bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of temperature and its interaction with other meteorological factors on bacillary dysentery in Jilin Province, China
Authors: Wang Yingshuang , Li Meina , Li Zhongqi , Chai Ruiyu , Dong Xinxin , Xu Han , Wang Jin , Yao Laishun , Zhang Yang , Zhao Qinglong , Yao Yan
Published: April 2021

Bacterial dysentery (BD) brings a major disease burden to developing countries. Exploring the influence of temperature and its interaction with other meteorological factors on BD is significant for the prevention and early warning of BD in the context of climate change. Daily BD cases and meteorological data from 2008 to 2018 were collected in all nine prefecture-level cities in Jilin Province. A one-stage province-level model and a two-stage city-specific multivariate meta-pooled level distributed lag non-linear model were established to explore the correlation between temperature and BD, then the weather-stratified generalised additive model was used to test the interaction. During the study period, a total of 26 971 cases of BD were developed. The one-stage and two-stage cumulative dose-response ‘J’ curves overlapped, and results showed a positive correlation between temperature and BD with a 1–6 days lag effect. Age group ⩾5 years was found to be more sensitive to the effects. Moreover, there was a significant interaction between temperature, humidity and precipitation (P = 0.004, 0.002, respectively) on BD under high temperature (>0 °C), reminding residents and policymakers to pay attention to the prevention of BD in situations with both high temperature and humidity, high temperature and precipitation during the temperate monsoon climate.
ON THE FIRST STEPS OF THE MINIMAL MODEL PROGRAM FOR THE MODULI SPACE OF STABLE POINTED CURVES
Authors: Codogni Giulio , Tasin Luca , Viviani Filippo
Published: April 2021

The aim of this paper is to study all the natural first steps of the minimal model program for the moduli space of stable pointed curves. We prove that they admit a modular interpretation, and we study their geometric properties. As a particular case, we recover the first few Hassett–Keel log canonical models. As a by-product, we produce many birational morphisms from the moduli space of stable pointed curves to alternative modular projective compactifications of the moduli space of pointed curves.
QUANTIFIED MODAL RELEVANT LOGICS
Authors: FERENZ NICHOLAS
Published: April 2021

Here, I combine the semantics of Mares and Goldblatt [20] and Seki [29, 30] to develop a semantics for quantified modal relevant logics extending
${\bf B}$
. The combination requires demonstrating that the Mares–Goldblatt approach is apt for quantified extensions of
${\bf B}$
and other relevant logics, but no significant bridging principles are needed. The result is a single semantic approach for quantified modal relevant logics. Within this framework, I discuss the requirements a quantified modal relevant logic must satisfy to be “sufficiently classical” in its modal fragment, where frame conditions are given that work for positive fragments of logics. The roles of the Barcan formula and its converse are also investigated.
Implementation of tunable resonators in planar groove gap waveguide technology
Authors: Oyedokun Titus , Geschke Riana H. , Stander Tinus
Published: April 2021

We present a tunable planar groove gap waveguide (PGGWG) resonant cavity at Ka-band. The cavity demonstrates varactor loading and biasing without bridging wires or annular rings, as commonly is required in conventional substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) resonant cavities. A detailed co-simulation strategy is also presented, with indicative parametric tuning data. Measured results indicate a 4.48% continuous frequency tuning range of 32.52–33.98 GHz and a Qu tuning range of 63–85, corresponding to the DC bias voltages of 0–16 V. Discrepancies between simulated and measured results are analyzed, and traced to process variation in the multi-layer printed circuit board stack, as well as unaccounted varactor parasitics and surface roughness.
Towards a theory of neoliberal constitutionalism: Addressing Chile’s first constitution-making laboratory
Authors: Alemparte Benjamin
Published: April 2021

Before neoliberalism became global, it was an intellectual project that had a particular view of the power of constitutions to limit sovereign states, anchor economic freedoms and protect markets from democratic pressures for greater equality. In Latin America and the developing world, neoliberalism has long been identified with the political economy of the Washington Consensus. However, the comprehensive study of its legal foundations and institutional arrangements is still an area of limited scholarly attention. This article attempts to advance in that direction. By examining the work of Friedrich A. Hayek, Milton Friedman and James M. Buchanan, it explores a theory of neoliberal constitutionalism within Chile, the so-called first neoliberal laboratory. These authors visited the country during the Pinochet dictatorship (1973–90), and were connected with top Chilean authorities as part of their global ambitions to implement their theoretical agendas in real-world scenarios. The article argues that Chile’s constitution-making process between 1973 and 1980 offered an on-site experiment in introducing neoliberal’s radical economic transformation. It addresses how the dictatorship’s natural law-based rule of law principles were compatible with the neoliberal constitutional ideology by supporting a distinctive view of the state’s role and designing the innovative institutional arrangements necessary to guarantee the market’s priority in the structural and rights dimension of the 1980 Constitution. In the wake of Chile’s recent constitutional change agenda, this article not only contributes to the existing debate by reflecting on the ideological origins of the still-persistent constitutional neoliberal features, but also works as a case study for evaluating new global turns towards authoritarian neoliberal politics.
Recruiting aus Sicht der Bewerber_innen
Authors: Thielsch Meinald T. , Erdal Dilara , Merhof Viola
Published: April 2021

Zusammenfassung. Hochwertiges Personalmarketing ist der essenzielle erste Schritt im Recruiting. Qualifizierte Bewerber_innen müssen auf offene Positionen erfolgreich aufmerksam gemacht werden, wofür Unternehmen und Organisationen verschiedene Online- und Offline-Maßnahmen zur Verfügung stehen. Zentral ist dabei die Wahrnehmung des Personalmarketings durch die Bewerbenden, deren Sicht bislang allerdings wenig betrachtet wurde. In der vorliegenden Studie wird daher mithilfe einer für die deutsche Arbeitsbevölkerung repräsentativen Stichprobe ( N = 1.070) die Nutzung und Bewertung von klassischen und neuartigen digitalen Personalmarketingmaßnahmen in sozialen Medien untersucht und zusätzlich digitale Ansprachemethoden experimentell überprüft. Bekannte und etablierte Online- und Offline-Personalmarketingmaßnahmen weisen hohe Nutzungszahlen auf und sind zugleich am beliebtesten. Soziale Medien werden hingegen von den Bewerber_innen vergleichsweise wenig präferiert. Kongruent dazu wird im experimentellen Setup die klassische Benachrichtigung per Post neuartigen digitalen Kommunikationswegen (WhatsApp, Facebook, Alexa Voice System) vorgezogen. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie können in der Praxis zur gezielten Ansprache potenzieller Bewerber_innen und für den optimalen Einsatz verschiedener Methoden genutzt werden.
Disentangling Combined Effects of Sediment Sorting, Provenance, and Chemical Weathering From a Pliocene‐Pleistocene Sedimentary Core (CSDP‐1) in the South Yellow Sea
Authors: Huang Xiangtong , Mei Xi , Yang Shouye , Zhang Xunhua , Li Fangliang , Hohl Simon V.
Published: April 2021

The South Yellow Sea is an important sink for sediments delivered by the Yellow and Yangtze rivers in East Asia. We conducted a high‐resolution geochemical analysis on the bulk sediments retrieved from a marine drill core (CSDP‐1) using the method of X‐ray fluorescence (XRF). Our results show large geochemical variations along the core. As demonstrated by linear correlations along with the Al‐Si link in a compositional principal component analysis (PCA), the variations in elemental ratios among Al, K, Zr, Ba, and Si are primarily controlled by sediment sorting effects. A closer examination indicates a gradual shift of sediment provenance from the Yangtze to the Yellow River catchment in the core. With the help of a fuzzy c‐means cluster analysis on elemental ratios of Al/Si, Al/Ti, K/Si as well as the chemical index of alteration (CIA), the timing of a major provenance change in the core is narrowed down to 1.5–1.7 Ma. This timing corresponds to a major seismic and sedimentary boundary (T2) in the Yellow Sea Basin and coincides with the onset of fluvial terrace deposition and incision in the middle and upper reaches of the Yellow River. As a result, we argue that the major provenance change derived from geochemical variations in the Yellow Sea sedimentary basin can be linked with the integration of the modern Yellow River. The provenance change is likely caused by a coupling between regional tectonic deformation and the Asian summer monsoon enhancement in the early Pleistocene.
Assessing Global Present‐Day Surface Mass Transport and Glacial Isostatic Adjustment From Inversion of Geodetic Observations
Authors: Jiang Yan , Wu Xiaoping , van den Broeke Michiel R. , Kuipers Munneke Peter , Simonsen Sebastian B. , van der Wal Wouter , Vermeersen Bert L.
Published: April 2021

Long‐term monitoring of global mass transport within the Earth system improves our ability to mitigate natural hazards and better understand their relations to climate change. Satellite gravity is widely used to monitor surface mass variations for its unprecedented spatial and temporal coverage. However, the gravity data contain signals from visco‐elastic deformation in response to past ice sheet melting, preventing us from extracting signals of present‐day surface mass trend (PDMT) directly. Here we present a global inversion scheme that separates PDMT and visco‐elastic glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) signatures by combining satellite gravimetry with satellite altimetry and ground observations. Our inversion provides global dual data coverage that enables a robust separation of PDMT and GIA spherical harmonic coefficients. It has the advantage of providing estimates of Earth's long wavelength deformation signatures and their uncertainties. Our GIA result, along with its uncertainty estimates, can be used in future GRACE processing to better assess the impact of GIA on surface mass change. Our GIA estimates include a rapid GIA uplift in the Southeast Alaska and the Amundsen Sea Embayment, due to the visco‐elastic response to recent glacial unloading. We estimate the average surface mass change rate from 2002–2010 to be −203 ± 3 GT·a−1 in Greenland, −126 ± 18 GT·a−1 in Antarctica and, −62 ± 5 GT·a−1 in Alaska. The GIA low degree spherical harmonic coefficients are sensitive to rheological properties in Earth's deep interior. Our low‐degree GIA estimates include geocenter motion and which provide unique constraints to understand Earth's lower mantle and ice history.
Meteorological Tsunami Generation Due to Sea‐Surface Pressure Change: Three‐Dimensional Theory and Synthetics of Ocean‐Bottom Pressure Change
Authors: Saito Tatsuhiko , Kubota Tatsuya , Chikasada Naotaka Y. , Tanaka Yuusuke , Sandanbata Osamu
Published: April 2021

Although most tsunamis are generated by the sea‐bottom deformation caused by earthquakes, some tsunamis are excited by sea‐surface pressure changes. This study theoretically investigated tsunamis generated by sea‐surface pressure changes and derived the solutions in three‐dimensional (3‐D) space, whereas most past studies employed two‐dimensional equations. Using the solutions, we simulated and visualized tsunami generation by a growing pressure change. Negative pressure change made the sea surface uplifted inside the source region and negative leading waves were radiated from the source region. We also simulated the tsunami generation when the pressure change at the sea surface moves at almost the same speed as the tsunami propagation speed. The tsunami height increased with increasing travel distance, including the dispersion effects. The 3‐D solutions in this study, including vertical velocity distribution, indicate that both tsunami height and sea‐surface pressure changes contribute to ocean‐bottom pressure changes, suggesting the difficulty in measuring tsunami height with ocean‐bottom pressure observations. When the pressure change source was characterized by short‐wavelength components, the dispersion sometimes possibly increased the tsunami height more extensively than the nondispersive tsunamis. The 3‐D solutions are necessary for describing tsunami generation where the long‐wave approximations are not applicable in open oceans.
Cross‐Equatorial Anti‐Symmetry in the Seasonal Transport of the Western Boundary Current in the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Zhai Yujia , Yang Jiayan , Wan Xiuquan
Published: April 2021

The western boundary current in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean is a main conduit for water‐mass exchanges across the equator and thus a major pathway for the interhemispheric transports in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) system. In this study we quantify and examine the mean and seasonal variability of the equatorial western boundary current (EWBC) in the upper ocean layer using two data‐assimilated products, the Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean (ECCO4r3) and the Simple Ocean Data Assimilation (SODA3). It is found that the EWBC between 10°S and 10°N exhibits two pronounced features in its seasonal variability: (1) the transport varies anti‐symmetrically across the equator, that is, the northward EWBC strengthens to the north of the equator when it weakens to the south of the equator, and vice versa; and (2) the amplitude of seasonal variations is much greater in the northern hemisphere than in the south. We hypothesize that the cross‐equatorial anti‐symmetry in EWBC transport variability is attributable to the impingement of equatorial Rossby waves at the western boundary and the shape of the western boundary is the main cause for the amplified seasonal variability in the northern hemisphere. A simple 1 and 1/2‐layer model is used to test and validate this hypothesis and to elucidate the role of wind forcing and topography plays in the seasonal variability in the EWBC transport.
An alternative approach to nucleic acid memory
Authors: Dickinson George D. , Mortuza Golam Md , Clay William , Piantanida Luca , Green Christopher M. , Watson Chad , Hayden Eric J. , Andersen Tim , Kuang Wan , Graugnard Elton , Zadegan Reza , Hughes William L.
Published: April 2021

DNA is a compelling alternative to non-volatile information storage technologies due to its information density, stability, and energy efficiency. Previous studies have used artificially synthesized DNA to store data and automated next-generation sequencing to read it back. Here, we report digital Nucleic Acid Memory (dNAM) for applications that require a limited amount of data to have high information density, redundancy, and copy number. In dNAM, data is encoded by selecting combinations of single-stranded DNA with (1) or without (0) docking-site domains. When self-assembled with scaffold DNA, staple strands form DNA origami breadboards. Information encoded into the breadboards is read by monitoring the binding of fluorescent imager probes using DNA-PAINT super-resolution microscopy. To enhance data retention, a multi-layer error correction scheme that combines fountain and bi-level parity codes is used. As a prototype, fifteen origami encoded with ‘Data is in our DNA!\n’ are analyzed. Each origami encodes unique data-droplet, index, orientation, and error-correction information. The error-correction algorithms fully recover the message when individual docking sites, or entire origami, are missing. Unlike other approaches to DNA-based data storage, reading dNAM does not require sequencing. As such, it offers an additional path to explore the advantages and disadvantages of DNA as an emerging memory material.
Clone-structured graph representations enable flexible learning and vicarious evaluation of cognitive maps
Authors: George Dileep , Rikhye Rajeev V. , Gothoskar Nishad , Guntupalli J. Swaroop , Dedieu Antoine , Lázaro-Gredilla Miguel
Published: April 2021

Cognitive maps are mental representations of spatial and conceptual relationships in an environment, and are critical for flexible behavior. To form these abstract maps, the hippocampus has to learn to separate or merge aliased observations appropriately in different contexts in a manner that enables generalization and efficient planning. Here we propose a specific higher-order graph structure, clone-structured cognitive graph (CSCG), which forms clones of an observation for different contexts as a representation that addresses these problems. CSCGs can be learned efficiently using a probabilistic sequence model that is inherently robust to uncertainty. We show that CSCGs can explain a variety of cognitive map phenomena such as discovering spatial relations from aliased sensations, transitive inference between disjoint episodes, and formation of transferable schemas. Learning different clones for different contexts explains the emergence of splitter cells observed in maze navigation and event-specific responses in lap-running experiments. Moreover, learning and inference dynamics of CSCGs offer a coherent explanation for disparate place cell remapping phenomena. By lifting aliased observations into a hidden space, CSCGs reveal latent modularity useful for hierarchical abstraction and planning. Altogether, CSCG provides a simple unifying framework for understanding hippocampal function, and could be a pathway for forming relational abstractions in artificial intelligence.
Circadian clock dysfunction in human omental fat links obesity to metabolic inflammation
Authors: Maury Eleonore , Navez Benoit , Brichard Sonia M.
Published: April 2021

To unravel the pathogenesis of obesity and its complications, we investigate the interplay between circadian clocks and NF-κB pathway in human adipose tissue. The circadian clock function is impaired in omental fat from obese patients. ChIP-seq analyses reveal that the core clock activator, BMAL1 binds to several thousand target genes. NF-κB competes with BMAL1 for transcriptional control of some targets and overall, BMAL1 chromatin binding occurs in close proximity to NF-κB consensus motifs. Obesity relocalizes BMAL1 occupancy genome-wide in human omental fat, thereby altering the transcription of numerous target genes involved in metabolic inflammation and adipose tissue remodeling. Eventually, clock dysfunction appears at early stages of obesity in mice and is corrected, together with impaired metabolism, by NF-κB inhibition. Collectively, our results reveal a relationship between NF-κB and the molecular clock in adipose tissue, which may contribute to obesity-related complications.
Disruption of the HER3-PI3K-mTOR oncogenic signaling axis and PD-1 blockade as a multimodal precision immunotherapy in head and neck cancer
Authors: Wang Zhiyong , Goto Yusuke , Allevato Michael M. , Wu Victoria H. , Saddawi-Konefka Robert , Gilardi Mara , Alvarado Diego , Yung Bryan S. , O’Farrell Aoife , Molinolo Alfredo A. , Duvvuri Umamaheswar , Grandis Jennifer R. , Califano Joseph A. , Cohen Ezra E. W. , Gutkind J. Silvio
Published: April 2021

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy has revolutionized head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment, but <20% of patients achieve durable responses. Persistent activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling circuitry represents a key oncogenic driver in HNSCC; however, the potential immunosuppressive effects of PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors may limit the benefit of their combination with ICB. Here we employ an unbiased kinome-wide siRNA screen to reveal that HER3, is essential for the proliferation of most HNSCC cells that do not harbor PIK3CA mutations. Indeed, we find that persistent tyrosine phosphorylation of HER3 and PI3K recruitment underlies aberrant PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in PIK3CA wild type HNSCCs. Remarkably, antibody-mediated HER3 blockade exerts a potent anti-tumor effect by suppressing HER3-PI3K-AKT-mTOR oncogenic signaling and concomitantly reversing the immune suppressive tumor microenvironment. Ultimately, we show that HER3 inhibition and PD-1 blockade may provide a multimodal precision immunotherapeutic approach for PIK3CA wild type HNSCC, aimed at achieving durable cancer remission.
Fluid pathways identified beneath Narlı Lake (Central Anatolia) show the geothermal potential of former volcanoes
Authors: Brehme Maren , Giese Ronny , Dokuz Uğur Erdem , Bulut Fatih
Published: April 2021

We investigated the volcanic Narlı Lake in Central Anatolia combining high-resolution bathymetry and geochemical measurements. In this study, we present it as proof of a new concept to verify fluid pathways beneath lakes integrating the structure of the geothermal reservoir into the surrounding tectonic frame. We recognized dextral faults fracturing inherited volcanic formations and thus generating highly permeable zones beneath the lake. At intersection points of faults, reservoir fluids discharge from deep holes as imaged by the high-resolution bathymetry at the bottom of the Narlı Lake. Onshore, the tectonic setting also generates both extensional and compressional structures. Extensional structures result in extensive fluid discharge through hot springs while compressional structures do not discharge any fluid. The water of the lake as well as in the hot springs is highly saline and has relatively high concentrations of Cl, HCO3, SO4, Na, Ca, Mg, and Si. In several hot springs, we observed mixtures of high-saline fluids having a deep origin and low-saline shallow groundwater. We observed discharge into the lake by gas bubbles, which contain probably CO2 or H2S. Mineral precipitation indicates a carbonatic source at the lake bottom and along the shoreline. Extensive travertine precipitation also occurs near hot springs along the nearby extensional zone of Ihlara Valley. In summary, the composition of fluids and minerals is controlled by water–rock interaction through the volcanic and carbonatic rocks beneath this volcanic lake.
Qualitative and quantitative detection of surgical pathogenic microorganisms Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus based on ddPCR system
Authors: Zhang Tiantian , Niu Zhiqiang , Wu Feng , Chen Zongkun , Xu Jun , Jiang Kewei , Lai Zhiyong
Published: April 2021

Bacterial culture and drug susceptibility testing are used to identify pathogen infections. Nevertheless, the process requires several days from collection to the identification of bacterial species and drug-resistance patterns. The digital PCR system is a rapidly developing quantitative detection technology widely applied to molecular diagnosis, including copy number variations, single nucleotide variant analysis, cancer biomarker discovery, and pathogen identification. This study aimed to use a droplet digital PCR system to identify bacteria in blood samples and explore its ability to identify pathogen in bacteremia. Then, we designed primers and probes of SWG-9 and COA gene for E. coli and S. aureus to identify in blood samples with the ddPCR system. The system had demonstrated extremely high detection accuracy in blood samples, and the detection rate of E. coli was 13.1–21.4%, and that of S. aureus was 50–88.3%. Finally, blood samples containing both E. coli and S. aureus were tested to evaluate further the accuracy and applicability of this method, indicating the detection rates range from 18.1% to 97%. The ddPCR system is highly promising as a qualitatively and quantitatively screening method for rapidly detecting pathogen.
Transfer and generalization of learned manipulation between unimanual and bimanual tasks
Authors: Lee-Miller Trevor , Santello Marco , Gordon Andrew M.
Published: April 2021

Successful object manipulation, such as preventing object roll, relies on the modulation of forces and centers of pressure (point of application of digits on each grasp surface) prior to lift onset to generate a compensatory torque. Whether or not generalization of learned manipulation can occur after adding or removing effectors is not known. We examined this by recruiting participants to perform lifts in unimanual and bimanual grasps and analyzed results before and after transfer. Our results show partial generalization of learned manipulation occurred when switching from a (1) unimanual to bimanual grasp regardless of object center of mass, and (2) bimanual to unimanual grasp when the center of mass was on the thumb side. Partial generalization was driven by the modulation of effectors’ center of pressure, in the appropriate direction but of insufficient magnitude, while load forces did not contribute to torque generation after transfer. In addition, we show that the combination of effector forces and centers of pressure in the generation of compensatory torque differ between unimanual and bimanual grasping. These findings highlight that (1) high-level representations of learned manipulation enable only partial learning transfer when adding or removing effectors, and (2) such partial generalization is mainly driven by modulation of effectors’ center of pressure.
Obesity, metabolic health, and urological disorders in adults: a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Kim Jong Keun , Lee Young Goo , Han Kyungdo , Han Jun Hyun
Published: April 2021

We evaluate the risks of various urological disorders that require treatments according to obesity and metabolic health status using a nationwide dataset of the Korean population. 3,969,788 patients who had undergone health examinations were enrolled. Participants were classified as “obese” (O) or “non-obese” (NO) using a BMI cut-off of 25 kg/m2. People who developed ≥ 1 metabolic disease component in the index year were considered “metabolically unhealthy” (MU), while those with none were considered “metabolically healthy” (MH). There were classified into the MHNO, MUNO, MHO, and MUO group. In BPH, chronic renal disease, neurogenic bladder, any medication related to voiding dysfunction, alpha-blocker, and antidiuretics, age and gender-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) was highest in MUO, but higher in MUNO than in MHO. In stress incontinence, prostate surgery, and 5alpha-reductase, HR increased in the order of MUNO, MHO, and MUO. In prostatitis, anti-incontinence surgery, and cystocele repair, HR was higher in MHO than MUNO and MUO. In cystitis, cystostomy, and anticholinergics, HR was higher in MUNO and MUO than MHO. In conclusion, obesity and metabolic health were individually or collaboratively involved in urological disorders related to voiding dysfunction. Metabolic healthy obesity needs to be distinguished in the diagnosis and treatment of urological disorders.
En-face analysis of short posterior ciliary arteries crossing the sclera to choroid using wide-field swept-source optical coherence tomography
Authors: Lejoyeux R. , Atia R. , Vupparaboina K. K. , Ibrahim M. N. , Suthaharan S. , Sahel J. A. , Dansingani K. K. , Chhablani J.
Published: April 2021

To study the topographic distribution of the short posterior ciliary arteries (SPCA) entry sites into the choroid in normal eyes using structural en-face swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Retrospective analysis of SS-OCT scans (wide-field structural SS-OCT 12 × 12 mm) of 13 healthy subjects was performed. Cross-sectional swept-source OCT scans derived from a volume scan were represented as en-face image display following the Choroid-Scleral Interface to obtain en-face OCT. SPCAs in their last scleral location before choroidal entrance were identified manually, counted and localized by two masked observers. Correlations between two masked observers were analyzed using inter- and intra-class correlation. Accuracy for the choroidal inner and outer border segmentation was 95–99%. Eighteen eyes from 13 normal subjects were included for SPCA analysis. The mean number of arteries was 13.8 ± 3.5 per eye. Thirty-six percent were in the center of the posterior pole image; however, 21% were in the temporal part of the posterior pole. Median accuracy of the detection is 0.94. The correlation between the two observers was fair (0.54). Our algorithm allows visualization of the SPCA at the posterior pole of the eye using wide-field en-face SS-OCT. It can also help the clinicians to study the SPCAs in numerous ocular diseases, particularly its relationship with focal choroidal diseases.
The relationship between metabolic syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Kim Do Hyun , Kim Bongseong , Han Kyungdo , Kim Soo Whan
Published: April 2021

There has been a need for research on the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) using large data such as nationwide population-based data that adjusts important confounding factors. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between MetS and OSAS. The data source we used was the National Health Insurance Service claims database managed by the Republic of Korea government, in which 10,113,560 individuals were enrolled in 2009 and followed up until 2018. The independent association of MetS with the risk of OSAS was determined using a Cox proportional hazards model with adjustment for age, sex, smoking status, alcohol consumption, regular physical exercise, and body mass index. Our results showed that MetS were strongly associated to OSAS which was adjusted for several confounding factors. Also, we found men, increased waist circumference and increased triglyceride are important risk factors for OSAS.
Pattern of hydromorphone use in King Abdulaziz Medical City-Central Region (KAMC-CR)
Authors: Alhabardi Saja , Almodaimegh Hind , Alammari Maha
Published: April 2021

Hydromorphone is a semi-synthetic opioid that acts mainly on the μ-opioid receptor. Hydromorphone has a fast onset of action, usually within 5 min, and its effectiveness peaks at approximately 20 min, which makes it favourable in the postoperative setting. It plays a role in the management of moderate to severe chronic pain. The most common adverse effects of hydromorphone are hypotension, bradycardia, and respiratory distress. The aim of this study was to determine the trend in the use of hydromorphone analgesics and to evaluate hydromorphone-related toxicity in King Abdulaziz Medical City-Central Region (KAMC-CR). A retrospective, cross-sectional study was carried out in KAMC-CR, and medical and pharmacological data were retrieved from electronic health records for adult patients who used hydromorphone between December 2014 and December 2015. The characteristics of the enrolled patients, including measured blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, oxygen saturation, and pain severity score, were collected. Moreover, we identified patients who received naloxone as a hydromorphone antidote. A total of 153 patients were included; 64.1% were male and 35.8% were female. The mean age of the included patients was 55.5 years old (+/− 18.6). Although the majority of patients reported an improvement in pain severity, 75 patients (49%) needed naloxone to overcome adverse effects of hydromorphone. The mean age of patients who received naloxone was 56.2 years old (+/− 20.5), their mean weight was 75.9 kg (+/− 17.2), and 61.3% of them were male (n = 46). Among those who received naloxone, 84% patients (n = 63) had received hydromorphone intravenously. The risk of respiratory depression was significantly higher in patients who received hydromorphone intravenously (IV) than in those who received it orally (p = 0.02). Hydromorphone can have adverse effect. Thus, we recommend evaluating cardiac parameters, oxygen saturation, respiration rate, and pain severity before administering hydromorphone, particularly in patients who have a high risk of cardiorespiratory adverse events, such as patients with cardiac disease, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Additionally, we recommend the use of appropriate hydromorphone doses in cases of conversion from other opioid therapy or changes between oral and IV routes of the administration of hydromorphone. Moreover, we recommend establishing a policy to restrict the prescription of hydromorphone to avoid the overuse of hydromorphone and minimize the risk of adverse effects and medication errors.
CpG-adjuvanted stable prefusion SARS-CoV-2 spike protein protected hamsters from SARS-CoV-2 challenge
Authors: Lien Chia-En , Lin Yi-Jiun , Chen Charles , Lian Wei-Cheng , Kuo Tsun-Yung , Campbell John D. , Traquina Paula , Lin Meei-Yun , Liu Luke Tzu-Chi , Chuang Ya-Shan , Ko Hui-Ying , Liao Chun-Che , Chen Yen-Hui , Jan Jia-Tsrong , Ma Hsiu-Hua , Sun Cheng-Pu , Lin Yin-Shiou , Wu Ping-Yi , Wang Yu-Chiuan , Tao Mi-Hua , Lin Yi-Ling
Published: April 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic presents an unprecedented challenge to global public health. Rapid development and deployment of safe and effective vaccines are imperative to control the pandemic. In the current study, we applied our adjuvanted stable prefusion SARS-CoV-2 spike (S-2P)-based vaccine, MVC-COV1901, to hamster models to demonstrate immunogenicity and protection from virus challenge. Golden Syrian hamsters immunized intramuscularly with two injections of 1 µg or 5 µg of S-2P adjuvanted with CpG 1018 and aluminum hydroxide (alum) were challenged intranasally with SARS-CoV-2. Prior to virus challenge, the vaccine induced high levels of neutralizing antibodies with 10,000-fold higher IgG level and an average of 50-fold higher pseudovirus neutralizing titers in either dose groups than vehicle or adjuvant control groups. Six days after infection, vaccinated hamsters did not display any weight loss associated with infection and had significantly reduced lung pathology and most importantly, lung viral load levels were reduced to lower than detection limit compared to unvaccinated animals. Vaccination with either 1 μg or 5 μg of adjuvanted S-2P produced comparable immunogenicity and protection from infection. This study builds upon our previous results to support the clinical development of MVC-COV1901 as a safe, highly immunogenic, and protective COVID-19 vaccine.
Desulfurization of liquid fuels using aluminum modified mesoporous adsorbent: towards experimental and kinetic investigations
Authors: Khosravi-Nikou Mohammad Reza , Safari Mohammad Hadi , Rad Amir Asadi , Hassani Pouya , Mohammadian Mohammad , Ahmadi Maryam , Ghafari Negin , Naseri Maryam
Published: April 2021

In this study, a modified mesoporous adsorbent (MSU-S) impregnated by aluminum was used to remove the aromatic sulfur compounds from n-decane as the model fuel. Physical and chemical properties of as-synthesized adsorbent were investigated by XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy) and BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) method. Adsorptive desulfurization of model fuel was studied through batch and continues processes under mild temperature and normal atmospheric pressure. The equilibrium adsorption was modeled by Langmuir, Temkin, and Freundlich and the kinetics of adsorption was studied through first, second and intraparticle diffusion models. It was figured out that Temkin and the pseudo-second-order model were best fitting the adsorption equilibrium and describing the kinetics, respectively.
Author Correction: Morpho-molecular identification and first report of Fusarium equiseti in causing chilli wilt from Kashmir (Northern Himalayas)
Authors: Hami Ammarah , Rasool Rovidha S. , Khan Nisar A. , Mansoor Sheikh , Mir Mudasir A. , Ahmed Nazeer , Masoodi Khalid Z.
Published: April 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Mean path length invariance in wave-scattering beyond the diffusive regime
Authors: Davy Matthieu , Kühmayer Matthias , Gigan Sylvain , Rotter Stefan
Published: April 2021

Diffusive random walks feature the surprising property that the average length of all possible random trajectories that enter and exit a finite domain is determined solely by the domain boundary. Changes in the diffusion constant or the mean-free path, that characterize the diffusion process, leave the mean path length unchanged. Here, we demonstrate experimentally that this result can be transferred to the scattering of waves, even when wave interference leads to marked deviations from a diffusion process. Using a versatile microwave setup, we establish the mean path length invariance for the crossover to Anderson localization and for the case of a band gap in a photonic crystal. We obtain these results on the mean path length solely based on a transmission matrix measurement through a procedure that turns out to be more robust to absorption and incomplete measurement in the localized regime as compared to an assessment based on the full scattering matrix.
Two-plasmon spontaneous emission from a nonlocal epsilon-near-zero material
Authors: Hu Futai , Li Liu , Liu Yuan , Meng Yuan , Gong Mali , Yang Yuanmu
Published: April 2021

Plasmonic cavities can provide deep subwavelength light confinement, opening up new avenues for enhancing the spontaneous emission process towards both classical and quantum optical applications. Conventionally, light cannot be directly emitted from the plasmonic metal itself. Here, we explore the large field confinement and slow-light effect near the epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) frequency of the light-emitting material itself, to greatly enhance the “forbidden” two-plasmon spontaneous emission (2PSE) process. Using degenerately-doped InSb as the plasmonic material and emitter simultaneously, we theoretically show that the 2PSE lifetime can be reduced from tens of milliseconds to several nanoseconds, comparable to the one-photon emission rate. Furthermore, we show that the optical nonlocality may largely govern the optical response of the ultrathin ENZ film. Efficient 2PSE from a doped semiconductor film may provide a pathway towards on-chip entangled light sources, with an emission wavelength and bandwidth widely tunable in the mid-infrared.
Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) for electrochemical applications
Authors: Zhao Xiaojia , Pachfule Pradip , Thomas Arne
Published: April 2021

This review article summarizes the design principles and strategies for the synthesis of functional COFs, with a special focus on their potential for electrochemical applications.
Detection of acquired radioresistance in breast cancer cell lines using Raman spectroscopy and machine learning
Authors: Tipatet Kevin Saruni , Davison-Gates Liam , Tewes Thomas Johann , Fiagbedzi Emmanuel Kwasi , Elfick Alistair , Neu Björn , Downes Andrew
Published: April 2021

PCA–LDA scatter plot for Raman spectra of wild-type (circles) and radioresistant (traingles) breast cancer cell lines. An accuracy of 100% is achieved in classifying radioresistant from wild-type for all 198 spectra in the test set (open markers).
UV-vis/X-ray/thermo-induced synthesis and UV–SWIR photoresponsive property of a mixed-valence viologen molybdate semiconductor
Authors: Wang Peng-Hao , Yu Cao-Ming , Yu Xiao-Qing , Wang Ming-Sheng , Guo Guo-Cong
Published: April 2021

This work offers a new strategy through the synergy of Mo(vi)–Mo(v) intervalence charge transfer and π(radical)–π(radical/cation) interactions to obtain semiconductors with photoresponsive ranges covering the whole UV–SWIR (ca. 250–3000 nm) region.
Quantitative tracking of endoplasmic reticulum viscosity during ferroptosis by an iridium complex via TPPLM
Authors: Hao Liang , Zhong Yan-Mei , Tan Cai-Ping , Mao Zong-Wan
Published: April 2021

A phosphorescent Ir(iii) complex was developed as viscosity probe for realtime tracking of endoplasmic reticulum during ferroptosis.
Measurement of the conformational switching of azobenzenes from the macro- to attomolar scale in self-assembled 2D and 3D nanostructures
Authors: Quintano Vanesa , Diez-Cabanes Valentin , Dell’Elce Simone , Di Mario Lorenzo , Pelli Cresi Stefano , Paladini Alessandra , Beljonne David , Liscio Andrea , Palermo Vincenzo
Published: April 2021

We compare the cis–trans conformational switching of commercial azobenzene molecules in different chemical environments, ranging from isolated molecules in liquid to attomolar-2D and macro-scale 3D self-assembled structures.
Correction: Quantum tunneling dynamical behaviour on weakly bound complexes: the case of a CO2–N2 dimer
Authors: Lara-Moreno Miguel , Stoecklin Thierry , Halvick Philippe , Hochlaf Majdi
Published: April 2021

Correction for ‘Quantum tunneling dynamical behaviour on weakly bound complexes: the case of a CO2–N2 dimer’ by Miguel Lara-Moreno et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2019, 21, 3550–3557, DOI: 10.1039/c8cp04465a.
Facet-selective charge separation in two-dimensional bismuth-based photocatalysts
Authors: Hu Cheng , Tian Na , Zhang Yihe , Huang Hongwei
Published: April 2021

In this review, we summarize recent advances in the facet design of bismuth-based single-crystal plates based on facet-dependent charge separation for photocatalytic reactions, and the manipulation of the spatial charge separation is highlighted.
Microfluidic valvular chips and a numerical lymphatic vessel model for the study of lymph transport characteristics
Authors: In Jaemin , Ryu Jihye , Yu Hyeonji , Kang Dongwon , Kim Taeyoung , Kim Jungwook
Published: April 2021

A microfluidic valvular chip and a numerical model were created to study lymph transport characteristics.
Co-assembly of precision polyurethane ionomers reveals role of and interplay between individual components
Authors: Timmers Elizabeth M. , Fransen P. Michel , González García Álvaro , Schoenmakers Sandra M. C. , Magana Jose Rodrigo , Peeters Joris W. , Tennebroek Ronald , van Casteren Ilse , Tuinier Remco , Janssen Henk M. , Voets Ilja K.
Published: April 2021

In a novel synthetic approach, we have prepared sequence-defined waterborne polyurethanes and have studied their (co)-assembly to hydrocolloids; we find that especially the interplay between the sequences promotes the formation of stable micelles.
BSA-encapsulated cyclometalated iridium complexes as nano-photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy of tumor cells
Authors: Xu Yao , Wang Xiang , Song Kang , Du Jun , Liu Jinliang , Miao Yuqing , Li Yuhao
Published: April 2021

Three new iridium complexes were synthesized and fabricated with BSA to form nano-photosensitizers, which can catalyze oxygen to produce singlet oxygen to achieve photodynamic therapy of tumor cells.
Pyrophosphate as an alternative energy currency in plants
Authors: Igamberdiev Abir U. , Kleczkowski Leszek A.
Published: April 2021

In the conditions of [Mg2+] elevation that occur, in particular, under low oxygen stress and are the consequence of the decrease in [ATP] and increase in [ADP] and [AMP], pyrophosphate (PPi) can function as an alternative energy currency in plant cells. In addition to its production by various metabolic pathways, PPi can be synthesized in the combined reactions of pyruvate, phosphate dikinase (PPDK) and pyruvate kinase (PK) by so-called PK/PPDK substrate cycle, and in the reverse reaction of membrane-bound H+-pyrophosphatase, which uses the energy of electrochemical gradients generated on tonoplast and plasma membrane. The PPi can then be consumed in its active forms of MgPPi and Mg2PPi by PPi-utilizing enzymes, which require an elevated [Mg2+]. This ensures a continuous operation of glycolysis in the conditions of suppressed ATP synthesis, keeping metabolism energy efficient and less dependent on ATP.
Listening Effort in School-Age Children With Normal Hearing Compared to Children With Limited Useable Hearing Unilaterally
Authors: Oosthuizen Ilze , Picou Erin M. , Pottas Lidia , Myburgh Hermanus Carel , Swanepoel De Wet
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Children with limited hearing unilaterally might experience more listening effort than children with normal hearing, yet previous studies have not confirmed this. This study compared listening effort in school-age children with normal hearing and children with limited hearing unilaterally using behavioral and subjective listening effort measures.

Design

Two groups of school-age children (aged 7–12 years) participated: 19 with limited hearing unilaterally and 18 with normal hearing bilaterally. Participants completed digit triplet recognition tasks in quiet and in noise (−12 dB SNR) in three loudspeaker conditions: midline, direct, and indirect. Verbal response times during the recognition task were interpreted as behavioral listening effort. Subjective ratings of “task difficulty” and “hard to think” were interpreted as subjective listening effort. Participant age was included as a covariate in analysis of behavioral data.

Results

Noise negatively affected digit triplet recognition for both groups in the midline loudspeaker condition and for participants with limited hearing unilaterally in the direct and indirect conditions. Relative to their peers with normal hearing, children with limited hearing unilaterally exhibited significantly longer response times and higher ratings of effort only in the noisy, indirect condition. Differences between groups were evident even when age differences were controlled for statistically.

Conclusions

Using behavioral and subjective indices of listening effort, children with limited unilateral hearing demonstrated significantly more listening effort relative to their peers with normal hearing during the difficult indirect listening condition. Implications include classroom accommodations to limit indirect listening situations for children with limited useable hearing unilaterally and consideration of intervention options.
Target‐driven visual navigation in indoor scenes using reinforcement learning and imitation learning
Authors: Fang Qiang , Xu Xin , Wang Xitong , Zeng Yujun
Published: April 2021

Here, the challenges of sample efficiency and navigation performance in deep reinforcement learning for visual navigation are focused and a deep imitation reinforcement learning approach is proposed. Our contributions are mainly three folds: first, a framework combining imitation learning with deep reinforcement learning is presented, which enables a robot to learn a stable navigation policy faster in the target‐driven navigation task. Second, the surrounding images is taken as the observation instead of sequential images, which can improve the navigation performance for more information. Moreover, a simple yet efficient template matching method is adopted to determine the stop action, making the system more practical. Simulation experiments in the AI‐THOR environment show that the proposed approach outperforms previous end‐to‐end deep reinforcement learning approaches, which demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of our approach.