bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
United Kingdom Patent Decisions 2022
Authors: Trigg Robyn
Published: March 2023

This report highlights a selection of the most important UK patent decisions from 2022, including: five Court of Appeal judgments (one relating to determining what constitutes an exclusive licensee, two dealing with permission to appeal and the appeal of a divisional patent validity challenge, one dealing with Arrow declaratory relief, and one dealing with the appropriate relief after a finding of standard essential patent (SEP) validity and infringement), and seven High Court judgments (one concerning a preliminary issues trial, one concerning divisional patent validity, one concerning plausibility, one considering an application for interim injunctive relief, one considering an application for Arrow declaratory relief, one looking at unjustified threats, and one looking at an expedition application relating to an infringement trial).
United Kingdom Copyright Decisions 2022
Authors: Lee Yin Harn
Published: March 2023

This report highlights the most significant UK copyright decisions in 2022. Most of these relate to the issue of copyright subject matter, which remains the focus of much academic debate. Some of these cases also raise issues relating to infringement and the scope and application of certain exceptions and limitations. The report also discusses the latest decision on website blocking injunctions.
An efficient method for generating a discrete uniform distribution using a biased random source
Authors: Lei Xiaoyu
Published: March 2023

We present an efficient algorithm to generate a discrete uniform distribution on a set of p elements using a biased random source for p prime. The algorithm generalizes Von Neumann’s method and improves the computational efficiency of Dijkstra’s method. In addition, the algorithm is extended to generate a discrete uniform distribution on any finite set based on the prime factorization of integers. The average running time of the proposed algorithm is overall sublinear:
$\operatorname{O}\!(n/\log n)$
.
On the general theory of the stability of equilibrium of discrete conservative systems
Authors: Allman D. J.
Published: March 2023

The general theory of the stability of equilibrium of discrete conservative systems is reviewed with an eye to implementation in finite element structural analysis. The approach features a natural parameter, such as the applied loading of a system, as the independent variable; all results are thus conveniently established without recourse to any of the artificial parameters advocated by some earlier authors. The criteria for identifying singular (critical) points, which include bifurcation points and limit points, and determining their stability are obtained in simple forms suitable for computation. Numerical results are given for an example problem characteristic of a loaded plate with multiple, stable and unstable, bifurcation points to demonstrate an application of the theory.
The prospects for European aerospace transporters
Authors: Ashford D. M. , Collins P. Q.
Published: March 2023

This fourth and final part of the paper on aerospace transporters attempts to explain why, if aerospace transporters are as technically and commercially viable as has been suggested in the previous parts of the paper, they were not developed several years ago.

A brief historical survey of space transportation reveals two unique features compared with other forms of transportation. First, technically straightforward methods of greatly reducing cost have persistently failed to be adopted. The feasibility of winged flyback boosters was demonstrated as long ago as 1945 when the Germans flew two experimental V-2s fitted with wings to increase range. Winged flyback boosters have never been built. Second, all significant development funding has come from government agencies - there has been very little private investment in launch vehicle development. It is suggested that the link between these two features is that space policy was initially dominated by considerations of defence and national prestige, and that the commercial uses of space have not become significant enough to give priority to cost reduction.

In this situation, it is proposed that developing a small aerospace transporter would assist the permanent manned space stations now being planned by government agencies, by providing safe and low-cost transport for their crews; and would accelerate the commercial exploitation of space by greatly reducing launch costs and thereby permitting the start of a space tourism industry. However, at present there are no firm plans for aerospace transporters, and passenger transportation is not being considered by government agencies.

The main conclusion of the paper is that feasibility studies of aerospace transporters should be undertaken soon to include particular emphasis on the prospects for commercial space passenger transportation.
Thin aerofoils with high-incidence flaps or blunt trailing edges
Authors: Moriarty J. A. , Tuck E. O.
Published: March 2023

The method of matched asymptotic expansions is used to calculate the lift for a class of thin aerofoils with highincidence flaps or blunt trailing edges. The analysis is based on smallness of the ratio between the flap length (or trailingedge thickness) and the chord of the main foil. Results are compared with exact solutions for bent plates and for triangular and quadrilateral bodies. A procedure for extension to general trailing-edge configurations, including detached flaps, is outlined.
On incompressible, turbulent, heated round jets in a co-flowing stream
Authors: So R. M. C. , Hwang B. C.
Published: March 2023

Turbulent incompressible heated round jets in a co-flowing stream are analysed theoretically. The normalised mean excess velocity and temperature profiles, as determined by experiments, can be shown to be well represented by appropriately defined Gaussian error-functions. The resulting solutions of the equations of motion and energy give rise to turbulent diffusivities for momentum and heat that are both functions of the stream and radial coordinates and depend parametrically on the co-flowing stream to jet velocity ratio, λ. When λ approaches zero, the eddy diffusivities become independent of the stream coordinate and a constant turbulent Prandtl number is recovered, just as previous studies have predicted. Analytical expressions are obtained for the jet growth and the centreline decay of velocity and temperature. These growth and decay laws are nonlinear functions of the stream coordinate, and show significant deviation from linearity as λ increases. Finally, it is shown that the analytical results are in fair agreement with measurements of round jets in a co-flowing stream, and correctly predict the parametric dependence of jet growth and centreline decay of velocity and temperature on λ.
An asymptotic theory for the periodic turbulent boundary layer in zero mean pressure gradient
Authors: Menendez A. N. , Ramaprian B. R.
Published: March 2023

An asymptotic theory valid for large Reynolds number is developed for describing the oscillatory properties of a turbulent boundary layer in a free stream whose velocity varies harmonically with time around a non-zero mean value. The theory identifies two frequency parameters in terms of which four different regimes of oscillation frequency are defined. Similarity laws are identified for each of these frequency regimes and for the different layers of the periodic boundary layer. The theory seems to bring together the available data on unsteady wall bounded flows into a general framework.
Bending, buckling and vibration of antisymmetrically laminated angle-ply rectangular simply supported plates
Authors: Yang I.-H.
Published: March 2023

Affine transformation and similarity rules has been used to solve the classical bending, buckling, and vibration problems of orthotropic plates. The present work extends these concepts to antisymmetric angle-ply laminated plates by employing a simple transformation, utilising previous material constant definitions by Tsai and Brunelle, and a similarity parameter. With the help of certain defined characteristic and bounded quantities, comprehensive solutions are found to this problem; hence, the curves presented in the text are generic rather than specific. The results indicate that the frequency parameters and buckling coefficients increase with increasing generalised rigidity ratio D* and decrease with increasing generalised Poisson’s ratio ε, and the static deflection coefficients decrease with increasing D* and increase with increasing ε. The results of a reduced set of equations agree with those obtained by previous investigators.
Oscillating thin wings in inviscid incompressible flow
Authors: Singh N. , Aikat S. , Basu B. C.
Published: March 2023

A method has been developed for calculating the load distribution, overall forces and moments on a thin wing of arbitrary shape undergoing small amplitude simple harmonic motion in inviscid, incompressible flow. The method is compared with experimental data and other theoretical methods for wings and control surfaces in pitching oscillation and wings going through a sinusoidal vertical gust.
Numerical study of balanced patch repairs to cracked sheets
Authors: Young A. , Rooke D. P. , Cartwright D. J.
Published: March 2023

The effects on the stress intensity factor of bonding repair patches over a crack in a large sheet under uniaxial loading are studied using two simple numerical models. The variation of the stress intensity factor with increasing crack length is investigated and results for repairs involving large elliptical patches are found to agree with a closed-form approximation. Further cases are considered where the patch is either rectangular in shape or less than a certain critical size. For such repairs the closed-form approximation for the stress intensity factor is shown to be unsuitable.
Analysis of beams subjected to large deflections
Authors: Morgan J.
Published: March 2023

Synopsis

The transfer matrix method of structural analysis is applied to the problem of beams subjected to large deflections by dividing the beam into a large number of uniform sections and applying elementary bending theory to each section. The solution using this method is compared with the theoretical solution of Bisshopp and Drucker for large deflections in uniform cantilever beams. The method has also been applied to uniform and tapered cantilever beams at various angles to the horizontal under vertical point loading and the results compared with experimental data obtained from laboratory measurements.
Reductions in induced drag by the use of aft swept wing tips
Authors: Burkett C. W.
Published: March 2023

Recent experimental and computational studies have indicated that rearward curvature of a wing can reduce the induced drag factor to values less than that obtained from the unswept elliptical wing considered optimal in classical wing theory. Wake non-planarity associated with a wing with aft swept tips has been suggested as a reason for this behaviour. This paper provides a systematic examination of the wake non-planarities induced by a variety of wing planforms and quantifies the induced drag reductions which may be expected. Results suggest a dependence of induced drag factor upon angle of attack, and therefore upon lift coefficient. The crescent wing is identified as the planform to derive the most benefit from its non-planar wake shape, typically a 4% reduction in induced drag factor at moderate angle of attack.
Bioaccumulation of antifouling biocides in mangroves and seagrasses in coastal ecosystems
Authors: Ohji Madoka , Harino Hiroya , Hayashizaki Ken-ichi , Yusoff Fatimah Md. , Inoue Koji
Published: March 2023

We measured the concentrations of antifouling biocides in sediment, mangrove leaves and seagrasses from Merambong and Tinggi Island, Johor, Malaysia to evaluate their contamination levels. Although the concentrations of tributyltin (TBT) in mangrove leaves in Merambong in 2013 were significantly lower than those in 2012, the Sea-Nine 211 concentration in 2013 was significantly higher than that in 2012, suggesting that the use of antifouling biocides changed from TBT to Sea-Nine 211. The concentration of each BT (butyltin) and PT (phenyltin) in the mangrove area was significantly higher than the corresponding concentration in the seagrass area in Merambong, but the concentrations of Sea-Nine 211, diuron, chlorothalonil, Irgarol 1051 and M1 in seagrasses were significantly higher than those in mangrove leaves. There were differences in the accumulation profiles of OTs (organotins) and alternative biocides between the seagrass shoots and roots. The concentration of OTs in the seagrass roots was almost the same or higher than those in the shoots, whereas those of alternative biocides shows the opposite pattern to the OTs. Significant high relationships were observed between stable carbon isotope (δ13C) and OTs, Sea-Nine 211 and Irgarols in mangrove leaves. The concentrations of these compounds increased along with the δ13C values of the mangroves. These results suggest that mangroves take up the bicarbonate ions and nutrients in sediment and/or seawater through their roots, along with OTs, Sea-Nine 211 and Irgarols which were accumulated in sediment.
A Cohort Study of Occupational Fatalities among Paramedicine Clinicians: 2003 through 2020
Authors: Maguire Brian J. , O’Neill Barbara J. , Al Amiry Ala’a
Published: March 2023

Introduction/Study Objectives:

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics respond to 40 million calls for assistance every year in the United States; these paramedicine clinicians are a critical component of the nation’s health care, disaster response, public safety, and public health systems. The study objective is to identify the risks of occupational fatalities among paramedicine clinicians working in the United States.

Methods:

To determine fatality rates and relative risks, this cohort study focused on 2003 through 2020 data of individuals classified as EMTs and paramedics by the United States Department of Labor (DOL). Data provided by the DOL and accessed through its website were used for the analyses. The DOL classifies EMTs and paramedics who have the job title of fire fighter as fire fighters and so they were not included in this analysis. It is unknown how many paramedicine clinicians employed by hospitals, police departments, or other agencies are classified as health workers, police officers, or other and were not included in this analysis.

Results:

An average of 206,000 paramedicine clinicians per year were employed in the United States during the study period; approximately one-third were women. Thirty percent (30%) were employed by local governments. Of the 204 total fatalities, 153 (75%) were transportation-related incidents. Over one-half of the 204 cases were classified as “multiple traumatic injuries and disorders.” The fatality rate for men was three-times higher than for women (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4 to 6.3). The fatality rate for paramedicine clinicians was eight-times higher than the rate for other health care practitioners (95% CI, 5.8 to 10.1) and 60% higher than the rate for all United States workers (95% CI, 1.24 to 2.04).

Conclusions:

Approximately 11 paramedicine clinicians are documented as dying every year. The highest risk is from transportation-related events. However, the methods used by the DOL for tracking occupational fatalities means that many cases among paramedicine clinicians are not included. A better data system, and paramedicine clinician-specific research, are needed to inform the development and implementation of evidence-based interventions to prevent occupational fatalities. Research, and the resulting evidence-based interventions, are needed to meet what should be the ultimate goal of zero occupational fatalities for paramedicine clinicians in the United States and internationally.
Searching the early lives of the Soong sisters in Macon, Georgia: three Chinese overseas students in the American South
Authors: Peng Juanjuan
Published: March 2023

This article uses local history approaches to reconstruct the early lives of the Soong sisters at Wesleyan Female College in Macon, Georgia at the beginning of the twentieth century. The sisters' experiences as Chinese overseas students were situated in the histories of American South and of Asian Americans. By examining the sisters' transition to Wesleyan, their everyday lives on campus, and their occasional off-campus encounters with Maconites, the article argues that the “Southernness” of Wesleyan and Macon distinguished the sisters' experiences from other Chinese overseas students that are more familiar to Chinese historians. Because of the relative absence of Chinese residents in this small Southern town, the girls were rarely categorized with Chinese laborers and hardly felt the strong anti-Chinese sentiments that were experienced by students who went to Western states and large cities. Similarly, the slow adoption of new utilitarian courses at this elite Southern female college also meant the sisters were neither trained as qualified homemakers nor as career women like many other American-educated Chinese women in their generation. They were taught to become housewives that played important, unpaid social roles – a path that they would later follow.
Informal human rights law-making: How treaty bodies use ‘General Comments’ to develop international law
Authors: Lesch Max , Reiners Nina
Published: March 2023

The United Nations treaty bodies were established to monitor the implementation of human rights by states parties. Through ‘General Comments’ – legally non-binding clarifications of treaty obligations – they have also influenced the development of international human rights law – for example, on the right to life and climate impacts. We address this phenomenon by establishing a twofold argument. First, we argue that General Comments are used by the committees to informally shape international law. They deliberately act as human rights law-makers, knowing that international institutions, organizations and professionals in their network will subsequently refer to such instruments. Second, we argue that treaty bodies not only rely on their network once they have adopted their outcome, but the experts’ personal networks also shape the drafting process of General Comments. We develop and illustrate an analytical framework with two case studies of General Comments on the human right to water and the torture prohibition. The analysis demonstrates the need for external knowledge of both technical and legal aspects of the norms being interpreted. By addressing pressing human rights challenges, expert committees can shape the law in times of stagnation and resist contestation even from powerful states.
Atmospheric Variations in Summertime Column Integrated CO2 on Synoptic Scales Over the U.S.
Authors: Wang Qingyu , Crowell Sean M. R. , Pal Sandip
Published: March 2023

Past studies have demonstrated that synoptically active weather systems play an important role in the spatial and temporal variations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) within and above the planetary boundary layer. For the first time, we investigate the spatial variability of column‐averaged dry‐air mole fractions of () due to the impact of synoptic scale transport using retrievals from the Orbiting Carbon Observatory‐2 (OCO‐2) for 66 summer cold front passage cases over the conterminous U.S. and Mexico from 2015 to 2019. differences across cold fronts in summer were found to be in good agreement with observations obtained from the Atmospheric Carbon and Transport (ACT‐America) field campaign, though with a reduced magnitude due the flat averaging kernel representing fairly uniform vertical sensitivity in the troposphere as opposed to in situ measurements. OCO‐2 observed frontal differences are statistically distinct from north‐south climatological spatial variations on similar spatial‐scales on synoptically benign days, implying that the frontal passages contribute to enhanced spatial contrasts. An exploratory analysis finds no evidence of a linkage between the temperature differences and differences, but a more thorough exploration is left as future work.
Significance of Diapycnal Mixing Within the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
Authors: Cimoli Laura , Mashayek Ali , Johnson Helen L. , Marshall David P. , Naveira Garabato Alberto C. , Whalen Caitlin B. , Vic Clément , de Lavergne Casimir , Alford Matthew H. , MacKinnon Jennifer A. , Talley Lynne D.
Published: March 2023

Diapycnal mixing shapes the distribution of climatically important tracers, such as heat and carbon, as these are carried by dense water masses in the ocean interior. Here, we analyze a suite of observation‐based estimates of diapycnal mixing to assess its role within the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). The rate of water mass transformation in the Atlantic Ocean's interior shows that there is a robust buoyancy increase in the North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW, neutral density γn ≃ 27.6–28.15), with a diapycnal circulation of 0.5–8 Sv between 48°N and 32°S in the Atlantic Ocean. Moreover, tracers within the southward‐flowing NADW may undergo a substantial diapycnal transfer, equivalent to a vertical displacement of hundreds of meters in the vertical. This result, confirmed with a zonally averaged numerical model of the AMOC, indicates that mixing can alter where tracers upwell in the Southern Ocean, ultimately affecting their global pathways and ventilation timescales. These results point to the need for a realistic mixing representation in climate models in order to understand and credibly project the ongoing climate change.
High‐Frequency Receiver Functions With Event S1222a Reveal a Discontinuity in the Martian Shallow Crust
Authors: Shi J. , Plasman M. , Knapmeyer‐Endrun B. , Xu Z. , Kawamura T. , Lognonné P. , McLennan S. M. , Sainton G. , Banerdt W. B. , Panning M. P. , Wang T.
Published: March 2023

The shallow crustal structure of Mars records the evolutionary history of the planet, which is crucial for understanding the early Martian geological environment. Until now, seismic constraints on the Martian crust have come primarily from the receiver functions (RFs). However, analysis of the Mars RFs did not focus on the shallow structure (1–5 km) so far due to the limitation of the signal‐to‐noise ratio at high frequencies for most events. Here, we take advantage of the S1222a and six other marsquakes, which exhibit high signal‐to‐noise ratios, to probe the shallow structure of Mars. We observe a converted S‐wave at approximately 1 s after the direct P‐wave in the high‐frequency P‐wave RFs. This suggests a discontinutity at 2‐km depth between highly fractured and more coherent crustal materials.
Characteristics of Gravity Wave Horizontal Phase Velocity Spectra in the Mesosphere Over the Antarctic Stations, Syowa and Davis
Authors: Kogure Masaru , Nakamura Takuji , Murphy Damian J. , Taylor Michael J. , Zhao Yucheng , Pautet Pierre‐Dominique , Tsutsumi Masaki , Tomikawa Yoshihiro , Ejiri Mitsumu K. , Nishiyama Takanori
Published: March 2023

Mesospheric gravity‐wave (GW) phase velocity spectra and total powers at two Antarctic stations, Davis and Syowa, were derived using OH airglow data from March to October in 2016. The total powers have similar seasonal variation, that is, maxima in winter at both stations. The average powers at both stations in winter were not significantly different. However, the power at Davis in September was three times smaller than that at Syowa. This lower power at Davis was attributed to GWs with omnidirectional phase velocity. These lower GW activities at Davis could be attributed to a longitudinal variation in wave filtering; a stronger wind at Davis filtered out more GWs than at Syowa. Also, to explore possible sources in the middle atmosphere, we investigated one event, in which GWs with ∼100 ms−1 southeastward phase velocity appeared at Davis on 29 August. The raytracing method was applied, and its result indicated that those GWs with high southeastward phase velocity propagated from ∼45 km altitude or higher over the Southern Ocean. A large residual of the non‐linear balanced equation was found at 50 km on its ray path. GWs, very likely emitted from a tropospheric jet, were also found near the ray path at the termination altitude over the Southern Ocean and possibly appeared saturated between 45 and 50 km. Therefore, the OH imager at Davis probably captured GWs generated by a spontaneous adjustment in the upper stratosphere and/or secondary GWs produced by the breaking of the GWs that have originated from the tropospheric jet.
Revealing the Formation of the Dipole Mode of Eurasian Snow Cover Variability During Late Autumn
Authors: Zhang Taotao , Feng Yingying , Chen Haishan
Published: March 2023

A zonal dipole pattern of the interannual variability of Eurasian snow cover during late autumn has attracted growing interest due to its extensive influences on large‐scale atmospheric circulations and climate anomalies, but it remains unknown what influences the formation of this pattern. This study revealed the potential drivers and the related physical processes of the dipole mode of the snow cover variability during 1979–2018. Results showed that the atmospheric circulation anomalies play a crucial role in forming the dipole mode, which could be further attributed to the influences of the atmospheric teleconnection patterns and the variations of sea surface temperature (SST) and sea ice concentration. Specifically, the anomalous circulations related to the teleconnections of the Eastern Atlantic pattern, East Atlantic–Western Russia pattern, and Scandinavian pattern could lead to the anomalies of air temperature and snowfall that directly shape the variability of snow cover. In addition, a dipole structure of the SST anomalies over the North Atlantic exerts an important effect on the snow cover variability through exciting an eastward propagating Rossby wave train prevailing over Eurasia. Moreover, the snow cover variability is closely linked to the sea ice variations over the Barents Sea that can regulate the anomalous circulations over Eurasia by altering the atmospheric dynamic and thermodynamic conditions. These influencing factors jointly account for about 66% of variances in the dipole mode of snow cover variability, suggesting that our findings can substantially improve the understanding of the Eurasian snow cover variations.
Enhancement of Summer Nitrogen Fixation by the Kuroshio Intrusion in the East China Sea and Southern Yellow Sea
Authors: Jiang Zhibing , Zhu Yuanli , Sun Zhenhao , Zhai Hongchang , Zhou Feng , Yan Xiaojun , Zeng Jiangning , Chen Jianfang , Chen Quanzhen
Published: March 2023

The western boundary currents are characterized by abundant diazotrophs including Trichodesmium, which may fuel N2 fixation when they intrude into marginal seas. The Kuroshio, a western boundary current in the North Pacific, flows into the East China Sea (ECS) and southern Yellow Sea (SYS), which transports abundant Trichodesmium and diatom‐diazotroph associations (DDAs). Additionally, low nitrogen:phosphorus (N:P) ratio and relatively abundant dissolved iron have been observed in the offshore ECS because of the Kuroshio intrusion as well as riverine/atmospheric inputs of P and iron. We hypothesized that the intrusion of Kuroshio greatly enhanced N2 fixation in the ECS and SYS. N2 fixation rates (NFRs) were measured using a 15N2 bubble method during summer 2013. The surface and depth‐integrated NFRs in the ECS and SYS were 1.45 nmol N L−1 d−1 and 81.7 μmol N m−2 d−1 on average, respectively, with the highest values of 13.84 nmol N L−1 d−1 and 511.8 μmol N m−2 d−1. We found that NFRs were significantly higher in the ECS oceanic (Kuroshio water) and mesohaline regions (Kuroshio‐affected water) than in the SYS and the ECS low‐salinity and coastal upwelling regions. NFR was significantly positively correlated with the densities of Trichodesmium and DDAs, salinity, and temperature but was negatively with NO3− and N:P ratio. Generalized additive models confirmed that spatial variation in NFR was overwhelmingly contributed by Trichodesmium density. These findings suggested that the Kuroshio intrusion significantly enhanced N2 fixation in the ECS through promoting growth of filamentous diazotrophs and providing appropriate nutrient environment.
Tidal Pumping Controls Dissolved Organic Matter Properties and Outwelling From Mangrove Groundwater to Coastal Water
Authors: Xiao Kai , Zhang Peng , Santos Isaac R. , Wang Jun‐Jian , Li Zhenyang , Wang Xuejing , Wang Ying‐Hui , Lu Meiqing , Zhang Licong , Li Hailong
Published: March 2023

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in highly productive intertidal mangroves is an important carbon and nutrient source to the coastal ocean. In highly dynamic mangrove intertidal systems, both tidal pumping or geochemical factors can control DOM characteristics. The influence of groundwater flow on DOM properties and fluxes remains poorly understood. Here, we compared the concentrations, sources, and spectroscopic characteristics of DOM across a recharge‐discharge gradient. We used a three‐dimensional array sampling strategy to reduce spatial biases, groundwater monitoring to quantify tidally driven exchange, and spectrofluoroscopy to quantify DOM fluorescent components. The results showed that tidal hydrology played the key role driving groundwater DOM properties in both horizontal (i.e., from the mangrove to the sea) and vertical directions. Due to the high spatial heterogeneity of dissolved inorganic (DIC) and organic (DOC) carbon concentrations in mangrove groundwater, carbon outwelling showed a high degree of variability at the intertidal scale (54.8–234.8 μmol m−2 d−1 for DIC and 2.5–12.4 μmol m−2 d−1 for DOC). The contribution of terrestrial DOM gradually decreased toward the ocean, but the microbial contributions for recently produced autochthonous DOM increased. Deep groundwater received less terrestrial DOM and experienced anaerobic microbial mineralization, resulting in lower organic carbon than shallow groundwater. Greater variations in spectroscopic characteristics were found in shallow groundwater than in deep groundwater. Overall, tidally driven surface water‐groundwater interactions control the variability in DOM properties and how DOM contributes to carbon budgets and sequestration in mangrove groundwater.
Ethnic inequalities in child oral health behaviours among five- and eight-year-old children from England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Authors: bin Hayyan Faisal M. F. , Heidari Ellie , Bernabé Eduardo
Published: March 2023

Aim To examine whether there are ethnic inequalities in child oral health behaviours and the role of parental socioeconomic status (SES) in explaining them.

Methods Data from 2,186 five- and eight-year-olds of white, Asian, Black and other ethnicity, who participated in the 2013 Children's Dental Health Survey, were analysed. Parents reported their children's toothbrushing and dental attendance. Logistic regression was used to explore ethnic inequalities in child behaviours, adjusting for demographic factors and parental SES.

Results Children of Asian ethnicity were less likely to start brushing early in life (odds ratio [OR]: 0.25; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.15-0.43), brush regularly (OR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.32-0.97) and have a check-up last year (OR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.16-0.49) than those of white ethnicity. Children of Black ethnicity were less likely to have a check-up last year (OR: 0.39; 95% CI 0.17-0.89) than those of white ethnicity. Children of other ethnicity were less likely to start brushing early in life (OR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.23-0.77) and brush regularly (OR: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.23-0.87) than children of white ethnicity. Inequalities in toothbrushing frequency and regular dental attendance between children of Black and white ethnicity were fully attenuated after adjustment for parental SES.

Conclusion There were ethnic inequalities in child toothbrushing and dental visiting, with children of Asian ethnicity being the most affected. Parental SES only explained part of these inequalities.
Metabolomic profiling of overnight peritoneal dialysis effluents predicts the peritoneal equilibration test type
Authors: Kim Hyo Jin , Choo Munki , Kwon Hyuk Nam , Yoo Kyung Don , Kim Yunmi , Tsogbadrakh Bodokhsuren , Kang Eunjeong , Park Sunghyouk , Oh Kook-Hwan
Published: March 2023

This study primarily aimed to evaluate whether peritoneal equilibration test (PET) results can be predicted through the metabolomic analysis of overnight peritoneal dialysis (PD) effluents. From a total of 125 patients, overnight PD effluents on the day of the first PET after PD initiation were analyzed. A modified 4.25% dextrose PET was performed, and the PET type was categorized according to the dialysate-to-plasma creatinine ratio at the 4-h dwell time during the PET as follows: high, high average, low average, or low transporter. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics was used to analyze the effluents and identify the metabolites. The predictive performances derived from the orthogonal projection to latent structure discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) modeling of the NMR spectrum were estimated by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The OPLS-DA score plot indicated significant metabolite differences between high and low PET types. The relative concentrations of alanine and creatinine were greater in the high transporter type than in the low transporter type. The relative concentrations of glucose and lactate were greater in the low transporter type than in the high transporter type. The AUC of a composite of four metabolites was 0.975 in distinguish between high and low PET types. Measured PET results correlated well with the total NMR metabolic profile of overnight PD effluents.
High expression of PCOLCE gene indicate poor prognosis in patients and are associated with immune infiltration in glioma
Authors: Guo Qingbao , Gao Xin , Li Jingjie , Liu Yukun , Liu Jiayu , Yang Hui , Cui Meng , Zhang Meng , Duan Lian , Ma Xiaodong
Published: March 2023

The procollagen C-protease enhancer (PCOLCE) has been identified to influence tumor growth and metastasis in multiple cancers. However, the relationship between PCOLCE activity and the progression of gliomas remains largely unknown. Glioma RNA-seq data were derived from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases for analysis. Kaplan–Meier survival curve, clinical characterization correlation, univariate and multivariate Cox, and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to assess the prognostic role of PCOLCE. Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis were used to determine the functions or pathways associated with PCOLCE. The ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT algorithms, Spearman’s rank correlation analysis, and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) databases were used to explore the relationship between PCOLCE and immune infiltration. Correlation analysis between PCOLCE, related genes, and immune cell markers was conducted using the TIMER database. Immunophenoscore assays were performed to determine differential PCOLCE expression levels in glioma. The sensitivity of multi-drugs were determined to explore potential chemotherapeutic agents in between PCOLCE. Compared to normal brain tissue, PCOLCE expression was increased in glioma and correlated with shorter overall survival (OS). Furthermore, significant differences were observed in the immune scores and immune cell infiltration levels. PCOLCE is positively associated with immune checkpoints and many immune markers. Additionally, PCOLCE expression was higher in gliomas with higher IPS Z-scores in CGGA. High expression of PCOLCE increased sensitivity to multiple chemotherapy agents in CGGA (P < 0.001), and TCGA. These results suggest that PCOLCE significantly influences the prognosis of patients with glioma, can serve as an independent prognostic factor, and is related to tumor immunity. PCOLCE may be a novel immune-related target for treating gliomas. Additionally, analysis of chemosensitivity in gliomas with high PCOLCE expression may provide a promising direction for drug development.
Hypoxia-induced transcriptional differences in African and Asian versus European diabetic cybrids
Authors: Dolinko Andrew H. , Chwa Marilyn , Schneider Kevin , Singh Mithalesh K. , Atilano Shari , Wu Jie , Kenney M. Cristina
Published: March 2023

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common diabetic microvascular complication and cause of blindness in adults under the age of 65. Our results suggest that, when comparing transcriptomes of cultures grown in hypoxic conditions versus room-air, cybrids containing mitochondria from African and Asian diabetic subjects ([Afr + Asi]/DM) have some uniquely different transcriptome profiles compared to European/diabetic (Euro/DM) cybrids (e.g., fatty acid metabolism: EnrichR rank 10 in [Afr + Asi]/DM, rank 85 in Euro/DM; Endocytosis: rank 25 in [Afr + Asi]/DM, rank 5 in Euro/DM; Ubiquitin Mediated Proteolysis: rank 34 in [Afr + Asi]/DM, rank 7 in Euro/DM). As determined by both RNA-seq and qRT-PCR results, transcription of the gene encoding oleoyl-ACP hydrolase (OLAH) was significantly increased in [Afr + Asi]/DM cybrids compared to Euro/DM cybrids in hypoxic conditions. Additionally, our results show that in hypoxic conditions, Euro/DM cybrids and [Afr + Asi]/DM cybrids show similar decreases in ROS production. All cybrids showed decreased ZO1-minus protein levels, but their phagocytic functions were not significantly altered in hypoxic conditions. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the "molecular memory" imparted by [Afr + Asi]/DM mtDNA may act through one of the molecular pathways seen in transcriptome analysis, such as fatty acid metabolism, without significantly changing essential RPE functions.
Noble metal catalyst detection in rocks using machine-learning: The future to low-cost, green energy materials?
Authors: Ifandi Elena , Lai Daphne Teck Ching , Kalaitzidis Stavros , Abu Bakar Muhammad Saifullah , Grammatikopoulos Tassos , Lai Chun-Kit , Tsikouras Basilios
Published: March 2023

Carbon capture and catalytic conversion to methane is promising for carbon–neutral energy production. Precious metals catalysts are highly efficient; yet they have several significant drawbacks including high cost, scarcity, environmental impact from the mining and intense processing requirements. Previous experimental studies and the current analytical work show that refractory grade chromitites (chromium rich rocks with Al2O3 > 20% and Cr2O3 + Al2O3 > 60%) with certain noble metal concentrations (i.e., Ir: 17–45 ppb, Ru: 73–178 ppb) catalyse Sabatier reactions and produce abiotic methane; a process which has not been investigated at the industrial scale. Thus, a natural source (chromitites) hosting noble metals might be used instead of concentrating noble metals for catalysis. Stochastic machine-learning algorithms show that among the various phases, the noble metal alloys are natural methanation catalysts. Such alloys form when pre-existing platinum group minerals (PGM) are chemically destructed. Chemical destruction of existing PGM results to mass loss forming locally a nano-porous surface. The chromium-rich spinel phases, hosting the PGM inclusions, are subsequently a second-tier support. The current work is the first multi-disciplinary research showing that noble metal alloys within chromium-rich rocks are double-supported, Sabatier catalysts. Thus, such sources could be a promising material in the search of low-cost, sustainable materials for green energy production.
Dynamics of multipartite quantum steering for different types of decoherence channels
Authors: Li Wei-Chen , Xiao Ya , Han Xin-Hong , Fan Xuan , Hei Xiao-Bing , Gu Yong-Jian
Published: March 2023

Multipartite quantum steering, a unique resource for asymmetric quantum network information tasks, is very fragile to the inevitable decoherence, which makes it useless for practical purposes. It is thus of importance to understand how it decays in the presence of noise channels. We study the dynamic behaviors of genuine tripartite steering, reduced bipartite steering, and collective steering of a generalized three-qubit W state when only one qubit interacts independently with the amplitude damping channel (ADC), phase damping channel (PDC) or depolarizing channel (DC). Our results provide the region of decoherence strength and state parameters that each type of steering can survive. The results show that these steering correlations decay the slowest in PDC and some non-maximally entangled states more robust than the maximally entangled ones. Unlike entanglement and Bell nonlocality, the thresholds of decoherence strength that reduced bipartite steering and collective steering can survive depend on the steering direction. In addition, we find that not only one party can be steered by a group system, but also two parties can be steered by a single system. There is a trade-off between the monogamy relation involving one steered party and two steered parties. Our work provides comprehensive information about the effect of decoherence on multipartite quantum steering, which will help to realize quantum information processing tasks in the presence of noise environments.
Ligamentum flavum analysis in patients with lumbar discus hernia and lumbar spinal stenosis
Authors: Aleksić Vuk , Todorović Jovana , Miladinović Nenad , Aleksić Nemanja , Bogosavljević Vojislav , Đurović Marko , Kocić Svetlana , Aleksić Radmila , Joković Miloš
Published: March 2023

The normal ligamentum flavum (LF) is a well-defined elastic structure with specific innervation. Several studies investigated LF in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and used lumbar discus hernia (LDH) patients as control group, only on the presumed thesis that LF in this patients have normal morphology. In patients with LSS thickening of the LF is the main cause of stenosis, which is most often presented with neurogenic claudication, whose pathophysiological mechanism is not completely understood. We conducted observational cohort study of 60 operated patients divided into two groups. The first group of 30 patients underwent micro-discectomy (LSH group), and second group with 30 patients underwent decompression, after which analysis of harvested LF was performed. Patients from the LDH group and LSS group differed significantly in the frequencies of chief complaints, duration of symptoms, physical examination, and specific morphological/radiological parameters. The LF analysis showed that the groups differed significantly in the amount of collagen and elastic fibers, as well as in the histological appearance/architectonics of elastic fibers. Also, groups differ in the presence of LF nerve fibers. Our findings speak in favor of the recently postulated inflammatory theory in the origin of spinal neurogenic claudication’s.
Real-world data on the incidence and risk of Guillain–Barré syndrome following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: a prospective surveillance study
Authors: Ha Jongmok , Park Suyeon , Kang Hyunwook , Kyung Taeeun , Kim Namoh , Kim Dong Kyu , Kim Hyeonjoon , Bae Kihoon , Song Min Cheol , Lee Kwang June , Lee Euiho , Hwang Beom Seuk , Youn Jinyoung , Seok Jin Myoung , Park Kunhee
Published: March 2023

Increasing evidence suggests an association between SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS). Nevertheless, little is understood about the contributing risk factors and clinical characteristics of GBS post SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. In this prospective surveillance study of 38,828,691 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses administered from February 2021 to March 2022 in the Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, 55 cases of GBS were reported post vaccination. We estimated the incidence rate of GBS per million doses and the incidence rate ratio for the vaccine dose, mechanism, age, and sex. Additionally, we compared the clinical characteristics of GBS following mRNA-based and viral vector-based vaccinations. The overall incidence of GBS following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was 1.42 per million doses. Viral vector-based vaccines were associated with a higher risk of GBS. Men were more likely to develop GBS than women. The third dose of vaccine was associated with a lower risk of developing GBS. Classic sensorimotor and pure motor subtypes were the predominant clinical subtypes, and demyelinating type was the predominant electrodiagnostic subtype. The initial dose of viral-vector based vaccine and later doses of mRNA-based vaccine were associated with GBS, respectively. GBS following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination may not be clinically distinct. However, physicians should pay close attention to the classic presentation of GBS in men receiving an initial dose of viral vector-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
A NIR fluorescent probe for dual imaging of mitochondrial viscosity and FA in living cells and zebrafish
Authors: Liang Feng , Huang Wanyun , Wu Lei , Wu Yihong , Zhang Tingrui , He Xiaolong , Wang Zhouyu , Yu Xiaoqi , Li Yuzhi , Qian Shan
Published: March 2023

After the probe recognizes formaldehyde, the fluorescence quenching group leaves, exposing the Cy-7 fluorophore. Meanwhile, the probe contains a near-infrared fluorescent backbone with viscosity response, which can detect viscosity changes.
Characterization of freeze-dried oxidized human red blood cells for pre-transfusion testing by synchrotron FTIR microspectroscopy live-cell analysis
Authors: Chakkumpulakkal Puthan Veettil Thulya , Alves Diana , Vongsvivut Jitraporn , Sparrow Rosemary L. , Wood Bayden R. , Garnier Gil
Published: March 2023

Oxidative treatment of human red blood cells (RBCs) prior to freeze-drying appears to stabilize the RBCs to withstand dried storage at room temperature.
Construction of oxygenated 2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanesviapalladium-catalyzed 1,2-aminoacyloxylation of cyclopentenes
Authors: Zhou Haipin , Pan Rui , Xu Menghua , Ma Jiao , Lin Aijun , Yao Hequan
Published: March 2023

A palladium-catalyzed 1,2-aminoacyloxylation of cyclopentene has been described and more structurally diverse bridged aza-bicycles could be readily achieved through further transformation.
Synthesis of unconventional Pd–Se nanoparticles for phase-dependent ethanol electrooxidation
Authors: Hu Zhenya , Yang Niuwa , Feng Yongjun , Xu Lin , Hu Chaoquan , Liu Hui , Tian Shaonan , Yang Jun
Published: March 2023

Orthorhombic PdSe2, cubic Pd17Se15, and monoclinic Pd7Se2nanoparticles are precisely synthesized, which show phase-dependent electrocatalysis for the ethanol oxidation reaction.
Modifying SnO2 with ammonium polyacrylate to enhance the performance of perovskite solar cells
Authors: Wu Yu , Wang Yanqing , Li Mengzhu , Wang Zhaozhao , Wu Wenfei , Song Huifang , Liu Qingsha , Shi Chengwu
Published: March 2023

PSCs with a PANH4 modified SnO2 ETL exhibited a maximum PCE of 20.70%.
A simple tandem mass spectrometry method for structural identification of pentose oligosaccharides
Authors: Tsai Shang-Ting , Hsu Hsu-Chen , Ni Chi-Kung
Published: March 2023

A flow chart of CID sequences in tandem mass spectrometry for pentose trisaccharide structure determination.
Crystallization and phase transition of butene/propylene copolymers
Authors: Yuan Yaru , Li Wei , Qv Chunjing , Ma Zhe
Published: March 2023

The introduction of propylene co-units into butene/propylene random copolymers can accelerate the II–I phase transition and even induce the direct formation of trigonal form I′ from an amorphous melt.