bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceived contrast on displays with different luminance ranges
Authors: Sund Patrik
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Medical displays are fundamental in today's healthcare since they provide the link between digitally stored data and the human clinician, and it is thus important that the transfer of information is as effective and reliable as possible. Contrast perception in viewed images is complex due to the nature of the human visual system, and the luminance distribution in the viewed scene plays a major role. Standards and guidelines concerning medical displays are important as they set a baseline image quality. However, as the number of imaging applications as well as display technology has evolved rapidly during the past decades, there may be possible uses not foreseen in the current guidelines. Bright screens may perform as good in bright rooms as less bright displays do in dark rooms, but current guidelines are likely to favor dark rooms due to historical reasons. The purpose of this study was to determine the limits of contrast perception in three very different lighting conditions and relate the outcome to guideline recommendations.

Methods

Three different display luminance settings were studied, 1–250, 6–500, and 12–750 cd/m2 with luminance ratios of 250, 85, and 62, respectively. Although the luminance ratios, black levels, and white levels were different, they all covered the same number of just noticeable differences (JNDs). By using a two‐alternative forced‐choice method, contrast thresholds were determined at dark, mid‐gray, and bright pixel values for all luminance settings using bar patterns with two different spatial frequencies. In total, 18 contrast thresholds were determined by each of the 10 observers.

Results

The contrast thresholds for the low‐frequency patterns were close to 0.5 JNDs and there were no systematic differences between the three luminance conditions at any of the pixel values. The high‐frequency patterns required almost 10 times higher contrast where the highest contrast threshold (worst visibility) was obtained for the luminance setting 1–250 cd/m2 at the dark pixel value.

Conclusions

The differences between the three luminance conditions were mostly minor, which indicate that display settings with low luminance ratios and high minimum luminance levels can be used without compromising displayed image contrast. The number of JNDs enclosed by the luminance range of a display is a reliable metric for global perceived contrast. Luminance ratios are limited regarding the ability to detect low contrast objects when there are large differences in luminance, although they can still be used within a relatively small range of luminance levels. Low luminance levels may cause a loss of visibility, especially for fine details, and should be avoided.
The scope of “marketing” research in the nonprofit sector: Lessons from the last 20 years literature
Authors: Jung Jihye , Kim Minjung , Suh Jiwon
Published: February 2022

Over the last several decades, the field of nonprofit marketing has produced a growing number of publications; however, little attention has been paid to examine what research topics have been studied by nonprofit scholars from the marketing perspectives. This knowledge production research contributes to the literature by reviewing trends in research themes and methodologies over the last 20 years among the articles for which authors use the terminology “marketing.” Employing a thematic review using text network analysis, and an in‐depth methodology review, this study finds that nonprofit marketing studies have been shifting to become more subdivided and diversified in terms of research themes and methodologies. However, we also find that there is still room for further development, which we provided recommendations based on the findings. With its findings, this paper provides critical guidance for future studies.
Management considerations of Hodgkin lymphoma for patients with Fontan physiology
Authors: Perry Milligan Michelle C. , Kersun Leslie S.
Published: February 2022

While treatment protocols for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) are well established, there is no literature available to guide therapy or estimate prognosis for patients with Fontan physiology who develop HL. The physiology of a Fontan procedure can result in the inability to tolerate chemotherapy toxicities, supportive care, and infection. We present a series of three patients with Fontan physiology who were treated for HL and discuss their clinical course and treatment.
Standardizing the surgical management of benign ovarian tumors in children and adolescents: A best practice Delphi consensus statement
Authors: Braungart Sarah , Williams Cara , Arul Suren G. , Bambang Katerina , Craigie Ross James , Cross Kate Mary , Dick Alistair , Hammond Philip , Okoye Bruce , Rogers Timothy , Losty Paul Damian , Glaser Adam , Powis Mark
Published: February 2022

Aim

No widely agreed consensus protocols exist for the management of benign ovarian tumors (BOT) in children. This presents a substantial risk for suboptimal management. We aimed to generate multispecialty consensus guidance to standardize surgical management and provide a clear follow‐up protocol for children with BOTs.

Methods

Prospective two‐round confidential e‐Delphi consensus survey distributed among multispecialty expert panel; concluded by two semistructured videoconferences.

Main results

Consensus was generated on these core outcome sets: preoperative/intraoperative management; follow‐up; adolescent gynecology referral. (1) Children with BOTs should receive the same management as other patients with potentially neoplastic lesions: Preoperative discussion at a pediatric oncology multidisciplinary meeting to risk stratify tumors, and management by health professionals with expertise in ovarian‐sparing surgery and laparoscopy. (2) Ovarian‐sparing surgery for BOTs should be performed wherever possible to maximize fertility preservation. (3) Ovarian masses detected during emergency laparoscopy/laparotomy should be left in situ wherever feasible and investigated appropriately (imaging/tumor markers) before resection. (4) Follow‐up should be undertaken for all patients after BOT resection. Patients should be offered referral to adolescent gynecology to discuss fertility implications.

Conclusion

This best practice Delphi consensus statement emphasizes the importance of managing children with BOTs through a well‐defined oncological MDT strategy, in order to optimize risk stratification and allow fertility preservation by ovarian‐sparing surgery wherever possible.
Constructing three‐dimensional boron nitride network for highly thermally conductive epoxy resin composites
Authors: Wu Xian , Liu Wei , Shi Fa‐guo , Yang Le , Zhang Chun
Published: February 2022

Construction of heat conduction channels in polymer matrix plays a key role in thermally conductive composite. In this work, three‐dimensional (3D) boron nitride (BN) framework was successfully fabricated by decomposing the sacrificial material. The resultant 3D‐BN framework with honeycomb‐like structure was further infiltrated with liquid epoxy resin. With the aid of thermally conductive pathways formed by the 3D‐BN framework, the maximum thermal conductivity of EP/3D‐BN composites reaches 3.53 W/m·K with 55.85 vol% BN, which is 17.6 times larger than that of pure EP. The EP/3D‐BN composites demonstrate strong capability to dissipate the heat during heating and cooling processes. This work provides a facile method for developing thermal conductive composites applied in thermal management for electronics.
Design, synthesis, and properties of polystyrene‐based through‐space charge transfer polymers: Effect of triplet energy level of electron donor moiety on delayed fluorescence and electroluminescence performance
Authors: Hu Jun , Chang Yufei , Chen Fan , Yang Qingqing , Shao Shiyang , Wang Lixiang
Published: February 2022

Two kinds of polystyrene‐based through‐space charge transfer (TSCT) polymers consisting of spatially‐separated acridan donor moieties bearing phenyl or naphthyl substituents and triazine acceptor moieties are designed and synthesized. It is found that TSCT polymers containing phenyl‐substituted acridan donors exhibit high‐lying singlet (S1) and triplet (T1) states with small singlet‐triplet energy splitting (∆EST) of 0.04–0.05 eV, resulting in thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) with reverse intersystem crossing rate constants of 1.1–1.2 × 106 s−1. In contrast, polymers bearing naphthyl‐substituted acridan donors, although still having TSCT emission, exhibit no TADF effect because of the large ∆EST of 0.30–0.33 eV induced by low‐lying locally excited T1 state of naphthyl donor moiety. Solution‐processed organic light‐emitting diodes using TSCT polymers containing phenyl‐substituted acridan donors reveal sky‐blue emission at 483 nm together with maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 11.3%, which is about 30 times that of naphthyl‐substituted counterpart with maximum EQE of 0.38%, shedding light on the importance of high triplet energy level of donor moiety on realizing TADF effect and high device efficiency for through‐space charge transfer polymer.
Systematic review of the efficacy, effectiveness and safety of high‐dose seasonal influenza vaccines for the prevention of laboratory‐confirmed influenza in individuals ≥18 years of age
Authors: Comber Laura , O Murchu Eamon , Jordan Karen , Hawkshaw Sarah , Marshall Liam , O'Neill Michelle , Teljeur Conor , Ryan Máirín , Carnahan AnnaSara , Pérez Martín Jaime Jesús , Robertson Anna Hayman , Johansen Kari , de Jonge Jorgen , Krause Tyra , Nicolay Nathalie , Nohynek Hanna , Pavlopoulou Ioanna , Pebody Richard , Penttinen Pasi , Soler‐Soneira Marta , Wichmann Ole , Harrington Patricia
Published: February 2022

This review sought to assess the efficacy, effectiveness and safety of high‐dose inactivated influenza vaccines (HD‐IIV) for the prevention of laboratory‐confirmed influenza in individuals aged 18 years or older. A systematic literature search was conducted in electronic databases and grey literature sources up to 7 February 2020. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non‐randomised studies of interventions (NRSIs) were included. The search returned 28,846 records, of which 36 studies were included. HD‐IIV was shown to have higher relative vaccine efficacy in preventing influenza compared with standard‐dose influenza vaccines (SD‐IIV3) in older adults (Vaccine effectiveness (VE) = 24%, 95% CI 10–37, one RCT). One NRSI demonstrated significant effect for HD‐IIV3 against influenza B (VE = 89%, 95% CI 47–100), but not for influenza A(H3N2) (VE = 22%, 95% CI −82 to 66) when compared with no vaccination in older adults. HD‐IIV3 showed significant relative effect compared with SD‐IIV3 for influenza‐related hospitalisation (VE = 11.8%, 95% CI 6.4–17.0, two NRSIs), influenza‐ or pneumonia‐related hospitalisation (VE = 13.7%, 95% CI 9.5–17.7, three NRSIs), influenza‐related hospital encounters (VE = 13.1%, 95% CI 8.4–17.7, five NRSIs), and influenza‐related office visits (VE = 3.5%, 95% CI 1.5–5.5, two NRSIs). For safety, HD‐IIV were associated with significantly higher rates of local and systemic adverse events compared with SD‐IIV (combined local reactions, pain at injection site, swelling, induration, headache, chills and malaise). From limited data, compared with SD‐IIV, HD‐IIV were found to be more effective in the prevention of laboratory‐confirmed influenza, for a range of proxy outcome measures, and associated with more adverse events.
Emerging Bioelectronic Strategies for Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering and Implantation
Authors: Cox‐Pridmore Dannielle M. , Castro Fernando A. , Silva S. Ravi P. , Camelliti Patrizia , Zhao Yunlong
Published: February 2022

Heart diseases are currently the leading cause of death worldwide. The ability to create cardiovascular tissue has numerous applications in understanding tissue development, disease progression, pharmacological testing, bio‐actuators, and transplantation; yet current cardiovascular tissue engineering (CTE) methods are limited. However, there have been emerging developments in the bioelectronics field, with the creation of biomimetic devices that can intimately interact with cardiac cells, provide monitoring capabilities, and regulate tissue formation. Combining bioelectronics with cardiac tissue engineering can overcome current limitations and produce physiologically relevant tissue that can be used in various areas of cardiovascular research and medicine. This review highlights the recent advances in cardiovascular‐based bioelectronics. First, cardiac tissue engineering and the potential of bioelectronic therapies for cardiovascular diseases are discussed. Second, advantageous bioelectronic materials for CTE and implantation and their properties are reviewed. Third, several representative cardiovascular tissue‐bioelectronic interface models and the beneficial functions that bioelectronics can demonstrate in in vitro and in vivo applications are explored. Finally, the prospects and remaining challenges for clinical application are discussed.
Electrogenic Bacteria Promise New Opportunities for Powering, Sensing, and Synthesizing
Authors: Choi Seokheun
Published: February 2022

Considerable research efforts into the promises of electrogenic bacteria and the commercial opportunities they present are attempting to identify potential feasible applications. Metabolic electrons from the bacteria enable electricity generation sufficient to power portable or small‐scale applications, while the quantifiable electric signal in a miniaturized device platform can be sensitive enough to monitor and respond to changes in environmental conditions. Nanomaterials produced by the electrogenic bacteria can offer an innovative bottom‐up biosynthetic approach to synergize bacterial electron transfer and create an effective coupling at the cell–electrode interface. Furthermore, electrogenic bacteria can revolutionize the field of bioelectronics by effectively interfacing electronics with microbes through extracellular electron transfer. Here, these new directions for the electrogenic bacteria and their recent integration with micro‐ and nanosystems are comprehensively discussed with specific attention toward distinct applications in the field of powering, sensing, and synthesizing. Furthermore, challenges of individual applications and strategies toward potential solutions are provided to offer valuable guidelines for practical implementation. Finally, the perspective and view on how the use of electrogenic bacteria can hold immeasurable promise for the development of future electronics and their applications are presented.
Toward a New Generation of Fire‐Safe Energy Storage Devices: Recent Progress on Fire‐Retardant Materials and Strategies for Energy Storage Devices
Authors: Yusuf Abdulmalik , Li Zhi , Yuan Xiaoya , Wang De‐Yi
Published: February 2022

Over the last few decades, tremendous progress has been achieved in the development of advanced materials for energy storage devices. These achievements have largely enabled the adoption and transition to key technologies such as mobile phones, electric vehicles, and internet of things. However, the recent surge in fire accidents and explosions emanating from energy storage devices have been closely associated with the highly flammable components that make up these devices which have often led to the loss of life and property. Therefore, replacing flammable materials with fire retardant materials has been recognized as the critical solution to the ever‐growing fire problem in these devices. This review summarizes the progress achieved so far in the field of fire retardant materials for energy storage devices. Finally, a perspective on the current state of the art is provided, and a future outlook for these fire‐retardant materials, strategies, and new characterization methods is discussed.
An efficient Hadoop‐based brain tumor detection framework using big data analytic
Authors: Kaur Chahal Prabhjot , Pandey Shreelekha
Published: February 2022

The exponential increase of brain MR image data in the medical imaging field requires faster and accurate segmentation of tumor. The computer aided detection systems acting as a second option to experts, radiologists, and surgeons needs to be swift enough to handle parallelism. However, handling of massive MR data for segmentation with high accuracy and low processing time is significant concern of any framework. In this article, distributed platforms for brain tumor segmentation using hybrid weighted fuzzy approach integrated with Matlab Distributed Computing Server and Hadoop has been proposed. The approach is based on the fuzzification of the pixel values to achieve more meaningful clusters by grouping of large data into similar clusters. The article focuses on analyzing the performance of varying sized data sets using hybrid fuzzy clustering in MapReduce on Hadoop to deal with huge MR brain data cross clusters of commodity computers. For experimentation varying size of DICOM data set is processed through different number of clusters to compare the read, write, and processing time on each node. The read and write operation time elevates as the data size increasing is floated to multinode. However, the processing time of the proposed approach turns to be 35 min on single, whereas 3‐node clusters process the same data set (215 MB) in 3.4 min. Furthermore, increasing the data set to 7.3 GB the 3‐node cluster performs in 235.4 min which is greatly reduced from single node processing time of 2085.2 min.
‘The RSPCA has got to change’
Authors: Allen Caroline , Loeb Josh
Published: February 2022

The world's oldest animal welfare charity has unparalleled name recognition and an illustrious past but, as its chief vet Caroline Allen tells Josh Loeb, it must modernise to survive.
Looking out for avian influenza in smallholding poultry flocks
Authors: Welchman David , Hansen Rowena , Stephan Lévon , Brzozowska Anna
Published: February 2022

This focus article has been prepared by David Welchman, Rowena Hansen, Lévon Stephan and Anna Brzozowska of the APHA. It is an update of a focus article first published in December 2017 (VR, 9 December 2017, vol 181, pp 618–620).
Integrating three-loop modular graph functions and transcendentality of string amplitudes
Authors: D’Hoker Eric , Geiser Nicholas
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Modular graph functions (MGFs) are SL(2,ℤ)-invariant functions on the Poincaré upper half-plane associated with Feynman graphs of a conformal scalar field on a torus. The low-energy expansion of genus-one superstring amplitudes involves suitably regularized integrals of MGFs over the fundamental domain for SL(2,ℤ). In earlier work, these integrals were evaluated for all MGFs up to two loops and for higher loops up to weight six. These results led to the conjectured uniform transcendentality of the genus-one four-graviton amplitude in Type II superstring theory. In this paper, we explicitly evaluate the integrals of several infinite families of three-loop MGFs and investigate their transcendental structure. Up to weight seven, the structure of the integral of each individual MGF is consistent with the uniform transcendentality of string amplitudes. Starting at weight eight, the transcendental weights obtained for the integrals of individual MGFs are no longer consistent with the uniform transcendentality of string amplitudes. However, in all the cases we examine, the violations of uniform transcendentality take on a special form given by the integrals of triple products of non-holomorphic Eisenstein series. If Type II superstring amplitudes do exhibit uniform transcendentality, then the special combinations of MGFs which enter the amplitudes must be such that these integrals of triple products of Eisenstein series precisely cancel one another. Whether this indeed is the case poses a novel challenge to the conjectured uniform transcendentality of genus-one string amplitudes.
Emerging jets displaced into the future
Authors: Archer-Smith Paul , Linthorne Dylan , Stolarski Daniel
Published: February 2022

Abstract

We examine the potential of future long-lived particle experiments to probe dark QCD models that feature Emerging Jets. The core of this analysis focuses on the transverse detectors AL3X, ANUBIS, CODEX-b, and MATHUSLA as they cover the most relevant parameter space, though the highly forward experiments MAPP, FORMOSA, and FASER are also explored. Geometric coverage of the detectors is calculated and used to determine the number of signal events and kinematic distribution measured for a collection of different benchmark models. This is used to map out the discovery potential of the Emerging Jets parameter space. Although all experiments demonstrate some reach, AL3X, ANUBIS, and MATHUSLA stand out as the most promising for exploring the dark QCD Emerging Jets parameter space.
Spinning solutions for the bosonic M2-brane with C± fluxes
Authors: Alvarez P. D. , Garcia P. , Garcia del Moral M. P. , Peña J. M. , Prado R.
Published: February 2022

Abstract

In this work we obtain classical solutions of the bosonic sector of the supermembrane theory with two-form fluxes associated to a quantized constant C± background. This theory satisfies a flux condition on the worldvolume that induces monopoles over it. Classically it is stable as it does not contain string-like spikes with zero energy in distinction with the general case. At quantum level the bosonic membrane has a purely discrete spectrum but the relevance is that the same property holds for its supersymmetric spectrum. We find for this theory spinning membrane solutions, some of them including the presence of a non-vanishing symplectic gauge connection defined on its worldvolume in different approximations. By using the duality found between this theory and the so-called supermembrane with central charges, rotating membrane solutions found in that case, are also solutions of the M2-brane with C± fluxes. We generalize this result to other embeddings. We find new distinctive rotating membrane solutions, some of them including the presence of a non-vanishing symplectic gauge connection defined on its worldvolume. We obtain numerical and analytical solutions in different approximations characterizing the dynamics of the membrane with fluxes C± for different ansätze of the dynamical degrees of freedom. Finally we discuss the physical admissibility of some of these ansätze to model the components of the symplectic gauge field.
Off-shell Higgs production at the LHC as a probe of the trilinear Higgs coupling
Authors: Haisch Ulrich , Koole Gabriël
Published: February 2022

Abstract

In the context of the Standard Model effective field theory (SMEFT) we examine the constraints on the trilinear Higgs coupling that originate from off-shell Higgs production in proton-proton collisions. Our calculation of the gg → h* → ZZ → 4ℓ process includes two-loop corrections to gluon-gluon-fusion Higgs production and one-loop corrections to the Higgs propagator and its decay. Employing a matrix-element based kinematic discriminant we determine the reach of LHC Run 3 and the high-luminosity option of the LHC in constraining the relevant SMEFT Wilson coefficients. We present constraints that are not only competitive with but also complementary to the projected indirect limits that one expects to obtain from inclusive measurements of single-Higgs production processes at future LHC runs.
A mitochondria cluster at the proximal axon initial segment controls axodendritic TAU trafficking in rodent primary and human iPSC-derived neurons
Authors: Tjiang Noah , Zempel Hans
Published: February 2022

Loss of neuronal polarity and missorting of the axonal microtubule-associated-protein TAU are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related tauopathies. Impairment of mitochondrial function is causative for various mitochondriopathies, but the role of mitochondria in tauopathies and in axonal TAU-sorting is unclear. The axon-initial-segment (AIS) is vital for maintaining neuronal polarity, action potential generation, and—here important—TAU-sorting. Here, we investigate the role of mitochondria in the AIS for maintenance of TAU cellular polarity. Using not only global and local mitochondria impairment via inhibitors of the respiratory chain and a locally activatable protonophore/uncoupler, but also live-cell-imaging and photoconversion methods, we specifically tracked and selectively impaired mitochondria in the AIS in primary mouse and human iPSC-derived forebrain/cortical neurons, and assessed somatic presence of TAU. Global application of mitochondrial toxins efficiently induced tauopathy-like TAU-missorting, indicating involvement of mitochondria in TAU-polarity. Mitochondria show a biased distribution within the AIS, with a proximal cluster and relative absence in the central AIS. The mitochondria of this cluster are largely immobile and only sparsely participate in axonal mitochondria-trafficking. Locally constricted impairment of the AIS-mitochondria-cluster leads to detectable increases of somatic TAU, reminiscent of AD-like TAU-missorting. Mechanistically, mitochondrial impairment sufficient to induce TAU-missorting results in decreases of calcium oscillation but increases in baseline calcium, yet chelating intracellular calcium did not prevent mitochondrial impairment-induced TAU-missorting. Stabilizing microtubules via taxol prevented TAU-missorting, hinting towards a role for impaired microtubule dynamics in mitochondrial-dysfunction-induced TAU-missorting. We provide evidence that the mitochondrial distribution within the proximal axon is biased towards the proximal AIS and that proper function of this newly described mitochondrial cluster may be essential for the maintenance of TAU polarity. Mitochondrial impairment may be an upstream event in and therapeutic target for AD/tauopathy.
The effects of ageing treatment on bioactive contents and chemical composition of liquid smoke food flavourings
Authors: Xin Xing , Zhao Wenyu , Essien Sinemobong , Dell Kiri , Baroutian Saeid
Published: February 2022

Liquid smoke food flavouring is an alternative to traditional food smoking. Ageing treatment of liquid smoke can remove tar to improve a consistent sensory experience but traditionally takes months by storage. This study proposed a thermal treatment approach to accelerate the ageing process. Liquid smoke samples from kānuka and hickory woodchips were prepared by fast pyrolysis. The obtained liquid smoke samples were subjected to ageing by storing them at ambient temperature for 18 months. Accelerated ageing of liquid smoke was carried out by heat treatment at 80 °C for 24 and 48 h. Tar formed during the ageing process, with a yield ranging from 2.2 to 4.1 wt.%. Both ageing treatments resulted in decreases in bioactive content and their activities in terms of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity (DPPH). Chemical composition and principal component analyses indicated that liquid smoke chemical compositions were influenced by wood type and ageing conditions. It was found that thermal treatment at 80 °C for 24 h was sufficient to age liquid smoke.
On the asymptotic behaviour of semigroups for flows in infinite networks
Authors: Dobrick Alexander
Published: February 2022

We study transport processes on infinite networks. The solution of these processes can be modeled by an operator semigroup on a suitable Banach space. Classically, such semigroups are strongly continuous and therefore their asymptotic behaviour is quite well understood. However, recently new examples of transport processes emerged where the corresponding semigroup is not strongly continuous. Due to this lack of strong continuity, there are currently only few results on the long-term behaviour of these semigroups. In this paper, we discuss the asymptotic behaviour for a certain class of these transport processes. In particular, it is proved that the solution semigroups behave asymptotically periodic with respect to the operator norm as a consequence of a more general result on the long-term behaviour by positive semigroups containing a multiplication operator. Furthermore, we revisit known results on the asymptotic behaviour of transport processes on infinite networks and prove the asymptotic periodicity of their extensions to the space of bounded measures.
Structure and permeability of the egg capsule of the placental Australian sharpnose shark, Rhizoprionodon taylori
Authors: Buddle Alice L. , Van Dyke James U. , Thompson Michael B. , Simpfendorfer Colin A. , Murphy Christopher R. , Day Margot L. , Whittington Camilla M.
Published: February 2022

Shark placentae are derived from modifications to the fetal yolk sac and the maternal uterine mucosa. In almost all placental sharks, embryonic development occurs in an egg capsule that remains intact for the entire pregnancy, separating the fetal tissues from the maternal tissues at the placental interface. Here, we investigate the structure and permeability of the egg capsules that surround developing embryos of the placental Australian sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon taylori) during late pregnancy. The egg capsule is an acellular fibrous structure that is 0.42 ± 0.04 μm thick at the placental interface between the yolk sac and uterine tissues, and 0.67 ± 0.08 μm thick in the paraplacental regions. This is the thinnest egg capsule of any placental shark measured so far, which may increase the diffusion rate of respiratory gases, fetal wastes, water and nutrients between maternal and fetal tissues. Molecules smaller than or equal to ~ 1000 Da can diffuse through the egg capsule, but larger proteins (~ 3000–26,000 Da) cannot. Similar permeability characteristics between the egg capsule of R. taylori and other placental sharks suggest that molecular size is an important determinant of the molecules that can be exchanged between the mother and her embryos during pregnancy.
Physical processes of summer extreme rainfall interannual variability in Eastern China—part II: evaluation of CMIP6 models
Authors: Freychet Nicolas , Tett Simon F. B. , Tian Fangxing , Li Sihan , Dong Buwen , Sparrow Sarah
Published: February 2022

Eastern China is regularly exposed to extreme precipitation with significant socio-economical consequences. Following an observational analysis in a first part of this study, here the ability of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 models to reproduce the main modes of interannual variability of 5-day summer extreme precipitation over eastern China is evaluated, using an empirical orthogonal teleconnection (EOT) method. These models capture the main patterns and magnitudes of the different EOT patterns, although the North China mode is less well represented. Models also reproduce the dynamical features associated with each mode. There is no systematic improvement in the ability of models to simulate either the pattern or the 5-day intensity when using higher resolution models compared to coarser resolution ones. Instead, multi-member or multi-model ensembles lead to results closer to observations. Using a low mitigation projection pathway (SSP-370), it is shown that the risk of the most extreme 5-day precipitation events by about 40%, 80% and more than 150% for global-mean warming levels, relative to 1850–1900, of + 1.5, + 2 and + 3 $$^{\circ }$$

∘

C respectively. This increase is found to be more significant for 5-days events than for seasonal scale precipitation, consistent with previous studies.
Similar proactive effect monitoring in free and forced choice action modes
Authors: Pfeuffer Christina U. , Kiesel Andrea , Huestegge Lynn
Published: February 2022

When our actions yield predictable consequences in the environment, our eyes often already saccade towards the locations we expect these consequences to appear at. Such spontaneous anticipatory saccades occur based on bi-directional associations between action and effect formed by prior experience. That is, our eye movements are guided by expectations derived from prior learning history. Anticipatory saccades presumably reflect a proactive effect monitoring process that prepares a later comparison of expected and actual effect. Here, we examined whether anticipatory saccades emerged under forced choice conditions when only actions but not target stimuli were predictive of future effects and whether action mode (forced choice vs. free choice, i.e., stimulus-based vs. stimulus-independent choice) affected proactive effect monitoring. Participants produced predictable visual effects on the left/right side via forced choice and free choice left/right key presses. Action and visual effect were spatially compatible in one half of the experiment and spatially incompatible in the other half. Irrespective of whether effects were predicted by target stimuli in addition to participants' actions, in both action modes, we observed anticipatory saccades towards the location of future effects. Importantly, neither the frequency, nor latency or amplitude of these anticipatory saccades significantly differed between forced choice and free choice action modes. Overall, our findings suggest that proactive effect monitoring of future action consequences, as reflected in anticipatory saccades, is comparable between forced choice and free choice action modes.
Threat assessment, sense making, and critical decision-making in police, military, ambulance, and fire services
Authors: Penney Greg , Launder David , Cuthbertson Joe , Thompson Matthew B.
Published: February 2022

Military and emergency response remain inherently dangerous occupations that require the ability to accurately assess threats and make critical decisions under significant time pressures. The cognitive processes associated with these abilities are complex and have been the subject of several significant, albeit service specific studies. Here, we present an attempt at finding the commonalities in threat assessment, sense making, and critical decision-making for emergency response across police, military, ambulance, and fire services. Relevant research is identified and critically appraised through a systematic literature review of English-language studies published from January 2000 through July 2020 on threat assessment and critical decision-making theory in dynamic emergency service and military environments. A total of 10,084 titles and abstracts were reviewed, with 94 identified as suitable for inclusion in the study. We then present our findings focused on six lines of enquiry: Bibliometrics, Language, Situation Awareness, Critical Decision Making, Actions, and Evaluation. We then thematically analyse these findings to reveal the commonalities between the four services. Despite existing single or dual service studies in the field, this research is significant in that it is the first examine decision making and threat assessment theory across all four contexts of military, police, fire and ambulance services, but it is also the first to assess the state of knowledge and explore the extent that commonality exists and models or practices can be applied across each discipline. The results demonstrate all military and emergency services personnel apply both intuitive and formal decision-making processes, depending on multiple situational and individual factors. Institutional restriction of decision-making to a single process at the expense of the consideration of others, or the inappropriate training and application of otherwise appropriate decision-making processes in certain circumstances is likely to increase the potential for adverse outcomes, or at the very least restrict peak performance being achieved. The applications of the findings of the study not only extend to facilitating improved practice in each of the individual services examined, but provide a basis to assist future research, and contribute to the literature exploring threat assessment and decision making in dynamic contexts.
DravidianCodeMix: sentiment analysis and offensive language identification dataset for Dravidian languages in code-mixed text
Authors: Chakravarthi Bharathi Raja , Priyadharshini Ruba , Muralidaran Vigneshwaran , Jose Navya , Suryawanshi Shardul , Sherly Elizabeth , McCrae John P.
Published: February 2022

This paper describes the development of a multilingual, manually annotated dataset for three under-resourced Dravidian languages generated from social media comments. The dataset was annotated for sentiment analysis and offensive language identification for a total of more than 60,000 YouTube comments. The dataset consists of around 44,000 comments in Tamil-English, around 7000 comments in Kannada-English, and around 20,000 comments in Malayalam-English. The data was manually annotated by volunteer annotators and has a high inter-annotator agreement in Krippendorff’s alpha. The dataset contains all types of code-mixing phenomena since it comprises user-generated content from a multilingual country. We also present baseline experiments to establish benchmarks on the dataset using machine learning and deep learning methods. The dataset is available on Github and Zenodo.
Nano-Porous Composites of Activated Carbon–Metal Organic Frameworks (Fe-BDC@AC) for Rapid Removal of Cr (VI): Synthesis, Adsorption, Mechanism, and Kinetics Studies
Authors: Abuzalat Osama , Wong Danny , Elsayed Mohamed A.
Published: February 2022

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are a group of porous materials that display potential in the elimination of toxic industrial compounds (TICs) from polluted water streams. However, their applications have so far been held up by issues due to their physical nature and cost. In this study, activated carbon (AC) is modified with an Fe-based MOF, iron terephthalate (Fe-BDC). A facile and cost-effective impregnation method is used for enhanced removal from aqueous solutions. The new adsorbent is characterized by SEM, FTIR, PXRD, and BET. The composite displays excellent uptake of Cr (VI) when compared to un-impregnated AC with a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 100 mg·g−1. The experimental data shows a high correlation to the Langmuir adsorption model. The adsorption kinetic study reveals that the adsorption of Cr (VI) to Fe-BDC@AC obeys the pseudo-first-order equation. The composite shows high reusability after five cycles and high adsorption rates reaching equilibrium in just 50 min. Such properties make the nanocomposite promising for water decontamination on larger scales compared to powder-based alternatives, such as individual MOF crystals.
Kinetic modelling of pyrolysis of cellulose using CPD model: effect of salt
Authors: Hameed Samreen , Wagh Adhirath S. , Sharma Abhishek , Pareek Vishnu , Yu Yun , Joshi Jyeshtharaj B.
Published: February 2022

In this work, effect of salt on cellulose pyrolysis behaviour using chemical percolation devolatilization (CPD) model has been investigated. The distributed activation energy model (DAEM) has been used to determine the kinetics of pure and NaCl-loaded cellulose pyrolysis in a thermogravimetric analyser (TGA). A number of these experiments were performed for a range of heating rates (5–100 °C min−1) and for different concentrations of NaCl in cellulose (0.25–2 mass/%) which showed a pronounced effect of salt on the primary pyrolysis reactions of cellulose. These data were then used in a two-component DAEM to calculate the kinetic parameters for the chemical percolation devolatilization model (CPD) for both pure and NaCl-loaded cellulose. The optimized kinetic parameters for the pure and NaCl-loaded cellulose were used in the CPD model, and the product yield was predicted. The CPD predictions showed that the fraction of gases and char in the pyrolysis products increased in the presence of salt. The amount of char for pure cellulose was 6.97% which increased to 16.4% in the presence of 0.25% NaCl. The amount of gases produced as a result of pure cellulose pyrolysis was 9.63% and this amount increased with addition of NaCl to 22.85% and then further increases with an increase in NaCl concentration. Amount of tar produced for pure cellulose was 83.4%, and this amount reduced to 60.7% with addition of 0.25% NaCl. The presence of NaCl accelerates cellulose decomposition and favours the formation of gases and char.
Self-perceptions and perceptions of peers: their role in understanding expenditure behaviours
Authors: Emili Silvia , Galli Federica
Published: February 2022

In the last decades, the analysis of individual consumption behaviours has been enriched by considering several non-rational features of (i) self-perceptions and (ii) perceptions of peers that can affect people’s spending decisions, such as subjective well-being and feelings about different aspects of life, as well as measures of social comparison. However, at our knowledge, no studies have yet considered the two sources of emotionality simultaneously. This study aims to investigate the simultaneous role of these two emotional facets in affecting expenditure behaviours of Italian individuals for the year 2016, considering two measures of own satisfaction, relative quantities of SWB and expenditure, and inequality measures. Our results, controlling for potential sources of endogeneity, reveal a significant role of both aspects in influencing individuals’ spending habits.
Interaction Between Ferrite Recrystallization and Austenite Formation in Dual-Phase Steel Manufacture
Authors: Bandi Bharath , Van Krevel Joost , Srirangam Prakash
Published: February 2022

In this publication, the effect of heating rate on microstructural evolution of manganese segregated cold reduced dual phase steels is systematically studied for different inter-critical temperatures and holding times. At slow heating rate, completion of ferrite recrystallization before austenite formation led to the preferential formation of austenite on the ferrite grain boundaries leading to a necklace austenite (now martensite) morphology. The slower austenite formation kinetics has been attributed to longer diffusion paths dictated by larger ferrite grain sizes. In medium heating rate condition, microstructure before austenite formation had partially recrystallized ferrite and partially spheroidized cementite. Rapid austenite growth occurred along the rolling direction in carbon-rich cementite regions and dislocation-rich recovered ferrite regions. The presence of partially recrystallized ferrite grains restricted the austenite growth in the normal direction and therefore enabled the formation of thin martensite bands parallel to the rolling direction. At fast heating rate, the microstructure before austenite formation predominately contained un-recrystallized ferrite and un-spheroidized cementite and therefore enabled faster austenite formation kinetics. Thicker martensite bands are formed at fast heating rates due to the absence of recrystallized grains, thereby, enabling the growth of austenite in all directions with a higher preference to the rolling direction.
Minor surgery in primary care has reduced minor surgery waiting lists: a 12-month review
Authors: McCormack Darren , Frankel Alexandra , Gallagher Joe
Published: February 2022

Background

To investigate minor procedures performed in general practice, to alleviate the burden on the economy, patients and secondary care physicians.

Aims

To determine the range of minor surgical procedures performed in a single group general practice, subsequent referrals made to secondary care, follow-up surgical procedures required and post-operative complications within a patient group.

Methods

Retrospective data collection from the electronic records of a single group general practice consisting of 5101 active patients within the previous 12 months. Through use of Socrates software program and statistical analysis, patients were stratified into demographics, including, age, gender, the cost of the procedure, the type of procedure being carried out, the post-operative referral rate to secondary care and any subsequent procedures required. The patients were excluded if their minor procedure was classified as a joint injection.

Results

133 procedures were carried out over the 12-month period. Of these patients, the majority were male, and the mean age was 44 years old. The most common procedures included the removal of ingrown toenails, lesion excisions and punch biopsies. Histological analysis was done on biopsies, with a low rate of misdiagnosis pre-operatively. Additionally, there were minimal referrals and no complications recorded.

Conclusions

This study has demonstrated the ability for minor surgery to be safely carried out in primary care. The integration of general practice, general surgery and plastic surgery could provide a higher level of patient care and exchange of skills to help reduce waiting lists and alleviate the burden secondary care.
Cabernet Sauvignon Red Must Processing by UHPH to Produce Wine Without SO2: the Colloidal Structure, Microbial and Oxidation Control, Colour Protection and Sensory Quality of the Wine
Authors: Vaquero Cristian , Escott Carlos , Loira Iris , Guamis Buenaventura , del Fresno Juan Manuel , Quevedo Joan Miquel , Gervilla Ramon , de Lamo Sergi , Ferrer-Gallego Raúl , González Carmen , Bañuelos María Antonia , Suárez-Lepe José Antonio , Morata Antonio
Published: February 2022

A cryo-macerated must of V. vinifera L. cabernet sauvignon was processed by ultra-high-pressure homogenisation (UHPH) sterilisation without the use of SO2. The UHPH treatment of the must was carried out continuously at a pressure of 300 MPa and reaching a maximum temperature of 77 °C for less than 0.2 s. The colloidal structure of the UHPH must was evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) measuring an average particle size of 457 nm. The initial microbial load was 4-log CFU/mL (yeast), 3-log CFU/mL (bacteria). No yeast and non-sporulating bacteria were detected in 1 mL and 10 mL of the UHPH-treated must, respectively. Furthermore, no fermentative activity was detected in the non-inoculated UHPH-treated musts for more than 50 days. A strong inactivation of the oxidative enzymes was observed, with lower oxidation (≈ × 3) than controls. The antioxidant activity of the UHPH-treated must was much higher (106%) than that of the control must. UHPH had a protective effect in total anthocyanins, and especially in acylated anthocyanins (+ 9.3%); furthermore, the fermentation produces fewer higher alcohol (-44,3%) and more 2-phenylethyl acetate (+ 63%).