bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coastal ecosystem engineers and their impact on sediment dynamics: Eelgrass–bivalve interactions under wave exposure
Authors: Meysick Lukas , Infantes Eduardo , Rugiu Luca , Gagnon Karine , Boström Christoffer
Published: January 2022

Habitat forming ecosystem engineers play critical roles in structuring coastal seascapes. Many ecosystem engineers, such as seagrasses and epifaunal bivalves, are known to have positive effects on sediment stability and increase coastal protection and ecosystem resilience. Others, such as bioturbating infaunal bivalves, may instead destabilize sediment. However, despite the common co‐occurrence of seagrasses and bivalves in coastal seascapes, little is known of their combined effects on sediment dynamics. Here, we used wave flumes to compare sediment dynamics in monospecific and multispecific treatments of eelgrass, Zostera marina, and associated bivalves (infaunal Limecola balthica, infaunal Cerastoderma edule, epifaunal Magellana gigas) under a range of wave exposures. Eelgrass reduced bedload erosion rates by 25–50%, with digital elevation models indicating that eelgrass affected the sediment micro‐bathymetry by decreasing surface roughness and ripple sizes. Effects of bivalves on sediment mobilization were species‐specific; L. balthica reduced erosion by 25%, C. edule increased erosion by 40%, while M. gigas had little effect. Importantly, eelgrass modified the impacts of bivalves: the destabilizing effects of C. edule vanished in the presence of eelgrass, while we found positive additive effects of eelgrass and L. balthica on sediment stabilization and potential for mutual anchoring. Such interspecific interactions are likely relevant for habitat patch emergence and resilience to extreme wave conditions. In light of future climate scenarios where increasing storm frequency and wave exposure threaten coastal ecosystems, our results add a mechanistic understanding of sediment dynamics and interactions between ecosystem engineers, with relevance for management and conservation.
The role of tides and winds in shaping seed dispersal in coastal wetlands
Authors: Zhu Zhenchang , Slangen Aimee , Zhu Qin , Gerkema Theo , Bouma Tjeerd J. , Yang Zhifeng
Published: January 2022

Global changes such as sea level rise and enhanced storminess motivate the use of saltmarshes as nature‐based flood defenses. Yet, it remains poorly understood about how shifted environmental conditions may shape processes governing long‐term stability of saltmarshes. Here, we integrated data from in situ measurements and field experiments in several Dutch salt marshes to probe the impacts of changes in tides and winds on seed arrival and seed retention on adjacent tidal flats, which is key to marsh regeneration following wave‐driven lateral erosion. The results show that both the quantity and viability of the seeds transported toward adjacent tidal flats relate positively with the peak water level of each tide. Spring tides are more powerful in seed dispersal than neap tides, and storm‐induced extreme water levels can serve as “Window of Opportunity” that deliver disproportionately higher amounts of viable seeds than average conditions. Seed retention decreased with growing onshore wind speed. Storm‐induced strong wave disturbance can function as “Windows of Risk” that wipe out seeds on tidal flats at wind‐exposed marshes. This study highlights the importance of variability in tides and winds for regulating the potential of seed‐based marsh recovery on adjacent tidal flats and thus their resilience to lateral degradation. These findings are relevant for assessing the long‐term marsh stability and sustainability of nature‐based coastal defenses with saltmarshes under global environmental changes.
Ultralow‐Loss Silicon Photonics beyond the Singlemode Regime
Authors: Zhang Long , Hong Shihan , Wang Yi , Yan Hao , Xie Yiwei , Chen Tangnan , Zhang Ming , Yu Zejie , Shi Yaocheng , Liu Liu , Dai Daoxin
Published: January 2022

Silicon photonics beyond the singlemode regime is applied for enabling ultralow‐loss waveguide propagation for the fundamental mode even without any special fabrication process. Here a micro‐racetrack resonator is fabricated with a standard 220‐nm‐SOI (silicon‐on‐insulator) multiproject‐wafer foundry and shows a record high intrinsic quality factor of 1.02×107, corresponding to an ultralow propagation loss of only 0.065 dB cm−1, which is about 20 times less than that of regular 450‐nm‐wide waveguides on the same chip. A state‐of‐the‐art microwave photonic filter on silicon is then realized with an ultranarrow 3‐dB bandwidth of 20.6 MHz and a tuning range of ≈20 GHz for the first time. A 100‐cm‐long delayline employed the broadened waveguides is also demonstrated with compact 90° Euler‐curve bends, and the measured average propagation loss is about 0.14 dB cm−1. The concept of silicon photonics beyond the singlemode regime helps solve the issue of high propagation loss significantly. In particular, it enables silicon photonic devices with enhanced performances, which paves the way for realizing large‐scale silicon photonic integration. This concept can be extended further to any other material platforms, such as silicon nitride and lithium niobate. This also brings numerous new opportunities for various applications such as nonlinear photonics, large‐scale photonic integration, quantum photonics, microwave photonics, etc.
Wireless Communication Utilizing Berry‐Phase Carriers
Authors: Sun Zhiwei , Du Mingzhu , Xu Ruolei , Ma Xianchao , Liu Run , Gong Heling , Zhao Junming , Cao Hailin , Feng Yijun
Published: January 2022

Optical and microwave communication classically focus more on the magnitude manipulation of electromagnetic carriers. Recently, a multiplexing method utilizing orbital angular momentum (OAM) is developed, which has been an important study of communication art. Based on OAM multiplexing, a communication method that introduces Berry‐phase carriers is presented in this research, which can naturally eliminate the channel disturbance. To verify the proposed method, two information systems are presented, including a multiplexing communication system in a large‐scale scenario and a double‐helical information system in a microscale scenario. All the results are verified by the corresponding experiments. This method achieves some advanced performances, for instance, directional communication and self‐anti‐interference, which shows potential applications in areas such as information, materials, and bionics.
Engineered Raman Lasing in Photonic Integrated Chalcogenide Microresonators
Authors: Xia Di , Huang Yufei , Zhang Bin , Zeng Pingyang , Zhao Jiaxin , Yang Zelin , Sun Suwan , Luo Liyang , Hu Guiying , Liu Dong , Wang Zifu , Li Yufei , Guo Hairun , Li Zhaohui
Published: January 2022

Photonic integrated Raman lasers have extended the wavelength range of chip‐scale laser sources and have enabled applications including molecular spectroscopy, environmental analysis, and biological detection. Yet, the performance is strongly determined by the pumping condition and Raman shift value of nonlinear medias, leaving challenges to have a widely and continuously tunable Raman laser (e.g., over 100 nm). Here, photonic engineered Raman lasers based on chip‐integrated chalcogenide microresonators are demonstrated. The home‐developed chalcogenide photonic platform is of high nonlinearity, wide transparency, and low loss. The strong and broadband material Raman response has promised rich dynamics of Raman lasing. Indeed, both single‐mode Raman lasing and a broadband Raman‐Kerr comb, which are found engineered by tuning the dispersion of the chalcogenide microresonator, are demonstrated. The single‐mode Raman laser, together with its cascaded modes, supports a gap‐free tuning range over 140 nm, while the threshold power is as low as 3.25 mW. The results may contribute to the understanding of Raman and Kerr nonlinear interactions in dissipative and nonlinear microresonators, and on application aspect, may pave a way to integrated and efficient laser sources that is desired in spectroscopic applications in the infrared.
Dual‐band MIMO antenna decoupling using vias based multipath decoupling circuit
Authors: Singh Harsh Verdhan , Prasad D. Venkata Siva , Tripathi Shrivishal
Published: January 2022

This article offers a new decoupling circuit for isolation enhancement to decouple the dual‐band multiple‐input‐multiple‐output (MIMO) antenna in a compact dimension. In the design, a novel dual‐band vias‐based stub‐loaded multipath decoupling circuit is used which offers multipath decoupling using admittance parameters of the structure to enhance isolation. The vias position transforms the stub's behavior into a mix of inductive and capacitive behavior, and its diameter variation aids in isolation and frequency fine‐tuning. The proposed multipath decoupling circuit helps to achieve good isolation between the antenna element using a hybrid coupling. The projected MIMO antenna radiates at 2.29–2.51 GHz (Wi‐Fi) and 5.74–5.89 GHz (WLAN) bands simultaneously to validate the proposed decoupling circuit's effectiveness and demonstrate the design procedure. The decoupling circuit helps obtain the isolation more significant than 20 dB in each band than the initial 11 dB in the Wi‐Fi band and 14 dB in the WLAN band. Moreover, the proposed decoupling scheme can be helpful for the redesign of other multi‐band MIMO antennas applications. The excellent diversity performance, which makes this a suitable contender for advanced technological systems.
Increase of the transmission and emittance acceptance through a cyclotron‐based proton therapy gantry
Authors: Maradia Vivek , Giovannelli Anna Chiara , Meer David , Weber Damien Charles , Lomax Antony John , Schippers Jacobus Maarten , Psoroulas Serena
Published: January 2022

Purpose

In proton therapy, the gantry, as the final part of the beamline, has a major effect on beam intensity and beam size at the isocenter. Most of the conventional beam optics of cyclotron‐based proton gantries have been designed with an imaging factor between 1 and 2 from the coupling point (CP) at the gantry entrance to the isocenter (patient location) meaning that to achieve a clinically desirable (small) beam size at isocenter, a small beam size is also required at the CP. Here we will show that such imaging factors are limiting the emittance which can be transported through the gantry. We, therefore, propose the use of large beam size and low divergence beam at the CP along with an imaging factor of 0.5 (2:1) in a new design of gantry beam optics to achieve substantial improvements in transmission and thus increase beam intensity at the isocenter.

Methods

The beam optics of our gantry have been re‐designed to transport higher emittance without the need of any mechanical modifications to the gantry beamline. The beam optics has been designed using TRANSPORT, with the resulting transmissions being calculated using Monte Carlo simulations (BDSIM code). Finally, the new beam optics have been tested with measurements performed on our Gantry 2 at PSI.

Results

With the new beam optics, we could maximize transmission through the gantry for a fixed emittance value. Additionally, we could transport almost four times higher emittance through the gantry compared to conventional optics, whilst achieving good transmissions through the gantry (>50%) with no increased losses in the gantry. As such, the overall transmission (cyclotron to isocenter) can be increased by almost a factor of 6 for low energies. Additionally, the point‐to‐point imaging inherent to the optics allows adjustment of the beam size at the isocenter by simply changing the beam size at the CP.

Conclusion

We have developed a new gantry beam optics which, by selecting a large beam size and low divergence at the gantry entrance and using an imaging factor of 0.5 (2:1), increases the emittance acceptance of the gantry, leading to a substantial increase in beam intensity at low energies. We expect that this approach could easily be adapted for most types of existing gantries.
Efficient co‐solution of time step size and independent state in simulations of fluid‐driven fracture propagation with embedded meshes
Authors: Ren Guotong , Younis Rami M.
Published: January 2022

We present an efficient time‐continuation scheme for fluid‐driven fracture propagation problems in the extended finite element method framework. The approach applies a monolithic solution strategy to a fully coupled and implicit approximation of hydro‐mechanical systems in conjunction with simultaneous linear elastic propagation of multiple fractures. At the end of each time step, the process ensures that the weakest fracture tip is in an equilibrium propagation regime. Furthermore, the solution process provides an initialization procedure for the newly created fracture spaces and an a priori estimate of the stress intensity factor growth rate, improving simulation robustness, and efficiency. The solution process is validated using the Kristianovich‐Geertsma‐de Klerk analytical solution under the toughness‐ and viscosity‐dominated regimes. It is also extended to and demonstrated on problems with multiple fractures undergoing simultaneous propagation with stress shadow interactions. Numerical examples demonstrate that the solution process can reduce the required computational cost by one order of magnitude compared to other existing methods.
Numerical simulation of two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional generalizedKlein–Gordon–Zakharovequations with power law nonlinearity via a meshless collocation method based on barycentric rational interpolation
Authors: Oruç Ömer
Published: January 2022

This study presents numerical simulations of generalized two‐dimensional (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) Klein–Gordon–Zakharov (KGZ) equations with power law nonlinearity, which are coupled nonlinear partial differential equations. A meshless collocation method based on barycentric rational interpolation is developed for space variable of the KGZ equations. For time discretization, an explicit low storage fourth order Runge Kutta method is proposed after transforming KGZ equations to system of ordinary differential equations by introducing auxiliary variables.L∞andL2error norms for some test problems are computed. Obtained numerical results and comparisons with finite element methods indicate that barycentric rational interpolation method is an efficient method for solving multidimensional generalized KGZ system numerically.
Waste coconut leaf sheath as reinforcement composite material withphenol‐formaldehydematrix
Authors: Bharath K. N. , P. Madhu , Mavinkere Rangappa Sanjay , S. Basavarajappa , Siengchin Suchart , Alexey Karfidov , Gorbatyuk Sergey
Published: January 2022

This article describes the development and characterization of mercerized and untreated naturally woven waste coconut leaf sheath (CLS) fiber‐reinforced phenol‐formaldehyde (PF) composites. The composites of CLS fiber with 60% and 40% PF were manufactured hand lay technique followed by compression molding method. The investigation of composites was performed by applying tensile, bending, impact test, and measurements of water absorption rate and biodegradability characteristics. The CLS was mercerized using 5% of NaOH. The results confirm the superiority in mechanical properties of treated CLS fiber composites in respect to the untreated ones. The better properties are driven by lower hydrophilic hydroxyl groups and reduced impurities detected on the CLS fibers, which in turn reveals stronger adhesion and superior compatibility between CLS fiber and PF matrix. The rate of water absorption was evaluated within four different types of water conditions such as normal water, bore, distilled, and sea water, respectively. A degradation test was carried to determine biodegradability properties of composites. The superior results of treated CLS fiber composites validate this composite as a good candidate material for domestic and structural applications.
Surface and subsurface AFM study of carbon‐implanted polyurethane
Authors: Morozov Ilya A. , Kamenetskikh Alexander S. , Beliaev Anton Y. , Izumov Roman I. , Scherban Marina G. , Kiselkov Dmitriy M.
Published: January 2022

Carbon ions were implanted into polyurethane, a two‐phase polymer whose internal structure is naturally covered with a soft nanofilm. The surface and subsurface of the modified material were studied by atomic force microscopy. A wrinkled nanolayer of inhomogeneous stiffness appears on the surface. Initial treatment affects the outer soft fraction of the polyurethane, then the modified layer extends deeper and starts to grow towards the surface finally becoming homogeneous. The subsurface of the modified layer has local stack‐like fractures or mesh‐like nanostructures of increased activity. Stretching the treated material gives nanocracks in the subsurface area. The cracks are hidden by the outer layer and visible on the surface as bumps. The developed methods are easily applicable to study the subsurface features of plasma‐treated polymers.
Movements of a model fish, the common carp, through a generic Mississippi River lock and dam demonstrate how fish swimming performance, behavior, and discharge‐driven flow‐fields determine fish passage rates in ways that can be predicted and modified using fish passage models
Authors: Whitty Jeff Michael , Riesgraf Andrew Thomas , Zielinski Daniel Patrick , Sorensen Peter William
Published: January 2022

The distribution of river fishes, including invasive species, is influenced by their abilities and tendencies to pass regulatory structures, which in the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) are locks and dams (LDs). However, how and why fish approach and then pass through individual LDs and their structural components is presently unknown. In this study, groups of 25 common carp, a well‐understood model species, were acoustically tagged, transplanted, and released every other week for two summers below a generic UMR LD which has both tainter and roller spillway gates as well as a lock. Common carp distribution, passage routes, and rates were then monitored and analyzed with respect to discharge and gate settings. Although nearly all carp were detected below this LD, weekly passage rates through its spillway gates were negligible until discharge exceeded 85,000 cfs when the gates were ~2/3 open and weekly passage rates increased to ~50% for its tainter gates and ~8% for its rollers. In contrast, carp passed through its lock at a relatively constant and modest rate (~6%), seemingly uninfluenced by discharge. This increase in spillway gate passage, which occurred at discharges shy of open‐river, was predicted by a fish passage model which estimated spillway passage using swimming performance and estimated water velocity (flow‐fields). When observed passage routes were incorporated into another discharge‐based fish passage model, it accurately predicted total seasonal passage. These models could be improved and applied to determine which fish species will pass particular LDs and guide efforts to increase or decrease these rates.
Long‐term rice cultivation promoted microbial mineralization of organic P in a black soil
Authors: Yu Xin , Tong Deli , Wang ShenQiang , Wang Dengjun , Xu Lu , Li Bo , Sun Wentao , Wang Yu
Published: January 2022

Information on the microbiological process in paddy soil is essential to understand phosphorus (P) transformation, due to the special biogeochemical change of P in flooded rice (Oryza sativa L.)‐growing environment. However, relatively few references have been focused on this process in long‐term cultivation of black paddy soil. In this study, we investigated the effect of microbial community and phoD gene on changes in soil P fractions in a black paddy soil. The results showed that, compared with 1‐yr soil, long‐term cultivation (35‐yr rice growth) significantly increased the concentration of soil P pool (P < .05). In detail, the soil available‐P increased from 15.4 to 34.8 mg kg−1, and primary‐P, secondary‐P, occluded‐P and organic‐P increased from 41.4 to 73.6 mg kg−1, 7.60 to 18.9 mg kg−1, 57.6 to 106.1 mg kg−1, and 13.7 to 29.1 mg kg−1, respectively. Notably, the microbial biomass C/P ratio decreased from 190.8 (1‐yr) to 56.2 (35‐yr), indicating that the mineralization of organic P (Po) by microorganisms played a dominant role in long‐term cultivation. The results were further verified by significantly increased soil microorganism concentration, copy number of phoD gene, and strong interaction in phoD‐harboring bacteria. The change of soil P pool was significantly affected by soil properties and phoD gene community through variance partitioning analysis, and Streptomyces and Cupriavidus were the main biomarkers affecting Po mineralization through linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis. The results will be helpful to understand the microbial process of P transformation (especially for Po) and to guide the management of P fertilizer in black soil area.
Adversarial learning techniques for security and privacy preservation: A comprehensive review
Authors: Hathaliya Jigna J. , Tanwar Sudeep , Sharma Priyanka
Published: January 2022

In recent years, the use of smart devices has increased exponentially, resulting in massive amounts of data. To handle this data, effective data storage and management has required. Cloud computing (CC) is a promising solution to deal with this huge amount of data. Electronic devices are collecting real‐time data from sensors and applications through a wireless communication channel in the digital era. In some cases, CC cannot protect against various malicious attacks in the wireless communication channel. To address this issue, we have used machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques for attack detection in a wireless channel on an early basis. It trains a model to predict malicious activities of attackers, which aids in the security of CC's sensitive data. We employed adversarial learning techniques (AL) to add fake data into the model to ensure that the trained model was correct. The trained model can distinguish between the fake and real data from the training samples and improve the training samples' performance. AL provides different defense mechanisms to preserve the privacy of ML‐ and DL‐based model but does not ensure the system's robustness. To improve the system's robustness, we have used federated learning with blockchain technology to make a system more robust, reliable, accurate, and transparent. This integration aids in providing high‐graded security against adversarial attacks. This paper presents a comprehensive review to highlight the recent improvements in AL techniques. Moreover, we explored the various AL applications in security and privacy preservation. Finally, open research issues and future directions are discussed to show future research avenues.
Characterization and radioactive evaluation of the concrete from a radiotherapy bunker
Authors: Torres‐González Marta , Mantero Juan , Hurtado Santiago , Flores‐Alés Vicente , Alejandre Francisco J. , Alducín‐Ochoa Juan M.
Published: January 2022

The construction of concrete structures for radiological protection in sanitary facilities requires a series of constructive conditions that guarantee safety. The influence of the correct bunkers design, wall thicknesses and the type of materials used is essential to ensure effective protection. The use of barite aggregate concrete is a common resource to improve the radiation attenuation capacity of concrete walls. The present study analyses the structure of a bunker during a renovation work, studying the construction characteristics of the chamber, the state of its elements, the characterization of materials, the identification of the emissions of the possible isotopes present, beta radioactive contamination and the measurement of equivalent dose rates at different points in the concrete. The results made it possible to determine the use of conventional concrete and barite concrete, the latter presenting a BaO content of around 40% and particularly low resistance values, not observing alteration processes in the materials.
New thermoplastic carbon fiber reinforced polymer rebars and stirrups
Authors: Apitz Andreas , Schmitz Jonas , Hückler Alex , Schlaich Mike
Published: January 2022

Attributed to its extraordinary strength and durability, the future of reinforcing and prestressing material in reinforced cement concrete (RCC) structures most likely belongs to carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). However, CFRPs are rarely employed in real structures till now, since the technology to manufacture CFRP rebars and stirrups is still evolving. This is especially applicable for manufacturing of rebars with surface profiles (ribs) and bent sections for stirrups. Unlike thermoset polymers, thermoplastic polymers are highly viscous prior to curing and can be melted and cured again. This creates possibilities for the production technology as well as recyclability. In this paper, new thermoplastic CFRP rebars and stirrups are introduced, which are manufactured in a novel way. The rips are engraved directly after pultrusion and the stirrups are thermoformed out of a straight and already profiled bar. A holistic approach is applied, which enables to evaluate the mechanical overall performance and to compare it with existing products in a reasonable way. This requires the introduction of new parameters, for example the fiber utilization rate. The novel CFRP reinforcement is investigated through tensile tests on bars and stirrups as well as bond tests. The bond performance is quite similar to existing products. Especially while considering how efficient the fibers are utilized in the CFRP bar, the tensile performance and the quality of the stirrups is excellent.
Repro‐protective role of royal jelly in phenylhydrazine‐induced hemolytic anemia in male mice: Histopathological, embryological, and biochemical evidence
Authors: Anbara Hojat , Shahrooz Rasoul , Razi Mazdak , Malekinejad Hassan , Najafi Gholamreza , Shalizar‐Jalali Ali
Published: January 2022

To estimate the repro‐protective effect of royal jelly (RJ) on phenylhydrazine (PHZ)‐induced anemia's detrimental effects, 24 mature mice were divided into control group (0.10 mL normal saline; intra‐peritoneally), RJ group (100 mg/kg/day; orally), experimental anemia (EA) group that received only PHZ (6 mg/100 g/48 h; intra‐peritoneally), and RJ + EA (according to the previous prescription) group. After 35 days, testicular histoarchitecture, RNA damage in germinal cells, sperm characteristics, testicular total anti‐oxidant capacity and malondialdehyde as well as serum testosterone levels, pre‐implantation embryo development and cyclin D1 and c‐myc mRNA levels at two‐cell, morula and blastocyst stages were analyzed. Spermatogenesis indices were ameliorated following RJ co‐administration. Moreover, RJ co‐treatment reduced germinal cells RNA damage, improved sperm characteristics, boosted pre‐implantation embryo development and restored androgenesis, and oxidant/anti‐oxidant status. Co‐administration of RJ also decreased mRNA levels of cyclin D1 and up‐regulated those of c‐myc in two‐cell embryos, morulas and blastocysts. The findings suggest that RJ can play a repro‐protective role in PHZ‐induced anemia in mice through anti‐oxidant defense system reinforcement and androgenesis restoration as well as cyclin D1 and c‐myc expressions regulation.
CCCDTD5 recommendations on the deprescribing of cognitive enhancers in dementia
Authors: Herrmann Nathan , Ismail Zahinoor , Collins Rhonda , Desmarais Philippe , Goodarzi Zahra , Henri‐Bhargava Alexandre , Iaboni Andrea , Kirkham Julia , Massoud Fadi , Moser Andrea , Silvius James , Watt Jennifer , Seitz Dallas
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Cognitive enhancers (ie, cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine) can provide symptomatic benefit for some individuals with dementia; however, there are circumstances in which the risks of continuing treatment may potentially outweigh benefits. The decision to deprescribe cognitive enhancers must consider each patient's preferences, treatment indications, current clinical status and symptoms, prognosis, and dementia type.

Methods

The 5th Canadian Consensus Conference on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia (CCCDTD5) established a subcommittee of experts to review current evidence on the deprescribing of cognitive enhancers. The questions answered by this group included: When should cognitive enhancers be deprescribed in persons with dementia and mild cognitive impairment? How should cognitive enhancers be deprescribed? And, what clinical factors should be considered when deprescribing cognitive enhancers?

Results

Patient and care‐partner preferences should be incorporated into all decisions to deprescribe cognitive enhancers. Cognitive enhancers should be discontinued in individuals without ongoing evidence of benefit or when the indication for cognitive enhancer use was inappropriate (eg, mild cognitive impairment). Deprescribing should occur gradually and cognitive enhancers should be reinitiated if patients’ cognition or function deteriorates. Cognitive enhancers should be continued in individuals whose neuropsychiatric symptoms improve in response to treatment. Clinicians should not deprescribe cognitive enhancers in individuals with significant neuropsychiatric symptoms until symptoms have stabilized.

Conclusion

CCCDTD5 deprescribing recommendations provide evidence‐informed recommendations related to cognitive enhancer deprescribing that will facilitate shared decision making among patients, care partners, and clinicians.
Recent progress in organic field‐effect transistor‐based chem/bio‐sensors
Authors: Luo Liang , Liu Zitong
Published: January 2022

Recent decades have witnessed the huge successes of organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) and their applications. Among them, OFET‐based sensors have shown promising applications in the field of food safety, industrial security, environmental, and health monitoring. This is due to their advantages in solution processability, flexibility, light weight, and variety in molecular design. This review highlights recent progress in OFET‐based chemical and biological sensors in gas and liquid phase, especially for the past 5 years. The analytes range from small molecules to large biomolecules. The optimizations of OFET devices for sensors, including the semiconducting layers, dielectric layers, electrodes, and their interfaces etc., are illustrated. And their relationships with sensing parameters (sensitivity, selectivity, and response time) as well as the sensing mechanisms are given. Finally, the remaining challenges are discussed. We expect that this review can offer inspiration for future design of OFET‐based sensors.
Synthesis and application of TiO2‐loaded ZnAlSn‐layered double hydroxide compounds as multifunctional nanofillers for polyvinyl chloride
Authors: Gao Li , Jin Dandan , Lu Yunhua , Khanal Santosh , Xu Shiai
Published: January 2022

In this study, binary‐ and ternary‐layered double hydroxides (LDHs) loaded with titanium dioxide (TiO2‐ZnAl and TiO2‐ZnAlSn) were synthesized by a one‐step in situ coprecipitation method and then used as thermal and light stabilizers for polyvinyl chloride (PVC). TiO2‐ZnAlSn has a unique nanostructure, high thermal stability, and good ultraviolet (UV)‐shielding property. The Congo red test shows that the static thermal stability time of PVC/TiO2‐ZnAlSn composite is 370% higher than that of pure PVC. The thermogravimetric analysis and accelerated weathering test suggest that the incorporation of TiO2‐ZnAlSn into the PVC matrix improves the thermal stability and anti‐UV‐aging property of the resulting composite, which is probably related to the lower photoluminescence intensity and formation of more O2−. This study provides a simple method to prepare TiO2‐loaded ZnAlSn‐LDH as multifunctional nanofillers for PVC.
The New Abundance of Policy Advice: The Advisory Roles of Political Scientists in Norway
Authors: Bleiklie Ivar , Michelsen Svein
Published: January 2022

The chapter investigates the position of academic policy advice in Norway with an emphasis on political science, based on notions of politico-administrative systems and Scandinavian administrative traditions. We ask: What are the main access points for certified academics to bring their expertise to policymaking? What trends can be discerned? What is the position of Norwegian political scientists in emerging structures and processes of policy advice? The chapter identifies structures and processes in the provision of political science expert advice in Norway. Norwegian political scientists are heavily engaged in the provision of policy advice, at various levels of government as well as in public debate on relevant issues. There is also evidence which indicates strong involvement in policy advice in two areas: the Norwegian Research council and participation in ad hoc advisory bodies. Trends point towards a change in the forms of policy advice as well as a strengthening of the position of political science experts in the national policy advice system.
Making Political Science Matter: The Advisory Roles of Political Scientists in the United Kingdom
Authors: Flinders Matthew , Bandola-Gill Justyna , Anderson Alexandra
Published: January 2022

This chapter seeks to explore the role of political scientists within the UK’s policy advisory system through a three-stage process. The first stage seeks to map out the topography of the policy advisory system and assess the extent and nature of the discipline’s historical role and position. It concludes that a combination of demand-side and supply-side variables generally ensured that political scientists played a fairly limited role during the second half of the twentieth century. The second stage explores the twenty-first-century shift driven by the meta-governance of higher education that focuses on non-academic impact and engagement through the analysis of data collected from the impact case studies submitted to the Politics and International Studies panel within the 2014 Research Excellence Framework. This data provides significant insights into the role that political scientists have played within the UK’s policy advisory system. The third section presents, analyses and compares the data collected by the ProSEPS survey of political science with the REF2014 data. This chapter not only provides another layer to our understanding of the role that political scientists play in terms of policy advice but also broadens the analytical lens to a wider cross-section of scholars in its exploration of motivational drivers.
A Theoretical Perspective on the Roles of Political Scientists in Policy Advisory Systems
Authors: Brans Marleen , Timmermans Arco , Gouglas Athanassios
Published: January 2022

This chapter presents a theoretical perspective for studying the policy advisory roles of political scientists, drawing upon literature on knowledge utilization and policy advisory systems. It first proposes a locational model as a heuristic tool for mapping the advisory activities of academic political scientists in the academic, government and societal arenas, and the intersections between these. For comparative purposes, it considers policy advisory systems as on the one hand reflecting civic epistemologies and political-administrative social systems within countries, and on the other hand as being subject to such global trends towards the externalization and politicization of advice. Secondly, it defines what policy advice is, how its content may vary, and how, to whom, and at which levels of government it is communicated. Thirdly, in order to distinguish engagements and activities of individual academics engaging in advisory work, the chapter construct a typology of four advisory roles: the pure academic, the expert, the opinionating scholar, and the public intellectual.
Resisting Devolution? The Advisory Roles of Political Scientists in Belgium
Authors: Brans Marleen , Aubin David , Fobé Ellen
Published: January 2022

This chapter shows how Belgian political scientists are active players in the Belgian policy advisory system, particularly engaging with the civil service and civil society. Advisory bodies, even though there are many, are not the first of the political scientists’ targets, confirming that lay and representative interest-based expertise prevails in such traditional organizations connecting society to the state. The tradition of neo-corporatist consociationalism also survives in the nature and recipients of advisory activities, as well as in the attention paid to ensure balanced representation of different denominational institutions in research consortia. As to the impact of the nature of Belgian federalism, the survey data presented in this chapter as well as the analysis of political scientists’ proposal to create a federal electoral district, do not show evidence of strongly devolved policy advisory systems. Actors at the federal level are no less important targets than are those at the subnational level. Yet, in Flanders, political scientists are more active advisors then their colleagues at French-speaking universities. The chapter concludes that this may result from variations in professional norms and from the comparative importance of public sector reform and socio-economic reform on the regions’ political agendas.
The Roles of Climate Risk Dynamics and Adaptation Limits in Adaptation Assessment
Authors: Bouwer Laurens M.
Published: January 2022

The performance of adaptation measures depends on their robustness against various possible futures, with varying climate change impacts. Such impacts are driven by both climatic as well as non-climatic drivers. Risk dynamics are then important, as the avoided risk will determine the benefits of adaptation actions. It is argued that the integration of information on changing exposure and vulnerability is needed to make projections of future climate risk more realistic. In addition, many impact and vulnerability studies have used a top-down rather a technical approach. Whether adaptation action is feasible is determined by technical and physical possibilities on the ground, as well as local capacities, governance and preference. These determine the hard and soft limits of adaptation. Therefore, it is argued that the risk metrics outputs alone are not sufficient to predict adaptation outcomes, or predict where adaptation is feasible or not; they must be placed in the local context. Several of the current climate risk products would fall short of their promise to inform adaptation decision-making on the ground. Some steps are proposed to improve adaptation modelling in order to better incorporate these aspects.
Overall Perspectives
Authors: Leylekian Laurent
Published: January 2022

This section sums up the main findings from ANIMA and from associated projects related to aviation noise in order to deliver some key messages for policy-makers. These messages intend both to orient future research and to propose some concrete way to implement measures that could alleviate the noise burden endured by airports’ neighbouring communities. The final table gives an even more synthetic view of these messages, the institutions they target, their objectives and the best ways that are likely to support them.
The holographic contributions to the sphere free energy
Authors: Binder Damon J. , Freedman Daniel Z. , Pufu Silviu S. , Zan Bernardo
Published: January 2022

Abstract

We study which bulk couplings contribute to the S3 free energy F($$ \mathfrak{m} $$
m
) of three-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 superconformal field theories with holographic duals, potentially deformed by boundary real-mass parameters m. In particular, we show that F($$ \mathfrak{m} $$
m
) is independent of a large class of bulk couplings that include non-chiral F-terms and all D-terms. On the other hand, in general, F($$ \mathfrak{m} $$
m
) does depend non-trivially on bulk chiral F-terms, such as prepotential interactions, and on bulk real-mass terms. These conclusions can be reached solely from properties of the AdS super-algebra, $$ \mathfrak{osp} $$
osp
(2|4). We also consider massive vector multiplets in AdS, which in the dual field theory correspond to long single-trace superconformal multiplets of spin zero. We provide evidence that F($$ \mathfrak{m} $$
m
) is insensitive to the vector multiplet mass and to the interaction couplings between the massive vector multiplet and massless ones. In particular, this implies that F($$ \mathfrak{m} $$
m
) does not contain information about scaling dimensions or OPE coefficients of single-trace long scalar $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 superconformal multiplets.
Germany has a high demand in meniscal allograft transplantation but is subject to health economic and legal challenges: a survey of the German Knee Society
Authors: Winkler Philipp W. , Faber Svea , Balke Maurice , Metzlaff Sebastian , Niethammer Thomas R. , Roessler Philip P. , Henkelmann Ralf , Kurme Alexander , Colcuc Sebastian , Zimmermann Gerald , Petersen Wolf , Diermeier Theresa A.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To determine the current status and demand of meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) in Germany among members of the German Knee Society (= Deutsche Kniegesellschaft; DKG).

Methods

An online survey was conducted between May 2021 and June 2021 and sent to all members of the DKG. The survey questionnaire consisted of 19 questions to determine the demand and technical aspects of MAT among the participants and to identify areas of improvement in MAT in Germany.

Results

Overall, 152 participants, 136 (89.5%) from Germany, 8 (5.3%) from Switzerland, 6 (4.0%) from Austria, and 2 (1.3%) from other countries completed the online survey, with the majority working in non-academic institutions. According to the regulations of the DKG, 87 (57.2%) participants were board certified as specialized knee surgeons and 97 (63.8%) worked primarily in the field of orthopedic sports medicine. MAT was considered clinically necessary in Germany by 139 (91.5%) participants. Patient age (83.6%), post-meniscectomy syndrome in isolated lateral (79.6%) and medial (71.7%) meniscus deficiency, and functional and athletic demands (43.4%) were the most important determinants to consider MAT in patients. Participants reported that reimbursement (82.9%), jurisdiction over the use of donor grafts (77.6%), and the availability of meniscal allografts (76.3%) are the main challenges in performing MAT in Germany. The most frequently used meniscal allograft types by 54 (35.5%) participants who had already performed MAT were fresh-frozen grafts (56.6%), peracetic acid–ethanol sterilized grafts (35.9%), and cryopreserved grafts (7.6%). Participants reported to perform suture-only fixation more often than bone block fixation for both medial (73.6% vs. 22.6%) and lateral (69.8% vs. 24.5%) MAT.

Conclusion

More than 90% of the responding members of the DKG indicated that MAT is a clinically important and valuable procedure in Germany. Reimbursement, jurisdiction over the use of donor grafts, and the availability of meniscal allografts should be improved. This survey is intended to support future efforts to facilitate MAT in daily clinical practice in Germany.

Level of evidence

Level V.
Distribution of values of quadratic forms at integral points
Authors: Buterus P. , Götze F. , Hille T. , Margulis G.
Published: January 2022

The number of lattice points in d-dimensional hyperbolic or elliptic shells $$\{m : a<Q[m]<b\}$$

{
m
:
a
<
Q
[
m
]
<
b
}

, which are restricted to rescaled and growing domains $$r\,\Omega $$

r

Ω

, is approximated by the volume. An effective error bound of order $$o(r^{d-2})$$

o
(

r

d
-
2

)

for this approximation is proved based on Diophantine approximation properties of the quadratic form Q. These results allow to show effective variants of previous non-effective results in the quantitative Oppenheim problem and extend known effective results in dimension $$d \ge 9$$

d
≥
9

to dimension $$d \ge 5$$

d
≥
5

. They apply to wide shells when $$b-a$$

b
-
a

is growing with r and to positive definite forms Q. For indefinite forms they provide explicit bounds (depending on the signature or Diophantine properties of Q) for the size of non-zero integral points m in dimension $$d\ge 5$$

d
≥
5

solving the Diophantine inequality $$|Q[m] |< \varepsilon $$

|
Q
[
m
]
|
<
ε

and provide error bounds comparable with those for positive forms up to powers of $$\log r$$

log
r

.
Algebraic approximation and the decomposition theorem for Kähler Calabi–Yau varieties
Authors: Bakker Benjamin , Guenancia Henri , Lehn Christian
Published: January 2022

We extend the decomposition theorem for numericallyK-trivial varieties with log terminal singularities to the Kähler setting. Along the way we prove that all such varieties admit a strong locally trivial algebraic approximation, thus completing the numericallyK-trivial case of a conjecture of Campana and Peternell.
Surgical Outcomes in Canada and the United States: An Analysis of the ACS‐NSQIP Clinical Registry
Authors: Cram Peter , Cohen Mark E. , Ko Clifford , Landon Bruce E. , Hall Bruce , Jackson Timothy D.
Published: January 2022

Background

There has been longstanding uncertainty over whether lower healthcare spending in Canada might be associated with inferior outcomes for hospital‐based care. We hypothesized that mortality and surgical complication rates would be higher for patients who underwent four common surgical procedures in Canada as compared to the US.

Design, Setting, and Participants

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all adults who underwent hip fracture repair, colectomy, pancreatectomy, or spine surgery in 96 Canadian and 585 US hospitals participating in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (ACS‐NSQIP) between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2019. We compared patients with respect to demographic characteristics and comorbidity. We then compared unadjusted and adjusted outcomes within 30‐days of surgery for patients in Canada and the US including: (1) Mortality; (2) A composite constituting 1‐or‐more of the following complications (cardiac arrest; myocardial infarction; pneumonia; renal failure/; return to operating room; surgical site infection; sepsis; unplanned intubation).

Results

Our hip fracture cohort consisted of 21,166 patients in Canada (22.3%) and 73,817 in the US (77.7%), for colectomy 21,279 patients in Canada (8.9%) and 218,307 (91.1%), for pancreatectomy 873 (7.8%) in Canada and 12,078 (92.2%) in the US, and for spine surgery 14,088 (5.3%) and 252,029 (94.7%). Patient sociodemographics and comorbidity were clinically similar between jurisdictions. In adjusted analyses odds of death was significantly higher in Canada for two procedures (colectomy (OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.044–1.424; P = .012) and pancreatectomy (OR 2.11; 95% CI 1.26–3.56; P = .005)) and similar for hip fracture and spine surgery. Odds of the composite outcome were significantly higher in Canada for all 4 procedures, largely driven by higher risk of cardiac events and post‐operative infections.

Conclusions

We found evidence of higher rates of mortality and surgical complications within 30‐days of surgery for patients in Canada as compared to the US.