bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Low Subfrontal Dural Opening for Operative Management of Anterior Skull Base Lesions
Authors: Cler Samuel J. , Dunn Gavin P. , Zipfel Gregory J. , Dacey Ralph G. , Chicoine Michael R.
Published: February 2022

Introduction A low subfrontal dural opening technique that limits brain manipulation was assessed in patients who underwent frontotemporal approaches for anterior fossa lesions.

Methods A retrospective review was performed for cases using a low subfrontal dural opening including characterization of demographics, lesion size and location, neurological and ophthalmological assessments, clinical course, and imaging findings.

Results A low subfrontal dural opening was performed in 23 patients (17F, 6M), median age of 53 years (range 23–81) with a median follow-up duration of 21.9 months (range 6.2–67.1). Lesions included 22 meningiomas (nine anterior clinoid, 12 tuberculum sellae, and one sphenoid wing), one unruptured internal carotid artery aneurysm clipped during a meningioma resection, and one optic nerve cavernous malformation. Maximal possible resection was achieved in all cases including gross total resection in 16/22 (72.7%), near total in 1/22 (4.5%), and subtotal in 5/22 (22.7%) in which tumor involvement of critical structures limited complete resection. Eighteen patients presented with vision loss; 11 (61%) improved postoperatively, three (17%) were stable, and four (22%) worsened. The mean ICU stay and time to discharge were 1.3 days (range 0–3) and 3.8 days (range 2–8).

Conclusion A low sub-frontal dural opening for approaches to the anterior fossa can be performed with minimal brain exposure, early visualization of the optico-carotid cistern for cerebrospinal fluid release, minimizing need for fixed brain retraction, and Sylvian fissure dissection. This technique can potentially reduce surgical risk and provide excellent exposure for anterior skull base lesions with favorable extent of resection, visual recovery, and complication rates.
Surgical Experience and Management of Intracranial Neurenteric Cysts: Single-Center Experience and Review of the Literature
Authors: Yagnik Karan J. , Vakharia Kunal , Vaubel Rachael A. , Vizcaino M. Adelita , Benson John C. , Daniels David J. , Link Michael J. , Van Gompel Jamie J.
Published: February 2022

Introduction Neurenteric cysts (NECs) are rare, congenital lesions lined by endodermal cell-derived columnar or cuboidal epithelium. Based on previous studies, gross total removal of the capsule has been presumed to be the ideal surgical goal.

Objective This series was undertaken to further understand the risk of recurrence based on the extent of capsule resection.

Methods Records were retrospectively reviewed for all patients with radiographic or pathological evidence of intracranial NEC from 1996 to 2021.

Results A total of eight patients were identified; four of eight (50%) presented with headache, and four had signs of one or more cranial nerve syndromes. One patient (13%) presented with third nerve palsy, one (13%) had sixth nerve palsy, and two (25%) with hemifacial spasm. One patient (13%) presented with signs of obstructive hydrocephalus. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated T2 hyper- or isointense lesions. Diffusion-weighted imaging was negative in all patients (100%) and T1 contrast-enhanced imaging demonstrated minimal rim enhancement in two patients (25%). In three of eight (38%), a gross total resection (GTR) was achieved, while in four (50%), a near-total resection, and in one (13%), a decompression was performed. Recurrences occurred in two (25%) patients, one with decompression and another with near-total resection, among these 1/2 required repeat surgery after a mean follow-up of 77 months.

Conclusion In this series, none from GTR group demonstrated recurrence, while 40% of those receiving less than GTR recurred, underpinning the importance of maximally safe resection in these patients. Overall patients did well without major morbidity from surgery.
Large Pontine Cavernoma Operated by Anterior Petrosal Approach—Two-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Olijnyk Leonardo Desessards , Abrão Adriana Azeredo Coutinho , Silva Carlos Eduardo da
Published: February 2022

Brainstem cavernoma is a challenging neurosurgical pathology and microsurgery remains the only treatment option. Although the decision-making between interventional and conservative approach to this disease may be complex, malformations presenting multiple bleedings are usually good candidates for surgery.1 On the other hand, microsurgical resection of cavernomas can offer an effective resolution with acceptable morbidity.

In this video, we present a case of pontine cavernoma with multiple hemorrhages in a young patient. The anatomical characteristic of the lesion defines the best suitable craniotomy for surgery. In this case, an anterior petrosal approach2
3
4 was used to access the peritrigeminal area and safely perform the resection. Anatomical considerations are described on this skull base approach along with the rationale and benefits of this exposure. Electrophysiological neuromonitoring is essential for this kind of procedure and preoperative tractography also enabled the best understanding of the disease. Finally, we also discuss alternative managements and potential complications.5

With the patient's consent, we also show the excellent clinical evolution after few weeks of recovery and the restoration of the corticospinal tract, previously displaced by the cavernoma, to its original position.
Adhesive Precoated Bracket: Is It Worth Using? Long-term Shear Bond Strength: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Vorachart Weerada , Sombuntham Nonglak , Parakonthun Kulthida
Published: February 2022

Objectives The objectives of this study were to compare the long-term shear bond strength of conventional adhesive on metal brackets with that of adhesive precoated brackets in vitro and to evaluate the amount of adhesive remnant on the tooth surface after debonding.

Materials and Methods A total of 90 maxillary permanent premolars were randomly divided into two groups. The samples in the first group were bonded with metal brackets using Transbond PLUS Color Change Adhesive (TP), and the samples in the second group were bonded with Flash-Free adhesive precoated brackets (APC FF). The bonding techniques were performed, according to the manufacturer's instructions. The samples from each group were randomly divided into three subgroups with different thermal cycles (n = 15). The shear bond strength (SBS) and adhesive remnant index (ARI) were measured and calculated.

Statistical Analysis Two-way ANOVA and Chi-square test were used to analyze the differences in the SBS and ARI between the groups, respectively.

Results The means of the SBS of the APC FF subgroups were significantly lower than those of the TP subgroups, except in the 10,000 thermocycle subgroups. Chi-square test showed no statistically significant differences between the groups and subgroups. An ARI score of 1 was the predominant score in both groups.

Conclusions This study found that the SBS of APC FF gradually increased with time and thermal aging did not affect the failure pattern.
Management of Central Venous Stenosis and Occlusion in Dialysis Patients
Authors: Tabriz David M. , Arslan Bulent
Published: February 2022

Central venous occlusions (CVOs) of the major intrathoracic veins (jugular, subclavian, brachiocephalic, superior vena cava) can cause debilitating symptoms, negatively impact arteriovenous fistula/graft function, or limit potential access creation options in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) utilizing hemodialysis (HD). This review summarizes the incidence, pathophysiology, indications/contraindications, and management options of CVOs in the ESKD on HD population and concludes with considerations and examples when planning endovascular central recanalization procedures, which have risen as the first-line management when appropriate.
HeRO Graft: Indications, Technique, Outcomes, and Secondary Intervention
Authors: Tabriz David M. , Arslan Bulent
Published: February 2022

The Hemodialysis Reliable Outflow (HeRO) graft is a nontraditional, surgical, and endovascularly placed access that offers options in failing arteriovenous fistula/arteriovenous graft or catheter-dependent patients. The HeRO graft provides a unique option and is specifically referred to in the 2019 Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) vascular access update. The interventional radiologist has a role and opportunity to work collaboratively with surgeons in assisting with (1) the identification, selection, preparation for, and placement of HeRO grafts and (2) providing post-placement maintenance to ensure long-term patency.
Prevalence and Determinants of Human Papilloma Virus Infection and Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) among Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Mumbai, India
Authors: Pahwa Vandita , Pimple Sharmila A. , Mishra Gauravi A. , Anand Kavita V.
Published: February 2022

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among women predisposes them to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, the causative agent for cervical cancer. The study retrospectively analyzed the data of 291 women living with HIV AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) to assess the prevalence and determinants of the HPV infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). The study found a high prevalence of cervical HPV infection (34.4%), CIN I (6.2%), and CIN II+ (8.6%). Participants with HPV DNA positivity are significantly more likely to be aged younger than 35 years (odds ratio [OR] = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01–2.69), housewives (OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.31–3.99), married at <20 years of age (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.13–3.58), and have been pregnant more than two times (OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.08–2.87). Participants with CIN II+ are significantly more likely to be not married (OR = 3.363, 95% CI = 1.302–8.686). Considering the high prevalence of HPV and CIN observed among HIV women, it is worthwhile to integrate cervical cancer awareness programs and screening with routine follow-up of HIV patients at antiretroviral therapy clinic. This susceptible population needs attention to reduce the burden of cervical cancer in the country.
Island Stories: Mapping the (im)mobility trends of slow onset environmental processes in three island groups of the Philippines
Authors: Ayeb-Karlsson Sonja , Uy Noralene
Published: February 2022

There is an immediate lack of people-centred empirical evidence investigating how slow onset events influence human (im)mobility across the globe. This represents an important knowledge gap that makes it difficult for climate policy to safeguard vulnerable populations (whether on the move or left behind). In this study, 48 qualitative focus group discussions in the Philippines elaborated around people’s (im)mobility pathways in the context of slow onset events. The selected collective storytelling approach effectively mapped out the (im)mobility trends of 12 different origin- and destination locations involving the perceptions of 414 women and men across six provinces on Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao islands. The research findings delicately outlined people’s translocality and its interlinkage with their personal (im)mobility experiences. People described how slow onset events such as longer-term soil and water degradation often contributed to reduced livelihood sustainability that influenced their decisions to move or stay. At the very core of people’s narratives were the ways that the environmental changes and (im)mobility experiences influenced people’s wellbeing. Some people described how temporary migration could increase their social status and boost wellbeing after returning home. Others described adverse impacts on their mental health during their migration experiences due to loss of place, identity, food, and social networks. The research findings show how policy can better support those moving, hosting, or identifying as immobile, as well as where (geographically and socially) more assistance is needed.
Experimental and simulation study on anti-erosion properties of ductile materials
Authors: Ma Shaohua , Li Xiaodong , Wang Hanxiang , Ma Jianmin , Du Mingchao , Li Fulai , Ren Jingwen
Published: February 2022

The downhole working conditions of oil fields are harsh and complex, and the working performance of tools is affected by erosion and wear after being washed by sand laden mud. In order to improve the service life of downhole tools and optimize the material with excellent anti-erosion properties, the anti-erosion properties of three common metal materials are studied in this paper. By analogy with the difficulty of abrasive water jet cutting materials, the erosion wear ability of sand laden mud on the shell of downhole tools is equivalent evaluated, and the time dimension is shortened, which is prone to analyze the erosion wear resistance of different materials. Then, a numerical model of abrasive particles impact on the material surface, based on the finite element method–smoothed particle hydrodynamics coupled method, is established, the deformation and material removal amount of different materials under the same erosion condition are compared and analyzed, and the reasons for the difference in anti-erosion properties of different materials are quantitatively analyzed from the microscopic point of view. The results showed that under the same erosion conditions, the material removal amount 40CrNi2Mo < 45Steel < Ti6Al4V, and the anti-erosion properties decreases sequentially, which is not affected by erosion velocity V (jet pressure P) and waterjet sand ratio ζ. Among them, the material deformation and removal of 40CrNi2Mo and 45Steel are similar, and the anti-erosion properties of the two are approximately the same.
Nonlinear surface waves on overdense plasma
Authors: Tohfeh M. , Rajaei L. , Miraboutalebi S.
Published: February 2022

Nonlinear perturbations have significant consequences on excitation of surface waves on overdense plasma. Linear surface modes on overdense plasma appear at specific frequencies of the incident wave. By nonlinear considerations, however, this phenomenon takes place for frequencies different from frequencies of the linear regime. Here, to study the nonlinear effects on the modifications of the proper frequencies of exciting the surface modes, we consider the framework of the warm electron-fluid model and Poisson equation. We apply a perturbation procedure to linearize the nonlinear set of magnetohydrodynamic equations. Obtaining the analytical solutions at the first- and second-order corrections provides a powerful tool to perform our study. By employing proper boundary conditions, we derive dispersion relations for both corrections. The range of the allowed frequency of the incident wave that leads to the stable surface plasma waves is determined at the linear approximation. Then, at the second-order corrections, we investigate the nonlinear modifications of the dispersion relation of the plasma surface waves and find a new proper frequency region. We also discuss the influences of the presence of the nonlinearities and the thermal effects on the involved physical quantities.
Comparison of update and genetic training algorithms in a memristor crossbar perceptron
Authors: Edwards Kyle N. , Shen Xiao
Published: February 2022

Memristor-based computer architectures are becoming more attractive as a possible choice of hardware for the implementation of neural networks. However, at present, memristor technologies are susceptible to a variety of failure modes, a serious concern in any application where regular access to the hardware may not be expected or even possible. In this study, we investigate whether certain training algorithms may be more resilient to particular hardware failure modes and, therefore, more suitable for use in those applications. We implement two training algorithms—a local update scheme and a genetic algorithm—in a simulated memristor crossbar and compare their ability to train for a simple image classification task as an increasing number of memristors fail to adjust their conductance. We demonstrate that there is a clear distinction between the two algorithms in several measures of the rate of failure to train.
Experimental study on asymmetric bubbles rising in water: Morphology and acoustic signature
Authors: Liu JingTing , Cong ShanHao , Song YongXing , Wu DaZhuan , Chen SongYing
Published: February 2022

This study develops a three-dimensional imaging system to obtain comprehensive information on asymmetric bubbles formed in five nozzles with exits of the same cross section to examine the relationship between their patterns of flow and their acoustic characteristics. Acoustic signals of the bubbles were recorded by a hydrophone, and were analyzed through filtering and the short-time Fourier transform. The results show that the morphology of the bubbles became complex with increasing aspect ratio of the cross section of the nozzle exit. This complexity was reflected in the shape of the bubbles as well as their manner of detachment and motion. Furthermore, the asymmetry of the bubbles had a significant impact on the sound pressure. Different bubble detachments from five nozzles can lead to different waveforms of sound pressures, viz., “triangle,” “tree,” and “fish.” The differences are proved to be closely associated with the bubbles having different patterns of flow. The work here can be used to identify the patterns of flow of bubbles, reduce noise, and detect failure.
Frequency regulation in alternating current transportation properties for electron correlated rare-earth nickelates heterostructures
Authors: Yan Fengbo , Shao Fei , Bao Yu , Xu Xiaoguang , Jiang Yong , Chen Nuofu , Chen Jikun
Published: February 2022

Although the rare-earth nickelate (ReNiO3) based heterostructures exhibit promising applications in logical devices based on the metal to insulator transition property that regulates abruptly their direct current transportations, their alternating current (ac) properties have not been fully studied. Herein, we demonstrate the frequency manipulation in the ac properties of various SmNiO3-based heterostructures as grown by pulsed laser deposition including SmNiO3/SrRuO3/SrTiO3, SmNiO3/SrRuO3/LaAlO3, and SmNiO3/SrRuO3/quartz. The activation energies as calculated from the dielectric relaxation process of the SmNiO3 heterostructure from the ac aspect are in consistence with the ones obtained from their direct current (dc) conduction. Assisted by the complex impedance equivalent circuit fitting, we further distinguished the dominance in carrier transportations associated with the intrinsic SmNiO3 crystal (SmNiO3/SrRuO3/SrTiO3), interfacial defects (SmNiO3/SrRuO3/LaAlO3), or grain boundaries (SmNiO3/SrRuO3/quartz). Owing to the strong Coulomb interaction between the electron carrier and NiO6 octahedron within the electron correlated insulating phase of SmNiO3, the temperature dependence in their real part impedance cross-linked at characteristic ranges of temperature and frequency. As a result, their electronic transportations gradually transit from the negative temperature coefficient resistance thermistor toward delta-tendency via elevating the input ac-frequency. This functionality is expected to enrich potential applications of SmNiO3-based correlated electronic devices in temperature sensing and control.
Nature of the bonded-to-atomic transition in liquid silica to TPa pressures
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Morales Miguel A. , Jeanloz Raymond , Millot Marius , Hu S. X. , Zurek Eva
Published: February 2022

First-principles calculations and analysis of the thermodynamic, structural, and electronic properties of liquid SiO2 characterize the bonded-to-atomic transition at 0.1–1.6 TPa and 104–105 K (1–9 eV), the high-energy-density regime relevant to understanding planetary interiors. We find strong ionic bonds that become short-lived due to high kinetics during the transition, with sensitivity of the transition temperature to pressure, and our calculated Hugoniots agree with past experimental data. These results reconcile previous experimental and theoretical findings by clarifying the nature of the bond dissociation process in early Earth and “rocky” (oxide) constituents of large planets.
Energy spectrum and energy budget of superfluid turbulence using two-fluid shell model
Authors: Bhadra Abhiroop , Mishra Pankaj Kumar
Published: February 2022

Using a two-fluid shell model, we numerically investigate the energy spectrum and the scale by scale energy budget for superfluid turbulence in the temperature range of T = 0.9–2.175 K. Both the normal and superfluid components exhibit the Kolmogorov-like spectrum (Ek ∼ k−5/3) in the inertial range for all the temperatures. The scale to scale energy budget analysis in the wavenumber space indicates a strong coupling between the normal and superfluid components at low temperature (T = 0.9 K), which is quite evident from the observation of balancing between the viscous dissipation and the energy transfer due to the mutual friction between the components at low temperature for the normal component. We also compute the temporal probability distribution function of the energy induced by the mutual friction to a particular component, which indicates the positive energy supply at low temperature (T = 0.9 K) and negative energy supply at high temperature (T = 1.9 K) for the normal component. The results are consistent with the previous numerical and experimental studies.
Review of Scientific Instruments New Products
Authors: Mandelis Andreas
Published: February 2022

In order to supplement manufacturers’ information, this department will welcome the submission by our readers of brief communications reporting measurements on the physical properties of materials that supersede earlier data or suggest new research applications.
Extremely bulky β-diketiminate complexes of calcium(
Authors: Maitland Brant , Stasch Andreas , Jones Cameron
Published: February 2022

The potassium salt of an extremely bulky β-diketiminate, [K(Ar*Nacnac)] (Ar*Nacnac, [(Ar*NCMe)2CH]−; Ar*, C6H2Me{C(H)Ph2}2-4,2,6) was reacted with either CaI2 or YbI2(THF)2, which afforded [(Ar*Nacnac)MI] (M = Ca or Yb). These are the first examples of structurally characterised, donor solvent-free, N-arene substituted β-diketiminato calcium and ytterbium complexes that incorporate a terminal iodide ligand. Reduction of [(Ar*Nacnac)CaI] with sodium metal gave a complex product mixture, from which a few crystals of the β-diketiminate C–H activated product, [{Ca(μ-Ar*Nacnac-H)}2], were obtained and crystallographically characterised. In an attempt to form a terminal ytterbium hydride compound, treatment of [(Ar*Nacnac)YbI] with K[HBEt3] gave a good yield of the contact ion pair compound [(Ar*Nacnac)Yb(HBEt3)].
A systematic review of international students’ sexual health knowledge, behaviours, and attitudes
Authors: Lim Madeleine S. Y. , Hocking Jane S. , Sanci Lena , Temple-Smith Meredith
Published: February 2022

The demand for higher education has increased student mobility across the world. Studying abroad provides an opportunity for young adults to engage in sexual behaviours, some of which may be risky. Yet, little is known about international students’ current sexual health knowledge or practices. The aim of this review was to identify their sexual health knowledge, behaviours, and attitudes. A search of five databases yielded 21 studies that met inclusion criteria. These studies used quantitative (n = 13), qualitative (n = 7) and mixed methods (n = 1) and included a total of 4666 international and exchange students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Findings were grouped into three themes: sexual health knowledge, sexual behaviours, and sexual health attitudes. Asian international students had poorer levels of knowledge, suggesting a need for culturally appropriate sex education. They were less sexually experienced and were older than domestic students at first age of sex. Fewer engaged in risky sexual behaviours when compared to domestic students. They also reported fewer sexual partners and higher condom usage. However, culture influenced the sexual behaviours and attitudes of international students; in particular, Asian female international students, who tested risk-taking behaviours, such as casual sex, in more liberal Western countries. Appropriate intervention and further education are needed to decrease international students’ sexual health risks.
Characteristics Associated with Motivation to Stop Substance use and Improve Skin and Needle Hygiene among Hospitalized Patients who Inject Drugs
Authors: Kimmel Simeon D. , Phillips Kristina T. , Anderson Bradley J. , Stein Michael D.
Published: February 2022

Background: Hospitalizations for people who inject drugs (PWID) are opportunities to address substance use. However, little is known about hospitalized PWIDs’ motivation to stop substance use or improve skin and needle hygiene, common means for reducing injection sequelae. Methods: We used baseline data from a randomized controlled trial of a behavioral intervention to improve skin and needle hygiene among 252 hospitalized PWID between January 2014 and June 2018. We examined motivation (scale 1-10) to stop substance use, use new needles, and clean skin and used multiple linear regression models to evaluate characteristics associated with these outcomes. Results: PWID were recruited during injection-related (154, 61.1%) and non-injection-related hospitalizations (98, 38.9%). Motivation to stop substance use was 7.11 ( SD = 2.67), use new needles was 7.8 ( SD = 1.9), and clean skin was 6.7 ( SD = 2.3). In adjusted models, experiencing an injection-related hospitalization was not significantly associated ( p > 0.05) with motivation to stop substance use (β = −0.76, SE = 0.299), use new needles (β = 0.301, SE = 0.255), or clean skin (β = 0.476, SE = 0.323). Number of past-year skin and soft tissue infections was negatively associated with motivation to use new needles (β = −0.109, SE = 0.049, p < 0.05) and clean skin (β = −0.131, SE = 0.062, p < 0.05). Greater opioid withdrawal was associated with lower motivation to use new needles (β = −0.275, SE = 0.92, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Among hospitalized PWID, motivation to stop substance use and improve skin and needle hygiene was moderately high, but injection-related hospitalizations were not associated with greater motivation. Efforts to reduce injection sequelae for all hospitalized PWID are needed.
Troponin levels make a difference
Authors: Short Ben
Published: February 2022

JGP study reveals that lower troponin expression in the right ventricle underlies interventricular differences in excitation–contraction coupling.
Ultrafast dynamical charge-lattice coupling in rare-earth nickelate thin films studied by time-resolved terahertz spectroscopy
Authors: Kinha Monu , Prajapati G L , Udeshi Malay , Agarwal Piyush , Ram N Bhargava , Rana D S
Published: February 2022

Rare-earth nickelates exhibit a rich phase diagram formed by the complex interplay of intertwined and competing energetics of fundamental entities. To unwind the coupling and interaction mechanisms of fundamental entities underneath, time-resolved terahertz (THz) spectroscopy was implemented to understand non-equilibrium carrier and lattice dynamics of epitaxial thin films of La
x
Eu1−x
NiO3 (x = 0, 0.25, 0.50, 1) systems, where x = 0 is insulating while remaining are metallic at room temperature. The THz transmittance of the insulating and metallic phases exhibit contrasting photo-induced phases associated with bi-exponential and mono-exponential relaxation mechanisms, respectively. A pronounced oscillatory feature superimposed on the mono-exponential relaxation manifests only in the metallic phase. As ascribed to the acoustic phonons, the ‘x’ dependent behavior of this feature reveals an inverse relation between the strength of electron–phonon coupling and the magnitude of conductivity. In the insulating state, in contrast, the relaxation time constants are associated with the recovery of charge-ordering and electron–phonon thermalization. This dynamical lattice–charge interaction study demonstrates use of this ultrafast phenomena in nickelate thin films in new generation ultrafast photo-acoustic devices as an alternate to conventional surface acoustic wave device.
The low threshold-voltage shift with temperature and small subthreshold-slope in 28 nm UTBB FDSOI for 300 °C high-temperature application
Authors: Zhao S S , Gao L C , Li X J , Zhang H Y , Ni T , Wang J J , Gao J T , Bu J H , Li D L , Yan W W , Zeng C B , Wang Z J , Zhao F Z , Luo J J , Han Z S
Published: February 2022

Partially depleted silicon-on-insulator (PDSOI) MOSFETs are widely used in 225 °C high-temperature electronic system applications with integrated circuits. But the process node stays at 0.5 µm for a long time and no further breakthrough can be achieved. This paper reports the high-temperature characteristics of 28 nm ultra-thin body and box fully depleted SOI (FDSOI) CMOS transistors with low threshold voltage (LVT) structure. Experimental results demonstrate that V
t shift changes with temperature as low as 0.59 mV °C−1, the subthreshold slope (SS) is 145.35 mV dec−1 at 300 °C, and the related parameters are optimized by 3.7 times and 2.2 times respectively compared with 0.13 µm PDSOI. Combined with theoretical analysis, it is proved that the ultra-body FDSOI has an LVT drift rate and better SS than 0.13 µm PDSOI at high temperature. The advantage of this performance is mainly due to the difference between

α

VT

α

VT and β
VT coefficients related to the back gate effect. Under negative back-gate bias, the I
on/l
off ratio can be increased by two orders of magnitude without affecting V
t shift changes with temperature, this proves that the FDSOI is capable of high-temperature applications above 300 °C. This paper provides substantial support for future high-temperature system integrated circuits from the micro-scale to the nano-scale.
Superconducting pancake coil FEM analysis for very low frequency levitated gravity accelerometers
Authors: de Paula L A N , Moody M V , Norton R S , Paik H J
Published: February 2022

State-of-the-art detectors are necessary to measure very tiny variations of gravity produced by spiraling neutron stars, merging black holes and moving tectonic plates. We are developing a superconducting gravity gradiometer and aim to achieve 0.1 mE Hz−1/2 (1 E ≡ 10–9 s–2) in the frequency band of 0.1 mHz to 0.1 Hz. The superconducting test masses are levitated by a superconducting current-carrying monolayer pancake coil, which is one of the key components of the instrument. However, the nonlinear aspect of the pancake coil inductance with respect to the coil to test mass separation imposes one of the main constraints to achieve such sensitivity at low frequencies. In this paper, we investigate the causes of that nonlinearity by finite element method using COMSOL Multiphysics® simulation software. Inductances were measured with an experimental setup where a gap spacing, created by a pancake coil and a niobium plate, could be adjusted. The inductances computed with a 2D axis-symmetric model satisfactorily agreed with the experimental data. We extensively studied several mechanisms for cancelling the nonlinearity of the inductance. A solenoid next to the pancake coil is possibly the most effective and practical way to mitigate it. Our approach may also be useful for obtaining a simple and effective model to study magnetostatic problems in a superconductor.
Towards the establishment of the light J

P (C )=1–(+) hybrid nonet *
Authors: Qiu Lin , Zhao Qiang
Published: February 2022

The observation of the light hybrid candidate

by the BESIII Collaboration offers great opportunities for advancing our knowledge on exotic hadrons in terms of flavor sector. We demonstrate that this observation provides a crucial clue for establishing the

hybrid nonet. Based on the flux tube model picture, the production and decay mechanisms for the

hybrid nonet in the

radiative decays into two pseudoscalar mesons are investigated. In the

sector, we deduce that the SU(3) flavor octet and singlet mixing is non-negligible and apparently deviates from the flavor ideal mixing. Because only signals for one isoscalar

are observed in the

channel, we investigate two schemes of the nonet structure in which

can either be the higher or lower mass state that strongly couples to

. Possible channels for detecting the multiplets are suggested. In particular, a combined analysis of the hybrid production in

, where

and

denote the light vector mesons and

hybrid states, respectively, may provide further evidence for this nonet structure and ultimately establish these mysterious exotic species in the experiment.
The Response of the Earth’s Lower Ionosphere to Gamma-Ray Solar Flares and their Associated X-ray
Authors: Mohery Mahmoud , Farid Hussein M. , Ali Alaa
Published: February 2022

The present work aims to explore the impact of solar gamma-ray flares (GRFs), detected by the Fermi-Large Area Telescope (LAT), and their associated X-ray flares (XRFs) on the Earth’s lower ionosphere. The data of ionospheric parameter fmin were collected from the Yamagawa mid-latitude ionosonde station in Japan. Because most of the GRFs used in this study are associated with soft X-ray (SXR) emissions, detected by the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES), we classified them into three types: simultaneous (S), delayed (D) and not associated (N), reflecting the phase occurrence of the solar flares. Generally, the ionospheric D layer responds strongly to XRFs more than GRFs. The temporal profiles of the ionospheric parameter fmin show distinct behaviors as a response to the various GRF types. In the case of the S-type, a single strong peak, with an average value of 5.2 MHz, emanates in the fmin profile within an average interval of time of less than half an hour. In the case of the D-type, two successive peaks appear in the fmin profile, with an average value of 6.0 MHz for the second peak through a time interval of one hour after the onset of gamma-ray (GR) emissions. The response of the fmin parameter to the N-type flares appears as a single peak with an average value of 4.8 MHz within about an hour. We notice that the difference between the fmin peak values and the corresponding reference ones (dfmin) is more convenient and representative than the fmin values, where the median GR flux of the S-, D- and N-types tends to increase as the average dfmin increases.
An energetic approach to model the relationship between tire rolling friction and road surface macrotexture
Authors: Riahi Ebrahim , Do Minh-Tan , Kane Malal
Published: February 2022

To investigate the relationship between tire rolling friction and road surface texture, a model based on the energy dissipated by a rubber block when it is deformed cyclically by road surface asperities is proposed. The effects of speed and temperature are considered using time-temperature superposition and the Williams-Landel-Ferry equations. The model is applied to texture profiles, measured using a laser profilometer, and filtered to simulate the envelopment of road surfaces by a tire, to estimate the dissipated energy and deduce the coefficient of rolling friction. The comparison between the model and the experiments, obtained by measurements performed on road samples in the laboratory, shows a fair correlation between the predicted and measured coefficients of rolling friction, this depending on the type of surface studied. Discussions are made to explain the gap between the model and the experiments and identify perspectives for future investigations.
Synthesis of a Zn/Fe–N–C electrocatalyst towards efficient oxygen reduction reaction via a facile one-pot method
Authors: Zhang Xiangkun , Li Yun , Ren Jingru , Huang Yongmin
Published: February 2022

The high price and unsatisfactory stability of Pt-based catalysts for the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) severely limit the development of fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Therefore, developing Pt-free electrocatalysts with excellent activities and stabilities is significant. Herein, an efficient Zn/Fe–N–C electrocatalyst is synthesized via a facile one-pot method. Owing to its curved nanosheet structure, appropriate microporous and mesoporous specific surface areas, abundant defects and high Fe–Nx content, Zn/Fe–N–C exhibits remarkable ORR activity and stability in alkaline electrolyte. Its half-wave potential is 0.843 V, which is 10 mV higher than that of Pt/C. Moreover, Zn/Fe–N–C also manifests satisfactory performance in a practical Zn-air battery. Its maximum output power density is 108.5 mW cm−2, which is equivalent to that of Pt/C. In this work, a simple synthesis method for highly active ORR electrocatalyst is provided, which can be implemented for the future design and synthesis of electrocatalysts used in fuel cells and metal-air batteries.
Optimization of GFAG crystal surface treatment for SiPM based TOF PET detector
Authors: Kang Han Gyu , Kim Kyoung Jin , Kamada Kei , Yoshikawa Akira , Yoshida Eiji , Nishikido Fumihiko , Yamaya Taiga
Published: February 2022

Coincidence timing resolution (CTR) is an important parameter in clinical positron emission tomography (PET) scanners to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of PET images by using time-of-flight (TOF) information. Lutetium (Lu) based scintillators are often used for TOF-PET systems. However, the self-radiation of Lu-based scintillators may influence the image quality for ultra-low activity PET imaging. Recently, a gadolinium fine aluminum gallate (Ce:GFAG) scintillation crystal that features a fast decay time (∼55 ns) and no self-radiation was developed. The present study aimed at optimizing the GFAG crystal surface treatment to enhance both CTR and energy resolution (ER). The TOF-PET detector consisted of a GFAG crystal (3.0 × 3.0 × 20 mm3) and a SiPM with an effective area of 3.0 × 3.0 mm2. The timing and energy signals were extracted using a high-frequency SiPM readout circuit and then were digitized using a CAMAC DAQ system. The CTR and ER were evaluated with nine different crystal surface treatments such as partial saw-cut and chemical polishing and the 1-side saw-cut was the best choice among the treatments. The respective CTR and ER of 202 ± 2 ps and 9.5 ± 0.1% were obtained with the 1-side saw-cut; the other 5-side mechanically polished GFAG crystals had respective values which were 18 ps (9.0%) and 1.3% better than those of the all-side mechanically polished GFAG crystal. The chemically polished GFAG crystals also offered enhanced CTR and ER of about 17 ps (8.2%) and 2.1%, respectively, over the mechanically polished GFAG crystals.
Kernel charge equilibration: efficient and accurate prediction of molecular dipole moments with a machine-learning enhanced electron density model
Authors: Staacke Carsten G , Wengert Simon , Kunkel Christian , Csányi Gábor , Reuter Karsten , Margraf Johannes T
Published: February 2022

State-of-the-art machine learning (ML) interatomic potentials use local representations of atomic environments to ensure linear scaling and size-extensivity. This implies a neglect of long-range interactions, most prominently related to electrostatics. To overcome this limitation, we herein present a ML framework for predicting charge distributions and their interactions termed kernel charge equilibration (kQEq). This model is based on classical charge equilibration (QEq) models expanded with an environment-dependent electronegativity. In contrast to previously reported neural network models with a similar concept, kQEq takes advantage of the linearity of both QEq and Kernel Ridge Regression to obtain a closed-form linear algebra expression for training the models. Furthermore, we avoid the ambiguity of charge partitioning schemes by using dipole moments as reference data. As a first application, we show that kQEq can be used to generate accurate and highly data-efficient models for molecular dipole moments.
Factors associated with accessing long-term adult social care in people aged 75 and over: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Nakubulwa Mable , Junghans Cornelia , Novov Vesselin , Lyons-Amos Clare , Lovett Derryn , Majeed Azeem , Aylin Paul , Woodcock Thomas
Published: February 2022

Background

An ageing population and limited resources have put strain on state provision of adult social care (ASC) in England. With social care needs predicted to double over the next 20 years, there is a need for new approaches to inform service planning and development, including through predictive models of demand.

Objective

Describe risk factors for long-term ASC in two inner London boroughs and develop a risk prediction model for long-term ASC.

Methods

Pseudonymised person-level data from an integrated care dataset were analysed. We used multivariable logistic regression to model associations of demographic factors, and baseline aspects of health status and health service use, with accessing long-term ASC over 12 months.

Results

The cohort comprised 13,394 residents, aged ≥75 years with no prior history of ASC at baseline. Of these, 1.7% became ASC clients over 12 months. Residents were more likely to access ASC if they were older or living in areas with high socioeconomic deprivation. Those with preexisting mental health or neurological conditions, or more intense prior health service use during the baseline period, were also more likely to access ASC. A prognostic model derived from risk factors had limited predictive power.

Conclusions

Our findings reinforce evidence on known risk factors for residents aged 75 or over, yet even with linked routinely collected health and social care data, it was not possible to make accurate predictions of long-term ASC use for individuals. We propose that a paradigm shift towards more relational, personalised approaches, is needed.
Insulinoma: an uncommon cause of delirium
Authors: McComb Katie , Roulston Gary , Armstrong Lynne
Published: February 2022

We present the case of an 83-year-old woman with recurrent episodes of delirium occurring overnight, associated with hypoglycaemia. Other causes for delirium were excluded. Laboratory findings were in keeping with endogenous insulin production. Computerised tomography imaging revealed a small mass in the pancreas supporting a presumed diagnosis of an insulinoma. Given the patient’s frailty and cognitive impairment, a conservative management approach was taken. Diazoxide was commenced with resolution of episodes of delirium. This case highlights hypoglycaemia, and insulinoma, as a rare, but treatable cause of delirium. It demonstrates the importance of blood sugar screening in delirium. It emphasises the holistic modifications to management, which must be taken to ensure patient-centred care when caring for an older adult living with frailty, who may have cognitive impairment.
Millionaires Against Billionaires: The Rise and Fall of the Private Plaintiff Antitrust Lawyer, 1946–1976
Authors: Labuza Peter
Published: February 2022

This article traces the emergence of private plaintiff antitrust lawyers after World War II and the debates they caused within the legal profession. Private enforcement of antitrust laws increased throughout the 1940s, especially following on government suits that proved conspiracy and price-fixing within major industries. The lawyers behind these cases—most notably after a major price-fixing scandal by electrical manufacturing companies in the 1960s—began to form their own identity and create collaborative networks to work on complex litigation. These attorneys advocated for changes by Congress that could expand the number of lawyers and increase opportunities for small businesses to find representation against the often large corporate defense counsels. But this sudden expansion, as well as the moral panic over new class action laws, created a perception that most plaintiff antitrust lawyers conjured up cases to enrich themselves over their clients. Soon, these debates shifted toward issues of ethics rather than the laws themselves. By the time the Chicago School transformed the way judges and the government approached antitrust, the private plaintiff lawyers found themselves increasingly assisting only a few well-funded clients. As a new age of populist antitrust takes shape in the present, this article investigates the debates that fueled the transformation of access to antitrust law within the context of the rights revolution.
ASES: visualizing evolutionary conservation of alternative splicing in proteins
Authors: Zea Diego Javier , Richard Hugues , Laine Elodie
Published: February 2022

ASES is a versatile tool for assessing the impact of alternative splicing (AS), initiation and termination of transcription on protein diversity in evolution. It identifies exon and transcript orthogroups from a set of input genes/species for comparative transcriptomics analyses. It computes an evolutionary splicing graph, where the nodes are exon orthogroups, allowing for a direct evaluation of AS conservation. It also reconstructs a transcripts’ phylogenetic forest to date the appearance of specific transcripts and explore the events that have shaped them. ASES web server features a highly interactive interface enabling the synchronous selection of events, exons or transcripts in the different outputs, and the visualization and retrieval of the corresponding amino acid sequences, for subsequent 3D structure prediction.

Availability and implementation

http://www.lcqb.upmc.fr/Ases.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
µProteInS—a proteogenomics pipeline for finding novel bacterial microproteins encoded by small ORFs
Authors: de Souza Eduardo Vieira , Dalberto Pedro Ferrari , Machado Vinicius Pellisoli , Canedo Adriana , Saghatelian Alan , Machado Pablo , Basso Luiz Augusto , Bizarro Cristiano Valim
Published: February 2022

Genome annotation pipelines traditionally exclude open reading frames (ORFs) shorter than 100 codons to avoid false identifications. However, studies have been showing that these may encode functional microproteins with meaningful biological roles. We developed µProteInS, a proteogenomics pipeline that combines genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics to identify novel microproteins in bacteria. Our pipeline employs a model to filter out low confidence spectra, to avoid the need for manually inspecting Mass Spectrometry data. It also overcomes the shortcomings of traditional approaches that usually exclude overlapping genes, leaderless transcripts and non-conserved sequences, characteristics that are common among small ORFs (smORFs) and hamper their identification.

Availability and implementation

µProteInS is implemented in Python 3.8 within an Ubuntu 20.04 environment. It is an open-source software distributed under the GNU General Public License v3, available as a command-line tool. It can be downloaded at https://github.com/Eduardo-vsouza/uproteins and either installed from source or executed as a Docker image.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.