bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Why do men extend their employment beyond pensionable age more often than women? a cohort study
Authors: Myllyntausta Saana , Virtanen Marianna , Pentti Jaana , Kivimäki Mika , Vahtera Jussi , Stenholm Sari
Published: December 2021

Men extend their employment beyond pensionable age more often than women, but the factors that contribute to this sex difference are unknown. This study aimed to examine sex differences in extending employment and the contribution of sociodemographic, work- and health-related factors to these differences. Participants of this prospective cohort study were 4,263 public sector employees from Finland who reached their individual pensionable date between 2014 and 2019 and responded to a survey on work- and non-work-related issues before that date. Extended employment was defined as continuing working for over six months beyond the individual pensionable date. We used mediation analysis to examine the contribution of explanatory factors to the association between sex and extended employment. Of the participants, 29% extended employment beyond the pensionable date. Men had a 1.29-fold (95% confidence interval 1.11–1.49) higher probability of extending employment compared with women. Men had a higher prevalence of factors that increase the likelihood of extended employment than women (such as spouse working full-time, no part-time retirement, low job strain, high work time control, and lack of pain) and this mediated the association of sex with extended employment by up to 83%. In conclusion, men were more likely to extend their employment beyond pensionable age than women. This difference was largely explained by men being more likely to have a full-time working spouse, low job strain, high work time control, no pain, and not being on part-time retirement.
Can agroecology and CRISPR mix? The politics of complementarity and moving toward technology sovereignty
Authors: Montenegro de Wit Maywa
Published: December 2021

Can gene editing and agroecology be complementary? Various formulations of this question now animate debates over the future of food systems, including in the UN Committee on World Food Security and at the UN Food Systems Summit. Previous analyses have discussed the risks of gene editing for agroecosystems, smallholders, and the concentration of wealth by and for agro-industry. This paper takes a different approach, unpacking the epistemic, socioeconomic, and ontological politics inherent in complementarity. I ask: How is complementarity understood? Who is asking and defining this question? What are the politics of entertaining the debate at all? I sketch the epistemic foundations of science and technology that organize different notions of evidence used in agroecology and genetic engineering. On this base, I offer 8 angles on the compatibility question, exploring the historical contradictions that complementarity discourses reveal and the contemporary work they do. I work through questions of (1) technological neutrality, (2) “root cause” problems, (3) working with nature, (4) encoding racism, and dilemmas of (5) ownership and (6) access. These questions, I argue, require a reckoning with (7) ontologies of coloniality-modernity, which help us get underneath—and beyond—the complementarity question. Finally, I offer (8) a framework for thinking about and working toward technology sovereignty.
Does the freshwater mussel Anodonta anatina remove the fish pathogen Flavobacterium columnare from water?
Authors: Hajisafarali Mahsa , Aaltonen Sari , Pulkkinen Katja , Taskinen Jouni
Published: December 2021

Global decline of freshwater mussels (Unionoida) is threatening biodiversity and the essential ecosystem services that mussels provide. As filter-feeding organisms, freshwater mussels remove phytoplankton and suspended particles from the water. By filtering bacteria, freshwater mussels also decrease pathogen loads in the water. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the common freshwater bivalve Anodonta anatina (duck mussel) could remove the bacterial fish pathogen Flavobacterium columnare from the water. Mussels reduced bacteria in both of the two experiments performed, so that the bacterial concentration at the end of the 96-h monitoring in mussel treatments was only 0.3–0.5 times that of the controls. Surprisingly, mussels did not reduce algal cell concentration statistically significantly. Mussel behavior (shell openness, foot position, and movement) was not affected by the presence of bacteria or algae, except for biodeposition formation, which was greatest in algal-fed treatments, followed by bacterial-fed treatments and controls, respectively. The intestines of bacteria-incubated A. anatina harbored F. columnare, suggesting that mussels ingested the bacteria. Present results suggest that freshwater mussels may also have a potential to mitigate aquaculture pathogen problems, as well as play a role in water quality management.
The Scope of Academic Freedom Right and the Situation of Scientists in Poland
Authors: Stachowiak-Kudła Monika
Published: December 2021

The implementation of academic freedom can be difficult both for policymakers and university authorities. A good example of these difficulties is the case of Poland. These difficulties stem from three factors: a weak legal tradition of academic freedom, a lack of legal definition of this freedom and the transition of Polish universities from the collegial to the managerial management model. This article analyzes the impact of these three factors on the situation of Polish scientists. It is very plausible that the introduction of a legal definition of academic freedom to the Law on Higher Education and Science could mitigate the tendency to limit academic freedom in Poland. Such a definition would make it difficult for governments, faculty and university authorities to interfere with this right and make it easier for researchers to assert their rights in court.
University satellite institutes as exogenous facilitators of technology transfer ecosystem development
Authors: Conlé Marcus , Kroll Henning , Storz Cornelia , ten Brink Tobias
Published: December 2021

Universities can contribute to knowledge-based regional development not only in their home region but also in other regions. In a number of countries, universities have established university satellite institutes in additional (host) regions to promote research and technology transfer there. We investigate the role of university satellite institutes in the industrial development of regions, which, albeit not economically marginal, suffer from a weak knowledge infrastructure, limited absorptive capacities for external knowledge in the business sector and hence a low degree of attractiveness for non-local knowledge actors. Despite policy recommendations in favor of establishing satellite institutes, there has only been limited empirical research on this phenomenon, particularly concerning technology transfer ecosystem development. To fill this gap, we provide an exploratory case study of university satellite institutes in the Pearl River Delta of China’s Guangdong province. We show how such institutes can be successful in facilitating the development of their host region’s technology transfer ecosystems and demonstrate why they should be conceptually included in our existing understanding of third mission activities. Our research centers on the interplay of geographical proximity and non-spatial, organized proximity in the development of interregional knowledge bridges and entrepreneurial opportunities. We argue that the university’s geographical proximity is only successful if the satellite institute, by facilitating organized proximity, promotes the geographical proximity of further knowledge actors, hereby propelling ecosystem development.
Local and landscape features constrain the trait and taxonomic diversity of urban bees
Authors: Cohen Hamutahl , Egerer Monika , Thomas Summer-Solstice , Philpott Stacy M.
Published: December 2021

Context

There is concern that urbanization threatens bees, a diverse group of economic importance. The impact of urbanization on bees is likely mediated by their phenotypic traits.

Objectives

We examine how urban cover and resource availability at local and landscape scales influences both species taxonomic and functional diversity in bees.

Methods

We used a combination of aerial netting and pan traps across six sampling periods to collect wild bees in 18 urban gardens spanning more than 125 km of the California central coast. We identified 3537 specimens to genus and, when possible, to species to obtain species richness and abundance at each site. For each species we measured a suite of bee traits, including body size, sociality, nesting location, nesting behavior, pollen-carrying structure, parasitism, and lecty.

Results

We found that increased garden size was positively associated with bee species richness and abundance. Somewhat counterintuitively, we found that urban cover surrounding gardens (2 km) was positively associated with bee species richness. Urban cover was also associated with the prevalence of certain bee traits, such as bees that excavate nests over those who rent, and bees with non-corbiculate structures. We suggest that urban habitats such as gardens can host a high number of bee species, but urbanization selects for species with specific traits.

Conclusions

These findings illustrate that local and landscape features both influence bee abundance, species richness, and the frequency of specific traits. We highlight the importance of trait-based approaches for assessing biodiversity in urban landscapes, and suggest conceptualizing urbanization as a process of habitat change rather than habitat loss.
Recent trends in Ni(II) sorption from aqueous solutions using natural materials
Authors: Charazińska Sylwia , Burszta-Adamiak Ewa , Lochyński Paweł
Published: December 2021

The use of materials of natural origin for the adsorption of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions has gained attention in recent years among the scientific community. This is explained by the fact that nickel compounds, due to severe health consequences, are considered to be among the most dangerous to the environment. This article reviews the results of studies on the use of biosorbents for purification of aqueous solutions from nickel ions, and then attempts to classify them according to their origin. The characteristics of materials and their sorption capacity have been compared, and the removal mechanisms identified of which chemisorption and ion exchange are considered to be the most common. From the analyses, a major trend is the use of biomass; however, biosorbents from other groups also continue to attract the interest of researchers. Conducting laboratory studies can help select materials with high efficiency. The highest sorption capacity values for the materials in each group were: for waste products 56 mg Ni·g−1 (olive stone), for peat 61 mg Ni·g−1, for miscellaneous 225 mg Ni·g−1 (microbial flocculant GA1), for biomass 286 mg Ni·g−1 (Plantanus orientalis bark) and for composites/modified materials calcinated eggshells 769 mg Ni·g−1 (calcinated eggshells). However, for some materials the sorption phenomenon may be accompanied by precipitation in the presence of hydroxides, which significantly affects the sorption capacity achieved. There is a need to transfer these experiments to an industrial scale so as to verify their applicability. In such industrial scale applications, attention should be paid not only to the effectiveness of the material, but also to its availability, price, and ease of use, as well as the effect of the biosorbent in terms of changing the quality parameters of the aquatic environment.
Qualification of the Low-pressure Cold Gas Spraying for the Additive Manufacturing of Copper–Nickel–Diamond Grinding Wheels
Authors: Tillmann W. , Zajaczkowski J. , Baumann I. , Kipp M. , Biermann D.
Published: December 2021

Grinding wheels are usually manufactured by powder metallurgical processes, i.e., by molding and sintering. Since this requires the production of special molds and the sintering is typically carried out in a continuous furnace, this process is time-consuming and cost-intensive. Therefore, it is only worthwhile for medium and large batches. Another influencing factor of the powder metallurgical process route is the high thermal load during the sintering process. Due to their high thermal sensitivity, superabrasives such as diamond or cubic boron nitride are very difficult to process in this way. In this study, a novel and innovative approach is presented, in which superabrasive grinding wheels are manufactured by thermal spraying. For this purpose, flat samples as well as grinding wheel bodies were coated by low-pressure (LP) cold gas spraying with a blend of a commercial Cu-Al2O3 cold gas spraying powder and nickel-coated diamonds. The coatings were examined metallographically in terms of their composition. A well-embedded superabrasive content of 12 % was achieved. After the spraying process, the grinding wheels were conditioned and tested for the grinding application of cemented carbides and the topographies of both the grinding wheel and the cemented carbide were evaluated. Surface qualities of the ground surface that are comparable to those of other finishing processes were reached. This novel process route offers great flexibility in the combination of binder and hard material as well as a cost-effective single-part and small-batch production.
Inclusion of cancer-associated fibroblasts in drug screening assays to evaluate pancreatic cancer resistance to therapeutic drugs
Authors: Brumskill Sarah , Barrera Lawrence N. , Calcraft Peter , Phillips Caroline , Costello Eithne
Published: December 2021

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterised by a pro-inflammatory stroma and multi-faceted microenvironment that promotes and maintains tumorigenesis. However, the models used to test new and emerging therapies for PDAC have not increased in complexity to keep pace with our understanding of the human disease. Promising therapies that pass pre-clinical testing often fail in pancreatic cancer clinical trials. The objective of this study was to investigate whether changes in the drug-dosing regimen or the addition of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to current existing models can impact the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs used in the clinic. Here, we reveal that gemcitabine and paclitaxel markedly reduce the viability of pancreatic cell lines, but not CAFs, when cultured in 2D. Following the use of an in vitro drug pulsing experiment, PDAC cell lines showed sensitivity to gemcitabine and paclitaxel. However, CAFs were less sensitive to pulsing with gemcitabine compared to their response to paclitaxel. We also identify that a 3D co-culture model of MIA PaCa-2 or PANC-1 with CAFs showed an increased chemoresistance to gemcitabine when compared to standard 2D mono-cultures a difference to paclitaxel which showed no measurable difference between the 2D and 3D models, suggesting a complex interaction between the drug in study and the cell type used. Changes to standard 2D mono-culture-based assays and implementation of 3D co-culture assays lend complexity to established models and could provide tools for identifying therapies that will match clinically the success observed with in vitro models, thereby aiding in the discovery of novel therapies.
Epigenetic integrity of paternal imprints enhances the developmental potential of androgenetic haploid embryonic stem cells
Authors: Zhang Hongling , Li Yuanyuan , Ma Yongjian , Lai Chongping , Yu Qian , Shi Guangyong , Li Jinsong
Published: December 2021

The use of two inhibitors of Mek1/2 and Gsk3β (2i) promotes the generation of mouse diploid and haploid embryonic stem cells (ESCs) from the inner cell mass of biparental and uniparental blastocysts, respectively. However, a system enabling long-term maintenance of imprints in ESCs has proven challenging. Here, we report that the use of a two-step a2i (alternative two inhibitors of Src and Gsk3β, TSa2i) derivation/culture protocol results in the establishment of androgenetic haploid ESCs (AG-haESCs) with stable DNA methylation at paternal DMRs (differentially DNA methylated regions) up to passage 60 that can efficiently support generating mice upon oocyte injection. We also show coexistence of H3K9me3 marks and ZFP57 bindings with intact DMR methylations. Furthermore, we demonstrate that TSa2i-treated AG-haESCs are a heterogeneous cell population regarding paternal DMR methylation. Strikingly, AG-haESCs with late passages display increased paternal-DMR methylations and improved developmental potential compared to early-passage cells, in part through the enhanced proliferation ofH19-DMR hypermethylated cells. Together, we establish AG-haESCs that can long-term maintain paternal imprints.
A geomechanics classification for the rating of railroad subgrade performance
Authors: Gomes Correia António , Ramos Ana
Published: December 2021

The type of subgrade of a railroad foundation is vital to the overall performance of the track structure. With the train speed and tonnage increase, as well as environmental changes, the evaluation and influence of subgrade are even more paramount in the railroad track structure performance. A geomechanics classification for subgrade is proposed coupling the stiffness (resilient modulus) and permanent deformation behaviour evaluated by means of repeated triaxial loading tests. This classification covers from fine- to coarse-grained soils, grouped by UIC and ASTM. For this achievement, we first summarize the main models for estimating resilient modulus and permanent deformation, including the evaluation of their robustness and their sensitivity to mechanical and environmental parameters. This is followed by the procedure required to arrive at the geomechanical classification and rating, as well as a discussion of the influence of environmental factors. This work is the first attempt to obtain a new geomechanical classification that can be a useful tool in the evaluation and modelling of the foundation of railway structures.
Thermal Forcing of the Nocturnal Near Surface Environment by Martian Water Ice Clouds
Authors: Cooper B. , de la Torre Juárez M. , Mischna M. , Lemmon M. , Martínez G. , Kass D. , Vasavada A. R. , Campbell C. , Moores J.
Published: December 2021

We explore the potential role of clouds in moderating the nighttime temperature within Gale crater, as observed by the Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS) instrument suite aboard the Curiosity rover. Just prior to aphelion, the decreasing trend in minimum daily temperature within Gale slows down. We investigate if this is due to increased formation of twilight and nighttime clouds, re‐radiating heat and reducing atmospheric and surface cooling. While diurnal analysis of REMS temperatures shows brief atmospheric warmings of 3–5 K post‐sunset during the occurrence of these clouds, an absence of similar warmings in the ground temperature measurements make it unlikely that clouds are the primary source. Seasonally, however, clouds that persist overnight could cause a warming of daily minimum surface temperatures in the Ls∼20°–50° season. This period can serve as a baseline and allow the potential effects of clouds to be more clearly discerned in the REMS temperature measurements. For this season, and in the peak of the aphelion cloud belt season, our modeled atmospheric energy budget shows a nocturnal decay signature of downward IR reflected and re‐emitted flux consistent with the presence and impact of clouds. The expected approximate exponential decay of this flux post‐sunset is damped more heavily in cloudier seasons than less cloudy or dusty seasons, suggesting formation and thickening of ice clouds as atmospheric nighttime temperatures cool.
Quantitative Risk Assessment of Population Affected by Tropical Cyclones Through Joint Consideration of Extreme Precipitation and Strong Wind—A Case Study of Hainan Province
Authors: Meng Chenna , Xu Wei , Qiao Yu , Liao Xinli , Qin Lianjie
Published: December 2021

Tropical cyclone disasters frequently occur in the southeastern coastal areas of China, and the concentration of population and economy has further increased the risk of tropical cyclone disasters in this region. The effects of tropical cyclones on populations involve a complex interaction between hazard intensity, environmental factors, exposure level, and fortification capacity. Therefore, quantifying the relationship among these factors is imperative for early warnings, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies for tropical cyclone disasters. In this study, a comprehensive tropical cyclone quantitative risk assessment approach considering the joint relation between strong wind and extreme precipitation and environmental, exposure and fortification factors was developed using the generalized additive model (GAM) and copula function for the case of Hainan province, China. The 10 min maximum wind speed (MW), maximum daily rainfall (MR), elevation (ELE), total population (POP), and time (t) were ultimately selected by the GAM as explanatory variables for the affected population rate (APR). A 50% increase in theMWproduced a 48.779%–82.657% increase in theAPR, a 50% increase in theMRproduced a 19.534%–25.631% increase in theAPR, and a 50% increase in the POP produced a 0.796%–15.193% decrease in theAPR. TheAPRobviously increased with the return period increase in Hainan province. TheAPRof cites (counties) ranged from 0.443 to 0.632 for a once‐in‐10‐year return period and ranged from 0.518 to 0.829 for a once‐in‐50‐year return period.
Uncertainty in Health Impact Assessments of Smoke From a Wildfire Event
Authors: Johnson Megan M. , Garcia‐Menendez Fernando
Published: December 2021

Wildfires cause elevated air pollution that can be detrimental to human health. However, health impact assessments associated with emissions from wildfire events are subject to uncertainty arising from different sources. Here, we quantify and compare major uncertainties in mortality and morbidity outcomes of exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution estimated for a series of wildfires in the Southeastern U.S. We present an approach to compare uncertainty in estimated health impacts specifically due to two driving factors, wildfire‐related smoke PM2.5 fields and variability in concentration‐response parameters from epidemiologic studies of ambient and smoke PM2.5. This analysis, focused on the 2016 Southeastern wildfires, suggests that emissions from these fires had public health consequences in North Carolina. Using several methods based on publicly available monitor data and atmospheric models to represent wildfire‐attributable PM2.5, we estimate impacts on several health outcomes and quantify associated uncertainty. Multiple concentration‐response parameters derived from studies of ambient and wildfire‐specific PM2.5 are used to assess health‐related uncertainty. Results show large variability and uncertainty in wildfire impact estimates, with comparable uncertainties due to the smoke pollution fields and health response parameters for some outcomes, but substantially larger health‐related uncertainty for several outcomes. Consideration of these uncertainties can support efforts to improve estimates of wildfire impacts and inform fire‐related decision‐making.
Observational Properties of 15MLT‐PCA in the Southern Hemisphere and the Switching Effects of IMF By on 15MLT‐PCA Occurrence
Authors: Feng Hui‐Ting , Han De‐Sheng , Qiu Hui‐Xuan , Shi Run , Yang Hui‐Gen , Zhang Y.‐L.
Published: December 2021

Based on Special Sensor Ultraviolet Spectrographic Imager on Defense Meteorological Satellite Program spacecraft (DMSP/SSUSI) observations in the Northern Hemisphere, a particular polar cap arc observed at ∼1,500 magnetic local time (MLT) sector was identified and was named 15MLT‐PCA. A 15MLT‐PCA model proposed for the Northern Hemisphere suggests that the 15MLT‐PCA is caused by a lobe reconnection related to the tilt angle and lobe field line twisting due to a long‐lasting positive interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By condition. However, it is unclear if the 15MLT‐PCA can be observed in the Southern Hemisphere and how the IMF By influences its occurrence and location. Using the long‐term DMSP/SSUSI observations in the Southern Hemisphere, we confirmed that the 15MLT‐PCA could be observed in the Southern Hemisphere in summer under long‐lasting negative IMF By and predominantly positive IMF Bx. The ion energy dispersion and some other statistical properties are also investigated. Further, we showed that the IMF By has a switching effect on the occurrence of the 15MLT‐PCA using multiple cases. We found that the 15MLT‐PCA disappear as soon as the IMF By changed to an unfavorable condition, but it seems that the favorable conditions need to be maintained for ∼1 hr for the occurrence of 15MLT‐PCA. We also found that the IMF By magnitude is well correlated to the MLT location of the 15MLT‐PCA. We suggest that all the results support the 15MLT‐PCA model and imply that a magnetotail lobe reconnection should be common in the summer hemisphere because the well‐known Parker Spiral favors meeting the model's IMF requirements.
Impact of the Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure on the Field‐Aligned Currents in the Magnetotail: Cluster Observation
Authors: Cheng Z. W. , Shi J. K. , Torkar K. , Lu G. P. , Dunlop M. W. , Carr C. M. , Rème H. , Dandouras I. , Fazakerley A.
Published: December 2021

We statistically investigate the influence of the solar wind dynamic pressure (SW Pdyn) on the field‐aligned currents (FACs) in the magnetotail with 1,492 FAC cases from July to October in 2001 and 2004, which covers 74 Cluster crossings of the plasma sheet boundary layer (PSBL) in both storm time and non‐storm time. The FAC density in the magnetotail is derived from the magnetic field data with the four‐point measurement of Cluster, and the SW Pdyn is taken from ACE data. The results indicate the FAC density becomes stronger with increasing SW Pdyn. The statistics show that the FAC occurrence increased monotonically with SW Pdyn in the three levels (Weak: SW Pdyn < 2 nPa; Medium: 2 nPa ≤ SW Pdyn ≤ 5 nPa; Strong: SW Pdyn > 5 nPa). The FAC density increased with increasing SW Pdyn, while its footprint (invariant latitude, ILAT) in the polar region decreased with increasing SW Pdyn. The response of the FAC to SW Pdyn in the magnetotail had a north‐south hemispheric asymmetry. The FAC density had a better correlation with SW Pdyn in the Northern hemisphere, while the footprint had a better correlation with SW Pdyn in the Southern hemisphere. Possible underlying mechanisms for our results are analyzed and discussed. However, it requires more observations and simulation studies to find out the mechanism of north‐south asymmetry.
An Evaluation of Erosional‐Geodynamic Thresholds for Rapid Orogenic Denudation
Authors: Spencer Brandon M. , Thigpen J. Ryan , Gallen Sean F. , Dortch Jason M. , Hodges Kip V. , Law Richard D. , Mako Calvin A.
Published: December 2021

Tectonic and surface processes (e.g., erosion) act in concert to denude and flatten elevated topography during and following collisional uplift. In orogens that collapsed rapidly (<10 Myr), the effectiveness and relative contribution of erosion remains poorly understood. Here, we use 1‐D and 2‐D finite‐difference models to test plausible magnitudes of erosion during denudation of the Scandian orogenic wedge, in northern Scotland, which previous work suggests may have been very rapid. Thermochronologic, stratigraphic, and thermobarometric data constrain initial post‐collision uplift rates as well as the cumulative post‐collisional exhumation magnitude. Using these constraints, we consider an idealized orogen subjected to fluvial incision, hillslope diffusion, and subsequent isostatic compensation for a duration of 10 Myr. Using a range of geomorphic parameters, we evaluate whether erosion alone is sufficient to achieve the observed cumulative exhumation. Additionally, we apply a thermal model during the same period to determine the viability of the previous erosion estimates in the presence of a transient geothermal gradient. For most cases with initial uplift rates of 0.5–2.5 mm yr−1, total erosion is insufficient to account for the observed Scandian denudation history, regardless of whether a fixed or transient geothermal gradient is assumed. Average elevations near the crest of the modeled orogen after 10 Myr are >1.4 km, which is inconsistent with the post‐Scandian landscape relief interpreted from the reconstructed depositional surface of the Emsian (407–403 Ma) Old Red Sandstone, Collectively these findings imply a combination of rapid erosion and tectonic denudation likely accomplished the rapid collapse of the Scandian wedge.
Cascading Weather Events Amplify the Coastal Thermal Conditions Prior to the Shelf Transit of Hurricane Sally (2020)
Authors: Dzwonkowski B. , Fournier S. , Lockridge G. , Coogan J. , Liu Z. , Park K.
Published: December 2021

Changes in tropical cyclone intensity prior to landfall represent a significant risk to human life and coastal infrastructure. Such changes can be influenced by shelf water temperatures through their role in mediating heat exchange between the ocean and atmosphere. However, the evolution of shelf sea surface temperature during a storm is dependent on the initial thermal conditions of the water column, information that is often unavailable. Here, observational data from multiple monitoring stations and satellite sensors were used to identify the sequence of events that led to the development of storm‐favorable thermal conditions in the Mississippi Bight prior to the transit of Hurricane Sally (2020), a storm that rapidly intensified over the shelf. The annual peak in depth‐average temperature of >29°C that occurred prior to the arrival of Hurricane Sally was the result of two distinct warming periods caused by a cascade of weather events. The event sequence transitioned the system from below average to above average thermal conditions over a 25‐day period. The transition was initiated with the passage of Hurricane Marco (2020), which mixed the upper water column, transferring heat downward and minimizing the cold bottom water reserved over the shelf. The subsequent reheating of the upper ocean by surface heat flux from the atmosphere, followed by downwelling winds, effectively elevated shelf‐wide thermal conditions for the subsequent storm, Hurricane Sally. The coupling of climatological downwelling winds and warm sea surface temperature suggest regions with such characteristics are at an elevated risk for storm intensification over the shelf.
Radiative Effects of Particular Matters on Ozone Pollution in Six North China Cities
Authors: Li Shaomin , Liu Rui , Wang Shuai , Chen Song Xi
Published: December 2021

While the particulate matters (PM) concentration has been reduced across North China in recent years, the surface ozone level has been increasing in many cities in the region. There is a widely held speculation that the elevated ozone level was caused by increased solar radiation due to the reduced PM level in recent years. This study quantifies the radiation effect of PM on O3 by analyzing data from years 2013 to 2018 in six major cities in North China. We first evaluate PM's effect on the radiation by controlling meteorological factors to radiation, which include the cloud cover, the humidity and time of the day. The PM's effect on the radiation was statistically significant in all six cities, but was the least significant among all significant factors. The PM's radiative effect on the ozone was also statistically significant, but the average ozone increase due to the decreased PM level was rather small, ranging from 0 to 0.12 μg/m3 (0–0.056 ppb) in the spring and 0–0.36 μg/m3 (0–0.168 ppb) in the summer per 10 μg/m3 PM reduction. Therefore, the wide spread spring‐summer increase of the ozone level in North China should not be attributed to the radiation increase caused by the reduced PM.
Modeling the Joint Effects of Vegetation Characteristics and Soil Properties on Ecosystem Dynamics in a Panama Tropical Forest
Authors: Cheng Yanyan , Leung L. Ruby , Huang Maoyi , Koven Charles , Detto Matteo , Knox Ryan , Bisht Gautam , Bretfeld Mario , Fisher Rosie A.
Published: December 2021

In tropical forests, both vegetation characteristics and soil properties are important not only for controlling energy, water, and gas exchanges directly but also determining the competition among species, successional dynamics, forest structure and composition. However, the joint effects of the two factors have received limited attention in Earth system model development. Here we use a vegetation demographic model, the Functionally Assembled Terrestrial Ecosystem Simulator (FATES) implemented in the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) Land Model (ELM), ELM‐FATES, to explore how plant traits and soil properties affect tropical forest growth and composition concurrently. A large ensemble of simulations with perturbed vegetation and soil hydrological parameters is conducted at the Barro Colorado Island, Panama. The simulations are compared against observed carbon, energy, and water fluxes. We find that soil hydrological parameters, particularly the scaling exponent of the soil retention curve (Bsw), play crucial roles in controlling forest diversity, with higher Bsw values (>7) favoring late successional species in competition, and lower Bsw values (1 ∼ 7) promoting the coexistence of early and late successional plants. Considering the additional impact of soil properties resolves a systematic bias of FATES in simulating sensible/latent heat partitioning with repercussion on water budget and plant coexistence. A greater fraction of deeper tree roots can help maintain the dry‐season soil moisture and plant gas exchange. As soil properties are as important as vegetation parameters in predicting tropical forest dynamics, more efforts are needed to improve parameterizations of soil functions and belowground processes and their interactions with aboveground vegetation dynamics.
Direct confirmation of confinement effects by NiO confined in helical SnO2 nanocoils and its application in sensors
Authors: Hu Qingmin , Wu Cuixia , Dong Zhe , Zhang Gaixia , Ma Zhiheng , Wang Xiaohong , Sun Shuhui , Xu Jiaqiang
Published: December 2021

Direct confirmation of confinement effects in nanoscale space-confined NiSnNCs.
Vehicle localisation and deep model for automatic calibration of monocular camera in expressway scenes
Authors: Zhang Wentao , Song Huansheng , Liu Lichen , Li Congliang , Mu Bochen , Gao Qian
Published: December 2021

The authors present a fully automatic method for camera calibration in expressway scenes and vehicle localisation on curved roads. Our approach does not depend on specific targets or a priori information and adapts to a wide range of variations in road appearances and camera views. We make three main contributions to automatic camera calibration. Firstly, we propose a Deep Calibration Network to estimate the vanishing point and camera extrinsic parameters from an RGB image in an end‐to‐end manner. The vanishing point and camera rotation angles are then used to calculate the camera focal length according to the perspective projection geometry, thus constructing the complete camera matrix. Secondly, we introduce a Multi‐View Camera Calibration Dataset, which contains a total of 32,712 images for 17 expressway scenes. The dataset covers a wide range of camera views and expressway types, which is challenging. Thirdly, we present a novel Curved Reference Line System adapted to the expressway shape to locate vehicles on curved roads accurately. This coordinate system can effectively transform the vehicle coordinates from a Cartesian system to the vehicle's mileage and horizontal distance relative to the lane line. A comprehensive evaluation on Multi‐View Camera Calibration Dataset shows that our technique can automatically calibrate a single camera at about 40fps on an NVIDIA GTX1060 processor and accurately locate vehicles on curved roads, making it suitable for deployment in expressway surveillance systems.
Modelling the correlated keV/TeV light curves of Be/gamma-ray binaries
Authors: Chen A. M. , Takata J.
Published: December 2021

Be/γ-ray binaries comprise a confirmed or presumptive pulsar orbiting a Be star and emit luminousγ-rays. Non-thermal emissions are thought to arise from synchrotron radiation and inverse-Compton (IC) scattering in the shock where the pulsar wind is terminated by the stellar outflow. We study wind interactions and shock radiations from such systems and show that the bimodal structures observed in keV/TeV light curves are caused by enhanced synchrotron radiation and IC scattering during disc passages. We use a simple radiation model to reproduce orbital modulations of keV X-ray and TeVγ-ray flux and compare with two confirmed pulsar/Be star binaries (i.e. PSR B1259-63/LS 2883 and PSR J2032+4127/MT91 213), and two candidates (i.e. HESS J0632+057 and LS I +61°303). We find that the keV/TeV light curves of the former two binaries can be well explained by the inclined disc model, while modelling the modulated emissions of the latter two sources remains challenging with current orbital solutions. Therefore, we propose alternative orbital geometries for HESS J0632+057 and LS I +61°303. We estimate the positions and inclination angles of Be discs by fitting correlated keV/TeV light curves. Our results could be beneficial for future measurements of orbital parameters and searches for radio pulsations from presumed pulsars.
Smokeless Tobacco and Its Ill-Effects: Recent Literature Update
Authors: Singhavi Hitesh R. , Singh Arjun , Chaturvedi Pankaj
Published: December 2021

According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey part 2 (GATS-2), approximately 200 million adult Indians consume smokeless tobacco (SLT). Circumvention of SLT product ban has been observed. We conducted a review of the literature to summarize the ill effects of tobacco for the articles published from 2019 to 2020. A systematic search of the databases PubMed (2019 onward) and Web of Science (2019 onward), through February 2021 was done. Search yielded 1,061 articles and after excluding articles based on the inclusion criteria, 37 articles were taken in to consideration. The review shows that differential SLT product has specific odds of oral carcinogenesis. Review also indicates the emerging data of cardiovascular risk due to higher use of SLT products along with its known cause of oral cancer. It also cautions about the adverse consequences of pregnancy associated with SLT use.
Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm: A Rare Case Report with Literature Review
Authors: Oza Nikita , Rathnam Krishnakumar , Sumeet Gujral , Honey Susan R. , Saju S. V. , Shubhada Kane
Published: December 2021

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare hematopoietic neoplasm for which there are no effective therapies. We present a 70-year-old male patient with multiple reddish painless, nonpruritic, and nonpedunculated nodules over the trunk, forearm, and thighs for a duration of 3 months. The nodules measured 0.5 to 2 cm in diameter. The peripheral smear findings were within normal limits. Excision biopsy was performed. Histomorphology and immunohistochemistry (CD123, CD 56, CD4, HLA-DR, CD43, and CD68) confirmed the diagnosis of BPDCN. Findings of marrow aspiration, biopsy and imaging studies were within normal limits. Patient demonstrated a good response with complete disappearance of all nodules by initial 2 weeks of therapy with a modified Berlin–Frankfurt–Munster (BFM) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) protocol and has completed 8 doses (LSAP [lincosamides, streptogramins A and pleuromutilins chemotherapy], 5,000 units/m2). The patient tolerated protocol extremely well.
Predictive Modeling Identifies Total Bleeds at 12-Weeks Postswitch to N8-GP Prophylaxis as a Predictor of Treatment Response
Authors: Chowdary Pratima , Hampton Kingsley , Jiménez-Yuste Victor , Young Guy , Benchikh el Fegoun Soraya , Cooper Aidan , Scalfaro Erik , Tiede Andreas
Published: December 2021

Background Predicting annualized bleeding rate (ABR) during factor VIII (FVIII) prophylaxis for severe hemophilia A (SHA) is important for long-term outcomes. This study used supervised machine learning-based predictive modeling to identify predictors of long-term ABR during prophylaxis with an extended half-life FVIII.

Methods Data were from 166 SHA patients who received N8-GP prophylaxis (50 IU/kg every 4 days) in the pathfinder 2 study. Predictive models were developed to identify variables associated with an ABR of ≤1 versus >1 during the trial's main phase (median follow-up of 469 days). Model performance was assessed using area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC). Pre-N8-GP prophylaxis models learned from data collected at baseline; post-N8-GP prophylaxis models learned from data collected up to 12-weeks postswitch to N8-GP, and predicted ABR at the end of the outcome period (final year of treatment in the main phase).

Results The predictive model using baseline variables had moderate performance (AUROC = 0.64) for predicting observed ABR. The most performant model used data collected at 12-weeks postswitch (AUROC = 0.79) with cumulative bleed count up to 12 weeks as the most informative variable, followed by baseline von Willebrand factor and mean FVIII at 30 minutes postdose. Univariate cumulative bleed count at 12 weeks performed equally well to the 12-weeks postswitch model (AUROC = 0.75). Pharmacokinetic measures were indicative, but not essential, to predict ABR.

Conclusion Cumulative bleed count up to 12-weeks postswitch was as informative as the 12-week post-switch predictive model for predicting long-term ABR, supporting alterations in prophylaxis based on treatment response.
Evaluating the Efficacy of Microsurgical Training Methods in Ophthalmology Education: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Nguyen Geoffrey , Palmer Jamie , Ludeman Emilie , Levin Moran R. , Swamy Ramya , Alexander Janet
Published: December 2021

Objective The objective of our paper is to review all of the relevant literature in ophthalmology microsurgical education and identify which teaching methodologies were most effective.

Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was conducted. Electronic databases, including Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and EMBASE, were searched with preset terms. The search was through December 11, 2019. Eligibility criteria included studies with sufficient data for analyzing associations between surgical teaching techniques and success rates in surgical skills and the organization of the intervention as a microsurgical skills course, curriculum, or program. The articles were independently reviewed by two authors. Each included study was evaluated for quality using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach and risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing bias.

Data Extraction and Synthesis Data extraction was performed by two reviewers and disagreements were checked by a third reviewer. A random-effects analysis was used to pool the outcomes of studies.

Main Outcomes and Measures Outcomes included time for completion of surgical task, level of preparedness, competency score, and number of surgeries with complications.

Results A total of 439 studies were reviewed and 13 studies (n = 8,790 surgical cases; n = 115 trainees) were included in the meta-analysis. Excluded articles studied cataract simulation training as the primary intervention or were not related to ophthalmology. All pooled results demonstrated a positive association with surgical outcomes; however, video-based education (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 2.49 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.36–4.63]; four effects [four studies]; n = 69; I
2 = 90%) and stepwise teaching method (odds ratio [OR = 3.84 [95% CI: 2.66–5.55]; six effects [six studies]; n = 6,968; I
2 = 39%) interventions were the most favorable.

Conclusion and Relevance The following five interventions evaluated in this paper were found to be effective methods of improving performance outcomes in ophthalmic microsurgery: (1) didactic lectures, (2) video-based education, (3) surgical wet-laboratory, (4) stepwise method, and (5) direct supervision and feedback. Our meta-analysis concludes that video-based education and stepwise teaching interventions are the most effective methods for a microsurgical ophthalmology training curriculum. Combining the strengths of the interventions analyzed in this study should be considered when implementing and adjusting ophthalmic surgical skills curriculums.
Sex Disparities in Productivity among Oculoplastic Surgeons
Authors: Chiam Mckenzee , Camacci Mona L. , Khan Alicia , Lehman Erik B. , Pantanelli Seth M.
Published: December 2021

Purpose The aim of the study is to investigate sex differences in academic rank, publication productivity, and National Institute of Health (NIH) funding among oculoplastic surgeons and whether there is an association between American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) membership and scholarly output.

Methods Sex, residency graduation year, and academic rank were obtained from institutional websites of 113 U.S. ophthalmology programs. H-indices and m-quotients were obtained from the Scopus database. NIH funding information was obtained from the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tool.

Results Of the 272 surgeons, 74 (30.2%) were females. When adjusted for career duration, differences in female to male proportions were only significant at the rank of assistant professor (assistant: 74.3 vs. 48.5%, p = 0.047; associate: 18.9 vs. 24.6%, p = 0.243; full professor: 13.0 vs. 37.2%, p = 0.114). Women had a shorter career duration than men [10.0 (interquartile range or IQR 12.0) vs. 21.0 (IQR 20.0) years; p < 0.001] and a lower h-index [4.0 (IQR 5.0) vs. 7.0 (IQR 10.0); p < 0.001], but similar m-quotients [0.4 (IQR 0.4) vs. 0.4 (IQR 0.4); p = 0.9890]. Among ASOPRS members, females had a lower h-index than males [5.0 (IQR 6.0) vs. 9.0 (IQR 10.0); p < 0.001] due to career length differences. No difference in productivity between sexes was found among non-ASOPRS members. ASOPRS members from both sexes had higher scholarly output than their non-ASOPRS counterparts. Just 2.7% (2/74) of females compared with 5.3% (9/171) of males received NIH funding (p = 0.681).

Conclusion Sex differences in academic ranks and h-indices are likely due to the smaller proportion of females with long career durations. ASOPRS membership may confer opportunities for increased scholarly output.