bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dual integration of multi‐model with spatial‐temporal occlusion‐awareness for visual object tracking
Authors: Wang Fei , Liu Guixi , Zhang Yi
Published: March 2022

Visual object tracking is a complicated problem due to varied challenges such as occlusion, background clutter, target appearance changes, abrupt target motion, and illumination variations. Different tracking algorithms perform well on different challenges because of their unique strengths. In this paper, a dual‐integration framework that integrates the strengths of multiple models while avoiding their weaknesses is proposed. In the proposed framework, several evaluation criteria and multiple models updated via different processes are combined. To distinguish the target from the distractors caused by different criteria, the motion dynamic model and the forward‐backward analysis is introduced to provide information that is complementary to appearance information. In addition, for discriminating occlusion, a spatial‐temporal occlusion‐aware approach is further proposed. The detected occlusion results are applied in avoiding contamination of the appearance model. Extensive experiments on multiple benchmarks demonstrate that this proposed method improves the overlap rate of a hand‐crafted feature‐based tracker with relative gains of 4%, 1.6%, 1.9%, 2.2% and 8.5% on OTB‐2015, OTB‐2013, Temple‐Color, UAV123 and UAV20L, respectively. Also, the experimental results demonstrate that our approach outperforms a deep feature‐based tracker in overlap rate by 1.4%, 1.6%, 2.3%, 2.5% and 3.5% on OTB‐2015, OTB‐2013, Temple‐Color, UAV123 and UAV20L, respectively.
Fabrication of sodium dinitrophenol derived carbon dots and its effect on seed germination of cotton
Authors: Han Shuai , Wang Jiang , Ren Yicheng , Yang Baoxin , Liu Xiaoyu , Yang Jiajia , Liu Lijuan , Meng Ke , Shan Wenrong , Qin Shenjun
Published: March 2022

Sodium dinitrophenol, which was a cheap and common plant growth regulator, was used to fabricate novel carbon dots by a simple and green hydrothermal treatment. The sodium dinitrophenol derived CDs (SCDs) obtained were found to possess good water solubility, excellent stability, and unique fluorescence properties. Furthermore, the effect of SCDs on the seed germination of cotton was explored in dark environment. Interestingly, the SCDs could promote seed germination obviously and the optimum concentration was tested to be 0.02 mg/mL. By the analysis of the contents of free water and bound water for the sprouts, it was assumed that the phenomenon might be attributed to the enhancement of the respiration and metabolism by the addition of SCDs, which helped to relieve seed dormancy and promote germination. This work supplied a novel nanomaterials for seed treatment, which could enhance the respiration during germination and showed considerable prospect in biological technology and farming production.
An ultra‐low‐loss superconducting inductor for power electronic circuits
Authors: Chen Xiaoyuan , Gou Huayu , Chen Yu , Zeng Lei , Zhang Mingshun , Jiang Shan , Xie Qi , Shen Boyang
Published: March 2022

To break through the bottlenecks of the loss and size of conventional conductors and magnetic materials, replacing copper inductors by zero‐resistance superconducting inductors can be a promising solution. The experimental, theoretical and numerical investigations into the loss characteristics of an air‐core superconducting inductor have been carried out. All these results show that the loss from a superconducting inductor in the boost chopper circuit was reduced remarkably up to 373 times smaller than the loss from the magnetic‐core copper inductor having the same conditions. Moreover, the actual volume and weight of the superconducting inductor are only 5.61% and 10.97% of those of the copper inductor having the same inductance and current capacities. Advanced numerical models have been built to verify the experiments that their results of superconducting losses as well as the current and frequency dependencies are well matched. A compact, low‐loss and low‐cost cryostat has been designed to accommodate the superconducting inductor, which can further improve the practicability for superconducting inductor to be equipped into various power electronic applications. The superconducting inductor can lead power electronic devices towards ultra‐high‐efficiency power conversion.
Flux-tube-dependent propagation of Alfvén waves in the solar corona
Authors: Sishtla Chaitanya Prasad , Pomoell Jens , Kilpua Emilia , Good Simon , Daei Farhad , Palmroth Minna
Published: March 2022

Context. Alfvén-wave turbulence has emerged as an important heating mechanism to accelerate the solar wind. The generation of this turbulent heating is dependent on the presence and subsequent interaction of counter-propagating Alfvén waves. This requires us to understand the propagation and evolution of Alfvén waves in the solar wind in order to develop an understanding of the relationship between turbulent heating and solar-wind parameters.

Aims. We aim to study the response of the solar wind upon injecting monochromatic single-frequency Alfvén waves at the base of the corona for various magnetic flux-tube geometries.

Methods. We used an ideal magnetohydrodynamic model using an adiabatic equation of state. An Alfvén pump wave was injected into the quiet solar wind by perturbing the transverse magnetic field and velocity components.

Results. Alfvén waves were found to be reflected due to the development of the parametric decay instability (PDI). Further investigation revealed that the PDI was suppressed both by efficient reflections at low frequencies as well as magnetic flux-tube geometries.
Different approaches to enhance resveratrol content in wine
Authors: Tıraş Zeynep Şeyda Erdemir , Okur Hatice Hazal , Günay Zülal , Yıldırım Hatice Kalkan
Published: March 2022

Resveratrol is a polyphenol with antioxidant properties and possible beneficial effects on human health. Grapes, peanuts, berries, cacao beans and red wine contain resveratrol. Resveratrol attracts attention due to its bioactive properties, however, the concentration of this compound is not high in grape and wine. Therefore, different studies have been carried out to increase resveratrol level in these products. Several factors such as the grapevine variety, the climatic conditions and the viticultural practices used to create stress on the vine affect the level of resveratrol. Winemaking technologies applied during pre-fermentation, fermentation and post–fermentation stages could also have an effect on the concentration of this stilbene. In addition, recent studies have evaluated biotechnological approaches through the use of different bacteria and yeast strains to produce wine with increased resveratrol content. In this review, the most important factors contributing to increase the resveratrol concentration in grapes and wines are examined. Besides, analytical methods to determine resveratrol content in wine are addressed.
An Optimal Portfolio Problem Presented by Fractional Brownian Motion and Its Applications
Authors: YAN Li
Published: March 2022

We use the dynamic programming principle method to obtain the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation for the value function, and solve the optimal portfolio problem explicitly in a Black-Scholes type of market driven by fractional Brownian motion with Hurst parameter [see formula in PDF]. The results are compared with the corresponding well-known results in the standard Black-Scholes market [see formula in PDF]. As an application of our proposed model, two optimal problems are discussed and solved, analytically.
Preparation and Properties of Conductive Foamed Silicone Rubber
Authors: XIONG Man , BIE Xuan , WANG Ben , DONG Yawei , ZHANG Qunchao , HUANG Ronghua
Published: March 2022

The conductive foamed silicone rubber was prepared by Polymethylvinylsiloxane (PMVS) mixed with acetylene black, fumed silica, and AC foaming agent (azodicarbonamide). Influences of fillers on the microstructure, electrical conductivity and mechanical property were discussed. The results showed that the pore structure was affected by acetylene black. Acetylene black delayed the vulcanization speed of silicone rubbers, leading to bigger pores. Higher content of acetylene black decreased the mechanical properties and the electrical resistivity of rubbers. Fumed silica increased the mechanical properties and limited the aggregation of gas. Higher content of fumed silica led to small and obturator pores generated. Higher content of fumed silica increase the mechanical properties and the electrical resistivity of rubbers. AC foaming agents generated more gas, leading to bigger and irregular pores which affected the mechanical properties negatively, meanwhile AC foaming agents increased the conductivity of rubbers.
Operative Therapie des malignen Melanoms
Authors: Mechlin Axel
Published: March 2022

Die operative Therapie ist maßgeblich im Behandlungskonzept des malignen Melanoms. Sie ist essentieller Bestandteil der Diagnosesicherung, des Stagings und der Therapie in allen Stadien der Erkrankung. Die optimale Planung und Durchführung der Primärexzision, der Sentinel-Lymphknoten-Biopsie und der Nachexzision mit Sicherheitsabstand legen den Grundstein einer erfolgreichen Behandlung, die neben oder auch in Kombination mit einer modernen Systemtherapie die Metastasen-Chirurgie miteinschließt.
Die Auswirkungen der Krankenhauskonzentration auf die Verweildauer
und stationäre Sterblichkeit in Deutschland
Authors: Valentowitsch Johann , Burr Wolfgang
Published: March 2022

Ziel der Studie Im Beitrag werden die Auswirkungen der
Krankenhauskonzentration auf die durchschnittliche Verweildauer und die
stationäre Sterblichkeit in Deutschland im Zeitablauf untersucht.

Methodik Auf regionalen Paneldaten basierende Regressionsanalyse unter
Berücksichtigung der (unbeobachteten) individuellen
Heterogenität und des Trends in der Modellierung. Um Hinweise auf die
Beziehungsrichtung zu erhalten, wird außerdem der
Instrumentalvariablenansatz angewandt und auf Granger-Kausalität
getestet.

Ergebnisse Die zunehmende Krankenhauskonzentration in Deutschland ist mit
einem negativen und statistisch signifikanten Effekt auf die durchschnittliche
Verweildauer verbunden. Je höher die Konzentration der
Krankenhäuser in einer Region, desto geringer ist (ceteris paribus) die
Verweildauer auf den Stationen. Die Anzahl der Krankenhäuser hat
zugleich keinen statistisch signifikanten Einfluss auf die
Patientensterblichkeit. Der Zusammenhang zwischen Krankenhauskonzentration und
Verweildauer lässt sich somit als positiver Qualitätseffekt
interpretieren.
Thieme@FIBO
Authors: Pötting Andrea
Published: March 2022

Die FIBO geht wieder live – und Thieme ist wie immer mit dabei! Holen Sie sich ein Update zu den Themen Laufen, Covid-19 und Rückenschmerzen. In sechs spannenden Vorträgen erfahren Sie unter anderem, wie sich Long Covid auf die Leistungsfähigkeit von Sportler*innen auswirkt, was man sich beim Laufen von Kultläufer Emil Zatopek abschauen kann, welchen Nutzen die Regeneration beim Sport hat und was es Neues zum Thema Rückenschmerz gibt. Nicht verpassen!
Effectiveness and Safety of Apixaban versus Rivaroxaban in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Chowdhury Krishna Roy , Michaud Jonathan , Yu Oriana Hoi Yun , Yin Hui , Azoulay Laurent , Renoux Christel
Published: March 2022

Aims To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of apixaban versus rivaroxaban among patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods and Results Using the United Kingdom's Clinical Practice Research Datalink linked to the Hospital Episode Statistics repository, and the Office for National Statistics database, we identified a cohort of patients with NVAF and T2DM newly treated with apixaban or rivaroxaban between 2013 and 2020. Propensity scores with standardized mortality ratio weighting were used to control for confounding. We used weighted Cox proportional hazards models to estimate separately the hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of ischemic stroke, major bleeding, and major adverse limb events associated with the use of apixaban compared with rivaroxaban. We also evaluated whether the risk was modified by age, sex, duration of diabetes, microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes, nephropathy, CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores, and by dose (standard vs. low dose).

Results The cohort included 11,561 apixaban and 8,265 rivaroxaban users. Apixaban was associated with a similar risk of stroke (HR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.79–1.23), and a 32% reduced risk of major bleeding (HR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.59–0.78), compared with rivaroxaban. The risk of major adverse limb events was similar between apixaban and rivaroxaban (HR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.54–1.04). Overall, the risk of ischemic stroke and major bleeding was consistent in stratified analyses.

Conclusion Among patients with NVAF and T2DM, apixaban was associated with a similar risk of stroke and a lower risk of major bleeding compared with rivaroxaban.
Predicting transition with algebraic intermittency function
Authors: Rahman M. M.
Published: March 2022

An algebraic intermittency function is developed for “laminar-to-turbulent” transition flow within the framework of Bradshaw stress–intensity factor (ratio of principal shear-stress over turbulent kinetic energy in the boundary layer), which is parameterized with a “flow-structure-adaptive” variable (eddy-to-laminar viscosity ratio). Naturally, the intermittency inherits the “flow-structure-adaptive” character and captures various transition phenomena like bypass, separation-induced, and natural transitions when incorporated in an undamped eddy-viscosity transport equation. An additional viscous-production term is added with the eddy-viscosity transport equation to ensure proper generation of eddy-viscosity at the viscous sublayer when computing separation-induced transition over a low-Reynolds number airfoil. Splitting the intermittency into low and elevated free-stream turbulence intensities has the potential to avoid the “trial-and-error” inconsistency involved in most of the correlation-based transition models for precise computations. The results demonstrate that the proposed algebraic intermittency model is rational and feasible.
Hopf bifurcations in electrochemical, neuronal, and semiconductor systems analysis by impedance spectroscopy
Authors: Bisquert Juan
Published: March 2022

Spontaneous oscillations in a variety of systems, including neurons, electrochemical, and semiconductor devices, occur as a consequence of Hopf bifurcation in which the system makes a sudden transition to an unstable dynamical state by the smooth change of a parameter. We review the linear stability analysis of oscillatory systems that operate by current–voltage control using the method of impedance spectroscopy. Based on a general minimal model that contains a fast-destabilizing variable and a slow stabilizing variable, a set of characteristic frequencies that determine the shape of the spectra and the associated dynamical regimes are derived. We apply this method to several self-sustained rhythmic oscillations in the FitzHugh–Nagumo neuron, the Koper–Sluyters electrocatalytic system, and potentiostatic oscillations of a semiconductor device. There is a deep and physically grounded analogy between different oscillating systems: neurons, electrochemical, and semiconductor devices, as they are controlled by similar fundamental processes unified in the equivalent circuit representation. The unique impedance spectroscopic criteria for widely different variables and materials across several fields provide insight into the dynamical properties and enable the investigation of new systems such as artificial neurons for neuromorphic computation.
Dynamics of nonmagnetic inclusions in a microchannel with a magnetic fluid in an inhomogeneous magnetic field
Authors: Sokolov E. , Vasilyeva A. , Kalyuzhnaya D. , Ryapolov P.
Published: March 2022

The article presents the results of studying the dynamics of non-magnetic bubbles and droplets in a magnetic fluid placed in an inhomogeneous magnetic field. Using a digital high-speed system for video recording, the mechanism of the detachment of a non-magnetic droplet from the major part of the magnetic fluid has been considered in detail. It is experimentally demonstrated that the size of formed non-magnetic inclusions in such a magnetic-fluid system does not depend on the flow rate and hydrostatic pressure. The possibility to control the size of non-magnetic liquid and gas inclusions by changing the parameters of magnetic fluid and magnetic field can be used for microdosers or gas meters in microfluidic systems.
Adaptively tunable magnetorheological elastomer-based vibration absorber for a propeller aircraft seat
Authors: Choi Young T. , Wereley Norman M.
Published: March 2022

In this study, a simple but effective design of an adaptively tunable magnetorheological elastomer (MRE)-based seat vibration absorber (SVA) is presented to achieve better vibration reduction of a propeller aircraft seat. In order to effectively concentrate the magnetic field generated from the electromagnet into the MRE pad areas, an electromagnetic finite element analysis (FEA) was also conducted. Based on this FEA, the MRE-based SVA was fabricated. The damping force characteristics of the MRE-based SVA were experimentally evaluated using an Instron testing machine. The dynamic stiffness and loss factor of the MRE-based SVA were obtained using this test data. In order to confirm the tunability of the MRE-based SVA, the transmissibility with respect to a range of applied input currents was experimentally obtained via vibration testing.
Magnetostriction and heat-capacity study on the metamagnetic phase transition of Dy2In1-xAlx alloys
Authors: Wang Shiqi , Liu Pu , Chen Jiamin , Cui Weibin
Published: March 2022

In Dy2In1-xAlx (x = 0, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4) alloys, the hexagonal structure is gradually transformed into orthorhombic one with x = 0.3 as the critical composition. In Dy2In0.7Al0.3 alloy, the highest magnetic entropy change is accompanied with highest saturation magnetostriction ∼995 ppm under 7 T near phase transition temperature, indicating the typical strong magnetoelastic coupling. From heat-capacity (Cp) measurement, a sharp peak is observed on the Cp - T curves for Dy2In1-xAlx (x = 0, 0.2 and 0.3) alloys. Meanwhile, more Al substitution for In leads into the reduced density of state near Fermi level of each alloy judged from Cp/T - T2 curves. The maximized ΔTad for a field of 7 T is slightly increased from 6.5 K in Dy2In to 7 K in Dy2In0.7Al0.3.
Substitution effects on the magnetic phase transition and magnetocaloric effects in nanolaminated AlFe2B2 alloys
Authors: Wang Shiqi , Liu Pu , Chen Jiamin , Cui Weibin
Published: March 2022

Substitution effects of V, Ti and C in AlFe2−xVxB2 (x ≤ 0.15), AlFe2−yTiyB2 (y ≤ 0.15) and AlFe2B2−zCz (z ≤ 0.2) alloys have been investigated. The main phase of these alloys is crystallized in the orthorhombic Cmmm-type structure. The Curie temperature (Tc) of these compounds can be tuned from 278 K to be around 300 K depending on the substitution amount. No thermal and magnetic hysteresis can be observed, suggesting the magnetic transition of these alloys is the second-order nature. For a field change of 7 T, the maximum of entropy change (−ΔSmax) of 4.0 J Kg−1 K−1, 4.2 J Kg−1 K−1 and 3.9 J Kg−1 K−1 has obtained in AlFe1.9V0.1B2, AlFe1.9Ti0.1B2 and AlFe2B1.9C0.1 alloys. Tunable Tc and wide temperature span in AlFe2B2 phase suggest that AlFe2B2-base alloys have a potential application as a refrigerant in magnetic refrigeration.
Hospital design features that optimise pandemic response
Authors: Kropf Elke , Zeitz Kathryn
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed forever how we plan, respond to, and deliver health care. The lived experience of hospital infrastructure design to support a pandemic is currently not well described in the literature. Much of what is known covers generic elements of hospital design and/or assumptions about in-built disaster design features. The Central Adelaide Local Health Network became a key stakeholder in South Australia’s response when the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) became the designated receiving hospital for the state. Preparation for a pandemic commenced back in 2007 when a new build for the RAH was announced. Several disaster response infrastructure design features were incorporated into the RAH design specifications to provide a resilient facility that could respond to any type of disaster event while continuing to provide core clinical services. Key pandemic design elements included patient room design, pandemic air handling capability, and a 7-step scalability function. We describe these key elements based on real-time experience along with the key lessons learnt as the pandemic response evolved with the aim of guiding future hospital building design to not only support the more frequent time-limited disasters but, more specifically, a pandemic response. The RAH capitalised on its key design features to support its pandemic response and contributed to the overall success of South Australia’s pandemic response.
Optimal sheep stocking rates for broad-acre farm businesses in Western Australia: a review
Authors: Young Michael , Vercoe Philip E. , Kingwell Ross S.
Published: March 2022

Sheep stocking rate influences farm profit significantly; however determining the optimal stocking rate is a difficult task. In this paper, we address this challenge through three main steps. First, we review the definition of stocking rate; second, we examine prior research relevant to the review topic and highlight the factors that need to be considered when determining the optimal stocking rate; and third, we make recommendations for improvements in research on establishing the optimal sheep stocking rate. Inconsistency in the definition of stocking rate can lead to miscommunication among researchers, advisers and farmers. If 10 dry sheep equivalents (DSE)/ha is optimal for one flock, it may not be optimal for another flock because the DSE measure does not fully capture the nuances of different patterns of nutritional requirements among sheep classes and feed availabilities and their respective prices and costs. The optimal stocking rate occurs when the marginal economic benefit of an additional animal equals its marginal cost. Determining this point requires an understanding of the quantity and quality of feed available throughout the year, the optimal liveweight profile throughout the year, the impact of seasonal variation, the impact of labour availability, the cost of alternative feeds, prices of livestock and livestock products, the risk preferences of the farmer, and any emission policies relating to greenhouse gases. Farmers tend to use their own judgement to set their stocking rates, with the aim of maximising utility. However, the complexities listed make it a challenging task. Thus, researchers have used various simulation and programming models to aid decision-making over optimal stocking rates, but most farmers continue to rely on their own personal judgement. Moreover, often a focus of this modelling is for sheep systems in eastern Australia. Generalising this research across Australia is difficult due to differences in climatic conditions and markets across Australia. Often farmers are unaware of the profits they are foregoing when choosing either an overly conservative or excessive stocking rate. Our research has shown that foregone income of up to AUD50 per hectare can occur when a stocking rate 30% below or above the optimum is selected. Thus, despite the complexities that underpin the stocking rate decision, we believe that there are potential rewards from further research on the optimisation of stocking rates.
Factors associated with group sex in heterosexual males and females attending a sexual health clinic in Melbourne, Australia: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Constantinou Heidi , Fairley Christopher K. , Bradshaw Catriona S. , Choi Edmond P. H. , Maddaford Kate , Phillips Tiffany R. , Chow Eric P. F.
Published: March 2022

Background There have been limited studies of group sex among heterosexual individuals. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with group sex among heterosexual males and females to improve risk assessment guidelines and inform sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening requirements. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among heterosexual males and females aged ≥16 years attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between March and April 2019. The survey asked about group sex participation, methods used to meet sexual partners, number of casual and/or regular partners, and injection drug use (IDU) in the previous 3 months. HIV and STI (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis) diagnoses were extracted. A multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify the factors associated with group sex participation. Results A total of 698 participants (325 males, 373 females) were included and 4.7% (33/698) had participated in group sex in the previous 3 months. The proportion who participated in group sex increased with age (2.1% in 16–24 years, 5.5% in 25–34 years, 7.8% in ≥35 years, ptrend = 0.010). Meeting partners at sex venues (e.g. brothels) was associated with the highest odds of participating in group sex (aOR = 5.74, 95% CI: 1.20–27.44), followed by dating apps (aOR = 2.99, 95% CI: 1.36–6.58), friends/family (aOR = 2.99, 95% CI: 1.34–6.69) and social venues (e.g. bar) (aOR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.18–6.30). Group sex was strongly associated with STI positivity (aOR = 6.24, 95% CI: 2.41–16.13). There was no association between group sex and sex, casual and/or regular partners, HIV positivity or IDU. Conclusion Heterosexual individuals participating in group sex had a six-fold risk of testing positive for STIs. Including group sex in a sexual history is useful to determine STI risk and inform testing practices. Safe sex messages on group sex that are delivered through multiple methods (e.g. at sex venues, social venues and dating apps simultaneously) would be beneficial.
Replication is the key barrier during the dual-host adaptation of mosquito-borne flaviviruses
Authors: Zhang Yanan , Liang Dening , Yuan Fei , Yan Yiran , Wang Zuoshu , Liu Pan , Yu Qi , Zhang Xing , Wang Xiangxi , Zheng Aihua
Published: March 2022

Significance

Most viruses have a relatively narrow host range. In contrast, vector-borne flaviviruses, such as dengue virus and Zika virus, maintain their transmission cycle between arthropods and vertebrates, belonging to different phyla. How do these viruses adapt to the distinct cellular environments of two phyla? By comparing the single-host insect--specific flavivirus and dual-host Zika virus, we identified three key molecular factors that determine MBF host tropism. This study will greatly increase the understanding of entry, replication, and cross-species evolution of mosquito-borne flaviviruses.
Parkinson’s disease and multiple system atrophy patient iPSC-derived oligodendrocytes exhibit alpha-synuclein–induced changes in maturation and immune reactive properties
Authors: Azevedo Carla , Teku Gabriel , Pomeshchik Yuriy , Reyes Juan F. , Chumarina Margarita , Russ Kaspar , Savchenko Ekaterina , Hammarberg Anna , Lamas Nuno Jorge , Collin Anna , Gouras Gunnar K. , Klementieva Oxana , Hallbeck Martin , Taipa Ricardo , Vihinen Mauno , Roybon Laurent
Published: March 2022

Significance

Our results demonstrate the existence of early cellular pathways and network alterations in oligodendrocytes in the alpha-synucleinopathies Parkinson’s disease and multiple system atrophy. They further reveal the involvement of an immune component triggered by alpha-synuclein protein, as well as a connection between (epi)genetic changes and immune reactivity in multiple system atrophy. The knowledge generated in this study could be used to devise novel therapeutic approaches to treat synucleinopathies.
Interleukin-2 superkines by computational design
Authors: Ren Junming , Chu Alexander E. , Jude Kevin M. , Picton Lora K. , Kare Aris J. , Su Leon , Montano Romero Alejandra , Huang Po-Ssu , Garcia K. Christopher
Published: March 2022

Significance

While computational engineering of therapeutic proteins is a desirable goal, in practice the optimization of protein–protein interactions requires substantial experimental intervention. We present here a computational approach that focuses on stabilizing core protein structures rather than engineering the protein–protein interface. Using this approach, we designed thermostabilized interleukin-2 (IL-2) variants that bind tightly to their receptor without experimental optimization, mimicking the properties of the yeast-display engineered IL-2 variant “super-2.” Our results suggest that structure-guided stabilization may be a general method for in silico affinity maturation of protein–protein interactions.
Leveraging artificial intelligence to improve people’s planning strategies
Authors: Callaway Frederick , Jain Yash Raj , van Opheusden Bas , Das Priyam , Iwama Gabriela , Gul Sayan , Krueger Paul M. , Becker Frederic , Griffiths Thomas L. , Lieder Falk
Published: March 2022

Human decision making is plagued by systematic errors that can have devastating consequences. Previous research has found that such errors can be partly prevented by teaching people decision strategies that would allow them to make better choices in specific situations. Three bottlenecks of this approach are our limited knowledge of effective decision strategies, the limited transfer of learning beyond the trained task, and the challenge of efficiently teaching good decision strategies to a large number of people. We introduce a general approach to solving these problems that leverages artificial intelligence to discover and teach optimal decision strategies. As a proof of concept, we developed an intelligent tutor that teaches people the automatically discovered optimal heuristic for environments where immediate rewards do not predict long-term outcomes. We found that practice with our intelligent tutor was more effective than conventional approaches to improving human decision making. The benefits of training with our cognitive tutor transferred to a more challenging task and were retained over time. Our general approach to improving human decision making by developing intelligent tutors also proved successful for another environment with a very different reward structure. These findings suggest that leveraging artificial intelligence to discover and teach optimal cognitive strategies is a promising approach to improving human judgment and decision making.
Dynamic circular birefringence response with fractured geometric phase metasurface systems
Authors: Wang Evan W. , Phan Thaibao , Yu Shang-Jie , Dhuey Scott , Fan Jonathan A.
Published: March 2022

Significance

Optical activity is a fundamental property of symmetry-broken three-dimensional systems and enables control of the polarization state of electromagnetic waves. This work introduces a type of reconfigurable geometric phase response in which shearing displacements between two Pancharatnam–Berry-phase metasurfaces transduce chiral symmetry breaking within nanoscale waveguide structures. These metasurface systems, termed fractured metasurface waveplates, can be tailored to support dynamically tunable, broadband circular birefringence responses. Polarization modulation is based on microscopic motions and uniquely enables high-speed modulation over large area apertures. Our system paves the way for new classes of nanophotonic devices that feature systems-level symmetry breaking for controlling electromagnetic waves, which is relevant for sensing, imaging, and quantum-control applications.
Finger stability in precision grips
Authors: Sharma Neelima , Venkadesan Madhusudhan
Published: March 2022

Significance

Hand skills rely on the precision grip to hold objects with the fingertips. In rare instances, our finger’s joints undergo a form of buckling when we push with the fingertip and snap into hyperextension. Suppressing this instability is crucial for hand use, but how the nervous system avoids buckling is unknown. We studied people applying forces with the tip of their index fingers and found that the nervous system relies on the spring-like action of muscles for stability. The muscles cocontract to stabilize the joints but reduce the strength and compliance of our fingers. Thus, the motor skill of precision grip arises from the careful control of muscle cocontraction to balance the trade-off between finger stability, strength, and flexibility.
Crimean Gothicsada‘hundred’,hazer‘thousand’
Authors: Kim Ronald I.
Published: March 2022

The Crimean Gothic numeralssada‘hundred’ andhazer‘thousand’ are not of Persian origin, as long assumed in reference works, but loanwords from Alanic or another of the closely related Iranian languages spoken to the north of the Black Sea from the mid-1st millennium BC onwards. With its final vowel,sadareflects Alanic *sade(cf. Osseticsædæ), whereashazercan be from Alanic *hazaror *haz(a)re(cf. Osseticærzæ‘countless number, myriad’). The borrowing could have occurred anytime from the 3rd century onwards, with a date in the late 4th century most likely.
Circumnavigating taboos
Authors: Keller Melanie , Striedl Philipp , Biro Daniel , Holzer Johanna , Burridge Kate
Published: March 2022

This article elaborates on Wolfgang Schulze’s keynote speech of the same title at the 26th LIPP Symposium in Munich in 2019. It is based on the slides from his talk and various teaching materials, of which some figures have been translated from German to English before their inclusion in this article. While this article’s foundation rests on Schulze’s theories and research, we have done our best to build upon his work; direct quotes and key concepts of his will be cited throughout the text. Schulze intended to write this article himself, but after his unexpected passing in early 2020, we decided to offer this contribution on his behalf.

Research on taboo is widely spread across diverse academic disciplines that each attribute slightly, yet noticeably, different meanings to the concept. This article proposes an all-encompassing definition applicable to all socio-cultural contexts. To arrive at this comprehensive understanding, we first briefly survey the history oftabooand its linguistic study. Then, we present a formal and functional typology of circumnavigating taboos, taking into account the concepts ofmanaandnoaas proposed by Schulze (2019: 13, 15, 16). While the specific social restrictions resulting from tabooed relations vary from community to community, the purpose of taboo remains the same: social stability, protection and sustainability. Linguistic taboos contribute to these social functions by restricting the use of certain linguistic signs in certain situations. Such constraints necessitate strategies for avoiding taboo, including articulation shift, lexical substitution and the emergence of special languages, detailed here.
Borrowing and the historical LGBTQ lexicon
Authors: Vecchio Nicholas Lo
Published: March 2022

Unlike most areas involving taboo, where language-internal innovations tend to dominate, homosexuality is characterized by a basic international vocabulary shared across multiple languages, notably English, French, Italian, Spanish and German. Historically, the lexis of nonnormative gender identity has shared space with that of sexual orientation. This lexicon includes (inexhaustively) the following series of internationalisms:sodomite, bugger, bardash, berdache, tribade, pederast, sapphist, lesbian, uranist, invert, homosexual, bisexual, trans, gay, queer. This common terminology has resulted from language contact in a broad sense, and more specifically from lexical borrowing (loanwords). Several framing devices are expressed through the lexicon: religious censure, distancing in time and space, othering, medicalization or pathologizing, but also in recent decades LGBTQ self-assertion and demands for equality. Rather than necessarily being subject to taboo, then, queerness represents a pragmatically marked semantic field in which the lexicon is highly dependent upon social factors and the communicative context.
Word norms and measures of linguistic reclamation for LGBTQ+ slurs
Authors: Edmondson Daniel
Published: March 2022

While databases of taboo language word norms exist, none focus specifically on slurs as a category of taboo
language. Furthermore, no existing databases include measures of linguistic reclamation, a phenomenon which may specifically
affect the processing of slurs. I produced a database in which 155 native or near-native speakers of British English rated 41
LGBTQ+ slurs for a number of word properties and measures of linguistic reclamation. I then ran correlation and demographic group
comparison analyses on the resulting database. I found a clear correlation pattern between properties and reclamation behaviours.
I also found that there were age-related differences in age of acquisition and familiarity ratings; that gender identity and
sexual identity differences were affected by being the target of slurs; and that sexual identity particularly affected differences
in reclamation ratings.
Test for stress relief cracking susceptibility in creep resistant chromium-molybdenum steels
Authors: Sarich Conner , Alexandrov Boian , Benatar Avraham , Penso Jorge
Published: March 2022

An externally restrained stress relief cracking test was developed and demonstrated in testing susceptible and resistant to cracking welds in Cr–Mo steels. Compared to other externally restrained tests, it simultaneously applies stress and compensates thermal expansion during heating to post-weld heat treatment temperature and utilises digital image correlation for quantification of key characteristics of the stress relaxation and stress relief cracking phenomena. In contrast with resistant to stress relief cracking materials, susceptible materials experienced lower levels of stress relaxation, strain absorption, and sustained mechanical energy, with accelerated kinetics of strain accumulation and strain localisation leading to failure. The processes of stress relief cracking and stress relaxation were quantified as low strain – slow strain rate – low energy phenomena.
Gene variants previously associated with reduced soft tissue injury risk: Part 1 – independent associations with elite status in rugby
Authors: Brazier Jon , Antrobus Mark R. , Herbert Adam J. , Callus Peter C. , Stebbings Georgina K. , Day Stephen H. , Heffernan Shane M. , Kilduff Liam P. , Bennett Mark A. , Erskine Robert M. , Raleigh Stuart. M. , Collins Malcolm , Pitsiladis Yannis. P. , Williams Alun G.
Published: March 2022

There is growing evidence of genetic contributions to tendon and ligament pathologies. Given the high incidence and severity of tendon and ligament injuries in elite rugby, we studied whether 13 gene polymorphisms previously associated with tendon/ligament injury were associated with elite athlete status. Participants from the RugbyGene project were 663 elite Caucasian male rugby athletes (RA) (mean (standard deviation) height 1.85 (0.07) m, mass 101 (12) kg, age 29 (7) yr), including 558 rugby union athletes (RU) and 105 rugby league athletes. Non‐athletes (NA) were 909 Caucasian men and women (56% female; height 1.70 (0.10) m, mass 72 (13) kg, age 41 (23) yr). Genotypes were determined using TaqMan probes and groups compared using Χ2 and odds ratio (OR). COLGALT1 rs8090 AA genotype was more frequent in RA (27%) than NA (23%; P = 0.006). COL3A1 rs1800255 A allele was more frequent in RA (26%) than NA (23%) due to a greater frequency of GA genotype (39% vs 33%). For MIR608 rs4919510, RA had 1.7 times the odds of carrying the CC genotype compared to NA. MMP3 rs591058 TT genotype was less common in RA (25.1%) than NA (31.2%; P < 0.04). For NID1 rs4660148, RA had 1.6 times the odds of carrying the TT genotype compared to NA. It appears that elite rugby athletes have an inherited advantage that contributes to their elite status, possibly via resistance to soft tissue injury. These data may, in future, assist personalised management of injury risk amongst athletes.

Highlights

The elite rugby athletes we studied had differing genetic characteristics to non‐athletes regarding genetic variants previously associated with soft‐tissue injury risk.

COLGALT1 rs8090, COL3A1 rs1800255, MIR608 rs4919510, MMP3 rs591058 and NID1 rs4660148 were all associated with elite status in rugby.

We propose that elite rugby athletes might possess an inherited resistance to soft tissue injury, which has enabled them to achieve elite status despite exposure to the high‐risk environment of elite rugby.
A turnkey gaseous helium-cooled superconducting CORC® dc power cable with integrated current leads
Authors: van der Laan D C , Kim C H , Pamidi S V , Weiss J D
Published: March 2022

High-temperature superconducting (HTS) direct current (dc) power cable systems, capable of delivering power exceeding 10 MW while being cooled with cryogenic helium gas, have been developed for applications on naval electric ships, electric aircraft and in data centers. Current injection from room temperature into the superconducting power cable causes by far the greatest heat load to the cryogenic system. Efficient current leads with integrated helium gas heat exchangers were developed to inject a current exceeding 1 kA from room temperature into a superconducting Conductor on Round Core (CORC®) power cable, without the need for liquid nitrogen pre-cooling. A 2 m long single-pole CORC® power cable system that included current leads was cooled using a Stirling cryocooler with a closed-loop helium gas circulation system. The turnkey power cable system allowed cool down from room temperature to its operating temperature of 60 K–70 K within 5 h, after which continuous operation at 1.2 kA was demonstrated. The successful development and demonstration of a CORC® power cable with current leads containing integrated helium gas heat exchangers enables widespread implementation of HTS MW-class, high current density superconducting dc power cables in many applications with constrained space that require a power dense solution.
Effect of UV irradiation on the linear and nonlinear optical properties of Erbium(III)-Tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) thin films: optoelectronic performance
Authors: Qashou Saleem I
Published: March 2022

Thin films of Erbium(III)-Tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) (Erq3) were prepared by the thermal evaporating technique. The structural properties of the UV-irradiated films were investigated by XRD-pattern. The analysis of the XRD-Pattern revealed the polycrystalline structure for the as-deposited Erq3 film, whereas the amorphous structure was observed for the UV-irradiated films. Hence, the optical properties were significantly affected by the sublevels of energy produced by the induced defects. For instance, the band gap energy was lowered by an amount of 16.6% from its original value when the films were exposed to UV-irradiation for 120 min. Whilst, the normal dispersion

n

values increased by an amount of 18.2% when the films were exposed to UV radiation for 120 min. According to the single oscillator, the dispersion parameters (

E

Osc

,

E

Dis

and ε

∞
) were evaluated. The nonlinear optical parameters such as third-nonlinear optical susceptibility

χ

(
3
)

and the nonlinear refractive index

n

2

were discussed under the effect of UV radiation. It was noticed the impact of UV-irradiation in increasing the

χ

(
3
)

value, and therefore the UV-irradiation Erq3 films possess the probability to be used in the nonlinear optical materials. The effect of UV-radiation on the dielectric constants of Erq3 films was also explained.
The optimum configuration design of a nanostructured thermoelectric device with resonance tunneling
Authors: Fu Tong , Du Jianying , Su Shanhe , Su Guozhen , Chen Jincan
Published: March 2022

A nanostructured thermoelectric device is designed by connecting a double-barrier resonant tunneling heterostructure to two electron reservoirs. Based on Landauer’s equation and Fermi–Dirac statistics, the exact solution of the heat flow is calculated. The maximum power output and efficiency are calculated through the optimizations of several key parameters. The optimum characteristic curve of the performance is obtained. The thermodynamic performance characteristics of thermodynamic device are analyzed, including output power and efficiency, and the optimal operation region of device is determined by optimize the main parameter. The results obtained show that the heterojunction may become a perfect energy filter by appropriately regulating the chemical potentials of electron reservoirs and optimally choosing the widths of barrier and quantum well and the nanostructured thermoelectric device with resonance tunneling may obtain simultaneously a large power output and a high efficiency.
Research on radiometric calibration of the SVOM Visible Telescope
Authors: Pan Yue
Published: March 2022

The Visible Telescope (VT), which is the primary payload for the Chinese-French Space Multi-band Variable Object Monitor (SVOM) mission, is designed to observe the optical afterglow of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). While calibration is one of the key factors to validate that VT achieves its scientific objectives in terms of detection limit, photometric accuracy and photometric system deviation. In the dissertation, based on the scientific objectives and optomechanical parameters of SVOM VT, the calibration techniques for space-based astronomical telescopes are studied. We have carried out comprehensive characterization and high-precision calibration of VT qualification model in three phases: detector, instrumentation and in-orbit laboratory verification, and all tests have reached the desired results and meet the requirements of calibration indicators.
Dynamical characteristics of ultrashort terahertz pulse in metamaterials
Authors: Zhang Zhenqing , Deng Fusheng , Wu Feng , Zhu Chengjie
Published: March 2022

We develop a time-dependent theoretical approach to study the interaction between the ultrashort terahertz pulse and the metamaterials beyond the steady-state approximation. By using photoconductive silicon, we show that the system dispersion is changed from abnormal to normal via the classical interference effect. As a result, the terahertz pulse propagates through the material with subluminal/superluminal group velocity. We show that it is not accurate to predict the propagation characteristics of the terahertz pulses by using the steady-state solution of coupled wave equations, and the high-order dispersion terms take a significant role which attributes to the pulse shape deformation and the position-dependent group velocity modification. The theoretical approach presented here is essential of describing the propagation properties of the terahertz pulse in metamaterials and is helpful to understand the nature of quantum interference in electromagnetically induced transparency metamaterial.