bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Signatures of dynamic fibrils at the coronal base: Observations from Solar Orbiter/EUI
Authors: Mandal Sudip , Peter Hardi , Chitta Lakshmi Pradeep , Cuadrado Regina Aznar , Schühle Udo , Teriaca Luca , Solanki Sami K. , Harra Louise , Berghmans David , Auchère Frédéric , Parenti Susanna , Zhukov Andrei N. , Buchlin Éric , Verbeeck Cis , Kraaikamp Emil , Rodriguez Luciano , Long David M. , Schwanitz Conrad , Barczynski Krzysztof , Pelouze Gabriel , Smith Philip J. , Liu Wei , Cheung Mark C.
Published: January 2023

The solar chromosphere hosts a wide variety of transients, including dynamic fibrils (DFs) that are characterised as elongated, jet-like features seen in active regions, often through Hαdiagnostics. So far, these features have been difficult to identify in coronal images, primarily due to their small size and the lower spatial resolution of the current extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) imagers. Here we present the first unambiguous signatures of DFs in coronal EUV data using high-resolution images from the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI) on board Solar Orbiter. Using the data acquired with the 174 Å High Resolution Imager (HRIEUV) of EUI, we find many bright dot-like features (with a size of 0.3−0.5 Mm) that move up and down (often repeatedly) in the core of an active region. In a space-time map, these features produce parabolic tracks akin to the chromospheric observations of DFs. Properties such as their speeds (14 km s−1), lifetime (332 s), deceleration (82 m s−2), and lengths (1293 km) are also reminiscent of the chromospheric DFs. The EUI data strongly suggest that these EUV bright dots are basically the hot tips (of the cooler chromospheric DFs) that could not be identified unambiguously before because of a lack of spatial resolution.
UMAN – a pluralistic view of uncertainty management
Authors: Diaconu Daniela , Detilleux Valéry , Strusińska-Correia Agnieszka , Göbel Astrid , Dewoghelaere Julien , Becker Dirk-Alexander
Published: January 2023

Decisions associated with Radioactive Waste (RW) Management programmes are made in the presence of irreducible and reducible uncertainties. Responsibilities and roles of each actor, the nature of the RW disposal programme and the stage in its implementation influence the preferences of each category of actors in approaching uncertainty management. UMAN (UMAN – Uncertainties Management Multi-Actor Network is a Work Package of the European Radioactive Waste Management Programme – EURAD) carries out a strategic study about the management of uncertainties based on extended exchanges among actors representing Waste Management Organisations, Technical Support Organisations, Research Entities and Civil Society, a review of knowledge generated by past and ongoing R&D projects, and findings of international organisations. UMAN discusses the classification schemes and approaches applied in uncertainty management, and identifies possible actions to be considered in the uncertainty treatment. The relevance for the safety of the uncertainties associated with waste inventory, including spent fuel, near-field, site and geosphere and human aspects, as perceived by each type of actors, and approaches used in their management are explored with the aim to reach either a common understanding on how uncertainties relate to risk and safety and how to deal with them along the programme implementation, or at least arrive at a mutual understanding of each individual view. Finally, uncertainties assessed as highly significant and the associated R&D issues that can be further investigated are being identified.
The impact of transport development on construction land use efficiency of shrinking cities in China
Authors: Li Yan , Tu Qijun
Published: January 2023

With the development of China’s urbanization process, vacant land has become a critical issue in shrinking cities. Based on the panel data of 28 shrinking cities in China from 2006 to 2018, the impact of transport development (including transport investment and transport mobility) on construction land use efficiency (CLUE) was analyzed in this study. The results show that transport mobility plays a greater role than transport investment in improving CLUE of shrinking cities. Specifically, the increase of transport investment and transport mobility per unit will increase CLUE of shrinking cities by 0.01 and 0.1, respectively. Then, the shrinking cities are divided into three types, which include resource-based cities, post-industrial cities and less-developed cities. We find that transport development has the most significant impact on CLUE of less-developed cities while having no significant impact on resource-based cities. Finally, the results based on the mediating effect model show that the change of land use structure is the main mediating variable through which transport development affected CLUE of shrinking cities.
A comparative study on the reform of rural credit cooperatives under the strategy of rural revitalization
Authors: Yin Zhuyao , Wu Tingli
Published: January 2023

Rural credit cooperatives are the main force serving “agriculture, rural areas and farmers” in China. Zhejiang and Shaanxi are the first pilot provinces of the rural credit cooperative reform in China. The research on the reform of rural credit cooperatives in Jiaxing, Zhejiang and Yan 'an, Shaanxi shows that there are significant regional differences in the reform and development of rural credit cooperatives. Yan'an rural credit institutions play a more prominent role in supporting agriculture, but Jiaxing rural credit institutions have comparative advantages in overall operational efficiency, anti-risk ability, profit model and other aspects. On this basis, it is proposed to follow the principle of “six insistence” in promoting the reform of rural credit cooperatives, continuously improve the operating capacity of rural credit cooperatives, and promote the supply side structural reform of rural finance.
Literature review on the influence of social networks
Authors: Gong Xin , Yu Hualong , Yu Tian
Published: January 2023

The rapid development of social networks has completely changed the way people communicate and greatly promoted the interaction between people, and further generated the concept of the influence of social networks, which has attracted more and more scholars' attention. The purpose of this article is to summarize the current research progress and dig the gaps in the current research by combing and reviewing the existing research on social network influence. Specifically, this paper mainly analyzes the research progress of social network influence, and through summarizing and analyzing the related literatures of the social network influence of individual Weibo, the influence of user social network and the social network influence of the topic, we put forward the research progress and existing problems, based on them the direction of future research is put forward. We believe it has considerable reference value for the research of social network influence.
Young children’s empathy towards robot dog in relative to stuffed toy dog
Authors: Zhang Xiya
Published: January 2023

This study examined young children’s empathy towards interacted entity and none interacted agent, and whether the interaction or the appearance of the agent is more relevant on children’s the empathy, the entities include an interacted robot, a stuffed toy dog and a stone. Preschoolers (5-6 years of age, N=69) watched videos of three agents, including agent introducing cuts, agent struck by human hands cuts, agent placing in a box struck by human hands cuts. All of these three agents are non-living entities, an interacted robot dog with metal surface, a non-interacted stuffed toy dog (appearance alike a real dog), a stone. The preschoolers were required to ask a list of questions to obtain the data indicating their empathy towards each agent. The results revealed that the young children ascribe more anthropomorphism to robot dog relative to stuffed toy dog, while the empathy to both have no significance difference.
Reform and practice of vocational basic skills training course under the concept of curriculum ideology and politics
Authors: Sun Haiyan , Yu Hui , Chi Haibo , Yuan Gaofeng
Published: January 2023

The curriculum ideology and politics of practice courses in the undergraduate specialty of food quality and safety were explored by taking the Vocational Basic Skills Training course as an example. The teaching content, teaching methods, assessment system and also other aspects of this course were reformed. Our practice and exploration have obtained some good results. The preliminary practical teaching was integrated and developed with ideological and political elements. To improve the training quality of innovative and applied talents of undergraduate specialty of food quality and safety in our university, we need to carry out long-term and continuous exploration and practice.
A tentative study on the causes of math underachievers in junior high schools and the conversion strategies
Authors: Zhao Xia
Published: January 2023

Underachievers are an objective dissimilated group in the learning process. Math underachievers are a practical problem which should be addressed by present math educators. Through field survey and upon analysis of individual characteristics of underachievers from multiple perspectives of teachers, family education and students, a targeted conversion strategy is formulated. With focuses on teaching and learning method, the strategies for conversion of math underachievers in junior high schools are explored and summarized, followed by practical discussion on individual cases.
The current situation of English teaching in primary schools of China and application research of SPOC-based teaching model
Authors: Zhao Lu , Yu Fei , Jiang Lanhui
Published: January 2023

With modern information technology widely applied to school teaching in all aspects, blended teaching based on SPOC is increasingly popular with colleges and universities. However, it’s still rare to see the applied research into it for English teaching in primary schools. In order to explore the application of SPOC in English teaching of primary schools, this paper analyzed the current situation of English teaching in primary schools in China in detail, and then proposed a blended teaching model based on the SPOC platforms of Cloud Class and 17zuoye.com. We also conducted an experiment that lasts about one year by tracking and recording the performance of two groups of classes in Zhongwu Primary School with an experimental class and a control class in each group. After analyzing the experimental data, we found that the SPOC-based teaching model proposed in this paper can achieve good practical results, and can be applied and promoted for future teaching in other schools.
Der heterodigitale neurovaskuläre Insellappen nach Littler:
Zur Erstautorenschaft sowie eigene Erfahrungen
Authors: Fritsche Elmar , Giesen Thomas , Hug Urs
Published: January 2023

Diese Arbeit klärt den Anspruch auf die Urheberschaft der
Erstbeschreibung des heterodigitalen neurovaskulären Insellappens,
stellt beschriebene Varianten vor und präsentiert eine Serie von 15
Fällen mit klinischen Beispielen.
The efficacy of 2-formyl benzoic acid in reactivating diazinon
inhibited murine cholinesterase
Authors: Farhat Humayun , Zabihi Ebrahim , Alibabaei-Omran Fatemeh , Mohammadi-Khanaposhti Maryam
Published: January 2023

Oximes, as classical acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reactivators, have some
pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics disadvantages. During the synthesis of
non-oxime compounds, we encountered the compound 2-formylbenzoic acid (2-FBA)
with promising in vitro and in vivo cholinesterase (ChE) reactivating properties
in the acute exposure to diazinon (DZN). For in vitro experiments, the healthy
mice serum and brain homogenate were freshly prepared and exposed to DZN
(160 µg/mL). After 10 minutes, 2-FBA was added
to the poisoned samples, and ChE activity was measured afterward. For the in
vivo assay, the mice were poisoned with DZN subcutaneous (SC) injection
(50 mg/kg), and after 1 hour, either 2-FBA or
Pralidoxime (2-PAM) was injected intravenously (IV). After 3 h, ChE
activity was measured in the serum and brain homogenate samples. The LD50 (IV)
for 2-FBA in mice was measured as well. 2-FBA effectively reactivated the
inhibited ChE in serum and brain homogenate samples in vitro. In the in vivo
experiments, while 2-FBA could significantly reactivate the brain ChE even
better than 2-PAM, they failed to reactivate the serum ChE by single IV
injection. LD50 of 2-FBA was calculated to be 963 mg/kg. There
were no general toxicity signs in any treatment groups. The in silico
results support the potential ability of 2-FBA efficacy via possibly Witting
reaction mechanism. Our findings indicate that 2-FBA seems to be a suitable
non-oxime candidate for AChE reactivation with minimal side effects. Further
toxicokinetic studies on this compound are strongly recommended to be performed
before conducting the clinical trial in humans.
Trinkverhalten von Pflegenden – wie lässt sich das messen?
Authors: Pelz Sabrina , Steinel Michael , Weingartner Jonas , Kaltwasser Arnold , Schuster Susanne
Published: January 2023

Wasser wird häufig als die Grundlage allen Lebens bezeichnet und ist so ein essenzieller Bestandteil der Gesundheit. Bisherige Übersichtsarbeiten über das Ernährungsverhalten von Pflegekräften beinhalten häufig Ernährung und Trinkverhalten. Mit der zugrunde liegenden Arbeit wurde der explizite Fokus auf das Trinkverhalten von Pflegekräften gelegt, um herauszufinden, welche Ursachen dieses positiv wie auch negativ beeinflussen.
Wie die Implementierung eines Fortbildungskonzepts gelingen kann
Authors: Wesselborg Bärbel , Specketer Birte , Hofer Eva , Schüssler Naskia , Riessen Reimer , Stephan Astrid
Published: January 2023

Die Bewältigung von Notfällen erfordert von pflegerischem und medizinischem Personal neben einer hohen fachlichen Expertise eine gute interprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit. Beides kann in regelmäßigen Fortbildungen geübt werden. In diesem Artikel wird ein arbeitsplatzbasiertes, interprofessionelles Fortbildungskonzept auf der internistischen Intensivstation der Universitätsklinik Tübingen vorgestellt und von Faktoren berichtet, die zur erfolgreichen Implementierung führten.
Adverse events unlikely after fine-needle aspiration biopsies of thyroid nodules in patients on low-dose aspirin: a prospective controlled systematic single center analysis
Authors: Cordes Michael , Götz Theresa Ida , Kuwert Torsten , Schmidkonz Christian
Published: January 2023

Aim Our aim was to test the assertion that in terms of rate or severity level, adverse events (AEs) after fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) of thyroid nodules are unfazed by daily low-dose (100 mg) aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA) intake.

Methods We selected 268 patients for study, grouped as ASA-treated (PASA, n=78) or control (PCtrl, n=190) subjects. Controls received no antithrombotic medication. AE rates and severities were then analyzed based on patient- and nodule-related factors. We also compared group rates of non-diagnostic cytology results.

Results AEs arising after FNABs (PASA, 5%; PCtrl, 8%) did not differ significantly by group in rate (p=0.4873) or severity level (p=0.3399). All were classifiable as minor incidents, none warranting any intervention.

Conclusions The data from the present study suggest, AEs after FNABs of thyroid nodules seldom occur and qualify as minor incidents. Such procedures may be safely conducted in patients taking daily low-dose ASA. There is no evidence to support preemptive therapeutic withdrawal.
Diagnostic value of FDG-PET/CT in the diagnostic work-up of inflammation of unknown origin
Authors: Knappe Luisa Maria , Verburg Frederik Anton , Giovanella Luca , Luster Markus , Librizzi Damiano
Published: January 2023

Introduction The present study aims to evaluate the clinical diagnostic value of FDG-PET/CT in patients with inflammation of unknown origin. Material and methods We retrospectively analyzed data of 130 patients who presented general inflammatory symptoms and/or elevated level of CRP and underwent FDG-PET/CT for the purpose of identifying unknown foci of inflammation. The accuracy of PET/CT findings was assessed against the standard of eventual clinical diagnosis e.g. results of pathology, microbiology or other imaging methods. Results In 99/130 patients (76 %) a final diagnosis was established, FDG-PET/CT showed a sensitivity and specificity of each 93 %. A decreased pseudocholinesterase is associated with a higher SUVmax value and with a higher CRP value whereas no significant relationship was found between elevated CRP values and the SUVmax, although higher CRP values are associated significantly with a true positive PET/CT result. Conclusion FDG-PET/CT is a highly sensitive, specific and accurate method for the detection of foci of inflammation of unknown origin. The combination of decreased pseudocholinesterase and increased CRP levels may be a useful tool to select patients for FDG PET/CT.
Automatic Identification of Self-Reported COVID-19 Vaccine Information from Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System
Authors: Patel Jay S. , Zhan Sonya , Siddiqui Zasim , Dzomba Bari , Wu Huanmei
Published: January 2023

Background The short time frame between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic declaration and the vaccines authorization led to concerns among public regarding the safety and efficacy of the vaccines. The Food and Drug Administration uses the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) where general population can report their vaccine side effects in the text box. This information could be utilized to determine self-reported vaccine side effects.

Objective To develop a supervised and unsupervised natural language processing (NLP) pipeline to extract self-reported COVID-19 vaccination side effects, location of the side effects, medications, and possibly false/misinformation seeking further investigation in a structured format for analysis and reporting.

Methods We utilized the VAERS dataset of COVID-19 vaccine reports from November 2020 to August 2022 of 725,246 individuals. We first developed a gold-standard (GS) dataset of randomly selected 1,500 records. Second, the GS was split into training, testing, and validation sets. The training dataset was used to develop the NLP applications (supervised and unsupervised) and testing and validation datasets were used to test the performances of the NLP application.

Results The NLP application automatically extracted vaccine side effects, body locations of the side effects, medication, and possibly misinformation with moderate to high accuracy (84% sensitivity, 82% specificity, and 83% F-1 measure). We found that 23% people (386,270) faced arm soreness, 31% body swelling (226,208), 23% fatigue/body weakness (168,160), and 22% (159,873) cold/flue-like symptoms. Most of the complications occurred in the body locations such as the arm, back, chest, neck, face, and head. Over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol and Ibuprofen and allergy medication like Benadryl were most reported self-reported medications. Death due to COVID-19, changes in the DNA, and infertility were possible false/misinformation reported by people.

Conclusion Some self-reported side effects such as syncope, arthralgia, and blood clotting need further clinical investigations. Our NLP application may help in extracting information from big free-text electronic datasets to help policy makers and other researchers with decision making.
Two-dimensional stable lattice Boltzmann simulation of turbulent flow in wavy walled channel
Authors: Habib Riffat , Khan Tahir Saeed , Ahmad Zubair , Khan Muhammad Saad , Bonyah Ebenezer
Published: January 2023

In recent years, the lattice Boltzmann equation has developed into a promising technique for computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The lattice Boltzmann model (LBM) approach is derived from the Boltzmann equation and kinetic theory, as opposed to the standard CFD methods that are based on direct discretization of the Navier–Stokes equations. In this paper, Newtonian flow passing through a wavy walled channel has been examined for laminar to turbulent transition by using the LBM. The simple LBM for this problem becomes unstable as the Reynolds number increases and the laminar to turbulent transition begins. When Ehrenfest’s limiters are introduced in the LBM, the simulation becomes stable for higher Reynolds numbers. Two types of channel geometries are studied here, the channel walls of relatively small amplitude and channel walls of large amplitude. Our findings are that for large amplitude channel walls, flow becomes unsteady for lower Reynolds numbers as compared to that for small amplitude channel walls. For large amplitude walls, the vortices formed exhibit periodic shedding inside the channel furrows and remain there. For small amplitude walls, the vortex shedding starts downstream of the channel. The present LBM variant is able to simulate small amplitude channel flow for a Reynolds number Re = 800 and large amplitude channel flow for a Reynolds number R = 570.
Rice (Oryza sativa) alleviates photosynthesis and yield loss by limiting specific leaf weight under low light intensity
Authors: Saha Shoumik , Purkayastha Shampa , K Nimitha , Ganguly Sebantee , Das Subhadeep , Ganguly Shamba , Sinha Mahapatra Nilanjan , Bhattacharya Kriti , Das Dibakar , Saha Arup K. , Biswas Tirthankar , Bhattacharyya Prabir K. , Bhattacharyya Somnath
Published: January 2023

The physiological mechanisms of shade tolerance and trait plasticity variations under shade remain poorly understood in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Twenty-five genotypes of rice were evaluated under open and shade conditions. Various parameters to identify variations in the plasticity of these traits in growth irradiance were measured. We found wide variations in specific leaf weight (SLW) and net assimilation rate measured at 400 µmol m−2 s−1 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD; referred to as A400) among the genotypes. Under shade, tolerant genotypes maintained a high rate of net photosynthesis by limiting specific leaf weight accompanied by increased intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) compared with open-grown plants. On average, net photosynthesis was enhanced by 20% under shade, with a range of 2–30%. Increased accumulation of biomass under shade was observed, but it showed no correlation with photosynthetic plasticity. Chlorophyll a/b ratio also showed no association with photosynthetic rate and yield. Analysis of variance showed that 11%, 16%, and 37% of the total variance of A400, SLW, and Ci were explained due to differences in growth irradiance. SLW and A400 plasticity in growth irradiance was associated with yield loss alleviation with R2 values of 0.37 and 0.16, respectively. Biomass accumulation was associated with yield loss alleviation under shade, but no correlation was observed between A400 and leaf-N concentration. Thus, limiting specific leaf weight accompanied by increased Ci rather than leaf nitrogen concentration might have allowed rice genotypes to maintain a high net photosynthesis rate per unit leaf area and high yield under shade.
Metaphors and metonymies in the multimodal discourse of whaling
Authors: Yuan Xiaoben
Published: January 2023

Metaphors and metonymies are considered complex phenomena dependent on various factors. This paper looks at genre
(as one of the many factors) to verify to what extent the subjective descriptions of a highly controversial and complex social
topic such as whaling can be driven by discourse type. The whaling discourse was chosen because antiwhaling activist NGOs’ have
had great success with their extensive social campaigns worldwide, while it is a highly controversial and politically charged
topic. These unique features resulted in the emergence of advertising and political cartoons. By examining the similarities and
differences between metaphors, metonymies, and other meaning-making tropes such as irony and hyperbole, the observed difference
concerns both the intention behind the selection of source domains and a preference for favoring certain evaluative metaphorical
expressions in one genre as opposed to another to have a distinct impact on its intended audience.
Alfabeto para o fim do mundo
Authors: Senos Filipe , Pereira Paulo Alexandre
Published: January 2023

In this article we focus on the multimodal novel, a genre category with virtually no tradition in Portuguese
literary theory and criticism. By exploring multiple strategies of plurissemiotic convergence, multimodal narratives aren’t
restricted to verbal expression, as conventionally associated with literary fiction, but creatively resort to different modes
and/or media, which synergistically cooperate with the printed word in the production of literary meaning. In the light of the
theoretical framework laid down by the thriving field of multimodal narratology, we propose a reading of Hífen
(2021), the latest novel by Portuguese writer Patrícia Portela, undoubtedly one of the contemporary novelists in whose fiction
multissemiotic cross-fertilization is more blatantly explored.
Searching for alignment-to-orientation conversion in the ground state of atomic Cs with circularly polarized laser probe
Authors: Mozers Arturs , Busaite Laima , Osite Dace , Gahbauer Florian , Auzinsh Marcis
Published: January 2023

In this study we explored the possibilities for observing the angular momentum alignment-to-orientation conversion (AOC) in the ground state of various alkali metals: K, Rb, Cs. For theoretical analysis we used a model that is based on the Optical Bloch equations for the density matrix. In our model we took into account the interaction of the laser light with all hyperfine levels, which are mixed as the magnetic field increases. The radiation’s coherence properties were also included. Finally, the results were averaged over the Doppler profile. Additionally we simulated signals where the ground- or the excited-state coherent processes were numerically switched off in order to determine the origins of the features of the obtained signals. We also performed experiments on Cs atoms with two laser beams: a linearly polarized Cs D
1 pump and circularly polarized Cs D
2 probe. We used the pump beam to create angular momentum alignment in the ground state and observed the transmission signal of the probe beam as we changed the magnetic field. A detailed analysis of the experimentally obtained transmission signal from a single circularly polarized probe laser component is provided. Finally, prospects for observing AOC experimentally are discussed, as well as experiments were even a weak AOC signal could lead to systematic errors.
Second harmonic generation and simplified bond hyperpolarizability model analyses on the intermixing of Si/SiGe stacked multilayers for gate-all-around structure
Authors: Chen Wei-Ting , Yen Ting-Yu , Hung Yang-Hao , Huang Yu-Hsiang , Chiu Shang-Jui , Lo Kuang-Yao
Published: January 2023

Si/SiGe stacked multilayers are key elements in fabrication of gate-all-around (GAA) structures and improvement of electrical properties, with the evolution of the Si/SiGe interfaces playing a crucial role. In this work, a model is developed based on the simplified bond hyperpolarizability model (SBHM) to analysis the anisotropic reflective second harmonic generation (Ani-RSHG) on a three-period stacked Si/Si1−x
Ge
x
multilayer, which builds on Si(100) diamond structures. The C
4v symmetry of the Si(100) structure enables the second harmonic generation (SHG) contribution from the bonds to be simplified and the effective hyperpolarizabilities of the interfacial and bulk sources to be obtained. The effective interface dipolar and bulk quadrupolar SHG hyperpolarizabilities in the Si1−x
Ge
x
sample with various Ge concentration profiles are modeled by interpreting the concentration of a component element as the probability of the element occupying an atomic site. On the basis of the developed model, the Ani-RSHG spectra of the as-grown samples with various Ge ratios for each layer and the samples annealed at 850 °C and 950 °C are analyzed to inspect the change in Ge distribution and its gradient in depth. The ani-RSHG analysis on as-grown samples showed difference in Ge distribution in samples with the multi Si/SiGe structure, which is not well observed in synchrotron x-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra. For the annealed samples, the response to changes in Ge concentration and its gradient in depth reveal the Si/Si1−x
Ge
x
interface intermixing. Results of high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy agree well with the Ani-RSHG with SBHM findings. Compared with the Raman and synchrotron XRD spectra, the Ani-RSHG with SBHM simulation result demonstrates much better response to changes in compositions of the Si/Si1−x
Ge
x
stacked multilayered structures, verifying the potential for characterizing the concentration distribution in stacked multilayered thin films for GAA structures.
Topological structure and global features enhanced graph reasoning model for non-small cell lung cancer segmentation from CT
Authors: Zhang Tiangang , Wang Kai , Cui Hui , Jin Qiangguo , Cheng Peng , Nakaguchi Toshiya , Li Changyang , Ning Zhiyu , Wang Linlin , Xuan Ping
Published: January 2023

Objective. Accurate and automated segmentation of lung tumors from computed tomography (CT) images is critical yet challenging. Lung tumors are of various sizes and locations and have indistinct boundaries adjacent to other normal tissues. Approach. We propose a new segmentation model that can integrate the topological structure and global features of image region nodes to address the challenges. Firstly, we construct a weighted graph with image region nodes. The graph topology reflects the complex spatial relationships among these nodes, and each node has its specific attributes. Secondly, we propose a node-wise topological feature learning module based on a new graph convolutional autoencoder (GCA). Meanwhile, a node information supplementation (GNIS) module is established by integrating specific features of each node extracted by a convolutional neural network (CNN) into each encoding layer of GCA. Afterwards, we construct a global feature extraction model based on multi-layer perceptron (MLP) to encode the features learnt from all the image region nodes which are crucial complementary information for tumor segmentation. Main results. Ablation study results over the public lung tumor segmentation dataset demonstrate the contributions of our major technical innovations. Compared with other segmentation methods, our new model improves the segmentation performance and has generalization ability on different 3D image segmentation backbones. Our model achieved Dice of 0.7827, IoU of 0.6981, and HD of 32.1743 mm on the public dataset 2018 Medical Segmentation Decathlon challenge, and Dice of 0.7004, IoU of 0.5704 and HD of 64.4661 mm on lung tumor dataset from Shandong Cancer Hospital. Significance. The novel model improves automated lung tumor segmentation performance especially the challenging and complex cases using topological structure and global features of image region nodes. It is of great potential to apply the model to other CT segmentation tasks.
Terahertz quantum-cascade lasers for high-resolution absorption spectroscopy of atoms and ions in plasmas
Authors: Lü X , Röben B , Biermann K , Wubs J R , Macherius U , Weltmann K-D , van Helden J H , Schrottke L , Grahn H T
Published: January 2023

We report on terahertz (THz) quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs) based on GaAs/AlAs heterostructures, which exhibit single-mode emission at 3.360, 3.921, and 4.745 THz. These frequencies are in close correspondence to fine-structure transitions of Al atoms, N+ ions, and O atoms, respectively. Due to the low electrical pump power of these THz QCLs, they can be operated in a mechanical cryocooler in continuous-wave mode, while a sufficient intrinsic tuning range of more than 5 GHz is maintained. The single-mode operation and the intrinsic tuning range of these THz QCLs allow for the application of these lasers as radiation sources for high-resolution absorption spectroscopy to determine the absolute densities of Al atoms, N+ ions, and O atoms in plasmas.
Optimal design and stability control of an automotive magnetorheological brake considering the temperature effect
Authors: Wang Daoming , Yang Guangxin , Luo Yangjun , Fang Shirui , Dong Tao
Published: January 2023

Magnetorheological brake (MRB) provide a potential alternative to traditional mechanical friction brakes in automobile applications owing to their technical advantages in terms of being compact yet powerful, having superior control performance, and wire-control features. However, the temperature effect has been an important issue that should be considered in the design and precise control of MRB. This paper presents the multi-objective optimal design and stability control of an automotive MRB considering the temperature effect. First, a description of the configuration design, magnetostatic field simulation, and mathematical modeling of the automotive MRB is presented in detail. Subsequently, design optimization of the MRB is carried out. The design of experiment method was adopted to screen out the major design variables, and the optimal solution was obtained using a multi-objective genetic algorithm (GA) non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II). Thereafter, the torque output and response performance, as well as the temperature characteristics of the optimal MRB prototype are experimentally evaluated. The results indicate that the optimal design of the MRB was reasonable and effective. Finally, a GA-based back propagation neural network proportion integration differentiation controller is proposed for the stability control of the MRB during automobile braking. Its performance was verified to be satisfactory through both simulations and experiments.
Quantum corrections to pair production of charged black holes
in de Sitter space
Authors: Wang Yu-Peng , Ma Liang , Pang Yi
Published: January 2023

We compute Euclidean action of charged de Sitter black holes in four dimensional gravitational Euler-Heisenberg model. It turns out that the action of a general Euclidean dyonically charged black hole is still controlled by the total entropy contributed by the black hole outer horizon and the cosmological horizon. For smooth configurations, the Euclidean action can be interpreted as the black hole production rate in de Sitter space. We show that
the 4-derivative couplings break the symmetry between the production rate of the purely electric black hole and that of the purely magnetic black hole. Although electromagnetic duality is no longer a symmetry, it induces a transformation on the 4-derivative couplings, mapping the physical quantities of a purely electric black hole to those of a purely magnetic black hole and vice versa. We also observe that under the same transformation, unitarity constraints on the 4-derivative couplings remain invariant.
Predictions of improved confinement in SPARC via energetic particle turbulence stabilization
Authors: Di Siena A. , Rodriguez-Fernandez P. , Howard N.T. , Bañón Navarro A. , Bilato R. , Görler T. , Poli E. , Merlo G. , Wright J. , Greenwald M. , Jenko F.
Published: January 2023

The recent progress in high-temperature superconductor technologies has led to the design and construction of SPARC, a compact tokamak device expected to reach plasma breakeven with up to 25 MW of external ion cyclotron resonant heating (ICRH) power. This manuscript presents local (flux-tube) and radially global gyrokinetic GENE (Jenko et al 2000 Phys. Plasmas
7 1904) simulations for a reduced-field and current H-mode SPARC scenario showing that supra-thermal particles—generated via ICRH—strongly suppress ion-scale turbulent transport by triggering a fast ion-induced anomalous transport barrier. The trigger mechanism is identified as a wave-particle resonant interaction between the fast particle population and plasma micro-instabilities (Di Siena et al 2021 Phys. Rev. Lett.
125 025002). By performing a series of global simulations employing different profiles for the thermal ions, we show that the fusion gain of this SPARC scenario could be substantially enhanced by up to ∼80% by exploiting this fast ion stabilizing mechanism. A study is also presented to further optimize the energetic particle profiles, thus possibly leading experimentally to an even more significant fusion gain.
Wavelength selection for spectrally combined laser beams propagating in free space and the atmosphere
Authors: Li Xiaoqing , Yu Hong , Ding Zhoulin , Ji Xiaoling , Friberg Ari T
Published: January 2023

Wavelength selection has a major impact on spectral beam combining (SBC) of laser beams that propagate in free space and in the atmosphere. We derive analytical expressions for the intensity and four characteristic quality parameters of free-space SBC beams. We show that the peak intensity, the mean-square beam width, and the M
2 factor of an SBC beam at the target are all larger than those of one single laser beam of the same power and average wavelength. The peak intensity can be made higher by increasing the wavelength spacing but reducing the mean wavelength. However, when an SBC laser beam propagates in the atmosphere, the beam quality depends on the absorption coefficient of the multi-wavelength field due to thermal blooming. A thermal distortion number is introduced for an SBC beam and its validity is confirmed. We show that the power proportion of a high-absorption element within an SBC beam should be as low as possible to reduce the thermal blooming effect.
Association between diabetes overtreatment in older multimorbid patients and clinical outcomes: an ancillary European multicentre study
Authors: Christiaens Antoine , Baretella Oliver , Del Giovane Cinzia , Rodondi Nicolas , Knol Wilma , Peters Mike , Jennings Emma , O’Mahony Denis , Spinewine Anne , Boland Benoit , Henrard Séverine
Published: January 2023

Background

Diabetes overtreatment is a frequent and severe issue in multimorbid older patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Objective

This study aimed at assessing the association between diabetes overtreatment and 1-year functional decline, hospitalisation and mortality in older inpatients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy.

Methods

Ancillary study of the European multicentre OPERAM project on multimorbid patients aged ≥70 years with T2D and glucose-lowering treatment (GLT). Diabetes overtreatment was defined according to the 2019 Endocrine Society guideline using HbA1c target range individualised according to the patient’s overall health status and the use of GLT with a high risk of hypoglycaemia. Multivariable regressions were used to assess the association between diabetes overtreatment and the three outcomes.

Results

Among the 490 patients with T2D on GLT (median age: 78 years; 38% female), 168 (34.3%) had diabetes overtreatment. In patients with diabetes overtreatment as compared with those not overtreated, there was no difference in functional decline (29.3% vs 38.0%, P = 0.088) nor hospitalisation rates (107.3 vs 125.8/100 p-y, P = 0.115) but there was a higher mortality rate (32.8 vs 21.4/100 p-y, P = 0.033). In multivariable analyses, diabetes overtreatment was not associated with functional decline nor hospitalisation (hazard ratio, HR [95%CI]: 0.80 [0.63; 1.02]) but was associated with a higher mortality rate (HR [95%CI]: 1.64 [1.06; 2.52]).

Conclusions

Diabetes overtreatment was associated with a higher mortality rate but not with hospitalisation or functional decline. Interventional studies should be undertaken to test the effect of de-intensifying GLT on clinical outcomes in overtreated patients.
Training workload in the investigational drug service of a university hospital center
Authors: Martel-Côté Nicolas , Choquette Rachel , Côté-Sergerie Catherine , Lebel Denis , Bussières Jean-François , Tanguay Cynthia
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Training represents a considerable portion of research activities and is vastly different for each clinical trial. This variation is partially explained by the lack of detailed regulations surrounding training procedures, which hinders the ability of investigational drug service (IDS) staff to plan their workload. The aim of this study was to quantify the workload associated with trial-specific training of IDS staff. The secondary aim was to identify the factors associated with training complexity.

Methods

A retrospective study was carried out in the IDS of a mother and child university hospital. Trial-specific documents on which the pharmacy staff was trained were analyzed. Workload was calculated by measuring reading time. The readability of each document was determined by the Flesch Reading Ease score. The complexity of the trials was established using the scoring method of Calvin-Lamas et al. The influence of the following factors on training was assessed by analysis of variance: sponsor type, research phase, and research focus by medical specialty.

Results

A total of 93 clinical trials and 433 documents were included. Investigator’s brochures were the longest (a mean [SD] of 107 [46] pages; P < 0.0001) and most difficult documents to read (mean [SD] readability score, 25.5 [4.4]; P < 0.0001). Trials with industry sponsors required a significantly longer overall reading time (mean [SD], 12.26 [6.72] hours; P < 0.0001). On average, a mean (SD) of 9.42 (7.16) hours of reading were necessary to train one employee for a clinical trial.

Conclusion

This study is the first to document reading time necessary for training of IDS staff. The training workload varied by sponsor type, while the research phase and medical specialty had little impact. IDS units would benefit from a tool that could identify complex trials.
The Balder effect: conditional arbitrability’s threat to the New York convention
Authors: Lewis Alfred
Published: January 2023

This article assesses the Russian rules for the arbitrability of certain types of Russian corporate and procurement disputes, under which the arbitration must be seated in Russia. It is argued that these rules violate the New York Convention, and that other States Party to the Convention should object to the Russian rules. Finally the article suggests that an available and effective means of so objecting can be found in the principle of reciprocity under the Convention.
Initial validation of the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Quality of Life tool in a clinical trial setting
Authors: Santos Leandro L , Zhu Zhaoyin , Brown Kurt , Kirby Joslyn S
Published: January 2023

We tested a new patient-reported outcome tool, the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Quality of Life (HiSQoL) questionnaire, which is designed to measure quality of life (QoL) in adults with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). The HiSQoL demonstrated validity and reliability, and may be a useful tool for measuring QoL, especially in clinical trials testing new drugs in HS.
Dietary essential amino acids for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Ragni Maurizio , Greco Carolina Magdalen , Felicetta Arianna , Ren Shuxun Vincent , Kunderfranco Paolo , Ruocco Chiara , Carullo Pierluigi , Larcher Veronica , Tedesco Laura , Severi Ilenia , Giordano Antonio , Cinti Saverio , Valerio Alessandra , Sun Haipeng , Wang Yibin , Gao Chen , Condorelli Gianluigi , Nisoli Enzo
Published: January 2023

Aims

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, requiring novel therapeutic and lifestyle interventions. Metabolic alterations and energy production deficit are hallmarks and thereby promising therapeutic targets for this complex clinical syndrome. We aim to study the molecular mechanisms and effects on cardiac function in rodents with HFrEF of a designer diet in which free essential amino acids—in specifically designed percentages—substituted for protein.

Methods and results

Wild-type mice were subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC) to induce left ventricle (LV) pressure overload or sham surgery. Whole-body glucose homeostasis was studied with glucose tolerance test, while myocardial dysfunction and fibrosis were measured with echocardiogram and histological analysis. Mitochondrial bioenergetics and morphology were investigated with oxygen consumption rate measurement and electron microscopy evaluation. Circulating and cardiac non-targeted metabolite profiles were analyzed by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy, while RNA-sequencing was used to identify signalling pathways mainly affected. The amino acid-substituted diet shows remarkable preventive and therapeutic effects. This dietary approach corrects the whole-body glucose metabolism and restores the unbalanced metabolic substrate usage—by improving mitochondrial fuel oxidation—in the failing heart. In particular, biochemical, molecular, and genetic approaches suggest that renormalization of branched-chain amino acid oxidation in cardiac tissue, which is suppressed in HFrEF, plays a relevant role. Beyond the changes of systemic metabolism, cell-autonomous processes may explain at least in part the diet’s cardioprotective impact.

Conclusion

Collectively, these results suggest that manipulation of dietary amino acids, and especially essential amino acids, is a potential adjuvant therapeutic strategy to treat systolic dysfunction and HFrEF in humans.
Pfizer-BioNTech Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine Effectiveness Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection Among Long-term Care Facility Staff With and Without Prior Infection in New York City, January–June 2021
Authors: Peebles Kathryn , Arciuolo Robert J , Romano Anthony S , Sell Jessica , Greene Sharon K , Lim Sungwoo , Mulready-Ward Candace , Ternier Alexandra , Badenhop Brittan , Blaney Kathleen , Real Joseph E , Spencer Magdalene , McPherson Tristan D , Ahuja Shama Desai , Sullivan Meissner Jeanne , Zucker Jane R , Rosen Jennifer B
Published: January 2023

Background

Evidence is accumulating of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine effectiveness among persons with prior severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Methods

We evaluated the effect against incident SARS-CoV-2 infection of (1) prior infection without vaccination, (2) vaccination (2 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine) without prior infection, and (3) vaccination after prior infection, all compared with unvaccinated persons without prior infection. We included long-term care facility staff in New York City aged <65 years with weekly SARS-CoV-2 testing from 21 January to 5 June 2021. Test results were obtained from state-mandated laboratory reporting. Vaccination status was obtained from the Citywide Immunization Registry. Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for confounding with inverse probability of treatment weights.

Results

Compared with unvaccinated persons without prior infection, incident SARS-CoV-2 infection risk was lower in all groups: 54.6% (95% confidence interval, 38.0%–66.8%) lower among unvaccinated, previously infected persons; 80.0% (67.6%–87.7%) lower among fully vaccinated persons without prior infection; and 82.4% (70.8%–89.3%) lower among persons fully vaccinated after prior infection.

Conclusions

Two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection risk by ≥80% and, for those with prior infection, increased protection from prior infection alone. These findings support recommendations that all eligible persons, regardless of prior infection, be vaccinated against COVID-19.