasperovych D V , Kobychev V V , Laubenstein M , Poda D V , Polischuk O G , Sokur N V , Tretyak V I
Published: June 2022

A detector containing two radiopure 116CdWO4 crystal scintillators with total mass of 1.2 kg was operated during 35324 h at the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory (INFN, Italy) with the main aim to investigate double beta decay of 116Cd. As a by-product of the experiment, a new upper limit on atomic abundance of hypothetical naturally occurring long-lived seaborgium (eka-tungsten, Z = 106) in tungsten was set at 5.1 10−15 atom(Sg)/atom(W) with 90% C.L. (assuming the Sg half-life of 109 yr) by the analysis of the alpha decay events. This limit is better than those obtained with a ZnWO4 scintillator and in other types of experiments which used the accelerator mass spectrometry or searched for spontaneous fission of superheavy elements.
Optimizing detachment control using the magnetic configuration of divertors
Authors: Cowley C. , Lipschultz B. , Moulton D. , Dudson B.
Published: June 2022

As tokamak research moves to reactor conditions, the control of a stable, optimally-detached divertor plasma has become increasingly relevant. Simple predictions of such detachment control have been performed previously using the detachment location sensitivity (DLS) model (Lipschultz et al 2016 Nucl. Fusion
56 056007). In this study the DLS model is extended and combined with SOLPS-ITER simulations of isolated divertor grids to study the effects of alternate divertor magnetic field properties on detachment control. The DLS model predicts that divertors can achieve easier access to detachment through a long connection length, a high total flux expansion, and a high average magnetic field in the divertor compared with that at the x-point. SOLPS-ITER simulations suggest an even stronger impact of total flux expansion and connection length on detachment access than the DLS model predicts. In terms of detachment evolution, both simulation and modelling show a high gradient in the total magnetic field and low

B

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l

B

are able to more easily keep a detachment front at a desired poloidal location. Regions with no stable detachment front locations can arise for high magnetic field gradients directed towards the target. Significant differences have been found between impurity scan simulations and the DLS model. These differences may be attributed to sources and sinks of power and electron pressure, and should be explored further in future work.
Power line interference and baseline wander removal from ECG signals using local characteristic decomposition
Authors: Dorostghol A. , Maghsoudpour A. , Ghaffari A. , Nikkhah-Bahrami M.
Published: June 2022

Noise detection and removal are crucial in ECG
processing. In this study, a method based on local characteristic
decomposition (LCD) algorithm for denoising the ECG signals is
discussed. In particular, specific techniques for the removal of
baseline wandering (BW) and of power line interference (PLI), which
are two common noises in ECG, are proposed and tested against real
data. Simulation results show that the proposed method is more
reliable at various signals to noise ratios. These results also
indicate that the proposed method comparing to some conventional
denoising methods such as wavelet, Butterworth, and empirical mode
decomposition (EMD), leads to a higher quality denoising approach.
Investigation on elevated-temperature wear performance and wear failure mechanism of a tungsten-system hot-working die steel
Authors: Zhou Yin , Chen Lei , Jiang Wei , Cui Shaowei , Cui Xianghong
Published: June 2022

A pin-on-disk high temperature wear tests under 50–150 N and 50, 100 r min−1 at 400 °C–600 °C were performed for a typical tungsten-system hot-working die steel (AISI H21). The results demonstrated that H21 steel presented different wear behavior and wear resistance under various sliding conditions at 400 °C–600 °C. In most cases at 400 °C–500 °C, H21 steel possessed good wear resistance. However, regardless of sliding speed, the wear performance of H21 steel started to deteriorate under 150 N at 500 °C, and totally deteriorated at 600 °C, exhibiting extremely poor wear resistance. A particular wear failure mechanism was found to be brittle-induced wear failure.
Corrosion behavior and analysis on friction stir welded aluminium matrix composites
Authors: Selvamani S T , Bakkiyaraj M , Palani S , Yoganandan G
Published: June 2022

Friction stir welded (FSW) AA6061 aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) joints with 10% SiC particles were taken under investigation to reduce the corrosion rate. This study integrates the response surface methodology to optimize process parameters of FSW to achieve defect-free AMCs joints. The joint strength of 252 MPa was estimated as maximum tensile strength under rotational speed of 900.38 rpm and thrust force of 20.48 MPa. Furthermore, the turbulence flow of plasticized materials contributes to the restructuring of grains in the weld zone, and it is mainly influenced by the tool rotation. The cyclic potentiodynamic polarization test has been carried out in the different zones of friction stir welded AMCs joints using a 3.5% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution that is aerated naturally at 25 °C. It was seen that the corrosion polarization value of the Heat affected zone (HAZ) is 400 μA cm2, the un-welded aluminium matrix composite is 345 μA cm2, and the stir zone is 751 μA cm2 at the optimized conditions. The corrosion study reveals that the SiC reinforcement was a suspicious agent that propagated the pits in larger and deeper sizes when the various zones of the welded joint were exposed to electrochemical studies.
Hybrid aging and nitriding treatment of nickel aluminum bronze by plasma-based ion implantation
Authors: da Silva João Miguel de O A , Kurelo Bruna C E S , de Oliveira Willian R , Pukasiewicz Anderson G M , de Souza Gelson B , Brunatto Silvio F
Published: June 2022

Nickel-aluminum bronzes (NABs) comprise a versatile group of copper-based age hardenable quaternary alloys. Their composition usually comprises aluminum, nickel, iron, and manganese, besides copper. These alloys have a large range of applications, from architectural use to naval propellers. In the present work, a case study of a specific NAB alloy of technical importance was performed aiming to investigate the difference in wear resistance between samples that were aged and samples that received a novel hybrid aging + nitriding treatment carried out on a plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) apparatus. Both regular aging and the hybrid treatment were carried out for solution-treated coin-shaped specimens, with martensitic matrix, in a PIII chamber under a nitrogen-based atmosphere. Three different voltage biases, 8, 10, and 12 kV, resulted in three distinct treatment temperatures, 370, 400 and 470 °C, for treatment times of 180 and 90 min, being the latter (90 min) used together with the smaller voltage (370 °C) for comparison purposes. From the coin-shaped sample, it was possible to study the two distinct treatments: i) the flat-surface-side exposed to plasma was subjected to the hybrid treatment; ii) the other flat-side (directly supported on the sample holder) was only aging-treated (hereafter termed ‘aged only’). Such methodology allowed to infer the bulk effects on the surface modification process. The XRD patterns of the hybrid-mode treated (hereafter termed ‘aged + nitrided’) surfaces showed formation of nitrogen-expanded phases, these surfaces showing hardness gains varying on the 11%–27% range when compared to the respective surfaces aged only. Scratch tests, in association with hardness and elastic modulus measurements, showed the role of the aging on the elasto-plastic response of both aged only and aged + nitrided surfaces. The nitriding resulted in significant gains of wear resistance for PIII carried out at the lowest temperatures: 43% and 41% less volume loss than the respective aged only surfaces for the treatments at 370 °C for 90 min and 180 min, respectively. Differently, the treatments at the highest temperature (450 °C) resulted in the worst wear performances, since the bulk over-aging surpassed any strength delivered by nitriding.
Tribological behaviour of a multilayer CrN/DLC coating obtained using PVD-MS
Authors: Delfin Francisco A , Brühl Sonia P
Published: June 2022

Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) coatings are used as protective layers for steel components due to their hardness, chemical inertia and interesting tribological properties. Reducing wear and friction coefficient is of great importance for industries today in order to increase energy efficiency and reduce harmful emissions to the environment. In this paper, a multilayer CrN/DLC coating is analysed. It was deposited using a commercial Plasma Enhanced Magnetron Sputtering over nitrided and not nitrided mild-alloy steel AISI 4140, produced for the first time in Argentina, at the firm Coating.Tech by Flubetech-Tantal. The base of the coating is an anchor layer made of CrN and the top layer is a chromium-dopped hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H:Cr), which provides excellent tribological properties. Wear tests were carried out in a Pin-on-Disk apparatus, using an Al2O3 ball as counterpart, with Hertzian contact stress from 1370 up to 1460 MPa. The friction coefficient was μ ∼ 0.1, which is 80% less than the untreated steel and the wear volume loss was reduced several times. The adhesion was evaluated by means of Scratch Test, where major improvement was noticed in the samples which were nitrided as pre-treatment, increasing critical load from 25 N up to 65 N.
Preparation and electrochemical properties of Na3V2(PO4)3/C cathode materials from spent electroless nickel plating bath
Authors: Xu Wen , Yang Hongjian , Liu Wanmin , Qin Mulan , Bin Shen  , Wang Weigang , Zhou Haoliu
Published: June 2022

Through a sol-gel method, a honeycomb-like Na3V2(PO4)3/C cathode material for sodium-ion batteries was synthesized from a spent electroless nickel plating bath. The obtained Na3V2(PO4)3/C exhibited excellent electrochemical properties, with the initial discharge capacity of 108.3 mAh·g−1 at 0.2 C and the capacity retention of 99.3% after 300 cycles, which was comparable to that of powders prepared from chemical reagents. This study will be helpful for the value-adding utilization of the spent electroless nickel plating bath.
Effect of MnO2 morphology on the thermal properties and combustion behavior of nano-Al/MnO2 thermite
Authors: Liu Xiaofeng , Liu Jun , Zhao Futian , Xiao Zhimin
Published: June 2022

Al/granular MnO2 and Al/rod MnO2 thermite samples were prepared to investigate the effects of different morphologies of MnO2 on the thermal properties and combustion behavior of nano-Al/MnO2 thermite. The morphology and thermal properties of the thermite were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), x-ray diffractometry (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). DSC results show that the Al/rod MnO2 releases 1274.39 J·mol−1 heat, which is 292.58 J·mol−1 more than the Al/granular MnO2. The initial reaction temperature of Al/rod MnO2 is 567.39 °C, which is delayed by 17.39 °C versus 550 °C of Al/granular MnO2. Non-isothermal thermodynamic analysis was used to measure the activation energy of Al/rod MnO2 to be 234.36 kJ·mol−1, which is 46.53 kJ·mol−1 higher than that of Al/granular MnO2. This corresponds to an increase in the ignition temperature in the DSC curve and indicating a higher safety profile. In the open burning experiment, the burning time of Al/granular MnO2 was longer and sparks sputtered around the flame. The Al/rod MnO2 has a large combustion flame and a fast combustion rate. The light intensity peaks of the two groups of samples are close in the light intensity test. The light intensity existence time of Al/rod MnO2 is 0.0146 s, which is 0.094 s shorter than Al/granular MnO2. This shows that the combustion rate of Al/rod MnO2 is much faster than that of Al/granular MnO2. The closed-tube combustion experiment shows that the combustion wave velocity of Al/rod MnO2 increases first and then decreases; the maximum wave velocity reaches 339.6 m·s−1, and Al/granular MnO2 cannot self-propagate combustion in the microporous environment. In the constant volume combustion experiment, the peak combustion pressure of Al/rod MnO2 is 0.938 Mpa, and the peak value of Al/granular MnO2 combustion pressure is 0.581 Mpa; the difference is obvious. This shows that the rod MnO2 gas production performance is better. According to the duration of the pressure peak, the burning speed of Al/rod MnO2 in the light intensity test is confirmed again to be much faster than that of Al/granular MnO2. The Al/rod MnO2 is better than Al/granular MnO2 in thermal and combustion performance and is also safer. This provides a basis for future performance and safety research on aluminothermic materials.
Detection of hearing losses (HL) via transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions: towards an automatic classification
Authors: Zimatore Giovanna , Cavagnaro Marta , Skarzynski Piotr H , Hatzopoulos Stavros
Published: June 2022

Transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) are routinely used in the hearing assessment of the auditory periphery. The major contribution of TEOAEs is the early detection of hearing losses in neonates, children, and adults. The evaluation of TEOAE responses by specific signal decomposition techniques offers numerous advantages for current and future research. One methodology, based on recurrence quantification analysis (RQA), can identify adult subjects presenting sensorineural hearing impairments. In two previous papers, the RQA-based approach was successfully applied in identifying and classifying cases presenting noise and age related hearing losses. The current work investigates further two aspects of the previously proposed RQA-based analysis for hearing loss detection: (i) the reliability of a Training set built from different numbers of ears with normal hearing, and (ii) the threshold set of values of the key hearing loss detecting parameter RAD2D. Results: The Training set built from 158 healthy ears was found to be quite reliable and a similar but slightly minor performance was observed for the training set of 118 normal subjects, used in the past; the proposed ROC-curve method, optimizing the values of RAD2D, shows improved sensibility and specificity in one class discrimination. Conclusions. A complete and simplified procedure, based on the combined use of the traditional TEOAE reproducibility value and on values from the RQA-based RAD2D parameter, is proposed as an improved automatic classifier, in terms of sensitivity and specificity, for different types of hearing losses.
Mapping potential surface contributions to reflected solar radiation
Authors: Smoliak Brian V , Gelobter Michel , Haley Jeff T
Published: June 2022

Modifying Earth’s albedo is one of the strategies considered to reduce its energy imbalance and slow global warming by reflecting solar energy. Atmospheric contributions to reflected solar radiation through stratospheric aerosols or cloud brightening have received considerable attention; however, the efficacy of surface interventions is less understood. We address this gap by estimating the potential for surface contributions to reflected solar radiation at approximately 30 km resolution using a simple radiative transfer model. Long-term average annual-mean incoming and outgoing top-of-atmosphere and surface solar fluxes are input to determine atmospheric shortwave optical properties (i.e., transmittance, absorptance, and reflectance), which can be used with surface albedo to estimate surface-reflected outgoing solar radiation. A comparison of reanalysis- and satellite-based input datasets shows good agreement. The results indicate global annual-mean surface-reflected outgoing solar radiation potential of 109 Wm−2, nearly a factor of five larger than the actual value, and local areas where it could be increased above 200 Wm−2 with surface albedo enhancement. Regions with particularly strong potential include Andean South America, the Middle East, southwestern North America, southwestern Africa, Australia, and the sub-equatorial tropical oceans. Future research could extend the methods to account for seasonal variations and the potential to mitigate extreme heat events in particular.
In-situ structural evolution of Bi2O3 nanoparticle catalysts for CO2 electroreduction
Authors: Wang Hongbo , Tang Chongyang , Sun Bo , Liu Jiangchao , Xia Yan , Li Wenqing , Jiang Changzhong , He Dong , Xiao Xiangheng
Published: June 2022

Under the complex external reaction conditions, uncovering the true structural evolution of the catalyst is of profound significance for the establishment of relevant structure–activity relationships and the rational design of electrocatalysts. Here, the surface reconstruction of the catalyst was characterized by ex-situ methods and in-situ Raman spectroscopy in CO2 electroreduction. The final results showed that the Bi2O3 nanoparticles were transformed into Bi/Bi2O3 two-dimensional thin-layer nanosheets (NSs). It is considered to be the active phase in the electrocatalytic process. The Bi/Bi2O3 NSs showed good catalytic performance with a Faraday efficiency (FE) of 94.8% for formate and a current density of 26 mA cm−2 at −1.01 V. While the catalyst maintained a 90% FE in a wide potential range (−0.91 V to −1.21 V) and long-term stability (24 h). Theoretical calculations support the theory that the excellent performance originates from the enhanced bonding state of surface Bi-Bi, which stabilized the adsorption of the key intermediate OCHO* and thus promoted the production of formate.
Romeo at the Girls’ School: Fantasy of the Girls’ Queer Teen Adaptation of Shakespeare
Authors: Jeon Ja Young
Published: June 2022

This article adopts a transnational approach to the practice of cross-gender casting and the queer fascination with women playing Shakespeare’s male roles. It offers a case study of the South Korean film Fantasy of the Girls (Jungmin Ahn, 2018), exploring the film’s both strategic transgression of gender norms and boundary-crossing adaptation in the transnational context. Fantasy of the Girls features an all-women school theatre group staging Romeo and Juliet and joins similar cross-cast Shakespeare productions in exploring the interaction between the narrative text and the actor’s gendered embodiment, including in terms of the potent effect of gender-transgressive casting on audiences. To trace the ways in which the film uses the device of cross-cast Shakespearean performance to consider young South Korean women’s queer desires, and to examine the special geo-cultural contexts at play, I turn to a distinctive form of queer youth culture which emerged in 1990s South Korea: iban. In this cultural practice, cross-dressing functions as a crucial means of identity production, as another, albeit implicit, reference underpinning the gender-nonconforming Hanam’s performance of Romeo. The coming-of-age film offers a reflection on the connection between the iban fantasy and Shakespeare’s text, which, in turn, provides a model for identity construction, through which the queer teen girls can voice and explore desires that are otherwise inexpressible. Ultimately, Fantasy of the Girls leverages Shakespeare to foreground the unique experiences of queer teen girls in twenty-first century South Korea.
Management of a Large Quantity of Permanent Gluteal Copolyamide Fillers (Aqualift/Activegel): Literature Review and Algorithm
Authors: Elahi Leslie , Ulrich Franzisca , Raffoul Wassim , Rossi Severin Alexander
Published: June 2022

Buttock augmentation is a commonly performed aesthetic surgery. Several methods have been described, but only the use of implants or autologous fat is consensually deemed safe and effective. Synthetic fillers in gluteal augmentation have been described despite potential severe long-term complications, both medical and aesthetic. The aim of this study is to report a series of 2 consecutive cases who underwent buttock and hip augmentation with large volumes of permanent copolyamide filler requiring surgical removal due to significant complications. Based on these cases and a review of recent literature, a management algorithm is proposed. The authors conducted a retrospective chart review of 2 consecutive cases of failed copolyamide filler augmentations in the gluteal and inguinal regions. The authors conducted a literature overview using PubMed (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD) and Google Scholar (Google, Mountain View, CA) to include all articles concerning the removal of large quantities of permanent copolyamide fillers. Based on the physical properties of copolyamide, resection of the filler was performed by percutaneous aspiration with liposuction cannulas, with varying infiltration protocols. Both cases showed successful removal of major parts of the filler; however, residual material tended toward migration, requiring a secondary intervention. Hydrated low-pressure aspiration can manage nonintegrated gluteal copolyamide filler but will achieve only partial resection. Literature shows that radical excision is possible, however, with major drawbacks in function and aesthetics. Moreover, in acute inflammation and infection, an open approach should be preferred.

Level of Evidence: 5
PRES: a webserver for decoding the functional perturbations of RNA editing sites
Authors: Lv Dezhong , Xu Kang , Yang Changbo , Liu Yujie , Luo Ya , Zhou Weiwei , Zou Haozhe , Cai Yangyang , Ding Na , Li Xia , Shao Tingting , Li Yongsheng , Xu Juan
Published: June 2022

Rapid progresses in RNA-Seq and computational methods have assisted in quantifying A-to-I RNA editing and altered RNA editing sites have been widely observed in various diseases. Nevertheless, functional characterization of the altered RNA editing sites still remains a challenge. Here, we developed perturbations of RNA editing sites (PRES; http://bio-bigdata.hrbmu.edu.cn/PRES/) as the webserver for decoding functional perturbations of RNA editing sites based on editome profiling. After uploading an editome profile among samples of different groups, PRES will first annotate the editing sites to various genomic elements and detect differential editing sites under the user-selected method and thresholds. Next, the downstream functional perturbations of differential editing sites will be characterized from gain or loss miRNA/RNA binding protein regulation, RNA and protein structure changes, and the perturbed biological pathways. A prioritization module was developed to rank genes based on their functional consequences of RNA editing events. PRES provides user-friendly functionalities, ultra-efficient calculation, intuitive table and figure visualization interface to display the annotated RNA editing events, filtering options and elaborate application notebooks. We anticipate PRES will provide an opportunity for better understanding the regulatory mechanisms of RNA editing in human complex diseases.
Similar functional networks predict performance in both perceptual and value-based decision tasks
Authors: Izakson Liz , Gal Shachar , Shahar Moni , Tavor Ido , Levy Dino J
Published: June 2022

There are numerous commonalities between perceptual and preferential decision processes. For instance, previous studies have shown that both of these decision types are influenced by context. Also, the same computational models can explain both. However, the neural processes and functional connections that underlie these similarities between perceptual and value-based decisions are still unclear. Hence, in the current study, we examine whether perceptual and preferential processes can be explained by similar functional networks utilizing data from the Human Connectome Project. We used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data to predict performance of 2 different decision-making tasks: a value-related task (the delay discounting task) and a perceptual task (the flanker task). We then examined the existence of shared predictive-network features across these 2 decision tasks. Interestingly, we found a significant positive correlation between the functional networks, which predicted the value-based and perceptual tasks. In addition, a larger functional connectivity between visual and frontal decision brain areas was a critical feature in the prediction of both tasks. These results demonstrate that functional connections between perceptual and value-related areas in the brain are inherently related to decision-making processes across domains.
Modeling the Effectiveness of Healthcare Personnel Reactive Testing and Screening for the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron Variant Within Nursing Homes
Authors: Zipfel Casey M , Paul Prabasaj , Gowler Camden D , Reddy Sujan C , Stone Nimalie D , Jacobs Slifka Kara , Slayton Rachel B
Published: June 2022

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant has been hypothesized to exhibit faster clearance (time from peak viral concentration to clearance of acute infection), decreased sensitivity of antigen tests, and increased immune escape (the ability of the variant to evade immunity conferred by past infection or vaccination) compared to prior variants. These factors necessitate reevaluation of prevention and control strategies, particularly in high-risk, congregate settings like nursing homes that have been heavily impacted by other coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) variants. We used a simple model representing individual-level viral shedding dynamics to estimate the optimal strategy for testing nursing home healthcare personnel and quantify potential reduction in transmission of COVID-19. This provides a framework for prospectively evaluating testing strategies in emerging variant scenarios when data are limited. We find that case-initiated testing prevents 38% of transmission within a facility if implemented within a day of an index case testing positive, and screening testing strategies could prevent 30% to 78% of transmission within a facility if implemented daily, depending on test sensitivity.
Personalizing treatment in end-stage kidney disease: deciding between haemodiafiltration and haemodialysis based on individualized treatment effect prediction
Authors: van Kruijsdijk Rob C M , Vernooij Robin W M , Bots Michiel L , Peters Sanne A E , Dorresteijn Jannick A N , Visseren Frank L J , Blankestijn Peter J , Debray Thomas P A ,   The HDF Pooling Project investigators, Bots Michiel L , Blankestijn Peter J , Canaud Bernard , Davenport Andrew , Grooteman Muriel P C , Nubé Menso J , Peters Sanne A E , Morena Marion , Maduell Francisco , Torres Ferran , Ok Ercan , Asci Gulay , Locatelli Francesco
Published: June 2022

Background

Previous studies suggest that haemodiafiltration reduces mortality compared with haemodialysis in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), but the controversy surrounding its benefits remains and it is unclear to what extent individual patients benefit from haemodiafiltration. This study is aimed to develop and validate a treatment effect prediction model to determine which patients would benefit most from haemodiafiltration compared with haemodialysis in terms of all-cause mortality.

Methods

Individual participant data from four randomized controlled trials comparing haemodiafiltration with haemodialysis on mortality were used to derive a Royston-Parmar model for the prediction of absolute treatment effect of haemodiafiltration based on pre-specified patient and disease characteristics. Validation of the model was performed using internal-external cross validation.

Results

The median predicted survival benefit was 44 (Q1–Q3: 44–46) days for every year of treatment with haemodiafiltration compared with haemodialysis. The median survival benefit with haemodiafiltration ranged from 2 to 48 months. Patients who benefitted most from haemodiafiltration were younger, less likely to have diabetes or a cardiovascular history and had higher serum creatinine and albumin levels. Internal–external cross validation showed adequate discrimination and calibration.

Conclusion

Although overall mortality is reduced by haemodiafiltration compared with haemodialysis in ESKD patients, the absolute survival benefit can vary greatly between individuals. Our results indicate that the effects of haemodiafiltration on survival can be predicted using a combination of readily available patient and disease characteristics, which could guide shared decision-making.
Building a launchpad for satellite cyber-security research: lessons from 60 years of spaceflight
Authors: Pavur James , Martinovic Ivan
Published: June 2022

As the space industry approaches a period of rapid change, securing both emerging and legacy satellite missions will become vital. However, space technology has been largely overlooked by the systems security community. This survey seeks to understand why this is the case and to offer a starting point for technical security researchers seeking impactful contributions beyond the Earth’s mesosphere. The paper begins with a cross-disciplinary synthesis of relevant threat models from a diverse array of fields, ranging from legal and policy studies to aerospace engineering. This is presented as a “threat matrix toolbox,” which security researchers may leverage to motivate technical research into given attack vectors and defenses. We derive this model from an original chronology of > 100 significant satellite hacking incidents spanning the previous 60 years. Together, these are used to assess the state-of-the-art in satellite security across four sub-domains: satellite radio-link security, space hardware security, ground station security, and operational/mission security. In each area, we note significant findings and unresolved questions which the systems security community is aptly poised to tackle. By consolidating this research, we present the case that satellite systems security researchers can build on strong, but disparate, academic foundations and rise to meet an urgent need for future space missions.
Clozapine Treatment Is Associated With Higher Prescription Rate of Antipsychotic Monotherapy and Lower Prescription Rate of Other Concomitant Psychotropics: A Real-World Nationwide Study
Authors: Ochi Shinichiro , Tagata Hiromi , Hasegawa Naomi , Yasui-Furukori Norio , Iga Jun-ichi , Kashiwagi Hiroko , Kodaka Fumitoshi , Komatsu Hiroshi , Tsuboi Takashi , Tokutani Akira , Numata Shusuke , Ichihashi Kayo , Onitsuka Toshiaki , Muraoka Hiroyuki , Iida Hitoshi , Ohi Kazutaka , Atake Kiyokazu , Kishimoto Taishiro , Hori Hikaru , Takaesu Yoshikazu , Takeshima Masahiro , Usami Masahide , Makinodan Manabu , Hashimoto Naoki , Fujimoto Michiko , Furihata Ryuji , Nagasawa Tatsuya , Yamada Hisashi , Matsumoto Junya , Miura Kenichiro , Kido Mikio , Hishimoto Akitoyo , Ueno Shu-ichi , Watanabe Koichiro , Inada Ken , Hashimoto Ryota
Published: June 2022

Background

Although clozapine is effective for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS), the rate of clozapine prescription is still low. Whereas antipsychotic monotherapy is recommended in clinical practice guidelines, the rate of antipsychotic polypharmacy is still high. There is little evidence on whether a clozapine prescription influences changes in the rate of monotherapy and polypharmacy, including antipsychotics and other psychotropics. We therefore hypothesized that the rate of antipsychotic monotherapy in patients with TRS who were prescribed clozapine would be higher than that in patients with schizophrenia who were not prescribed clozapine.

Methods

We assessed 8306 patients with schizophrenia nationwide from 178 institutions in Japan from 2016 to 2019. We analyzed the psychotropic prescription data at discharge in patients diagnosed with TRS and with no description of TRS (ND-TRS) based on the diagnosis listed in the discharge summary.

Results

The rate of antipsychotic monotherapy in the TRS with clozapine group (91.3%) was significantly higher than that in the TRS without clozapine group (45.9%; P < 2.0 × 10−16) and the ND-TRS without clozapine group (54.7%; P < 2.0 × 10−16). The rate of antipsychotic monotherapy without any other concomitant psychotropics in the TRS with clozapine group (26.5%) was significantly higher than that in the TRS without clozapine group (12.6%; P = 1.1 × 10−6) and the ND-TRS without clozapine group (17.0%; P = 5.9 × 10−6).

Conclusions

Clozapine prescription could be associated with a high rate of antipsychotic monotherapy. Patients will benefit from the correct diagnosis of TRS and thus from proper clozapine prescription.
Role of interferons (IFNs) in the differentiation of T peripheral helper (Tph) cells
Authors: Tanemura Shuhei , Tsujimoto Hideto , Seki Noriyasu , Kojima Shinji , Miyoshi Fumihiko , Sugahara Kunio , Yoshimoto Keiko , Suzuki Katsuya , Kaneko Yuko , Chiba Kenji , Takeuchi Tsutomu
Published: June 2022

T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and T peripheral helper (Tph) cells produce interleukin (IL)-21 and are thought to contribute to follicular and extra-follicular B-cell activation, respectively, in autoimmune diseases. It is known that programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)-positive CXCR5+ Tfh-like cells are differentiated from human naive CD4+ T cells by IL-12 plus transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. However, it remains unclear what cytokines are required for Tph differentiation. In this study, we found that interferon (IFN)-α and IFN-β reduce the frequency of Tfh-like cells under the IL-12 plus TGF-β condition, whereas they promote generation of PD-1+CXCR5−CD4+ T cells and secretion of IL-21, IFN-γ and CXCL13. Intracellular cytokine staining and T-cell–B-cell co-culture studies indicated that IFN-α promotes generation of IL-21+IFN-γ +CXCR5−CD4+ T cells thereby enhancing B-cell helper function. By IFN-α treatment, the mRNA levels of IL21, IFNG, CXCL13, CD244, SLAMF7, GZMB and PRDM1 were significantly up-regulated but BCL6 mRNA expression was down-regulated, suggesting a Tph-related gene expression pattern. On the other hand, IL-2-neutralization increased mRNA levels of IL21, CXCL13 and CXCR5, retained BCL6, but showed no clear effect on IFNG or PRDM1. RNA sequencing analyses revealed that PD-1hiCXCR5−CD4+ T cells prepared from in vitro culture show a Tph-related gene expression pattern similar with that of PD-1hiCXCR5− Tph cells obtained from the blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. From our findings, it is highly probable that type I IFNs play a key role in differentiation of Tph cells and trigger Tph cell expansion in autoimmune diseases.
Validation and Prioritization of Design Options for Accessible Player Experiences
Authors: Power Christopher , Cairns Paul , Barlet Mark , Haynes Gregory , Beeston Jen , DeHaven Triskal
Published: June 2022

The profile of accessible design of digital games has increased rapidly in both research and practice. Whereas at one time accessibility was a niche area of interest, it is now a key feature promoted in commercial gaming. Typically, games achieve accessibility by offering a range of options, both in settings and gameplay, that players can customize to meet their individual needs and preferences. However, there is a distinct lack of systematic data regarding the accessibility options that players prefer, how options can be prioritized in design or how options can impact player experience. This paper presents a study that collects data about options preferred by players and uses it to expand and validate a design vocabulary for accessible design in games. Further, the results point to a need to prioritize particular types of options, specifically those relating to the player-feedback loop of games, before implementing options that modify the challenges encountered by players.
Economic evaluation of antimicrobial stewardship in primary care: a systematic review and quality assessment
Authors: Wubishet Befikadu L , Merlo Gregory , Ghahreman-Falconer Nazanin , Hall Lisa , Comans Tracy
Published: June 2022

Background

Primary care accounts for 80%–90% of antimicrobial prescriptions, making this setting an important focus for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions.

Objectives

To collate the findings and critically appraise the qualities of economic evaluation studies of AMS or related interventions aimed at reducing inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing in primary care.

Methods

A systematic review of economic evaluations of interventions aimed at reducing inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing in primary care was performed. Published literature were retrieved through a search of Medline, Embase, EconLit and Web of Science databases for the period 2010 to 2020. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Consensus on Health Economic Criteria checklist and Good Practice Guidelines for Decision-Analytic Modelling in Health Technology Assessment.

Results

Of the 2722 records identified, 12 studies were included in the review (8 trial-based and 4 modelled evaluations). The most common AMS interventions were communication skills training for health professionals and C-reactive protein point-of-care testing (CRP-POCT). Types of economic evaluations included in the review were cost-effectiveness (7 studies), cost-utility (1), cost-benefit (2), cost-effectiveness and cost-utility (1) and cost analysis (1). While six of the studies found AMS interventions to be cost-effective, the other six reported them as not cost-effective or inconclusive. The quality of the studies ranged from good to low.

Conclusions

There were significant variations in cost-effectiveness of AMS interventions across studies and depending on the inclusion of cost components such as the cost of antimicrobial resistance. However, communication skills training and CRP-POCT were frequently cost-effective or cost-beneficial for reducing inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing.